cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of an ankle-hip model of balance on a balance board via kinematic frequency-content.

Abstract Background The ankle-strategy model, where the human body is modeled as a single inverted pendulum hinged at the ankle, has been used for decades to study the dynamics and the stability of the human upright posture (UP). However, the contribution of the hip joints is critical whenever postural disturbances are considered. To account for hip contribution, a double inverted pendulum (DIP) model rotating about the ankle and hip joints has been recently proposed in our previous work but experimental validation efforts are scarce. Method In the present study, it is investigated whether the DIP model is able to reproduce the experimentally observed frequency spectrum of the ankle and hip joint kinematic for young and elderly subjects balancing on a compliant surface. The DIP model based and experimental kinematics are compared via Fourier analysis to obtain their corresponding amplitude spectrum density (ASD) functions. Quantitative comparisons of the ASD functions are accomplished through Bland-Altman (B&A) analysis, and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Results The DIP model can reproduce part of the experimental frequency spectrum of the ankle and hip joint angle position and velocity, especially for frequencies larger than 0.35 Hz. Moreover, the model captures the decaying behavior of the experimental ASD functions as frequency increases. With respect to joint angle velocities, the highest PCC between model-based and experimental ASD functions is found for the hip joint of elderly subjects. The B&A analysis shows that the zero-difference between model-based and experimental ASD functions lies between the 95 % confidence interval, especially for the joint angle position results. These suggest that the DIP model reproduces part of the experimentally observed frequency spectrum, which validates the model to study the dynamics and stability of the human upright posture.
The behavioral immune system and conservatism as predictors of disease-avoidant attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to explore the relationships between the behavioral immune system (BIS), Political Ideology, and disease avoidant attitudes (e.g., attitudes toward vaccination and attitudes about COVID-19). The BIS (e.g., disgust) is believed to be the first line of defense against pathogens and has been linked to socially conservative values. Ironically, however, the BIS has also been associated with anti-vaccination attitudes. In the current study, American participants (N = 139) completed an online survey with self-report measures of the BIS (e.g., disgust sensitivity and perceived infectability), political ideology, COVID-19 attitudes, and anti-vaccination attitudes. Disgust sensitivity was positively correlated with anti-vaccination attitudes but not significantly correlated with attitudes toward COVID-19. Perceived infectability, however, was negatively correlated with anti-vaccination attitudes and positively correlated with anxiety and knowledge about COVID-19. Right-wing authoritarianism and support for Trump were negatively correlated with knowledge and anxiety about COVID-19 and positively correlated with anti-vaccination attitudes.
Abstract MP23: Clinical and Demographic Factors Influence Clinical Trial Enrollment

Introduction: Inclusion of diverse patients in clinical trials is essential to represent patient populations and to ensure that results are generalizable. Analysis of this topic is motivated by pri...
The significance of focally enhanced gastritis in haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

AIMS The histological diagnosis of acute gastric graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in patients with a history of haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is based on the presence of epithelial cell apoptosis and karyorrhectic debris. There is, however, limited information on the histological findings in patients who develop symptoms several months after transplant. Focally enhanced gastritis (FEG), defined by the presence of focal periglandular lymphohistiocytic inflammation with neutrophilic or lymphocytic intra-epithelial infiltration of gastric glands, has been described in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and in HSCT patients. The pattern closely resembles the focal periductal inflammation and lymphocytic exocytosis seen in chronic GVHD of the salivary gland. We sought to evaluate the significance of FEG in HSCT patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Gastric biopsies from 151 HSCT patients who underwent endoscopies for GVHD-like symptoms were identified. Time from transplant to biopsy, presence of extra-gastric GVHD, medications and outcome were noted. Thirty-five biopsies showed FEG and 21 showed aGVHD; the remainder were either normal or showed non-specific changes. Twenty-one (60%) FEG patients had concurrent histologically proven extra-gastric GVHD. The time to biopsy in FEG patients was significantly longer than in aGVHD patients (162 versus 57 days, P < 0.01). Prior or subsequent gastric biopsies of 14 patients in the FEG cohort were also evaluated and, of these, six showed aGVHD while one showed persistent FEG. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that FEG probably represents a form of late-occurring GVHD. This histological pattern should not be overlooked when identified in gastric biopsies from HSCT patients.
A daily level analysis of drinking to cope motivation and interpersonal stress.

Abstract Interpersonal stress is a commonly reported drinking-related problem and evidence indicates that it is associated with drinking to cope (DTC) motivation. The preponderance of evidence for DTC motivation as a risk factor for increased interpersonal stress, however, comes mainly from studies examining between-person associations. Findings suggest that individuals who commonly report drinking to cope with stress show higher average levels of drinking-related interpersonal problems. To better understand the dynamic processes linking DTC motivation with interpersonal stress, we used a micro-longitudinal design to examine whether nighttime drinking-episode specific levels of three subtypes of DTC motivation (DTC related to anxiety, depressive affect and anger) were associated with concurrent and next-day levels of interpersonal stress, controlling for drinking levels. Participants (N = 939) reported their drinking motives, drinking level, and drinking-related problems daily for 30 days during college and again approximately five years later (post-college). Results indicated that, controlling for drinking levels, DTC motivation associated with depressive affect and anger, but not anxiety, were positively associated with concurrent nighttime interpersonal stress. Only DTC related to anger was associated with higher levels of next-day interpersonal stress, controlling for previous night’s stress. The only other motive to predict next-day interpersonal stress was conformity motivation. None of the effects of motives varied across study wave. Findings are discussed in terms of how DTC anger might exacerbate interpersonal problems via processes associated with alcohol myopia.
No Control in Partial Control: The Referential pro Hypothesis in Brazilian Portuguese

Although inflected infinitives and partial control structures in Portuguese have already been the subject of much debate, a statistically tested reanalysis of their characteristics and distribution reveals two key results, one theoretical and another methodological. First, it is not syntactic control but rather pragmatics that is responsible for the phenomena described as partial control in Brazilian Portuguese. In other words, these structures may not be interpreted through a control module at all, but rather through the pragmatic interpretation of a free referential pronoun (pro) in the subject position of these embedded clauses. This better predicts the distribution of partial control structures and their available interpretations. Second, these new experimentally obtained and statistically verified findings contradict much-cited grammaticality judgements, which have unfortunately served as evidence for and against specific syntactic proposals, demonstrating the need for adopting more rigorous empirical and statistical methodologies. The proposed Referential pro Hypothesis (RPH) may explain the discrepancies between previously published judgements and the elicited results.
Bacterial, archaea and viral transcripts (BAVT) expression in endometrial cancer

Objectives: Microbes are found virtually everywhere, including the human body. High-throughput sequencing of microbial genome, also known as metagenomic sequencing, may help to understand interactions between human and microbial processes. In this pilot study we aimed to determine differences of bacterial, archaea and viral expression between normal fallopian tube samples and ovarian and endometrial cancer samples. Then, we assessed these differentially expressed transcripts in endometrial and ovarian cancer from TCGA data. Methods: RNA was extracted and sequenced from 62 endometrial cancers, 104 high-grade serous ovarian cancers and 12 normal tubes specimens from our Biobank repository. Sequencing was performed using the Illumina HiSeq4000 platform that sequences 150 bp paired-end transcripts. Reads were processed with Centrifuge, a novel algorithm that classifies metagenomic sequences. We built our own index to differentiate between bacterial, archaea, viral and human transcripts. Resulting number of transcripts were normalized, log transformed and compared between tubal epithelium and ovarian and endometrial cancers (t-test). Lasso regression was used to identify significant independent transcripts between samples. TCGA ovarian and endometrial samples were processed as previously, and expression of significant probes were evaluated. Results: Bacterial, archaea and viral transcripts (BAVT) were 4.7% and 3,1% of all transcriptome in tubal and ovarian cancer respectively. 266 transcripts were differentially expressed between normal tubes and ovarian and endometrial cancer, with a p Conclusions: BAVT expression is different between normal tissues and cancers in the gynecologic tract. Cancer amount of BAVT seems to decrease in malignant tissues, supporting a regulatory role of BAVT. Further studies are needed to determine the significance of BAVT amount and change of expression.
Prostaglandin Analogs that Antagonize the Vascular Responses to Particular Prostaglandins

In the current literature, there are numerous reports of the biological activity of exogenously administered prostaglandins and variations in the endogenous production of prostaglandins under varie physiologic conditions. However, no method has been developed that clearly differentiates the in vivo actions of each biologically active product of arachidonic acid metabolism. Thus, the true physiologic and pathophysiologic significance of these compounds remains somewhat theoretical.
The Standard Objection to the Standard Account

What is the relation between a clay statue andthe lump of clay from which it is made? According to the defender of the standardaccount, the statue and the lump are distinct,enduring objects that share the same spatiallocation whenever they both exist. Suchobjects also seem to share the samemicrophysical structure whenever they bothexist. This leads to the standard objection tothe standard account: if the statue and thelump of clay have the same microphysicalstructure whenever they both exist, how canthey differ in their de re temporalproperties, de re modal properties and soon? In this paper I develop amereological answer to this question – thestatue and the lump differ with respect totheir parts and this explains theirdifference with respect to de re temporalproperties, de re modal properties andthe like.
The Construction and Properties of Ellipsoidal Probability Density Functions

[enter Abstract Body]A recipe for the construction of a multivariate probability density function from a normalized symmetric univariate function using a distance metric methodology is developed. A method to perform multivariate integration in a polar coordinate system in an arbitary number of dimensions is described. This method is then used to compute a constant that normalizes the multivariate p.d.f. constructed using the recipe specified here. The use of the Kolmogorov test, as applied to the univariate distribution of the square of the metric distance, for distributional identification is described. A summary of the general properties of the constructed p.d.f. is given including the computation of: the principal moments; Mardia's multivariate kurtosis measure; and, the characteristic and moment generatic functions. Some elements of maximum likelihood estimation are explored.
Detection of DoS attacks through Fourier transform and mutual information

Due to their recent appearance and the reduced requirements in terms of network bandwidth, Slow Denial of Service Attacks detection represents a particularly challenging problem. This paper presents a novel detection method, analyzing spectral features of the network traffic over small time horizons. The proposed method has been validated by extrpolating data referred to real traffic traces, elaborated over the Local Area Network of our research institute. We have considered different kinds of attacks and results show how the proposed approach is reliable and applicable also in other cybersecurity contexts.
Phosphonoglycan. A major polysaccharide constituent of the amoeba plasma membrane contains 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid and 1-hydroxy-2-aminoethylphosphonic acid.

Abstract Approximately one-third of the mass of the isolated amoeba plasma membrane consists of a polysaccharide that contains about 1.5 µmoles of phosphorus per mg dry weight. About 70% of the phosphorus is present as two aminophosphonic acids: 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid and 1-hydroxy-2-aminoethylphosphonic acid, a previously unknown compound. Each of these accounts for about 0.5 µmole of phosphorus per mg dry weight and together they account for about 13% of the mass of the macromolecule.
The Cycle of the Seminiferous Epithelium of the Turkish Hamster (Mesocricetus brandti)

The Turkish hamster (Mesocricetus brandti) has become a desirable species for experimentation in testicular function, photoperiod, reproductive hormones and hibernation. Basic data on the kinetics of the seminiferous epithelium have not yet been published. In the present study, the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium was divided into eight stages based on the overall cellular associations of 1540 cross sections of tubules. The mean relative frequencies for stages 1 through 8 were 5.9, 3.3, 11.7, 6.7, 7.2, 28.5, 21.6 and 15.1%, respectively. The absolute duration of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium was determined by administration of 3H-thymidine, removal of testes at intevals after injection and autoradiography. The mean duration of one cycle was estimated at 8.0 days and the duration of stages 1 through 8 was 0.5, 0.3, 0.9, 0.5, 0.6, 2.3, 1.7 and 1.2 days, respectively. The duration of meiotic prophase was 11.5 days and of spermiogenesis was 13.8 days. The life span of preleptotene cell was estimated at 1.21 days, leptotene, 0.73 days, zygotene, 0.94 days and pachytene, 7.37 days. The total cycle length of spermatogenesis as usually calculated was 32.0 days.
The Role of Pain in the Cascade from Chronic Illness to Social Disability and Psychological Distress in Late Life

Pain has been viewed as an important concomitant of late-life illness that can threaten the quality of life of older adults. In considering linkages between chronic physical illness and psychological distress in late life, the associations between reporting of pain and indices of depression have been extensively studied (Parmelee, 1994; Romano & Turner, 1985). Nevertheless, the role of pain in mediating the effects of ill health on functioning and psychological well-being has seldom been considered in a more comprehensive framework. Such a framework could organize our understanding of the biopsychosocial and ecological context of pain and consider its sequelae for both social and psychological well-being (Kahana & Kahana, 1996).
The host response to smallpox: Analysis of the gene expression program in peripheral blood cells in a nonhuman primate model

Smallpox has played an unparalleled role in human history and remains a significant potential threat to public health. Despite the historical significance of this disease, we know little about the underlying pathophysiology or the virulence mechanisms of the causative agent, variola virus. To improve our understanding of variola pathogenesis and variola-host interactions, we examined the molecular and cellular features of hemorrhagic smallpox in cynomolgus macaques. We used cDNA microarrays to analyze host gene expression patterns in sequential blood samples from each of 22 infected animals. Variola infection elicited striking and temporally coordinated patterns of gene expression in peripheral blood. Of particular interest were features that appear to represent an IFN response, cell proliferation, immunoglobulin gene expression, viral dose-dependent gene expression patterns, and viral modulation of the host immune response. The virtual absence of a tumor necrosis factor α/NF-κB-activated transcriptional program in the face of an overwhelming systemic infection suggests that variola gene products may ablate this response. These results provide a detailed picture of the host transcriptional response during smallpox infection, and may help guide the development of diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic strategies.
Access and Social Capital: A Profile of Community College and Global Counterparts

Alternatives to the traditional four-year public and private university include a sector of higher education that offers a more advanced curriculum than secondary school and serves as a local and often lower-cost pathway that gives options for university overflow for adult learners, displaced workers, life-long learners, workforce learners, developmental learners, and non-traditional learners (Raby and Valeau 2009). These institutional types are known by several names including College of Further Education, Community College, Polytechnic, Technical College, and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and are found on all continents. Based on a literature review of 1,083 academic publications these institutions share a mission that views educational access as necessary for growing the economic and social capital that is needed to help students improve lives. Central to this mission is the belief that any amount of post-secondary education is life-enhancing, regardless of length of study or level of completion. This article examines application of this mission at community colleges and global counterparts throughout the world.
Development of a closed-loop fluidic system for a phase reconfigurable reflectarray element

This work presents three iterations of a phase-reconfigurable reflectarray element using fluidic networks. Altering the volume fraction of colloidal dispersions within these networks creates a phase-shift in the reflected signal. The design evolution is discussed through three different design iterations. The 1st iteration demonstrates 200° of measured phase shift.
Arachnoiditis Associated with an Unusual Pathogen: Aerococcus Urinae (P2.318)

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of Aerococcus urinae associated arachnoiditis. BACKGROUND: In the literature, we identified two reports of spondylodiscitis caused by Aerococcus urinae , in the setting of bacteremia with paraspinal soft tissue infection and infective endocarditis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Aerococcus urinae isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in a patient with arachnoiditis/radiculitis. DESIGN/METHODS: Case study. RESULTS: An 82 year old male with benign prostatic hypertrophy and urinary retention presented to our institution with an acute right S1 radiculopathy. The patient described a six day history of lower right back and buttock pain, radiating down the posterior thigh. After three days, he noted worsening urinary urgency without incontinence, saddle anesthesia, or lower extremity weakness. He denied neck pain, headache, fever, or photophobia. He had normal strength, no nuchal rigidity but exquisite pain with right straight leg raise, brisk patellar reflexes, and no tenderness to lumbar spine percussion. Lumbar spine MRI revealed severe L4-L5 stenosis, mild diffuse cauda equina enhancement with thickened nerve roots consistent with arachnoiditis/radiculitis, and subtle T2 hyperintensity in L2-L3, and L4-L5, worrisome for early discitis. Urine culture grew greater than 100,000 cfu/mL Aerococcus urinae . CSF testing showed pleocytosis with 8449 WBC/mcl (90% neutrophils), glucose Aerococcus urinae . Blood cultures and extensive testing for other bacteria, fungus, mycobacteria, virus, and malignancy were negative. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed no valvular vegetations. NMPET/CT to evaluate for discitis was inconclusive. The patient was commenced on a six week course of parenteral ceftriaxone therapy. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of arachnoiditis associated with Aerococcus urinae . Aerococcus urinae is uncommonly reported as a cause of human infections and has been associated with blood stream infection and endocarditis. Disclosure: Dr. Steijlen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vasoo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Elie has nothing to disclose. Dr. Robertson has nothing to disclose.
Effect of compressive transverse normal stress on mode II fracture toughness in polymeric composites

Effect of transverse normal stress on mode II fracture toughness of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites was studied experimentally in conjunction with finite element analyses. Mode II fracture tests were conducted on the S2/8552 glass/epoxy composite using off-axis specimens with a through thickness crack. The finite element method was employed to perform stress analyses from which mode II fracture toughness was extracted. In the analysis, crack surface contact friction effect was considered. It was found that the transverse normal compressive stress has significant effect on mode II fracture toughness of the composite. Moreover, the fracture toughness measured using the off-axis specimen was found to be quite different from that evaluated using the conventional end notched flexural (ENF) specimen in three-point bending. It was found that mode II fracture toughness cannot be characterized by the crack tip singular shear stress alone; nonsingular stresses ahead of the crack tip appear to have substantial influence on the apparent mode II fracture toughness of the composite.
Particle transport through scattering regions with clear layers and inclusions

This paper introduces generalized diffusion models for the transport of particles in scattering media with nonscattering inclusions. Classical diffusion is known as a good approximation of transport only in scattering media. Based on asymptotic expansions and the coupling of transport and diffusion models, generalized diffusion equations with nonlocal interface conditions are proposed which offer a computationally cheap, yet accurate, alternative to solving the full phase-space transport equations. The paper shows which computational model should be used depending on the size and shape of the nonscattering inclusions in the simplified setting of two space dimensions. An important application is the treatment of clear layers in near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, an imaging technique based on the propagation of NIR photons in human tissues.
Human complement protein C8γ

Human C8 gamma is a 22 kDa subunit of complement component C8, which is one of five components (C5b, C6, C7, C8, C9) that interact to form the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement. C8 contains three nonidentical subunits (alpha, beta, gamma) that are products of different genes. These subunits are arranged asymmetrically to form a disulfide-linked C8 alpha-gamma dimer that is noncovalently associated with C8 beta. C8 alpha and C8 beta are homologous to C6, C7 and C9 and together these proteins comprise what is referred to as the 'MAC protein family'. By comparison, C8 gamma is distinct in that it belongs to the lipocalin family of small, secreted proteins which have the common ability to bind small hydrophobic ligands. While specific roles have been identified for C8 alpha and C8 beta in the formation and function of the MAC, a function for C8 gamma and the identity of its ligand are unknown. This review summarizes the current status of C8 gamma structure and function and the progress made from efforts to determine its role in the complement system.
Long Qt Syndrome Mutations In Caveolin-3 Cause Loss Of The Kir2.1-mediated Inward Rectifier Potassium Current (iK1)

Caveolin-3 (CAV3) is a key structural protein in cardiac caveolae that serves as an anchoring protein and a regulatory element for protein signaling in human cardiac myocytes. We have demonstrated previously that mutations in CAV3-encoded caveolin-3 are associated with long QT syndrome (LQT9) and increase late sodium current (INa).We postulated that CAV3 may also regulate other ion channels such as KIR2.1, the channel responsible for the cardiac inward rectifier current IK1 and also the channel underlying Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS1/LQT7). We therefore tested the four LQT9-associated mutations (F97C, S141R, T78M, A85T) for effects on inward rectifier channel KIR2.1. Wild-type (WT) Kir2.1 was expressed transiently in HEK293 cells with either WT stably expressed or mutant CAV3 proteins with IRES-GFP transiently expressed. Kir2.1 currents were measured using whole-cell patch clamp technique. WT CAV3 had no effect on Kir2.1 current. However, F97C-, S141R-, A85T-, and T78M-CAV3 mutations abolished both inward and outward IK1 current density. At -120mV inward IK1 current density was reduced by 59% (F97C), 55% (S141R), 80% (A85T) and 41% (T78M), p≤0.02. At -40mV outward IK1 current density was reduced by >96% for F97C, S141R, and T78M (p≤0.04), and was reduced by 68% by A85T (p≤0.04). This marked loss of IK1 function, over the physiological voltage range, important for terminal repolarization, suggests that CAV3 mutations may cause the LQT phenotype by a cumulative effect on IK1 and INa. More generally, it suggests that caveolin-3 is a novel Kir2.1 channel interacting protein. The detailed mechanism of this interaction and the implications for cardiac electrophysiology require further investigation.
Hot Chips and Other Themes

This column discusses the special issue on Hot Chips, upcoming issue themes, and IEEE Micro's impact factor.
Flavone acetic acid and plasma protein binding

Both the capacity of healthy human, cancer patient, and mouse plasma proteins to bind flavone acetic acid (FAA) and the qualitative differences in the plasma protein-binding site were studied. The binding capacity of plasma proteins for FAA was saturated within the therapeutic range in both species. The binding of FAA to plasma protein was significantly greater in both healthy human and cancer patient plasma than in mouse plasma. Plasma from patients with cancer bound on the average less FAA than did healthy patient plasma. The concentration of albumin in the plasma varied between healthy humans, cancer patients, and mice, being 5.3±0.7, 4.7±0.8, and 3.9±0.3 g/100 ml, respectively. The protein binding of FAA was found to be dependent on the plasma albumin concentration, but albumin concentration alone was not adequate for the accurate prediction of the percentage of FAA protein bound. Scatchard plots indicated that healthy human plasma had a greater number of high-affinity binding sites than did mouse plasma. FAA binds at the indolebenzodiazepine binding area on albumin and can be displaced from this site by salicylic acid and clofibric acid, but only at supratherapeutic concentrations. Our results indicate that alterations in plasma albumin could contribute to a variable effect with FAA. Therefore, the influence of serum albumin concentration and the nonlinearity of FAA protein binding should be considered in assessment of the appropriateness of a dose schedule for FAA.
Family adaptation and coping among siblings of cancer patients, their brothers and sisters, and nonclinical controls

Abstract This study examined coping and family adaptation in siblings of cancer patients, their ill brothers or sisters, and a control group consisting of nonclinical children who have healthy siblings. Assessments included children's self-report measures of coping and family adaptation. Variables of individual differences, including gender and age of the sibling, and family constellation factors, including birth order and number of siblings in the family, were examined to determine effects on coping. Better adaptation was found in larger families, while decreased family involvement was found among older siblings. Recommendations for future research include elucidating the process by which children adjust to having a chronically ill sibling in their family.
What African analysts can learn from the Ostroms

Abstract African governance arrangements are typically constructed from the top down, frequently establishing predatory and repressive relationships with the societies they are meant to govern. In some countries, these arrangements collapse with tragic consequences. The work of Vincent and Lin Ostrom provides insights and analytic tools that can be helpful to scholars and practitioners who address Africa's governance challenges. The Ostroms have shown that people can and do depart from arrangements of domination and predation by crafting polycentric institutions through processes of constitutional and collective choice, drawing upon understandings of the biophysical and cultural contexts including local knowledge, and relevant experiences of others elsewhere.
Interspecialty Differences in the Care of Children with Chronic or Serious Acute Conditions: A Review of the Literature

Little is known about the specific roles of pediatric subspecialists and other physician providers, such as general specialists, internist subspecialists, and general pediatricians, in the care of children in the United States.1–4 The involvement of various types of providers in the care of children with chronic or serious acute conditions raises concerns about interspecialty differences in quality. Many studies of adult populations have demonstrated interspecialty differences in care for various conditions.5–7 These studies generally found that specialists are more knowledgeable than generalists for specific conditions, adhere more closely to current recommendations and guidelines, and have better condition-specific outcomes. Others found that generalists have better knowledge of immunization recommendations,8 similar outcomes and patient satisfaction levels,6,9 and lower costs.10 Systematic reviews have identified persistent interspecialty differences in knowledge, patterns of care, costs, and outcomes for a wide variety of chronic conditions affecting adult patients.11,12 To explore these issues, we conducted a review to determine what is currently known about interspecialty differences in the care of children and the quality of the existing literature.
Quality of life, pain and return to normal activities following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy versus open mini-incision donor nephrectomy.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We evaluated pain, convalescence and health related quality of life in patients undergoing laparoscopic and open mini-incision donor nephrectomy.Materials and Methods: We compared the records of consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic and mini-incision open donor nephrectomy from our donor nephrectomy data base in retrospective fashion using 2 questionnaires. The first questionnaire evaluated postoperative pain, return to functioning time and satisfaction. The second questionnaire was the RAND 36-Item Health Survey, version 2, a standardized and validated health survey quality of life assessment tool. Mean patient sex, age and followup were similar for the 2 groups. All data were analyzed using the 2-tailed t test for independent variables with commercially available statistical analysis software.Results: Pain in the laparoscopic group was significantly less than in the mini-incision group at all followup time points (p <0.05). Statistically significant differences demonstrated th...
Semiparametric Bayes local additive models for longitudinal data.

In longitudinal data analysis, a great interest is in assessing the impact of predictors on the time-varying trajectory in a response variable. In such settings, an important issue is to account for heterogeneity in the shape of the trajectory among subjects, while allowing the impact of the predictors to vary across subjects. We propose a flexible semiparametric Bayesian approach for addressing this issue relying on a local partition process prior, which allows flexible local borrowing of information across subjects. Local hypothesis testing and credible bands are developed for the identification of time windows across which a predictor has a significant impact, while adjusting for multiple comparisons. Posterior computation proceeds via an efficient MCMC algorithm using the exact block Gibbs sampler. The methods are assessed using simulation studies and applied to a yeast cell-cycle gene expression data set.
Interaural level differences and the level-meter model

The interaural level difference (ILD) plays a significant role in sound localization. However, the definition of ILD for noise is open to some interpretation because it is not obvious how to deal with the inevitable level fluctuations. In this article, the ILD is interpreted as an energylike (time-integrated) measure of stimulus level, independent of other stimulus details—particularly interaural correlation. This concept is called the “level-meter model.” The model was tested by measuring human ILD thresholds for noise stimuli that were interaurally correlated, or anticorrelated, or uncorrelated. An additional test (not involving lateralization) measured the threshold for level discrimination based on loudness. According to the level-meter model, all four thresholds should be the same. The experimental results showed that the predictions of the level-meter model held good to within about half a dB, although thresholds for level discrimination were systematically higher than ILDs. Among the ILDs themselves, thresholds were slightly higher for uncorrelated noise. The latter result could be explained by replacing the level-meter model with a loudness-meter model, incorporating temporal integration. The same model accounted for the bandwidth dependence of the threshold.
Integrin engagement on fibronectin modulates the protein levels of c-myb, CD34, P21, and P130 in primary human hematopoietic progenitors

Abstract Interaction between stem cells and stroma or fibronectin (FN CH-296) during ex vivo culture is critical in maintaining the long-term engraftment potentiality of human hematopoietic stem cells in immune deficient bnx mice (Dao et al., 1998). In the current study, we examined molecular pathways by which integrin engagement may alter the pluripotentiality of primitive hematopoietic progenitors. Bone marrow and cord blood CD34+ progenitors were cultured with IL-3, IL-6, and SCF for 2,3, or 7 days on BSA- or FN-coated plates. The majority of cells on BSA plates remained in suspension throughout the three time points. After 2 days on FN plates, more than 80% of the cells (FN-Ad) spread firmly; however, by 7 days, nearly half of the cells were nonadherent (FN-NA). Subcellular fractionation followed by immunoblotting for c-myb, GATA-2, CD34, p130, and p21 were performed. After 2 days culture, BSA cells showed a detectable level of p21, a protein that has been linked to differentiation. After 7 days in culture, there was a decrease in the levels of nuclear c-myb and CD34 protein in BSA cells as well as FN-NA cells, in comparison to FN-Ad cells. In addition, FN-Ad cells showed a markedly higher expression of an Rb-related G 0 protein, p130. Our data suggests the following conclusions: 1. Engagement of integrins on FN maintains expression of c-myb and CD34 which are both present in early primitive hematopoietic progenitors and 2. Stimulation with growth factors on Fn induces cell division, generating two populations of cells which differ at the molecular levels.
The electrical resistance of fluidized beds of coke and graphite

The electrical resistance of beds of finely divided graphite and conducting coke have been investigated in the settled and fluidized regions. In almost all cases a maximum in the bed resistance occurs at a gas velocity slightly greater than that required for minimum fluidizing. This has been explained qualitatively by assuming current flow along a continuous network of touching particles the resistance of which is modified by the growth of gas bubbles in the bed. On etudie la resistance electrique de graphite et de coke conducteur finement divises dans les systemes fluidises et a lit fixe co-courant. Dans la majorite des cas la resistance maximum du lit se produit a une vitesse legerement superi-cure a la vitesse minimum de fluidisation. On explique ce fait en supposant un ecoulement electrique dans un reseau de particules adjacentes en etat de contact et dont la resistance est alteree par les bulles de gaz dans le lit.
Measurement of the kinetics of calcium metabolism in children and adolescents utilizing nonradioactive strontium.

Studies of the kinetics of calcium metabolism utilizing nonradioactive strontium as a tracer for calcium are reported in normal children and in children with diseases affecting mineral and skeletal metabolism. In 15 children without evidence of abnormality of calcium or bone metabolism the exchangeable pool of strontium, the turnover rate and the bone deposition rate of strontium increased with the age and surface area of the subject, reaching a maximum in the adolescent and decreasing thereafter to the adult range. An expanded exchangeable pool of strontium and increased turnover and bone deposition rates were observed in children with hyperthyroidism and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. Children with either vitamin D sensitive or vitamin D resistant rickets had enlarged exchangeable strontium pools while the turnover and bone deposition rates fell within the normal range for their age and body size. In children with hypopituitarism, osteogenesis imperfecta and after prolonged treatment with glucocorticoid...
Conformal coating of nanoscale features of microporous Anodisc™ membranes with zirconium and titanium oxides

We have successfully coated a nanofeatured material with ZrO2 and TiO2 using a polymer assisted deposition technique.
Radarclinometry of the sand seas of Africa’s Namibia and Saturn’s moon Titan

Abstract Radarclinometry is a powerful technique for estimating heights of landforms in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of planetary surfaces. In particular, it has been used to estimate heights of dunes in the sand seas of Saturn’s moon Titan (Lorenz, R.D., and 39 colleagues [2006]. Science 312, 724–727). In this work, we verify the technique by comparing dune heights derived from radarclinometry to known topography of dune fields in the Namib sand sea of western Africa. We compared results from three different image grid spacings, and found that 350 m/pixel (the same spacing at which the Cassini RADAR data was processed) is sufficient to determine dune height for dunes of similar morphometry to those of the Namib sand sea. At this grid spacing, height estimates derived from radarclinometry are largely representative of, though may underestimate by as much as 30%, or overestimate by as much as 40%, true dune height. Applying the technique to three regions on Titan, we estimate dune heights of 45–180 m, and dune spacings of 2.3–3.3 km. Obtaining accurate heights of Titan’s dunes will help to constrain the total organic inventory on Titan.
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM-BASED POLLUTION RESPONSE ASSET TRACKING SYSTEM (RATS)

ABSTRACT The U.S. Navy's Supervisor of Salvage (SUPSALV) Response Asset Tracking System (RATS) was developed to provide enhanced safety and logistics support, improve worldwide contingency planning capabilities, and increase operational responsiveness through automated tracking of oil spill containment and recovery equipment. RATS's worldwide tracking capability is accomplished by combining Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with VHF and INMARSAT-C transmission links. The system allows the equipment's position to be automatically overlaid on digitized mapping systems and nautical charts. The application of GPS-based RATS technology to oil spill containment and recovery scenarios greatly enhances “command and control” and operational effectiveness.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME DEVELOPMENT: MALE ADVANTAGE IN THE RABBIT

Top of pageAbstract The surfactant system has been the focus of investigation for sex differences In lung maturation. Whereas many studies have demonstrated advanced surfactant maturation in female fetuses, others have found no sex differences or even indications of female disadvantage (Am. Rev. Resp. Dis. 124: 435, 1981). The pulmonary antioxldant enzyme (AOE) system, functioning to detoxify O2-free radicals, matures on a time course similar to surfactant development. To explore whether sex differences might be present in AOE system development and to confirm previous findings of sex differences in surfactant development, we examined 2-3 litters of fetal rabbits at each of 4 gestational ages for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GP) activities (U./mg DNA) and for lung DSPC content. Male fetuses had significantly increased SOD, CAT and GP activities (and DSPC content) suggesting a male advantage in AOE maturation at 28 days. This is the first demonstration that the lung AOE system, important in preparing an organism for the increased oxidant conditions present at birth, may be maturing earlier in the male rather than female animal.
Detection of perimenopause or postmenopause human chorionic gonadotropin: an unnecessary source of alarm

Objective The normal pituitary production of human chorionic gonadotropin alongside luteinizing hormone, measurable in menopausal serum and urine was initially reported over 3 decades ago and has been described in numerous subsequent publications. Unfortunately, delays or cancellations of important medical procedures and use of needless chemotherapy still occurs because of the finding of human chorionic gonadotropin in perimenopausal and postmenopausal woman. We describe the problem and a concise approach to this management dilemma in menopausal women. Study Design This is an outcomes study of 36 cases of perimenopausal and postmenopausal human chorionic gonadotropin evaluated in cases referred to the USA hCG Reference Service. Results By report of the provided records, in 6 of 36 cases, unneeded chemotherapy was given for assumed recurrent gestational trophoblastic disease. In 9 cases, surgery was cancelled or postponed and in 3 cases renal transplantation was cancelled at the time of locating a matched donor kidney. In all cases the measured human chorionic gonadotropin was due to menopausal production of pituitary human chorionic gonadotropin. The average human chorionic gonadotropin detected in perimenopausal cases was 6.4 ± 3.2 IU/L, and in postmenopausal cases was 11.6 ± 7.0 IU/L or significantly higher. In 24 cases, therapeutic doses of high-estrogen birth control pill were used to confirm pituitary origin with 23 cases demonstrating successful human chorionic gonadotropin suppression. Conclusion Low levels of human chorionic gonadotropin production in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal state is a normal physiologic phenomenon. Provider education is warranted and management protocols are suggested in all health-related fields to clarify the normality of low level pituitary human chorionic gonadotropin production. Understanding this physiology will avoid delays in necessary therapies such as organ transplants, and will limit the misadventure of prescribing unnecessary treatments for presumed gestational malignancy.
Correction of vitamin E deficiency with fat-soluble versus water-miscible preparations of vitamin E in patients with cystic fibrosis

Of 27 patients with cystic fibrosis, 17 had levels of α-tocopherol more than 2 SD below the mean. Patients were randomly given either a water-miscible form of vitamin E or a fat-soluble form for 6 months. Either form was effective in achieving normal serum levels; the fat-soluble supplement has a significant cost advantage.
A general and optimal framework to achieve the entire rate region for Slepian-Wolf coding

This paper considers symmetric Slepian-Wolf (SW) coding of two memoryless binary symmetric sources. We propose a simple and general framework, termed the Symmetric SF-ISF Framework (SSIF), (i) which can be efficiently applied to any linear channel code, (ii) which incurs no rate loss when converting the channel code to the Slepian-Wolf code, and (iii) which can achieve an arbitrary point in the Slepian-Wolf rate region. The proposed SW encoder implements the binning approach through a syndrome former (SF). The proposed SW decoder performs optimal estimation by first recovering the difference pattern between the sources using a matching inverse syndrome former (ISF), and subsequently recovering individual source sequences through syndrome former partitioning. Through rigorous proof and discussion, we show that the proposed framework is capable of achieving any rate pair promised by the theory. Hamming codes, turbo product codes, turbo codes and LDPC codes are provided as examples to demonstrate the generality and efficiency of the framework.