cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The absence of rapid X-ray variability in active galaxies

Variations on time scales ranging from minutes to several hours in the X-ray flux from 54 observations of 38 active galaxies are identified. The sample is composed mostly of Seyfert I galaxies but also includes radio galaxies, NELG's BL Lacs and 3C 273. Only NGC 6814 varied on time scales as short as 100 sec. No other source was observed to vary with a time scale of less than 12 hours. Large amplitude short term variations are not a characteristic of the X-ray emission from active galaxies. Upper limits on sigma sub I/I ranged from 2% for Cen A, 5% for NGC 4151, to approximately 20% for sources giving 1 ct/sec in the detector. Three objects NGC 3227, NGC 4151 and MCG 5-23-16 show variability consistent with a time scale of approximately 1 day. Ways to reconcile the rapid variability seen for NGC 6814 (and NGC 4051) with the general stability observed for the other objects are considered.
Effect of fiber diameter on tensile properties of electrospun poly(ɛ-caprolactone)

Abstract The tensile properties of electrospun fibers have not been widely investigated due to the difficulties in handling nanofibers and measuring low load for deformation. In this study, the effect of dimensional confinement on free standing biodegradable poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) is investigated using electrospinning-enabled techniques and a nanoforce tensile tester. The structural properties such as crystallinity and molecular orientation of the spun fibers are examined using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The degree of crystallinity and molecular orientation of fibers are enhanced when the diameter of spun fibers is reduced, resulting in improved mechanical strength and stiffness. It is evident that PCL fibers with decreasing fiber diameter exhibit an abrupt shift in tensile performance in comparison to those derived from non-spun systems. The abrupt shift in tensile strength and stiffness of electrospun PCL fibers occurs at around 700 nm in diameter and illustrates the importance of studying the mechanical behavior of the nanofibers, for the first time, systematically with the aid from electrospinning techniques. This shift cannot be otherwise explained by a noticeable change in T g , and the gradual increase in crystallinity and molecular orientation.
Metabolism and elimination of α-hydroxyethane sulphonate by rats

Summary Potassium α-hydroxyethane [ 35 S]sulphonate was administered in the drinking-water to male albino rats (weighing 100 g) as a single dose equivalent to 50 mg SO 2 /kg. After 48 hr, 72–85% of the 35 S had been excreted in the urine and 10–15% in the faeces. After 2 wk, less than 1.5% remained in the carcass. Of the urinary 35 S, 90–95% was in the form of inorganic sulphate and the rest was not precipitable by barium. No evidence was obtained that unchanged α-hydroxyethane sulphonate was excreted. No signs of toxicity were observed.
Instantaneous flux measurements using the background signal of the rhodium self-powered neutron detector

Abstract The background current produced by a rhodium self-powered neutron detector (RSPND) with an integral background lead has been investigated to determine its relationship to the neutron flux seen by the detector. The background current and steady state flux were measured at the core midplane for all fuel assemblies, and good linearity was seen. Under transient conditions, the background current, when delayed fission product decay contributions are included, follows the flux reasonably well although with a slight lag. This opens the possibility of using the RSPND during transient conditions.
Examining the roots of educational demand: The case supporting rural agrarian development

Abstract The effort to manage educational growth in Kenya has relied heavily upon cost-sharing, curricular reform, and private initiative. The result has been an unrestrained expansion of educational opportunity at all levels. The cost, approaching 40% of the recurrent government budget, is not sustainable. This paper revives an old solution that has been fully considered in the dialogue regarding educational reform, i.e., rural agrarian development. Because the vast majority of Kenyans are dependent upon the land for their livelihood, they have been forced by growing land scarcity to seek wage employment. In turn, education has become the prerequisite for such employment. In order to moderate the demand for education, the economic strategies of Kenyan smallholders must be altered. This can be done by increasing the efficiency of resource use in the ural areas and increasing access to land, in addition to the current employment generation efforts.
The developmental progression of depression in female children

An important early step in the classification of childhood depression from a developmental perspective is the identification of age-specific signs and symptoms. Assessment must take into account the child's level of functioning within the cognitive, social, and affective domains.
Intra-specific variation within Eimeria tenella detected by the random amplification of polymorphic DNA.

The random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD method), was used to derive fragments of DNA of the coccidial parasiteEimeria tenella for use both as genetic markers and as an aid for the discrimination of different wild-type and attenuated populations. Of 41 arbitrarily chosen 9-to 27-mer primers, 24 yielded useful arrays of fragments following low-stringency annealing conditions and the resultant profiles were generally very reproducible. One non-variant fragment of 2 kb hybridised to a single chromosome (number 12) and four variant fragments were identified. These results strongly suggest that the RAPD method may be an extremely useful tool for studies on various aspects of the genetic organisation of coccidial parasites.
Fungal metabolism of 3‐nitrofluoranthene

We investigated the metabolism of 3‐nitrofluoranthene by filamentous fungus, Cunning‐hamella elegans ATCC 36112. Cunninghamella elegans metabolized about 72% of the 3‐nitro[3,4‐14C]fluoranthene added during 144 h of incubation to 2 major metabolites. These metabolites were separated by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography and identified as 3‐nitrofluoranthene‐8‐sulfate and 3‐nitrofluoranthene‐9‐sulfate by ‘H nuclear magnetic resonance, UV‐visible, and mass spectral techniques. These results, in conjunction with previous studies on the fungal metabolism of fluoranthene, indicate that the nitro substituent at the C‐3 position of fluoranthene sterically hinders epoxidation and shifts metabolism to the C‐8 and C‐9 positions. Since the phenolic microsomal metabolites of 3‐nitrofluoranthene are mutagenic, the formation of sulfate conjugates of 8‐ and 9‐hydroxy‐3‐nitrofluoranthene by C. elegans suggests that the fungal metabolic pathways may be beneficial for detoxification of this ubiquitous po...
Microarray analysis of gene expression during epithelial-mesenchymal transformation.

One of the most fundamental biological processes in development, as well as a primary mechanism for tumor metastasis, is epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT). To gain a greater understanding of this transition, we have obtained a genomic profile of the critical stages before and during this rapid change in morphology in the developing mouse palate. By isolating the medial edge epithelium of each palatal shelf, we were able to obtain pure gene expression data without contamination from surrounding mesenchymal cells. Our results support the important role of the TGF-β/Smad signal transduction pathway in the stimulation of EMT by means of up-regulation of the EMT-inducing gene, LEF-1. We document changes in gene expression profiles during palatal adherence and subsequent transformation of the medial edge epithelial seam that suggests a high number of LEF-1 target genes promote cellular transformation to mesenchyme. These include genes involved in cell adhesion, polarity, cytoskeletal dynamics, migration, and intracellular signaling. This knowledge of the changes in gene expression levels during palatogenesis should lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of EMT. Developmental Dynamics 234:132–142, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Diagnosis and treatment of botulism: a century later, clinical suspicion remains the cornerstone.

ically defined cases of wound botulism. Wheeler and colleagues surely know wound botulism when they see it, because they consult on most wound botulism cases, and to the mind of most experts familiar with the diagnostic challenges of botulism, they are fully justified in using clinical diagnosis as the gold standard against which to measure the mouse bioassay’s limited sensitivity. The sensitivity calculated in the article is not the intrinsic sensitivity of a test under ideal laboratory conditions, but rather that of the clinical setting, calculation of which depends on a complicated set of real-world factors. This calculation must take into account the quality of the gold standard clinical diagnosis, which depends on the initial astuteness of the admitting physician and the diagnostic skill of the California Department of Public Health consultant, and variations in toxin levels in clinical samples, which depend on the timeliness of sample collection, the size of the Clostridium botulinum colony in the infected wound, kinetics of toxin absorption from the abscess, its migrations to the extracirculatory compartment, and possibly other factors. One must also keep in mind that the sensitivity of mouse bioassay results may be different for the other principal forms of botulism—foodborne botulism and infant botulism. Most foodborne botulism cases are diagnosed by other expert con
A collaborative model of feedback in human-computer interaction

Feedback plays an important role in human-computer interaction. It provides the user with evidence of closure, thus satisfying the communication expectations that users have when engaging in a dialogue. In this paper we present a model identifying five feedback states that must be communicated to the user to fulfill the communication expectations of a dialogue. The model is based on a linguistics theory of conversation, but is applied to a graphical user interface. An experiment is described in which we test users expectations and their behavior when those expectations are not met. The model subsumes some of the temporal requirements for feedback previously reported in the human-computer interaction literature.
Five-year Follow-up of Vietnamese Refugee Children in the United States

The purpose of this study was to investigate the present physical, mental, and psycho-social health of Vietnamese refugee children. Questionnaires were sent or given to adoptive families, foster families, and Vietnamese children living in the United States with their family units. Otitis media, respiratory ailments, and varicella constituted a large number of their initial medical problems. Severe nightmares and temper tantrums occurred frequently during their first year. It was found that the children's health and emotional problems improved markedly after the first year. Despite stormy pasts, present social and school problems are minimal, and some children appear to be high achievers. Most of the Vietnamese children, especially those who were adopted, are doing much better than we anticipated. Advance preparation and guidance given by the involved agencies appear to be of significance in achieving these excellent results.
Cutaneous Lesions: Benign and Malignant

This article reviews the clinical characteristics, histology, biologic behavior, and recommended treatment for several benign and malignant lesions that may arise on the head and neck. Nevus sebaceus and congenital melanocytic nevus are two benign lesions that can present at a size of several centimeters. Surgical excision may be considered for cosmetic purposes and to reduce the small risk for the development of malignancy within each lesion. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma, lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and Merkel cell carcinoma are malignant lesions for which surgical excision is the recommended treatment. Local flap reconstruction may be used to address the surgical defects resulting from excision of these benign and malignant conditions.
Reproductive synchronization in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri)

Groups of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri) that are exposed to certain seasonal environmental stimuli experience a yearly reproductive cycle with discrete mating and birth seasons. Seasonal rainfall or some rainfall induced seasonal changes (such as changes in vegetation or insect fauna) appear to be responsible for timing theSaimiri reproductive cycle. Animals of both sexes show significant physiological and behavioral changes during the yearly cycle. Whether the environmental timing factors affect both the males and the females equally, or affect only one sex directly and the other sex indirectly through social communication is not clear. Three mechanisms by which the reproductive activity of both males and females could be synchronized are presented, and data from a laboratory study and a field study relevant to each mechanism are presented. Several social interaction patterns frequently observed in the field study suggest that (1) male sexual activity may excite female sexual activity through male penile display and/or other stereotyped interactions and/or (2) female sexual activity may excite male sexual activity through pheromone and/or other communication channels.
Urodynamic Findings in Children With Myelomeningocele After Untethering of the Spinal Cord

Purpose: The effect on bladder function of tethered spinal cord release in individuals with myelomeningocele differs in published studies, and the benefit has been the subject of debate. We studied the urodynamic findings in a consecutively treated population.Materials and Methods: Of 120 children born with myelomeningocele between 1986 and 1999, 20 underwent surgery for the tethered cord syndrome at a median age of 8 years (range 2 to 13). Time points for cystometry used for comparison were before symptoms at a median age of 20 months (range 9 to 106), a median of 5 months preoperatively (1 to 33) and at 12 months postoperatively (6 to 19). Severe bladder dysfunction was defined as basal pressure more than 40 and/or overactivity greater than 60 cm H2O, moderate dysfunction as basal pressure 20 to 40 and/or overactivity 20 to 60 cm H2O, and mild dysfunction as basal pressure less than 20 cm H2O.Results: Of the 20 patients who underwent untethering 7 had improvement to a milder dysfunctional level, while 1...
Does diagnostic delay lead invariably to damage in episodic pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction?

Abstract Objective To determine the relationship between the length of history and renal function in patients with symptomatic pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction in childhood. Patients and methods The study included 41 children with symptomatic PUJ obstruction. The duration and details of their symptoms were recorded and the differential renal function estimated by isotopic renography. Results The median (range) duration of symptoms was 24 (0.25–84) months; there was no statistically significant relationship between the duration of symptoms and differential function at presentation ( P = 0.148). Conclusion There is no correlation between the duration of symptoms and renal function in children with PUJ obstruction. A delay in diagnosis cannot be directly linked to permanent renal compromise.
Studying Employers and Their Employees: Comparative Approaches

This introductory article discusses some issues related to the collection and analysis of data on employers and their employees Some of the main charactenstics of data sets that are useful for examining issues about employment relations are discussed first. Two major research designs that have been utilized to collect such data are then descnbed One approach begins with a sample of organizations and then selects employees within them; the other uses a sample of individual; to obtain an organizational sample. Both approaches are useful for generating multilevel data on organizations and individuals. These two approaches are illustrated by the data sets used by the authors of articles in this special issue, which addresses substantive issues such as: earnings differences, work autonomy, firm internal labor markets, organizational commitment, and selection methods.
Dose-dependent effects of milk lipids on sex hormone and blood lipid levels in male mice.

Zusammenfassung Dosisabhangige Einflusse von Milchlipiden auf Sexualhormon- und Blutlipid-Werte bei mannlichen Mausen Im Tierexperiment wurde 21 Tage alten mannlichen Mausen eine Kost zugefuhrt, die aus Vollmilchpulver bestand; diese Kost fuhrte zu einem dosisabhangigen Anstieg des Samenblasengewichtes. In dem Mase, wie die Lipide in der Kost anstiegen, stieg der Blutcholesterinwert. Die Triglyceride waren hoch und umgekehrt verwandt zur Lipid-aufnahme. Die peripheren Androgenkonzentrationen fielen mit steigender Lipidauf-nahme und einem Anstieg des Gewichtes der Samenblasen ab; das bedeutet nach Meinung der Autoren moglicherweise eine Verschiebung des Hormons zum Targetorgan-Gewebe.
On top-k social web search

To enhance the quality of document search, recent research studies have started to exploit the social networks of users by considering social influence (SI), measurement of the affinity between a query user and the publisher of a retrieved document, in addition to the commonly used textual relevance (TR). We refer to such document search that considers social networks as social web search. In this paper, we focus on efficient top-k social web search and propose two search strategies: (i) TR-based search and (ii) SI-based search that tailor document examination orders upon TR and SI, respectively. We evaluate the proposed strategies through experimentation.
Quantum effects in cryogenic microwave voltage amplifiers

Abstract It is shown that in cryogenic microwave voltage amplifiers the standard definition of the noise figure F can be used and that it leads to the classical result without quantum effects. However, the available output noise power Pav of such an amplifier with available gain Gav is found to be FkTΔfG av ( E kT ) , where E = 1 2 hf + hf [ exp ( hf kT ) − 1] is the average energy of an harmonic oscillator of frequency f at the temperature T and E kT is the quantum correction factor for thermal nose and shot noise. A discussion shows that this quantum effect might be measurable at 50–100 GHz and T = 4-2°K.
Athletes who train on unstable compared to stable surfaces exhibit unique postural control strategies in response to balance perturbations.

Abstract Background Athletes have been shown to exhibit better balance compared to non-athletes (NON). However, few studies have investigated how the surface on which athletes train affects the strategies adopted to maintain balance. Two distinct athlete groups who experience different types of sport-specific balance training are stable surface athletes (SSA) such as basketball players and those who train on unstable surfaces (USA) such as surfers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of training surface on dynamic balance in athletes compared to NON. Methods Eight NON, eight SSA, and eight USA performed five 20-s trials in each of five experimental conditions including a static condition and four dynamic conditions in which the support surface translated in the anteroposterior (AP) or mediolateral (ML) planes using positive or negative feedback paradigms. Approximate entropy (ApEn) and root mean square distance (RMS) of the center of pressure (CoP) were calculated for the AP and ML directions. Four 3 × 5 (group × condition) repeated measures ANOVAs were used to determine significant effects of group and condition on variables of interest. Results USA exhibited smaller ApEn values than SSA in the AP signals while no significant differences were observed in the ML CoP signals. Generally, the negative feedback conditions were associated with significantly greater RMS values than the positive feedback conditions. Conclusion USA exhibit unique postural strategies compared to SSA. These unique strategies seemingly exhibit a direction-specific attribute and may be associated with divergent motor control strategies.
Mac-1+ bone marrow cells include precursors of B cells and T cells.

Previous studies of lymphomas and normal cells suggested that the putatively macrophage-specific antigen, Mac-1 may be expressed by precursors of the B cell lineage. This possibility was tested by analyzing the potential of sorted Mac-1+ cells from adult bone marrow (BM) to reconstitute CB.17-scid mice or sublethally irradiated B6-Ly-5.2 congenic mice. The results show that Mac-1+ BM cells include precursors to both T and B lymphocytes as determined by FACS analysis of spleen, bone marrow and thymus from mice inoculated with Mac-1+ cells. Three color FACS analysis showed that thymocyte subpopulations from B6-congenic mice inoculated with Mac-1+ cells were composed largely of donor cells, indicating that the donor-derived peripheral T cells had undergone normal thymic processing.
Abstract 2442: Range of Post-operative Findings on CT Angiography For Patients Undergoing CEA

Introduction: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is an established standard of care for patients with significant carotid stenosis today. Pre-op CTA is now frequently used to evaluate and plan for CEA, however no study to date has examined the findings of routine immediate post-CEA CTA. Aim: The aim of our study is to document the normal and abnormal findings on immediate post-op CTA and evaluate for possible clinical associations. Methods: Registry of all the subjects undergoing CEA, from 1 st July 2008 with available post-CEA CTA. Their medical records were reviewed to record details of the procedure and post-op complications. Results: We found 50 patients with post-CEA CTA, of which 16% had CTA ordered because of postoperative neurological deficit. Nearly 88% of CEAs were performed for symptomatic carotid stenosis/occlusion. All CEAs were performed under general anesthesia, 7 involved shunting and an equal number had patch placement. Only 1 CEA involved an eversion procedure. The mean cross clamp time was 69 minutes (SD 23.7 minutes). On post-CEA CTAs, we found that 78% of subjects had 0-20% residual stenosis, 20% had 20-50% residual stenosis, while 1 subject had 50-69% residual stenosis. A total of 5 subjects had a postoperative stroke. Amongst these, 80% were shunted, 100% had placement of a patch and the mean cross clamp time was 10.8 minutes (SD 15.7 minutes). The most commonly noted abnormality on CTA was a transitional step-off at the most proximal site of endarterectomy in the common carotid artery (CCA) (60% - Panel B). No flap, thrombus, or postoperative stroke was associated with this finding. This finding was associated with longer cross clamp times (76.5 mins v/s 58 mins, p=0.011). A total of 16.3% subjects developed post-op hematoma which resolved without intervention. Postop CTA demonstrated flaps (Panel A) in the ECA in 18% of subjects, in the ICA in 6% of patients, and in the CCA in 10% of patients. All patients with an ICA flap and 66.7% patients with a CCA flap developed a thrombus. All patients with a CCA flap and thrombus developed a post-op stroke, and 66.7% of patients with an ICA flap and thrombus developed a post-op stroke. Conclusion: Common carotid artery step off was the most common finding noted on post-operative CTA, and was not associated with any post-operative stroke. ICA and CCA flaps, seen in a small percentage of patients, were associated with thrombus formation and post-op stroke. This association needs to be further verified in a larger cohort.
Bundled Payments for Surgical Colectomy Among Medicare Enrollees: Potential Savings vs the Need for Further Reform

Importance The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative was proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to obtain and reward a greater value of care. Still in its infancy, little is known regarding the potential effects of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative on hospital payments and net margins. Objective To investigate the potential effects of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative on net margins among Medicare patients undergoing colectomy at a tertiary care hospital. Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional retrospective analysis conducted in October 2015. Medicare enrollees undergoing an elective colectomy at a large tertiary care hospital between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, were identified using diagnosis-related group and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. Main Outcomes and Measures Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to calculate risk-adjusted, diagnosis-related group–specific hospital costs and payments for each patient. Net margins were calculated as the difference between total hospital costs and total payments received. Results A total of 821 Medicare enrollees underwent an elective colectomy and met inclusion criteria. The median age of patients was 69 years (interquartile range [IQR], 65-74 years), with 51.3% being female. Postoperative complications were observed among 27.5% of patients (n = 226) and the median length of stay was 8 days (IQR, 5-14 days). The median risk-adjusted cost among all patients was $24 951 (IQR, $16 197-$38 922). Risk-adjusted costs were higher among patients who developed a postoperative complication ($42 537 [IQR, $28 918-$72 316] vs $22 829 [IQR, $14 820-$26 150]; P P Conclusions and Relevance Postoperative complications, length of stay, and total hospital costs were strongly associated with hospital costs. Payments under the bundled payments system were lower and the proportion of patients contributing to a net negative margin increased. Further study is warranted to define the effect of bundled payments on quality of care and hospital finances.
Control system analysis in nonlinear flight regimes

Coupling of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, rigid-body dynamics, and an optimal state feedback control law is demonstrated with a twodimensional, two degree-of-freedom airfoil case. The application problem controls the altitude of an airfoil in subsonic flow with a magnitude and rate-limited applied couple. The applied pitch couple is computed using feedback of both attitude and altitude, vertical and angular velocities and integrated altitude error. Comparison of the trajectories showed a longer settling time and slight overshoot for the nonlinear simulation when compared to a linear plant model.
The different effects of flecainide on the excitability of myocardial cells in rabbit left ventricular

Objective Observe the effect of flecainide,sodium channel blocker,on rabbit left ventricular about its electrical excitation activity of epicardial and endocardium myocardial cells. Methods Using the wedge tissue specimen of rabbit left ventricular and recording transmural electrocardiogram( ECG) with a silver- silver chloride electrode,recording action potential of myocardial cells with floating glass microelectrode,we observed the effects of flecainide( 10 μmol / L) on the action potential excitability of epicardium( Epi) and endocardium( Endo) myocardial cells under normal circumstances and case of increasing extracellular potassium concentration. Results The effects of flecainide on the action potential excitability of myocardial cells were different between Epi and Endo. Under normal circumstances,after adding flecainide,when stimulation frequency accelerated to 2. 8- 3. 8 Hz,in all nine preparations,we observed seven preparations' epicardial action potential droping out. Increasing extracellular potassium concentration,the same phenomenon was observed seven in nine preparations when stimulation frequency accelerated to 1. 3- 2. 1 Hz. Conclusion Our experimental results suggest,the excitability of myocardial cells is different between Epi and Endo of rabbit left ventricle,the differences between the two performance obviously after flecainide intervention. When the resting membrane potential decreases,the membrane potential depolarized,decreasing the excitability of myocardial cells,then blocking Na channel,the differences between Epi and Endo are more obviously.
Measurement of Tuber Crop's Production Cycle Fluctuation in China and Its Influencing Factors

Periods of fluctuation in tuber crop's production are measured and analyzed in this paper,using H-P Filtering Method.The results indicate that there are 14 fluctuation phases,and the average fluctuation period length is 4 years.It is found out that fluctuation in sowing area has bigger impact on yield than fluctuation per unit area yield,and external shocks including diseases and insect pest's damage have more significant impact on fluctuations of tuber crop's production.
Investigation and analysis on bone mineral density of 0- 3- year- old children in Xinhui district of Jiangmen city

Objective: To collect the data of bone mineral density of 0-3-year-old children in Xinhui district of Jiangmen city,establish the reference database of bone mineral density of 0- 3- year- old children,and provide reliable data for bone nutritional health care of local children. Methods: A total of 18 387 children aged 0- 3 years old receiving physical examination were screened,Sunlight Omnisense 7000 ultrasonic bone sonometer was used to detect bone mineral density of middle tibia,the data of bone mineral density were collected; the children were divided into 16 groups according to month of age,local reference database of bone mineral density was established in the form of quartile,then the data were compared with SOS reference database of children of the same age in Shanghai city and Asia. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in bone mineral density of 0- 3- year- old children between Xinhui district of Jiangmen city and Asia reference database; the bone mineral density of 0- 3- year- old children in Xinhui district of Jiangmen city decreased slightly at 3 and 4 months,which was lower than that in Shanghai city,but it showed an increasing trend after one year. Conclusion: This study provides reliable basis for correctly predicting bone development of local children,which can be used as important reference database of bone mineral density examination for local children aged 0- 3 years old,it has important significance for scientifically directing reasonable nutrition,balanced diet and appropriate exercise for children during growth and development period.
Review: neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy improve survival in operable esophageal cancer.

Source Citation Gebski V, Burmeister B, Smithers BM, et al. Survival benefits from neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy in oesophageal carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2007;8:226-...
Factors That Influenced My Conduct of Evaluations and Evaluation Training Programs

In stories he shares about his own evaluation life, Stufflebeam notes some of the fundamental values he learned from his parents’ examples and efforts to help him develop these values as a child growing up during the Depression. He also shares a story about his extraprofessional evaluation experiences as a substitute teacher in Chicago, where he taught in more than 40 different schools and observed the need for professional evaluation of the school system. He lists many other extraprofessional evaluation experiences and connects them to his decades of developing the context, inputs, processes, and products (CIPP) approach and his professional evaluation practices.
The History and Ideals of Business Education

Recent Wall Street scandals involving graduates from the best business schools have provoked questions about the methods and effectiveness of business ethics education. More specifically, educators and commentators are asking if the triple emphasis on personal career advancement, short-term business gain, and maximum shareholder value is overwhelming instruction in managerial ethics and social responsibility. Such educational cross-purposes raise the question of educational foundations. It is important to ask on what philosophical assumptions and social facts business ethics education was established, how well these assumptions and facts serve the educational enterprise, and if more solid foundations can be identified. These questions are addressed first in tracing the social and philosophical foundations of education in Western society, then locating the founding of American business schools in the historical conflicts and ideals of late nineteenth and early twentieth century education. The conclusion reached is that the current foundations of business ethics education are inadequate for a curriculum capable of preparing business owners and managers to achieve the social purposes of business.
Amplitude modulated Lorentz force MEMS magnetometer with picotesla sensitivity

This paper demonstrates ultra-high sensitivities for a Lorentz force resonant MEMS magnetometer enabled by internal-thermal piezoresistive vibration amplification. A detailed model of the magneto-thermo-electro-mechanical internal amplification is described and is in good agreement with the experimental results. Internal amplification factors up to ~1620 times have been demonstrated by artificially boosting the effective quality factor of the resonator from 680 to 1.14 × 106 by tuning the bias current. The increase in the resonator bias current in addition to the improvement in the quality factor of the device led to a sensitivity enhancement by ~2400 times. For a bias current of 7.245 mA, where the effective quality factor of the device and consequently the sensitivity is maximum (2.107 mV nT−1), the noise floor is measured to be as low as 2.8 pT (√Hz)−1. This is by far the most sensitive Lorentz force MEMS magnetometer demonstrated to date.
Just a Cut

A 51-year-old surgeon lacerated his left ring finger near the volar distal interphalangeal joint with a fillet knife while cleaning fish after a late summer day of fishing in coastal New England seawaters. Twelve hours later, he awoke with throbbing pain in his fingertip.
Viper Antivenin Induced Brown-Séquard Syndrome

The case presented was a 40-year-old woman who received antivenin (polyvalent enzyme-refined globulin). She developed an immunological inflammation. The snake was a green pit viper and the antivenin was prepared in India. She manifested Brown-Sequard syndrome, confirmed by computerized tomography. It was manifested by right hemiplegia and absence of pain and temperature sensation on the left half of her body below the 4th rib. There was loss of vibration sense and joint position sense on the right side of the body. The neurological examination indicated a deficit at the level of C6. The follow up of the patient showed recovery after 2 years.
Dermatophytose bei Kleinsäugern – immer eine ernst zu nehmende Infektion!

Die Dermatophytose ist eine durch keratinophile Fadenpilze (Reich Eumycota, Klasse Hyphomycetes, Gattung Arthroderma) hervorgerufene Infektion von Haaren, Haut und Krallen, die je nach Immunreaktion mit Alopezie, Schuppen- und Krustenbildung einhergeht. Sie ist weltweit verbreitet und betrifft eine Vielzahl von Tierarten, u. a. die Kleinsauger. Was aber, wenn die Veranderungen auch beim Besitzer auftreten? Hier die Fakten.
Electrolyte Gradient-Based Modulation of Molecular Transport through Nanoporous Gold Membranes.

Nanopores, and nanoporous materials in general, are interesting for applications in chemical and biomolecular transport as pore sizes are on the same scale as the dimension of many (bio)chemical species. Many studies have focused on either single pores or small arrays of cylindrical pores, which are convenient in terms of their amenability toward computational modeling of transport phenomenon. However, the limited overall porosity may inhibit transport flux as well as the eventual implementation of these materials as active separation elements. Inspired by its relatively high porosity, we have explored nanoporous gold (NPG) as a membrane across which small molecular species can be transported. NPG offers a random, bicontinuous pore geometry, while also being inherently conductive and readily amenable to surface modification—attributes that may be enabling in the pursuit of size- and charge-based approaches to molecular separations. NPG was fabricated via a free-corrosion process whereby immersion of Au-co...
Ricin uses arginine 235 as an anchor residue to bind to P-proteins of the ribosomal stalk

Ricin toxin A chain (RTA) binds to stalk P-proteins to reach the α-sarcin/ricin loop (SRL) where it cleaves a conserved adenine. Arginine residues at the RTA/RTB interface are involved in this interaction. To investigate the individual contribution of each arginine, we generated single, double and triple arginine mutations in RTA. The R235A mutation reduced toxicity and depurination activity more than any other single arginine mutation in yeast. Further reduction in toxicity, depurination activity and ribosome binding was observed when R235A was combined with a mutation in a nearby arginine. RTA interacts with the ribosome via a two-step process, which involves slow and fast interactions. Single arginine mutations eliminated the fast interactions with the ribosome, indicating that they increase the binding rate of RTA. Arginine residues form a positively charged patch to bind to negatively charged residues at the C-termini of P-proteins. When electrostatic interactions conferred by the arginines are lost, hydrophobic interactions are also abolished, suggesting that the hydrophobic interactions alone are insufficient to allow binding. We propose that Arg235 serves as an anchor residue and cooperates with nearby arginines and the hydrophobic interactions to provide the binding specificity and strength in ribosome targeting of RTA.
Expanding Treatment Access for Chronic Hepatitis C with Task-shifting in the Era of Direct-acting Antivirals

In the United States, the fight to eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been ongoing for many years, but the results have been less than ideal. Historically, patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) were treated with interferon-based regimens, which were associated with frequent adverse effects, suboptimal response rates, and long durations of treatment – of up to 48 weeks. Expertise from specialist-physicians, such as hepatologists and gastroenterologists, was needed to closely follow patients on these medications so as to monitor laboratory values and manage adverse effects. However, the emergence of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents against HCV infection have heralded outstanding progress in terms of safety, tolerability, lack of adverse effects, efficacy, and truncated duration of therapy – 12 weeks or less – thereby making the need for close monitoring by specialist-physicians obsolete. With the recent approval of DAA agents by the Food and Drug Administration, the treatment model for CHC no longer relies on the limited number of specialist-physicians, which represented a major barrier to treatment access in the past, especially in underserved areas of the United States. We propose and share our experiences in adapting a task-shifting treatment model, one that utilizes a relatively larger pool of non-specialist healthcare providers, such as nursing staff (medical assistants, vocational licensed nurses, registered nurses, etc.) and advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants), to perform a variety of important clinical functions in an effort to make DAA-based antiviral therapy widely available against HCV infection. Most recently, task-shifting was implemented by the United States and World Health Organization in the fight against the human immunodeficiency virus and showed encouraging results. Based on our experiences in implementing this model at our outreach clinics, the majority of HCV-infected patients treated with DAA agents can be easily monitored by non-specialist healthcare providers and physician extenders. Task-shifting can effectively address one of the major rate-limiting factors in expanding treatment access for HCV infection.
A Copyright-Free Source of Latin American Visuals

The scholar, teacher or student searching for relevant visuals to illustrate a paper, article or presentation, immediately runs into the copyright problem. Every visual has a creator, and the individual has certain rights regarding the use of this visual. In short, every visual has an owner, and copyright law and practice protects it from unauthorized use. Proof that the visual was indeed created by the person claiming copyright can be complicated or simple. The complicated approach involves registering the visual with a government copyright office. The simple approach relies on publishing the visual as part of a paper or presentation which can be dated and documented as belonging to the creator. This paper summarizes the copyright problem and describes approaches to solving it, some legal and legitimate, and some not.
Transcriptomes and neurotransmitter profiles of classes of gustatory and somatosensory neurons in the geniculate ganglion

Taste buds are innervated by neurons whose cell bodies reside in cranial sensory ganglia. Studies on the functional properties and connectivity of these neurons are hindered by the lack of markers to define their molecular identities and classes. The mouse geniculate ganglion contains chemosensory neurons innervating lingual and palatal taste buds and somatosensory neurons innervating the pinna. Here, we report single cell RNA sequencing of geniculate ganglion neurons. Using unbiased transcriptome analyses, we show a pronounced separation between two major clusters which, by anterograde labeling, correspond to gustatory and somatosensory neurons. Among the gustatory neurons, three subclusters are present, each with its own complement of transcription factors and neurotransmitter response profiles. The smallest subcluster expresses both gustatory- and mechanosensory-related genes, suggesting a novel type of sensory neuron. We identify several markers to help dissect the functional distinctions among gustatory neurons and address questions regarding target interactions and taste coding.Characterization of gustatory neural pathways has suffered due to a lack of molecular markers. Here, the authors report single cell RNA sequencing and unbiased transcriptome analyses to reveal major distinctions between gustatory and somatosensory neurons and subclusters of gustatory neurons with unique molecular and functional profiles.
Presynaptic Events in Neuromuscular Transmission

The neuromuscular junction serves as a model for the study of synaptic function throughout the vertebrate nervous system. The presynaptic terminal, being some distance from its cell body, must function largely independently, both to release transmitter upon arrival of an action potential and to regenerate transmitter-containing vesicles for further use. Here we consider in detail the quantal release of neurotransmitter, transmitter release sites or active zones, and the recovery and reformation of vesicles after they are released.
Evaluation of permeability and fluid wicking in woven fiber bone scaffolds

Research characterizing transport of nutrients and waste in tissue engineering scaffolds has led to the study of scaffold properties that contribute to permeability and porosity of the scaffold. Both permeability and porosity contribute to the transport properties of the scaffold; however, permeability relates to the degree to which pores are interconnected within the scaffold. This work evaluated permeability for woven polymer fiber scaffolds by modulating the following scaffold parameters: material combination, weave configuration, and fiber geometry. Materials tested were poly-l-lactide and poly-l-lactide-co-ɛ-caprolactone in various combinations. Plain and crowfoot weave configurations were compared, and grooved wicking fibers were compared with round cross-section fibers to study fiber geometry. A modification of the constant head hydraulic conductivity test was used in combination with a vertical wicking test to determine levels of permeability of the woven scaffolds. Results showed a significant effect on permeability for combinations of weave configuration, fiber geometry, and material combination. However, modulating fiber geometry demonstrated the most significant contribution to permeability. This result suggests the grooved wicking geometry may be used in scaffold development to regulate transport by selectively moving fluid away or toward the area of interest by capillary action. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 306-313, 2019.
Textual Variation and Version Control in the TEI

Projects that attempt to encode variorum texts with the Text Encoding Initiative's Guidelines for Electronic Text Encoding and Interchange will likely encounter situations where the text varies in its structure, as well as in its content. Although encoding textual variants at a separate level using a version control system may be attractive, the advantages in encoding text and variants in the same format are considerable. This paper proposes solutions to three problems that require more than the standard TEI textual critical elements: transposition, variation of meta-data, and insertion of incomplete structures.
Dislocation of the knee

SUMMARY The complications of knee dislocations may be disastrous and must be anticipated. In most series, a 25 to 30 per cent incidence of arterial damage is reported. If the artery is not repaired, the incidence of amputation can be up to 72.5 per cent. The popliteal artery should be evaluated and vascular repair performed as needed. This must be completed within a 6 to 8-hour period after injury for optimal results. Peroneal nerve injuries are common, and permanent neurologic damage may result. The neurovascular injury should be well documented both at the time of injury and in the preinjury state. After all problems affecting limb survival are solved, open repair of all ligamentous injuries is recommended to provide ligamentous stability and congruity of the joint. Prior to performing the procedure, a surgeon must have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the knee. Rehabilitation techniques and early postoperative motion are important for guiding the injured patient through the immediate and late postoperative period.
Ureteroscopy for Ureteric Stones

Ureteroscopy is a safe and effective treatment for both distal and proximal ureteral calculi. Significant advancements in scope design, intracorporeal lithotrites, stone retrieval devices, and assistive devices have greatly increased the safety of ureteroscopy. In this chapter we will review the history of ureteroscopy and indications for the procedure. We will also discuss the ideal use of flexible, semirigid, and rigid ureteroscopes. Appropriate applications of assistive devices, ureteral access sheaths, and stone retrieval devices will be reviewed. We will also assess applicability of different intracorporeal lithotrites. Finally, complications of ureteroscopy will be examined, as well as their appropriate treatment. Urologists with appropriate knowledge of and skill sets for ureteroscopy should consider this treatment modality a realistic first-line therapy for ureteral stone disease.
Oxidative and Glycooxidative Stress in Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is currently the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States and most other developed nations. Approximately 40% of new patients who entered ESRD programs in the United States in 2003 had DN; the overall rate of ESRD resulting from diabetes in the United States has risen 68% since 1992 (1). Moreover, even the earliest clinically detected stage of renal injury in diabetes (microalbuminuria) is associated with an increased prevalence of macrovascular disease (2, 3, 4, 5). Thus, the mortality, morbidity, and costs associated with DN extend far beyond those directly attributable to ESRD per se. They include costs associated with the increased burden of macrovascular disease seen at earlier stages of DN (2, 3, 4, 5). Common pathogenic mechanisms operative in both microvascular and macrovascular injury in diabetes may account at least in part for this association (6,7).