cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of grammatical morphemes by normal and language-impaired children

An examination was made of the grammatical morpheme usage of normal children and language-impaired children matched at two different levels of mean utterance length. The language-impaired children displayed less grammatical morpheme usage than the normal children with equivalent mean utterance length. However, no use of alternative features of semantic importance by the language-impaired children was noted, suggesting that no unique patterns for acquiring language were in operation. Instead, it appears that the language-impaired children may have attached less communicative significance to grammatical morphemes.
The Response of Radiation Portal Monitors to Medical Radionuclides at Border Crossings

Abstract Radiopharmaceuticals are administered to a large number of individuals each year, and at any given time can be found at detectable levels in about one in 2600 Americans. Such individuals are among the population crossing international borders where equipment has been deployed for radiation detection, and the resulting “nuisance” alarms produced by these individuals must be resolved by further inspection like all other alarms. During 2001, a total of approximately 14.4 million medical procedures using radionuclides were performed in the US. This number rose to over 16.5 million in 2004. Of this total number of procedures, approximately 98% were diagnostic procedures and 2% were therapeutic procedures. Although there were over 45 different commercially-available products used in over 75 different types of medical procedures, only 17 different radioisotopes comprise the complete set of active radionuclides in the commercially-available radiopharmaceuticals in the US. There are other experimental radiopharmaceuticals in use, but their presence in the population is rare. Of these 17 radioisotopes, nine are customarily administered to outpatients and produce sufficiently energetic photons that can readily be detected. The radioisotope 99m Tc is administered in about 90% of the procedures and is the one most likely to be detected by radiation screening equipment. This paper reports on various impacts of radiopharmaceuticals observed in people at border crossings. Calculations were performed to simulate the response of multi-lane portal radiation monitor deployments to these types of sources. Results are given for the time period during which radiopharmaceuticals might be detectable by radiation screening equipment at border crossings.
Discrete Solutions of Dirichlet Problems, Finite Volumes, and Circle Packings

Convergence results for discrete solutions of Dirichlet problems for Poisson equations are obtained, where discrete solutions are constructed for triangular grids using finite volumes with sides perpendicular to, but not necessarily bisecting, corresponding edges in underlying triangulations. A method, based on properties of circle packings, is described for generating triangular meshes and associated volumes. Also, the approximation of exit probabilities of the Brownian motion by exit probabilities of random walks on circle packings is discussed.
Demonstration and characterization of zeta (ζ), a growth-related opioid receptor, in a neuroblastoma cell line

Endogenous opioids and opioid receptors (i.e. endogenous opioid systems) are involved in carcinogenesis. Using homogenates of S20Y neuroblastoma (NB) cells grown in culture, the binding of a growth-selective ligand, [Met5]enkephalin, was examined to ascertain the zeta (zeta) opioid receptor. Specific and saturable binding of [3H]-[Met5]enkephalin was detected in NB cells; the data were consistent with a single binding site. Scatchard analysis yielded a Kd of 1.6 nM and a binding capacity (Bmax) of 48.1 fmol/mg protein; 14,000 receptors per cell were estimated. Binding was dependent on protein concentration, time, temperature, and pH, and was sensitive to 100 nM, but not 5 nM, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+; GppNHp at concentrations of 100-500 mM had little effect on binding. Optimal binding required protease inhibitors, and pretreatment of the tumor cell homogenates with trypsin markedly reduced [3H]-[Met5]enkephalin binding, suggesting that the binding site was proteinaceous in character. Displacement experiments indicated that [Met5]enkephalin was the most potent displacer of [3H]-[Met5]enkephalin. Cell density (log, confluence, postconfluence) did not alter the Kd or Bmax. This study serves as the first demonstration and characterization of the zeta (zeta) opioid receptor in tissue culture cells. The homogeneous nature of NB cell cultures, along with the enrichment in receptor number, provides an excellent model system to isolate and purify the zeta receptor.
Effects of selected hydrazines on the early death rates of Enterobacter cloacae.

Abstract : The toxicity of hydrazine and several of its methylated derivatives has been studied in a variety of biological systems. London (1979) utilized a soil bacterium to compare the toxicities of these compounds and to suggest the validity of prokaryote and other simple systems as an adjunct to traditional toxicological techniques. Subsequent efforts (Mantel and London, 1980) were devoted to elucidating the mechanisms by which the hydrazines exert a toxic effect. The measurements used in these studies were concerned with growth kinetics, i.e., the time and concentration parameters describing the growth cycle. The quantitation of growth was accomplished by turbidimetric determinations of cell mass which is an integrative description of particle size and number. This method provided useful information but was not sufficiently sensitive at the extremes of cell culture density. The insensitivity of low cell densities precluded ascertaining the effects of hydrazine exposure immediately after transfer and during the lag phase of the growth cycle. Since the major indication of intoxication at the test concentrations used [10 ppm hydrazine (Hz); 20 ppm monomethyl-hydrazine (MMH); and 50 ppm 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH)] was an extension of the lag period, a possible mechanism of action is a random or selective killing of inoculum cells, the lengthening of the lag phase being inversely proportional to the fraction of inoculum cells killed (or prevented from initiating cell division). Since the experiments based on turbidimetric data could not address this aspect, we studied the early death rate kinetics of hydrazine-exposed cultures using a standard viable cell counting procedure as a more reliable quantitative method to enumerate cell death rate at low culture concentrations.
On the Occurrence of Hollow Bullet Rosette– and Column-Shaped Ice Crystals in Midlatitude Cirrus

Abstract Cirrus clouds in mid- and high latitudes are frequently composed of bullet rosette– and column-shaped ice crystals, which can have hollow ends. Bullet rosette–shaped ice crystals are composed of a number of bullets radiating from a central point. Research has shown that the light-scattering properties of ice particles with hollow ends are different from the scattering properties of solid ice particles. Knowledge of the frequency of occurrence of hollow particles is important to more accurately calculate the radiative properties of cirrus clouds. This note presents the results of a survey of cirrus cloud ice crystal replicas imaged from balloon-borne Formvar (polyvinyl formal) replicators. Fifty percent to 80% of the replicated bullet rosette– and column-shaped particles had hollow ends. In bullets longer than 150 μm in length, the length of the hollows of the bullets averaged 88% of the total length of the bullet. The combined length of both hollow portions of column-shaped ice crystals varied fr...
Geometric methods in multiparticle quantum systems

Technically simple proofs are given of the HVZ theorem on the bottom of the essential spectrum of multiparticle systems and of Combes' result on completeness below the lowest three body threshold. The first proof is a variant of a proof of Enss and a decendent of Zhislin's original proof. Finally, we apply our methods to the bound state spectrum.
History of surgery for craniopharyngiomas.

Craniopharyngiomas, although histologically benign, are usually so intimately associated with the hypothalamus that total extirpation of these tumors was generally followed by death from hypotension a
Survival and selected outcomes of older adults with locally advanced head/neck cancer treated with chemoradiation therapy.

Abstract Objectives Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) remains a potentially curative treatment in patients with locally advanced head/neck cancer (LA-HNC). However, survival and other outcomes in older patients with head/neck cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy are not well established. This study was performed to elucidate selected outcomes in this patient population. Materials and Methods Retrospective study of LA-HNC patients ≥ 70 years of age who had received 5-fluorouracil-hydoxyurea-based CRT with a minimum of 3 years of follow up after therapy initiation was performed. Pre-treatment patient- and cancer-related characteristics were recorded. Survival data in addition to gastrostomy tube utilization, swallowing function, and hematologic toxicity were captured. Results Eighty-nine patients treated between 1997 and 2009 were eligible for analysis (median age, 76 years; range, 70–94; male, 61%; ECOG PS, 0–1 43%; stage IVA/B, 71%). 86 were evaluable for survival analysis. 5-year overall and event-free survival were both at 32% with a median follow-up time of 39.2 months. The majority (86.5%) were able to complete all planned treatment cycles. A significant proportion of patients, however, required gastrostomy tube during CRT (62%) and developed aspiration during swallowing evaluation post-treatment (44%). Several patients required hospice (9%) or skilled nursing facility (13%) referrals during treatment. Conclusion Select older adults with LA-HNC can still experience long-term benefits despite 5-year survival rates lower than those historically reported in younger patients undergoing identical CRT regimens although potentially at higher risk for acute toxicities. Assessment and selection of those who can tolerate more intense combined-modality strategies and their long-term outcomes merit further larger, prospective studies.
Central bank intervention and foreign exchange volatility

This paper provides additional empirical evidence on the topic of the effectiveness and the impact of Federal Reserve intervention on U.S. exchange rates. Using a daily measure of exchange rate intervention in the yen/dollar and mark/dollar exchange markets for the period January 3, 1985 to March 19, 1997, this paper finds a statistically significant impact of intervention on spot rates. A generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity exchange rate equation is used to measure the impact of intervention on exchange rate uncertainty. This study finds that intervention is associated with a significant increase in the interday conditional variance (uncertainty) of both bilateral spot exchange rates. This supports the view of Friedman and Schwartz that exchange rate intervention serves to destabilize the foreign exchange market by introducing additional levels of exchange rate uncertainty.
Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation for mural thrombus following radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways.

Background: Catheter ablation of accessory pathways (APs) provides a definitive therapy for patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. The reported incidence of thrombus formation on ablation-induced injuries with direct current shock varies from 0%-20% in animal studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of mural thrombus following catheter ablation with radiofrequency current of accessory pathways in humans. Methods and Results: Radiofrequency current (30–35 warts) was applied through a catheter electrode placed against the mitral or tricuspid annulus guided by catheter recordings of AP potentials. Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were performed in 95 of 111 patients, at 18 ± 6 hours following catheter ablation. After ablation. no thrombus was identified at or near the ablation site in any patient. Two out of 95 patients had a mural thrombus at a remote site that was detected by TEE but not by TTE. No new wall motion abnormality was detected in any patient. No significant regurgitant valvular lesion was found in any patient. Conclusion: Intracardiac thrombus was not identified at the site of catheter ablation, possibly owing to the small lesions produced by radiofrequency energy and high blood flow normally present in those areas. However, patients may be at small risk for mural thrombus at a remote site from prolonged placement of catheters.
Neurons with histaminelike immunoreactivity in the segmental and stomatogastric nervous systems of the crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus and the lobster Homarus americanus.

We used a polyclonal antiserum against histamine to map histaminelike immunoreactivity (HLI) in whole mounts of the segmental ganglia and stomatogastric ganglion of crayfish and lobster. Carbodiimide fixation permitted both HRP-conjugated and FITC-conjugated secondary antibodies to be used effectively to visualize HLI in these whole mounts. Two interneurons that send axons through the inferior ventricular nerve (ivn) and the stomatogastric nerve to the stomatogastric ganglion had strong HLI, both in crayfish and in lobster. These ivn interneurons were known from other evidence to be histaminergic. The neuropil of the stomatogastric ganglion in both crayfish and lobster contained brightly labeled terminals of axons that entered the ganglion from the stomatogastric nerve. No neuronal cell bodies in this ganglion had HLI. Each segmental ganglion contained at least one pair of neurons with HLI. Some neurons in the subesophageal ganglion and in each thoracic ganglion labeled very brightly. Axons of projection interneurons with strong HLI occurred in the dorsal lateral tracts of each segmental ganglion, and sent branches to the lateral neuropils and tract neuropils of each ganglion. All the labeled neurons were interneurons; no HLI was observed in peripheral nerves.
Antibody mediated immune response against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis using excised skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), immune to Ichthyophthirius

This study investigated antibody mediated immune response against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) by determining whether theronts would retain the potential for reinfection, both in vitro and in vivo, after treatment with the culture fluid of excised skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, immune to Ich. The invasion was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) for theronts treated with the immune culture fluid compared with those treated with the culture fluid from naive fish. The treatment of theronts with the immune culture fluid greatly reduced the size and survival of trophonts compared with those treated with the culture fluid from naive fish. Fewer fish were infected and the infection density was less for fish exposed to theronts treated with immune culture fluid. The infection was severe for fish invaded by theronts treated with the culture fluid from naive fish, with a high number of infected fish and heavy density of trophonts per fish. All fish were infected by Ich when exposed to the theronts treated with the immunoadsorbed culture fluid. In summary, results of this study show that cutaneous antibodies in the culture fluid of excised skin from immune fish significantly reduces theront infectivity by immobilizing or weakening theronts.
The assessment of bodily injury fears via the behavioral avoidance slide test: A replication and extension

The reported study involved a replication and extension of Peterson and Levis’s (1985) experiment, which assessed bodily injury fears via the Behavioral Avoidance Slide Test (BAST). In the earlier study, a variable-exposure test procedure was used. The primary purpose of the present study was to provide a comparison between variable- and fixed-exposure test procedures. The fixed procedure has the advantage of controlling for test-stimulus exposure time. The study was also designed to assess the usefulness of an additional behavioral measure, that of response force, and to provide an additional assessment of the validity of selecting subjects’ fear levels on the basis of scores on paper-pencil inventories. Both test procedures were found to produce comparable results, but the fixed-exposure procedure is preferred on methodological grounds. The force response showed promise as an additional behavior index but requires further assessment. The utility of the BAST procedure was confirmed by skin-conductance and self-report data to the test stimulus, but the data strongly support the abandonment of selecting subjects’ fear levels on the basis of responses to paper-pencil inventories.
Partial information and choice behavior in differential reward magnitude learning

Ss were first trained on a word-number paired-associate list and then given testing on a two-choice differential reward learning paradigm. One of the two words in each pair had been used in the paired-associate training, and the number of points associated with the word was the same as during paired-associate learning. The other member of each pair was new and could have either more or fewer points than the known member of the pair. Speed of learning to choose the higher valued member in these pairs was directly related to amount of reward.
Large Variations in One-Bond 13Cα−13Cβ J Couplings in Polypeptides Correlate with Backbone Conformation

One-bond 1JCαCβ scalar couplings, measured in the protein ubiquitin, exhibit a strong dependence on the local backbone conformation. Empirically, the deviation from the 1JCαCβ value measured in the corresponding free amino acid, can be expressed as Δ1JCαCβ = 1.3 + 0.6 cos(ψ − 61°) + 2.2 cos[2(ψ − 61°)] − 0.9 cos[2(φ + 20°)] ± 0.5 Hz, where φ and ψ are the intraresidue polypeptide backbone torsion angles obtained from ubiquitin's X-ray structure. The relation between 1JCαCβ and backbone torsion angles is confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the peptide analogue Ace-Ala-NMe.
Early diagnosis and dietetic management in newborn with maple syrup urine disease. Birth to six weeks.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD; McKusick 24860) results from a defect in oxidative decarboxylation of the ketoacids derived from the branched chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine and valine. The outcome is related to early diagnosis and management (Clow et al., 1981; Naughten et al., 1982; Leonard et al., 1984). The diagnosis can be made in the first 48 h (Di George et al., 1982). We describe the early diagnosis and dietetic management of a neonate.
A COMPARISON OF READING DEVELOPMENT BY LEARNERS OF JAPANESE IN INTENSIVE DOMESTIC IMMERSION AND STUDY ABROAD CONTEXTS

To investigate the role of context in reading development, a comparison of reading comprehension and processes was conducted between learners of Japanese as a second language in study abroad (SA; n = 15) and intensive domestic (in the United States) immersion (IM; n = 15) contexts. A significant difference was found between contexts in pretest to posttest gains on only one measure of reading comprehension, a self-assessment. Differences on the two other measures of comprehension—free-recall and vocabulary knowledge—were not significant. The self-assessment measure indicated that SA students felt more confident reading the second language than their IM counterparts. In terms of reading processes, think-aloud protocols showed significant differences in changes over time in the amount of monitoring understanding (less for IM than SA) and responding and reacting to text content affectively or emotionally (more for IM than SA). In the IM context, office-hour interaction with teachers influenced students to monitor comprehension less and more efficiently and to respond affectively to text more often. Variability in terms of gains on reading measures and contact with language and culture outside of class was greater for SA than for IM. The controlled IM setting and the open SA context contributed to differences in variability. The need for a variety of new measures designed to capture gains specific to any given context is discussed and specific suggestions for new measures are given.I wish to thank the following individuals for their help: Joe Collentine and Barbara F. Freed for extensive feedback on the manuscript; Barbara F. Freed, G. Richard Tucker, and Isabel Beck for advising on the dissertation that led to this manuscript; the Office of Michael Katz, Dean of the Language Schools at Middlebury College, for facilitating much of the data collection for this study through the Baker Research Fellowship; my former colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University for ongoing input throughout this study; and the two anonymous SSLA reviewers of this paper for their input and suggestions.
Making inferences about intention: perceptual control theory as a "theory of mind" for psychologists.

Summary.—Theory of Mind (ToM) assumes that humans and possibly other primates understand behavior in terms of inferences about intentions. While there is evidence that primates make such inferences, little attention has been paid to the question of their validity. In order to answer this question it is necessary to know the true intentions underlying behavior. The present paper shows that Perceptual Control Theory can provide a scientific basis for making such determinations using methods derived from control engineering. These methods—called the “Test for the Controlled Variable” (TCV)—are based on the assumption that intentional behavior is equivalent to the process of control. The TCV provides an objective approach to inferring the intentions underlying behavior in terms of the perceptual variables under control and the goal states of those variables. Thus, Perceptual Control Theory represents an empirical ToM for psychologists—one that can be used to understand behavior in terms of inferences about in...
Bully Prevention in Positive Behavior Support.

Bullying behaviors are a growing concern in U.S. schools. We present here a behavioral approach to bully prevention utilizing a schoolwide intervention. Bully prevention in positive behavior support (BP-PBS) teaches students to withhold the social rewards hypothesized to maintain bullying. A single-subject multiple baseline design across 6 students and three elementary schools was implemented in an empirical evaluation of the intervention's effectiveness. Results indicated that implementation was functionally related to decreased incidents of bullying for all 6 students observed. In addition, we observed a decrease in the social responses from victims and bystanders. Finally, school staff implemented the program with a high degree of fidelity and rated the program as effective and efficient. Limitations and implications of these results are discussed.
The Influence of Desulfovibrio Desulfuricans on Neptunium Chemistry

The role of biotic Np(V) reduction is studied in light of its potential role in the environmental immobilization of this hazardous radionuclide. The speciation of Np in Desulfovibrio desulfuricans cultures is compared with Np speciation in the spent medium and in the uninoculated medium. Precipitates formed in all three samples. Optical spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) were used to determine that Np(V) is almost quantitatively reduced in all three samples and that the precipitate is an amorphous Np(IV) species. These results demonstrate that the reduction of Np is independent of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. The underlying chemistry associated with these results is discussed.
Vascular Localization of the Heparin-binding Serpins Antithrombin, Heparin Cofactor II, and Protein C Inhibitor:

Heparin is one of the most widely used drugs in the world, acting as an anticoagulant by stimulating the reaction between heparin-binding serpins and the serine proteases of the coagulation cascade...
Response of High Subsonic Jet to Nonaxisymmetric Disturbances

A model of sound generated in a high subsonic (Mach 0.9) circular jet is solved numerically in cylindrical coordinates for nonaxisymmetric disturbances. The jet is excited by transient mass injection by a finite duration pulse via a modulated ring source. The nonaxisymmetric solution is computed for long times after the initial disturbance has exited the computational domain. The long time behavior of the jet is dominated by vorticity and pressure disturbances generated at the nozzle lip and growing as they convect down-stream in the jet. These disturbances generate sound as they propagate. The primary non-axisymmetric effect that we simulate is that of a flapping mode where regions of high and low pressure alternate on opposite sides of the jet. The predominant feature of this mode is the appearance of relatively large deviations of the pressure from the ambient pressure on opposite sides of the jet and the convection of these regions downstream. We illustrate flow field, near field and far field data. Important nonaxisymmetric characteristics of the near and flow field disturbances include roughly periodic pressure elevations and depressions at opposite values of the azimuthal angle psi. These correspond to pressure disturbances propagating in the axial direction. The azimuthal velocity exhibits a sinusoidal dependence on psi with similar roughly periodic disturbances. For every azimuthal angle psi, the jet radiation peaks about 30 deg. from the jet axis, however there is now a pronounced dependence of the far field radiation pattern on psi.
Edge detection using 2-D local structural information

A description is presented of three related methods for detecting 2-D region discontinuities. One method extends Leclerc's (1985) 2-D work. The other two arise from the concept behind the maximum-homogeneity filter. All of the methods use some form of 2-D neighborhood-partitioning mechanism, like that of Leclerc, and hence use 2-D local structural information. Also, all the methods allow detection of multiple edges about an image point. The methods are described and illustrative results presented. >
Glibenclamide for the Treatment of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke

Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are associated with severe functional disability and high mortality. Except for recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, therapies targeting the underlying pathophysiology of central nervous system (CNS) ischemia and hemorrhage are strikingly lacking. Sur1-regulated channels play essential roles in necrotic cell death and cerebral edema following ischemic insults, and in neuroinflammation after hemorrhagic injuries. Inhibiting endothelial, neuronal, astrocytic and oligodendroglial sulfonylurea receptor 1–transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (Sur1–Trpm4) channels and, in some cases, microglial KATP (Sur1–Kir6.2) channels, with glibenclamide is protective in a variety of contexts. Robust preclinical studies have shown that glibenclamide and other sulfonylurea agents reduce infarct volumes, edema and hemorrhagic conversion, and improve outcomes in rodent models of ischemic stroke. Retrospective studies suggest that diabetic patients on sulfonylurea drugs at stroke presentation fare better if they continue on drug. Additional laboratory investigations have implicated Sur1 in the pathophysiology of hemorrhagic CNS insults. In clinically relevant models of subarachnoid hemorrhage, glibenclamide reduces adverse neuroinflammatory and behavioral outcomes. Here, we provide an overview of the preclinical studies of glibenclamide therapy for CNS ischemia and hemorrhage, discuss the available data from clinical investigations, and conclude with promising preclinical results that suggest glibenclamide may be an effective therapeutic option for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
Synthesis of Novel Vanadium Oxide Nanotubes and Nanofibers

We are exploring the synthesis and properties of structured vanadium oxides mainly nanotubes and nanorods. Nanotubes initially formed with surfactant templates have been readily exchanged with simple cations without change of the basal-plane structure. These compounds contain d-like vanadium oxide layers with the vanadium in VO6 octahedra. This structure is particularly suitable for redox reactions. In this paper we report on synthesis of vanadium oxide, (NH4)xV2O5-d·nH2O rods using organic polymer as template. This compound has been synthesized by sol-gel reaction and subsequent hydrothermal treatment. TGA, SEM, XRD and FTIR were used to characterize this compound. Thermal analysis of this compound shows that the fibrous morphology is maintained when it is heated in nitrogen and oxygen above 300 °C. However, in both cases the size of the fibers decreases. Performance of this compound as cathode material in secondary electrolyte has been investigated using LiPF6 as electrolyte. A capacity of 140 mAh/g was obtained which remained fairly constant with up to at least 10 cycles. We also investigated electrochemical behavior of thermal products.
Relationship of aortic regurgitant velocity slope and pressure half-time to severity of aortic regurgitation under changing haemodynamic conditions

The slope and pressure half-time of the aortic regurgitant velocity spectrum have been used as non-invasive markers of regurgitant severity. Recent in vitro and theoretical work, however, has suggested a confounding effect of systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular compliance on these parameters. To study this situation in vivo, we have investigated the determinants of the aortic regurgitant velocity profile in an animal model of aortic regurgitation in which the regurgitation was induced surgically and in which the afterload was varied pharmacologically. Specifically, we examined the relationship of slope and pressure half-time of the aortic regurgitant velocity profile to the severity of aortic regurgitation under varying conditions of afterload using multilinear analysis. Slope varied directly with regurgitant orifice area and inversely with systemic vascular resistance and both left ventricular and aortic compliance (all P<0.001). Pressure half-time related to these variables in the opposite direction. When the regurgitant orifice was variable in size, slope related directly (P<0.001) and half-time inversely to the severity of the aortic regurgitation (the clinically expected response). In contrast, when the regurgitant orifice area was constant, slope varied inversely (P<0.001) and half-time varied directly (P<0.07) with the severity of the aortic regurgitation. Following nitroprusside infusion, slope tended to increase (P=0.08) and pressure half-time tended to shorten (P=0.08) despite a significant reduction in the regurgitant fraction (P=0.009). Similarly, following dopamine infusion, a significant increase in regurgitant fraction (P=0.01) was associated with a slight fall in aortic regurgitation slope and a lengthening of the half-time. The conventionally anticipated alterations in aortic regurgitation velocity slope and pressure half-time predict the change in the severity of aortic regurgitation when this is varied by change in the size of regurgitant orifice but are unreliable when this is altered by pharmacological manipulation of the afterload.
An Application of WordNet to Prepositional Attachment

This paper presents a method for word sense disambiguation and coherence understanding of prepositional relations. The method relies on information provided by WordNet 1.5. We first classify prepositional attachments according to semantic equivalence of phrase heads and then apply inferential heuristics for understanding the validity of prepositional structures.
Fast projective carotid MR angiography using arterial spin-labeled balanced SSFP.

Purpose To determine whether pulsed arterial spin-labeled (pulsed ASL) balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging allows for rapid projective depiction of the carotid arteries without electrocardiographic (ECG) gating. Materials and Methods The carotid arteries of six volunteers were scanned at 1.5 T using an ASL two-dimensional bSSFP sequence. Three configurations were tested, with and without ECG gating: (a) full field-of-view (FOV) acquisition (scan time = 48 s), (b) full-FOV acquisition with parallel acceleration of 2 (24 s), and sequence C (half-FOV acquisition (24 s). Vessel-to-background contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and vessel lengths were compared between sequence configurations. Vessel caliber measurements were compared with those obtained from three-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) angiography. Results The carotid arteries were seen over extensive lengths with ASL two-dimensional bSSFP. Projected vessel length and vessel-to-background CNR did not differ with ECG gating (P = NS). Nonaccelerated full-FOV and half-FOV scans provided larger apparent vessel-to-background CNR and slightly longer vessel lengths than the parallel-accelerated scans (P < 0.01). Carotid diameter measurements were in agreement with those obtained from three-dimensional TOF (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.810; P < 0.001). Conclusion pulsed ASL bSSFP is a fast technique for projective carotid angiography that may not require ECG gating. Acquisition time may be decreased with reduced FOV or parallel imaging strategies. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:778–782. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nonclassical Interferometry with a Single-Photon Interferometer

We present experiments that use quantum-state correlations between polarization-entangled photon pairs to specify the phase and amplitude of an interference pattern by actions on the photon that does not go through the interferometer.
Spatial Distribution of Dipodomys spectabilis Mounds

Spatial distribution of Dipodomys spectahilis mounds on a rectangular 47 hectare area of short-grass prairie was determined using nearest neighbor and Poisson analyses. A total of 121 mounds was mapped (density 2.57 mounds per hectare) of which 79 were active. A nearest neighbor analysis of active and inactive mounds together revealed a significantly uniform distribution. Active mounds alone were also found to be regularly dispersed. Numerous Poisson analyses were made with sample quadrats of various sizes. This method also showed the distribution to depart significantly from randomness toward uniformity as the quadrat size was reduced. As quadrats were made still smaller, the Poisson analyses produced inconsistent results. This suggests that the nearest neighbor method might be a more reliable measure of compound distributions. The regularity evident in the mound distribution indicates that D. spectabilis minimizes intraspecific interactions by spatial means.
An Experimental Research on the Filtering Efficiency of Tail-Tube Filtering Hydrocyclones

An improved tail-tube filtering hydrocyclone was developed based on the combination of the micro-pore tube for filtering and a normal liquid-liquid hydrocyclone,and it was used to conduct an experimental research of separation for oil-water mixture,the filtering efficiency and underflow efficiency of the tail-tube were measured and analyzed.
Clinical Study of 725 Cases on Combined Inhaled Seretide and Tiotropium Bromide in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective To study the combined inhaled seretide and tiotropium bromide in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)during the stable period of efficacy and safety.Methods 725 patients with COPD,were randomly divided into the observation group 364 cases,361 cases of the control group.The control group was given tiotropium bromide 18μg,daily bedtime inhaled 1 times,60 days for a course of treatment;added to the observation group in 50g/500g,sooner or later the inhalation of 1,course of treatment and control group.In two groups before and after treatment,symptom score and pulmonary function examination.Results The two groups of patients after treatment of symptom scores have improved,the curative effect of therapeutic group was more significant at P0.05.Two groups of patients after treatment of pulmonary function were all improved,the curative effect of therapeutic group was more significant at P0.05.Safety indexes before and after treatment had no significant difference between P 0.05.Conclusion The combined inhalation of tiotropium bromide + Seretide can effectively reduce COPD patients with clinical symptoms,improve lung function,safe and reliable,worthy of clinical application.
Pediatric Urethral Reconstruction Without Proximal Diversion

Abstract A new method of transurethral drainage was used in 36 consecutive patients who underwent urethral reconstruction for repair of hypospadias and epispadias. The surgical procedures included 16 island flap urethroplasties, 15 distal urethral repairs with Mathieu’s technique, 3 epispadias repairs and 2 urethroplasties with a modified Thiersch-Duplay technique. To accomplish urinary drainage in all cases a 7 or 10F silicone tube with multiple perforations was inserted proximal to the bladder neck and through the repair, and cut 2 mm. distal to the urethral meatus. The tube was secured to the meatus with loosely tied 4-zero polypropylene sutures and allowed to drain into a diaper. Satisfactory results were obtained in all patients. Complications included a small urethrocutaneous fistula in 6 children, a distal urethral stricture in 1 and severe bladder spasms in 2. The incidence of fistula formation did not appear to increase with this method of urinary drainage. Advantages of the method included a decreased hospital stay and minimal discomfort.
Extra Credit Micro-Incentives and Response Rates for Online Course Evaluations: Two Quasi-Experiments

To extend prior findings on the motivational value of tiny, nonfinancial incentives, we conducted two quasi-experiments on the relationship of extra credit micro-incentives (ECMIs, worth ≤1% of course grade) and response rates for online course evaluations. Study 1 involved two advanced undergraduate psychology courses taught by the same instructor for 14 semesters, the first 7 of which used paper-and-pencil evaluations and no incentives, with average response rates of 57%. After a switch to online evaluations with no incentives for two semesters, response rates fell to 30% or lower. Following introduction of ECMIs for several semesters, the response rates rose significantly, to 84%. In Study 2, we randomly assigned ECMIs or no incentives to eight sections of an introductory psychology course. Response-rates with ECMIs were significantly higher, 84% versus 51%. Favorability of ratings did not differ significantly. Higher response rates with EMCIs raise questions for research, educational policy, and class...
Development and testing of a high-chromium, Ni-based filler metal resistant to ductility dip cracking and solidification cracking

Ni-based filler metals for repair and construction of nuclear reactor components require 30 wt% Cr to insure resistance to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). Current generation alloys can be susceptible to solidification cracking and ductility dip cracking, depending on Nb content and the amount of eutectic that forms during weld solidification. Computational thermodynamic modeling was used to identify alternative eutectic-forming elements to Nb, such as Hf and Ta. Previous work has utilized a design of experiment methodology (DOE) in conjunction with computational and experimental techniques to optimize a new filler metal composition that should be resistant to weld cracking. In this paper, the optimized compositions were subjected to further weldability testing, namely the cast pin tear test (CPTT) and the strain-to-fracture (STF) test. An optimized Ta-bearing composition was found to be crack resistant, while an optimized Hf-bearing composition was highly susceptible to solidification cracking. Differences may be related to the nature of the eutectic constituents that form at the end of solidification. The Hf-bearing composition did not form Laves phase as its final eutectic constituent, while Laves is present in both the Nb- and Ta-bearing systems.
Is drug repurposing the answer for cytomegalovirus treatment or prevention

Medical progress has placed cytomegalovirus (CMV) as one of the most important viral pathogens for which treatment is limited and a vaccine is not yet available. The limited treatment options for CMV triggered efforts to discover new antivirals. Drug screening raised hope but also uncertainties as to whether drug repurposing may be a practical approach for infectious diseases in general and CMV in particular. I summarize here several of such agents as well as an approach to advance repurposing for CMV therapy.
Review of Evidenced-Based Nursing Protocols for Dysphagia Assessment.

Stroke is the leading cause of serious adult long-term disability in the United States with the estimated cost of $33 billion dollars annually.1,2 Dysphagia, or impaired swallowing, is a common complication of acute stroke with an incidence that ranges from 37% to 78%.3 Dysphagia is associated with aspiration, pneumonia, and malnutrition and remains challenging to identify at the bedside. It has been estimated that approximately half of all aspiration caused by dysphagia goes unrecognized.3 With the aging of adults in the United States, there is a critical need to focus on the early detection of dysphagia symptoms in hospitalized patients who experienced a stroke, accompanied by the initiation of a validated dysphagia screening protocol (DSP).4 This article will provide an update of the most commonly used DSPs and will provide guidance in the selection of a DSP for use in nursing. Nurses, on the forefront of stroke care delivery, maintain a key role in early identification of patients with dysphagia. Although the Joint Commission no longer requires dysphagia screening rates be reported for stroke center certification, the Joint Commission encourages consistent monitoring for dysphagia and use of evidence-based DSPs.5 Recommendations from the American Heart Association declare that a swallow evaluation should be performed in the first 24 hours after stroke.6 Physician order sets should include a swallow assessment with nutrition and swallow evaluation before oral intake. Patients who cannot swallow should have a nasogastric tube placed or endoscopic gastrostomy tube depending on severity. Patients should be kept NPO (nil per os or nothing by mouth) with intravenous normal saline running at a rate …
Mycology at a distance.

1. Elmer Koneman, MD 1. is Professor Emeritus at Colorado University School of Medicine, Denver CO 2. Wayne Gade, PhD[⇑][1] 1. was Director of Medical Technology Program, University of Wyoming, Laramie WY at the time this article was written 1. Address for correspondence: Wayne Gade PhD, Clinical Laboratory Science Program, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield IL 62794. (217) 206-7349, (217) 206-6217 (fax) gade.wayne{at}uis.edu GermWare Mycology is an image-rich, CD-ROM-based instruction divided into tutorial and reference programs. The tutorial program, designed for new students, provides only for sequential progress through each of the subject modules, so that each page of information is seen. In contrast, the reference program allows the more experienced learner with random and direct access to each facet of information. The aspergilli, the agents of chromomycosis, the dermatophytes, the dimorphic fungi, the hyaline molds, the dematiaceous molds, the yeasts, and the zygomyces are divided into separate modules. The tutorial program also includes an opening ‘isolation procedures’ module, in which details of specimen collection, culture media, and microscopic techniques are presented. The random access program includes system maps separating out each of the fungal species, and flow diagrams allowing an algorithm approach to species identifications. A global map is also included through which each fungal species can be directly accessed by the simple click of the mouse. Random access to information on the ecology, clinical presentations, pathology, and therapy of the various mycotic diseases is also a feature of the reference program. A series of self-assessment exercises is included at the end of each module, with immediate ‘pop-up’ feedback to both correct and incorrect answers. The entire program includes over 2500 screens and over 700 color images and diagrams. GermWare Mycology is available through the Colorado Association for Continuing Medical Laboratory Education (CACMLE), who also can provide continuing education credits for individuals who complete a separate examination. For more information contact CACMLE… [1]: #corresp-1
Renal cortical necrosis and Purtscher's retinopathy in hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

Abstract A patient presented with acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis complicated by both renal cortical necrosis and Purtscher's retinopathy. Either of these two complications is rare and never before have both been reported in the same patient. The patient's renal insufficiency required hemodialysis; it gradually improved over two years when dialysis could be discontinued. The patient's retinopathy included bilateral hemorrhages and cotton wool spots; visual fields and acuity remained normal. Fundiscopic lesions disappeared by three months after the acute event. These two rare vasculoocclusive complications of pancreatitis simultaneously occurring in one individual might suggest complement-mediated leukostatic mechanisms.
Making Space for Preservice Teacher Agency Through Connected Learning in Preservice Educational Technology Courses

Preparing future teachers to integrate technology into their teaching in ways that support transformative student learning is a priority for teacher preparation programs in the United States. Howev...
Novel approach for NLDMOS performance enhancement by critical electric field engineering

Novel design approach for LDMOS device operating at voltages exceeding 100V is demonstrated and architecture to address all aspects of critical electric field is described. As a bonus, no changes in doping conditions required to achieve the device targets. This paper presents a design study for a resurf layer to engineer the critical electric field in LDMOS device. Results provide guidance on how to push high electric field lines away from the surface and how to successfully align them in the direction of the current. The new architecture is intended for small devices where area saving due to smaller isolation brings another benefit. This approach is compared with conventional single resurf design that normally unable to meet these conditions. LDMOS device breakdown is designed to predominantly occur underneath the drain of the device to avoid interaction with the gate oxide. Finally, results in this publication show how reversing source and drain can improve ESD ruggedness.
Dye Probes of Nanoclusters in Liquids

Calculations have been carried out to optimize the structure of Van der Waals complexes of methanol with N-methyl-2-nitroaniline, a dye capable of shifts in visible and ultraviolet spectra that depend on (1) solvent dielectric, (2) solvent shell structure, and (3) hydrogen bonding to a slight extent. Hartree–Fock–Roothaan calculations with various basis sets and single-excitation configuration interaction (SCI) are compared to Density–Functional–Theory Time-Dependent Hartree–Fock (DFT-TD) results for three low-energy ultraviolet electronic transitions. Energy-minimized structures are reported for a trimeric complex of two methanol-one water as found using a 6-311G** basis indicating two possible hydrogen-bonding schemes. The effect of a dielectric medium on the ultraviolet spectrum is compared to gas-phase clusters. Electronic transitions are also given for the dye-probe complexed with four or five methanol molecules finding good agreement with observed shifts in the ultraviolet spectrum as found with the TDHF-DFT formalism for the lowest energy transition near 425 nm.