cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcome of patients undergoing transabdominal cerclage: a descriptive study.

Objective: Transabdominal cerclage is now evolving as an alternative to transvaginal cerclage in patients with cervical incompetence. The purpose of our study was to evaluate and describe our experience in patients selected to undergo transabdominal cerclage placement.Methods: Outcome data for all patients who underwent transabdominal cerclage from January, 1990, through December, 1994, was collected. Indications for transabdominal cerclage included patients with prior failed vaginal cerclage, extremely shortened cervix, or anatomical defects judged unsuitable for transvaginal cerclage.Results: Eleven patients underwent 12 transabdominal cerclage procedures. The mean gestational age at the time of cerclage placement was 12.5 weeks (range 10-14 weeks). The mean gestational age at delivery was 34 weeks. There were two neonatal deaths, which were related to extreme prematurity. The mean birthweight was 2,622 g. The fetal salvage rate was 83%.Conclusions: These findings suggest that in a highly select group o...
Modelling the informal sector formally

Abstract The theoretical characterization of formal-informal sector dualism by labor-market dualism is integrated with its empirical characterization by size dualism by supposing that the minimum formal sector wage is only enforced for firms greater than a certain size. A firm's size varies directly with the talent of its enterpreneur-manager, and the choice between formal and informal sector entrepreneurship is determined endogenously. It is then shown that the size gap between the smallest formal sector firm and largest informal sector firm varies directly with the formal-informal sector wage differential, which in turn is shown as expected to increase the further is the minimum wage above the market-clearing wage. The comparative statics of changes in the size of the firm above which the minimum wage is enforced are also examined.
O-Fucosylation of Notch Occurs in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

LADII (leukocyte adhesion deficiency type II)/CDGIIc (congenital disorder of glycosylation type IIc) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by leukocyte adhesion deficiency as well as severe neurological and developmental abnormalities. It is caused by mutations in the Golgi GDP-fucose transporter, resulting in a reduction of fucosylated antigens on the cell surface. A recent study using fibroblasts from LADII/CDGIIc patients suggested that although terminal fucosylation of N-glycans is reduced severely, protein O-fucosylation is generally unaffected (Sturla, L., Rampal, R., Haltiwanger, R. S., Fruscione, F., Etzioni, A., and Tonetti, M. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 26727-26733). A potential explanation for this phenomenon is that enzymes adding O-fucose to proteins localize to cell organelles other than the Golgi apparatus. In this study, we investigated the subcellular localization of protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (O-FucT-1), which is responsible for adding O-fucose to epidermal growth factor-like repeats. Our analysis reveals that, unlike all other known fucosyltransferases, O-FucT-1 is a soluble protein that localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In addition, it appears that O-FucT-1 is retained in the ER by a KDEL-like sequence at its C terminus. Our results also suggest that enzymatic addition of O-fucose to proteins occurs in the ER, suggesting that a novel, ER-localized GDP-fucose transporter may exist. The fact that O-FucT-1 recognizes properly folded epidermal growth factor-like repeats, together with this unique localization, suggests that it may play a role in quality control.
Edge-protection nonlinear filters for removing compression block artifacts and noise

JPEG is perhaps the most commonly used still-image standard due to its good compression rate, flexibility in choosing image quality and fast algorithm for implementation. In JPEG, the DCT is used for 8 by 8 block transforms. However the notorious block artifacts caused by the DCT are of great concern. In this article, we focus on the DCT and try different filters to smooth the annoying block boundaries which are very visible under a high compression rate. A new nonlinear filter is proposed which outperforms which are very visible under a high compression rate. A new nonlinear filter is proposed which outperforms existing techniques. The results are demonstrated for images with a comparison of mean-square-errors. For a general application, the new filter is used to cancel gaussian noise added to an image and the performance is compared with that of other commonly used filters.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Implications of Satellite Swath Width on Global Aerosol Optical Thickness Statistics

We assess the impact of swath width on the statistics of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) retrieved by satellite as inferred from observations made by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We sub-sample the year 2009 MODIS data from both the Terra and Aqua spacecraft along several candidate swaths of various widths. We find that due to spatial sampling there is an uncertainty of approximately 0.01 in the global, annual mean AOT. The sub-sampled monthly mean gridded AOT are within +/- 0.01 of the full swath AOT about 20% of the time for the narrow swath sub-samples, about 30% of the time for the moderate width sub-samples, and about 45% of the time for the widest swath considered. These results suggest that future aerosol satellite missions with only a narrow swath view may not sample the true AOT distribution sufficiently to reduce significantly the uncertainty in aerosol direct forcing of climate.
Impact of greenhouse whitefly management on strawberry fruit quality

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), is an important pest of strawberries in California, USA. The adults and nymphs feed on phloem sap of leaves to remove the photo-assimilates. The objective of this study is to test the impact of whitefly management with insecticides on strawberry fruit quality. Applications of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen decreased the mean adult white-fly numbers by 2.80-, 2.17-, 1.69- and 1.39-fold, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Similarly, the mean numbers of first and second instar whiteflies were reduced 4.36-, 2.20-, 1.90- and 2.02-fold, respectively, while the mean numbers of third and fourth instars were reduced 5.48-, 2.28-, 2.71- and 1.43-fold, respectively, in plants treated with imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen. The mean soluble solids content in imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen treatments was 1.04-, 1.06-, 1.03- and 1.04-fold greater, respectively, than that in the control. The whitefly reduction enhanced the mean fruit titratable acidity by 4%-6%. Mean glucose levels in imidacloprid and thiamethoxam treatments were significantly higher than in other treatments. However, the whitefly management did not affect the mean fructose levels. Imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and pyriproxyfen treatments boosted the ascorbic acid levels by up to 4%. The impact of whitefly management on strawberry fruit nutrition and antioxidant capacity is discussed.
Care of dying patients and patients after death: patterns of care in nursing history

Abstract Nursing literature at the turn of the century was examined to determine patterns of nursing care given to dying and to dead patients by nurses at that time. Two nursing periodicals and two nursing textbooks were reviewed to identify patterns of care. These patterns included knowledge of the symptoms of death, care of the family of the dying, spiritual care, comforting the dying, nurses' close association with death, methods of giving postmortem care, preparation of the patient's room after death, disposition of the body after death, and nurses' attitudes toward the deaths of patients.
Characterization of the products derived from the nitration of 1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone (anthrarufin) and 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone (chrysazin)

Abstract When 1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone (Anthrarufin) and 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone (Chrysazin) were nitrated using a mixture of concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids in the presence of boric acid at 10–25° C, three major products formed in each reaction. The products were separated by low-pressure column chromatography and identified by 1 H-NMR and mass spectrometric analyses in tandem. The products identified result from the mono-, di- and tetra-nitration of these dihydroxyanthraquinones.
Finite-Element Modeling and Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Box Culverts

There have been several controversies with regard to the true behavior of reinforced concrete box culverts in recent years. To be able to conduct a parametric study to develop design equations, a complete three-dimensional verified finite-element model of culverts is essential. This study presents the development of an analytical program to investigate the shear capacity of precast reinforced concrete box culverts. To simulate the experimental results, complete and detailed three-dimensional finite-element models (FEMs) of the test specimens were developed and analyzed. Three-dimensional shell and solid elements were used to model the culvert systems. The welded wire fabrics were modeled by using the rebar elements placed on the surface elements provided by the ABAQUS software. The contact surface between the outside face of the bottom slab and reaction floor was modeled by using a nonlinear node-to-surface contact analysis procedure. The analysis procedure consisted of an incremental loading history to c...
An Evaluation of the Stability of BufferedErythromycin Ointments

Abstract The stability of 1 per cent erythromycin in buffered bases of the Beeler formula has been tested in vitro by plating against M. pyogenes var. aureus, after varying storage periods at room temperature.The results indicate the advisability, under the given test conditions, of using a buffered base such as to give an erythromycin ointment with a pH of approximately 8.6, for maximum stability.
Epoxycholesterols in secretions and tissues of normal, benign, and cancerous human prostate glands.

Abstract Extracts of prostatic secretions taken from 25 control subjects, twenty-three to seventy-five years of age, were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) for cholesterol and possible epoxycholesterol content. Only subjects fifty-three years or older exhibited any signs of prostatic enlargement. Whereas cholesterol (893 ± 133 kg/ml) was found in all prostatic secretions, the carcinogenic epoxycholesterols (22.6 ± 3.3 /cg/ml) were detected only in one third of the specimens examined. Prostatic secretion collected from 29 surgical patients prior to primary (20) and secondary (9) prostatectomies revealed cholesterol contents of 1,182 ± 148 and 1,134 ± 1571-μg/ml, respectively. The epoxycholesterols were essentially present at concentrations of 33.7.± 7.9 and 24.0:± 10.3 μg/ml, respectively. Tissue extracts of the different prostatic lobes taken from 40 surgical BPH patients at the time of primary (26) and secondary (14) prostatectomy were examined by capillary GLC. Of these patients 8 had prostatic carcinoma. The cholesterol content of all tissues was essentially double that of normal prostates. The epoxycholesterols were present in all tissues. The mean cholesterol 5α, 6α-epoxide and cholesterol 5β, 6β-epoxide contents of all tissue were 120± 23.4 and 9.9 ± 5.2 μkg/Gm dry tissue, respectively. There were no apparent differences between the lobes nor between BPH and cancers. No epoxycholesterol could be detected in 8 seminal vesicles obtained at autopsy.
Novel dynamic information integration during da Vinci robotic partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy

With the increasing discovery of small renal neoplasms, minimally invasive excisional approaches have become more popular. Robotic partial nephrectomy is an emerging procedure. During robotic renal surgery, the console surgeon often has a need to view images or other data during the surgical dissection. Herein, we describe the preliminary use of integrative surgical imaging in the console surgical view during 20 cases of robotic partial and radical nephrectomy. Integration of this technology, termed Tilepro, allows the surgeon to view data within the robotic console and thus prevents disengagement. The success rate of transmission was 95% and the usefulness of the transmission was 89%. Complications included delayed transmission and cabling issues. This technology is useful in robotic renal surgery and may have benefits in telepresence or other surgical fields.
Application of a Silicon Calorimeter in Fast Burst Reactor Environments

Frequently in experiments at fast burst reactors (FBRs), it is necessary to know the dose and peak dose rate absorbed by a material in terms of dose to silicon. The dose to silicon at a given point in an irradiation cannot be reliably measured by a passive dosimeter retrieved at late times from a mixed field environment, so we rely on the silicon calorimeter as the true standard. A silicon calorimeter has been developed for applications in a water-moderated pulsed reactor. In this paper, the authors investigate the application of this silicon calorimeter in an FBR environment. Tests have been conducted at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) FBR, also known as MoLLY-G, to develop techniques to use this silicon calorimeter for a measure of rad(Si) during and soon after a pulsed operation. This calorimeter can be coupled with the response of a diamond photoconductive detector (PCD) in order to derive a dose rate monitor suitable for application during an FBR operation [1].
The end of the disinterested profession: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the union corruption scandals, 1957—62

American accounting histories of the mid-twentieth century have long focused on the development of accounting standards. With the exception of the events surrounding the New Deal, there has been a reliance on memoirs and official histories for analysis of the accounting profession itself. The union corruption scandals and the accounting profession's efforts to involve itself in the reform of unions and pensions offers an opportunity to see how the profession understood and consolidated its franchise in financial statement audits and, perhaps more importantly, how it saw its own place in American society and how its place was viewed by others. This article focuses on the events that led to the passage of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (Landrum-Griffin Act) of 1959, paying particular attention to congressional testimony and the records of congressmen and the Eisenhower administration and the efforts of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to influence the legislation.
Rapid E-Beam Heating for Measuring Thermodynamics of Metastable Materials

A line-source electron-beam system has been used to heat thin surface layers of metastable phases at a rate which precludes solid-state transformations to stable phases, thus permitting the observation of melting transitions normally missed with slow heating. A detailed example of a new approach to this method is shown for metastable icosahedral Al-Re and. crystalline Al6Re.
Determination of the mineral-matter contents of coals by low-temperature ashing

Abstract A new method is described for determining the mineral-matter content of coals, based on low-temperature ashing in an oxygen plasma. Unwanted side-reactions can occur during ashing, particularly oxidation of pyrite to haematite and fixation of organic sulphur as sulphate. These effects cannot be totally eliminated, but procedures are offered that minimize them, and are presented as accurate and rapid means of determining the mineral-matter content of bituminous coals. Data are presented to illustrate the magnitude of the effects under the recommended conditions of ashing. Duplicate determinations of the mineral-matter contents of 13 coals by acid demineralization and low-temperature ashing are reported in support of the new procedures. Statistical analysis of the data shows that the precision (± 2 standard deviations) of the LTA procedure under the defined conditions is 0.20. Acceptance of the procedure is suggested for routine use with most coals of bituminous or anthracite rank. The procedure as proposed is unsuitable for use with HVC coals from Western provinces of the USA or with lignites and subbituminous coals.
The Authors Respond to Dr. Taylor

We concur overall with Taylor's presentation of what is known about the dynamics of Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood (1). but we would like to emphasize that many more questions than answers remain. Because H. pylori infection is not normally detectable at onset, information about incidence must be inferred from age-specific prevalence or repeated screening for prevalent infection over time (2). The infection does not appear to confer lasting immunity, and currently, there is no way to determine whether uninfected individuals have been infected in the past (3). Thus, the average duration of naturally acquired infections and the proportion that are self-limiting is not known for any population or age group. Few studies have examined the infection status of asymptomatic individuals over time. Prospective studies that observe infection status at frequent time intervals have been particularly rare; thus, detailed information regarding the natural history of the infection, peak age ranges for acquisition, and factors that may differentially influence acquisition, persistence, and recurrence is limited. Taylor speculates that antibiotics and characteristics of H. pylori strains may account for spontaneous elimination of infection in children. Emerging evidence suggests that factors that influence the ecology of the gastric niche or the immune response may also influence persistence. In recent laboratory studies, feeding H. pylori-infected mice algae meals with a high antioxidant concentration induced immune changes associated with reduced bacterial load (4). This finding complements an observed inverse association between consumption of fruits and vegetables and H. pylori prevalence in Colombian children (5). We would expect the age-related peaks in acquisition and elimination to vary considerably across popu-
Facial Screening: History and Critical Review

Facial screening was first described by Lutzker and Spencer in 1974 as a new technique for suppressing or eliminating self-injurious behaviour (SIB). This review examines the use of facial screening to treat SIB and other problem behaviours. A historical chronology of facial screening is presented, along with a review of the published articles on facial screening and other visual occlusion techniques. A critical review is offered with suggestions for considerable future research with facial screening.
Tissue Specificity of Geminivirus Infection Is Genetically Determined

The types of cells and tissues infected by a virus define its tissue tropism. Determinants of tissue tropism in animal-infecting viruses have been extensively investigated, but little is known about plant viruses in this regard. Some geminiviruses in the genus Begomovirus exhibit phloem limitation and are restricted to cells of the vascular system, whereas others can invade mesophyll tissue. To identify viral genetic determinants of tissue tropism, we established a model system using two begomoviruses and their common host plant, Nicotiana benthamiana. Analysis by DNA in situ hybridization confirmed that tomato golden mosaic virus invades mesophyll tissues in systemically infected leaves, whereas bean golden mosaic virus remains phloem limited. Through genetic complementation and analysis of recombinant hybrid viruses, we demonstrated that three genetic elements of tomato golden mosaic virus determine its mesophyll tissue tropism. A noncoding region of the viral genome is essential for the phenotype, but it must be accompanied by one of two different coding regions. To our knowledge, this is the first example documented in a plant virus of noncoding DNA sequences that determine tissue tropism.
Low-Temperature Synthesis of BaAl2O4/Aluminum-Bearing Composites by the Oxidation of Solid Metal-Bearing Precursors

BaAl2O4/aluminum-bearing composites have been synthesized via the low-temperature oxidation of Ba-Al precursors. Ba-Al powder mixtures that were prepared via high-energy vibratory milling were uniaxially pressed into bar-shaped specimens that were then exposed to a series of heat treatments in pure, flowing oxygen at temperatures up to 640°C. Oxidation at a temperature of 300°C resulted in the formation of barium peroxide (BaO2). Additional heat treatment at a temperature of 550°C resulted in the consumption of BaO2 and some aluminum to yield BaAl2O4 and Al4Ba. The oxidation of Al4Ba at a temperature of 640°C yielded additional BaAl2O4. Microstructural analyses revealed that a well-dispersed, co-continuous mixture of Al2O3-excess BaAl2O4 and 99.5% pure aluminum was produced.
A Vygotskian critique of self-instructional training

Self-instructional training, a widely used intervention for treating the learning and behavioral difficulties of impulsive, attention deficit-hyperactivity disordered, and learning disabled children, has repeatedly failed to promote self-control or improve academic performance. In light of this failure, we critically examine four assumptions underlying self-instructional training: (a) children with learning and behavior problems show a lack and/or deficient use of self-regulatory private speech; (b) modeling of self-verbalizations will increase children's spontaneous production of private speech; (c) speech and action are intrinsically coordinated; and (d) internalization refers to subvocalization of private speech. We argue that self-instructional training interventions need to be thoroughly grounded in Soviet developmental theory of verbal self-regulation and in systematic research on the social origins and development of children's private speech. A new research agenda is suggested.
Progress in Pediatric Sedation Research

The practice of pediatric sedation continues to evolve, largely based on data that are produced by researchers in this field. This article reviews notable recent trends in research as reported in peer-reviewed journals, including large prospective database studies that have improved our understanding of the incidence and nature of adverse events in pediatric sedation. Along with this effort has come an attempt to better develop a new lexicon to describe “adverse events” or complications. In addition to these descriptive demographic articles, investigators continue to add to the cumulative experience with new drugs such as dexmedetomidine and older sedatives/analgesics such as ketamine and nitrous oxide in children. Finally, evaluation of the workload and trends in sedation utilization in children have been reported and will be reviewed; and future needs for pediatric sedation research are suggested.
Landscape heterogeneity and behavioral traits drive the evolution of lion group territoriality

Group territoriality is exhibited in a diverse range of species and is associated with complex behaviors such as cooperation and altruism. Current hypotheses for the evolutionary transition from solitary to group territoriality consider resource dispersion and population density as the primary drivers. We developed a spatially explicit, agent-based simulation model based on African lions (Panthera leo) to explore the evolution of group territoriality across a range of landscape heterogeneities and population densities. We also examined, within these differing landscapes, how 3 potential behavioral advantages to group territoriality (cooperative defense, increase in territory size, and territorial inheritance) influence the evolution of this trait. Simulation results demonstrate that group territoriality may be an emergent property, which evolves due to synergistic interactions of landscape structure, population density, and behavior. Social individuals were significantly more likely to dominate in both resource-poor and resource-rich, heterogeneous landscapes where individuals exhibit all 3 behavioral traits. Similar environment–behavior interactions may have shaped the evolution of sociality from solitary territoriality across a broad range of taxa.
TACON: tactical construction of overlay networks

Internet-based overlay networks are likely to demonstrate poor performance when deployed on the Internet without consideration of topological and link properties. We introduce a new method for tactical construction of unstructured overlay networks which exploits a minimal landmark infrastructure to align the overlay with the underlying network. Our framework results in well-connected overlays which can better meet the growing demands of current applications. We demonstrate, using simulation, that our approach yields reduced latency, better connectivity and higher availability of resources than conventional overlay systems and other landmark-based approaches, thereby providing a scalable and efficient approach for overlay construction.
Automation Through Energy Management and Control Systems — Where We Stand Today

Automation through computerized control has become the standard in sophisticated building design. Widespread use of the technology resulted from the energy crises of the 1970’s. Sustained use of these systems is due to the combined benefits of energy and cost savings, enhanced building control and information management. In this second edition of the Energy Management and Control Systems Handbook, emphasis will be placed on each of these areas of benefit. It is important to discuss each area in relation to the effect that technology advances have had, and to address some key lessons that the industry has learned through tracking system performance.
A Decision Theoretic Approach to Measurement-based Admission Control

This paper presents a new approach to measurement-based admission control (MBAC) using real-time traffic classification. The network traffic is classified based on Bayesian decision theory. We derive the decision rules and cost functions considering utilization, packet loss rate, and rejection rate. The approach is compared by simulations against other measurement-based admission control approaches. Experiments show that the new method offers significant advantages particularly when the traffic is highly dynamic or complex.
Bi-directional isolated DC-DC converters with reactive power loss reduction for electric vehicle and grid support applications

In this paper, the concept of “reactive power loss” is defined and its mathematical expressions as a function of electrical parameters are derived. The reactive power loss in different cases is discussed and it is proved that soft-switching can always be achieved when reactive power loss is minimal. A novel technique to design the turns ratio of the transformer in bi-directional isolated DC-DC converters based on reactive power loss is proposed. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique in reducing the conduction loss in the switches of bi-directional isolated DC/DC converters. In addition, the simulation results also show that this technique can keep peak currents and RMS of currents of both bridge 1 and 2 small.
Single Cell Whole Genome Amplification of Uncultivated Organisms

Whole genome amplification of single cells is emerging as a powerful technique for accessing the genomes of individual members of microbial communities without the complication of identifying the source of sequence data posed by shotgun sequencing of environmental samples (metagenomics). This method holds particular promise for the molecular unveiling of uncultivated organisms that comprise the bulk of the microbial diversity and functionality on our planet.
SOFT C*-ALGEBRAS

In this paper we consider soft group and crossed product C∗-algebras. In particular we show that soft crossed product C∗-algebras are isomorphic to classical crossed product C∗-algebras. We also prove that large classes of soft C∗-algebras have stable rank equal to infinity.
Evidence of Self-correction of Child Sex Ratios in India: A District-Level Analysis of Child Sex Ratios From 1981 to 2011.

Sex ratios in India have become increasingly imbalanced over the past decades. We hypothesize that when sex ratios become very uneven, the shortage of girls will increase girls’ future value, leading sex ratios to self-correct. Using data on children under 5 from the last four Indian censuses, we examine the relationship between the sex ratio at one point in time and the change in sex ratio over the next 10 years by district. Fixed-effects models show that when accounting for unobserved district-level characteristics—including total fertility rate, infant mortality rate, percentage literate, percentage rural, percentage scheduled caste, percentage scheduled tribe, and a time trend variable—sex ratios are significantly negatively correlated with the change in sex ratio in the successive 10-year period. This suggests that self-corrective forces are at work on imbalanced sex ratios in India.
Sensory genes and mate choice: Evidence that duplications, mutations, and adaptive evolution alter variation in mating cue genes and their receptors

Fascinating new data, revealed through gene sequencing, comparative genomics, and genetic engineering, precisely establish which genes are involved in mate choice and mating activity--behaviors that are surprisingly understudied from a genetic perspective. Discussed here are some of the recently identified visual and chemosensory genes that are involved in mate choice and mating behavior. These genes' products are involved in the production, transmission, and receipt of crucial sensory mate-choice cues that affect fitness. This review exposes newfound evidence that alternative splicing, gene-expression pattern changes, and molecular genetic variation in sensory genes are crucial for both intra- and interspecific mate choice and mating success. Many sensory genes have arisen through gene duplications, and data amassed from studies conducted at scales ranging from individual genes to genomic comparisons show that strong, positive Darwinian selection acts on several mating-related genes and that these genes evolve rapidly.
Alternative technique for analyzing instrumented indentation data

A new analysis technique for calculating the hardness, modulus, and contact area from indentation data obtained using pyramidal or conical indenters was formulated and compared with another commonly used technique. Experimental data using a Berkovich indenter to indent fused silica and tungsten were examined. In addition, finite element modeling results were used to examine the effectiveness of the analytical techniques when a wide range of materials properties was considered. The new technique relies on the slope of the loading curve rather than the indenter displacement as an input. It is shown that the new technique is far less affected by the deviation of the geometry of the indenter from its intended shape. This effect removes the necessity to have detailed descriptions of the precise tip geometry in some cases. The new technique does not reduce errors associated with pile up of material near the indenter.
Determination of order parameters and correlation times in proteins: A comparison between Bayesian, Monte Carlo and simple graphical methods

We describe a novel approach to deducing order parameters and correlation times in proteins using a Bayesian statistical method, and show how likelihood contours, P(t,S), and confidence levels can be obtained. These results are then compared with those obtained from a simple graphical method, as well as those from Monte Carlo simulations. The Bayes approach has the advantage that it is simple and accurate. Unlike Monte Carlo methods, it gives useful contour plots of probability (also not provided by the simple graphical method), and provides likelihood/confidence information. In addition, the Bayesian approach gives results in very good agreement with those obtained from Monte Carlo simulations, and as such use of Bayesian statistical methods appears to have a promising future for studies of order and dynamics in macromolecules.
Expressive Arts Therapy with Hospitalized Children: A Pilot Study of Co-Creating Healing Sock Creatures©

A novel form of expressive arts therapy was developed in a pediatric unit and received enthusiastic support from hospital staff and family members because of their impressions that the children were calmer following therapy, as well as throughout the remainder of the hospital stay. A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of quantifying such impressions by measuring changes in the children's mood by self-report. Twenty-five children (mean age 8.34 years, SD 3.77) were recruited for the study, coming from diverse social-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, and an array of medical diagnoses. The results document improvements in mood for children following therapy sessions, compared to children in a wait-list control group. Additionally, a meta-analysis examining external influences and changes in salivary cortisol levels measured before and after therapy sessions illustrates the importance of considering aspects of the clinical setting when assessing the effectiveness of this and other expressive arts therapies for reducing stress during hospitalization.
Criminal Law, Biological Psychiatry, and Premenstrual Syndrome: Conflicting Perspectives

This paper is primarily devoted to a discussion of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and its relationship to criminal law and the insanity defense. However, it is not possible to discuss PMS and criminal law without first establishing the exact nature and extent of PMS.
Evaluation and Treatment of Recurrent Nasal Polyposis

• Nasal polyposis is the defining feature of a more severe subset of chronic rhinosinusitis.
Revision Techniques in Total Ankle Arthroplasty Utilizing a Stemmed Tibial Arthroplasty System

Revision ankle arthroplasty offers joint salvage for failing ankle arthroplasty patients. Careful preoperative planning is critical to the success of revision procedures. Addressing the cause of what led to the failure of the existing implant is critical to the success of revision surgery. A revisio
Lower Permian of the Central Cordilleran Miogeosyncline

This study of Lower Permian rocks in northeastern Nevada and northwestern Utah was undertaken to provide a basis for interpretation of Early Permian history of the Cordilleran Miogeosyncline. The area of study extends from the western margin of the miogeosyncline, along the eastern edge of the old Antler highlands, eastward into the Salt Lake Desert west of Salt Lake City (Fig. 1), where outcrops of Permian rocks are few. It extends along the miogeosyncline in Nevada from northern Lincoln County into northern Elko County. The base of the Permian was selected as the lower stratigraphic limit for this study. The base of the Kaibab Limestone was selected as the upper limit, although the Lower-Upper.*** Permian boundary occurs above it (Baird and Collinson, 1975), because it forms a reliable horizon for correlation and marks the commencement of a new depositional cycle in this region. Work concerning Lower Permian rocks of the central Cordilleran Miogeosyncline includes that of Steele (1959, 1960) and Bissell (1960, 1962a, 1962b, 1964, 1967, 1970, 1974), which are regional in scope, and that of Stevens (1965), Collinson (1968), Zabriskie (1970), and, Marcantel (1975), which presents more details in smaller areas. Many different facies, the distribution of which generally has been credited to various highs depocenters, troughs, basins, highlands, or shelves, often on the basis of tenuous data have been recognized.
Single-Molecule Fluorescence Using Nucleotide Analogs: A Proof-of-Principle.

Fluorescent nucleotide analogues, such as 2-aminopurine (2AP) and pyrrolo-C (PyC), have been extensively used to study nucleic acid local conformational dynamics in bulk experiments. Here we present a proof-of-principle approach using 2AP and PyC fluorescence at the single-molecule level. Our data show that ssDNA, dsDNA, or RNA containing both 2AP and PyC can be monitored using single-molecule fluorescence and a click chemistry immobilization method. We demonstrate that this approach can be used to monitor DNA and RNA in real time. This is the first reported assay using fluorescent nucleotide analogs at the single-molecule level. We anticipate that single 2AP or PyC fluorescence will have numerous applications in studies of DNA and RNA, including protein-induced base-flipping dynamics in protein–nucleic acid complexes.
The structure of lcosahedral cytoplasmic deoxyriboviruses

A detailed comparative ultrastructural study has been made on several icosahedral cytoplasmic deoxyriboviruses (ICDV) of insects and one of vertebrates. The available evidence now seems to indicate that ICDV particles contain only a single structural unit membrane, associated with the viral nucleoid. ICDV shells are therefore redefined entirely in terms of icosahedral lattices, in contrast to an earlier model. A partial explanation is offered for the variability in appearance of ICDV shell surfaces. Previous evidence for the structural relatedness of ICDV's of different sizes and from different hosts is corroborated by the following additional observations: triangular arrays of capsomers (trisymmetrons) are present in mosquito iridescent virus (MIV) shells; mosquito and Corethrella iridescent virus (CoIV) cores are identical in morphology and are uncoated in an apparently intact form under similar conditions; sectioned MIV and frog virus (FV3) particles reveal definite structural homology; the morphogenesis of all ICDV's studied appears basically identical. Proposals concerning the nomenclature and classification of this group of viruses are briefly discussed.
Early migration of immature Fasciola hepatica and associated liver pathology in cattle.

Immature Fasciola hepatica were successfully recovered from the body cavity of cattle from two to 21 days after oral infection. Flukes had penetrated the liver in large numbers by day 7 but there did not appear to be a corresponding reduction in (he numbers recovered from the body cavity. Liver pathology showed a typical progressive tissue disruption with a neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration by day 7 and a marked eosinophil response from day 14. The mesothelium of the liver capsule underwent metaplasia, becoming ultimately highly active and columnar.
Prediction of renal crystalline size distributions in space using a PBE analytic model. 2. Effect of dietary countermeasures

An analytic Population Balance Equation model is used to assess the efficacy of citrate, pyrophosphate, and augmented fluid intake as dietary countermeasures aimed at reducing the risk of renal sto...
The Evolution of Russian Migration Policy in the Post-Soviet Period

With a foreign-born population approaching 9 %, Russia has the second-largest stock of migrants in the world after the USA. The country has become the main destination for migrants within the evolving Eurasian migration system. This chapter traces the evolution of Russian migration policy from relatively free movement in the immediate post-Soviet period to much more regulated migration after 2000. It analyzes (1) the actors who make and implement Russian migration policy, (2) migration trends, (3) the social, economic, and political environment in which migration policy is created, and (4) the actual laws and policies designed to regulate migration in Russia, paying particular attention to issues of restriction.
Cards, Decks, and Hands: The Exponential Formula

This chapter discusses a particularly rich vein of applications of the theory of generating functions to counting problems—the exponential formula. The chapter reviews counting functions, which need not be connected but the pieces of which are always connected. It reviews connected labeled graphs. It also presents the construction of a graph G of n vertices and k connected components as an example. The chapter presents a few examples of exponential families that have important roles in combinatorial theory. It presents the proofs of various forms of the exponential formula.
Evaluation and monitoring of respiratory function

As a high proportion of patients referred to the sleep clinic are evaluated for the possibility of sleep-disordered breathing, it is important to perform a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s baseline pulmonary status by obtaining a thorough medical history and performing a complete physical examination geared toward pulmonary-based issues. If clinical suspicion of impaired pulmonary function is suspected based on initial evaluation, then testing to assess the type and severity of pulmonary disorders is warranted. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) International Classification of Sleep Disorders: Diagnostic & Coding Manual 3 outlines criteria and definitions for a vast array of sleep-related hypoventilation disorders. The diagnostic criteria for these disorders incorporate the degree of hypoxia as ascertained from oxygen saturation monitoring during polysomnography and hypercapnia determined by carbon dioxide level based on arterial blood gas measurements obtained during sleep or the use of acceptable surrogates including the end-tidal CO2 or transcutaneous CO2, thereby highlighting the need to understand respiratory monitoring methods and techniques. This chapter focuses upon specific aspects of diagnostic testing performed in the evaluation of pulmonary disease that may be of concern in the context of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) assessment and also reviews facets of respiratory monitoring performed during polysomnographic appraisal of sleep disorders.
Characteristics of Psychrotrophic Clostridium laramie Causing Spoilage of Vacuum-packaged Refrigerated Fresh and Roasted Beef.

A Clostridium sp., associated with an unusual spoilage of vacuum-packaged refrigerated uncooked (fresh) and roasted beef, was isolated as a pure culture from the spores in spoiled beef. The pure culture was used to study important characteristics and to differentiate it from other clostridial species usually found in beef. The biochemical characteristics, volatile fatty acid and soluble-protein profiles, temperatures and pHs of growth, and temperatures of sporulation, germination, and destruction of the isolate were distinctly different from other Clostridium spp. studied. It is not toxigenic and has 26% guanine plus cytosine. The isolate is a new species and is named Clostridium laramie .
Multi-Word Generative Query Recommendation Using Topic Modeling

Query recommendation predominantly relies on search logs to use existing queries for recommendation, typically calculating query similarity metrics or transition probabilities from the log. While effective, such recommendations are limited to the queries, words, and phrases in the log. They hence do not recommend potentially useful, entirely novel queries. Recent query recommendation methods have proposed generating queries on a topical or thematic level, though current approaches are limited to generating single words. We propose a hybrid method for constructing multi-word queries in this generative sense. It uses Latent Dirichlet Allocation to generate a topic for exploration and skip-gram modeling to generate queries from the topic. According to additional evaluation metrics we present, our model improves diversity and has some room for improving relevance, yet offers an interesting avenue for query recommendation.
Lung Biopsy and Resection

Thoracoscopy is the preferred approach for lung biopsy or lobectomy in infants and children. The indications for surgical intervention are classified as congenital (congenital pulmonary malformations, sequestrations, congenital lobar emphysema) or acquired (metastatic and infectious etiologies, spontaneous pneumothorax, primary lung disease). The practicing pediatric surgeon should have a good working knowledge of the indications, diagnostic evaluation, and anesthetic and surgical considerations surrounding both the open and thoracoscopic approaches in these patients.
Detection limits of quantitative and digital PCR assays and their influence in presence–absence surveys of environmental DNA

A set of universal guidelines is needed to determine the limit of detection (LOD) in PCR-based analyses of low concentration DNA. In particular, environmental DNA (eDNA) studies require sensitive and reliable methods to detect rare and cryptic species through shed genetic material in environmental samples. Current strategies for assessing detection limits of eDNA are either too stringent or subjective, possibly resulting in biased estimates of species’ presence. Here, a conservative LOD analysis grounded in analytical chemistry is proposed to correct for overestimated DNA concentrations predominantly caused by the concentration plateau, a nonlinear relationship between expected and measured DNA concentrations. We have used statistical criteria to establish formal mathematical models for both quantitative and droplet digital PCR. To assess the method, a new Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) TaqMan assay was developed and tested on both PCR platforms using eDNA in water samples. The LOD adjustment reduced Grass Carp occupancy and detection estimates while increasing uncertainty – indicating that caution needs to be applied to eDNA data without LOD correction. Compared to quantitative PCR, digital PCR had higher occurrence estimates due to increased sensitivity and dilution of inhibitors at low concentrations. Without accurate LOD correction, species occurrence and detection probabilities based on eDNA estimates are prone to a source of bias that cannot be reduced by an increase in sample size or PCR replicates. Other applications also could benefit from a standardized LOD such as GMO food analysis, and forensic and clinical diagnostics. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Automated cycled sprinkler irrigation for spring frost protection of cranberries

Abstract Overhead (sprinkler) irrigation is commonly used for spring frost protection of cranberries in southeastern Massachusetts, United States. Historically, conventional forms of irrigation management have been used, generally consisting of running irrigation pumps continuously throughout the night and into the early morning until ambient air temperature reached 1–2 °C above the critical temperature of the plant. However, a general paucity of information exists on the horticultural and hydrological effects of on-off “cycling” of irrigation pumps based on pre-programmed temperature setpoints. To fill this gap, three years of monitoring were conducted to quantify the relative effects of cycled and conventional spring frost irrigation on cranberry bud damage, crop yield, and water use. Results showed that cycled irrigation reduced seasonal water use from 33 to 80% compared to conventional frost irrigation, with water savings under cycled frost irrigation ranging from 113 to 198 mm (mean ± SD: 176 ± 47 mm). Despite some variation in type and amount of observed bud damage, values of cranberry yield were similar between the two methods or higher for cycled irrigation. The conventional frost irrigation method always applied more irrigation water, possibly increasing soil saturation and anaerobic conditions that are known to lower crop yield in cranberry. Together, these results point to cycled irrigation as a water management strategy that can enhance cranberry production and reduce agricultural water use in southeastern Massachusetts.
Jet quenching and event-wise mean-pt fluctuations in central Au–Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV in Hijing-1.37

Abstract Based on Hijing-1.37 simulations, event-wise mean- p t fluctuations in Au–Au collisions at s NN =200 GeV are studied with graphical and numerical methods. This study shows that jets/minijets could represent a substantial source of mean- p t fluctuations, and jet quenching could reduce these fluctuations significantly. Mean- p t fluctuation measurements are a promising probe of correlation structure produced in the early stages of central Au–Au collisions at RHIC energies.