cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alternatives to Lobectomy for High-Risk Patients With Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The standard of care for the surgical management of non-small cell lung cancer remains a lobectomy. For patients with limited pulmonary reserve, lesser resections or nonoperative therapies may be indicated. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the outcomes from more limited resections as well as the evidence for the efficacy of photon-based and proton-based stereotactic body radiotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave thermal ablation. In doing so, the goal of this review is to provide surgeons with an evidence-based treatment menu for treating patients who are not candidates for lobectomy.
An Open Effectiveness Trial of a Multimodal Inpatient Treatment for Depression and Anxiety Among Adults With Serious Mental Illness.

Objective: This prospective open effectiveness trial examined symptom change trajectories and rates of remission from depression and anxiety in an intensive multimodal inpatient treatment for adults with serious mental illness (SMI). Patient baseline characteristics were examined as mediators/moderators of treatment response. Methods: Adult inpatients with SMI (N = 994) completed an average of 39 days of inpatient treatment. Latent growth curve (LGC) methods were used to model symptom trajectories, estimating expected remission based on individual patterns of change observed across the sample. Results: Absolute reductions in symptoms were substantial, with large effect size improvements for both depression (d = 1.21, 95% CI [1.13, 1.29]) and anxiety (d = 1.13, 95% CI [1.05, 1.21]). For those presenting with elevated depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-Depression ≥ 5.0; 87.5% of the sample), 46.9% evidenced remission from admission to discharge. Among patients presenting with significant anxi...
Electrolyte-induced demyelination in rats. 2. Ultrastructural evolution.

This study presents the electron microscopic evolution of lesions in electrolyte-induced demyelination (EID) in rats, a lesion which bears striking histological and clinical similarity to central pontine myelinolysis. The earliest change was observed during the hyponatremic phase and consisted of minimal intracellular edema present throughout the brain. Following the injection of hypertonic saline, additional changes were observed which were restricted to sites previously reported to be frequently involved in EID. Early dilatation of the inner tongue of oligodendrocyte cytoplasm in myelinated nerve fibers was observed at 3h post hypertonic saline injection (PHS). This was followed, at 48h PHS, by the appearance of degenerative changes consistent with dying oligodendrocytes. Well-delineated, vacuolar and spongy lesions, seen by light microscopy, were present by 48h PHS at the same sites as above. Electron microscopically, this appearance was found to be due to striking intramyelinic edema. By 96h PHS, macrophages containing myelin and other cellular debris were frequently present at these sites. Concomitantly, myelin sheaths underwent vesicular disruption and disintegration. This sequence of events suggest a lesion of the oligodendrocyte-myelin complex, secondary to initial blood-brain barrier damage and edema.
Management of Acute Compartment Syndrome

Acute compartment syndrome is a rare but severe complication of massive resuscitation. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment, which involves surgical decompression of the compartment. This chapter reviews the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of an acute compartment syndrome of the abdomen and extremity. Traditional and contemporary techniques for preventing compartment syndrome, i.e. damage control resuscitation, as well as treatment are also reviewed.
A Successful Experiment in Participatory Science for Promoting Change in a French Industrial Region

The author and her team worked with the residents in an industrial area in France to produce a participatory epidemiological study about their health. The final report, drafted with input from the citizens, attracted the national press and the interest of many other polluted communities. The survey is currently being used to promote environmental change by the residents, their elected officials, and local doctors. This reinforces the author’s claim that rigorously designed participatory science can further citizen environmental initiatives and provide them policy-leverage.
Regional Quantitation of Preprodynorphin mRNA in Guinea Pig Gastrointestinal Tract

The endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin has been shown by immunochemical studies to be widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine basal levels of preprodynorphin (ppDyn) mRNA in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract of the guinea pig. A modified sensitive and specific solution hybridization RNase protection assay was used to quantitate ppDyn mRNA, with confirmation by gel analysis of the RNase protected hybrids and PCR amplified cDNA. This method combines high sensitivity and sufficient throughput to analyze large number of samples in a single assay. Low but measurable amounts of ppDyn mRNA were detected in fundus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and rectum. The rectum contained significantly more ppDyn mRNA than the stomach, small bowel, and cecum. The muscularis/myenteric plexus layer of both ileum and rectum contained a higher concentration of ppDyn mRNA per μg total RNA compared to the mucosa/submucosa/submucosal plexus. However, a greater absolute amount of ppDyn mRNA (80–85%) localized to the mucosal layer. The greater absolute amount of ppDyn mRNA in the mucosal layer may indicate the presence of dynorphin in the endocrine cells of the mucosa.
Weighing the Potential of Citizen Redistricting

Redistricting - the act of drawing and redrawing legislative districts as population shifts, to ensure roughly equal representation for each district - is once again upon the nation. In 2011, jurisdictions across the country will again redraw the lines that determine the representation they will receive. And with each new redistricting cycle, the debate arises anew about whether the procedures used are well suited to effectuate the public’s interest in the process. The 2010 California elections offer a particularly salient opportunity to reflect on the manner in which redistricting is conducted. In 2008, Californians narrowly passed Proposition 11, which removed the state legislature’s control over the lines of its members’ own districts, and delivered that control instead to a commission of citizens without direct ties to officials likely to keep or lose their jobs based on the way the lines are drawn. Two years later, two new Propositions appeared on the general election ballot. One measure granted the new citizens’ commission control over drawing congressional lines as well. The other would have eliminated the commission entirely. This Symposium Essay takes California’s choice as inspiration to examine more generally the potential for redistricting by an independent group of citizens. In Part I, it explores the nature of the redistricting process. Often, this process is explained as fundamentally political, and therefore particularly suited to execution by politicians. I argue, instead, that the process is both political and pre-political; it not only flows from, but also defines, the jurisdiction’s relevant political cleavages. Part II then examines incumbent legislators’ role in the redistricting process in light of this insight, including a normative assessment of skills and predilections that incumbents may bring to bear, and a challenge to the presumption of incumbents’ accountability with respect to redistricting. Part III follows with a brief review of various alternatives to incumbent control of the redistricting process, capped by a more thorough review of the potential - both positive and negative - for citizen redistricting.
Diminished platelet adenylate cyclase activation by prostaglandin D2 in acute thrombosis

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) produced by platelets can inhibit aggregation via activation of platelet adenylate cyclase. PGD2 activation of platelet cyclase in platelet membrane fractions was studied in 20 consecutive patients hospitalized with acute deep-vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. In nine patients, PGD2-stimulated enzyme activity was decreased at all concentrations of PGD2 studied. This altered enzyme sensitivity was specific for PGD2 as basal enzyme activity, and prostaglandin E1, prostaglandin I2, and sodium fluoride stimulated adenylate cyclase was normal. The effect of PGD2 on platelet aggregation and 14C-serotonin release was also studied in one patient where a four-fold higher concentration of PGD2 was required to inhibit collagen-induced 14C-serotonin release. Binding studies using [3H]PGD2 as a radioligand indicated that this patient's platelets bound 10 fmole PGD2/10(8) platelets compared to 30 fmole/10(8) platelets in a normal control. Five patients had follow-up studies between 2 and 7 mo after their acute thrombotic event, and PGD2-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity returned towards normal in four. Since PGD2 is synthesized in platelets at concentrations sufficient to inhibit aggregation and activate adenylate cyclase, diminished platelet sensitivity to this prostaglandin could result in “hyperactivity” and contribute to the thrombosis observed in these patients.
Satellite Remote Sensing Techniques

There are currently many possibilities for remote sensing studies of various ocean and ice parameters. Satellite sensors are designed to take advantage of electromagnetic signals either originally from the surface or reflected from the surface. Multichannel and multipolarization systems in the visible, infrared and microwave frequencies have been developed to optimize the accuracy in measuring geophysical parameters of interest. The advantages and disadvantages of different types of systems and the preferred systems for measuring specific parameters are discussed. In many cases, there are ambiguities in the retrieval, and the concurrent use of data from more than one sensor would be highly desirable.
Increased brain and behavioural susceptibility to portion size in children with loss of control eating.

BACKGROUND Portion size influences intake (i.e. the portion size effect [PSE]), yet determinants of susceptibility to the PSE are unclear. OBJECTIVE We tested whether children who reported an episode of loss of control (LOC) eating over the last 3 months would be more susceptible to the PSE and would show differential brain responses to food cues compared with children with no-LOC. METHODS Across five sessions, children (n = 47; 7-10 years) consumed four test meals at 100%, 133%, 167% and 200% conditions for portion size and completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan while viewing pictures of foods varied by portion size and energy density (ED). Incidence of LOC over the past 3 months was self-reported. Random coefficient models were tested for differences in the shape of the PSE curve by LOC status. A whole-brain analysis was conducted to determine response to food cues during the functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Reported LOC (n = 13) compared with no-LOC (n = 34) was associated with increased susceptibility to the PSE, as evidenced by a positive association with the linear slope (P < 0.005), and negative association with the quadratic slope (P < 0.05) of the intake curve. Children who reported LOC compared with no-LOC showed increased activation in the left cerebellum to small relative to large portions (P < 0.01) and right cerebellum to High-ED relative to Low-ED food cues (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Children who reported LOC were more susceptible to the PSE and showed alterations in food-cue processing in the cerebellum, a hindbrain region implicated in satiety signalling.
Participant Experiences in an Employment Mentoring Program for College Students with Visual Impairments

IntroductionMentors can help college graduates with visual impairments (that is, those with blindness or low vision) prepare for and seek employment in their chosen fields by serving as role models...
Use It or Lose It to Age: A Review of Bone and Muscle Communication

Until recently, it was assumed that the only interaction between muscle and bone is mechanical, that the muscle acts as a pulley and the bone as a lever to move the organism. A relatively new concept is that muscle, especially contracted muscle, acts as a secretory organ, regulating metabolism. An even newer concept is that bone, especially the osteocytes in bone, act as endocrine cells targeting other organs such as kidney and more recently, muscle. These two new concepts logically led to the third concept: that muscle and bone communicate via soluble factors. Crosstalk occurs through muscle factors such as myostatin, irisin, and a muscle metabolite, β-aminoisobutyric acid, BAIBA, and through bone factors such as osteocalcin, transforming growth factor beta, TGFβ, Prostaglandin E2, PGE2 and Wnts. Some of these factors have positive and some negative effects on the opposing tissue. One feature both bone and muscle have in common is that their tissues are mechanically loaded and many of their secreted factors are regulated by load. This mechanical loading, also known as exercise, has beneficial effects on many systems leading to the hypothesis that muscle and bone factors can be responsible for the beneficial effects of exercise. Many of the characteristics of aging and diseases associated with aging such as sarcopenia and osteoporosis and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia, are delayed by exercise. This beneficial effect has been ascribed to increased blood flow increasing oxygen and nutrients, but could also be due to the secretome of the musculoskeletal system as outlined in this review.
Notes for an Improvisational Specification of Design Spaces

Classical specifications for design spaces are characterized by an implicit need for a priori closure of descriptions of alternative designs before calculating. In this paper, an improvisational specification for design spaces made of shapes is presented. Shapes created visually and without prior description are recorded in a computation history. This history is read backwards to specify descriptions of recorded shapes and the space in which they are closed members. Descriptions of shapes, and the space in which they lie, are both made on the go as rules are applied in the course of a computation; every new visual action (rule application) redescribes the space in which the shapes obtained “thus far” belong. A reconsideration of the classical notion of a design space and its various uses in design theory is suggested, emphasizing a need to reconcile traditional formalistic pursuits that aim at “capturing” descriptions of alternative design possibilities with the open-ended, improvisational nature of creative work in architecture, the visual arts, and related areas of spatial design.
Ammonium Perchlorate and Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate as Energetic Materials: Comparison to Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4) and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4) are investigated through laser ablation/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization processes, anion photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), and density functional theory calculations. No parent anionic species are observed in the mass spectra of these two energetic species. Instead, abundant fragmentation ions for perchlorate are (NH4ClO4–H2O)− and ClO3– and those for dihydrogen phosphate are (NH4H2PO4–H2O)− and PO3–. Their vertical detachment energies and anionic structures are determined and identified through calculations. (NH4H2PO4–H3O)− is additionally detected through PES. Both NH4ClO4– and NH4H2PO4– parent anions possess a dipole bound extra electron distributed around the H atoms of the NH4 group. Based on the calculations, the fragmentation pathway for loss of H2O from either molecule involves detachment of two hydrogens from NH4 and one O from ClO4 or PO4H2. These current investigation results are compared to those previously...
Antimonide based infrared detectors: understanding band-structures and engineering band-diagrams (Conference Presentation)

There has been significant advancement in 6.1 A InAs/GaSb/AlSb type II superlattices in the past decade due to significant investments by the department of defense for applications in infrared detectors and focal plane arrays. One of the advantages of the antimonide system is the large variety of materials options (bulk/Ga-bearing, Ga-free, binary/ternary superlattices) and the various device architectures enabled by designer offsets. However these degrees of freedom require careful trade-off balancing performance and complexity. In this talk, I will describe some of the physics of the superlattices including the various techniques to engineer the band structure using quantum confinement. I will then discuss some of the approaches to engineer band-diagrams in this system to achieve high performance detectors. Finally, I will describe our efforts to break the conventional trade-off between signal, noise and speed using architectures involving dielectric resonators coupled with deep sub-wavelength detectors and novel integration schemes with read-out integrated circuits.
Causal inference and American political development: contrasts and complementarities

Causal inference and American political development (APD) are widely separated and (to some) fundamentally incompatible tendencies within political science. In this paper, we explore points of connection between those two perspectives, while also highlighting differences that are not so easily bridged. We stress that both causal inference and APD are centrally interested in questions of causation, but they approach causation with very different ontological and epistemological commitments. We emphasize how the sort of detailed, contextualized, and often qualitative knowledge privileged by APD can promote credible causal (and descriptive) inferences, but also that scholars of causal inference can benefit from alternate conceptions of causality embraced by APD work. We illustrate with two empirical examples from our own research: devising weights for quota-sampled opinion polls and estimating the political effects of the Tennessee Valley Authority. We conclude that bringing APD and causal inference together on more equal terms may require a broader perspective on causation than is typical of scholarship in the causal-inference tradition.
Nesting habitat enhancement for wild bees within soybean fields increases crop production

Bee diversity is declining in agricultural landscapes, altering pollination services that may support or enhance crop yields. Pollination services provided by wild bees are often limited to field margins adjacent to natural habitats, but methods to increase pollinators and their ecosystem services within field interiors remain elusive. Evidence is growing that wild bees enhance yields of flowering crops, including soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). We tested responses of bee communities and soybean yield following pollinator exclosure and nesting manipulation experiments within production areas of the United States. We found that pollinator exclosures resulted in lower seed yield of soybean plants, and providing nesting substrate resulted in a yield increase as well as increases in ground-nesting bees. We provide evidence for soybean-associated bees and suggest these species may benefit from supplemental nesting substrate within production areas and increase soybean yields.
Use in Nonunions and Malunions

Classic nonunion and malunion treatment has relied upon plate fixation and compression techniques. Similar to plate fixation mechanics, modern intramedullary fixation can be used to create a variety of different stability environments in bone stabilization. While first- and second-generation intramedullary nails were used almost exclusively as internal splints for bridging fracture constructs, newest generation nails have designs which allow expanded applications on the stability spectrum including the ability to provide interfragmentary compression and more angular stability in short metaphyseal segments. While most recognized for use in shortening or rotational diaphyseal osteotomies and in diaphyseal atrophic nonunions, newer stability improvements have allowed the use of nails in different types of fixation and stability constructs. Despite the new stability possibilities based on implant design, much of nail application stability is still related to fracture/osteotomy morphology and location and even bone quality.
A Bayesian 3-D linear gravity inversion for complex density distributions: application to the Puysegur subduction system

SUMMARY We have developed a linear 3-D gravity inversion method capable of modelling complex geological regions such as subduction margins. Our procedure inverts satellite gravity to determine the best-fitting differential densities of spatially discretized subsurface prisms in a least-squares sense. We use a Bayesian approach to incorporate both data error and prior constraints based on seismic reflection and refraction data. Based on these data, Gaussian priors are applied to the appropriate model parameters as absolute equality constraints. To stabilize the inversion and provide relative equality constraints on the parameters, we utilize a combination of first and second order Tikhonov regularization, which enforces smoothness in the horizontal direction between seismically constrained regions, while allowing for sharper contacts in the vertical. We apply this method to the nascent Puysegur Trench, south of New Zealand, where oceanic lithosphere of the Australian Plate has underthrust Puysegur Ridge and Solander Basin on the Pacific Plate since the Miocene. These models provide insight into the density contrasts, Moho depth, and crustal thickness in the region. The final model has a mean standard deviation on the model parameters of about 17 kg m–3, and a mean absolute error on the predicted gravity of about 3.9 mGal, demonstrating the success of this method for even complex density distributions like those present at subduction zones. The posterior density distribution versus seismic velocity is diagnostic of compositional and structural changes and shows a thin sliver of oceanic crust emplaced between the nascent thrust and the strike slip Puysegur Fault. However, the northern end of the Puysegur Ridge, at the Snares Zone, is predominantly buoyant continental crust, despite its subsidence with respect to the rest of the ridge. These features highlight the mechanical changes unfolding during subduction initiation.
Introduction: Literary Cultures and Twentieth-Century Childhoods

This collection offers a range of innovative methodological and disciplinary approaches to the intersection of literary cultures with children and childhoods across the twentieth century. The volume engages with two crucial acts of re-centering: not only focusing on the multiplicity of childhoods, but also centering the agency of children, including foregrounding the representation of child voices and subjectivities within texts. Chapters explore such themes as challenges to received notions of childhood and the role of child-oriented texts in larger cultural and political projects. Another intent of the volume is to explore literary culture not only as a body of materials produced by adults for consumption by children but also as co-created by young people through their actions as speakers, artists, readers, and writers.
Importance of sex and trauma context on circulating cytokines and amygdalar GABAergic signaling in a comorbid model of posttraumatic stress and alcohol use disorders

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and anxiety disorders are frequently comorbid and share mechanisms that could be therapeutic targets. To facilitate mechanistic studies, we adapted an inhibitory avoidance-based "2-hit" rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and identified predictors and biomarkers of comorbid alcohol (ethanol)/PTSD-like symptoms in these animals. Stressed Wistar rats received a single footshock on two occasions. The first footshock occurred when rats crossed into the dark chamber of a shuttle box. Forty-eight hours later, rats received the second footshock in a familiar (FAM) or novel (NOV) context. Rats then received 4 weeks of two-bottle choice (2BC) ethanol access. During subsequent abstinence, PTSD-like behavior responses, GABAergic synaptic transmission in the central amygdala (CeA), and circulating cytokine levels were measured. FAM and NOV stress more effectively increased 2BC drinking in males and females, respectively. Stressed male rats, especially drinking-vulnerable individuals (≥0.8 g/kg average 2-h ethanol intake with >50% ethanol preference), showed higher fear overgeneralization in novel contexts, increased GABAergic transmission in the CeA, and a profile of increased G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-13, IL-6, IL-17a, leptin, and IL-4 that discriminated between stress context (NOV > FAM > Control). However, drinking-resilient males showed the highest G-CSF, IL-13, and leptin levels. Stressed females showed increased acoustic startle and decreased sleep maintenance, indicative of hyperarousal, with increased CeA GABAergic transmission in NOV females. This paradigm promotes key features of PTSD, including hyperarousal, fear generalization, avoidance, and sleep disturbance, with comorbid ethanol intake, in a sex-specific fashion that approximates clinical comorbidities better than existing models, and identifies increased CeA GABAergic signaling and a distinct pro-hematopoietic, proinflammatory, and pro-atopic cytokine profile that may aid in treatment.
Thyroglobulin interactome profiling defines altered proteostasis topology associated with thyroid dyshormonogenesis.

Abstract Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a secreted iodoglycoprotein serving as the precursor for triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormones. Many characterized Tg gene mutations produce secretion-defective variants resulting in congenital hypothyroidism. Tg processing and secretion is controlled by extensive interactions with chaperone, trafficking, and degradation factors comprising the secretory proteostasis network. While dependencies on individual proteostasis network components are known, the integration of proteostasis pathways mediating Tg protein quality control and the molecular basis of mutant Tg misprocessing remain poorly understood. We employ a multiplexed quantitative affinity purification–mass spectrometry approach to define the Tg proteostasis interactome and changes between WT and several congenital hypothyroidism variants. Mutant Tg processing is associated with common imbalances in proteostasis engagement including increased chaperoning, oxidative folding, and engagement by targeting factors for endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation. Furthermore, we reveal mutation-specific changes in engagement with N-glycosylation components, suggesting distinct requirements for 1 Tg variant on dual engagement of both oligosaccharyltransferase complex isoforms for degradation. Modulating dysregulated proteostasis components and pathways may serve as a therapeutic strategy to restore Tg secretion and thyroid hormone biosynthesis.
Efficacy and Safety of ASP0819 in Patients with Fibromyalgia: Results of a Proof-of-Concept, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Purpose ASP0819 is a novel, non-opioid KCa3.1 channel opener that reverses abnormal nerve firing of primary sensory afferent nerves. Currently available treatments for fibromyalgia provide only modest relief and are accompanied by a host of adverse side effects. Patients and Methods In this phase 2a, double-blind trial (NCT03056690), adults meeting fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria were randomized 1:1 to receive either 15 mg/day of oral ASP0819 (n=91) or placebo (n=95). The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to Week 8 in the mean daily average pain score. Changes in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR) symptoms, function, and overall impact subscales, as well as changes in the patients’ global impression of change, were secondary endpoints; treatment effects on FIQR total score and impact on sleep were exploratory analyses. Results There was no statistically significant difference between ASP0819 and placebo for the primary endpoint (P=0.086); however, ASP0819 versus placebo significantly improved daily average pain at Weeks 2, 6, and 7 (all P<0.05). Numerical improvements were observed on the FIQR total score and several sleep items showed statistically significant improvements with ASP0819 versus placebo. There were no major safety concerns with ASP0819. Headache was the most common treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) occurring in both study arms; most TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity and no TEAEs suggestive of potential drug abuse were observed, as assessed by TEAE reporting and/or safety evaluations. Withdrawal effects also were not observed. Conclusion ASP0819 demonstrated some signals suggestive of efficacy and had a good tolerability profile in patients with fibromyalgia. Further studies are required to determine if ASP0819 can be a novel non-opioid treatment option in this patient group. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration NCT03056690.
Absence of dense platelet granules and ceroid-laden macrophages: Investigating the diversity of clinical presentations in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome

Abstract Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which the proper function of lysosome-related organelles (LROS) is impaired due to mutation in one of several well-characterized genes, including, but not limited to: HPS1, HPS3, and HPS4. Clinical manifestations include oculocutaneous albinism, nystagmus, platelet dysfunction, progressive pulmonary fibrosis, and granulomatous colitis. We present a case of a 28-year-old woman of Puerto Rican descent who required post-partum lung transplantation due to an inherited HPS1 mutation. The pathologies observed in HPS underline the mechanistic importance of LROS in a variety of tissue types and organ systems.
Lectures on Block Theory

Block theory is a part of the theory of modular representation of finite groups and deals with the algebraic structure of blocks. In this volume Burkhard Kulshammer starts with the classical structure theory of finite dimensional algebras, and leads up to Puigs main result on the structure of the so called nilpotent blocks, which he discusses in the final chapter. All the proofs in the text are given clearly and in full detail, and suggestions for further reading are also included. For researchers and graduate students interested in group theory or representation theory, this book will form an excellent self contained introduction to the theory of blocks.
The vibrational Jahn–Teller effect in E⊗e systems

Abstract The Jahn–Teller theorem is applied in the vibrational context where degenerate high-frequency vibrational states (E) are considered as adiabatic functions of low-frequency vibrational coordinates (e). For CH3CN and Cr(C6H6)(CO)3, the global minimum of the non-degenerate electronic potential energy surface occurs at the C3v geometry, but in CH3OH, the equilibrium geometry is far from the C3v reference geometry. In the former cases, the computed spontaneous Jahn–Teller distortion is exceptionally small. In methanol, the vibrational Jahn–Teller interaction results in the splitting of the degenerate E-type CH stretch into what have been traditionally assigned as the distinct ν2 and ν9 vibrational bands. The ab initio vibrational frequencies are fit precisely by a two-state high-order Jahn–Teller Hamiltonian (Viel and Eisfeld, 2004). The presence of vibrational conical intersections, including 7 for CH3OH, has implications for spectroscopy, for geometric phase, and for ultrafast localized non-adiabatic energy transfer.
Do Pre-Sale and Post-Sale Foreclosure Statutes Impact Foreclosure Starts?

This paper examines the impact of state laws on foreclosure starts using mortgage, borrower, and economic data at the state level. Several models are studied to capture the impact of state-specific foreclosure laws and statutes, i.e. loss mitigation requirement before foreclosure, right to cure, and right to reinstate before sale. Data sources include Mortgage Bankers Association, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, US Census, National Consumer Law Center-Survey of State Foreclosure Laws, and Experian. The study shows that statewide pre- and post-sale foreclosure-prevention statutes impact foreclosure starts. The results indicate statutory programs involving housing emergency assistance funds statistically slow foreclosure starts.
Tolerance of puppies to circulatory arrest during surface-induced hypothermia.

Abstract : Studies were made of the tolerance of 64 puppies (5-10 weeks old, weighing 1.5-3 kg) to varying periods of circulatory arrest when cooled to 16 - 18C. Anesthesia was induced with intravenous injection of sodium pentothal; puppies were then intubated and a mechanical respirator attached using a tidal volume of 44 cc/kg and a rate of 18 per minute. The right femoral artery was cannulated for recording blood pressure and taking blood samples. Cooling was induced by immersion in ice. A bilateral anterior thoracotomy permitted inflow occlusion by clamping of both cavae and ligation of the azygos vein. After periods of circulatory arrest, the venae cavae were released and rewarming accomplished by irrigating the chest cavity with 40C normal saline solution, and by external means, until esophageal temperature reached 37C. Control thoracotomy dogs showed 80% survival after bilateral thoracotomy. Eucapnic dogs showed 39% survival after 20-40 minutes inflow occlusion. Most common cause of death was circulatory collapse which appeared on rewarming when esophageal temperature reached 27 - 30C. Hypercapnic dogs, ventilated with 5% CO2 and 95% O2 gas mixture had survival rate of 78% (14/18). It was possible to induce the revert hypothermia in puppies 6-8 weeks old without pdifficulty. Key to the technique is first warming the heart through the open chest, which permits equitable distribution of warm blood by a forceful warm heart. The time limit set by use of immersion cooling for circulatory arrest in small subjects is still not sufficient to permit complicated intracardiac surgical procedures. (Author)
Experimental Investigation of Recycling Rare Earth Metals from Waste Fluorescent Lamp Phosphors

Direct acid leaching of rare earth metals (REMs) from waste lamp phosphors is non-selective, leading to co-dissolution of impurities mainly calcium, phosphorus, silicon, iron and zinc. Calcining the phosphor powder at different temperatures followed by leaching with HCl isn’t efficient for the extraction of all the chief rare earths especially cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La) and terbium (Tb). Therefore, multi-stage leaching operations are required for the separation of the REMs in phosphor dust. This paper will outline a new process for extracting Ce, La, Tb, Eu and Y from waste fluorescent lamps using a three-stage leaching and separation process. A flowsheet has been developed which shows this process is selective and efficient.
Kansas Water Rights: Changes and Transfers

Kansas lies on the border between water abundance and water shortage. Southeast Kansas receives over forty inches of annual rainfall; southwest Kansas receives under sixteen. Western Kansas has abundant but diminishing ground-water reserves. Kansans use these resources extensively. We are nearing a time when most of the water in the state will be appropriated under our permit system. When that happens, we will likely move into another era: water rights will be obtained primarily by purchase or condemnation rather than by filing with a state official. This article deals with "changes" and "transfers" of water rights in Kansas. By "change" we mean changes in attributes of a water right, such as changes in the type of use, place of use, or place of diversion. By "transfer" we mean a legal change of ownership. Changes by an owner are possible without a transfer of ownership, but changes are often necessary when a transfer is made.
Analysis of packet loss correction and concealment algorithms in robust voice over IP environments

This paper intends to evaluate and compare the many techniques and algorithms for packet loss correction and concealment used in robust voice over IP environments. For this evaluation we used the main standards available for evaluation of voice quality, such as MOS (medium opinium score) Ref.10 and PSQM (perceptual speech quality measurement) Ref.1 and its variations. As the main result of our work one can select and apply those algorithms to the construction of a voice over IP communications tool that gives to the final user a better quality, with emphasis to the situations when the network imposes packet loss and quality degradation.
Object tracking with imaging sonar

Recently a data set was collected using an imaging sonar of a non-stationary underwater object. This paper presents the image processing algorithms as well as the tracking algorithms used to take the imaging sonar data and track a non-stationary underwater extended object. The tracking results will be presented in a geo-referenced image frame with the use of GPS and inertial sensors. Future work with this data set will include feature extraction and object classification using the imaging sonar data.
Flexion Contracture in Total Knee Arthroplasty

The problems related to preoperative flexion contractures of the knee for total joint arthroplasty increase with increasing degree of deformity. In general, the lesser deformities will correct with less surgical dissection through removal of osteophytes and the release of the posterior capsule. The deformities that are extensive and fixed will require wide soft tissue releases posteriorly and collaterally, as well as some proximalization of the joint line with increased resection of the distal femur. Postoperatively the patient should be protected so they do not develop recurrent deformities. This can be accomplished with casting and manipulations if necessary. The most serious complications involve stretching the neurovascular structures and must be very carefully evaluated in the postoperative period. Preoperatively, the patients with flexion contractures are so disabled with immobility states and significant restrictions in walking ability that, after surgery and full extension is achieved with a successful arthroplasty, they are amongst our most grateful patients.
Metamaterial-Inspired Efficient Electrically-Small Antennas: Designs and Experiments

An electrically small electric dipole antenna is known to be a very inefficient radiator, i.e., because it has a very small radiation resistance while simultaneously having a very large capacitive reactance, a large impedance mismatch to any realistic power source exists. It has been demonstrated recently that enclosing an electrically small electric (magnetic) dipole antenna in an electrically small epsilon-negative (ENG) (mu- negative (MNG)) shell leads to an efficient electrically small radiator. The inductive (capacitive) nature of the ENG (MNG) shell compensates for the capacitive (inductive) nature of the electrically small electric (magnetic) dipole antenna, i.e., it functions as a distributed matching element that forms this "geometrically" resonant system. More realistic electrically small center-fed electric dipole-ENG spherical shell and coax-fed electric monopole-ENG hemispherical shell antenna systems have also been modeled numerically using ANSOFT's High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) and COMSOL's Multiphysics simulator. The input resistance and reactance of these realistic antenna-ENG shell systems have been obtained from these numerical models. It has been shown that these systems could be designed to have geometrical resonances for which the relative gains were analogous to the radiated power ratios obtained with the analytical models. With further tuning, it has also been shown that an "antenna" resonance, where the system has a zero input reactance and an input resistance which is matched to a specified source resistance, can also be realized to yield a very high overall efficiency. The effects of losses and frequency dispersion on these systems have been studied. With dispersion engineering available from the use of active metamaterials, the large bandwidths obtained with the dispersionless metamaterial models can again be obtained even in the presence of losses and dispersion. This suggests the possible realization of metamaterial-based broad bandwidth efficient electrically-small antennas.
Low serum HCG concentrations following the ovulatory dose of HCG are not associated with reduced IVF success rates

Low Serum HCG Concentrations Following the Ovulatory Dose of HCG Are Not Associated With Reduced IVF Success Rates. B.S. Shapiro, S.T. Daneshmand., F.C. Garner, M. Aguirre, R. Ross, and S. Morris. Fertility Center of Las Vegas and University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV. Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV.
Inhibition of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Caused by Bacteria Isolated from the Skin of Boreal Toads, Anaxyrus (Bufo) boreas boreas, from Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA.

The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a significant cause of the worldwide decline in amphibian populations; however, ­various amphibian species are capable of coexisting with B. dendrobatidis. Among them are boreal toads (Anaxyrus (Bufo) boreas boreas) located in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) in Wyoming, USA. The purpose of this study was to identify cultivable bacterial isolates from the skin microbiota of boreal toads from GTNP and determine if they were capable of inhibiting B. dendrobatidis in vitro, and therefore might be a factor in the toad’s coexistence with this pathogen. Isolates from 6 of 21 genera tested were found to inhibit the growth of B. dendrobatidis. These bacteria represent diverse lineages such as the ­Gammaproteobacteria, the Betaproteobacteria, and the Bacteroidetes/Chlorobium groups. We propose that these bacteria compete via microbial antagonism with B. dendrobatidis.
Ecological isolation in Artemia: population differences in tolerance of anion concentrations

ABSTRACT Artemia cysts were collected from 15 North American habitats: 6 sea-water salterns where the prevailing anion is chloride and nine inland lakes where the prevailing anion is either chloride, sulfate, or carbonate. On a yeast diet, 14 of the 15 populations have optimum nauplius-to-adult viability in media with sodium concentrations of 1.1-1.3 M (with sodium comprising > 90% of relative molar cationic composition). However, nauplii from Jesse Lake require less concentrated media (0.6 M sodium) for the first week of development. The range of anionic tolerance of each population greatly exceeds the range encountered in the source water. Saltern shrimps live in waters with less than 5% sulfate (expressed as percentage molar anionic composition), yet thrive in media with up to 29% sulfate. Penley Artemia tolerate laboratory media which are 23% carbonate, although Penley Lake is reported to contain < 1% carbonate relative molar anionic composition. Each of the four populations from carbonate lakes tolerates 0.2% to 66% of the anionic molar composition as carbonate. Media with high carbonate concentrations (up to 11 g carbonate/l, pH 9.7, obligate low magnesium and calcium) killed shrimps from high-chloride habitats but permitted nauplius-to-adult development of Artemia from 5 low-chloride lakes (Penley, Fallon, Kiathuthlanna, Jesse, and Mono lakes). Low-carbonate media (<0.2 g combined carbonate and bicarbonate/1) distinguished clusters of populations by the criterion of tolerance of chloride/sulfate (Cl/SO4) ratio. In complex solutions, differences in Cl/SO4 ratio are confounded with changes in osmolarity, ionic strength, pH, and specific gravity. Observation of viability of Artemia in an array of media matched for the other parameters revealed authentic population differences in tolerance of Cl/SO4 ratios. In order of descending relative chloride tolerance, the sequence is: 3 Caribbean populations, 6 other populations from high-chloride habitats, and 3 populations tested from low-chloride habitats (Fallon, Penley, and Jesse). Jesse nauplii show the least tolerance of high absolute chloride concentration. In medium No. 70 (1.1 M sodium, Cl/SO4 molar ratio of 2.5, 80 g total dissolved solids/1) all populations except Jesse Lake Artemia have high fertility and viability, much higher than when cultured in sea water. Interpopulation matings in No. 70 and other permissive media produced fertile F, and F2 progeny. Thus, these 15 populations belong to the A. franciscana Kellogg superspecies. Some populations (or clusters of populations) are ecologically isolated in nature and represent incipient species or sibling species.
Effect of Dextrose in the Internal Aqueous Phase on Formation and Stabiblity of W/O/W Multiple Emulsions

AbstractThe osmolarity of the internal aqueous phase of W/O/W multiple emulsions was varied by using different concentrations of dextrose in the internal phase. Evaluation of the stability of the emulsions was done by microscopic, viscometric and conductometric methods. Microscopic study indicated that as the dextrose concentration in the internal phase increased (0 – 2.50% W/V), the stability, in terms of coalescence of the internal droplets and rupture of the interfacial oily layer, increased from 12 hrs to 7-8 weeks. Viscometric evaluation showed the emulsions to exhibit Non-Newtonian flow and the apparent viscosities of freshly prepared emulsions increased from 8000 to 56,000 cps as the dextrose concentration was increased; the viscosity decreased as the emulsion aged. The amount of drug released as determined by the conductometric method, correlated with the viscosity and stability of the emulsions. The reduction of globule size of the primary (W/O) phase by use of a colloid mill increased the appare...
Developmental sequences for catching a small ball: a prelongitudinal screening.

Abstract Developmental sequences are identified for many skills (e.g., hopping and throwing). Sequences are hypothesized but not validated for catching. Two purposes of this investigation were to validate hypothesized catching sequences and examine the importance of task constraints on catching performance. Seventy-two subjects (5-12 years of age) were videotaped as they attempted to catch a small (10-cm) ball, tossed to three locations: (a) directly to the body, (b) at the forehead, and (c) to various other locations. Trials were categorized using developmental sequences including four components: arm preparation, arm reception, hands, and body. The data were analyzed by catching condition using the prelongitudinal screening procedure described by Roberton, Williams, and Langendorfer (1980). Preliminary screening resulted in clarification of descriptions for several developmental levels. Movement sequences for hand and body components were comprehensive and age-related for the groups studied. Task condit...