cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial aspects of retail market structure beef pricing revisited

Abstract Spatial retail markets with multiplant firms and conjectural variations are analyzed in this paper. In this context, the interplay between commuting characteristics and concentration is discussed, leading to an empirical test for the effect of those variables on retail beef prices. Commuting characteristics are found to have a significant effect on prices. This suggests that a significant concentration/price relationship might emerge if retail markets were defined in the narrow way that the spatial retail model suggests that they should be.
Unusual Hydrogen Bonding in Water-Filled Carbon Nanotubes

We present the first experimental vibrational spectroscopy study providing direct evidence of a water phase inside single-walled carbon nanotubes that exhibits an unusual form of hydrogen-bonding due to confinement. Water adopts a stacked-ring structure inside nanotubes, forming intra- and inter-ring hydrogen bonds. The intra-ring hydrogen bonds are bulk-like while the inter-ring hydrogen bonds are relatively weak, having a distorted geometry that gives rise to a distinct OH stretching mode. The experimentally observed infrared mode at 3507 cm-1 is assigned to vibrations of the inter-ring OH-groups based on detailed atomic-level modeling. The direct observation of unusual hydrogen bonding in nanotubes has potential implications for water in other highly confined systems, such as biological channels and nanoporous media.
Comparison of methods used to measure the characteristic curve of radiographic screen/film systems

A systematic study was performed to investigate the accuracy and precision attained by four methods for determining the characteristic curve of radiographic screen/film systems. The four methods include: inverse square sensitometry, KVP adjusted bootstrap sensitometry step-wedge bootstrap sensitometry, and step wedge attenuation sensitometry. The inverse square method was used as the reference standard for accuracy. The extent of and the sources of the inaccurcies involved when using the alternative methods is discussed.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Effect of Instructional Approach on Mathematics Anxiety and Achievement

Two different instructional approaches were used in six sections of a developmental arithmetic course at a community college. The instrumental approach emphasized the memorization of rules and formulas. The relational approach was concept oriented, and presented mathematics as a cluster of related concepts. Anxiety was measured using the Fennema-Sherman Math Anxiety Scale (MAS). The instrument used to measure achievement was the Arithmetic Skills Test (AS) of the Descriptive Tests of Mathematics Skills of the College Boards. The pre- and posttest scores of the same versions of the MAS and the AS were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Although a significant difference between the posttest MAS scores of the two groups was found, no difference between the adjusted mean scores was found on the AS (p>.05). The results suggested that students with high mathematics anxiety are more comfortable with a highly structured, algorithmic course than with a less structured, conceptual course in developmental arithmetic.
3D video disparity scaling for preference and prevention of discomfort

One of the key issues associated with 3D TVs is the tradeoff between comfort and 3D visual impact. Big disparity is often preferred for strong visual impact but often lead to viewer discomfort depending on viewer's condition, display size and viewing distances. The algorithm proposed in this paper is to provide viewers a tool to adjust disparity according to the environment, contents and their preference in order to have more comfortable and higher quality 3D experiences. More specifically, given a planar stereoscopic display, the algorithm takes in a stereoscopic image pair that causes viewing discomfort/fatigue, and outputs a modified stereoscopic pair that causes less or no viewing discomfort/fatigue. The algorithm fulfills the functions of disparity estimation, occlusion detection, disparity adjustment and view synthesis. A novel pixel weighting mechanism in regularized-block-matching based disparity estimation helps improve the robustness, accuracy and speed of matching. Occlusion detection uses multiple cues in addition to matching errors to improve the accuracy. An accommodation/vergence mismatch visual model is used in disparity adjustment to predict discomfort/fatigue from the disparity information, the viewing conditions and display characteristics. The hole filling is in the disparity map of the new view instead of the new view itself to reduce the blurriness.
Effect of motor dynamics on nonlinear feedback robot arm control

A nonlinear feedback robot controller that incorporates the robot manipulator dynamics and the robot joint motor dynamics is proposed. The manipulator dynamics and the motor dynamics are coupled to obtain a third-order-dynamic model, and differential geometry control theory is applied to produce a linearized and decoupled robot controller. The derived robot controller operates in the robot task space, thus eliminating the need for decomposition of motion commands into robot joint space commands. Computer simulations are performed to verify the feasibility of the proposed robot controller. The controller is further experimentally evaluated on the PUMA 560 robot arm. The experiments show that the proposed controller produces good trajectory tracking performances and is robust in the presence of model inaccuracies. Compared with a nonlinear feedback robot controller based on the manipulator dynamics only, the proposed robot controller yields conspicuously improved performance. >
Differential effects of strychnine on crustacean slow, fast, and inhibitory neuromuscular systems.

The effect of strychnine was studied on the slow, fast, and inhibitory systems in the abdominal extensor muscles of the crayfish. Strychnine nitrate (0.1 mg/ml and up) caused rapid block of the fast responses of the deep abdominal extensor muscles. The nerve and muscle remained directly excitable, and the blocked preparation contracted with added glutamate. It is concluded that strychnine acts mainly presynaptically or to neutralize the transmitter substance. No marked effect was observed on the purely slow superficial extensor muscles or on inhibitory systems. Essentially the same results were obtained in other slow and fast systems of Pachygrapsus and Panulirus. The possibility of a common transmitter substance for the slow and fast neuromuscular systems is discussed.
Surface Chemistry of Thermally Decomposed Organo-Montmorillonite Complexes

The hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties of four thermally decomposed organoclays, the octadecylammonium-, the dimethylaryloctadecylammonium-, and the dimethyldioctadecylammon- ium-bentonites and the dimethyldioctadecylammonium-hectorite, were examined through adsorption isotherms with nitrogen, water vapor, and hexane. Along with DTA and TGA results, these clay complexes appear to undergo transitions from low to higher degrees of hydrophilicity as more and more of the hydrocarbon chains are dehydrogenated at successive temperatures up to 400~
Encroachment of oriental bittersweet into Pitcher's thistle habitat.

ABSTRACT: Common invasive species and rare endemic species can grow and interact at the ecotone between forested and non-forested dune habitats. To investigate these interactions, a comparison of the proximity and community associates of a sympatric invasive (Celastrus orbiculatus; oriental bittersweet) and native (C. scandens; American bittersweet) liana species to federally threatened Cirsium pitcheri (Pitcher's thistle) in the dunes habitats of Lake Michigan was conducted. Overall, the density of the invasive liana species was significantly greater in proximity to C. pitcheri than the native species. On the basis of composition, the three focal species occurred in both foredune and blowout habitats. The plant communities associated with the three focal species overlapped in ordination space, but there were significant differences in composition. The ability of C. orbiculatus to rapidly grow and change the ecological dynamics of invasion sites adds an additional threat to the successional habitats of C....
Cytodiagnosis of primary lymphoma of bone on fine-needle aspiration cytology specimens: review of 25 cases.

Diagnosis of nodal lymphomas on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic specimens has been well established. However, cytodiagnosis of primary lymphoma of bone has not been well documented because of its rarity. We undertook a retrospective study of 25 cases of FNA cytologic specimens of primary lymphoma of bone. The slides were available for review in 20 cases; each case was evaluated with 15 cytologic features in conjunction with immunophenotyping and available surgical materials. Three diagnostic categories were assigned, including nondiagnostic (4/16%), suspicious (3/12%), and malignant (18/72%). Among the 18 malignant lymphoma, all were diagnosed on the basis of cytologic materials together with immunocytochemistry, except that two cases also relied on the cell blocks. The nondiagnostic and suspicious cases were subsequently confirmed to be malignant lymphoma on the surgical core biopsies. Of the 25 cases, 23 cases were large B-cell lymphoma, one follicular lymphoma large cell type, and one small lymphocytic lymphoma. False-positive or false-negative cases were not present in this study series. In conclusion, the vast majority of primary lymphoma of bone can be accurately diagnosed and classified on FNA cytologic specimens in conjunction with immunocytochemistry. The nondiagnostic and suspicious categories can be further reduced or eliminated by improving FNA techniques or by recommendation of surgical core biopsies together with other techniques such as flow cytometry and molecular analysis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2003;28:205–211. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis With Intra-Articular Hyaluronate: A Systematic Review

Sodium hyaluronate injection into the glenohumeral joint is a treatment option in the management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. We hypothesized that a systematic review would demonstrate that intra-articular sodium hyaluronate injections would result in significant improvements in passive range-of-motion, shoulder and general clinical outcome measures, and pain scales at short- and mid-term follow-up. Multiple medical databases were searched for levels I-IV evidence with a priori defined specific inclusion and exclusion study criteria. Clinical outcome measures used included Constant score, VAS pain scores, Cho functional scores, JOA scores, and range-of-motion measurements. Seven studies were included (four Level I and three Level IV; 292 subjects, 297 shoulders). Mean subject age was 59.1 years and mean pre-treatment duration of symptoms was 7.3 months. 140 subjects underwent one or multiple hyaluronate injections (120 glenohumeral joint; 20 subacromial bursa). Clinical follow-up was mean 9.0 weeks. Sodium hyaluronate injection into the glenohumeral joint has significantly improved shoulder range-of-motion, constant scores, and pain at short-term follow-up following treatment of adhesive capsulitis. Isolated intra-articular hyaluronate injection has significantly better constant scores than control. Isolated intra-articular hyaluronate injection has equivalent clinical outcomes and range-of-motion compared to intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Intra-articular hyaluronate injection was safe, with no reported complications within the studies in this review. Sodium hyaluronate injection into the glenohumeral joint is a safe, effective treatment in the management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Short-term evidence indicates that clinical outcomes are better than control and equivalent to intra-articular corticosteroid injection.
Quantitative Estimates of Temperature Changes Over the Last 2700 Years in Michigan Based on Pollen Data

Temperatures for the past 2700 yr are estimated using well-dated pollen data from northwestern lower Michigan. The pollen data were sampled from sediment cores of four lakes along a 75-km transect, with fine-grained morainic soils around the two western lakes and sandy outwash soils around the lakes to the east. Climatic reconstructions based on the pollen data from the sandy sites show less temperature change than the reconstructions from the other sites, because variations in the composition of the vegetation at the sandy sites are edaphically restricted. One of the cores studied was dated by counting visible annual laminations (varves). The cores from the other lakes were dated based on three radiocarbon dates per core as well as the historically determined age of the settlement horizons. All the time scales were cross-checked using pollen-stratigraphic correlation between the four sites. A calibration function was developed using a network of modern pollen and climate data covering all of lower Michigan. Based on this calibration function, the 2700-yr reconstruction for Marion Lake indicates an estimated growing-season temperature range of 1.3°C between extreme 30-yr means. Mild conditions persisted prior to ca. A.D. 400, but a cold interval occurred between ca. A.D. 500 and 800. The well-marked warm period evident from ca. A.D. 1000 to 1200 was the last time when temperatures were about equal to the 1931–1960 mean. A prolonged longed cooling occurred after A.D. 1200 and reached 1°C below the 1931–1960 mean by the 1700s. A warming of 0.5°C is indicated from ca. A.D. 1750 to 1850. The estimated temperatures for the 1830s at Marion Lake agree with the instrumental data for that period and this provides some validation of the calibration-function results.
Cell Microfluorometry: A Method for Rapid Fluorescence Measurement

A high-speed flow system for quantitative determination of fluoresence of cells containing fluorochrome has been developed. Feulgen-DNA distributions in populations of tissue culture cells and human leukocytes havebeen measured at a rate of 104 to 105 cells per minute and compare well with results of other independent methods.
Deletion of the Human Cytomegalovirus US17 Gene Increases the Ratio of Genomes per Infectious Unit and Alters Regulation of Immune and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response Genes at Early and Late Times after Infection

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) employs numerous strategies to combat, subvert, or co-opt host immunity. One evolutionary strategy for this involves capture of a host gene and then its successive duplication and divergence, forming a family of genes, many of which have immunomodulatory activities. The HCMV US12 family consists of 10 tandemly arranged sequence-related genes in the unique short (US) region of the HCMV genome (US12 to US21). Each gene encodes a protein possessing seven predicted transmembrane domains, patches of sequence similarity with cellular G-protein-coupled receptors, and the Bax inhibitor 1 family of antiapoptotic proteins. We show that one member, US17, plays an important role during virion maturation. Microarray analysis of cells infected with a recombinant HCMV isolate with a US17 deletion (the ΔUS17 mutant virus) revealed blunted host innate and interferon responses at early times after infection (12 h postinfection [hpi]), a pattern opposite that previously seen in the absence of the immunomodulatory tegument protein pp65 (pUL83). Although the ΔUS17 mutant virus produced numbers of infectious particles in fibroblasts equal to the numbers produced by the parental virus, it produced >3-fold more genome-containing noninfectious viral particles and delivered increased amounts of pp65 to newly infected cells. These results suggest that US17 has evolved to control virion composition, to elicit an appropriately balanced host immune response. At later time points (96 hpi), ΔUS17 mutant-infected cells displayed aberrant expression of several host endoplasmic reticulum stress response genes and chaperones, some of which are important for the final stages of virion assembly and egress. Our results suggest that US17 modulates host pathways to enable production of virions that elicit an appropriately balanced host immune response.
A portable system for measuring carbon dioxide and water vapour exchange of leaves

Abstract. The apparatus described here is a fully portable, steady-state gas exchange system for simultaneous measurements of the CO2 exchange and transpiration of single, attached leaves. The leaf cuvette provides temperature, humidity, and CO2-concentration control. The system is suitable for either surveys or detailed studies of photosynthetic and stomatal responses to environmental variables. Representative data demonstrate the response time characteristics of the system and constitute the first field evidence of stomatal behaviour consistent with a recent hypothesis concerning the optimum pattern of stomatal conductance for the maximization of water-use-efficiency.
Onset and early development of hypoxic ventilatory responses and branchial neuroepithelial cells in Xenopus laevis.

article i nfo Onset and ontogeny of the O2 chemoreceptive control of ventilation was investigated in Xenopus laevis. The density and size of branchial serotonin-immunoreactive neuroepithelial cells (5-HT-IR NECs) were also determined using confocal immunofluorescent microscopy. Larvae started gill ventilation at 3 days post- fertilization (dpf), and, at this early stage, acute hypoxic exposure produced an increase in frequency from 28 ± 4 to 60 ± 2 beats . min − 1 . Concurrent with the onset of ventilatory responses, 5-HT-IR NECs appeared in the gill filament bud. Lung ventilation began at 5 dpf and exhibited a 3-fold increase in frequency during acute hypoxia. At 10 dpf, gill ventilatory sensitivity to hypoxia increased, as did NEC density, from 15 ± 1 (5 dpf) to 29 ± 2 (10 dpf) cells . mm of filament
Increased metallothionein gene expression, zinc, and zinc-dependent resistance to apoptosis in circulating monocytes during HIV viremia

Circulating monocytes exhibit an apoptotic resistance phenotype during HIV viremia in association with increased MT expression. MTs are known to play an important role in zinc metabolism and immune function. We now show, in a cross-sectional study using peripheral monocytes, that expression of MT1 isoforms E, G, H, and X is increased significantly in circulating monocyte cells from HIV+ subjects during chronic viremic episodes as compared with uninfected subjects. This increase in expression is also observed during acute viremia following interruption of suppressive ART. Circulating monocytes from HIV+ donors were also found to have elevated zinc importer gene Zip8 expression in conjunction with elevated intracellular zinc levels in contrast to CD4(+)T-lymphocytes. In vitro HIV-1 infection studies with elutriated MDM confirm a direct relation between HIV-1 infection and increased MDM MT1 (isoform G) gene expression and increased intracellular zinc levels. A direct link between elevated zinc levels and apoptosis resistance was established using a cell-permeable zinc chelator TPEN, which reversed apoptosis resistance effectively in monocytes from HIV-infected to levels comparable with uninfected controls. Taken together, increases in MT gene expression and intracellular zinc levels may contribute directly to maintenance of an immune-activated monocyte by mediating an increased resistance to apoptosis during active HIV-1 viremia.
The Time Dependent UV Resonance Raman Spectra, Conformation, and Biological Activity of Acetylcholine Analogues Upon Binding to Acetylcholine Binding Proteins

In order to obtain quantitative data on the relation between the conformation of acetylcholine and its interaction with biologically significant proteins, a series of acetylcholine analogues with absorption bands in the region 200-300 nm have been synthesized or obtained commercially. Each of these compounds were assayed to measure its activity as an ion channel activator of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor protein (AChR). In addition, the suitability of some of these compounds as substrates for hydrolysis by acetylcholine esterase (AChE) was determined. One of these analogues, dimethylthionocarbamylcholine (DMTC-Ch), has the ester carbonyl oxygen replaced by a thionyl sulfur. DMTC-Ch has been found to be quite active as an ion channel activator when bound to AChR and was found to react with the enzyme AChE as a suicide substrate. It forms a thionoester of the serine at the AChE active site by an ester exchange reaction that releases the choline as the first product. However, the second or acid product is not released even at pH 7.5 over a period of days. This acetylcholine analog has an absorption band at about 240 nm and exhibits very strong ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) spectra using 239 nm excitation from a frequency modified Nd:YAG laser. This technique allows observation of both conformational changes of the ligand molecule that result in frequency changes as well as changes in the excited state electronic structure that results in changes in the relative intensity of the Raman bands. The time dependence of the UVRR spectrum of the ligand upon binding to both AChE and AChR has been studied from 0.1 msec to minutes. Some time dependence in the conformation of DMTC-Ch upon binding to AChE has been found for very short (0.1-0.5 msec) times. However, no change in the conformation of this neurotransmitter analog is found in the available time range upon binding to AChR. From these data it is concluded that a previous suggestion that acetylcholine has a conformational change upon binding to AChR may be incorrect since the solution behavior of the carbamyl cholines and acetylcholine are similar. Even if acetylcholine does change conformation upont binding to AChR, it is unlikely that such a conformational change plays a significant role in channel activation. We present strong evidence that acetylcholine and its analogues can be active in a variety of conformations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Accuracy of landsat-TM and GIS rule-based methods for forest wetland classification in Maine

An investigation was undertaken to compare satellite image classification techniques to delineate forest wetlands in Maine. Four classification techniques were compared, including a GIS rule-based model. Accuracy assessments of the four methods on two study sites, Orono and Acadia, revealed very similar results. Overall accuracy for four super groups (forest wetland, other wetland, forest upland, other upland) ranged from 72% to 81% at Orono and 74% to 82% at Acadia. Pairwise significance tests indicated that the GIS model was significantly better than unsupervised classification at both study sites, and significantly better than tasseled cap (Acadia) in classifying the four super groups. Although Kappa coefficients were slightly higher for the GIS model compared to hybrid classification, there was no significant difference between the two methods at either study site. Forest wetland user's and producer's accuracy was in the 80% range for the highest accuracy achieved either by the GIS model or hybrid classification. Hydric soils, National Wetland Inventory data, and slope percentage were the most important variables in the GIS model. From this study, it appears that a combination of hybrid and GIS rule-based classification methods are the most promising for further investigations of forest wetland delineation.
Tumor-to-tumor metastasis: report of 2 cases of metastatic carcinoma to angiomyolipoma of the kidney.

Abstract Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a rare phenomenon. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common recipient of tumor-to-tumor metastasis in malignant tumors. However, renal angiomyolipoma has not been reported to be a recipient. Here we report 2 cases of tumor-to-tumor metastasis to renal angiomyolipoma. In one case, the donor tumor originated from neuroendocrine carcinoma of the pancreas, and in the other case the donor tumor was from adenocarcinoma of the lung. The donor tumors showed morphologic features that did not easily fit into renal angiomyolipoma, and they also demonstrated patterns of immunoreactivity consistent with the primary tumors rather than with renal angiomyolipoma. To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of tumor-to-tumor metastasis to renal angiomyolipoma. An awareness of this phenomenon is important to avoid an incorrect diagnosis when encountering unusual morphologic features in renal angiomyolipoma.
Clinical use of extended-release oral treprostinil in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The development of parenteral prostacyclin therapy marked a dramatic breakthrough in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Intravenous (IV) epoprostenol was the first PAH specific therapy and to date, remains the only treatment to demonstrate a mortality benefit. Because of the inherent complexities and risks of treating patients with continuous infusion IV therapy, there is great interest in the development of an oral prostacyclin analog that could mimic the benefits of IV therapy. Herein, we highlight the development of oral prostacyclin therapy, focusing on oral treprostinil, the only US Food and Drug Administration approved oral prostacyclin. Recent Phase III clinical trials have shown the drug to improve exercise tolerance in treatment-naive PAH patients, but not patients on background oral therapy. Oral treprostinil appears to be most efficacious at higher doses, but its side effect profile and complexities with dosing complicate its use. While oral treprostinil's current therapeutic role in PAH remains unclear, ongoing studies of this class of medication should help clarify their role in the treatment of PAH.
The Student in the Case Method Environment

This note describes some of the characteristics of the case method and what is expected of the student for a successful experience.
The relationship between pain, self-injury, and other problem behaviors in young children with autism and other developmental disabilities

Research has suggested that individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior may have enhanced expressions of pain, which contradicts previous assertions of blunted pain sensitivity in this population. The purpose of this study was to measure expressions of pain among young children being evaluated for autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. The frequency of pain-related behaviors was assessed during everyday routines using the Non-Communicating Children's Pain Checklist (NCCPC-R) for 51 children. Significant group differences between children with and without self-injury were found for the NCCPC-R total scores. The frequency and severity of self-injury, aggression, and stereotypy were also highly correlated with the total scores on the NCCPC-R. These results continue to support that individuals with self-injury may have enhanced expressions of pain.
Comprehensive optimization of scan chain timing during late-stage IC implementation

Scan chain timing is increasingly critical to test time and product cost. However, hold buffer insertions (e.g., due to large clock skew) limit scan timing improvement. Dynamic voltage drop (DVD) during scan shift further degrades scan shift timing, inducing "false failures" in silicon. Hence, new optimizations are needed in late stages of implementation when accurate (skew, DVD) information is available. We propose skew-aware scan ordering to minimize hold buffers, and DVD-aware gating insertion to improve scan shift timing slacks. Our optimizations at the post-CTS and post-routing stages reduce hold buffers by up to 82%, and DVD-induced timing degradation by up to 58%, with negligible area and power overheads.
Carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy by means of a 3.0-mm diameter rigid wave guide.

Rigid carbon dioxide wave guides measuring 300 to 500mm in length and 3.0mm in diameter were evaluated in rabbits and humans. The wave guide provided an effective laser delivery system for operative laparoscopy. The tested guide was introduced into the abdominal cavity alternatively via the operating channel of a 9-mm operating laparoscope, through the central channel of a smoke evacuation/irrigation cannula, or via a 3.25-mm second puncture trocar. In contrast to previously tested flexible guides, the rigid device transmitted a visible helium-neon aiming beam, power up to 50 watts, and a beam diameter of
Nuclear Factor–Erythroid-2–Related Factor 2 in Aging and Lung Fibrosis

Aging and age-related diseases have been associated with elevated oxidative stress, which may be related to increased production of reactive species and/or a deficiency in antioxidant defenses. The nuclear factor-erythroid-2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant response pathway maintains cellular reduction-oxidation homeostasis by inducing the transcription of an array of cytoprotective genes. However, there is evidence of impaired Nrf2 response in aging contributing to age-related fibrotic diseases. Herein, we review mechanisms for the dysregulation of Nrf2 signaling in aging. This understanding will pave the way for the design of novel therapeutic strategies that restore Nrf2 signaling to reestablish cellular homeostasis in aging and age-related fibrotic diseases.
Pedicle-Lengthening Osteotomy for the Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) remains the most common indication for spinal surgery in the older adult population [1]. Degenerative changes in the vertebral column including the intervertebral disc, facet joints, and ligamentum flavum can lead to a reduction in the diameter of the spinal canal, causing compression of the neural elements and producing symptoms of pain or neurologic dysfunction [2, 3]. Although nonsurgical treatments are generally attempted for this patient population, many patients with severe symptoms may not achieve sufficient relief and therefore require surgical intervention [4]. The most common surgical approach for LSS has been the open lumbar laminectomy [5]. Patients with associated degenerative spondylolisthesis are often treated with arthrodesis in addition to a laminectomy decompression [6].
Land, Trade, and Treaties

Frontier diplomacy involved a lot of talk. Indians and colonists met in formal council to discuss issues of concern, make peace, prevent war, and renew friendships. Very often the talks were conducted on equal terms, with Europeans following much of the protocol of Indian diplomacy. In general, however, discussion focused on the two things Europeans wanted most from Indian people: their land and their trade. The issue of land was never far from the surface in negotiations. Europeans used a broad repertoire of devices to obtain land, one of which was to encourage Indians to run up large debts in trade. The tribe’s accumulated bill then could be settled only by the cession of territory. Indian leaders sometimes used land sales as a strategy for trying to keep colonists at bay, hoping that this time their land hunger would be satisfied, but the pressure on Indian lands was unrelenting, a constant source of friction.
Association between Industry Payments and Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Use in Medicare Beneficiaries

Purpose To test for associations between anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) industry payments to ophthalmologists who provide intravitreal injections and specific anti-VEGF agent use. Design Cross-sectional Medicare database study. Participants US fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries and all ophthalmologists who submitted intravitreal injection claims for >10 Medicare beneficiaries between August 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013. Methods The Sunshine Act Open Payments database was searched for all industry financial relationships in ophthalmology. The Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database was searched for all intravitreal injection claims and anti-VEGF drug claims among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries. A novel algorithm was used to merge the 2 datasets to identify physician-specific associations between industry payments and specific anti-VEGF agent use. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by using logistic regression models. Main Outcome Measures Ophthalmologists providing intravitreal injections (Current Procedural Terminology 67028); ophthalmologists with reported nonresearch payment from anti-VEGF industry; physician-specific anti-VEGF agent use (treatment specific J-codes J0178 and J2778). Results Of 3391 ophthalmologists who performed intravitreal injections, 1187 (35%) received nonresearch payments from anti-VEGF industry. Of these 1187 ophthalmologists, 422 (35%) received payments from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 363 (31%) received payments from Genentech, and 402 (34%) received payments from both industries. When compared with ophthalmologists who perform intravitreal injections and who do not receive anti-VEGF industry payments, ophthalmologists receiving Genentech payments (median, $90; interquartile range, $22–$149) were more likely to use ranibizumab (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 2.12–2.16), those receiving Regeneron payments (median, $55; interquartile range, $22–$131) were more likely to use ranibizumab (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.54–1.56) and aflibercept (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.22–1.24), those with payments from both manufacturers were more likely to use ranibizumab (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 2.67–2.71) and aflibercept (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.52–1.54), and all were less likely to use bevacizumab (OR, 0.33–0.64; P Conclusions Industry payments to ophthalmologists who perform intravitreal injections were associated with higher odds of ranibizumab and aflibercept use, and lower odds of bevacizumab use. These findings reflect an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship.
The interaction of turbulence with parallel and perpendicular shocks

Interplanetary shocks exist in most astrophysical flows, and modify the properties of the background flow. We apply the Zank et al 2012 six coupled turbulence transport model equations to study the interaction of turbulence with parallel and perpendicular shock waves in the solar wind. We model the 1D structure of a stationary perpendicular or parallel shock wave using a hyperbolic tangent function and the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions. A reduced turbulence transport model (the 4-equation model) is applied to parallel and perpendicular shock waves, and solved using a 4th- order Runge Kutta method. We compare the model results with ACE spacecraft observations. We identify one quasi-parallel and one quasi-perpendicular event in the ACE spacecraft data sets, and compute various turbulent observed values such as the fluctuating magnetic and kinetic energy, the energy in forward and backward propagating modes, the total turbulent energy in the upstream and downstream of the shock. We also calculate the error associated with each turbulent observed value, and fit the observed values by a least square method and use a Fourier series fitting function. We find that the theoretical results are in reasonable agreement with observations. The energy in turbulent fluctuations is enhanced and the correlation length is approximately constant at the shock. Similarly, the normalized cross helicity increases across a perpendicular shock, and decreases across a parallel shock.
Prognostic Diversity of Cytogenetic Lesions in Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia: A Prospective Study of 88 Patients.

Abstract Background : Thirty to 50% of patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia display detectable bone marrow cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis with some(Demory et al. Blood 1988; 72:855, Dupriez et al. Blood 1996; 88:1013, Reilly et al. BJH 1997; 98:96) but not other studies (Cervantes et al. BJH 1998; 102:684, Okamura et al. Int J Hematol 2001; 73:194) suggesting a detrimental effect on survival. Methods : The current prospective study was conducted as a follow-up of the observations from an antecedent retrospective study that identified sole abnormalities of either 13q- or 20q- as ‘favorable' to survival (Tefferi et al. BJH 2001; 113:763). All clinical and laboratory measurements, including bone marrow examination and karyotype analysis, were performed concurrently in consecutive cases of histologically confirmed MMM regardless of either duration of disease or presence of active therapy. Survival, leukemic transformation rate, and clinical progression were determined from the time of cytogenetic analysis. Results : Karyotypic analysis was successfully performed in a total of 88 patients (median age 61 years; 31 females) and the results were normal in 49 (56%) and abnormal in the remaining 39 patients with 9 (10%) displaying ‘favorable', and 30 (34%) ‘other' clonal abnormalities. At the time of study entry, 57 patients were not recieving any form of therapy, 18 were newly diagnosed, and the Dupriez prognostic score distributions were ‘0' in 33 patients, ‘1' in 35 and ‘2' in 20 (Dupriez et al. Blood 1996; 88:1013). All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 years and a median of 42 months. The 3 cytogenetic categories were similar in age and gender distribution. Survival in the favorable cytogenetic group was similar to that of the normal group and significantly better than the group with other cytogenetic abnormalities (p=0.02). Download : Download high-res image (113KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure Similarly, no patient (0%) in the ‘favorable' group transformed into acute leukemia while 6 of 30 (20%) in the ‘other' and 5 of 49 (10%) in the normal groups did (p=0.21). In a Cox regression analysis, cytogenetic lesions other than the ‘favorable' kind, hemoglobin below 10 g/dL, leukocytosis, hypercatabolic symptoms, increased blood blast %, blood CD 34 count above 100 x 106/L were individually associated with shortened survival. In a multivariate analysis, only hemoglobin level and leukocyte count retained their significance. Conclusion : Single chromosomal abnormalities of either 13q- or 20q- should be considered as ‘favorable' cytogenetic lesions in MMM while other abnormalities are associated with an adverse prognosis. The current observation explains the discrepancy in the literature regarding the prognostic relevance of cytogenetic findings in MMM and warrants additional studies to determine the value of incorporating the specific information in prognostic scoring systems.
Modern Pharmaceutical Regulations: Quality Assessment for Drug Products

Abstract Information on the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) for the drug product must be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support the approval of original new drug applications (NDAs) and abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs). This chapter discusses assessment of the CMC information for drug products with a focus on question-based review (QbR). The QbR is structured to facilitate the assessment of applications submitted in the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) common technical document (CTD) format. Although QbR was initially introduced for drug products submitted in ANDAs, its principles apply equally well to drug products submitted in NDAs.
Aflatoxin contamination in corn sold for wildlife feed in texas

Supplemental feeding with corn to attract and manage deer is a common practice throughout Texas. Other species, including northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), are commonly seen feeding around supplemental deer feeders. In many cases, supplemental feeding continues year-round so feed supply stores always have supplemental corn in stock. Fluctuating weather and improper storage of corn can lead to and/or amplify aflatoxin contamination. Due to the recent decline of bobwhites throughout the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas, there has been interest in finding factors such as toxins that could be linked to their decline. In this study, we purchased and sampled supplemental corn from 19 locations throughout this ecoregion to determine if aflatoxin contamination was present in individual bags prior to being dispersed to wildlife. Of the 57 bags sampled, 33 bags (approximately 58%) contained aflatoxin with a bag range between 0.0–19.91 parts per billion (ppb). Additionally, three metal and three polypropylene supplemental feeders were each filled with 45.4 kg of triple cleaned corn and placed in an open field to study long-term aflatoxin buildup. Feeders were sampled every 3 months from November 2013–November 2014. Average concentration of aflatoxin over the year was 4.08 ± 2.53 ppb (±SE) in metal feeders, and 1.43 ± 0.89 ppb (±SE) in polypropylene feeders. The concentration of aflatoxins is not affected by the type of feeder (metal vs polypropylene), the season corn was sampled, and the location in the feeder (top, middle, bottom) where corn is sampled. It is unlikely that corn used in supplemental feeders is contributing to the bobwhite decline due to the low levels of aflatoxin found in purchased corn and long-term storage of corn used in supplemental feeders.
A 3-D Finite Element Formulation for the Determination of Unknown Boundary Conditions in Heat Conduction

A 3-D finite element method (FEM) formulation for the detection of unknown steady boundary conditions in heat conduction is presented. The present FEM formulation is capable of determining temperatures and heat fluxes on the boundaries where such quantities are unknown or inaccessible, provided such quantities are sufficiently over-specified on other boundaries. A regularized form of the method is also presented. The regularization is necessary for solving problems where the over-specified boundary data contains errors. Details of the discretization and regularization and sample results for a 3-D problem are presented.
Design and Control for Energy Integration in a Bio-Process

Abstract This paper presents an industrial viewpoint on designing for energy integration in processes with substantial water removal (e.g. bio-processes) to ensure dynamic controllability. The use of evaporation and distillation for water removal and product purification in a bio-process is energy intensive, since the concentration of desired product leaving the fermenter is often quite low. The nature of a fermentation process causes inherent variation in the feed composition to downstream units. Potential opportunities for energy integration can be exploited, but must be done in a way that ensures the process is controllable. An example is presented of a multi-effect evaporator system combined with two distillation columns, describing how the design of energy integration between them requires some mechanism or manipulator to prevent disturbances from propagating around the material and energy loops.
Elementary students’ use of dialect and reading achievement: Examining students with disabilities

Nonmainstream American English, or dialect, among children may have important implications for reading research and practice. However, much of the research involving relations between dialect and literacy has analyzed dialect use in only one context and has omitted students with speech, language, and learning disabilities. Consequently, we examined dialect use in an oral narrative and two writing samples in relation to concurrent and longitudinal reading outcomes in a diverse sample of students, including those with diagnosed disabilities. Overall, most students used features of dialect in oral and written language. Dialect use was significantly and negatively predictive of reading outcomes the same year and 2 years later. Moderator analyses indicated a similar relationship between dialect use and reading for students with speech, language, and learning disabilities, suggesting that students with these disabilities who also use dialect may be at increased risk for reading difficulties. Implications for practice and future research are provided.
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in the Schools: A Tiered Prevention Approach for Reducing Social Contagion.

Despite rising rates and prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and growing awareness in schools of NSSI social contagion, little discussion has taken place regarding ways to prevent and react to this prevalent issue occurring among youth in a school. The authors address how to prevent social contagion using a tiered response to intervention including primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary care. This article discusses each level of prevention and provides school counselors with intervention methods that have the potential to reduce or even avert social contagion among youth in school settings.
A framework for recursive algorithms in low-energy broadcast networks

ABSTRACTWith recent research in sensor networks and IoT technologies, algorithms for broadcast networks should not only seek to minimise runtime but also energy utilisation. We consider the scenario where processors conserve energy by going into a sleep state for the vast majority of the time. Algorithms under these conditions face additional challenges. Specifically, hibernating processors will not know when tasks that have a random runtime complete. This problem is compounded in recursive algorithms where each task’s runtime depends upon the runtime of the recursive calls. We provide a framework, breadth-first recursion, that supports recursive algorithms in this setting. As a simple example, we provide a quick-sort algorithm which is optimal for both time and energy utilisation. We then provide an energy-efficient convex hull algorithm with output sensitive runtime that is sublinear for many realistic distributions for processor placement. Further, we provide simulations that show that our algorithms a...
Variations, Gradients, and Hessians

In the discrete elastic rod formulation, expressions for the variations, gradients, and Hessians of kinematic variables induced by changes to the vertices are required. The present chapter provides the background and intermediate computations that are needed to establish the desired representations for these gradients and Hessians. Some of resulting expressions are employed to compute the elastic restoring forces in a discrete elastic rod in a later chapter.
Saving Private Ryan's Tax Refund: Poverty Relief for ALL Working Poor Military Families

Enlisted soldiers are part of an exploding population of working poor in America. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates that thousands of military families live in poverty and that 40% of lower ranked soldiers face "substantial financial difficulties." This paper suggests an expansion of the earned income tax credit similar to the recent Congressional expansion of the 2008 stimulus rebate payments to include ALL working poor military families. This expansion is necessary to ensure that every military family has a fighting chance in the war at home against poverty.
Techniques to avoid atrioventricular block during radiofrequency catheter ablation of septal tachycardia substrates in young patients.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has proven safe for most young patients, but the risk of inadvertent atrioventricular (AV) block remains. The purpose of this report is to describe techniques to avoid inadvertent AV block during effective RFCA in young patients with septal tachycardia substrates.