cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of pathologic scoring systems for periprosthetic adverse local tissue reactions: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract Background Several previous studies have described broad histologic classifications of peri-prosthetic reactions that likely reflect the underlying mechanism of arthroplasty failure; however, a consensus has not yet been reached about the relative importance of individual observations. Question/Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter-examiner repeatability of commonly used histopathologic grading methods, and to determine the utility of assigning a more simple, global categorization in patients undergoing revision THA surgery of implants with a variety of bearing combinations. Methods Between March 2013 and February 2020, a total of 2131 patients underwent revision hip arthroplasty surgery at a one center, of which 12% (248 of 2131) of patients were enrolled. Two pathologists independently reviewed microscope slides of periprosthetic tissue from these patients, of which 425 slides (229 hips, 222 subjects) were reviewed by both pathologists. Separate slides were used for a priori training of the pathologists. Slides were evaluated with the Campbell Aseptic Lymphocyte-dominant Vasculitis-Associated Lesion (ALVAL) score, the Oxford ALVAL score as modified by Grammatopolous, the Fujishiro and Natu scores, and a proposed simplified pattern classification, similar to that of Krenn et al., that incorporates individual factors of these existing scoring methods and was previously shown to correspond to Magnetic Resonance Imaging findings. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using Gwet’s AC1 and AC2 coefficients and correspondence analysis was used to examine associations between individual factors of prior scoring methods with the proposed major pattern. Results Almost perfect inter-rater repeatability (Gwet’s AC2 > 0.8) was found for 71% (15/21) of the individual factors, and substantial interrater agreement was found for the proposed major overall pattern (Gwet’s AC1: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.72–0.85). Correspondence analysis was able to explain 89–91% of data variability and was able to identify individual features not commonly associated with a major pattern, but discriminatory of the major pattern, such as “Lymph Cuff Thickness 0.25–0.5″ with ALVAL. Conclusion In contrast to prior examinations, excellent interrater agreement was found that may be attributable to a priori training of raters with a test set of slides or difficulty of interpreting grading criteria. The proposed simplified major pattern classification may facilitate evaluation of histopathologic tissue samples.
Motivational conflict influences the timing of emotions and their regulation

Our emotional responses to stressors do not occur in a vacuum; rather, they are dependent upon the context in which they take place. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in identifying such contextual influences on emotional processes. However, two important questions have yet to be answered. First, little is known about how motivational context (e.g., motivational conflict) can affect the timing of emotional experiences (i.e., affective chronometry). Second, the influence of motivational context on the utilization of emotion regulation strategies has been largely unexplored. We recruited 166 participants and assigned them to a motivational conflict condition (watch a disgust-eliciting film clips while anticipating a food tasting) or one of two no conflict conditions (watch a disgust-eliciting film while anticipating a food-unrelated task or watch a craving-inducing film clip while anticipating a food tasting). We found that motivational conflict moderated the time course of anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of examining motivational processes when seeking to understand how and when individuals experience and regulate their emotions.
Outpatient medical conditions among children and adults with spina bifida in the United States: Frequency and expenditures.

Objective: To describe the most prevalent conditions and their associated expenditures for the outpatient care of individuals with spina bifida (SB) of varying ages. Design: From a large health insurance claims database of people with private insurance, we examined records on outpatient health care received during 2005-2006 for individuals with SB and a matched comparison group. Chronic conditions from the most frequently recorded 4-digit ICD-9-CM codes for individuals with SB were grouped into four categories: cardiovascular disease risk factors, SB secondary conditions, pain, and ot her symptoms. Results: Diseases affecting the nervous, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems and miscellaneous symptoms (e.g., headache, fever) account for about 70% of outpatient expenditures, excluding those associated with perinatal and congenital conditions. The most common and costly conditions by age group were diseases of the nervous system for children and adults younger than age 30 years and diseases of the musculoskeletal system for adults aged 30-64 years. Individuals with SB had significantl y elevated risks for essential hypertension, urinary tract i nfection, and constipation at young ages and headache, sleep disturbance, and fever throughout the life span. Conclusions: The frequency of health conditions associated with SB varies across the life span. These conditions should be a priority for further investigations to identify risk facto rs, treatment and prevention strategies for individuals wi th SB.
A State-Based Model for Management of Type II Diabetes

The Decision Systems Group at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA and the Clinical Knowledge Management Group at Partners HealthCare Systems, Inc. have developed a computational model that encompasses strategies for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of type II diabetes and associated complications. This effort is part of an on-going, enterprise-wide strategy to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of provided care, by maximizing the use of new clinical information technology in key issues such as complex clinical workflows, usability, controlled terminology, knowledge management, and clinical decision support carried out by Partners HealthCare System. The proposed model is a disease state management system for the continuum of diabetes care that synergistically integrates patient care and education protocols at all levels of disease management, and supports the integration of evidence-based personalized care. Our approach could be easily adapted to managing other chronic conditions e.g., hypertension, asthma, and coronary artery disease.
Outcomes of Patients With Multiple Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas: A 10-Year Single-Institution Cohort Study

Importance Patients with multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (CSCCs) pose a management challenge for physicians, but their prognosis is unknown because outcomes have not been compared between patients who form single vs multiple CSCCs. Objective To compare outcomes in patients with 1 vs multiple CSCCs. Design, Setting, and Participants A 10-year retrospective single-institution cohort study at an academic tertiary care center of patients with dermally invasive (non–in situ) primary CSCC diagnosed from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2009. Main Outcomes and Measures Electronic medical records were reviewed to determine the tumor stage (Brigham and Women’s Hospital tumor stage) and outcomes (local recurrence [LR], nodal metastases [NM], and death due to CSCC). Outcomes were compared between patients with 1 vs more than 1 CSCC via multivariable competing-risk regression adjusted for other significant cofactors. Results Of 985 patients with CSCC, 727 had 1 CSCC, 239 had 2 to 9 CSCCs, and 19 had 10 or more CSCCs. Most patients with 10 or more CSCCs were immunosuppressed (15 of 19 [78.9%]). The median follow-up time was 50 months (range, 2-142 months). Patients with more than 1 CSCC had a higher risk of LR (subhazard ratio for 2-9 CSCCs, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-4.3; and for ≥10 CSCCs, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4-10.0) and NM (subhazard ratio for 2-9 CSCCs, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4-6.5; and for ≥10 CSCCs, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.4-10.4) compared with patients with 1 CSCC, adjusted for Brigham and Women’s Hospital tumor stage. The 10-year cumulative incidence of LR and NM was higher in patients with 2 to 9 CSCCs and markedly higher in those with 10 or more CSCCs compared with patients who had 1 CSCC (10-year cumulative incidence for 1 CSCC: LR, 3.0%; 95% CI, 2.0%-4.5%; and NM, 2.3%; 95% CI, 1.5%-3.8%; for 2-9 CSCCs: LR, 6.7%; 95% CI, 4.2%-10.6%; and NM, 5.9%; 95% CI, 3.5%-9.6%; and for ≥10 CSCCs: LR, 36.8%; 95% CI, 19.2%-59.0%; and NM, 26.3%; 95% CI, 11.8%-48.8%). Conclusions and Relevance Patients with multiple CSCCs warrant frequent follow-up because they have an elevated risk of LR and NM. In particular, patients with 10 or more CSCCs have markedly elevated risks of recurrence and metastasis.
Abundances in Extragalactic H II Regions

Giant H II regions can be observed out to large distances. They trace recent star formation and, through the analysis of their chemical composition, previous star formation activity. Systematic effects such as metallicity gradients across the disks of spirals and the correlation of metallicity with total galaxy mass offer important constraints on galaxy evolution. The helium abundance in regions where the gas has experienced little stellar nuclear processing provides an important test of cosmological theories. Some of the current uncertainties in interpreting nebular spectra are likely to be resolved by the next generation of ground-based, airborne, and spaceborne telescopes.
Assessing Pistia stratiotes for phytoremediation of silver nanoparticles and Ag(I) contaminated waters.

To study the phytoremediation capabilities of Pistia stratiotes in silver nanoparticle (AgNP) and silver ion contaminated wastewaters, individual plants were grown in media spiked with different concentrations of silver nanoparticle and silver ions (0.02, 0.2, and 2 mg L(-1)). Control experiments were carried out at the same time for comparison purposes. Visual changes in the plants were also recorded periodically during each experiment. Total silver concentrations were monitored in the media before, during, and at the termination of the experiments. In addition, analysis of total silver in plant root and leaf samples after termination were carried out to determine the effect of the different media concentrations. The results showed that P. stratiotes can survive in AgNP and ions under 0.02 mg L(-1) and contaminants are retained within the plant. The use of P. stratiotes as a phytoremediator shows potential in removing heavy metal nanoparticles and is competitive in its removal of the ion counterpart. Even higher concentrations of silver, regardless of form, can be reduced to lower levels than the World Health Organization's maximum contamination limit.
Accounting for Emissions and Sinks from the Biogeochemical Cycle of Carbon in the U.S. Economic Input-Output Model

Biogeochemical cycles are essential ecosystem services that continue to degrade as a result of human activities, but are not fully considered in efforts toward sustainable engineering. This article develops a model that integrates the carbon cycle with economic activities in the 2002 U.S. economy. Data about the carbon cycle, including emissions and sequestration flows, is obtained from the greenhouse gas inventory of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Economic activities are captured by the economic input-output model available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The resulting model is more comprehensive in its accounting for the carbon cycle than existing methods for carbon footprint (CF) calculations. Examples of unique flows in this model include the effect of land-use and land-cover change on carbon dioxide flow within the U.S. national boundary, carbon sequestration in urban trees, and emissions resulting from liming. This model is used to gain unique insight into the carbon profile of U.S. economic sectors by providing the life cycle emissions and sequestration in each sector. Such insight may be used to support policies, manage supply chains, and be used for more comprehensive CF calculations.
Electrocardiogram in Preparticipation Athletic Evaluations among Insured Youths.

Objective To retrospectively characterize electrocardiogram (ECG) use among preparticipation history and examinations (PPEs). Study design Using the 2005 to 2010 MarketScan insurance database, we identified subjects aged 5-21 years with either a PPE with an ECG or a PPE alone, excluding those with known cardiac diagnoses. We described cardiology referrals and subspecialty testing within 180 days and cardiac diagnoses within 1 year of the PPE, and the costs of testing in each group. Results From 2005-2009, 503 304 PPEs occurred in 419 456 subjects, of which 8621 (2%) included an ECG. ECG use increased from 12-20 per 1000 PPEs from 2005-2009. Females, lower socioeconomic status, and rural settings were associated with fewer ECGs. Thirteen percent of PPEs with ECG and 0.5% of PPEs alone led to a cardiology referral. After PPEs with ECG, cardiac disease was identified in 18% (2% sports-limiting); after PPEs alone, cardiac disease was identified in 0.5% (0.03% sports-limiting). The PPE had a sensitivity of 44% and a specificity of 98.6% of identifying cardiac disease. The total reimbursement cost of PPEs plus testing was $80 396 464 ($160 per PPE). Conclusions These real-world data demonstrate that community providers selectively use the ECG as part of the PPE with a high rate of identification of cardiac disease. Mass ECG screening would need to be more efficient at identifying disease than this selective approach.
WIP: Provenance Support for Interdisciplinary Research on the North Creek Wetlands

Researchers working in the North Creek Wetlands are faced with the task of gathering and managing large amounts of data. This interdisciplinary group of researchers also require data provenance to ensure the integrity of their collected data. Currently, they record notes in the wetlands with pen and paper, transcribe these notes, and combine them with the other data they collected, such as spatial and image data. This process is error-prone and can be time consuming. Current provenance techniques also do not focus on supporting provenance from data collection to data processing and do not provide a flexible means of capturing provenance across different software tools and platforms. Our technique and our tool support, ProvEco System, leverages various technologies such as mobile devices, an off-the-shelf geographic information system software, an enterprise-level search facility, and open data standards to provide an interoperable provenance system. Our preliminary results indicate that our data collection application is easy to use and can assist with automatically reconstructing provenance for image files. We also offer generalizable lessons learned for developing a provenance system in other contexts.
How ethics and science are not different

Au-dela du noncognitivisme metaethique, l'A. montre que les epistemologies pragmatistes contemporaines mettent en evidence la cognitivite de la science et de l'ethique, ainsi que leur engagement commun en matiere de valeurs. Examinant la distinction entre les notions d'intra-ethique et de mega-ethique chez B. Waller, l'A. montre que celui-ci ne parvient a rompre l'analogie epistemologique qui existe entre la science et l'ethique, malgre sa determination non-ethique des valeurs epistemiques qui fondent les pratiques cognitives.
Adaptive control of manipulators containing closed kinematic loops

A novel algorithm for the adaptive control of a robot manipulator which may contain closed kinematic loops is described. The algorithm identifies the mass properties of each link and the viscous friction coefficients for each joint of the manipulator. It is similar to the Newton-Euler inverse dynamics algorithm and, hence, obtains its computational efficiency through the recursive nature of the algorithm. Improved computational efficiency is achieved by eliminating the need to compute the constraint forces. Only inertial and gravitational forces are actually computed by the algorithm. Simulation results are presented. >
Assessment that Matters: Integrating the “Chore” of Department-Based Assessment with Real Improvements in Political Science Education

ABSTRACT Assessment requirements often raise great concerns among departments and faculty: fear of loss of autonomy, distraction from primary departmental goals, and the creation of alien and artificial external standards. This article demonstrates how one political science department directly responded to their own unique circumstances in assessing their current program in order to effect improvement. We suggest that assessment does not have to be a long and arduous process but can be relatively painless for the department and produce numerous benefits that go beyond the actual planning and engaging in assessment. This case study identifies ways to turn assessment from an external chore to an internal quest for information that provides answers to important departmental questions. It also identifies the ongoing nature of assessment and the way the lessons learned influences future decision making. By demonstrating how the department interpreted the collected data and evaluated its own performance, this c...
Broadband multilayer gratings for a high-resolution EUV spectrograph

Sounding rocket observations of G191-B2B are planned for 1999 January over the bandpass 256-304 angstrom with a high resolution spectrograph. The optical system implements two diffraction gratings with broadband multilayer coatings in a Wadsworth mount. Since the spectral resolution of the experiment will be signal limited, preliminary reflectivity test on test gratings have been performed to determine how high the resolution might be.
Scaling relations for triton ground-state observables

Abstract Using a wide variety of newly obtained solutions to the Feddeev equations for the triton ground state with diverse two-body and three-body potentials, we have calculated Coulomb energies, RMS charge radii, binding energies, and probabilities of various wave function components. We show how the various radii scale with the corresponding binding energies, and advance simple arguments for the sizes of various wave function components. The Coulomb energies are compared to the hyperspherical approximation, which is found to be very accurate. In addition to our quantitative conclusions, we provide very simple qualitative arguments which account for these conclusions. Comparisons with experimental data are made where applicable.
Exploring Adaptive Variation among Hunter-gatherers with Binford’s Frames of Reference

The most significant change in hunter-gatherer studies has been the shift from expecting hunter-gatherers to have similar properties wherever they are found to recognizing that hunter-gatherer adaptations should vary along many different dimensions. Although archaeologists approach research with different goals, there is remarkable convergence in our knowledge about hunter-gatherers past and present. The ethnographic record of recent hunter-gatherers reveals enormous variation along several dimensions. The specific combinations of characteristics displayed among hunter-gatherers are not infinitely variable but cluster as distinctive “system states” (following Binford, Constructing frames of reference: an analytical method for archaeological theory building using ethnographic and environmental data sets, 2001) that pattern with both environmental and demographic variables at a global scale. Frames of reference based on these generalizations have implications for what archaeologists should expect for hunter-gatherers in different environmental settings, and also for how they should change over time if regional population density generally increases. Recognizing that patterns of variation at the regional scale are different from those at the global scale, I propose a hierarchical strategy for developing expectations for variation among prehistoric hunter-gatherers that can both situate the research locale with respect to global patterns of variation and acknowledge important dimensions of variation in habitat structure that are likely to condition regional variation in hunter-gatherer mobility, subsistence, and social organization.
Native fish grows faster in the presence of a potential introduced competitor.

Biotic resistance, through competition from native species, can limit the success of invasive species. Similarly, invasive species can impact natives when they reduce shared resources. Alternatively, some invaders may benefit natives if they either directly or indirectly increase resource acquisition by natives. I predicted that the native California killifish, Fundulus parvipinnis would reduce the fitness of the morphologically similar introduced sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna in a California estuary. A field experiment found no effect of competition; increasing the density of the native killifish did not affect sailfin molly growth. However, there was an unanticipated positive association of female sailfin molly density on growth of native killifish. Unlike any other native fish in the estuary, the introduced molly is a live bearer and I hypothesize that the presence of female mollies may have generated a novel food source (newborn fish) for the native competitor. This potential food source could have overcompensated for any potential competition for other resources. The positive effect was not mutual, i.e., the presence of killifish did not increase the growth of adult mollies (killifish are oviparous and lay eggs on the substrate). While killifish may not limit mollies through competitive effects, they could provide partial resistance to invasion by preying on juvenile mollies. Additional experiments designed specifically to test whether juvenile mollies increase killifish growth would confirm the mechanism and potentially reveal the importance of this in nature. Considering the role of all life stages of an invader is a key step when evaluating interactions with natives and determining the success and impacts of introduced species.
Highly Efficient UV−Violet Light-Emitting Polymers Derived from Fluorene and Tetraphenylsilane Derivatives: Molecular Design toward Enhanced Electroluminescent Performance

Novel fluorene-based light-emitting polymers (P1−P3) derived form the copolymerization of 9,9-dihexylfluorene or 9,9-spirobifluorene with tetraphenylsilane derivatives were designed and synthesized by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction. These copolymers were readily soluble in common organic solvents and exhibited high glass transition temperature (Tg ≥ 157 °C) and thermal stability. The results from photophysical studies showed that these copolymers possess a wide band gap (3.26−3.30 eV), which endows them with pure UV−violet emission in solid states with high photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiencies. The PL characteristic of these copolymers remained almost unchanged in spite of the modification with tetraphenylsilane or even with the electron-donating alkoxyl substituents. The incorporation of bulky 9,9-spirobifluorene units into one of the copolymers (P3) significantly improved the solid-state PL quantum efficiency up to 83% together with a slightly red-shifted emission. The LEDs based on...
Requirements of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin for estrogen-induced proliferation in uterine leiomyoma- and myometrium-derived cell lines

Objective This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on G1 cell cycle progression and proliferation in uterine fibroid and myometrial cells and the roles of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin in mediating these estrogen effects. Study Design The human uterine smooth muscle–derived cells (UtSM) and uterine leiomyoma–derived cells (UtLM) were treated with varying doses of E2 with or without pretreatment with LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase inhibitor, or rapamycin, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor. The effects of E2 on cell cycle progression and proliferation and the roles of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin in E2-induced effects were studied. Results Compared with controls, E2 significantly induced G1 cell cycle progression and proliferation in uterine smooth muscle-derived cells and uterine leiomyoma–derived cells. These effects, however, were significantly blocked when LY294002 or rapamycin was used. Conclusion E2 significantly induces G1 cell cycle progression and cell proliferation in uterine smooth muscle–derived cells and uterine leiomyoma–derived cells, in which phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin are essentially required.
The hemoglobin of the holothurian echinoderm, Molpadia oölitica Pourtales.

Abstract 1. 1. The hemoglobin of the holothurian, Molpadia oolitica, in the carbonmonoxy-, oxy- and cyanmet-ligand states has an apparent molecular weight on Sephadex G-75 (superfine) of about 40,000. 2. 2. The hemoglobin is a homogeneous dimer which can be cleaved into identical monomeric subunits by reaction with excess potassium ferricyanide. 3. 3. The purified hemoglobin has an amino acid composition per heme of: Lys10, His6, Arg15, 1 2 Cys 0 , Asp20, Thr1, Ser11, Glu20, Pro3, Gly11, Ala20, Val10, Met6, Ileu9, Leu16, Tyr3, Phe9, Trp1. 4. 4. Preliminary studies indicate a pH independent sigmoid oxygen dissociation curve with n = 1·6. The heat of oxygenation is −8·8 kcal/mole. 5. 5. The structure and oxygen equilibrium of M. oolitica hemoglobin are compared with those of other holothurian hemoglobins.
Diffusion boundary condition at surface steps

This communication reports a geometrical factor that is necessary in the diffusion boundary condition across surface steps. Specifically, this factor relates adatom concentration to its spatial gradient at a surface step, and it describes the fraction of jump attempts that cross the step. In this communication, the authors show that the factor is 1/π using theoretical formulation and further verify the formulation using numerical simulations for triangular, square, and hexagonal surface lattices.
Basic Business Dictionaries Compared

Abstract This article compares the relative merits of five business dictionaries addressed to a general business audience. The distinctive features of each dictionary are described, and definitions and range of coverage are compared in order to discover the distinctive strengths and weaknesses of each dictionary.
Eukaryotic transcription initiation

Why such complexity in Pol II transcription? The 60 protein requirement for Pol II transcription does not reflect the complexity of RNA synthesis. After all, the chemistry of the transcription reaction in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms is, in essence, identical. Yet bacterial transcription is catalyzed by a five subunit core complex — α2ββ′ω, comparable to eukaryotic Rpb1,2,3,6,11 — with promoter recognition conferred by one of only a handful of different σ subunits that associate with the core enzyme. Instead, the complexity of the eukaryotic Pol II machinery is a consequence of both the organization of the eukaryotic genome, including the packaging of DNA into chromatin, and the myriad regulatory parameters that control gene expression.The challenge that lies ahead is to unravel the physical interactions that occur among and within the different transcription complexes and how these interactions occur in response to different stimuli. High-resolution three-dimensional images have provided remarkable insight into the structural basis of Pol II function. However, the size, complexity and dynamic nature of the TFIID, TFIIH and MED complexes make it unlikely that high-resolution images of these intact complexes will be forthcoming. Instead, new technologies, including novel methods for crosslinking protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions, are likely to illuminate the structural basis of transcription in small, but highly informative increments.
Carbon–13 NMR studies of tautomerism in some 2-substituted imidazoles and benzimidazoles

The 13C NMR spectra of several 2-substituted imidazoles and benzimidazoles have been measured. The substituent was CH3, COOH and CONHR, where R = H, n-Bu, p-tolyl or m-chlorophenyl. Carbons 4 and 5 in the imidazoles and the carbon pairs 8/9, 4/7 and 5/6 become equivalent by proton transfer from N-1 to N-3, possibly through intermolecular association. The rate of this proton exchange increases with concentration and temperature. It decreases with extension of the 2-substituent (rate CH3≫CONH-phenyl > CONH-p-tolyl ≃ CONH-m-chlorophenyl ≫ CONH-n-butyl) due to steric hindrance at the site of the (benz)imidazole nitrogen.
Improving transducer performance using multiple active layers

The performance of a transducer possessing several piezoelectric layers is discussed. Techniques are presented for determining excitation functions so that a pre-defined transmission characteristic is obtained in an optimal manner. The performance of a multiple layer transducer in the reception mode is considered in detail. It is evident that a high degree of transmission and reception efficiency is attainable continuously from below the fundamental thickness mode resonance to above its third harmonic. This contrasts with conventional designs which possess a null at the second harmonic. Issues regarding the stability of the technique are addressed.
The combined method: a novel access technique for fetal endoscopic surgery.

Abstract Background/Purpose: To develop practical and less invasive techniques for fetal endoscopic surgery, new methods of lifting the uterine wall to allow fetal surgery without maternal laparotomy were developed and assessed. Methods: Fetal endoscopic surgical procedures, including tracheostomy and umbilical vascular cannulation, were performed using one of the three methods to enter the uterus without maternal laparotomy in pregnant goats (n = 6; 105 to 115 days' gestation): (1) direct uterine lifting with an air-cushion device; (2) indirect uterine lifting, in which the uterine wall was fixed to the maternal abdominal wall using balloon tip ports inserted percutaneously by Seldinger's method, then the maternal abdomen was lifted mechanically; and (3) combined method, in which low pressure CO 2 (5 mm Hg for initial inflation and 2 mm Hg for maintenance) was insufflated into the uterus in addition to the indirect uterine lifting cited above. Results: The direct uterine lifting caused massive injury of myometrium and uterine membranes. The creation of intrauterine space and the protection of the membranes were not accomplished effectively by the indirect uterine lifting only. The combined method provided the adequate intrauterine space and excellent endoscopic visibility for completion of the endoscopic procedures with minimal uterine injury. Conclusion: The fetal endoscopic surgery may be accomplished simply and safely by the combined method, a novel technique of uterine lifting to allow fetal surgery without maternal laparotomy.
Time to do something about reproducibility

Individual scientists, scientific communities and scientific journals can do more to assess the publication of irreproducible results, to promote good science, and to increase the efficiency with which the scientific community self-corrects.
How music-inspired weeping can help terminally ill patients.

Music’s power to improve the ‘human condition’ has been acknowledged since ancient times. Something as counter-intuitive as weeping in response to music can ameliorate suffering for a time even for terminally ill patients. Several benefits—including catharsis, communication, and experiencing vitality—can be associated with grieving in response to “sad” music. In addressing the potential rewards of such an activity for terminally ill patients, this author combines concepts from philosopher Jerrold R. Levinson’s article, entitled “Music and Negative Emotion,” an illustration from a major motion picture, and supporting research from medical reports and aesthetic writings. Carefully offering this experience is recommended for patients who retain the capacity to express preference.
Structural and magnetic properties of the Fe3−xMnxAl system

Structures, bulk magnetic properties and Mossbauer spectra for Fe 3− x Mn x Al ternaries have been determined. For samples quenched from 750°C the DO 3 structure is found for x =0 to 0.75, the β-Mn structure from 1.25 to 3.00 and a two phase system between x =0.75 and 1.25. The Curie temperature decreases as Fe in Fe 3 Al is replaced by Mn, indicating a weakening of ferromagnetic exchange. The Mossbauer spectrum at room temperature for x =0.75 is a singlet. The spectra in the ternaries having the β-Mn structure indicate two types of Fe. The intensities in the Mossbauer pattern suggest that Fe is preferentially occupying one of the sites in the β-Mn structure.
Mother-infant dyad behavior in the oregon troop of Japanese macaques

Mother and infant interactions within the Oregon troop of Japanese macaques were studied to obtain data on (a) general mother and infant behavior patterns involving contact, (b) the development of mutual independence, and (c) sociality with other members of the troop. In addition to providing a general description of contact interaction between mother and infant, the data suggest that laboratory studies have underestimated the infants’ role in the early establishment of mutual independence. The attainment of independence between the dyad members seems to be largely influenced by the nature of the immediate social atmosphere.
Particle dynamics and gamma-ray emission in the magnetospheres of neutron stars with accretion disks

Whether the existence of cold accretion disks around isolated, magnetized neutron stars might result in a distinct observational signature due to the Compton drag interaction between the electrostatically accelerated changes and the thermal radiation emitted by these disks. The particle dynamics resulting from the combined effects of electrostatic acceleration and the Compton drag interaction are determined. In the course of their deceleration, the charged particles boost the thermal disk radiation to gamma-ray energies, which may result in a significant spectral component. Cold disks are too underluminous to significantly retard the flow, and if such disks are present in pulsars, only a small fraction of the particle energy is transferred to the radiation field. The results also indicate that steady, unidirectional particle acceleration is unlikely to be the mechanism operating in gamma-ray burst sources.
Low α-amylase starch digestibility of cooked sorghum flours and the effect of protein

ABSTRACT The comparably low starch digestibility of cooked sorghum flours was studied with reference to normal maize. Four sorghum cultivars that represent different types of endosperm were used. Starch digestibilities of 4% cooked sorghum flour suspensions, measured as reducing sugars liberated following α-amylase digestion, were 15–25% lower than for cooked maize flour, but there were no differences among the cooked pure starches. After the flours were predigested with pepsin to remove some proteins, the starch digestibility of cooked sorghum flours increased 7–14%, while there was only 2% increase in normal maize; however, there was no effect of pepsin treatment on starch digestibility if the flours were first cooked and then digested. After cooking with reducing agent, 100 mM sodium metabisulfite, starch digestibility of sorghum flours increased significantly while no significant effect was observed for maize. Also, starch solubility of sorghum flours at 85 and 100°C was lower than in maize, and sodiu...
But What Have You Done for Us Lately? Commentary on Abbott and Tsay

Cet article porte un regard critique sur la contribution de Abbott et Tsay contenue dans le present numero. Selon l'A., si la methode de l'assortiment optimal en analyse sequentielle fait desormais l'objet d'un interet croissant en sociologie, les travaux qui en assurent la promotion comme ceux de Abbott et Tsay, devraient appeler a encore plus d'exigence en termes de validite de la methode. Les succes enregistres par celle-ci ne peuvent pas etre consideres comme des acquis mais ouvrent la voie a des analyses plus discriminantes. Par exemple, la transposition a l'etude des carrieres de la methode de l'assortiment optimal, importee de la biologie, est contestable. L'A. rappelle que des observations identiques peuvent etre formulees a l'egard de l'analyse de regression
Near Hartree–Fock quality GTO basis sets for the second‐row atoms

Energy optimized, near Hartree-Fock quality Gaussian basis sets ranging in size from (17s12p) to (20s15p) are presented for the ground states of the second-row atoms for Na(2P), Na(+), Na(-), Mg(3P), P(-), S(-), and Cl(-). In addition, optimized supplementary functions are given for the ground state basis sets to describe the negative ions, and the excited Na(2P) and Mg(3P) atomic states. The ratios of successive orbital exponents describing the inner part of the 1s and 2p orbitals are found to be nearly independent of both nuclear charge and basis set size. This provides a method of obtaining good starting estimates for other basis set optimizations.
Some Notes on an Early Phase in the Modernization of Communications in Turkey

One of the recent attempts to formulate a general theory of nationalism has been Deutsch's approach to the question. This aims to show that a correlation exists between changes in the process of social communications and the rise of national consciousness. A considerable number of studies based on this approach to nationalism will have to be carried out before its contribution to the identification of the elusive “essence” of nationalism can be evaluated with any amount of fairness. In the meantime one tentative procedure which might be used to assess its usefulness is to try to fit this model to the evolution of social communications in a number of countries which the author has not included among his illustrations.
Plant Pathogens at Work: Progress and Possibilities for Weed Biocontrol Classical versus Bioherbicidal Approach

Weed biological control using plant pathogens has been successfully implemented for a number of important invasive weeds. Both the classical and bioherbicide approaches have shown promise depending...
Tachycardia detection in implantable antitachycardia devices.

Nous avons developpe un algorithme permettant l'identification des tachycardies par un microcomputer utilisable dans un pacemaker antitachycardie. Celui ci distingue les tachycardies auriculaires, ventriculaires et de reentree du noeud AV et ne reconnait pas les tachycordies sinusales. De meme a ete developpe une nouvelle methode permettant au pacemaker a l'aide d'un extrastimulus auriculaire de distinguer les tachycardies paroxystiques 1/1 des tachycardies sinusales. Celle ci est actuellement testee au laboratoire d'eIectro-physiologie. Les resullats preliminaires indiquent que ces deux tachycardies peuvent etre distinguees de facon fiable par un extrastimulus delivre avec un couplage correct dans l'oreiilette droite. We have developed a microcomputer algorithm for tachycardia identification suitable for use in an implanted antitachycardia pacemaker. The algorithm distinguishes atrial, ventricular, and AV reentrant tachycardia, while ignoring high rates due to sinus tachycardia. A new method whereby the pacemaker delivers an atrial extrastimulus has been developed for distinguishing paroxysmal 1:1 tachycardia from sinus tachycardia, and has undergone preliminary testing in the electrophysiology laboratory. Preliminary results indicate sinus tachycardia can be reliably distinguished from paroxysmal 1:1 tachycardia by a properly timed extrastimulus delivered to the right atrium.
Characterization of radioactive immunochemically precipitated protein antigens using SDS-polyacrylamide gels.

Abstract A simple method for the characterization by molecular weight of immunochemically precipitated radioactive protein antigens by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been presented. The procedure has been successfully employed to assess immunochemical analyses for both secretory and inducible protein components of rat livers. This procedure promises to have general applicability for immunochemical systems that have protein antigens of subunit molecular weights from 5,000 to 100,000 daltons.
Electron-phonon dynamics in an ensemble of nearly isolated nanoparticles

We investigate the electron population dynamics in an ensemble of nearly isolated insulating nanoparticles, each nanoparticle modeled as an electronic two-level system coupled to a single vibrational mode. We find that at short times the ensemble-averaged excited-state population oscillates but has a decaying envelope. At long times, the oscillations become purely sinusoidal about a ‘‘plateau’’ population, with a frequency determined by the electron-phonon interaction strength and with an envelope that decays algebraically as t 21/2 . We use this theory to predict electron-phonon dynamics in an ensemble of Y2O3 :Eu 31 nanoparticles.
Positive solutions of boundary-value problems for disfocal ordinary differential equations

We study the existence of positive solutions of a nonlinear eigenvalue problem for a two-point boundary-value problem for a family of second-order disfocal ordinary differential equations. We apply a cone-theoretic fixed-point theorem and obtain both sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions and sufficient conditions for the existence of multiple positive solutions.
Invasive fungal infections in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

AbstractBackground: Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at high risk of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Methods: To characterize IFIs and changes in fungal organisms over time in pediatric HSCT patients, we performed a retrospective cohort study of all HSCTs performed in pediatric patients at UCLA between 1991 and 2006. Results: In all, 318 patients underwent 324 HSCT transplants over the 15-year period and 69 unique fungal infections were identified in 47 transplant patients. The overall incidence of fungal infections in HSCT recipients was 14.5%, with predominant organisms including Candida species (51%) and Aspergillus species (26%), with Candida albicans accounting for 18.8% of all fungal species. The distribution of organisms over time demonstrated a strong trend towards an increase in rare molds in more recent years. The respiratory tract was the main site of infection (52.6%), with urine and blood also noted as significant sites. Of all deaths in the patients with ...
Discovery of the candidate Kuiper belt object 1992 QB1

The discovery of a new faint object in the outer solar system, 1992 QB1, moving beyond the orbit of Neptune is reported. It is suggested that the 1992 QB1 may represent the first detection of a member of the Kuiper belt (Edgworth, 1949; Kuiper, 1951), the hypothesized population of objects beyond Neptune and a possible source of the short-period comets, as suggested by Whipple (1964), Fernandez (1980), and Duncan et al. (1988).
A flasking technique for microwave processing of silicone prostheses

Polyvinylchloride plumbing parts provide a readily available source of material to use in making facial prostheses. Inexpensive pipe fittings (end cap attachments and closet flanges) can be combined to provide a durable container for stone molds that can be tightened in a strong curing press. The entire unit can be cured in a microwave oven in 30 minutes.
The principle of latent symmetry - basic origin of incommensurate phase transitions in insulators

Abstract A general exposition of the principle of latent (hidden) symmetry as the origin of incommensurate phases in insulators is presented. It is demonstrated that such a symmetry can cause transitions to an incommensurate and imperfect helical structure. It is also shown how such general consideration of the lattice potential function can elicit the possibility of long-period superlattices due to a higher symmetry being broken locally by the point groups of molecular ions.
Extension of the C-V doping profile technique to study the movements of alloyed junction and substrate out-diffusion, the separation of junctions, and device area trimming

Digital data acquisition provides accurate data on capacitance vs. voltage (C-V) measurement and facilitates incorporation of improved analyses based on more complete models. The avalanche field check is an independent means of determining the junction area, and can be used as a quality-control indicator in device production or as a monitoring tool during area trimming of diodes hidden from view. Iterative fitting techniques can yield accuracies sufficient for studying alloyed junction movement from the C-V data. The nature of the doping profile in a nonabrupt junction can be inferred. The profile in the middle layer of a back-to-back junction structure in many practical cases can also be determined. Experimental examples are shown to support the interpretations. >
BLACKSMITHING TECHNOLOGY IN IRON AGE WESSEX

Summary. The sophistication of Iron Age blacksmithing technology in Wessex was determined by the metallurgical examination of 503 iron artefacts using Optical Metallography, Electron Microprobe Analysis and Vickers Hardness Testing. Iron artefacts from the different regions and site types of Southern Britain were examined to determine both the capabilities of Iron Age blacksmiths to alter the properties of iron artefacts through cold-working, carburization, heat-treatment and alloy selection, and the distribution of these possible techniques. The reasons for the selection of the areas, the sites, and the actual artefacts chosen for examination are discussed.
Simultaneous Detection of Human Mitochondrial DNA and Nuclear‐Inserted Mitochondrial‐origin Sequences (NumtS) using Forensic mtDNA Amplification Strategies and Pyrosequencing Technology

Next-generation sequencing technologies enable the identification of minor mitochondrial DNA variants with higher sensitivity than Sanger methods, allowing for enhanced identification of minor variants. In this study, mixtures of human mtDNA control region amplicons were subjected to pyrosequencing to determine the detection threshold of the Roche GS Junior(®) instrument (Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, IN). In addition to expected variants, a set of reproducible variants was consistently found in reads from one particular amplicon. A BLASTn search of the variant sequence revealed identity to a segment of a 611-bp nuclear insertion of the mitochondrial control region (NumtS) spanning the primer-binding sites of this amplicon (Nature 1995;378:489). Primers (Hum Genet 2012;131:757; Hum Biol 1996;68:847) flanking the insertion were used to confirm the presence or absence of the NumtS in buccal DNA extracts from twenty donors. These results further our understanding of human mtDNA variation and are expected to have a positive impact on the interpretation of mtDNA profiles using deep-sequencing methods in casework.