cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atrophy in Distinct Corticolimbic Networks Subserving Social-Affective Behavior in Semantic-Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (S49.005)

OBJECTIVE : Semantic-variant Primary Progressive Aphasia(svPPA) is a neurodegenerative disorder with core impairments in semantic memory. Although many svPPA patients also exhibit symptoms involving social-emotional behavior, these have received relatively little study. We investigated atrophy in large-scale brain networks subserving social-emotional behaviors in svPPA compared to controls. BACKGROUND : We previously defined three social-emotional brain networks in healthy subjects. The perception network guiding detection/interpretation of social sensory cues includes the fusiform gyrus, ventral temporal pole, superior temporal sulcus and lateral orbitofrontal cortex. The affiliation network facilitating prosocial behaviors includes the ventromedial prefrontal, subgenual and rostral anterior cingulate cortices, dorsal temporal pole, hippocampus, parahippocampus, entorhinal cortex and nucleus accumbens. The aversion network mediating avoidant behaviors includes the insula, caudal anterior cingulate cortex and putamen. These networks are linked to amygdalar subregions. We hypothesized that these three networks would exhibit atrophy in svPPA and relate to socioemotional impairment. DESIGN/METHODS : Seventeen svPPA subjects and thirty age-and-gender matched controls were studied. T1-weighted MPRAGE MRI scans were acquired, and FreeSurfer software was used to process data and extract cortical thickness or volumetric data across a priori regions-of-interest. Findings were statistically significant at p≤0.005 to correct for multiple comparisons. The types and severity of social symptoms were rated using the Social Impairment Rating Scale (SIRS). RESULTS : svPPA subjects showed left-lateralized perception(z-score=-4.729; p<0.0001) and affiliation(z-score=-3.483; p=0.0005) network atrophy. Trends toward bilateral amygdala and right perception network atrophy were also observed. Left affiliation network atrophy correlated with SIRS socioemotional detachment sub-scores(r=0.56; p=0.037). The aversion network and control networks (mentalizing and mirror networks) did not show statistically significant atrophy. CONCLUSIONS : svPPA patients demonstrated left-lateralized perception and affiliation network atrophy which may provide the biological basis for social-emotional deficits in these patients. Future symptom-specific analyses may further clarify these brain-behavior relationships. Study Supported by: R21 NS077059, R21 MH097094, and R25 NS065743-05S1. Disclosure: Dr. Perez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Makaretz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Caso has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stepanovic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Brickhouse has nothing to disclose. Dr. Quimby has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hochberg has nothing to disclose. Dr. Xia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dickerson has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer, Inc., En Vivo, and Merck.
Influence of maternal alpha-methyldopa on sympathetic innervation in the newborn rabbit heart☆

Abstract This study was designed to analyze the effects of administration of alpha-methyldopa in the pregnant rabbit on the postnatal development of cardiac sympathetic innervation of her offspring. Levels of norepinephrine in cardiac tissue reflect the extent and magnitude of sympathetic innervation since almost all of the heart's norepinephrine resides in intraneuronal storage vesicles. From day 20 through day 28 of gestation (term = 31 days), nine time-dated pregnant New Zealand. White rabbits were injected subcutaneously with 0.5 ml/kg of 5% dextrose in water, twice a day (control group), and nine were injected subcutaneously with 0.5 ml/kg (25 mg/kg) of alpha-methyldopa, twice a day (drug group). At birth and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks, cardiac catecholamines were determined radioenzymatically. At 1 week, when compared to control, cardiac norepinephrine was depressed in the drug group (0.06 ± 0.01 [SEM] vs. 0.13 ± 0.02 μg/gm, p
Can you give me a hand? A comparison of hands and feet as optimal anatomical sites for skin conductance recording

The fingers and feet have long been accepted as optimal anatomical recording sites for electrodermal activity. The available literature suggests that the feet are more responsive than the fingers. The present report compared skin conductance level (SCL) and responses (SCRs) from the left foot and the distal phalanges of the fingers on the nondominant hand among 19 participants. The principal results were (a) SCRs recorded from the fingers were significantly larger and more frequent with shorter latencies than SCRs from the foot, (b) SCL from the fingers was significantly higher than from the foot, (c) the fingers exhibited significantly greater discrimination conditioning than the foot, and (d) skin conductance measures recorded from the fingers and foot were significantly positively correlated. Specifically, our results demonstrate that the distal phalanges of the fingers are electrodermally more responsive than the abductor hallucis area of the foot.
Co-infection of the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) with a novel Helicobacter sp. and Campylobacter sp.

We report the isolation of a novel helicobacter isolated from the caecum of the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Sequence analysis showed 97 % sequence similarity to Helicobacter ganmani. In addition, we report the co-infection of these Siberian hamsters with a Campylobacter sp. and a second Helicobacter sp. with 99 % sequence similarity to Helicobacter sp. flexispira taxon 8 (Helicobacter bilis), a species isolated previously from patients with bacteraemia. Gross necropsy and histopathology did not reveal any overt pathological lesions of the liver and gastrointestinal tract that could be attributed to the Helicobacter or Campylobacter spp. infections. This is the first helicobacter to be identified in the Siberian hamster and the first report of co-infection of Helicobacter spp. and Campylobacter sp. in asymptomatic Siberian hamsters.
Out-of-hospital Experience with the Syringe Esophageal Detector Device

Objective: To determine the accuracy of a syringe esophageal detector device (EDD) for detecting esophageal intubations in an out-of-hospital setting. Methods: Prospective, observational study of adult (age ≥18 years) patients intubated by paramedics from October 1993 through May 1994 in an urban emergency medical services (EMS) system. Paramedics were instructed to record the EDD reading after endotracheal tube placement. However, paramedics were instructed not to modify their tube locations based on the EDD reading. Tube placement was evaluated by a physician upon patient arrival at a local ED. Results: Paramedics performed 374 intubations during the study period, and in 213, the EDD was used. Of these 213 patients, 45 were excluded from analysis (32—tube placement not confirmed, 11—paramedic uncertain of EDD reading, 2—too young). In the remaining 168 intubations, the EDD correctly identified 5 of 10 esophageal intubations (sensitivity 50%; 95% CI: 19%, 81%). The EDD correctly identified 156 of 158 tracheal intubations (specificity 99%; 95% CI: 96%, 100%). Conclusions: In this paramedic field study, the EDD demonstrated poor sensitivity for esophageal intubations. Further EMS studies of the EDD are needed to clarify the value of the device in out-of-hospital emergent clinical intubations.
Automatic Performance Tuning for Fast Fourier Transforms

In this paper we discuss architecture-specific performance tuning for fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) implemented in the UHFFT library. The UHFFT library is an adaptive and portable software library for FFTs developed by the authors. We present the optimization methods used at different levels, starting with the algorithm selection used for the library code generation and ending with the actual implementation and specification of the appropriate compiler optimization options. We report on the performance results for several modern microprocessor architectures.
Drug-induced surface membrane phospholipid composition in murine fibroblasts

The effects of drugs on phospholipid composition of cell surface membranes are not well understood at this time. The effects of membrane-active drugs and membrane depolarization on the phospholipid composition were determined in murine LM fibroblasts. Receptor-aggregating drugs such as concanavalin A and cytoskeleton-disrupting agents such as colchicine, vinblastine, and cytochalasin B decreased phosphatidylserine content of the plasma membrane from 5.4 ± 1.5% to as low as 1.4 ± 0.2%. In addition, concanavalin A and colchicine increased the phosphatidylglycerol content from 6.9 ± 1.6% to 13.1 ± 0.7% and 10.6 ± 1.7%, respectively, while vinblastine and cytochalasin B had no effect. Pentobarbital decreased the content of phosphatidylinositol + phosphatidylserine and of phosphatidylglycerol almost 2-fold. Propranolol, ethanol, and depolarization with 120 mM KCl had small or no effects on plasma membrane phospholipid composition. None of the above drugs or treatments significantly altered the asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylethanolamine across the LM cell plasma membrane under the conditions tested. In addition, energy inhibitors that deplete the proton-motive force of the cell (NaN3 and KCN) and inhibitors of ATP synthesis such as NaAsO4 did not affect the asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylethanolamine. It is concluded that the mechanism of action of membrane-active drugs such as concanavalin A, vinblastine, colchicine and pentobarbital may involve alterations in plasma membrane composition. It also appears that microfilaments, microtubules, β-adrenergic receptors, membrane fluidity, and membrane potential are not critical for the regulation of the asymmetric distribution of membrane phosphatidylethanolamine.
Neutrino induced decoherence and variation in nuclear decay rates

Abstract Recent work has proposed that the interaction between ordinary matter and a stochastic gravitational background can lead to the decoherence of large aggregates of ordinary matter. In this work we point out that these arguments can be carried over to a stochastic neutrino background but with the Planck scale of the gravitational decoherence replaced by the weak scale. This implies that it might be possible to observe such neutrino induced decoherence on a small, microscopic system rather than a macroscopic system as is the case for gravitationally induced decoherence. In particular we suggest that neutrino decoherence could be linked with observed variations in the decay rates of certain nuclei. Finally we point out that this proposed neutrino induced decoherence can be considered the complement of the Mikheev–Smirnov–Wolfenstein (MSW) effect.
On Calculations Transient Statistics of a Discrete Queueing System with Independent General Arrivals and Geometric Departures

An approximation algorithm is developed for calculating transient mean and variance of the queue size of a discrete queueing system with independent general arrivals and geometric output processes. The algorithm makes no assumption on the form of the distribution function of the arrival process and only the first three moments of the arrival process are required. Three numerical examples are presented.
The alveolar structure of protoplasm

1. Typical Butschlian alveolar protoplasm is a permanent feature of the ectoplasm of the ciliateEuplotes. 2. A form of alveolar protoplasm, temporary in nature, occurs in cells of chick-embryo tissue grown in culture. 3. The alveolar structure is characteristic of certain nuclei, notably the macronucleus ofEuplotes and the nuclei of amphibian (Cryptobranchus andTriton) erythrocytes. 4. True alveoli are essentially vacuoles, containing both inorganic and organic matter in solution. Pseudo-alveoli may be fat globules, vescicles, or like bodies. 5. A consideration of the geometrical form of plastic spheres in mass leads to the conclusion that protoplasmic alveoli are rhombic dodecahedra. 6. The protoplasmic emulsion in all its forms is a secondary thing concerned in metabolic processes. 7. Polarity and other physical properties of living matter demand continuity in structure, which is obtained in the orientation of linear units within the continuous phase of the coarser emulsion.
Microchannel plate assembly for the discrete Fourier transform

An assembly consisting of a deposited meander pattern, sinusoidal mask, and microchannel plate is proposed as an electrooptic device to perform one dimensional Fourier analysis. The sinusoidal mask is shown to modulate a biasing voltage pulse as it traverses the meander pattern. In this paper the MCP gain and signal-to-noise models are combined with signal sampling criteria to obtain constraints on the assembly dimensions and biasing voltages. It is shown that a 0.5 mm square meander, coupled with mask wavelengths of order 10 mm, is sufficient to measure about 10 Fourier components of a 400 psec pulse with peak voltage of order 10 V.
Characteristics of nurse leaders in hospitals in the U.S.A. from 1992 to 2008.

Aim Describe the nurse leader workforce in hospitals in the USA over time by exploring three research questions: (1) What are the characteristics of the nurse leader workforce in US hospitals? (2) How does the nurse leader workforce change over time? (3) How do nurses in executive positions (administrators) differ from nurses in first-line supervisory positions (supervisors)? Background Effective nurse leaders use management skills to ensure safe patient care in hospitals in the USA. Changes in the nurse leader workforce have an impact on patient care. Method A non-experimental design was used to explore the characteristics of 10 150 nurse leaders using the 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 National Sample Surveys of Registered Nurses. Results Number of masters and doctorally prepared nurse leaders increased from 14.5% to 23.2% along with an increase in mean age. A 30% decrease in the number of nurses in leadership positions was found. Male nurses reported significantly higher salaries P < 0.000. Conclusions Nurse leaders are older and have achieved higher educational degrees. Salary disparities based on gender still prevail. Implications for nursing management Identifying and developing future leaders with necessary skills and competencies is critical for organizational success.
Racial and ethnic diversity in orthopaedic surgery residency programs.

Background: Although the U.S. population is increasingly diverse, the field of orthopaedic surgery has historically been less diverse. The purpose of this study was to quantify the representation of racial and ethnic minorities among orthopaedic surgery residents compared with those in other fields of medicine and to determine how these levels of diversity have changed over time. Methods: We determined the representation of minorities among residents in orthopaedic surgery and in other fields by analyzing the Graduate Medical Education reports published annually by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which provided data for African-Americans from 1968 to 2008, Hispanics from 1990 to 2008, Asians from 1995 to 2008, and American Indians/Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders from 2001 to 2008. Results: During the 1990s and 2000s, representation among orthopaedic residents increased rapidly for Asians (+4.53% per decade, p < 0.0001) and gradually for Hispanics (+1.37% per decade, p < 0.0001) and African-Americans (+0.68% per decade, p = 0.0003). Total minority representation in orthopaedics averaged 20.2% during the most recent years studied (2001 to 2008), including 11.7% for Asians, 4.0% for African-Americans, 3.8% for Hispanics, 0.4% for American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and 0.3% for Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders. However, orthopaedic surgery was significantly less diverse than all of the other residencies examined during this time period (p < 0.001). This was due primarily to the lower representation of Hispanics and Asians in orthopaedic surgery than in any of the other fields of medicine. Conclusions: Minority representation in orthopaedic residency programs has increased over time for Asians, Hispanics, and African-Americans. In spite of these gains, orthopaedic surgery has remained the least diverse of the specialty training programs considered in this study. While further efforts are needed to determine the factors underlying this lack of representation, we suggest a series of interventions that can be expected to enhance diversity in orthopaedic residencies as well as in the profession as a whole.
Quantum dots: artificial atoms for quantum computing

We present a series of coherent nonlinear optical experiments that show semiconductor quantum dots have optical properties very similar to simple atomic systems but are surprisinly robust against decoherence and have large dipolemoments.
Luminosity dependence in the ratio of X-ray to infrared emission of QSOs

The correlation of X-ray and near-infrared luminosity is studied for a sample of radio-quiet QSOs. The X-ray to infrared ratio is found to decrease as the infrared luminosity increases. No preference is found between the correlations of X-ray luminosity with optical or infrared luminosity. This implies that optical and infrared emission are equally good predictors of X-ray emission. Source models which directly link infrared and X-ray emission are discussed, and a preference is found for a specific synchrotron self-Compton model. This model predicts the correct luminosity dependence of the X-ray to infrared ratio if certain conditions apply.
Fast Singular Value Thresholding without Singular Value Decomposition

We are interested in solving the following minimization problem Dτ (Y ) := arg min X∈Rm×n 1 2 ∥Y −X∥F + τ∥X∥∗, where Y ∈ Rm×n is a given matrix, and ∥ ⋅ ∥F is the Frobenius norm and ∥ ⋅ ∥∗ the nuclear norm. This problem serves as a basic subroutine in many popular numerical schemes for nuclear norm minimization problems, which arise from low rank matrix recovery such as matrix completion. As Dτ (Y ) has an explicit expression which shrinks the singular values of Y and keeps the singular vectors, Dτ is referred to singular value thresholding (SVT) operator in the literature. Conventional approaches for Dτ (Y ) first find the singular value decomposition (SVD) of Y and then shrink the singular values. However, such approaches are time consuming under some circumstances, especially when the rank of Dτ (Y ) is not low compared to the matrix dimension or is completely unpredictable. In this paper, we propose a fast algorithm for directly computing Dτ (Y ) without using SVDs. Numerical experiments show that the proposed algorithm is much more efficient than the approach using the full SVD.
Localization of multivibrational excitations

We have studied the localization of multivibrational states in the one-dimensional boson system with on-site random anharmonicity. By introducing site basis states (local representation) we were able, in the limit of \ensuremath{\Delta}/\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}\ensuremath{\ll}1, where \ensuremath{\Delta} is the coupling interaction between the nearest neighbors and \ensuremath{\Gamma}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} is the average on-site anharmonic energy, to reduce the problem to Anderson-like model for a one-dimensional electron system with diagonal disorder. Assuming a Cauchy distribution for on-site anharmonicity, we have calculated the degree of localization. It is shown that the degree of localization increases with the increase of the randomness.
Recent Lahars from Mount St. Helens, Washington

Late Recent eruptions of Mount St. Helens volcano in the Cascade Range of southern Washington have caused numerous lahars; some extend more than 40 miles down valleys west of the volcano. These lahars typically consist of poorly sorted and unstratified detritus derived almost wholly from the volcano. The lahars and inter-bedded fluvial gravel commonly form valley fills; such a fill in the valley of the North Fork of the Toutle River contains at least three lahars. Lahars from Mount St. Helens are composed mainly of nonvesicular rock fragments; thus, their great distance of transport is attributed to mobility provided by water rather than by gas emitted from particles in the matrix. Near the volcano, some of the lahars contain charred wood, proving that they were hot and resulted directly from eruptions. Wood from within a lahar in the fill in the North Fork of the Toutle River valley has a radiocarbon age of about 2000 years. The lahar consists of material derived from a Mount St. Helens volcano that existed before the present cone was built; thus, the present cone must be less than 2000 yearsold. In addition, interpretation of soil profiles younger than the dated wood suggests that the modern cone may have been built within the last thousand Years.
Insights into the processing of carbon in the South Florida Cypress Wetlands: a whole‐ecosystem approach using network analysis

Aim The aim of this research was to investigate the potential of the South Florida Cypress Wetlands as a carbon-accumulating system. Location This ecosystem is part of the Big Cypress Natural Preserve, located in the south-west part of Florida (USA) between the Mangrove Swamps that border the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades. Methods This investigation was carried out by constructing networks of carbon exchange between the living and nonliving components that comprise this ecosystem. By means of these networks potential for carbon accumulation has been assessed by identifying and quantifying pathways for the transfer of carbon, assessing the efficiency between trophic levels, and evaluating the importance of material cycling. These analyses are commonly referred to as network analysis. Results Results obtained show that dependency on detritus by higher trophic levels is rather low and so is the trophic efficiency. Yet, less than 10% of the carbon that flows through the system is recycled and the magnitude of internal ascendency reaches only 40% of the total system ascendency. Main conclusions All these results support the hypothesis that the South Florida Cypress Wetlands are predominately flow-through in nature and that carbon accumulation in this environment is noticeable.
Zachary Fisk-novel materials-new physics

A few anecdotes are recalled which may typify features of the scientific environment in which Zachary Fisk was immersed during the beginning of his career. Two examples which illustrate the originality and long-lasting influence of his research are discussed: (i) ordering phenomena in the hexaboride family; and (ii) the saturation of the high-temperature resistivity in A15 compounds.
Ammonium excretion by macroinvertebrates and fishes on a subtidal rocky reef in southern California

Macrofauna living on subtidal rocks reefs in southern California excrete ammonium, a potentially important nutrient for benthic algae. Ammonium excretion rates of eleven macroinvertebrate and five fish taxa were determined from a total of 324 in situ incubations conducted between October 1984 and August 1985 at 14 to 17 m depths off Santa Catalina Island, California. Total ammonium excretion ranged from over 100 μmol h-1 by the kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus to less than 0.1 μmol h-1 by the gastropod Conus californicus. Weight-specific ammonium excretion generally ranged from 0.5 to 4 μmol g-1 h-1 in invertebrates and from 3 to 7 μmol g-1 h-1 in fishes. Intraspecific excretion rates varied substantially. Coefficient of variation of excretion rates were higher than reported for laboratory studies and multiple regression indicated that 50 to 90% of the variation in ammonium excretion rates of five species studied in detail could not be explained by the combined variation in dry weight, water temperature, time of day, and incubation dates. The excretion data, along with estimates of population densities and size-frequency distributions, indicate that benthic macrofauna release a total of 25 to 30 μmol NH 4 + m-2 h-1 both day and night. The species that generally make the largest contributions are a gobiid fish (Lythrypnus dalli), followed by three gastropods (Astraea undosa, Tegula eiseni, and T. aureotincta) and a sea urchin (Centrostephanus coronatus). The amount of ammonium excreted by these macrofauna on rocky reefs is insignificant compared to our previously published data on the nighttime excretion of blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis), a pomacentrid fish that feeds in the water column during the day and shelters on the reef at night. Including blacksmiths, we estimate that the amount released by rocky-reef macrofauna at night is >280 μmol m-2 h-1, a rate that is similar to that for many other marine communities. Additional studies are required to determine if benthic algae utilize ammonium released by these macrofauna, especially at night.
The Scalpel or the Shotgun? A Study of Strategies for Boosting New Technology Adoption in Social Network Environments☆

Abstract We address the challenge of selecting influential individuals for the marketing of a new product in a social network; we imagine a business attempting to sell a new technology and compare three strategies for selecting seed adopters of the innovation in scale-free networks with the goal of maximizing the adoption within the network. We model the system using a local threshold process for adoption decisions and with a cost associated with creating each seed adopter. We compare random selection, selection of nodes with highest degree and selection of nodes with highest betweenness centrality. We then consider the situation in which the cost of identifying the target nodes is considered; the decision maker must make a trade-off between identifying the best nodes and saving resources for converting the seed nodes to the new technology.
Cometography: A catalog of comets. Volume 2: 1800–1899: by Gary W. Kronk

Book Review: Cometography: A Catalog of Comets, Volume 2: 1800-1899, Gary W. Kronk. Cambridge University Press (2003).
Purification and characterization of a nonmetallothionein Zn-binding protein from spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) oocytes

Abstract There is a paucity of information on the function of metal-binding proteins in the regulation of essential metals in vertebrate oocytes. The present investigation was conducted to determine whether metal-binding proteins, such as metallothionein (MT), are present in the soluble fraction of spotted seatrout oocytes as well as in developing eggs. Gel-filtration analysis of the cytosol revealed the presence of three zinc-binding protein fractions in whole ovarian tissues, unfertilized eggs and 12-h fertilized eggs. In all cases, the major zinc-binding protein fraction had a low molecular weight (6000–10 000) similar to mammalian hepatic MT. However, less zinc was associated with this fraction in the fertilized eggs compared to unfertilized eggs, suggesting a physiological role for metal-binding proteins in developing vertebrate eggs. In addition, the fraction from whole ovarian tissue was further purified by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography and gel-permeation chromatography. The ovarian protein was found to be distinct from MT based on amino acid analysis. This study also provides evidence for homology among gonadal metal-binding proteins isolated from different vertebrate species.
Paclitaxel, topotecan and rituximab: long term outcomes of an effective salvage programme for relapsed or refractory aggressive B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma

Summary Relapsed aggressive lymphomas are often treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) followed by an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Response rates to PBC in patients with relapsed aggressive lymphomas are c. 60%, and non-responders have a dismal prognosis. Novel therapies for aggressive lymphomas, including those failing PBC, are needed. We performed a phase II study of paclitaxel, topotecan and rituximab (TTR) in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell, follicular grade IIIB, or transformed lymphomas, including those who previously failed PBC. The median age of the 72 patients enrolled was 54 years. Responding patients were offered ASCT after two courses. The overall response rate was 69% for all patients (n = 49/71) and 45% for those who previously failed PBC (n = 9/20). With a median follow up of 125 months for the censored observations, the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival at 5 years was 39% and 27%, respectively. Responding patients who received ASCT had an OS of 63% at 5 years. Our results demonstrate that TTR is an effective salvage regimen for patients with relapsed aggressive B-cell lymphomas, including those who previously failed PBC. Given the declining therapeutic outcomes of salvage PBC in the rituximab era, further evaluation of TTR is warranted.
High-resolution millimeter-wave imaging system for defect characterization in dielectric slabs

Preliminary results are presented for a millimeter-wavelength free-space imaging system used to detect and characterize defects in layered dielectric composite slabs. Such systems throughout the microwave spectrum have shown great potential as alternative nondestructive evaluation tools for on-line, in-situ examination of low-loss dielectric materials such as plastics, ceramics, and various dielectric composites. Results of a fixed-frequency W-band imaging system operating in either through-transmission or reflection mode are presented here. Incorporation of focused-beam antennas allows high-resolution measurement of small variations within the sample under test. The results are based on measurement of the relative amplitude and phase of the reflected or transmitted wave in monostatic or bistatic configurations, respectively. With proper calibration, the measured parameters can be used to estimate dielectric property variations within the material media. A theoretical simulation for plane wave propagation in a multilayered media is used to interpret the measurement results.
The promise of topical growth factors in healing pressure ulcers.

In this issue, Landi and colleagues report on the topical treatment of pressure ulcers with nerve growth factor. Although the authors have shown that topical nerve growth factor was clearly superio...
Pelvic Floor Function in the Female

Pelvic Floor (PF) disorders, such as urinary incontinence and prolapse accounted for over 400,000 operations in the USA in 1987 [1], and nearly a third of these were re-operations. It is estimated that 30% - 50% of women in Europe and the USA are affected by Urinary incontinence [2]. Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), the involuntary leakage of urine on coughing, sneezing, exertion or effort, is the most common form of urinary incontinence in women. The scientific understanding of normal PF function is limited and consequently treatment of these prevalent, disabling conditions is, at best, inefficient.
An update on mesenchymal tumors of the head and neck

Abstract The purpose of this review is to offer a brief reappraisal of several soft tissue neoplasms germane to the head and neck region. Specifically, this paper is intended to draw attention to the recently described low-grade sarcoma with neural and myogenic features. In addition, other tumors that are largely specific to the head and neck region, including nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, sinonasal hemangiopericytoma and spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma, will be reviewed in light of recent advances in our understanding of their pathophysiology and diagnosis.
Reference materials – an industry perspective

Biotechnologically enhanced plants and products derived thereof continue to be the reason for much dispute. In order to address concerns raised by the public, several countries have imposed mandatory labeling schemes indicating the presence of products derived from modern biotechnology, while others rely on voluntary labeling codes. Mandatory labeling triggers the need for methods that can be used to check compliance with and enforcement of the corresponding labeling legislation. In order to ensure the proper validation and implementation of a detection method in a specific laboratory, reference materials play a crucial role.
Biophysical modeling of excitability and membrane integration at the single cell and network levels

Ion channels facilitate the diffusion of specific ions across neuronal membranes. If large enough, this movement of charge creates currents that may change the membrane potential. Biophysical models of membrane potential assume the trans-membrane currents flow within an “equivalent electrical circuit” in which ion channels are represented by resistors arranged in parallel. The functions representing the trans-membrane currents mediated by channels are typically written using Ohm’s law. It is possible to describe channel-mediated currents by taking diffusion into consideration [1], but such formulations are not widely used in the literature. Here we present a model of membrane potential in which channel gating and current density are derived from first principles of thermodynamics, assuming that currents are produced by electrodiffusion. These models display properties that cannot be observed in conductance-based models, such as rectification of membrane currents. Guidelines for parameter estimation, and specific rules to adjust the model against experimental data, are presented along with examples of parameter regimes that yield representations of specific electrophysiological signatures with a biophysically sound baseline. Bifurcation analysis is used to describe transitions between qualitatively different behaviors of the model and link them to functionally relevant properties observable in neurons of different types. Network extensions are constructed using realistic synaptic input and local field potential oscillations to illustrate how networks may display potentially different responses to afferent input depending on the intrinsic properties of the participating neurons. The electrodiffusion formulation presented here constitutes a theoretical improvement over conductance-based models that may advance our current understanding of dynamical behavior in single cells and networks.
Assessing the Nutritional Health Outcomes of African American Women with HIV and Substance Abuse Disorders Using a Socioecological Approach

It is well established that poor nutritional status leaves HIV-positive substance abusers especially vulnerable to an increased risk of opportunistic infections and other illnesses. Socioecological...
Cellular Adhesion Molecules

NORMAL hematopoiesis in adult humans occurs within the bone marrow (BM) in the milleu of the marrow microenvironment. l Cellular,2 cytokine,3,4 and extracellular matrix (ECM)5 interactions facilitate normal proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Long-term BM cultures provide an in vitro model for study of this in vivo microenvironment and show that an adherent stromal layer consisting of fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells, and ECM is required to sustain hematopoiesis.6 In particular, early progenitor cells preferentially associate with the stromal layer: adhesion of early progenitor cells to marrow-derived adherent cells has been documented for erythroid, myeloid, and lymphoid precursors. 9 Moreover, the interactions of normal and malignant hematopoietic cells with one another, with the vascular endothelium, and with the subendothelial matrix are essential for a number of other physiological and pathologieal processes including lymphocyte migration, wound healing, inflammation, hemostasis, thrombosis, and tumor cell metastasis. These attachments require the concerted actions of a number of cell adhesion molecules. Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions belong to at least five families: cadherins, the immunoglobulin gene superfamily, integrins, selectins, and cell surface proteoglycans (Table l). A number of reviews of these families of CAMs delineate their role in normal hematopoietic and immunologie ontogeny, and in the growth and spread of tumor cells. 10-14 In this review, we briefly characterize the role of these five CAM families in normal cell adhesion and then focus on their role in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies.
ATOMIC TERM PATTERNS.

The electrostatic energies of terms of complex configurations can sometimes be understood better by separating the electrons according to their spin orientation and then coupling the two parts. The method is illustrated in detail for the low terms of ${f}^{6}$.
Ingestion and assimilation of dissolved amino acids by a starfish

Abstract 1. 1. Levels of free amino acids were measured in the digestive glands of groups of the Tampa Bay starfish. Echinaster , for 10 days following their ingestion of a dissolved amino acid mixture (casein hydrolysate). Similar measurements were made on unfed controls. 2. 2. Ingestion produced a significant elevation of the tissue free amino acid pool level to over twice the control level. This increase mostly represented an accumulation and concentration of the specific ingested amino acids to levels generally 20–50 times above those of the initial medium. The elevated levels diminished only slowly, and were still significant after 48 hr. 3. 3. The prolonged elevation of digestive gland amino acid pools following feeding may be expected to enhance coelomic translocation of amino acids to other body regions. 4. 4. Glycine and taurine levels, always high. did not change significantly with the ingestion. Some decline in glycine levels in unfed controls suggests metabolic utilization of this metabolite with starvation.
Charged elliptic flow at zero charge asymmetry

The difference between the flow ellipticities of oppositely charged pions $\ensuremath{\Delta}{v}_{2}\ensuremath{\equiv}{v}_{2}[{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}]\ensuremath{-}{v}_{2}[{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}]$, measured recently by the STAR Collaboration at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) shows a linear dependence on the event charge asymmetry ${A}_{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\equiv}({N}_{+}\ensuremath{-}{N}_{\ensuremath{-}})/({N}_{+}+{N}_{\ensuremath{-}})\text{:}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\Delta}{v}_{2}({A}_{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}})=\ensuremath{\Delta}{v}_{2}(0)+r{A}_{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ with a slope $rg0$ and a nonzero intercept $\ensuremath{\Delta}{v}_{2}(0)g0$ on the order of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$. We discuss two novel mechanisms, which could explain the nonzero value of the charged elliptic flow $\ensuremath{\Delta}{v}_{2}$ at zero charge asymmetry ${A}_{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}=0$, i.e., the nonzero positive intercept $\ensuremath{\Delta}{v}_{2}(0)$. Both effects are due to the electric fields created by the colliding ions. These fields have quadrupole asymmetry of the magnitude and the sign needed to account for the nonzero intercept $\ensuremath{\Delta}{v}_{2}(0)g0$ in the RHIC data. One of the mechanisms also involves the chiral magnetic effect. This mechanism, although negligible at RHIC energies, may become important at the CERN Large Hadron Collider energies.
Perceived Visual Informativeness (PVI): Construct and Scale Development to Assess Visual Information in Printed Materials

There is a paucity of research on the visual images used in health communication messages and campaign materials. Even though many studies suggest further investigation of these visual messages and their features, few studies provide specific constructs or assessment tools for evaluating the characteristics of visual messages in health communication contexts. The authors conducted 2 studies to validate a measure of perceived visual informativeness (PVI), a message construct assessing visual messages presenting statistical or indexical information. In Study 1, a 7-item scale was created that demonstrated good internal reliability (α = .91), as well as convergent and divergent validity with related message constructs such as perceived message quality, perceived informativeness, and perceived attractiveness. PVI also converged with a preference for visual learning but was unrelated to a person's actual vision ability. In addition, PVI exhibited concurrent validity with a number of important constructs including perceived message effectiveness, decisional satisfaction, and three key public health theory behavior predictors: perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy. Study 2 provided more evidence that PVI is an internally reliable measure and demonstrates that PVI is a modifiable message feature that can be tested in future experimental work. PVI provides an initial step to assist in the evaluation and testing of visual messages in campaign and intervention materials promoting informed decision making and behavior change.
Decreased Brainstem Function Following Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation in Aged Rat

There is a high incidence of cardiac arrest and poorer post-resuscitation outcome in the elderly population. Cardiac arrest and resuscitation results in ischemia/reperfusion injury associated with oxidative stress, leading to post-resuscitation mortality and delayed selective neuronal cell loss. In this study we investigated recovery following cardiac arrest and resuscitation in the aged rat brain. Male Fischer 344 rats (6, 12 and 24 months old) underwent 7 minute cardiac arrest before resuscitation. Overall survival and hippocampal neuronal counts were determined at 4 days of recovery. Brainstem function was assessed by hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). Mitochondria of brainstem, cortex and hippocampus were isolated and assessed for respiratory function. Effect of an antioxidant, alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) was used as a treatment strategy against oxidative stress in the 6 and 24-month old rats. The time course of mitochondrial function was established using 3-month old Wistar rats with 12-minute cardiac arrest. In the 24-month old rats, overall survival rate, hippocampal CA1 neuronal counts, HVR, and brain mitochondrial respiratory control ratio were significantly reduced following cardiac arrest and resuscitation compared to the younger rats, and PBN treatment improved outcome. The data suggest that (i) there was increased susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion in aged rat brain; (ii) HVR was decreased in the aged rats; (iii) brain mitochondrial respiratory function related to coupled oxidation was decreased following cardiac arrest and resuscitation in rats, more so in the aged; and (iv) treatment with an antioxidant, such as PBN, reduced the oxidative damage following cardiac arrest and resuscitation.
Maturity effects on concrete strength

Abstract Strength-matruity relationships for concrete subjected to curing at various combinations of 30°F (−1°C), 70°F (21°C), and 110°F (43°C) temperatures are compared. Maturity is calculated using a popular maturity equation that integrates temperature with respect to time. The maturity equation is shown to be inaccurate. The equation does not properly account for the effects of temperatures occurring within about seven hours after placement on later strengths.
Task structure variables affecting concept identification

A mismatch between the number of values of the relevant and the irrelevant dimensions (when there is more than one irrelevant dimension) in a stimulus population enhances concept identification, probably because of a stimulus isolation effect. A mismatch between the number of values of the relevant dimension and the number of response categories, producing a form of S-R incompatibility, inhibits performance. Attentional and hypothesis testing processes appear to underlie both of these effects.
Meeting the Needs of All Students through Differentiated Instruction: Helping Every Child Reach and Exceed Standards

Students enter classrooms with different abilities, learning styles, and personalities. Educators are mandated to see that all students meet the standards of our district and state. Through the use of differentiated instruction strategies, educators can meet the needs of all students and help them to meet and exceed the established standards. In this article, the author gives practical examples of how to differentiate content, process, and product for your students. Grouping techniques, assessment strategies, and tiered lessons are also addressed.
Modeling the effects of stress state and crystal orientation on the stress-induced transformation of NiTi single crystals

A model that combines the phenomenological theory of martensite with a generalized Schmid’s law has been used to predict the principal stress combinations required to induce the martensitic transformation in unconstrained NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) single crystals. The transformation surfaces prescribed by the model are anisotropic and asymmetric, reflecting the unidirectional character of shear on individual martensite habit planes. Model predictions of the transformation strain as a function of stress axis orientation for a uniaxial applied stress further demonstrate the anisotropy of the stress-induced transformation in NiTi single crystals. Model results for the uniaxial stress case compare favorably with previously published experimental observations for aged NiTi single crystals.
Effects of heat loss, preferential diffusion, and flame stretch on flame-front instability and extinction of propane/air mixtures

Flame configurations, flame-front cellular instability, and extinction of propane/air mixtures in the stagnation-point flow are experimentally studied for their dependence on downstream heat loss, preferential diffusion, and flame stretch. Boundaries for lean- and rich-limit extinction, stabilization of corrugated flames, and local extinction caused by sharp curvatures are mapped for varying propane concentrations and freestream velocities. Flame location and temperature at extinction are determined as functions of stagnation surface temperature, extent of preheating, propane concentration, and freestream velocity. Results substantiate the theoretical predictions of the different extinction modes for lean and rich flames in the absence of downstream heat loss, and yield useful insight on the extinction characteristics when finite downstream heat loss does exist. It is further shown that flame-front instability occurs only for rich mixtures in accordance with preferential diffusion considerations, and that flame stretch has a stabilizing effect such that flame-front instability is completely inhibited before the onset of extinction.
Core isolation of critical arrhythmia elements for treatment of multiple scar-based ventricular tachycardias.

Background— Radiofrequency ablation of multiple or unmappable ventricular tachycardias (VTs) remains a challenge with unclear end points. We present our experience with a new strategy isolating core elements of VT circuits. Methods and Results— Patients with structural heart disease presenting for VT radiofrequency ablation at 2 centers were included. Strategy involved entrainment/activation mapping if VT was hemodynamically stable, and voltage mapping with electrogram analysis and pacemapping. Core isolation (CI) was performed incorporating putative isthmus and early exit site(s) based on standard criteria. If VT was noninducible, the dense scar (<0.5 mV) region was isolated. Successful CI was defined by exit block (20 mA at 2 ms) within the isolated region. VT inducibility was also assessed. Forty-four patients were included (mean age, 63; 95% male; 73% ischemic cardiomyopathy; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 31%; 68% with multiple unstable VTs [mean, 3+2]). CI area was 11+12 versus 55+40 cm2 total scar area. Additional substrate modification was performed in 27 (61%), and epicardial radiofrequency ablation was performed in 4 (9%) patients. CI was achieved in 37 (84%) and led to better VT-free survival (log rank P =0.013). Conclusions— CI is a novel strategy with a discrete and measurable end point beyond VT inducibility to treat patients with multiple or unmappable VTs. The CI region can be selected based on standard characterization of suspected VT isthmus surrogates thus limiting ablation target size. Exit block within the isolated area is achievable in most and may further improve long-term success.