cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SOME RECENT APPLICATIONS OF MATHEMATICAL MODELLING TO CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY

Abstract In this paper we describe two research projects which have benefitted from the techniques of mathematical modelling. The first project, carried out at Queens College, involves the reduction of water to hydrogen and oxygen in a system powered by solar energy. Mathematical modelling has suggested which chemical reactions are occuring, and the rates at which they occur. The second project was carried out at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and its results show that gastric ulcers do not, contrary to popular belief, bleed more than duodenal ulcers, and that women are being unnecessarily transfused during treatment.
Radial Basis Function-Generated Finite Differences: A Mesh-Free Method for Computational Geosciences

Radial basis function generated finite differences (RBF-FD) is a mesh-free method for numerically solving partial differential equations (PDEs) that emerged in the last decade and has shown rapid growth in the last few years. From a practical standpoint, RBF-FD sprouted out of global RBF methods, which have shown exceptional numerical qualities in terms of accuracy and time stability for numerically solving PDEs, but are not practical when scaled to very large problem sizes because of their computational cost and memory requirements. RBF-FD bypass these issues by using local approximations for derivatives instead of global ones. Matrices in the RBF-FD methodology go from being completely full to 99% empty. Of course, the sacrifice is the exchange of spectral accuracy from the global RBF methods for high-order algebraic convergence of RBF-FD, assuming smooth data. However, since natural processes are almost never infinitely differentiable, little is lost and much gained in terms of memory and runtime. This article provides a survey of a group of topics relevant to using RBF-FD for a variety of problems that arise in the geosciences. Particular emphasis is given to problems in spherical geometries, both on surfaces and within a volume. Applications discussed include non-linear shallow water equations on a sphere, reaction-diffusion diffusion equations, global electric circuit, and mantle convection in a spherical shell. The results from the last three of these applications are new and have not been presented before for RBF-FD. ∗This work was partially supported by NSF grant DMS-0934317. †This work was partially supported by NSF grants DMS-0934581 and DMS-1160379. ‡This work was partially supported by NSF grant DMS-0914647.
Effect of race on the relationship between child maltreatment and obesity in Whites and Blacks.

AbstractThis cross-sectional study was designed to determine what role race plays in the relationship between obesity and child maltreatment (CM), which is currently unknown. One hundred fifteen pa...
A single-center experience with CELLSEARCH system circulating tumor cell test on patients with metastatic breast cancer.

e22135 Background: Clinical studies have shown that circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection via the CELLSEARCH assay is a validated prognostic marker that is a predictor of overall survival (OS) in ...
Hereditary, X-linked, sideroachrestic anemia. The isolation of two erythrocyte populations differing in Xga blood type and porphyrin content.

1. Two morphologically distinct populations of erythrocytes were found in a mother and in two of her daughters, one of whom (the proband) was anemic. One erythrocyte population was morphologically normal; the other was hypochromic and microcytic. 2. The X-linked blood group antigen, Xga, was present in erythrocytes from the mother and the two daughters, but not in erythrocytes from the father. The daughters were, therefore, heterozygous for the gene controlling this antigen. 3. Separation of the two populations of erythrocytes was accomplished by centrifugation in layered gum acacia solutions of different specific gravity. 4. The microcytic cells from the three affected individuals were Xga-positive. Isolated normal cells were Xga-positive in the mother, but negative in both daughters. These data suggest that the erythrocyte defect is X-linked and that the phenomenon of X-inactivation applies to genes controlling both the morphologic defect and the Xga antigen. 5. The free protoporphyrin content of the isolated microcytes was lower than that of the normal cells. The capacity of the microcytes to convert delta-aminolevulinic acid to protoporphyrin was unimpaired. On these bases it is suggested that the hereditary defect lies either at or before the step in which delta-aminolevulinic acid is synthesized.
Comparison of eight screening tools to detect interactions between herbal supplements and oncology agents

IntroductionPatients with cancer are increasingly using herbal supplements, unaware that supplements can interact with oncology treatment. Herb–drug interaction management is critical to ensure opt...
Thromboelastography-guided management of coagulopathy in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can cause severe hemodynamic deterioration requiring support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO is associated with hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications. In 2015, we standardized anti-coagulation management on ECMO, incorporating thromboelastography (TEG) as an adjunct to manage hemostasis of CDH patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our blood product utilization, choice of blood product use in response to abnormal TEG parameters, and the associated effect on bleeding and thrombotic complications. We retrospectively reviewed all CDH neonates supported by ECMO between 2008 and 2018. Blood product administration, TEG data, and hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications data were collected. We divided subjects into two groups pre-2015 and post-2015. After 2015, platelet transfusion was administered for a low maximum amplitude (MA) more frequently (77% compared to 65%, p = 0.0007). Cryoprecipitate was administered less frequently for a low alpha-angle (28% compared to 41%, p = 0.0016). There was no difference in fresh frozen plasma use over time. After standardizing the use of TEG, we observed a significant reduction in hemothoraces (18% compared to 54%, p = 0.026). Institutional standardization of anti-coagulation management of CDH neonates on ECMO, including the use of goal-directed TEG monitoring may lead to improved blood product utilization and a decrease in bleeding complications in neonates with CDH supported by ECMO. Level III, Retrospective comparative study
Stepwise external wrapping procedure for type A intramural hematoma.

Abstract Background The optimal treatment for Stanford type A acute intramural hematoma remains controversial, especially in elderly or high-risk patients. Methods We have developed a new surgical approach using artificial grafts (stepwise external wrapping) for high-risk patients. The aim of this study is to report our results using the stepwise external wrapping procedure in the treatment of high-risk patients with type A intramural hematoma. Among the 129 patients admitted for type A intramural hematoma between January 2016 and January 2020, 49 patients underwent stepwise external wrapping. The mean patient age was 78 ± 7 years. The new standard European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation II was 54% ± 23%. The mean overall operation and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 96 ± 13 minutes and 35 ± 10 minutes, respectively. Results There were no hospital deaths. Two cases of temporary neurologic disorder, 1 case of renal failure, and 2 cases of wound infection occurred during the postoperative period. The intensive care unit and hospital stays were 2 ± 1 days and 10 ± 3 days, respectively. The thickness of intramural hematoma that had been the target of the stepwise external wrapping procedure decreased significantly from 18.0 ± 10.7 mm preoperatively to 5.2 ± 4.4 mm at 3 months after surgery (P Conclusions Our stepwise external wrapping is a feasible alternative to conventional graft replacement for high-risk patients with type A intramural hematoma. The early and midterm outcomes of the procedure were satisfactory, but further careful follow-up is needed.
Propagation of F-actin disassembly via Myosin15-Mical interactions

The F-actin cytoskeleton drives cellular form and function. However, how F-actin-based changes occur with spatiotemporal precision and specific directional orientation is poorly understood. Here, we identify that the unconventional class XV myosin [Myosin 15 (Myo15)] physically and functionally interacts with the F-actin disassembly enzyme Mical to spatiotemporally position cellular breakdown and reconstruction. Specifically, while unconventional myosins have been associated with transporting cargo along F-actin to spatially target cytoskeletal assembly, we now find they also target disassembly. Myo15 specifically positions this F-actin disassembly by associating with Mical and using its motor and MyTH4-FERM cargo-transporting functions to broaden Mical's distribution. Myo15's broadening of Mical's distribution also expands and directionally orients Mical-mediated F-actin disassembly and subsequent cellular remodeling, including in response to Semaphorin/Plexin cell surface activation signals. Thus, we identify a mechanism that spatiotemporally propagates F-actin disassembly while also proposing that other F-actin-trafficked-cargo is derailed by this disassembly to directionally orient rebuilding.
The state of global abortion data: an overview and call to action.

Abortion, an experience shared by tens of millions of people around the world, is an important component of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care. Data on abortion incidence is needed to examine disparities in people’s ability to safely terminate a pregnancy. Abortion, however, is legally restricted in much of the world and often stigmatised regardless of legal status, making it challenging to measure and document. This contributes to disparities in understanding the SRH needs of people in different contexts around the world. Due to the difficulty in measuring abortion, we developed model-based estimates following a clear and transparent protocol.1 These estimates utilised all global data on the number of abortions by country by year.2 While these are the most comprehensive estimates currently available, our data collection and research underscored that empirical data on abortion incidence are scarce and of variable quality. To address these gaps, there is an urgent need for investing in robust abortion data collection systems and research. Data on abortion come from three main sources: official statistics, surveys of women, and scientific studies. However, the legal status and stigmatisation of abortion influences the quality of data in a country. These affect whether data are available and, if available, the degree to which they may be underreported. While threats to the accuracy of abortion data apply in some degree to all data sources and legal settings, some concerns are more relevant to specific sources. Among high-income countries where abortion is broadly legal, official statistics on the annual number of abortions are the primary source of abortion data. Official statistics, however, may not capture all abortions due to different country reporting requirements, whether reporting is mandated in the public and/or private sector, and non-compliance of providers. Stigma may also impact official statistics …
“Near-best” polynomial approximation of harmonic functions on compact sets in ℂ

Abstract For a function u that is continuous on a compact set K and harmonic in its interior we construct a sequence of polynomial approximants that give almost optimal rate of approximation on K , and in the interior points of K converge faster than on the whole of K . We also show that the geometric convergence inside K is possible for sets whose boundary is an analytically bounded Jordan domain.
Building a Social Network One Choice at a Time.

Newcomers to a social network show preferential attachment, a tendency to befriend those with many friends. Here, we show that preferential attachment is equivalent to a form of ‘probability matching’ commonly found in studies of decision-making. This equivalence, whereby newcomers probability match to a social signal akin to popularity, marries network science to the study of decision-making and raises new questions about how individual psychology impacts the social structure of groups. We asked people to view a visualization of a social network and to select group members whom they would like to meet and befriend. People varied in how strongly they weighed popularity and this was mildly correlated with aspects of their personality. Individual differences in preferential attachment affect the structure and connectivity of the network that emerges.
The 13C NMR spectra of nine ortho-substituted phenols

The 13C chemical shifts of nine ortho-substituted phenols have been determined in cyclohexane and in dimethyl sulfoxide. All data were acquired in duplicate upon c.w. and FT instrumentation and both sets of data are presented. The chemical shifts at carbons 1, 2 and 3 are correlated with the parameter Q. Q has been defined as P/Ir3 where P is the polarizability of the adjacent CX bond, I is the first ionization potential of the elements F, Cl, Br, I and H, and r is the CX bond length. Experimental values of Q are available for other substituents. The field and resonance parameters of Swain and Lupton may be combined with Q to form a three part multiple regression correlation which is more exact than that with Q alone and which applies to all carbons in the aromatic ring. The results of this study suggest that only one value of the Q parameter is needed to characterize the behavior of the nitro group in these solvent systems. This conclusion is contrasted with earlier results of the effect of substituents on proton chemical shifts in these systems.
AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF NEW BOND ISSUE YIELD SPREADS, DEFAULT RISK AND SPLIT RATINGS

This paper attempts to explain the yield spreads charged to new corporate debt issues by comparing the initial yields of a set of 3,287 securities issued over eleven years in the US. We use the measure of constant maturity Treasury rates on the day of issue against the Moody’s Aaa Corporate Bond index for the week prior to the issue, and the yield on a daily index of long-term Treasury securities on the issue date. The influences of credit ratings and disagreement between rating agencies as reflected in split ratings and the interactions between these characteristics are measured. The contributions of sinking fund provisions, call or refunding status, overseas issue and contractual security arrangements are evaluated separately. The results support the view that the higher yields are observed when ratings of agencies differ and that factors associated with the issues also are significant drivers of the yield difference.
Thiocyanate is the major substrate for eosinophil peroxidase in physiologic fluids. Implications for cytotoxicity.

The potent cytotoxic capacity of eosinophils for parasites and host tissue has in part been attributed to the catalytic action of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), which preferentially oxidizes Br- to the powerful bleaching oxidant HOBr in buffers that mimic serum halide composition (100 mM Cl-, 20-100 microM Br-, less than 1 microM I-). However, serum also contains 20-120 microM SCN-, a pseudohalide whose peroxidative product, HOSCN, is a weak, primarily sulfhydryl-reactive oxidant. Because of its relative abundance and high oxidation potential, we hypothesized that SCN-, not Br- or I-, is the major substrate for EPO in physiologic fluids. We find that in Earle's buffer (100 mM Cl-) supplemented with 100 microM Br- and varying concentrations of SCN-, HOBr production by activated eosinophils and purified EPO, assayed by conversion of fluorescein to dibromofluorescein, was 50% inhibited (ID50) by only 1 microM SCN-. SCN- also blocked (ID50 10 microM) EPO oxidation of I- to HOI, assayed as iodofluorescein, despite the presence of 100 microM (i.e. grossly supraphysiologic) I-. Thionitrobenzoic acid oxidation kinetics indicate that SCN- is the initial species oxidized by EPO in equimolar mixtures of SCN- and Br- and in human serum. EPO also catalyzed the covalent incorporation of [14C]SCN- into proteins in buffers regardless of Br- concentration and in human serum. Comparing the cytotoxicity of HOSCN and HOBr for host cells, we find that even subphysiologic concentrations of SCN- (3.3-10 microM) nearly completely abrogate the potent Br(-)-dependent toxicity of EPO for 51Cr-labeled aortic endothelial cells and isolated working rat hearts, recently developed models of eosinophilic endocarditis. Thus, HOSCN, hitherto best known as a bacteriostatic agent in saliva and milk, is likely also the major oxidant produced by EPO in physiologic fluids, and the presence of SCN- averts damage to EPO-coated host tissues that might otherwise accrue as a result of HOBr generation. In view of these findings, the potential role of HOSCN in eosinophil killing of parasitic pathogens deserves close examination.
Solidification Mapping of a Nickel Alloy 718 Laboratory VAR Ingot

The solidification microstructure of a laboratory-scale Nickel alloy 718 vacuum arc remelted (VAR) ingot was analyzed. The cylindrical, 210-mm-diameter ingot was sectioned along a plane bisecting it length-wise, and this mid-plane surface was ground and etched using Canada’s reagent to reveal segregation contrast. Over 350 photographs were taken of the etched mid-plane surface and stitched together to form a single mosaic image. Image data in the resulting mosaic were processed using a variety of algorithms to extract quantities such as primary dendrite orientation, primary dendrite arm spacing (PDAS), and secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) as a function of location. These quantities were used to calculate pool shape and solidification rate during solidification using existing empirical relationships for Nickel Alloy 718. The details and outcomes of this approach, along with the resulting comparison to experimental processing conditions and computational models, are presented.
The syndrome of testicular feminization in male pseudohermaphrodites.

Abstract There is a clinically recognizable syndrome found in patients who are essentially normal-appearing women, but who have undescended testes in place of ovaries. The most significant features are: 1. 1. Female habitus, breast development, and other secondary sex characteristics. 2. 2. Scanty or absent axillary or pubic hair in most cases. 3. 3. Female external genitals, with a tendency to underdevelopment of labia, and a blind-ending vagina. 4. 4. Absence of internal genitals except for rudimentary anlage and for gonads which may be located intra-abdominally or along the course of the inguinal canal. 5. 5. Gonads histologically consistent with undescended testes. 6. 6. Urinary excretion studies have suggested such testes produce estrogen and androgen. Elevated urinary gonadotropins have also been found.
Parenting concerns, quality of life, and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer

Objective Parents with life-limiting illness anticipate the loss of their parental role and the long-term consequences of their illness on their children. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between parenting concerns, quality of life (QOL), and symptoms of depression and anxiety in parents with advanced cancer who have dependent children. Methods Sixty-three parents diagnosed with a Stage IV solid malignancy completed the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Parenting Concerns Questionnaire (PCQ), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT-G). The Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (social support) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status were assessed as potential covariates. We performed descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression models for depression, anxiety, and QOL measures. Results Mean PCQ score was 2.3 (SD 0.9), reflecting mild to moderate parenting concerns. Average depression and anxiety scores were 6.0 (SD 4.2) and 8.2 (SD 3.9), respectively. PCQ scores were associated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (r = 0.52, p < 0.0001), and QOL scores (r = −0.60, p < 0.001). The relationship of PCQ scores to anxiety symptoms (B = 1.5 p = 0.016) and QOL (B = −5.7, p = 0.02) remained significant after controlling for ECOG status, social support, and treatment status. Conclusions Parenting concerns are associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms and worse QOL in parents diagnosed with advanced cancer. Further studies that evaluate how parental status affects coping and psychological distress in advanced cancer are needed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comment on Justification and Excuse

Any analysis of justification and excuse encounters two unusually difficult obstacles. First there are ethical issues that have agitated philosophers for centuries. Is one ever justified in killing an innocent person? If the killing saves the lives of two persons? Of many persons? Should one be excused if he kills two or more persons when that is the only way to preserve his life? If one man is afloat on a plank which can support only him, or if two men are reaching for the plank, is it right for one of them to attack or repel the other in order to preserve his own life?
Geodetic evidence of the seismic potential at Parkfield, California

The average rates of line-length change and the rates of the shallow fault slip observed near Parkfield, California, were used to estimate the slip rate at depth on the San Andreas fault (SAF), using the Matsu'ura et al. (1986) procedure to model the aseismic deformation as a perturbation to steady block motion across the SAF. Five different models were tested against the data, with one model, featuring a nearly monotonic transition from creeping behavior on the northwest to locked behavior on the southeast, found to fit the data acceptably well. It is shown that stored elastic energy southeast of Parkfield could produce an earthquake of magnitude up to 8.0, that would have displacement and rupture length similar to historic earthquakes of the same size.
INTERTIDAL GROWTH OF LARVAL AND JUVENILE LUMPFISH IN MAINE: A 20-YEAR ASSESSMENT

Abstract Larval and juvenile lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus L., were collected and measured over a 20-year period, 1979–1999, from tidepools along the coast of Maine. Using this extensive data base reduces the effects of annual variations in hatching times, early growth patterns, and locale for analyzing monthly size using length measurements. This can provide an effective field measurement of intertidal growth. Most fish were encountered during the months of July and August, and even when adjusted for number of sampling trips, 78% of the juveniles were encountered in tidepools during these months. Based on average lengths, size increased by 23% between June and July, 43% between July and August, and 34% between August and September.
Spectroscopic Sensing with a Highly Transparent, Ion-Exchangeable Polymer Blend

A polymer blend formulation originally patented by the National Aeronaticautical and Space Administration (NASA) has been modified for use in spectroscopic sensing. The cured polymer blend is a mixture of poly(acrylic acid) in glutaraldehyde cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol). We have optimized the composition and the casting of the blend for optical sensing. The blend has clear ultraviolet (UV) and visible spectral regions for direct spectroscopic sensing, and it is an excellent absorber of many inorganic and organic cations from aqueous solution. The kinetics of the uptake of [Ru(BiPy)3] 2+ and rhodamine 620 are presented as examples of com- plex ion preconcentration by the blend. With only the polymer blend directly applied as a fiber-optic cladding, aqueous Cu 2+ ion can be detected as low as 10 -6 M by using a light-emitting diode at 810 nm as a light source. A blend-clad fiber-optic sensor can be regenerated at least 25 X without significant deterioration. The polymer blend can also trap hydrophobic compleximetric reagents added during the curing of the cross-linked blend. A prototype compleximetric dye-based evanescent-wave fiber-optic sensor using 1-(2'-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol was developed to detect aqueous Co 2+ with a red HeNe laser light source. The Co 2+ ion could be detected as low as 10 -7 M.
Mutation for survival

Abstract Adaptive mutations appear in response to selection. In the best-studied system, the two most controversial issues were resolved this year. The mutations are neither Lamarckian nor a peculiarity of bacterial sex, as had been suggested. They occur genome-wide in a hypermutable subpopulation of stressed cells. Genomic ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ regions may explain previous failures to detect similar mutations in other systems and at other sites. Stationary phase specific limitation of mismatch repair has also been discovered.
Meaningful improvement criteria sets in a rheumatoid arthritis clinical trial

Objective. To compare 3 sets of criteria for meaningful improvement in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trial, and to evaluate the implications of these criteria sets for RA trial design. Methods. Data were obtained from the Minocycline in Rheumatoid Arthritis (MIRA) trial (primary outcome measures: 50% improvement in joint tenderness and 50% improvement in joint swelling, based on joint scores). These MIRA data were evaluated against 1) the Paulus criteria (20% improvement in 4 of 6 measures: joint tenderness scores, joint swelling scores, physician's and patient's global assessments, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], and morning stiffness); and 2) the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria (20% improvement in joint tenderness and joint swelling counts, and in 3 of 5 other measures: physician's and patient's global assessments, ESR, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, and patient's pain assessment). The ACR criteria were modified using 3 of 4 remaining measures, since baseline pain assessment data were not available. Results. Percentages of minocycline-treated patients versus placebo-treated patients showing meaningful improvement were as follows: by MIRA criteria, for joint tenderness, 56% versus 41% (P = 0.021), and for joint swelling, 54% versus 39% (P = 0.023); by Paulus criteria, 41% versus 28% (P = 0.040); and by ACR criteria, 44% versus 26% (P = 0.004). Both the modified ACR criteria and the Paulus criteria demonstrated a reduced placebo response rate. Compared with the MIRA criteria, the ACR criteria increased, and the Paulus criteria decreased, absolute between-group differences in improvement; however, both criteria sets increased relative percentages of patients showing improvement in the minocycline group versus the placebo group. Study design considerations indicated that application of the ACR criteria would reduce the required sample size. Conclusion. Different placebo response rates and treatment group differences were found using the 3 RA improvement criteria sets. These findings support the use of the ACR criteria for defining improvement in RA clinical trials.
Pharmacotherapy for Depressed Pregnant Women: Overcoming Obstacles to Gathering Essential Data

Approximately 3% of pregnant women take antidepressant medications. Information on the impact of antidepressants on short- and long-term maternal and offspring outcomes is highly desirable but neglected. The position that the dearth of treatment information is of greater concern than the risks to pregnant subjects involved in medical research is gaining support. Mandating the collection of reproductive outcome data in exposed childbearing women is an overdue step toward societal responsibility to our most vulnerable members.
Cone calorimetric study of copper-promoted smoke suppression and fire retardance of poly(vinyl chloride)

Abstract Copper-based smoke suppression additives for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were tested for crosslinking capability in pyrolysis studies and for smoke suppression and fire retardance by the use of cone calorimetry. Crosslinking of PVC at 190 °C was promoted by most of the additives without an obvious dependence on additive copper content or copper oxidation state. The copper additives (at 10 parts by weight per hundred parts of resin) proved to inhibit both smoke and heat evolution in burning PVC samples (both rigid and plasticized) in cone calorimetric studies. Mixed-metal oxides of copper were especially effective in this regard. Synergism in smoke suppression was noted for combinations of Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 and CuSnO3 in plasticized PVC. A 2:1 (w/w) mixture of Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 and CuSnO3 yielded a reduction in specific extinction area (a measure of smoke obscuration) of 64% and a reduction in total smoke release of 79% vs. the control sample.
Smooth muscle hypertrophy in distal airways of sensitized infant rhesus monkeys exposed to house dust mite allergen.

Summary Background Airway smooth muscle hypertrophy is closely associated with the pathophysiology of hyper-reactive airways in allergic asthma. Objective To determine whether repeated exposure to allergens during postnatal lung development promotes remodelling of airway smooth muscle. Methods Infant, male rhesus monkeys (30-day-old) were sensitized to house dust mite allergen (HDMA) and then exposed to HDMA aerosol periodically over 5 months. Smooth muscle mass and bundle size and abundance in conducting airways were measured and compared with age-matched control (filtered air-exposed) monkeys. Results Total smooth muscle mass and average bundle size were significantly greater in the conducting airways of monkeys exposed to HDMA. Smooth muscle bundle abundance was not affected by exposure to HDMA. Conclusion Repeated cycles of allergen exposure alter postnatal morphogenesis of smooth muscle, affecting both total mass and bundle size, in conducting airways of infant monkeys.
Work in progress — Factors affecting the successful completion of an industrial engineering program by students from rural communities

Although many programs that seek to increase the diversity of engineering have chosen to focus on sex and race/ethnicity, U.S. engineering students tend to be homogeneous in other dimensions too. We are currently examining differences in experiences for successful students coming from rural backgrounds. To answer this question we have re-analyzed a set of interviews from industrial engineering students at a single large Midwestern public university that has significant populations of rural, suburban, and urban students. Students were aggregated into subgroups based on the size of the student's high school community. This qualitative study explores the experiences of five rural engineering students. We have found that the academic success of these five students is affected by their academic preparation, interaction with faculty, and interaction with their peers. Interestingly, these five students were most affected by experiences that either increased or diminished their relationship with faculty or their peers.
Effects of a Low Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol Fish Oil Supplement in Hypertriglyceridemic Patients: A Placebo-Controlled Trial

Study objective To determine the effects of fish oil supplements low in saturated fat and cholesterol on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients. Design Single-blind, placebo-controlled (safflower oil), crossover trial with 6-week treatment periods. Setting Outpatient lipid clinic in a university medical center. Patients Eleven adult patients had isolated hypertriglyceridemia (type IV) and seven had concomitant hypercholesterolemia (Type IIb). Intervention Twelve 1-g capsules of either fish oil or placebo (safflower oil) were taken daily during each treatment period. Measurements and main results Blood was drawn at the fifth and sixth week of each period and analyzed for total lipids; cholesterol in very low, low (LDL), and high density (HDL) lipoproteins (mmol/L); and apoprotein B (mg/dL). Compared with the placebo, fish oil lowered plasma triglyceride levels (4.0 +/- 1.8 to 2.5 +/- 1.0), and raised LDL cholesterol levels (3.7 +/- 1.75 to 4.25 +/- 0.85), apolipoprotein B levels (122 +/- 29 to 140 +/- 34), and the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (4.0 +/- 0.9 to 4.7 +/- 1.4) (P less than 0.05; mean +/- SD). No significant changes were seen in levels of HDL or HDL cholesterol subfractions. Similar responses were seen in patients with both type IIb and IV lipoprotein phenotypes. Conclusions Because the fish oil supplement contributed negligible amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat to the diet, the n-3 fatty acids most likely caused the observed effects. These findings indicate that relatively small amounts of fish oil can have beneficial effects on plasma triglyceride levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients, but the increase in LDL cholesterol and apoprotein B levels, and in the LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio suggests the need for careful monitoring of plasma lipoprotein changes during fish oil supplementation, and for a careful evaluation of their long-term benefits.
A Usage Evaluation of Total Parenteral Nutrition in Pediatric Patients

Records of 20 consecutive pediatric patients receiving total parenteral nutrition over a 1-month period were reviewed for appropriateness of nutritional assessment and management. Each patient was monitored until total parenteral nutrition was discontinued or for a maximum of 2 weeks. A total of 124 therapy days were reviewed. Results demonstrated that only 35% of these patients had a nutritional assessment performed prior to initiation of therapy, and only 65% had nutritional goals determined. Nutritional goals were defined as patient-specific goals for fluid volume (FV), calories, protein, and fat emulsion. Analysis of data demonstrated that goals for FV were met on 62% of therapy days. Of the days on which FV goals were met, goals for calories, protein, and fat emulsion were met on 54%, 59%, and 51% of therapy days, respectively. Baseline serum triglyceride levels were measured in one of 20 patients. Serial laboratory monitoring was adequate, with the exception of hepatic enzymes and serum triglycerides, which were measured in 14 and 9 patients, respectively. Recommendations for pediatric parenteral nutrition therapy are discussed, as well as methods to implement these recommendations.
Speech priming: An examination of rate and syntactic persistence in preschoolers

Interactional coordination is important for conversational competence. For example, the syntactic form and rate of perceived speech can influence future productions in adults. Previous work has shown that children are similarly primed by syntax. This experiment demonstrates that syntactic priming and rate priming exist simultaneously in children. Participants (4- and 5-years-old) alternated between listening to priming sentences that described visual scenes and producing their own descriptions of similar scenes. The priming sentences varied in rate (fast and slow) and syntactic structure (active and passive). Children's sentences reflected the timing and syntactic structure of the primes, and there were developmental differences in their rate persistence.
Power requirements for polarimetric SAR imaging

Polarimetric SAR imaging is a direct-detection LADAR imaging technique designed to synthesize a large aperture made up of independent detectors all sensing a common beam of light that is polarized in nature. The aperture synthesis allows the array of detectors to achieve spatial resolution consistent with a monolithic aperture of a similar size. Unanswered questions remain about the use of this technique including how much power/aperture product is required in order to achieve a specified degree of spatial resolution. Also of concern is how much speckle averaging is necessary to overcome noise inherent in this type of synthetic aperture system. This paper addresses these questions by formulating relationships between array size, target size, laser energy per pulse, number of pulses required in averaging and the desired resolution of the system. Computer simulations are presented which demonstrate these relationships for a common resolution target.
THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON THE CHOLINE REQUIREMENT II. INCIDENCE OF RENAL NECROSIS IN WEANLING RATS FOLLOWING SHORT TERM INGESTION OF ALCOHOL

The effect of alcohol on the choline requirement was assayed in weanling rats maintained on a basal diet of relatively low lipotropic activity containing the equivalent of 0.089 per cent choline. Alcohol was administered as a 15 per cent solution in lieu of drinking water. The incidence of renal cortical necrosis, the increase in kidney weight, and the mortality rate at the end of 14 days served as indices of choline deficiency. Under these conditions alcohol-fed animals developed more severe signs of choline deficiency than either pair-fed controls or pair-fed isocaloric controls receiving a sucrose supplement instead of alcohol. The addition of as little as 0.08 per cent of choline to the basal diet abolished these differences. It was concluded that (a) alcohol increases the choline requirement, and may, thus, induce a state of relative deficiency when the diet is marginal in lipotropic activity, and (b) this effect is independent of the caloric intake. The possible significance of these observations in relation to chronic alcoholism in the pathogenesis of Laennec's cirrhosis has been discussed.
Viral pneumonia in children.

Viral pneumonia causes a heavy burden on our society. In the United States, more than one million cases of pneumonias afflict children under the age of 5 years, costing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The majority of these infections are caused by a handful of common viruses. Knowledge of the epidemiology of these viruses combined with new rapid diagnostic techniques will provide faster and more, reliable diagnoses in the future. Although the basic clinical epidemiology of these viruses has been carefully investigated over the last 30 years, new molecular techniques are greatly expanding our understanding of these agents and the diseases they cause. Antigenic and genetic variations are being discovered in many viruses previously thought to be homogeneous. The exact roles and the biological significance of these variations are just beginning to be explored, but already evidence of differences in pathogenicity and immunogenicity has been found in many of these substrains. All of this information clearly will impact the development of future vaccines and antiviral drugs. Effective drugs exist for prophylaxis against influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus, and specific therapy exists for influenza A. Ribarivin is approved for use in respiratory synctial virus infections, and it alone or in combination with other agents (eg, IGIV) may be effective in immunocompromised patients, either in preventing the development of pneumonia or in decreasing morbidity and mortality. Many new antiviral agents are being tested and developed, and several are in clinical trials.
1391 DIFFERENCES IN CAPILLARY AND VENOUS SAMPLING FOR NEONATAL NEUTROPHIL COUNTS

Thirty normal, term neonates had venous and warmed heelstick capillary blood collected at 4 hours (Day 1) and 24-28 hours (Day 2) of age for determination of total neutrophil counts (TNC), immature neutrophil counts (INC), immature to total neutrophil ratio (INC/TNC), and hemoglobin concentration (Hgb). Order of collection of specimens was randomized, and no significant difference was noted between variables in order of collection. Therefore, results were pooled for statistical evaluation. Day 1 capillary TNC (mean 10,400±4400 cells/mm3) were significantly different from Day 1 venous TNC (mean 8200±3800 cells/mm3) when evaluated by the paired T-test (p<.001). Day 2 capillary TNC (mean 9800±3400 cells/mm3) were also significantly different from Day 2 venous TNC (mean 8700±3300 cells/mm3) (p<.005). Regression analysis on capillary and venous TNC for both days showed highly significant correlation (r=0.81, p<.001). Values for capillary Hgb (Day 1 mean 19.2±1.6 gm/dl; Day 2 mean 18.1±1.8 gm/dl) and venous Hgb (Day 1 mean 17.6±1.5 gm/dl; Day 2 mean 17.3±1.7 gm/dl) also differed significantly (p<.001). No significant differences between capillary and venous values were found for INC or INC/TNC ratios. Our data show that venous TNC are significantly lower than capillary TNC. Thus, reference values for neonatal TNC based on capillary sampling may lead to misinterpretation of TNC performed on venous blood.
Comparative Pathology of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Possible Models of Human Non-rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Comparative analyses of canine and human soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are lacking. This study compared the histological and immunohistochemical (labelling for desmin, smooth muscle actin [SMA], CD31, pancytokeratin, S100 and CD34) appearance of 32 archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded canine STS tumour specimens by board-certified veterinary and medical pathologists, both blinded to the other's interpretations. Comparison between the veterinary and human diagnoses revealed a generally consistent pattern of interpretation with few notable variations. Most tumours (13/32) were judged to display similar histomorphological appearance to human low-grade spindle cell sarcomas, appearing non-distinctive and morphologically of a fibroblastic/myofibroblastic type. Five canine cases resembled human liposarcoma, but with atypical desmin-positive epithelioid cells present. Five canine cases resembled human spindle cell sarcoma with myxoid features and two additional cases resembled human myxofibrosarcoma. Seven canine cases were noted to resemble human undifferentiated sarcoma. Findings in the present study demonstrate that canine STSs display histological and immunohistochemical features similar to their human equivalents. Because of these cross-species similarities, a particular opportunity exists to understand the biology and treatment of human STS by potentially including dogs as clinical models.
Project fist: Fault isolation by semiautomatic techniques: Part I — Basic concept and techniques

FIST has been developed for the maintenance of modularized, noncomputer, electronic equipment. Tests are dynamic, meaningful, rapid, and can be performed by an unskilled technician. System flexibility and concepts may well revolutionize maintenance methods for both military and industrial equipment The method of fault isolation by semiautomatic techniques developed at the National Bureau of Standards, to which the acronym FIST has been applied, is a diagnostic tool for rapidly isolating faults in modularized, noncomputer-type electronic equipment without removing the modules from the prime equipment. The method is simple and flexible and is orders of magnitude faster than trouble shooting with manual test equipment.
Qollahuaya-Andean Body Concepts: A Topographical-Hydraulic Model of Physiology

Ritual, pathological, and ethnopharmacological data indicate that Qollahuaya Andeans have a topographical-hydraulic model for understanding thephysiology of their bodies. Qollahuayas look to their ayllu, a mountain with three ecological levels, and its waterways for understanding their physiology. Analogously, Qollahuayas understand the body as a vertically layered axis with a system of ducts through which air, blood, fat, and water flow to and from the sonco (heart). Blood and fat, principles of life and energy, come together at the heart and flow to the members of the body in a hydraulic cycle of centripetal and centrifugal motion. The sonco is also a distillation center that combines respiratory, digestive, and reproductive functions. Within this distillation process, secondary fluids (bile, feces, gas, milk, phlegm, semen, sweat, and urine) are produced that need to be eliminated. If these fluids accumulate, they become noxious and must be purgedfrom the body with carminatives, emetics, enemas,fastings, dietary restrictions, and baths. Basically, the body is a hydraulic system with distillation, circulation, and elimination processes, which operate by the centripetal and centrifugal forces of liquids.
Low-Power State-Parallel Relaxed Adaptive Viterbi Decoder

Although it possesses reduced computational complexity and great power saving potential, conventional adaptive Viterbi algorithm implementations contain a global best survivor path metric search operation that prevents it from being directly implemented in a high-throughput state-parallel decoder. This limitation also incurs power and silicon area overhead. This paper presents a modified adaptive Viterbi algorithm, referred to as the relaxed adaptive Viterbi algorithm, that completely eliminates the global best survivor path metric search operation. A state-parallel decoder VLSI architecture has been developed to implement the relaxed adaptive Viterbi algorithm. Using convolutional code decoding as a test vehicle, we demonstrate that state-parallel relaxed adaptive Viterbi decoders, versus Viterbi counterparts, can achieve significant power savings and modest silicon area reduction, while maintaining almost the same decoding performance and very high throughput
Shape Optimization of Surface Ships in Potential Flow Using an Adjoint Formulation

A numerical method for shape optimization of surface ships is presented. The classical potential flow theory is used, and the free surface boundary conditions are linearized using Dawson's method. Objective functionals for wave resistance minimization and inverse problems are considered. An important contribution of this work is the formulation of a continuous adjoint approach for computing the gradients of these objective functionals. The potential flow problem is solved with an existing panel code (SWAN-v2.2). Like the velocity potential function, the adjoint function is governed by Laplace's equation; however, the adjoint radiation condition demands that waves may exist only upstream. The adjoint problem is also solved using the same code (SWAN-v2.2) after some modifications are introduced to handle the respective boundary conditions. Geometric characteristics, wave resistance, and surface wave patterns of optimized hull forms are presented
A content analysis of police civil liability cases: Decisions of the Federal District Courts, 1978–1990

This article analyzes the content of 1,359 police civil liability cases handed down by the United States Federal District Courts from 1978 through 1990. A data classification system was developed to enable the content analysis to determine the longitudinal trends in these cases, the types of law enforcement agencies being sued, the prevailing parties, allegations against the police, and amounts of damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Issues brought before the courts were classified, and high-risk areas of police behavior were identified in a longitudinal fashion. The research focused exclusively on published federal litigation brought against the police under Title 42 United States Code, Section 1983, as opposed to civil liability under state of federal tort law.
A Cognitive Maze

A cognitive maze was developed to study perceptual and conceptual processes in the discovery of relationships through inductive inference and flexible shifting of mental sets adaptive to changed problems. For example, the experimenter-tester presents a list of digits in consecutive pairs; subject-testee is asked to select one digit from each pair and tester answers “right” or “wrong” according to whether the choice agrees or disagrees with the hidden principle fixed for that particular problem. After reaching criterion, the principle is stated explicitly, and a new problem involving a different principle (odd or even number, high or low value, simple or double alternation) is presented. In two pilot studies, numbers of trials and errors to criterion correlated strongly with scores on WAIS Arithmetic., Digit Span, and Block Design for a randomly selected heterogeneous group of 10 testees and with course grades for 25 college students. This maze can be administered and scored by computer. Applications are many.