cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endovascular Management of Critical Limb Ischemia in Renal Transplant Patients

Background End-stage renal disease is a significant negative predictor of limb salvage and patient survival in patients with limb ischemia, but little is known of the overall effects of renal transplantation. Endovascular management may be less morbid than open surgery, but technical success and durability in these patients is not well established. Methods All patients with functioning renal transplants and critical limb ischemia (CLI) treated with endovascular techniques between 2003 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed for limb salvage, reintervention, pre- and postprocedure creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and overall survival. Contralateral common femoral access, low-profile techniques, and isosmolar contrast were standard for all interventions. Results Endovascular interventions were performed on 57 limbs in 28 patients with renal transplants. Mean age was 54 years, 78% were male, 85% were diabetic, 100% were hypertensive, and 64% had a positive smoking history. All patients were treated for CLI. Treated regions included 16 iliac, 19 superficial femoral, 16 popliteal, and 12 tibial arteries, as well as 1 bypass graft with initial technical success of 100% and 0% 30-day mortality. Of all lesions, 43% required reintervention during the follow-up period, the majority in the first year. There was no significant change in eGFR or creatinine comparing pre- and post-angiogram value. Limb salvage and 1-year survival were 83% and 82%, respectively. Conclusions Endovascular management of CLI in renal transplant patients results in good technical success and can be accomplished without a measurable change in transplant kidney function, although it requires repeat interventions. Endovascular therapy is a reasonable first-line treatment option for this high-risk group.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF FATTY ACIDS IN ASEPTICALLY REARED INSECTS.

Abstract 1. 1. Both aseptic and nonaseptic adult boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis (Boheman) Col., Curculionidae) synthesize long-chain fatty acids from injected C14-1-acetate. Equivalent synthesis rates and patterns of fatty acid labeling also were found when C14-2-acetate was the precursor. 2. 2. Most radioactivity was in the C16− and C18− saturated and omno-unsaturated fatty acids. This insect appears to be incapable of synthesizing the C18 dienoic fatty acid, linoleic acid.
Narcoleptic canines display periodic leg movements during sleep.

Periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) is a high prevalent sleep disorder of unknown etiology. The disease is pharmacologically treated with dopaminergic agonists (i.e. D2/D3 agonists) and opiates. Periodic leg movements during sleep often occur in narcoleptic patients. We observed that narcoleptic canines, like narcoleptic humans, also exhibit jerky, unilateral or bilateral slow leg movements during sleep. The movements in dogs are characterized by repetitive dorsiflexions of the ankle, lasting 0.5-1.5 s, and occur at regular intervals of 3-20 s, thus showing similarities to PLMS in humans. The observation that D2/D3 agonists aggravate cataplexy in narcoleptic dogs suggests that altered dopaminergic regulation in canine narcolepsy may play a critical role in both cataplexy and PLMS. Our canines may therefore be an invaluable resource in PLMS research.
The Effect of Natural Chemical Stimuli On the Preferential Behaviour of Oreochromis Mossambicus (Pisces: Cichlidae) Fry To Maternal Models

The effect of natural chemical stimuli on the preferential behaviour of Oreochromis mossambicus fry to maternal models was investigated. Previous research (RUSSOCK, 1986) had indicated that when the fry were exposed to a natural maternal model and later given a choice between two maternal models in a simultaneous choice test, no consistent preferential behaviour was exhibited. The present study investigated whether natural chemical stimuli could trigger the expression of preferential behaviour in this situation. In Experiment I groups of fry were exposed to a maternal model and tested for preferential behaviour between two maternal models in water previously occupied by 1) their mother, 2) another female O. mossambicus spawning at the same time as their mother, 3) a non-parental female conspecific, 4) a male conspecific or 5) control water. The groups of fry exposed to the maternal models in water previously occupied by their own mother or by an another spawning female did, in fact, exhibit later consistent preferential behavior for the higher contrast model. Groups of fry exposed to non-parental female water, male water or control water did not exhibit later preferential behaviour. In Experiment II groups of fry were not exposed to a visual model before testing, but were 1) exposed to and tested in their mother's water, 2) exposed to control water and tested in their mother's water, or 3) exposed to their mother's water and tested in control water. Only the group of fry exposed and later tested in their mother's water exhibited consistent preferential behaviour toward the 'high contrast' maternal model. It was concluded that the mother's chemical stimuli act to sensitize or potentiate later preferential behaviour and also serve as a necessary contextual cue at the time of testing. This phenomenon does not fit neatly into known paradigms of social bond formation such as imprinting, priming or functional validation. However, it does appear to be adaptive in the context of the natural behaviour of the fry.
Functional and anatomical characteristics of the nerve-brown adipose interaction in the rat

Two aspects of the coupling of neural information to brown fat thermogenesis were examined—namely, the thermal responses to increasing neural stimulation and the anatomical nature of the brown fat innervation. Upon stimulation of the nerves to the interscapular brown fat pad, there ensued a biphasic response. This response was manifested by an initial, but transient temperature decrease, followed by a rise in brown fat temperature. The magnitude of both components of this response increased with increasing stimulus strength, thereby demonstrating the ability of the tissue to respond in a graded manner—a feature which may underlie the controlled thermogenic response of brown fat observed in the cold-exposed intact animal.
Gut architecture, digestive constraints and feeding ecology of deposit-feeding and carnivorous polychaetes

We analyze gut architectures of 42 species of marine polychaetes in terms of their anatomically distinct compartments, and quantify differences among guts in terms of ratios of body volume to gut volume, relative compartmental volumes, total gut aspect ratios and compartmental aspect ratios. We use multivariate techniques to classify these polychaetes into 4 groups: carnivores with tubular guts; deposit feeders with tubular guts; deposit feeders with 3 gut compartments; and deposit feeders with 4 or 5 gut compartments. Tubular guts, morphological expressions of plug flow, are common among deposit feeders and may allow relatively rapid ingestion rates and short throughput times. Median gut volume per unit of body volume in deposit feeders (31%) is twice that of carnivores (15%) and ranges up to 83% in one deep-sea species. Deep-sea deposit feeders tend to have relatively larger and longer guts than closely-related nearshore and shelf species. Guts of a number of deep-sea deposit feeders and nearshore and shelf deposit feeders from muddy environments are relatively longer and narrower as body size increases, suggesting that digestive diffusion limitations may be important. Gut volume scales as (body volume)1 while ingestion rate scales as (body volume)0.7. If diet and the chemical kinetics of digestion do not change appreciably, throughput time and thus the extent of digestion of given dietary components therefore must increase as a deposit feeder grows. Digestive processing constrainst may be most important in juveniles of species (especially those species with plug-flow guts) that are deposit feeders as adults.
Bioavailability of propranolol following oral and transdermal administration in rabbits

The systemic bioavailability of propranolol was evaluated following oral and transdermal administration in rabbits. Using a four-way crossover study, the bioavailability of propranolol following oral administration was determined to be 12.3 +/- 5.9%, indicating that propranolol is subject to extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism in rabbits. Transdermal delivery of propranolol, via an adhesive delivery device, resulted in a bioavailability of 74.8 +/- 10.1%, indicating that the transdermal delivery of propranolol can significantly increase systemic bioavailability over oral administration. Skin irritation studies indicated that neither propranolol nor the adhesive used in the device caused any appreciable skin irritation.
Large pituitary gland adenomas evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomographic (CT) scanning, and angiography or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were used preoperatively to evaluate 16 surgically proven cases of sellar tumor with extrasellar extension. There were 15 pituitary tumors and 1 schwannoma. The capabilities of MRI in evaluating these tumors were compared with CT scanning and angiography. Bone destruction and tumor calcification were better detected by CT scanning than by MRI. MRI was as effective as CT scanning in detecting a cyst or variation in tumor consistency. Neither MRI nor CT scanning was capable of distinguishing specific tumor types. In every case, MRI was superior to CT scanning for delineating spatial relationships of the tumor to the 3rd ventricle, the optic apparatus, adjacent brain, and parasellar vasculature. Vessel encasement by tumor was clearly seen on MRI when there was no direct indication of this on other studies. Cavernous sinus invasion was not demonstrated by CT scanning, but was indicated by MRI in 5 cases and was surgically confirmed in 3. MRI can provide more precise spatial information on extrasellar tumor extension. Vascular encasement and cavernous sinus invasion may be determined preoperatively. Treatment expectations and operative approaches can be guided by this information. When MRI is available, it is the test of choice for the preoperative evaluation of patients with suspected large pituitary gland (sellar region) tumors. Contrast-enhanced CT scanning and angiography can be used as supplementary studies to add information inherently unique to these techniques.
Scaling of apparent accentedness by magnitude estimation and sensory modality matching

In each of three experiments, 24 students judged the accentedness present in the speech of eight Spanish-English bilinguals.Ss gave magnitude estimations and also squeezed a hand dynamometer to indicate the amount of accentedness in the reading of an English passage by each of the speakers. There was significant agreement amongSs regarding the speech samples with each scaling method, and interscale agreement was good. Power functions fitted to the data had exponents falling in the range expected from earlier psychophysical studies. Scale values correlated significantly with the frequency of accented pronunciations by the speakers as judged by two independent judges. The use of these scaling methods for future research on linguistic features of accent and on the relation between accent and language attitudes is discussed.
Managing uncertainty about treatment decision making in early stage prostate cancer: a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a theory-based decision-making uncertainty management intervention (DMUMI) providing newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients with information, communication skills and personally designed prompts. Methods A randomized clinical trial was conducted using a 3 × 2 design with intervention and control groups including both Caucasian and African-American men. General linear mixed models were used to compare intervention groups over time. Results Significant main effects for the treatment groups were found for uncertainty management (cancer knowledge, problem-solving, and patient–provider communication), medical communication competence, number and helpfulness of resources for information, and decisional regret. Conclusion The intervention was effective in uncertainty management for Caucasian and African-American men, specifically in preparing competent patients with improved knowledge, problem-solving skills, information resources, and communication skills. Using the Uncertainty in Illness Theory, specific skills were selected with a focus on the antecedents of uncertainty. Practice implications In the treatment decision-making context, patients and supportive others need information about disease, treatment options and side effects but they also need communication skills training prior to the treatment decision consultation.
Deep water characteristics of the Maui Basin.

A profile of conductivity, temperature and optical clarity in the Maui Basin shows several interesting features. A monotonic decrease in transmissivity with depth is explained by the compressibility of sea water, the variation of index of refraction with depth and the suggestion of increasing particle concentration with depth. A 400-m-thick bottom layer exhibits anomalous values of optical transmissivity, salinity and temperature, suggesting that Maui Basin is stagnant below the 400-m sill depth.
A Delayed Role for Nitric Oxide-Sensitive Guanylate Cyclases in a Migratory Population of Embryonic Neurons

Neuronal differentiation requires a coordinated intracellular response to diverse extracellular stimuli, but the role of specific signaling mechanisms in regulating this process is still poorly understood. Soluble guanylate cyclases (sGCs), which can be stimulated by diffusible free radical gasses such as nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) to produce the intracellular messenger cGMP, have recently been found to be expressed within a variety of embryonic neurons and implicated in the control of both neuronal motility and differentiation. Using the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the moth,Manduca sexta,we examined the role of NO and NO-sensitive sGCs during the migration and differentiation of an identified set of migratory neurons (the EP cells). Shortly after the onset of their migration, a subset of EP cells began to express NO-sensitive sGC activity (visualized with an anti-cGMP antiserum). Unlike many neurons in the central nervous system, the expression of sGC activity in the EP cells was not transient but persisted throughout subsequent periods of axon elongation and terminal branch formation on the gut musculature. In contrast, nitric oxide synthase activity (visualized using NADPH–diaphorase histochemistry) was undetectable in the vicinity of the EP cells until the period of synapse formation. Manipulations designed to alter sGC and NOS activity in anin vivoembryonic culture preparation had no discernible effect on either the migration or axonal outgrowth of the EP cells. In contrast, inhibition of both of these enzymes resulted in a significant reduction in terminal synaptic branch formation within the postmigratory neurons. These results indicate that while NO-sensitive sGC activity is expressed precociously within the EP cells during their initial migratory dispersal, a role for this signaling pathway can only be demonstrated well after migration is complete, coincident with the formation of mature synaptic connections.
Energy density enhancement of unipolar SSC energy buffers through capacitance ratio optimization

The recently proposed Stacked Switched Capacitor (SSC) energy buffer architecture with film or ceramic capacitors can increase the life of single-phase ac-dc converters by eliminating electrolytic capacitors needed for twice-line-frequency energy storage, while maintaining comparable energy density. This paper presents a methodology for further increasing the energy density of enhanced unipolar SSC energy buffers by optimizing the capacitance ratio of the capacitors used in the energy buffer. It is shown that the relative enhancement in energy density depends on the required ripple ratio and the number of supporting capacitors in the energy buffer. The presented methodology is validated using a 1-2 enhanced unipolar SSC energy buffer designed for an 8-W offline LED driver.
Kinetics of structural relaxation in metallic glasses

Etude de la composante reversible de la relaxation structurale que l'on associe avec l'ordre chimique a courte distance. Etude sur les alliages Pd 78 Ge 22 et Fe 40 Ni 40 P 14 B 6 (Metglos 2826)
Pol κ: A DNA Polymerase Required for Sister Chromatid Cohesion

Establishment of cohesion between sister chromatids is coupled to replication fork passage through an unknown mechanism. Here we report that TRF4 , an evolutionarily conserved gene necessary for chromosome segregation, encodes a DNA polymerase with β-polymerase–like properties. A double mutant in the redundant homologs, TRF4 and TRF5 , is unable to complete S phase, whereas a trf4 single mutant completes a presumably defective S phase that results in a failure of cohesion between the replicated sister chromatids. This suggests that TRF s are a key link in the coordination between DNA replication and sister chromatid cohesion. Trf4 and Trf5 represent the fourth class of essential nuclear DNA polymerases (designated DNA polymerase kappa) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and probably in all eukaryotes.
MO‐E‐I‐609‐03: A Volume‐Of‐Interest (VOI) Scanning Technique for Cone Beam Breast CT

Purpose: To demonstrate that high quality cone beam CTimages can be generated within the volume‐of ‐interest (VOI) and to investigate the dose saving with the VOI scanning technique. Method and Materials: The VOI scanning technique was investigated using both computer simulation and imaging experiments. To implement the VOI scanning technique, an additional filter is inserted between the x‐ray source and the breast. The filter has a circular or rectangular opening to deliver a higher level x‐ray exposure to a selected spherical or cylindrical VOI and a lower level exposure to the region outside the VOI. To prepare for reconstruction, a non‐uniform reference image acquired with the VOI filter in but with the object out is used to normalize the projection images and measure the object attenuation only. Since the non‐uniform attenuation by the VOI filter is modulating both the reference and projection images, it cancels out in the computed transmittance image. Regular Feldkamp filtered backprojection technique is used to reconstruct the 3‐D images. Dose saving factor was estimated by tallying x‐rays going through the VOI, thus delivered at high dose level, and dividing the result by the total number of x‐rays backprojected to an image voxel. Results:Images from both simulation and experimental studies show that during VOI scanning, an exposure reduced by a factor of up to 50 can be delivered to areas outside the VOI without compromising on the accuracy of image reconstruction, allowing for a small VOI in the breast to be imaged with more clarity or lower dose to the rest of the breast. However, dose saving becomes less significant when the distance between the voxel and the VOI decreases. (This work was supported in part by a research grant CA104759 from the NCI and a research grant EB‐00117 from the NIBIB)
The Electro-Optical Systems Atmospheric Effects Library

The Electro-Optical Systems Atmospheric Effects Library (EOSAEL) is a state-of-the-art collection of user oriented models and computer codes for quantifying the obscuration effects of natural and man-made contaminants on the propagation of radiation in the atmosphere. The EOSAEL models address the visible and near-infrared (0.2-2.0 μm), mid-infrared (3.0-5.0 μm), far-infrared (8.0-12.0 μm), and millimeter wave (10-350 GHz) regions of the spectrum plus 53 laser lines. The current EOSAEL includes sixteen models that will aid the researcher in determining: contrast and contrast transmission; laser beam jitter and wander; laser scattering by atmospheric aerosols; atmospheric transmission through fogs/hazes, rain, snow, various types of clouds and man-made smokes, dirt/dust, and self-screening grenades; probability of detection for static targets; and climatological conditions for select European locations. An overview will be presented showing the data bases used (where apglicable), the salient points of the EOSAEL models, and a typical scenario that may be constructed using this library.
Distributed Control with Integral Quadratic Constraints

Abstract In this paper, stability conditions for distributed systems with general Integral Quadratic Constraints (IQC) on the interconnections are derived. These results take the form of coupled Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs), where the multipliers are shaped by the underlying IQCs. It is further shown how these results can be exploited to design distributed controllers in a way similar to the gain-scheduling controller design in Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) systems.
Mechanisms of lymphatic regeneration after tissue transfer.

Introduction Lymphedema is the chronic swelling of an extremity that occurs commonly after lymph node resection for cancer treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that transfer of healthy tissues can be used as a means of bypassing damaged lymphatics and ameliorating lymphedema. The purpose of these studies was to investigate the mechanisms that regulate lymphatic regeneration after tissue transfer. Methods Nude mice (recipients) underwent 2-mm tail skin excisions that were either left open or repaired with full-thickness skin grafts harvested from donor transgenic mice that expressed green fluorescent protein in all tissues or from LYVE-1 knockout mice. Lymphatic regeneration, expression of VEGF-C, macrophage infiltration, and potential for skin grafting to bypass damaged lymphatics were assessed. Results Skin grafts healed rapidly and restored lymphatic flow. Lymphatic regeneration occurred beginning at the peripheral edges of the graft, primarily from ingrowth of new lymphatic vessels originating from the recipient mouse. In addition, donor lymphatic vessels appeared to spontaneously re-anastomose with recipient vessels. Patterns of VEGF-C expression and macrophage infiltration were temporally and spatially associated with lymphatic regeneration. When compared to mice treated with excision only, there was a 4-fold decrease in tail volumes, 2.5-fold increase in lymphatic transport by lymphoscintigraphy, 40% decrease in dermal thickness, and 54% decrease in scar index in skin-grafted animals, indicating that tissue transfer could bypass damaged lymphatics and promote rapid lymphatic regeneration. Conclusions Our studies suggest that lymphatic regeneration after tissue transfer occurs by ingrowth of lymphatic vessels and spontaneous re-connection of existing lymphatics. This process is temporally and spatially associated with VEGF-C expression and macrophage infiltration. Finally, tissue transfer can be used to bypass damaged lymphatics and promote rapid lymphatic regeneration.
Spin effects in organic optoelectronic devices (Presentation Video)

Several important developments in the field of Organic Spintronics and magnetic field effect in organic optoelectronic devices will be surveyed and discussed. Organic Spintronics: We demonstrated spin organic light emitting diodes using two FM injecting electrodes, where the electroluminescence depends on the mutual orientation of the electrode magnetization directions. This development has opened up research studies into organic spin-valves in the space-charge limited current regime. Spin effects in organic photovoltaic solar cells: We demonstrated that spin 1/2 radical additives to donor-acceptor (D-A) blends improve the power conversion efficiency via resonant spin-spin interaction between the radicals and charge-transfer excitons at the D-A interfaces.
Prophylaxis of dentalcaries: Relative effectiveness of chewable fluoride preparations with and without added vitamins*

Summary A clinical study was conducted which included815 children between 18 and 39 months of age residing in three different fluoride-deficient communities. The children received chewable tablets containing vitamins, vitamins plus fluoride, or fluoride alone and were examined for dental caries initially and at 6 month intervals. The findings during the first two years of the 5 year study indicate that a significant reduction in the incidence of dental caries of about 37 per cent was observed after six months in the children ingesting either the fluoride or vitamin-fluoride supplements. This degree of protection increased to about 55 and 63 per cent, respectively, after the children had used the supplement for one and two years. No differences in efficacy were observed between the fluoride and vitamin-fluoride preparations. No toxicity related to the use of fluoride was encountered.
HEAT TRANSFER MODELING OF HUMAN THERMOREGULATION IN AEROSPACE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS

Numerous studies have been conducted to model and simulate the human thermoregulation during the past several years. The present study involves the implementation of a human thermal model for the simulation of human thermal responses in different environmental conditions for various activity levels. A transient, three-dimensional model is being utilized as a "Computational Environmental Chamber" to investigate the human thermal behavior. This model includes the effects of tissue conduction, convection by blood flow, vascular heat exchange, tissue metabolism, heat transfer due to respiration, and clothing. The governing equations representing the entire human thermal system are solved using finite element techniques. The model is validated with the experimental data and an extensive parametric study is conducted. The effects of varying environmental and activity conditions such as air temperature, relative humidity, metabolism, and clothing on human thermal responses such as core and skin temperatures, latent skin heat loss and blood vessel radii are examined. NOMENCLATURE
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Module 4: Revised Algorithm and Standardized Severity Scores

The recently published Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2) includes revised diagnostic algorithms and standardized severity scores for modules used to assess younger children. A revised algorithm and severity scores are not yet available for Module 4, used with verbally fluent adults. The current study revises the Module 4 algorithm and calibrates raw overall and domain totals to provide metrics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptom severity. Sensitivity and specificity of the revised Module 4 algorithm exceeded 80 % in the overall sample. Module 4 calibrated severity scores provide quantitative estimates of ASD symptom severity that are relatively independent of participant characteristics. These efforts increase comparability of ADOS scores across modules and should facilitate efforts to examine symptom trajectories from toddler to adulthood.
Correlated Capped Subsystem Method for the Calculation of Substituent Effects on Bond Energies

The correlated capped small system strategy has been demonstrated to be a valuable method for the calculation of bond energies and substituent effects on bond energies. By using the integrated mole...
Evaluation of an enzymatic method for determination of serum and plasma triglycerides.

Abstract Eighty plasma samples were analyzed for triglyceride content using the CalBiochem Triglyceride Stat Pack, and the results were compared with those obtained by a reference manual chromotropic acid method. The correlation coefficient between results obtained by the two methods indicates that the enzymatic method can give an estimate of the triglyceride concentration in plasma or serum. Best agreement between the two methods was seen at concentrations between 200 and 500 mg/100 ml, and higher than 500 mg/100 ml. Of the 80 specimens analyzed by the enzymatic method, 31 values fell within 2 SD of the chromotropic acid values, while 49 exceeded this criterion. Variations encountered upon replicate enzymatic analyses on 25 specimens were higher than those experienced with the manual chromotropic acid procedure. It was concluded that although enzymatic assay of triglycerides offers potential advantages to many laboratories, the particular assay kit tested did not attain the degree of precision and accuracy that is available with the colorimetric and fluorometric methods in current use.
Community of Inquiry: Its past and present future

The following paper outlines the historical and philosophical development of, ‘community of inquiry’ in educational discourse. The origins of community of inquiry can be found in the philosophical work of C. S. Peirce. From Peirce the notion of community of inquiry is adopted and developed by educational theorists of different orientations. Community of inquiry denotes an approach to teaching that alters the structure of the classroom in fundamental ways. With particular consideration given to the unique philosophical origins of this approach, this paper outlines and discusses how community of inquiry is situated in today's educational landscape.
Ultrasound sensitive neurons in the cricket brain

1. The aim of this study was to identify neurons in the brain of the cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus, that are tuned to high frequencies and to determine if these neurons are involved in the pathway controlling negative phonotaxis. In this paper we describe, both morphologically and physiologically, 20 neurons in the cricket brain which are preferentially tuned to high frequencies. 2. These neurons can be divided into two morphological classes: descending brain interneurons (DBINs) which have a posteriorly projecting axon in the circumesophageal connective and local brain neurons (LBNs) whose processes reside entirely within the brain. All the DBINs and LBNs have processes which project into one common area of the brain, the ventral brain region at the border of the protocerebrum and deutocerebrum. Some of the terminal arborizations of Int-1, an ascending ultrasound sensitive interneuron which initiates negative phonotaxis, also extend into this region. 3. Physiologically, ultrasonic sound pulses produce 3 types of responses in the DBINs and LBNs. (1) Seven DBINs and 6 LBNs are excited by ultrasound. (2) Ongoing activity in one DBIN and 5 LBNs is inhibited by ultrasound, and (3) one cell, (LBN-ei), is either excited or inhibited by ultrasound depending on the direction of the stimulus. 4. Many of the response properties of both the DBINs and LBNs to auditory stimuli are similar to those of Int-1. Specifically, the strength of the response, either excitation or inhibition, to 20 kHz sound pulses increases with increasing stimulus intensity, while the response latency generally decreases. Moreover, the thresholds to high frequencies are much lower than to low frequencies. These observations suggest that the DBINs and LBNs receive a majority of their auditory input from Int-1. However, the response latencies and directional sensitivity of only LBN-ei suggest that it is directly connected to Int-1. 5. The response of only one identified brain neuron, DBIN8, which is inhibited by 20 kHz sound pulses, is facilitated during flight compared to its response at rest. This suggests that suppression of activity in DBIN8 may be associated with ultrasound-induced negative phonotactic steering responses in flying crickets. The other DBINs and LBNs identified in this paper may also play a role in negative phonotaxis, and possibly in other cricket auditory behaviors influenced by ultrasonic frequencies.
Cutaneous fungal infections in the United States: Analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), 1995–2004

Background Dermatophyte infections lead to high costs and differentially affect certain groups. Previous population studies have been limited in size, duration, and representativeness. Methods Using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) (1995–2004), a cross-sectional analysis of ambulatory visits in the USA was performed. Outpatients presenting with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM)-coded diagnoses of tinea unguium, tinea corporis/manuum, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and tinea cruris were identified. Trends, descriptive epidemiology, and point prevalence estimates for these conditions were determined using stratification and standardization. Results There was an estimated average of 4,124,038 ± 202,977 annual visits for dermatophytoses during the study period. Tinea unguium, tinea corporis, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and tinea cruris represented 23.2%, 20.4%, 18.8%, 15.0%, and 8.4%, respectively, of such infections; 71.6% of tinea unguium visits occurred among those older than 45 years. Tinea capitis was significantly more common among the black than the white population (prevalence odds ratio = 12.4; 95% confidence interval, 9.9–15.7). Ineffective treatment of tinea pedis, tinea corporis, and tinea cruris with polyenes, such as nystatin, commonly occurred. Conclusions Improved healthcare provider education is needed to ensure judicious antidermatophyte drug management. Further studies, including proven diagnoses via fungal microscopy and culture, are needed to explain the prevalence discrepancy of tinea capitis among black children and tinea unguium in older adults, focusing on preventable risk factors.
Position resolution in silicon sampling calorimeters

Abstract Due to the coupling between closely spaced detectors, the position resolution of a silicon sampling calorimeter can be degraded. In a capacitance coupling model, a Green's function is found which quantitatively describes signal spreading over two-dimensional detector arrays. The result provides some theoretical guidance in choosing calorimeter parameters to get the best performance.
Models of energy metabolism of intact animals - Data tabulations, representation of basal metabolic activities and endocrine effects upon metabolism

Abstract Explicit representation of several aspects of tissue metabolism has been found essential in animal models constructed to evaluate concepts and hypotheses regarding physiological regulatory mechanisms. Using a model of human metabolism as an example, an approach adopted for representation of animal energy metabolism is presented. Discussed are bases for identification of tissue and organ systems appropriately represented separately or in aggregate, definition of basal and variable functions of the tissue or organ system elements which comprise the model, systematic compilation of data required and example equations representing tissue energy metabolism, endocrine function and metabolic regulation.
Foodborne infections vectored by molluscan shellfish.

Foodborne diseases cause approximately 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5000 deaths each year in the United States. The authors present and analyze information derived from epidemiologic investigations and surveillance systems on foodborne infections caused by consumption of molluscan shellfish. This review focuses on the bias in reporting of shellfish-vectored illness, prevention and control of such infections, the origin of recognized viral and bacterial etiologic agents, and a new potential public health threat of a food-and-water-borne protozoan contaminant, Cryptosporidium parvum.
Internal and external auditor ethical decision‐making

Purpose – The aim of this exploratory research is to compare three sectors of the auditing profession – internal auditors, external auditors from larger international firms, and external auditors from smaller/regional firms – in regard to the influence of situational context on their ethically‐related decision‐making and judgment evaluations.Design/methodology/approach – Against the backdrop of five vignettes applied with a survey, the paper examines the potential influence of social consensus and magnitude of consequence on the ethical decision path of these three auditor groups.Findings – The paper finds that, in all cases, social consensus and magnitude of consequences exert influence on the ethical decision path. In the case of social consensus, however the paper finds that the ethical decision path is fully mediated for large firm auditors but is only partial mediated for the other two groups of auditors.Originality/value – This research examines responses from both internal and external auditors. Co...
Interpretation of through-the-wall radar imagery by probabilistic volume model building

Using radar in a through-the-wall imaging application is an expanding field of research both for civilian and military uses. Thus far, most of the attention has been directed toward building radar imaging systems to detect objects within a room or building. The resulting images are full of ambiguity and difficult to interpret what the image is displaying. Presented here is a novel approach that addresses the interpretation of the images produced by the aforementioned imaging systems. We propose a classification scheme that provides an interpretation of an urban environment imaged in 3D. This approach builds probabilistic object models from feature vectors extracted from a volumetric radar image. A minimum-distance classifier is used to label radar image data and provide a 3D visualization of an urban scene. Results using real radar backscatter data validate the effectiveness of our method.
Relative advantage of touch over vision in the exploration of texture

Texture segmentation is an effortless process in scene analysis, yet its mechanisms have not been sufficiently understood. A common assumption in most current approaches is that texture segmentation is a vision problem. However, considering that texture is basically a surface property, this assumption can at times be misleading. One interesting possibility is that texture may be more intimately related with touch than with vision. Recent neurophysiological findings showed that receptive fields for touch resemble that of vision, albeit with some subtle differences. To leverage on this, we tested how such distinct properties in tactile receptive fields can affect texture segmentation performance, as compared to that of visual receptive fields. Our main results suggest that touch has an advantage over vision in texture processing. We expect our findings to shed new light on the role of tactile perception of texture and its interaction with vision, and help develop more powerful, biologically inspired texture segmentation algorithms.
Child abuse and neglect—rare, but perhaps increasing, phenomena among the samia of Kenya

Abstract This study shows that child abuse and neglect as understood in the West are comparatively rare phenomena among the Samia of western Kenya. The existence of an extended family situation and a strong clan structure are importantly related to positive care accorded to children. However, due to increased migration to towns, socioeconomic change, and interethnic marriages, the clan unit has been eroded thus resulting in cases of child abuse and neglect. Several such cases are reported in this study. The Samia traditionally practice the “evil eye” which is here considered to be a form of child abuse. Our findings, therefore, also have implications for previous efforts to define child abuse cross-culturally.
Arsenic, barium, germanium, tin, dimethylsulfide and nutrient biogeochemistry in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, a phosphorus-enriched estuary

Concentrations of dissolved nutrients (NO3, PO4, Si), germanium species, arsenic species, tin, barium, dimethylsulfide and related parameters were measured along the salinity gradient in Charlotte Harbor. Phosphate enrichment from the phosphate industry on the Peace River promotes a productive diatom bloom near the river mouth where NO3 and Si are completely consumed. Inorganic germanium is completely depleted in this bloom by uptake into biogenic opal. The GeSi ratio taken up by diatoms is about 0·7 × 10−6, the same as that provided by the river flux, confirming that siliceous organisms incorporate germanium as an accidental trace replacement for silica. Monomethylgermanium and dimethylgermanium concentrations are undetectable in the Peace River, and increase linearly with increasing salinity to the seawater end of the bay, suggesting that these organogermanium species behave conservatively in estuaries, and are neither produced nor consumed during estuarine biogenic opal formation or dissolution. Inorganic arsenic displays slight removal in the bloom. Monomethylarsenic is produced both in the bloom and in mid-estuary, while dimethylarsenic is conservative in the bloom but produced in mid-estuary. The total production of methylarsenicals within the bay approximately balances the removal of inorganic arsenic, suggesting that most biological arsenic uptake in the estuary is biomethylated and released to the water column. Dimethylsulfide increases with increasing salinity in the estuary and shows evidence of removal, probably both by degassing and by microbial consumption. An input of DMS is observed in the central estuary. The behavior of total dissolvable tin shows no biological activity in the bloom or in mid-estuary, but does display a low-salinity input signal that parallels dissolved organic material, perhaps suggesting an association between tin and DOM. Barium displays dramatic input behavior at mid-salinities, probably due to slow release from clays deposited in the harbor after catastrophic phosphate slime spills into the Peace River.
The amphibian lens: a three month organ culture

Mit zwei verschiedenen Medien ist es erstmals gelungen, Augenlinsen vonRana catesbeiana mehr als 6 Wochen zu kultivieren. Die Wanderung und Teilung der Epithelzellen wird beschrieben.
Comparing real-time and incremental heuristic search for real-time situated agents

Real-time situated agents, such as characters in real-time computer games, often do not know the terrain in advance but automatically observe it within a certain range around themselves. They have to interleave searches with action executions to make the searches tractable when moving autonomously to user-specified coordinates. The searches face real-time requirements since it is important that the agents be responsive to the commands of the users and move smoothly. In this article, we compare two classes of fast heuristic search methods for these navigation tasks that speed up A* searches in different ways, namely real-time heuristic search and incremental heuristic search, to understand their advantages and disadvantages and make recommendations about when each one should be used. We first develop a competitive real-time heuristic search method. LSS-LRTA* is a version of Learning Real-Time A* that uses A* to determine its local search spaces and learns quickly. We analyze the properties of LSS-LRTA* and then compare it experimentally against the state-of-the-art incremental heuristic search method D* Lite on our navigation tasks, for which D* Lite was specifically developed, resulting in the first comparison of real-time and incremental heuristic search in the literature. We characterize when to choose each one of the two heuristic search methods, depending on the search objective and the kind of terrain. Our experimental results show that LSS-LRTA* can outperform D* Lite under the right conditions, namely when there is time pressure or the user-supplied h-values are generally not misleading.
On the Bandwidth and Interference in Interleaved Memory Systems

A model to estimate the bandwidth and interference in an interleaved memory system in a multiprocessor system is described. The model allows queuing on busy modules, and the results obtained show that previous results are rather pessimistic.
Determining the number of kanbans in multi-item just-in-time systems

Kanbans (cards) are one means of controlling just-in-time production systems. The Kanbans serve as production authorization orders and essentially become the information system. The presence of a production ordering Kanban for a specific part type constitutes an instruction to the workcenter to produce a “container” of that part. In this chapter we assume workcenters produce multiple part types and address the issue of the number of Kanbans needed for each part type. Our objective is to minimize the sum of inventory holding and backorder cost. A stochastic model is formulated. Steady-state results are derived for several operating environments and results and validated by simulation.
How a bird is an island

Replicate adaptive radiations occur when lineages repeatedly radiate and fill new but similar niches and converge phenotypically. While this is commonly seen in traditional island systems, it may also be present in host-parasite relationships, where hosts serve as islands. In a recent article in BMC Biology, Johnson and colleagues have produced the most extensive phylogeny of the avian lice (Ischnocera) to date, and find evidence for this pattern. This study opens the door to exploring adaptive radiations from a novel host-parasite perspective.
Uranium Isotopes and 226Ra Content in the Deep Groundwaters of the Tri-State Region, U.S.A.

Abstract Cowart, J.B., 1981. Uranium isotopes and 226Ra content in the deep groundwaters of the Tri-State region, U.S.A. In: W. Back and R. Letolle (Guest-Editors), Symposium on Geochemistry of Groundwater — 26th International Geological Congress. J. Hydrol., 54: 185ndash;193. Uranium isotopes have been analyzed in a number of water samples from the ground-water flow system of the Cambro-Ordovician aquifers in the Tri-State region of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, U.S.A. The system consists of sodium chloride water having low uranium content (∼0.04 μ;g/l) which meets westward flowing calcium bicarbonate water having uranium content about an order of magnitude greater in a transitional zone located just to the west of the Missouri—Kansas border. In the area where the waters mix and then flow south westward, H2S is commonly found in the water, 226Ra is relatively high and uranium concentration is lower than to the east. It appears that at least part of the dissolved uranium in the westward flowing water is precipitated in the zone of mixing. Because the dissolved uranium has 224U/238U activity ratio of 7ndash;10, any precipitated uranium would have an enhanced capability of generating the daughter 226Ra. However, the distribution of uranium isotopes within the system suggests that the source of radium in the water of the transitional zone is not the inferred present-day zone of uranium accumulation but rather the brines themselves.
Ratiometric bimolecular beacons for the sensitive detection of RNA in single living cells

Numerous studies have utilized molecular beacons (MBs) to image RNA expression in living cells; however, there is growing evidence that the sensitivity of RNA detection is significantly hampered by their propensity to emit false-positive signals. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a new RNA imaging probe called ratiometric bimolecular beacon (RBMB), which combines functional elements of both conventional MBs and siRNA. Analogous to MBs, RBMBs elicit a fluorescent reporter signal upon hybridization to complementary RNA. In addition, an siRNA-like double-stranded domain is used to facilitate nuclear export. Accordingly, live-cell fluorescent imaging showed that RBMBs are localized predominantly in the cytoplasm, whereas MBs are sequestered into the nucleus. The retention of RBMBs within the cytoplasmic compartment led to >15-fold reduction in false-positive signals and a significantly higher signal-to-background compared with MBs. The RBMBs were also designed to possess an optically distinct reference fluorophore that remains unquenched regardless of probe confirmation. This reference dye not only provided a means to track RBMB localization, but also allowed single cell measurements of RBMB fluorescence to be corrected for variations in probe delivery. Combined, these attributes enabled RBMBs to exhibit an improved sensitivity for RNA detection in living cells.