cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biological variation of arginine vasopressin

There is growing interest in the measurement of plasma levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP) for the assessment of mild dehydration. However, the principles of biological variation have not been applied to the study of AVP and understanding biological variation of AVP may provide insights regarding measurement thresholds. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the biological variation of AVP in healthy euhydrated individuals to understand the potential for establishing both static and/or change thresholds of importance. We studied 29 healthy volunteers (24 men and 5 women) while controlling for hydration and pre-analytical factors. All subjects completed between 2–8 trials where biological variation was determined using widely published methods. We determined the intraindividual, interindividual, and analytical coefficients of variation (CVI, CVG, and CVA, respectively) and subsequently the index of individuality and heterogeneity (II and IH, respectively). AVP did not reach the IH threshold required to be considered useful in the dynamic assessment of physiological deviations from normal. AVP levels approached the II threshold required to be considered useful in the static assessment of physiological deviations from normal. This analysis demonstrates that AVP assessment is unlikely to yield useful information about hydration status.
Broadband electroluminescence from reverse breakdown in individual suspended carbon nanotube pn-junctions

There are various mechanisms of light emission in carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which give rise to a wide range of spectral emission characteristics that provide important information regarding the underlying physical processes that lead to photon emission. Here, we report spectra obtained from individual suspended CNT dual-gate field effect transistor (FET) devices under different gate and bias conditions. By applying opposite voltages to the gate electrodes (i.e., Vg1 = −Vg2), we are able to create a pn-junction within the suspended region of the CNT. Under forward bias conditions, the spectra exhibit a peak corresponding to E11 exciton emission via thermal (i.e., blackbody) emission occurring at electrical powers around 8 µW, which corresponds to a power density of approximately 0.5 MW/cm2. On the other hand, the spectra observed under reverse bias correspond to impact ionization and avalanche emission, which occurs at electrical powers of ~10 nW and exhibits a featureless flat spectrum extending from 1,600 nm to shorter wavelengths up to 600 nm. Here, the hot electrons generated by the high electric fields (~0.5 MV/cm) are able to produce high energy photons far above the E11 (ground state) energy. It is somewhat surprising that these devices do not exhibit light emission by the annihilation of electrons and holes under forward bias, as in a light emitting diode (LED). Possible reasons for this are discussed, including Auger recombination.
A randomized crossover trial on the effect of plant-based compared with animal-based meat on trimethylamine-N-oxide and cardiovascular disease risk factors in generally healthy adults: Study With Appetizing Plantfood—Meat Eating Alternative Trial (SWAP-MEAT)

BACKGROUND Despite the rising popularity of plant-based alternative meats, there is limited evidence of the health effects of these products. OBJECTIVES We aimed to compare the effect of consuming plant-based alternative meat (Plant) as opposed to animal meat (Animal) on health factors. The primary outcome was fasting serum trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Secondary outcomes included fasting insulin-like growth factor 1, lipids, glucose, insulin, blood pressure, and weight. METHODS SWAP-MEAT (The Study With Appetizing Plantfood-Meat Eating Alternatives Trial) was a single-site, randomized crossover trial with no washout period. Participants received Plant and Animal products, dietary counseling, lab assessments, microbiome assessments (16S), and anthropometric measurements. Participants were instructed to consume ≥2 servings/d of Plant compared with Animal for 8 wk each, while keeping all other foods and beverages as similar as possible between the 2 phases. RESULTS The 36 participants who provided complete data for both crossover phases included 67% women, were 69% Caucasian, had a mean ± SD age 50 ± 14 y, and BMI 28 ± 5 kg/m2. Mean ± SD servings per day were not different by intervention sequence: 2.5 ± 0.6 compared with 2.6 ± 0.7 for Plant and Animal, respectively (P = 0.76). Mean ± SEM TMAO concentrations were significantly lower overall for Plant (2.7 ± 0.3) than for Animal (4.7 ± 0.9) (P = 0.012), but a significant order effect was observed (P = 0.023). TMAO concentrations were significantly lower for Plant among the n = 18 who received Plant second (2.9 ± 0.4 compared with 6.4 ± 1.5, Plant compared with Animal, P = 0.007), but not for the n = 18 who received Plant first (2.5 ± 0.4 compared with 3.0 ± 0.6, Plant compared with Animal, P = 0.23). Exploratory analyses of the microbiome failed to reveal possible responder compared with nonresponder factors. Mean ± SEM LDL-cholesterol concentrations (109.9 ± 4.5 compared with 120.7 ± 4.5 mg/dL, P = 0.002) and weight (78.7 ± 3.0 compared with 79.6 ± 3.0 kg, P < 0.001) were lower during the Plant phase. CONCLUSIONS Among generally healthy adults, contrasting Plant with Animal intake, while keeping all other dietary components similar, the Plant products improved several cardiovascular disease risk factors, including TMAO; there were no adverse effects on risk factors from the Plant products.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03718988.
Testing an Alzheimer's Disease Educational Approach in Two African American Neighborhoods in Florida.

African Americans experience a significantly greater burden of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) compared to non-Hispanic White Americans. Raising awareness and increasing knowledge of AD within African American communities is an important step towards addressing these disparities. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two approaches to sharing AD knowledge with community residents. Using a quasi-experimental design, African American participants were recruited through community partners and local resources in two comparable neighborhoods in Duval County, Florida, which formed the intervention and the comparison groups for this study. The identical 40-min educational lecture was provided to both groups. In the intervention community, the lecture was followed by focus group sessions modeled after the Dementia Friendly America toolkit. In the comparison community, the lecture was followed by a social event where participants could interact informally with the speaker and dementia outreach staff. A brief quantitative survey assessing AD knowledge was administered to participants in both groups before the education session, immediately after the lecture, and 2 months later. Results indicate that both groups improved their knowledge scores at immediate post-test. Scores for both groups declined at 2-month follow-up, but the comparison group’s scores declined more precipitously than the intervention group’s scores (p = 0.0.21). These results suggest that conducting focus groups and interviews following a lecture on AD may help better retain AD knowledge over time.
Making Conversational Robots Learn from Children in a Collaborative Museum Exhibition

Teaching Artificial intelligence concepts is incorporated in many formal and informal educational institutions. This demo showcases a novel learning experience of fundamental AI concepts for children in a 30-minute, engaging, hands-on, and playful experience designed for museums and community centers. The experience aims to make children to comprehend that AI systems are built from and by people, and is materialized in a series of activities where the children improve the abilities of three AI-powered conversational robots competing in a quiz game. The demo shows how children can learn about AI by teaching machines in natural language in a way which enables them to grasp intuitively those essential ideas about AI. As part of the formative design process, 109 children interacted and evaluated the prototype.
Do child care characteristics during toddlerhood explain income-based gaps in reading and math skills at preschool?

Abstract Children’s early care and education (ECE) experiences have been found to explain developmental differences in school readiness between children in low- versus high-income households. However, the majority of this research has focused on preschool and center-based ECE. We have less knowledge about the specific characteristics of ECE across setting types prior to preschool that contribute to later income-based gaps in children’s cognitive skills. This study examined children’s ECE characteristics in formal and informal settings during toddlerhood (age 2) as mediators of the association between family income and children’s reading and math skills at preschool (age 4). Findings from a nationally representative sample of children who attended ECE at age 2 (N = 4,500) revealed that, among 8 characteristics of children’s ECE experiences at age 2, only one characteristic, caregivers’ report of daily reading, was a significant predictor of children’s later reading and math skills. Caregivers reporting that they read to the child daily was predictive of higher reading (.16 SD) and math (.12 SD) skills at age 4. Children’s ECE experiences, driven by daily reading at age 2, accounted for 7% of the gap in reading skills between children from low- and high-income families at age 4. Findings from this study highlight income-based disparities in daily reading across ECE settings among toddlers, and suggest ECE caregiver daily reading as one potentially policy-malleable mechanism in reducing income-based achievement gaps.
WE‐E‐201‐03: Uncertainty and Issues in Biological Modeling for the Modern Medical Physicist

Physicists are often expected to have a solid grounding in experimental design and statistical analysis, sometimes filling in when biostatisticians or other experts are not available for consultation. Unfortunately, graduate education on these topics is seldom emphasized and few opportunities for continuing education exist. Clinical physicists incorporate new technology and methods into their practice based on published literature. A poor understanding of experimental design and analysis could Result in inappropriate use of new techniques. Clinical physicists also improve current practice through quality initiatives that require sound experimental design and analysis. Academic physicists with a poor understanding of design and analysis may produce ambiguous (or misleading) results. This can Result in unnecessary rewrites, publication rejection, and experimental redesign (wasting time, money, and effort). This symposium will provide a practical review of error and uncertainty, common study designs, and statistical tests. Instruction will primarily focus on practical implementation through examples and answer questions such as: where would you typically apply the test/design and where is the test/design typically misapplied (i.e., common pitfalls)? An analysis of error and uncertainty will also be explored using biological studies and associated modeling as a specific use case. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand common experimental testing and clinical trial designs, what questions they can answer, and how to interpret the results 2. Determine where specific statistical tests are appropriate and identify common pitfalls 3. Understand the how uncertainty and error are addressed in biological testing and associated biological modeling.
Noise characterization of MOSFETs for RF oscillator design

This paper presents 1/f noise measurement and modeling techniques of sub-micron MOSFETs. The capacitor and inductor free biasing circuit enables quick bias tuning. A new MOSFET 1/f noise model has been developed to represent more accurate noise current spectrum density characteristics than existing models. The direct parameter extraction method for the new noise model does not use any corner frequencies. Phase noise of an RF oscillator was analyzed for verification.
Mathematics and equations on the WWW

One of the ironies of the World Wide Web (WWW or simply the Web) is that even though it was initially conceived and implemented for use by physicists, it provided no special capabilities for mathematics and equations. With the release and widespread support of XML (extensible markup language) and the development of MathML, Web pages not only can display mathematics and equations in TeX-like fashion, but, beyond that, retain the meaning of the equations so that they can be opened and processed by a variety of mathematical software applications. The Web thus can expand the scope of its inherent intense interactivity to include equations and mathematics, as well as text and multimedia.
Continuities of Legal Consciousness:Professor John Haley’s Writings OnTwelve Hundred Years of JapaneseLegal History

In Authority Without Power: Law and the Japanese Paradox, Professor John Haley stated, “One cannot understand the present without an appreciation of the past and the role of present perceptions of that past. To appreciate the historical dynamics of Japan’s legal tradition is vital both to comprehend more fully the present as well as to predict more accurately the future.” Working from Professor Haley’s division of the historical process into four major temporal elements — Nara, Kamakura, Tokugawa, and Meiji, this review piece analyzes how aspects of the historical puzzle are evidenced in Japanese legal dynamics today and assessing what we may be able to imagine coming in Japan’s future.
Clinical Pathways of Third-Line Treatment of Overactive Bladder in the Elderly

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a syndrome of urinary urgency, usually accompanied by frequency, nocturia, and sometimes urinary urgency incontinence. There are many guidelines for the OAB treatment which are constructed on a stepwise fashion starting from the least invasive to the more invasive therapy. The emergence of third-line therapy (AUA/SUFU guidelines) has resulted in significant decrease of more invasive surgery and improved patients’ quality of life. The aim of a clinical pathway is to improve the quality of care, reduce risks, increase patient satisfaction, and increase the efficiency in the use of resources. The available options for the third-line OAB treatments include intravesical injection of botulinum toxin A, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), and sacral nerve stimulation (SNS). The available evidence confirms that all three treatment approaches are well tolerated and effective, although only botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) and SNS can achieve nearly a cure of urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). The choice among the different third-line treatment depends on patient preference, availability, and local expertise. The application of these pathways can improve incontinence care by letting physicians adequately communicate with patients and select individualized therapy at an early stage especially for elderly patients.
Augmented neutrophil adherence in active and remote tuberculosis.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function during mycobacterial infection is poorly defined. This report describes PMN adherence to plastic during and after acute mycobacterial infection. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes from patients with active tuberculosis and healthy tuberculin-positive subjects were significantly hyperadherent compared with control PMN from healthy tuberculin-negative donors. The augmented adherence was mediated in part by a plasma factor.
Arboreal Late Summer Courtship Behaviour of Maritime Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus , in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

We report, for the first time, Maritime Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus , arboreal, late summer, courtship behaviour in the wild observed 4-5 September 2006.
Two new symmetry-adapted perturbation theories for the calculation of intermolecular interaction energies

We outline two new symmetry-adapted perturbation theories (SAPTs) and present some results obtained with them. The first is superior to the symmetrized Rayleigh–Schrodinger (SRS) theory in that it corrects a fundamental defect of that theory, namely, that carried to infinite order the SRS theory cannot predict even the ground-state energy for most interacting atoms and molecules. The new theory includes correction terms which have a large cumulative effect, but which, order by order, make only small contributions. When applied to interacting closed-shell systems and truncated after first order in the wave function, it is equal in accuracy to the SRS theory. Thus, it provides both an understanding of why the SRS theory gives results of useful accuracy and justification for its continued use when truncated to low order. The second new SAPT also corrects the SRS theory's flaw, but achieves significantly greater accuracy than the SRS theory when truncated after first order in the wave function. Applied to the interaction between the open-shell Li and H atoms, a critical test case, the second theory gives the ground-state dissociation energy with an error of 1%, whereas the SRS theory is in error by 38%. The LiH molecule is a critical test case because its physical ground-state energy, like that of nearly all systems, lies in a continuum of accessible states which violate the Pauli exclusion principle.
Reacquisition of classical conditioning after removal of cerebellar cortex

We trained rabbits with white noise and light conditioned stimuli and a face shock unconditioned stimulus for classical conditioning of the nictitating membrane response and then removed the ipsilateral cerebellar cortex by aspiration. Larsell's hemisphere lobule VI was completely removed in 5 rabbits; the pattern of degeneration in the inferior olive matches the projections to HVI reported in experiments with horseradish peroxidase. All rabbits showed an initial abolition of conditioned responses but then relearned within two days. This indicates that cerebellar cortical lobule HVI normally is involved but is not necessary for classical conditioning.
Automated proofs of object code for a widely used microprocessor

Computing devices can be specified and studied mathematically. Formal specification of computing devices has many advantages--it provides a precise characterization of the computational model and allows for mathematical reasoning about models of the computing devices and programs executed on them. While there has been a large body of research on program proving, work has almost exclusively focused on programs written in high level programming languages. This thesis addresses the very important but largely ignored problem of machine code program proving. In this thesis we have formally described a substantial subset of the MC68020, a widely used microprocessor built by Motorola, within the mathematical logic of the automated reasoning system Nqthm, a.k.a. the Boyer-Moore Theorem Proving System. Based on this formal model, we have mechanized a mathematical theory to facilitate automated reasoning about object code programs. We then have mechanically checked the correctness of MC68020 object code programs for binary search, Hoare's Quick Sort, the Berkeley Unix C string library, and other well-known algorithms. The object code for these examples was generated using the Gnu C, the Verdix Ada, and the AKCL Common Lisp compilers.
Oral midazolam with an antacid may increase the speed of onset of sedation in children prior to general anaesthesia

Background: The aim of the study was to see whether sodium citrate solution would speed the gastric absorption of oral midazolam. Methods: Forty presurgical ASA I and II patients (aged 2–6 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group I received midazolam 0.5 mg·kg–1 mixed with sodium citrate while group II (control) received midazolam 0.5 mg·kg–1 mixed with Hawaiian fruit punch. Results: There was no statistical difference between the ages, weights, preoperative sedation and anxiety scores in the two groups. After premedication, the onset of sedation (mean ± SD) measured by the first change in sedation score was found to be significantly faster (P < 0.05) in group I (17.8 ± 7.11) compared with group II (21.9 ± 5.34). There was no statistical difference in anxiety at any time intervals, separation or induction scoring for both groups. Gastric volumes and the pH of gastric aspirates between the two groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The time to onset of sedation can potentially be shortened, by using a preparation of intravenous midazolam and antacid, given orally.
Acute renal failure in an AIDS patient on tenofovir: a case report

Tenofovir is a potent nucleotide analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitor used with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Despite the absence of renal toxicity observed in the major clinical trials of tenofovir, several case reports of acute renal failure (ARF) and proximal tubule dysfunction have been described. We report a patient who developed ARF and Fanconi syndrome during treatment with tenofovir. Despite severe metabolic acidosis associated with a creatinine of 9.8 mg/dL (866 μmol/L), this patient's condition improved on discontinuation of tenofovir treatment without requiring renal replacement therapy. Vigilant screening of kidney function is required regularly after initiation of tenofovir due to possible appearance of renal failure.
Trace detection of modified dna bases via moving-belt liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry using electrophoric derivatization and negative chemica

Abstract Electrophoric derivatives of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethyluracil nucleobases are determined using high-performance liquid chromatography—mass
Adsorption and thermal chemistry of 1,1,1,5,5,5,-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione ( hfacH) and (hexafluoroacetylacetonate)Cu(vinyltrimethylsilane) (( hfac)Cu(VTMS)) on TiCN-covered Si(1 0 0) surface

Abstract The chemistry of a common copper deposition precursor, (hexafluoroacetylacetonate)Cu(vinyltrimethylsilane) (( hfac )Cu(VTMS)), and the chemistry of a hydrogenated form of one of its ligands, 1,1,1,5,5,5,-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione ( hfacH ) were examined by a combination of experimental surface analytical techniques and by computational analysis on a surface of TiCN diffusion barrier material deposited on a Si(1 0 0) single crystal. This surface proves to be very reactive. Although ( hfac )Cu(VTMS) can be condensed at a submonolayer coverage in its molecular form at cryogenic temperatures of 100–130 K, hfacH reacts with the surface of the TiCN film even at these conditions. At room temperature, both ( hfac )Cu(VTMS) and hfacH chemisorb on this substrate. VTMS is released by ( hfac )Cu(VTMS) immediately upon adsorption. At this point, the hfac ligand is bound to the copper atom; it decomposes upon thermal annealing and is the primary source of fluorine, oxygen, and carbon contamination at the Cu/TiCN interface.
Classical Schwinger terms

Schwinger terms must be present in equal time ground state Poisson brackets among currents unless the latter are stationary in that state.
Comparison of Two Artificial Diets for Rearing Heliothis zea Larvae for Insecticide Tests

Rearing phytophagous insects on artificial diets is advantageous in a variety of laboratory investigations. Laboratory-reared insects are particularly useful for toxicological investigations, since insects of uniform size and age may be produced in relatively great numbers under rigidly controlled conditions. More than 1 diet is available for laboratory cultures of the bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie). Therefore, it becomes important for the toxicological investigator to know if the diets may have different effects on the biology of the insect or its response to insecticides.
Software defect prediction using semi-supervised learning with dimension reduction

Accurate detection of fault prone modules offers the path to high quality software products while minimizing non essential assurance expenditures. This type of quality modeling requires the availability of software modules with known fault content developed in similar environment. Establishing whether a module contains a fault or not can be expensive. The basic idea behind semi-supervised learning is to learn from a small number of software modules with known fault content and supplement model training with modules for which the fault information is not available. In this study, we investigate the performance of semi-supervised learning for software fault prediction. A preprocessing strategy, multidimensional scaling, is embedded in the approach to reduce the dimensional complexity of software metrics. Our results show that the semi-supervised learning algorithm with dimension-reduction preforms significantly better than one of the best performing supervised learning algorithms, random forest, in situations when few modules with known fault content are available for training.
Alternative therapies in the management of headache and facial pain

An increasing number of patients are seeking nontraditional approaches to treat their health conditions. This article provides an overview of the more frequently used alternative therapies based on a review of the scientific literature. Acupuncture, biofeedback-relaxation, manipulation, physical therapy/massage, herbal substances, and hypnosis are among the most popular forms of alternative therapies.
Glyconanoparticle aided detection of β-amyloid by magnetic resonance imaging and attenuation of β-amyloid induced cytotoxicity.

The development of a noninvasive method for the detection of Alzheimer’s disease is of high current interest, which can be critical in early diagnosis and in guiding treatment of the disease. The aggregates of β-amyloid are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Carbohydrates such as gangliosides have been shown to play significant roles in initiation of amyloid aggregation. Herein, we report a biomimetic approach using superparamagnetic iron oxide glyconanoparticles to detect β-amyloid. The bindings of β-amyloid by the glyconanoparticles were demonstrated through several techniques including enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, gel electrophoresis, tyrosine fluorescence assay, and transmission electron microscopy. The superparamagnetic nature of the nanoparticles allowed easy detection of β-amyloid both in vitro and ex vivo by magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, the glyconanoparticles not only were nontoxic to SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells but also greatly reduced β-amyloid induced cytotoxicity...
The role of egocentrism and focalism in the emotion intensity bias

People sometimes judge their emotions, preferences, and attitudes to be more intense than those of other people. Two experiments tested whether this emotion intensity bias in direct comparisons results from two non-motivated cognitive processes—egocentrism and focalism. In Study 1, the intensity bias was found even when comparing a friend’s preferences to peers. In Study 2, attention given to own versus other’s preferences, and the referent of the comparison (self or others) were manipulated. Results indicated that attention to others reduced the bias, presumably by reducing egocentrism. Consistent with focalism, the bias also emerged when a friend was the target of comparison, and the bias was eliminated when the self was the referent rather than the target of comparison. In the discussion, we evaluate these accounts in light of some alternative explanations for the intensity bias.
Neutron spectroscopy of low-frequency phonons in solid Hg

Abstract Extensive measurements of the phonon dispersion curves of trigonal mercury have been carried out by neutron inelastic scattering. Some transverse branches of the phonon spectrum have very low frequencies, as small as 0.9 meV at the zone boundary, compared with a maximum lattice frequency of 15 meV. The data have been accurately fitted with an 8-neighbor Born-von Karman model, and a reliable phonon density of states F(ω) has been calculated. Comparison with α2(ω)F(ω) derived from tunneling measurements reveals a substantial increase in α2(ω) at low frequencies. Direct calculation of α2(ω)F(ω) from the BvK model, assuming a simple form for the electron-phonon matrix element, gives λ = 2.0 compared with λ = 1.6 from tunneling. We discuss the origin of the frequency dependence of α2 (ω).
Effects of probucol on plasma cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoproteins A1 and A2 in adults with primary familial hypercholesterolemia

Abstract This double-blind crossover study was designed to assess the safety, utility, and effectiveness of probucol (1000 mg/day) as an agent for reduction of total and low density lipoprotein plasma cholesterol (C-LDL) in 19 adults with primary familial hypercholesterolemia. The study was also designed to evaluate the effects of probucol on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-HDL) and its two major apolipoproteins, Apo A1 and Apo A2. After stabilization on a diet that provided P S ratio of 1.2:1, the subjects were randomized into the following drug-placebo sequences: 9 subjects received 24 wk of probucol followed by 24 wk of placebo, while 10 received 24 wk of placebo followed by 24 wk of probucol, with weight maintained ± 1 kg, and dietary cholesterol and P S intake stable. In all 19 subjects on probucol total plasma cholesterol was reduced 10.7% and C-LDL 8.4% beyond the effects of diet alone; plasma triglyceride, the ratio of C-HDL to Apo A1, and the ratio of Apo A1 Apo A2 were not significantly changed. In all 19 subjects, the C-LDL C-HDL ratio during probucol therapy was 22% higher than during placebo, with an overall 26% reduction in C-HDL on probucol as compared to placebo. In the group of 9 subjects, whose plasma C-HDL levels fell 19% on probucol, mean HDL apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) levels fell 6%, Apo A2 levels did not change. In the group of 10 subjects whose mean plasma C-HDL levels fell 30% on probucol, mean Apo A1 fell 34%, and Apo A2 fell 20%. The probucol was well tolerated, with mean adherence of 93%. Of the 19 subjects, the only drug-related side effects were diarrhea in two subjects, and fetid perspiration in another. The relevance of the simultaneous reduction in C-HDL in the face of a mean 8.4% reduction in C-LDL is unknown. Better long-term information about the prognostic significance for atherosclerotic disease of the reductions in C-HDL, Apo A1, and Apo A2 need to be obtained, in view of the inverse association of C-HDL with coronary heart disease.
Comments on Larry May, Limiting Leviathan

This paper discusses two aspects of Larry May’s book Limiting Leviathan. First it discusses a passage in Leviathan, to which May draws attention, in which Hobbes connects obligation to “that, which in the disputations of scholars is called absurdity”. Secondly it looks at the book’s discussion of Hobbes and pacifist attitudes, with reference to Hobbes’s contemporary critic John Eachard.
Optimized second stage concentrator

The incorporation of a second-stage trumpetlike reflective element at the focal plane of a paraboloidal dish reflector is analyzed to examine the improvement in solar concentration capability. The optimally adapted trumpet compensates for the optical aberrations of the dish and for large f/nos. The consequent concentration capability is comparable to the ideal.
The survival of the U.S. dual class share structure

Abstract In his groundbreaking work “Uncertainty, Evolution, and Economic Theory,” Armen Alchian (1950) suggests that survival is the real test of a firm's success. In this paper, I apply the survival test to the use of dual class share structures in the United States. Beginning with its original implementation by the International Silver Company in 1898 to the prevalence of dual class initial public offerings in 2013, I review the evolution and continued sustainability of the dual class structure in the United States. I contrast the structure with the failed use of tracking stocks and illustrate the structure's continued resilience alongside “competitive” anti-takeover devices such as poison pills, staggered boards, and supermajority voting requirements. Despite the external challenges from legislative bodies, shareholder rights groups, and institutional investors, the dual class structure has survived as an alternative means to raise capital for founders and/or controlling stockholders.
The biomechanics of long versus short fixation for thoracolumbar spine fractures.

STUDY DESIGN Literature review. OBJECTIVE Provide an overview of biomechanical strengths and weaknesses of long and short fixation constructs applied in thoracolumbar fractures, along with a discussion of specific indications for selecting an instrumentation construct for a given fracture. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Previous clinical and biomechanical studies have shown that segmental spinal instrumentation provides superior torsional, axial, and sagittal stability relative to nonsegmental systems. Multilevel fixation (long constructs) has proven reliable and effective in treating thoracic injuries, with or without anterior reconstruction. Short-segment pedicle instrumentation (short constructs) have proven effective in stabilizing thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures while limiting the disruption of lower lumbar motion segments. Loss of anterior column integrity leads to fixation failure when short constructs are not supplemented with further fixation or an anterior reconstruction. METHODS Review of the applicable clinical and biomechanical literature. CONCLUSIONS Long constructs serve well in thoracic and thoracolumbar fractures, while short-segment fixation offers advantages in selected thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures. Anterior column integrity determines the risk of sagittal collapse and kyphosis at the thoracolumbar junction. Recognition of fundamental biomechanical principles is necessary to make either construct work reliably.
Research Report: Teachers' Preferences for Various Teaching Methods

Secondary and elementary school teachers may differ somewhat as people, but the two teacher groups have very similar views of global teaching methods, this writer reports.
Immigrants and August 22, 1996: Will the Public Charge Rule Clarify Program Eligibility?:

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, known as the welfare reform law, placed great restrictions on the ability of legal immigrants to access and qualify for public benefits. Although many of these benefits were later restored, immigrants have not been utilizing them for fear of being considered a public charge resulting in possible deportation. Immigrant advocates and healthcare providers have expressed concern that the underutilization of services by immigrants places families and children at-risk for potential public health consequences. The Immigration and Naturalization Service has proposed a policy to clearly define the public charge rule, and the consideration of immigrants' eligibility or ineligibility for different assistance programs. This article traces the history of the public charge rule, provides an analysis of unresolved issues under the proposed policy, and discusses implications for the field of social work.
Log-normally preserving size distribution for Brownian coagulation in the free-molecule regime

Coagulation of aerosol particles in the free-molecule regime has been studied theoretically by converting the governing partial integrodifferential equation into a set of two ordinary differential equations. The approach assumes that the size distribution of an aerosol attains or can at least be represented by a time-dependent log-normal distribution function during the coagulation process. The calculations have been performed and the results found to be in good agreement with results for previous theories. In addition, the following asymptotic size distribution function is found as an alternative solution for the self-preserving particle size distribution function for Brownian coagulation of an aerosol in the free-molecule regime: , where n is the particle size distribution function, N ∞ is the total number of particles, r is the particle radius, and rg∞ is the geometric mean particle radius. In terms of the parameters used by the self-preserving size distribution theory, the proposed distribution is wri...
Crop sequence effects on soybean cyst nematode and soybean and corn yields

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, is a destructive pest of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. Field research was conducted at Waseca and Lamberton, MN, from 1996 through 1999 to evaluate the effect of crop sequence on SCN population density and on crop yields. Cropping sequence treatments were (i) monocultures of corn (Zea mays L.), SCN-resistant soybean, and SCN-susceptible soybean; (ii) susceptible soybean rotated with 1, 2, or 3 yr of corn; (iii) resistant soybean rotated annually with corn; and (iv) rotation of corn-resistant soybean-corn-susceptible soybean. Egg density was determined at sowing and harvest, and crop yields were determined each year. In general, yields of resistant soybean were higher than susceptible soybean. Resistant soybean in annual rotation with corn produced the highest yield, and susceptible soybean in monoculture produced the lowest yield among all treatments. A longer period of corn in rotation resulted in higher yield of subsequent susceptible soybean in most instances. Yields of corn following corn were lower than following soybean. Egg density at the start of the study was 6994 and 14 000 eggs 100 cm -3 soil at Waseca and Lamberton, respectively. Average Pf/Pi (egg density at harvest/egg density at sowing) was 0.59 (0.23-0.86) for corn, 0.49 (0.21-0.73) for resistant soybean, and 3.3 (0.74-9.91) for susceptible soybean for all treatments at the two sites across the 4-yr period. After 3 yr of corn, egg density decreased to 889 and 3695 eggs 100 cm -3 soil at Waseca and Lamberton, respectively. Annual rotation of resistant soybean and corn resulted in the lowest SCN population density and produced the highest yield of both crops.
Chemical Composition of Uredospores of Wheat Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis tritici)

ONE approach to the problem of controlling wheat stem rust is the study of the chemistry of the parasite. As part of an investigation into the chemical nature of wheat stem rust, a preliminary examination has been made of uredospores of Puccinia graminis tritici. When uredospores of mixed races are subjected to the action of 72 per cent sulphuric acid for 24 hr. at room temperature (23° C.) and then heated with 2 N sulphuric acid in a sealed tube immersed in boiling water for 16 hr., D-glucose, D-mannose and D-arabitol are liberated. These three substances were identified by paper chromatography using ethyl acetate–acetic acid–water (3:1:3)1. By means of a cellulose column and the same irrigating solvent, enough of each of these three components was separated in order to provide crystalline derivatives thus:
Hot Nuclei - Landau Theory, Thermal Fluctuations and Dissipation

The basic ideas and theoretical methods used in the description of hot nuclei are reviewed. In particular, a macroscopic approach to shape transitions is discussed in the framework of the Landau theory in which the quadrupole shape degrees of freedom play the role of the order parameters. This theory describes the universal features of the nuclear shape evolution with temperature and spin. A unified description of fluctuations in all five quadrupole degrees of freedom is introduced and plays an important role in the calculation of physical observables. A macroscopic approach to the giant dipole resonance (GDR) in hot nuclei is developed. With all parameters fixed by the zero temperature nuclear properties, the theory predicts both the GDR cross-section and angular anisotropy of the γ-rays in very good agreement with recent experiments. The intrinsic shape fluctuations are the main cause for the resonance broadening at higher temperatures, while the orientation fluctuations are responsible for the observed attenuation in the angular anisotropy. Dissipation at finite temperature is discussed in the framework of a Langevin-like equation describing the time-dependent shape fluctuations. Non-adiabatic effects may cause motional narrowing of the resonance.
Rat intermediate lobe in culture: dopaminergic regulation of POMC biosynthesis and cell proliferation.

Abstract The effects of the selective D-2 selective agonist, quinpirole, on biosynthesis of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and cell proliferation rate of cultures of rat intermediate lobe (IL) have been examined. Primary cultures of rat IL were prepared by mechanically dispersing IL lobules in medium. Following a six day incubation, approximately 25% of the cells settled onto the culture plate and began to extend into a monolayer. Quinpirole markedly reduced immunoreactive β-endorphin levels in the medium and POMC mRNA in both the attached and floating lobules. The incorporation of 35 S-methionine into 32 kDa POMC, a 18–22 kDa complex of proteins, a 16 kDa protein and a 15 kDa protein was decreased significantly in both the attached and floating lobules. In contrast, the proliferation in the floating, but not the attached, cells was inhibited by quinpirole. The floating IL lobule appears to provide a reasonably faithful model of the dopaminergic regulation of IL function in vivo, while the attached IL cells may provide an interesting tool to study the regulation of IL cell proliferation.
Classes of matrices for the traveling salesman problem

Abstract Some of the foundational structure for the traveling salesman problem is addressed. We investigate square matrices A = [aij] where the aij are from the computable real field and the aii may be assigned values as needed. We may transform A into a nonnegative matrix and apply the Hungarian algorithm to obtain an equivalent matrix, which we call a Hungarian form of A. We denote by H(A) the class of all Hungarian forms associated with A. We determine some of the combinatorial structure of the classes H(A), which yields new insights about traveling salesman problems. For each matrix in the class H(A), we show how to obtain its triangular block form. The transformation from the original matrix A to its triangular block form can be accomplished in polynomial time. The original matrix A and its triangular block form have the same set of optimal tours, up to a renumbering of the cities.
Peritoneal lavage cytology in gastric cancer: an independent predictor of outcome

Background: The prevalence and significance of free cancer cells in the peritoneal cavity of clinically M0 gastric cancer patients is unknown. We reviewed our results with peritoneal washings to determine (1) the prevalence of positive cytology in M0 and M1 disease and (2) the influence of positive cytology on the pattern of failure and survival.
How Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Relate to Positive and Negative Psychological Functioning: Testing a Stress-Mediation Model in Black and White Female College Students.

This study assessed racial variations in how adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism relate to psychological functioning in a sample of 150 Black and 150 White female college students. Comparative results indicated that Black women, as compared with White women, reported less adaptive perfectionism, less life satisfaction, greater stress, and greater negative affect. Correlational results indicated that for both groups, maladaptive perfectionism, but not adaptive perfectionism, was associated with stress. Accordingly, a model in which stress mediates the link between maladaptive perfectionism and psychological functioning was tested. Overall, path-analytic results indicated that stress completely or partially mediated the link between maladaptive perfectionism and psychological functioning for both Black and White women. Potential implications of the present findings for counseling Black and White women are discussed.
Impact of sudden oak death on tree mortality in the Big Sur ecoregion of California

The Big Sur ecoregion in coastal California is a botanically and ecologically diverse area that has recently experienced substantial mortality of oak (Quercus spp.) and tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) trees due to the emerging forest disease sudden oak death, caused by the invasive pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. In response to the urgent need to examine environmental impacts and create management response strategies, we quantified the impact of P. ramorum invasion on tree mortality across the Big Sur ecoregion using high-resolution aircraft imagery and field data. Using the imagery, we mapped all detectable oak and tanoak trees possibly killed by P. ramorum infection within redwood-tanoak forests and mixed oak woodlands. To validate and improve our remote assessment, we quantified the number, size, and infection status of host trees in 77 field plots (0.25 ha). The field data showed that our remote assessment underestimated mortality due to the occurrence of dead trees in the forest understory. For each forest type, we developed regression models that adjusted our remote assessments of tree mortality in relation to field observations of mortality and local habitat variables. The models significantly improved remote assessment of oak mortality, but relationships were stronger for mixed oak woodlands (r2 = 0.77) than redwood-tanoak forests (r2 = 0.66). Using the field data, we also modeled the amount of dead tree basal area (m2) in relation to the density of mapped dead trees in mixed oak woodlands (r2 = 0.73) and redwood-tanoak forests (r2 = 0.54). Application of the regression models in a GIS estimated 235,678 standing dead trees in 2005 and 12,650 m2 of tree basal area removed from the ecoregion, with 63% of mortality occurring in redwood-tanoak forests and 37% in mixed oak woodlands. Integration of the remote assessment with population estimates of host abundance, obtained from an independent network of 175 field plots (0.05 ha each), indicated similar prevalence of mortality in redwood-tanoak forests (20.0%) and mixed oak woodlands (20.5%) at this time. This is the first study to quantify a realistic number of dead trees impacted by P. ramorum over a defined ecological region. Ecosystem impacts of such widespread mortality will likely be significant.
Developing novel C-4 analogues of pyrrole-based antitubulin agents: weak but critical hydrogen bonding in the colchicine site

The synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling of a series of pyrrole compounds related to 3,5-dibromo-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid that evaluates and optimizes C-4 substituents are reported. The key factor for microtubule depolymerization activity appears to be the presence of an appropriately positioned acceptor for Cys241β in the otherwise hydrophobic subpocket A.