cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling the effect of weather conditions in sample day selection using an optimization method

In this paper, we present a Mixed Integer Programming formulation for the sample day selection problem. This formulation incorporates the IMC delay minutes for the purpose of modeling the effect of weather conditions in its objective function along with other performance metrics. The objective of the MIP formulation is to minimize the sum of differences between the sample averages and the full population averages. A variant of this formulation is also developed by adopting a weighting scheme based on the significance of IMC impact on the airports. Numerical results are reported and analyzed to show the effectiveness of this formulation and different choices of weighting schemes. Comparisons with the original model without IMC delay data are also presented.
R-matrix theory for collinear chemical reactions

Abstract We apply R -matrix theory to the collinear II + II 2 exchange reaction. Within a natural collision coordinate frame we generalize the standard R -matrix formulae to apply to reactive systems which have two asymptotic matching surfaces. After writing the hamiltonian as H = H 0 + V where H 0 is a soluble reactive scaltering hamiltonian, we derive the Buttle correction which accounts for H 0 exactly. The Buttle correction is necessary to speed convergence of the numerical results. Using a rather crude set of basis functions which are an orthonormal set of solutions of H 0 we find that 150 even and odd type functions are necessary to achieve adequate agreement of transmission probabilities with close coupled results. Fewer functions are needed to account for the threshold behavior but the full number are needed to portray the resonance at 22.2 kcal/mole. Finally we generalize our formulae to apply to asymmetric exchange reactions.
Structure and dynamics of urea/water mixtures investigated by vibrational spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation.

Urea/water is an archetypical “biological” mixture and is especially well-known for its relevance to protein thermodynamics as urea acts as a protein denaturant at high concentration. This behavior has given rise to an extended debate concerning urea’s influence on water structure. On the basis of a variety of methods and of definitions of the water structure, urea has been variously described as a structure-breaker, a structure-maker, or as remarkably neutral toward water. Because of its sensitivity to microscopic structure and dynamics, vibrational spectroscopy can help resolve these debates. We report experimental and theoretical spectroscopic results for the OD stretch of HOD/H2O/urea mixtures (linear IR, 2DIR, and pump–probe anisotropy decay) and for the CO stretch of urea-D4/D2O mixtures (linear IR only). Theoretical results are obtained using existing approaches for water and a modification of a frequency map developed for acetamide. All absorption spectra are remarkably insensitive to urea concent...
The relationship between the Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting and teachers' perceptions of handwriting legibility.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting (ETCH) and teachers perception of handwriting legibility METHODS The ETCH was administered to 45 first-grade students with illegible handwriting as reported by their teachers. The teachers completed a teachers questionnaire at the same time to indicate the children's level of handwriting difficulties both in general and in specific tasks that resemble the test tasks of the ETCH. RESULTS There was no significant relationship between the ETCH scores and the teacher questionnaire scores in either general legibility or task-specific legibility. CONCLUSION The ecological validity of the ETCH, in reference to the teachers' perception of handwriting legibility, was not established. Further changes for scoring criteria may be warranted before the ETCH can be used with confidence that the scores obtained are meaningfully related to actual performance in the classroom as determined by teachers.
The effects of RNA synthesis inhibition and of protein synthesis inhibition on embryonic induction and cell differentiation in Rana pipiens.

Presumptive epidermis cells of Rana pipiens gastrula (stage 11) was induced in vitro by LiCl to differentiate into melanophores. The period from the moment when the inductor was introduced to the cells to the moment of their morphological differentiation was arbitrarily divided into three stages: “A” — The time interval during which the cells were exposed to LiCl, “B” — The period of several hours immediately following the cells' contact with the inductor, and “C” — The period of time immediately preceding formation of pigment in the cells. During one of these three stages the cells were treated with one of the three inhibitors: actinomycin, puromycin or ethionine. Differential sensitivity of the activated cells to the inhibitor during these three stages was revealed by their subsequent differentiation. Puromycin when applied at stage “A” increased pigmentation of melanocytes. Actinomycin acting during stage “B” in some cases caused differentiation of mesenchyme-like cells instead of melanophores. Ethionine presented to the cells at stage “C” promoted differentiation of a characteristic cell type which could not be identified with any normal histological species.
Laser measurement of Brownian movement with a focused beam

Abstract The advent of the laser Doppler microscope (LDM) has led to the use of a focused laser beam in the light scattering measurement of Brownian motion, motility, and streaming of material in plant cells and other biological and chemical specimens. The high lens magnification used in the LDM leads to a very small Gaussian spot in the focal plane, and to local variations of phase and amplitude in the focal region of the lens. Such phase and amplitude variations of the incident field cause a distortion of the autocorrelation of scattered light as compared with the idealized plane wave formula. The measurement of Brownian motion with a collimated and a focused laser beam is analysed in order to investigate this distortion. An integral expression obtained for the autocorrelation of scattered laser light is evaluated asymptotically in terms of the error function, and numerically using Gaussian quadrature integration. Both methods give highly accurate calculations of the autocorrelation. Results show a strong deviation from the plane wave formula at forward scattering angles, with a focused incident beam. Although the focused beam autocorrelation may be modelled satisfactorily, considerations of accuracy and resolution of computer modelling of correlation data suggest that when a focused beam is used then backscatter, which most closely resembles the plane wave result, is to be preferred.
Understanding intestinal cysteamine bitartrate absorption.

Objectives To test the hypothesis that a controlled-release preparation of cysteamine, with fewer daily administrations, would improve the quality of life for patients with cystinosis. Study design A specifically designed nasoenteric tube was used to administer cysteamine directly into the stomach, small intestine (SI) and colon and serial plasma cysteamine, serum gastrin and leukocyte cystine levels were measured. Results Eight control subjects (mean age 23.2 years) and 6 subjects with cystinosis (mean age 15.2 years) were studied. Cysteamine absorption (maximum concentration and area under the curve of the concentration-time gradient) was greater from the SI than stomach or cecum (P Conclusions The absorption of cysteamine and the effect of this agent on leukocyte cystine depletion are more profound after SI administration. Enteric-coated cysteamine, targeted for SI release, may require fewer daily dosages. Not all patients with cystinosis require acid-suppression therapy.
Deterioration of neurobehavioral performance in resident physicians during repeated exposure to extended duration work shifts.

Study Objectives: Although acute sleep loss during 24- to 30-h extended duration work shifts (EDWS) has been shown to impair the performance of resident physicians, little is known about the effects of cumulative sleep deficiency on performance during residency training. Chronic sleep restriction induces a gradual degradation of neurobehavioral performance and exacerbates the effects of acute sleep loss in the laboratory, yet the extent to which this occurs under real-world conditions is unknown. In this study, the authors quantify the time course of neurobehavioral deterioration due to repeated exposure to EDWS during a 3-week residency rotation. Design: A prospective, repeated-measures, within-subject design. Setting: Medical and cardiac intensive care units, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Participants: Thirty-four postgraduate year one resident physicians (23 males; age 28.0 Â± 1.83 (standard deviation) years) Measurements and Results: Residents working a 3-week Q3 schedule (24- to 30-h work shift starts every 3rd day), consisting of alternating 24- to 30-h (EDWS) and approximately 8-h shifts, underwent psychomotor vigilance testing before, during, and after each work shift. Mean response time, number of lapses, and slowest 10% of responses were calculated for each test. Residents also maintained daily sleep/wake/work logs. EDWS resulted in cumulative sleep deficiency over the 21-day rotation (6.3 h sleep obtained per day; average 2.3 h sleep obtained per extended shift). Response times deteriorated over a single 24- to 30-h shift (P < 0.0005), and also cumulatively with each successive EDWS: Performance on the fifth and sixth shift was significantly worse than on the first shift (P < 0.01). Controlling for time of day, there was a significant acute (time on shift) and chronic (successive EDWS) interaction on psychomotor vigilance testing response times (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Chronic sleep deficiency caused progressive degradation in residents' neurobehavioral performance and exacerbated the effects of acute sleep loss inherent in the 24- to 30-h EDWS that are commonly used in resident schedules.
AN EXPLORATORY COMPARISON OF INCOME RISK IN GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES

Using longitudinal data, 1 estimate the impact of redistribution on the welfare cost of income risk in Germany and the United States. The estimates account fully for behavior because individuals in each country have responded optimally to that country's policy. The results indicate that the welfare cost of income risk is 5.4 percent of disposable income in Germany, 8.5 percent in the U.S. Redistribution has reduced these risks from their pre-tax, pre-transfer levels by 43 percent in Germany, 21 percent in the U.S. The political importance of income security is evident in both countries, as risk relief often eliminates the net burden of redistributive taxes among middle-class households. The conclusions are robust across several models of income expectations.
Carbon analysis for the study of bonded phases in liquid chromatography

Abstract The procedure outlined permits carbon analyses to be performed on a variety of samples using a carbon analyzer originally intended for use with metal samples. By mixing small quantities of a relatively high-carbon sample with low-carbon steel, the problems of explosive combustion and inductive coupling are overcome. The technique results in highly reproducible measurements which might not be possible using other methods. These measurements are extremely useful in assessing substrate modification, endcapping, and stability studies.
Product diversification and attitudes toward risk in agricultural production

In this article we analyze the relationship between risk-avoidance behavior and economic jointness in a multi-output agricultural technology. We focus on farmer specific heterogeneity in attitudes towards risk-taking, while treating production uncertainty as unobserved stochastic error that is common to all region specific farms. We furthermore utilize a new flexible functional form, the Constant Elasticity of Transformation, Constant Elasticity of Substitution, Generalized Leontief (Behrman, Lovell, Pollak, and Sickles, [1992]) which has the appealing property of relative flexibility while ensuring proper curvature properties of the estimated multi-output technology over a larger sample region of the price/quantity space than a flexible form such as the Generalized Leontief [Diewert, 1971].
Every Tomorrow, a Vision of Hope

Although hope has been identified as an important factor in the care of cancer patients and their families, it is not formally assessed in patients' records. This article explains how the Nowotny Hope Scale NHS) can be used to assess patients' hope. The subscales of the NHS provide a framework for the development and implementation of strategies to maintain, reinforce, and facilitate hope. Sources of hope as well as conflicts between the hopes of health care providers and cancer survivors are also discussed.
Phosphorus in flowing waters

Abstract The sources of phosphorus to flowing waters are reviewed on the basis of point of origin and quantities. Phosphorus within a stream is assimilated out of the flowing water mass. Biota is the principal agent of assimilation which occurs in both autotrophic and saprophytic ecosystems. The rate constant of assimilation can be estimated. After removal from the flowing water, the phosphorus is temporarily stored in bottom deposits or transported as a portion of the stream's bed-load. Long-term storage is effected when the phosphorus is buried in deltas, or deposited on flood plains.
Phylogenetic relationships of Ceratitis fruit flies inferred from nuclear CAD and tango/ARNT gene fragments: Testing monophyly of the subgenera Ceratitis (Ceratitis) and C. (Pterandrus)

Systematic studies of Ceratitis (Tephritidae) fruit flies using molecular (i.e., COI, ND6, and period genes) and morphological (plus host-use characters) data have recently challenged the monophyly of the subgenera Ceratitis (Ceratitis) and Ceratitis (Pterandrus). In this paper, we report on the phylogenetic utility of three single-copy nuclear gene regions (two non-overlapping fragments of the carbamoylphosphate synthetase, CPS, locus of CAD, and a fragment of tango) within these taxa and investigate evolutionary relationships based on a concatenated ca. 3.4 kb data set that includes the six protein encoding gene regions. Results indicate that the CAD and tango genes provide useful phylogenetic signal within the taxa and are compatible with the previously studied genes. The two subgenera, as currently classified, are not monophyletic. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses support a revised classification in which (1) the subgenus C. (Pterandrus) comprises two lineages called A and B, (2) the C. (Pterandrus) B species should be included in C. (Ceratitis), and (3) the newly defined subgenera C. (Pterandrus) (=Pterandrus section A) and C. (Ceratitis) [=C. (Ceratitis) + C. (Pterandrus) section B] are reciprocally monophyletic.
An Automated Approach for Slicing Plane Placement in Visual Data Analysis

Effective display and visual analysis of complex 3D data is a challenging task. Occlusions, overlaps, and projective distortions—as frequently caused by typical 3D rendering techniques—can be major obstacles to unambiguous and robust data analysis. Slicing planes are a ubiquitous tool to resolve several of these issues. They act as simple clipping geometry to provide clear cut-away views of the data. We propose to enhance the visualization and analysis process by providing methods for automatic placement of such slicing planes based on local optimization of gradient vector flow. The final obtained slicing planes maximize the total amount of information displayed with respect to a pre-specified importance function. We demonstrate how such automated slicing plane placement is able to support and enrich 3D data visualization and analysis in multiple scenarios, such as volume or surface rendering, and evaluate its performance in several benchmark data sets.
Bayesian inspection model for the production process subject to a random failure

Consider a sequence of items produced on a high-speed mass production line which is subject to a random failure. When an item in the sequence is inspected it is possible to obtain directional information about the exact timing of a process failure—before or after producing the inspected item. Using this directional information this paper proposes Bayesian inspection procedures that deal with three related problems: (i) how often to inspect items on the production line; (ii) how to conduct the search for more defective items; and (iii) when to stop the search process and salvage the remaining items. Based on various cost factors, the problem of optimal inspection interval, optimal search process and an optimal stopping rule is formulated as a profit-maximization model via a dynamic programming approach. For the production process with an unknown failure rate, Bayesian methods of estimating the process failure rate are proposed. The proposed Bayesian inspection procedures can be applied to a wide variety of...
Transient measures in the standard map

Abstract For an area preserving map, each chaotic orbit appears numerically to densely cover a region (an irregular component) of nonzero area. Surprisingly, the measure approximated by a long segment of such an orbit deviates significantly from a constant on the irregular component. Most prominently, there are spikes in the density near the boundaries of the irregular component resulting from the stickiness of its bounding invariant circles. We show that this phenomena is transient, and therefore numerical ergodicity on the irregular component eventually obtains, though the times involved are extremely long - 1010 iterates. A Markov model of the transport shows that the density spikes cannot be explained by the stickiness of a bounding circle of a single class - for example, a rotational circle. However, the density spikes do occur in a Markov tree model that includes the effects of islands-around-islands.
Smooth pursuit performance in patients with affective disorders or schizophrenia and normal controls: analysis with specific oculomotor measures, RMS error and qualitative ratings

SYNOPSIS Smooth pursuit performance in schizophrenia and affective disorders has generally been found to be abnormal using a variety of measures. The purpose of this study was to assess patients with these disorders and normal controls in order to compare the different measures across diagnoses. Smooth pursuit was assessed using quantitative specific measures (gain, catch-up saccade rate and amplitude, square-wave jerk rate, number of anticipatory saccades and total time scored), as well as two global measures : root mean-square error (RMS) and qualitative rating. As previously reported, patients with schizophrenia had low gain, increased catch-up saccade rate and spent less time engaged in scoreable smooth pursuit than normal controls. Patients with affective disorders were not statistically different from controls on any of these measures, and had significantly higher gain than patients with schizophrenia. RMS error and qualitative rating measures were highly correlated (r = 0.87). In linear regression analyses, the quantitative specific measures were highly significant predictors of both RMS error and qualitative ratings (P < 0.0001). Linear regression analyses and a modelling study indicated that one quantitative specific measure, the percent of time engaged in scoreable smooth pursuit (total time scored), was most related to global ratings. However, RMS error and qualitative ratings were less sensitive than total time scored to the difference between controls and patients with schizophrenia. These data indicate two smooth pursuit performance deficits in schizophrenia : patients spend less time engaged in scoreable smooth pursuit and have low gain (accompanied by increased compensatory saccades) when the smooth pursuit is engaged.
Generalized Ito's formula and additive functionals of Brownian motion

An extension of Ito's formula to convex functions is obtained, and a version of its converse is investigated. By using the generalized Ito's formula obtained here and that obtained by G. Brosamler for higher dimensional Brownian motion, a transparent proof of the correspondence between measures and nonnegative continuous (homogeneous) additive functionals is given.
Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis: A Practical Approach

Although the incidence of bleeding from stress ulceration has declined over the last two decades, this condition remains of both clinical and economic importance. Recent studies suggest that stress ulcer prophylaxis is only indicated in high-risk patients, most notably those patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and patients with a coagulopathy. There is little evidence that antacids, sucralfate, and H2 blockers differ with respect to the prevention of clinically important bleeding. The choice of agents is therefore largely determined by economic factors and the risk of drug-associated complications.
Electrocardiographic Patterns of Injury, Ischemia, and Necrosis

SUMMARY A constant association exists between abnormal surface electrocardiographic patterns characteristic of those seen in conventional electrocardiograms of subjects with coronary artery disease, and intracavitary evidence of premature depolarization. Local cavity "injury currents," when sustained, are also associated with evidence of premature depolarization of an area of myocardium. The observations suggest that similar mechanisms of production may be attributable to abnormal electrocardiographic patterns in normal subjects as well as to the patterns obtained in disease states. It would appear that without regard to etiology, varying degrees of premature depolarization of an area of myocardium or of an entire ventricle and the time lapse between atrial and ventricular depolarization are capable of producing many different types of abnormal electrocardiographic patterns.
Bulimia in males: A matched comparison with females

The clinical characteristics of 15 male and 15 female bulimics matched as to age, duration of bulimia, and frequency of self-induced vomiting are compared. All subjects were given an extensive interview and psychometric evaluations to measure depression, anxiety, assertiveness, and attitudes about food and eating. Male subjects had relatively higher current and past weights, greater weight fluctuations, and more realistic perceptions about desired ideal weight than the women. Males also used fewer weight controls, such as laxatives, diet pills, and restrictive eating, but reported more present and past problems with drugs and alcohol. A statistically significant difference was found between men and women on marriage and sexual preference, with more women being married and more men reporting a homosexual or bisexual preference. Men and women scored similarly on psychometric measures. The findings are discussed in terms of differing sociocultural demands for men and women.
Coordination of distinct but interacting rhythmic motor programs by a modulatory projection neuron using different co-transmitters in different ganglia

While many neurons are known to contain multiple neurotransmitters, the specific roles played by each co-transmitter within a neuron are often poorly understood. Here, we investigated the roles of the co-transmitters of the pyloric suppressor (PS) neurons, which are located in the stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) of the lobster Homarus americanus . The PS neurons are known to contain histamine; using RT-PCR, we identified a second co-transmitter as the FMRFamide-like peptide crustacean myosuppressin (Crust-MS). The modulatory effects of Crust-MS application on the gastric mill and pyloric patterns, generated in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG), closely resembled those recorded following extracellular PS neuron stimulation. To determine whether histamine plays a role in mediating the effects of the PS neurons in the STG, we bath-applied histamine receptor antagonists to the ganglion. In the presence of the antagonists, the histamine response was blocked, but Crust-MS application and PS stimulation continued to modulate the gastric and pyloric patterns, suggesting that PS effects in the STG are mediated largely by Crust-MS. PS neuron stimulation also excited the oesophageal rhythm, produced in the commissural ganglia (CoGs) of the STNS. Application of histamine, but not Crust-MS, to the CoGs mimicked this effect. Histamine receptor antagonists blocked the ability of both histamine and PS stimulation to excite the oesophageal rhythm, providing strong evidence that the PS neurons use histamine in the CoGs to exert their effects. Overall, our data suggest that the PS neurons differentially utilize their co-transmitters in spatially distinct locations to coordinate the activity of three independent networks. * CG : cardiac ganglion CoG : commissural ganglion CPG : central pattern generator dlvn : dorsal lateral ventricular nerve GM : gastric mill neuron HA : histamine ion : inferior oesophageal nerve ivn : inferior ventricular nerve LG : lateral gastric neuron LP : lateral pyloric neuron MPN : modulatory proctolin neuron mvn : medial ventricular nerve OD1 : oesophageal dilator 1 neuron OG : oesophageal ganglion PD : pyloric dilator neuron PS : pyloric suppressor neuron PY : pyloric neuron pyn : pyloric nerve RT-PCR : reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction son : superior oesophageal nerve STG : stomatogastric ganglion stn : stomatogastric nerve STNS : stomatogastric nervous system VD : ventral dilator neuron vlvn : ventral lateral ventricular nerve vpdn : ventral pyloric dilator nerve vpon : ventral posterior oesophageal nerve
A centralized supply voltage and local body bias-based compensation approach to mitigate within-die process variation

With the scaling of MOSFET dimensions and the enhancements introduced to boost its performance, variation in semiconductor manufacturing has increased. The manufactured designs are usually shifted from the intended operating point, degrading the parametric yield. In this paper, we partition the chip into multiple regions with localized sensors and introduce a centralized control system with region-specific bias control to mitigate the impact of within-die (WID) process variation. An algorithm for determining the minimum required global supply voltage across all the regions and optimal body-biasing voltages for the individual regions is illustrated. This system ensures the desired frequency of operation for the chip under optimal power conditions for each of the regions. Design considerations, simulation results and power-performance characteristics of this fine-grain body biasing compensation technique are presented based on simulations of the IBM 65 nm technology. This method achieves an average reduction of 7.2% in total power dissipated across process corners while bringing the critical path delay in all modules within the desired +/− 3% of nominal delay.
Polynomial programming using Groebner Bases

Finding the global optimal solution for a general nonlinear program is a difficult task except for very small problems. We identify a class of nonlinear programming problems called polynomial programming problems (PP). A polynomial program is an optimization problem with a scalar polynomial objective function and a set of polynomial constraints. By using Groebner Bases, we can determine the global minimum of a polynomial program in a reasonable amount of time and memory. >
LINKING IN STRAIGHT-EDGE EMBEDDINGS OF K7

In 1983 Conway and Gordon and Sachs proved that every embedding of the complete graph on six vertices, K6, is intrinsically linked. In 2004 it was shown that all straight-edge embeddings of K6 have either one or three linked triangle pairs. We expand this work to characterize the straight-edge embeddings of K7 and determine the number and types of links in every embedding which forms a convex polyhedron of seven vertices.
Growth of TlBa2Ca2Cu3O9−y superconducting films with local biaxial alignment extending up to 5 mm on Ag substrates using a spray-pyrolysis technique

We report on the superconducting properties of TlBa2Ca2Cu3O9−y (Tl-1223) thick films grown on smooth and rough Ag substrates. Thallium-free precursor films of the type Ba2Ca2Cu3Ag0.37O7 were deposited on Ag substrates using a spray-pyrolysis technique followed by post-thallination in a two-zone furnace. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed the presence of c-axis aligned Tl-1223 films and some degree of local in-plane texture (often referred to as a colony microstructure). The microstructure of the Ag surface dictates the growth behavior of Tl-1223 films. The transport critical-current densities (Jc) for Tl-1223 films grown on smooth and rough Ag substrates were ∼ 65,000 A/cm2 and ˜ 37,000 A/cm2, respectively, at 77 K and zero field. The films grown on smooth Ag substrates were strongly linked and had good in-field properties with a Jc value of ∼104 A/cm2 at 77 K and 0.5 T.
Relationship of Maternal Dietary Zinc during Gestation and Lactation to Development and Zinc, Iron and Copper Content of the Postnatal Rat

High levels (0.2 and 0.5% ) of zinc were fed to adult female rats be ginning at zero-day age of the fetus and continued to day 14 of lactation to study the development and iron, copper, and zinc status of zero- and 14-day-old postnatal rats. The results were compared with rats fed a basal diet containing 9 ppm zinc. Growth reduction, in terms of dry matter content, was characteristic of the zero- and 14-day-old young from mothers fed 0.5% zinc. Though no anatomical malformations were ob served, the incidence of stillbirths was high in the 0.5% zinc group. Young from moth ers fed 0.2% zinc were larger in body size than those from mothers fed the basal diet. Total zinc and concentration of zinc were elevated in zero- and 14-day-old young by both high zinc diets. Young from mothers fed 0.5% zinc contained higher levels of zinc than those from mothers fed 0.2% zinc. Bodies of newborn young from mothers fed 0.5% zinc contained significantly less total iron and concentration of iron, whereas the liver contained significantly more iron. At 14 days of age the whole animal and body of young from mothers fed 0.5% zinc contained significantly less total iron and concentration of iron. Liver iron in these young was lower than found in the liver of newborn, and total iron and concentration of iron in the liver were similar for all groups. Total copper and concentration of copper in the whole animal and body of the newborn rats were not altered due to treatment. Total copper and concentration of cop per in the liver were significantly lower only in the newborn from mothers fed 0.5% zinc. After 14 days, total copper and concentration of copper were significantly lower in the whole animal, liver and body of young from mothers fed either zinc diet than in young from mothers fed the basal diet. In general, a larger reduction in copper oc curred in the young from the 0.5% zinc treatment. Mothers fed 0.2% zinc gained more weight during gestation. Dietary treatments had no effect on body weights during lacta tion. Livers of maternal animals fed excess zinc contained elevated zinc, and reductions in both iron and copper. The effect of excess (0.2 and 0.4% ) zinc, but the copper content was reduced. zinc in the diet of the female rat on de- The present investigation was designed to velopment and zinc, iron, and copper con- study the effect of excess zinc in the diet tent of the fetal rat has been reported (1). of the rat during gestation and lactation Variable degrees of rA©sorption and retarda- on development and zinc, iron and copper tion of fetal development, but no external contents of the postnatal rat. anatomical malformations, were observed in 15-to 20-day-old fetuses from mothers
Implementation of PSA-based active surveillance in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer screening had led to the diagnosis of a large proportion of localized and low-risk disease. Many of these cancer cases are believed to be indolent and would not be clinically perceived in the absence of screening. In addition to that, the wide use of active treatment has exposed these patients to treatment-related quality-of-life impact. In this setting active surveillance as a way of deferring active treatment and reserving such treatment to cases of disease progression only has gained interest. PSA has been widely used to identify patients eligible for active surveillance and also for disease monitoring. The goal of this review was to describe the place of PSA in the monitoring of patients under active surveillance based on the existing studies and to discuss the importance of PSA in light of other existing or emerging tools to monitor prostate cancer in active surveillance.
Continuous end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring for confirmation of endotracheal tube placement is neither widely available nor consistently applied by emergency physicians.

Objectives: To determine the availability of end-tidal CO2 measurement in confirmation of endotracheal tube placement in the non-arrest patient, and to assess its use in academic and non-academic emergency departments. Methods: Emergency physicians in the USA were surveyed by mail in the beginning of the year 2000 regarding availability at their institution of both colorimetric/qualitative and quantitative end-tidal CO2 capnography, frequency of use in their own practice, and descriptor of their hospital (academic, community teaching, and community non-teaching). Additionally, data were obtained from the National Emergency Airway Registry 97 series (NEAR) about how many intubations used this method of confirmation. NEAR site coordinators were surveyed as well. Results: Of 1000 surveys, 550 were returned (55%). Colorimetric technology existed in 77% of respondents' hospitals (n = 421); 25% of respondents (n = 138) had continuous monitoring capability. Physicians practising at academic hospitals were more likely to have continuous monitoring (36%; n = 196) than community teaching institutions (32%; n = 173) and non-teaching centres (18%; n = 100) (p<0.001). Among physicians who had this technology available, only 14% (n = 19) "always" used it in non-arrest intubations; 57% "rarely" or "never" employed it (n = 75). Among NEAR centres (institutions committed to monitoring current airway practices) only 12% of 6009 (n = 716) intubations used continuous end-tidal CO2 measurement. Of these practitioners, only 40% "always" used it (n = 6/15) (83% response rate (n = 29/35)). Conclusions: Despite recommendations from national organisations that endorse continuous monitoring of end-tidal CO2 for confirming endotracheal tube placement, it is neither widely available nor consistently applied.
Getting algorithm visualizations into the classroom

Algorithm visualizations (AVs) are widely viewed as having the potential for improving computer science education. However, the rate of AV use and overall impact on education does not match the positive interest in their use that instructors report. Surveys of CS faculty show that impediments to successful use of AVs in the classroom include difficulties in finding quality AVs on desired topics, difficulties in adapting AVs to a given classroom setting, and lack of knowledge on the best way to deploy AVs. This indicates a need for better support for instructors, to get them past these barriers. We seek to provide this support through an online educational community that relies on a new model based less on the "digital library" approach of information gained by going to a site and searching. Instead, the focus is on community-added content through members' discussions, reviews, and ratings of content items. The AlgoViz community effort will better focus the future direction of AV development and use.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Global Perspective

Abstract The incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising in prevalence worldwide. In order to provide appropriate assessment and treatment practices, it is essential to examine the governmental influence and family perspectives concerning this disorder. Results of qualitative and quantitative studies provide salient information for implementing effective and culturally appropriate assessment and treatment practices for children with an ASD diagnosis. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists should promote and support efforts that will increase the global public's awareness of the disorder, collaborative research efforts, and the development of culturally appropriate assessment and service.
Bullous lesions in scleroderma.

Background The occurrence of bullous lesions in localized or systemic scleroderma is rare. Three histologic patterns have been reported: lichen sclerosus et atrophicus-like, lymphangiectatic blisters and autoimmune blistering diseases. Objective To investigate the frequency, clinical, and immunopathologic features of patients with scleroderma and bullous eruptions and to review the literature regarding this rare condition. Methods A retrospective study of 53 cases of scleroderma (localized, generalized, and systemic) in the dermatology and rheumatology clinics at one institution over an 8-year span. Clinical, serologic, and immunopathologic findings were analyzed in four cases. Results Four of 53 patients exhibited bullous lesions in association with scleroderma. The first case illustrates lymphangioma-like clinical and pathologic presentation. The second case demonstrates bullous lichen sclerosus et atrophicus-like pattern. The other two cases exemplify a superimposed autoimmune skin disease, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and penicillamine induced pemphigus foliaceus after treatment for systemic scleroderma. Conclusions Of the 53 original patients, we have described four cases of bullous scleroderma (7.5%) Illustrating several pathogenetic mechanisms of bulla formation. inflammatory (lichen sclerosus et atrophicus), fibrotic/obstructive (lymphangiomatous), autoimmune (epidermolysis bullosa acquisita), and pemphigus foliaceus. The final case illustrates bullae as a complication of therapy for the underlying scleroderma.
Deposition Rate Monitor for Matrix Isolation Studies of High Temperature Species

In matrix isolation studies of high temperature species the relative deposition rates of the host and guest largely determine the degree of isolation, an important consideration for studies of many molecules which tend to react or to polymerize in concentrated matrices. The rate of deposition of the matrix gas is conveniently measured by flowmeter, but the guest deposition rate is not so easily obtained. For effusion from a Knudsen cell, the rate can be estimated from the vapor pressure of the species at the effusion temperature. Often, however, such vapor pressure data are unavailable, and, moreover, absolute temperature measurements are not trivial at high temperatures. In addition, even at a fixed temperature we have observed marked decreases in rates of deposition with time because of internal migration of salts to the cooler regions of the Knudsen cell. Such factors clearly demonstrate the need for a more direct monitor of the effusion rate.
Prediction-learning in infants as a mechanism for gaze control during object exploration.

We are pursuing the hypothesis that visual exploration and learning in young infants is achieved by producing gaze-sample sequences that are sequentially predictable. Our recent analysis of infants' gaze patterns during image free-viewing (Schlesinger & Amso, 2013) provides support for this idea. In particular, this work demonstrates that infants' gaze samples are more easily learnable than those produced by adults, as well as those produced by three artificial-observer models. In the current study, we extend these findings to a well-studied object-perception task, by investigating 3-month-olds' gaze patterns as they view a moving, partially-occluded object. We first use infants' gaze data from this task to produce a set of corresponding center-of-gaze (COG) sequences. Next, we generate two simulated sets of COG samples, from image-saliency and random-gaze models, respectively. Finally, we generate learnability estimates for the three sets of COG samples by presenting each as a training set to an SRN. There are two key findings. First, as predicted, infants COG samples from the occluded-object task are learned by a pool of simple recurrent networks faster than the samples produced by the yoked, artificial-observer models. Second, we also find that resetting activity in the recurrent layer increases the network’s prediction errors, which further implicates the presence of temporal structure in infants’ COG sequences. We conclude by relating our findings to the role of image-saliency and prediction-learning during the development of object perception.
Clotting factors in supernatant plasma following cryoprecipitation.

Abstract : The supernatant plasma which remains after cryoprecipitation is a useful component for transfusion therapy. However, from prior studies it was unclear how well plasma clotting factors were preserved following cryoprecipitation. Coagulation factor assays were performed on fresh plasma, supernatant plasma after removal of cryoprecipitate and the same supernatant plasma following refreezing and thawing. Factor VIII and fibrinogen levels fall considerably after removal of cryoprecipitate, but there were also significant declines in factors V and VII. Refreezing and thawing the supernatant plasma had little effect on most clotting factors. (Author)
Sex ratios and the shy male hypothesis in the moss Bryum argenteum (Bryaceae)

Bryophyte population sex ratios are predominately female-biased, at least with respect to plants expressing sexual structures. One hypothesis to explain this bias is that males produce sexual structures less often than females, but occur at similar frequencies, a hypothesis termed the "shy male hypothesis." Another nonexclusive possibility is that offspring sex ratios (as sporelings) are biased and populations retain this bias. To test these hypotheses, we examined sex ratios in expressing and nonexpressing shoots for the cosmopolitan moss Bryum argenteum collected in the field, and in shoots grown from spores in the lab. An examination of 154 collections of B. argenteum from native habitats and urban settings in the USA revealed that populations were significantly female-biased (>80% female). Male rarity was most pronounced in aridland regions of the Mojave Desert and California chaparral; males were significantly more common in altered urban habitats and in high elevation native habitats. When all shoots from clumps representing three mixed-sex, sporophytic populations were grown to sex expression, male nonexpressing shoots were not found to be significantly more abundant than expected based on the field expressing shoot sex ratio, lending little support to the "shy male hypothesis." Offspring sex ratios derived from sporelings were not significantly different from 1:1, thus not explaining the sharply female-biased population ratios observed in the field. We propose that factors between spore germination and adult maturation, including clonal dynamics, are causing the female-biased population and within-clump sex ratio imbalance of B. argenteum.
Thylacodes — Thylacodus — Tulaxodus: Worm-Snail Name Confusion and the Status of Serpulorbis (Gastropoda: Vermetidae)

in the worm-snail family Vermetidae, a large group of species (of still doubtful monophyly) is characterized by the absence of an operculum, the horny structure enabling other vermetids to fully or partially close the opening of the attached shell tube. such species were traditionally described and grouped in the nominal genera serpulorbis, lementina, or Thylacodes (or variant forms of these names). disputed authorships, numerous subsequent emendations, and conflicting type designations created a very complex situation, made worse by the introduction of similar sounding names such as Thylacodus and Thylaeodus for related, but not synonymous, taxa. with increasing involvement and mention of these vermetids in a wide range of biological studies, ranging from recent and fossil diversity assessments to gene order research (e.g., rawlings et al., 2001), taxonomic cleanup is urgently needed and the following note attempts to disentangle the confused situation.
Serotonergic modulation of hippocampal pyramidal cells in euthermic, cold-acclimated, and hibernating hamsters

Serotonergic fibers project to the hippocampus, a brain area previously shown to have distinctive changes in electroencephalograph (EEG) activity during entrance into and arousal from hibernation. The EEG activity is generated by pyramidal cells in both hibernating and nonhibernating species. Using the brain slice preparation, we characterized serotonergic responses of these CA1 pyramidal cells in euthermic, cold-acclimated, and hibernating Syrian hamsters. Stimulation of Shaffer-collateral/commissural fibers evoked fast synaptic excitation of CA1 pyramidal cells, a response monitored by recording population spikes (the synchronous generation of action potentials). Neuromodulation by serotonin (5-HT) decreased population spike amplitude by 54% in cold-acclimated animals, 80% in hibernating hamsters, and 63% in euthermic animals. The depression was significantly greater in slices from hibernators than from cold-acclimated animals. In slices from euthermic animals, changes in extracellular K+ concentration between 2.5 and 5.0 mM did not significantly alter serotonergic responses. The 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin mimicked serotonergic inhibition in euthermic hamsters. Results show that 5-HT is a robust neuromodulator not only in euthermic animals but also in cold-acclimated and hibernating hamsters.
Ultrafast dynamics of nanotechnology energetic materials

Our work involves understanding the chemical reaction dynamics of nanotechnology energetic materials on the time and length scales of individual molecules or nanoparticles. These types of measurements provide insights into fundamental mechanisms and make a close connection to modern atomistic simulation methods. We are especially interested in the relationships between performance and nanostructure. We have developed a number of diagnostic instruments in our laboratory that can be used to probe chemical reaction dynamics, reaction propagation over short length scales, and explosive performance. Some recent results on energetic materials containing Al nanoparticles and either nitrocellulose (NC) or Teflon oxidizers are presented.
Wardens’ Perceptions of Prison Sex:

Using data gathered from anonymous questionnaires of 226 male and female wardens from state-operated institutions, the research assesses whether, and to what degree, individual demographic variable...
Tissue carnitine fluxes in vitamin C depleted-repleted guinea pigs

The biosynthesis of carnitine requires vitamin C as a cofactor for two separate hydroxylation steps. The majority of body carnitine (approximately 98%) is located in muscle and less than 0.5% is present in plasma. We examined the physiologic dynamics of plasma free carnitine and muscle total acid-soluble carnitine in vitamin C-depleted guinea pigs repleted with increasing amounts of vitamin C. Animals were fed a vitamin C-deficient diet for 3 weeks at which time symptoms of scurvy were evident. Animals were repleted with increasing doses of vitamin C, from 0.5 to 10.0 mg vitamin C/100 g body weight daily. Muscle total acid-soluble carnitine concentrations tended to correlate directly with plasma vitamin C (r = 0.41, P = 0.087) during the repletion phase of the study. Conversely, plasma free carnitine was inversely related to liver vitamin C (r = -0.54, P = 0.020) and to muscle total acid-soluble carnitine (r = -0.56, P = 0.015). Mean plasma free carnitine values fell 30% over the course of vitamin C repletion (P > 0.05) and mean muscle total acid-soluble carnitine rose by 30% (P > 0.05). These data suggest that elevated plasma free carnitine may indicate a low to marginal vitamin C status.