cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Getting Clued In Inferential Processing and Comprehension Monitoring in Boys With ADHD

Objective: The present study examines the ability of children with ADHD to make inferences and monitor ongoing understanding of texts, to shed light on their academic difficulties. Method: A total of 29 boys with ADHD and 41 comparison boys between the ages of 7 and 12 participated. Three tasks measure how boys create and evaluate inferences, particularly explanatory inferences, and how they monitor their understanding of story events and the connections among them. Results: Boys with ADHD are less able than their comparison peers to make appropriate inferences, particularly explanatory inferences. They also have more trouble identifying text inconsistencies. Conclusions: Findings suggest that difficulties in making inferences and monitoring ongoing comprehension among children with ADHD may contribute to story comprehension problems and in turn to academic difficulties experienced by these children. Interventions specifically focusing on understanding causal connections, creating inferences, and monitori...
Abscesses about the anorectum

Abstract 1. 1. Anorectal abscesses are classified according to their anatomical location, and the relevant anatomy is described. 2. 2. The pathogenesis of anorectal abscesses is given. 3. 3. Diagnosis and prognosis are discussed, and the probability of fistula following anorectal abscess explained. 4. 4. Operative treatment for each of the various types is described in detail.
DNA Cleavage by an α,3-Dehydrotoluene Precursor Conjugated to a Minor Groove Binding Element

The (Z)-allene-ene-yne 10, a precursor to a reactive α,3-dehydrotoluene biradical, was covalently linked to a minor groove binding element, and the resultant conjugate (9) was shown to bind and cleave DNA with sequence selectivity.
Isolation of extensin precursors by direct elution of intact tomato cell suspension cultures

Abstract Dilute salt solutions eluted peroxidase and hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGP's) very rapidly (60 % within 10s) from the surface of intact tomato cells grown in suspension culture. Further purification of the HRGPs based on (a) their solubility in 10% trichloroacetic acid and (b) chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose, gave two components (P1 and P2) rich in serine, tyrosine, lysine and arabinosylated hydroxyproline. The sum of the hydroxyproline arabinoside profiles of P1 and P2 approximated that of the wall. P1, unlike P2, was histidine-rich and also contained proline. Significantly, isodityrosine (IDT) was absent from P1 and P2 but present in cell wall hydrolysates where, the Hyp:IDT molar ratio was ca 15: 1. In cells 4 days after subculture, 3 H-proline pulse-chase data indicated turnover of P1 and P2 presumably resulting from covalent attachment to the wall as neither P1 nor P2 appeared in the growth medium. At day four the cell mean generation time (MGT) was 4.6 days, the cell hydr oxyproline content was 0.7 % (w/w), the half lives of P1 and P2 were both ca 12 hr, and the combined CaCl 2 elutable P1 and P2 precursor pools contained ca 400 μg Hyp/g cells (dry weight). Calculated from the MGT and Hyp content, the cell demand was 44.μg Hyp/g cells (dry weight)/hr. The precursor pool size was therefore sufficient for 9 hours growth. However the pool turnover calculated from half life and pool size was 5.6 %/hr or 22.4μg Hyp/g cells (dry weight)/hr. Thus the supply of P1 and P2 precursors met > 50 % of the cell wall demand. Corroborative experiments showed that after depletion of the P1 and P2 pools by salt elution, washed cells resuspended in growth medium repleted the precursor pools at a rate corresponding to a synthesis of 43μg Hyp/g cells (dry weight)/hr, or 98 % of the demand. These data allow us to make the following suggestions: P1 and P2 represent monomeric extensin precursor subunits. Salt elution of P1 and P2 indicates their ionic binding by pectic carboxyl groups. The rapidity of elution indicates a high diffusivity of these extended rodlike macromolecules through the cell wall. This may imply a preferred orientation for P1 and P2 perpendicular rather than parallel to the plane of the wall. The lack of IDT in P1 and P2 implies that IDT forms in muro , possibly via peroxidase. We speculate that some of these IDT residues may crosslink an extensin precursor ‘tweft’ around a cellulose microfibrillar ‘twarp’. Such formation of heteromultimeric extensin interpenetrated by microfibrils would create a mechanically coupled extensin-cellulose network.
The aggregate supply of output and a constant price level

When they are treating the case of an economy operating at less than full employment macro theorists commonly assume that the aggregate supply function for output is perfectly elastic with respect to the price level. In this paper we demonstrate that an aggregate supply of output which is perfectly elastic at some price level cannot be derived from the interaction of the demand for and supply of labor in a competitive market even when the labor supply conditions are Keynesian in nature - e.g., rigid money wage rates.
Fluorination of graphene enhances friction due to increased corrugation.

The addition of a single sheet of carbon atoms in the form of graphene can drastically alter friction between a nanoscale probe tip and a surface. Here, for the first time we show that friction can be altered over a wide range by fluorination. Specifically, the friction force between silicon atomic force microscopy tips and monolayer fluorinated graphene can range from 5−9 times higher than for graphene. While consistent with previous reports, the combined interpretation from our experiments and molecular dynamics simulations allows us to propose a novel mechanism: that the dramatic friction enhancement results from increased corrugation of the interfacial potential due to the strong local charge concentrated at fluorine sites, consistent with the Prandtl-Tomlinson model. The monotonic increase of friction with fluorination in experiments also demonstrates that friction force measurements provide a sensitive local probe of the degree of fluorination. Additionally, we found a transition from ordered to dis...
A comparision of the reactivity of H2O and H2S with α-Fe2O3 microcrystallites

Abstract Differences in the chemical modification of the quadrupole interaction of supported α-Fe 2 O 3 microcrystallites with H 2 S and H 2 O are observed in both the oxidized and the reduced states. The spectra are interpreted in terms of dissociative adsorption.
Theory of the Thermodynamic Properties of Liquid Metals

Thermodynamic properties of the liquid metals Li, Na, K, and Al are calculated using a pseudopotential model together with an application of thermodynamic perturbation theory based on the Gibbs-Bogoliubov inequality. The theory is used to predict many properties associated with the melting phenomenon; for example, the melting temperature and density as a function of temperature, and the latent heat of fusion. It is found that the theory reproduces the trend in latent heats between the alkali metals, in contrast to previous work, although quantitative agreement with experiment is no better than has been obtained before. The theory is also applied to the prediction of thermodynamic properties on and away from the melting curve; in particular, the specific heat and velocity of sound of sodium are calculated over a wide range of temperature. Agreement with experiment is found to be good.
The effects of contrast on perceived depth and depth discrimination

Abstract The contrast dependence of perceived depth was quantified through a series of depth matching experiments. Perceived depth was found to be a power law function of contrast. In addition, subjects exhibited a large uncrossed depth bias indicating that low contrast test patterns appeared much farther away than high contrast patterns of equal disparity. For disparities in the range of±4.0 arc min, matching disparities for low contrast patterns were shifted in the uncrossed direction by the same amount. In other words, while the magnitude of the uncrossed depth bias is a power law function of contrast, it is constant with respect to disparity. In a second series of experiments, the contrast dependence of stereo increment thresholds was measured. Like perceived depth and stereoacuity, stereo increment thresholds were found to be a power law function of contrast. These results suggest that contrast effects occur at or before the extraction of depth and have implications for the response properties of disparity-selective mechanisms.
Evaluation of a portable chlorophyll meter to estimate chlorophyll and nitrogen contents in sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) leaves

Portable, non-destructive chlorophyll meters could be a valuable tool for forest managers and researchers. The ability of such meters to assess both chlorophyll and nitrogen content has been well established for many agricultural species, but not well-studied for North American forest tree species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of a portable chlorophyll meter to estimate chlorophyll (CHL) and nitrogen (N) content in sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) leaves by testing correlations between chlorophyll content index values (CCI) and extractable CHL and N in large heterogeneous samples. Significant correlations were observed between CCI and CHL (P ≤ 0.001, r2 = 76%) and CCI and N (P ≤ 0.001, r2 = 64%). These data indicate that the meter tested can be an effective tool for estimating relative chlorophyll and nitrogen content in sugar maple leaves.
Differences in erythrocyte sedimentation rates using the Westergren method and a centrifugation method.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific screening test to assess elevations of acute phase proteins that occur in various acute and chronic diseases. The recommended method is based on the Westergren method. Other technologies to measure ESR have been developed, including centrifugation-based methods. We compared a centrifugation method (ESR STAT PLUS, HemaTechnologies, Lebanon, NJ) with the current Westergren method (Sediplast ESR system, Polymedco, Cortlandt Manor, NY) at 3 ESR levels (0–20, 21–60, and >60 mm/h) in a pediatric population and found correlation coefficients of r = 0.63, r = 0.83, and r = 0.43 respectively. The centrifugation ESR exceeded the Westergren ESR by a small but significant amount in the 0–20 mm/h range, where most normal ranges fall. The 2 methods were also compared in blood samples from patients with sickle cell disease, who tend to have lower ESRs owing to impaired rouleau formation. In the sickle cell group (n = 39; r = 0.87), the centrifugation ESR consistently exceeded (97% of time) the Westergren ESR. This study identifies the differences in ESR results using 2 methods in general and specific pediatric populations.
Convergence of best approximations from unbounded sets

Given a metric space whose bounded sets are relatively compact (i.e., have compact closures), we show that a nearest point selection from a sequence of Kuratowski converging sets converges to the nearest point in the limit set whenever the latter point is unique. The result is extended to Kuratowski limits of linear varieties in infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces where this nearest point (relative to the origin) is necessarily unique. Finally, we show that the Kuratowski limit of hyperplanes must itself be a hyperplane and that a necessary and sufficient condition for the associated nearest points to the origin to converge as above is that the canonial points parametrizing the hyperplanes converge.
MCAST: an abstract-syntax-tree based model compiler for circuit simulation

This paper introduces MCAST: a model compiler - based on abstract syntax trees - that reads compact device models described in high-level languages VHDL-AMS/Verilog-AMS and automatically generates the simulator device code in C that can be directly linked with existing circuit simulators such as SPICE3. We report, for the first time, the successful implementation of industry-grade device models, including EKV, BSIM, and BSIM-SOI, in VHDL-AMS/Verilog-AMS. For a set of industry test circuits, MCAST yields exactly the same simulation results as, and comparable speed to, that of model code implemented manually, while existing model compilers are either limited in scope, restricted to very simple models, or orders of magnitude slower than manual implementations.
Nicotine as a Discriminative Stimulus: Individual Variability to Acute Tolerance and the Role of Receptor Desensitization

This paper will review experiments designed to study mechanisms of nicotine-induced acute tolerance in two behavioral models, nicotine-induced discriminative stimulus (DS) control of behavior, and nicotine-induced disruption of operant behavior. Acute tolerance to nicotine in both paradigms was explained on the basis that nicotine was able to induce a desensitization of nicotinic cholinergic receptors leading to an attenuation of nicotine’s effects.
The similarity solution for the Korteweg-de Vries equation and the related Painlevé transcendent

The second Painleve transcendent is treated in conjunction with the similarity solutions of the Korteweg-de Vries equation and the modified Korteweg-de Vries equation. Asymptotic expansions and numerical solutions are presented; the main result is the existence of a critical value for the amplitude parameter above which the relevant solutions become singular.
The Permanent Income Hypothesis: A Theoretical Formulation.

Abstract : This paper defends the view that in dealing with a consumer's reponse to short-term changes, it is reasonable to assume that the marginal utility of money is constant. A theoretical defense of this view is made in terms of the consumer's intertemporal maximization problem. It is assumed that the consumer may hold money, but may not borrow. The consumer's utility function is assumed to be additively separable with respect to time. Prices, the consumer's income, and his utility function for each period are assumed to fluctuate according to a stationary stochastic process. It is proved that if the time horizon of the consumer's problem is sufficiently distant, if his discount rate for future utility is sufficiently small, and if he has a sufficient quantity of money, then the marginal utility of money is nearly independent of current prices and income and is nearly constant over time. The proof of these facts is based on economic common sense and the strong law of large numbers for stationary processes. (Author)
Acoustic noise reduction in sinusoidal PWM drives using a randomly modulated carrier

Acoustic noise in an inverter-driven AC electric machine can be reduced by avoiding the concentration of harmonic energy in distinct tones. One method to spread out the harmonic spectrum without the use of programmed PWM (pulse-width modulation) is to cause the switching pattern to be random. It is proposed that the switching pattern can be randomized by modulating the triangle carrier in sinusoidal PWM (pulse-width modulation) with bandlimited white noise. All the advantages of sinusoidal PWM are preserved with this technique. These include real-time control, linear operation, good transient response, and a constant average switching frequency. By controlling the bandwidth and RMS value of the pink noise modulation, it is shown that the instantaneous variation in switching frequency as well as the bandwidth of the energy spectrum in the machine can be specified within predetermined limits. Experimental results show the absence of acoustic noise concentrated at specific tones which is present with conventional sinusoidal modulation. >
PHYSICAL AND RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF A CONFECTIONERY PRODUCT

The mechanical and rheological properties of caramel have been measured in the context of a continuous extrusion forming operation, including a repetition of the processing route. The sensitivity of mechanical testing of samples to processing is borne out by the changes in microstructure, as observed using the scanning electron microscope, which also affect the velocity of transmitted ultrasound. The effect of repeated processing is also greater at a lower processing temperature.
Preventing the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance Among Bacterial Respiratory Pathogens in Industrialized Countries: The Case for Judicious Antimicrobial Use

The spread of antimicrobial resistance is an important emerging health threat in developed countries. Widespread outpatient antimicrobial use leads to the spread of resistance among community-acquired pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and partner organizations have initiated a national campaign promoting more judicious antimicrobial use to decrease the spread of resistance. The initial focus is to improve management of respiratory tract infections, which account for most outpatient antimicrobial use. Survey and focus group results indicate that patient pressure and suboptimal diagnosis and treatment contribute to antibiotic overuse. To educate physicians, a series of principles of judicious antibiotic use have been developed that identify optimal approaches to management of common respiratory infections. Patient education materials and strategies to improve doctor-patient communication also have been developed. Several studies currently under way will evaluate the impact of intervention on antibiotic use practices and resistant carriage or infection.
The power of neuroimaging biomarkers for screening frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinically and pathologically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease that can result from either frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. It is critical to establish statistically powerful biomarkers that can achieve substantial cost-savings and increase the feasibility of clinical trials. We assessed three broad categories of neuroimaging methods to screen underlying FTLD and AD pathology in a clinical FTD series: global measures (e.g., ventricular volume), anatomical volumes of interest (VOIs) (e.g., hippocampus) using a standard atlas, and data-driven VOIs using Eigenanatomy. We evaluated clinical FTD patients (N = 93) with cerebrospinal fluid, gray matter (GM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess whether they had underlying FTLD or AD pathology. Linear regression was performed to identify the optimal VOIs for each method in a training dataset and then we evaluated classification sensitivity and specificity in an independent test cohort. Power was evaluated by calculating minimum sample sizes required in the test classification analyses for each model. The data-driven VOI analysis using a multimodal combination of GM MRI and DTI achieved the greatest classification accuracy (89% sensitive and 89% specific) and required a lower minimum sample size (N = 26) relative to anatomical VOI and global measures. We conclude that a data-driven VOI approach using Eigenanatomy provides more accurate classification, benefits from increased statistical power in unseen datasets, and therefore provides a robust method for screening underlying pathology in FTD patients for entry into clinical trials.
Learning algorithms for oscillatory networks with gap junctions and membrane currents

One of the most important problems for studying neural network models is the adjustment of parametas. Here we show how to formulate the problem as the minimization of the dilferslee betwen two limit cycles. The backprop%ation method for leaming algorithms is described .ss the application of grsdient descent to an eror fundion that computes this difference. A mathematical formulation is given that is applicable to any type of network model, and is applied to several models. For example, when learning in a network in which dl cells have a common, adjustable, bias current, the value of the bias ie adjustcd at a rate proportional to the difference between the sum of the target outputs and the sum of the actual outputs. When learning in a network of n cells where a target output is given for every cell. the learning algorithm splits into R indepndent leaming algorithms, one per cell. For networks containing gap junctions, a gap junction is modelled D conductance times the potential difference between the two adjacent cells. The requirement that a conductme g munt be positive is enionzed by replacing g by a functbn pos(g*) whose value is always positive, for example cxp(O.lg*), and deriving an algorithm that adjusts the parameta g* in place of g. When target output is specified for every cell in a network with gap junctions. the learning algorithm splits into fewer independent componeds, one for each gap-mnneaed subset of the network. The lemming algorithm for II gspmnneeted set of cells cannot be paralklized further. As a find example, a leaming algwithm is derived for a mutually inhibitory twc- cell network in which each cell has a membrane current. This generalized approach to backpropagation allows one to derive a learning algorithm for alntoat any model neural network given in tem of differmtid equations. It will be an essential tool for adjusting parmetem in small but complex network models.
In vitro evolution of an HIV integrase binding protein from a library of C-terminal domain γS-crystallin variants.

A protein without natural binding functions was engineered to bind HIV-1 integrase. Phage display selections applied a library of variants based on the C-terminal domain of the eye lens protein human cS-crystallin. Multiple loop regions were altered to encode libraries with � 3.6 � 10 11 different variants. A crystallin variant, termed integrase binding protein-10 (IBP-10), inhibits integrase catalysis with nanomolar Ki values. IBP-10 interacts with the integrase C-terminal domain and inhibits integrase substrate affinity. This allosteric mechanism allows IBP-10 to inhibit drug-resistant integrase variants. The results demonstrate the applicability of the crystallin scaffold for the discovery of binding partners and enzyme inhibitors.
The diagnostic significance of the induced acrosome reaction

In trying to discern potential causes of male infertility, little investigation has been done to determine if there is predictive value in assessing acrosome reaction inducibility of human spermatozoa for clinical interpretation and application. The purpose of this review is to outline what is currently known in terms of the diagnostic significance of the induced acrosome reaction and to discuss what might be anticipated for the future. In constructing this review, every effort has been made to provide a comprehensive literature review for the reader and a number of review articles have been cited to serve as sources for additional related material. Regarding the aforementioned, it is essential to qualify that, with the exception of the Section entitled: ‘General characteristics of capacitation and the acrosome reaction’, only characteristics, properties and areas relevant to human spermatozoa will be addressed. Thus, in total, this review will: (1) provide a general description of capacitation and the acrosome reaction; (2) briefly characterize the acrosome and its properties; (3) address the signalling mechanism(s) by which the acrosome reaction occurs; (4) outline various methods for detecting the acrosome reaction; (5) define in vitro culture conditions that facilitate the acrosome reaction; (6) define agents, i.e., biological and chemical, that induce the reaction; (7) discuss the association of the acrosome reaction with fertilization; (8) discuss the clinical implications of the induced acrosome reaction; (9) discuss the relevance of sperm function assays in general; and lastly, (10) discuss future application of acrosome reaction assessment for the clinical diagnosis of male infertility.
Optimal multiresolution morphological image processing

The problem of selecting the pyramid level for optimal morphological processing of an image with a selected structuring element is considered. Each level in the image pyramid is eroded by a structuring element and the residue computed. The residues for all pyramid levels are normalized and compared in order to determine the optimal image pyramid level. A method for residue normalization considering the fundamental morphological operation, erosion, is presented. An optimal structuring element can be determined at the selected pyramid level on the basis of minimal residues, providing as complete a representation of the image as possible. >
Efficient Trace Signal Selection for Post Silicon Validation and Debug

Post-silicon validation is an essential part of modern integrated circuit design to capture bugs and design errors that escape pre-silicon validation phase. A major problem governing post-silicon debug is the observability of internal signals since the chip has already been manufactured. Storage requirements limit the number of signals that can be traced, therefore, a major challenge is how to reconstruct the majority of the remaining signals based on traced values. Existing approaches focus on selecting signals with an emphasis on partial restorability, which does not guarantee a good signal restoration. We propose an approach that efficiently selects a set of signals based on total restorability criteria. Our experimental results demonstrate that our signal selection algorithm is both computationally more efficient and can restore up to three times more signals compared to existing methods.
Gamete traits influence the variance in reproductive success, the intensity of sexual selection, and the outcome of sexual conflict among congeneric sea urchins.

Sea-urchin species differ in susceptibility to sperm limitation and polyspermy, but the influences of gamete traits on reproductive variance, sexual selection, and sexual conflict are unknown. I compared male and female reproductive success of two congeners at natural densities in the sea. The eggs of the species occurring at higher densities, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, require higher sperm concentrations for fertilization but are more resistant to polyspermy compared to S. franciscanus. Both species show high variance in male fertilization success at all densities and high variance in female success at low densities, but they differ in female variance at high densities, where only S. franciscanus shows high female variance. The intensity of sexual selection based on Bateman gradients is high in males of both species, variable in S. franciscanus females, and low in S. purpuratus females. Strongylocentrotus franciscanus females experience sexual selection at low densities and sexual conflict at high densities. Strongylocentrotus purpuratus may rarely experience sperm limitation and may have evolved to ameliorate sexual conflict. This reduces the variance in female fertilization, providing females with more control over fertilization. Sperm availability influences sexual selection directly by determining sperm‐egg encounter probabilities and indirectly through selection on gamete traits that alter reproductive variances.
On a correction to the voltage/field relationship used in the condensed node TLM method

A new relationship, based in part on Maxwell's equations, between the voltages pulses used in the condensed node TLM (transmission line matrix) method and the electromagnetic fields is given. A numerical comparison between the old relationships given by Johns (1987) is made using the impulse response of a perfect electric conductor (PEC) cavity. It is found that the formulas of Johns yield time-domain response which is highly oscillatory near the source region, whereas those given in the present work are more physically correct. In addition, the response based on the results given is found to be in good agreement with the finite-difference time-domain response. >
Abandonment and Invisible Children in Contemporary Canadian Young Adult Fiction

Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures 6.2 (2014) Armstrong, Luanne. I’ll Be Home Soon. Vancouver: Ronsdale, 2012. 194 pp. $11.95 pb. ISBN 978-155380-180-1. Print. Goobie, Beth. Jason’s Why. Markham: Red Deer, 2013. 80 pp. $8.95 pb. ISBN 978-0-88995-484-7. Print. Tanaka, Shelley. Nobody Knows. Toronto: Groundwood, 2012. 144 pp. $16.95 hc. ISBN 978-155498-118-2. Print. Adderson, Caroline. Middle of Nowhere. Toronto: Groundwood, 2012. 216 pp. $9.95 pb. ISBN 978-155498-132-8. Print.
Characterization of pharmaceutical solids by scanning probe microscopy

The force-displacement profiles of four well-characterized materials that represent both soft/hard and plastic/brittle materials have been obtained using a novel nanoindentation technique. Flat surfaces of acetaminophen, potassium chloride, sucrose, and sodium stearate were prepared by melting or recrystallization, and the melting points were measured. Topographic and the corresponding first derivative images were obtained both before and after indentation. The materials were indented using a 10 s loading time, followed by a 2 s hold, and ending with a 10 s unloading time thereby providing a unique force-displacement profile for each material. The loading profile of acetaminophen was discontinuous, whereas the profiles for the other three materials were smooth. The profiles were analyzed and the rank order of hardness was sucrose > acetaminophen > KCl > sodium stearate, which is consistent with the literature. The rank order of the stiffness, which is related to the modulus of elasticity, was sucrose > KCl > acetaminophen > sodium stearate. Given the flexibility and power of this approach, nanoindentation coupled with atomic force microscopy may be a useful means to characterize materials for evaluating tablet-processing conditions, perhaps at a preformulation stage.
The Distributed Annotation System

Background Currently, most genome annotation is curated by centralized groups with limited resources. Efforts to share annotations transparently among multiple groups have not yet been satisfactory.
Dietary quinine has a nongustatory effect on food intake in rats

Recent data suggests that quinine adulteration of rats' maintenance diets may suppress food intake by postingestional (i.e., pharmacological or toxicological) mechanisms. This possibility was tested by increasing rats' rates of drug excretion prior to presentation of quinine maintenance diets. This treatment increased consumption of 3 concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.4%) of quinine diet in 2 separate experiments. In a third experiment, the same treatment did not alter consumption of quinine water in a 2 bottle test, suggesting that the increased consumption of quinine adulterated food was not due to a generalized decrease in the gustatory aversiveness of quinine. The data directly support the idea that quinine has postingestional effects which account for at least part of the suppression of food intake seen with quinine adulterated diets. The data further suggest that at least some of these effects occur postabsorptively.
Contrastive Lexical Semantics of Biblical Soul and Qur’anic Ruħ: An Application of Intertextuality

The purpose of this paper is to see how two lexical entries (i.e., Biblical soul , and Qur’anic ruħ) are defined in religious discourses, namely, the Holy Book of Quran and the Holy Bible, from which data necessary for this study were collected. Several verses were cited throughout this paper mainly from two corpora: 1) the Qur’anic Arabic Corpus and 2) King James Bible Online. As for machinery, the researcher carried a three-level analysis. In the first level, the detonational and connotational meanings of these lemmas (dictionary entries) in major English and Arabic dictionaries were provided. English dictionaries were Oxford English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Arabic dictionaries were lisaan al ʕ arab (Lit: the Tongue of The Arabs) and al muћeet (Lit: The Ocean). In the second level of analysis, the meanings of these words were sought in the interpretations of major Muslim and Christian scholars. The final level of analysis was an attempt to provide detailed definitions of the words in study from within the Quran and the Bible through invoking what these words mean. The results of this study indicated that each of the studied words has differently distinctive meanings in terms of scope, dimensions, and implications. Accordingly, the study recommends (1) adopting such meanings when interpreting religious discourses (2) accepting intertextuality as an invaluable approach to understanding the meaning of words in the Holy Book of Quran and the Holy Bible.
Skin Integrity in Critically Ill and Injured Children

Background Skin breakdown increases the cost of care, may lead to increased morbidity, and has negative psychosocial implications because of secondary scarring or alopecia. The scope of this problem has not been widely studied in critically ill and injured children. Objectives To determine the incidence of skin breakdown in critically ill and injured children and to compare the characteristics of patients who experience skin breakdown with those of patients who do not. Methods Admission and follow-up data for a 15-week period were collected retrospectively on children admitted to a large pediatric intensive care unit. The incidence of skin breakdown was calculated. The risk for skin breakdown associated with potential risk factors (relative risk) and 95% confidence intervals were determined. Results The sample consisted of 401 distinct stays in the intensive care unit for 373 patients. During the 401 stays, skin breakdown occurred in 34 (8.5%), redness in 25 (6.2%), and breakdown and redness in 13 (3.2%); the overall incidence was 18%. Patients who had skin breakdown or redness were younger, had longer stays, and were more likely to have respiratory illnesses and require mechanical ventilatory support than those who did not. Patients who had skin breakdown or redness had a higher risk of mortality than those who did not. Conclusions Risk factors for skin breakdown were similar to those previously reported. Compared with children of other ages, children 2 years or younger are at higher risk for skin breakdown.
Unlabeled Indications Drug Use: An International Perspective

AbstractA question of growing importance involves the use of legend drugs for indications not included in the NDA materials. The PDA does not regulate professional practices as this is left to the states. Some reference works even include listings of unlabeled, but common usages. This report discusses this issue and then reports on the results of a mail survey to national drug regulatory agencies around the world as to their respective policies. The results fell into three categories and they are discussed. A majority of nations do not play any role in regulating the prescribing of properly marketed drugs, but virtually all indicated that a prescriber could be liable through courts, and elsewhere if problems resulted.
Effects of pregnancy and progesterone metabolites on arterial baroreflex in conscious rats

Previous experiments in anesthetized rats suggested that sympathoexcitatory responses were attenuated in pregnant (P) rats. The major progesterone metabolite, 3alpha-hydroxy-dihydroprogesterone (3alpha-OH-DHP), is elevated in pregnancy and reportedly potentiates central gamma-aminobutyric acidergic mechanisms, whereas the 3beta-isomer (3beta-OH-DHP) is inactive. This study obtained baroreflex curves in conscious rats by recording reflex changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and heart rate (HR) due to perturbations in mean arterial pressure (MAP) [i.v. phenylephrine (PE) and nitroprusside (NTP)] in P rats and in virgin (V) rats before (control) and 15 min after infusion (i.v.) of 3alpha-OH-DHP or 3beta-OH-DHP. Baseline MAP was lower in P rats (P = 102 +/- 2 vs. V = 124 +/- 3 mmHg). Compared with V rats, P rats exhibited less "sympathetic reserve" to respond to a hypotensive challenge, as evidenced by decreased maximum NA and decreased slope of RSNA baroreflex responses to NTP. However, HR baroreflex curves were similar in P and V rats. Acute intravenous administration of 3alpha-OH-DHP to conscious V rats mimicked the effects of pregnancy. Baroreflex sympathoexcitatory responses were decreased, whereas baroreflex control of HR was unaffected. The 3beta-isomer of DHP had no effect on NA or HR baroreflex responses. These results suggest that pregnancy may have differential effects on baroreflex control of sympathetic outflow and HR, and the major metabolite of progesterone, 3alpha-OH-DHP, may contribute to this adaptation of pregnancy.
DXA measurements using a micro computed tomograph system

The field of bone densitometry has grown rapidly, particularly in the past 15 years. Many techniques are now available from which the physician may choose. The focus of this research is on Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT). The basic principle involving DXA is the ability to quantify the degree of attenuation of an energy beam after passage through bone and soft tissue. The X-ray tubes used with DXA narrow the energy beam to produce two distinct photoelectric peaks necessary to separate bone from soft tissue. Although QCT is a photon absorptiometric technique like DXA, it is unique in that it provides a three-dimensional image, which makes possible a direct measurement of density, and a spatial separation of trabecular from cortical bone. In this paper, a rabbit and pig femur were scanned using a DXA and QCT scanner. The purpose was to achieve matching results in g/cm from each scanner. Similar sections of interest were taken during each scan for calculation. The QCT grayscale values were then put into a series of formulas to replicate DXA results.
Menopause and Mental Health

As defined by STRAW+10, perimenopause comprises the menopausal transition plus the first year of the postmenopause. The menopausal transition, and more specifically the perimenopause, has been an important focus of study in regards to women’s mental health because of the reproductive changes (i.e., biological/hormonal) and life events (psychosocial) that occur during midlife. In particular, much debate has ensued regarding the extent to which these changes increase the risk for psychological symptoms and disorders. This article will review historical aspects and present what we know c. 2013 regarding their determinants and the role of the menopausal transition/perimenopause.
The choice of valve protheses.

The ideal prosthetic valve would have excellent hemodynamics (similar to a normal human valve in the same position), last a lifetime, be free of structural dysfunction or breakdown, and require no particular medical therapy such as anticoagulation. Needless to say, such a valve is yet to be
Detection of MET Gene Copy Number in Cancer Samples Using the Droplet Digital PCR Method.

Purpose The analysis of MET gene copy number (CN) has been considered to be a potential biomarker to predict the response to MET-targeted therapies in various cancers. However, the current standard methods to determine MET CN are SNP 6.0 in the genomic DNA of cancer cell lines and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in tumor models, respectively, which are costly and require advanced technical skills and result in relatively subjective judgments. Therefore, we employed a novel method, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), to determine the MET gene copy number with high accuracy and precision. Methods The genomic DNA of cancer cell lines or tumor models were tested and compared with the MET gene CN and MET/CEN-7 ratio determined by SNP 6.0 and FISH, respectively. Results In cell lines, the linear association of the MET CN detected by ddPCR and SNP 6.0 is strong (Pearson correlation = 0.867). In tumor models, the MET CN detected by ddPCR was significantly different between the MET gene amplification and non-amplification groups according to FISH (mean: 15.4 vs 2.1; P = 0.044). Given that MET gene amplification is defined as MET CN >5.5 by ddPCR, the concordance rate between ddPCR and FISH was 98.0%, and Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.760 (95% CI, 0.498–1.000; P <0.001). Conclusions The results demonstrated that the ddPCR method has the potential to quantify the MET gene copy number with high precision and accuracy as compared with the results from SNP 6.0 and FISH in cancer cell lines and tumor samples, respectively.
When Do Autocrats Build Clean Courts? Sub-National Evidence from China

When do autocrats build clean courts? This paper seeks to address this question in a Chinese context. I argue that foreign investors who hold mobile assets and have a strong preference for a fair legal system are major players in pushing Chinese local governments to build clean courts. Chinese local officials, on the other hand, are induced to tie their own hands and become guarantors of judicial integrity when they rely on foreign capital to promote economic growth because their political careers hinge on economic performance. I then test this theory quantitatively using a cross-sectional data set of 102 Chinese counties. The implication is that rule of law may not be the result of external imposition (Acemoglu et al. 2001) but may actually develop from the internal incentive structure.
The Relationship between Prior Knowledge and Performance in Introductory World Politics Courses

Many commentators lament the performance of American high school and university students on studies that test knowledge about international politics, current events and basic understandings of the international system. For smaller and medium sized regional universities overcoming parochial ideas and preconceptions about the “other,” especially in relation to topics and people that are international, becomes a significant challenge. Most international relations classes begin with the assumption that students have the necessary tools to engage and appreciate theoretical debates. Often students are only vaguely aware of the realities of the international system. By tracking students over several semesters, the study explores the relationship between how well students perform on a current events quiz at the beginning of the semester and their final grade. The study details how students demonstrate what information they know, misinformation they have, their choices in research topics, and their likelihood of success in international politics courses. The goal is to provide information that can help to discern effective strategies to generate interest in international politics, overcome cognitive barriers, and build confidence among the general student population.
Fragments of Small Nucleolar RNAs as a New Source for Noncoding RNAs

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are small, nonprotein-coding RNAs that accumulate in the nucleolus. So far, these RNAs have been implicated in modification of rRNAs, tRNAs, and snRNAs. snoRNAs can be grouped into two classes: C/D box and H/ACA box snoRNAs that direct 2′-O-methylation and pseudouridylation, respectively. However, for numerous snoRNAs, no target RNAs have been identified. High-throughput sequencing and detailed analysis of RNase protection experiments have demonstrated that some snoRNAs are processed into smaller RNAs. These processed snoRNAs are 20–100 nt in length, are mostly nuclear and do not form canonical snoRNPs, that is, they do not associate with methylase or pseudouridylation activity. They can act by binding to pre-mRNAs in the nucleus where they regulate alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Thus, processed snoRNAs (psnoRNAs) represent a novel class of regulatory RNAs.
SEM Study of a Cyclized Rubber Surface

Abstract It has been shown that cyclization of a nitrile rubber produces a brittle surface layer. Microcracks develop when the rubber is flexed and, when stressed, severely deform the underlying rubber into an open, fibrous network. These microcracks offer easy penetration and interlocking of the adhesive into the rubber. Evidence was also presented for entrapment of electrolyte solution in the cyclized layer.
Subarachnoid pharmacotherapy for maximizing recovery after cortical ischemic stroke

Subarachnoid pharmacotherapy, a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of focal neocortical epilepsy, could be adapted for the treatment of stroke. Specifically, subarachnoid pharmacotherapy could be adapted to maximize functional recovery after cortical ischemic stroke. The key element of this strategy is a device im- planted chronically in the subarachnoid space overlaying the cortical infarct and penumbra. The triple functions of this device are: (a) periodic transmeningeal drug delivery to promote neuroregeneration in the penumbra without causing damage by penetration into the cortical tissue, (b) periodic removal of accumulated inflammato- ry cells and molecules from the drug delivery site to prevent clogging in the drug delivery system, and (c) period- ic detection of local EEG signals to monitor the efficacy of the subarachnoid drug treatment and to help to optim- ize drug delivery/fluid removal parameters. All functions of the device are regulated by a connected control im- plant. Preliminary safety studies in bonnet macaques not subjected to experimental stroke showed that the subarachnoid device is well tolerated and can perform its triple functions for months without causing apparent neurological or behavioral abnormality. Relevant efficacy tests in animal models of cortical ischemic stroke are needed to predict the clinical potential of subarachnoid pharmacotherapy for post-stroke recovery.
Fluoride Complexes of Cyclometalated Iridium(III)

Many electroluminescent devices rely on cyclometalated iridium(III). Their advancement depends on access to reactive starting materials because of the inertness of Ir(III). Notably, fluoride complexes of bis(cyclometalated) Ir(III) are scarce. Syntheses of bridged and terminal fluorides are reported here. New compounds are luminescent and thermally reactive; they are characterized by ground-state and optical methods. Crystal structures were determined for one bridging and one terminal fluoride complex. The terminal fluoride shows intramolecular hydrogen bonding to an adjacent 3,5-dimethylpyrazole ligand; a lesser interaction may occur between F and a nearby aromatic C–H bond. Terminal fluoride complexes react with carbon-, silicon-, and sulfur-based electrophiles. The new complexes phosphoresce with microsecond lifetimes at 77 and 298 K. Density-functional theory calculations indicate triplet states with little contribution from fluoride. The compounds herein are versatile phosphors having the ground-stat...
Toward automated classification of consumers’ cancer-related questions with a new taxonomy of expected answer types:

This article examines methods for automated question classification applied to cancer-related questions that people have asked on the web. This work is part of a broader effort to provide automated...
Exploiting material softening in hard PZTs for resonant bandwidth enhancement

Intentionally designed nonlinearities have been employed by several research groups to enhance the frequency bandwidth of vibration energy harvesters. Another type of nonlinear resonance behavior emerges from the piezoelectric constitutive behavior for high excitation levels and is manifested in the form of softening stiffness. This material nonlinearity does not result in the jump phenomenon in soft piezoelectric ceramics, e.g. PZT-5A and PZT-5H, due to their large internal dissipation. This paper explores the potential for wideband energy harvesting using a hard (relatively high quality factor) PZT-8 bimorph by exploiting its material softening. A wide range of base excitation experiments conducted for a set of resistive electrical loads confirms the frequency bandwidth enhancement.
Alkaline Phosphatase Activity of Exudative Leukocytes in Acute Leukemia

A method for studying the leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity in patients with acute leukemia is described. The technic overcomes the problem of obtaining sufficient numbers of mature granulocytes for study in such patients. Seven of 11 patients with acute monocytic leukemia were shown to have elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase activity. It is suggested that this method may be of assistance in classifying the stem cell forms of leukemia.