cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Artificial neural network classifier for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease using [99mTc]TRODAT-1 and SPECT.

Imaging the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system with positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission tomography (SPECT) is a powerful tool for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have indicated that human observers have a diagnostic accuracy similar to conventional ROI analysis of SPECT imaging data. Consequently, it has been hypothesized that an artificial neural network (ANN), which can mimic the pattern recognition skills of human observers, may provide similar results. A set of patients with PD, and normal healthy control subjects, were studied using the dopamine transporter tracer [99mTc]TRODAT-1 and SPECT. The sample was comprised of 81 patients (mean age ± SD: 63.4 ± 10.4 years; age range: 39.0–84.2 years) and 94 healthy controls (mean age ± SD: 61.8 ± 11.0 years; age range: 40.9–83.3 years). The images were processed to extract the striatum and the striatal pixel values were used as inputs to a three-layer ANN. The same set of data was used to both train and test the ANN, in a 'leave one out' procedure. The diagnostic accuracy of the ANN was higher than any previous analysis method applied to the same data (94.4% total accuracy, 97.5% specificity and 91.4% sensitivity). However, it should be stressed that, as with all applications of an ANN, it was difficult to interpret precisely what triggers in the images were being detected by the network.
Evaluation of Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry as a Method for the Elemental Analysis of Organic Compounds

The application of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to the elemental analysis of organic compounds is evaluated successfully for seven nonmetallic elements. A comparison of this method with previously reported microwave techniques shows that, while both methods are sensitive (detection limits in the low nanogram region), ICP-OES has fewer complications and appears to be less prone to interferences than the analogous microwave techniques. The results of these studies suggest that ICP-OES should be applicable to the simultaneous multielement analysis of the gaseous effluents from a gas chromatograph.
Second gene for gonadotropin-releasing hormone in humans

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a decapeptide widely known for its role in regulating reproduction by serving as a signal from the hypothalamus to pituitary gonadotropes. In addition to hypothalamic GnRH (GnRH-I), a second GnRH form (pGln-His-Trp-Ser-His-Gly-Trp-Tyr-Pro-Gly; GnRH-II) with unknown function has been localized to the midbrain of many vertebrates. We show here that a gene encoding GnRH-II is expressed in humans and is located on chromosome 20p13, distinct from the GnRH-I gene that is on 8p21-p11.2. The GnRH-II genomic and mRNA structures parallel those of GnRH-I. However, in contrast to GnRH-I, GnRH-II is expressed at significantly higher levels outside the brain (up to 30×), particularly in the kidney, bone marrow, and prostate. The widespread expression of GnRH-II suggests it may have multiple functions. Molecular phylogenetic analysis shows that this second gene is likely the result of a duplication before the appearance of vertebrates, and predicts the existence of a third GnRH form in humans and other vertebrates.
Doppler Echocardiography and Cardiac Pacing

The ability of Doppler echocardiography to evaluate changes in flow non-invasively on a beat to beat basis has made it quite valuable as a means of evaluating pacemaker physiology. Combined Doppler echocardiographic studies of the left atrium and mitral inflow have been used to evaluate left atrial size and function [1, 2] while Doppler echocardiographic studies of aortic flow velocity have been used to evaluate the effect of different pacing modes or different AV intervals on resting stroke volume [1, 3–10]. These studies are useful in evaluating patients for ventricular versus dual chamber pacemakers, and for optimizing the AV interval in patients who have received dual chamber pacemakers. Doppler echocardiographic studies can also be used to document atrial capture [11] to exclude pacemaker induced valvular regurgitation [3] and to investigate the hemodynamic alterations in patients with the pacemaker syndrome. This chapter will review the role that combined Doppler echocardiographic studies have played in improving our understanding of pacemaker physiology, and the clinical applications of these techniques.
E-Mail and Face-to-Face Organizational Dissent as a Function of Leader-Member Exchange Status:

The purpose of this study was to examine whether leader-member exchange status (in-group vs. out-group) of employees explains differences in organizational dissent (i.e., articulated, latent, displ...
U.S. provider reported folic acid or multivitamin ordering for non-pregnant women of childbearing age: NAMCS and NHAMCS, 2005-2006.

Folic acid use started prior to pregnancy confers a decreased risk of neural tube defects, and yet 20–50% of pregnancies are unplanned. We sought to determine whether medical providers order folic acid (FA) or folic acid-containing multivitamins (MVI) for their non-pregnant female patients of childbearing age. This is a cross-sectional study using data from the CDC’s National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) (2005 and 2006). Among non-pregnant, female patients of childbearing age (15–44), the proportion of preventive visits during which a provider ordered FA/MVI supplements was determined and compared to pregnant patients. Next, the rates of FA/MVI orders were examined according to race/ethnicity, age, insurance status, region of the country, provider type, contraceptive care, income and education. Analyses were conducted using SAS-callable Sudaan to account for survey design and to obtain population estimates. There were 4,634 preventive visits for non-pregnant women of childbearing age, representing 32.1 million visits nationally. Of these visits, 7.2% included provider-ordered FA/MVI. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that provider-ordered FA/MVI was most common for women ages 30–34, who receive Medicaid, and whose race/ethnicity was other than White, Black or Hispanic. Preventive care visits represent an important venue for counseling regarding the benefits of FA for women of childbearing age, but appear to be under-utilized in all women. Our findings suggest that annually there may be over 29 million missed opportunities to recommend folic acid to non-pregnant women seeking preventive care.
Rare event simulation in the neighborhood of a rest point

In this paper, we construct efficient importance sampling Monte Carlo schemes for finite time exit probabilities in the presence of rest points. We focus on reversible diffusion processes with small noise that have an asymptotically stable equilibrium point. The main novelty of the work is the inclusion of rest points in the domain of interest. We motivate the construction of schemes that perform well both asymptotically and non-asymptotically. We concentrate on the regime where the noise is small and the time horizon is large. Examples and simulation results are provided.
Timing driven placement using physical net constraints

This paper presents a new timing driven placement algorithm that explicitly meets physical net lengths constraints. It is the first recursive bi-section placement (RBP) algorithm that meets precise half perimeter bounding box constraints on critical nets. At each level of the recursive bi-section, we use linear programming to ensure that all net constraints are met. Our method can easily be incorporated with existing RBP methods. We use the net constraint based placer to improve timing results by setting and meeting constraints on timing critical nets. We report significantly better timing results on each of the MCNC benchmarks and achieve an average optimization exploitation of 69% versus previously reported 53%.
Attention and language as mediators of academic outcomes following early psychosocial deprivation

Children adopted from institutions at older ages are at increased risk of persistent attention problems, lower cognition, and academic difficulties. This study examined cognitive and behavior problems as mediators of the association between early psychosocial deprivation and academic functioning. Participants were 8–17-year-old children adopted from psychosocially-depriving Russian institutions after 14 months of age (n = 34) and before 9 months of age (n = 39). Children completed a cognitive assessment, while their parents completed questionnaires on child behavior problems and use of learning support services in school. Children adopted after 14 months were found to have significantly lower vocabulary, higher levels of attention problems, and higher rates of using learning support services relative to children adopted before 9 months after controlling for age at assessment. The two groups did not differ significantly in nonverbal reasoning, anxiety, or oppositional behavior. Attention and vocabulary sig...
The Impact of Patient Telephone Call after Discharge on Likelihood to Recommend in an Academic Emergency Department

Abstract Background Patient satisfaction is a common parameter tracked by health care systems, and likely influences patient provider choice and may impact insurer payment. Achieving high satisfaction in an academic emergency department (ED) can be a daunting task due to variable volumes, acuity, and overcrowding. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a postdischarge telephone call by a staff member after discharge from the ED on patient satisfaction. Methods This was a prospective cohort study conducted in the two University of California San Diego Health System EDs. Press Ganey patient satisfaction surveys are mailed to a random sample of 50% of all discharged patients. In August 2010 a program of MD and RN telephone call back 1 to 5 days after the ED visit was initiated. In conjunction with this program, a custom question was added to the standard survey, “Called back after discharge, Yes/No?” All surveys returned between September 22, 2010 and December 7, 2010 were reviewed, and those that chose to self-identify were selected to allow for ED chart review. The key outcome variable “likelihood to recommend score” was dichotomized into the highest category, 5 (very good) and remaining levels, 1–4 (very poor, poor, fair, good). ED records were abstracted for data on waiting time (WT), length of stay (LOS), and triage class (TC). These variables were selected because they have been shown to impact patient satisfaction in prior studies. Likelihood to recommend ratings for those reporting “Yes” to call back were compared to those reporting “No” to call back. Summary statistics were generated for patient characteristics in the “Yes” and “No” groups. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (CIs) for all counts and proportions were calculated with the “exact” method. A logistic regression model was constructed assessing odds ratio (OR) for likelihood-to-recommend score 5 while controlling for the variables of WT, LOS, and TC. Results In the study period, about 5000 surveys were mailed, 507 were returned, and 368 self-identified. Of those that self-identified, 136 patients answered “Yes” to the callback question and 232 answered “No.” The mean age for those indicating “Yes” was 55.8 years (CI 52.9–58.7), and for those indicating “No,” 50.7 years (CI 47.9–53.5). Gender and triage code were similar between the two groups. Among those answering “Yes,” 89.0% (CI 82.5–93.7) provided a “5” rating for “likelihood to recommend,” compared to 55.6% (CI 49.0–62.1) who replied “No” for call back. The logistic regression model generated an OR of 6.35 (CI 3.4–11.7) for providing a level 5 rating for “likelihood to recommend” for patients reporting “Yes” for call back after controlling for WT, LOS, and TC. Conclusion In the study institution, patients that are called back are much more likely to have a favorable impression of the visit as assessed by likelihood to recommend regardless of WT, LOS, or TC. These data support “call back” as an effective strategy to improve ED patient satisfaction.
Dominance Relationships in Mixedly Infected Bacillus subtilis

Abstract The progeny released from Bacillus subtilis cells mixedly infected with bacteriophages β22, SP82, and SP02c1 have been studied at varying multiplicities of infection and orders of addition and with different host strains of the bacterium. In B. subtilis 168, SP02c1 was subordinate to both SP82 and β22 and did not yield significant numbers of progeny even when added 5 min before the superior phage. Dominance in mixed infections of β22 and SP82 was host-dependent. In B. subtilis 168, SP82 was dominant and greatly reduced the yield of β22 if added simultaneously or before the subordinate partner. However, in the same mixed infection in B. subtilis SB11, β22 was the dominant phage and totally suppressed the production of SP82 even when added 5 min after the latter.
Code aperture design for compressive spectral imaging

Compressive sensing (CS) is an emerging field that exploits the underlying sparsity of a signal to perform sampling at rates below the Nyquist-criterion. This article presents a new code aperture design framework for compressive spectral imaging based on the Coded Aperture Snapshot Spectral Imaging (CASSI) system. Firstly, the methodology allows the CASSI system to use multiple snapshots which permits adjustable spectral and spatial resolution. Secondly, the measurement codeword matrices are generated using a pair of model equations, leading to code aperture patterns that permit the recovery of specific spectral bands of a given object. The developed methodology is tested using a real data cube and simulations are shown which illustrate that one can recover arbitrary spectral bands with high flexibility and performance.
Hospital profitability for a surgeon’s common procedures predicts the surgeon’s overall profitability for the hospital

Abstract Study Objective: To evaluate whether a hospital's profitability for a surgeon's common procedures predicts the surgeon's overall profitability for the hospital. Design: Observational study. Setting: Community and university-affiliated tertiary hospital with 21,903 surgical procedures performed per year. Patients: 7,520 patients having surgery performed by one of 46 surgeons. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Financial data were obtained for all patients cared for by all the surgeons who performed at least ten cases of one of the hospital's six most common procedures. A surgeon's overall profitability for the hospital was measured using his or her contribution margin ratio ( i.e ., total revenue for all of the surgeon's patients divided by total variable cost for the patients). Contribution margin was calculated twice: once with all of a surgeon's patients, and second, limiting consideration to those patients who underwent one of the six common procedures. The common procedures accounted for 22 ± 15% of the 46 surgeons' overall caseload, 29 ± 10% of their patients' hospital costs, and 30 ± 12% of the hospital revenue generated by the surgeons. Hospital contribution margin ratios ranged from 1.4 to 4.2. Contribution margin ratios for common procedures and contribution margin ratios for all patients were correlated (τ = 0.58, n=46, p Conclusions: Even though most surgical cases were for uncommon procedures, a surgeon's hospital profitability on common procedures predicted the surgeon's overall financial performance. Perioperative incentive programs based on common surgical procedures (clinical pathways) are likely to accurately reflect a surgeon's financial performance on their other surgeries.
Mathematical and computational science issues in high precision Hylleraas-configuration interaction variational calculations: I. Three-electron integrals

The most difficult integral arising in Hylleraas-configuration interaction (Hy-CI) calculations, the three-electron triangle integral, is discussed. We focus on recursive techniques at both the double precision and quadruple precision level of accuracy while trying to minimize the use of higher precision arithmetic. Also, we investigate the use of series acceleration to overcome problems of slow convergence of certain integrals defined by infinite series. We find that a direct + tail Levin u-transformation convergence acceleration overcomes problems that arise when using other convergence acceleration techniques, and is the best method for overcoming the slow convergence of the triangle integral. The question of calibrating an acceleration method is also discussed, as well as ways to improve our work.
Teaching chemical engineering students to stand up to a computer design

A chemical engineering design course is described. This course is innovative in two respects: (1) the use of a state-of-the-art computer system which enables students to use ASPEN at individual RISC (reduced instruction set computer) workstations and (2) the incorporation of design heuristics with which to formulate and evaluate computer designs. The integration of computer design with engineering heruistics serves as a means of checks and balances to enhance engineering judgment. This approach was used with three sets of projects: conceptual design of new processes, textbook case studies; and computer design for existing plants. >
Scratch for budding computer scientists

Scratch is a "media-rich programming environment" recently developed by MIT's Media Lab that "lets you create your own animations, games, and interactive art." Although Scratch is intended to "enhance the development of technological fluency [among youths] at after-school centers in economically disadvantaged communities," we find rarkable potential in this programming environment for higher education as well.We propose Scratch as a first language for first-time programmers in introductory courses, for majors and non-majors alike. Scratch allows students to program with a mouse: programmatic constructs are represented as puzzle pieces that only fit together if "syntactically" appropriate. We argue that this environment allows students not only to master programmatic constructs before syntax but also to focus on probls of logic before syntax. We view Scratch as a gateway to languages like Java.To validate our proposal, we recently deployed Scratch for the first time in higher education via harvard Summer School's Computer Science S-1: Great Ideas in Computer Science, the summertime version of a course at harvard College. Our goal was not to improve scores but instead to improve first-time programmers' experiences. We ultimately transitioned to Java, but we first introduced programming itself via Scratch. We present in this paper the results of our trial.We find that, not only did Scratch excite students at a critical time (i.e.,, their first foray into computer science), it also familiarized the inexperienced among th with fundamentals of programming without the distraction of syntax. Moreover, when asked via surveys at term's end to reflect on how their initial experience with Scratch affected their subsequent experience with Java, most students (76%) felt that Scratch was a positive influence, particularly those without prior background. Those students (16%) who felt that Scratch was not an influence, positive or negative, all had prior programming experience.
Transovarial Transmission Efficiency of Babesia bovis Tick Stages Acquired by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus during Acute Infection

The protozoan parasite Babesia bovis, a reemerging threat to U.S. cattle, is acquired by adult female ticks of the subgenus Boophilus and is transovarially transmitted as the kinete stage to developing larval offspring. Sporozoites develop within larvae and are transmitted during larval feeding on a bovine host. This study evaluated the efficiency of B. bovis infection within Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus following acquisition feeding on acutely parasitemic cattle. Parasite levels were quantified in blood from experimentally infected cattle and within hemolymph and larvae derived from acquisition-fed female B. microplus. There was a positive correlation between blood parasite levels in acutely parasitemic cattle and kinete levels in the hemolymph of adult female Boophilus ticks following acquisition feeding; however, there was no relationship between kinete levels in females and infection rates of larval progeny. Boophilus microplus females that acquisition fed produced larval progeny with infection rates of 12% to 48%. Importantly, larvae derived from replete females with very low levels of kinete infection, as demonstrated by microscopy and PCR, had infection rates of 22% to 30% and transmitted B. bovis during transmission feeding. These data demonstrate that although hemolymph infection may be undetectable, transmission to larval progeny occurs at a level which ensures transmission to the bovine host.
Fast delta Hadamard transform

In many fields (e.g., spectroscopy, imaging spectroscopy, photoacoustic imaging, coded aperture imaging) binary bit patterns known as m sequences are used to encode (by multiplexing) a series of measurements in order to obtain a larger throughput. The observed measurements must be decoded to obtain the desired spectrum (or image in the case of coded aperture imaging). Decoding in the past has used a technique called the fast Hadamard transform (FHT) whose chief advantage is that it can reduce the computational effort from N2 multiplies to N log2N additions or subtractions. However, the FHT has the disadvantage that it does not readily allow one to sample more finely than the number of bits used in the m sequence. This can limit the obtainable resolution and cause confusion near the sample boundaries (phasing errors). We have developed both 1-D and 2-D methods (called fast delta Hadamard transforms, FDHT) which overcome both of the above limitations. Applications of the FDHT are discussed in the context of Hadamard spectroscopy and coded aperture imaging with uniformly redundant arrays. Special emphasis has been placed on how the FDHT can unite techniques used by both of these fields into the same mathematical basis.
Through green eyes: complex visual culture and post‐literacy

By way of reclamation of the metaphor ‘green,’ this paper contends that research regarding the relationships between children’s literatures and cultures and environmental experience requires a reinvigorated consideration of the role of the visual. The heightened importance of visual texts is made evident via three primary, contemporary conditions of textual dissemination: hyper‐circulation, shifts from page to screen as the dominant method of textual transmission, and increases in visuals as the primary mode of information conveyance. The conditions of textual distribution also call to question the status quo understanding of children’s subject formation. This paper contends that by examining new media technologies in conjunction with methodologies borrowed from studies of complex ecology and systems theories, research might be able to better theorize how and why children’s texts influence children’s lived experiences with environments and place. Ultimately, this paper proposes not just that a greater att...
Diffusion coefficient of orange juice flavor compounds into packaging materials: A mathematical model

The diffusion coefficient (D) for various flavor compounds in orange juice into packaging materials was determined as a function of time using a numerical approach (finite difference method). Experimental results shows that the D of ethyl butyrate and octanal have significant variations during the diffusion process, while diffusion coefficients of d-limonene and α-pinene do not change significantly with respect to time. It thus shows that care must be taken when one makes the assumption that the diffusion coefficient is constant.
Reduction in Disk and Fiber Stresses by Axial Distraction is Higher in Cervical Disk With Fibers Oriented Toward the Vertical Rather Than Horizontal Plane: A Finite Element Model Analysis

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to quantify the biomechanical changes that occur in a compressed cervical disk with the application of axial distraction when the annular fiber orientation angles are varied between the horizontal and vertical planes. Methods A 3-dimensional finite element (FE) model of a cervical motion segment was developed. From this model, 3 FE models were developed and validated corresponding to 3 different fiber angles relative to the end plate-disk interface: ±25° (oriented toward the horizontal plane), ±45° (midway between the horizontal and vertical planes), and ±65° (oriented toward the vertical plane). Compression (50N), followed by an axial distraction (17N), was simulated. Annulus and nucleus stresses, von-Mises fiber stresses, annulus radial bulging, and nucleus radial displacement were computed. Hard tissue (cortical and cancellous bones and end plate) stresses were also quantified. Results With increasing fiber angle (toward vertical), axial segmental stiffness increased, whereas annulus and nucleus stresses, fiber stresses, annulus radial bulging, and nucleus radial displacement decreased. Similar outcomes were observed when axial distraction was applied to the compressed segment. Hard tissues were not affected with varying fiber angles; however, their mechanics changed when axial distraction was applied on the compressed segment. We noted lower disk stress in axial distraction than in compression. Conclusions The results confirmed the hypothesis that fibers oriented toward the vertical plane reduce disk and fiber stresses and disk bulging. By aligning annular fibers toward the vertical plane axial distraction may help reduce disk and fiber stresses. Axial disk stresses decrease radially from outside to inside under compressive loading and that the anterior annulus is more stressed than the posterior-lateral annulus during both compression and distraction. Stresses decreased in both the annulus tissue matrix and fibers with increasing fiber angles and increasing fiber slope to 90° (vertical fibers) is further anticipated to reduce the compressive disk stresses. The fibers in tension apply compression to the annulus tissue matrix, thus, decreasing annulus stresses in the axial and circumferential directions.
Publication Bias in Surgery: Implications for Informed Consent

Background Patients consenting for pancreas surgery are often quoted an operative risk of 1% to 3% based on the literature. However, these results are often from centers of excellence, and as a result the literature mortality rates may not be representative or generalizable. Methods A MEDLINE search was performed to identify the major studies of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and total pancreatectomy (TP) over a 6-y period (January 1998–December 2003). To obtain a literature-based mortality rate, we performed a meta-analysis of these published series and compared them with actual in-hospital mortality rates based on a representative 20% sample of hospital data in 37 states (the Nationwide Inpatient Sample). The sample included approximately 8 million patient records per year. Literature versus actual mortality rates were compared for the same 6-y period and stratified by academic versus nonacademic medical centers. Results We identified 16 major studies on PD and TP totaling 3641 patients with an overall mortality rate of 3.2% (range 0%–9.3%). The actual mortality rate based on the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (n = 7604) was 2.4-fold higher than the literature rate (adjusted rate of 7.6% versus 3.2%, P Conclusions Mortality rates for pancreatic resections in actual practice are 2.4-fold higher than those reported in the literature. Proper informed consent for surgical procedures should include an accurate description of the risks, using actual local and national mortality rates.
Alemtuzumab Induction Facilitates Steroid-Free Immunosuppression in Human Cardiac Transplantation: Five Year Outcomes

Purpose Routine induction therapy with alemtuzumab (C-1H) prior to cardiac transplantation (CTX) allows for steroid free lower intensity maintenance immunosuppression Methods and Materials All patients with CTX at a single institution from 1/02 until 9/11. Historical controls used induction for only high risk patients (1/02-10/06), C-1H group used routine alemtuzumab induction. Controls received full dose Tacrolimus (TAC) mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and, steroids, C-1H received dose-reduced TAC, MMF, and no steroids. Results A total of 406 patients were included, 230 in the C-1H group and 176 controls. Baseline characteristics were not different for groups: mean age 55 years, 75% male, 88% white, 52% ischemic, VAD 29%, CMV mismatch 20%. Donor characteristics were not different: mean age 35 years, 65% male, and 78% white. Ischemic time was longer in the C-1H group, 202 v. 182 minutes, p=0.0011. Induction use: C-1H 95% v. controls 36% (87% - thymoglobulin). Maintenance was not different for groups: 99% TAC, 99%MMF. Mean TAC levels (ng/mL) were lower for the C-1H v. controls until year 3: month 1-6 (8.6 v. 11.8, p = 3A/2R) was superior in the C-1H group: 73% v. 56%, p=0.0002. [ figure 1 ] Conclusions Induction therapy after CTX with C-1H results in similar 5 year survival, but superior freedom from rejection despite lower TAC levels, less MMF, and without the use of steroids.
Neuroendocrine control of luteinizing hormone secretion and reproductive function in spontaneously persistent-estrous aging rats.

Middle-aged female rats cease to display estrous cycles and exhibit a state of persistent estrus (PE). Under PE and chronic anovulatoy conditions, there is a lack of spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surges, but ovula- tions often occur after the females are caged with males. This study examined the effects of caging and mating with male rats on LH release in PE females, and assessed their reproductive capacity. Young cyclic rats received intra-atrial cannulae, and subsequently were sampled every 90 mm during 1400- 2130 h on proestrus for plasma LH measurement. PEfemales were similarly cannulated and sampled. Two days later, these PE rats received an s.c. injection of estradiol benzoate (EB) and were sampled on the following day. While young females exhibited the proestrous LH surge, PE rats maintained low plasma LH levels persistently and were unable to increase LH release after EB administration. On the other band, when cannulated PE females were caged with fertile males, 92% displayed lordotic responses, and 75% of those sexually receptive PE females exhibited LH surges followed by ovulation. The initiations of the lordotic response and the LH surge both were more rapid in PE females caged with males beginning at 1500 h than at 1400 h. In contrast, when individual PE rats were placed in clean boxes without males, only one of 13 females showed an increase in LH release followed by ovulation. Separate groups of PE rats were mated with fertile males, and subsequently used for counting the number of blastocysts in the uteri on Day 5 of pregnancy and the number of pups delivered at term. These results were compared with those of mated, young and middle-aged, regularly cyclic females. After mating, 92% of young rats produced fertile gestations, hut only 30% and 1 7% of middle-aged cyclic and PE females, respectively, delivered litters. The numbers of ova shed after mating were fewer in middle-aged cyclic and PE rats than in young females, and a decline in litter sizes in middle-aged cyclic and PE groups was closely related to the de- creased number of normal preimplantation blasto cysts. These results demonstrate that caging and mating with males elicited an LH surge in PE rats, even though estrogen challenge was unable to stimulate LH secretion. Thus, the mechanism for producing the LH surge in PE rats remains intact and responsive to males but not to estrogen stimulation. After mating, PEfemales ovulated few oocytes, and even fewer of these ova subsequently developed into normal blastocysts for implantation. Thus, preimplantation failure appears to be a major cause of the reproductive decline in aging rats.
Service-Learning and Social Work Competency-Based Education: A "Goodness of Fit"?

As social work education moves to a competency-based approach, faculty are increasing their use of pedagogical tools designed to provide students with opportunities, in addition to traditional field placements, to develop practice skills. Faculty are no doubt turning to service-learning, and other forms of experiential education, to provide these opportunities and to offer an additional means for departments to demonstrate and measure student practice behaviors. To help focus the use of service-learning in social work education, this article uses sources from the larger service-learning field and from social work scholarship to examine the nature of service-learning, to review current service-learning trends, to summarize its use in social work education, and to raise questions about its goodness of fit with competency-based education.
Orchid-pollinator interactions and potential vulnerability to biological invasion.

Mutualistic relationships between plants and their pollinators have played a major role in the evolution of biodiversity. While the vulnerability of these relationships to environmental change is a major concern, studies often lack a framework for predicting impacts from emerging threats (e.g. biological invasions). The objective of this study was to determine the reliance of Platanthera ciliaris (orange-fringed orchid) on Papilio palamedes (Palamedes swal- lowtail butterfly) for pollination and the relative availability of alternative pollinators. Recent declines of P. palamedes larval host plants due to laurel wilt disease (LWD) could endanger P. ciliaris populations that rely heavily on this butter- fly for pollination. We monitored pollinator visitation and fruit set and measured nectar spur lengths of P. ciliaris flow- ers and proboscis lengths of its floral visitors in Jackson County, MS, USA. Papilio palamedes was the primary visitor with minimal visitation by Phoebis sennae (cloudless sulfur butterfly). Lengths of P. ciliaris nectar spurs were similar to pro- boscis lengths of both pollinator species. Fruit set was moderate with access to pollinators (55+ 10.8 %), yet failed (0 %) when pollinators were excluded. Visitation increased with inflorescence size, but there was no such pattern in fruit set, indicating that fruit set was not limited by pollinator visitation within the range of visitation rates we observed. Our results are supported by historical data that suggest P. palamedes and P. sennae are important pollinators of P. ciliaris. Although P. sennae may provide supplemental pollination service, this is likely constrained by habitat preferences that do not always overlap with those of P. cilaris. Observed declines of P. palamedes due to LWD could severely limit the reproductive success and persistence of P. ciliaris and similar orchid species populations. This empirical-based prediction is among the first to document exotic forest pests and pathogens as an indirect threat to plant - pollinator interactions.
Alzheimer Disease as a Vascular Disorder: Nosological Evidence

Background— The main stumbling block in the clinical management and in the search for a cure of Alzheimer disease (AD) is that the cause of this disorder has remained uncertain until now. Summary of Review— Evidence that sporadic (nongenetic) AD is primarily a vascular rather than a neurodegenerative disorder is reviewed. This conclusion is based on the following evidence: (1) epidemiological studies showing that practically all risk factors for AD reported thus far have a vascular component that reduces cerebral perfusion; (2) risk factor association between AD and vascular dementia (VaD); (3) improvement of cerebral perfusion obtained from most pharmacotherapy used to reduce the symptoms or progression of AD; (4) detection of regional cerebral hypoperfusion with the use of neuroimaging techniques to preclinically identify AD candidates; (5) presence of regional brain microvascular abnormalities before cognitive and neurodegenerative changes; (6) common overlap of clinical AD and VaD cognitive symptoms; ...
Somatic Growth and its Regulation

The sections in this article are: 1 Variations of Normal Growth 1.1 Normal Variations in Infancy 1.2 Constitutional Delay of Growth and Adolescence 1.3 Constitutional Accelerated Growth 1.4 Premature Adrenarche 1.5 Premature Thelarche 1.6 Gynecomastia 2 Abnormal Growth 2.1 Intrinsic Disorders of Growth Deficiency 2.2 Extrinsic Disorders of Growth Deficiency 2.3 Intrinsic Disorders of Increased Growth 2.4 Extrinsic Disorders of Increased Growth 3 Assessment of Growth 3.1 Growth Standards 3.2 Standards for Pubertal Development 3.3 Terminology 3.4 Measurement Techniques 3.5 Anthropometry 3.6 Body Composition Assessment 3.7 Assessment of Biological Maturity 3.8 Mathematical Modeling of Growth Data and Prediction of Adult Height 3.9 Methods for Assessment of Growth in Laboratory Animals 4 Assessment of the Regulation of Growth 4.1 General Considerations 4.2 Screening Procedures 4.3 Static Hormone Levels 4.4 Serial Growth Hormone Sampling 4.5 Stimulation Testing 4.6 Suppression Tests 5 Summary
Theory and Practice, Practice and Theory: Reflections on a Planner's Career

In this essay, the author reflects on her career as a planner and planning educator. In what is partially a personal memoir, Dalton presents several epigrams for planning practice, providing examples as well as the related theory that connects them. In the process, she offers some observations about continuity and change in the context and practice of planning in the United States over a half-century, and speculates about the continuing role of planners in the future.
An Introduction to the History of International Human Rights Law

As part of a lecture series given at the International Institute of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, France, in July 2003, the author presents an overview of the history of international human rights law. The author explores numerous religious, political, cultural, philosophical, economic and intellectual movements throughout history that have informed and guided the development of human rights law on the global stage. In doing so, the author examines the moral and ethical dimensions which underpin international human rights law, including what she defines as the innate human desire for protection from abuse. The author highlights the world's most significant historical events and people who have influenced modern concepts of human rights law. Despite the many successes of the human rights movement, the author draws attention to international institutions established to protect human rights, which are often too weak to address many contemporary human rights violations and atrocities occurring in failed states or at the hands of non-state actors. As this area of international law continues to develop, these shortcomings must be addressed if human rights progress is to continue.
The Effects of Language Training on Stuttering in Young Children, Without and with Contingency Management

The relationship between language and stuttering in young children is unclear. We tested whether improving a stuttering child's language without and with contingency management would also improve the child's fluency. We provided language training in vocabulary, irregular verbs, and conversational speech acts to 3 young stuttering participants who had within-normal (2) and below-normal (1) language proficiency. Results showed that 2 children improved in language performance, but did not improve in fluency; the third child improved in fluency, but not in language. Later, a second, partly similar, language-fluency training procedure, with consequences for stuttering and fluency, resulted in improvement in fluency for all 3 participants. It was concluded that language training alone did not improve fluency.
Abstract 350: Early Cell-Cell Coupling Contributes to Loss of Transplanted Stem Cell Retention and Efficacy

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) replacement therapy is beneficial to the heart following ischemia but a significant loss of these cells within hours of administration could dimin...
Silicon Photonics Technologies: Gaps Analysis for Datacenter Interconnects

We give an overview of optical interconnect requirements for large scale datacenters. We then make a comparison between silicon photonics technologies and more traditional options in meeting these requirements.
The Phase-Shifting Limit Cycles of the van der Pol Equation.

The van der Pol limit cycles are generated at small amplitudes by the computer implementation of the Poincare-Lindstedt method. The formal algebraic solution is accomplished by manipulations of Poisson series, and the FORTRAN programming of the inductive algorithm yields the phase-shifting limit cycles to graphical accuracy over the range 0 ≤ λ ≤ 1.5. This improves upon the method of Deprit and Rom in two ways. First, because the formal solution is carried out by hand, an algebraic processor is not necessary. Second, the standard solutions which they generated are only valid for 0 ≤ λ ≤ 1.2 whereas the phase-shifting limit cycles are still valid at λ = 1.5; that is, they do not exhibit the Gibbs phenomenon even at λ = 1.5.
Statebuilding in Divided Societies: The Reform of Dayton in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract Drawing from the literature on conflict regulation and other plural society theories, this paper provides a framework of analysis to explore the dynamics involved in the external statebuilding process in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The analysis is based on a three-level framework whereby patterns of conflict regulation are analyzed at the inter- and intra-ethnic levels, as well as what this article terms the ‘supra-national’ ethnic level, where interactions between domestic and external actors are considered. In order to explore these issues empirically, this paper examines the process of constitutional reform in BiH over the course of 2005–6, drawing from personal interviews. The paper concludes that, while the assistance provided by external actors has proven substantial, the neglect of intra-ethnic dynamics and other related considerations have often rendered external actors’ efforts at shaping the statebuilding process in BiH ineffective.
Does electoral fraud spread? The expansion of electoral manipulation in Russia

AbstractIn this paper, we argue that the occurrence of electoral manipulation in Russia has been driven, in part, by diffusion across neighboring raions through emulation, incentives, and networks. Presumably, in Putin’s Russia all local authorities have some incentives to deliver a high number of votes to United Russia, the “party of power”. However, the perceived pressure to deliver ever higher levels of support for Putin’s party arguably increases considerably if one’s raion is located in a region marked by extraordinarily high turnout and high vote share for United Russia. Conversely, the absence of perceived competition to curry executive favor through delivering votes and networks of uncorrupted local authorities, as well as local opposition organizations working to combat electoral fraud, may help explain the absence of fraud among raions located in regions marked by clean elections. Our quantitative analyses suggest that a “neighborhood effect” – the existence of manipulated raions within a region...
12 SOLITARY RENAL CELL CARCINOMA METASTASIS PRESENTING AS IMPOTENCE AND DIPLOPIA.

The pituitary gland is an uncommon site of metastatic involvement, with a reported overall incidence ranging from less than 1% to 5% in autopsy series. The most common primary sources of metastatic lesions are breast, lung, colon, and prostate. Solitary renal cell carcinoma (RCCA) metastasis to the pituitary is an unusual pathological finding. Of the 8 such cases that have been reported so far, there have been only 2 cases with impotence being the presenting symptom. A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with RCCA in 2001. After right radical nephrectomy he was clinically stable till 2005 when he developed diplopia, headaches, fatigue, and impotence over a period of 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain done upon initial presentation to the local physician was reported as negative and the patient was empirically started on steroids for presumed temporal arteritis. His headaches improved partially. Temporal artery biopsy was negative but because of symptomatic relief he was continued on 15 mg of prednisone per day. Four months later he developed left sixth nerve palsy and repeat MRI revealed a 3.6 cm hypodense enhancing intrasellar mass involving all of the left cavernous sinus and much of the sella turcica with high signal densities within the lesion consistant with hemorrhages. Hormonal tests showed primary hypogonadism (FSH 2.5, LH 1.1, testosterone 63) and central hypothyroidism (free T4 0.31 TSH 0.25). Prolactin, cortisol, and IGF-1 were within normal limits. The patient had no polyuria or polydipsia and the serum sodium was normal. CT chest and PET scan were performed and showed no evidence of metastais. He underwent transnasal transsphenoidal resection of the lesion. Final pathology was consistent with metastatic RCCA. Metastasis to the pituitary is most frequently found in the posterior lobe and symptoms that arise are due to diabetes insipidus. Review of the reported cases of metastatic RCCA shows that such cases have a predilection for the anterior pituitary, often presenting as visual disturbances. The aggressive nature of the RCCA metastatic lesions, its slow growth, and its highly vascular nature may explain the earlier involvement of the anterior pituitary gland. Our case is unusual because of impotence being one of the initial presenting symptoms, which is very rare and often easily ignored. This underscores the fact that onset of impotence in an otherwise healthy individual should be regarded as an important symptom that merits further investigation.
FEM model establishment and variation of cross section distortion in circle tube pressing and bending

In order to study the cross section distortion law of a continual process of circle tube pressing and bending,an FEM model for the process has been established using the FEM software ABAQUS.It has been validated by comparing the results using the model and the experiment.The cross section distortion laws of cirle tube pressing have been analyzed.The effects of frictons between dies and tube and round radius of lower die of bending on cross section distortion have been studied.The results show that:The outer layer of the tube which forms the straight part of the flat tube is compressed while the inner layer is tensiled.Collapse occurs in the area due to their resultant.The outer layer of the tube which forms the curved part of the flat tube is tensiled while the inner layer is compressed.Flattening appears in the area due to their resultant.The curved part flattens at the eariler stage of the pressing process either with or without mandrel,and the straight part collapses in the midst of pressing without mandrel.But flattening hasn't been found and the collapse can be improved at the last stage of the pressing with mandrel because of the support of the mandrel.The frictions between dies and tube and round radius of lower die of bending have no dramatic effect on cross section distortion because of the small contact of dies with tube during the whole forming process.
Chronic liver diseases: current therapeutic options.

Five years ago there was little worth saying on the subject. Now we can state: Autoimmune chronic hepatitis can be effectively treated; chronic hepatitis B responds to α-interferon, as does chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis; colchicine is beneficial in primary biliary cirrhosis; and methotrexate seems even more promising in both that disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Direct Cloning of Double-Stranded RNAs

Most annotated genomes show a large number of sense-antisense transcripts that can generate double-stranded RNAs. We describe a method to clone these dsRNAs from total RNA preparations.