cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An empirical investigation into the design of auditory cues to enhance computer program comprehension

Decades of research have led to notable improvements in the representations used to aid human comprehension of computer programs. Much of this research has focused on visual representations, which leaves open the question of how best to design auditory representations of computer programs. While this question has particular relevance for visually impaired programmers, sighted programmers might also benefit from enhanced auditory representations of their programs. In order to investigate this question empirically, first, we introduce artifact encoding, a novel approach to rigorously measuring the comprehensibility of auditory representations of computer programs. Using this approach as a foundation, we present an experimental study that compared the comprehensibility of two alternative auditory program representations: one with lexical scoping cues that convey the nesting level of program statements, and another without such scoping cues. The results of our first experiment validate both artifact encoding and the scoping cues we used. To see whether auditory cues validated through our paradigm can aid program comprehension in a realistic task scenario, we experimentally compared programmers' ability to debug programs using three alternative environments: (1) an auditory execution environment with our empirically derived auditory cues; (2) an auditory execution environment with the current state-of-the-art auditory cues generated by a screen reader running on top of Microsoft Visual Studio; and (3) a visual version of the execution environment. The results of our second experiment showed that our comprehensible auditory cues are significantly better than the state-of-the-art, affording human performance approaching the effectiveness of visual representations within the statistical margin of error. This research contributes a novel methodology and foundational empirical data that can guide the design of effective auditory representations of computer programs.
Light scattering study of boron nitride microcrystals

Raman scattering and x-ray diffraction measurements are used to correlate finite-size effects on the Raman spectra of nonpolar vibrational modes in BN. The BN microcrystalline samples used exhibited domain sizes varying from 4.4 to 78.5 nm in the plane and 1.5 and 47.5 nm perpendicular to the planes. The Raman measurements indicated that the high-frequency ${E}_{2g}$ mode shifted to higher frequency and broadened as the crystallite size decreased. A formulation of the Raman cross section for scattering from nonpolar microcrystals is presented. The development includes evaluation of the susceptibility correlation function over a limited spatial extent. The results indicate that spectral changes are related to the phonon dispersion, and the wave-vector uncertainty is accounted for. The formulation is applied to describe the BN light scattering results, and good agreement was obtained to describe the observed shift in frequency.
How much progress have we made over the last few decades

To recognize the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, a conference was held featuring some of the most prominent obesity researchers worldwide, addressing the most significant advances in obesity research. The Center had been founded with a gift from wealthy oilman Claude B Pennington with the mission of ‘promoting healthier lives through research and education in nutrition and preventive medicine.’ The purpose of the conference was to provide a cohesive presentation of the key events and steps that led to the major discoveries or advances in obesity science and give insight into new research directions. Only 20 of many possible topics could be adequately covered in the program of the conference. Their increasing importance is reflected in the increasing number of related publications as extracted from PubMed. The broad general areas in which these topics fall include measurement and evaluation of obesity, measurement of body composition and fat distribution, adipose tissue biology, genetics, bariatric surgery and public policy. Advances in the areas covered at the conference have had a major impact on our understanding of adipogenesis, central and peripheral regulation of body weight, health consequences of excess body weight, challenges of weight loss, magnitude of the worldwide epidemic and impact of public health policies.
Self-consistent field calculations of the electronic states of radicals☆

Abstract A modified version of Roothaan's two pseudo-eigenvalue formulation of the Hartree-Fock equations is developed, in the LCAO approximation, for molecular systems with one unpaired electron in a nondegenerate orbital. The open and closed shell molecular orbitals satisfy separate pseudo-eigenvalue equations. In the iterative procedure used to solve these equations, the appropriate choice of the unpaired molecular orbital is indicated. The necessary reorthogonalization of the starting orbitals, before each iteration, is demonstrated. The theory is illustrated by application to the conjugated, π-electron systems of the ionized pseudoisocyanine cation and the pyridine anion.
The successful treatment of C. diphtheriae acute bacterial endocarditis with chloramphenicol, penicillin, and streptomycin.

Summary The successful treatment with chloramphenicol, streptomycin and penicillin in a patient with acute C. diphtheriae bacterial endocarditis is reported. In vitro studies on combined drug sensitivities, as well as the clinical response to chloramphenicol, penicillin, and streptomycin in this case, suggest that combined treatment may be beneficial in such cases.
Further Evidence for a Luteotropic Complex in the Hamster: Progesterone Determinations of Plasma and Corpora Lutea

Hamsters were hypophysectomized (H in. Tables) at day 4 of pregnancy and injected with various gonadotropins over the next 4 days. Endpoints of luteal activity at day 8 included the maintenance of pregnancy, luteal size and luteal and plasma levels of progesterone measured by the competitive protein binding assay Following hypophysectomy, and replacement with saline, the corpora lutea (CL) were reduced to l/2Oth the size of intact controls and all parameters of luteal function were reduced to baseline levels. Ovine prolactin (PRL–1 mg) did not maintain pregnancy but the CL were increased to 1/2 of normal size and had l/8th the progesterone content of CL from intact hamsters; plasma levels of progesterone, however, were the same as the saline injected group. When 1 mg PRL and 200 μg ovine FSH were injected concurrently, all indices of luteal activity were restored to control levels. Hence, this treatment constitutes the minimal luteotropic complex. The best results were obtained with 1 mg PRL and 1–2 IU of...
Social Movement Organizations: Growth, Decay and Change

Social movements manifest themselves in part through a wide range of organizations. These organizations are subject to a range of internal and external pressures that affect their viability, their internal structure and processes, and their ultimate success in attaining goals. This chapter discusses the relation of movement organizations to the environment in which they exist, both the society at large and more narrowly the social movement of which they are a manifestation. The ebb and flow of sentiments, the results of success and failure in attaining goals, and the problems of coordination and cooperation among movement organizations are treated. The chapter focuses to a greater extent on internal processes related to goals and commitment. It also discusses the causes of factionalism and schismogenesis and the relation of leadership to organizational transformation. Factions and schisms occur not only because of the heterogeneity of a movement organizations support base, but also because of concern with doctrinal purity.
Utilizing Multiple Vital Status Tracing Services Optimizes Mortality Follow-up in Large Cohort Studies

Abstract PURPOSE: To compare the three national-scale death identification services used in our two-stage vital status tracing protocol, Pension Benefit Information Company (PBI), Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), with respect to death identification and confirmation rate, and relevant demographic variables. METHODS: Information on 31,223 subjects with unconfirmed vital status in an ongoing occupational cohort mortality study was simultaneously submitted to PBI, SSA, and HCFA to identify subjects deceased as of December 31, 1992. Subjects whose dates of death were between 1979 and 1992 were then sent to the National Death Index (NDI) to obtain death certificate numbers and supplemental states of death. RESULTS: PBI identified and confirmed the highest number deaths in this cohort. PBI and SSA identified a higher proportion of deaths for persons who died in earlier years and/or who died at a younger age, for both confirmed and unconfirmed deaths. HCFA identified fewer deaths overall and had a smaller proportion of unconfirmed deaths. These deaths occurred in later years among older subjects and had the highest proportion of females. NDI provided exact matches for 92–96% of deaths identified by each of the three services. CONCLUSIONS: PBI was the most comprehensive service, especially for identifying younger subjects and those with an earlier date of death, while HCFA may help to identify deceased female subjects. SSA data can be purchased and used for periodic updates or interactively to identify deaths among subjects with poor identifiers (such as incorrect or missing social security numbers or misspelled names). Because each service makes a valuable contribution to the identification of deceased cohort subjects, all three should be considered for optimal mortality follow-up.
ON THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE BROAD-LINE REGION IN LOW-LUMINOSITY ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

The disk-wind scenario for the broad-line region (BLR) and toroidal obscuration in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) predicts the disappearance of the BLR at low luminosities. In accordance with the model predictions, data from a nearly complete sample of nearby AGNs show that the BLR disappears at luminosities lower than 5 × 1039(M/107 M☉)2/3 ergs-1, where M is the black hole mass. The radiative efficiency of accretion onto the black hole is 10-3 for these sources, indicating that their accretion is advection-dominated.
The second and third virial coefficients of a two-dimensional gas

Abstract Numerical values of reduced second and third virial coefficients and their temperature derivatives are reported for a two-dimensional gas, for use in interpreting adsorption isotherms of monolayers on isoenergetic substrates. Correct values of the third virial coefficient have not been available before. Examples of earlier treatments of adsorption data are given to demonstrate that values of the higher virial coefficients are essential for adequate discussions of adsorption isotherms. When these are used the high-temperature adsorption isotherms of argon on graphitized carbon black in the monolayer region are completely described in terms of the unperturbed bulk-gas parameters.
Singlet and triplet emission from methylenediphenyl-diisocyanate-based poly(ester urethane): determination of the energy-level diagram

Abstract Optical absorption and luminescence measurements have been made on 4,4′-methylenediphenyl 1,1′-diisocyanate (MDI)-based poly(ester urethane) (PESU) and model compounds diphenylmethane (DPM) and butanol-capped MDI. Phosphorescence spectra of the three samples are nearly identical with maxima at 527, 488, 451, and 422 nm. However, onset of strong optical absorption near 300 nm in PESU and MDI precludes observation of the corresponding fluorescence spectrum. In contrast, DPM exhibits weaker absorption with onset occurring near 270 nm. Consequently, its fluorescence spectrum is revealed and characterized by maxima at 302, 294, 286, and 279 nm. From these data we derive the energy-level diagram for PESU and show that phosphorescence is due to electronic transitions between the first excited triplet and singlet ground states (T 1 →S 0 ), whereas fluorescence transitions occur between both first and second excited singlet and ground states (S 1 →S 0 , and S 2 →S 0 ). The experimentally derived values are in good agreement with previously published theoretical values for the electronic excited states of PESU.
Maternal obesity and contraction strength in the first stage of labor

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether maternal obesity is associated with cesarean delivery and decreased contraction strength in the first stage of labor. Study Design We studied a retrospective cohort of women who delivered within a single healthcare system from 2007-2009; we included 5410 women with an intrauterine pressure catheter during the last 2 hours of the first stage of labor and who either had a vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery for dystocia. Logistic regression was used to determine how body mass index was associated with cesarean delivery or mean Montevideo units of ≥200. Results Although obese women were at significantly greater odds of cesarean delivery than normal-weight women (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.9–3.1), they were equally able to achieve Montevideo units of ≥200. Among women with a vaginal delivery, obese women had a longer first stage of labor compared with normal-weight women (597 vs 566 min; P = .003). Conclusion Obese women have longer labors but are equally able to achieve adequate Montevideo units as normal-weight women.
Cultural priorities and elder care: the impact on women.

In this article I address the institutional and personal processes associated with providing and receiving elder care. Although cultural differences abound, it is argued that five conditions currently affect the social response to frail elders all around the world: (a) male dominance of political and economic social institutions; (b) elder care dependent on the "dirty work" of women; (c) limited and ambiguous social recognition for providing elder care; (d) the aging of population as a whole (i.e., the proportion of old people in the world is increasing; and (e) frail old women fare worse than do frail old men. Regardless of which institution (government, economic marketplace, or family) has assumed the responsibility for elder care, the decision-making role has been dominated by men, and household tasks have been disproportionately provided by women. Women's elder-care work is physically draining. It tends to be work for which the providers receive, even within cultural boundaries, what is considered to be inadequate compensation. Nevertheless, women continue to provide labors of duty and labors of love. What is truly remarkable is that so many women report that their efforts are emotionally and spiritually satisfying. However, increasingly researchers report that women also experience depression and burnout. I discuss the extent to which the five current conditions of elder care will impede the performance of elder care in the future.
Identification and Properties of Plateins, Major Proteins in the Cortical Alveolar Plates of Euplotes1

Morphogenesis of the ciliate cortex has been viewed as an attractive model system for studying the mechanisms behind the ordered assembly of subcellular structure. Based on the assumption that identifying protein components of the cortex would facilitate the study of cortical assembly, I have produced a number of monoclonal antibodies directed against components of the cortex of Euplotes aediculatus. Several of these antibodies react with the proteins comprising the alveolar plates. These thin polygonal scales, each enclosed within a flattened membranous sac (alveolus) just beneath the cell membrane, tightly abut in a confluent monolayer that appears to lend form and rigidity to the Euplotes cell cortex. Reactivity and specificity of these monoclonal antibodies for the alveolar plates was shown by immunofluorescence staining of whole-cell preparations and of cryosections, and by immuno-gold staining of thin sections by electron microscopy. On immunoblots of SDS-PAGE separated whole-cell extracts, the plate proteins are revealed as two to three closely spaced bands centered at an Mr of 97 kDa, and a larger relative at 125 kDa. Comparative peptide mapping reveals that the members of the 97-kDa protein cluster are closely related. However, the 125-kDa polypeptide varies significantly from the 97-kDa members, and hence is not likely a synthetic precursor. Because bands of these Mr values are prominent in Coomassie blue-stained gels of whole-cell extracts, and are greatly enriched in purified cortical preparations, they likely represent the major proteins comprising the alveolar plates of E. aediculatus. I have proposed the name platein for this family of proteins.
Colonist Farm Income, Off-Farm Work, Cattle, and Differentiation in Ecuador's Northern Amazon

Examination of income sources and other characteristics among agricultural colonists in Ecuadors northern Amazon reveals economic differentiation of the frontier associated with farming off-farm work and cattle raising. Regression models use data from a unique representative farm-level survey in 1990. As expected farm income is higher on large fertile extensively cultivated plots near roads. Evidently greater start-up capital helps some migrants enabling the purchase of better land title credit cattle and other assets. Off-farm work results from positive and negative factors: involvement in low-paying agricultural work (jornalero) is common among recent settlers and those with little farm income; at the same time wealthier better-educated larger households choose lucrative nonagricultural work. In turn they hire more farmworkers earn more farm income and invest in pasture and cattle. A third model examines cattle income which is more important among households with greater start-up capital more land a legal title and Sierran origins (regardless of labor availability). The varied status of frontier households is thus associated with farming off-farm work and cattle raising livelihood activities that result from differentials in wealth before migrating combined with frontier conditions and household characteristics. The settlement of Ecuadors Oriente has thus achieved very modest success in redistributing some land and a livelihood to people without land. Yet at the same time settlement is also providing more land to those who already had land setting off a process of differentiation that parallels highland disparities (the "Andeanization of the Amazon") as well as colonization processes across the globe. Jointly rich and poor colonists are deforesting Ecuadors rich "hot spot" of biological diversity through their distinctive activities. Some policies to aid small farmers prevent further pasture extensification and promote more ecologically sound livelihoods in their region are suggested based on the statistical findings and supplementary fieldwork in the 1990s. (authors)
Magnetic relaxation in porous media

Abstract Studies of a theoretical model suggest that nuclear magnetic relaxation measurements on porous media will yield only an average pore dimension. The model consists of a random walk on a site percolation lattice with absorbing sites. Over a broad range of porosities, diffusion coefficients, and surface relaxation rates, the model yields only a single relaxation time. Under conditions of fast diffusion the relaxation time is proportional to the volume-to-surface ratio of the system. Under conditions of slow diffusion the relaxation time appears to depend on a pore dimension. But this dimension cannot easily be related to the pore geometry.
A Googol of Information about Google

Timothy P. Chartier reviews Google's PageRank and Beyond: The Science of Search Engine Rankings by Amy Langville and Carl Meyer.
Monte-carlo simulation of auto- and cross-correlated turbulent velocity fluctuations (MC-LAGPAR II model)

Abstract This paper discusses the application of Monte-Carlo Lagrangian particle models for the simulation of turbulent dispersion phenomena in the atmosphere. This type of modeling approach requires a numerical scheme for the stochastic generation of wind fluctuations. A new, fully three-dimensional, Monte-Carlo scheme is proposed here which is able to generate wind fluctuations with a specified degree of auto- and cross-correlation. All three spatial cross-correlations are included in the numerical scheme. This numerical method has been programmed using the APL language (MC-LAGPAR 11 model) and successfully tested. The listing of the key APL computational routine is presented and provides an example of the flexibility and computational power of the APL compact notation.
SURFACE AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF POROUS SILICON

Although silicon is the material of choice in the semiconductor industry, it has one serious disadvantage: it is an extremely poor optoelectronic material. This is because it is an indirect gap semiconductor, in which radiative transition results in extremely weak light emission in the infrared part of the spectrum. Thus, the discovery of strong visible luminescence from a silicon-based material (porous silicon) has been quite surprising and has generated significant interest, both scientific and technological. This material differs from bulk silicon in one important way, in that it consists of interconnected silicon nanostructures with very large surface to volume ratios. Although the first mechanism proposed to explain this emission process involved carrier recombination within quantum size silicon particles, more recent work has shown that the surface chemistry appears to be the controlling factor in this light emission process. Thus, the aim of this work is to outline the data and arguments that have been presented to support the quantum confinement model, along with the shortcomings of such a model, and to examine more recent models in which the chemical and structural properties of the surface regions of the nanostructures have been incorporated.
Improving Accuracy in Vocational Typewriting

Abstract The first step in the development of accurate vocational typists is a careful analysis of the techniques being used. Students must also be taught how to read material for typewriting and how to analyze their errors so they recognize where their weaknesses are. A desire to be an accurate typist is also a necessity. In addition, drills that teach the student to concentrate are effective. Creative typewriting teachers will be able to devise additional drills that will encourage and develop typewriting accuracy.
SU-8 force sensing pillar arrays for biological measurements

The generation and sensation of mechanical force plays a role in many dynamic biological processes, including touch sensation. This paper presents a two-axis micro strain gauge force sensor constructed from multiple layers of SU-8 and metal on quartz substrates. The sensor was designed to meet requirements for measuring tactile sensitivity and interaction forces exerted during locomotion by small organisms such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The device is transparent and compatible with light microscopes, allowing behavioral experiments to be combined with quantitative force measurements. For the first time, we have characterized the scale of interaction forces generated in wild-type C. elegans in probing and responding to their environment during locomotion. The device features sub-µN force resolution from 1 Hz to 1 kHz, >25 µN range, kHz acquisition rates and biocompatibility.
Expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and subunit mRNA transcripts in cultures of neural crest cells.

Abstract The expression of neuronal phenotypic characteristics by neural crest-derived neurons is dependent upon both environmental cues and intrinsic properties. Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed by most neural crest-derived peripheral neurons; nevertheless, the factors that influence and modulate the early expression of nAChRs on neuronal precursor cells are unknown. We used RT-PCR to analyze the temporal sequence of the appearance of transcripts encoding α3, α5, α7, β2, and β4 nAChR subunits in cultures of quail neural crest cells. At 2 days in culture, mRNA encoding each of these nAChR subunits was detectable and, except for α7, remained so through 12 days. The appearance of NAPA 73 immunoreactivity during neutral crest cell migration suggested that some cells express neuronal characteristics early in development and that the expression of nAChR subunits may be cell autonomous for some neural crest-derived cells. Between 8 and 10 days in culture, a 2.0-kb transcript encoding α3 subunit appears in addition to the expected 3.5-kb transcript that is present at 8 days. nAChR protein was detected immunocytochemically at 7 days and was observed in immunoblots by 9 days. Wholecell patch clamp recordings demonstrated that functional nAChRs develop concurrently in a subset of neural crest-derived neurons. In addition, both neuronal and nonneuronal cells showed inward and delayed outward currents in response to step depolarization. The appearance of functional nAChRs on neural crest-derived cells, in vitro , occurs independently of innervation and of the components in growth medium. The data suggest that neural crest-derived cells express transcripts encoding nAChR subunits, possibly as an intrinsic property of some peripheral neurons, early in development.
Raulin award lecture: Wilson's disease therapy with zinc and tetrathiomolybdate

Wilson’s disease is an inherited, autosomal recessive disease of copper accumulation [1–3]. Patients present, generally between the ages of 10 and 40 years, with liver disease, neurological abnormalities, psychiatric symptoms, or some combination of these. The liver is the organ responsible for copper homeostasis. Humans take in about 1.0 mg of copper/day, which is about 25% more than requirements [1]. The liver excretes the excess in the bile for loss in the stool. Wilson’s disease patients are not able to excrete excess copper in the bile [4–6] due to a mutation in a gene called ATP7B [7–9], which is part of the liver’s excretory pathway for copper. Wilson’s disease patients generally have a low blood ceruloplasmin (Cp). Ceruloplasmin contains six molecules of copper and is the main copper-containing protein of the blood. A low blood Cp in Wilson’s disease seems to carry no special clinical significance, since 10–20% of Wilson’s disease patients have a normal Cp, yet portray the same spectrum and severity of symptoms and abnormalites as do patients with a low Cp. We have hypothesized that the low blood Cp and the failure in copper balance regulation are due to the same general mechanism [10]. In normal bile, but not in bile from Wilson’s disease patients, we find copper-containing fragments of Cp molecules [10]. These fragments are resistant to proteolytic digestion and provide a packaging mechanism for copper to escape in the stool without reabsorption in the intestinal tract. Thus we postulate that the product of ATP7B plays a role in the maturation of Cp, possibly such as copper addition, and that this failure of Cp maturation in Wil-
Constipation associated with brumation? Intestinal obstruction caused by a fecalith in a wild red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber).

Summary This report describes the fecalith-induced intestinal obstruction of a free-ranging red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) and the snake's subsequent history following surgical removal of the fecalith. The captured snake exhibited an abnormally distended abdomen and an extremely hard mass, detected via palpation, near its vent. Coeliotomy yielded a 2.5-cm, 5-g fecalith from the large intestine. Microscopic dissection of the fecalith revealed no evidence of gastrointestinal parasitic worms. Subsequently, we implanted a radio-transmitter that allowed us to track the snake's movements for 7 months (until the radio signal vanished), indicating normal behaviour, complete recovery and good health apart from the obstruction. This observation suggests that fecalith development and intestinal obstruction represent potential risks of long-term faecal retention, an unusual physiological trait well documented among rattlesnakes and other stout, heavy-bodied terrestrial viperid snakes. Dehydration and decreased gut motility associated with brumation (≈hibernation) may predispose temperate snakes to fecalith formation. Regional drought and a small mammal diet with indigestible hairs might have also promoted fecalith formation in this specimen.
Some lifetimes in the A = 15–25 mass range

Abstract The mean lifetimes of twenty excited states in 15,16 N, 16,17,18,19 O, 19,20 F, 19,20,21,22 Ne, 23,25 Na and 25 Mg were measured by means of the plunger technique. The levels were fed by several-nucleon transfer reactions employing beams of 14 N and 16,17,18 O incident on targets of 6,7,8 Li, 9 Be and 10 B. An integral transform technique was used to fit measured fractional stopped/total ratios using the detailed flight-peak line shape as measured by a Ge(Li) detector at 0°. The measured lifetimes compared to their single-particle estimates showed M1 retardation by one to two orders of magnitude and considerable E2 enhancement. The ground state transitions from the mirror pair 19 Ne(275 keV) and 19 F(109.8 keV) both show equal E1 retardation.
Aluminum to oxygen cross-polarization in α-Al2O3 (corundum)

Experimental results concerning the cross-polarization of two quadrupolar, I = .5/2 nuclei are presented. It is shown in particular that 27Al spins in a-A1203 (corundum) can be spin-locked, and magnetization transferred to the 170 spin system. Cross-polarization between pairs of quadrupolar nuclei can cause considerable signal-to-noise ratio gains over conventional one- (or two-) pulse excitation and should be of use in investigating a number of inorganic solids.
Rotor position detection scheme for synchronous reluctance motor based on current measurements

A rotor position detection scheme which utilizes the characteristics of the synchronous reluctance motor is proposed. In particular, the dependence of the self and mutual inductances on the rotor position is utilized. The motor currents are controlled by a transistor inverter in the manner of hysteresis current control. The inverter switching creates ripples in the phase currents. The rate change of current in the ripples is then detected and converted to a rotor position signal. The proposed scheme is aimed at providing rotor position information particularly at low rotor speed, even at zero rotor speed. Numerical analysis of the rate change of the phase current of the synchronous reluctance motor is also discussed. >
Efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication on platelet recovery in children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Aim: Little is known about the influence of environmental factors on the epidemiology of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in relation to the development and/or persistence of ITP in infected patients remains controversial. Therapy used for eradicating H. pylori has led to a rise in platelet counts in a significant number of adult patients, but few paediatric studies have been undertaken to evaluate such treatment. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori and to evaluate whether H. pylori eradication can induce chronic ITP regression in children. Methods: To investigate new, non-invasive techniques for diagnosis of H. pylori infection, an enzyme immunoassay for H. pylori antigens in faeces (HpSA) was evaluated. Patient eligibility criteria included isolated thrombocytopenia (±50 ± 109 L−1) for more than 6 months without any identifiable cause and either normal or increased marrow megakaryocytes. H. pylori status was monitored before eradication and 4, 12, and 24 mo, after the end of treatment using Premier Platinum HpSA. Results: In this study we evaluated 22 chronic ITP patients, 9 of whom were infected with H. pylori. Using repeated HpSA testing, we demonstrated for eradication of H. pylori after treatment in all infected patients. Five of the nine patients had increased platelet counts that persisted throughout the follow-up period. Conclusion: These results should stimulate additional research into the involvement of H. pylori infection in chronic ITP in childhood. This approach may offer an accepted algorithm at least for some of these patients.
Testing a Theory of Decision-Making Derived from King’s Systems Framework in Women Eligible for a Cancer Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study was to test an explanatory theory of decision-making in women eligible for a cancer clinical trial. The theory derived from King’s framework proposed that the concepts of uncertainty, role functioning, and social support relate to emotional health (hope and mood state), which in turn relates to the treatment decision. A correlational study design was used to test the theory in a sample of 40 women. Findings provided empirical evidence of the adequacy of King’s framework and supported, in part, theorized relationships among the critical factors. However, these factors did not illuminate the treatment decision.
Numerical simulations of non-spherical bubble collapse

A high-order accurate shock- and interface-capturing scheme is used to simulate the collapse of a gas bubble in water. In order to better understand the damage caused by collapsing bubbles, the dynamics of the shock-induced and Rayleigh collapse of a bubble near a planar rigid surface and in a free field are analysed. Collapse times, bubble displacements, interfacial velocities and surface pressures are quantified as a function of the pressure ratio driving the collapse and of the initial bubble stand-off distance from the wall; these quantities are compared to the available theory and experiments and show good agreement with the data for both the bubble dynamics and the propagation of the shock emitted upon the collapse. Non-spherical collapse involves the formation of a re-entrant jet directed towards the wall or in the direction of propagation of the incoming shock. In shock-induced collapse, very high jet velocities can be achieved, and the finite time for shock propagation through the bubble may be non-negligible compared to the collapse time for the pressure ratios of interest. Several types of shock waves are generated during the collapse, including precursor and water-hammer shocks that arise from the re-entrant jet formation and its impact upon the distal side of the bubble, respectively. The water-hammer shock can generate very high pressures on the wall, far exceeding those from the incident shock. The potential damage to the neighbouring surface is quantified by measuring the wall pressure. The range of stand-off distances and the surface area for which amplification of the incident shock due to bubble collapse occurs is determined.
Performance driven layout of thin-film substrates for multichip modules

The author addresses some of the problems encountered in propagating high-speed signals on lossy transmission lines of thin-film substrates for multichip modules. With the flexibility of rubber-band routing and the efficiency of a dynamic data representation based on constrained Delaunay triangulation, lossy and unterminated transmission lines can be generated that successfully propagate high speed signals. A substrate layout system, named SURF, is being developed for thin-film multichip module (MCM) substrate design. >
Effects of dietary protein level on performance of Angora and cashmere-producing Spanish goats

Abstract Effects of dietary crude protein level on fiber production of Angora and cashmere-producing Spanish goats were studied in 16 yearling doelings (eight Spanish, eight Angora) for 8 weeks. Goats were housed in individual stalls and maintained at constant temperature (21 °C) with 9 h light and 15 h darkness each day. Goats were initially sheared, blocked by body weight (BW) and assigned to one of two dietary treatments (8% or 16% crude protein (CP)) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Diets were isocaloric (2.9 Meal kg −1 digestible energy (DE)) and were fed ad libitum. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar for Angora and cashmere-producing Spanish goats. Daily DMI (612 vs. 892 g day −1 ) and BW gain (38 vs. 127 g day −1 ) were greater ( P −1 ) and BW gain (55 vs. 116 g day −1 ) were also increased ( P −1 ) increased ( P P P P P P P P P > 0.05) by diet CP level for cashmere-producing Spanish goats. Increasing diet CP level increased mohair production, diameter and staple length, but had little effect on cashmere fiber production. Increasing dietary protein also increased DMI, BW gain and feed efficiency in both types of goats.
Alterations in serum proteins in regional enteritis.

Summary Alterations in the serum proteins obtained by paper electrophoresis were observed in cases of regional enteritis. Nine out of 10 patients in our series had elevated α 2 -globulin in all stages of the disease. Reappearance of clinical activity seemed to result in marked increase of the s-globulin fraction, and a further rise in the α 2 level. Reversion toward normal values of the α 2 - and s-globulins was observed during the inactive stage of the disease.
Tobacco control and obesity: evidence from a cross section of countries

Although several studies of highly developed countries find tobacco control efforts impact obesity rates, whether such results extend to less developed countries is unclear. Accordingly, this study re-examines this issue by using data from countries that lie across the development spectrum. Similar to the existing literature, evidence suggests higher cigarette prices increase the per cent of the population that is overweight or obese. Yet, other tobacco control efforts have less influence. A number of other factors, including health-care expenditure, urban concentration and undernourishment, are also found to influence population weight.
Crossover Trial of Mazindol for Cocaine Dependence

Mazindol, an indirect dopamine agonist, was given at 2 mg qd to 19 cocaine-dependent, methadone-tnaintainedpatients during a 2-week, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Patients showed no significant reduction in cocaine use, but they had increased cocaine craving on mazindol compared with placebo.
Evaluating uncertainty representation and reasoning in HLF systems

High-level fusion of hard and soft information from diverse sensor types still depends heavily on human cognition. This results in a scalability conundrum that current technologies are incapable of solving. Although there is widespread acknowledgement that an HLF framework must support automated knowledge representation and reasoning with uncertainty, there is no consensus on the most appropriate technology to satisfy this requirement. Further, the debate among proponents of the various approaches is laden with miscommunication and ill-supported assumptions, which inhibits advancement of HLF research as a whole. A clearly defined, scientifically rigorous evaluation framework is needed to help information fusion researchers assess the suitability of various approaches and tools to their applications. This paper describes requirements for such a framework and describes a use case in HLF evaluation.
The Psychology of the Subjunctive in French and Spanish

Author's Summary— The use of the subjunctive is based on the psychological implications of emotion and lack of certainty. All uses listed in the grammars fall into one or the other of these categories; no others are necessary.
Rethinking Diaspora(s): Stateless Power in the Transnational Moment

Where once were dispersions, there now is diaspora. It may seem anachronistic to say so, since the Greek “diaspora” is the older term, and in its restrictive usage has been applied from Antiquity t...
A review of the diversity and evolution of photonic structures in butterflies, incorporating the work of John Huxley (The Natural History Museum, London from 1961 to 1990).

The photonic structures of butterfly wings are among the most anatomically diverse of all those in nature, giving rise to an unrivalled display of structural colours. These have recently become the focus of research by workers in a variety of disciplines, stimulated by their potential applications to technology (‘biomimetics’). This interest, together with the discovery of unpublished electron micrographs taken by the late Dr John Huxley (Natural History Museum, London), prompted this review of butterfly photonics in general. The current work provides a synopsis of the literature to date, covering the diversity and evolution of these optical structures and incorporating Huxley's work, which represents an important biomimetic and evolutionary database on its own. This review deals with butterfly photonic devices according to the parts of the butterfly scales on which they occur. In this way, the information is ripe for evolutionary study.
Limited dose response to Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in patients with chronic stroke:

Objective: To compare outcomes in motor skill, perceived amount of use and ability of the paretic arm in daily activities between traditional Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, consisting of 6 hours of in-clinic, therapist-guided task practice, and a shortened Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, consisting of 1 hour of in clinic, therapist-guided task practice coupled with 5 hours of unsupervised practice at home.Design: A secondary analysis of two previous randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel group studies.Setting: A research clinic.Participants: Thirty-nine individuals with hemiparesis from a chronic unilateral stroke who were able to extend the wrist 10° and the fingers and thumb 10° from a flexed position and were participants in one of the two studies examining the efficacy of adding neuroplasticity adjuvants to Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy.Main outcome measures: The Wolf Motor Function Test was used to assess motor skill and the Motor Activity Log amount of use and quality of mov...
Haoma-Soma in the World of Ancient Greece

Abstract Evidence of the worship of (nonalcoholic) Haoma-Soma in Iran and India (identified by Wasson as Amanita muscaria) can be found in Greece and its neighboring lands. While Iranian and Indic peoples preserved their original worship in their final settlements, Indo-European tribes, including the Thracians, the Phrygians, and the Greeks, after settling in Europe and Asia Minor, abandoned their ancestral worship of Soma (Sabazios) and substituted the Semitic (alcoholic) Dionysos. However, they retained traces of the original Soma worship in Dionysiac rituals. This modified Dionysiac worship spread throughout the Western world. Six formal criteria are used to establish the identity of Soma with Dionysos (Sabazios): (1) both cults had the same aim (to cause ecstatic behavior); (2) both cults required the attainment of the same spiritual state (purity); (3) both cults had an idiosyncratic myth in common; (4) both cults showed the identical word root in the name of the worshiped god; (5) both cults had ide...
Optimum Data Quantization in Signal Detection

The need to use quantized data in signal detection can arise in many situations. If remotely acquired data is to be transmitted to a central processing facility, for example, data rate reduction may be highly desirable or necessary. Similarly, storage of data for off-line processing may also require quantization into a relatively small number of levels, especially if one is dealing with a large volume of data. The use of quantized data often results in more robust This work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Grant AFOSR 82-0022. systems which are not very sensitive in their performance to deviations of the actual noise density functions from those assumed in their design. Finally, the use of quantized data can allow simple adaptive schemes to be implemented to allow the system to retain good detection performance even when the noise characteristics can vary considerably over time.
Beyond the Aortic Root: Staged Open and Endovascular Repair of Arch and Descending Aorta in Patients With Connective Tissue Disorders

Background Improvements in care have prolonged survival of patients with connective tissue disorders (CTDs), but their entire native aorta remains at risk. Little data are available to guide treatment. Objectives were to characterize patients, describe repair methods, and assess outcomes. Methods From 1996 to 2012, 527 patients with CTDs underwent cardiovascular operations. Beyond the root, arch and descending repair was performed in 121 patients (23%) for aneurysm (n = 17), acute complicated dissection (n= 5), or chronic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration (n = 99). CTD diagnoses included Marfan (n = 107), marfanoid (n = 7), Ehlers-Danlos (n = 4), and Loeys-Dietz (n = 3) syndromes. Eighty-seven (72%) had a previous ascending aorta repair, including 51 (57%) for type A dissection. Median interval to distal operation was 8.4 years. Index procedures for repair beyond the root were elephant trunk (ET) stage I (n = 63), open descending repair (n = 26), thoracoabdominal repair (n = 13), total arch replacement (n = 13), and stent-grafting (n = 6: frozen ET 3, thoracic endovascular aortic repair [TEVAR] 3). Median follow-up was 4.4 years. Results Operative mortality was 2.5% (3 of 121). No paralysis occurred, but 3 patients (2.5%) had nonpermanent stroke, 4 (3.3%) required dialysis, 12 (10%) required tracheostomy, and 13 (11%) underwent reoperation for bleeding. During follow-up, 67 patients underwent 85 additional distal aortic procedures (58 open, 27 endovascular, 49 of which were stage II ET). By 10 years, probability of at least 1 reintervention was 61%. At 1, 5, and 10 years, estimated survival was 91%, 79%, and 62%, and event-free survival was 52%, 35%, and 24%, respectively. Conclusions Most patients with CTDs who require operations beyond the aortic root have aortic dissection and require multiple reinterventions. Staged repair strategies, including open repair in combination with TEVAR, are feasible, and benefits outweigh risks. These patients require lifelong imaging surveillance.
Chinese common noun phrase resolution: an unsupervised probabilistic model rivaling supervised resolvers

Pronoun resolution and common noun phrase resolution are the two most challenging subtasks of coreference resolution. While a lot of work has focused on pronoun resolution, common noun phrase resolution has almost always been tackled in the context of the larger coreference resolution task. In fact, to our knowledge, there has been no attempt to address Chinese common noun phrase resolution as a standalone task. In this paper, we propose a generative model for unsupervised Chinese common noun phrase resolution that not only allows easy incorporation of linguistic constraints on coreference but also performs joint resolution and anaphoricity determination. When evaluated on the Chinese portion of the OntoNotes 5.0 corpus, our model rivals its supervised counterpart in performance.
Plural exponence in the Nez Perce DP: a DM analysis

This paper analyzes two patterns of number marking in the DP in Nez Perce (Sahaptian) within the framework of Distributed Morphology. The first involves under-realization of plural on nouns. Number has classically been understood as a feature inherent to nouns, rather than to adjectives that modify them. In Nez Perce, however, only a small set of nouns show number morphology, whereas number morphology is highly productive on adjectival modifiers. Adjectives in fact may realize the plural more than once per word—an instance of multiple exponence. I show that the puzzle of under-realization for nouns can be solved through conditioned allomorphy, providing new evidence for the presence of gender features on n (Lowenstamm 2007; Kramer 2014). The puzzle of multiple exponence (over-realization) for adjectives can be solved through Local Dislocation (Embick and Noyer 2001) combined with very late insertion of reduplicative content (Haugen 2008, 2011), demonstrating one way the DM architecture may produce multiple exponence without recourse to dedicated mechanisms.