cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oil Pollution in the Marine Environment III: Fates and Effects of Chronic Oil Inputs

Part I of this series of articles presented the evidence that chronic input of oil accounts for almost 90% of the annual oil input to the marine environment on a global basis and averaged over a de...
Age-related biophysical alterations of hippocampal pyramidal neurons: implications for learning and memory.

Normal brain aging is associated with deficits in learning and memory. The hippocampus, a structure critical for proper learning and memory functions, is frequently implicated in aging-related learning deficits. There are many reports of learning-related changes in hippocampal pyramidal neurons from animals that were trained in hippocampus-dependent learning paradigms. One consistent finding in hippocampal pyramidal neurons is a learning-related increase in postsynaptic neuronal excitability, resulting from a reduction in the postburst afterhyperpolarization (AHP). The hippocampus, as well as the ability to acquire hippocampus-dependent tasks, is particularly affected by aging. Correspondingly, hippocampal neurons also display an age-related decrease in excitability, resulting from an enhanced AHP. The correlation between neuronal excitability and learning ability strongly suggests that changes in the AHP are critically involved in learning and age-related learning deficits. Additional support for this argument comes from in vitro studies that examined the effect of compounds that facilitated learning in aging animals on the properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Many of these compounds increased the excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons by reducing the AHP. Subsequent voltage-clamp recordings showed that AHP reduction by these compounds mainly reflects the reduction of two of its currents, the IAHP and the sIAHP. Conversely, age-related AHP enhancements primarily impact the IAHP and the sIAHP. Given that the IAHP accounts for a small portion of the total AHP, and that the sIAHP is the AHP current that most critically modulates neuronal excitability, changes in neuronal excitability seen in learning and in aging are predominantly caused by changes in the sIAHP. The fact that the sIAHP receives neuromodulation from many transmitter systems important for learning and sensitive to aging lends further support for its role in age-related learning deficits. In this article, we review: (1) two hippocampus-dependent learning tasks, trace eyeblink conditioning and Morris water maze training, that are used extensively in our laboratory to examine learning and aging-related learning deficits; (2) aging-related changes in several important neurotransmitter systems, and how the these changes impact learning and memory functions during aging; and (3) changes in the AHP and the sIAHP in hippocampal pyramidal neurons in relation to compromised neurotransmission, as well as to learning, in aging animals. The correlations between a reduction in the sIAHP in learning, and an enhancement in the sIAHP in aging provide compelling evidence that this current plays a critical role in cognitive functions, and further suggest that the key modulators of the AHP are good candidates for future therapeutic interventions in age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Influence of low magnetic fields on semicrystalline polymers

L'application d'un champ magnetique entraine des variations de proprietes mecaniques d'echantillons de polyethylene extrudes
Cosmic rays at airplane altitudes

A continuation of experiments made in a B-29 airplane to investigate the properties of cosmic rays is herein reported. Part I describes results on the latitude effect at 30,000 ft measured with counter telescopes and with both shielded and unshielded ionization chambers, from 64° geomagnetic north to the magnetic equator. A considerably larger latitude effect for the shielded ionization chamber than with the unshielded one or with counter telescopes indicates a definite change in the character of the radiation as one goes toward the equator at this altitude. The "knee" of the latitude effect is investigated in detail by a number of similar flights. Part II describes measurements made on density and formation of extended air showers. The apparatus was of such a nature as to be sensitive to relatively sparse showers. The densities obtained can be fitted to an integral power law spectrum with a negative exponent of 1.50±0.05 for an altitude of 30,000 ft. Intensity-altitude curves are presented, showing that the development of smaller showers takes place nearer the top of the atmosphere than does the development of large showers. Derived zenith-angle dependencies at various altitudes are also given.
Partisanship or population? House and Senate immigration votes in the 109th and 110th Congresses

This article tests multiple hypotheses for the structure of congressional voting on recent immigration reform legislation. In particular, it examines the influence of partisanship, constituencies, ...
Vascular injury during fixation of an intertrochanteric hip fracture in a patient with severe atherosclerosis. A case report.

Arterial injury is a rare complication of hip fracture surgery. The few reported cases have been caused by penetration of the artery by a drill, screw, retractor, or, less commonly, displaced fracture fragments1,2. Lazarides et al.1 mentioned an injury attributed to manipulation in their literature review on the topic, but the source of this report was not clearly identified and we were unable to locate the original reference. We present a case in which an arterial injury was discovered on the morning after closed reduction and plate fixation of a comminuted intertrochanteric hip fracture. The vascular injury was located substantially distal to the fracture and the area of instrumentation, leading us to conclude that it occurred as a result of intraoperative fracture reduction or traction. Potential risk factors for such an event are discussed. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication. A ninety-four-year-old woman was brought to the emergency department with left hip pain and an inability to walk after a fall from a standing height. She was 64 in (1.6 m) tall, weighed 120 lb (54.3 kg), lived independently, and did not have any other known medical problems. Radiographs demonstrated a comminuted left intertrochanteric femoral fracture with avulsion and displacement of the lesser trochanter (Fig. 1). Additional findings included severe, diffuse arterial calcifications indicative of atherosclerosis. On admission, the hematocrit was 0.33 and the heart rate was 72 bpm. No abnormal thigh swelling was noted, and pedal pulses were symmetric and palpable. Capillary refill in the feet was brisk. The patient was managed with Buck traction overnight. She was taken to the operating room the next day and gently placed on the fracture table. Usual maneuvers such as gentle traction, internal rotation of the foot-plate, and mild …
Interactions of arenes and thioethers resulting in facilitated oxidation.

Synthesis of 6-endo and 6-exomethylthio-2-endoarylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes was accomplished stereoselectively. The ionization energies, determined by photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical oxidation potentials, determined by cyclic voltammetry, were lower for the 6-endomethylthio compounds than for their 6-exomethylthio analogues. Calculations supported the notion that facilitation of electron transfer in the 6-endomethylthio compounds results from through-space S···π interaction.
Cultural Influences on Immigrant Women's Labor Force Participation: The Arab-American Case1:

Research on the economic activity of immigrant women has flourished in recent years. The current study extends this literature to examine the labor force activity of Arab-American women, a group whose labor market experiences provide an exception to hitherto accepted theoretical explanations. The employment rates of Arab immigrant women rank among the lowest of any immigrant group, while the rates of native-born Arab-American women resemble those of U.S.-born white women. This study examines potential explanations for these differences using data from the U.S. Census and a national mail survey of Arab-American women. Contrary to findings for other immigrant groups, differences among Arab-American women cannot be explained by their human capital characteristics or family resources, but are almost entirely due to traditional cultural norms that prioritize women's family obligations over their economic activity, and to ethnic and religious social networks that encourage the maintenance of traditional gender roles. This study concludes by underscoring the need for additional research on the impact of culture on immigrant women's employment.
Processing of conflicting and redundant stimulus information by pigeons.

Selective attention in processing of visual information by pigeons, trained on alternating sessions with two colors (red and green) and two forms (a diamond and an X shape) differentially associated with a left—right key choice task, was examined. A color and a form were presented together on probe trials during sessions in which, on other trials, only one of the dimensions, color or form, was shown. The dimension in effect on the surrounding trials had no influence on choice when the information provided by the two dimensions on probe trials was in conflict—color correct for one choice and form for the other. When both color and form redundantly cued the correct choice, there was no increase in accuracy in comparison with that associated with one dimension. Following separate training on the color and form discriminations, pigeons appeared to base their choices on color on some trials, on form on other trials, but not on both simultaneously. These findings are discussed in terms of an exemplar model of information processing.
Functional characteristics of the microcirculation in white adipose tissue

Abstract The title of this article is descriptive of its intent. In addition to summarizing the state of our knowledge about the functional characteristics of the microcirculation in white adipose tissue, we also would like to bring into focus a few of the relationships between the circulation and the metabolic function of fat. For those who wish to review the biochemistry of adipose tissue in depth, there are several excellent reviews and monographs (Wertheimer and Shapiro, 1948 ; Jeanrenaud, 1963 ; Jeanrenaud and Hepp, 1970 ; Steinberg, 1972) . From our point of view, however, the ultimate determinant of function in this tissue is the maintenance of adequate perfusion and exchange processes in the microcirculatory bed.
A metallographic study of precipitation in a ni-12.7 at.% al alloy

Abstract Precipitation was studied in a supersaturated Ni-12.7 at. % (6.27wt.%) Al alloy as a function of aging time and temperature, using 0.1 % yield strength measurements, transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. Aging at 600° or 700°C caused general precipitation of coherent ordered γ′(Ni 3 Al) particles accompanied by considerable hardening. Particles were detected at 25 A width and, contrary to previous work, shown to be cubical in all sizes from 50 to 3000 A, with edges parallel to 〈001〉 matrix directions. They tended to be aligned in rows approximately parallel to 〈001〉 directions after gross aging at 700°C, leading to multi-dimensional clusters which eventually coalesced. They showed a variety of novel diffraction and strain-field contrast effects. Peak 0.1% yield strength of 52,500 psi for 700°C aging occurred at an average particle size of 148 A and even gross overaging did not result in loss of coherency. The average mismatch in samples aged at 700°C was found by X-ray measurements to be 0.57 ± 0.12 %. Contrary to previous findings, precipitation appeared to be a single stage process. Whereas precipitation at 600° or 700°C occurred generally, precipitation at 800°C occurred only at dislocations and inclusions; that at dislocations appeared to take the form of thin plates.
The role of national culture and organizational climate in safety training effectiveness

Using data from 68 organizations embedded within 14 nations, we examined hypotheses concerning the moderating roles of national culture and organizational climate on the transfer of training to the work context. A dimension of national culture, uncertainty avoidance, moderated the transfer of safety training with regard to reducing accidents and injuries; and organizational safety climate moderated the transfer of safety training with respect to both engaging in safe work behaviour and reducing accidents and injuries. Along with discussing the implications of a positive safety climate, we discuss how the tendency within a culture to avoid uncertainty may paradoxically lead to greater uncertainty and negative consequences in relation to the transfer of safety training.
In situ stress measurements at Rainier Mesa, Nevada Test Site ― influence of topography and lithology on the stress state in tuff

Abstract A large number of in situ stress measurements have been conducted in Rainier Mesa at the Nevada Test Site. Most of the measurements were made using the hydraulic fracture technique, but some comparisons with overcoming were also performed. Many of the hydraulic fractures were mined out and their behaviour was directly observed. The results show that horizontal in situ stresses in the mesa depend upon the depth, material properties, topography, bedding and faults. Large stress changes occur over distances much less than a metre, particularly near interfaces and faults. Bedding and topography were found to reorient stresses by as much as 45°. This paper gives a case study of work at the Nevada Test Site and documents the variations in the stress field due to these geologic features.
Complex logarithmic mapping and the focus of expansion (abstract only)

Complex logarithmic mapping has been shown to be useful for the size, rotation, and projection invariance of objects in a visual field for an observer translating in the direction of its gaze. Assuming known translational motion of the observer, the ego-motion polar transform was successfully used in segmentation of dynamic scenes. By combining the two transforms one can exploit features of both transforms and remove some of the limitations which restrict the applicability of both. In this paper we show that by using complex logarithmic mapping with respect to the focus of expansion rather than the center of the visual field perfect projection invariance and better size and rotation invariance may be obtained for any arbitrary motion of the observer.
Information-based network control strategies consistent with estimated driver behavior

This study proposes a fuzzy control based methodology to determine information-based network control strategies that are consistent with the controller's objectives and its estimation of driver response behavior. It is the core of the broader problem where the objective is to enhance the performance of a vehicular traffic system through real-time information-based network control strategies. The controller seeks behavior consistency by solving a fixed-point problem that estimates drivers' likely reactions to the controller-proposed information strategies while determining them. Experiments are performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The results suggest the importance of using a behavior-consistent approach to determine the in formation-based network control strategies. That is, the effects of driver response behavior to information provision may require more meaningful strategies than those provided under the traditional dynamic traffic assignment models to reliably estimate or control system performance. Information strategies that are not behavior-consistent can potentially deteriorate system performance. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The ‘penny pincher’: A new technique for fast and safe removal of esophageal coins☆

Abstract Background/Purpose: Considerable debate surrounds the choice of technique for the removal of esophageal coins: endoscopic extraction versus dislodgement with a Foley balloon versus dislodgement using bougienage. The "penny-pincher" (PP) technique was developed as an alternative, incorporating the main advantages of these various approaches. Method: The PP technique is based on the insertion of a fluoroscopically guided device that consists of a grasping endoscopic forceps covered by a soft rubber catheter. The forceps provides a firm hold on the coin. The catheter protects the oropharynx and aligns the device with the coin. Once the tip of the catheter is close to the upper edge of the coin, the previously retracted radiopaque prongs of the grasping forceps are deployed and the edge of the coin firmly grasped and extracted. The procedure is done without anesthesia or sedation. Results: Twenty coins were removed from 19 consecutive children with a mean age of 34 months. Average lip-to-lip removal (including fluoroscopy) time was 41 seconds. There were no complications, and all patients were discharged shortly after coin removal. Conclusion: The penny-pincher method for the removal of upper esophageal coins combines the simplicity, speed, and cost effectiveness of balloon catheter or bougie coin dislodgement with the safety and secure grasping of endoscopic or forceps removal. J Pediatr Surg 35:276-278. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Distances between the graphs of matrices

The graph of a complex m-by-n matrix A is the range of [I AT]T in Cm+n. We find explicit formulae for the distance between the graphs of two m-by-n matrices with respect to two classes of metrics on the set of subspaces of Cm+n. The singular values of the contraction g(A, B)  (I+A∗ A)−12(I+A∗ B)(I+B∗ B)−12 play a key role. We study transformations that preserve various distances between graphs, and we give some inequalities between different distance functions.
Testing for complete independence in high dimensions

A simple statistic is proposed for testing the complete independence of random variables having a multivariate normal distribution. The asymptotic null distribution of this statistic, as both the sample size and the number of variables go to infinity, is shown to be normal. Consequently, this test can be used when the number of variables is not small relative to the sample size and, in particular, even when the number of variables exceeds the sample size. The finite sample size performance of the normal approximation is evaluated in a simulation study and the results are compared to those of the likelihood ratio test.
The Role of Cytokines and Pathogen Recognition Molecules in Fungal Keratitis – insights from human disease and animal models

Fungal infections of the cornea are an important cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide, with contact lens wear being the main risk factor in the USA and other industrialized countries, and traumatic injury being the main risk factor in developing countries. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the understanding of the host response to Aspergillus and Fusarium species in infected human corneal tissue and in mouse models of fungal keratitis.
Metabolic stress regulates basic transcription through acetyl-coenzyme A

The acetylation and auto-acetylation of general transcription factors has recently been demonstrated, but the functional significance of these modifications is unclear. The presence of acetyl-coenzyme A activates basal transcription, and acetylation of transcription factor IIB (TFIIB) has been shown to activate transcription in several contexts. If auto-acetylation is an important pathway in eukaryotes, the regulatory pathways for acetyl-coenzyme A should be important in transcription regulation. Fasting represents an acute metabolic stress which should elevate levels of acetyl-coenzyme A, while mitochondrial aging represents a cumulative stress. We show that tissue-specific levels of acetylated TFIIB change dramatically in response to fasting in mice, suggesting a role for metabolism in the direct regulation of transcription. We also observed a large increase in acetyl-TFIIB in tissues from aged mice relative to younger mice. Sir2 family deacetylases, which regulate acetyl-coenzyme A synthesis, have recently been shown to impart longevity in a variety of organisms through a pathway related to calorie restriction. We hypothesize that protein acetylation and Sir2-related deacetylation may be tied to the metabolic regulation of transcription through the availability and action of acetyl-coenzyme A on key transcription factors and transcriptional regulators.
A software tool for the quantitative evaluation of 3D dose calculation algorithms

Current methods for evaluating modern radiation therapy treatment planning (RTP) systems include the manual superposition of calculated and measured isodose curves and the comparison of a limited number of calculated and measured point doses. Both techniques have significant limitations in providing quantitative evaluations of the large number of dose data generated by modern RTP systems. More sophisticated comparison techniques have been presented in the literature, including dose-difference and distance-to-agreement (DTA) analyses. A software tool has been developed that uses superimposed isodose plots, dose-difference, and DTA distributions to quantify errors in computed dose distributions. Dose-difference and DTA analyses are overly sensitive in regions of high- and low-dose gradient, respectively. The logical union of locations that fail both dose-difference and DTA acceptance criteria, termed the composite evaluation, is calculated and displayed. The composite evaluation provides a method for the physicist to efficiently identify regions that fail both the dose-difference and DTA acceptance criteria. The tool provides a computer platform for the quantitative comparison of calculated and measured dose distributions.
Utilizing DBT Skills to Augment Traditional CBT for Trichotillomania: An Adult Case Study

Abstract Traditional cognitive-behavioral interventions for trichotillomania have had modest acute treatment outcomes and poor maintenance of gains over time. Techniques adopted from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can potentially enhance treatment outcomes by specifically addressing issues of impulsivity, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. In this paper we discuss the application of a DBT-enhanced treatment and its outcome in a single-case study.
ENHANCEMENT OF ANTICANCER DRUG DELIVERY TO THE BRAIN BY MICROWAVE INDUCED HYPERTHERMIA

Abstract Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely prescribed antifolate in cancer chemotherapy for a variety of neoplasms. Like many useful, hydrophilic antitumor drugs, MTX is excluded from the brain after systemic administration due to its inability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The blood–brain barrier functions as a differential filter which permits the selective passage of substance from blood to extracellular brain spaces. It maintains the physical and chemical environments of the brain within certain narrow limits. We have studied enhanced uptake of MTX in brains of male rats (10-week old Wistar, 500 g, three per group) subjected to selective microwave hyperthermia of the left hemisphere. The rat was anesthetized using 40 mg/kg of sodium pentobarbital, IP and was placed in a stereotaxic head holder. Microwave energy (2450 MHz, 2.6 W/cm 2 , 208 W/kg, CW) was applied for 20 min. The body temperature was kept at 37.8±0.4°C. The brain temperature recorded in a similar group of rats using a carbon filament probe (Vitek) was 42.7±0.4°C. Three different MTX dosages, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, were injected intravenously immediately following microwave irradiation into the rat in 1.5, 3 and 6 min, respectively. The drug was allowed to circulate for 5 min before brains were removed for analysis. Standard HPLC assays were applied to samples from the anterior and posterior left hemisphere of the cerebrum, and the cerebellum. Samples from the right hemisphere were used for controls. The average uptake at the posterior left hemisphere was found to be 2.25±0.43, 10.40±2.59, and 17.23±1.13 μg of MTX per g of brain tissue for 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg doses, respectively. In another series of experiments, MTX bolus was not injected until 15 or 45 min after cessation of microwave irradiation. Brains of rats injected 45 min after irradiation were free of MTX. Animals euthanized 15 min post-irradiation had an average midbrain MTX concentration of 2.5±0.46 μg/g of tissue. These results indicate that MTX uptake is significantly increased in rat brains subjected to noninvasive microwave hyperthermia treatment. Furthermore, the increase is reversible within 45 min post-irradiation.
Characterizing the Architecture of Nicotinic Receptors with Quantum Dot-Based Fluorescence Microscopy

Ion channel localization and trafficking is important for regulating excitability and synaptic transmission. Quantum dots (Qdots) coated with streptavidin were previously used to label membrane proteins that are recognized by biotinylated antibodies or by biotinylation of an acceptor peptide sequence. We report strategies, suitable for living cells, using strepatavidin-coated Qdots to count and locate extracellular domains of muscle and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes. (1) The nonsense suppression methodology was used to incorporate the unnatural amino acid biocytin in the muscle nAChR α subunit, in the main immunogenic region, in place of the Asp70 residue. To accomplish this, the T. thermophila Gln amber suppressor (TQAS) was chemically aminoacylated with biocytin and co-injected with α70UAG:β:δ:γ mRNA. Functional expression was measured 24 - 48 hours post-injection. The muscle nAChR stoichiometry is (α)2(β)1(δ)1(γ/ɛ)1; in agreement, two colocalized Qdots were measured by blinking analysis with previously reported algorithms (Pantoja et al, Biophys J in press). (2) The muscle nicotinic receptor was labeled with α-bungarotoxin monoconjugated to biotin (α-Btx-Bio) and subsequently exposed to Qdots; some receptors exhibited the expected two Qdots. (3) The homopentameric α7 nAChR was labeled with α-Btx-Bio and subsequently labeled with Qdots. One to 3 Qdots per α7 receptor were detected, as expected from previous data. In all cases, the robust Qdot fluorescence enabled subunit localization with nanometer accuracy. Strategies (2) and (3) confirm that strategy (1), site-specific unnatural amino acid incorporation combined with Qdot labeling, provides a one-step, specific, efficient labeling approach to investigate composition and real-time trafficking of nicotinic receptors. Grants: NS11756, NS34407, HL79350. Fellowships: Ford and APA-DPN (RP), NSF (EAR).
Visual communication with retinex coding

Visual communication with retinex coding seeks to suppress the spatial variation of the irradiance (e.g., shadows) across natural scenes and preserve only the spatial detail and the reflectance (or the lightness) of the surface itself. The separation of reflectance from irradiance begins with nonlinear retinex coding that sharply and clearly enhances edges and preserves their contrast, and it ends with a Wiener filter that restores images from this edge and contrast information. An approximate small-signal model of image gathering with retinex coding is found to consist of the familiar difference-of-Gaussian bandpass filter and a locally adaptive automatic-gain control. A linear representation of this model is used to develop expressions within the small-signal constraint for the information rate and the theoretical minimum data rate of the retinex-coded signal and for the maximum-realizable fidelity of the images restored from this signal. Extensive computations and simulations demonstrate that predictions based on these figures of merit correlate closely with perceptual and measured performance. Hence these predictions can serve as a general guide for the design of visual communication channels that produce images with a visual quality that consistently approaches the best possible sharpness, clarity, and reflectance constancy, even for nonuniform irradiances. The suppression of shadows in the restored image is found to be constrained inherently more by the sharpness of their penumbra than by their depth.
Thoracic neuroblastoma: what is the best imaging modality for evaluating extent of disease?

Background. Thoracic neuroblastoma accounts for 15 % of all cases of neuroblastoma. A minority of children with thoracic neuroblastoma will have dumbbell tumors, i. e., intraspinal extension, but only half these patients will have neurologic signs or symptoms. Hypothesis. MR imaging is the single best test to evaluate the extent of thoracic and spinal disease in thoracic neuroblastoma after the diagnosis of a mass is established on plain film. Materials and methods. A retrospective multi-institutional investigation over 7 years of all cases of thoracic neuroblastoma (n = 26) imaged with CT and/or MR were reviewed for detection of the extent of disease. The chest film, nuclear bone scan, and other imaging modalities were also reviewed. The surgical and histologic correlation in each case, as well as the patients' staging and outcome, were tabulated. Results. The chest radiograph was 100 % sensitive in suggesting the diagnosis. MR imaging was 100 % sensitive in predicting enlarged lymph nodes, intraspinal extension, and chest wall involvement. CT was 88 % sensitive for intraspinal extension but only 20 % sensitive for lymph node enlargement. CT was 100 % sensitive in detecting chest wall involvement. Direct comparison of CT and MR imaging in six cases revealed no difference in detection of enlarged lymph nodes or chest wall involvement. Neither test was able to detect remote disease, as noted by bone scan. Conclusion. The chest film is 100 % sensitive in suggesting the diagnosis of thoracic neuroblastoma; MR imaging appears to be the single best test for detecting nodal involvement, intraspinal extension, and chest wall involvement.
Follow-up report of immediate stabilization of mandibular surgical defects after tumor resection.

Abstract This study constitutes a follow-up of a study completed in March 1988, involving 18 patients receiving bone plate stabilization for the repair of surgical defects after mandibular resection. An additional 11 cases are presented with follow-up periods of 3 to 23 months. Of the original study of 18 patients, follow-up was available for 13. Of these 13, five patients died, three as a result of their tumors. One patient was previously reported to have had recurrent disease and loss of the stabilization plate. On patient lost the plate in an area of recurrent tumor just before succumbing to his malignancy. The remaining three died with their stabilization plates in place and functioning. The eight remaining patients with long-term follow-up and 11 additional patients with shorter-term results are now described.
Multidisciplinary Robust Design Optimization of an Internal Combustion Engine

In this paper, we introduce a multidisciplinary robust design optimization formulation to evaluate uncertainty encountered in the design process. The formulation is a combination of the bi-level Collaborative Optimization framework and the multiobjective approach of the compromise Decision Support Problem. To demonstrate the proposed framework, the design of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine containing two subsystem analyses is presented. The results indicate that the proposed Collaborative Optimization framework for multidisciplinary robust design optimization effectively attains solutions that are robust to variations in design variables and environmental conditions.
Development and validation of analytical methodology for near-infrared conformance testing of pharmaceutical intermediates

An approach was developed to create and validate analytical methods to perform near-infrared (NIR) conformance testing on two isolated intermediates used in the manufacture of loracarbef monohydrate bulk drug substance. Method calibration sets were developed from second-derivative NIR reflectance spectra for 30 representative batches of each intermediate. In conformance testing, second-derivative NIR spectra for samples from newly manufactured batches are compared with the calibration set. If the new spectrum is not statistically different to the average of the calibration set, the sample passes the conformance test. Using authentic batch samples of typical and low-potency lots, the methods were validated for accuracy, selectivity, ruggedness and repeatability of the methods.
Slow-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in a patient with focal cortical dysplasia.

Summary: Purpose: To evaluate the effect of slow-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (SF-rTMS) on interictal epileptiform activity and seizure frequency in a patient with medically refractory partial seizures due to focal cortical dysplasia. Methods: A 9-cm circular coil was positioned over the area of cortical dysplasia. One hundred stimuli given at 0.5 Hz at 5% below motor threshold were given biweekly for four consecutive weeks. The EEG was recorded for 30 min before and after the first 100 stimuli. The number of seizures during the month of stimulation was compared with that of the month before stimulation. Results: Stimulation was associated with a 70% reduction in the frequency of seizures and a 77% reduction in the frequency of interictal spikes. No seizures occurred during stimulation. Conclusions: SF-rTMS was safe and well tolerated in this patient. The reduction in seizures and interictal spikes associated with SF-rTMS supports the concept of SF-rTMS-induced cortical inhibition.
Stiffness control on redundant manipulators: a unique and kinematically consistent solution

When applying stiffness control to redundant manipulators, three kinematic factors are considered due to the redundancy: (i) how to use the inverse kinematics to obtain the redundant joint displacement d/spl theta/ from Cartesian displacement dx, (ii) how to use the inverse kinematics to obtain Cartesian force f from redundant joint torque /spl tau/, and (iii) how to obtain Cartesian stiffness matrix K/sub p/ from joint stiffness matrix K/sub /spl theta//. This paper applies the conservative congruence transformation (CCT) to redundant manipulators, and proposes a unique and kinematically correct solution of the stiffness control for redundant manipulators. The concept of generalized instantaneous potential energy (GIPE) is introduced. Results of numerical simulation using both Cartesian-based and joint-based control schemes are presented and discussed.
The Averaged Evoked Response to Auditory Stimulation

Evoked responses of 160 normal-hearing subjects to auditory stimuli (clicks) were recorded, and data related to the latency, amplitude, and frequency of occurrence of various late components were s...
Practical wavelength calibration considerations for UV–visible Fourier-transform spectroscopy

The intrinsic wavelength scale in a modern reference laser-controlled Michelson interferometer—sometimes referred to as the Connes advantage—offers excellent wavelength accuracy with relative ease. Truly superb wavelength accuracy, with total relative uncertainty in line position of the order of several parts in 108, should be within reach with single-point, multiplicative calibration. The need for correction of the wavelength scale arises from two practical effects: the use of a finite aperture, from which off-axis rays propagate through the interferometer, and imperfect geometric alignment of the sample beam with the reference beam and the optical axis of the moving mirror. Although an analytical correction can be made for the finite-aperture effect, calibration with a trusted wavelength standard is typically used to accomplish both corrections. Practical aspects of accurate calibration of an interferometer in the UV–visible region are discussed. Critical issues regarding accurate use of a standard external to the sample source and the evaluation and selection of an appropriate standard are addressed. Anomalous results for two different potential wavelength standards measured by Fabry–Perot interferometry (Ar II and 198Hg I) are observed.
The Responses of Glutathione and Antioxidant Enzymes to Hyperoxia in Developing Lung

ABSTRACT: Total glutathione levels and the activity of enzymes associated with antioxidant protection in neonatal lung are increased in response to hyperoxia. Glutathione levels in developing rat lung decreased from 24 nmol/mg protein on day 19 of gestation to approximately 12 nmol/mg protein at birth. The initial decrease in glutathione may be due to emergence of other antioxidant systems. Newborn rats placed in 100% oxygen showed a rapid and sustained increase in total glutathione levels which was primarily due to an increase in reduced glutathione. Explants obtained from 16-wk gestation human fetal lung or from 17- to 18-day fetal rat lung also showed increased total and reduced glutathione when cultured in 95% oxygen, 5% CO2 as compared with explants cultured in room air. Type II cells isolated from neonatal rats maintained in oxygen for 6 days also showed glutathione levels twice those found in cells isolated from animals in room air. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase) was increased in lungs of newborn rats exposed to 100% oxygen either at birth or 2 days of age. Antioxidant enzyme activity of lung explants cultured in 95% oxygen, 5% CO2 was also higher than in explants maintained in room air. These results suggest that the increases in glutathione and of antioxidant enzymes in vivo and in vitro are a direct effect of oxygen exposure in lung and that the increase of both glutathione and antioxidant enzyme activity is intrinsic to the lung cell itself. It is likely that increases in glutathione in lung represent an important protective mechanism against oxidant injury.
Certification of a fish otolith reference material in support of quality assurance for trace element analysis

Production and certification activities relating to the development of a new Certified Reference Material (FEBS-1) based on a fish otolith matrix are described. The material was prepared from 4.5 kg of dried saggital otolith harvested from the red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), ball milled and sieved to <200 mesh, homogenized, irradiated, bottled into 1 g aliquots and certified for major, minor and trace element composition using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), isotope dilution-ICP-MS, neutron activation, ICP-optical emission spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence. Several laboratories participated in this activity, providing for a robust estimate of each measurand. Certified values for seven elements (Ba, Ca, Li, Mg, Mn, Na and Sr) are reported, accompanied by full GUM uncertainty estimates. Reference values for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn are also provided; these elements were considered to be not certifiable because of the large component of uncertainty contributed by homogeneity. This CRM will be of interest to those laboratories requiring quality assurance of measurements of bulk elemental composition of otoliths and other marine aragonites.
Adaptive Backoff Synchronization Techniques

Shared-memory multiprocessors commonly use shared variables for synchronization. Our simulations of real parallel applications show that large-scale cache-coherent multiprocessors suffer significant amounts of invalidation traffic due to synchronization. Large multiprocessors that do not cache synchronization variables are often more severely impacted. If this synchronization traffic is not reduced or managed adequately, synchronization references can cause severe congestion in the network. We propose a class of adaptive back-off methods that do not use any extra hardware and can significantly reduce the memory traffic to synchronization variables. These methods use synchronization state to reduce polling of synchronization variables. Our simulations show that when the number of processors participating in a barrier synchronization is small compared to the time of arrival of the processors, reductions of 20 percent to over 95 percent in synchronization traffic can be achieved at no extra cost. In other situations adaptive backoff techniques result in a tradeoff between reduced network accesses and increased processor idle time.
Effects of land use data on dry deposition in a regional photochemical model for eastern Texas.

ABSTRACT Land use data are among the inputs used to determine dry deposition velocities for photochemical grid models such as the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx) that is currently used for attainment demonstrations and air quality planning by the state of Texas. The sensitivity of dry deposition and O3 mixing ratios to land use classification was investigated by comparing predictions based on default U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) land use data to predictions based on recently compiled land use data that were collected to improve biogenic emissions estimates. Dry deposition of O3 decreased throughout much of eastern Texas, especially in urban areas, with the new land use data. Predicted 1-hr averaged O3 mixing ratios with the new land use data were as much as 11 ppbv greater and 6 ppbv less than predictions based on USGS land use data during the late afternoon. In addition, the area with peak O3 mixing ratios in excess of 100 ppbv increased significantly in urban areas when depositio...
Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure: Preliminary Experience with the Rashkind Occluder Device

The early experience at the University ofMichigan with the Rashkind ASD occluder in three children with a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is reported. Successfl transcatheter ASD closure was accomplished in one child. The procedure was not successjul in the other two. In one, the ASD occluder was inadvertently implanted in the right atrium. The ASD was successfully closed in the
Evaluation of Frequency-Doubling Technology Perimetry as a Means of Screening for Glaucoma and Other Eye Diseases Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Importance Glaucoma is a significant cause of global blindness and there are, as yet, no effective means of screening. Objective To assess the potential role of frequency-doubling technology (FDT) perimetry in screening for glaucoma using data collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Design, Setting, and Participants Reanalysis of cross-sectional data of 6797 participants in the 2005-2008 cycles of the NHANES, which evaluated a sample of the noninstitutionalized US population with at least light-perception vision. A subset of optic nerve photographs were regraded by 3 glaucoma specialists in December 2012. Each participant underwent visual field testing, including FDT perimetry screening, and had fundus photographs taken. Main Outcomes and Measures Sensitivity and specificity of FDT perimetry to detect glaucoma, macular disease, or decreased visual acuity. Results A total of 5746 NHANES participants had optic images originally graded. We regraded 1201 images of 1073 eyes of 548 participants with initial cup-disc ratio (CDR) of 0.6 or greater and 423 images of 360 eyes of 180 randomly selected participants with initial CDR less than 0.6. Diagnoses of glaucoma by disc photograph were 1.6% (3 of 180) in the CDR less than 0.6 group and 31.4% (172 of 548) in the CDR of 0.6 or greater group. The sensitivity of FDT was 33% (95% CI, 0%-87%) and specificity was 77% (95% CI, 71%-84%). For the group with at least 1 CDR of 0.6 or greater, sensitivity of FDT was 66% (95% CI, 59%-73%) and specificity was 70% (95% CI, 66%-75%). When analyzed to give FDT credit for identifying glaucoma, macular disease, or decreased visual acuity, the sensitivity of the test was 80% (95% CI, 77%-83%) and the specificity was 83% (95% CI, 82%-84%). Approximately 25% of the NHANES population was not able to successfully complete FDT testing, representing screening failures and decreasing specificity. Conclusions and Relevance Using the 2005-2008 waves of the NHANES as a model of population-based screening for eye disease, FDT perimetry lacks both sensitivity and specificity as a means of screening for glaucoma, the presence of retinal disease, or decreased acuity in a population-based setting. Given that no single test of glaucoma has yet been shown to be appropriate in a screening setting, to our knowledge, investigators should consider novel methods of detecting glaucoma or combinations of tests that might work better in a screening setting.
A randomized controlled trial of two primary school intervention strategies to prevent early onset tobacco smoking.

In this article, we examine the impact of two universal, grade 1 preventive interventions on the onset of tobacco smoking as assessed in early adolescence. The classroom-centered (CC) intervention was designed to reduce the risk for tobacco smoking by enhancing teachers’ behavior management skills in first grade and, thereby, reducing child attention problems and aggressive and shy behavior—known risk behaviors for later substance use. The family–school partnership (FSP) intervention targeted these early risk behaviors via improvements in parent–teacher communication and parents’ child behavior management strategies. A cohort of 678 urban, predominately African–American, public school students were randomly assigned to one of three Grade 1 classrooms at entrance to primary school (age 6). One classroom featured the CC intervention, a second the FSP intervention, and the third served as a control classroom. Six years later, 81% of the students completed audio computer-assisted self-interviews. Relative to controls, a modest attenuation in the risk of smoking initiation was found for students who had been assigned to either the CC or FSP intervention classrooms (26% versus 33%) (adjusted relative risk for CC/control contrast = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34–0.96; adjusted relative risk for FSP/control contrast = 0.69, 95% CI, 0.50–0.97). Results lend support to targeting the early antecedent risk behaviors for tobacco smoking. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Does health coaching change patients' trust in their primary care provider?

Abstract Objective To assess the impact of health coaching on patients' in their primary care provider. Methods Randomized controlled trial comparing health coaching with usual care. Participants Low-income English or Spanish speaking patients age 18–75 with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia. Main outcome measure Patient trust in their primary care provider measured by the 11-item Trust in Physician Scale, converted to a 0–100 scale. Analysis Linear mixed modeling. Results A total of 441 patients were randomized to receive 12 months of health coaching ( n =224) vs. usual care ( n =217). At baseline, the two groups were similar to those in the usual care group with respect to demographic characteristics and levels of trust in their provider. After 12 months, the mean trust level had increased more in patients receiving health coaching (3.9 vs. 1.5, p =0.47), this difference remained significant after adjustment for number of visits to primary care providers (adjusted p =.03). Conclusions Health coaching appears to increase patients trust in their primary care providers. Practice Implications Primary care providers should consider adding health coaches to their team as a way to enhance their relationship with their patients.