cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Digital chest radiography: effect of temporal subtraction images on detection accuracy.

PURPOSE: To improve early detection of disease in chest radiographs, the authors developed a digital processing technique that geometrically warps and subtracts a previous radiograph from a current radiograph to produce a temporal subtraction image. An observer test was performed to evaluate the effects of the temporal subtraction image technique on detection of interval change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty pairs of chest radiographs, including a baseline examination and a subsequent radiograph, were selected (25 cases in which potentially important new abnormalities had developed, and 25 in which there was no interval change). The baseline examination was chosen from multiple prior radiographs to minimize initial misregistration. By means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the ability of 11 observers to detect pathologic change when viewing the paired digitized baseline and subsequent radiographs was compared with their ability when viewing the same paired radiographs together with temp...
Gases in steam from Cerro Prieto geothermal wells with a discussion of steam/gas ratio measurements

As part of a joint USGS-CFE geochemical study of Cerro Prieto, steam samples were collected for gas analyses in April, 1977. Analyses of the major gas components of the steam were made by wet chemistry (for H2O,CO2,H2S and NH3) and by gas chromatography (He,H2,Ar,O2,N2 and hydrocarbons). The hydrocarbon gases in Cerro Prieto steam closely resemble hydrocarbons in steam from Larderello, Italy and The Geysers, California which, although they are vapor-dominated rather than hot-water geothermal systems, also have sedimentary aquifer rocks. These sedimentary geothermal hydrocarbons are characterized by the presence of branched C4–6 compounds and a lack of unsaturated compounds other than benzene. Relatively large amounts of benzene may be characteristic of high-temperature geothermal systems. All hydrocarbons in these gases other than methane most probably originate from the thermal metamorphosis of organic matter contained in the sediments.
Ideology, interaction and patient care in hospitals☆

Abstract An examination of the hospital from the point of view of patient care processes suggests one important perspective. A schema for understanding and conceptualizing the hospital as a functioning organization can be developed by utilizing the “negotiated order” assumptions suggested by Anselm Strauss and his associates. This perspective is applied first to the differentiation between those processes oriented towards “cure”, those oriented towards “care”, and those processes primarily devoted to institutional maintenance (core). Although these concepts have been discussed previously as structural factors, it is suggested here that they also represent ideologies which sometimes complement each other, frequently compete, but always are involved in intrainstitutional negotiations. Similarly, it is suggested that the interaction in the hospital involves negotiation between occupants of positions, work roles, and between subgroups within the hospital system. Two different conditions of interaction and negotiation are suggested: worlds and stages. Those relationships which occur among actors with a dominant sense of “we” identification involve efforts of reaffirming and protecting common social membranes, frequently in defense against other hospital segments. It is further suggested that these social membranes are labile and that events and issues cause the breakdown of the sense of a world into different new alignments. Members of different worlds interact under conditions called stages where actors from different worlds meet. The processes of negotiation do not only involve the overt plot of the hospital's business but also the many complex games of turf, status, sex, domain, function and many others. Patient care as the institution's output is, therefore, not primarily the synthesis of specialized functions in a more or less well managed system, but is a full fledged drama of significant relationships whereby the product is one of the plots of the play. The mode by which the actual task are performed within the system is suggested as a fruitful approach to analyzing the actual rendering of patient care. A model is suggested including several typologies of patient performancee as a fruitful point of departure for understanding intrainstitutional processes without facing the traditional pitfalls of categorizing functional systems in terms of entire occupational groups.
Involvement of D1 and D2 dopamine systems in the behavioral effects of cocaine in rats.

Cocaine (5–40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) enhanced locomotion and rearing accompanied with head circling and body shaking. Although at 40 mg/kg typical stereotypy licking occasionally appeared, 40% of the rats died. At doses that did not affect physiologic locomotion and rearing, the D1-receptor antagonist SCH23390 but not D2 antagonist raclopride inhibited locomotion and rearing stimulated by cocaine (20 mg/kg). All behavioral responses of cocaine were abolished with increasing doses of raclopride and SCH23390. Sulpiride, a D2 antagonist, exerted a biphasic effect on locomotor activity (i.e., a low dose of sulpiride increased and a high dose decreased cocaine-induced locomotor activity). Sulpiride enhanced head circling, body shaking, and increases of rearing induced by cocaine. D2-receptor agonists quinpirole and bromocriptine inhibited these responses, presumably by activating the typical stereotyped behaviors such as sniffing at low doses, and licking and gnawing at high doses. The lowest dose of bromocriptine inhibited all behaviors induced by cocaine without producing typical stereotyped behaviors in itself. SK&F38393, a D1-receptor agonist, in combination with cocaine did not induce typical stereotypy, which results in a synergistic effect of D1 and D2-receptor activities. The increases of locomotion and rearing, head circling, and body shaking induced by cocaine may involve the indirect activation of postsynaptic D1 and D2 receptors, presumably via dopamine release, resulting from inhibition of the presynaptic D2 receptors. These results also provide evidence that the indirect stimulation of postsynaptic D2 receptors by cocaine (20 mg/kg) is insufficient to induce stereotyped behaviors, and that the role of dopamine D1 receptors in mediating the behavioral actions of acute cocaine appears to be more important than that of D2 receptors. Our results also suggest that bromocriptine may be useful for the treatment of acute cocaine poisoning.
The civil justice system and going concern audit reports: Comments on “Auditors’ decision-making under going concern uncertainties in low litigation risk environments: Evidence from Hong Kong”

Abstract Lam and Mensah [Lam, K., Mensah, Y.M., 2006. Auditors’ decision-making under going concern uncertainties in low litigation risk environments: Evidence from Hong Kong. J. Account. Public Pol. 25 (6), this issue] provide some valuable insight on auditors’ choice of going concern audit reports in an environment where the civil justice system affords, from the standpoint of the plaintiff, fewer remedies and is more difficult to file a complaint than it is in the US. Hence, from the auditor’s standpoint, this environment can appropriately be described as a “low litigation risk environment”. In this comment, I first question whether a disclaimer of an opinion is any indication of either a quality audit or professionalism. Secondly, three alternative explanations for the empirical regularities are discussed. The Gatekeeper Story suggests auditors are simply not willing to risk reducing their reputational capital by acquiescing to clients that are not likely to survive their own financial distress. The Herding Story suggests that, when auditors are faced with uncertainties or a gap in the authoritative literature, auditors will herd together to form a common response that mimic one-another. The Value of Incumbency Story holds that as the value of incumbency declines with the client’s inability to survive, auditors will have fewer incentives to incur the incremental costs to gather sufficient competent evidential matter necessary to support an unqualified opinion.
Nonparametric Estimation of Population Density for Line Transect Sampling Using FOURIER Series

A nonparametric, robust density estimation method is explored for the analysis of right-angle distances from a transect line to the objects sighted. The method is based on the FOURIER series expansion of a probability density function over an interval. With only mild assumptions, a general population density estimator of wide applicability is obtained.
Numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for symmetric laminar incompressible flow past a parabola

Symmetric laminar incompressible flow past a parabolic cylinder is considered for all Reynolds numbers. In the limit as the Reynolds number based on nose radius of curvature goes to zero, the solution for flow past a semi-infinite flat plate is obtained. All solutions are found by using an implicit alternating direction method to solve the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations. The solutions found are compared with various other exact and approximate solutions. Results are presented for skin friction, surface pressure, friction drag and pressure drag. The numerical method developed is of particular interest since it combines the alternating direction method with the implicit method for solving the boundary-layer equations. This leads to fast convergence and may be of use in other problems.
Tracking A 150 Ton Altitude-Azimuth Telescope To Sub-Arcsecond Accuracy

The Multiple Mirror Telescope is a 150 ton optical instrument composed of an array of six 1.8 m diameter folded Cassegrain telescopes. A mount for the array uses conventional ball bearings and gear trains to permit the telescope to track in two axes, azimuth and altitude. A computer-controlled servo system uses a 26-bit absolute encoder and associated electronics to achieve an all-sky pointing accuracy approaching 1.0 arcsecond RMS, and a tracking accuracy approaching 0.1 arcsecond RMS.
The Limits of Reason in Hobbes's Commonwealth

Michael P. Krom: The Limits of Reason in Hobbes's Commonwealth. London and New York: Continuum Press, 2011, pp. xi + 216. £65.00/$120.00 (hb.). ISBN 9781441182616 ‘Is instrumental rationality suffi...
An Eulerian Approach for Vortex Motion Using a Level Set Regularization Procedure

We present an Eulerian, fixed grid, approach to solve the motion of an incompressible fluid, in two and three dimensions, in which the vorticity is concentrated on a lower dimensional set. Our approach uses a decomposition of the vorticity of the form ? =P(?)?, in which both ? (the level set function) and ? (the vorticity strength vector) are smooth. We derive coupled equations for ? and ? which give a regularization of the problem. The regularization is topological and is automatically accomplished through the use of numerical schemes whose viscosity shrinks to zero with grid size. There is no need for explicit filtering, even when singularities appear in the front. The method also has the advantage of automatically allowing topological changes such as merging of surfaces. Numerical examples, including two and three dimensional vortex sheets, two-dimensional vortex dipole sheets, and point vortices, are given. To our knowledge, this is the first three-dimensional vortex sheet calculation in which the sheet evolution feeds back to the calculation of the fluid velocity. Vortex in cell calculations for three-dimensional vortex sheets were done earlier by Trygvassonet al.
Realization of Intuitionistic Logic by Proof Polynomials

ABSTRACT In 1933 Godel introduced an axiomatic system, currently known as S4, for a logic of an absolute provability, i.e. not depending on the formalism chosen ([God 33]). The problem of finding a fair provability model for S4 was left open. The famous formal provability predicate which first appeared in the Godel Incompleteness Theorem does not do this job: the logic of formal provability is not compatible with S4. As was discovered in [Art 95], this defect of the formal provability predicate can be bypassed by replacing hidden quantifiers over proofs by proof polynomials in a certain finite basis. The resulting Logic of Proofs enjoys a natural arithmetical semantics and provides an intended provability model for S4, thus answering a question left open by Godel in 1933. Proof polynomials give an intended semantics for some other constructions based on the concept of provability, including intuitionistic logic with its Brouwer- Heyting- Kolmogorov interpretation, λ-calculus and modal λ-calculus. In the c...
Native Alternatives for Non-Native Turfgrasses in Central Florida: Germination and Responses to Cultural Treatments

Little information exists about the establishment of native longleaf pine flatwoods species for use in restoration efforts and as buffers around natural areas in the southeastern United States. Composition of groundcover in these systems is dominated by perennial graminoid species. Vegetation in current buffers is generally non-native turfgrass that can escape into natural areas, often reducing establishment and survival of native species. Where management objectives involve actively restoring native groundcover or reducing the probability of invasion by these non-native turfgrasses, identification of native species and restoration methods is needed. We investigated seed germination and establishment of four species native to longleaf pine flatwoods in central Florida and one species native to the adjacent wetland communities. Paspalum setaceum, Panicum anceps, Eustachys petraea, and Eragrostis refracta were directly seeded, and P. distichum was planted as sprigs into three former P. notatum pastures. Irrigation, fertilization, weed control, and mowing treatments were assessed in terms of cover development of the sown species. Paspalum distichum developed the highest percent cover—over 80% in wet areas after 1 year. Mowing had mixed impacts depending on the species, and fertilization never significantly increased cover. Directly seeded species developed sparse cover (040%), probably as a result of drought conditions. However, E. petraea and E. refracta appeared more promising for use on rights-of-way when using high sowing rates. A second experiment conducted on a roadside included these two species and sprigged P. distichum .B oth E. petraea and P. distichum developed more than 45% cover on the roadside. Establishment of these natives from seed or sprigs was significantly enhanced when site preparation effectively reduced the seedbank of other species present in the soil.
Hormonal regulation of thecal cell function during antral follicle development in bovine ovaries.

The hormonal regulation of thecal cell function was investigated with cells isolated at various stages of antral follicle development. Bovine thecal cells were isolated from small antral, medium antral, and large Graffian follicles (small, medium, and large ovarian follicles). Serum-free cultures of thecal cells were established and viable for a minimum of 6–8 days of culture. The purity of the thecal cell population was characterized cytochemically and was found to contain less than 5% endothelial cell and/or granulosa cell contamination. The steroidogenic capacity of this purified population of thecal cells in serum-free culture was examined through an analysis of androgen and progesterone production. Androgen production was high during the first 3 days of culture, then declined to undetectable levels. Production of androstenedione was approximately 10- fold higher than production of testosterone. Progesterone production remained relatively constant throughout the 8-day culture period. hCG was found to ...
MOVPE-grown InAlAs/InGaAs/InP MODFETs with very high fT

High-performance 0.15 μm gate length modulation-doped field-effect transistors (MODFETs) have been fabricated on a lattice-matched InAlAs/InGaAs heterostructure grown by organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Excellent «kink-free» DC characteristics with extrinsic transconductance g m of 1080 mS/mm at a drain current of 508 mA/mm have been achieved. A unity current-gain cutoff frequency f T of 187 GHz at room temperature has been measured, which is the highest value reported for MOVPE-grown lattice-matched InAlAs/InGaAs MODFETs
Autonomous vehicle collision avoidance system using path planning and model-predictive-control-based active front steering and wheel torque control

Autonomous vehicles have attracted more attention in recent years as vehicle applications are evolving to a more intelligent and autonomous stage. This paper presents the development of a collision avoidance system for an autonomous vehicle application which consists of a motion planner and model-predictive-control-based active vehicle steering and active wheel torque control. A motion planner, based on polynomial parameterization, determines a collision-free trajectory when a vehicle collision with obstacles is likely to happen. Then an MPC-based control system controls the front steering and individual wheel torques to track the desired collision-free reference trajectory. The proposed system is evaluated through simulation, using an eight-degrees-of-freedom vehicle model with a ‘magic formula’ tire model, active front steering, and active wheel torque distribution systems. The simulation results show that it effectively performs collision avoidance maneuvers.
Footprint generation using fuzzy-neighborhood clustering

Geometric footprints, which delineate the region occupied by a spatial point pattern, serve a variety of functions in GIScience. This research explores the use of two density-based clustering algorithms for footprint generation. First, the Density-Based Spatial Clustering with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm is used to classify points as core points, non-core points, or statistical noise; then a footprint is created from the core and non-core points in each cluster using convex hulls. Second, a Fuzzy-Neighborhood (FN)-DBSCAN algorithm, which incorporates fuzzy set theory, is used to assign points to clusters based on membership values. Then, two methods are presented for delineating footprints with FN-DBSCAN: (1) hull-based techniques and (2) contouring methods based on interpolated membership values. The latter approach offers increased flexibility for footprint generation, as it provides a continuous surface of membership values from which precise contours can be delineated. Then, a heuristic parameter selection method is described for FN-DBSCAN, and the approach is demonstrated in the context of wildlife home range estimation, where the goal is to a generate footprint of an animal's movements from tracking data. Additionally, FN-DBSCAN is applied to produce crime footprints for a county in Florida. The results are used to guide a discussion of the relative merits of the new techniques. In summary, the fuzzy clustering approach offers a novel method of footprint generation that can be applied to characterize a variety of point patterns in GIScience.
Cognitive Science and the Natural Knowledge of God

Rather than being in inherent conflict with religion or operating on planes that do not intersect, the cognitive science of religion (CSR) can be used to renovate a religious understanding of the world. CSR allows one to reshape the perspectives of Aquinas and Calvin on the natural knowledge of God. The Christian tradition affirms that all human beings have available to them some knowledge of God. This claim has empirical import and thus invites scientific investigation and clarification. A CSR-inspired lens allows one's theological reflections to move from paradigms that focus on the cognitive reach of a domain-general power of human thought to a paradigm focused on different ways of relating to another person. The case study of the natural knowledge of God presented here models a productive way of relating CSR and religious perspectives from within a faith tradition.
Further studies in serum allergy

Abstract Clinical and experimental studies show that there exists in horse dander a small amount of antigen corresponding to that present in horse serum, and that in naturally sensitive or atopic patients sensitiveness may exist in varying degree to the dander antigen alone or to horse serum alone or to both of these antigens. Prolonged contact with horse dander by an individual predisposed to such sensitivity may result either in sensitiveness to the dander alone or in some instances to both horse dander and horse serum. Such sensitivity particularly to horse serum represents an instance of respiratory sensitization in the human being which is the counterpart of that shown to occur in the guinea pig in the experiments of Ratner and Gruehl. In patients sensitive to horse serum either alone or to horse dander as well, the possible influence of artificial sensitization by previous serum injection is important. From an academic standpoint it raises the question as to whether such instances are to be considered examples of true, natural or atopic hypersensitiveness or whether they really belong to the acquired (or as some choose to call it) anaphylactic type, occurring in a predisposed individual. I personally am inclined toward the latter viewpoint. Finally, from a practical standpoint, it is interesting to note that horse-asthmatic patients may withstand serum administration without any untoward effects. It is therefore advisable to test all allergic patients to horse serum both by skin and by eye test before dismissing them as unsuitable subjects for serum administration merely because of the existence of an allergic condition.
Effects of sex and short-term magnesium supplementation on stress responses and longissimus muscle quality characteristics of crossbred cattle.

Calf-fed heifers (n = 72) and steers (n = 72) were supplemented with 4 levels (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75%) of dietary Mg as MgO during the final 14 d of finishing and were commingled 1 d before slaughter (inducing stress by mixing unfamiliar cattle) to examine the effects of sex class and Mg supplementation on stress responses and LM quality characteristics. Heifers and steers exhibited markedly different stress responses. Heifers were more excitable than steers during preslaughter handling events and exhibited a short-term physiological stress response that involved acute sympatho-adrenal activation and resulted in increased meat toughness, without a concomitant increase in muscle pH. Steers, on the other hand, exhibited greater physical activity, associated with agonistic behavior, during the mixing period and therefore produced carcasses with lesser (P = 0.008) LM glycogen concentrations and greater (P = 0.042) 48-h LM pH values, compared with heifers. Steers also produced tougher (P = 0.008) LM steaks than did heifers. Within the range of pH values observed in this study (5.3 to 6.1), positive, linear relationships between 48-h LM pH and mean LM shear force (P 0.05) once LM samples had been aged for 21 d. Results suggested that toughness of LM steaks from beef carcasses with final LM pH values greater than 5.65 could be problematic unless LM cuts are aged for approximately 18 d or longer. Supplementation with dietary Mg increased (P = 0.011) serum Mg concentration, but had no effect (P > 0.05) on any of the physiological stress indicators or LM quality characteristics measured in this study. There was no evidence to support the premise that Mg supplementation of cattle lessens the effects of preslaughter stress on beef quality characteristics.
Quantifying coherence when learning behaviors via teleoperation

Applications of robotics are quickly changing. Just as computer use evolved from research purposes to everyday functions, applications of robotics are making a transition to mainstream usage. With this change in applications comes a change in the user base of robotics, and there is a pronounced move to reduce the complexity of robotic control. The move to reduce complexity is linked to the separation of the role of robot designer and robot operator. For many target applications, the operator of the robot needs to be able to correct and augment its capabilities. One method to enable this is learning from human data, which has already been successfully applied to robotics. We assert that this learning process is only viable when the demonstrated human behavior is coherent. In this work we test the hypothesis that quantifying the coherence in the provided instruction can provide useful information about the progress of the learning process. We discuss results from the application of this method to reactive behaviors. Such behaviors permit the learning process to be computationally tractable in real-time. These results support the hypothesis that coherence is important for this type of learning and also show that this property can be used to provide an avenue for self regulation of the learning process.
The New Demands of Acute Care: Are We Ready?

Physical therapy practitioners in the acute care world have a challenge. The segment of the US population aged 65 years and older is projected to increase from 35 million in 2000 to an estimated 71 million in 2030.1 Incorporated into this demographic bulge is a substantial projected increase in the number of people aged 80 years and older, from 9.3 million in 2000 to 19.5 million in 2030.1 An aging population combined with a longer life expectancy will increase the prevalence of chronic diseases and conditions associated with aging, leading to increased hospitalizations and need for rehabilitation services.2 A frail, increasingly dependent population will place enormous strain on health care providers. Are physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who work in acute care prepared for this challenge? Do we have sufficiently streamlined, efficient work processes? Do therapists have the necessary skills? Do we have the staffing? In this issue of PTJ , 2 articles offer unique insights into acute care physical therapy and should be harbingers of continued dialogue and research. In “Development of a Unique Triage System for Acute Care Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Services: An Administrative Case Report,” Hobbs …
Influence of dissolved solids on the mechanism of freeze-thaw conditioning

Abstract The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dissolved solids on the size of aggregated particles produced by freeze–thaw conditioning. The dissolved solids content was varied by adding 0–2000 mg/l NaCl to samples of alum sludge. The effect of the dissolved solids was observed by taking photographs of thin sections of each frozen sample and measuring the resulting aggregated particle sizes. The results of this study indicate that a relatively small amount of dissolved solids (500 mg/l NaCl or less) can cause ice crystal growth to change from columnar to dendritic. As a result, the mean aggregated particle size was reduced by approximately 50%. These results explain why the aggregated particles from alum sludge are larger than those produced from wastewater sludge. Generally, alum sludge contains very little dissolved solids, so crystal growth is columnar. Conversely, since wastewater sludges usually contain a significant amount of dissolved solids, crystal growth becomes dendritic. Thin sections photographed between cross polarizers reveal that most of the aggregated particles were contained within individual ice crystals and not at the crystal boundaries.
Predicting crop yields under climate change conditions from monthly GCM weather projections

Estimation of changes in crop yields is currently based on projections of atmospheric General Circulation Models (GCM) and the use of crop simulators. Crop simulators require daily input of environmental variables. GCMs produce monthly projections of climatic variables. Our objective was to explore the possibility of using monthly weather projections in yield estimates. We considered atmospheric CO2 level, total solar radiation, average maximum and minimum temperature, and rainfall for five months of the growing season. The group method of data handling (GMDH) was applied to relate crop yields to these variables. Projections of GCMs were downscaled to provide daily weather variables for the Mississippi Delta, and weather patterns were obtained in 50 replications for each GCM. The soybean crop simulator GLYCIM was used to generate crop yields on sandy loam, loam and silt loam soils. The equations built with GMDH explained 81‐85% of yield variability, and included solar radiation in July and August, CO2 level, minimum temperature in June and August, and rainfall in August. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Using the Constant Time Delay Procedure to Teach Task-Analyzed Gross Motor Skills to Individuals With Severe Intellectual Disabilities

It is imperative that teachers utilize effective and efficient instructional strategies to teach task-analyzed gross motor skills in physical education activities to individuals with severe disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to describe the constant time delay procedure, which has been shown to be effective in teaching task-analyzed fine motor skills in daily living and safety activities. In this article, guidelines are presented for teaching task-analyzed gross motor skills to individuals with severe intellectual disabilities. These guidelines are based on a review of the constant time delay procedure reported in the special education literature and current research being conducted by the authors.
Task oriented optimal grasping by multifingered robot hands

The problem of optimal grasping of an object by a multifingered robot hand is discussed. Using screw theory and elementary differential geometry, the concept of a grasp is axiomated and its stability characterized. Three quality measures for evaluating a grasp are then proposed. The last quality measure is task-oriented and needs the development of a procedure for modeling tasks as ellipsoids in the wrench space of the object. Numerical computations of these quality measures and the selection of an optimal grasp are addressed in detail. Several examples are given using these quality measures to show that they are consistent with measurements yielded by the authors' experiments on grasping. >
Crystal Structures of the Outer Membrane Domain of Intimin and Invasin from Enterohemorrhagic E. coli and Enteropathogenic Y. pseudotuberculosis

Intimins and invasins are virulence factors produced by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. They contain C-terminal extracellular passenger domains that are involved in adhesion to host cells and N-terminal β domains that are embedded in the outer membrane. Here, we identify the domain boundaries of an E. coli intimin β domain and use this information to solve its structure and the β domain structure of a Y. pseudotuberculosis invasin. Both β domain structures crystallized as monomers and reveal that the previous range of residues assigned to the β domain also includes a protease-resistant domain that is part of the passenger. Additionally, we identify 146 nonredundant representative members of the intimin/invasin family based on the boundaries of the highly conserved intimin and invasin β domains. We then use this set of sequences along with our structural data to find and map the evolutionarily constrained residues within the β domain.
Providing food to treat adolescents at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Objective Diet modification is recommended to treat childhood cardiovascular (CV) risk factors; however, the optimal dietary strategy is unknown. Methods In a randomized trial, the effect of a low-fat (LF) and a low-glycemic-load (LGL) reduced-calorie diet were examined in youth with overweight/obesity with CV risk factors. Using a novel intervention, we delivered LF or LGL meals and nutrition education to the home for 8 weeks (Intensive Phase), followed by 4 months Maintenance without food provision. Between-group differences in the change in insulin area under the curve (InsAUC) by oral glucose tolerance test and other risk factors were analyzed. Results Overall, participants (n = 27) showed substantial improvement during the Intensive Phase, including InsAUC (−59 ± 18.2 µU/ml × 120 min, P = 0.004), total cholesterol (−9.9 ± 3.6 mg/dl, P = 0.01), weight (−2.7 ± 0.5 kg, P < 0.001), waist circumference (−3.1 ± 0.8 cm, P < 0.001), HOMA-IR (−1.7 ± 0.4, P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (−5 ± 1.4 mm Hg, P = 0.002), and CRP (−0.1 ± 0.1 mg/dl, P = 0.04). There were minimal between-group differences; the LF group showed greater declines in HDL (P = 0.005) and fasting glucose (P = 0.01) compared to the LGL group. Improvements waned during Maintenance. Conclusions Home delivery of LF or LGL diets resulted in rapid and clinically important improvements in CV risk factors that diminished without food delivery and did not differ based on dietary intervention. If scalable, food provision may represent an alternative nutrition treatment strategy.
Presumed Fair: Ironic Effects of Organizational Diversity Structures

This research tests the hypothesis that the presence (vs. absence) of organizational diversity structures causes high-status group members (Whites, men) to perceive organizations with diversity structures as procedurally fairer environments for underrepresented groups (racial minorities, women), even when it is clear that underrepresented groups have been unfairly disadvantaged within these organizations. Furthermore, this illusory sense of fairness derived from the mere presence of diversity structures causes high-status group members to legitimize the status quo by becoming less sensitive to discrimination targeted at underrepresented groups and reacting more harshly toward underrepresented group members who claim discrimination. Six experiments support these hypotheses in designs using 4 types of diversity structures (diversity policies, diversity training, diversity awards, idiosyncratically generated diversity structures from participants’ own organizations) among 2 high-status groups in tests involving several types of discrimination (discriminatory promotion practices, adverse impact in hiring, wage discrimination). Implications of these experiments for organizational diversity and employment discrimination law are discussed.
Atypical parkinsonism in a family of Portuguese ancestry Absence of GAG repeat expansion in the MJD1 gene

We studied the clinical features and molecular genetics of a family, afflicted with a form of atypical parkinsonism, originating from the Madeira Islands of Portugal. We examined four affected individuals and reviewed clinical information on one other affected family member. Mean age at onset was 31 years. Parkinsonism (akinesia, rigidity, gait disturbance) was the most prominent feature in advanced disease. Levodopa responsiveness with peak-dose dyskinesia was present in one individual. Initial symptoms and other clinical features were variable and included other extrapyramidal signs (dystonia, action tremor of the limbs and bulbar muscles, synkinesis), ophthalmologic abnormalities (ptosis, slow saccades, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, hypometric saccades, saccadic pursuit movements), speech abnormalities (dysarthria, hypernasality), cortical impairment (dementia, frontal lobe dysfunction, palilalia, persevera-tion), minor cerebellar signs (dysmetria, gait ataxia), pyramidal abnormalities (spasticity, hyperreflexia), and peripheral nervous system abnormalities (propioceptive loss, areflexia, distal weakness, atrophy). The length of trinucleotide repeats in the MJD1 gene was in the normal range for all affected individuals.
Watershed Scale Physically Based Water Flow, Sediment and Nutrient Dynamic Modeling System

Non-point source (NPS) runoff of pollutants is viewed as one of the most important factors causing impaired water quality in freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and has been addressed as a national priority since the passage of the Clean Water Act. To control NPS pollution, state and federal agencies developed a variety of programs that rely heavily on the use of watershed management in minimizing riverine and receiving water pollution. Watershed models have become critical tools in support of watershed management. Lumped, empirical models such as HSPF do not account for spatial heterogeneity within subwatersheds and the simulations of the actual processes are greatly simplified. This chapter describes a distributed water flow, sediment and nutrient dynamic modeling system developed at U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. The model simulates detailed water flow, soil erosion, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling at the watershed scale and computes sediment transport across the landscape, nutrient kinetic fluxes for N and P species. The model consists of three distinct parts: (1) watershed hydrology, (2) soil erosion and sediment transport, and (3) nitrogen and phosphorus transport and cycling. The integrated watershed model was tested and validated on two watersheds in Wisconsin (French Run and Upper Eau Galle Watersheds). The model performed well in predicting runoff, sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus. This chapter presents the model development and validation studies currently underway in Wisconsin.
Defined αβ T Cell Receptors with Distinct Ligand Specificities Do Not Require Those Ligands to Signal Double Negative Thymocyte Differentiation

During T cell development in the thymus, pre–T cell receptor (TCR) complexes signal CD4− CD8− (double negative [DN]) thymocytes to differentiate into CD4+ CD8+ (double positive [DP]) thymocytes, and they generate such signals without apparent ligand engagements. Although ligand-independent signaling is unusual and might be unique to the pre-TCR, it is possible that other TCR complexes such as αβ TCR or αγ TCR might also be able to signal the DN to DP transition in the absence of ligand engagement if they were expressed on DN thymocytes. Although αγ TCR complexes efficiently signal DN thymocyte differentiation, it is not yet certain if αβ TCR complexes are also capable of signaling DN thymocyte differentiation, nor is it certain if such signaling is dependent upon ligand engagement. This study has addressed these questions by expressing defined αβ TCR transgenes in recombination activating gene 2−/− pre-Tα−/− double deficient mice. In such double deficient mice, the only antigen receptors that can be expressed are those encoded by the αβ TCR transgenes. In this way, this study definitively demonstrates that αβ TCR can in fact signal the DN to DP transition. In addition, this study demonstrates that transgenic αβ TCRs signal the DN to DP transition even in the absence of their specific MHC–peptide ligands.
Tracking objects with networked scattered directional sensors

We study the problem of object tracking using highly directional sensors--sensors whose field of vision is a line or a line segment. A network of such sensors monitors a certain region of the plane. Sporadically, objects moving in straight lines and at a constant speed cross the region. A sensor detects an object when it crosses its line of sight, and records the time of the detection. No distance or angle measurements are available. The task of the sensors is to estimate the directions and speeds of the objects, and the sensor lines, which are unknown a priori. This estimation problem involves the minimization of a highly nonconvex cost function. To overcome this difficulty, we introduce an algorithm, which we call "adaptive basis algorithm." This algorithm is divided into three phases: in the first phase, the algorithm is initialized using data from six sensors and four objects; in the second phase, the estimates are updated as data from more sensors and objects are incorporated. The third phase is an optional coordinated transformation. The estimation is done in an "ad-hoc" coordinate system, which we call "adaptive coordinate system." When more information is available, for example, the location of six sensors, the estimates can be transformed to the "real-world" coordinate system. This constitutes the third phase.
A method for parameter estimation of non-linear regression with autocorrelated errors

For a class of non-linear models with stationary dependent residuals an estimating procedure is introduced and its statistical properties are derived. This procedure is useful when no basis exists for assuming a specific parametric model for the error process. For application of the procedure a two step iterative method is described and a small simulation study is performed.
Oxygen Carriers and Transfusion Medicine

The US blood supply is once again expanding (14 million units a year) and annual estimated whole blood and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion now exceeds 12 million units. The observed increase in total transfusions and units transfused per surgical procedure may result from more aggressive therapies, an aging population, and improved access to health care. While autologous blood collection has grown 20-fold in the past decade, autologous blood still accounts for < 8% of transfusions and is unlikely to replace much more of the allogeneic transfusion needs. Although safer than ever, allogeneic blood still transmits infectious disease (HIV: 1 in 225, 000 units, hepatitis: 1 in 3300 units, HTLV I/II:1 in 50, 000 units) and poses additional immunologic and non-immunologic risks. Allogeneic RBCs are probably underutilized because of safety concerns. While the cost of a unit of RBCs has been estimated at $150, costs are substantially higher in some areas and blood processing (filtration, gamma irradiation, washin...
NO upregulation of a cyclic nucleotide-gated channel contributes to calcium elevation in endothelial cells

We investigated whether nitric oxide (NO) upregulates a cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel and whether this contributes to sustained elevation of intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in porcin...
Does my dizzy patient have a stroke? A systematic review of bedside diagnosis in acute vestibular syndrome

Dizziness is the third most common major medical symptom reported in general medical clinics[1][1] and accounts for about 3%–5% of visits across care settings.[2][2] In the United States, this translates to 10 million ambulatory visits per year because of dizziness,[3][3] with roughly 25% of these
On the Hardness and Smoothed Complexity of Quasi-Concave Minimization

In this paper, we resolve, the smoothed and approximative complexity of low-rank quasi-concave minimization, providing both upper and lower bounds. As an upper bound, we provide the first smoothed analysis of quasi-concave, minimization. The analysis is based on a smoothed bound for the number of extreme points of the projection of the feasible polytope onto a k-dimensional subspace. where k is the rank (informally, the dimension of nonconvexity)ofthe quasi-concave function. Our smoothed bound is polynomial in the original dimension of the problem n and the perturbation size p. and it is exponential in the rank of the function k. From this, we obtain the first randomized fully polynomial-time approximation scheme for low-rank quasi-concave minimization under broad conditions. In contrast with this, we prove log n-hardness of approximation for general quasi-concave minimization. This shows that our smoothed bound is essentially tight, in that no polynomial smoothed bound is possible for quasi-concave functions of general rank k. The tools that we introduce for the smoothed analysis may be of independent interest. All previous smoothed analyses of polytopes analyzed projections onto two-dimensional subspaces and studied them using trigonometry to examine the angles between vectors and 2-planes in Ropf". In this paper, we provide what is, to our knowledge, the first smoothed analysis of the projection of polytopes onto higher-dimensional subspaces. To do this, we replace the trigonometry with tools from random matrix theory and differential geometry on the Grassmannian. Our hardness reduction is based on entirely different proofs that may also be of independent interest; we show that the stochastic 2-stage minimum spanning tree problem has a supermodular objective and that supermodular minimization is hard to approximate.
Implications of Mesenchymal Cells in Cancer Stem Cell Populations: Relevance to EMT

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) generates tumor cells having stem cell characteristics with phenotypes similar to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Evidence suggests CSCs are in an intermediate state of EMT expressing reduced levels of E-cadherin and exhibiting mesenchymal features including invasiveness associated with metastasis. These findings suggest mechanisms regulating EMT and stemness are closely integrated. Recent reports from multiple laboratories have identified novel mechanisms regulating EMT and stemness involving epigenetics, microenvironment, and dedifferentiation. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have also been shown to exhibit features of EMT, but it is unclear what fraction has CSCs properties. EMT characteristics of both CSCs and CTCs are associated with resistance to current clinical treatments, indicating therapies targeting the CSC in addition to the more differentiated tumor cells are required for durable responses. Thus, EMT characteristics of CTCs may prove useful biomarkers for effective therapies for many cancers.
Comparison of different atomic charge schemes for predicting pKa variations in substituted anilines and phenols

A number of different methods have been proposed for assigning partial charges to the atoms of a molecule, including both quantum chemical and empirical schemes. A reasonable expectation for any successful calculational scheme is that the atomic charges it produces should vary in a manner consistent with chemical intuition and, more specifically, that these variations should be correlated in a sensible way with experimental observations. Seven of the most popular atomic charge schemes (Bader's AIM charges QAIM, electrostatic potential charges QESP, GAPT charges QGAPT, Gasteiger π charges QGast ,L owdin chargesQLow, Mulliken charges QMul, and charges derived from natural population analysis QNPA) were tested for their ability to represent variations in the pKa's of 19 monosubstituted anilines and 19 monosubstituted phenols. In most cases the calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6-311G ∗∗ level of theory. For the substituted anilines, the amino nitrogen, anilinium proton, and total amino group charges were taken as representative regression parameters, and for the phenols, the phenolic hydrogen, phenoxide oxygen, and hydroxyl group charges were employed. Overall, QAIM, QLow, and QNPA yielded the most successful correlations with the pKa's of these compounds, although for the phenol series, QGAPT and QMul also yielded good results. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 90: 445-458, 2002
Exafs Studies of Cobalt Silicide Formation Produced by High Dose Ion Implantation

The early stages of cobalt silicide formation in high dose (1.0 to 8.0× 1017Co/cm2) cobalt implanted Si(100) are studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). Locally ordered silicide that is not detectable in XRD has been observed with EXAFS in the as-implanted samples. Long-range ordered phases are observed in the 3 × 1017Co/cm2 samples. After thermal annealing at 700–750°C, single phase CoSi2 with (400) orientation is formed in all implants.