cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Group Embedded Figures Test: Psychometric Data Documenting Shifts from Prior Norms in Field Independence of Accountants

This study examined the performance of 516 practicing accountants on the Group Embedded Figures Test. The present accountants scored significantly more field-independent than the published test norms and the 124 accountants in Pincus's 1985 sample. Significant differences were also noted between traditional (entry immediately following collage at age 22) and delayed-entry (late entry or second career) accountants. Gender differences noted in the norms were not observed for the current sample.
Multicultural education: A valued but problematic ideal

ology of cultural pluralism; * any assessment of the multicultural education movement and proposed educational policies and practices favoring multiculturalism must begin with an analysis of cultural pluralism ideology; * cultural pluralism ideology emphasizes ethnic group diversity, while multicultural education addresses diversity in virtually all its forms, ethnic and otherwise; * multicultural education is more broadly based than education for cultural pluralism; * cultural diversity and equal opportunity could be eroded, given the rush to practice multicultural education in the face of ambiguities and unknowns.
Paleomagnetic results from northeastern Mexico: Evidence for large Mesozoic rotations

Preliminary paleomagnetic evidence indicates that a significant part of Mexico rotated 130° counterclockwise during early Mesozoic time, coeval with the opening of the Gulf of Mexico, and that a major structural discontinuity must exist between Mexico and cratonic North America. Measurements made on samples from fourteen isolated outcrops of the Huizachal Group, a red-bed sequence exposed in northeastern Mexico indicate that these sediments were deposited in rifted basins and could range in age from post–Middle Permian to pre–Early Cretaceous. Of samples analyzed from the overlying Zuloaga Limestone (Oxfordian) and the Cuesta del Cura Formation (Aptian-Albian), the oldest yield a paleomagnetic pole position that implies that the sampling area was originally oriented about 130° clockwise relative to stable North America. Progressive counterclockwise rotation continued to Middle Jurassic time. Because of the limited geographical distribution of sampling sites, it is not possible to assess whether most of Mexico shared this rotation or whether the proposed left-lateral motion along major west-northwest–trending faults caused the rotation of a smaller crustal block. In either case, our results strongly suggest a major structural discontinuity in northern Mexico.
Operant stimulus control applied to maze behavior: heat escape conditioning and discrimination reversal in alligator Mississippiensis

Eight alligators were trained to escape heat by traversing an 8-ft runway containing right or left approaches to a water tank. All subjects were run until they had satisfied three criteria of stable response time, after which the predominant escape path was blocked, requiring discrimination reversal. Seven subjects again met the criteria; three also met them in a second reversal.
985-62 Outcome of Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery

The outcome after surgical repair of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk (ALCAPA) remains incompletely defined, and transplantation has been advocated for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. We reviewed our institutional experience with ALCAPA since 1977 in 38 patients whose repair established a dual coronary circulation (7 early cases with LCA ligation were excluded) to assess whether cardiac function predicts outcome, the use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and postoperative complications of the current operative techniques. Surgical techniques included direct coronary reimplantation to the aorta in 11 pts, intrapulmonary baffling (Takeuchi) when the LCA could not reach the aorta directly in 25 pts, and modified Takeuchi in which an extrapulmonary baffle was fashioned from anterior and posterior walls of the pulmonary artery in 2 pts. The operative survival was 91%, 88%, and 100%, respectively (89% overall). All pts who died were l lyr old (3/19 Takeuchi, 1/10 reimplantation). Since its introduction at our institution in 1990, LVAD has been used in 4/16 pts, 1 Takeuchi pt who died and 3 reimplantation pts who all survived. Survival in pts l 1 yr old was not different in those with severe dysfunction (shortening fraction (SF) l 15%,18/20) compared with moderate dysfunction (SF 16–25%, 4/5). Function returned to normal in all pts for whom followup is known past one year, regardless of the severity of preoperative dysfunction. Postoperative complications for Takeuchi pts included baffle leaks in 6/21 pts who underwent postoperative echocardiogram, supravalvar pulmonary stenosis in 13/20 pts for whom followup is known (l 25 mmHg in 9 pts, 26-50 mmHg in 2 pts, g 50 mmHg in 2 pts requiring reoperation), and progressive aortic regurgitation requiring aortic valve replacement in 1 pt. There were no complications in the two modified Takeuchi pts (6 and 12 mos followup) or in reimplantation pts. Conclusions (1) The degree of LV dysfunction at presentation does not predict survival in pts l 1yr old, (2) current operative survival for ALCAPA does not justify consideration of transplantation, (3) LVAD may improve survival for some patients and should be available for postoperative management, and (4) supravalvar pulmonary stenosis occurs in a majority of Takeuchi pts, some of whom require reoperation; a modified technique may improve this postoperative complication rate.
Passive wireless smart-skin sensor using RFID-based folded patch antennas

Folded patch antennas were investigated for the development of low-cost and wireless smart-skin sensors that monitor the strain in metallic structures. When the patch antenna is under strain/deform...
Assimilation of carbon by the soil biomass

The stoichiometry of soil biomass synthesis was studied with glucose, glucose+N, alfalfa and corn leaf amended soil. Equations describing the quantitative relationship found for the dissimilation of substrate C and related oxidative assimilation of C by the biomass were developed. The analytical approach involved measurement of soluble C consumed by persulfate oxidation (POC). Carbon flow patterns showed that the observed decrease in POC correlated well with an increase in cell C (0–44 h). With glucose alone 47% of the initial POC was consumed and with glucose+N 99% of the POC was utilized. Alfalfa and corn leaf residues also showed sharp decreases in initial POC. Marked differences in C uptake were noted depending on the soil treatment and specific incubation period. An equation was developed which predicts C assimilation level and related soil biomass weights from decreases in POC.
Human neuroblastoma cell lines regain catecholamine fluorescence when xenografted into athymic (nude) mice

Abstract Detection of catecholamine production by neuroblastoma is a useful tumor marker. The majority of neuroblastoma patients have elevated levels of urinary catecholamines and/or their metabolites, and have tumors, which show histochemical evidence of catecholamines using glyoxylic acid-induced catecholamine fluorescence. By contrast, continuous cell lines derived from neuroblastomas lack catecholamine fluorescence in vitro. In this study, we report that 11 out of 12 human neuroblastoma cell lines established from catecholamine-positive tumors displayed histochemical evidence of catecholamines when grown as xenografts in athymic (nude) mice. Catecholamine fluorescence in these xenograft tumors decayed over a 5 day period when the cells were placed into tissue culture. Xenograft tumors of cell lines derived from four catecholamine-negative neuroblastomas or seven primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) did not show catecholamine fluorescence. Ultrastructural comparisons of cell lines in vitro with their corresponding tumors in vivo showed that six of eight cell lines had fewer dense core (neurosecretory) granules in vitro compared to the more readily detectable dense core granules seen in nude mouse tumor tissue. These data indicate that catecholamine synthesis and/or storage in human neuroblastoma cells requires factor(s) not present in the in vitro environment. As neuroblastoma cell lines derived from catecholamine-positive tumors retain the ability to produce and store catecholamines in vivo, such cell lines can be used to identify factors critical to catecholamine production in human neurons.
Joint Energy Harvesting and Communication Analysis for Perpetual Wireless Nanosensor Networks in the Terahertz Band

Wireless nanosensor networks (WNSNs) consist of nanosized communicating devices, which can detect and measure new types of events at the nanoscale. WNSNs are the enabling technology for unique applications such as intrabody drug delivery systems or surveillance networks for chemical attack prevention. One of the major bottlenecks in WNSNs is posed by the very limited energy that can be stored in a nanosensor mote in contrast to the energy that is required by the device to communicate. Recently, novel energy harvesting mechanisms have been proposed to replenish the energy stored in nanodevices. With these mechanisms, WNSNs can overcome their energy bottleneck and even have infinite lifetime (perpetual WNSNs), provided that the energy harvesting and consumption processes are jointly designed. In this paper, an energy model for self-powered nanosensor motes is developed, which successfully captures the correlation between the energy harvesting and the energy consumption processes. The energy harvesting process is realized by means of a piezoelectric nanogenerator, for which a new circuital model is developed that can accurately reproduce existing experimental data. The energy consumption process is due to the communication among nanosensor motes in the terahertz band (0.1-10 THz). The proposed energy model captures the dynamic network behavior by means of a probabilistic analysis of the total network traffic and the multiuser interference. A mathematical framework is developed to obtain the probability distribution of the nanosensor mote energy and to investigate the end-to-end successful packet delivery probability, the end-to-end packet delay, and the achievable throughput of WNSNs. Nanosensor motes have not been built yet and, thus, the development of an analytical energy model is a fundamental step toward the design of WNSNs architectures and protocols.
807-3 The Effect of Age on the Hemodynamic Response to Dobutamine

Although aging is associated with decreased beta-adrenergic responsiveness and many patients undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) are elderly, the effect of age on the hemodynamic response to dobutamine DOB) has not been reported. Furthermore, hypotension is frequently observed during DSE and the mechanism is controversial. Therefore, we examined the heart rate IHR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses in Download : Download high-res image (58KB) Download : Download full-size image 2 gender-matched groups of subjects widely separated in age by 2 decades: an older group (age 73 ± 4, n = 42) and a younger group (age 53 ± 7, n = 41), during graded 3 minute infusions of DOB at 5, 10, and 20 μg/kg/min, We excluded subjects who were on cardioactive medications or who had abnormal LV function or conduction defects. Results HR responses of the two groups were nearly identical at all doses. In contrast, SSP responses differed markedly (see figure). With increasing DOS dose, the young had an increase in SSP while the old had a progressive decrease in SBP (p l 0.01 by ANOVA), even after adjusting for higher resting SBP in the old. The SSP response was not affected by wall motion or lV function. Conclusion Aging markedly alters the blood pressure but not the heart rate response to DOB. These data may help explain the frequency of hypotension during DSE.
The energy stored in silver single crystals

Abstract The energy relations involved in the room-temperature tensile deformation of single crystals of silver have been measured by single-step calorimetry. The data have been discussed in terms of theories of work hardening. The stored energy values were found to be linearly related to the square of the shear stress, the constants of proportionality being dependent on the initial orientations of the crystals. An explanation of these effects is given in terms of the dislocation structure after deformation.
Adolescents entering chemical dependency treatment in private managed care: ethnic differences in treatment initiation and retention.

Abstract Purpose There has been little research on adolescents of different ethnicities in chemical dependency (CD) treatment, despite a focus on ethnic disparities in health care in recent years. In particular, little is known about ethnic differences in utilization of adolescent CD services. Methods We examined treatment initiation and treatment retention in a sample of African American, Native American, Latino, Asian American, and Caucasian adolescents entering CD treatment in a private, managed care health plan (n = 419). Our conceptual framework included ethnicity as the main factor as well as measures of external pressure and internal motivation/readiness for treatment, family environment, psychiatric co-morbidities, and severity of alcohol and drug problems. Logistic and Poisson regression were used to examine differences. Results The study found ethnic differences in treatment initiation and treatment retention. Native American adolescents had lower odds of returning after intake to initiate treatment compared with Caucasians (odds ratio [OR] .35, p = .009), and African American youth spent less time in treatment than Caucasians (RR: .49, p Conclusions Study findings indicate differences in treatment initiation for Native Americans and in treatment retention for African Americans. Intake and orientation sessions offer an opportunity to intervene with Native American youth. Given their high psychiatric co-morbidity, they may also benefit from the availability of psychiatric services. Even after adjusting for severity, we found shorter treatment retention for African American adolescents and suggest that organizational factors, such as cultural competency, may play an important role.
Communication of the ulnaris lateralis bursa with the equine elbow joint and evaluation of caudal arthrocentesis

Summary Elbows from cadaver limbs were evaluated to determine the presence of a communication between the ulnaris lateralis bursa (ULB) and the joint and the extent of the bursa. Thirty-two pairs of joints were studied: 12 pairs were frozen, then transversely sectioned and 20 pairs were injected with methyl methacrylate. The 12 frozen-section pairs revealed a communication between the ULB and the elbow joint in 9/24 joints (37.5%) and a true bursa (absence of communication) in 15/24 joints (62.5%). The mean bursal length in adult horses was 3.8 cm. There was no significant difference in the length of the bursa or presence of bursa-joint communication between the right and left limbs. In the acrylic specimens a communication between the ULB and the joint was found in 19/40 specimens (47.5%). There was no significant correlation between age or sex and frequency of communication. There was a significantly greater prevalence of communications present in Quarter Horse than in non-Quarter Horse (P < 0.05) joints. A communication between the ULB and the joint is not always present, and therefore injection of the elbow joint via the ULB may be unreliable.
Stereoselective total synthesis of cembranolides through cyclizationof a homochiral (α-alkoxyallyl)stannane precursor

Abstract The homochiral hydroxy enol ether 2 , secured through BF 3 -promoted cyclization of alkoxy stannane 1 , was elaborated to the unnamed cembranolide V , a constituent of a soft coral inhabitant of the Great Barrier Reef. The synthesis confirms the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product.
Excimer laser-assisted coronary angioplasty for lesions containing thrombus

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to analyze the success rates for excimer laser-assisted coronary angioplasty performed in patients undergoing angioplasty for lesions containing thrombus. Background. The presence of intracoronary thrombus increases the risk of a poor clinical outcome after balloon angioplasty. The effect of intracoronary thrombus on the safety and efficacy of excimer laser-assisted coronary angioplasty is unknown. Methods. Percutaneous excimer laser-assisted coronary angioplasty was attempted in 142 patients, of whom 12 had angiographic evidence of intracoronary thrombus in 14 lesions, defined as a filling defect sarrounded by contrast medium or an area of contrast staining. Results. Clinical success (<50% residual stenosis without myocardial infarction, death or bypass surgery at any time during hospitalization) was achieved in 7 (58%) of the 12 patients with intracoronary thrombus, compared with 123 (95%) of the 130 patients without thrombus (p = 0.00001). Angiographic and clinical complications were more common in patients with thrombus: embolization (25% vs. 1%, p < 0.001), myocardial infarction (33% vs. 2%, p < 0.001), abrupt closure (17% vs. 4%, p = 0.049). Angiographic restenosis at 6 months was seen at 7 (70%) of 10 treated sites with intracoronary thrombus and at 59 (51%) of 116 sites without thrombus (p = 0.245). Presence of intracoronary thrombus was identified as the most important predictor of clinical success (p = 0.013) by multivariable logistic regression analysis, which controlled for other covarinbles, such as lesion complexity or lesion location in a saphenous vein graft. Conclusions. This analysis shows that the success of excimer laser-assisted coronary angioplasty is compromised when thrombus is detected angiographically. Further investigation of other strategies is needed to improve the outcome of angioplasty for this challenging problems.
Decreased longevity of human diploid cells after incorporation of latex spheres within their cytoplasm

Abstract The effects of cytoplasmic incorporation of latex spheres (a cytoplasmic marker) on the growth potential of human diploid cells was examined. After incorporation of latex spheres within their cytoplasm, GM2290 (diploid, Lesch-Nyhan) cells showed a reduced replicative potential. A lower percentage of cells exposed to latex particles incorporated [3H]thymidme during any subsequent 24-h test period when compared with comparable, untreated cells. The overall life expectancy of the cultures treated with spheres was reduced approx. 25%. A similarly treated and examined transformed cell line (HeLa) showed no similar adverse effects after incorporation of latex spheres. The results suggest that latex spheres should be used with caution in experiments on in vitro cellular senescence.
Temporal/spatial tracking requirements for tracking humans

This paper details the development, experimentation, collected data and the results of research designed to gain an understanding of the temporal and spatial image collection guidelines for tracking humans. More specifically, a quantitative understanding of the relationship between human observer performance and the spatial and temporal resolution is sought. Performance is measured as a function of the number of video frames per second, imager spatial resolution and the ability of the observer to accurately determine the destination of a moving human target. The research is restricted to data and imagery collected from altitudes typical of modern low to mid altitude persistent surveillance platforms using a wide field of view. The ability of the human observer to perform an unaided track of a human target was determined by their completion of carefully designed perception experiments. In these experiments, the observers were presented with simulated imagery from Night Vision's EOSim urban terrain simulator. The details of the simulated targets and backgrounds, the design of the experiments and their associated results are included in this treatment.
The interaction of perceptual processes and ambiguous sentences.

General principles of speech perception resolve several experimental conflicts about whether listeners interpret one or all meanings of an ambiguous sentence We argue that during all ambiguous clause, both meanings are processed, but immediately after the clause over, it recoded with only one meaning retained This model resolves the apparently conflicting results of previous experimental, it also predicts that underlying structure ambiguity m incomplete clauses increases Comprehension time In complete clauses, ambiguity does not increase relative comprehension time; it mayreduce comprehension time for ambiguities whose interpretations are perceptually distinct in those tasks where either meaning is appropriate Two new experiments offer preliminary confirmation of these predictions
Control of Dendritic Morphogenesis by Trio in Drosophila melanogaster

Abl tyrosine kinase and its effectors among the Rho family of GTPases each act to control dendritic morphogenesis in Drosophila. It has not been established, however, which of the many GTPase regulators in the cell link these signaling molecules in the dendrite. In axons, the bifunctional guanine exchange factor, Trio, is an essential link between the Abl tyrosine kinase signaling pathway and Rho GTPases, particularly Rac, allowing these systems to act coordinately to control actin organization. In dendritic morphogenesis, however, Abl and Rac have contrary rather than reinforcing effects, raising the question of whether Trio is involved, and if so, whether it acts through Rac, Rho or both. We now find that Trio is expressed in sensory neurons of the Drosophila embryo and regulates their dendritic arborization. trio mutants display a reduction in dendritic branching and increase in average branch length, whereas over-expression of trio has the opposite effect. We further show that it is the Rac GEF domain of Trio, and not its Rho GEF domain that is primarily responsible for the dendritic function of Trio. Thus, Trio shapes the complexity of dendritic arbors and does so in a way that mimics the effects of its target, Rac.
The correlates of substance abuse and dependence among adolescents at high risk for drug abuse

Correlates of substance abuse disorders in teenagers may suggest new treatment modalities. The present article examines correlates of self-reported substance abuse and dependence among a sample of 1936 youth at high risk for drug abuse, from 21 southern California continuation high schools. Among 32 demographic, drug use, drug use intention, coping, or health attitude-related variables, gender, cigarette smoking, anger coping, depression, and addiction concern were most consistently associated with self-reported substance abuse or substance dependence. These results suggest that affect management may help facilitate the prevention or control of adolescent drug abuse.
End-Stage Alzheimer's Disease: Glasgow Coma Scale and the Neurologic Examination

Objective: To characterize the cognitive and neurologic features of patients with end-stage Alzheimer's disease using a standard neurologic examination and the Glasgow Coma Scale. Design: Case series. Setting: Local community nursing homes. Patients: Forty patients with Alzheimer's disease were drawn from previously enrolled subjects in the Rochester Alzheimer's Disease Project with Clinical Dementia Rating scores of 3, 4, or 5. Main Outcome Measures: Scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale and cognitive screening examinations and the prevalence of neurologic manifestations such as primitive reflexes and extrapyramidal signs were compared across the Clinical Dementia Rating groups. Results: When compared with patients in the Clinical Dementia Rating stages 3 and 4, patients with a stage 5 scored significantly lower on the Glasgow Coma Scale, with the discriminating subscales being verbal and motor responses. Primitive reflexes, myoclonus, and dyskinesia were increasingly prevalent in the more terminal stages. Cognitive screening assessments did not discriminate between groups. Conclusions: Rudimentary neurologic functions can be readily assessed and, when viewed together with the Glasgow Coma Scale, may circumvent the "floor effect" frequently encountered when using the currently available cognitive and functional scales and, thereby, better define patients with end-stage Alzheimer's disease.
On the use of quasi-dynamic modeling for composite material structures: Analysis of adhesively bonded joints with midplane asymmetry and transverse shear deformation

Abstract Adhesively bonded joints offer an attractive alternative to bolted/riveted approaches to joining load bearing elements because of potential weight savings and enhanced joint strength efficiency. However, modeling of these joints including substrate asymmetry, anisotropy, thickness variation, transverse shear deformation, hygrothermal growth, and complicated models for the adhesive layer can prove to be very unwieldy. This paper presents a solution methodology to model adhesively bonded joints which is capable of handling these important effects. The differential equations of motion are modified to include fictional damping type terms. Using a modified form of the thin structural displacements including temporal variation, the quasi-dynamic governing equations for thin plates are developed. The plate relationships are simplified to yield the quasi-dynamic beam/rod relationships. An assortment of boundary and initial conditions in terms of displacements are included for completeness and to facilitate implementation. To acquire quantitative solutions, the quasi-dynamic relationships are recast into the form of finite difference equations. A form suitable for the solution of a wide range of practical problems is presented. For completeness, the boundary and initial conditions are also recast into finite difference form. Justification of the choice to include the fictional damping terms and the discrete solution methodology is presented. The discrete governing equations are verified using the classical cantilevered beam case. Deviations from the classical solution resulting from the inclusion of transverse shear deformation and solution convergence are discussed. Once the quasi-dynamic solution methodology is validated, the single lap shear joint is modeled. Finally, a parametric study is performed to determine the influence of asymmetric adherend stiffness property variations on the peel and shear stresses in the adhesive layer. It is observed that decreases in adherend lumped shear stiffness results in reductions in the adhesive layer stress peaks. It is also observed that asymmetrically constructed adherends are of potential benefit to the reduction of adhesive peel stresses.
Effectiveness of two nickel-titanium rotary instruments and a hand file for removing gutta-percha in severely curved root canals during retreatment: an ex vivo study.

Aim To evaluate ex vivo the effectiveness of hand files, ProTaper and R-Endo rotary instruments when removing gutta-percha from curved root canals. Methodology Ninety severely curved teeth were divided into three groups. The root canals were accessed, prepared and filled with vertically condensed gutta-percha and sealer. Removal of gutta-percha was performed with the following devices and techniques: Hedstrom files (Vereinigte Dentalwerke, Munich, Germany), ProTaper (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and R-Endo (Micro-Mega, Besancon, France). All techniques were used with the solvent eucalyptol. The amount of filling material debris remaining on root canal walls was assessed radiographically from two directions: mesio-distal and bucco-lingual. The images were digitized and analysed with autocad 2000 software. Total canal area, area of the cervical, middle and apical thirds, and area of remaining filling material from both directions were outlined by two different operators and calculated. Statistical analysis of remaining filling material within each third of the canals was performed by the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results Comparisons of the percentages of remaining filling material in the entire canal did not reveal any significant differences between the methods of removal. However, the canal third was of relevance in all groups; the apical third had the most remaining filling material compared with the middle and cervical thirds (P = 0.0012). Conclusion All instruments left filling material inside the root canal. ProTaper and R-Endo rotary instruments were inadequate for the complete removal of filling material from the root canal system.
Extension of the efficiency tracing method for the calibration of pure β-emitters

Abstract It is demonstrated that the efficiency tracing method for the standardization of pure β-emitters with a 4πβ-γ coincidence apparatus may be extended to nuclide pairs which are not amenable to mixing by compound formation. The mixing may be accomplished by adsorption of the two species on a matrix of colloidal silica or graphite particles on the source mount. By varying the mass of the matrix, it is possible to produce sources of a range of counting efficiencies. It is further demonstrated that by means of various external absorber foils placed on both sides of one mixed source, the counting efficiency may be varied to obtain an efficiency function equivalent to that obtained with a series of sources through self-absorption. While good mixing of activities is desirable, it is not essential for thin sources used with external absorbers. Application of this procedure is illustrated for the standardization of S35 and Tl204.
Effects of experimental removal of woody debris on the channel morphology of a forest, gravel-bed stream

Abstract Experimental removal of woody debris from a small, gravel-bed stream in a forested basin resulted in dramatic redistribution of bed sediment and changes in bed topography. Removal of debris changed the primary flow path, thereby altering the size and location of bars and pools and causing local bank erosion and channel widening. Marked bed adjustments occurred almost immediately following experimental treatment in May 1987 and continued through to the end of the study period in 1991. Increased bed material mobility was attributable to destabilization of sediment storage sites by removal of debris buttresses, elimination of low-energy, backwater environments related to debris, and an inferred increase in boundary shear stress resulting from the removal of debris-related flow resistance. In contrast to these changes, which favored sediment mobilization, deposition was favored by the elimination of debris-related scouring turbulence and by increased flow resistance from a developing sequence of alternate bars. A more regularly spaced sequence of alternate bars replaced the pretreatment bar sequence, whose location, size, and shape had been strongly influenced by large woody debris as well as by bank projections and channel curvature. Following initial readjustment of the stream bed during the first posttreatment year, loss of scouring turbulence and increased flow resistance from alternate bars resulted in deposition of approximately 44 m3 of sediment within the 96 m study reach. The loss of 5.2 m3 to bank erosion left a net increase in sediment storage of 39 m3. Mean spacing of thalweg cross-overs and pools did not change measurably following debris removal, although variability of spacing between thalweg cross-overs tended to decrease with time as the location of bars stabilized. No consistent pattern of change in mean residual depth of pools or in distribution of depths occurred within the first 4 years following debris removal.
Angiogenic factors for the prediction of preeclampsia in high-risk women

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate angiogenic factors for the prediction of preeclampsia in high-risk women. Study Design We collected serial serum specimens from 94 women at high preeclampsia risk between 22 and 36 weeks' gestation. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Mean serum sFlt1 and the sFlt1/PlGF ratio were higher in subjects who developed early-onset (less than 34 weeks) preeclampsia, as compared with subjects without preeclampsia, from 22 weeks gestation onward. In subjects who developed late-onset (34 weeks or later) preeclampsia, sFlt1 was significantly increased after 31 weeks' gestation. The sFlt1/PlGF ratio at 22-26 weeks was highly predictive of early-onset preeclampsia. The within-woman rate of change of the sFlt1/PlGF ratio was predictive of overall preeclampsia risk. Conclusions In high-risk women, serum sFlt1 and the sFlt1:PlGF ratio are altered prior to preeclampsia onset and may be predictive of preeclampsia. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Mortality Rates and Predictors of Mortality Among Late-Middle-Aged and Older Substance Abuse Patients

This study describes mortality rates and predictors of mortality among late-middle-aged and older (55+) substance abuse inpatients (n = 21,139) in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers in the 4 years after an index episode of care. A total of 24% of the patients died; this mortality rate was 2.64 times higher than expected. Predictors of earlier mortality included older age and nonmarried status, alcohol psychosis and organic brain disorder diagnoses, and several medical diagnoses, including neoplasms, liver cirrhosis, respiratory, endocrine and metabolic, and blood system disorders. Three proxy indicators of illness severity also predicted mortality: more prior inpatient and outpatient medical care and an index episode in an extended care unit. In contrast, more prior outpatient mental health care and remitted status predicted lower mortality. These diagnostic and treatment indicators can be used to identify patients at heightened risk for premature mortality. Moreover, they show that intensive mental health aftercare and remission of substance abuse may delay mortality, even among older patients who have longstanding substance abuse problems.
Pyridoxamine analogues scavenge lipid-derived gamma-ketoaldehydes and protect against H2O2-mediated cytotoxicity.

Isoketals and levuglandins are highly reactive γ-ketoaldehydes formed by oxygenation of arachidonic acid in settings of oxidative injury and cyclooxygenase activation, respectively. These compounds rapidly adduct to proteins via lysyl residues, which can alter protein structure/function. We examined whether pyridoxamine, which has been shown to scavenge α-ketoaldehydes formed by carbohydrate or lipid peroxidation, could also effectively protect proteins from the more reactive γ-ketoaldehydes. Pyridoxamine prevented adduction of ovalbumin and also prevented inhibition of RNase A and glutathione reductase activity by the synthetic γ-ketoaldehyde, 15-E2-isoketal. We identified the major products of the reaction of pyridoxamine with the 15-E2-isoketal, including a stable lactam adduct. Two lipophilic analogs of pyridoxamine, salicylamine and 5’O-pentylpyridoxamine, also formed lactam adducts when reacted with 15-E2-isoketal. When we oxidized arachidonic acid in the presence of pyridoxamine or its analogs, pyridoxamine-isoketal adducts were found in significantly greater abundance than the pyridoxamine-N-acyl adducts formed by α-ketoaldehyde scavenging. Therefore, pyridoxamine and its analogs appear to preferentially scavenge γ-ketoaldehydes. Both pyridoxamine and its lipophilic analogs inhibited the formation of lysyl-levuglandin adducts in platelets activated ex vivo with arachidonic acid. The two lipophilic pyridoxamine analogs provided significant protection against H2O2-mediated cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. These results demonstrate the utility of pyridoxamine and lipophilic pyridoxamine analogs to assess the potential contributions of isoketals and levuglandins in oxidant injury and inflammation and suggest their potential utility as pharmaceutical agents in these conditions.
A case series of patients with lamotrigine toxicity at one center from 2003 to 2012.

Introduction. Lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine compound that inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels, decreasing release of glutamate and aspartate, and inhibits serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamin...
Reviving Reification: Education, Indoctrination, and Anxiety in The Graduate

This article takes its inspiration and method from Slavoj Zizek's work that reads and integrates social theory with popular culture through the medium of film. I use the film The Graduate (Nichols 1967) as a prism to illuminate the concept of reification as a fundamental, defining feature of modern societies and their educational systems. The main character of the film, Benjamin Braddock (Ben), has just graduated from an elite college, but he seems to have learned nothing about the world or his place in it. Ben senses that he missed something in his education and he has tremendous anxiety about reentering the anodyne land of his upbringing in suburban southern California. The film details Ben's varied attempts to reject the reification of this world and its vapid, empty, and meaningless relationships for something more significant and authentic. Of course, Ben's attempts to reject reification are fraught with contradictions and his attempts to break free from this reified existence prove to be futile. Non...
Correlates to Long-Term-Care Nurse Turnover: Survey Results from the State of West Virginia

The authors sought statistical correlates to long-term-care nurse turnover using surveys from 253 practicing nurses across 54 of 55 counties in West Virginia. A chi-square test for homogeneity showed significant relationships between select demographic variables and job-related dimensions categorized either as benefits (pay, schedule flexibility and growth opportunity, travel time to work, patient behavior, facility conditions, supervisor relations) or job-related dimensions categorized as costs (travel time to work, patient behavior, facility conditions, supervisor relations, and family needs). Five demographic characteristics: gender, education level, job title, county in West Virginia region, and facility size bore no relationship to any job-related dimension listed.
Aromatase inhibitors, their pharmacology and application

Summary Aromatase inhibitors, 4-OHA, 4-acetoxy-A and ATD cause competitive inhibition and inactivation of aromatase in vitro . The latter property may account for sustained aromatase inhibition observed in vivo , even though 4-OHA is cleared rapidly from the circulation. Thus, all 3 compounds inhibit the prosestrus oestrogen surge in rats. Treatment with 4-OHA for one oestrus cycle is sufficient to block ovulation for at least 10 additional days. Although ovarian oestrogen production was reduced by long-term inhibitor treatment, gonadotrophins remained at basal levels, suggesting a direct effect of 4-OHA on gonadotropins. Marked regression of DMBA-induced mammary tumours occurred in rats treated with aromatase inhibitors. The compounds were more effective alone against these tumours than when combined with the antioestrogen, tamoxifen. Sustained antitumour effects of 4-OHA were observed in rats treated twice daily (50 mg/kg/day) for 9 days and twice weekly thereafter for 20 weeks. Tumours regressed during the first 9 days and 18/19 tumours remained suppressed for 20 weeks. The results in animal models suggest that highly potent aromatase inhibitors may be useful for breast cancer treatment and for other oestrogen related clinical problems.
A quadratic assignment formulation of the molecular conformation problem

The molecular conformation problem is discussed, and a concave quadratic global minimization approach for solving it is described. This approach is based on a quadratic assignment formulation of a discrete approximation to the original problem.
Age-related changes in orofacial force generation in women.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the effect of age on orofacial force generation. Study Design : Forty women participated in a cross-sectional design, with 10 in each age group from 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 79, and 80 to 100 years of age. Methods: Measures of force generation were obtained for the upper lip, lower lip, tongue, and jaw. Results: There were no statistical differences among age groups, probably because of large individual variability within groups. Trends indicated a decline, particularly after age 80 years. Conclusion: Although trends in the data suggest some decline in the function of orofacial structures with age, it is unlikely that these changes would noticeablv affect functional communication.
An Observational Study of Tropical–Midlatitude Interaction on Intraseasonal Time Scales during Winter

Abstract Eight Northern Hemisphere winters of five- and ten-day average midlatitude 500 mb heights and tropical outgoing IR are used in a correlative study of tropical-midlatitude interaction. The seasonal cycle and interannual variability are removed so that only intraseasonal variability remains. Results indicate that energy predominantly propagates from midlatitudes to the tropics for both five- and ten-day averaged data, although the propagation is more apparent in five-day averaged data. This is evidenced by the fact that the largest tropical IR patterns are southeastward of the 500 mb point with which the IR field is correlated. The result is interpreted in terms of a quasi-stationary Rossby wave which has an eastward component of group velocity. The southwest-northeast tilt of the 500 mb height correlation patterns, indicating poleward momentum transport or equatorward wave propagation, also supports the hypothesis that midlatitude flow drives the tropics. Lead and lag correlations show that when 5...
On the Generation of Analytical Noncircular Multi-Lobe Internal Pitch Pairs

A method for the design of general analytical noncircular multilobe internal pitch curves is presented. The method is based on a reshaping algorithm. A selected monotonic function can be assigned as the initial profile for the outer rotor of the designed pitch curve. This initial function will be reshaped to satisfy the wholeness of the number of lobes. This final pitch curve function can then be obtained analytically. To archive smooth profile design, the C 1 continuous conditions on pitch rotors are established. A dimensionless parameter geometrically interpreted as the noncircularity of pitch rotor is introduced for the systematic design of pitch curves. Results from this research have applications to the design of compressors, gerotor pumps, and rotary engines.
The calcium dependence of spontaneous and evoked quantal release at the frog neuromuscular junction.

1. The quantal output from stimulated nerve terminals in the frog sciatic nerve-sartorius muscle preparation in low-Ca(2+) Ringer solution was measured by the coefficient of variation and the failures methods. Adding sucrose to the Ringer to increase the tonicity or adding ethanol increased miniature end-plate potential (m.e.p.p.) frequency and also the end-plate potential (e.p.p.) amplitude. Earlier reports suggested that increases in tonicity did not increase evoked quantal release.2. Concanavalin A has been reported to block the increase in m.e.p.p. frequency caused by increasing the tonicity of the Ringer (Gorio & Mauro, 1979). This effect was confirmed. The lectin-treated preparations also failed to show an increase in evoked quantal release when the tonicity was increased.3. A model in which both spontaneous and evoked quantal releases depend on some power of the intracellular [Ca(2+)] is presented. The model predicts that rises in m.e.p.p. frequency will be accompanied by increased quantal output from stimulated nerve terminals. The maximum slope of the relationship between log (evoked quantal output) and log ([Ca(2+)](out)) will be less than the true power. A theoretical analysis shows that, as the true power approaches infinity, the maximum slope will be slightly above 4. The value for the slope usually found experimentally at the frog neuromuscular junction is also about 4.4. The model does not fit the experimental data. The observed increases in evoked quantal release are higher than those predicted for the observed increases in spontaneous release. There are several possible explanations for the discrepancy. Treatments that increase m.e.p.p. frequency may also increase Ca(2+) influx into the stimulated terminal. However, we prefer the explanation that there is a fraction of spontaneous release that is independent of the [Ca(2+)] in the terminal; if this is true the model might account for the data.5. The model can account for a variety of puzzling experimental observations, including: (a) the effect of hypertonic solutions and of diamine in decreasing the slope in the relation between log (evoked quantal output) and log ([Ca(2+)](out)); (b) the slope of near 1 observed at the crustacean neuromuscular junction; (c) the decrease in the slope produced by treatment with botulinum toxin.
Unmet Needs in the Medication Use Process: Perceptions of Physicians, Pharmacists, and Patients

Objectives To explore the perception of unmet needs in the medication use process from the perspectives of three of the principal participants in the process—physicians, pharmacists, and patients—and to identify the individual(s) or strategy(ies) perceived to be the best or most likely candidate(s) to resolve the problems identified. Participants Physicians (primary care, cardiology, oncology, and obstetrics/gynecology specialties), pharmacists (community and health-system settings), and patients from four medium-sized U.S. cities. The survey instrument was modified for each group. Main Outcome Measures The medication use process was divided into nine steps, based on a previous study. A two-part question was framed for each step. In part A, respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement (on a 5-point scale) about whether the step was being conducted appropriately. In part B, those who disagreed with a statement in part A were asked their opinions on the best possible candidate or strategy for improving that step. Results Both physicians and pharmacists identified four areas of unmet needs: timing of physician visit, patient counseling, patient use of medications, and patient monitoring. Each group held itself primarily responsible for the resolution of most of these problems. Patients did not identify any unmet needs from the survey. In responses to open-ended questions, however, they cited medication cost, appropriateness, access, and convenience as problems. Conclusion Providers and patients reported substantially different perspectives on medication use problems and on improving the process. Addressing the unmet needs identified in this study will require better understanding, communication, and collaboration among physicians, pharmacists, and patients.
Testing the Equality and Exchangeability of Bivariate Distributions

We consider three methods (oments, cut-points, and ranks) for testing the hypotheses of equality of two bivariate distribution functions (H 0a ) and exchangeability (H 0b ). To test H 0a , the asymptotic normality of the vector of mixed moments provides a statistic with an asymptotic chi-square distribution. With every observation, method of cut-points associates three 2 × 2 tables to record the proportions of the X, Y, and the combined samples that fall in the four regions around the observation. We measure the total squared deviations of the proportions in the combined sample from X and Y samples. The two methods are compared with the method of ranks based on the Puri and Sen (1971) multivariate two-sample rank test for location. To test H 0b we identify two bivariate distributions, one above and the other below the line of symmetry X = Y, to which a test of H 0a is applied. Under H 0b , matrix of mixed moments is symmetric and a quadratic form in differences of (r,s)-th and (s, r)-th mixed moments prov...
Recognition and the Creation of Wellbeing

Whilst much research into alternative and complementary medicine use indicates that these practices enable experiences of control, agency and empowerment, few theoretically informed answers have be...