cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal associations between alcohol problems and depressive symptoms: early adolescence through early adulthood.

Background: Alcohol use-related problems and depressive symptoms are clearly associated with each other, but results regarding the nature of this association have been inconsistent. In addition, the possible moderating effects of age and gender have not been comprehensively examined. The goals of this study were to clarify: (i) how depressive symptoms affect the levels and trajectory of alcohol use-related problems, (ii) how alcohol use-related problems affect the levels and trajectory of depressive symptoms, and (iii) whether there are differences in these associations at different points in development or between males and females. Methods: Participants for this study were drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (AddHealth) data set, a community-based sample of 20,728 adolescents followed from adolescence through early adulthood. Multilevel models were used to assess how each problem affected the level and rate of change in the other problem over time; gender was considered as a possible moderator of these associations. Results: The results indicated that alcohol use-related problems and depressive symptoms had reciprocal, positive associations with each other during the period from early adolescence through early adulthood; however, these effects differed somewhat by gender and age. High levels of depressive symptoms were associated with higher initial levels of alcohol problems (particularly among females), as well as faster increases in alcohol problems over time among males. High levels of alcohol problems were associated with higher initial levels of depressive symptoms (particularly among females), as well as less curvature in the slope of depressive symptoms so that although there was a large difference between people with high and low depressive symptoms in early adolescence, by early adulthood the difference was smaller (particularly among females). Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of examining gender and age in studies on the associations between affective disorders and substance use disorders.
The causes of dilated cardiomyopathy: A clinicopathologic review of 673 consecutive patients

Abstract Objective. The purpose of this study was to document the various causes of dilated cardiomyopathy in a large group of adult patients with congestive heart failure. Background. Previous reports of the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy have usually been case reports of a single specific etiology or review articles. The frequency of any single specific heart muscle disease is largely unknown. Methods. We evaluated 673 patients referred for congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. The evaluation included medical history, physical examination, routine blood chemistry and hematologic measurements, electrocardiography and echocardiography. Thyroid function tests, antinuclear antibody tests and urinary vanillylmandelic acid and metanephrine levels were also obtained. Endomyocardial biopsy with right heart catheterization was performed in every patient. Coronary arteriography was performed in patients who had at least two standard cardiovascular risk factors or a history suggestive of myocardlal ischemia. The cases were retrospectively reviewed, and a final cause for dilated cardiomyopathy was listed for each patient. Results. The most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy were idiopathic origin (47%), idiopathic myocarditis (12%) and coronary artery disease (11%). The other identifiable causes of dilated cardiomyopathy made up 31% of the total cases. Conclusions. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a common cause of congestive heart failure. Specific heart muscle diseases occur with much less frequency.
Expediting SRM Assay Development for Large-Scale Targeted Proteomics Experiments

Because of its high sensitivity and specificity, selected reaction monitoring (SRM)-based targeted proteomics has become increasingly popular for biological and translational applications. Selection of optimal transitions and optimization of collision energy (CE) are important assay development steps for achieving sensitive detection and accurate quantification; however, these steps can be labor-intensive, especially for large-scale applications. Herein, we explored several options for accelerating SRM assay development evaluated in the context of a relatively large set of 215 synthetic peptide targets. We first showed that HCD fragmentation is very similar to that of CID in triple quadrupole (QQQ) instrumentation and that by selection of the top 6 y fragment ions from HCD spectra, >86% of the top transitions optimized from direct infusion with QQQ instrumentation are covered. We also demonstrated that the CE calculated by existing prediction tools was less accurate for 3+ precursors and that a significant increase in intensity for transitions could be obtained using a new CE prediction equation constructed from the present experimental data. Overall, our study illustrated the feasibility of expediting the development of larger numbers of high-sensitivity SRM assays through automation of transition selection and accurate prediction of optimal CE to improve both SRM throughput and measurement quality.
Proton Affinity of Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Relative Stabilities of C2H6OS Molecules and C2H7OS+ Ions. A Comparative G2(MP2) ab Initio and Density Functional Theory Study

Relative energies of several C2H6OS molecules and C2H7OS+ ions were obtained by ab initio and density functional theory calculations. Geometry optimizations with Becke's hybrid functional (B3LYP) and the 6-31+G(d,p) basis set gave good-quality equilibrium structures which did not improve significantly by B3LYP calculations using the larger 6-311+G(2df,2p) basis set. Among C2H6OS isomers with S−O bonds, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 1) was the most stable species, followed by methyl methanesulfenate (3), S-hydroxy-S-methyl-S-methylenesulfurane (DMSO enol, 2), S-methoxy-S-methylene-S-(H)sulfurane (4), and (S,S-H2)2-oxa-1-thietane (5). O-protonated dimethyl sulfoxide (1aH+) was the most stable C2H7OS+ isomer of those studied. Ion 1aH+ was separated from the less stable isomers by substantial potential energy barriers. The G2(MP2) proton affinity of DMSO (885 kJ mol-1) was in excellent agreement with the value from equilibrium measurements. DMSO-enol (2) was predicted to be a strong gas-phase base for protonation...
Parabolic induction and Hecke modules in characteristic p for p-adic GLn

We classify the simple supersingular modules for the pro-p-Iwahori Hecke algebra H of p-adic GL(n) by proving a conjecture by Vigneras about a mod p numerical Langlands correspondence on the side of the Hecke modules. We define a process of induction for H-modules in characteristic p that reflects the parabolic induction for representations of the p-adic general linear group and explore the semisimplification of the standard nonsupersingular H-modules in light of this process.
The 13–14 December 2001 IMPROVE-2 Event. Part II: Comparisons of MM5 Model Simulations of Clouds and Precipitation with Observations

Abstract This paper compares airborne in situ observations of cloud microphysical parameters with the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5) simulations, using the Reisner-2 bulk microphysical parameterization, for a heavy precipitation event over the Oregon Cascades on 13–14 December 2001. The MM5 correctly replicated the extent of the snow field and the growth of snow particles by vapor deposition measured along aircraft flight tracks between altitudes of 4.9 and 6 km, but overpredicted the mass concentrations of snow. The model produced a broader number distribution of snow particles than observed, overpredicting the number of moderate-to-large-sized snow particles and underpredicting the number of small particles observed along the aircraft flight track. Over the mountain crest, the model overpredicted depositional growth of snow and mass concentrations of snow, but underpredicted the amount of cloud liquid water and con...
Studies of the SLT chip terminal metallurgy

The thin film metallurgy used for SLT chip terminal contacts has been studied with respect to the soldering procedure used for chip-to-module joining. A simple solder immersion test was used to study wetting and dewetting effects on Cr films overlaid with films of Cu and other metals. It was found that the initial soldering reaction (consisting of the conversion of the Cu film to a Cu-Sn metallic layer) proceeds to completion in only a few seconds. Thereafter, the intermetallic layers tarts to disintegrate and become thinner by a mechanism identified as solution-assisted spalling. Removal of the intermetallic layer by this mechanism is not limited by simple solubility considerations. From metallographic observations and the inability to produce direct wetting of Cr films by solder, it was concluded that the basic cause of solder dewetting is the excessive loss of intermetallic from the underlying Cr film. Dewetting is accelerated if the Cu film is deposited on an oxidized Cr surface. These observations underscore the importance of the manufacturing practice of overlapping the Cr and Cu depositions so as to obtain an adherent and interlocked structure which is resistant to spalling. Other studies have shown that Al films are relatively inert to molten pure Pb-5%, Sn solder, but are susceptible to rapid attack if gold is added to the solder. Appreciabled elay of such attack is afforded by an overlying film of Cr, provided both surface and edge coverage are achieved.
A phase I trial of 5-day continuous infusion cisplatin and interferon α

Combination therapy of cisplatin with interferon alpha (IFN) has been shown in several in vitro as well as in vivo models to be synergistic. In order to decrease toxicity seen with cisplatin, 5-day continuous infusions, in place of bolus administration, have been introduced. This led us to investigate the combination of 5-day continuous infusion cisplatin with repeated IFN dosing in a phase I cisplatin dose escalation study. A group of 17 patients were enrolled in this trial. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of cisplatin was 20 mg/m2 per day when combined with 3 x 10(6) units IFN given three times a week. The dose-limiting toxicities seen included thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and nausea and vomiting. Pharmacokinetic analyses of free (unbound or ultrafilterable) platinum revealed that the decay curve fitted a monoexponential model. Pharmacokinetic parameters of cisplatin were found to correlate with toxicity. Both increases in the maximum concentration of cisplatin achieved (Cpmax) as well as the area-under-the-curve (AUC) for free platinum, correlated with the incidence of nausea and vomiting (both acute and delayed) and hematological toxicities (leukopenia and thrombocytopenia). None of the patients exhibited significant changes in renal function while on this study. The free platinum levels were higher than found in similar studies evaluating comparable cisplatin infusions alone. The enhanced toxicities seen in this trial may be explained by the results of an in vitro study using human plasma spiked with cisplatin and IFN that revealed decreased protein binding of cisplatin by 2.5-3.0-fold. Of the 17 patients treated, two non-small cell lung cancer patients obtained a partial response and one malignant melanoma patient obtained complete resolution of a malignant pleural effusion. Considering the acceptable toxicity seen in this trial, we recommend phase II trials be conducted with continuous infusion cisplatin with IFN in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Information collection, access and dissemination for evidence based shale policies

To ensure that unconventional shale gas development (UGD) yields net social benefits, we need to identify the magnitude and distribution of its benefits and costs and develop effective technological, management and regulatory strategies to minimize potential adverse effects. A major obstacle in achieving these goals is the gaps in the collection, access and dissemination of information. This paper focuses on informational gaps in assessing a narrow subset of the potential links between UGD and well water contamination, drawing particularly from the experience in Pennsylvania. It suggests strategies for legislators, regulators, industry, and researchers to address these informational gaps, while protecting legitimate privacy concerns. The benefits from improved understanding of the impact of this industry and resulting innovations to mitigate its impacts justifies the costs of data collection, access and dissemination.
A Direct Substrate-Substrate Interaction Found in the Kinase Domain of the Bifunctional Enzyme, 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/Fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

Abstract To understand the molecular basis of a phosphoryl transfer reaction catalyzed by the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase domain of the hypoxia-inducible bifunctional enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB3), the crystal structures of PFKFB3 AMPPCP fructose-6-phosphate and PFKFB3 ADP phosphoenolpyruvate complexes were determined to 2.7 A and 2.25 A resolution, respectively. Kinetic studies on the wild-type and site-directed mutant proteins were carried out to confirm the structural observations. The experimentally varied liganding states in the active pocket cause no significant conformational changes. In the pseudo-substrate complex, a strong direct interaction between AMPPCP and fructose-6-phosphate (Fru-6-P) is found. By virtue of this direct substrate–substrate interaction, Fru-6-P is aligned with AMPPCP in an orientation and proximity most suitable for a direct transfer of the γ-phosphate moiety to 2-OH of Fru-6-P. The three key atoms involved in the phosphoryl transfer, the β,γ-phosphate bridge oxygen atom, the γ-phosphorus atom, and the 2-OH group are positioned in a single line, suggesting a direct phosphoryl transfer without formation of a phosphoenzyme intermediate. In addition, the distance between 2-OH and γ-phosphorus allows the γ-phosphate oxygen atoms to serve as a general base catalyst to induce an “associative” phosphoryl transfer mechanism. The site-directed mutant study and inhibition kinetics suggest that this reaction will be catalyzed most efficiently by the protein when the substrates bind to the active pocket in an ordered manner in which ATP binds first.
A COMMENT ON SCOTT'S "BLACK POLYGAMOUS FAMILY FORMATION"

This brief article takes a critical look at Joseph W. Scott's article "Black Polygamous Family Formation." While Scott's research is seen as helpful, several problems in his treatment of ptura/ mating and marriage arrangements among Black Americans are discussed. Major conceptual problems are created by Scott's use (or misuse) of the concept "'po/ygyny. "" Significant methodological problems are also posed by his sampling approach, operationalization of concepts, and analytic strategies. Studies such as Scott's are of optimal value when their exploratory nature, and consequent /imitation, are clearly acknowledged.
Retained regional lymph nodes: effect on metastases and recurrence after tumor removal.

Using a syngeneic mouse sarcoma of recent origin and demonstrable immunogenicity, the effects of removal or retention of regional lymph nodes upon development of local recurrences and distant metastases were studied. Irrespective of extent of operation, early tumor removal prevented development of distant metastases while delayed tumor excision was followed by distant metastases in about half the animals so treated. Significant and comparable incidences of local recurrence were noted after early operations with deliberate postoperative wound seeding with tumor and after late operations without wound seeding, whereas early operation without wound seeding resulted in a negligible incidence of local recurrence.
Tumour necrosis factor-α induces ectopic activity in nociceptive primary afferent fibres

Abstract Tumour necrosis factor- α , a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is expressed endoneurially following a variety of local and systemic pathophysiological insults which give rise to pain. We administered tumour necrosis factor- α to pentobarbital-anaesthetized rats, either topically along a restricted portion of the sciatic nerve or injected subcutaneously within the distribution of the sural nerve. Single nociceptive primary afferent fibres were assessed for ectopic discharge and receptor sensitization. Low concentrations (0.001–0.01 ng/ml) of tumour necrosis factor- α applied along the nerve elicited a dose-dependent, rapid onset (1–3 min) increase in discharge; higher concentrations led to reduced firing rates. C-fibres developed higher mean firing frequencies than A δ -fibres. Bursting frequency in both fibre types reached several (>6) Hz. No change in mechanical threshold was observed. Intradermal injection (50 pg in 50 μ l) led to ectopic discharge and a decrease in mechanical threshold; these effects developed at different rates, suggesting multiple actions of the cytokine. Our data suggest that acute application of tumour necrosis factor- α to the axon can lead to aberrant electrophysiologic activity independent of peripheral receptor involvement. This low level of ectopic firing of nociceptive axons may produce wind-up in dorsal horn neurons or may, by itself, be interpreted as pain.
The Influence of Relocation on the Environmental, Social, and Psychological Stress Experienced by Disaster Victims:

A review of the forced relocation literature suggested that relocation following a natural disaster contributes to the environmental, social, and psychological stress experienced by cisastervictims. The present study was designed to examine the effects of relocation on the well-being of victims of Hurricane Andrew, a major disaster that hit south Florida in August 1992. Respondents were 404 residents of southern Dade County who were interviewed in their current residences 6 months after the hurricane. Results indicated that at 6 months post event, relocation was associated with higher levels of ecological stress, crowding, isolation, and social disruption. Moreover, relocation and ecological stress interacted to predict psychological symptoms: Relocatees living in poor conditions fared worse than either nonrelocatees who lived under comparable conditions or other relocatees who lived under better conditions.
AESTHETIC RULES IN WOMEN'S APPAREL: EMPIRICAL FACT OR FANTASY

Aesthetic rules derived from ancient Greece abound in college textbooks used in modern apparel design and selection courses. This study attempted to evaluate these aesthetic rules empirically. Based on measurements of six persistent features (skirt length, waist length, decolletage length, skirt width, waist width, decolletage width) of women's evening apparel from 1926 to 1980, the distribution of frequencies for each dress dimension was not uniform but demonstrated a preferred value or region. Likewise, not all physically possible values for the dyadic relationships were uniformly observed. Findings of this study indicated that considerable latitude was demonstrated by designers in their interpretations of aesthetic rules. Yet an underlying order emerged. Some of this order can be attributed to existing design principles, but in several cases the sheer magnitude of the discrepancy between what is taught as good design and empirical reality suggests that certain aesthetic rules may need to be rephrased.
Incorporating preferential flow and herbicide fate and transport into the drainage model

The DRAINAGE model was modified by incorporating a pesticide component and a preferential flow component in order to simulate pesticide concentrations in subsurface drain flows. Field data on subsurface drain flows and their atrazine concentrations were used to calibrate and validate the enhanced DRAINAGE model for growing seasons of 1990, 1991, and 1992. Simulated subsurface drain flows and their atrazine concentrations were compared with the measured values. Predicted daily flows by the modified DRAINAGE model were close to the observed values (difference over all years + 6.3%). Overall mean difference (Md) and correlation coefficient (R2) were + 0.1 mm and 0.70, respectively. The predicted atrazine concentrations in subsurface drainage water followed the observed trends well except in 1992. The overall timings of pesticide appearance in the drain water were predicted well by the model. The annual atrazine losses with subsurface drain flows predicted by the model were also in close agreement with the observed losses for 1990 and 1991 (with 1.1% difference). The results of this study indicated that the modified DRAINAGE model has good potential for simulating atrazine concentrations for normal rainfall years when a substantial amount of pesticides may be lost in the subsurface drainage water (overall Md = 2.03 ig/kg and R2 = 0.58).
Vocabulary development for markup languages: a case study with maritime information

This paper describes the process of constructing a markup language for maritime information from the starting point of ontology building. Ontology construction from source materials in the maritime information domain is outlined. The structure of the markup language is described in terms of XML schemas and DTDs. A prototype application that uses the markup language is also described.
Self-avoiding flexible polymers under spherical confinement

We compute the free energy of confinement for a flexible self-avoiding polymer inside a spherical cavity. Accurate numerical results allow us to arbitrate between three competing scaling predictions. For moderate confinement, the free energy exhibits a power-law dependence on cavity size that is different from what is observed for planar and cylindrical confinement. At high monomer concentrations, crossover to a different scaling regime is observed, consistent with the screening of the excluded-volume interactions. We demonstrate how our findings lead to a revised prediction for the escape time of a polymer from a spherical confinement.
Turning the Left Cheek Examined using Modern Photography

McManus and Humphrey's investigation into turning the left cheek in formal portraits1 from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries prompted me to check two 1972 school yearbooks for the same phenomenon. I found a similar tendency to expose the left side of the face more than the right. I found, however, no significant differences between sexes and seem to have discovered a difference between groups in left preference.
Re-evaluating the Archaeology of the First Millennium BC in the Northern Horn

The papers contained in this special issue are extensively revised versions of presentations made at a session of the Conference of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists in Frankfurt am Main, September 2008. Two papers presented in the same session are not included here: Laurel Phillipson’s contribution has already been published in this journal (Phillipson 2009), and Catherine D’Andrea elected to defer publication. Revision of the papers has been a collaborative effort, drafts prepared by each contributor having been read and commented upon by all the others. In the process, all have been struck by the level of overall agreement that has been independently reached; we as editors have made no effort to ensure this uniformity. The contributors share the view that the terminologies currently in use require either replacement or tighter definition; all but one prefer to avoid the term ‘Pre-Aksumite’ altogether, while Manzo—in a paper discussing elite aspects of society—uses it only in a strictly chronological sense. We offer no detailed suggestions here, believing that this would be inappropriate in a publication based on a meeting at which, to our very great regret, no archaeologists from Eritrea and Ethiopia were able to be Afr Archaeol Rev (2009) 26:255–256 DOI 10.1007/s10437-009-9065-1
Bayesian transmogrification of clade divergence dates: a critique

The crucial step in Bayesian dating of phylogenies is the selection of prior probability curves for clade ages. In studies on regions derived from Gondwana, many authors have used steep priors, stipulating that clades can only be a little older than their oldest known fossil. These studies have ruled out vicariance associated with Gondwana breakup, but only because of the particular priors that were adopted. The use of non-flat priors for fossil-based ages is not justified and is unnecessary. Tectonic calibrations can be integrated with fossil calibrations that are used to give minimum clade ages only.
Antibodies to cow's milk proteins. Their presence and significance.

A study was made of antibodies to cow9s milk proteins in the sera of 288 persons, mostly children. The sera were assayed for both precipitating and hemagglutinating antibody. Comparisons between the two systems are presented. The incidence of precipitins and/or elevated hemagglutinating titers was analyzed by age, nature of illness, and duration of disability. Chronically disabled children, as a group, had sigficantly higher titers than did normal or acutely ill children. Grouped patients with recurrent or chronic pneumonia, and Aldrich9s and Hurler9s syndromes, had higher titers than even the other chronically ill children. In the majority of cases it was not possible to attribute a pathogenetic role to the observed antibody. Whether or not these antibodies can be responsible for disease under special circumstances remains unknown.
A case for enhancing survey data collection at the Naval Oceanographic Office through expert system technology

For marine survey data collection at the Naval Oceanographic Office, expert systems can help minimize data loss, reduce processing time, and eliminate re-survey time. This paper gives several examples of how expert systems could help alleviate data quality problems in marine multibeam surveys. The components of an expert system are detailed along with several applications related to the technology. An implementation strategy and measures of potential improvements are presented.
Role of viscosity stratification in the stability of two-layer flow down an incline

The stability of the flow of two layers of viscous liquids down an incline is investigated. The problem is governed by two competing long-wavelength modes associated with the surfaces. One mode, calling it the first mode, is faster than the second one. When the two layers have the same coefficient of dynamic viscosity, the second mode was found earlier by the author to be the governing mode for most cases. The situation is greatly altered when viscosity is not the same for the two layers. The second mode is dramatically stabilized for the range of viscosity ratio, m, less than unity, and the first mode is now generally the governing mode in that range. The overall effect is stabilizing compared with m = 1.A relative stability index is also introduced to compare the result with that of the homogeneous case. It is found that the presence of the upper layer is generally destabilizing compared with that of a homogeneous fluid of the same total depth.
Optimizing Ovulation to First GnRH Improved Outcomes to Each Hormonal Injection of Ovsynch in Lactating Dairy Cows

Ovulatory response to the first GnRH of Ovsynch is the critical determinant for successful synchronization of ovulation in dairy cows. Our objective in this study was to develop a pre-Ovsynch treatment that increased the percentage of cows that ovulated in response to the first GnRH injection of Ovsynch. To accomplish our goal, we evaluated a hormonal strategy that consisted of PGF2alpha and GnRH before the first GnRH of Ovsynch. Lactating dairy cows (n = 137) were assigned to receive either no treatment before Ovsynch (control) or 25 mg of PGF2alpha (PreP) followed 2 d later by 100 microg of GnRH (PreG), administered 4 (G4G), 5 (G5G), or 6 (G6G) d before initiating the Ovsynch protocol. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed to assess follicular size and resulting ovulation, and blood samples were collected to measure circulating concentrations of progesterone and estradiol immediately before each hormonal injection. Cows were inseminated at a fixed time 16 h after final GnRH of Ovsynch. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 35 d later by palpation per rectum of uterine contents. Proportion of cows that ovulated to first GnRH of Ovsynch was 56.0, 66.7, 84.6, and 53.8% for G4G, G5G, G6G, and controls, respectively, and was greater for G6G than for control cows. Luteolytic response to PGF2alpha of Ovsynch was greater in all treated than control cows (92.0, 91.7, 96.2, and 69.2% for G4G, G5G, G6G, and control, respectively). Synchronization rate to Ovsynch was greater (92 vs. 69%, respectively) in G6G than in control cows. In addition, cows that ovulated in response to first GnRH of Ovsynch had greater response to PGF2alpha of Ovsynch (92.7 vs. 77.1%, respectively) and greater synchronization rate to the overall protocol (87.9 vs. 62.9%, respectively) than those that did not ovulate. Concentrations of progesterone at PGF2alpha of Ovsynch, and estradiol and follicle size at final GnRH of Ovsynch, were identified as significant predictors of probability of pregnancy 35 d after artificial insemination. In summary, a PGF2alpha-and-GnRH based pre-Ovsynch strategy consisting of a 6-d interval between PreG and first GnRH of Ovsynch resulted in a greater ovulatory and luteolytic response to first GnRH and PGF2alpha of Ovsynch, respectively, compared with control cows. This, in turn, optimized synchronization rate to Ovsynch.
Experimental and Clinical Studies of Malleus Fixation

Objectives/Hypothesis: Preoperative clinical diagnosis of malleus fixation can be difficult. “Fixation” of the malleus can be caused by various disorders or diseases: fibrous tissue, bony spurs, and neo-osteogenesis around the malleus head or stiffening of the anterior malleal ligament. The conductive hearing loss produced by these disorders or diseases has not been well characterized. The study goals were 1) to determine the effects of various types of malleus fixation using a cadaveric temporal bone preparation and 2) to assess the clinical utility of umbo velocity measurements in preoperative differential diagnosis of malleus fixation and stapes fixation. Methods: Umbo and stapes velocity were measured in 18 fresh cadaveric human temporal bones with laser vibrometry before and after controlled application of adhesives to the malleus, stapes, or both ossicles. Results: Each simulated pathological condition produced a specific degree of loss in stapes velocity: stiffening of anterior malleal ligament, 0 to 8 dB; fibrous tissue around malleus head, less than 10 dB; bony bar to malleus head, 10 to 30 dB; and extensive neo-osteogenesis around malleus head, greater than 35 dB. Simulated malleus fixations generally produced similar reductions in both umbo and stapes velocity. Stapes fixation reduced stapes velocity with little change in umbo velocity. Because the change in stapes velocity would be similar to conductive hearing loss, experimental results were directly compared with clinical measurements of umbo velocity in surgically confirmed cases of malleus or stapes fixation. The effects of malleus and stapes fixations between the clinical and experimental data were similar. Conclusion: The study showed that measurements of umbo velocity and air-bone gap can enable one to diagnose malleus fixation and specifies how to differentiate malleus from stapes fixation.
Virus Infection Stages and Distinct Th1 or Th17/Th22 T-Cell Responses in Malaria/SHIV Coinfection Correlate with Different Outcomes of Disease

Background. Malaria and AIDS represent 2 leading causes of death from infectious diseases worldwide, and their high geographic overlap means coinfection is prevalent. It remains unknown whether distinct immune responses during coinfection with malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affect clinical outcomes. Methods. We tested this hypothesis by employing macaque models of coinfection with malaria and simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). Results. Plasmodium fragile malaria coinfection of acutely SHIV-infected macaques induced hyperimmune activation and remarkable expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ T effector cells de novo producing interferon γ or tumor necrosis factor α. Malaria-driven cellular hyperactivation/expansion and high-level Th1-cytokines enhanced SHIV disease characterized by increasing CD4+ T-cell depletion, profound lymphoid depletion or destruction, and even necrosis in lymph nodes and spleens. Importantly, malaria/SHIV-mediated depletion, destruction, and necrosis in lymphoid tissues led to bursting parasite replication and fatal virus-associated malaria. Surprisingly, chronically SHIV-infected macaques without AIDS employed different defense mechanisms during malaria coinfection, and mounted unique ∼200-fold expansion of interleukin 17+/interleukin 22+ T effectors with profound Th1 suppression. Such remarkable expansion of Th17/Th22 cells and inhibition of Th1 response coincided with development of immunity against fatal virus-associated malaria without accelerating SHIV disease. Conclusions. These novel findings suggest that virus infection status and selected Th1 or Th17/Th22 responses after malaria/AIDS-virus coinfection correlate with distinct outcomes of virus infection and malaria.
Operation characteristics of emitter turn-off thyristor (ETO) for solid-state circuit breaker and fault current limiter

Solid-state circuit breakers and current limiter can provide significant advantages in speed, lifetime and functionality compared to electromechanical switchgear used in distribution systems. The paper presents the operation characteristics of emerging ETO semiconductor power switch during turn-off transient. The gate commutating rate at turn-off, dI/sub G//dt, is improved to as higher as 12kA//spl mu/s. Experimental results demonstrates that a 75 mm ETO can safety interrupt 8kA current instead of 3 kA in GTO mode. Moreover, thanks to the built-in current sensor and the self-power generation for the gate driver, ETO will largely lower the cost of whole system. This device is suitable for solid-state circuit breaker and fault current limiter with its very fast switching speed, high current interruption capability, low conduction loss and compact structure.
COMPLEMENT BIOSYNTHESIS IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Complement is an important effector arm of the human immune response. Binding of proteolytic fragments derived from activation of complement by specific receptors leads to responses as diverse as inflammation, opsonization, and B-cell activation. The importance of characterizing the expression and regulation of complement in the CNS is highlighted by growing evidence that complement plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. In vitro studies have demonstrated that astrocytes, the predominant glial cell type in the brain, are capable of expressing or producing a majority of the components of the complement system. Expression of many complement proteins synthesized by astrocytes is regulated by both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, many of which are also produced by several cell types in the CNS. In addition to astrocytes, ependymal cells, endothelial cells, microglia, and neurons have recently been shown to synthesize various complement proteins or express complement receptors on their cell surfaces. Together, these studies demonstrate that several cell types throughout the brain have the potential to express complement and, in many cases, increase expression in response to mediators of the acute phase response. These studies suggest that complement may play a greater role in CNS immune responses than previously thought, and pave the way for better understanding of the dynamics of complement expression and regulation in vivo. Such understanding may lead to therapeutic manipulation of complement host defense functions in a variety of inflammatory and degenerative diseases in the CNS.
Implications of Species Difference for Clinical Investigation Studies on the Renin-Angiotensin System

The justification for clinical investigation has its roots in the fact that physiological mechanisms and disease pathogenesis in animal models replicate mechanisms and pathogenesis in humans only in part. In the case of the renin-angiotensin system, there is species variation in the anatomic distribution of the renin-angiotensin system, in the active site of the renin enzyme, and in the structure of angiotensin and the AT(1) receptor. The conversion of angiotensin I (Ang I) to angiotensin II (Ang II) may prove to be the most important aspect of species variation. In plasma, all the conversion occurs through a single enzyme, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and species variation in structure and function have not been reported. Non-ACE-dependent pathways, which occur only at the tissue level, show unambiguous, striking species variation. Specifically, chymase, the most important enzyme responsible for non-ACE conversion of Ang I to Ang II, shows striking species variation. In humans and a number of species, including the hamster, quantitatively important chymase-independent Ang II formation from Ang I occurs in the heart, arteries, and kidney. In rats and rabbits, on the other hand, chymase differs, is not active in the conversion of Ang I to Ang II, and indeed is involved in Ang II degradation. Consequently, one would anticipate that blockade of the system at the ACE step would be equivalent to that at the Ang II receptor in the rat. This has been widely reported. In humans, on the other hand, one would anticipate that the AT(1) receptor blockers will be more effective than ACE inhibitors. Again, preliminary evidence favors this possibility. The implications for therapeutics are clear.
Simultaneous Determination of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Strontium by a New Multichannel Flame-Spectrometer

Simultaneous Determination of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Strontium by a New Multichannel Flame-Spectrometer
Need for alertness to neuropsychiatric manifestations of inorganic mercury poisoning.

Abstract Inorganic mercury as a cause of a characteristic psychiatric syndrome is sometimes not recognized by diagnosticians. The recent opportunity to examine some hospital laboratory employees who had been exposed to inorganic mercury from working with the Van Slyke blood gas apparatus has impressed upon us the likelihood that cases of this occupational intoxication may be overlooked when a diagnostician is concluding that a patient's symptoms are due to neurosis or functional psychosis. Several of these people had been told by a physician that it was “just nerves.” Nine individuals, ranked in order of number of typical symptoms and signs, showed a significant positive rank order correlation with their ranking in mgm of Hg per liter of urine.
Real-Time Transient Soot and NOX Virtual Sensors for Diesel Engine Using Neuro-Fuzzy Model Tree and Orthogonal Least Squares

Diesel engine combustion and emission formation is highly nonlinear and thus creates a challenge related to engine diagnostics and engine control with emission feedback. This paper presents a novel methodology to address the challenge and develop virtual sensing models for engine exhaust emission. These models are capable of predicting transient emissions accurately and are computationally efficient for control and optimization studies. The emission models developed in this paper belong to the family of hierarchical models, namely “neuro-fuzzy model tree”. The approach is based on divide-and-conquer strategy i.e. to divide a complex problem into multiple simpler subproblems, which can then be identified using simpler class of models. Advanced experimental setup incorporating a medium duty diesel engine is used to generate training data. Fast emission analyzers for soot and NOX provide instantaneous engine-out emissions. Finally, the Engine-In-theLoop is used to validate the models for predicting transient particulate mass and NOX.
Impact of media on children and adolescents: a 10-year review of the research.

ABSTRACT Objective To review the research literature published within the past 10 years regarding the impact of media on children and adolescents. Method Media categories researched with computer technology included television and movies, rock music and music videos, advertising, video games, and computers and the Internet. Results Research prior to 1990 documented that children learn behaviors and have their value systems shaped by media. Media research since has focused on content and viewing patterns. Conclusions The primary effects of media exposure are increased violent and aggressive behavior, increased high-risk behaviors, including alcohol and tobacco use, and accelerated onset of sexual activity. The newer forms of media have not been adequately studied, but concern is warranted through the logical extension of earlier research on other media forms and the amount of time the average child spends with increasingly sophisticated media.
Improved oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary resuscitation with interposed abdominal compressions

The ability of a new modification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to deliver oxygen to tissues was evaluated. The method utilizes standard CPR techniques with the addition of manual abdominal compressions (⋍ 100 mm Hg) interposed between chest compressions, and is termed interposed abdominal compression-CPR (IAC-CPR). Oxygen delivery was measured by a spirometer in a closed circuit designed to permit positive-pressure ventilation synchronized with mechanical chest compression. Ventricular fibrillation was induced electrically in 10 anesthetized dogs. In each dog, trials of IAC-CPR and standard CPR were alternated every five minutes during a 30-minute period. Arterial and central venous blood pressures, oxygen consumption, and Fick cardiac output were monitored. The addition of interposed abdominal compression significantly (P 2 /kg/min during standard CPR to 6.37 ± 0.35 ml O 2 /kg/min during IAC-CPR. Arterial systolic blood pressure increased from 67 ± 5 mm Hg to 90 ± 5 mm Hg, while diastolic arterial blood pressure rose from 15 ± 2 mm Hg to 33 ± 3 mm Hg. Cardiac output increased from 19.9 ± 2.6 ml/min/kg to 37.5 ± 2.7 ml/min/kg.
Contact Precautions for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Are They Still Valuable?

Guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee recommend the use of contact precautions to prevent the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in acute-care facilities. The merits of these recommendations are debated because it is not clear that contact precautions are essential for the control of this drug-resistant bacterium. Also, contact precautions are resource-intensive and may be detrimental to patient well-being. Recent studies have demonstrated that horizontal measures, such as improved hand hygiene compliance and chlorhexidine body washing, may be effective alternatives to contact precautions. Thus, some institutional leaders are questioning whether contact precautions for methicillin-resistant S. aureus are still of value to their hospital or health care venue. This review examines the literature regarding the use of contact precautions for methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The uncertainties about contact precaution measures and alternative approaches to methicillin-resistant S. aureus control are highlighted.
COMPARISON OF STRUCTURAL MODELS OF MIXED-LAYER ILLITE/SMECTITE AND REACTION MECHANISMS OF SMECTITE ILLITIZATION

This paper compares mechanisms of the reaction of smectite to illite, in light of structural models for interstratified illite/smectite (US). The crystal structure of US has been described previously by a nonpolar and polar 2:1 layer model. In a nonpolar model, individual 2:1 layers are chemically homogeneous, whereas a polar model assumes a 2: l layer can have a smectite charge on one side and an illite charge on the other side. Several kinds of data support the polar model; however, more deter- minations of the negative charge of expandable sites in US are needed to confirm such a model. Assuming a polar 2:1 layer model for I/S, we compare the mineralogical and geochemical consequences of several reaction mechanisms for smectite illitization: 1) solid-state transformation (SST), 2) dissolution and crystallization (DC) and 3) Ostwald ripening (OR). Features of an SST model are the replacement of smectite interlayers by illite intedayers, resulting in gradual changes in interlayer ordering, polytype, chemical and isotopic composition and crystal size and shape. Several SST models are possible depending on the nature of the reaction site (framework cations, polyhedra or interlayers). In contrast, DC models allow for abrupt changes in the structure, composition and texture of I/S as illitization proceeds. Several DC models are possible depending on the nature of the rate-controlling step, for example, diffusional transport or surface reactions during crystal growth. The OR model represents the coarsening of a single mineral where the smallest crystals dissolve and nucleate onto existing larger crystals, allowing for evolution in the overgrowth but not in the template crystal. An SST mechanism, involving either reacting polyhedra or reacting interlayers, seems to best model illitization in rock-dominated systems such as bentonite. A DC mechanism seems to best model illitization in fluid-dominated systems such as sandstone and hydrothermal environments. Both DC and SST mech- anisms can occur in shale. Differences in reaction mechanism may be related to permeability. An OR model poorly describes illitization because of the progressive mineralogical and chemical changes in- volved. For many geologic environments, it is important to consider alternate origins for US such as kaolinite illitization and detrital. Further work is needed to clarify the DC crystal growth process in terms of a structural model of I/S and to determine which specific SST or DC model best characterizes illitization in geologic systems.
Pitfalls in the Measurement of Intelligence: Are Standard Intelligence Tests Valid Instruments for Measuring the Intellectual Potential of Urban Children?.

Summary Selected questions from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) were readministered to 200 inner-city seven-year-olds after completion of the standard protocol. The readministration was specifically structured to ascertain the reasoning by which children arrived at their answers. A system was developed for the classification of errors. Four categories of error, in addition to basic lack of knowledge, were demonstrated. The categorization of errors, by type, permitted examination of the reasoning underlying responses. It was apparent that some reasonable alternative answers existed which received no credit or only partial credit when the standard WISC protocol was applied. These results may suggest modifications to compensate for some of the limitations imposed by standardized test procedures.
College for All: Gaps Between Desirable and Actual P–12 Math Achievement Trajectories for College Readiness

This study addresses missing links in “college for all” debates by investigating gaps between actual and desirable math achievement trajectories for students’ college readiness. Linking multiple national data sets across P–16 education levels, the study estimates college readiness benchmarks separately for two-year and four-year college entrance and completion. The goals of the study are to compare performance standards, benchmarks, and norms for college readiness and to assess college readiness gaps among all students as well as gaps among racial and social subgroups. The results suggest that entrance into and completion of two-year versus four-year colleges require substantially different levels of math achievement in earlier education periods and that meeting national versus state proficiency standards leads to differences in postsecondary education outcomes and can mean the difference between bachelor’s and associate’s degree attainment. Persistent racial and social gaps in college readiness threaten ...