cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation of the Self-Actualizing Value Subscale of the Personal Orientation Inventory with the Self-Acceptance, Socialization, and Self-Control Scales of the California Psychological Inventory

The purpose of the present study was to determine the degree of correlation between the Self-Actualizing Value (SAV) Subscale of the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) and the (a) Self-Acceptance ((b) Socialization (and (c) Self-Control (scales of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI). The subjects were 17 males and 36 females currently enrolled at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee. The POI and the CPI were administered individually to each subject. The correlation coefficients between the Self-Actualizing Value (subscale of the POI and (a) Self-Acceptance ((b) Socialization (and (c) Self-Control (scales of the CPI were .43, .01, and -.18, respectively. The correlation between the SAV subscale scores and the Sa scale scores was significant at the .01 level. The results of this study suggested that the Sa scale of the CPI and the SAV subscale of the POI measure common characteristics in individuals, whereas the So and Sc scales of the CPI reflect qualities different from those in the SAV subscale of the POI.
First-trimester chorionic gonadotropin measurements as an aid in the diagnosis of early pregnancy disorders.

Abstract In order to evaluate the usefulness of serial human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels as a first-trimester placental function test, we prospectively collected 685 serum samples from 256 women during the first 100 days of gestation. Dating of the samples was based upon the thermal shift in the basal body temperature (BBT). Human chorionic gonadotropin was measured by use of a sensitive and relatively specific radioimmunoassay, and the results were correlated with the outcome of pregnancy. The 90 per cent tolerance limits for normal serum hCG levels were established by measurements made on 489 samples obtained from 187 pregnancies. A pregnancy was judged to be abnormal if two or more serum samples collected at two-week intervals showed hCG levels above or below the 90 per cent tolerance limits 14 or more days after the BBT shift. Using this criterion, 1.6 per cent of normal pregnancies, 57.6 per cent of pregnancies which terminated in a spontaneous first- or second-trimester abortion, 100 per cent of ectopic pregnancies, and 60 per cent of pregnancies complicated by multiple gestations showed abnormal first-trimester serum hCG levels. The predictive value of serial hCG measurements was further demonstrated by a second prospective study in 28 patients for whom the outcome of the pregnancy was predicted based upon the normal range. All of the normal pregnancies were correctly identified, while 88.9 per cent of the pregnancies resulting in spontaneous abortions and all of the ectopic pregnancies were correctly predicted to be abnormal. These results indicate that the majority of patients with ectopic pregnancies or those whose pregnancies are destined to terminate in a first- or second-trimester spontaneous abortion will have abnormally low serum hCG levels. We conclude that serial first-trimester serum hCG determinations are useful for distinguishing between normal and abnormal trophoblastic function.
An adaptable speech system for MS-DOS based personal computers

A software system to interface standard personal computer applications to speech synthesis hardware is presented. It has been designed for use with applications utilizing MS-DOS on IBM PCs and compatible computers. A variety of phoneme-driven speech synthesizers may be supported. The system is composed of three main software elements: (1) an interface to the input and output of the standard application by the operating system; (2) a user interface providing control of the system; (3) translation of text to speech. Hardware consists of the host computer system and a simple speech synthesizer. The speech system is adaptable to various speech synthesizer hardware. Adapting the speech system to another synthesizer requires two changes; to the IPA-to-synthesizer translation rule file to reflect that specific synthesizer's phoneme-code representation, and to the software that drives the synthesizer hardware to reflect the manner in which the hardware interfaces to the computer system. >
Sustained performance by red and white muscle fibres from the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula.

SUMMARY The mechanical performance of red and white muscle fibres from dogfish was compared during a long series of contractions with sinusoidal movement or under isometric conditions at 12°C (normal in vivo temperature). Power output was measured during sinusoidal movement at 0.75 Hz and peak-to-peak amplitude about 12% L 0 . Tetanus duty cycle was 33% (0.44 s) at phase −8% (first stimulus at 0.107 s before shortening started). Initially, the red fibres produced only about one third as much power as the white fibres, 6.57±0.63 W kg −1 wet mass (mean ± s.e.m.) and 18.3±2.3, respectively. Red fibres were better at sustaining power output; it declined rapidly to about 60% of its initial value and then remained relatively steady for up to 450 cycles of movement. Force during shortening declined, but force during stretch did not increase: force always relaxed to a low value before stretch started. By contrast, net power output by white fibres declined rapidly to zero within about 50 cycles. Two changes contributed: decline in force during shortening and an increase in force during stretch because relaxation became progressively less complete during the series of contractions. In isometric series (0.44 s stimulation every 1.33 s, cycle frequency 0.75 Hz), red and white fibres sustained peak isometric force similarly; in the 50th cycle force was 59±3% and 56±4% of initial values. The time required for force to relax to 10% of its maximum value decreased during the series for red fibres and increased for white fibres.
Efficient computer implementation of a rule-based three-term controller

An efficient representation of the rule base for a three-term controller is presented. For the case under consideration, the linguistic variables are quantized into r=8 fuzzy subsets, so there are r/sup 3/=512 rules for the three-term controller. According to a previous work, only 91 storage locations for rules are needed using the proposed condensed version for the controller lookup table. This represents about 80% savings in memory storage space. For r>16, the savings in memory is at least 90%. >
Conducting Research With Community Groups.

Nurse scientists are increasingly recognizing the necessity of conducting research with community groups to effectively address complex health problems and successfully translate scientific advancements into the community. Although several barriers to conducting research with community groups exist, community-based participatory research (CBPR) has the potential to mitigate these barriers. CBPR has been employed in programs of research that respond in culturally sensitive ways to identify community needs and thereby address current health disparities. This article presents case studies that demonstrate how CBPR principles guided the development of (a) a healthy body weight program for urban, underserved African American women; (b) a reproductive health educational intervention for urban, low-income, underserved, ethnically diverse women; and (c) a pilot anxiety/depression intervention for urban, low-income, underserved, ethnically diverse women. These case studies illustrate the potential of CBPR as an or...
Endothelin-1 Mediates Prostaglandin F2α-Induced Luteal Regression in the Ewe

Abstract A diversified series of experiments was conducted to determine the potential role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in ovine luteal function. Endothelin-1 inhibited basal and LH-stimulated progesterone production by dispersed ovine luteal cells during a 2-h incubation. This inhibition was removed when cells were preincubated with cyclo-d-Asp-Pro-d-Val-Leu-d-Trp (BQ123), a highly specific endothelin ETA receptor antagonist. Administration of a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) rapidly stimulated gene expression for ET-1 in ovine corpora lutea (CL) collected at midcycle. Intraluteal administration of a single dose of BQ123 to ewes on Day 8 or 9 of the estrous cycle mitigated the luteolytic effect of PGF2α. Intramuscular administration of 100 μg ET-1 to ewes at midcycle reduced plasma progesterone concentrations for the remainder of the estrous cycle. Following pretreatment with a subluteolytic dose of PGF2α, i.m. administration of 100 μg ET-1 caused a rapid decline in plasma progesterone and shorte...
Matrix Metalloproteinases in Renal Development and Disease

Remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important physiologic feature of normal growth and development. Many diseases have been associated with an imbalance of ECM synthesis and degradation, which may result in an accumulation of ECM molecules (1). In the kidney, these processes can lead to interstitial fibrosis, which has been reviewed elsewhere (2‐ 4), and glomerulosclerosis (5). Progressive glomerulosclerosis leading to end-stage renal failure is a complication of a variety of diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, glomerulonephritis, focal sclerosis, chronic transplant rejection, or obstruction (6 ‐11). Although many studies have tried to elucidate the pathogenesis, the exact underlying mechanisms are still not completely understood. While increased synthesis of ECM certainly plays an important role, recent studies have focused on the role of degradative systems. The major physiologic regulators of ECM degradation in the glomerulus are matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) (12). Both glomerular disease and normal renal development are characterized by a high rate of ECM turnover. Since the underlying mechanisms may follow similar patterns, we will discuss the role of MMP in chronic glomerular disease and normal renal development, and we will highlight implications of experimental findings for human renal disease.
Near-fault ground motions, and the response of elastic and inelastic single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems

SUMMARY In order to investigate the response of structures to near-fault seismic excitations, the ground motion input should be properly characterized and parameterized in terms of simple, yet accurate and reliable, mathematical models whose input parameters have a clear physical interpretation and scale, to the extent possible, with earthquake magnitude. Such a mathematical model for the representation of the coherent (long-period) ground motion components has been proposed by the authors in a previous study and is being exploited in this article for the investigation of the elastic and inelastic response of the single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system to near-fault seismic excitations. A parametric analysis of the dynamic response of the SDOF system as a function of the input parameters of the mathematical model
Echocardiographic correlates of atrial contraction in normal and abnormal atrial rhythm

Abstract Echocardiographic manifestations of normal atrial contraction on the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), ventricular septum (VS), right ventricular anterior wall (RVAW), and the aortic root have not been described previously in detail. In 150 consecutive echocardiograms recorded from patients in normal sinus rhythm, we have been able to find correlates of normal atrial contraction (A waves) on the LVPW in 130, on the VS in 95, on the RVAW in 27, and on the aortic root in 107. These waves occurred on the aortic root 0.04 0.06 sec after the onset of the P wave, and they occurred on the other cardiac structures 0.06 0.10 sec after the onset of the P wave. That these waves were due to atrial contraction was established by their close temporal relationship to the P wave in normal and abnormal atrioventricular (AV) conduction and by their absence whenever the QRS complex was not preceded by a P wave. First-degree AV block was associated with “premature” mitral closure. Premature atrial contractions produced definite A waves on the aortic root, but less distinct waves on the other structures. These echocardiographic correlates of atrial contraction provide another noninvasive means of assessing the atrial contribution to ventricular filling. Echocardiographic study of ten patients in atrial flutter showed that atrial flutter contractions produced regular undulations on the mitral valve leaflets, tricuspid valve leaflets, left ventricular posterior wall, ventricular septum, aortic root and cusps, and the anterior and posterior left atrial wall. Echocardiographic observations made in 40 patients in atrial fibrillation frequently showed undulations on the mitral and tricuspid valves, aortic root, pulmonary valve cusp, and left atrial anterior wall. In some instances, the diastolic undulations on the mitral valve leaflets showed only minimal variations in amplitude and frequency even though the simultaneously recorded electrocardiogram showed marked irregularity of amplitude and frequency of atrial undulations.
Antarctica: The Continent

The area of Antarctica is 13.97 × 106 km2 making it the fifth largest of the seven continents (Stonehouse 2002). It is conventionally oriented on maps as shown in Fig.2.1 and is subdivided into East Antarctica, West Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula, and certain islands that rise more than 500 m above sea level (i.e., Alexander, Bear, Berkner, Roosevelt, Ross, and Thurston). In addition, Antarctica is surrounded by the Ross, Ronne, Filchner, Riiser-Larsen, Fimbul, and Amery floating ice shelves as well as by the Larsen ice shelf located along the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Except for the northernmost tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the continent lies within the Antarctic Circle at latitudes greater than 62.5° south.
Feeding acidified or sweet milk replacer to dairy calves.

The objective of this study was to compare performance of calves fed acidified milk replacer or regular (sweet) milk replacer twice daily at 10% of BW. Thirty-seven female Holstein calves were fed replacers reconstituted to 12.5% DM for 4 wk, At 28 d, half of the amounts of milk replacer consumed during wk 4 were fed during wk 5 and calves weaned from replacer at d 35 age. A pelleted starter feed was offered for ad libitum access throughout the 42-d trial. Body weight was recorded at birth, d 3 of age, and weekly thereafter. Fecal consistency scores were recorded. Other parameters were measured on d 3 and 42. Average daily gains (d 3 to 42) for calves fed sweet and acidified milk replacers were .33 and .38 kg/d. Starter consumption was similar for both treatments. Calves fed acidified milk replacer (d 3 to 28) had a lower (1.4 vs. 1.6) fecal consistency score than those fed sweet milk replacer (scale of 1 to 4, 1 = normal and 4 = watery). Benefits of feeding acidified milk replacer at 10% of BW per day may be in reducing the incidence of some infectious scours, although further experiments are needed to verify this.
Is dysphoria about being red and blue? Potentiation of anger and reduced distress tolerance among dysphoric individuals.

Emotion dysregulation has been implicated in a variety of psychopathologies including depression. However, few empirical studies with depressed samples have been completed, particularly involving negative emotions such as anger. The current study explored two aspects of emotion regulation by testing dysphoric individuals' emotional reactivity and ability to tolerate distress. Specifically, stably dysphoric (n=28) and non-dysphoric (n=35) individuals participated in two distressing laboratory tasks, the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and the Mirror Tracing Persistence Task (MTPT). The dysphoric group reported greater anger following each task and displayed less distress tolerance on the MTPT than the non-dysphoric group. Findings suggest that sad mood can potentiate anger and reduce distress tolerance. Results are consistent with the idea that difficulty regulating negative emotional states may contribute to the maintenance of dysphoria.
No Nodes is Good Nodes

here is undisputed great value in the accurate stagingof patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer, as stagingresults guide therapeutic, particularly multimodality,strategy planning. The article, “Intraoperative, radio-guided sentinel lymph node mapping in 110 non-smallcell lung cancer patients,” addresses the issues of oper-ative and pathologic staging of intrathoracic lymph nodesby reporting an experience in assessing a sentinel lymphnode detection technique [1].
Assessing the Impact of a School Subsidy Program in Mexico: Using a Social Experiment to Validate a Dynamic Behavioral Model of Child Schooling and Fertility

This paper uses data from a randomized social experiment in Mexico to estimate and validate a dynamic behavioral model of parental decisions about fertility and child schooling, to evaluate the effects of the PROGRESA school subsidy program, and to perform a variety of counterfactual experiments of policy alternatives. Our method of validation estimates the model without using post-program data and then compares the model’s predictions about program impacts to the experimental impact estimates. The results show that the model’s predicted program impacts track the experimental results. Our analysis of counterfactual policies reveals an alternative subsidy schedule that would induce a greater impact on average school attainment at similar cost to the existing program.
Effect of managed care on emergency department use in an uninsured population.

Abstract Study objective The use of managed care to decrease emergency department (ED) use has been reported with some success among Medicaid and insured populations. Our objective is to determine the effect of a managed care program (the "Program") for uninsured patients on their use of emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study with 3 groups of patients at an urban, academic medical center: uninsured patients enrolled in the Program, uninsured patients not enrolled in the Program ("Uninsured"), and commercially insured ("Commercial") patients. All patients received services at least once annually during the 5-year study duration. Administrative databases provided data on ED visits, hospital discharges, hospital days, primary care visits, and specialty care visits during the preprogram and 4 postprogram years. Results There were 1,676 Program, 335 Uninsured, and 844 Commercial patients (2,855 total patients). Use of emergency, inpatient, and outpatient specialty clinics by all groups did not change significantly after program implementation. There was a modest increase in outpatient primary care use by Program members. Conclusion Implementation of a managed care program did not significantly alter ED or inpatient hospital use patterns in an uninsured, indigent population. Providing a primary care provider and health care benefits alone was insufficient to reduce ED use in this population.
Do endocrine disruptors cause hypospadias

Introduction: Endocrine disruptors or environmental agents, disrupt the endocrine system, leading to various adverse effects in humans and animals. Although the phenomenon has been noted historically in the cases of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), the term “endocrine disruptor” is relatively new. Endocrine disruptors can have a variety of hormonal activities such as estrogenicity or anti-androgenicity. The focus of this review concerns on the induction of hypospadias by exogenous estrogenic endocrine disruptors. This has been a particular clinical concern secondary to reported increased incidence of hypospadias. Herein, the recent literature is reviewed as to whether endocrine disruptors cause hypospadias. Methods: A literature search was performed for studies involving both humans and animals. Studies within the past 5 years were reviewed and categorized into basic science, clinical science, epidemiologic, or review studies. Results: Forty-three scientific articles were identified. Relevant sentinel articles were also reviewed. Additional pertinent studies were extracted from the reference of the articles that obtained from initial search results. Each article was reviewed and results presented. Overall, there were no studies which definitely stated that endocrine disruptors caused hypospadias. However, there were multiple studies which implicated endocrine disruptors as one component of a multifactorial model for hypospadias. Conclusions: Endocrine disruption may be one of the many critical steps in aberrant development that manifests as hypospadias.
Inhibition of Hedgehog-Signaling Driven Genes in Prostate Cancer Cells by Sutherlandia frutescens Extract

Sutherlandia frutescens (L) R. Br. (Sutherlandia) is a South African botanical that is traditionally used to treat a variety of health conditions, infections and diseases, including cancer. We hypothesized Sutherlandia might act through Gli/ Hedgehog (Hh)-signaling in prostate cancer cells and used RNA-Seq transcription profiling to profile gene expression in TRAMPC2 murine prostate cancer cells with or without Sutherlandia extracts. We found 50% of Hh-responsive genes can be repressed by Sutherlandia ethanol extract, including the canonical Hh-responsive genes Gli1 and Ptch1 as well as newly distinguished Hh-responsive genes Hsd11b1 and Penk.
Research and Development of Food Resources in Communist China

In pre-Communist China, agricultural research and research applications were qualitatively spotty and also quantitatively inadequate. Although China had a number of competent Western-trained scientists, most were in universities and agricultural colleges which emphasized teaching and gave little support to research. However, agricultural research began expanding shortly before the Communists gained control in 1949.
Job Offer Negotiation Process and the Effects on Job Satisfaction Levels

This study investigates the effect the job offer negotiation has on future job satisfaction. Research is reviewed and gathered to relate job satisfaction with quality of life and time off not only taken by an employee but the effects of company culture and attitudes toward employees taking time off. This study takes a look at the effects of burnout on employees and their production levels as well as how this burn out effects job satisfaction. A theory is presented, for future research, which an employer can create job satisfaction and even increase productivity simply by encouraging their company culture to support more quality family lives among its employees paired with time off to recharge. Effects of high levels of job satisfaction and future directions to link characteristics such as race, age, and gender are explored.
Effects of sodium depletion and angiotensin II on osmotic regulation of vasopressin

After alterations in sodium balance, osmotic reactivity of vasopressin (AVP) release was evaluated in seven conscious dogs during bilateral intracarotid infusions of hypertonic saline. A low-sodium diet reduced plasma sodium concentration by 3%; deoxycorticosterone acetate (30 mg/day for 2 days) elevated the concentration by 1%. Neither treatment altered resting plasma AVP. Hypertonic intracarotid infusions increased jugular plasma osmolality by 20 +/- 2 mosmol/kg independent of manipulations. Plasma AVP values were significantly increased (P less than 0.05) in sodium-depleted dogs compared with values of the control animals. In addition, the osmotic reactivity of AVP release was evaluated during exogenous administration of angiotensin II (ANG II). Intravenous infusion of ANG II (5 ng . kg-1 . min-1) increased plasma concentration of ANG II but did not alter concentration of plasma AVP. The slope for the relationship of jugular plasma osmolality to plasma AVP during hypertonic intracarotid infusions was significantly increased with intravenous infusion of ANG II. Sodium depletion and intravenous ANG II potentiate the relationship of plasma osmolality and plasma AVP when evaluated with intracarotid hypertonic saline infusions in dogs.
Effect of ethanol on polyribosomes and protein synthesis of transplantable hepatomas and host livers of rats.

SummaryThe effect of ethanol administration on polyribosomes and in vitro protein synthesis of host liver and hepatoma was investigated. When Buffalo rats bearing hepatoma 5123 intrahepatically were tube-fed ethanol (0.75 g/100 g body wt as a 50% (v/v) solution in saline) 3 hr before killing, there was disaggregation of total polyribosomes and a decrease in in vitro protein synthesis ([14C]leucine incorporation into protein) in hepatoma but not in host liver in comparison with control groups. Evaluation of the disaggregation of the polyribosomes of the hepatoma of the ethanol-treated rats revealed that the membrane-bound fraction was affected more than the free fraction.
AAV as a viral vector for human gene therapy : generation of recombinant virus

Investigation of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) life cycle has enabled the establishment of methodology and identification of critical cis-acting sequences required for recombinant AAV production. Vectors derived from the defective human parvovirus (AAV) have been used for successful gene transfer and expression in many diverse mammalian cell types, such as erythroid, airway epithelium, and neuronal cells. One of the crucial steps in the continued case of AAV as a vector is the development of packaging systems that will allow efficient encapsidation of foreign genes into AAV virions. For this reason, the focus of this article will be generation of recombinant AAV vectors.
A Framework for Audiovisual Dialog-based Human Computer Interaction

In this paper, we describe a framework for audiovisual human computer interaction using a PC. The architecture of our system is based on recognized speech from both audio and visual information, and a dialog system that is capable of deriving the user's intentions, taking into account contextual information. The design of our system goes beyond the traditional paradigm of using vocal commands to control a computer which is usually application dependant. In order to do so it employs an adaptive module, able to select an appropriate grammar that suits the program used at a particular time. Furthermore, our system utilizes the visual modality in addition to audio, for increased word accuracy. We carried out a number of experiments during which we acquired promising results, therefore showing the great prospect of our framework.
Epitaxial strain effect on transport properties in Ca 2 − x Sr x RuO 4 thin films

We have grown Ca${}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}$Sr${}_{x}$RuO${}_{4}$ ($x$ $=$ 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 2) epitaxial thin films using a pulsed laser deposition method and characterized their structures and magnetotransport properties. We find that the $x$ $=$ 0, 0.1, and 0.5 films grown on LaAlO${}_{3}$ substrates exhibit coherent strain with tetragonal structure. The nature of strain is dependent on Sr content: the Ca${}_{2}$RuO${}_{4}$ ($x$ $=$ 0) film features biaxial compressive strain, while the $x$ $=$ 0.5 film shows biaxial tensile strain. The strain in the $x$ $=$ 0.1 film is relatively weak and strongly anisotropic, with compressive strain along the $a$ axis and tensile strain along the $b$ axis. In contrast, the Sr${}_{2}$RuO${}_{4}$ films show strain relaxation. The epitaxial strain effect leads the properties of the $x=0$, 0.1, and 0.5 films to be distinct from those of bulk materials. The bulk material shows antiferromagnetic Mott-insulating properties for $x$ 0.2 and a nearly ferromagnetic state for $x$ \ensuremath{\sim} 0.5 [Nakatsuji and Maeno, Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 2666 (2000)], whereas the film displays itinerant ferromagnetism for $x$ $=$ 0 and 0.1 and paramagnetic metal for $x$ $=$ 0.5. Furthermore, in the $x$ $=$ 0 and 0.1 films, we observed distinct fourfold ferromagnetic anisotropy, with the minimum magnetoresistivity along the diagonal directions for $x$ $=$ 0 and $a$ and $b$ directions for $x$ $=$ 0.1. Such evolution of magnetic anisotropy may be associated with the tuning of the spin-orbit coupling by the epitaxial strain.
THE LUMBAR INTRASPINAL CYST: EVIDENCE FOR A ROLE IN BOTH NON-SPECIFIC AND RADICULAR BACK PAIN

Background: Lumbar intraspinal cysts (LICs) are rare incidental MRI findings in back pain. Their space-occupying nature make them plausible factors in both non-specific and radicular back pain. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with MRI reports of LICs at our center over 5 years. N=26, 13 male, mean age 66 ± 12 years. Results: LICs originated at levels from L1-S2 (61.5% at L4/5), reaching 17mm 2 (rapid one year progression in this case). LICs were described as synovial in all but two cases (hemorrhagic cyst; Tarlov perineural cysts). Background degenerative changes were reported in 88.5% of cases. Patients described up to 30-year histories of non-specific back pain. Clinical features of radiculopathy plus concomitant MRI findings were indications for surgical decompression (n=14) and cyst excision (n=13/14). 2 cases of spontaneous LIC resolution, and 2 cases of post-operative complications were identified (inflammatory/scar tissue stenosis). 0% cyst recurrence rate with sustained resolution of symptoms currently stands. Conclusions: Frequent co-existence of LICs with degeneration implicates the former as a product of osteoarthritic processes, conceivably contributing to patient accounts of chronic non-specific pain. LICs may equally constitute acute direct causes of radiculopathy, owing to their diverse origins and potential to rapidly expand. A role of LICs in axial and radicular pain, independent of other degenerative changes, is supported by symptom alleviation in cases of spontaneous resolution, versus progression with decompression performed without cyst excision (Tarlov cyst), or following novel cyst formation at the level of previous spinal fusion. Whether image-guided aspiration might reduce surgery-related side-effects is a topic for further work.
Anticracking behavior of prestressed masonry

The paper deals with the effect of the adoption of prestress on the structural anticracking behavior through the analysis of finite element method. The adoption of prestress enhances the cracking load and utilizes the masonry resistance ability effectively. Simultaneously, the paper compares the structure behavior with different prestress load and gives the location where the principal stress occurs and the area of crack.
The Change in the Income Gap between Urban Households of Our Country and an Analysis of the Developing Trend in the "Eleventh Five Years"

The author quantitatively analyzes the changing process of the income gap between urban households of our country with the three indices of Gini coefficient, income shares and actual increase rate of annual per capita disposable income of different groups and holds that the income gap between urban households has been widening since 1985, but the acceleratively widening income gap began to be reversed in 2006. On the basis of the background of macro-economy, the author forecasts that during the "Eleventh Five Years", the gap between income shares of different groups will be reduced and Gini coefficient will be lower. The aim of "gradually turning the trend of widening income gap", which was put forward both in the "Eleventh Five-Year" Plan and the 17th National Congress of the People's Republic of China, will be achieved.
Investigation on orthogonal experiments of laser cladding anti-wear resistance coating on H13 steel

In order to improve the surface property of H13 steel,Co42 anti-wear resistance coating was performed by laser cladding method on the surface of H13 steel. The dilution ratio,surface roughness,and the surface morphology of the samples obtained under different parameters were investigated. The proper parameters for laser cladding were as following:defocus value of 20 mm,laser scan speed of 1. 7mm / s,pulse width of 2. 0ms,and pulse frequency of 30 Hz. The microstructure of the coating was characterized as fine dendrites with a thickness of 230μm. The microhardness presented a gradient decreased from the coating to the substrate. The microhardness in the coating was 650HV0. 1,which was about 2.7 times of that of the substrate. The results show that the parameters including defocus value,laser scan speed,pulse frequency,and pulse width influence the above three properties of the coating. This result is helpful for improving friction stir welding technology.
Integrating seasonal information on nutrients and benthic algal biomass into stream water quality monitoring

Benthic chlorophyll a (BChl a) and environmental factors that influence algal biomass were measured monthly from February through October in 22 streams from three agricultural regions of the United States. At-site maximum BChl a ranged from 14 to 406 mg/m2 and generally varied with dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN): 8 out of 9 sites with at-site median DIN >0.5 mg/L had maximum BChl a >100 mg/m2. BChl a accrued and persisted at levels within 50% of at-site maximum for only one to three months. No dominant seasonal pattern for algal biomass accrual was observed in any region. A linear model with DIN, water surface gradient, and velocity accounted for most of the cross-site variation in maximum chlorophyll a (adjusted R2 = 0.7), but was no better than a single value of DIN = 0.5 mg/L for distinguishing between low and high-biomass sites. Studies of nutrient enrichment require multiple samples to estimate algal biomass with sufficient precision given the magnitude of temporal variability of algal biomass. An effective strategy for regional stream assessment of nutrient enrichment could be based on a relation between maximum BChl a and DIN based on repeat sampling at sites selected to represent a gradient in nutrients and application of the relation to a larger number of sites with synoptic nutrient information.
Substrate Preferences for Antiplasmin Cleaving Enzyme Hydrolysis of Peptides Derived from the α2-Antiplasmin Sequence.

Antiplasmin cleaving enzyme (APCE) is a proteinase that specifically, but slowly cleaves the Pro-Asn bond in long-form α 2 -antiplasmin (Met-α 2 AP) in human plasma. This slow cleavage produces a steady-state plasma mixture of Met-α 2 AP and an N-terminally shortened form of antiplasmin, Asn-α 2 AP. The Asn-α 2 AP form crosslinks to fibrin ~13-fold faster than Met-α 2 AP. A faster crosslink rate causes a greater number of antiplasmin molecules to become bound during fibrin formation, thereby enhancing resistance to fibrinolysis. Inhibition of plasma APCE may decrease the number of antiplasmin molecules crosslinked and result in clots that are more easily removed during fibrinolysis. Therefore, an inhibitor specific for APCE could potentially be used to regulate fibrinolysis. Human Met-α 2 AP exists in two polymorphic forms at position six in the mature sequence, with arginine predominant, and tryptophan accounting for a lesser percentage. We have determined the relative cleavage rates of synthetic peptides from a peptide library that span the cleavage site. The peptides contained all common amino acids except cysteine in the polymorphic position (P7 position). Arg was the optimal amino acid in this position with a relative cleavage rate ~5–10-fold faster than other amino acids except Lys, which was ~70% of the Arg rate. The P7 position Arg enhancement was also observed when Arg was in the P6 or P5 position, but no enhancement was observed when Arg was moved to positions P8, P4, P3 or P2. It was also determined that APCE is preferentially an endoproteinase rather than an aminodipeptidase, with a 10-fold greater rate of hydrolysis of the internal Pro-Asn bond in the Met-α 2 AP 1–17 peptide sequence MEPLGRQLTSGP-NQEQV over the Pro-Asn bond penultimate to the amino-terminal bond in the Met-α 2 AP 11–27 peptide sequence GP-NQEQVSPLTLLKLGN in peptide hydrolysis experiments. We conclude that APCE inhibitors designed with a positive charge placed upstream of the Pro-X scissile bond equivalent to five to seven amino acid residues may prove to be highly potent and specific. In addition, such inhibitors should also prove useful for blocking the activity of the closely related enzyme fibroblast activation protein. This work was supported by NIH grant HL072995.
Simulation and verification of transient EHD motion in a stressed oil duct

It has been established that dielectric liquids under sustained electric stress are set into electrohydrodynamic (EHD) motion. This results from the interaction between the electric field and space charge in the liquid. The patterns of such motion for parallel electrode geometry [1 5] reveal the existence of EHD instabilities at intermediate voltages. The variations of break down statistical parameters, light and current pulse activity with flow velocity for circulating liquids have also been explored in detail [1,6] and exhibit reproducible patterns. In order to explain the variations of liquid dielectric behavior with flow velocity, the transient EHD motion has been simulated [1] for both stationary and circulating liquids. The results highlight the patterns of liquid motion and explain the EHD instabilities. In addition, they indicate a possible mechanism for the variation of mean breakdown strength and other parameters with flow velocity.
Inferring ice thickness from a glacier dynamics model and multiple surface data sets

The future behavior of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) may have a major impact on future climate. For instance, ice sheet melt may contribute significantly to global sea-level rise. Understanding the current state of the WAIS is therefore of great interest. The WAIS is drained by fast-flowing glaciers, which are major contributors to ice loss. Hence, understanding the stability and dynamics of glaciers is critical for predicting the future of the ice sheet. Glacier dynamics are driven by the interplay between the topography, temperature, and basal conditions beneath the ice. A glacier dynamics model describes the interactions between these processes. We develop a hierarchical Bayesian model that integrates multiple ice-sheet surface data sets with a glacier dynamics model. Our approach allows us to (a) infer important parameters describing the glacier dynamics, (b) learn about ice sheet thickness, and (c) account for errors in the observations and the model. Because we have relatively dense and accurate ice thickness data from the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, we use these data to validate the proposed approach. The long-term goal of this work is to have a general model that may be used to study multiple glaciers in the Antarctic.
Vulnerability of Louisiana's coastal wetlands to present-day rates of relative sea-level rise

Coastal Louisiana has lost about 5,000 km2 of wetlands over the past century and concern exists whether remaining wetlands will persist while facing some of the world's highest rates of relative sea-level rise (RSLR). Here we analyse an unprecedented data set derived from 274 rod surface-elevation table-marker horizon stations, to determine present-day surface-elevation change, vertical accretion and shallow subsidence rates. Comparison of vertical accretion rates with RSLR rates at the land surface (present-day RSLR rates are 12±8 mm per year) shows that 65% of wetlands in the Mississippi Delta (SE Louisiana) may keep pace with RSLR, whereas 58% of the sites in the Chenier Plain (SW Louisiana) do not, rendering much of this area highly vulnerable to RLSR. At least 60% of the total subsidence rate occurs within the uppermost 5-10 m, which may account for the higher vulnerability of coastal Louisiana wetlands compared to their counterparts elsewhere.
Multi-pulse diode-isolated-Blumlein induction-cell drivers

The Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) uses two, linear-induction accelerators (LIAs) for flash, x-ray radiography of hydrodynamic tests. The Axis-I LIA uses a single, beam pulse of 60 ns, 20 MeV, and 2 kA. The Axis-II LIA uses a long beam pulse, and a kicker to generate four radiation pulses. The National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) is planning a new, multi-pulse, single-axis, electron LIA for hydrodynamic experiments. One method for generating multiple, beam pulses on a single axis, without a kicker, is to multi pulse the injector and each accelerator cell. Diode-isolated Blumleins are being considered as the pulsed-power drivers for the accelerator cells. On DARHT Axis-I, the Blumleins are dc connected to the cells such that when they are charged, the connected cells' magnetic cores are also preset. With diodes in the circuit, this dc path is not available. This paper describes the 300-kV, diode-isolated Blumlein concept, performance requirements, Blumlein charging options, core preset methods, and circuit simulation results.
Autologous Rectus Fascia Graft Interposition Repair of Urethrocutaneous Fistulae in Female-to-Male Metoidioplasty Patients.

Objective To describe our technique and outcomes using an autologous rectus fascia interposition graft for repair of recurrent urethrocutaneous fistulae (UCF) following metoidioplasty. Materials and Methods A circumferential incision is made to the skin surrounding the UCF and carried to the level of the underlying subcutaneous tissues. The inner fistula skin edges are closed with a running 5-0 monofilament absorbable suture to obliterate the urethral side. The length of the urethral wound is measured and an appropriate sized rectus fascia graft harvested from a small transverse lower abdominal incision that is also used for concomitant percutaneous suprapubic tube placement. Prior to outer skin closure with a running 5-0 monofilament absorbable suture, the fascial graft is spread-fixed between the urethra and skin to avoid overlapping suture lines. A 10-French urethral catheter is removed after 10 days and the suprapubic catheter removed after 2-3 weeks. Results Three patients have undergone repair of recurrent UCF with this technique since February 2017. All patients had undergone metoidioplasty with a mean time to fistula occurrence of 3.2 months. Mean number of prior UCF repairs was 3.0. With a median follow-up since repair of 7.0 months (range 4-8), no patient has reported UCF recurrence. Conclusion UCF following metoidioplasty is a difficult surgical complication. Fistula closure with interposition of autologous rectus fascia allows for separation of suture lines and encourages healing without extensive reconstruction.
Structural and functional changes of rat exocrine pancreas exposed to nicotine

Nicotine, an addictive agent in cigarette smoking, has been implicated in the etiology of pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma. Very little experimental data are, however, available regarding the effects of nicotine on the structural and functional changes in the exocrine pancreas. Two groups of rats divided into control and nicotine exposed were used. The animals in the nicotine group were maintained for 28 d with ad libitum water containing 0.77 mM of nicotine. At term, the animals were sacrificed, and pancreas was examined for pathological and functional changes. Nicotine induced cytoplasmic vacuolation and cellular edema in the exocrine pancreas. Plasma levels of glucose and insulin and CCK-8-stimulated amylase release in isolated acini were significantly decreased by nicotine, whereas the total cellular amylase content was significantly increased. Analysis of competitive ligand binding data on membranes from isolated acini showed that the Bmax and Kd values for CCK receptors were not significantly changed by nicotine, p > 0.05. These data indicate that a postreceptor mechanism is involved in the inhibition in stimulus-secretion coupling of enzyme secretion by nicotine. The increase in total cellular amylase content and decreased enzyme secretion by nicotine may be implicated in the induction of pancreatic pathology.
Disasters and Development: Investigating an Integrated Framework

Disaster management and economic development have become two major public policies for many developed and developing countries in recent years. To achieve goals of economic development, policymakers and public managers have to design different development policies and programs to seek opportunities for business formation and industry development and to address problems of economic cycles and recessions and consequences of the special financial crisis. While focusing on development goals, the leaders in these countries have to adjust their policies priorities and rearrange valuable resources to deal with occurrences and challenges of a variety of natural, man-made, and technological disasters, which are directly or indirectly related to economic development. For example, the four hurricanes that damaged portions of Florida in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the earthquake and resultant tsunami and nuclear power plant accident that struck Japan in 2011, the China’s Sichuan earthquake in 2008 (Wenchuan) and again in 2013 (Ya’an) provide unfortunate reminders of the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters. These unfortunate events, like many others, illustrate how disasters impact individuals and communities and affected social-technical systems and economic functions and community lives.
The Nature of Group Decision Support Systems

In organizations, decisions usually involve multiple persons working together, spending considerable time in meetings. Group decision support systems (GDSS) are designed to help groups in meetings reach consensus. Such systems started with facilities (called decision rooms) in which people work together at the same time and in the same place. Such decision rooms contain individual computers where people can do private work, public screens seen by all, and networks and software to support both group and individual work. Over time, GDSS has expanded to include people located in different places and at different times. Although GDSS hardware is mostly off-the-shelf, specialized software is used for generating organizing, and prioritizing ideas, for organizational memory, and other tasks associated with group work. This chapter discusses the nature of GDSS, includes brief descriptions of early decision rooms, and considers major software vendors. The chapter concludes that GDSS is now a mature technology, many of whose concepts are now embedded in the way organizations work, and the major legacy of University research is to practice what was learned about individual and group behaviors in computer-based environments.
Profile of Music Programs at Residential Schools for Blind and Visually Impaired Students

Residential schools for blind and visually impaired students have always considered music programs to be a vital component of their education of students. This article reports on the authors’ 1988 ...
St. Louis Encephalitis

St. Louis encephalitis virus is a mosquito transmitted arbovirus that may cause severe epidemics of neuroinvasive disease. Although widely distributed throughout the North and South America, the largest recorded epidemics have occurred during warm summers in the United States. The maintenance cycle varies geographically and involves several species of Culex mosquitoes and several orders of peridomestic birds. Humans are infected tangentially and are a dead end in the transmission cycle. Because there is no cure, intervention focuses on preventive mosquito control.