cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Glucocorticoid Receptor Is Tethered to DNA-bound Oct-1 at the Mouse Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Distal Negative Glucocorticoid Response Element

An element required for glucocorticoid repression of mouse gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) gene transcription, the distal negative glucocorticoid response element (nGRE), is not bound directly by glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) but is recognized by Oct-1 present in GT1–7 cell nuclear extracts or by Oct-1 purified from HeLa cells. Furthermore, purified full-length GRs interact directly with purified Oct-1 bound to the distal nGRE. Increasing the extent of distal nGRE match to an Oct-1 consensus site not only increases the affinity of Oct-1 binding, but also alters the conformation of DNA-bound Oct-1 and the pattern of protein DNA complexes formedin vitro with GT1–7 cell nuclear extracts. In addition, the interaction of purified GR with DNA-bound Oct-1 is altered when Oct-1 is bound to the consensus Oct-1 site. Mutation of the distal nGRE to a consensus Oct-1 site is also associated with reduced glucocorticoid repression in transfected GT1–7 cells. Furthermore, repression of GnRH gene transcription by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, which utilizes sequences that overlap with the nGRE, is reversed by this distal nGRE mutation leading to activation of GnRH gene transcription. Thus, changes in the assembly of multi-protein complexes at the distal nGRE can influence the regulation of GnRH gene transcription.
203 Low Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL) Serum Levels And Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) in Neonates in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Background: MBL is a serum lectin, synthesised by the liver, that is part of the innate immune system; it behaves as an acute phase reactant and plays an auxiliary rather than a critical role in host defence. Individuals with MBL deficiency may experience an increased number of infections, particularly in the course of immunodeficiency (e.g. chemotherapy). A MBL concentration of 0.5 mcg/ml has been suggested as a cut-off level for MBL deficiency. Serum MBL levels in term neonates are similar to those in adults, but values in preterms are approximately 50% lower. HAI are an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Known risk factors account only in part of the (inter)individual variability of the frequency and severity of neonatal infections. Part of this variability could be related to individual differences in the maturation of the innate immune system.
WHEN THE PSYCHOMETRICS OF TEST DEVELOPMENT MEETS ORGANIZATIONAL REALITIES: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE, EXAMPLES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Our standards for the construction of psychological tests give scant attention to the organizational context in which the tests are to be used. This paper describes 10 Psychometric issues associated with the development of an electrical job knowledge test. The test was designed to replace seniority as a means of making promotional decisions within an organization. The 10 test-related issues are presented as a means to understand the underlying process of organizational change associated with the implementation of the new test. It is suggested that a closer link between the science and practice of our profession can be attained by achieving a greater understanding of issues associated with the practical implementation of theory-based interventions.
Multiconfigurational nature of 5f orbitals in uranium and plutonium intermetallics.

Uranium and plutonium’s 5f electrons are tenuously poised between strongly bonding with ligand spd-states and residing close to the nucleus. The unusual properties of these elements and their compounds (e.g., the six different allotropes of elemental plutonium) are widely believed to depend on the related attributes of f-orbital occupancy and delocalization for which a quantitative measure is lacking. By employing resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and making comparisons to specific heat measurements, we demonstrate the presence of multiconfigurational f-orbital states in the actinide elements U and Pu and in a wide range of uranium and plutonium intermetallic compounds. These results provide a robust experimental basis for a new framework toward understanding the strongly-correlated behavior of actinide materials.
Compact proton accelerator for cancer therapy

An investigation is being made into the feasibility of making a compact proton dielectric wall (DWA) accelerator for medical radiation treatment based on the high gradient insulation (HGI) technology. A small plasma device is used for the proton source. Using only electric focusing fields for transporting and focusing the beam on the patient, the compact DWA proton accelerator system can deliver wide and independent variable ranges of beam currents, energies and spot sizes.
The interdependence of language and translational math skills among bilingual hispanic engineering students

The performance of 43 Hispanic engineering and science majors on a task that consists of reading a sentence describing a mathematical relationship between two variables, and then writing an equation describing the relationship, is investigated in both English and Spanish. Results are compared with grade point average and with language proficiency. Comparison of the bilingual group to a monolingual group consisting of 52 engineering and science students shows that performance, as measured by either the mathematical translation task or grade point average, is more strongly correlated with language proficiency for the bilingual group. Clinical interviews conducted with samples from each group reveal large differences in the interpretation of the mathematical task between Hispanics and monolinguals. Suggestions are made for the improvement of the technical education of Hispanics.
Optimal one-bit quantization

We consider the problem of finding the optimal one-bit quantizer for symmetric source distributions, with the Euclidean norm as the measure of distortion. For fixed rate quantizers, we prove that for (symmetric) monotonically decreasing source distributions with ellipsoidal level curves, the centroids of the optimal 1-bit quantizer must be on the major axis of the ellipsoids. Under the same assumptions on the source distribution, the centroids of the optimal one-bit variable-rate quantizer lie on one of the axes of the ellipsoid. If further, the source distribution f(x) is log-concave in x, the optimal 1-bit fixed-rate quantizer is unique and symmetric about the origin. (The Gaussian is an example of a distribution that satisfies all these conditions.) Under a further set of conditions on the source distributions, we show that there is a threshold below which the optimal fixed rate and variable rate quantizer are the same.
The Kaolinite‐Mullite Reaction Series: IV, The Coordination of Aluminum

The AlKα emission wave length is determined by the state of coordination of Al atoms and a clear distinction can be made between Al atoms in fourfold and in sixfold coordination to oxygen and also between Al atoms in fourfold coordination to oxygen and to nitrogen. Measurements of Δ(2θ) (the difference in diffraction angle for AlKα radiations from a sample and from metallic aluminum) are used to distinguish Al in fourfold and in sixfold coordination in normal and in heat-treated kaolin minerals. The Al atoms in meta-kaolin are shown to have fourfold coordination to oxygen in agreement with the structure proposed by Brindley and Nakahira. After heat-treatment at 1024°C., the coordination of Al reverts toward sixfold, and this is more marked for disordered kaolinite and halloysite than it is for well-crystallized kaolinite and dickite. Infrared absorption measurements by Stubican and Roy provide further confirmation of the coordination changes of the Al ions in these reactions.
Varied response of marigold (Tagetes spp.) genotypes to inoculation with different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract Different genotypes of marigolds, representing different vegetative and flowering habits, were evaluated for colonization and responsiveness to inoculation by different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi under low soil P conditions. Cultivars included were Tagetes erecta ‘Jubilee’, ‘Perfection’, ‘Antigua’, ‘Inca’, and ‘Discovery’ as tall and compact forms of the African-type; Tagetes patula ‘Aurora’, ‘Disco’, ‘Nema-gone’, and ‘Lemon Drop’ as French-types with single or double flowers; and Tagetes tenuifolia ‘Ursula’ as a fine-leaf Mexican-type. Considerable variation occurred in shoot and root biomass response depending on the cultivar and AM fungus used. Most cultivars responded minimally, but positively to inoculation with AM fungi (1–22% increase in total plant biomass compared to the non-AM controls); however, some responded in reduced growth (1–12% decrease compared to the non-AM controls). Cultivars varied in their pattern of partitioning biomass into roots or shoots, with some partitioning more into roots than others with similar shoot biomass. Flower number or plant height did not vary between AM and non-AM plants. Stem diameter, measured only on ‘Jubilee’ and “Nema-gone’, was increased only on ‘Jubilee’, compared to the non-AM controls. There was also great variation in the extent of AM colonization, ranging from under 10% in ‘Ursula’, ‘Antigua’, ‘Inca’, and Perfection’, to over 70% in ‘Jubilee’ and ‘Aurora’, by Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae, and Glomus deserticola; and notably, Gigaspora albida did not colonize any marigold cultivar. Intraradical colonization intensity ratings (arbuscules, vesicles, and internal hyphae) varied significantly among cultivars and AM fungal inoculants, as did extraradical hyphal development. These results document the potential variation in responsiveness that can occur depending on host genotype and AM fungal endophyte combination, and indicates the need for caution in predicting benefit from inoculating with mycorrhizal fungi under any set of conditions when different genotypes are grown.
High and Low Consensus Groups: A Content and Relational Interaction Analysis

Previous research on group consensus has not examined group interaction in its entirety to discover communicative behavior patterns characteristic of high and low consensus group discussion. This study analyzes the complete interaction of the final meetings of low and high consensus groups. RELEOM and FIAS findings indicate that both the relational and content levels of communication are significantly different for high versus low consensus groups.
Diagnostic Accuracy in Peripheral Lung Lesions* Factors Predicting Success with Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy

Ninety-seven consecutive peripheral lung lesions were evaluated by biplane fluoroscopically guided flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy and analyzed to define features that predict diagnostic yield. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 56 percent (63 percent for malignant and 38 percent for benign lesions). The most important characteristic associated with a positive cyto- or histopathologic diagnosis was size of the lesion; the yield was 28 percent when the diameter was 2.0 cm; inner one-third lesions were correctly diagnosed more frequently, related in part to the larger size of these lesions. There was no significant difference in diagnostic yield for the following: segmental location, greatest distance from carina on either the posteroanterior or lateral radiograph, or radiographic characteristics of the lesion. We conclude that biplane fluoroscopically guided flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a reasonable diagnostic procedure for peripheral lesions ≥ 2.0 cm in diameter, but that alternative procedures should be used for lesions under 2.0 cm in diameter.
Recent developments in animal models of drug relapse

Drug craving and relapse to drug use during abstinence are defining features of addiction. Evidence indicates that drug craving and relapse in humans are often provoked by acute exposure to the self-administered drug, drug-associated cues, or stress. During the last two decades, this clinical scenario has been primarily studied at the preclinical level using the classical reinstatement model. However, a single preclinical model cannot capture the complicated nature of human drug relapse. Therefore, more recently, we and others have developed several other models to study different facets of human drug relapse. In this review, we introduce and discuss recent findings from these other relapse models, including incubation of drug craving, reacquisition and resurgence models, and punishment-based and conflict-based relapse models.
Nitric Oxide Is a Mediator of Methamphetamine (METH)-Induced Neurotoxicity

METH is a monoaminergic toxic that destroys dopamine terminals in vivo. Oxidative mechanisms associated with DA metabolism are thought to play an important role in its toxic effects. These ideas were supported by the demonstration that CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) transgenic mice were protected against the toxic effects of the drug. In the present study, we sought to determine if nitric oxide (NO) production was also involved in METH-induced neurotoxicity using primary cultures obtained from fetal rat mesencephalon. METH caused dose- and time-dependent cell death in vitro. Blockade of nitric oxide (NO) formation with several nitric oxide (NO) synthase blockers attenuated METH-mediated toxicity. Moreover, inhibition of ADP-ribosylation with nicotinamide and benzamide also provided protection against the toxicity of the drug. These results, together with our previous results in transgenic mice, support a role for free radicals in METH-induced toxic effects.
A new interpretation of the structure and CO2 content of the Venus atmosphere

Abstract The observations of Venus in the near (Kuiper, Chamberlain and Kuiper) and far (Strong and Sinton) infrared are critically reviewed and interpreted in the light of recent laboratory determinations of the absorption of CO 2 . These, together with the determination of the scale height at about 70 km above the cloud surface by observing the occultation of Regulus (de Vaucouleurs and Menzel), lead to a model of the Venus atmosphere and cloud layer temperatures that are self-consistent. It is concluded that a cloud-top temperature of 235°K, a cloud-top pressure of about 90 mB, and a CO 2 concentration of 15 per cent by volume best fit the observations. The amount of CO 2 above the cloud tops is then about 100 meters STP. The effective reflecting level for near infrared radiation is lower in the atmosphere, with about 400 meters STP of CO 2 above it. These lower clouds cannot be composed of water (or ice) particles
When the Exception Is the Rule: School Shootings, Bare Life, and the Sovereign Self.

Much discourse on school shootings tends to imply a binary separation between what is considered normal and exceptional, between an expected course of human events and sociohistorical aberrations. In this article Harvey Shapiro suggests the need for new directions in our responses: First, he shows how responses to school shootings tend to expropriate and (paradoxically) dismiss certain kinds of violence in order to articulate a vision of the self as sovereign, exerting power over bodily life, exercising a self-removal from community conversations, and thus claiming what Giorgio Agamben and others call the “sovereign exception.” Second, he suggests how Agamben's development of Walter Benjamin's concept of “divine violence” can unmask prevailing states of exception and can inform education's efforts to challenge binaries of good and evil, urban and suburban, individual and community, justice and law, normal and exceptional, that confound our deliberations and long-term responses to mass shootings.
Quantitative Tissue‐Tracking Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) of Left Atrial Deformation and the Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Background Recent evidence suggests that left atrial (LA) dysfunction may be mechanistically contributing to cerebrovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the association between regional LA function and a prior history of stroke during sinus rhythm in patients referred for catheter ablation of AF. Methods and Results A total of 169 patients (59 ± 10 years, 74% male, 29% persistent AF) with a history of AF in sinus rhythm at the time of pre‐ablation cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were analyzed. The LA volume, emptying fraction, strain (S), and strain rate (SR) were assessed by tissue‐tracking cardiac magnetic resonance. The patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (n=18) had greater LA volumes (Vmax and Vmin; P =0.02 and P <0.001, respectively), lower LA total emptying fraction ( P <0.001), lower LA maximum and pre‐atrial contraction strains (Smax and SpreA; P <0.001 and P =0.01, respectively), and lower absolute values of LA SR during left ventricular (LV) systole and early diastole (SRs and SRe; P =0.005 and 0.03, respectively) than those without stroke/transient ischemic attack (n=151). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the LA reservoir function, including total emptying fraction, Smax, and SRs, was associated with stroke/transient ischemic attack (odds ratio 0.94, 0.91, and 0.17; P =0.03, 0.02, and 0.04, respectively) after adjusting for the CHA2DS2‐VASc score and LA Vmin. Conclusions Depressed LA reservoir function assessed by tissue‐tracking cardiac magnetic resonance is significantly associated with a prior history of stroke/transient ischemic attack in patients with AF. Our findings suggest that assessment of LA reservoir function can improve the risk stratification of cerebrovascular events in AF patients.
What do you think you are

Here, what might be considered a universal belief in dualism is integrated with developmental perspectives on the emergence of identifying the mental and physical components of the self. Additionally, work to "localize" the self is introduced.
Sterile matrix grafting for onycholysis in the setting of valproic acid use.

Valproic acid (VPA), a widely used antiepileptic drug and mood stabilizer, has myriad cutaneous side effects including transient alopecia, exanthems, and vasculitides.1, 2, 3 We report on a patient who, in the setting of VPA use, presented with nail nonadherence secondary to sterile matrix scarring and propose nail bed excision with sterile matrix grafting as a surgical solution.
Challenges to control in signal processing and communications

Abstract : In this paper, I will attempt to give my views on several research areas in which the field of systems and control can and should be making important contributions for some time to come. In each area one can certainly point to such contributions that are already being made, but it is my opinion that there is an opportunity, and in fact a need, for an increased presence of the control community in these areas. Obviously, this paper represents a biased viewpoint, as it reflects my perspectives and focuses for the most part on areas about which I know something. I hope, however, that it will accomplish its stated purpose which is to provoke responses and stimulate discussion that can then be used to shape a statement to which we can all ascribe. In coming up with the topics discussed in this paper I focused on addressing three questions: (1) In what areas can the control community have an impact? (2) What is it about the methods and perspectives of control and systems that provide us with these opportunities? (3) What form might our contributions take?
Body Composition and Gut Morphology of Migrating and Wintering Wilson's Snipe

Abstract. We analyzed carcass lipid, ash and protein dynamics of male and female Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago gallinago delicata) from arrival on wintering areas in coastal Texas until departure for spring migration. In addition, we analyzed seasonal variation in mass and length of digestive organs to document changes that may increase gut capacity and digestive efficiency of migrating and wintering Wilson's Snipe. Lipid reserves of female snipe remained relatively stable from fall to winter, whereas body protein increased by 3% during this time. Females catabolized lipids and protein prior to spring migration. Conversely, lipid reserves of male snipe increased by 44% from fall to winter and were at least maintained from winter to spring. Furthermore, we observed a trend (P = 0.021) for increasing lipid content in males during spring. Because male snipe accumulate fat reserves prior to spring departure, it appears they employ a “time-selected” strategy for spring migration. In contrast, female snipe migrate ...
GASTROPODS FROM THE PERMIAN OF GUANGXI AND YUNNAN PROVINCES, SOUTH CHINA

Latest Permian gastropod faunas are relatively poorly known, limiting our understanding of the behavior of the group during the end-Permian mass extinction. Here we describe an assemblage of silicified microgastropods from the Heshan Formation of Guangxi Province, China, as well as some related Permian gastropods from elsewhere in south China. This is the youngest described Permian gastropod assemblage, and demonstrates that gastropod diversity remained high until the latest Changhsingian stage, immediately before the mass extinction. A total of 73 species are described, including one new family, nine new genera and 51 new species. The new family is the Plicatusidae. New genera are: Naticasinus, Zhonghuaspira, Microlampra, Propupaspira, Laxella, Plicatus, Luoguella, and Ninglangella. The new species are: Bellerophon (B.) yochelsoni, Retispira sinensis, Naticasinus sinus, Peruvispira jucunda, Manzanospira turrita, Porcellia paucituberculata, Microlampra heshanensis, M. orcula, Glyptospira pinna, Anomphalus fusuiensis, Straparella rotella, Holopea bacca, H.? teres, Aclisina multicarinata, Platyzona pulchella, P. nitella, P. luculenta, Goniasma fusuiensis, Straparollus minutus, Naticopsis (N.) shizishanensis, N. (N.) ninglangensis, N. (N.) heshanensis, N. (Jedria) quangxiensis, Trachydomia minuta, Trachyspira quangxiensis, T. heshanensis, Ploceozyga (Plocezyga) yunnanensis, P. (P.) varica, Pseudozygopleura micra, Microptychis charma, Palaeostylus fusuiensis, Soleniscus micidus, S. pactus, Leptoptygma laetus, Propupaspira eleganta, Girtyspira delicata, Ninglangella ninglangensis, Donaldina heshanensis, D. eleganta, D. quinquecarina, Streptacis regularis, S. fragilis, S. pravis, Laxella micra, Plicatus scalaris, P. multifilaris, Luoguispira micra, L. lineata, L. multilinea, Luoguella elegantula, and L. diana.
Complete hematologic response of early T-cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia to the γ-secretase inhibitor BMS-906024: genetic and epigenetic findings in an outlier case

Notch pathway antagonists such as γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) are being tested in diverse cancers, but exceptional responses have yet to be reported. We describe the case of a patient with relapsed/refractory early T-cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) who achieved a complete hematologic response following treatment with the GSI BMS-906024. Whole-exome sequencing of leukemic blasts revealed heterozygous gain-of-function driver mutations in NOTCH1, CSF3R, and PTPN11, and a homozygous/hemizygous loss-of-function mutation in DNMT3A. The three gain-of-function mutations were absent from remission marrow cells, but the DNMT3A mutation persisted in heterozygous form in remission marrow, consistent with an origin for the patient's ETP-ALL from clonal hematopoiesis. Ex vivo culture of ETP-ALL blasts confirmed high levels of activated NOTCH1 that were repressed by GSI treatment, and RNA-seq documented that GSIs downregulated multiple known Notch target genes. Surprisingly, one potential target gene that was unaffected by GSIs was MYC, a key Notch target in GSI-sensitive T-ALL of cortical T-cell type. H3K27ac super-enhancer landscapes near MYC showed a pattern previously reported in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that is sensitive to BRD4 inhibitors, and in line with this ETP-ALL blasts downregulated MYC in response to the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1. To our knowledge, this is the first example of complete response of a Notch-mutated ETP-ALL to a Notch antagonist and is also the first description of chromatin landscapes associated with ETP-ALL. Our experience suggests that additional attempts to target Notch in Notch-mutated ETP-ALL are merited.
Analysis of Hospital-Based Emergency Department Visits for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the USA

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, debilitating condition with high emergency department (ED) utilization. We aimed to investigate the utilization patterns of ED by IBD patients and measure hospitalization and surgical rates following ED visits. We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults with IBD listed as the primary ED diagnosis from the 2009 to 2011 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. The characteristics of the IBD-related ED visits in relation to following hospitalizations and surgeries were analyzed. Adult IBD patients constitute 0.09 % of the total ED visits. Crohn’s disease (CD) contributed to 69 % of the IBD-ED visits. The hospitalization rate from ED was 59.9 % nationally, ranging from 56 % in west to 69 % in northeast. The most significant factors associated with hospitalization were intra-abdominal abscess [odds ratio (OR) 24.22], bowel obstruction (OR 17.77), anemia (OR 7.54), malnutrition (OR 6.29), hypovolemia/electrolyte abnormalities (OR 5.57), and fever/abnormal white cell count (OR 3.18). Patients with CD (OR 0.66), low-income group (OR 0.90), and female gender (OR 0.87) have a lower odds of getting hospitalized. Age above 65 years (OR 1.63), CD (OR 1.89), bowel obstruction (OR 9.24), and intra-abdominal abscess (OR 18.41) were significantly associated with surgical intervention. The IBD-related ED visits have remained relatively stable from 2009 to 2011. The presence of anemia, malnutrition, hypovolemia, electrolyte abnormalities, fever, abnormal white cell count, bowel obstruction, or intra-abdominal abscess during the ED visit was associated with hospitalization. The presence of bowel obstruction and intra-abdominal abscess was strongly associated with surgical intervention.
What are ‘property rights’, and why do they matter? A comment on Hodgson's article

This comment divides ‘property rights’ into ‘legal rights’ and ‘economic rights’ in order to distinguish between two very different concepts that are often confounded in the literature. Because of transaction costs, neither kind of rights is ever complete. These are useful in economic analysis as maximizing individuals constantly expand and shrink them. Unlike Hodgson’s, both notions of rights adopted here are positive, useful in analyzing behavior, and not normative as Hodgson (2015) claims them to be. As used by me, they do not devalue property rights as Hodgson claims.
An oscillating system for a long-period seismometer for horizontal motion

An oscillating system suitable for use in a long-period horizontal-motion seismometer is described. The system consists of a short vertical pendulum whose gravitational restoring torque is opposed by a vertical zero-length spring. By adjusting the spring constant with respect to the mass of the pendulum the net restoring torque can be reduced to almost zero, thus giving the system a long period. The period is less sensitive to tilt than that of the horizontal pendulums commonly used in seismometers for horizontal motion. The lateral dimensions of the system are small so that it is adaptable for use in a bore hole and for easy transportation and setting up. A stable period of 30 seconds has been observed in a prototype model.
Abstract W P268: Language Discordance Between Patient and Treating Physician Does Not Delay Time to Thrombolysis

Introduction: Shorter door-to-needle time (DNT) is associated with better outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. Reducing door-to-CT time is a major focus of national quality improvement initiatives designed to reduce DNT, however time from CT-to-tPA administration has received far less attention. Recent data suggests that the CT-to-tPA interval contributes to significant delays in DNT. We hypothesized that language barriers between patients and treating neurologists would lead to longer CT-to-tPA times at a single stroke center serving a large Spanish-speaking population. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical record (EMR) on all patients who received IV-tPA in the emergency department over 2.5 years (July 2011 to December 2013). Patient’s primary language was obtained from the EMR; language fluency of treating neurologists was self-reported via standardized questionnaire. We compared baseline characteristics and relevant time intervals between encounters where the treating neurologist and patient spoke the same language (concordant group) versus those where they spoke a different language (discordant group). Means were compared with t-tests, medians with Mann-Whitney U tests, and dichotomized variables with Fisher exact tests. Results: A total of 199 patients received IV-tPA during the study period. English was the primary language for 110, Spanish for 83, and other languages for 6; of these, 120 cases were classified as concordant and 79 as discordant. There were no significant differences in mean age (67 vs. 69, p=0.3), male sex (37.5% vs. 24.1%, p=0.06), and median NIHSS (7 vs. 6, p=0.9) between concordant and discordant groups. We found no differences between median onset-to-arrival (68 vs. 71, p=0.3), door-to-CT (25 vs. 25, p=0.8), CT-to-tPA (33 vs. 29, p=0.2) and DNT (61 vs. 60, p=0.3) in minutes. There was a trend towards a greater proportion of patients with CT-to-tPA time under 30 minutes in the discordant group (52% vs. 38%, p=0.08). Conclusion: At our institution, language discordancy did not contribute to delays in CT-to-tPA nor overall DNT. CT-to-tPA time represents a largely unexplored contributor to overall delays in DNT that warrants further investigation.
Positive Discrimination Policyand Ethnocentric AttitudesAmong the Scheduled Castes

This study reveals that when the higher and lower castes of India live together in mixed housing colonies their attitudes toward each other seem to be affected in different directions. The higher castes tend to become less ethnocentric toward the lower castes, while the lower castes tend to develop prejudices against the higher castes. Sumati N. Dubey is a Professor of Social Work and Chairperson of the Division of Administration Policy and Organizational Behavior, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. Public Opinion Quarterly ? 1979 by The Trustees of Columbia University Published by Elsevier North-Holland, Inc. 0033-362X/79/0043-0060/$1.75 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.83 on Sun, 23 Oct 2016 04:34:54 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms DISCRIMINATION AND ETHNOCENTRIC ATTITUDES 61 discrimination in social relations and occupational activities-which eliminated the Shudras' opportunity for achieving the status of the
Multiple blood pressure QTL on rat chromosome 1 defined by Dahl rat congenic strains

A series of congenic strains were constructed in which segments of chromosome (chr) 1 from Lewis (LEW) rats were introgressed into the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) strain. Three blood pressure quantitative trait loci (QTL) were defined. Two of these (QTL 1a and QTL 1b) were closely linked in the region between 1q31 and 1q35. The third blood pressure QTL (QTL region 2) was close to the centromere between 1p11 and 1q12, which includes the candidate gene Slc9a3 for sodium/hydrogen exchange. The blood pressure QTL 1a and QTL 1b defined here overlap significantly with QTL for disease phenotypes of renal failure, stroke, ventricular mass, and salt susceptibility defined in other rat strains, implying that these disease phenotypes and our blood pressure phenotype have causes in common. QTL 1b also corresponded approximately with a blood pressure QTL described on human chr 15. The QTL region 2 corresponded approximately with blood pressure QTL described on mouse chr 10 and human chr 6.
SOC-Based Sensor Mote Design

In this paper, a development of sensor node for environment monitoring is described. The Reconfigurable System-On-chip (RSOC) technology is used to integrate the node’s main components on FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA) chip. The main components required to support the environmental applications such as pixels sensor, reconfigurable processing core, and a tiny solar unit for recharging node’s battery, are implemented on the node. The use of FPGA chips has made such nodes consume large power. Therefore, nodes are provided with tiny rechargeable unit to recharge the nodes’ batteries. The nodes should be installed at well-setting environmental applications, where nodes are carefully distributed over the environmental applications field to be exposed to daylight, which will help recharge nodes’ batteries. Applications such as border control and forest fire monitoring can use such nodes at their wireless sensor networks.
Are generic medications safe and effective

Because multiple branded, alternative, and generic medications contain the same active ingredient, controversies sometimes arise regarding generic substitution. For patients, physicians, and nurses, the critical issue is whether generic medications are safe and effective. This article addresses the issue with regard to several anti-depressant, anticonvulsant, and antipsychotic medications. There is no consistent evidence that generic substitutes are less safe or effective than brand-name equivalents. Uncontrolled reports are subject to many confounding factors and biases. Relapses temporally associated with medication switches could be due to the change but are difficult to distinguish from the natural history of the treated condition. Adverse effects temporally associated with medication switches could also be attributable to the change, but they might also be explained as a type of "nocebo" effect. Randomized controlled blinded studies are necessary to evaluate causality; however, such studies typically have not supported uncontrolled reports that the safety or effectiveness of brand-name and generic drugs differ. It is still clinically prudent to monitor a patient whose medication has been switched.
Injuries of the Trachea and Major Bronchi

Tracheal and bronchial injuries are among the more serious consequences of chest trauma. Bronchoscopy and, on occasion, bronchography are essential to establish the diagnosis. Emergency management is based on maintenance of an airway and good ventilatory mechanics.Early surgical repair is essential to survival for many patients. For others it may mean avoidance of late life-threatening or function-threatening sequelae.
Growth and Scintillation Properties of CeF_3-doped LaBr_3 Crystal

CeF3-doped LaBr3 crystals(LBF) with a diameter of 1.5 inches were grown by a modified Bridgman technique from the melt of powders in vacuum-sealed fused crucibles.The waterlogging tolerance,X-ray excitation spectrum,light yield,decay time and energy resolution of LBF samples were measured at room temperature.The key properties of the LBF samples such as waterlogging tolerance,energy resolution,light yield,and decay time were compared with those of LBC and LB crystals.At a moisture concentration of 50 ppm,LBF crystals had no devitrification.The hygroscopic capacity was obviously lower than that of LBC and LB crystals.The wet fastness of LBF crystals was significantly improved.The emission peak of LBF crystal was at 385 nm under X-ray excitation,and it had excellent scintillation properties with the energy resolution of 3.1% under γ-ray excitation of 137Cs radioactive source.The decay time was 25.1 ns,and the light yield was about 101% of LB.The results indicated that LBF crystal had slightly better scintillation properties than LB did,and had a more excellent waterlogging tolerance.
Proton therapy for pancreatic cancer

Radiotherapy is commonly offered to patients with pancreatic malignancies although its ultimate utility is compromised since the pancreas is surrounded by exquisitely radiosensitive normal tissues, such as the duodenum, stomach, jejunum, liver, and kidneys. Proton radiotherapy can be used to create dose distributions that conform to tumor targets with significant normal tissue sparing. Because of this, protons appear to represent a superior modality for radiotherapy delivery to patients with unresectable tumors and those receiving postoperative radiotherapy. A particularly exciting opportunity for protons also exists for patients with resectable and marginally resectable disease. In this paper, we review the current literature on proton therapy for pancreatic cancer and discuss scenarios wherein the improvement in the therapeutic index with protons may have the potential to change the management paradigm for this malignancy.
Are allopurinol dose and duration of use nephroprotective in the elderly? A Medicare claims study of allopurinol use and incident renal failure

Objective To assess the effect of allopurinol dose/duration on the risk of renal failure in the elderly with allopurinol use. Methods We used the 5% random Medicare claims data from 2006 to 2012. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses assessed the association of allopurinol dose/duration with subsequent risk of developing incident renal failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (no prior diagnosis in last 183 days) in allopurinol users, controlling for age, sex, race and Charlson–Romano comorbidity index. HRs with 95% CIs were calculated. Sensitivity analyses considered a longer baseline period (365 days), controlled for gout or used more specific codes. Results Among the 30 022 allopurinol treatment episodes, 8314 incident renal failure episodes occurred. Compared with 1–199 mg/day, allopurinol dose of 200–299 mg/day (HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.87) and ≥300 mg/day, 0.71 (0.67 to 0.76), had significantly lower hazard of renal failure in multivariable-adjustment model, confirmed in multiple sensitivity analyses. Longer allopurinol use duration was significantly associated with lower hazards in sensitivity analyses (365-day look-back; reference, 1–2 years, 0.85 (0.73 to 0.99); and >2 years, 0.81 (0.67 to 0.98). Allopurinol ≥300 mg/day was also associated with significantly lower risk of acute renal failure and ESRD with HR of 0.89 (0.83 to 0.94) and 0.57 (0.46 to 0.71), respectively. Conclusions Higher allopurinol dose is independently protective against incident renal failure in the elderly allopurinol users. A longer duration of allopurinol use may be associated with lower risk of incident renal failure. Potential mechanisms of these effects need to be examined.
Fabrication strategies for exploring the anisotropic electroactuation of dielectric elastomers(Conference Presentation)

Several reports have appeared on the topic of anisotropic actuation in dielectric elastomers. Most of these, including our own published in Advanced Materials (2014), incorporate aligned microfibers into the VHB adhesive. In all these studies, the results have been quite promising, demonstrating that anisotropic actuation is achieved primarily in the direction normal to the fiber axis. We have previously explored this phenomenon in detail using polyurethane and carbon fibers. In the present study, we shall use these results to set the stage for our ongoing studies that employ our unique thermoplastic elastomer gel (TPEG) design, which provides much more versatility than VHB. These results allow us to decouple the roles of dielectric constant and mechanical modulus in actuation development.
The Interpretation of Indifference Free Relatives

The behavior of - ever free relatives is unlike that of universal quantifiers and of plain definites, and their analysis has therefore been controversial. This paper argues that the availability of de dicto -like readings for -ever FRs in non-local ACD constructions can be explained by an analysis like the one proposed by von Fintel (2000), whereby "indifference" FRs are definites with a counterfactual presupposition. Other scope interactions undergone by indifference FRs further separate them from universals, while their differences from plain plural definites can be captured by a good-fit condition like the one proposed by Brisson (1997) for all .
Improved Hybrid Specimen for Vibration Bending Fatigue

A hybrid specimen was developed to minimize material used when assessing bending fatigue behavior with a vibration-based experimental procedure. Motivation for this work comes from the eagerness to quantify critical three-dimensionally printed gas turbine engine components at low cost under representative operating and stress conditions. The original vibration-based fatigue specimen (a whole, square plate) is capable of providing airfoil representative data at a lower cost than failing a fully manufactured airfoil. The reduced cost, though significant, was further reduced with the hybrid specimen. The most recently published iteration of the hybrid specimen produced an insert-plate system that required 95 % less material than the original specimen in order to gather fatigue data, and the hybrid specimen data compared favorably within a 95 % prediction interval of the original for Aluminum 6061-T6. Despite the successful comparison, improvements to the hybrid plate specimen were still necessary for accurately assessing fatigue behavior of more commonly used aerospace alloys. Specifically, improving repeatability in the experimental response, increasing the hybrid specimen excitability (i.e. reduce specimen system damping), and minimizing damage accumulation on the carrier plate of the hybrid specimen were critical to the efficiency of the characterized bending fatigue behavior. The proposed investigation addressed these issues for Titanium 6Al-4V, resulting in a more repeatable experimental procedure and results that agree with whole plate data.
Privacy protection and aggregate health data: a review of tabular cell suppression methods (not) employed in public health data systems

Public health research often relies on individuals’ confidential medical data. Therefore, data collecting entities, such as states, seek to disseminate this medical data as widely as possible while still maintaining the privacy of the individual for legal and ethical reasons. One common way in which this medical data is released is through the use of Web-based Data Query Systems (WDQS). In this article, we examined WDQS listed in the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) specifically reviewing them for how they prevent statistical disclosure in queries that produce a tabular response. One of the most common methods to combat this type of disclosure is through the use of suppression, that is, if a cell count in a table is below a certain threshhold, the true value is suppressed. This technique does work to prevent the direct disclosure of small cell counts, however, primary suppression by itself is not always enough to preserve privacy in tabular data. Here, we present several real examples of tabular response queries that employ suppression, but we are able to infer the values of the suppressed cells, including cells with 1 counts, which could be linked to auxiliary data sources and thus has the possibility to create an identity disclosure. We seek to stimulate awareness of the potential for disclosure of information that individuals may wish to keep private through an online query system. This research is undertaken in the hope that privacy concerns can be dealt with preemptively rather than only after a major disclosure has taken place. In the wake of a such an event, a major concern is that state and local officials would react to this by permanently shutting down these sites and cutting off a valuable source of research data.
Mechanistic modeling and numerical simulation of in-situ gas void fraction inside ESP impeller

Abstract When gas is entrained with liquid into an electrical submersible pump (ESP), the in-situ gas void fraction (αG) inside the ESP impeller is closely related to its pressure boosting ability. Due to complex pump geometries, the direct measurement of αG is very difficult to carry out. In this study, a mechanistic model for predicting the in-situ αG inside an ESP impeller is developed and validated by three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The pressure increment of ESP obtained from single-phase numerical simulations matches experimental measurement well. With a new bubble size prediction model implemented into multiphase CFD simulations, the calculated ESP pressure increments under gassy flow conditions also agree with experimental pump performance curves. As the inlet gas volumetric fraction (GVF) increases, the ESP boosting pressure deteriorates. The simulated in-situ αG, which is used to verify mechanistic model predictions, increases with bubble size increase and gas density or rotational speed decrease. Based on the radial velocity slippage between gas and liquid phases, the in-situ αG can be determined with GVF, rotational speed, bubble size, and fluid properties etc. Compared with empirical correlations, the proposed mechanistic model can predict in-situ αG better by accounting for the gas-liquid phase interaction using the radial force balance between centrifugal buoyancy and drag forces exerted on a stable bubble.
Fate of Aflatoxin M1 in Brick and Limburger-like Cheese.

Three batches of brick cheese were prepared, using milk which was naturally contaminated with aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). Cheeses were allowed to ripen with a smear for 2, 3 or 4 weeks, and then were either waxed or wrapped in foil to simulate production of mild brick, aged brick or Limburger-like cheese, respectively. These cheeses were analyzed for AFM1 at intervals for about 26 weeks. There was an average 1.7-fold enrichment of toxin in the curd over that in milk. Levels of AFM1 in cheese started low, appeared to increase at about 4 weeks of age and then dropped to initial levels in cheese ripened with a smear for 3 or 4 weeks. At no time did amounts of AFM1 drop below initial levels. Toxin concentrations appeared to increase most in the rind of cheeses ripened with a smear for 2 or 3 weeks. When such ripening was for 4 weeks, levels of AFM1 in the rind decreased, whereas levels in the center of the brick remained constant or increased.
A novel technique to characterize the effect of rain over a radome for radar applications

A novel instrument to characterize the effect of wet radomes in radar systems is presented. The focus of this research is enabling full characterization of radome performance under a variety of conditions including cleanliness, dirtiness, and wetness, and to provide a potential solution for wet radome characterization. The proposed method consists of using a low profile instrument that can be easily integrated into an existing or new radar system. A low profile dielectric antenna connected to the reflectometer employs the time domain gating (TDG) analysis, which is used to minimize the impact of undesirable reflections. The concept was validated with on-field experiments.
On the Generation of Some Embeddable GF(2) Geometries

The generating rank is determined for several GF(2)-embeddable geometries and it is demonstrated that their generating and embedding ranks are equal. Specifically, we prove that each of the two generalized hexagons of order (2, 2) has generating rank 14, that the central involution geometry of the Hall-Janko sporadic group has generating rank 28, and that the dual polar space DU(6,2) has generating rank 22. We also include a survey of all instances in which either the generating or embedding rank of an embeddable GF(2) geometry is known.