cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lower Devonian biostratigraphic correlation in Eastern Australia and Western North America

Savage, N. M.: Lower Devonian biostratigraphic correlation in Eastern Australia and Western North America. Correlation of Lower Devonian marine strata of Eastern Australia and Western North America can be attempted using several fossil groups. In general the faunas are similar, with many species common to both areas. Graptolites occur infrequently, but are of great value because of their precise zonal significance. Several of these graptolites occur in the classic type sequences of Bohemia but are absent from the Rhineland stages. For this reason, and because of the Bohemian affinities of the shelly faunas, the Bohemian stage names are preferable to the Rhenish names for use in Eastern Australia and Western North America. Cono-donts are less precise index fossils than graptolites, but are considerably more abundant and therefore have greater application. Brachiopods are valuable if viewed as assemblages. In terms of the Rhenish stages, most Eastern Australian and Western North American early Lower Devonian formations appear to have been placed too high. Recent evidence from northern Canada throws new light on the problem of correlating Rhenish and Bohemian classic early Lower Devonian stages.
Decadal variations in the tropical South Atlantic and linkages to the Pacific

Linkages between the sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the southern tropical Atlantic (STA) and in the Pacific on decadal time scales were examined. Seven to eight years before warming in the STA, an ENSO-like decadal SSTA pattern with positive anomalies in the Tropics and negative anomalies in the subtropics appears in the Pacific. In the Atlantic, negative anomalies are located in the North Atlantic, while the corresponding sea level pressure anomaly (SLPA) composite resembles a North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) pattern. After the establishment of the NAO, a pattern with the band structure of alternating positive and negative anomalies with warming in the STA appears 6 years later in the Atlantic. In the Pacific, warm SSTAs shift from the date line to the eastern Pacific three to four years later after the ENSO -like pattern appears. Soon after, a wave train extends from the Pacific to the tip of Argentina and negative anomalies appear in the South Atlantic. Warming starts in the STA. While SSTAs in the Pacific and the Atlantic may not vary as a single mode, two oceans interact when SSTAs in the Pacific are strong enough to generate downstream responses. These anomalies in turn contribute to the variations of SSTAs over the STA.
Publishing Action Research in Counseling Journals

The increased use of action research in counseling training and professional publications provides an opportunity to bridge the research-practitioner gap that has plagued the profession for decades. In this article, action research is defined, and special considerations that counselor researchers need to address when designing, conducting, and reporting action research are presented. Suggestions are included throughout the article to assist counseling action researchers in publishing their studies in American Counseling Association journals.
Exploring Secondary Special Education for Mild Mental Impairment A Program in Search of Its Place

This study explored the current state of secondary special education in Michigan, focusing on students with mild mental impairment (MMI) and learning disabilities (LD). A survey was mailed to 378 secondary special education teachers. The survey asked questions pertaining to demographic data, curricular approaches and instructional environments, provider satisfaction and perceived effectiveness, and teacher preparation and professional development. Six findings were revealed: (a) lack of secondary experiences in preservice preparation; (b) low levels of vocational education for students with MMI and LD; (c) differential instructional environments and curriculum depending on size of district; (d) low rates of inclusion; (e) lower levels of satisfaction for programs for students with MMI; and (f) the need for curriculum for students with MMI.
Multi-pass expert control system - a control/scheduling structure for flexible manufacturing cells

Abstract Expert systems are currently being touted as a means to resolve manufacturing scheduling problems. Unfortunately, the expert systems developed to date are neither generic nor are they responsive enough to be used for on-line system control. In this paper, a control structure is outline which takes advantage of both expert system technology and discrete event stimulation. The simulation is used as a prediction mechanism to evaluate several possible control alternatives provided by the expert system. A performance measure is obtained from the simulation for each of the suggested alternatives. A control effector is then employed to affect the physical control of the cell based on the measured. This performance measure is worth a great deal of domain-specific knowledge that otherwise would have to be included in the expert system knowledge base. The integration of the expert control system, the simulation, and the control effectorsform a system called a multipass expert control system (MPECS). MPECS is designed for the control and scheduling of flexible manufacturing cells. Experiments to evaluate the performance of MPECS have yielded advantages of between 2.3% to 29.3% compared to single-pass, single-rule priority dispatching and multipass, multirule dispatching procedures.
Ultra-High Speed Devices for Wireless Communication Terminals (Current Status and Prospects)

The technical trend of compound and Si ultra-high speed devices for wireless communication terminals is described. The choice of compound or Si devices depends on the RF frequency range and the required RF handling power. For high frequency applications and for high RF power circuit block, the compound devices still be used and new devices such as InGaP HBT has been developed. If the frequency range is below 6GHz, and the output power is limited, Si devices are becoming common for the transceiver system IC. Based on the device trends, the technical requirements for the ultra-high-speed devices for present and next-generation wireless applications are described. Developments of compound HBT PA and SiGe-RFIC’s for 3G (W-CDMA) terminals are also described and the circuit techniques used in these RF devices are introduced.
Discovery of a novel chemical class of mGlu5 allosteric ligands with distinct modes of pharmacology

We previously discovered a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) termed 4 N-{4-chloro-2-[(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl)methyl]phenyl...
Analysis of Treatment Results for Base of Tongue Cancer

Objective The study reported the results of treatment for base of tongue cancer with five different treatment modalities with long-term follow-up. Study Design This was a retrospective study of 262 patients with base of tongue cancer treated in the Departments of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery and Radiation Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO) from July 1955 to January 1998. Methods The study population included previously untreated patients with biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue who were treated with curative intent by one of five modalities and were all eligible for 5-year follow-up. The treatment modalities included local resection alone, composite resection alone, radiation therapy alone, local resection with radiation therapy, and composite resection with radiation therapy. Multiple diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up parameters were studied using standard statistical analysis to determine statistical significance. Results The overall 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 49.6% with death due to tumor in 50.4%. The 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival probability (CDSS) was 0.526 (Kaplan-Meier) with a mean of 7.8 years and a median of 5.6 years. Patients with early disease had significantly improved DSS compared with patients with more advanced disease (stages I and II; TN stages T1N0, T2N0, and T2N1; and T stages T1 and T2.). Patients with N0 had better DSS than patients with positive lymph nodes (P = .010). The DSS for all stages by treatment modality included local resection (70.0%), composite resection (47.6%), radiation therapy (40.4%), local resection and radiation therapy (50.0%), and composite resection with radiation therapy (51.5%). Overall and within the stages there was no significant difference in either DSS or CDSS by treatment modality. Local–regional recurrence occurred in 26% of patients, and overall salvage was 10.5%. Patients with clear resection margins did better than patients with close or involved margins (DSS and CDSS). Patients treated with radiation therapy alone had improved capacity to swallow (P = .001), speak (P = .01), and work (P = .001) compared with patients treated with the other modalities. Conclusions Cancer of the base of tongue is a lethal disease, and its treatment results in significant disability. No treatment produced a significantly improved survival advantage. Focus on improving local–regional control might improve overall survival. All treatment modalities were associated with major treatment-related complications. Radiation alone produced significantly improved post-treatment function and quality of life compared with the other modalities. Because of the recurrence rates at the primary and neck sites and the high rates of development of distant metastasis and second primary cancers, patients should be monitored for a minimum of at least 4 years.
A Primer of the Values Implicit in Counseling Research Methods.

The author attempts to answer 5 related questions: What are implicit values? Why are these values often considered problematic to traditional science? Why are such values necessary to research? What are the main values of traditional methods in psychology? What are the implications of a value-laden science?
Analysis of the convergence properties of topology preserving neural networks

The authors provide a rigorous treatment of the convergence of the topology preserving neural networks proposed by Kohonen for the one-dimensional case. The approach extends the original work by Kohonen on the convergence properties of such networks in several respects. First, the authors investigate the convergence of the neuron weights directly as compared to Kohonen's treatment of the dynamic behavior of the expectation values of the weights. Second, the problem is formulated for a more general case of selecting the neighborhood amplitude of interaction rather than the uniform amplitude. Third, the proof of convergence is based on the well-known Gladyshev theorem which uses Lyapunov's function method. The authors provide a step-by-step constructive proof which establishes the asymptotic convergence to a unique solution. This proof also provides the relation between the boundary neurons' weight vectors and the number of neurons in the network. The approach is then extended to the two-dimensional case and the result is stated in a theorem. >
Genetic Factors That Regulate the Attenuation of the General Stress Response of Yeast

The general stress response of yeast involves the induction of ∼200 genes in response to any one of several stresses. These genes are activated by Msn2 and repressed by the Srb10 kinase, a member of the mediator complex. Normally, Msn2 is exported from the nucleus, and Srb10 represses STRE gene expression. Under stress, Msn2 relocalizes to the nucleus and, with the relief of Srb10 repression, activates transcription. The stress response is rapid, but quickly attenuated. We show here that this attenuation is due to a nuclear-dependent degradation of Msn2. Msn2 rapidly disappeared from cells after heat or osmotic shock. This disappearance was not due to a change in MSN2 RNA levels, which remain constant during stress. Pulse-chase experiments confirmed the stress-dependent Msn2 degradation. The levels of Msn2 were significantly reduced in msn5 deletion cells that have been shown to constitutively retain Msn2 in the nucleus. The degradation was Srb10-dependent; Msn2 was not degraded in an srb10 deletion mutant. An Msn2 internal deletion mutant was insensitive to Srb10 repression, but was degraded by the Srb10-dependent mechanism. Thus, this mutation uncoupled Srb10 repression from degradation.
Low Temperature Growth of GaAs on Si Substrates for Ultra-fast Photoconductive Switches

We have grown GaAs directly on silicon substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) at low substrate temperatures (∼250 °C). The silicon wafer surface cleaning and GaAs film growth processes were done at temperatures lower than the Si-Al eutectic temperature, in order to enable monolithic integration of low-temperature-grown-GaAs (LT-GaAs) photoconductive switches with Si-CMOS circuits. In situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), ex situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were performed to characterize the LT-GaAs film quality. The film surfaces show less than 1 nm root-mean-square (rms) roughness and the anti-phase domain (APD) density is below the XRD detection limit. Metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photoconductive switches were made using this material. A time-resolved electro-optic sampling technique was used to determine the responsivity and speed of the switches. A full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) switching time of ∼2 picoseconds was achieved and the responsivity of switches made from LT-GaAs on Si material was comparable to that of switches made from LT-GaAs on GaAs material.
Laparoscopic hand-assisted spleen autotransplantation.

Only recently has the spleen been perceived as an organ with a major immune function. This raised an interest in spleen salvage after spleen trauma and pancreatic tail resection, for the treatment of hematologic disorders and inducement tolerance for allogenic transplants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new technique for spleen transplantation: laparoscopic spleen autotransplantation in a large animal model. Ten 35-kg pigs were used for this study. A laparoscopic hand-assisted splenectomy was first performed. The spleen was extracted through the handport to be flushed with a 4°C saline solution and prepared extracorporeally. The graft was then reintroduced into the same animal’s abdominal cavity, and a splenic-to-common iliac artery and vein bypass was performed laparoscopically using a 7-0 polytetrafluoroethylene running suture. The animal was killed 1 week postoperatively for histologic examination. All 10 animals tolerated the procedure well. No conversion to open surgery was required. The mean operative time was 253 ± 45 min. The mean time needed to create the artery and vein anastomoses was 116 ± 165 min, and the mean blood loss was 190 ± 120 ml. There was no intra- or postoperative death. Intraoperative complications included two stenosed vascular anastomoses, which were taken down and revised. Seven of the 10 spleens were histologically viable 1 week after surgery. The nonviable transplantations were attributable to a thrombosis of the common iliac artery (n = 1) or the transplant artery (n = 2). Hand-assisted laparoscopic spleen autotransplantation is feasible in an animal model. This procedure could constitute an option when spleen resection is necessary for pancreatic tail resection, or when spleen preservation is important to the maintenance or restoration of an immune function.
Research themes in HPT: A content review of the ISPI journals

To best understand where a field is going, it is important first to know where it has been. This article provides an overview of where the field of human performance technology (HPT) came from, what themes and trends have occurred in the ISPI literature since the field's beginning in 1962 through the present, and what gaps are apparent in the HPT research.
Separation thresholds for colored bars with varied luminance contrast

Separation threshold scores were obtained for colored rectangular bar targets of constant luminance presented against a white ground varied in luminance. Maximum separation scores were obtained at nominal zero luminance contrast with red and blue targets; and at greater than nominal zero luminance contrast with yellow and green targets.
Ten Years of Instability in a Nuclear South Asia

The tenth anniversary of India's and Pakistan's 1998 nuclear tests enables scholars to revisit the issue of South Asian proliferation with a decade of hindsight. What lessons do the intervening years hold regarding nuclear weapons' impact on South Asian security? Some scholars claim that nuclear weapons had a beneficial effect during this period, helping to stabilize historically volatile Indo-Pakistani relations. Such optimistic analyses of proliferation's regional security impact are mistaken, however. Nuclear weapons have had two destabilizing effects on the South Asian security environment. First, nuclear weapons' ability to shield Pakistan against all-out Indian retaliation, and to attract international attention to Pakistan's dispute with India, encouraged aggressive Pakistani behavior. This, in turn, provoked forceful Indian responses, ranging from large-scale mobilization to limited war. Although the resulting Indo-Pakistani crises did not lead to nuclear or full-scale conventional conflict, such ...
Organizational Patterns and Work Satisfaction in a Comprehensive Human Service Agency: An Empirical Test

Specified organizational dimensions hypothesized to bear strongly upon the job satisfaction of human service workers are detailed. A conceptual framework is advanced focusing upon the salience of decision-making modes, performance guides, interpersonal relations, and the division of labor as explanators of both overall and intrinsic work satisfaction. Findings support the proposition that human service workers are affected substantially by these factors.
A Molecular and Morphological Perspective on the Phylogenetic Relationships of the Otophysan Fishes

We examined the phylogenetic relationships among the major lineages of otophysan fishes (Cypriniformes, Characiformes, Siluroidei, and Gymnotoidei) using a combined analysis of molecular and morphological characters. The molecular characters comprised 160 phylogenetically informative sites from nuclear-encoded ribosomal RNA and 208 phylogenetically informative sites from the mitochondrial genes encoding ribosomal RNA and the valine transfer RNA for nine otophysan taxa and a gonorynchiform outgroup. The morphological data comprised 85 characters that were obtained from an earlier cladistic study. Congruence among molecular and morphological characters is generally high. The combined analysis supports a sister group relationship between the Gymnotoidei and Siluroidei, which together form a sister group to the Characiformes. The separation of the Cypriniformes from all other otophysans represents the earliest phylogenetic split within the Otophysi. Despire the generally high congruence among molecular and morphological characters, the molecular data analyzed separately produce a topology that differs from the analysis of the combined data. Sources of the taxonomic incongruence between the molecular and morphological data are examined.
An optimal multilevel signature file for large databases

Signature files have been studied extensively as an access method for document databases and for partial match retrieval in relational databases. Many approaches have been proposed for searching signatures files efficiently. The authors show that the two-level superimposed coding scheme, if stored in a transposed file, has an excellent performance compared to a single-level signature file. They introduce the multi-level superimposed coding method, which extends the two-level superimposed coding method to more than two levels and show that the two-level method is not optimal, instead, the optimal number of levels is dependent on the size of the text file. >
Identifying developmental paradigms leading to alcoholism

The lives of men who had been part of a delinquency prevention program between 1939 and 1945 provide information to identify developmental paths that seem to have led to alcoholism by the time of follow-up three decades later. Alcoholic fathers and their families differed from nonalcoholic fathers and their families in many ways. The analyses suggested that different paradigms describe the pathways to alcoholism for those whose fathers were and those whose fathers were not alcoholics. A mother's high esteem for her alcoholic husband increased risk for alcoholism of the son; among sons whose fathers were not alcoholic, increased risk for alcoholism of the son seemed to be a function of little control during early adolescence.
An association-adjusted consensus deleterious scheme to classify homozygous Mis-sense mutations for personal genome interpretation

Personal genome analysis is now being considered for evaluation of disease risk in healthy individuals, utilizing both rare and common variants. Multiple scores have been developed to predict the deleteriousness of amino acid substitutions, using information on the allele frequencies, level of evolutionary conservation, and averaged structural evidence. However, agreement among these scores is limited and they likely over-estimate the fraction of the genome that is deleterious. This study proposes an integrative approach to identify a subset of homozygous non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs). An 8-level classification scheme is constructed from the presence/absence of deleterious predictions combined with evidence of association with disease or complex traits. Detailed literature searches and structural validations are then performed for a subset of homozygous 826 mis-sense mutations in 575 proteins found in the genomes of 12 healthy adults. Implementation of the Association-Adjusted Consensus Deleterious Scheme (AACDS) classifies 11% of all predicted highly deleterious homozygous variants as most likely to influence disease risk. The number of such variants per genome ranges from 0 to 8 with no significant difference between African and Caucasian Americans. Detailed analysis of mutations affecting the APOE, MTMR2, THSB1, CHIA, αMyHC, and AMY2A proteins shows how the protein structure is likely to be disrupted, even though the associated phenotypes have not been documented in the corresponding individuals. The classification system for homozygous nsSNPs provides an opportunity to systematically rank nsSNPs based on suggestive evidence from annotations and sequence-based predictions. The ranking scheme, in-depth literature searches, and structural validations of highly prioritized mis-sense mutations compliment traditional sequence-based approaches and should have particular utility for the development of individualized health profiles. An online tool reporting the AACDS score for any variant is provided at the authors’ website.
Influence of metabolic network structure and function on enzyme evolution

Background: Most studies of molecular evolution are focused on individual genes and proteins. However, understanding the design principles and evolutionary properties of molecular networks requires a system-wide perspective. In the present work we connect molecular evolution on the gene level with system properties of a cellular metabolic network. In contrast to protein interaction networks, where several previous studies investigated the molecular evolution of proteins, metabolic networks have a relatively well-defined global function. The ability to consider fluxes in a metabolic network allows us to relate the functional role of each enzyme in a network to its rate of evolution. Results: Our results, based on the yeast metabolic network, demonstrate that important evolutionary processes, such as the fixation of single nucleotide mutations, gene duplications, and gene deletions, are influenced by the structure and function of the network. Specifically, central and highly connected enzymes evolve more slowly than less connected enzymes. Also, enzymes carrying high metabolic fluxes under natural biological conditions experience higher evolutionary constraints. Genes encoding enzymes with high connectivity and high metabolic flux have higher chances to retain duplicates in evolution. In contrast to protein interaction networks, highly connected enzymes are no more likely to be essential compared to less connected enzymes. Conclusion: The presented analysis of evolutionary constraints, gene duplication, and essentiality demonstrates that the structure and function of a metabolic network shapes the evolution of its enzymes. Our results underscore the need for systems-based approaches in studies of molecular evolution.
Probabilistic selling vs. markdown selling: Price discrimination and management of demand uncertainty in retailing

Abstract Markdown selling (i.e., price reductions over the course of the selling season) is a strategy to implement price discrimination and to manage market uncertainty that has been widely adopted by retailers. This paper explores the potential advantage of introducing an additional tool to the arsenal of retailers, probabilistic selling (i.e., offering consumers a choice to buy a product that can turn out to be any item from a predetermined set of distinct items). We show that both probabilistic and markdown selling strategies serve as price discrimination tools by offering buyers an option to purchase a “damaged” good (an uncertain product under the former and delayed consumption of a product under the latter). However, the two strategies segment markets based on different types of buyer heterogeneity: buyer preference strength under probabilistic selling and buyer patience under markdown selling. Our analytical model reveals that, compared with markdown selling, probabilistic selling can (1) improve margin management by increasing revenue from full-price sales and reducing the magnitude of discounts; and (2) improve inventory utilization by reducing stockouts and the amount of excess inventory. We identify the conditions required for probabilistic selling to be more profitable than markdown selling.
Expression of a single gene produces both forms of skeletal muscle cyclic nucleotide-gated channels.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels in skeletal muscle are responsible for insulin-activated sodium entry into this tissue (J. E. M. McGeoch and G. Guidotti. J. Biol. Chem. 267: 832–841, 1992)....
Course Overview-Derivatives: Futures, Options and Dynamic Strategies

Instructor: Professor Mark Rubinstein Paul Stephens Professor of Applied Investment Analysis University of California at Berkeley Objectives This course provides a full introduction to modern derivatives pricing and hedging theory and practice ? from the basic features of futures and options, to the binomial option pricing model and the Black-Scholes formula, and to aspects of measuring volatility and coping with trading costs that which are necessary to put the theory into practice. It emphasizes economic intuition and understanding over detailed quantitative analysis. Important quantitative techniques and arguments are completely developed but with the simplest possible use of mathematics. Textbook and Software The course uses Rubinstein's new book Derivatives: A PowerPlus Picture Book. In place of the usual format of an assigned text with separate teaching notes, his book blends 382 pages of text with 342 professionally designed PowerPoint slides, and problems and quizzes, extended worked numerical examples, specialized bibliographies, computer applications (including MATLAB for Derivatives and Rubinstein's Option Calculator), a computerized glossary and Internet access into an integrated educational experience. Students not only receive a copy of the book but also its accompanying CD-ROM, as well as free downloadable updates from the Internet. The course is taught from a computer hooked up to a projector and, optionally, the Internet.
Treatment of tobacco dependence: innovative regulatory approaches to reduce death and disease: preface.

"What kind of magic has Nestle worked on FDA?" Many in the confectionery business were asking this very question after seeing the company introduce onto the market in July 1997 - without any immediate agency intervention - a chocolate product surrounding an inedible plastic sphere enclosing a toy, bearing the moniker Nestle Magic(R). A spate of recent publicity 1 on the controversy engendered by the new product has focused public attention on a little-known provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), specifically section 402(d)(1). Adding fuel to the proverbial regulatory fire was the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) signaling of a possible reversal of its long-standing policy prohibiting the marketing of combination "confectionery and toy" products that contain nonfunctional, nonnutritive objects. After the product was launched, FDA, in response to a petition filed by Nestle USA, stated its intention to 1) issue a guidance document that would purport to sanction such products on an interim basis, and 2) promulgate a regulation setting safety standards for such products and thereby authorize their marketing. Although Nestle subsequently announced its withdrawal of the product,2 questions remain about the applicable law and FDA's authority. This article critically examines the agency's authority to authorize marketing of such products through a regulation that addresses the criteria set forth in section 402(d)(1).
Purdue Motor Fitness Test Batteries and a Development Profile for Pre-Adolescent Boys

Abstract A study was conducted to develop four Purdue Motor Fitness Test batteries. The regression equations associated with them are listed as follows: PMFT No. I = 3.319 standing broad jump + 1.596 softball throw for distance + 15.371 chins + 188.640 (standard error of estimate = 30.730) PMFT No. II = 2.124 softball throw for distance + 19.373 chins + 331.32 (standard error of estimate = 34.373) PMFT No. III = 1.653 softball throw + 5.437 standing broad jump + 91.700 (standard error of estimate = 43.209) PMFT No. IV = 6.097 standing broad jump + 15.858 chins + 174.130 (standard error of estimate = 43.633) A meaningful physical education profile scale was also developed.
Sonographic transcervical balloon tuboplasty

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sonographic guidance for transcervical tubal catheterization and transcervical balloon tuboplasty of patients with bilateral proximal tubal occlusion. Cornual catheterization and transcervical balloon tuboplasty were performed under sonographic guidance. Injection of micro-bubble emulsion confirmed tubal recanalization. Tubal patency demonstrated by sonography was confirmed by injection of contrast material under fluoroscopy. Four women with bilateral proximal tubal occlusion confirmed by previous hysterosalpingogram and laparoscopy underwent sonographically guided transcervical balloon tuboplasty. Patients with distal or peritubal damage were excluded from this study. Bilateral tubal patency confirmed by sonography and subsequent fluoroscopy was achieved in all four patients. One patient conceived spontaneously, a month following the procedure, and delivered at term. Sonographically guided transcervical balloon tuboplasty can be performed successfully on patients with proximal tubal occlusion. Identification of the catheter tip and successful cannulation of the internal tubal ostia were easier to perform under fluoroscopy. Further improvements in sonographic equipment and catheter technology will hopefully eliminate radiation and replace fluoroscopy during the performance of transcervical balloon tuboplasty. Sonographic transcervical tubal catheterization may, therefore, become a simple and cost-effective procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with proximal tubal occlusion.
Adult Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia

Chemotherapy of adults with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia has improved in recent years, yielding complete remissions in 65 per cent and cure in 10 to 15 per cent of all treated patients. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation cures approximately one half of eligible young patients who gain an initial remission with chemotherapy. Autologous bone marrow transplantation may ultimately prove to be of value for the large numbers of patients who are over 40 years of age or who lack histocompatible siblings. Current investigative approaches in all these areas, based on insights into the pathophysiology of disease discussed in this article, should enhance the outcome for affected patients in the next decade.
The Trend of Movement and Motion Analysis

人間の行動を分析する際の様々な問題について触れる。臨床で用いられる運動・動作分析の問題は、その記載の標準化がなされていないといった問題だけではなく、関連する知識ベースの構築、対象とする運動能力に関するコンセンサスの欠如といった点にもあると考えられる。さらに、運動・動作分析の信頼性や妥当性の問題を解決するには、測定者自身の技術の中身を明らかにする試みも今後、必要となることが示唆された。
Anticoagulant therapy in coronary artery disease.

The “when, why and how” to use anticoagulants in coronary disease is still controversial. In these statements two internationally known authorities express their views. It is challenging to read their opinions.
Recovery of Trichinella Spiralis Larvae

SUMMARY It is suggested that muscle samples submitted for the demonstration of Trichinella spiralis by the peptic digestion method should not be frozen.
DRUGS, DREAMS AND THE EXPERIMENTAL SUBJECT.

I have attempted to give a rapid overview of four major studies utilizing REM indicators of dreaming: the first, consisted of the evaluation of the psychological effects of the tranquillizer drugs ...
Expansion of forest stands into tundra in the Noatak National Preserve, northwest Alaska

AbstractTemperatures across the northern regions of North America have been increasing for 150 years, and forests have responded to this increase. In the Noatak National Preserve in Alaska, white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) forests reach their northern limit, occurring primarily on well-drained sites and as gallery forests along streams. Rolling plateaus of tundra separate the white spruce forests into disjunct stands. We examined patterns of tree age, tree growth, and tree encroachment into tundra ecosystems in six stands along the Agashashok River. Warming over the past 150 years appears to have increased tree growth and resulted in forest expansion into adjacent tundra ecosystems. The forest/tundra ecotone shifted by about 80 to 100 m into the tundra in the past 200 years, as evidenced by declining maximum tree age with distance towards the tundra. The decadal-scale pattern of tree establishment at the farthest extent of trees into the tundra (the tundra-forest ecotone) correlated with the detr...
ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulations of intermediate species in dicyanamide anion and nitric acid hypergolic combustion

Ionic liquids based on the dicyanamide anion (DCA) are of interest as replacements for current hypergolic fuels, which are highly toxic. To better understand the reaction dynamics of these ionic liquid fuels, this study reports the results of molecular dynamics simulations performed for two predicted intermediate compounds in DCA-based ionic liquids/nitric acid (HNO3) combustion, i.e. protonated DCA (DCAH) and nitro-dicyanamide-carbonyl (NDC). Calculations were performed using a ReaxFF reactive force field. Single component simulations show that neat NDC undergo exothermic decomposition and ignition. Simulations with HNO3 were performed at both a low (0.25 g ml−1) and high (1.00 g ml−1) densities, to investigate the reaction in a dense vapor and liquid phase, respectively. Both DCAH and NDC react hypergolically with HNO3, and increased density led to shorter times for the onset of thermal runaway. Contrary to a proposed mechanism for DCA combustion, neither DCAH nor NDC are converted to 1,5-Dinitrobiuret (DNB) before thermal runaway. Details of reaction pathways for these processes are discussed.
Abstract 16514: Screening for Outflow Cannula Malfunction of Left Ventricular Assist Devices Using Doppler Echocardiography: Establishing New Reference Values

Background: Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) is used as a screening tool to evaluate the integrity and mechanics of the pump and circuit. We aimed to 1) establ...
A Bayes Test of “p≤½” versus “p≤½”

Consider the following sequential decision problem:— An urn contains white and black balls, the proportion p of black balls being unknown, 0≤p≤1. A single ball is to be drawn at random from the urn tomorrow and we must guess its color; if our guess is correct we are to receive a reward of $A, and if incorrect we are to receive nothing. In order to obtain some information about p we are allowed to draw as many balls as we like from the urn today, one at a time and with replacement, observing the color of each ball drawn, but for each such ball drawn we must pay $1. Problem: how many balls should we observe today and what color should we then predict for the ball to be drawn tomorrow ?
Hybrid on-chip microwave photonic signal processor architecture

We present a new microwave photonic signal processor architecture, where a thin film attenuating counter propagating optical phase locked loop (ACP-OPLL) is integrated with a novel finite impulse response (FIR) optical phase modulator/ processors. The realization of the processor requires heterogeneous photonic integration between LiNbO 3 thin film electro-optic modulators, SiN ultra-low loss optical waveguides, and III-V high power photodetectors. The microwave photonic signal processor architecture can perform analog signal processing functions with a superior dynamic range performance and frequency response.
CFPU: Configurable Floating Point Multiplier for Energy-Efficient Computing

Many applications, such as machine learning and data sensing are statistical in nature and can tolerate some level of inaccuracy in their computation. Approximate computation is a viable method to save energy and increase performance by trading energy for accuracy. There are a number of proposed approximate solutions, however, they are limited to a small range of applications because they cannot control the error rate of their output. In this paper, we propose a novel approximate floating point multiplier, called CFPU, which significantly reduces energy and improves performance of multiplication at the expense of accuracy. Our design approximately models multiplication by replacing the most costly step of the operation with a lower energy alternative. In order to tune the level of approximation, CFPU dynamically identifies the inputs which will produce the largest approximation error and processes them in precise CFPU mode. We showed that our CFPU can outperforms a standard FPU when at least 4% of multiplications are performed in approximate mode. In our tested applications this percentage of multiplications is substantially higher, leading to significant energy savings. Our experimental evaluation on AMD Southern Island GPU shows that replacing the proposed CFPU with traditional FPUs results in 77% energy savings and 3.5× energy-delay product improvement over eight general OpenCL applications while providing acceptable quality of service. In addition, for the same level of accuracy, the CFPU provides 2.4× energy-delay product improvement compared to state-of-the-art approximate multipliers.
Double whammy: the disappearing right atrium

A 66-year-old man with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection complicated by liver cirrhosis presented with about 6 months of severe right shoulder pain as well as more recent progressive dyspnoea on exertion and lower extremity oedema. On outpatient evaluation at the onset of shoulder symptoms, they had been ascribed to an orthopaedic aetiology. He had recently completed treatment for HCV with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir after failure to respond to a regimen of interferon/ribavirin. Approximately 2 years earlier, he had been diagnosed with unresectable multifocal stage III hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and treated with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), radiofrequency ablation and ethanol ablation as a bridge to possible liver transplantation. On presentation, he was hemodynamically stable with no reported pulsus paradoxus. Physical examination revealed an elevated jugular venous pulse, anasarca and decreased breath sounds over the right lower chest. There was no clinically overt ascites. His plain chest radiograph showed a right pleural effusion and a thickened right …
A Rare Case of Transient Proximal Renal Tubular Acidosis in Pregnancy

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a disorder that has improper function of renal acid-base regulation and is rarely encountered during pregnancy. Currently, there is no clear evidence on management and outcomes in patients with this condition. We report a case of a previously healthy 23-year-old female at 30 weeks of gestation who presented with proximal RTA and had spontaneous resolution of the condition shortly after delivery.
Near doubling of storm rainfall

Large, intense thunderstorms frequently cause flooding and fatalities. Now, research finds that these storms may see a threefold increase in frequency and produce significantly heavier downpours in the future, far exceeding previous estimates.
Listen to the whisper of the rocks, telling their ancient story

Rovere et al. (1) determine the mass of two megaboulders on Eleuthera and calculate hydrologic flow rates based on a tsunami wave model (2). The authors (1) suggest that a rate of ∼10 m/s is required to “lift or roll” these boulders from the cliff-top strata. Their findings ostensibly dispute a superstorm wave hypothesis, which has been repeatedly challenged and defended over the past two decades (refs. 3⇓–5 and references therein). A synthesis of data from multiple disciplines has generated “fingerprints” of all rock units in the Cow and Bull cliff section on Eleuthera (6, 7). The cliff-top stratum at the site is composed of pristine aragonitic … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: kaisdad04{at}gmail.com or btormey{at}wcu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Accuracy and Reliability of Total Body Mass Estimation Techniques from Stature and Bi-iliac Breadth in Non-Hispanic U.S. Whites from the Bass Donated Skeletal Collection.

This paper tests the fidelity of a recent method that used the NHANES III dataset as a proxy to estimate total body mass from stature and bi-iliac breadth in U.S. White males and females. The bi-iliac breadths of 230 males and 152 females identified as non-Hispanic U.S. White from the Bass Donated Skeletal Collection were measured, and along with stature from predonor paperwork, total body mass estimates were calculated and then compared to body masses recorded on predonor paperwork. Male and female samples were subdivided by body mass index (BMI [kg/m2 ]) categories established by the World Health Organization. Our results suggest that total body mass estimates can be accurately assessed provided that the individual is within 18.50 ≤ BMI ≤ 29.99 for White males and 18.50 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.99 for White females. Recommendations on how to report total body mass estimates are also presented.
Incorporation of Non-Canonical Amino Acids into Proteins by Global Reassignment of Sense Codons

Non-canonical amino acids are finding increasing use in basic and applied research. Proteins that evolved naturally for biological function did so by exploiting the chemistries of the canonical amino acids; however, when proteins are repurposed for biomedical and pharmacological applications, they are often subject to conditions different from those characteristic of their original biological environments. Non-canonical amino acids can impart properties that are inaccessible within canonical protein sequence space, and can thereby lead to improved or new functionality. We describe simple methods for global replacement of canonical amino acids by their non-canonical counterparts in recombinant proteins made in high yield in bacterial expression hosts. These methods can be used to engineer both chemical and physical properties of recombinant proteins.
How to Have a Healthy Life Balance as an Academic Physician

The well-being of physicians has personal, professional, and public health ramifications. A physician’s personal health and well-being is not only vital to the individual physician and his or her family members and community but may also impact that physician’s life professionally. Moreover, on a larger societal scale, physician wellness also likely serves a critical role in the delivery of high-quality healthcare. Even for those physicians who understand this connection and are motivated to improve their situation, practical obstacles of time and energy factor in. After the essential tasks of one’s work and personal responsibilities are fulfilled, physicians may feel there is little time left to create change that could lead to improvement in health or well-being. This chapter will provide strategies to address this particularly vexing problem many physicians face: how to optimally balance work and personal life to enhance the outcome on both sides.
2 – Electric Power System Components

This chapter provides an introduction of electric power system components. The electric power system is made up of generators, transformers, transmission and distribution lines, and loads. Although these are called components in this chapter, each of these is a complex system on its own and has many components. All of these are three-phase, 60-Hz components except for the smallest loads, such as residences, where the three phases are split into single-phase and low-voltage supply. Protecting all the equipment against short circuits is essential. The general principle is to detect the fault (the short circuit) and isolate the equipment. In its simplest form, a fuse detects the fault by burning out and thus isolating the line. In its most sophisticated form, microprocessor-based relays can detect the fault and analyze which circuit breakers need to be opened to isolate the equipment.
Suboptimal outcomes in cutaneous squamous cell cancer of the head and neck with nodal metastases

BACKGROUND/AIM There are limited data regarding survival, failure patterns, and factors associated with disease recurrence in patients with cutaneous squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (cSCC-HN) with nodal metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients with cSCC-HN metastatic to cervical and/or parotid lymph nodes treated with surgery and post-operative radiation therapy was performed. RESULTS This study included 76 patients (57 immunocompetent and 18 immunosuppressed) with a median follow-up of 18 months. Overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and disease recurrence (DR) at 2 years was 60%, 49%, and 40%, respectively. Immunosuppressed patients had significantly lower 2-year DFS (28% vs. 55%; p=0.003) and higher DR (61% vs. 34%; p=0.04) compared to immunocompetent patients. Analysis of immunocompetent patients demonstrated extracapsular extension (ECE) as the only factor associated with DR (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Patients with nodal metastases from cSCC-HN have suboptimal outcomes. ECE and immunosuppression were significantly associated with DR.