cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of employment and lost hours from work in cancer caregivers

This cross-sectional, descriptive study identified variables associated with caregivers who (1) were employed and (2) reported lost hours from work due to care demands. Family caregivers (N=80) of persons with a primary malignant brain tumor participated in a 45-60 min telephone interview, answering questions regarding the impact of providing care on their emotional health and employment status. Younger caregivers were more likely to be employed. Caregivers were more likely to report lost hours from work when care recipients required assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) and were closer to the time of diagnosis. Data suggest that interventions to assist caregivers in maintaining employment should target caregivers of persons with limitations in physical function and should include strategies to coordinate care to assist with IADLs.
Vortex Street Dynamics: The Selection Mechanism for the Areas and Locations of Jupiter’s Vortices

Abstract With the exception of the Great Red Spot, Jupiter’s long-lived vortices are not isolated, but occur in east–west rows. Each row is centered about a westward-going jet stream with anticyclones on the poleward side and cyclones on the equatorial. Vortices are staggered so that like-signed vortices are never longitudinally adjacent. These double rows of vortices, called here Jovian vortex streets (JVSs) are robust. Calculations with no forcing and no dissipation (i.e., Hamiltonian dynamics) allow a continuum of JVS solutions, so they cannot be used to determine the physics that selects the observed values of the areas, circulations, and locations of Jupiter’s vortices. Constraints imposed by stability put few bounds on these values. When small amounts of dissipation and forcing are added to the governing equations, there is no longer a continuum of solutions; an initial JVS that was a solution of the Hamiltonian equations is now out of equilibrium and evolves to an attractor. For fixed forcing, all ...
Thoughts on Imitation as a Perception–Action Coupling: An Essay in Honor of Herbert L. Pick, Jr.

Perception–action couplings such as were the focus of research by Herbert L. Pick, Jr. are compared and contrasted with the perception–action pairings involved in successful imitation. In both cases, the links between perceptions and corresponding actions may be formed very early in life, and they seem to form implicitly, through cyclic or repeated instances of experiencing a perception while executing the corresponding action. Once formed, though, perception–action couplings are “tighter” or more restricted than imitative perception–action pairings. Research by Herb and his colleagues shows that perceptual-motor couplings do not transfer across domains, and they are also impenetrable to cognition. In contrast, studies conducted by the author and others indicate that imitative pairings readily transfer to new contexts, and they may be suppressed or altered by other knowledge and information. These differences are probably related to the different primary functions of perceptual-motor couplings and imitati...
The Caucasus: A History by James Forsyth

As stated by the author, the book’s main purpose is to provide a historical overview of the Caucasus region “with its Middle Eastern historical context, while relating it culturally … to Europe rat...
Promotion of xenogeneic hematopoietic chimerism in rodents by mononuclear phagocyte depletion

The successful establishment of tolerance toward pig tissues in primates through hematopoietic progenitor cell engraftment is restricted by the rapid disappearance of these cells in the recipient following infusion. We developed and tested the hypothesis that phagocytes of the reticuloendothelial system are responsible for the rapid clearance of infused pig hematopoietic cells using a mouse model. Mice received non-myeloablative conditioning and, on various days, were injected with medronate-encapsulated liposomes (M-L) or control blank liposomes, followed by the intravenous infusion of miniature swine hematopoietic cells. M-L were well-tolerated in mice (n=100) at levels that deplete mononuclear phagocytes. Depletion of mononuclear phagocytes in normal Balb/c mice as well as in severe combined immune deficient mice increased the accumulation of pig hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow (BM) by 10-fold when measured 24 h after the infusion of the cells. Colony-forming unit analysis showed an increased accumulation of pig hematopoietic progenitors in the BM of mice that were infused with medronate-liposomes. We conclude that depletion of mononuclear phagocytes by M-L has the potential to lower the barrier to the establishment of mixed chimerism and tolerance induction in xenotransplantation.
DNA aptamers and DNA enzymes

Abstract Investigators using combinatorial methods are revealing the surprising structural and functional abilities of DNA. A consequence of DNA's structure-forming potential is its ability to form highly specific receptors and ligands, and even its ability to catalyze chemical reactions. Unlike the classical images of double-stranded DNA, these DNA structures have many of the higher-ordered structural features that are found with ribozymes and other folded RNAs. Recent research is beginning to indicate that these new DNA structures are not rare exceptions, and that DNA, despite the absence of 2′ hydroxyl groups, could rival RNA in its ability to form intricate structures and in its ability to function as an enzyme.
LITIGIOUS MARINERS: WAGE CASES IN THE SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY ADMIRALTY COURT

The merchant mariner could appeal to the law in the seventeenth century for remedies against arbitrary treatment. But historians have argued that even when the sailor was able to afford legal process he faced judges who served the interests of master and shipowner. This essay estimates the fees of a suit for wages in the seventeenth century, the mariner's propensity to initiate action, and his chances of winning. Evidence for such an appraisal, and for describing the attitudes of judges toward mariner complaints, comes from all wage cases decided by the High Court of Admiralty in sixteen years chosen from across the century. The results add to recent discoveries about the nature of justice in a litigious age and test claims that the sailor was commonly a victim both at sea and at law.
A Comparison of Dropouts and Nondropouts on Participation in School Activities

AbstractThis study investigated the relationship of participation in the extraclass activities and dropouts in Kansas high schools of varying enrollments. Schools were chosen at random in each enrollment category with approximately equal number of students. A questionnaire was used to secure data on the dropouts and an equal number of nondropouts. The t ratio and analysis of variance were used with a .01 level of confidence.The results show that lack of participation in school activities is a characteristic of the dropout in each enrollment category with 68 percent of the total being nonparticipators as opposed to only 4 percent of the nondropouts. Participation by dropouts was similar in all sizes of schools except in the smallest enrollment where a larger participation was noted.
USP13 antagonizes gp78 to maintain functionality of a chaperone in ER-associated degradation

Physiological adaptation to proteotoxic stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) requires retrotranslocation of misfolded proteins into the cytoplasm for ubiquitination and elimination by ER-associated degradation (ERAD). A surprising paradox emerging from recent studies is that ubiquitin ligases (E3s) and deubiquitinases (DUBs), enzymes with opposing activities, can both promote ERAD. Here we demonstrate that the ERAD E3 gp78 can ubiquitinate not only ERAD substrates, but also the machinery protein Ubl4A, a key component of the Bag6 chaperone complex. Remarkably, instead of targeting Ubl4A for degradation, polyubiquitination is associated with irreversible proteolytic processing and inactivation of Bag6. Importantly, we identify USP13 as a gp78-associated DUB that eliminates ubiquitin conjugates from Ubl4A to maintain the functionality of Bag6. Our study reveals an unexpected paradigm in which a DUB prevents undesired ubiquitination to sharpen substrate specificity for an associated ubiquitin ligase partner and to promote ER quality control. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01369.001
Novel scorpionate ligands devoid of C–H bonds: BpBr3 and TpBr3

The novel ligands dihydrobis(3,4,5-tribromopyrazol-1-yl)borate, BpBr3, and hydrotris(3,4,5-tribromopyrazol-1-yl)borate, TpBr3, have been synthesized and structures of their complexes have been determined and compared with those of their almost isosteric Bp* and Tp* analogues. The structurally characterized complexes include Mo[BpBr3](CO)2(η3-methallyl), Mo[Bp*](CO)2(η3-methallyl), Mo[TpBr3](CO)2(η3-methallyl), Mo[Tp*](CO)2(η3-methallyl), Pd[TpBr3](η3-methallyl), Pd[Tp*](η3-methallyl), and Rh[TpBr3](CO)2. The new ligands have the unique feature among scorpionates of containing no C–H bonds, thus making their organometallic derivatives more suitable for spectroscopic (IR, NMR) studies than those of other known Bpx and Tpx ligands.
An interpretive study of Yosemite National Park visitors' perspectives toward alternative transportation in Yosemite Valley

The National Park Service (NPS) is increasingly focusing on alternative transportation systems in national parks to address environmental and social problems arising from a historical reliance on personal automobiles as the primary means of visitor access. Despite the potential advantages, alternative transportation may require a reorientation in the way that Americans have experienced national parks since the advent of auto-tourism in the early twentieth century. Little research exists, however, on visitor perspectives towards alternative transportation or the rationale underlying their perspectives. It remains unclear how transportation systems affect visitors’ experiences of the park landscape or the factors influencing their travel behavior in the parks. This report presents an interpretive study of visitor perspectives toward transportation management in the Yosemite Valley area of Yosemite National Park, California. Qualitative analysis of 160 semi-structured interviews identified individual psychological factors as well as situational influences that affect visitors’ behavior and perspectives. Individual psychological factors include perceived freedom, environmental values and beliefs, prior experience with Yosemite National Park and other national parks, prior experience with alternative transportation in national parks, and sensitivity to subjective perceptions of crowding. Situational factors included convenience, access, and flexibility of travel modes, as well as type of visit, type of group, and park use level. Interpretive communication designed to encourage voluntary visitor use of alternative transportation should focus on these psychological and situational factors. Although challenges remain, the results of this study suggest approaches for shaping the way Americans visit and experience their national parks to encourage environmental sustainability.
On a possible mechanism for biological periodicity

It is shown that osmotic coupling between solutes, leads, under certain conditions, to differential equations of penetration which have periodic have very similar colligative properties, but that their concentrations in the external medium be quite different. It is noted that isotopes may satisfy these conditions exactly, and that they have been observed experimentally to penetrate as predicted. The differential equations bear a resemblance to the interactive equations of Volterra and Lotka.
Healing the mind: meditation and multiple sclerosis.

The desirability of a safe and inexpensive medical treatment that can improve a patient's health and sense of well-being has resulted in the growing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) worldwide. Once considered fringe medicine, meditation, yoga, and other mind-body therapies—the most commonly practiced form of CAM—are increasingly practiced by patients with chronic neurologic disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS).1 In a recent survey, up to 67% of patients with MS reported the current use of at least one form of CAM, with most regarding their practice as complementary rather than as an alternative to conventional medicine.2 Despite the popularity of CAM, there is a paucity of well-designed clinical trials evaluating its use in MS; most studies are hampered by small sample size or lack of a control arm. The study by Grossman et al.3 in this issue of Neurology ® was a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial that investigated the effects of mindfulness-based meditation compared to usual care on depression and quality of life measures in 150 patients with MS. Patients with remitting-relapsing and secondary progressive MS with an Expanded Disability Status …
Peer-Led Team Learning in an Online Course on Controversial Medication Issues and the US Healthcare System

Objective. To implement peer-led team learning in an online course on controversial issues surrounding medications and the US healthcare system. Design. The course was delivered completely online using a learning management system. Students participated in weekly small-group discussions in online forums, completed 3 reflective writing assignments, and collaborated on a peer-reviewed grant proposal project. Assessment. In a post-course survey, students reported that the course was challenging but meaningful. Final projects and peer-reviewed assignments demonstrated that primary learning goals for the course were achieved and students were empowered to engage in the healthcare debate. Conclusions. A peer-led team-learning is an effective strategy for an online course offered to a wide variety of student learners. By shifting some of the learning and grading responsibility to students, the instructor workload for the course was rendered more manageable.
Coupling browse and search in highly interactive user interfaces: a study of the relation browser++

The size and breadth of digital libraries makes it difficult for people to quickly grasp what content is and is not available. Consequently, people usually need an overview of the digital library to help them decide if it is worthwhile to look further. As they do look further, it is helpful for their searching and browsing to get an idea of what is in the collection and how many items are available. The relational browser++(RB++) is a dynamic interface for large information collections. Not only does it allow users to search but also provides an overview of the collection/search results organized in an interactive category structure. It has been applied to two dozen different kinds of collections and this study used it with a film library collection with more than 10000 records.
An examination of the association between vertebral deformities, physical disabilities and psychosocial problems.

Abstract In order to measure the clinical consequences of spinal osteoporosis, we correlated a number of physical and psychosocial dysfunctions with the degree of vertebral deformity in 204 women aged 55–75 yr. We employed 5 standardized questionnaire instruments: the physical dimension of the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), an analog back pain scale, a 24-question instrument eliciting back-related disabilities, and assessments of self-esteem and mastery. Using these results as the dependent variables, we performed 5 separate stepwise regression analyses; independent variables were vertebral deformity score and 11 possible confounders. Using Pearson correlation coefficients, we found a high degree of correlation between each of the 5 primary outcome variables. Vertebral deformity score played a small but statistically significant role in the 3 models whose dependent variable was related to physical dysfunction, but it accounted for only 4–10% of the variance of these models. Mastery and self-esteem were related to overall poor health and attendant physical disabilities but not to vertebral deformity score. In this selected cohort of women, the occurrence of mild to moderate vertebral deformities caused little loss of physical function or function of psychosocial problems because of vertebral deformity. Although we were able to demonstrate a statistically significant handicap related to the total vertebral deformity .score, several other clinical variables appeared to have a greater impact.
An Unusual Case of ABO Hemolytic Disease with Cross Reacting Anti A1+B

Summary From the investigations on the blood of Mrs. J. S. and her baby it was concluded that the antibody causing the hemolytic disease belonged to the ABO blood group system. It appeared further that it was an antibody which cross-reacted with A1 and B cells; i. e., anti-A1+B. This antibody is well known in group O sera, but usually has somewhat different properties to those shown above; e. g., its thermal optimum is usually 37°C.; it is not readily neutralized by AB polysaccharide; and although not agglutinated by it, A2 cells are capable of absorbing anti-A1+B and yielding the antibody on elution. Nevertheless, we consider that the “cross-reacting” antibody caused this unusual case of AB hemolytic disease. Resume Les examens pratiques avec les sangs de Madame J.S. et de son enfant permettent aux auteurs d'affirmer que l'anticorps responsable de la maladie hemolytique de ce nouveau-ne appartient au systeme des groupes sanguins A-B-O. Il est apparu par la suite que cet anticorps donnait une reaction croisee avec des erythrocytes A1 et B: soit un anti A1 + B. Cet anti-corps est bien connu dans les sera du groupe sanguin O, cependant ce dernier possede certaines proprietes qui sont differentes de celles decrites plus haut: ainsi, par exemple, l'optimum thermique se situe d'une maniere generale a 37°; l'anticorps n'est pas completement neutralise par les polysaccharides A et B. Les erythrocytes A2 sont capables d'absorber l'anti A1 + B qui peut etre elue malgre l'inaptitude de l'anticorps a agglutiner les erythrocytes A2. De toute maniere, les auteurs considerent que cet anticorps, qui presente une reaction croisee, constitue un cas inhabituel de maladie hemolytique selon les groupes AB. Zusammenfassung Auf Grund der Untersuchung der Blutprobe von Mrs. J.S. und ihrem Neugeborenen ist anzunehmen, das der Antikorper, welcher den Morbus hamolyticus beim Kinde verursachte, zum ABO-Blutgruppensystem gehort. Es zeigte sich ferner, das es sich um einen Antikorper mit der Doppelspezifitat Anti-A1 + B handelte. Dieser Antikorper ist bekanntlich in zahlreichen O-Seren enthalten. Der in O-Seren enthaltene Antikorper zeigte ublicherweise Eigenschaften, die von dem hier beschriebenen Antikorper etwas abweichen: Sein thermisches Optimum liegt bei 37° C; er ist nur schwer durch AB-Polysaccharide neutralisierbar; A2-Zellen werden kaum agglutiniert, obschon sie den Antikorper binden und ihn im Elutionsversuch wieder abgeben. Trotzdem sind wir der Auffassung, das dieser ungewohnliche Fall von M.h.n. durch einen «kreuzreagierenden» Anti-AB-Antikorper verursacht wurde.
Magnetic Damage and Performance Recovery in Discrete Track Media

Discrete track media (DTM) has been widely studied recently as a solution to achieve high track density for hard disk drives. In DTM, nano-patterning process is used to isolate magnetic tracks. During the fabrication process, magnetic damage occurs in the resist striping process using O2 plasma. The on-track SNR of DTM degrades by ~ 2-3 dB. We used Ar IBE cleaning process to remove the oxide layer. The removal process induces unexpected magnetic property change. Nevertheless, this process can still improve the SNR significantly. However, the cleaning step also causes track corner rounding, and results in a faster SNR roll-off at high linear densities. Several methods for further improving DTM performance are discussed in this paper, including using a protective cap layer and media magnetic design reoptimization.
Mechanisms of disease: Atypical familial mycobacteriosis

Atypical familial mycobacteriosis is now recognized as a complex set of defects involving both innate and adaptive immunity. The identification of at least five genes involved in the IFN-γ/IL-12 axis comprising ten clinical phenotypes has expanded our understanding of how molecules in this pathway interact. These so-called ‘experiments of nature’ have provided us with an invaluable tool to dissect overlapping pathways and determine crucial components of mycobacterial and salmonella immunity. In this review, we discuss the clinical phenotypes and how they correlate to the genetic defects.
Instruments for studying the welding arc

FOR THE purposes of this investigation, the number and duration of the short circuits in the arc and the degree of voltage and current fluctuation have been taken as an initial basis or criterion for stability measurements. Electronic circuits have been developed to detect and count all short circuits whose durations exceed a given specified time, such as a millisecond, and record the count on an electromechanical counter. The proportion of the total time that the arc is short-circuited is measured by a simple vacuum-tube circuit known as the short-circuit-duration indicator, and indicated on a suitably calibrated milli-ammeter. The average duration of the short circuits can be computed from the readings of these two instruments.
Mayberry revisited: a review of the influence of police paramilitary units on policing

In the mid-1990s, two separate surveys of the Police Paramilitary Units (PPUs) were undertaken, which have been used to assert that police are becoming militarised. The assertion is based on the survey's findings that the number of PPUs had increased between 1980 and 1995 in cities with populations between 25,000 and 50,000, and cities with populations of more than 50,000. The survey authors' claim, from their limited analysis of the survey findings, that the increase in number of PPUs or in the increase in the number of their deployments is not a result of the increase in criminal offending nor is it because policing has entered a new era. This paper refutes the proposition that policing has become or has increased in militarisation and analyses the original survey findings and subsequent literature in a wider context, which includes the argument of the professionalisation or the evolution of policing.
Electron-molecule scattering theory: An R -matrix study of low-energy elastic e - N 2 collisions in the static-exchange approximation

The R-matrix formulation of electron-molecule collision theory is applied to low-energy e-N/sub 2/ scattering in the static-exchange approximation. Particular attention is given to the determination of basis sets for such L/sup 2/-variational calculations, and a study of important basis-set characteristics in the context of this collision problem is presented. Results for elastic e-N/sub 2/ collisions for scattering energies in the range from about 0.01 to 13.0 eV are reported. The importance of including long-range interactions is briefly discussed.
Synthesis and NMR spectral characteristics of bisnorargemonine isomers

Two structural isomers of bisnorargemonine, 3,9-dihydroxy-2,8-dimethoxy-N-methylpavinane (Ia) and 2,8-dihydroxy-3,9-dimethoxy-N-methylpavinane (Ib), were synthesized employing the Pictet-Gams modification of the Bischler-Napieralski cyclization to construct the required isoquinoline intermediates. These were quaternized to the methiodides, followed by partial reduction to the N-methyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines, which were then cyclized under acidic conditions to provide Ia and Ib. Comparison of the NMR spectra of Ia and Ib with similar compounds revealed interesting aspects of the spectral properties pertaining to this ring system.
Shape recognition using spectral features

The classification of planar shapes using spectral features is presented in this paper. The contour of a planar shape is represented by the magnitude and phase of radial vectors drawn from a centroid, and they are modeled by an autoregressive process. The spectral features are extracted from the least squares estimators of the model parameters, and planar shapes are classified by an artificial neural network. In the experiment with contours of aircraft, machine parts and handwritten numerals, more than 96 percent of the shapes are correctly classified.
Anaphylactoid Pulmonary Edema (“Shock Lung”) and Hypotension After Radiologic Contrast Media Injection

This report illustrates a severe anaphylactoid reaction to sodium diatrizoate infusion during intravenous urography that was characterized chiefly by noncardiogenic pulmonary edema ("shock lung") and protracted hypotension. This occurred in an otherwise previously healthy adult without prior exposure to organic iodides.
Proverbs and the modern mental status exam

ROVERB INTERPRETATION is an interesting and often enjoyable process that has found a place in both standardized tests and in the mental status exam. One area of standardized testing where proverbs are firmly established with adequate reliability and validity are in intelligence tests, such as those developed by Wechsler.’ Proverbs have also been used in standardized tests to measure psychological variables. Gorham was at the forefront of developing proverb interpretation into a standardized psychological test. In schizophrenics he reported test retest reliabilities ranging from 0.67 to 0.96,* and in normals he reported correlations between different forms of his proverbs test ranging from 0.71 to 0.81.’ Gorham found the test highly successful in differentiating schizophrenics from normals.3 He also reviewed the large amount of work in using standardized proverb interpretation in psychological testing.4 Gorham achieved both reliability and validity with his particular testing population and stimulated interest in the field. In mental status exams proverbs are seldom given in a standardized fashion and often without using scoring sorting criteria. The question can be raised about the usefulness of proverbs in such a situation. Andreason addressed this very point5 She examined schizophrenics, depressives, and manics using five scales to score proverbs using multiple raters. In her Table of Interrater Reliability of 24 raters in Proverb Assessment no correlation was above 0.55 and most were significantly lower. Her kappa values for reliability of proverb measurement never reached 0.6 in any category. However, when mean values of all raters were used, depressives and schizophrenics were significantly distinguished in all five categories of measurement, depressives and manics were significantly distinguished in all five categories of measurement, and manics and schizophrenics were differentiated significantly in three out of five categories of measurement. She stated in her discussion,’ “Thus at best, proverb interpretation may have relatively good validity but poor reliability . . . at worst, therefore, the validity of using proverbs in a clinical situation is somewhat questionable” (p. 471). She concluded the widespread use of proverbs in mental status exams should be discontinued. These findings of validity in standardized situation and possible validity in clinical situations with no reliability in clinical situations seems to be irreconcilable with a statement of Spitzer and Fleiss.6 “There is no guarantee that a reliable system is valid, but assuredly an unreliable system must be invalid” (p. 341). Either validity is truly not present in clinical situations or reliability can be achieved. The goals of this article are to: (1) examine whether proverb
Adaptive packet sampling for flow volume measurement

Traffic measurement and monitoring are an important component of network management and traffic engineering. With high-speed Internet backbone links, efficient and effective packet sampling techniques for traffic measurement and monitoring are not only desirable, but also increasingly becoming a necessity. Since the utility of sampling depends on the accuracy and economy of measurement, it is important to control sampling error. In this paper we propose and analyze an adaptive, stratified random packet sampling technique for flow-level traffic measurement. In particular, we address the theoretical and practical issues involved. Through theoretical studies and experiments, we demonstrate that the proposed sampling technique provides unbiased estimation of flow size with controllable error bound, in terms of both packet and byte counts for elephant flows, while avoiding excessive oversampling.
A National Survey of Registered Dietitians Regarding Nutrition Care of Hospice Patients

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: to assess education and knowledge of registered dietitians' nutrition intervention in hospice patients A survey was constructed to obtain information about the education and practice of clinical dietitians in the nutritional care of hospice patients. It was sent to a random sample of 900 clinical registered dietitians who were members of the American Dietetic Association. The survey contained 10 multiple choice questions about nutrition for the hospice patient and some demographic questions about the respondent's practice and education. There were 461 (51%) respondents of which 390 (85%) had not received any dietetic training specific to hospice patients. Of the 66 (14%) dietitians who had received training, only one reported training in an undergraduate program. In contrast 179 (42%) of the 461 had provided nutritional care to hospice patients. Regarding practice knowledge, 35 (8%) of dietitians surveyed answered all of the ten questions correctly. Thirty-one of the 35 of those respondents who answered all ten items correctly had received formal training. The mean number of correct answers was 6.4. The majority of incorrect responses resulted from inadequate knowledge of symptoms associated with low intake of food and water (56% incorrect), side effects of increased fluids (53% incorrect), symptoms frequently seen in end stage patients (52% incorrect) and complying with patient's preferences (34% incorrect). Incorrect answers suggested that hospice patients are often treated aggressively via oral or enteral feeding, which is the usual traditional nutritional intervention provided by dietitians. With the increase in hospice facilities in this country, the results of this survey indicate the need to provide formal dietetic training regarding specific nutrition principles applicable to the dying patient.
Amadeus microkeratome: experience with the first 2000 cases and lessons learned.

Background: To assess the safety and efficacy of the Amadeus microkeratome and to report on lessons learnt in optimizing results from its use. Methods: A retrospective review of the flap-related complications of 2000 laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedures performed by one surgeon using the Amadeus microkeratome (AMO, Irvine, CA, USA) was conducted. One hundred consecutive cases had preoperative and intraoperative pachymetry to evaluate the relationship between flap thickness, corneal thickness and reuse of the blade. Results: There were 35 cases of minor epithelial defects (1.8%) and four eyes with major epithelial defects (0.2%). There were no cases of suction loss, buttonholes, or incomplete or damaged flaps. There were four free caps (0.2%). Twenty-five cases had minor wrinkles and two cases had significant folds requiring relifts. Thinner corneas resulted in thinner flaps (P < 0.0001). Reuse of the blade resulted in thinner flaps (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: The Amadeus is a safe and reliable microkeratome. Although short, there is a learning curve with use of the instrument. Corneal thickness and reuse of the blade affect flap thickness.
Magnesium sulfate (MGS04) tocolysis versus no tocolysis in women with preterm labor between 32 0/7 and 34 6/7 weeks of gestation: A randomized controlled trial

WITH PRETERM LABOR BETWEEN 32 0/7 AND 34 6/7 WEEKS OF GESTATION: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL HELEN HOW, LELA ZAFARANCHI, CAROLINE STELLA, KATHERINE RECHT, ROSEMAXWELL, BAHA SIBAI, JOSEPH SPINNATO II, University of Cincinnati, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cincinnati, Ohio OBJECTIVE: To determine whether MgSO4 tocolysis in women with preterm labor between 32 0/7 and 34 6/7 weeks reduces neonatal hospital stay. STUDY DESIGN: Study subjects included 52 women between 32 0/7 and 34 6/7 weeks gestation presenting in preterm labor (regular uterine contactions R 6/hour with cervical change or dilation of R2 cm and 80% effaced) who were randomized to receive either MgSO4 tocolysis (n=28) or no tocolysis (n=24). All women received celestone 12mg IM 24 hrs apart and IV antibiotics. Tocolysis group received MgSO4 6g IV load followed by 2-5g/hr to achieve uterine quiescence followed by oral nifedepine 10-20 mg every 4-6 hrs until 36 6/7 weeks or delivery. The primary outcome was total days of neonatal hospital stay. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and T-test. RESULTS: There were no differences in maternal demographics (age, race, parity, previous preterm delivery, cervical dilation at enrollment, mean GA at enrollment, 33G0.8) and maternal outcomes (pregnancy prolongation, total hospital stay, % triage visit, % readmission). There was no difference in the primary outcome (Table), and no neonatal deaths, RDS, IVH or NEC in either group. Other neonatal outcomes are presented in the Table.
Intracranial EEG substrates of scalp EEG interictal spikes.

Summary: Purpose: To determine the area of cortical generators of scalp EEG interictal spikes, such as those in the temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods: We recorded simultaneously 26 channels of scalp EEG with subtemporal supplementary electrodes and 46 to 98 channels of intracranial EEG in 16 surgery candidates with temporal lobe epilepsy. Cerebral discharges with and without scalp EEG correlates were identified, and the area of cortical sources was estimated from the number of electrode contacts demonstrating concurrent depolarization. Results: We reviewed ∼600 interictal spikes recorded with intracranial EEG. Only a very few of these cortical spikes were associated with scalp recognizable potentials; 90% of cortical spikes with a source area of >10 cm2 produced scalp EEG spikes, whereas only 10% of cortical spikes having <10 cm2 of source area produced scalp potentials. Intracranial spikes with <6 cm2 of area were never associated with scalp EEG spikes. Conclusions: Cerebral sources of scalp EEG spikes are larger than commonly thought. Synchronous or at least temporally overlapping activation of 10–20 cm2 of gyral cortex is common. The attenuating property of the skull may actually serve a useful role in filtering out all but the most significant interictal discharges that can recruit substantial surrounding cortex.
The impact of incorporating molecular evolutionary model into predictions of phylogenetic signal and noise

Phylogenetic inference can be improved by the development and use of better models for inference given the data available, or by gathering more appropriate data given the potential inferences to be made. Numerous studies have demonstrated the crucial importance of selecting a best-fit model to conducting accurate phylogenetic inference given a data set, explicitly revealing how model choice affects the results of phylogenetic inferences. However, the importance of specifying a correct model of evolution for predictions of the best data to be gathered has never been examined. Here, we extend analyses of phylogenetic signal and noise that predict the potential to resolve nodes in a phylogeny to incorporate all time-reversible Markov models of nucleotide substitution. Extending previous results on the canonical four-taxon tree, our theory yields an analytical method that uses estimates of the rates of evolution and the model of molecular evolution to predict the distribution of signal, noise, and polytomy. We applied our methods to a study of 29 taxa of the yeast genus Candida and allied members to predict the power of five markers, COX2, ACT1, RPB1, RPB2, and D1/D2 LSU, to resolve a poorly supported backbone node corresponding to a clade of haploid Candida species, as well as nineteen other nodes that are reasonably short and at least moderately deep in the consensus tree. The use of simple, unrealistic models that did not take into account transition/transversion rate differences led to some discrepancies in predictions, but overall our results demonstrate that predictions of signal and noise in phylogenetics are fairly robust to model specification.
The systems approach to medicine: controversy and misconceptions

The 'systems approach' to patient safety in healthcare has recently led to questions about its ethics and practical utility. In this viewpoint, we clarify the systems approach by examining two popular misunderstandings of it: (1) the systematisation and standardisation of practice, which reduces actor autonomy; (2) an approach that seeks explanations for success and failure outside of individual people. We argue that both giving people a procedure to follow and blaming the system when things go wrong misconstrue the systems approach.
Ascitic fluid adenosine deaminase insensitivity in detecting tuberculous peritonitis in the United States

Tuberculous peritonitis, although common in Third World countries, remains an uncommon cause of ascites in the United States. Ascitic fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity has been proposed as a useful diagnostic test. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the clinical utility of ascitic fluid ADA activity in diagnosing tuberculous peritonitis in a U.S. patient population. A total of 368 ascitic fluid specimens from a well-characterized ascitic fluid bank, including tuberculous peritonitis (n = 7), tuberculous peritonitis in the setting of cirrhosis (n = 10), and consecutive specimens of widely varied etiologies (n = 351) were analyzed for ADA activity by ultraviolet spectrophotometry at 265 nm. The overall sensitivity of the ADA determination in diagnosing tuberculous peritonitis was only 58.8%, and the specificity was 95.4%. The accuracy of ADA determination (93.8%) compared favorably with that of the common ascitic fluid tests of white blood cell (WBC) count (>500/mm3), total protein (>2.5 g/dL), and combined WBC count and total protein (45.8%, 74.4%, and 81.3%, respectively). However, ADA was only 30% sensitive in detecting tuberculous peritonitis in the setting of cirrhosis, and cirrhosis was present in 59% of the tuberculous peritonitis patients in our population. In addition, malignancy-related ascites (13%) and bacterial peritonitis specimens (5.8%) occasionally yielded false-positive results. In conclusion, our results indicate that the ascitic fluid ADA activity has good accuracy but poor sensitivity and imperfect specificity in a U.S. patient population in which the prevalence of tuberculosis is low and underlying cirrhosis is common.
Changes in Listeria monocytogenes Membrane Fluidity in Response to Temperature Stress

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that has been implicated in many outbreaks associated with ready-to-eat products. Listeria adjusts to various stresses by adjusting its membrane fluidity, increasing the uptake of osmoprotectants and cryoprotectants, and activating the sigma(B) stress factor. The present work examines the regulation of membrane fluidity through direct measurement based on fluorescent anisotropy. The membrane fluidities of L. monocytogenes Scott A, NR30, wt10403S, and cld1 cells cultured at 15 and 30 degrees C were measured at 15 and 30 degrees C. The membrane of the cold-sensitive mutant (cld1) was more rigid than the membranes of the other strains when grown at 30 degrees C, but when grown at 15 degrees C, it was able to adjust its membrane to approach the rigidity of the other strains. The difference in rigidities, as determined at 15 and 30 degrees C, was greater in liposomes than in whole cells. The rates of fluidity adjustment and times required for whole cells to adjust to a different temperature were similar among strains but different from those of liposomes. This suggests that the cells had a mechanism for homeoviscous adaptation that was absent in liposomes.
Vouchering DNA-barcoded specimens: test of a nondestructive extraction protocol for terrestrial arthropods

Morphology-based keys support accurate identification of many taxa. However, identification can be difficult for taxa that are either not well studied, very small, members of cryptic species complexes, or represented by immature stages. For such cases, DNA barcodes may provide diagnostic characters. Ecologists and evolutionary biologists deposit museum vouchers to document the species studied in their research. If DNA barcodes are to be used for identification, then both the DNA and the specimen from which it was extracted should be vouchered. We describe a protocol for the nondestructive extraction of DNA from terrestrial arthropods, using as examples members of the orders Acarina, Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera chosen to represent the ranges in size, overall sclerotization, and delicacy of key morphological characters in the group. We successfully extracted sequenceable DNA from all species after 1–4 h of immersion in extraction buffer. The extracted carcasses, processed and imaged using protocols standard for the taxon, were distinguishable from closely related species, and adequate as morphological vouchers. We provide links from the carcasses and DNA vouchers to image (MorphBank) and sequence (GenBank) databases.
Phase Transition Properties of 3D Potts Models

Abstract Using multicanonical Metropolis simulations we estimate phase transition properties of 3D Potts models for q = 4 to 10: The transition temperatures, latent heats, entropy gaps, normalized entropies at the disordered and ordered endpoints, interfacial tensions, and spinodal endpoints.
A spectral recursive transformation method for electromagnetic waves in generalized anisotropic layered media

A transition-matrix method is commonly used to deal with the problems of plane wave scattering from and the Green's function for multilayered generalized anisotropic media. The boundary conditions at the source interfaces are matched numerically. This method, although rigorous analytically, causes numerical singularities in the matrix inversion when the spectral fields are highly attenuating. A recursive variable transformation method is developed to deal with the exponentially growing or decaying terms associated with the spectral matrix method. The proposed scheme is suitable for numerical analysis of generalized anisotropic layers including uniaxial and biaxial materials, biased ferrites, magnetoplasmas, chiral and bi-anisotropic materials without increasing computer time. Applications of the recursive method are highlighted through examples of radiation and scattering from a three-layer ferrite structure and a conductor-backed magnetoplasma layer.
Practice-related modulations of force enslaving and cortical activity as revealed by EEG

Objective: To examine the role of practice in the modification of force enslaving and motor-related cortical potentials using finger force production tasks. This study follows-up previous studies in our laboratory using experienced piano players. Methods: Two experiments were performed. In Expt. 1, 6 subjects participated in a pre and post EEG session separated by 12 practice sessions which were conducted 3 days a week for 4 weeks. With visual feedback regarding the accuracy of force output, subjects produced one of two force levels with either their ring or index finger. Experiment 2 followed a similar procedure to that of Expt. 1 with additional visual feedback to the degree of finger independency. Both behavioral (isometric force output) and EEG data preceding and accompanying force responses were measured. Results: In Expt. 1 we found that forced enslaving increased along with improved accuracy following 4 weeks of practice. We found a reduction of motor potential (MP) amplitude for the index but not the ring finger following practice. Experiment 2 showed an increase in accuracy and reduction in force enslaving after practice with adequate feedback. The amplitude of MP for the index finger also decreased after practice as in Expt. 1. In contrast, the amplitude of MP for the ring finger increased after practice. Conclusions: The present study extends our earlier work with piano players and shows the role of practice in modifying behavioral and cortical measures. The concluding theme emergent from our studies is that individuated finger control is not hard-wired, but rather plastic and greatly influenced by deliberate practice. Significance: This research supports the idea that experience and practice are associated with changes in behavioral and EEG correlates of task performance and have clinical implications in disorders such as stroke or dystonia. Practice-related procedures offer useful approaches to rehabilitation strategies. q 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology.
Model-based engineering of large-scale real-time systems

Instrumentation systems appear in nearly every field of complex systems development. Typically, the instrumentation system mirrors the complexity of the system being measured. In addition, the performance requirements force the instrumentation into a parallel real-time implementation. This paper describes a development environment, the Multigraph Architecture (MGA) for the development of complex instrumentation systems. Using the MGA, the aspects of the parallel system are modeled in multiple aspects, representing resources, requirements, and algorithms. The instrumentation system is automatically synthesized from high-level system models.
Computational Methods for Measuring the Difference of Empirical Distributions

This paper presents a simple computational method for measuring the difference of independent empirical distributions estimated by bootstrapping or other resampling approaches. Using data from a field test of external scope in contingent valuation, this complete combinatorial method is compared with other methods (empirical convolutions, repeated sampling, normality, nonoverlapping confidence intervals) that have been suggested in the literature. Tradeoffs between methods are discussed in terms of programming complexity, time and computer resources required, bias, and the precision of the estimate.
A hidden Markov model approach to the structure of documentaries

We have hand-segmented two very long documentaries (100 minutes total) into their component shots. As with other extended videos, shot distribution again appears to be log-normal. Shot lengths are similar to those in dramas, comedies, or action films, but much shorter than those in home videos. The use of fades appears to be an important device to signal transitions between semantic units. We have sought evidence for shot composition rules by means of hidden Markov models (HMMs). We find that camera motion (tilt, pan, zoom) is not significantly governed by rules. However, the bulk of the documentaries take the form of an alternation between commentators and several types of primary supporting material; additionally, the documentaries end with a visual summary. We find that the best approach is one that trains the HMM with labeled subsequences that have approximately equal elapsed time, rather than subsequences with an equal number of shots, or subsequences with shots aligned to some semantic event. This may reflect fundamental temporal limits on human visual attention. We propose that such an underlying structure can suggest more human-sensitive designs for the analysis and graphic display of the contents of extended videos, for summarization, browsing and indexing.