cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for rectocele.

Patients with obstructed defecation complain of an inability to initiate rectal emptying, incomplete evacuation, pelvic pressure or excessive straining at stool. The pathophysiologic features of obstructed defecation include an increased anterior-posterior diameter of the rectum, decreased rectal compliance and an increased sensory threshold volume. Recently, there has been interest in the transanal resection of the rectum for obstructed defecation with the developement of endoanal staplers and techniques specifically for these purpose. Stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR), in the only large series reported, decreased the anterior-posterior diameter of the rectum, restored rectal compliance and decreased the rectal sensory threshold with an associated improvement in incomplete evacuation in 81.1%, digital assistance to defecate in 83.4%, pelvic pain in 43.3%, and the need for laxatives 43.3% of patients. Risks of the procedure included stenosis in 3.3%, urgency in 1.1% and incontinence of flatus in 1.1% of patients. These data suggest that the STARR procedure is an effective management option for obstructed defecation with an acceptable risk of complications.
Glucose challenge test: Screening threshold for gestational diabetes mellitus and associated outcomes

Objective. To examine whether women with an 1-hour 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) between 120 and 140 mg/dL and ≥140 mg/dL are at risk of perinatal complications.Study design. A retrospective cohort study of women with singleton pregnancies screened for GDM between 1988 and 2001 with a 1-hour 50-g GCT. Values of GCT were stratified into four subgroups: <120, 120–129, 130–139, and ≥140 mg/dL. Perinatal outcomes were compared using the Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results. There were 13 901 women meeting the study criteria. Compared to women with a GCT of <120 mg/dL, women with a GCT of 130–139 mg/dL and ≥140 mg/dL were more likely to have preeclampsia and operative vaginal or cesarean deliveries. Neonates born to women with a GCT of 130–139 mg/dL also had higher odds of having a 5-minute Apgar score <7 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.29), shoulder dystocia (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.16–2.55), birth trauma (O...
Quantitative line absorption spectrophotometry: Absorbance of the OH radical near 3090Å

Abstract A pulsed discharge source of OH line radiation near 3090Ais used for quantitative determination of transient OH populations in shocked gases by photoelectric absorption measurement involving a specific group of lines. The spectral intensity distribution of this line source has been determined quantitatively from photographic spectrograms, and is expressed in terms of the line shapes, their relative intensities, and the relative intensity of continuum between the lines. Computer methods have been formulated and used to synthesize the response of a thermal OH absorber population to this incident spectrum, in terms of the optical density, the absorber temperature, the band oscillator strength, individual line strengths, and a pressure broadening parameter. Finally, measurements of absorption by equilibrium OH populations in reflected shock waves at temperatures near 2800°K and pressures near 4.4 and 17.5 atm in H 2 -O 2 mixtures highly diluted with argon are reported and reconciled with computations for the source spectrum. The results demonstrate a pressure broadening effect, and corroborate the value of the band oscillator strength determined independently by others. A basis is thus established for a heretofore empirical calibration and for extending it to other regimes of temperature and pressure.
Derivation of a master equation for optical bistability

Abstract We sketch the proof of a rigorous master equation for a model of optical bistability and obtain its Fokker Planck equation in the coherent state representation.
Tunable spin Hall effect by Stern-Gerlach diffraction

We propose a new effect based on simultaneous real- and reciprocal-space magnetic inhomogeneities, combining features of the Stern-Gerlach and both the intrinsic and extrinsic spin Hall effects. Spin currents undergo asymmetric diffraction that can be produced by an array of spin-orbit-coupled quantum dots or patterned external electric fields. The system has wide tunability, allowing formation of a periodic spin lattice distinct from the charge lattice, selective polarization flipping, or spin current detector. Similar effects may be produced by photons and neutrons.
Effect of Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Concentration on Edwardsiella ictaluri in Experimentally Infected Channel Catfish

Abstract Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were experimentally infected with Edwardsiella ictaluri by immersion exposure. After clinical disease ran its course for 52 d, the surviving fish were exposed to one of the following environmental regimes in troughs: 25°C with aeration, 25°C with no aeration, or variable temperature (18–23°C) with no aeration. After 29 d of exposure to the environmental regimes, various organs and tissues of the fish were assayed to determine the effects of these conditions on E. ictaluri concentrations (colony-forming units/mL of tissue sample). The concentrations of this pathogen were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all tissues (trunk kidney, liver, head kidney, blood, spleen, gallbladder, muscle, brain, and gonad) 52 d postinfection than 29 d after exposure to any of the environmental regimes (81 d postinfection). Fish exposed to a near-normal concentration of dissolved oxygen (6.4 mg/L) and a constant temperature of 25°C had E. ictaluri concentrations that were significa...
Cardiac troponin assays: a review of quantitative point-of-care devices and their efficacy in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction

Cardiac troponin (cTn) I and T are released from myocardial cells following necrosis, i.e., cell death. An accurate measure of cTn concentrations in a patient ' s blood following ischemia/chest pain can enable provid- ers to determine whether or not a myocardial infarction (MI) has occurred. Point-of-care (POC) devices that meas- ure blood cTn concentrations in under 30 min may help to significantly reduce hospital costs by managing and triaging patients out of the emergency department as quickly as possible. The use of POC devices that measure cTnI and cTnT with a coefficient of variation (CV) ≤ 20% at the 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL) limits both false positive and negative results and provides clinically acceptable findings to assist in appropriate diagnoses. This article reviews nine POC devices that measure cTn in terms of their clinical sensitivity and specificity, analyti- cal imprecision, sample type and preparation, and each assay ' s principle of analysis.
Early Development of Mixed-Signal MOS Circuit Technology

In 1965, Gordon Moore observed that ?single-chip integrated circuits were doubling in complexity approximately every two years, mostly by reducing all dimensions of devices. He correctly foresaw the continuation of that trend for many years ahead. Following announcements of the first 1,024 bit memory chip (Intel 1103, in 1970) and the first microprocessor (Intel 4004, in 1971) it became clear that MOS technology would enable mass production of very low cost digital electronics. Over the next 3 decades, MOS technology matched and then surpassed bipolar technology for all but a few specialized applications.
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy for childhood malignancies

Clinical trials have established that T cells have the ability to prevent and treat pathogens and tumors. This is perhaps best exemplified by engraftment of allogeneic T cells in the context of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), which for over the last 50 years remains one of the best and most robust examples of cell-based therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Yet, the approach to infuse T cells for treatment of cancer, in general, and pediatric tumors, in particular, generally remains on the sidelines of cancer therapy. This review outlines the current state-of-the-art and provides a rationale for undertaking adoptive immunotherapy trials with emphasis on childhood malignancies.
Impact of computing platforms on the performance of the asymmetric traveling salesman problem

This article discusses a serial and a parallel version of a heuristic algorithm for a solution to the traveling salesman problem, implementation of these algorithms, and their performance in terms of finding the most favorable solution, and an average solution. The algorithms implemented in C sequential programming language, and in Occam concurrent programming language were run on different computing platforms to study their impact on the comparative value of the solutions each platform provided. The programs were tested on reference data from TSPLIB data files, a collection of sample instances of traveling salesman problem. Experimental results, using asymmetric cost matrix, indicate good performance compared to the optimal solutions provided in the TSPLIB reference library.
Choline and sodium interactions in ouabain-treated and eserine-treated frog skins

Abstract Previously published results demonstrate that replacement of 80% K + —Ringer solution by 80% choline—Ringer solution in the solution bathing the epidermal surface of frog skin causes a large rise in short-circuit current and foward Na + flux, but leaves backflux unaffected. In the present experiments we have found that a similar replacement in the solution bathing the dermal surface of the skin causes a fall in the short-circuit current and forward Na + flux, and does not affect Na + backflux. In skins in which active Na + movements have been inhibited by preincubation in 5·10 −5 M ouabain, the application of choline to the epidermal side of the skin increases forward Na + flux. This property is abolished in skins in which active movements of Na + have been inhibited by preincubation in 10 −3 M eserine. In both cases choline causes a fall in short-circuit current.
Deep Cyclonic Circulation in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The anticyclonic Loop Current dominates the upper-layer flow in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, with a weaker mean anticyclonic pattern in the western gulf. There are reasons, however, to suspect that the deep mean flow should actually be cyclonic. Topographic wave rectification and vortex stretching contribute to this cyclonic tendency, as will the supply of cold incoming deep water at the edges of the basin. The authors find that the deep mean flow is cyclonic both in the eastern and western gulf, with speeds on the order of 1–2 cm s−1 at 2000 m. Historical current-meter mooring data, as well as profiling autonomous Lagrangian circulation explorer (PALACE) floats (at 900 m), suggest that vertical geostrophic shear relative to 1000 m gives a surprisingly accurate result in the interior of the basin. The temperature around the edges of the basin at 2000 m is coldest near the Yucatan Channel, where Caribbean Sea water is colder by ∼0.1°C. The temperature increases steadily with distance in the counter...
Perioperative care of the elderly patient: special considerations.

SUMMARY Unlike older studies, which cited age as an independent risk factor for surgical mortality, recent studies indicate that the presence of underlying diseases and the type, duration and urgency of surgery are better predictors of outcome than age alone. A preoperative assessment that defines medical, functional, and psychosocial problems of elderly patients can lead to interventions to improve surgical outcomes.
Transgastric placement of biologic mesh to the anterior abdominal wall.

Background Incisional hernia repairs have a risk of wound complications that may be decreased using a natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) approach. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and safety of transgastric mesh placement to the anterior abdominal wall in a porcine model as a precursor to future studies of NOTES ventral hernia repair.
Mutants of yeast initiating translation of Iso-1-cytochrome c within a region spanning 37 nucleotides

We used a specially constructed strain, cyc1-345, of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to isolate revertants that initiated translation of iso-1-cytochrome c at various sites along an extended region of the mRNA. Normal amounts of iso-1-cytochrome c occurred when translation initiated at the abnormal sites corresponding to amino acid positions -3, -2, 3 and 5, as well as the normal position -1; 20% of the normal amounts occurred when translation initiated at the abnormal position 9. These results with cyc1-345 revertants indicate that translation of iso-1-cytochrome c can initiate with the normal efficiency at any site within the region spanning 25 nucleotides. Furthermore, because the lower amount of the short iso-1-cytochrome c in the mutant initiating at position 9 may not necessarily reflect an inefficiency of translation, we believe that translation can initiate with normal or near-normal efficiencies at any site within a 37 nucleotide region, and presumably at any site preceding and following that of the normal initiation codon. These results establish that there is no absolute requirement for a particular sequence 5' to the initiation codon, and are consistent with our previous suggestion that translation starts at the AUG codon closest to the 5' end of the mRNA.
Acute lung injury following transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization of doxorubicin-loaded LC beads in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) currently is being used as an effective palliative therapy for unresectable cancers especially hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC). Accidental lipiodol embolism to the lungs is a rare but potentially fatal complication of TACE. This procedure involves injection of drug-eluting microspheres (LC Bead) loaded with doxorubicin, followed by embolization with embozene microspheres until stasis is evident, being used in advanced HCC. We report a patient with inoperable HCC with underlying Hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis, who developed acute lung injury following targeted chemoembolization of selective feeding hepatic artery with LC beads loaded with doxorubicin. Acute lung injury as a complication of unintended lung chemoembolization with doxorubicin has not been previously reported in the literature. Interventional radiologists screen patients for potential hepatic A-V shunt and take appropriate precautions to prevent unintended pulmonary embolization. These include appropriate selection of LC bead particle size especially in patients who are embolized with radiation pellets. This report highlights the need for a screening total body scintigraphy after injection of radionuclide Tc-99 MAA in the feeding hepatic artery to identify patients with hepatic A-V shunt. In such patients, appropriate size selection of LC bead particles is critical to prevent unintended pulmonary chemoembolization and acute lung injury. Other measures include careful patient selection, low dose of chemotherapy, and transient selective hepatic vein balloon occlusion.
Titanium oxide sol-gel films with tunable refractive index

Glycidylmethacrylate and propylene oxide were used in the epoxide initiated formation of titanium oxide sols which were spun to form thin films. Glycidylmethacrylate can be used to tune the refractive index of the resulting composite and allowed us to photo-pattern the material. The refractive index of the films can be controlled between 1.76 and 2.05 at 589 nm. The thicknesses of the films ranged between 80 and 200 nm and the rms roughness below 2 nm. The films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), electric force microscopy (EFM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ellipsometry, among other techniques.
Managing food price instability in East and Southern Africa

Abstract This article intends to provide pragmatic guidance for avoiding the more severe problems of food price instability in east and southern Africa. I first summarize the empirical record of food price stabilization efforts in the region, and highlight recurrent aspects of farm survey data with implications for price stabilization strategies. I highlight the understudied problem of strategic interactions between the public and private sector in food markets, associated problems of credible commitment, and how such problems are often at the heart of food crises frequently witnessed in the region. It is argued that by accepting a moderate level of price fluctuation within established bounds under a rules-based approach to intervention, African governments will reduce their chances of facing severe food crises.
Monkey contrast threshold for aperiodic patterns.

A monkey’s and a human subject’s threshold responses were measured for single- and double-bar patterns of high spatial frequency. The observed values were compared to predicted values which were derived from each subject’s contrast sensitivity function. A theoretical peak-to-trough threshold mechanism was assumed in the calculations. The threshold predictions, which are couched in the assumption that the spatial visual system is linear near its threshold, were found to be close to observed values. The results are interpreted to suggest that the monkey visual system analyzes spatial information in qualitatively and quantitatively similar ways to human, and that a linear theory may be used for analyses of primate vision.
Solvatochromic Shifts Reconsidered: Field-Induced Mixing in the Nonlinear Region and Application to Indole

In previous work we showed that the observed discrepancy between gas-phase Stark effect measurements of excited-state dipole moments and those measured by solvatochromic shifts could be explained by possible intervention of a nearby excited state. Field-induced mixing of the two excited states causes solvent shifts that are linear in the high-field limit, where most solvent field studies are carried out, but the excited-state dipole moment must be replaced by an effective dipole moment. This effective moment is a combination of the excited-state dipole moments of both states as well as the transition moment between the two states. This new moment may have effects both on the solvent shifts observed and on the intensities. In the low-field gas-phase limit, the shifts are also linear but caused by the simple excited-state dipole moment. In the intermediate field region, the solvent shifts are expected to be decidedly nonlinear. The effective dipole moment is shown to be field-dependent near an avoided cross...
Isolation, characterization, and quantification of Clostridium kluyveri from the bovine rumen

A strain of Clostridium kluyveri was isolated from the bovine rumen in a medium containing ethanol as an electron donor and acetate and succinate (common products of rumen fermentation) as electron acceptors. The isolate displayed a narrow substrate range but wide temperature and pH ranges atypical of ruminal bacteria and a maximum specific growth rate near the typical liquid dilution rate of the rumen. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that C. kluyveri was widespread among bovine ruminal samples but was present at only very low levels (0.00002% to 0.0002% of bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy number). However, the species was present in much higher levels (0.26% of bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy number) in lucerne silage (but not maize silage) that comprised much of the cows’ diet. While C. kluyveri may account for several observations regarding ethanol utilization and volatile fatty acid production in the rumen, its population size and growth characteristics suggest that it is not a significant contributor to ruminal metabolism in typical dairy cattle, although it may be a significant contributor to silage fermentation. The ability of unadapted cultures to produce substantial levels (12.8 g L−1) of caproic (hexanoic) acid in vitro suggests that this strain may have potential for industrial production of caproic acid.
Small worlds in wireless networks

In this study, the concept of small worlds is investigated in the context of wireless networks. Wireless networks are spatial graphs that tend to be much more clustered than random networks and have much higher path length characteristics. We observe that by adding a few short cut links, path length of wireless networks is reduced drastically. More interestingly, such short cut links need not be random but may be confined to a limited number of hops; a fraction of the network diameter. This facilitates the design of practical distributed algorithms, based on contacts, to improve performance of resource discovery in wireless networks.
Radiocarbon Variability in the Western North Atlantic During the Last Deglaciation

We present a detailed history of glacial to Holocene radiocarbon in the deep western North Atlantic from deep-sea corals and paired benthic-planktonic foraminifera. The deglaciation is marked by switches between radiocarbon-enriched and -depleted waters, leading to large radiocarbon gradients in the water column. These changes played an important role in modulating atmospheric radiocarbon. The deep-ocean record supports the notion of a bipolar seesaw with increased Northern-source deep-water formation linked to Northern Hemisphere warming and the reverse. In contrast, the more frequent radiocarbon variations in the intermediate/deep ocean are associated with roughly synchronous changes at the poles.
A sample size selection procedure for pairwise comparisons of means with unequal variances

A sample size selection procedure for paired comparisons of means is presented which controls the half width of the confidence intervals while allowing for unequal variances of treatment means.
Gene Amplification as a Developmental Strategy: Isolation of Two Developmental Amplicons in Drosophila

Gene amplification is known to be critical for upregulating gene expression in a few cases, but the extent to which amplification is utilized in the development of diverse organisms remains unknown. By quantifying genomic DNA hybridization to microarrays to assay gene copy number, we identified two additional developmental amplicons in the follicle cells of the Drosophila ovary. Both amplicons contain genes which, following their amplification, are expressed in the follicle cells, and the expression of three of these genes becomes restricted to specialized follicle cells late in differentiation. Genetic analysis establishes that at least one of these genes, yellow-g, is critical for follicle cell function, because mutations in yellow-g disrupt eggshell integrity. Thus, during follicle cell differentiation the entire genome is overreplicated as the cells become polyploid, and subsequently specific genomic intervals are overreplicated to facilitate gene expression.
Plasma synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline aluminum nitride particles by aluminum plasma jet discharge

Abstract Nanocrystalline aluminum nitride powders were synthesized by introducing high velocity and high temperature aluminum plasma vapor discharge into the nitrogen and ammonia gas mixture. By employing high-current pulse power, aluminum electrodes were explosively vaporized and ionized in a capillary plasma device to generate the metal plasma vapor. The effect of ammonia addition on the AlN content and average particle size in reacting gas has been studied by various techniques of material characterization such as XRD, XPS, and TEM. At the nitrogen/ammonia volume ratio of 50:50, synthesized nanopowders was found to be free of aluminum metal and the content is pure AlN nanopowders in the form of hexagonal phase. The smallest average particle size of 8 nm and highest content of AlN was achieved at 100% ammonia composition.
Copy Number Variation of Multiple Genes at Rhg1 Mediates Nematode Resistance in Soybean

The rhg1-b allele of soybean is widely used for resistance against soybean cyst nematode (SCN), the most economically damaging pathogen of soybeans in the United States. Gene silencing showed that genes in a 31-kilobase segment at rhg1-b, encoding an amino acid transporter, an α-SNAP protein, and a WI12 (wound-inducible domain) protein, each contribute to resistance. There is one copy of the 31-kilobase segment per haploid genome in susceptible varieties, but 10 tandem copies are present in an rhg1-b haplotype. Overexpression of the individual genes in roots was ineffective, but overexpression of the genes together conferred enhanced SCN resistance. Hence, SCN resistance mediated by the soybean quantitative trait locus Rhg1 is conferred by copy number variation that increases the expression of a set of dissimilar genes in a repeated multigene segment.
No, the Sky Is Not Falling: Evidence of Accounting Student Characteristics at FSA Schools, 1995–2000

This article presents the most recent results of an ongoing, longitudinal study of characteristics of accounting students conducted by the Federation of Schools of Accountancy (FSA). Surveys were administered to seniors and Masteraˆ€™s students at FSA member schools in the United States in 1995 and again in 2000. Data regarding student characteristics in 1995 and 2000 are presented. Specifically, the study contains evidence pertaining to student quality, future educational plans, career plans, plans for professional certification, extracurricular involvement, attitude toward the 150‐hour requirement, and various demographic dimensions. The results of the survey do not coincide with those of other studies that have reported a decline in the quality of accounting students. On the contrary, our findings suggest that the quality of accounting students is not decreasing. Further research is necessary to more fully understand these contradictory findings and the direction and magnitude of any changes in student...
Transport of juvenile clams: effects of species and sediment grain size

Erosion and transport of juvenile benthic invertebrates, including bivalves, have the potential to alter patterns of distribution and abundance during the early post-settlement period. However, the factors influencing rates of postlarval dispersal are not well understood. Both hydrodynamics and behaviour (e.g. burrowing) are likely to play a role in determining patterns of transport of juvenile bivalves. To determine the relationship between sediment transport and bivalve dispersal, experiments were conducted in a racetrack flume to examine the effect of grain size, flow, and clam size on rates of erosion of two species of juvenile clams (Mya arenaria and Mercenaria mercenaria). Results of the experiments were compared to predictions of erosion thresholds based on the physical characteristics of the sediment and clams. Erosion of Mercenaria was greater than Mya, the opposite of predictions based on Mercenaria's greater density, indicating the importance of burrowing behaviour. In most cases, erosion also was greater in the finer sand, in contrast to the predicted similarity of erosion thresholds of the two sediments. However, clam erosion did increase with increasing shear velocity and decrease with clam size, as expected. The results of this study indicate that both hydrodynamics and behaviour play roles in the transport of these two species of juvenile bivalves and that their vulnerability to passive erosion cannot be predicted solely from knowledge of sediment transport.
Static electric quadrupole moments of the first excited states of 56Fe and the even Titanium nuclei

Abstract The reorientation effect in Coulomb excitation was used to measure the static electric quadrupole moments of the first excited (2+) states in 48Ti and 56Fe. These measurements yielded the following values: Q 2 + ( 48 Ti) = −13.5 ± 8.8 e · fm 2 and Q 2 + ( 56 Fe) = −24.9 ± 5.8 e · fm 2 . Comparison with other measurements indicates that nuclear interaction effects produce spurious quadrupole moments if the distance of closest approach for 180° scattering is much less than 1.25(A P 1 3 + A T 1 3 ) + 6.0 fm . In the present measurements, the 2+ states were excited by means of 32S projectiles and the de-excitation γ-rays were observed in coincidence with scattered particles, using a multiple detector system. The angular distribution of de-excitation γ-rays was found to be significantly attenuated (deorientation effect) and it was crucial to include this effect in analysing the reorientation data. Measurements of the attenuation were consistent with a magnetic-dipole hyperfine interaction between the excited nuclear state and a randomly fluctuating atomic environment for ions recoiling into vacuum. The effective magnetic hyperfine field was observed to have a velocity dependence consistent with the form H ∞ βx, where β = recoil velocity/c and x = 0.66±0.13. The static quadrupole moments and other E2 properties of 56Fe are characteristic of a relatively stiff prolate rotor, while 46, 48Ti exhibit properties of nuclei soft to collective quadrupole motion. Pure (f 7 2 ) n shell-model calculations for the even titanium isotopes cannot explain the E2 properties of the low-lying levels, and predict static quadrupole moments of the wrong sign. The inclusion of configurations with one nucleon excited into the upper (1f−2p) shell yields a dramatic improvement, compared with the pure (f 7 2 ) n shell-model results, in explaining the experimental E2 properties of 48Ti. A similar, though not so striking, improvement holds for 46Ti. The E2 properties of the ground state band in 56Fe are adequately described by a 2p−2h shell-model configuration, assuming an inert 56Ni core. However, the calculation fails to reproduce the magnetic moment of the first excited state, as well as the electromagnetic properties of other low-lying levels, indicating the presence of appreciable admixtures of core-excited configurations in 56Fe.
A Generalized Single Linkage Method for Estimating the Cluster Tree of a Density

The goal of clustering is to detect the presence of distinct groups in a dataset and assign group labels to the observations. Nonparametric clustering is based on the premise that the observations may be regarded as a sample from some underlying density in feature space and that groups correspond to modes of this density. The goal then is to find the modes and assign each observation to the domain of attraction of a mode. The modal structure of a density is summarized by its cluster tree; modes of the density correspond to leaves of the cluster tree. Estimating the cluster tree is the primary goal of nonparametric cluster analysis. We adopt a plug-in approach to cluster tree estimation: estimate the cluster tree of the feature density by the cluster tree of a density estimate. For some density estimates the cluster tree can be computed exactly; for others we have to be content with an approximation. We present a graph-based method that can approximate the cluster tree of any density estimate. Density esti...
Sedatives and stimulants in pediatric practice.

W HEN I began putting together some views on the use of stimulants and depressants or sedatives in pediatric practice it seemed a good plan to try to relate them to what pediatricians have thought about these subjects, i looked through the usual repositol%s of considered opinion, the textbooks. I was disappointed indeed to learn how scant were the revelations of pediatric views on these matters. The 1940 edition of Holt and l~cIntosh I among 1421 pages of pediatrics doesn't list the term stimulant in the index. There are the terms sedafives and sedation in the index, but they only refer back to two lines about their need in pneumonia and a few lines about the tolerance to and dosage of phenobarbital. I did not meet with much better success in the several other reference texts on pediatrics which I consulted. I wonder whether the rather meager attention which these subjects appear to have received from pediatricians does not reflect the view that they have been fairly well covered in writings on adult medicine or textbooks of pharmaco]ogy. There is evidence of this dependence in the traditional outlines of dosage in children. If we want to learn the dose of a drug in adults we give it to some people in varying amounts and under varying conditions, Ultimately we arrive at some notion of how much the average person needs for the various purposes. That isn't what is usually done in the ease of children. Here we first obtain the adult dose and then divide it by a number. I do not quite See why pediatricians have tolerated this practice so long. I am sure that internists would not for" a moment countenance the reverse practice, namely, to determine the dose for a 5-year-old child and then multiply it by a number to obtain the adult dose, although it is quite as easy to multiply as to divide. I know of an argument against this stricture, namely, that the adult dose is more stable, while the child is forever in transit, from a small and light person to a larger and heavier one. But that is not quite enough. I believe that the pediatrician would be the first to protest that an infant or a child is not simply one-fifth or one-third of an adult. He is something different. His surface area is relatively great, his basal metabolism rapid, his liver large, and his urine secretion high. These are all factors which might influence his response to a drug. The literature is replete with clear statements and contradictory ones, that children are more susceptible to some and less susceptible to other drugs than adults. As to the proof, the pediatric writings refer us to the statements in textbooks of pharmacology, and the later in turn send us back to the pediatricians as the authorities.
Oxidation of Guanine at a Distance in Oligonucleotides Induced by Two-Photon Photoionization of 2-Aminopurine

Photoionization of free 2-aminopurine (2AP) in aqueous solutions, or of 2AP residues in oligonucleotides, is observed upon excitation with 308 nm XeCl excimer laser pulses (fwhm = 12 ns, ≤100 mJ/cm2/pulse) and involves the consecutive absorption of two photons. The absorption of light by the normal DNA bases at this wavelength is negligible under the same conditions. The kinetics and transient absorption spectra of the hydrated electrons and of 2AP radicals resulting from the deprotonation of the 2AP radical cations formed initially, have been investigated using standard spectroscopic methods. The 2AP radicals in aqueous solutions reversibly oxidize 2‘-deoxyguanosine and guanosine 5‘-monophosphate but do not react with the other three DNA nucleosides or nucleotides. The efficiency of photoionization of 2AP decreases in the following order: free 2AP > 2AP incorporated into single-stranded oligonucleotide > 2AP in double-stranded oligonucleotides. Photoionization of single 2AP residues incorporated into 18...
Joint association of physical activity/screen time and diet on CVD risk factors in 10-year-old children

The increasing prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While several studies examined the effect of single behaviors such as physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior or diet on CVD risk, there is a lack of research on combined associations, specifically in children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the joint association of PA or screen time (ST) and diet on CVD risk factors in children. PA, STand diet were assessed via questionnaire in 210 fifth grade students (age: 10.6 0.4 years). The healthy eating index (HEI) was subsequently calculated as indicator for diet quality. Height, weight, % body fat, and resting blood pressure were measured according to standard procedures and blood samples obtained via fingerprick were assayed for blood lipids. Total cholesterol HDL ratio (TC:HDL), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and % body fat were used as indicators of CVD risk. 55% of children did not meet current PA recommendations on at least 5 days/week and 70% exceeded current recommendations for ST. Further, only 2.5% possessed a "good" diet (HEI> 80). There was no significant association of PA or STand diet on CVD risk score. Neither TC:HDL, MAP, and % body fat nor the total CVD risk score was significantly correlated with diet, PA, or ST. Children in the high PA group, however, had significantly better diet scores. Despite the fact that self-reported PA, ST, or dietary intake were not directly related to CVD risk in this sample, higher activity levels were associated with a healthier diet and lower ST indicating an overall healthier lifestyle of this subgroup.
Decay of Excess Carriers in Semiconductors

A discussion is given of the nonlinear differential equations which govern the decay of excess carriers with arbitrary densities. The form of decay is explored for situations where the Fermi level is in the same half of the energy gap as the recombination level; criteria are established for both strong and weak trapping in addition to recombinative action. Analytic results are augmented and illustrated by numerically computed decay curves for a variety of circumstances. The separate solutions for holes and electrons are combined to show various kinds of behavior for photoconductive lifetime.
Estimation of local and regional components of drain-flow from an irrigated field

The contribution of regional ground water and deep percolation from a furrow irrigated field to total drain flow was estimated using salt load analysis. It was found that 64% of the drain flow comes from regional ground water flow. The electrical conductivity of the drain water was highly correlated with the drain flow rate. From the field water balance with deep percolation as estimated from the salt load analysis, using yield function derived evapotranspiration, and measured changes in root zone water storage, it was shown that 14% of the crop evapotranspiration comes from ground water during the study period.
The current state of surgical practice for neonatal torsion: a survey of pediatric urologists.

Abstract Objective The evaluation and treatment of perinatal testicular torsion is controversial. We performed a survey to assess practice patterns among pediatric urologists regarding treatment of perinatal torsion. Methods An internet survey was administered to members of two pediatric urology societies. Cases of prenatal, postnatal and bilateral prenatal torsion were outlined. Respondents were asked about use of ultrasound, timing of surgery, incision, and management of the contralateral testicle. A case with a non-palpable testicle and blind ending vessels was also presented. Results We had 121 respondents. In a neonate with prenatal torsion, 34% percent would operate immediately, 26% urgently within 72 h, 28% electively and 12% would not explore; 93% would perform a contralateral orchiopexy. In a neonate with postnatal torsion, 93% would operate immediately, 5% urgently, 1% electively and 1% would not explore; 96% would perform a contralateral orchiopexy. In both cases, 75% would use a scrotal incision and 25% would use an inguinal incision. When presented with bilateral prenatal torsion, 90% would operate immediately, 1% urgently, 2% electively and 7% would not operate. In the case of a non-palpable testicle with blind ending vessels 28% would perform a contralateral orchiopexy, 12% would explore the ipsilateral canal for a “nubbin”, 56% would perform no intervention and 4% would perform some other form of management. Conclusion We documented variability of timing for intervention of prenatal torsion and confirmed that most view postnatal torsion as a surgical emergency. Most perform a contralateral orchiopexy for prenatal torsion despite the fact that most cases are extravaginal. The surgical approach via a scrotal incision appears to be preferred at this time.
Polysiloxanes: paradigm or paradox

Spherulitic growth rates and physical properties of polysiloxanes are well correlated for a wide range of molecular weights. Below the zero shear entanglement molecular weight, Mc, chain folding is probably the norm and fractions are brittle, but after Mc is traversed there is a significant decrease in crystallinity, increase in interfacial surface energy and change in lamellar morphology as polymer fractions go from brittle to tough. The chain folded crystallization model with reptation, as a chain folding facilitator, fails to account for this behavior. Appropriate property data for polyethylene and polyisoprene fractions also supports this thesis which now appears to be more of a paradigm than a paradox.
Mekonnen Gebremichael receives 2010 Early Career Hydrologic Sciences Award: Citation

[1] Mekonnen Gebremichael received the 2010 Early Career Hydrologic Sciences Award at the 2010 AGU Fall Meeting, held 13–17 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award is for significant early-career contributions to hydrologic science.
Fc receptors initiate the Arthus reaction: Redefining the inflammatory cascade

Antibody-antigen complexes initiate the inflammatory response and are central to the pathogenesis of tissue injury. The classical model for this immunopathological cascade, the Arthus reaction, was reinvestigated with a murine strain deficient in Fc receptor expression. Despite normal inflammatory responses to other stimuli, the inflammatory response to immune complexes was markedly attenuated. These results suggest that immune complex-triggered inflammation is initiated by cell bound Fc receptors and is then amplified by cellular mediators and activated complement. These results redefine the inflammatory cascade and may offer other approaches for the study and treatment of immunological injury.
Strong Interaction of Colloidal Particles: An Extension of Langmuir's Method

According to Langmuir's suggestion, that is, sinh y ≈ ey/2 in the nonlinear Poisson−Boltzmann equation for high surface potentials of the particles, we derive simple approximate expressions for the repulsive energy and force between two dissimilar plates with constant high surface potentials. By use of Derjaguin's method and the improved Derjaguin method, the expressions of the repulsive energy between two dissimilar spheres with constant high surface potentials have been derived. These formulas are applicable in the regime of a repulsive system and can only be used at κh < 2π, and the accurate location is at ∼κh < 4. These formulas are considerably in agreement with the exact numerical values of the interaction of dissimilar plates given by Devereux and de Bruyn for high surface potentials.
Digital transcriptome analysis in the aging cerebellum

: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was used to identify and quantify all expressed cerebellar genes in the adult (P92) and aged (P810) C57BL/6J mouse cerebellum. A “closest-neighbor” algorithm was used to differentiate low abundance tags from possible sequencing errors in both libraries. Unique tags were categorized into four groups: (1) novel genes; (2) ESTs; (3) RIKEN, KIA, and hypothetical genes; and (4) known genes. Known genes were further subdivided into functional categories based on the gene ontology classification, using a web-based program developed in this laboratory (MmSAGEClass). Comparison of adult and aged cerebellar libraries revealed several genes that were differentially expressed, including growth hormone and prolactin, both of which were markedly decreased in the aged cerebellum. In addition, several tags showing differential expression were not identified in the Unigene database and are likely to represent novel genes. The present SAGE data on the aged cerebellar transcriptome may reveal candidate genes involved in the aging process.
Sensitivity and linearization techniques in analysis of non-linear stochastic systems

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between sensitivity analysis and equivalent linearization as applied to the study of non-linear stochastic systems. For an oscillator with an odd order polynomial stiffness and Gaussian white noise excitation, we consider four approximate procedures in which the operation of equivalent linearization, calculation of sensitivity and calculation of moment equations are taken into account in different orders. An example is given to compare the sensitivity characteristics so obtained with the exact result.
Peritoneal dialysis in emergency and critical care medicine.

Peritoneal dialysis is a technique that has been used to treat acute renal faiure in humans since 1923. Peritoneal dialysis is used in people to manage acute and chronic renal failure, as well as to remove dialyzable toxins (ethylene glycol, barbiturates, and ethanol), reduce severe metabolic disturbances, and for the treatment of peritonitis, pancreatitis, uroabdomen, hypothermia, and fluid overload. In veterinary medicine, acute renal failure is the prevailing indication for dialysis. This report will discuss the pathophysiology of peritoneal dialysis, indications, and contraindications. Catheter selection and placement will be reviewed. Types of dialysate solution will be discussed and the protocol established for instituting peritoneal dialysis. The report will conclude with a discussion of potential complications and methods to minimize them.
The session token protocol for forensics and traceback

In this paper we present the Session Token Protocol (STOP), a new protocol that can assist in the forensic analysis of a computer involved in malicious network activity. It has been designed to help automate the process of tracing attackers who log on to a series of hosts to hide their identity. STOP utilizes the Identification Protocol infrastructure, improving both its capabilities and user privacy. On request, the STOP protocol saves user-level and application-level data associated with a particular TCP connection and returns a random token specifically related to that session. The saved data are not revealed to the requester unless the token is returned to the local administrator, who verifies the legitimacy of the need for the release of information. The protocol supports recursive traceback requests to gather information about the entire path of a connection. This allows an incident investigator to trace attackers to their home systems, but does not violate the privacy of normal users. This paper details the new protocol and presents implementation and performance results.
Quantitative determination of amino groups on derivatized controlled pore glass: a comparison of methods.

Abstract The following methods of determining covalently bound amino groups were tested for self-consistency and convenience on aliquots of the same sample of controlled pore glass which has been derivatized with triethoxyaminopropylsilane (aminopropyl glass): (i) the determination of bound picrate; (ii) the determination of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde after Schiff base formation on the aminopropyl glass; (iii) direct nonaqueous titration of the bound amines with HClO 4 in acetic acid and with CF 3 SO 3 H in acetic acid; and (iv) titration by Hg(NO 3 ) 2 solution of chloride bound by treatment of the aminopropyl glass with HCl. All methods gave the same results within the precision of measurement. Methods (i) and (iv) appear to be the most convenient.
Both zimelidine and clorgyline decrease preprotachykinin mRNA in adult medullary raphe nuclei.

Abstract Neurons of the medullary raphe nuclei contain multiple neurotransmitters including the monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) and the tachykinin substance P (SP). Previously, we showed that inhibition of serotonin synthesis increased levels of mRNA coding for preprotachykinin (PPT), the prohormone precursor of SP (P. D. Walker et al. , 1990, Mol. Brain Res. 8: 113–119). To determine whether augmented serotonin transmission would have the predictably opposite effect, we have examined the effects of a 5-HT uptake blocker (zimelidine) and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (clorgyline) on levels of PPT mRNA. We looked also at the effect of zimelidine and clorgyline on levels of ventral spinal cord substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) of the same animals. Both zimelidine and clorgyline decreased levels of PPT mRNA in medullary raphe neurons and SP-LI in the ventral spinal cord. The effect on message was transient with levels returning to control by 14 days of drug treatment. These results show that increases in synaptic 5-HT cause transient decreases in PPT mRNA and SP-LI