cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of a class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase in human saliva and increased levels of this enzyme, glutathione S-transferases, and DT-diaphorase in the saliva of subjects who continually ingest large quantities of coffee or broccoli

Human saliva was tested for the presence of cytosolic class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferases alpha, mu, and pi, and DT-diaphorase, enzymes that are known to catalyze the biotransformation of many xenobiotics, including some that are carcinogens and some that are antineoplastic agents. Each of these enzymes was found to be present in this fluid. Inducers of these enzymes are known to be abundantly present in the human diet, especially in certain vegetables and fruits. Further investigation revealed that the salivary content of these enzymes rapidly, coordinately, and markedly increased upon daily consumption of relatively large amounts of coffee or broccoli. The enzyme activities of interest rapidly returned to basal levels when these substances were removed from the diet. Given the important role that cytosolic class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase, the glutathione S-transferases, and DT-diaphorase are thought to play in determining the carcinogenic potential of some cancer-producing agents as well as the cytotoxic potential of some antineoplastic agents, and assuming that their salivary levels reflect their tissue levels, quantification of the salivary content of one or more of these enzymes, a noninvasive and relatively easy undertaking, could be useful in: (a) preliminarily assessing the chemopreventive potential of various diets and drugs; (b) establishing the optimal dose and schedule in Phase I clinical trials for any putatively chemopreventive diets or drugs of interest; and (c) the rational selection and use of chemotherapeutic agents, since several are inactivated, and a few are activated, by these enzymes; alternatively, the antineoplastic agent could be selected first and then a diet that enables the agent to achieve its full therapeutic potential would be selected based on whether high or low enzyme activity would be favorable in that regard. Such measurements may also be useful as an indicator when exposure to carcinogenic/teratogenic/otherwise toxic environmental/industrial/dietary agents that induce these enzymes is suspected.
E-Selectin, Thymus- and Activation-Regulated Chemokine/CCL17, and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Are Constitutively Coexpressed in Dermal Microvessels: A Foundation for a Cutaneous Immunosurveillance System

The success of the cutaneous immune system reflects its ability to rapidly and efficiently recruit leukocytes to areas of trauma and infection. Skin-homing memory T cells expressing cutaneous lymphocyte-associated Ag tether on the walls of postcapillary venules in inflamed skin via interaction with endothelial E-selectin and roll in response to the shear stress imparted by flowing blood. Rolling cells sample the vascular surface for chemoattractant compounds (e.g., thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine/CCL17 interacting with CCR4 on the leukocyte surface) and, if successfully stimulated, progress to firm arrest and transmigration mediated by LFA-1 and vascular ICAM-1. Although it is established that this sequence of events draws T cells into inflamed skin, the mechanisms directing trafficking of T cells to noninflamed skin are less well characterized. We hypothesized that basal expression and colocalization of E-selectin, chemokine (e.g., CCL17), and ICAM-1 in dermal vessels could serve to recruit T cells to noninflamed human skin. Immunohistochemical staining for E-selectin and CD31 demonstrated E-selectin expression in a restricted subset of dermal vessels in noninflamed human skin from three different sites. Confocal multicolor immunofluorescence imaging revealed a nonuniform distribution of E-selectin in dermal vessels as well as colocalization of E-selectin with CCL17 and ICAM-1. Coexpression of these molecules on blood vessels in noninflamed skin provides the basis for a model of cutaneous immunosurveillance system active in the absence of pathologic inflammation.
The informal sector and the macroeconomy: A computable general equilibrium approach for Peru

Abstract This paper examines the macroeconomic implications of the informal sector in Peru through the use of a structuralist, computable general equilibrium model. The lack of formal sector employment drives informal activity while formal and informal output are treated as imperfect substitutes. Simulations show that informal activity reduces the Keynesian multiplier and complicates distributional issues as the income of formal workers and informal producers can move in opposite directions. A final simulation highlights the limitations of strategies designed to promote the informal sector. Total output and income of informal producers decline following an increase in productivity in these processes.
Implications of the Contact Radius to Line Step (CRLS) Ratio in AFM for Nanotribology Measurements

Investigating the mechanisms of defect generation and growth at surfaces on the nanometer scale typically requires high-resolution tools such as the atomic force microscope (AFM). To accurately assess the kinetics and activation parameters of defect production over a wide range of loads (Fz), the AFM data should be properly conditioned. Generally, AFM wear trials are performed over an area defined by the length of the slow (Lsscan) and fast scan axes. The ratio of Lsscan to image resolution (res, lines per image) becomes an important experimental parameter in AFM wear trials because it defines the magnitude of the line step (LS = Lsscan/res), the distance the AFM tip steps along the slow scan axis. Comparing the contact radius (a) to the line step (LS) indicates that the overlap of successive scans will result unless the contact radius−line step ratio (CRLS) is ≤1/2. If this relationship is not considered, then the scan history (e.g., contact frequency) associated with a single scan is not equivalent at d...
Thermochemical investigations of gas—liquid chromatography IV. Partition coefficients of solutes on binary mixtures containing two complexing solvents

Abstract A conventional non-electrolyte solution model which has led to successful predictive equations for the partial molar properties of a solute in simple binary mixtures is extended to systems containing two complexing solvents. The derived expression predicts a logarithmic relationship between the solute partition coefficient, KR(BC), and solvent composition, ϕB: 1n KR(BC) = ϕ 1n K0R(B) + ϕC 1nK0R(C) + 1n [1 + V AKABϕB/ V AB + + V AKACϕC] - ϕB 1n [1 + V AKAB/ V AB] - ϕC 1n [1 + V AKAC/ V AC] + + V AΔ G fhBC/[RT (XB V B + XC V C)] and enables determination of solute—solvent association constants, KAB and KAC, from chromatographic data. Sensitivity of the derived expression to small changes in the value of KAB, particularly in systems having both a very weak and very strong solute-solvent complex, suggests that the model may prove useful in identifying weak association complexes in solution.
Gifted children: Current trends and issues

Abstract Several major topical issues and an overview of our state of knowledge about gifted children are presented. There is relatively little empirical research on the gifted, and development of programs is at a rudimentary level. Difficulties in defining and identifying giftedness may have produced an overly optimistic portrait of the gifted. Despite possible problems related to superior ability, evidence suggests that gifted children as a group are fairly well adjusted. Counseling for gifted underachievers has not proven effective. Enrichment appears to be the key element in educational provisions for the gifted. Inadequacy of much of the existing research is a consistent finding.
Clinical Criteria for the Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Hypofunction

There is considerable difficulty in the making of initial clinical decisions as to whether a given patient has salivary gland hypofunction, and hence requires additional salivary gland evaluation. This study identified a set of four clinical measures that, together, successfully predicted the presence or absence of salivary gland hypofunction. The four measures were: dryness of lips, dryness of buccal mucosa, absence of saliva produced by gland palpation, and total DMFT; they were derived from discriminant analysis of data collected from 71 individuals with normal and low salivary flow rates. These measures are proposed as criteria for clinical decision-making, as well as for classification of patients in studies of salivary gland dysfunction syndromes. This study also identified unstimulated whole salivary flow rates of 0.12-0.16 mL/min as the critical range separating individuals with salivary gland hypofunction from those with normal gland function.
Photochemical control of energy transfer in molecular crystals

Abstract Exposure of a 4,4′-dimethylbenzophenone single crystal at 4.2 K to radiation from a nitrogen laser causes chances in the phosphorescence spectrum and excitation energy transfer properties. The ratio of exciton to trap phosphorescence increases, the exciton phosphorescence decay, which is nonexponential initially, becomes more exponential, and a new luminescence origin appears above the exciton origin. These observations are interpreted in terms of photachemically produced scattering barriers that alter the exciton trapping rate, the exciton-exciton annihilation rate, and the energy transfer topology.
Molecular Cloning and Expression of a cDNA Encoding a Coccidioides posadasii Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase Identified by Proteomic Analysis of the Coccidioidal T27K Vaccine

Previous studies have demonstrated that the coccidioidal T27K vaccine preparation is protective in mice against respiratory challenge using Coccidioides posadasii (C. posadasii) arthroconidia. Proteomic methods have been employed to define the molecular components within the vaccine. This method has led to the identification of novel and previously uncharacterized coccidioidal proteins including a Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase. A two-dimensional gel of the T27K vaccine was run and spots were excised for mass spectrometric analysis. One peptide was obtained from the T27K gel that matched a TIGR C. posadasii 2.0 gene index tentative consensus sequence, TC1072, which is similar to fungal Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase. Activity assays performed with native PAGE gels of the T27K vaccine showed that the vaccine contains superoxide dismutase. The cDNA encoding the enzyme has been cloned and sequenced and expressed as a recombinant protein.
Functional voiding disorders in females

One hundred fifty-nine female patients with persistent and unexplained voiding symptoms were referred for urodynamic study. Sixty percent had frequency, and nearly half of these reported incontinence. Twenty-five percent had obstructive symptoms, and half of these had urinary retention. Symptoms were long standing (mean 12.3 years) especially in those with detrusor hyperreflexia (DH). Also, a history of childhood enuresis was elicited in 50% of patients with DH. A psychosocial disturbance or psychosomatic illness was present in 70% of our patients. Urodynamic studies revealed DH in 44.5%, detrusor areflexia (DA) in 44.5 %, and normal studies in 11 %. Rapid pharmacologic testing using bethanechol (n = 67) and/or diazepam (n = 13) was performed in patients with DA as an aid in determining the etiology. The role of urodynamic testing in evaluating and treating functional voiding disorders in adult female patients is discussed.
Curriculum for Jamaican Creole‐speaking students in New York City

: Jamaican students constitute a significant segment of the New York City public school population. Many Jamaican students have a solid grasp of Standard American English (SAE) at the time they enroll in the New York City public school system, but others speak only Jamaican Creole (JAC), a variety of English spoken by native Jamaicans in everyday conversation. Many New York teachers claim that JAC is incomprehensible. Moreover, classroom teachers who are newly exposed to the spoken and written forms of JAC are not familiar with Jamaican culture or trained to handle the linguistic and cultural differences. Consequently, they may refer these students to English as a second language and/or special education classes. This paper outlines some of the problems encountered by JAC students in New York City public schools and by the teachers who instruct them; it argues the need for a specialized curriculum and instruction for these students, and it offers recommendations and suggestions for a model program which will accommodate those needs.
Linear programming to optimize performance in a department of surgery

Background Linear programming is an analytic method that can be used to develop models for health care that optimize distribution of resources through mathematical means. Study design The linear programming model contained objective, decision, and constraint elements. The objective was to optimize financial outcomes for both the hospital and physicians in the Department of Surgery. The decision concerns procedure mix or the number of each type of surgical procedure. Constraints apply to resources that are consumed during the course of the patient's surgical encounter. Results The optimal solution produced an increase in professional payments of 3.6% and an increase in hospital total margin of 16.1%. This solution favored surgical procedures that require inpatient care; these patients had greater comorbidity, reflected in a higher case-mix index of 3.74 compared to 2.97. Substantial differences were noted in use of general care and ICU days, and in consumption of preoperative, intraoperative, and recovery room time. Conclusions Aligning quality surgical care with optimal financial performance may be assisted by mathematical models such as linear programming.
Transport of molecules from nose to brain: Transneuronal anterograde and retrograde labeling in the rat olfactory system by wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase applied to the nasal epithelium

Transneuronal anterograde labeling with the conjugate wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) has been documented in the mammalian and immature avian visual system [6,14]. Transneuronal retrograde labeling was significant only in the chick [6]. The present study was performed to determine whether transneuronal labeling could be shown in the mammalian olfactory system, whether the phenomenon was robust in adults, and whether transneuronal retrograde transport could label several transmitter-specific centrifugal afferent projections to the olfactory bulb. In addition we wished to learn whether molecules that enter the nasal cavity can undergo transport to brain neurons. Gelfoam implants soaked with 1% WGA-HRP, surgically implanted into the nasal cavity, produced transneuronal labeling patterns that affirmed all of these questions. Transneuronal anterograde transport labeled the appropriate zones in the olfactory bulb and in all second order olfactory targets. In addition, there was transneuronal retrograde labeling of neurons in the olfactory bulb, anterior olfactory nucleus and in transmitter-specific projection neurons from the diagonal band (cholinergic), raphe (serotonergic) and locus coeruleus (noradrenergic). Transneuronal labeling was robust and consistent. The patterns of labeling indicated that transneuronal anterograde and retrograde transport occurred along known, specific circuits in the olfactory system. The present results suggest that nasal epithelial application of WGA-HRP may be a useful tool for assessing regeneration of primary olfactory neurons and the status of central circuitry following regeneration. The method should also facilitate the study of central olfactory connections after surgical or genetic lesions of the olfactory bulb. Finally, these experiments suggest the possibility that inhaled molecules including, possibly substances of abuse, may be transported to, and, possibly, influence the function of neurons in the brain, including some (diagonal band, raphe, locus coeruleus) which have extensive projections to wide areas of the CNS.
The Concept of Gang

RECENT RESEARCH and theory relative to the lower class adolescent male peer group has focused largely on the culture and behavior of group members.' Further, the focus has been on the different types of behavior characteristic of different groups. While this analysis has been quite fruitful, it has led us away from attempting to place all such groups on any single continuum which might involve structure as well as culture. Specifically, the concept of "gang" has either been used loosely to include all groups of lower class male adolescents or has been omitted altogether.2 This paper maintains that the concept of gang still has considerable utility as a category for research. This paper will be presented in five parts: (1) an analysis of the concept as used in the past into a set of empirical variables; (2) a description of a method used to get data on these variables; (3) a presentation of data relative to these variables; (4) an analysis of the correlation of these variables; and (5) an attempt to place gangs on continua representing variables found in small groups in other contexts.
Morphology of identified preganglionic neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

To determine the degree of variation of neuronal morphology both within and between the subnuclei of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (dmnX), structural features of the preganglionic neurons of each of the five primary subnuclei in the rat dmnX were characterized quantitatively. Each of the columnar subnuclei was separately labeled by application of the retrograde tracer fast blue to its corresponding subdiaphragmatic vagal branch. Fixed brain slices of 100 microns thickness were then prepared in coronal, sagittal, and horizontal orientations. Next, randomly selected fast blue labeled neurons (n = 1,256) were injected with Lucifer yellow, drawn with camera lucida, and digitized. For each cell, three features of the perikaryon and twelve of the dendritic tree were measured. Dorsal motor nucleus neurons with up to eight primary dendrites, 30 dendritic segments, and seventh order dendritic branches were observed. Throughout the dmnX, the dendrites of preganglionic neurons were preferentially oriented in the horizontal plane. Consistent with an organizing role for the columnar subnuclei, most dendrites remained within their column of origin. However, between 5 and 30% of the neurons in each of the columns projected dendrites into adjacent dmnX subnuclei or other brainstem nuclei, including the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). The cyto- and dendroarchitectural analyses revealed systematic gradations in morphology, although they did not support the idea that the dmnX was composed of multiple distinct preganglionic types. The most parsimonious interpretation of the data is that dmnX motorneurons are variants of a single prototype, with dendrites varying widely in length and degree of ramification. The extent of an individual preganglionic neuron's dendritic field was predicted by three factors: the cell's rostrocaudal position within the dmnX, its location within a transverse plane (i.e., its coronal position within or ectopic to the dmnX), and its subnucleus of origin. Neurons at rostral and midlongitudinal levels of each column had more extensive dendritic arbors than those at caudal levels. Ectopic neurons had more extensive dendritic fields than similar cells in the corresponding columns; in fact, of all vagal preganglionic neurons, ectopics had the most extensive dendritic fields. Somata and dendrites of celiac column neurons were more extensive than those of hepatic and gastric column cells. These differential regional distributions of vagal preganglionics suggest that their structure and function are correlated.
Undispersed agglomerates and the strength of microsilica concrete

Material specification C1240 of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) requires wet-sieved microsilica to pass the #325 sieve with no more than 10% retained and advises that care be exercised ‘to avoid retaining agglomerations of extremely fine material’. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has found that densified microsilica samples that are submitted sometimes do not meet this specification when subjected to test method ASTM C430, apparently because wet-sieving is not capable of breaking the agglomerations. In this study, the possible repercussions of densification of microsilica into larger particle sizes on the mechanical and other engineering properties of the resulting concrete mix are examined. Results of microsilica tests conducted suggest that ASTM C430 is not an appropriate test for assessing the suitability of microsilica for use in concrete. Tests conducted on concrete specimens indicate that those made with undensified microsilica show higher flexural and compressive ...
Extending clusters to Amazon EC2 using the Rocks toolkit

In 2006, Amazon introduced their elastic computing cloud (EC2) where customers could rent, by the hour, Xen-based virtual machines hosted in Amazonâs data center. In this so-called infrastructure as a service (IAAS) cloud, users have full root-level access to virtual machines so that they can fully customize and optionally publish machine images. The generally accepted approach to provisioning within Amazon is to first start with a base image already residing within the cloud. Then, the user customizes this base configuration to match their specific requirements. While this works well for very simple, standalone software configurations, this approach has users starting with a black box of software (the base image) and then adding/modifying this system using techniques that range from very rigorous (excellent system configuration techniques) to completely ad hoc methods. A quick survey of public machine images available in Amazonâs cloud shows a growth of 28% from September 2010 (â¼5500 images) to December 2010 (â¼7050 images). The sheer number of public images makes the selection of the base configuration all that more daunting for the non-expert system administrator. In 2004, we introduced Rocks cluster toolkit rolls as pluggable, programmatic components to extend the definition of a Beowulf-style cluster. In contrast to the black box characteristics of most cloud images, we describe how the Rocks EC2 roll automatically handles the specific administrative changes needed to make any Rocks-defined computing appliance bootable within the EC2 infrastructure. When coupled with the Condor roll, it becomes straightforward to build an extended cluster as a single Condor pool with local job submission. This extended pool consists of both the userâs local cluster infrastructure (head node and local worker nodes) and EC2 nodes. Because the EC2 nodes are configured identically to their local counterparts, users need not modify their job submission scripts, executable paths or other parameters of their jobs simply to take advantage of cloud resources. These extensions are included in the EC2 and Condor rolls and enable the systematic reuse of software that has already been developed for clusters. These systems can function in the cloud as either standalone entities or as integrated components of a userâs existing cluster. With this work we demonstrate that cloud computing does not require entirely new approaches to systems definition and use.
Association of blood glucose with angiographic and clinical outcomes among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (from the CLARITY-TIMI-28 study).

Overt hyperglycemia has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The association of hypoglycemia and mild hyperglycemia with angiographic outcomes and the effect of clopidogrel on these outcomes have not been extensively evaluated. Patients with STEMI enrolled in the CLARITY-TIMI 28 trial (n = 3,491) were divided into 6 groups based on admission blood glucose level ( 199 mg/dl). Angiographic and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Thirty-day mortality was increased (p 199 mg/dl, 10.4%) compared with the euglycemic group (glucose 81 to 99 mg/dl, 2.6%). Occlusion of the infarct-related artery (IRA; Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0/1) at scheduled angiography was more common with increased glucose (9.3% for glucose 81 to 99 mg/dl, 15.6% for glucose >199 mg/dl, p = 0.004). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that hyperglycemia was associated with a twofold increase in the composite of an occluded IRA, death, or recurrent MI before angiography (glucose >199 mg/dl, odds ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 3.18, p = 0.01; glucose 150 to 199 mg/dl, odds ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 3.22, p = 0.002). There was no significant interaction between clopidogrel administration and the association of glucose and IRA patency (p interaction = NS). In conclusion, in patients with STEMI, hypoglycemia and severe hyperglycemia are associated with increased 30-day mortality. IRA patency after fibrinolytic administration is related to admission glucose independent of clopidogrel administration.
Management of pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis.

Abstract In the past 6 years, 40 children underwent surgery for laryngotracheal stenosis; 32 by the external approach and 8 by endoscopic CO 2 laser. Twenty-seven children (67%) were less than 5 years old at the time of treatment and 80% of the stenoses (n = 32) corresponded to an etiology that is secondary to endotracheal intubation and/or tracheotomy. By grading the stenoses according to the amount of narrowing of the lumen, the authors emphasize the interest of conservative treatment (endoscopic for grade I [
Left Atrial Volume Calculation by Angiocardiography in Children

Two angiographic methods for left atrial volume estimation are described. One (area-length method) utilizes an ellipsoid reference figure, as currently used for left ventricular volume studies. The appendage is excluded in the measurements but a regression formula corrects the initial calculation to arrive at a total left atrial volume estimation. The other (ellipsoid-cone method) considers two reference figures—an ellipsoid for the left atrial cavity proper, and a circular cone for the appendage. The calculations from both methods are generally similar, and error is within 8 percent. Volume data of 21 normal children revealed mean maximal left atrial volume of 37.56 ml/M 2 ± 7.66 SD, minimal left atrial volume of 12.79 ml/M 2 ± 3.62, relative atrial volume change of 0.66 ± 0.066 SD, and maximal left atrial/left ventricular end-diastolic volume ratio of 0.72 ± 0.16 SD. The atrial volumes of infants, normalized for body surface area, were significantly smaller than those of older children. Left atrial volume showed positive correlation with body surface area and left ventricular volume; negative correlation was observed with heart rate.
Assembly of fibronection-containing extracellular matrix: A glimpse of the machinery

Soluble fibronectin binds specifically and saturably to surfaces of substrate-attached cells. Bound fibronection is then transferred to the deoxycholate-insoluble extracellular matrix. During transfer, fibronectin is translocated from the cell surface and organized into disulfide-bonded multimers by disulfide exchange. Binding is mediated by disulfidelooped, type I homology “fingers” in the amino-terminal region. Exchange involves disulfides in the same amino-terminal region.
Neuroactive metabolises of L-tryptophan, serotonin and quinolinic acid, in striatal extracellular fluid effect of tryptophan loading

Extracellular fluid levels of the neurotoxin quinolinic acid in the corpus striatum of rats, measured by in vivo microdialysis, were increased in a dose-dependent manner following the intraperitoneal administration of tryptophan. The lowest dose of tryptophan (12.5 mg/kg), equivalent to about 5% of the normal daily intake, increased peak quinolinic acid levels nearly 3-fold. At higher doses of tryptophan (up to 250 mg/kg), concentrations of quinolinic acid increased over 200-fold and exceeded potentially neurotoxic levels (10 μM). In contrast, the increase in extracellular serotonin following even the highest tryptophan dose was small (less than 2-fold). These data indicate that quinolinic acid is present in them extracellular fluid where it may function as a neuromodulator and that it is very responsive to physiological changes in precursor availability.
A space-time hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for incompressible flows on deforming domains

We present the first space-time hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) finite element method for the incompressible Navier-Stokes and Oseen equations. Major advantages of a space-time formulation are its excellent capabilities of dealing with moving and deforming domains and grids and its ability to achieve higher-order accurate approximations in both time and space by simply increasing the order of polynomial approximation in the space-time elements. Our formulation is related to the HDG formulation for incompressible flows introduced recently in, e.g., [N.C. Nguyen, J. Peraire, B. Cockburn, A hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for Stokes flow, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 199 (2010) 582-597]. However, ours is inspired in typical DG formulations for compressible flows which allow for a more straightforward implementation. Another difference is the use of polynomials of fixed total degree with space-time hexahedral and quadrilateral elements, instead of simplicial elements. We present numerical experiments in order to assess the quality of the performance of the methods on deforming domains and to experimentally investigate the behavior of the convergence rates of each component of the solution with respect to the polynomial degree of the approximations in both space and time.
Relaxation of postoperative astigmatism after lens implantation through a 6.25 mm scleral wound in children.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the evolution of postoperative astigmatism in children having cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation through a 6.25 mm superior scleral tunnel wound. Setting: A university clinical practice. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients having cataract extraction and IOL implantation in the practice of 1 surgeon from 1995 to 2000 was performed. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Student t test for nonpaired data. Results: Ten eyes of 9 children were included. Six cataracts were due to corneal or corneoscleral lacerations, 3 were idiopathic, and 1 occurred after blunt trauma. Eight eyes could not be refracted preoperatively because of mature cataract. The mean cylindrical correction of all refractions performed 1 to 15 days after surgery (n = 6) was 6.71 diopters (D) ± 1.63 (SD); of those performed at 16 to 30 days (n = 6), 2.71 ± 2.09 D; and of those performed at 31 to 45 days (n = 7), 1.93 ± 1.48 D. The mean spherical equivalent of the final (dispensed) refraction was -0.21 ± 1.79 D; the mean cylindrical correction of this refraction was 1.13 ± 0.79 D. The difference between the cylindrical correction of the final prescription and the corneal astigmatism in fellow eyes was not statistically significant ( P = .29). Conclusions: Relaxation of large amounts of suture-induced astigmatism occurs in children having cataract extraction. Surgeons should not hesitate to secure scleral wounds meticulously in children for fear of a permanent undesirable refractive outcome.
The Mammalian response to virus infection is independent of small RNA silencing

A successful cellular response to virus infection is essential for evolutionary survival. In plants, arthropods, and nematodes, cellular antiviral defenses rely on RNAi. Interestingly, the mammalian response to virus is predominantly orchestrated through interferon (IFN)-mediated induction of antiviral proteins. Despite the potency of the IFN system, it remains unclear whether mammals also have the capacity to employ antiviral RNAi. Here, we investigated this by disabling IFN function, small RNA function, or both activities in the context of virus infection. We find that loss of small RNAs in the context of an in vivo RNA virus infection lowers titers due to reduced transcriptional repression of the host antiviral response. In contrast, enabling a virus with the capacity to inhibit the IFN system results in increased titers. Taken together, these results indicate that small RNA silencing is not a physiological contributor to the IFN-mediated cellular response to virus infection.
Increased benthic grazing: An alternative explanation for low phytoplankton biomass in northern San Francisco Bay during the 1976–1977 drought

Abstract Among the consequences of extremely low river flow into northern San Francisco Bay during a two-year drought were (1) a gradual increase in salinity, (2) an unusual decline in chlorophyll a concentration, and (3) the upstream migration of estuarine benthic invertebrates to the normally brackish area of the bay. Total abundance in the benthos at a shallow monitoring site increased from a normal 2000 to greater than 20 000 individuals m −2 during the summer of 1977, presumably in response to the increased salinity. Estimated filtration rates derived from equations in the literature for one of the species, the suspended-feeding bivalve Mya arenaria ranged from 1 to 4 m 3 m −2 day −1 during 1977 depending on abundance and mean size on sampling dates. Because water depth at this site is less than 2 m, Mya could have filtered all of the particles (including diatoms) from the water column on the order of once per day. Several other immigrant species undoubtedly contributed to the removal of particles from the near-bottom water as well. Increased benthic grazing, therefore, could have accounted for the anomalously low phytoplankton biomass observed during the drought. These results suggest that during periods of prolonged low river flow and increased salinity benthic food webs could become more important than planktonic food webs in the upper part of the estuary.
A method for making estimates of the benefit of the late use of letrozole in patients completing 5 years of tamoxifen.

Abstract This article discusses the rationale for 2 methods of making estimates of the benefit of letrozole as extended adjuvant hormonal therapy after 5 years of tamoxifen. It uses information from the Overview metaanalyses to develop general rules for making estimates of remaining risk of relapse for women completing 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen without relapse. The first derived method shows that the expected benefit for such a woman is approximately one tenth of her risk of relapse in years 0–10 if untreated. The second method uses a modification of Adjuvant!, a decision support tool, and makes similar estimates. The decision tool supplies needed estimates of initial risk and allows adjustment for competing mortality. Uncertainties involved in making these estimates are also discussed.
Charge density formulation for plasmons in the retarded regime

In this paper we derive the retarded dispersion relation for plasmons at the interface between a semi-infinite metal and a semi-infinite dielectric starting from the charge density and the current density. We use the retarded electric and magnetic potentials to arrive at the surface plasmon dispersion relation. Additionally, we derive the electric and magnetic fields using the potentials and show that the derived field components obey the same relations with respect to each other as the plasmon fields. The approach we present in this paper is helpful for deriving transmission line models for plasmonic interconnect structures, which are proposed as replacements for the traditional copper interconnects in future VLSI systems. This in turn is important to study the properties of such structures as interconnects.
C-Glycosidic ellagitannins from white oak heartwood and callus tissues

Abstract Efforts were made to fully evaluate the performances of the two commonly used solvents, aq. Me 2 CO and aq. MeOH, on extraction of vescalagin and castalagin from freshly harvested white oak ( Quercus alba ). The results show that aq. Me 2 CO is superior to aq. MeOH in obtaining higher vescalagin and castalagin yields with lower total insoluble ellagitannins. A comparison of aq. Me 2 CO extracts from Q. alba heartwood and callus tissues reveals similar ellagitannin profiles with callus tissues producing almost 3 times as much castalagin and vescalagin via manipulation of the media nitrogen and copper concentrations.
Cocaine consumption in the United States: Estimating past trends and future scenarios

Abstract A Markov model of population flows in and out of light and heavy cocaine use is presented. The model quantifies how the recent epidemic shifted from light use to heavy use. Projecting future consumption from hypothetical initiation scenarios suggests: (1) reducing initiation is vital; even temporary lapses can have lasting negative effects; and (2) even if initiation ceased immediately, the quantity consumed would decay with a half-life of more than a decade due to inertia created by current heavy users. Hence, reducing initiation is necessary, but not sufficient; measures that directly address consumption by heavy users are also needed.
A comparative study of acidic properties of SAPO-5, −11, −34 and −37 molecular sieves

Abstract Silicon substituted AIPO molecular sieves (SAPO) of the structure types 5, 11, 34 and 37 have been synthesized and characterized for crystallinity and phase purity using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, BET surface area measurements and chemical analysis.The incorporation of silicon into the framework of SAPO materials was demonstrated by 27 Al, 31 P and 29 Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance. The acidic properties of these materials have been studied by N 1s X-ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared and temperature programmed desorption spectra of chemisorbed pyridine. Two types of N 1s , XPS peaks with binding energy values (401.5–402.7 eV) and (399.6–400.5 eV) corresponding to pyridine chemisorbed on Bronsted and Lewis acid sites, respectively were detected. The IR spectra in the pyridine region of AlPO 4 -5 showed an absence of a Bronsted band and in the case of SAPO-34 molecular sieve absence of both, Bronsted and Lewis bands. However, N 1s XP spectra clearly showed the presence of Bronsted N 1s component peaks in AlP0 4 -5 and the presence of Bronsted and Lewis bound pyridine on the surface of SAPO-34 molecular sieve. The N/Si ratio of close to one observed for SAPO-37 was interpreted to mean that in this case all silicon atoms were involved in generating Bronsted acid sites. The lower N/Si ratios observed for SAPO-5, SAPO-11 and SAPO-34 were explained on the basis of either formation of silicon rich domains in the structure or pore size considerations. The presence of silicon rich domains in some of these structures was confirmed by 29 Si NMR study. Comparison of the XPS data with FTIR and 29 Si NMR results, allowed us to conclude that not all silicon atoms present in the framework were responsible for generating the Bronsted acid sites in SAPO- n molecular sieves.
Systolic implementation on Kalman filters

Two schemes for implementing systolic and pipelined processing on Kalman filters in real time are presented. In the first, a single two-dimensional systolic processor is used to perform a Kalman filtering process. In the second scheme, the utilization of the two-dimensional systolic processor is fully expanded and improves the speed of updating estimates, Kalman filter algorithms are implemented on two concurrent, identical systolic processors. In both schemes, the mathematical formulation of the Kalman filter algorithms is rearranged to be the type of the Faddeeva algorithm for generalizing matrix/vector manipulations. The corresponding data flow is easily mapped from algorithms into the computing structure which is of nearest neighbor type. The architecture of the processor cells is regular, simple, expandable, and suitable for VLSI implementation. The computing methodology and the two-dimensional systolic arrays are useful for Kalman filter applications as well as general matrix/vector algebraic computations. >
Intractability is relative: Behaviour therapy in the elimination of violence in psychotic forensic patients

Purpose. This paper describes the treatment and effects of an integrated behavioural therapy programme for each of four male, psychotic in-patients considered to be intractably violent and dangerous. Method. Each patient, after years of various combinations of treatments and extended periods in restraints, was administratively referred to psychology services. Extensive pre-treatment observation and evaluation revealed that, for each patient, anger was a significant link in the behavioural chains leading up to violent behaviour. Target behaviours were identified and tailored for each patient. A strong therapeutic alliance was developed and maintained between each patient and the primary clinician. Integrated systems theory provided a framework for the synthesis of classical and operant conditioning approaches including (but not limited to) pre-treatment skill building, behaviour shaping, desensitization, and affect modulation with other psychological approaches. No aversive techniques were used. Extensive groundwork and ongoing staff development were devoted to building the trust, ability, confidence and effectiveness of the nursing staff who took part in implementing the interventions. Results. All participants were able to increase and sustain prosocial behaviours and interactions including improved anger management skills. Violent behaviour and hours in seclusion and restraint were reduced and finally eliminated in each case. All participants were transferred to a less restrictive setting. These dramatic treatment successes rekindled a sense of hopefulness and empowerment in treatment staff. Conclusions. Intractability is a relative term. Violent behaviour can be successfully eliminated even while psychotic phenomena persist. Integrated, relationship-based behavioural therapy—while labour intensive—is a valuable adjunct to other psychotherapeutic modalities for persistently violent, severely disordered individuals.
Ac Losses in Type-II Superconductors

This paper discusses the physics of ac losses in type-II superconductors and in multifilamentary superconducting-normal composite conductors. As an introduction, the ac eddy-current losses in a homogeneous normal conducting cylindrical specimen subjected to an alternating applied magnetic field are briefly reviewed. The ac losses in a superconducting cylindrical specimen are discussed in detail next, with emphasis on the losses in a specimen subjected to an alternating applied longitudinal magnetic field. In general, dissipation occurs via both flux-flow losses, which are analogous to eddy-current losses in the normal state, and hysteretic losses, which arise from bulk and surface pinning as well as annihilation of vortices of the opposite sense. Tests are suggested by which the dominant loss mechanisms can be identified. Special considerations are noted for the case of the high-temperature superconductors. Finally, the losses in multifilamentary superconducting-normal composite conductors are discussed.
Divalproex and lithium are similarly cost effective for adults with bipolar disorder.

These include: Data supplement http://ebmh.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/9/1/15/DC1 "Web-only table" References http://ebmh.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/9/1/15#BIBL This article cites 3 articles, 2 of which can be accessed free at: Rapid responses http://ebmh.bmj.com/cgi/eletter-submit/9/1/15 You can respond to this article at: service Email alerting top right corner of the article Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up in the box at the
Direct measurement of the effect of potassium, calcium, veratridine, and and amphetamine on the rate of release of dopamine from superfused brain tissue

Abstract The rate of release of endogenous DA from rat brain striatal minces has been measured using a rapid superfusion apparatus. The apparatus provides immediate, continuous readout of easily oxidized substances in the perfusate using an amperometric detector. Subsequent analysis of the perfusate (which contains pargyline) by liquid chromatography shows that the major substance detected is DA. DA release is induced by a 30 s exposure to 60 mM K+ and is Ca2+-dependent. Similar results are obtained with veratridine (10−4 M). The time resolution of the perfusion system permits discrimination of the decreased rate of release induced by veratridine (10−4 M) and amphetamine (10−5 M) as opposed to 60 mM K+. Repetitive stimulation of the striatal mince with 60 mM K+ results in a decreased amount and rate of DA release. Subsequent exposure of the striatal mince to exogenous DA results in a restoration of the K+-induced, Ca2+-dependent release, indicating uptake of DA is operant under these conditions.
M Centers in Potassium Iodide

Absorption spectra of preferentially aligned M centers in Kl were measured with polarized light at 20.5, 77.4, and 243 °K. The band maxima, halfwidths, and relative intensities of the (M1, M4, M2, and M2 bands and the peak position of other anisotropies (M3, M5, M6, M7, M3, M5, M7) were determined from dichroic difference spectra. The results have been compared with M-center data for other alkali halides and the origins of the various anisotropies have been considered. Absorptionsspektren von orientierten M-Zentren in KJ wurden mit polarisiertem Licht bei 20.5, 77,4 und 243 °K gemessen. Die Bandenlagen, Halbwertsbreiten und relativen Lntensittiten der M1-, M4-, M2- und M2-Banden und die Maxima der anderen Anisotropien (M3, M5, M6, M7, M3, M5, M7) wurden durch dichroitische Differenzspektren bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse wrirden mit Datcn fur M-Zentren in anderen Alkalihalogeniden verglichen, und der Ursprung der verschiedenen Anisotropien wurde bctrachtet.
Interaction of human growth hormone and human erythrocyte membranes as demonstrated by

Abstract Human growth hormone in physiological concentrations induced a change in the ellipticity of human erythrocyte membranes at 222 mμ from −11,800 deg cm2/decimole to about −8,800 deg cm2/decimole. Bovine growth hormone, bovine serum albumin, bovine insulin or cortisol were without effect. This effect was demonstrable in the presence of phosphate buffer but not in distilled water. Erythrocyte membranes modified the near ultraviolet spectrum of human growth hormone. None of the effects observed could be accounted for by distortions due to light scattering or absorption flattening.
Smads are the central component in transforming growth factor-beta signaling

Until recently, little was known about how transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signals are transduced to the nucleus. With the discovery of the Smad proteins initially in Drosophila and C. elegans, the unraveling of the pathway has begun. Nine different vertebrate members also have been reported, indicating that Smads are a conserved component of the TGF-beta pathway. Currently, there are three functional classes of Smads. Class I Smads are phosphorylated by TGF-beta receptors and move to the nucleus. The Class II Smads function with Class I Smads, while Class III Smads antagonize the function of Class I Smads. New evidence shows that Smads bind specific DNA sequences and induce transcription of downstream target genes, thus placing the Smads at the center of the TGF-beta signaling pathway.
Optical Wireless Surveillance and Access Control Network

A low-cost design of an optical wireless network of multiple transmitters and receivers based on the CDMA-architecture for perimeter surveillance and access control and is described. Simulation and scaled-model experimental results are discussed.