cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is there a School to Prison Pipeline? The Case of France

In the wake of the January 2015 attacks on Charlie Hebdo, (a satirical newspaper in Paris), there was much commentary on free speech, security, intelligence and the marginalization and dispossession of some young Muslim immigrants (and children of immigrants). Analysis has seemed, reasonably, to focus on economic opportunities, as well as addressing some identity and cultural issues, such as whether or not female Muslims should be allowed to wear a headscarf. The media reported that the two young men who seem to have led the attack on Charlie Hebdo had dropped out from school, going on to work low-wage jobs such as pizza delivery. Little of the news coverage details their education beyond that they were remembered as average Parisian boys, as media coverage focused of course on live breaking events, with less in-depth analysis of the social, economic and political factors driving the broader conflict between European and North American states and their Muslim immigrant residents and citizens. The Charlie Hebdo attacks, like 9/11, were only one expression of this broader escalating and expanding conflict. The academic literature does discuss in depth the history of France’s colonization of countries such as Algeria and Morocco, as well as the racist oppression and economic marginalization Maghrebi immigrant families face—even two generations later. (Bienkowski, 2010; Bowen 2007; Cesari 2002; Franz 2007; Limage 2010; Keaton 2005; Juge and Perez 2006; Landof and Pagan 2005; Levine 2004; Mahmood 2006; Zimmerman 2015). This paper will thus explore the question of whether there is a “school to terror” pipeline—that is, is there anything about the pedagogy, curriculum, school culture or educational policies of France which might well be contributing to the radicalization of young people? I will conclude with consideration of what peace pedagogy might be able to contribute in terms of conflict transformation.
On the Forcing of the Summertime Great Plains Low-Level Jet

AbstractThe low-level jet (LLJ) is a ubiquitous feature of the lower atmosphere over the Great Plains during summer. The LLJ is a nocturnal phenomenon, developing during the 6–9-h period after sunset. Forcing of the LLJ has been debated for over 60 years, the focus being on two processes: decoupling of the residual layer from the surface owing to nighttime cooling and diurnal heating and cooling of the sloping Great Plains topography.To examine characteristics and forcing mechanisms for the LLJ, composite grids were compiled from the North American Mesoscale Forecast System for the summertime months of June and July over a 5-yr period (2008–12). One composite set was assembled from well-developed LLJ episodes during which the maximum nocturnal jet magnitude at 0900 UTC over northwestern Oklahoma exceeded 20 m s−1. A second set consists of nonjet conditions for which the maximum nighttime wind magnitude in the lowest 3 km did not exceed 10 m s−1.The intensity of the horizontal pressure gradient and hence b...
Mid-frequency loss of foveal flicker sensitivity in early stages of age-related maculopathy.

Temporal contrast sensitivity in eyes at risk for exudative age-related maculopathy (ARM) was compared to that in age-matched healthy older eyes. The test stimulus was a foveally viewed, flickering, long-wavelength 2.8° diameter circle in an equiluminant (photopic) surround. Retinal illuminance and decision criterion differences were experimentally controlled. Eyes in the healthy and ARM-risk groups had 20/30 or better Sncllen acuity and intraocular pressure of less than 22 mmHg. Nevertheless, the ARM-risk patients were less sensitive to flicker contrast, especially for mid-temporal frequencies. This suggests that flicker sensitivity may be useful in identifying patients at risk for exudative ARM. In addition, comparison with other research reveals a paradox: Mid-temporal frequency sensitivity losses may be attributable primarily to a "high temporal frequency" mechanism. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33:3136-3142, 1992
A GENERAL RADON-NIKODYM THEOREM

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a general Radon–Nikodym theorem. It also presents the structure of indefinite integrals of Dobrakov integrable functions with respect to an operator-valued measure that is countably additive in the strong operator topology. These operator-valued measures include many of the interesting norm finitely-additive measures as they include the representing measures of locally compact operators C0(T, X) to Y, T locally compact, X, Y Banach spaces. A set property P is said to be a local property in a positive measure space (Τ, Σ, v) if for every E ∈ Σ, v(E) > 0, there exists F ⊂ E, v(F) > 0, such that F has property P.
Fabrics and Geophysical Properties up to 1963

Observations of the fabrics of clastic sediments were made as early as the middle of the 19th century. In 1860 Jamieson (p.349) commented on imbrication of stones in creek beds in Scotland. Systematic study of sedimentary fabrics did not begin, however, until after the appearance of “Gefugekunde der Gesteine” by Bruno Sander in 1930. His book, primarily concerned with the fabric of tectonites, provided a systematic methodology and developed principles of interpretation which are readily applied to sedimentary rocks.
Social, Ethical, and Economic Problems in Medicine

The methods and approaches physicians use to learn from their clinical experiences not only perfect their skills, but heighten their personal satisfaction and passion for practice. Such activities can no longer be limited to the study of clinical findings, diagnosis, and therapy, for extraordinary medical innovations have raised a rash of problems—economic, social, legal, moral, and ethical. Can we afford the advances? How do we control the escalating costs? How do we provide the new services for the economically deprived? How do we reconcile society’s ever-increasing demands and expectations of medicine with its increasing criticism of rising costs? What role should medical and professional judgment play in ethical quandaries? How do we define the difference between prolonging living and prolonging dying? All segments of society have become interested in these questions and problems.
MMPI Profiles of Liver and Heart Transplant Candidates With and Without Significant Histories of Heavy Alcohol Use

This study compared the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profiles of liver and heart transplant candidates with (n = 104) and without (n = 253) significant histories of heavy alcohol consumption. The alcohol and nonalcohol groups had similar overall mean profiles with significant or marginally significant (i.e., T ≥ 69) clinical elevations on Scales 1, 2, and 3. However, significantly higher proportions of those in the liver transplant group than in the heart transplant group scored within the clinical range on Scales F, 4, 6, and 8. In addition, the proportions of respondents obtaining clinically elevated scores were significantly higher for the alcohol than for the nonalcohol group on Scale 4 and the MacAndrew Scale; the proportion was higher for the nonalcohol than for the alcohol group on Scale K. The overall similarity of the mean profiles indicates that candidates for liver or heart transplantation with and without histories of heavy alcohol use generally display similar psychological presentations. The observed differences between the liver and the heart transplant groups may reflect impairments in mental status among liver transplant candidates due to metabolic consequences of liver disease. The differences between the alcohol and the nonalcohol groups may be more a reflection of past behavioral patterns than present psychological status.
A Short History of a “Perfect Woman:” The translations of the “Wife of Pharoah” Before, Through, and Beyond the Qur’ānic Milieu

The woman who pulled the baby Moses out of the river Nile appears in many the most ancient and classical sources of the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. She has been translated repeatedly to become whatever a given epoch needs her to become. She has been the figure of a surrogate mother who intercedes on behalf of endangered children. She has been a symbol of purification by water and conversion to new ways of life. She has been a martyr at the hands of an evil tyrant, and most recently, she has been kindling for feminist readings of Islam. This paper is a history of this woman’s re-invention and renaming over time, as she moved from the deep past, through the Jewish and Islamic scriptures and various hagiographies, and finally into our own day.
Ultrasound Anatomy of the Prostate: The Normal Gland and Anatomical Variations

AbstractKnowledge of the normal prostatic anatomy is paramount to understanding the pathological conditions of the gland observed on ultrasound imaging. Through transverse and sagittal histological sections of normal prostates, model ultrasound images of the prostate and periprostatic tissues were constructed. Various shades of gray were assigned to these structures depending upon the histological composition. We found that ultrasonic characteristics of the normal prostate and its surrounding tissues could be predicted accurately by knowledge of the histology of these structures.Histological sections of 100 prostates from patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound and subsequent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer were examined. The congenital anatomical variations observed in this group are described histologically and sonographically. Caudal formation of the ejaculatory ducts within the central zone occurred in 18% of the cases, abnormal posterior penetration of the ejaculatory ducts at the rec...
Copy number signatures in ovarian cancer.

A new study uncovers novel copy number signatures in ovarian cancer genomes. This work sheds light on mutational processes driving ovarian cancer, reveals the distribution of copy number features across the patient population and identifies new genomic properties related to treatment response.
Design, fabrication, and characterization of a one-dimensional polarizing photonic crystal

A one-dimensional, single-material polarizing photonic bandgap structure is designed and fabricated using e-beam PVD and oblique angle deposition technique. In order to obtain high- and low-index layers, we deposited alternate layers of titanium dioxide (TiO2) at deposition angles of 0° and 70°on top of a fused silica substrate. This approach is chosen since at deposition angle of zero degree, deposited TiO2 using e-beam PVD, show a negligible birefringence while the obliquely deposited TiO2 acts as a biaxial material with significant birefringent behavior. As a result, deposition of a bilayer film at two angles is analogous to using two different materials with the advantage of simplifying fabrication and modeling this polarizing device. The bandgap of the bilayer structure is modeled in a way that only a specific wavelength with certain polarization, p polarization, could pass through while the s polarization is reflected. For modeling we used Transfer Matrix Method and numerical FDTD analysis to simulate behavior of the 1D photonic band gap structure. The simulations produce better than 98% reflection for s polarization and almost no reflection for p polarization for the center wavelength of 632.8 nm. The fabricated device shows 94% reflection for s polarization and less than 6% reflection for p polarization at the red HeNe laser wavelength at an incident angle of 70°. The results demonstrate that a 1D multi-layer photonic crystal, fabricated from a single material, can be designed to selectively reflect or transmit p or s polarization of an incident light beam.
Photonic Wireless Terahertz Wave System for Space Exploration

NASA planetary missions involve communications between a central orbiter and a number of lander or daughter ships. Given this scenario, large bandwidth data links with compact topologies are required. In this investigation, a photonic-based-transmission link is examined in the extremely high frequency (EHF) regime to scale wireless bandwidth communications given the low power constraints of a system in space. This novel multi-wavelength photonic wireless terahertz wave system incorporates RF transmission up to several hundred GHz and utilizes state-of-the-art low noise receivers for detection.
Decay properties of 2.05-h 95245Am.

Abstract Gamma rays following the β − decay of the 245Am radionuclide ( T 1 / 2 = 2.05 h) were measured in early 1970s with a co-axial Ge(Li) detector using a chemically and isotopically pure, mass-separated 245Am source. These data were analyzed in the present work where several weak γ rays in 245Cm were identified. The 245Am decay scheme was deduced and extended when compared to the previously known one.
Prescribed-Time Observers for Linear Systems in Observer Canonical Form

For linear systems in the observer canonical form, we introduce a state observer with time-varying gains that tend to infinity as time approaches a prescribed convergence time. The observer is shown to exhibit fixed-time stability with an arbitrary convergence time, which is prescribed by the user irrespective of initial conditions. The output estimation error injection terms are also shown to remain uniformly bounded and converge to zero at the prescribed time.
Delayed Recognition of Acute Stroke by Emergency Department Staff Following Failure to Activate Stroke by Emergency Medical Services.

Author(s): Tennyson, Joseph C.; Michael, Sean S.; Youngren, Marguerite; Reznek, Martin | Abstract: Introduction: Early recognition and pre-notification by emergency medical services (EMS) improves the timeliness of emergency department (ED) stroke care; however, little is known regarding the effects on care should EMS providers fail to pre-notify. We sought to determine if potential stroke patients transported by EMS, but for whom EMS did not provide pre-notification, suffer delays in ED door-to-stroke-team activation (DTA) as compared to the other available cohort of patients for whom the ED is not pre-notified–those arriving by private vehicle.Methods: We queried our prospective stroke registry to identify consecutive stroke team activation patients over 12 months and retrospectively reviewed the electronic health record for each patient to validate registry data and abstract other clinical and operational data. We compared patients arriving by private vehicle to those arriving by EMS without pre-notification, and we employed a multivariable, penalized regression model to assess the probability of meeting the national DTA goal of ≤15 minutes, controlling for a variety of clinical factors.Results: Our inclusion criteria were met by 200 patients. Overall performance of the regression model was excellent (area under the curve 0.929). Arrival via EMS without pre-notification, compared to arrival by private vehicle, was associated with an adjusted risk ratio of 0.55 (95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.96) for achieving DTA ≤ 15 minutes. Conclusion: Our single-center data demonstrate that potential stroke patients arriving via EMS without pre-notification are less likely to meet the national DTA goal than patients arriving via other means. These data suggest a negative, unintended consequence of otherwise highly successful EMS efforts to improve stroke care, the root of which may be ED staff over-reliance on EMS for stroke recognition.
Commentary from the Editors of the Continuing Education Section

> See the associated articles on pages [1184][1], [1187][2], and [1195][3]. In the current issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, we are presenting 3 articles discussing the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. Perhaps unusual for a journal section dedicated to education, this series of
A Simple Method for Estimating Hand Hygiene Use Among Anesthesia Personnel: Development, Validation, and Use in a Quality Improvement Project.

BACKGROUND:Frequent hand hygiene by anesthesia personnel may be an important factor in reducing contamination of IV lines and medication access ports and may reduce hospital-acquired infections. Measurement of hand hygiene frequency at the individual clinician level by direct observation or electron
Relating water permeability to electrical resistivity and chloride penetrability of concrete containing different supplementary cementitious materials

Abstract Electrical test methods for predicting concrete penetrability have been widely accepted for use in assessing quality and durability of concrete; however, these methods are indirect and have not been related to concrete water permeability. This research compares three standardized electrical test methods, AASHTO T 358, AASHTO TP 119, and ASTM C1202 , to hydraulic/water permeability. As no consensus standardized water permeability test method is available, a uniaxial, steady-flow permeameter test that has generally been used within the research community was employed for this research. The results demonstrate that the electrical test methods investigated for predicting concrete penetrability are not necessarily appropriate for concrete mixtures containing alternative supplementary cementitious materials. Materials with electrically conductive components in pore solution or bulk matrix perform poorly in electrical testing such as surface or bulk resistivity, or chloride ion penetrability testing, although water permeability indicates comparable performance to traditional supplementary cementitious materials.
Temperature dependent survival and fecundity of Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a potential biological control agent of Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae)

Lepidelphax pistiae Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is monophagous on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), an invasive floating plant in Florida. Temperature studies were conducted to determine t...
The peacetime tempo of air mobility operations : meeting demand and maintaining readiness

Abstract : Although the September 11 terrorist attacks and the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) have led the Department of Defense (DoD) leadership to change its terms of reference for sizing and planning its force, these events have not changed the dual objectives of U.S. peacetime air mobility operations: to meet peacetime demand and to maintain wartime readiness. This study compares the peacetime tempo of air mobility operations in the Cold War (the 1980s) with that of the post-Cold War period (the 1990s) and examines the factors and as sociated trends that can affect the Air Mobility Command's (AMC's) ability to meet these dual objectives in a cost-effective manner. Does AMC have the flexibility to generate enough flying hours for pilot training when flying demand is low? Can AMC man flying operations with the number of pilots Congress has authorized? How well does the actual ratio of copilots (CPs) to aircraft commanders (ACs) match what is authorized? Comparing peacetime operations in the 1980s with those of the 1990s, did pilots get less hands-on training during flights in the latter period? Was AMC less able to project airlift demand accurately in the latter than in the former period? Did AMC have to fly more missions with shorter advance notice? Has AMC been successful in using reimbursements from its customers to defray its operating expenses? We will first report our findings on these factors and trends and will then suggest measures to correct the problems we have identified.
Non-Association of Infectious Exposure and Seasonality with Cardiac Graft Rejection

Purpose Graft rejection remains a significant complication following cardiac transplantation. As infection results in elevated immune system activity, we hypothesized that acute rejection events would be more common following infectious exposures and during the winter respiratory virus season. Methods Patients were included who underwent cardiac transplantation at our center in the Midwest, between January 1st, 2014 and December 31st, 2017. The composite endpoint consisted of antibody mediated rejection (AMR), donor specific antibodies (DSA), heart failure readmissions, and death within two years. Infectious events collected during readmissions included a primary infectious diagnosis, positive respiratory virus panel, and other diagnosed or treated infections excluding BK, CMV, and EBV. Results We analyzed 115 patients meeting inclusion criteria. The primary composite endpoint was met by 69 patients (60%). Pre-transplant PRA Class 1 was associated with the composite endpoint (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.003-1.05, p 0.05). However, patients transplanted during winter - defined as January to March - had worse survival when compared to a composite of other seasons (2-year survival: 75% vs 88.7%, p=0.014) (Figure 1). Freedom from the composite endpoint was not associated with whether a patient had an infectious event (p>0.05). Conclusion Our study did not show any association between infectious exposure and rejection following cardiac transplantation. However, this analysis was likely underpowered to determine this association and national studies are needed.
Efficient and sustainable closed-loop supply chain network design: A two-stage stochastic formulation with a hybrid solution methodology

Abstract In recent years, consumers and legislators have pushed companies to design their supply chain networks to consider environmental and social impacts as an important performance outcome. Due to the role of resource utilization as a key component of logistics network design, another primary goal of design is ensuring available scarce resources are used as efficiently as possible across all facilities. To address efficiency issues in a sustainable closed-loop supply chain network, a stochastic integrated multi-objective mixed integer nonlinear programming model is developed in this paper, in which sustainability outcomes as well as efficiency of facility resource utilization are considered in the design of a sustainable supply chain network. In doing so, efficiency is assessed using a bi-objective output-oriented data envelopment analysis model. A hybrid three-step solution methodology is presented that creates a linear form of the original mixed integer nonlinear programming problem using piecewise McCormick envelopes approach. In the second step, an aggregated single objective programming model is derived by exploiting the multi-choice goal programming. Finally, a Lagrangian relaxation algorithm is developed to effectively solve the latter stochastic single objective mixed integer linear programming problem. The application of the proposed approach is investigated with data drawn from a case study in the electronics industry. This case study illustrates how firms may balance sustainability and efficiency in the supply chain network design problem. Further, it demonstrates the integration of efficiency results in improving economic aspects of sustainability as well as social responsibility outcomes, but also highlights the trade-offs that exist between efficiency and environmental impacts.
Equitable distribution of bikeshare stations: An optimization approach

Abstract Bikeshare systems have attracted increased research interest ranging from bikeshare planning analyses to operational improvement studies (e.g., rebalancing, or station optimization). However, the interaction between bikeshare station spatial distribution and actual bikeshare activities when addressing equity issues has not been thoroughly considered. Moreover, there is a paucity of research helping governments develop incentive programs for equitable bikeshare services. To fill this research gap, we develop a model to estimate the potential demand (i.e., bikeshare trip production and attraction) and its distribution, and evaluate performance over a set of objectives (e.g., maximization of annual revenue, accessibility improvements) to find the most equitable distribution of stations. We build a genetic algorithm to solve this multi-objective optimization. The study uses the Divvy bikeshare system in Chicago as a case study, and compares the solutions of the model with the system's expansion (new stations added) in 2016, which targeted disadvantaged areas. When selecting accessibility as the main objective, the results indicate the need to provide more stations in disadvantaged areas and those results overlap with the system's expansion in 2016. On the contrary, the goal of revenue maximization results in a smaller network of stations and fewer accessibility improvements, especially in disadvantaged communities. A sensitivity analysis uncovers the greatest obstacle (i.e., station cost) to adding more stations in disadvantaged areas. More importantly, a Pareto frontier of this multi-objective optimization supports several policy suggestions for incentivizing private bikeshare companies to target more disadvantaged populations. Our results show the importance of considering accessibility and other equity constraints in developing a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable transportation system, and we provide several planning suggestions.
Potential risks, prognostic indicators, and diagnostic and treatment modalities affecting survival in dogs with presumptive aspiration pneumonia: 125 cases (2005-2008)

Objective – To evaluate a clinical population of dogs diagnosed with presumptive aspiration pneumonia (AP) and determine diagnostic and treatment modalities contributing to survival. Design – Retrospective study. Setting – A university veterinary teaching hospital in an urban setting. Animals – One hundred and twenty-five dogs with presumed AP treated from 2005 to 2008. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – Dogs with presumptive AP identified by a review of medical records had an overall survival of 81.6% (102/125). Male large-breed dogs (mean 24.9 kg; 82/125) were overrepresented and were more likely to develop AP in this study population. Recent anesthesia had been performed in 16% (20/125), and vomiting was reported in 64% (80/125). The most common radiographic findings were a predominantly alveolar pattern (187/272, [68.8%] total lung lobes) in the right middle lung lobe (80/115, [69.6%]). A mean of 2 lung lobes were involved radiographically, and the relationship between survival and the number of lung lobes affected was statistically significant (P=0.04). Neutrophilia with a left shift was common with no significant change on consecutive daily evaluations. The mean PaO2 was 77.7 mm Hg (SD, 17.5 mm Hg) (range, 40.7–100 mm Hg) with a median alveolar-arterial gradient of 41.1 mm Hg (range, 8.1–81.8 mm Hg). In this study population, 37.6% (47/125) of dogs had microbial cultures performed and of these, 76.6% (36/47) were positive for growth; Escherichia coli (38.8%), Mycoplasma spp. (21.3%), Pasturella spp. (19.1%), and Staphylococcus spp. (17%) were the most common isolates in either single or multiagent infections. No treatment modality was statistically associated with increased survival. Colloid therapy was a negative prognostic indicator. Conclusions – In this study the overall prognosis for AP was good. Patients with only 1 affected lung lobe appeared more likely to survive. Supportive treatment modalities are warranted for the hospitalized patient, although no individual treatment method was found to be clearly superior to others.
Signal detection in burst noise

The author modifies an earlier result on the desirability of the use of switched detectors over fixed-structure detectors to include the dependence inherent in the noise. He notes that if a reliable burst-estimator is unavailable, the performance of the switched detector deteriorates considerably. He shows, however, that an improved switched burst detector, modified to reflect the uncertain estimate, is still desirable. >
An analysis of five hundred forty-seven midforceps operations.

Abstract In recent years the trend of many obstetrical services has been to reduce the incidence of midforceps operations by the use of small doses of Pituitrin and in some instances by increasing the incidence of cesarean section. Reid 1 in 1946 reported the incidence of midforceps in ward patients at the Boston Lying-in Hospital to be 0.5 per cent with the treatment of prolonged labor with posterior pituitary extract. Eastman 2 in 1947 reported a reduction in the incidence of midforceps operations from one in every 200 deliveries in the period when Pituitrin was not used to one in every 1,000 deliveries in the period in which Pituitrin was used in carefully selected cases of uterine inertia. Both of these authors have apparently succeeded in reducing midforceps deliveries by augmenting the expulsive powers of the uterus. This has been done in most instances, as our figures later will show, in the presence of an unfavorable mechanism of labor, the main element of which is the position and level of the fetal head. Many 4, 5, 6 hold the belief that the faulty mechanism can be corrected and that delivery can be accomplished with safety to both mother and fetus by means of the midforceps operation, thus avoiding a prolonged and difficult second stage of labor. The latter is not without hazards to the fetus. This policy has been followed on the obstetrical service at Bellevue Hospital and, in its support, this analysis of the midforceps operations from 1940 to 1951 is presented. Five hundred forty-seven midforceps operations were performed during this time and there were a total of 21,857 deliveries with an incidence of 2.5 per cent midforceps, or one in 40.
DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF TROPICAL MARINE LIMESTONE

Widespread bodies of marine limestone border many tropical coastlines. Consequently, siting and design of nuclear power plants will depend in part on the dynamic properties of the limestone. Results of comprehensive laboratory studies performed on tropical marine limestone are presented. Resonant column and cyclic triaxial test methods were utilized to determine dynamic soil properties. Laboratory work was supplemented by in-situ geophysical measurements for dynamic property determinations. Appreciable differences were observed between field and laboratory determined values of shear wave velocities; causal effects were attributed to hard zones causing first arrival from refracted wave, secondary time effect occurring in the laboratory test, etc. Laboratory results for the established geologic unit also indicated nonlinear stress-strain behavior similar to that noted in the literature for soils.
Sub-picosecond-jitter clock generation for interleaved ADC

This paper presents a design technique using a digitally-controlled delay line (DCDL) for the generation of sub-picosecond-jitter ADC sampling clock phases from a low-cost low-frequency clock source. In a test chip fabricated in a 0.18-μm CMOS technology, measured rms jitter is 0.28ps for each delay stage and 0.9ps through a 10 stage delay line.
Conformation of acyclic derivatives of sugars : Part VI. Conformations of aldehydo-aldose peracetates in solution

Abstract 2,3,4,5-Tetra- O -acetyl- aldehydo - d -ribose ( 1 ), its d - arabino ( 2 ), d - xylo ( 3 ), and d - lyxo ( 4 ) analogs, and 2,3,4,5-tetra- O -acetyl-6-deoxy- aldehydo - l -galactose ( 5 ) have been studied in chloroform- d solution by n.m.r. spectroscopy at 100 MHz. Signals of all protons were assigned, and verified by spin decoupling, and first-order coupling-constants were determined. The favored conformation of these compounds was shown to be the extended, planar, zigzag form 2 , except when such a conformation would lead to an eclipsed, 1,3-interaction between pairs of substituents, in which case the favored conformation is a “sickle” form 3–5 in which the 1,3-interaction is alleviated, by rotation about a carbon-carbon bond of the chain, to give a different rotameric state. The diphenyl dithioacetals ( 8 and 9 , respectively) of 2,3,4,5-tetra- O -acetyl- d -lyxose and 2,3,4,5-tetra- O -acetyl-6-deoxy- l -mannose were prepared, and their conformations studied; demercaptalation of these compounds by mercuric chloride proved to be more difficult than with the diethyl analogs.
AN UNIDENTIFIED I131 CONTAMINANT OF RADIOIODIDE PREPARATIONS12

A non-iodide I131 component was observed in. a number of samples of radioiodide obtained from E. R. Squibb & Sons during the period December 1959 through March 1960. This component, which is referred to as U, for unknown, is both biologically and chemically distinguishable from radioiodide. It resembles closely an I131 component, called Unknown 2, previously encountered in subcellular preparations incubated with radioiodide. U, which appears to be an oxidized form of inorganic iodine, is acid labile and is not as well utilized by thyroid tissue as is radioiodide. Formation of U in radioiodide preparations can be prevented by the presence of reducing agents such as sulfite, cysteine, or 1 methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole. The unknown I131 component was not observed in I131 samples obtained from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, nor was it present in more recent samples of I131 obtained from E. R. Squibb & Sons in which special precautions were taken to prevent its formation.
Synchronous period-doubling in flicker vision of salamander and man.

Crevier, Daniel W. and Markus Meister. Synchronous period-doubling in flicker vision of salamander and man. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 1869–1878, 1998. Periodic flashes of light have long served to probe...
Intracellular Features Predicted by Extracellular Recordings in the Hippocampus In Vivo

Multichannel tetrode array recording in awake behaving animals provides a powerful method to record the activity of large numbers of neurons. The power of this method could be extended if further i...
What to look for in groups: Helping trainees become more sensitive to multicultural issues

Abstract A multicultural adaptation of Hanson's original group process observation guidelines, That to Look for in Groups, is presented in order to help students and other trainees become more aware of multicultural issues in group work, The following “multicultural sensitizers” are added to each original process observation category: participation, influence, decision-making procedures, task functions, maintenance functions, group atmosphere, membership, feelings, and norms. A system for processing and discussing these expanded observations within a fishbowl design is detailed. Experimentation with these multicultural sensitizers is encouraged within a variety of settings: education, business and industry, and mental health.
Controlled delivery of therapeutics from microporous membranes. II. In vitro degradation and release of heparin-loaded poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)

In vitro degradation and release of five types of heparin/surfactant-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide 50:50) (PLG) microspheres alone and also incorporated within microporous polyurethane tubes were studied over a 3-month period. Degradation was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Heparin release was characterized using a modified Azure A assay. SEM suggests that microspheres may be entrapped within polyurethane fibrils of the polyurethane tubes, thereby reducing contact with their hydrated environment. FTIR transmittance spectra confirm microsphere incorporation within the polyurethane tubes and PLG ester hydrolysis occurring over the 3-month period. A correlation was observed between decreasing molecular weights and glass transition temperatures (Tg). The microspheres alone exhibited a change in Tg but not when incorporated within the microporous tubes. Release profiles revealed a burst effect occurring during the first 4h and total release of the heparin from the microspheres by 12 weeks.
Relation of serum testosterone levels to high density lipoprotein cholesterol and other characteristics in men

Although levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in males decrease during adolescence and after treatment with testosterone derivatives, several studies have reported that levels of HDL cholesterol are positively associated with endogenous levels of testosterone in men. This association was further examined using data collected during 1985 and 1986 from 3,562 white and 500 black men who ranged in age from 31 to 45 years. Black men had higher mean levels of both HDL cholesterol (8 mg/dl) and total testosterone (33 ng/dl) than white men, and positive associations were observed between testosterone and HDL cholesterol levels (r = 0.22, whites; r = 0.26, blacks). In addition, levels of testosterone were related positively to alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking and negatively to age, Quetelet index, and use of beta-blockers. We used stratification and regression analyses to determine if any of these characteristics could account for the positive association between levels of HDL cholesterol and total testosterone. Although controlling for most factors had little influence, adjusting for Quetelet index reduced the strength of the association between levels of testosterone and HDL cholesterol by approximately 30%. These findings suggest that the positive association between levels of testosterone and HDL cholesterol may not be causal. Multivariable analyses that control for obesity and other potentially confounding characteristics should be used in studies that assess the relation of testosterone levels to coronary heart disease.
Structure elucidation of thioketone analogues of sildenafil detected as adulterants in herbal aphrodisiacs.

Abstract Two analogues of sildenafil were detected in herbal dietary supplements marketed as aphrodisiacs. Both compounds were identified as thioketone analogues of sildenafil in which the carbonyl group in the pyrimidine ring of sildenafil was substituted with a thiocarbonyl group. The first compound was identified as thiosildenafil, a compound that has recently been reported as an adulterant in health supplements. The structure of the second compound was established using LC–MS, UV spectroscopy, ESI-MSn, NMR and a hydrolytic process. A detailed study of the hydrolysis products of sildenafil, thiosildenafil, and the second unknown compound proved that the second compound, named thiomethisosildenafil, had a structure analogous to sildenafil in which the N-methylpiperazine moiety had been replaced with 2,6-dimethylpiperazine and the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group in the heterocyclic ring had been replaced with a sulfur atom. Under the hydrolytic reaction conditions employed in this study, thioketones hydrolyze to ketones (e.g., thiosildenafil → sildenafil), making this a valuable technique for the structure elucidation of thiosildenafil analogues. Ten herbal dietary supplements, each as a capsule dosage form, were found to contain 8–151 mg of thiomethisosildenafil per capsule, and one herbal dietary supplement was found to contain 35 mg of thiosildenafil per capsule.
Foreign currency translation under the temporal rate method

Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) are rules and procedures designed to establish reliable financial information. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) defines reliable financial information in Statement of Financial Accounting Concept No. 2 as information that is reasonably free from error and bias and faithfully represents what it purports to represent [FASB, 1980, paragraphs 59, 77]. Under SFAS No. 52 [FASB, 1981], however, the temporal rate method of translating foreign currency denominated financial statements may not produce reliable information. The result is that consolidated financial statements of U.S. companies may include unreliable components such as under (over) valued assets. The findings of this paper are important because unreliable financial information places U.S. firms at a competitive disadvantage by hindering efficient and effective business decisions.
Production of Chronic Elevation of Left Ventricular End Diastolic Pressure in Dogs: Hemodynamic and Renal Studies

In an effort to produce a preparation for the study of sodium excretion in chronic left heart failure a graft anastomosis was created between the left subclavian artery and the left atrium in five dogs. This resulted in chronic progressive elevation of left ventricular end diastolic and left atrial pressures. Maximal left ventricular end diastolic pressures ranged between 18 and 30 mm Hg, 10 to 20 weeks postoperatively. There was only a slight rise in right ventricular diastolic pressure and no clinical evidence of right heart failure. Cardiac outputs remained within normal limits in all animals. Serial electrocardiograms disclosed the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation were observed at postmortem examination. One dog which survived with a patent shunt for more than a year had right as well as left ventricular hypertrophy but no right heart failure. Glomerular filtration rates, renal plasma flow and excretion of rapidly infused isotonic saline remained unaltered even at the highest levels of left ventricular end diastolic pressure. Although the development of left and eventually right ventricular hypertrophy, the chronic and progressive elevation of left ventricular end diastolic, mean left atrial and pulmonary arterial pressure, with only slight elevation of right ventricular end diastolic pressure, were regarded as characteristic features of isolated left ventricular failure, the propriety of this term may be questioned in view of the unaltered cardiac output and renal hemodynamics. But the observations do indicate that marked elevation of left ventricular end diastolic and presumably pulmonary venocapillary pressure, such as occur in left heart failure, do not impair renal excretion of sodium.
Effects of ciprofloxacin on the expression and production of exotoxins by Clostridium difficile.

Hypervirulent BI/NAP1/027 strains of Clostridium difficile have been associated with increased mortality of C. difficile infection (CDI). The emergence of highly fluoroquinolone (FLQ)-resistant BI/NAP1/027 strains suggests that FLQ exposure may be a risk factor for CDI development. However, the mechanism for this is not clear. We compared the effects of subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin on Toxin A and B gene expression and protein production in recent (strain 039) and historical (strain 5325) BI/NAP1/027 clinical isolates with high- and low-level ciprofloxacin resistance, respectively. In the highly ciprofloxacin-resistant isolate (strain 039), ciprofloxacin significantly and dose-dependently increased Toxin A gene expression and shifted its expression to earlier in its growth cycle; TcdB gene expression also increased but was less sensitive to low-dose ciprofloxacin. Maximal Toxin A/B production (4 ng ml−1) was increased twofold and occurred significantly earlier than in the untreated control. In strain 5325, ciprofloxacin at 0.25×MIC markedly increased both tcdA and tcdB expression but their temporal dynamics were unchanged. Maximal toxin production (250 ng ml−1) was reduced approximately threefold compared with that of the untreated control. These results demonstrate significant differences in ciprofloxacin-induced toxin gene expression and protein production among BI/NAP1/027 isolates, and offer a new paradigm for FLQ-associated CDI caused by recent, highly antibiotic-resistant strains.
What kind of pitcher can a catcher fill? Effects of priming in sentence comprehension

Subjects read sentences that ended in an ambiguous noun that had been disambiguated by preceding selection restrictions. Each sentence began with a subject noun and a relative clause that could either prime the selected meaning of the final word, the nonselected meaning, or neither. Three experiments used comprehension time and interpretation errors to determine how context integrates with selectional restrictions. There were effects of positive priming on comprehension time and effects of negative priming on interpretation errors. The effects of priming were additive. These results support a threshold model of concept activation.
The Cost of Research: A Survey of Participating Sites in a Nationwide Registry

Objective Much attention has been placed upon decreasing costs of clinical research. However, little has been studied about the effects on research completion. Methods A survey was sent to all registry investigators and coordinators to determine the cost of enrollment in a national registry, whether sites had to supplement using their own funds, and whether the cost affected enrollment. Results Results indicate that a majority of sites supplemented enrollment with their own funding (88%) and diagnoses requiring a lot of time to enroll were avoided. Conclusion This survey showed that reimbursement rates were well below the costs of enrollment.
Transcription of the λdv plasmid and inhibition of λ phages in λdv carrier cells of Escherichia coli

Abstract Control of transcription in the λdv plasmid (Figs. 1 and 2), the circular genome of which consists of a segment of λv2v1v3 DNA between genes N and Q, was studied. RNA is synthesized from two units of transcription (operons) on the l strand and one on the r strand of λdv DNA. The rate of transcription of the pc-cI-rex operon, transcribed from the l strand, is much lower in a carrier cell containing multiple copies of λdv genomes than in a λ lysogen, suggesting negative control of cI-rex transcription. The rate of steady-state transcription of the other l-strand-coded operon, which is controlled by the pL promoter and oL operator, is tripled by induction with mitomycin, suggesting that the v2 mutation reduces only partially the affinity of the oL operator for the cI repressor; this operon, formed by circularizing fusion of λdv ends, is unique to λdv and contains pLoL, the oL-proximal part of gene N, and P-proximal segment of the P-Q region, and possibly P and O, in that order. The transcription of the pRoR-x-y-cII-O-P operon from strand r is not affected by induction. Therefore, the v1v3 mutations appear to render the oR operator of λdv fully constitutive. In this operon the specific rate of transcription of the pRoR-x interval is 5–20 times higher than that of the y-cII interval, which is of similar length, suggesting the presence of a termination signal, tR1, between x and y. This tR1 signal was also detected in some (λsusN7N53v1v3) but not all λN− mutants. In λdv carrier cells the multiplication of λ, λimm434 and λv2v1v3 is inhibited, but that of λimm21 and λimm80 is not. It has been excluded that this inhibition is solely due to the cI-mediated repression of transcription. Other possible reasons include competition or negative complementation by a defective N product of λdv, and competition for nondiffusible component(s) of the bacterial apparatus involved in transcription and replication, most likely the membrane sites.
Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single center experience.

Abstract Introduction Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) is a variation in which trocar scars are hidden in the umbilicus. We sought to determine whether SILS cholecystectomy is a safe alternative to a conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our series of 205 SIL cholecystectomies (SILC) performed between May 2008–June 2010. The first 50 cases were done by initially insufflating the abdomen with a veress needle through the umbilicus and then placing 3, 5 mm ports in the umbilicus. The remaining cases were performed using a cut down approach at the umbilicus, followed by placement of a three-trocar SILS port under direct vision. Results Two hundred and five patients (M:F = 48:157) underwent SILC during the study period. Median age was 45 (range = 21–62). Mean BMI range was 35 (range = 21–44). Mean operative time was 60 min (range = 40–120 min) and a follow up period that ranges from 1 to 21 months. Patient pathologies included: Chronic cholecystitis (74%), Acute cholecystitis (17%), Choledocholithiasis (6.8%), Gallstone pancreatitis (2%) and gallbladder polyp (0.5%). An additional port was placed in the umbilicus in 3% of cases. No cases were converted to open. Complications occurred in 4% of cases including: 3 patients with retained stones, 2 patients with post-op wound infection, 2 patients with incisional hernias in the umbilical region and 1patient with a veress injury. Conclusion SIL cholecystectomy can be done safely. It offers a better cosmetic result, which may lead to greater patient satisfaction.