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In this letter, we present a non-mechanical 2D beam-steering system suitable for optical wireless communication. Steering is achieved using polarization gratings combined with nematic liquid crystal cells operating as voltage-controlled polarization shifters. These steering elements are combined with a holographic diffuser matched to the discrete steering angles of the polarization grating, enabling continuous angular coverage. Beam-steering is also used at the receiver, allowing a large collection area receiver with a relatively narrow field of view to be used. The approach presented here could, in principle, be applied to a broad range of wavelengths (including visible light and near-infrared wavelengths). Furthermore, the technique does not inherently limit the transmission data rate. Besides, it improves the link margin and offers the potential for a bidirectional steered link using the same beam-steering elements. Details of the approach are set out in the letter, followed by experimental results from a 50 Mbit/s optical link operating over one meter. Future directions are then discussed.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.Objective: To report contemporary rates of complications and subsequent surgery after spinal surgery in patients with skeletal dysplasia.Methods: A case series of 25 consecutive patients who underwent spinal surgery between 2007 and 2017 were identified from a single institution’s skeletal dysplasia registry. Patient demographics, medical history, surgical indication, complications, and subsequent surgeries (revisions, extension to adjacent levels, or for pathology at a non-contiguous level) were collected. Charlson comorbidity indices were calculated as a composite measure of overall health.Results: Achondroplasia was the most common skeletal dysplasia (76%) followed by spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (20%); 1 patient had diastrophic dysplasia (4%). Average patient age was 53.2 ± 14.7 years and most patients were in excellent cardiovascular health (88% Charlson Comorbidity Index 0-4). Mean follow up after the index procedure was 57.4 ± 39.2 months (range). Indications for surgery were mostly for neurologic symptoms. The most commonly performed surgery was a multilevel thoracolumbar decompression without fusion (57%). Complications included durotomy (36%), neurologic complication (12%), and infection requiring irrigation and debridement (8%). Nine patients (36%) underwent a subsequent surgery. Three patients (12%) underwent a procedure at a non-contiguous anatomic zone, 3 (12%) underwent a revision of the previous surgery, and another 3 (12%) required extension of their previous decompression or fusion.Conclusions: Surgical complication rates remain high after spine surgery in patients with skeletal dysplasia, likely attributable to inherent characteristics of the disease. Patients should be counseled on their risk for complication and subsequent surgery.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy is a hereditary myopathy with progressive dysphagia, proximal muscle weakness, and eyelid ptosis secondary to levator and often Mueller’s muscle involvement that may be challenging to correct depending on the severity of the patient’s disease.

Purpose: Beginning farmers and ranchers (BFRs) are more likely to access land through an unrelated landowner than through family. Thus, farm and ranch owners who might transfer their land or businesses out of family are potential sources of land access for BFRs and are the most frequent participants in incentive programs to facilitate land transfer to BFRs. To assist in identifying landowners who might transfer out of family, the paper aims to explore similarities and differences between landowners according to their expectations for intra-familial versus extra-familial farm transfer. Design/methodology/approach: Pairwise and regression analysis of USA Midwestern and Plains landowners' responses to an online survey (n= 322). Findings: Landowners who might transfer out of family were likely to need the proceeds from a land sale to finance their retirement. Landowners' financial needs interacted with their widespread interest in transferring to a BFR such that 97% of owners who expected extra-familial transfer wanted to transfer to a BFR. There were also statistical patterns around the size of owners' landholdings in relation to their transfer plans. Research limitations/implications: This exploratory inquiry suggests patterns for future research to examine, especially around landowners' juxtaposition of their retirement income and their interest in transferring to a BFR and how to align these priorities and values. Originality/value: By exploring the characteristics of landowners who are the most likely to provide land access to BFRs, the authors begin to examine how to target these owners in program outreach. Patterns for further exploration point to landowners' financial needs in relation to their interest in helping a BFR to get started in agriculture.

High tunnels are a low-cost technology that can strengthen local and regional food systems and have been shown to help farmers extend the growing season and increase the yield and shelf life, and improve the quality of their crops. This study addresses a need for a better understanding of farmers' experience with integrating high tunnels into their operations, to understand the human dimensions of high tunnel management. We present an analysis of survey and interview data to examine how farm characteristics affect the outcomes of growing specialty crops in high tunnels. Our findings show that farmers managing different types of farms have taken distinct approaches to integrating and managing high tunnels on their farms, with important implications for farm-level outcomes. We identify three types of farms commonly adopting high tunnels in Indiana: 1) alternative food and agriculture enterprises (AFAEs) are consumer-oriented, smallscale farms that sell their products directly to their customers in relationship-based market networks such as farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture; 2) mixed enterprise farmers have larger operations and sell into both conventional commodity markets and direct markets; and 3) side enterprise farmers operate small-scale enterprises and their primary household income comes from off-farm employment or another business. Farm type is associated with divergent levels of time and labor investment, resulting in higher capacity use of high tunnels and greater financial return for AFAE farmers who make high tunnels central to their business, compared with mixed and side enterprise farmers who invest less time and labor into their high tunnels. We explain how farm characteristics and approaches to adopting the infrastructure shape farmers' success and high-capacity use of high tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation and reactivity with H2of two Ru complexes of the novel ZnPhos ligand (ZnPhos = Zn(o-C6H4PPh2)2) are described. Ru(ZnPhos)(CO)3(2) and Ru(ZnPhos)(IMe4)2(4; IMe4= 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) are formed directly from the reaction of Ru(PPh3)(C6H4PPh2)2(ZnMe)2(1) or Ru(PPh3)3HCl/LiCH2TMS/ZnMe2with CO and IMe4, respectively. Structural and electronic structure analyses characterize both 2and 4as Ru(0) species in which Ru donates to the Z-type Zn center of the ZnPhos ligand; in 2, Ru adopts an octahedral coordination, while 4displays square-pyramidal coordination with Zn in the axial position. Under photolytic conditions, 2loses CO to give Ru(ZnPhos)(CO)2that then adds H2over the Ru–Zn bond to form Ru(ZnPhos)(CO)2(μ-H)2(3). In contrast, 4reacts directly with H2to set up an equilibrium with Ru(ZnPhos)(IMe4)2H2(5), the product of oxidative addition at the Ru center. DFT calculations rationalize these different outcomes in terms of the energies of the square-pyramidal Ru(ZnPhos)L2intermediates in which Zn sits in a basal site: for L = CO, this is readily accessed and allows H2to add across the Ru–Zn bond, but for L = IMe4, this species is kinetically inaccessible and reaction can only occur at the Ru center. This difference is related to the strong π-acceptor ability of CO compared to IMe4. Steric effects associated with the larger IMe4ligands are not significant. Species 4can be considered as a Ru(0)L4species that is stabilized by the Ru→Zn interaction. As such, it is a rare example of a stable Ru(0)L4species devoid of strong π-acceptor ligands.

Study Design: Systematic review.Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review outcomes reporting methodology in studies evaluating fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods: A systematic review of PubMed and Embase databases was conducted from January 2007 to June 2017 for English language studies with minimum of 2 years postoperative follow-up reporting outcomes after fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis. Two reviewers assessed each study; those meeting inclusion criteria were examined for pertinent data. Outcome measures were categorized into relevant domains: pain/symptomatology, function/disability, and surgical satisfaction. Return to work reporting was also recorded.Results: Of 123 studies meeting inclusion criteria, 76% included posterior-only fusion, 32% included posterior/transforaminal interbody fusion, and 5% included anterior/lateral interbody fusion (non-mutually exclusive). There was significant variation in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) used—studies reported 31 unique PROs assessing at least one domain: 22 evaluating pain, 23 evaluating function, and 3 evaluating surgical satisfaction. Most commonly utilized PROs were the Oswestry Disability Index (73% of studies), Visual Analog Scale (55%), and 36-Item Short Form Survey (32%). The remaining 28 measures were used in 14% of studies or fewer. PROs specific to symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, such as the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire, were only used rarely (7/123 studies). Only 14% of studies reported on time to return to work.Conclusions: The literature surrounding fusion in the setting of lumbar stenosis is characterized by substantial variability in outcomes reporting. Very few studies utilized measures specific to lumbar spinal stenosis. Efforts to standardize outcomes reporting would facilitate comparisons of surgical interventions.

Utilizing histochemical and immunohistochemical examinations, this study demonstrates that intratarsal keratinous cysts are most likely derived from the meibomian ducts and can best be characterized with 3 immunohistochemical stains, cytokeratin 17, carcinoembryonic antigen, and epithelial membrane antigen.

High tunnels are an increasingly popular part of the infrastructure among small and diversified farms that market their products directly to consumers. In addition to extending the growing season, research has strongly indicated that high tunnels can increase yield, enhance shelf life, and improve the quality of crops grown. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding, from the perspective of farmers, of the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting high tunnels for specialty crops in Indiana. We collected information through a case study that included questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 20 farmers. We found that the additional labor and time requirements of high tunnel production, the increased complexity of high tunnel production, soil fertility, and disease management, and limited winter markets posed the greatest challenges. The ability to differentiate their products based on higher quality and longer shelf life, the ability to obtain a premium price, the ability to have a source of income during the off-season, and the ability to produce complementary crops were the most important opportunities for using high tunnels. This research implied ways to expand opportunities and reduce barriers to maximizing the potential of high tunnels. Understanding the human dimensions of managing high tunnels is important for providing extension educators and Natural Resources Conservation Service field staff with better knowledge of the common difficulties and benefits of this technology so they are better able to advise farmers considering investing in a high tunnel. A focus on the human dimensions is also helpful for identifying research priorities to evaluate new approaches to decreasing problems and increasing benefits. Consequently, this study provided an in-depth understanding of farm-level challenges associated with high tunnel adoption to improve future research in diverse fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dramatic loss of open space in the USA over the last 50 years has led to increased conservation efforts by public, private, and non-profit entities. Amongst private landowners, conservation easements, or conditions written into a property’s title that permanently limit how it may be used, are a popular form of land protection. Private land protection is vital for both the conservation of America’s characteristic open spaces, and to ensure the future of many threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Yet little is known about the people who are placing conservation easements on their properties, the landscape features and land use practices currently being protected under conservation easements, or the ways in which these conservation patterns will continue into the future. Regardless, private land conservation efforts are shaping the American landscape; therefore, a thorough understanding of their characteristics is needed. Given that nostalgia, or an idealized and simplified notion of the past, underlies many of the motivations private landowners have for protecting their properties, this study suggests that there is a link between the type of nostalgia motivating private land protection and the types of land and land use practices being conserved. Further, the authors contend that this phenomenon is worthy of further investigation given its potential for environmental, social, and economic impact.

Several nomenclature and grading systems have been proposed for conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions (C-MIL). The fourth “WHO Classification of Eye Tumors” (WHO-EYE04) proposed a C-MIL classification, capturing the progression of noninvasive neoplastic melanocytes from low- to high-grade lesions, onto melanoma in situ (MIS), and then to invasive melanoma. This proposal was revised to the WHO-EYE05 C-MIL system, which simplified the high-grade C-MIL, whereby MIS was subsumed into high-grade C-MIL. Our aim was to validate the WHO-EYE05 C-MIL system using digitized images of C-MIL, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry. However, C-MIL cases were retrieved from 3 supraregional ocular pathology centers. Adequate conjunctival biopsies were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Melan-A, SOX10, and PReferentially expressed Antigen in Melanoma. Digitized slides were uploaded on the SmartZoom platform and independently scored by 4 ocular pathologists to obtain a consensus score, before circulating to 14 expert eye pathologists for independent scoring. In total, 105 cases from 97 patients were evaluated. The initial consensus diagnoses using the WHO-EYE04 C-MIL system were as follows: 28 benign conjunctival melanoses, 13 low-grade C-MIL, 37 high-grade C-MIL, and 27 conjunctival MIS. Using this system resulted in 93% of the pathologists showing only fair-to-moderate agreement (kappa statistic) with the consensus score. The WHO-EYE05 C-MIL system (with high-grade C-MIL and MIS combined) improved consistency between pathologists, with the greatest level of agreement being seen with benign melanosis (74.5%) and high-grade C-MIL (85.4%). Lowest agreements remained between pathologists for low-grade C-MIL (38.7%). Regarding WHO-EYE05 C-MIL scoring and clinical outcomes, local recurrences of noninvasive lesions developed in 8% and 34% of the low- and high-grade cases. Invasive melanoma only occurred in 47% of the cases that were assessed as high-grade C-MIL. This extensive international collaborative study is the first to undertake a comprehensive review of the WHO-EYE05 C-MIL scoring system, which showed good interobserver agreement and reproducibility.

Service learning with ecological restoration projects can positively affect participants’ attitudes, behaviors, and learning, but little is known about the longevity of these effects. Furthermore, urban green spaces are an understudied, yet increasingly important, context for eco-restoration service learning. This study examined the persistence of student outcomes of eco-restoration service-learning experiences in an urban woodland. Undergraduate courses from the Departments of Biology and Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies at Indiana University partnered with the Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project (BUWP) to restore native woodland habitat and conduct public outreach. Phenomenological analysis of student interviews demonstrated that service-learning experiences improved learning outcomes and encouraged and reinforced pro-environmental attitudes up to 14 months later. Results also demonstrate the applicability of an environmental interpretation behavior change model to college-level instruction.

The inhibition of CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), a key inflammatory mediator, is a potential strategy in the treatment of several pulmonary diseases and cancers. The complexity of endogenous chemokine interaction with the orthosteric binding site has led to the development of CXCR2 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) targeting an intracellular pocket near the G protein binding site. Our understanding of NAM binding and mode of action has been limited by the availability of suitable tracer ligands for competition studies, allowing direct ligand binding measurements. Here, we report the rational design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of a series of fluorescent NAMs, based on navarixin (2), which display high affinity and preferential binding for CXCR2 over CXCR1. We demonstrate their application in fluorescence imaging and NanoBRET binding assays, in whole cells or membranes, capable of kinetic and equilibrium analysis of NAM binding, providing a platform to screen for alternative chemophores targeting these receptors.

AbstractParticipation in local food systems has recently emerged as an important and overlooked leisure behavior that is critical to community recreation agencies, sustainable development, and overall public health. This study collected motivational, participation, and demographic data from 712 individuals who shop at farmers' markets, subscribe to community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, or do not participate in either. The results indicate that environmental and nutritional motives were the top two factors affecting farmers' market and CSA participants' engagement, while also highlighting a significant association between the CSA and farmers' market participants and privilege variables. These findings suggest that even as farmers' markets and CSAs are promoted as a means to reduce food insecurity and promote agrileisure opportunities, barriers exist that exclude many from engagement.

IMPORTANCE Immunohistochemical analyses may assist in the diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous conjunctival lesions. OBJECTIVE To use Vector Red (VR) to identify an immunologic marker that is sensitive for all melanocytes and another that is sensitive and specific for activated and/or atypical conjunctival melanocytic lesions (MLs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Eight specimens each of control lesions (normal conjunctiva and normal uvea as well as choroidal melanoma) and 8 from the diagnostic categories (conjunctival nevus, primary acquired melanosis with mild or no atypia, primary acquired melanosis with moderate to severe atypia, and conjunctival melanoma) that provided sufficient quantity and quality of tissue were available for processing. The specimens were obtained from the Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, The Ottawa Hospital, from 2005 to 2013. The specimens were immunolabeled with human melanoma black 45 (HMB45), melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (Melan-A), S100, and Ki67 using VR and a double panmelanoma cocktail (dPANMEL) using 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and VR. The HMB45-immunolabeled specimens were additionally developed with DAB, with and without overnight bleaching with hydrogen peroxide, 4%. Data were collected by 2 pathologists who were masked to sample grouping. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Differentiation between benign and malignant MLs based on immunomarker profile. RESULTS Immunoreactivity was best visualized in specimens with VR. Melan-A labeled all melanocytes (100% sensitivity; panmelanocyte marker) without discriminating between benign and malignant lesions (0% specificity). Atypical melanocytes were most specifically labeled with HMB45 (96% specificity, 97% sensitivity; atypia marker). In primary acquired melanosis specimens, we found that the percentage of HMB45 (P < .001), S100 (P < .001), and Ki67 (P ≤ .02) positivity increased significantly with worsening atypia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE We recommend VR, which rarely requires specimen bleaching, as the standard substrate for immunohistochemical analysis of conjunctival MLs. We found Melan-A and HMB45 to best characterize MLs. In conjunctival MLs, the use of VR with Melan-A and HMB45 provides substantial sensitivity for all melanocytes and for atypical melanocytes, respectively, and reduces specimen-processing time for laboratories performing immunohistochemistry on MLs.

The article presents the author's insights on Colonel Dean Hess and the film "Battle Hymn" Mustang. The author says that Hess offer insights into story that had become a 1956 best-selling autobiography and served as the technical advisor of the film. He adds that he received a call from National Aviation Hall of Fame executive director his interest in co-presenting a screening of "Battle Hymn" at the Reel Stuff festival of aviation films in Dayton, Ohio.

The reported complication rate of provocative lumbar discography is low, ranging from 0-2.5%. We report five cases of acute lumbar disc herniation precipitated by discography, a previously unreported complication. The cases reported comprise of four men and one woman with ages ranging from 23-45 years. All developed an acute exacerbation of radicular leg pain following multilevel provocative lumbar discography. One patient developed an acute foot drop. Comparison of lumbar MRI scans before and after discography demonstrated either a new herniated disc fragment or an increase in size of a preexisting herniation in all cases. On review of each discogram study and pre-discogram MRI an annular tear or small disc herniation was noted in all cases. In each case the patients' symptoms failed to resolve necessitating surgical intervention in all cases. In conclusion, annular deficiency is an obvious predisposing factor to discogram related disc herniation. New onset or a persistent exacerbation of radicular symptoms following provocative discography merits further investigation.

Purpose. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and safety for NX1838 following injection into the vitreous humor of rhesus monkeys. Methods. Plasma and vitreous humor pharmacokinetics were determined following a single bilateral 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mg/eye dose. In addition, the pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties of NX1838 were determined following six biweekly bilateral injections of 0.25 or 0.50 mg/eye or following four biweekly bilateral injections of 0.10 mg per eye followed by two biweekly bilateral injections of 1.0 mg per eye. Results. Plasma and vitreous humor NX1838 concentrations were linearly related to the dose administered. NX1838 was cleared intact from the vitreous humor into the plasma with a half-life of approximately 94 h, which was in agreement with the plasma terminal half-life. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-binding assays demonstrated that the NX1838 remaining in the vitreous humor after 28 days was fully active. No toxicological effects or antibody responses were evident. Conclusions. The no observable effect level was greater than six biweekly bilateral 0.50 mg/eye doses or two biweekly bilateral 1.0 mg/eye doses. These pharmacokinetic and safety data support monthly 1 or 2 mg/eye dose regimens in human clinical trials.

The synchronous participation of proximate metal centers in bimetallic complexes in a chemical transformation allows for the realization of otherwise unfeasible reaction pathways. Here, we investigated the potential of the bimetallic GaIcomplex CyL2Ga2(1, CyL2= 1,2-trans-C6H10[NC(Me)C(H)C(Me)N(Dip)]2, Dip = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3) for the construction of intermetallic compounds by bond activation reactions of organometallic group 13 and 15 compounds. Compound 1reacts with GaMe3with insertion into two Ga–C bonds and formation of CyL2(GaMe)2GaMe (3), whereas the reaction with BiEt3only proceeds with activation of one Bi–C bond and formation of CyL2Ga(Et)Ga(BiEt2) (4). Reactions of 1with Sb2Et4and Bi2Ph4occurred with the insertion of both Ga centers into the E–E bonds and formation of CyL2(GaER2)2(ER2= SbEt26, BiPh27) with E–Ga–Ga–E motifs. Compounds 3–7were characterized by heteronuclear NMR (1H, 13C{1H} (except 4)) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis, and their solid-state structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (sc-XRD). The structural features of the complexes hint at differing reaction pathways involving the two proximate GaIcenters, which were additionally studied by quantum chemical calculations.

The present study supports the conclusion that there is a positive relationship between perceived inmate exploitation and juvenile correctional worker burnout. The research examined 41 juvenile correctional workers using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a Juvenile Worker Interaction instrument. In addition, comparisons were made between respondent and non-respondent groups. Findings showed no significant difference between respondent and non-respondent groups. Measured by the six scales of Maslach 's Burnout Inventory, stress levels of the respondents fell within the moderate range. Staff anger accountedfor a large percentage of burnout.

ABSTRACTRevised iconographic interpretations of Anasazi Basketmaker art and related burial items suggest that many Basketmaker rock art images depict decapitated or dismembered sacrificial victims or casualties of war. Comparisons with contemporary burial goods, including human remains, support this argument. Atlatls, large basket trays, clay figurines, and full scalps reflect images and designs that can be directly or symbolically related to human sacrifice. Basketmaker warfare and sacrifice are also examined in the context of similar themes depicted in the art of earlier and contemporary Precolumbian cultures of Middle and South America. This context offers iconographic support to the ethnographic evidence for the appearance of these themes.

Advances continue in the nonoperative treatment of spinal cord injury. Pharmacologic agents aimed at altering pathologic processes associated with injury to the spinal cord are under active study. Promising results in initial clinical trials have been shown in the use of GM1 and it is currently undergoing additional trials. Agents that directly affect prostaglandins, thromboxanes, excitatory amino acids, and numerous other injury mediators are in various stages of development. Collagen matrices and fetal tissue transplants have proven effective in promoting axonal regeneration and diminishing scar formation in animal models. No application of these modalities in humans has been performed to date. The role of functional electrical stimulation in spinal cord injured patients continues to expand. Its uses include improving function in the extremities, providing an exercise regimen, and preventing complications associated with spinal cord injury.

Disc gel electrophoresis of dissected adults of Drosophila pseudoobscura showed that most of the esterase-5 activity was in the head (36%) and thorax (51%), with little activity in the abdomen (13%). No activity was found in digestive tissues, reproductive tissues, or nervous tissues. Most of the est-5 activity (61%) was found to be associated with hemolymph. However, the eyes contained 39% of the total est-5 activity. These results were supported by spectrophotometric assays of esterase activity in crude extracts of eyes and whole flies without eyes which showed that 27% of the total est-5 activity was in the eyes.

Radiographs and charts of 61 patients sustaining cervical spine trauma were studied prospectively to determine the incidence of vertebral artery injuries and possible correlative factors. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square testing of a two-way classification system.

SummaryA new allele of white-coral (wco2) was isolated from Canton S after mutagenesis. Many common laboratory stocks were found to carry a suppressor gene (Su(wco2)) which alters the phenotype of wco2flies toward wild-type. The Su(wco2) is allele-specific (it does not suppress wco), dominant, homozygous viable, located near Su(bwv1) on the right arm of chromosome 2, and shows a simple gene-dosage effect. The degree of suppression is sensitive to the genetic background. There appears to be selection for Su(wco2) in a genotype where it does not affect eye pigmentation.Heredity (1977) 39, 297–303; doi:10.1038/hdy.1977.70

Maintenance of a normal to low intraocular pressure during ocular surgery is of critical importance. The prime considerations for anaesthetic management include adequate depth of anaesthesia, normal carbon dioxide and arterial oxygen tensions, stable cardiovascular status and avoidance of stimuli likely to raise central venous pressure. Non-depolarizing muscle relaxants are associated with a reduction in intraocular pressure. Metocurine, a non-depolarizing relaxant, formerly known as dimethyltubocurarine, has been recently reintroduced into clinical practice. Metocurine has been reported to be 1.8 times more potent than d-tubocurarine and has the clinically advantageous cardiovascular effects of stable heart rate and mean blood pressure with minimal associated histamine release. When combined with pancuronium, metocurine potentiates the neuromuscular blocking properties, so that small doses of both drugs in combination produce effective neuromuscular block. This study was designed to assess the suitability of metocurine 0.3 mg-kg~-1 and metocurine 0.08 mg-kg-1 plus pancuronium 0.02 mg-kg-1 as muscle relaxants for ocular surgery. The results demonstrated that metocurine and metocurine-pancuronium combination in the above doses combined with sodium thiopentone 5 mg-kg-1 produced ideal conditions for intubation of the trachea in 4.45 (±0.19 SE) minutes and 4.35 (±0.16 SE) minutes respectively. In both treatment groups intraocular pressure was reduced below control values and a pattern of intraocular pressure stability ideal for ocular surgery was obtained during the 10 minutes observation period. The delayed onset of sufficient paralysis for tracheal intubation - 4.45 (±0.19SE) minutes for metocurine and 4.35 (±0.16SE) minutes for the combination - makes these techniques unsuitable for emergency ocular surgery because of the long interval when the airway is unprotected.

Pressure measurements were taken in the neural foramina of C5, C6, and C7 nerve roots at various positions of the head and ipsilateral arm in org lit fresh cadavers.

A fast training algorithm is developed for two-layer feedforward neural networks based on a probabilistic model for hidden representations and the EM algorithm. The algorithm decomposes training the original two-layer networks into training a set of single neurons. The individual neurons are then trained via a linear weighted regression algorithm. Significant improvement on training speed has been made using this algorithm for several bench-mark problems. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Phrenic nerve pacing can be used to free a quadriplegic patient from ventilatory dependency. During a 6-year period (1982 to 1988), 23 patients with an age range of 17 to 63 years (mean 31 years) underwent implantation of a phrenic nerve pacemaker because of ventilatory dependency resulting from quadriplegia. Fourteen patients had a unilateral phrenic nerve implant and nine had a bilateral implant. The time from injury to implantation was 12 to 16 weeks. The site of implantation was the cervical phrenic nerve in 13 patients and the thoracic phrenic nerve in 10 patients. During the past 24 months, only a transthoracic approach has been used. The indication for pacing was failure to be weaned from ventilatory support in all patients. Failure to stimulate the phrenic nerve at implantation was noted in three patients, despite preoperative testing indicating an acceptable response. There were no deaths, and minor complications developed in three patients. Follow-up is available in all patients: Eight patients are completely free from the ventilator; nine patients are in markedly improved condition but require the ventilator at night; three patients are in moderately improved condition; and three patients had no response. Three patients required reexploration for component failure from 6 weeks to 18 months after implantation.

Of 11 young children (six girls and five boys, ranging in age from 4 to 14 months) with monocular nystagmus, six were found to have chiasmal tumors whereas only four had spasmus nutans. Differentiating features between these two groups included decreased vision and optic nerve anomalies (including four cases of optic nerve hypoplasia) in the tumor group. However, we found that no consistent clinical finding absolutely separates these groups. We therefore recommend that all infants and children with monocular nystagmus or the other features of spasmus nutans should undergo computed tomographic scanning.

Resistance to antifolates in Bacillus subtilisstrains results from the presence of an antifolate resistance mutation (afo). Strains which are thyA+afoare unconditionally resistant to antifolates. The conditional resistance of thyA afostrains is hypothesized to be due to the thyB+gene product (thymidylate synthetase B) having a high Kmfor the folate substrate, thus leading to thymineless death in the presence of antifolates. An alternative model for conditional antifolate resistance was shown to be incorrect by analysis of folate metabolism in methotrexate-treated cells. Genetic analysis and studies of the response of afo+cells to methotrexate suggested that most, if not all, B. subtilisthymine-requiring mutants are afo. Analysis of dihydrofolate reductase from afocells did not reveal an obvious mechanism for antifolate resistance in those cells.

Ninety-three higher adult education chief administrators served as subjects in this study which was designed to test whether or not there was evidence of increased professionalization between 1957 and 1967. Utilizing Hall's Professionalization Scales and some background scales to measure attitudinal and structural attributes of professionalization, an analysis of variance technique and a chi square analysis were used to determine the difference between the extent of professionalization of three cohorts of Ss. Findings revealed no significant change over time between the three cohorts at the .05 significance level. The average scores in this study were higher than those reported in previous studies using the Professionalization Scales with other occupations. These unexpected findings were viewed as attributable, at least in part, to characteristics of the field of higher adult education during the past decade which mitigated against further professionalization of the occupation. Using a supplementary questionnaire, addi tional comparsions were made between 93 respondents and a sample of the 143 non-respondents to the initial questionnaire. The differences were not significant.

At high concentrations (10 μg/ml), actinomycin D inhibited deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis in Bacillus subtilis. Inhibition occurred quickly (in less than 1 min) and was complete. In strain 23 thy his, inhibition of DNA synthesis by actinomycin D was followed by partial degradation of one of the two daughter strands to acid-soluble products. Degradation began at the replication point and proceeded over a distance equal to about 12% of a chromosome in length. Actinomycin D played some essential part in degradation, since exposure of the cells to other treatments or agents which inhibit growth did not lead to the above result.

Wilson, Melba Carr(Brown University, Providence, R.I.), James L. Farmer, and Frank Rothman. Thymidylate synthesis and aminopterin resistance in Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 92:186–196. 1966.—The thymine-requirement of Bacillus subtilis168 thyresults from mutation in two unlinked genes (i.e., genetic loci) designated thyAand thyB. The thyBgene is located between the metand ilemarkers. Both thyA+thyBand thyA thyB+strains are phenotypically thy+. ThyA+thyBstrains resemble the wild type in their sensitivity to aminopterin, poor incorporation of exogenous thymine into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and high level of thymidylate synthetase activity in crude extracts. ThyA thyB+strains are resistant to aminopterin in the presence of thymine, incorporate exogenous thymine into DNA, and have no detectable thymidylate synthetase activity. Experiments designed to elucidate the role of the thyBgene indicate that it specifies an alternate pathway of thymidylate synthesis, similar to thymidylate synthetase but requiring a cofactor other than tetrahydrofolate. The mechanism of selection of thymine-requiring mutants by aminopterin is revealed by these results.

The gas phase electron spin resonance technique has been applied to study the quenching efficiency of Hg(63P1) mercury atoms by molecular hydrogen. The concentration of hydrogen atoms produced by the mercury photosensitized decomposition of molecular hydrogen in a flow apparatus was followed as a function of the partial pressure of hydrogen with argon, neon, and hydrogen as carrier gases. The kinetic equations derived from the reaction mechanism proposed was shown to be in agreement with the experimental observations. The total quenching rate kHwas evaluated from the experimental results.

The article discusses a sporting cabin designed by designer James Farmer, which features hammered copper and nickel sink, gray-green cabinetry, and galvanized pendant.

Rock art scholarship, and particularly studies on ancient American rock art styles, have long held a rather peculiar relationship to mainstream art history. On the one hand, most standard college art history survey textbooks generally ignore or marginalize rock art imagery almost to the point of non-existence, yet with one notable exception. Nearly all of these same textbooks typically introduce the entire history of human art with discussions on the significance of one of the most highly acknowledged and globally recognized rock art styles, the great Paleolithic cave paintings of Western Europe. Many of these textbooks exceed 1000 pages in length, including over 1000 total illustrations, yet after no more than two to three pages (at most) dedicated to the cave paintings as introduction, rock art is summarily abandoned and only fleetingly referenced in a very few cases. Given the global range, deep antiquity and persistency of rock art imagery throughout the history of human artistic production, such apparent dismissal by the core art history survey textbooks is difficult to rationalize. Rock art scholarship itself of course suffers from no such lack of publication or coverage, and has indeed evolved as a somewhat separate and rather robust field of art historical inquiry, existing parallel to, but only occasional directly engaged with mainstream art historical discourse. As J. J. Brody pointed out in 1991, the vast majority of scholarly publications on ancient American culture, including rock art studies, are routinely cataloged and shelved in the anthropology, religious studies, or history sections of libraries and book stores, rather than sections on the arts. Ancient American rock art often suffers from a second scholarly disadvantage within the general art history survey texts as well, as it is commonly subsumed within the broader coverage of Precolumbian art in general, only covered in texts which include the even broader distinction of Non-Western art coverage (including African, Asian, and Oceranic as well), and agaiun typically given less than adequate coverage. Rock art studies in the last 30 years have clearly established the extraordinary artistic sophistication of numerous ancient American rock art styles as significant painting traditions (as distinguished from the more archaeologically loaded, and less art historical term "rock art"). This presentation presents a brief review of the context and coverage of ancient American rock art images in the major art historical survey texts of the 20th and 21st centuries, and argues that several ancient American styles, such as the Barrier Canyon Anthropomorphic Style of Utah, or the great murals of Baja California, are worthy and comparable candidates for inclusion in more broadly contextualized art historical surveys, and that rock art scholarship as a process should target a more specific art historical audience, rather than specific rock art or anthropologically oriented publication venues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the authors discuss various reports within the issue on topics including rock art traditions and pictographic styles across the Greater American Southwest.

Focuses on the Patent Reform Act of 2005 that was introduced by Texas Republican Representative Lamar S. Smith. Provisions of the Act; Changes proposed by the Act to the U.S. patent laws; Impact of the first-to-file provision of the Act on inventors; Controversies surrounding the legislative bill.