cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of neurotensin-immunoreactivity within baroreceptive portions of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the dorsal vagal nucleus of the rat

We have examined the distribution of neurotensin immunoreactivity within subnuclear regions of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DVN) in the rat. In order to determine which regions of the NTS were involved in the regulation of baroreceptor reflexes, we mapped the central distribution of the aortic branch of the vagus nerve using transganglionic transport of horseradish peroxidase. Comparison of the pattern of aortic nerve innervation with that of the distribution of neurotensin-immunoreactive cells and fibers shows the dorsomedial nucleus of the NTS both to be the primary site of aortic baroreceptor termination and to contain the highest concentration of neurotensin-immunoreactive elements within the NTS. Neurotensin-immunoreactive fibers are also present in medial regions of the NTS adjacent to the area postrema where they may be involved in the modulation of vagal gastric afferents. Double-label experiments, in which, on the same tissue sections, neurotensin immunohistochemistry was combined with retrograde horseradish peroxidase labeling of DVN neurons, reveal a topographic innervation of vagal preganglionic motoneurons by neurotensin-immunoreactive fibers. The heaviest innervation is of lateral portions of the DVN and adjacent ventral portions of the NTS at the level of the obex, an area which may contain cardiac motoneurons. In this region neurotensin-immunoreactive fibers can be observed in close proximity to retrogradely labeled cells. The concentration of neurotensin elements in a region of the NTS which is involved in the control of baroreceptor reflexes provides a morphological basis for the cardiovascular effects produced by central administration of the peptide. Additional control may be exerted at the level of the motoneuron, as evidenced by apparent neurotensin fiber innervation of presumptive cardiac preganglionic neurons. Similarly, the distribution of neurotensin fibers suggests that the peptide may be acting in gastric regulatory areas of the NTS or on vagal secretomotor neurons to regulate gastric acid secretion.
The legacies of history? Colonization and immigrant integration in Britain and France

This article scrutinizes the widely held belief that British and French colonial models have influenced each country’s immigrant integration structures. It assesses the core assumptions underlying the argument: that British colonial and integration policies have relied on indirect rule of groups defined by race or ethnicity; and that corresponding French policies have emphasized direct rule and have been highly assimilationist. It demonstrates that the two countries are not as different as often portrayed. It also pinpoints the specific paths through which colonial legacies influenced integration policies, while rejecting the thesis that colonial institutions have broadly informed integration policies in Britain or France. The article thus challenges a series of received ideas, replacing them with a more precise assessment of the relations between the colonial past and the integration present.
X 2 vision system for feature detection and information combination

A statistical vision system is proposed for feature detection and evidence combination. It has been successfully applied to locating segments and polygons in images. Each feature is modeled by a random vector X with a multivariate normal distribution, denoted by X approximately N((mu) X, (Sigma) x). After the transformation f(X): (X - (mu) x)t(Sigma) x-1(X - (mu) x), this model becomes a random variable (rv) with (chi) 2 distribution, then (chi) 2 test is applied to measure the similarity between data and the expectation vector of each model. Multiple statistics from the tests of local features, such as edges and corners, are combined by summation into statistics for large features such as segments and polygons. This is justified because the sum on a set of independent (chi) 2 random variables is also a (chi) 2 random variable, and the geometric meaning of the sum is equal to the integration of these addends. Therefore, information is coherently combined by summation and (chi) 2 tests are consistently applied throughout this vision system for feature detection.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Theory of anisotropic thin-walled closed-cross-section beams

A variationally and asymptotically consistent theory is developed in order to derive the governing equations of anisotropic thin-walled beams with closed sections. The theory is based on an asymptotic analysis of two-dimensional shell theory. Closed-form expressions for the beam-stiffness coefficients, stress and displacement fields are provided. The influence of material anisotropy on the displacement field is identified. A comparison with the displacement fields obtained by other analytical developments is performed. The stiffness coefficients and static response are also compared with finite element predictions, closed-form solutions and test data.
The involvement of serotonin in the pneumotoxicity induced by N-methylthiobenzamide.

Abstract N-Methylthiobenzamide (NMTB) and α-naphthylthiourea (ANTU) are pneumotoxicants which cause pulmonary edema and hydrothorax. Recently a role was assigned to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in the pneumotoxic response to ANTU (D. E. Mais and T. R. Bosin, 1984 , Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 74, 185–194). We therefore investigated the participation of 5-HT in NMTB-induced pneumotoxicity. Pulmonary clearance of 5-HT was studied after NMTB or ANTU using the rat isolated perfused lung. Lung 5-HT uptake was not depressed 5 hr after ANTU or NMTB, but was depressed 12 hr after compound administration. At both time points lungs were edematous as judged by lung wet weight to body weight ratios. Pretreatment with reserpine, a drug known to deplete 5-HT, did not affect the NMTB-induced decrease in lung 5-HT uptake, but did diminish the increased lung wet weight to dry weight ratios seen after NMTB administration in rats and mice and the increased lung wet weight to body weight ratios in mice. NMTB induces a dose-dependant increase in the incorporation of [14C]thymidine into mouse pulmonary DNA. This increase was attenuated, but not abolished, by pretreatment with reserpine. Reserpine did not alter survival time after NMTB or ANTU and did not shift the 14-day LD50 of NMTB. These data suggest that 5-HT is not a primary mediator in the pneumotoxic response to these thiono-containing compounds.
Exploring the Effects of Collaborations on Member Organizations: Washington Country’s Welfare-to-Work Partnership:

Through a case study, this article explores the question of whether and how actions taken by a collaborative alliance influence the strategic behavior of its nonprofit members. The article then ass...
Observation of conducting filament growth in nanoscale resistive memories

Nanoscale resistive switching devices, sometimes termed memristors, have recently generated significant interest for memory, logic and neuromorphic applications. Resistive switching effects in dielectric-based devices are normally assumed to be caused by conducting filament formation across the electrodes, but the nature of the filaments and their growth dynamics remain controversial. Here we report direct transmission electron microscopy imaging, and structural and compositional analysis of the nanoscale conducting filaments. Through systematic ex-situ and in-situ transmission electron microscopy studies on devices under different programming conditions, we found that the filament growth can be dominated by cation transport in the dielectric film. Unexpectedly, two different growth modes were observed for the first time in materials with different microstructures. Regardless of the growth direction, the narrowest region of the filament was found to be near the dielectric/inert-electrode interface in these devices, suggesting that this region deserves particular attention for continued device optimization.
Potential Drug–Drug Interactions on a Tertiary-Care Hospital Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service

Pharmacokinetic interactions involving the cytochrome P450 system have been a recent focus of clinical and research interest in psychopharmacology. The authors reviewed 100 consecutive patients seen on a consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry service for potential drug-drug interactions. The patients were taking a mean of 8.8 medications; for those undergoing organ transplantation the mean was 12.9. While both enzyme inhibitors (n = 87) and substrates (n = 89) were commonly used, only rarely were they used in the same patient (n = 14). The authors conclude that the potential for drug interactions on a C-L psychiatry service is significant, necessitating awareness of this potential complication.
SOCIOLINGUISTICS.Bernard Spolsky. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. Pp. xiii + 128. $8.75 paper.

This book is an introductory text intended for nonspecialists in sociolinguistics or linguistics. It is organized into four sections and designed so that its first section, the “Survey of Sociolinguistics,” may be read alone or along with the accompanying selected readings in the second part. The third and fourth sections are references and a glossary. The readings section also contains study questions that refer to both the survey and the readings, leading the reader to integrate the information in both sections. The topics covered in the survey include the social study of language, the ethnography of speaking and structure of conversation, locating variations in speech, styles, gender, and social class, bilinguals and bilingualism, societal multilingualism, and applied sociolinguistics (which covers language policy and planning).
THE ROLE OF ROTATION IN CLOSE BINARY SYSTEMS OF HIGH MASS

A quantitative confrontation of theory and observation of massive close binary systems is presented in order to evaluate the role of axial rotation in the evolution of the individual stellar components as well as of the system as a whole. The detached systems are essentially unevolved, and possess components in approximately uniform rotation. The semidetached systems are definitely evolved, having suffered a heavy mass exchange before the stage of hydrogen exhaustion at the center of the original primary, and often possess mass-gaining components in fast nonuniform rotation. Except in the case of wide systems, tidal friction eventually reinduces synchronism of rotation in both components and both components evolve inhomogeneously. Spin-down times of the envelope and core, total rotational angular momenta, and effects of spin-orbit interaction are calculated.
Feverfew extracts and the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide inhibit intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in human synovial fibroblasts.

Previous studies have shown that extracts of the aromatic herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) and one of its bioactive components, parthenolide, have anti-inflammatory properties in vivo and in vitro. We examined both crude feverfew extracts and purified parthenolide for their ability to modulate adhesion molecule expression in human synovial fibroblasts. Pretreatment of synovial fibroblasts with either feverfew extracts or purified parthenolide could inhibit the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) induced by the cytokines IL-1 (up to 95% suppression), TNF-alpha (up to 93% suppression), and, less strongly, interferon-gamma (up to 39% suppression). Inhibition of ICAM-1 was dose and time dependent; as little as a 30-min pretreatment with feverfew resulted in inhibition of ICAM-1. The decrease in ICAM-1 expression was accompanied by a decrease in T-cell adhesion to the treated fibroblasts. Other herbal extracts with reported anti-inflammatory effects were similarly tested and did not decrease ICAM-1 expression. The modulation of adhesion molecule expression may be an additional mechanism by which feverfew mediates anti-inflammatory effects.
Lessons in détente or know thy host: the immunomodulatory gene products of myxoma virus.

The poxvirus, myxoma virus, encodes within its genome at least eleven different proteins that compromise, skew, or disable the innate and adaptive responses of its hosts. In the laboratory rabbit,Oryctolagus cuniculus, these effects result in myxomatosis, a fatal condition characterized by skin lesions and systemic immunosuppression. Interestingly, while myxoma infection also causes skin lesions in its natural host and in natural populations ofO. cuniculus in Australia where this novel host and the virus have co-evolved, the condition of myxomatosis does not ensue and infection is not fatal. In this review I discuss the biochemical properties of the characterized immunomodulatory proteins of myxoma virus, and their pathogenic effects in laboratory rabbits. Disruption of any one myxoma immunomodulatory gene diminishes the severity of the infection without compromising infectivity. Thus, the characterized immunomodulatory genes appear not to be required for a productive infectionin vivo. The differences in the severity of their effects in laboratory-bred versus wildO. cuniculus suggest that the outcome of myxoma infection is a consequence of the interplay between the viral immunomodulatory gene products and the cells and molecules of the host immune system.
Reactions between solids through gaseous intermediates—I reactions controlled by chemical kinetics

Abstract A formulation is presented for the reaction between two solid species which proceeds through gaseous intermediates, involving the net generation of gases. Problem of this type are of considerable practical interest in the reduction of metal oxides with carbon. The system is characterized by two dimensionless parameters which include the reaction rate constants, the shape, size and the relative amount of the solid reactants. Through the use of these parameters it is possible to identify the asymptotic regimes where the overall rate is controlled by the reaction of one of the solid species. These dimensionless parameters also allow the definition of the criteria for the complete conversion of both solid reactants. In case of multiple reactions both stoichiometry and the kinetic factors must be taken to consideration in the establishment of these criteria.
Fetal membrane rupture is associated with the presence of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 in vaginal secretions

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether detection of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 in vaginal secretions could be used in the diagnosis of fetal membrane rupture. STUDY DESIGN: Consenting patients ( n = 105) with complaints suspicious of membrane rupture between 24 and 42 weeks of gestation who had no evidence of placenta previa were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of membrane rupture required at least two of the following findings on vaginal examination: pooling of fluid, positive Nitrazine paper (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cherry Hill, N.J.) test, or microscopic evidence of ferning. A swab of the posterior vaginal fornix was obtained, placed in sample buffer, and analyzed for insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 by immunoassay. Data analysis included χ 2 analysis, Student t test, or Mann-Whitney U test and linear regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 78 (74.3%) patients met the criteria for membrane rupture. There was a highly significant difference in mean vaginal insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 concentrations between patients with and without clinical evidence of membrane rupture (553.6 ± 731.4 μg/L vs 3.0 ± 7.3 μg/L, p = 0.0002). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the optimal identification of patients with membrane rupture was achieved with an insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 value > 3 μg/L (sensitivity 74.4%, 95% confidence interval 64.7% to 84.0%; specificity 92.6%, 95% confidence interval 82.7% to 102.5%; positive predictive value 96.7%, 95% confidence interval 92.1% to 101.2%; negative predictive value 55.6%, 95% confidence interval 41.0% to 70.1 %). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of vaginal insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 is highly predictive of membrane rupture, identifying 74.4% of affected patients with a very low false-positive rate.
An audiographic system for self‐instruction

The paper reports on the development of a system for the storage and retrieval of graphics-supported, narrative presentations such as blackboard lectures. Human voice and line graphics are stored synchronously as analog signals on stereophonic audio tape, and reproduced via an “audiographic terminal” consisting of a loudspeaker (for voice output) and an electromechanical stylus (for output of line graphics). A configuration of audiographic terminals connected by telephone to a remotely located “bank” of instructional materials stored in audiographic form comprises the self-instruction system ALF (Audiographic Learning Facility) developed and in use at the School of Information and Computer Science of the Georgia Institute of Technology. The paper describes several current applications of audiographic technology in education, and it gives preliminary cost estimates.
Postnatal development of optokinetic after nystagmus in human infants.

Abstract During the first few months of life after birth human infants when tested monocularly move their unoccluded eye nasalward in darkness after viewing a large textured visual field moving either nasalward or temporalward. The eye movements in darkness are optokinetic after nystagmus (OKAN) which is an aftereffect of a reflex horizontal following eye movement, optokinetic nystagmus (OKN). Not until 4–5 months of age did temporalward field motion evoke OKAN with temporalward slow phase. The nasalward slow phase of OKAN that responded earlier to temporalward field motion appears to underlie the delayed development of reflex following eye movements in the temporalward direction.
Role of Peierls stress in power law dislocation creep

Based on the features of Harper-Dorn creep and the transition stress from this creep to power law creep, a relationship between the Peierls stress and the empirical constants in the Dorn equation for power law creep is derived, and is shown to agree very well with experimental data on metals, ceramics, and silicates. It is therefore inferred that the Peierls stress may play an important role in power law creep as in Harper-Dorn creep.
Flux-Pinned Interfaces for the Assembly, Manipulation, and Reconfiguration of Modular Space Systems

Non-contacting interactions between permanent magnets and superconductors known as “flux pinning” provide a novel way to fix many modular space systems in desired relative positions and orientations, from space stations to close-proximity formations. When cooled appropriately, these flux-pinned interfaces require no power or active control and very little mass but provide very high mechanical stiffness (>200 N/m for a few hundred grams of material) and damping (2% of critical) between modules, making the technology ideal for in-orbit assembly applications. We describe new measurements and simulations to characterize these values for spacecraft applications. Flux-pinned interfaces have so far achieved inter-module separations in the 8–10 cm range with ∼100 g of mass on each module, with the prospect of larger separations. We also discuss several means to actuate the noncontacting couplers, which is a first step toward the development of devices for the noncontacting manipulation and reconfiguration of modular space systems.
Barrier mechanisms in the Drosophila blood-brain barrier.

The invertebrate blood-brain barrier field is growing at a rapid pace and, in recent years, studies have shown a physiologic and molecular complexity that has begun to rival its vertebrate counterpart. Novel mechanisms of paracellular barrier maintenance through GPCR signaling were the first demonstrations of the complex adaptive mechanisms of barrier physiology. Building upon this work, the integrity of the invertebrate blood-brain barrier has recently been shown to require coordinated function of all layers of the compound barrier structure, analogous to signaling between the layers of the vertebrate neurovascular unit. These findings strengthen the notion that many blood-brain barrier mechanisms are conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates, and suggest that novel findings in invertebrate model organisms will have a significant impact on the understanding of vertebrate BBB functions. In this vein, important roles in coordinating localized and systemic signaling to dictate organism development and growth are beginning to show how the blood-brain barrier can govern whole animal physiologies. This includes novel functions of blood-brain barrier gap junctions in orchestrating synchronized neuroblast proliferation, and of blood-brain barrier secreted antagonists of insulin receptor signaling. These advancements and others are pushing the field forward in exciting new directions. In this review, we provide a synopsis of invertebrate blood-brain barrier anatomy and physiology, with a focus on insights from the past 5 years, and highlight important areas for future study.
Developmental Programming by Androgen Affects the Circadian Timing System in Female Mice

Circadian clocks play essential roles in the timing of events in the mammalian hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. The molecular oscillator driving these rhythms has been localized to tissues of the HPO axis. It has been suggested that synchrony among these oscillators is a feature of normal reproductive function. The impact of fertility disorders on clock function and the role of the clock in the etiology of endocrine pathology remain unknown. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a particularly devastating fertility disorder, affecting 5%-10% of women at childbearing age with features including a polycystic ovary, anovulation, and elevated serum androgen. Approximately 40% of these women have metabolic syndrome, marked by hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. It has been suggested that developmental exposure to excess androgen contributes to the etiology of fertility disorders, including PCOS. To better define the role of the timing system in these disorders, we determined the effects of androgen-dependent developmental programming on clock gene expression in tissues of the metabolic and HPO axes. Female PERIOD2::luciferase (PER2::LUC) mice were exposed to androgen (dihydrotestosterone [DHT]) in utero (Days 16-18 of gestation) or for 9-10 wk (DHT pellet) beginning at weaning (pubertal androgen excess [PAE]). As expected, both groups of androgen-treated mice had disrupted estrous cycles. Analysis of PER2::LUC expression in tissue explants revealed that excess androgen produced circadian misalignment via tissue-dependent effects on phase distribution. In vitro treatment with DHT differentially affected the period of PER2::LUC expression in tissue explants and granulosa cells, indicating that androgen has direct and tissue-specific effects on clock gene expression that may account for the effects of developmental programming on the timing system.
The refinement of ipsilateral eye retinotopic maps is increased by removing the dominant contralateral eye in adult mice.

Background Shortly after eye opening, initially disorganized visual cortex circuitry is rapidly refined to form smooth retinotopic maps. This process asymptotes long before adulthood, but it is unknown whether further refinement is possible. Prior work from our lab has shown that the retinotopic map of the non-dominant ipsilateral eye develops faster when the dominant contralateral eye is removed. We examined whether input from the contralateral eye might also limit the ultimate refinement of the ipsilateral eye retinotopic map in adults. In addition, we examined whether the increased refinement involved the recruitment of adjacent cortical area.
A Markov chain approach to study flow disruptions on surgery in emergency care

The work flow of surgical operations in emergency department can be interrupted due to various disruptions. Reducing such disruptions is of significant importance to ensure successful operations. In this paper, we introduce a continuous time Markov chain model to analyze the disruptions and their impacts. Analytical formulas have been derived to evaluate the probabilities of normal operations and disruptions. A continuous improvement method has been developed to identify the disruption that impedes surgical operation in the strongest manner. Such a disruption is referred to as the bottleneck disruption (BN-d). Reducing the interruption time of the BNd can lead to the largest improvement in normal operation. An application of the method at an emergency department of a large academic medical center is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the model and the improvement approach. It is discovered that the disruption due to coordination problem is the system bottleneck.
Staged groin flap in reconstruction of the pediatric hand

In 24 staged groin flaps in 21 patients in the pediatric age group, primary full survival was seen in 83%, whereas some flap necrosis required excision and advancement in 17%. There were no cases of flap separation related to poor cooperation of the patient. This procedure in children is similar to the reliable staged groin flap in adults and would appear to compare favorably to free transfer of skin flaps.
Correlation effects in the surface energy of metals

Abstract It is argued that the correlation energy plays a minor role in the surface energy of metals, compared to kinetic, electrostatic and exchange energies. Recent work in which the surface energy is attributed primarily to changes in plasmon zero point energy during the creation of the surface is criticized.
CCD PHOTOMETRY OF A SEQUENCE NEAR NGC 300

New V, B-V and V-I photometry is presented for a sequence near NGC 300, a nearby spiral galaxy in the South Galactic Cap. In combination with earlier work, reliable photometry is now available for 26 stars ranging over more than 13 magnitudes in brightness.
Normal ages of pubertal events among American males and females

This study identifies the mean and standard deviations of the chronologic age of the attainment of a variety of important events of puberty in American males and females. The information is based on longitudinal observations at 6-month intervals with the first observation of each particular pubertal characteristic being documented within 6 months of its appearance. The mean (±SD) ages of pubic hair and genital or breast stages, and onset of peak weight gain, peak height velocity, acne and axillary hair are given for both sexes. Menarche is documented for females, and gynecomastia, voice break and change, and facial hair for males. These data show the range of individual age variation of normal pubertal events. Puberty may begin from age 8.0 to 14.9 years for females and from age 9.7 to 14.1 years for males and is complete by age 12.4 to 16.8 years for females and by age 13.7 to 17.9 years for males.
Vacuum-Belt Drying of Rabbiteye Blueberry ( Vaccinium ashei ) Slurries: Influence of Drying Conditions on Physical and Quality Properties of Blueberry Powder

Continuous vacuum-belt drying was studied as a means to produce high-quality powders from blueberry slurries, with limited degradation of anthocyanins. Drying was performed at three different temperatures (80, 95, 110 °C) and the resulting dried material (a w ∼ 0.2) ground into powders. Drying times ranged from 70 min at 80 °C to 50 min at 110 °C. Maltodextrin (MD) was used as a drying agent at three levels (0.3, 0.45, and 0.6 kg/kg dry blueberry solid). Powders were purple, with no signs of browning, and similar in appearance to those produced by freeze-drying. Increasing MD level and drying temperature decreased the hygroscopicity of the powders. Moisture isotherms showed type 3 behavior and were well-fit with the Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer equation. Higher levels of MD improved flowability of the powders, with >93 % of the powders with MD flowing from the test fixture after 30 s, compared to only 62.1 % emerging for powders without MD. Powders dried at 80 °C were slightly darker (L* = 25.73–28.4) than those produced 110 °C (L* = 27.10–28.53), presumably due to less degradation of anthocyanins. Total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) for MD dried at 80 °C (13.1 mg C3G/g) were not different than for freeze-dried blueberries. Higher drying temperatures caused some loss of TMA. Higher levels of MD result in lower TMA by increasing the amount of dry matter in the powders. Vacuum-belt drying at 80 °C with 0.3 kg MD/kg dry solids produced non-sticky powders with anthocyanin content similar to freeze-dried powders.
Interrelations Between Photoperiod, Frost Hardiness and Sulfhydryl Groups in Cabbage

Hardening of SD (8 and 12 hrs) and LD (18- and 24-hr photoperiods) cabbage plants in stages at temperatures starting with + 5 degrees and ending with - 3 degrees led to the following changes:Soluble protein plus nonprotein N showed a net increase only in the SD plants. In both SD and LD plants, it decreased to a minimum toward the end of the first stage of hardening, increased to a maximum in the second stage. The degree of this change was proportional to the photoperiod. These changes were mainly due to the proteins.As in previous investigations, SH content rose during the first 1 to 2 weeks, but only in the SD plants. This rise was primarily due to the protein fraction. After the first 1 to 2 weeks both SD and LD plants showed a decrease in SH content, most pronouncedly during the second stage of hardening.Nonprotein SH content was very low and decreased during hardening in both SD and LD plants. Nonprotein SS increased during the first stage of hardening. Total nonprotein SH+2SS rose to a maximum during the first stage of hardening, paralleling both osmotic potential and hardiness. During the second stage the total decreased, in spite of the rise in hardiness. These results held true for both SD and LD plants.These results are all explainable on the basis of the SHright harpoon over left harpoonSS theory of frost resistance.
State-complexity of finite-state devices, state compressibility and incompressibility

We study how the number of states may change when we convert between different finite-state devices. The devices that we consider are finite automata that are one-way or two-way, deterministic or nondeterministic or alternating. We obtain several new simulation results (e.g., ann-state 2NFA can be simulated by a 1NFA with ≤ 8 n + 2 states, and by a 1AFA with ≤n 2 states), and state-incompressibility results (e.g., in order to simulate ann-state 2DFA, a 1NFA needs ≥√/2 n−2 states, and a 2AFA needs ≥c√n states for some constant c, in general).
Leveraging gesture and voice data to improve group brainstorming

We seek to investigate how co-located group brainstorming could be enhanced through computational tools that leverage gestures and voice cues. To pursue this goal we are developing a computer mediated brainstorming environment that utilizes reality-based interaction techniques and sensor-driven Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) tracking group engagement to computationally augment existing brainstorming practices. In this paper, we report the results of a preliminary user study of brainstorming practices that indicate that gesture and voice data can serve as signals for group brainstorming success.
The microscopic identification of demerol

Optical crystallographic data essential for the rapid and accurate microscopic identification of isonipecaine (Demerol) are reported.
A 28GHz hybrid PLL in 32nm SOI CMOS

A hybrid PLL is introduced, which features a simple switched resistor analog proportional path filter in parallel with a highly digital integral path. The integral path control scheme for the LC-tank VCO includes a novel linearly scaled capacitor bank configuration. At 28 GHz the RMS jitter is 199fs (1MHz to 1GHz), phase noise is -110dBc/Hz at 10MHz offset. The 140×160μm2 32nm SOI CMOS PLL locks from 23.8 to 30.2 GHz, and draws 31mA from a 1V supply.
Performance characteristics of urinalyses for the diagnosis of pediatric urinary tract infection

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether point-of-care (POCT) urinalysis (UA) is as accurate as laboratory-performed UA in diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the pediatric emergency department (PED). Basic procedures This was a retrospective series of children (0-18 years old) seen at a tertiary care PED from July 2008 to December 2012 in whom UA and urine culture were obtained. Urinalyses were considered positive if leukocyte esterase and/or nitrites were positive. Performance characteristics for the 2 types of UAs were calculated using urine culture as the reference standard. Main findings A total of 43 452 specimens were sent for laboratory-performed UA and culture, and 6492, for POCT UA and culture (in 2908 specimens, both UAs were performed). Sixty-four percent of specimens were from girls, 51% were catheterized, and 7.5% had UTIs. The sensitivity of POCT UAs and laboratory-performed UAs was 82.5% (confidence interval [CI], 79.4%-85.3%) and 89.1% (CI, 86.4%-88.8%), respectively. The superior performance of laboratory-performed UAs was driven by the sensitivity of microscopy. Laboratory-performed UAs were more sensitive than the POCT in girls (90.6% [CI, 89.4%-91.8%] vs 82.8% [79.4%-85.8%]). Principal conclusions Although POCT UAs offer more rapid turnaround times, the sensitivity is greater for laboratory-performed UAs. Given the difficulty in following up PED patients after discharge as well as the potential morbidity from untreated UTIs, the rapidity of the POCT UA must be balanced against the lower sensitivity of this assay. The benefit of more accurate diagnosis may outweigh the potentially longer PED length of stay associated with a laboratory-performed UA.
Heat transfer in the critical region

Heat transfer coefficients were measured experimentally for carbon dioxide in turbulent flow in an 0.18-in. I.D. pipe. The pressure was 1,200 lb./sq. in. abs. and the bulk temperature varied from 70° to 120°F. In this critical region the coefficients between fluid and tube wall ranged from 300 to 2,600 B.t.u./(hr.)(sq. ft./°F.) over a Reynolds number interval of 30,000 to 300,000. Existing empirical and semitheoretical correlations were found inadequate in this region, where the thermal conductivity, viscosity, density, and specific heat are all varying rapidly and nonuniformly with temperature. A method of integrating the heat and momentum transfer equations with variable physical properties, recently proposed by Deissler, was applied to the experimental data and found to fit well. The application required extensive calculations, which were carried out with an Electrodata digital computer. A simplified procedure was proposed for estimating heat transfer coefficients in the critical region by using a semitheoretical equation developed for zero heat flow. Simple rules were suggested for estimating the temperature at which to evaluate the physical properties when this equation is applied to the realt case of finite heat transfer. The method worked well when compared with the computed heat transfer coefficients of Deissler for supercritical wate but showed about 30% deviation when compared with the carbon dioxide results. This discrepancy is believed due to the fact that the carbon dioxide was very close to the critical point (reduced pressure = 1.1) but the water was somewhat further removed (reduced pressure = 1.6).
An incremental unsupervised learning scheme for function approximation

A new algorithm for general robust function approximation by an artificial neural network is presented. The basis for this work is Fritzke's supervised growing cell structures approach (1993) which combines supervised and unsupervised learning. It is extended by the capability of resampling the function under examination automatically, and by the definition of a new error measure which enables an accurate approximation of arbitrary goal functions.
Monitoring Plasma HIV-1 RNA Levels in Addition to CD4+ Lymphocyte Count Improves Assessment of Antiretroviral Therapeutic Response

Background: CD4+ lymphocyte counts and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels predict progression of HIV-related disease, but the relative importance of these and other virological factors in defining response to...
Information fusion for spoken document retrieval

Investigates the fusion of different information sources, with the goal of improving performance on spoken document retrieval (SDR) tasks. In particular, we explore the use of multiple transcriptions from different automatic speech recognizers, the combination of different types of subword unit indexing terms, and the combination of word- and subword-based units. To perform the retrieval, we use a novel probabilistic information retrieval model which retrieves documents based on maximum likelihood ratio scores. Experiments on the 1998 TREC-7 SDR task show that the use of these different information fusion approaches can result in significantly improved retrieval performance.
Maternal death resulting from acute gastric hemorrhage due to Schistosoma mansoni. Report of a case.

Abstract A maternal mortality resulting from acute gastric hemorrhage due to S. mansoni has been described. The authors feel that with the increasing influx of Central and South Americans into the continental United States, parasitic infestation is a real public health problem affecting all of the medical specialties and it must be recognized as such.
Oriented Light-Field Windows for Scene Flow

2D spatial image windows are used for comparing pixel values in computer vision applications such as correspondence for optical flow and 3D reconstruction, bilateral filtering, and image segmentation. However, pixel window comparisons can suffer from varying defocus blur and perspective at different depths, and can also lead to a loss of precision. In this paper, we leverage the recent use of light-field cameras to propose alternative oriented light-field windows that enable more robust and accurate pixel comparisons. For Lambertian surfaces focused to the correct depth, the 2D distribution of angular rays from a pixel remains consistent. We build on this idea to develop an oriented 4D light-field window that accounts for shearing (depth), translation (matching), and windowing. Our main application is to scene flow, a generalization of optical flow to the 3D vector field describing the motion of each point in the scene. We show significant benefits of oriented light-field windows over standard 2D spatial windows. We also demonstrate additional applications of oriented light-field windows for bilateral filtering and image segmentation.
Safety and Efficacy of Retropubic Mid-urethral Sling Placement in Women Who Void With Valsalva.

Objective To compare outcomes after retropubic sling (RPS) in women with and without Valsalva voiding. Methods Women who underwent RPS for stress incontinence from 2010 to 2014 were identified and their baseline characteristics were examined. Valsalva voiding was defined as abdominal straining throughout voiding on preoperative urodynamics. Sub-analysis of those with Valsalva included a subset with detrusor underactivity on urodynamics. Follow-up was at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary outcomes were rates of subjective success, revisions, complications, and voiding dysfunction. Secondary measures were Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) score, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) score, post-void residual, and pad use. Results Subjects (n = 141) analyzed included 75 Valsalva voiders (VV) and 66 non-Valsalva voiders. At baseline, there were no differences in age, race, comorbidity, post-void residual, pad use, UDI-6, or capacity. Postoperatively, there were no differences in rates of passing initial void trial, need for clean intermittent catheterization, revisions, complications, or voiding dysfunction. No differences in pad use, UDI-6, or IIQ-7 were seen at 6 or 12 months. Within VV, no differences between patients with and without detrusor underactivity were seen for any primary or secondary outcomes (all P > .05). Conclusion In patients who void with Valsalva, RPS appears to be safe and effective. Between VV and non-Valsalva voiders, there were no differences in rates of subjective success, revisions, or complications, even in patients with Valsalva voiding without appreciable detrusor contraction.
Relation of brain stem to renal electrolyte excretion.

SummaryIn anesthetized dogs, bipolar stimulation (0.5 volt, 5/sec.) of the caudal portion of the floor of the fourth ventricle resulted in increased renal excretion of sodium and chloride, and a smaller increase in potassium excretion in 5 instances, slight changes in 3, and decreased excretion in 2. In 2 dogs, increasing the stimulus to 1 volt resulted in a decreased excretion rate of these electrolytes.
296 IMMUNE RECOGNITION OF DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA OF VIRAL ORIGIN

The ˜10 members of the Toll-like receptor family trigger the production of inflammatory mediators when microbes are detected by innate immune cells. These signals modulate innate immune defense and are critical for orchestrating adaptive immune activation. Distinct (though overlapping) inflammatory responses are induced to combat different microbes and this specificity is mediated in part by selective adapter signaling molecule usage by the individual TLRs. TLR3 is unique compared to the other TLRs in that it does not utilize the adapter, MyD88. However, this interpretation follows from the measurement of an incomplete set of immune responses to the TLR3 ligand, double-stranded RNA. Interpretation further is complicated by the observation that murine macrophages exhibit heterogeneous cell-cell responses to double-stranded RNA. Using mRNA expression measurements by microarrays, we have characterized the role for different signaling adapters in global expression responses to purified stimuli, and the mechanisms for heterogeneity in single cell responses are being defined.
Platelet-bound complement (C3) in immune thrombocytopenia.

The fixation of complement to the circulating platelet in immune thrombocytopenia was detected by measurement of one of the complement components, C3, on the surface of platelets from patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using the anti-C3 consumption assay. The surface IgG was determined simultaneously using the previously described anti- IgG consumption assay. Washed platelets from normal controls had 3.5 fg (10(-15) g) of C3, or about 11,000 molecules, per platelet, an amount comparable to the IgG (4.1 FG, or 15,000 molecules, per platelet). For most patients with ITP both C3 and IgG were increased on the platelet surface, although for 5 of 16 patients only IgG was increased. Two patients with SLE and thrombocytopenia had an increase in both C3 and Ig, six patients with SLE who were not thrombocytopenic had normal amounts of membrane-bound C3 and IgG. In 5 patients, 3 with ITP and 2 with collagen vascular disease, both surface immunoproteins decreased with successful treatment of the thrombocytopenia.
Exposure to cocaine: behavioral outcomes in preschool and school-age children.

Within the last 5 years, increasing numbers of children exposed prenatally to cocaine and crack have been evaluated in the preschool and school-age years. Although there are few published reports to date about the findings of longitudinal followup efforts beyond the first 12 to 24 months of age (Chasnoff et al. 1992; Griffith et al. 1994), sufficient data are beginning to emerge from animal and human studies to allow some refinement of hypotheses and more informed choices of measures for studying such children.
Implementing Continuous Integration

If you've followed along until now, you have already accomplished quite a lot. You learned how to use the Agile Project Management tools, looked into increasing the quality of your code, and learned how Visual Studio and Visual Studio Team Services support you in these endeavors. On your road to DevOps and continuous delivery, the next step to take is setting up continuous integration. What is continuous integration and why do you need it? This chapter will show you what continuous integration is and how you can configure it for your projects. You will also learn about SonarQube, a specialized tool for measuring the quality of your code on a continuous basis.
Social Media in Employee Selection and Recruitment: An Overview

Although social media are increasingly used in the employee selection and recruitment process, six significant challenges remain. First, reliability and validity is unknown. Second, even if reliable and valid, social media data may not be practical. Third, even if practical, the use of such information may not be legal. Fourth, even if legal, their use may not be ethical. Fifth, even if ethical, it is unclear how to optimally include them in existing systems. Sixth, even if optimal strategies are developed, they may be rendered obsolete at a pace too quick for academic researchers to match, at least as academic research in this domain is currently published and disseminated. This does not frame such research as useless but rather highlights the need for a faster and more comprehensive approach to studying it.
Carotid Artery Dolichoectasia and Kissing Internal Carotid Arteries

Various vascular anomalies of the internal carotid arteries (ICAs) may occasionally arise in the sellar and parasellar region and warrant attention from treating physicians.
Knowledge and its use in a program for going from one place to another

The mental processes involved in any human activities seem quite complex. Considering as an example going from one place to another, this paper analyzes mental behavior in terms of the representation and use of knowledge. We describe a network memory to represent knowledge, give an account of the mental processes, and present a program that simulates our behavior, for the particular problem.
Coronary angiography and failure to rescue after postoperative myocardial infarction in patients with coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Abstract Background We evaluated coronary angiography use among patients with coronary stents suffering postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) and the association with mortality. Methods Patients with prior coronary stenting who underwent inpatient noncardiac surgery in Veterans Affairs hospitals between 2000 and 2012 and experienced postoperative MI were identified. Predictors of 30-day post-MI mortality were evaluated. Results Following 12,096 operations, 353 (2.9%) patients had postoperative MI and 58 (16.4%) died. Post-MI coronary angiography was performed in 103 (29.2%) patients. Coronary angiography was not associated with 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR]: .70, 95% CI: .35–1.42). Instead, 30-day mortality was predicted by revised cardiac risk index ≥3 (OR 1.91, 95% CI: 1.04–3.50) and prior bare metal stent (OR 2.12, 95% CI: 1.04–4.33). Conclusions Less than one-third of patients with coronary stents suffering postoperative MI underwent coronary angiography. Significant predictors of mortality were higher revised cardiac risk index and prior bare metal stent. These findings highlight the importance of comorbidities in predicting mortality following postoperative MI.