cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of mesalamine in the alterations of metabolic parameters in comorbid ulcerative colitis and metabolic syndrome patients: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND & AIMS It is unclear how the gut targeting medication mesalamine alters metabolic parameters associated with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). We completed a retrospective analysis on ulcerative colitis (UC) and MetS comorbid patients receiving mesalamine to examine the effects of mesalamine on the metabolic risk factors associated with MetS. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review using Cerner’s Health Facts (from July 2007 to July 2017). We identified UC patients with a MetS comorbidity and who were prescribed mesalamine within +/- 7 days of an encounter in which they were diagnosed with UC. We then collected the patient’s blood pressure, labs, and body measurement index (BMI) for each of these patient at the index date and the closest values to 12 months after the index date. We used analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to determine the effect of mesalamine therapy in patients with both UC and MetS on the metabolic parameters after 12 months of treatment compared to baseline. RESULTS Our search of Cerner Health Facts identified 6,197 UC patients with concomitant MetS who were prescribed mesalamine. Of these individuals, 48% were female and 52% were male and within this cohort 88.3% received oral mesalamine and 11.7% received mesalamine via the rectal route. Oral mesalamine reduced fasting glucose levels and increased HDL cholesterol in these patients. C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were also significantly reduced. Rectal mesalamine only reduced BMI. Further analysis revealed several MetS conditions risk factors were further improved when mesalamine was taken in the absence of medication for hypertension, hyperglycemia or dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION In a retrospective chart study of UC-MetS patients, we found oral mesalamine improved several metabolic parameters associated with MetS. Our findings suggest the PPAR agonist mesalamine that targets the gastrointestinal tract could prove beneficial in improving hypertension, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia.
Time-domain signal averaging to improve microparticles detection and enumeration accuracy in a microfluidic impedance cytometer.

Microfluidic impedance cytometry is a powerful system to measure micro and nano-sized particles and is routinely used in point-of-care disease diagnostics and other biomedical applications. However, small objects near a sensor's detection limit are plagued with relatively significant background noise and are difficult to identify for every case. While many data processing techniques can be utilized to reduce noise and improve signal quality, frequently they are still inadequate to push sensor detection limits. Here, we report the first demonstration of a novel signal averaging algorithm effective in noise reduction of microfluidic impedance cytometry data, improving enumeration accuracy, and reducing detection limits. Our device uses a 22 µm tall × 100 µm wide (with 30 µm wide focused aperture) microchannel and gold coplanar microelectrodes that generate an electric field, recording bipolar pulses from polystyrene microparticles flowing through the channel. In addition to outlining a modified moving signal averaging technique theoretically and with a model data set, we also performed a compendium of characterization experiments including variations in flow rate, input voltage, and particle size. Multivariate metrics from each experiment are compared including signal amplitude, pulse width, background noise, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Incorporating our technique resulted in improved SNR and counting accuracy across all experiments conducted, and the limit of detection improved from 5 to 1 µm particles without modifying microchannel dimensions. Succeeding this, we envision implementing our modified moving average technique to develop next-generation microfluidic impedance cytometry devices with an expanded dynamic range and improved enumeration accuracy. This can be exceedingly useful for many biomedical applications, such as infectious disease diagnostics where devices may enumerate larger-scale immune cells alongside sub-micron bacterium in the same sample.
Recurrent Neural Networks for Partially Observed Dynamical Systems.

Complex nonlinear dynamics are ubiquitous in many fields. Moreover, we rarely have access to all of the relevant state variables governing the dynamics. Delay embedding allows us, in principle, to account for unobserved state variables. Here we provide an algebraic approach to delay embedding that permits explicit approximation of error. We also provide the asymptotic dependence of the first order approximation error on the system size. More importantly, this formulation of delay embedding can be directly implemented using a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). This observation expands the interpretability of both delay embedding and RNN and facilitates principled incorporation of structure and other constraints into these approaches.
Microbial communities for valorizing biomass using the carboxylate platform to produce volatile fatty acids: a review.

The carboxylate platform employs a diverse microbial consortium of anaerobes in which the methanogens are inhibited. Nearly all biomass components are digested to a mixture of C1-C8 monocarboxylic acids and their corresponding salts. The methane-arrested anaerobic digestion proceeds readily without needing to sterilize biomass or equipment. It accepts a wide range of feedstocks (e.g., agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, animal manure, food waste, algae, and energy crops), and produces high product yields. This review highlights several important aspects of the platform, including its thermodynamic underpinnings, influences of inoculum source and operating conditions on product formation, and downstream chemical processes that convert the carboxylates to hydrocarbon fuels and oxygenated chemicals. This review further establishes the carboxylate platform as a viable and economical route to industrial biomass utilization.
Esophageal Dysmotility Is Associated With Disease Severity in Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Abstract Background An association of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) with esophageal dysmotility has been described, however the related mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate clinical and physiologic characteristics, including esophageal distensibility, associated with secondary peristalsis in patients with EoE. Methods 199 consecutive adult patients with EoE (ages 18-78, 32% female) that completed 16-cm functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) during endoscopy were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. FLIP Panometry contractile response (CR) patterns were classified as normal CR or borderline CR if antegrade contractions were present, while “abnormal CRs” included impaired/disordered CR, absent CR, or spastic-reactive CR. The distensibility plateau (DP) of the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction distensibility was measured with FLIP. Results FLIP CR patterns included 68 (34%) normal CR, 65 (33%) borderline CR, 44 (22%) impaired/disordered CR, 16 (8%) absent CR, and 6 (3%) spastic-reactive CR. Compared with normal CRs, abnormal CRs more frequently had reduced esophageal distensibility (DP Discussion While normal secondary peristalsis was frequently observed in this EoE cohort, abnormal esophageal CRs were related to EoE disease severity, especially features of fibrostenosis. This study evaluating secondary peristalsis in EoE suggests that esophageal wall remodeling, rather than eosinophilic inflammatory intensity, was associated with esophageal dysmotility in EoE.
Multi-Ethnic Coalitions in Africa: Business Financing of Opposition Election Campaigns

Why are politicians able to form electoral coalitions that bridge ethnic divisions in some countries and not others? This book answers this question by presenting a theory of pecuniary coalition building in multi-ethnic countries governed through patronage. Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, the book explains how the relative autonomy of business from state-controlled capital affects political bargaining among opposition politicians in particular. While incumbents form coalitions by using state resources to secure cross-ethnic endorsements, opposition politicians must rely on the private resources of business to do the same. This book combines cross-national analyses of African countries with in-depth case studies of Cameroon and Kenya to show that incumbents actively manipulate financial controls to prevent business from supporting their opposition. It demonstrates that opposition politicians are more likely to coalesce across ethnic cleavages once incumbents have lost their ability to blackmail the business sector through financial reprisals.
Controlled-Order Thermosets for Electronic Packaging

Publisher Summary Liquid crystalline networks combine high-dimensional stability and mechanical orientability typical of polymer networks with the unique anisotropic behavior of liquid crystals. The ability of liquid crystals to self order into supramolecular structures capable of being macroscopically oriented by external electric and magnetic fields is transferred to the thermoset system. This is a very effective way of tailoring phase transitions, tuning the properties to desired levels, and to control organization at the molecular level. This chapter aims to create a molecular system where one could not only align the components in external fields, but also selectively control and lock-in the direction of alignment by network formation. Such materials possess physical and chemical properties that are very different along each orientation, and one could conceive of using photochemistry, for example, to form films with order and orientation set in specified regions. By establishing orientation in a controlled fashion, the properties of such a film can be varied on demand prior to cross-linking using a single chemical precursor to form new materials with tunable transport, optical, and mechanical properties. These properties are then retained even at very high temperatures because of the presence of the network.
When White boys kill: An Afrocentric analysis.

Abstract The image of male youth homicide is primarily associated with young black males. However, recent school shootings in which multiple innocent victims were murdered indicate that young white males may be at serious risk of a much more tragic homicidal phenomenon known as multicide. This paper offers a conceptual framework to explain multicide and violence generally among young white males by employing an Afrocentric analysis. This analysis assumes that multicide among young white males can be explained by the convergence of three structural-cultural factors, which are (1) the concept of manhood that places considerable emphasis on physical aggression; (2) the phenomenon of spiritual alienation; and (3) the anxiety and stress associated with concerns over maintaining white male privilege. The paper also presents recommendations that describe how the effects of these three factors could be prevented and mediated, and it offers suggestions for future research that applies an Afrocentric framework to i...
Nuclear transport as a function of cellular activity

Publisher Summary Considering the strategic location of the nuclear envelope in eukaryotic cells, it could play an important role in regulating the transcription and translation of genetic information by modulating the nucleocytoplasmic exchange of macromolecules. This chapter discusses the data relating to this fundamental question, specifically, whether the capacity for signal-mediated nuclear transport varies as a function of cellular activity. The signal-mediated nuclear import of macromolecules is a multistep process that is initiated by specific nuclear targeting signals that interact with cytoplasmic receptors. This chapter presents evidence demonstrating that nuclear transport is a dynamic process that can increase or decrease in effectiveness in response to changes in cell function.
CO2 exchange coefficients from remotely sensed wind speed measurements: SSM/I versus QuikSCAT in 2000

We compare here the air-sea exchange coefficient for C02 estimated with monthly mean wind speed measured by the Special Sensing Microwave Imager (SSM/I), Ks , and by the scatterometer QuikSCAT, Kq, for the year 2000.
The hazards of space travel

Before sending out astronauts on an interplanetary mission, we need to investigate how the conditions in space affect human health. The International Space Station is therefore of huge importance to ensure the health of a spaceship crew travelling to other planets
Bacterial diversity of an acidic Louisiana groundwater contaminated by dense nonaqueous-phase liquid containing chloroethanes and other solvents

Bacterial concentration and diversity was assessed in a moderately acidic (pH 5.1) anaerobic groundwater contaminated by chlorosolvent-containing DNAPL at a Superfund site located near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Groundwater analysis revealed a total aqueous-phase chlorosolvent concentration exceeding 1000 mg L−1, including chloroethanes, vinyl chloride, 1,2-dichloropropane, and hexachloro-1,3-butadiene as the primary contaminants. Direct counting of stained cells revealed more than 3 × 107 cells mL−1 in the groundwater, with 58% intact and potentially viable. Universal and ‘Dehalococcoides’-specific 16S rRNA gene libraries were created and analyzed. Universal clones were grouped into 18 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were dominated by low-G+C Gram-positive bacteria (62%) and included several as yet uncultured or undescribed organisms. Several unique 16S rRNA gene sequences closely related to Dehalococcoides ethenogenes were detected. Anaerobically grown isolates (168 in total) were also sequenced. These were phylogenetically grouped into 18 OTUs, of which only three were represented in the clone library. Phylogenetic analysis of isolates and the clone sequences revealed close relationships with dechlorinators, fermenters, and hydrogen producers. Despite acidic conditions and saturation or near-saturation chlorosolvent concentrations, the data presented here demonstrate that large numbers of novel bacteria are present in groundwater within the DNAPL source zone, and the population appears to contain bacterial components necessary to carry out reductive dechlorination.
Social Justice & the Next Upward Surge for Unions:

Labor unions have been on the decline for sixty years in the U.S., though they raise wages, decrease inequality, and give voice to workers. Can they rise again?
Procyon Experiments Utilizing Foil-fuse Opening Switches

The Los Alamos National Laboratory has applied the explosive magnetic flux compression generator (FCG) technology to the high-energy foil-implosion project, Trailmaster, to reach energy levels unattainable by other methods under current budget constraints. A required component for FCG systems is a power-conditioning stage that matches the slow risetime of the energy source with the fast-risetime requirements of the foil-implosion load. Currently, the Trailmaster concept is based on a two-step process of combining an intermediate power compression stage with a plasma flow switch (PFS) that will deliver energy to an imploding foil on the order of 100 ns. The intermediate power compression stage, which is the main emphasis of this report, consists of an energy storage inductor loaded by the FCG (the energy sauce) and an associated opening and closing switch. In our Procyon testing series, a subtask of the Trailmaster project, we have explored two approaches for opening and closing switches. One uses an explosive opening switch (EFF) and a detonator-initiated closing switch, the topic of another paper at this conference, and the other a resistive fuse opening switch a surface tracking closing switch (STS), the subject of this presentation. This latter concept was successfully tested last summer with amore » complete plasma flow switch assembly except the dynamic implosion foil was replaced by a rigid passive inductive load. We present data on the performance of the fuse opening switch, the surface tracking closing switch, and the plasma flow switch. 7 refs., 9 figs.« less
Role of Clinician's Experience and Implant Design on Implant Stability. An Ex Vivo Study in Artificial Soft Bones

Objectives: Clinical experience in implant placement is important in order to prevent implant failures. However, the implant design affects the primary implant stability (PS) especially in poor quality bones. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of clinician surgical experience on PS, when placing different type of implant designs. Methods: A total of 180 implants (90 parallel walled-P and 90 tapered-T) were placed in freshly slaughtered cow ribs. Bone quality was evaluated by two examiners during surgery and considered as ‘type IV’ bone. Implants (o 5 mm, length: 15 mm, Osseotite, BIOMET 3i, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA) were placed by three different clinicians (master/I, good/II, non-experienced/III, under direct supervision of a manufacturer representative; 30 implants/group). An independent observer assessed the accuracy of placement by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) with implant stability quotient (ISQ) values. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test were used to detect the surgical experience of the clinicians and their interaction and effects of implant design on the PS. Results: All implants were mechanically stable. The mean ISQ values were: 49.57(± 18.49) for the P-implants and 67.07(± 8.79) for the T-implants. The two-way ANOVA showed significant effects of implant design (p < .0001), clinician (p < .0001), and their interaction (p < .0001). The Tukey's multiple comparison test showed significant differences in RFA for the clinician group I/II (p = .015) and highly significant (p < .0001) between I/III and II/III. The P-implants presented (for I, II, and III) mean ISQ values 31.25/49.18/68.17 and the T-implants showed higher ISQ values, 70.15/62.08/68.98, respectively. Clinicians I and II did not show extreme differences for T-implants (p = .016). In contrast, clinician III achieved high ISQ values using P- and T-implants following the exact surgical protocol based on the manufacturer guidelines. T-implants provided high stability for experienced clinicians compared with P-implants. Conclusion: T-implants achieved greater PS than the P-implants. All clinicians consistently achieved PS; however, experienced clinicians achieved higher ISQ values with T-implants in poor quality bone.
Mental Retardation, Competency to Waive Miranda Rights, and False Confessions

Persons with mental retardation are encountering the criminal justice system in increasing numbers. Persons with mental retardation who become suspects in criminal cases must deal with issues of competence to waive their right to remain silent upon police questioning, as well as the admissibility of any confession that is made as a result of that questioning. Unfortunately, we have begun to learn that confessions are frequently entered by persons with mental retardation in police interrogations without full understanding of their rights (Atchison & Keyes, 1996). In addition, because of the particular characteristics of those with mental retardation, statements that they may make must also be evaluated closely for reliability, even if their admissibility satisfies legal standards.
Doctors or medical aids—the debate over the training of black medical personnel for the rural black population in South Africa in the 1920s and 1930s

(1987). Doctors or medical aids—the debate over the training of black medical personnel for the rural black population in South Africa in the 1920s and 1930s. Journal of Southern African Studies: Vol. 13, The Political Economy of Health in Southern Africa, pp. 234-255.
Are graduating surgical residents confident in performing open vascular surgery? Results of a national survey.

Introduction General surgical training has changed significantly over the past decade with work-hour restrictions, increasing use of minimally invasive techniques, and increasing specialization, leading to decreased resident exposure to open operative techniques. Furthermore, the presence of vascular surgery fellows and the advent of dedicated vascular surgery residencies have had the potential to diminish further the vascular surgery experience of general surgery residents. Given these changes, this study was undertaken to assess the confidence of graduating general surgery residents in performing certain key open vascular maneuvers, approaches that might be required in a general surgery practice, and to determine factors associated with variations in reported confidence. Methods A survey was developed and sent to graduating chief surgical residents nationally. We queried them regarding demographics and program characteristics and asked them to rate their confidence (rated 1-5 on a Likert scale) in performing a vascular anastomosis and 4 specific vascular control maneuvers. We then compared those who indicated confidence with those who did not. Results We received 653 responses from fifth-year (postgraduate year 5) surgical residents: 69% men, 67.5% from university programs, and 51% from programs affiliated with a Veterans Affairs hospital; additionally, 22% were from small programs, 34% from medium programs, and 44% from large programs. Although 70% of respondents indicated confidence performing a vascular anastomosis, less than 25% indicated confidence performing each of the 4 specified vascular maneuvers. Age, program size, future fellowship plans, surgical volume, estimated percentage of cases performed laparoscopically, and geographic location were all associated with variations in reported confidence. Conclusions Graduating general surgical residents indicated a significant lack of confidence in performing specific open vascular surgical maneuvers. This decreased confidence varied regionally and was associated with both demographic and program-specific factors.
A Co(III) derivative of concanavalin A.

Abstract Co(III) has been stoichiometrically incorporated into jack bean concanavalin A. The Co(III) protein still possesses a binding site for an additional divalent transition metal ion which together with Ca(II) can induce the sugar binding ability. No H2O2 oxidation of Co(II) occurs with demetallized concanavalin A activated with Ca(II) and Co(II) unless Co(II) is present in a stoichiometric excess. Evidence is presented to indicate that kinetically stable Co(III) is bound to a completely different location than the thermodynamically stable Co(II) protein site.
Effect of deglycosylation on the stability of Aspergillus niger catalase

Abstract Catalase from Aspergillus niger was isolated from a commercial preparation. The enzyme was found to be glycoprotein containing 9% neutral sugar and 3% hexosamine. A. niger catalase was markedly more stable than the beef liver enzyme to inactivation by heat, proteolysis, and glutaraldehyde modification. The effect of glycosylation on thermal and proteolytic stability was investigated. Deglycosylation of the fungal enzyme resulted in increased susceptibility to proteolysis and a small decrease in thermostability.
Predictors of repair and outcome in prenatally diagnosed atrioventricular septal defects.

Background: Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) is a common prenatal diagnosis with great heterogeneity. Few data guide counseling about outcomes and types of repair. The aim of this study was to describe predictors of survival and repair type in prenatally diagnosed atrioventricular septal defect. Methods: A retrospective review of fetuses diagnosed with AVSD was conducted. Results: Of 106 fetuses with AVSDs, outcome data were available in 88, 66 with situs solitus and 22 with heterotaxy.Overallmortality was52%,with66%survivingto birth,58% to1month,and 47%to1year.There was increased mortality in patients with heterotaxy (P = .02). In patients with situs solitus, there was increased mortality in those with unbalanced AVSDs (P < .01). The presence of a chromosomal abnormality did not affect mortality (P = .34). In pregnancies with intent to continue (n = 60), 97% of patients survived to birth, 86% to 1 month, and 69% to 1 year. The presence of heterotaxy (P < .01) or other complex intracardiac disease (P < .01) was associated with single-ventricle repair. In patients with unbalanced AVSDs who underwent surgery, two-ventricle repair was uncommon (29%), but it was performed more often in those with restrictive ventricular septal defects (71%). In the 16 patients with unbalanced AVSDs who underwent multiple studies, 12 showed no change in left atrioventricular valve/right atrioventricular valve ratio from first to the final fetal echocardiographic study; in three patients, this ratio worsened, and in one patient, it improved. Conclusions: Prenatal diagnosis of AVSD should prompt assessment for chromosomal abnormalities, additional cardiac anomalies, and heterotaxy syndrome. Heterotaxy, unbalanced AVSD, and the need for single-ventricle repair are associated with a poor prognosis. Left atrioventricular valve/right atrioventricular valve ratio early in gestation does not always predict this ratio at delivery. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2013;26:208-16.)
Is Lithium Ammonia Suitable for a Liquid Lunar Telescope

A large, liquid mirror telescope on the moon could provide invaluable observations of the early universe. However, current liquid telescopes are unsuitable for observations in the infrared (IR), where much interesting science is expected. While there are many significant engineering challenges for such a telescope, the lack of a suitable liquid has been a major factor limiting discussion. Here we argue that liquid lithium ammonia should be a suitable operating liquid. It has a high reflectivity in the IR, a low melting point (89 K), a low density (~0.5 g cc-1), and extrapolation of its measured vapor pressure indicates that it is suitable for lunar vacuum.
Study of the two-step W/WO3 solar to fuel conversion cycle for syngas production

Abstract This work proposes syngas production by utilizing the W/WO 3 redox system in a solar-powered two-step thermochemical cycle. Three chemical reactions occur in two chambers of a solar concentrator. A high temperature reaction reduces WO 3 powder to metallic tungsten in both the chambers. Subsequently, the temperature of the first chamber is lowered and H 2(g) is produced via re-oxidation of the tungsten powder using H 2 O (g) . The temperature of the second chamber is simultaneously lowered to an intermediate temperature, and CO 2(g) oxidizes the tungsten powder to generate CO (g) . The gas streams coming out of the two chambers will be combined, resulting in syngas production. Complete thermodynamic and kinetic analyzes of the system are described in this paper. The W/WO 3 redox cycle offers greater gravimetric fuel productivity compared to previously proposed systems, and the entire cycle can be operated in the solid phase. Conditions to prohibit tungsten volatilization and tungsten carbide formation are also outlined.
Causal propagation of a charged spin 3/2 field in an external electromagnetic background

We present a Lagrangian for a massive, charged spin 3/2 field in a constant external electromagnetic background, which correctly propagates only physical degrees of freedom inside the light cone. The Velo-Zwanziger acausality and other pathologies such as loss of hyperbolicity or the appearance of unphysical degrees of freedom are avoided by a judicious choice of nonminimal couplings. No additional fields or equations besides the spin 3/2 ones are needed to solve the problem.
Evolution of tin whiskers and subsiding grains in thermal cycling

The evolution of surface morphology, including whisker formation, grain boundary cracking, and subsiding grains, was studied in Sn thin films on Si substrates with a Cu interlayer during thermal cycling from −40 to 85 °C in air for up to 250 cycles and was compared with surface morphologies resulting from room temperature aging. Multiple areas were tracked, and the areal density of whiskers and the grain morphologies within these areas were monitored over time for room temperature aging and with increasing number of thermal cycles. During room temperature aging, the whisker density increased with time until saturation ~3 weeks after plating. As for thermal cycling, the whisker density was observed first to increase but then to decrease as a result of a whisker pinch-off phenomenon. The characteristic features of whiskers formed during thermal cycling included the formation of deep grooves along the in-plane grain boundaries of whiskers (“whisker root”), a decrease in whisker radii as they grew, striation rings on whiskers perpendicular to the whisker growth direction, corresponding striations along grooved surfaces in the film, albeit at different spatial periodicities than those on their corresponding whiskers, and whisker pinch-off as whiskers became prone to fracture as their radii decreased. Whiskers formed during room temperature aging did not display such grooving or pinch-off. A whisker pinch-off model was proposed to explain the observed morphological changes and the resulting decrease in whisker density during thermal cycling, with a calculated whisker growth rate that agrees with the experimental observation.
Improving the Acquisition of Novel Vocabulary Through the Use of Imagery Interventions

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of imagery interventions on the vocabulary acquisition abilities of second grade students. A total of 15 students were randomly assigned to three different intervention conditions: Word Only, which involves the simple verbal presentation of a vocabulary word; Dual Coding, in which a picture was paired with the vocabulary word, and Image Creation, in which students were told to create a mental picture of the vocabulary word in their mind and draw it on paper. These students were taught a total of 21 vocabulary words: seven animal and habitat words, seven musical instrument terms, and seven science terms. A Latin square design was used, in which each group of students rotated through each of the interventions, being exposed to a different treatment condition for each category of words. Participants were measured on the number of words they were successfully able to acquire through the use of experimenter designed comprehension measures. While no statistical significance was shown between the interventions across the word categories, a significant difference was found between the Image Creation and Word Only interventions within the science terms category. Students also reported that the imagery interventions facilitated the ease with which they learned the words. The findings have implications for increasing the success of classroom instruction, specifically for presenting novel vocabulary words to early elementary learners using imagery methods.
Triazolines VII. Results of screening l,5‐diaryl‐Δ2‐l,2,3‐triazolines for pesticidal properties

Twenty-one l,5-diaryl-δ2-l,2,3-triazolines were screened for the first time for pesticidal properties—insecticidal, fungicidal, bactericidal and virucidal. Five of the compounds showed some fungicidal activity, and 13 exhibited low level insecticidal activity, mostly toward the Mexican bean beetle.
Spinal deformity secondary to impaired neurologic control.

Spinal deformity occurs in children who have problems with motor control involving the trunk muscles. This lack of control allows the growing spine to collapse. Most commonly, this collapse is due to spasticity in children with the quadriplegic pattern of cerebral palsy. The most typical collapse pattern is scoliosis, although kyphosis or lordosis may also develop. Children who have severe hypotonia may also have development of spinal deformities, often with substantial kyphosis. Individuals with severe extensor posturing may have development of total spinal lordosis. A severe lack of motor control, expressed as a movement disorder such as athetosis or dystonia, is associated with a lower incidence of scoliosis than spasticity is. The incidence of scoliosis in institutionalized individuals, most of whom have a spastic quadriplegic pattern, has been reported to be 64%, with a strong inverse relationship to ambulatory ability1. This means that individuals who are dependent sitters with no head control may have a rate of scoliosis as high as 90%. We are not aware of published data on the incidence of spinal deformity with other movement disorders. Friedreich ataxia is a condition in which the primary neurologic manifestation is also a lack of motor control and in which the development of spinal deformities, primarily scoliosis, is common. Progressive scoliosis requiring surgical stabilization develops in approximately 50% of these individuals2. Individuals with motor-control problems tend to have development of spinal deformity in late childhood. Initially, the child often has very flexible postural curves and tends to lean toward one side. Typically, as the child enters early adolescent growth, the spine develops a structural torsional deformity with increasing stiffness. This structural curve may become so stiff that physical correction, even when the child is in a lying position, is impossible. The stiffness typically increases as the …
Identifying the cause of the NSTX TF coil bundle failure

The NSTX TF coil assembly experienced a failure in the TF center bundle during pulse number 143912 on July 20, 2011. A short circuit between turns 14 and 30 spread to turn 13 and resulted in melting of approximately 2 kg of copper and ejection of copper and solder from the cooling channels at the lower end of the TF bundle. An autopsy of the coil was immediately begun by PPPL personnel that included cutting numerous sections from the affected region of the coil and examining the chemical makeup of the insulation. In addition, careful machining to isolate various areas of turn to turn insulation uncovered suspicious spots that exhibited low resistance. This paper will present the methods used to isolate the location and identify the causes of the failure in the coil bundle and the design changes made to the NSTX Upgrade TF bundle and fabrication processes to prevent a recurrence of the fault.
Nighttime salivary cortisol measurement as a simple, noninvasive, outpatient screening test for Cushing's syndrome in children and adolescents.

Abstract Objective: There is currently no optimal test to screen for endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) in children. Traditional 24-hour urine or midnight serum cortisol values may be difficult to obtain or elevated by venipuncture stress. We hypothesized that salivary cortisol measurement is a reliable way to screen for CS in children. Study design: Sixty-seven children (5-17 years) were studied: 24 obese volunteers, 29 non-obese volunteers, and 14 children with CS. Saliva was obtained at 7:30 AM , bedtime, and midnight for measurement of free cortisol by radioimmunoassay. Results: Salivary cortisol was detectable in all morning and evening samples from patients with CS but was frequently undetectable in healthy children at bedtime (66%) and at midnight (90%). With cut points that excluded healthy children, a midnight salivary cortisol value of 7.5 nmol/L (0.27 μg/dL) identified 13 of 14 patients with CS, whereas a bedtime value >27.6 nmol/L (1 μg/dL) detected CS in 5 of 6 patients. The diagnostic accuracies of midnight salivary cortisol and urinary free cortisol per square meter were the same (93%). Conclusion: Salivary cortisol measurement at bedtime or midnight rules out CS in nearly all cases. Nighttime salivary cortisol sampling is thus a simple, accurate way to screen for hypercortisolism in children. (J Pediatr 2000;137:30-5)
The Structure, Basic Contents and Dynamics of the Unconscious in Analytical (Jungian) Psychology and Husserlian Phenomenology: Part I1

This paper offers both a phenomenologically psychological and a phenomenologically transcendental account of the constitution of the unconscious. Its phenomenologically psychological portion was published in the previous volume of this journal as Part I, while its phenomenologically transcendental portion is published here as Part II. Part I first clarified the issues involved in Husserl's differentiation of the respective contents and methodologies of psychological and transcendental phenomenology. On the basis of this clarification it showed that, in marked contrast to the prevailing approach to the unconscious in the phenomenological literature, an approach that focuses on the emotive and aesthetic factors (rooted in Freud's theory of repression) in the descriptive account of the constitution of an unconscious, there are cognitive factors (rooted in Jung's theory of apperception) that have yet to be descriptively accounted for by phenomenological psychology. Part I concluded with a phenomenologically psychological account of the role these cognitive factors play in the constitution of an unconscious. Part II shows how Jung's claims regarding a dimension of unconscious contents that lacks genealogical links to consciousness proper, i. e., the so-called "collective unconscious," can be phenomenologically accounted for if: (1) Jung's methodological differentiation of empirical and interpretative (hermeneutically phenomenological) approaches to the unconscious is attended to and; (2) such attention is guided by the phenomenologically transcendental critique of the emotive and aesthetic limitations of both the Freudian and heretofore Husserlian accounts of the descriptive genesis of something like an unconscious.
Erythrocyte Free Globin Levels in Some Anemic States

SummaryThe erythrocyte free globin level was determined in a variety of anemic states. Low free globin levels were found in homozygous β-thalassemia, sickle cell disease and iron-deficiency anemia, even though in these conditions hemoglobin synthesis is decreased for different reasons. Normal amounts of free globin were observed in various other anemias not characterized by a primary defect in hemoglobin synthesis. Therefore, a remarkable degree of coordination exists between globin synthesis and either iron supply or protoporphyrin production. Because of this it is not possible to obtain information about the nature of a defect in hemoglobin synthesis by the amount of free globin present.
Therapist adherence to a motivational-interviewing intervention improves treatment entry for substance-misusing adolescents with low problem perception.

Objective: This study evaluated whether adherence to the Strengths-Oriented Referral for Teens (SORT) model, a motivational interviewing (MI)-consistent intervention addressing ambivalence about attending treatment, positively predicted adolescents' initial-session attendance. Method: Therapist adherence was rated in 54 audiotaped SORT sessions by coders who were blind to treatment-entry status. Higher adherence scores reflected greater use of MI and solutionfocused language, discussion of client strengths, and dialogue with families on treatment need and options. Results: Therapist adherence during adolescent segments interacted with adolescent problem perception. Predicted probabilities of attending initial sessions increased for low-problem-perception adolescents at increasingly higher therapist adherence. Conclusions: Although replication studies are needed, the SORT model of providing MI-consistent debriefi ng following initial assessments appears to be a promising approach for increasing treatment e...
Calreticulin in the immune system: ins and outs

Calreticulin is a calcium-binding chaperone that has several functions in the immune response. In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), calreticulin facilitates the folding of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules and their assembly factor tapasin, thereby influencing antigen presentation to cytotoxic T cells. Although calreticulin is normally ER-resident, it is found at the cell surface of living cancer cells and dying cells. Here, calreticulin promotes cellular phagocytic uptake. In tumor vaccine models, drugs that induce cell surface calreticulin confer enhanced tumor protection in an extracellular calreticulin-dependent manner. Much remains to be understood about the roles of calreticulin in these distinct functions. Further investigations are important towards advancing basic knowledge of glycoprotein-folding pathways, and towards developing new cancer therapeutic strategies.
The role of gender in primary hyperparathyroidism: same disease, different presentation.

Background Hyperparathyroidism is much more common in women and therefore may represent different diseases in men and women. In order to understand the role of gender in hyperparathyroidism, we reviewed our experience.
Carbohydrates in the webs of Argiope spiders

Glycoproteins are present in the web of the orb-weaving spiders Argiope trifasciata and Argiope aurantia. Periodic acid-Schriff reactive glyco-proteins are confined in large part, to the sticky spiral and sticky spiral-radial junctions. Glycoproteins containing amino sugars appear associated with all fibers, especially the radial fibers. Enzymes may be used to remove glycoproteins selectively from the sticky spiral and stabilimentum.
Worldview and Counseling Preference: An Analogue Study

A 2 × 3 mixed factorial design was used to study the relationship between a person's dominant worldview (mechanism or organicism) and preference for three counseling approaches (behavioral, rationalist, and constructivist). A total of 90 undergraduate participants completed the Organicism-Mechanism Paradigm Inventory and subsequently evaluated three audiotaped presentations designed to depict counselors who were introducing their counseling approaches to a new client. Results revealed a significant interaction between worldview and counseling approach—organicists exhibited a significant self-preference for constructivist counseling, whereas mechanists significantly preferred behavioral counseling for themselves and others. Implications of these findings for counseling and psychotherapy are discussed.
Returns to US Firms From Strategic Alliances In China: A Knowledge-Based View

Abstract Drawing on the knowledge-based view (KBV) of the firm, this study compares value creation between US manufacturing and service firms entering China through strategic alliances. Using an event study applied on a sample of 192 manufacturing and 105 service firms, the results indicate that value creation for manufacturing and service firms differ. For service firms, having a Chinese state-owned-enterprise as a partner, marketing agreement, and/or Chinese partner creates greater value. These findings highlight the significance of knowledge acquisition versus accession in US–Chinese partnerships.
Brain Tumor Resection Guided by Fluorescence Imaging and MRI Image Guidance

Recent evidence suggests a correlation between extent of tumor resection and patient prognosis, making maximal tumorresection a clinical ideal for neurosurgeons. Our group is currently undertaking a clinical study using fluorescence-baseddetection of tumor coupled with a standard 3-D image guidance system to study the effectiveness of fluorescence-baseddetection in the neurosurgical operating room. For fluorescence-based detection, we used 5-aminolevulinic acid toinduce accumulation of protoporphyrin IX in malignant tissues. In this paper, we chose one prototypical, highlyfluorescent case of glioblastoma multiforme, a high-grade glioma, to highlight some of the key findings andmethodology used in our study of fluorescence-based detection and resection of brain tumors.Keywords : fluorescence, glioma resection, protoporphyrin IX, 5-aminolevulinic acid, image analysis
Workplace drug abuse policy: A comment

McGuire and Ruhm (1993) develop an interesting and policy-relevant model of workplace drug abuse policy. They examine workers’ choice to undergo treatment (rehabilitation) for substance abuse and firms’ choice of drug-testing policies, concluding that ‘labor market incentives will generally lead to too little treatment and too much testing’. Drug addicts are assumed to have a ‘high’ probability ( p> of causing a costly workplace accident while non-addicts are assumed to have a ‘low’ probability (a < p) of causing an accident. Another key assumption is that treatment is perfect. That is, any ‘addict’ undergoing treatment changes from a ‘high’ to a ‘low’ risk with probability one. Although the authors acknowledge that actual treatment regimes are imperfect and discuss how imperfect treatment can be incorporated, they do not appear to recognize the ways in which their qualitative results depend on their simplifying assumption. Allowing partially effective treatment by assuming that the accident risk of treated drug users falls to (Y with some
Extending Openflow for Service Insertion and Payload Inspection

Software Defined Networking (SDN) offers traffic characterization and resource allocation policies to change dynamically, while avoiding the obsolescence of specialized forwarding equipment. Open Flow, a SDN standard, is currently the only standard that explicitly focuses on multi-vendor openness. Unfortunately, it only provides for traffic engineering on an integrated basis for L2-L4. The obvious approaches to expand Open Flow's reach to L7, would be to enhance the data path flow table, or to utilize the controller for deep packet inspection, both introduces significant scalability barriers. We propose and prototype an enhancement to Open Flow based on the idea of an External Processing Box (EPB) optionally attached to forwarding engines, however, we use existing protocol extension constructs to control the EPB as an integrated part of the Open Flow data path. This provides network operators with the ability to use L7-based policies to control service insertion and traffic steering, without breaking the open paradigm. This novel yet eminently practical augmentation of Open Flow provides added value critical for realistic networking practice. Retention of multi-vendor openness for such an approach has not been previously reported in literature to the best of our knowledge. We report numerical results from our prototype, characterizing the performance and practicality of this prototype by implementing a video reconditioning application on this platform.
Absolute atomic oxygen density measurements for nanosecond-pulsed atmospheric-pressure plasma jets using two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

Nanosecond-pulsed plasma jets that are generated under ambient air conditions and free from confinement of electrodes have become of great interest in recent years due to their promising applications in medicine and dentistry. Reactive oxygen species that are generated by nanosecond-pulsed, room-temperature non-equilibrium He–O2 plasma jets among others are believed to play an important role during the bactericidal or sterilization processes. We report here absolute measurements of atomic oxygen density in a 1 mm-diameter He/(1%)O2 plasma jet at atmospheric pressure using two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Oxygen number density on the order of 1013 cm−3 was obtained in a 150 ns, 6 kV single-pulsed plasma jet for an axial distance up to 5 mm above the device nozzle. Temporally resolved O density measurements showed that there are two maxima, separated in time by 60–70 µs, and a total pulse duration of 260−300 µs. Electrostatic modeling indicated that there are high-electric-field regions near the nozzle exit that may be responsible for the observed temporal behavior of the O production. Both the field-distribution-based estimation of the time interval for the O number density profile and a pulse-energy-dependence study confirmed that electric-field-dependent, direct and indirect electron-induced processes play important roles for O production.