cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opportunistic through-silicon-via inductor utilization in LC resonant clocks: concept and algorithms

LC resonant clock is an attracting option for low power on-chip clock distribution designs. However, a major limiting factor to its implementation is the large area overhead due to the conventional spiral inductors. On the other hand, idle through-silicon-vias (TSVs) in three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D ICs) can form vertical inductors with minimal footprint and little noise coupling with horizontal traces, particularly suitable for the application of LC resonant clock. However, due to the strict constraints on the location of idle TSVs, the use of the TSV inductor is limited by the constrained choices of its location, inductance and quality factor. Moreover, these TSV inductors can be in any orientation with any distance apart, thereby causing complicated coupling effects. In this paper, we present a novel scheme to opportunistically use idle TSVs to form inductors in LC resonant clock of 3D ICs for maximum power reduction. We formulate the problem and devise a greedy algorithm to efficiently solve it. Experimental results on a few industrial designs show that compared with the conventional resonant clock designs using spiral inductors, our scheme with TSV inductors can reduce the inductor footprint by up to 6.30x with the same power consumption. Especially these TSV inductors are formed by existing idle TSVs so they essentially come for free. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the very first work to apply TSV inductors to the resonant CDN.
Comparative in vivo Study of gp96 Adjuvanticity in the Frog Xenopus laevis

We have developed in the amphibian Xenopus laevis a unique non-mammalian model to study the ability of certain heat shock proteins (hsps) such as gp96 to facilitate cross-presentation of chaperoned antigens and elicit innate and adaptive T cell responses. Xenopus skin graft rejection provides an excellent platform to study the ability of gp96 to elicit classical MHC class Ia (class Ia) restricted T cell responses. Additionally, the Xenopus model system also provides an attractive alternative to mice for exploring the ability of gp96 to generate responses against tumors that have down-regulated their class Ia molecules thereby escaping immune surveillance. Recently, we have developed an adoptive cell transfer assay in Xenopus clones using peritoneal leukocytes as antigen presenting cells (APCs), and shown that gp96 can prime CD8 T cell responses in vivo against minor histocompatibility skin antigens as well as against the Xenopus thymic tumor 15/0 that does not express class Ia molecules. We describe here the methodology involved to perform these assays including the elicitation, pulsing and adoptive transfer of peritoneal leukocytes, as well as the skin graft and tumor transplantation assays. Additionally we are also describing the harvesting and separation of peripheral blood leukocytes used for flow cytometry and proliferation assays which allow for further characterization of the effector populations involved in skin rejection and anti-tumor responses.
Advances in photodetectors

Abstract Photodetectors in modern high-energy physics detectors are used in trackers, calorimeters and Cherenkov counters. In recent years there have been important innovations and advances in the methods and techniques of photodetection. In this paper some of the highlights of this progress will be summarized in the context of applications in B-detectors.
Stochastic linear quadratic adaptive control for continuous-time first-order systems

In this paper, we discuss the linear quadratic (LQ) adaptive control problem for the following continuous-time first-order scalar stochastic system: dxt = axt dt + but dt + c dwt, with cost function min lim sup Jt(u), u∈U t→∞ where Jt(U)=1t∫0t(q1X2s + q2U2s)ds, q1⩽0,>0 Based on the self-convergence property of continuous-time weighted least-squares (CWLS) algorithm [9] and the similar parameter modification method [13], the stability of the closed-loop system is achieved without invoking any excitations. Here self-convergence means that the convergence is automatic in the sense that no excitation conditions on the signals or measurements is needed. It is a terminology from [10]. The strong consistency of CWLS and the optimality of the adaptive control are established by incorporating with diminishing excitations.
The Metaphorical Use of Vampire Films in Counseling

ABSTRACT This article presents the movie Interview With the Vampire as an adjunctive resource in counseling. The themes of power, justification of violence, and transformation from innocence to maturity are particularly powerful for adolescent girls. A case study of a 13-year-old girl is presented as an example of how to use a specific film, Interview With the Vampire, in counseling.
Dispersion of regional body waves at 100–150 km depth beneath Alaska: In situ constraints on metamorphism of subducted crust

Phase delays at high frequencies are observed in body waves that travel in the Alaska slab, along its strike at 100–150 km depth. The delays, between 2–6 Hz energy and the direct 0.5–1 Hz arrival, are 0.5–1.5 s for P waves and 1.5–4 s for S waves. Such dispersion suggests a waveguide structure that parallels the slab, perhaps near its top. A channel that is 2–6 km thick and 2.5–5% slower than surrounding mantle can explain the observations. The thickness of the layer is comparable to that of subducted oceanic crust or somewhat thinner. The layer may be crust that is slow at these depths. The required velocity anomaly is too small to be due to a continuous layer of metastable gabbro yet too large to represent an eclogite layer. It may indicate a mixture of the two, or persistence of hydrated mineral assemblages to depth.
Voltammetric studies of silane-modified SnO2 surfaces in selected aqueous and non-aqueous media

Abstract Voltammetric studies in selected aqueous and non-aqueous media were conducted for a series of silane-modified SnO 2 electrodes which had been further modified with a variety of metal phthalocyanines and metal cations. It is shown that tetrasulfonated, transitionmetal phthalocyanines can be both adsorbed and covalently attached to silane-modified surfaces where the silane has a coordinating ligand functionality such as a primary or secondary amine. It is further shown that the presence of the silane on the SnO 2 surface causes the appearance of a reversible voltammetric process following exposure of the surface to solution cation species. This reversible voltammetric wave is hypothesized to be due to the reduction of a surface bound Sn(IV) species to Sn(II) in a strongly hydroxylated environment.
Serotonergic responsiveness in human cocaine users.

Abstract Background Animal experiments show that repeated cocaine injections induce changes in brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) function which can be detected by altered neuroendocrine responsiveness to serotonergic drug challenge. Studies of human cocaine users given a serotonergic challenge have produced inconsistent results. Methods Hormone responses evoked by the 5-HT releaser d , l -fenfluramine (FEN) were examined in eight human cocaine users who resided on a closed research ward. FEN (60 mg oral) was given after a 7-day cocaine-free period and 3 days after a 5-day period of daily double-blind administration of intranasal cocaine (96 mg) and active placebo (4 mg cocaine). Plasma cortisol and prolactin levels were measured after FEN challenges, and after cocaine and placebo administration. Results Cocaine significantly elevated plasma cortisol levels to a similar degree on the first and fifth days of administration, but did not alter prolactin levels on either day. The first FEN challenge significantly increased plasma prolactin and cortisol, whereas the second challenge increased only prolactin. Conclusions Intranasal cocaine increases plasma cortisol without affecting prolactin, with no evidence for tolerance. The reduction in FEN-induced cortisol secretion after cocaine exposure suggests that deficits in 5-HT transmission during early cocaine abstinence might contribute to the maintenance of drug dependence.
A sensorimotor area (NIf) is required for the production of learned vocalizations

Sensory feedback is essential for the acquisition of complex motor behaviors, including birdsong. In zebra finches, auditory feedback is relayed to the descending motor pathway primarily through the nucleus interfacialis nidopalii (NIf). NIf projects to HVC - a premotor region essential for song, which projects to RA, a motor cortex analogue brain area that drives muscle activity required for vocalizations. NIf is also essential for ‘sleep replay’, a recapitulation of song-related neural dynamics in the motor pathway during sleep. Despite being one of the major inputs to the song control pathway, there is no known role for NIf in the production of zebra finch song. To address this, we reversibly inactivated NIf using TTX or Muscimol in 13 birds. We compared songs before and during inactivation and found large effects of NIf inactivation on song structure. Vocalizations after NIf inactivation resembled subsong, highly variable utterances typical of the very early phases of song learning. Subsong is driven by LMAN, the output nucleus of an avian basal ganglia circuit that projects to RA. To verify that NIf inactivations indeed switched song control from HVC to LMAN, we inactivated LMAN in conjunction with NIf in four birds. As with LMAN inactivations after HVC lesions, this manipulation led to a complete cessation of singing. We also lesioned NIf using ibotenic acid and saw the song recover within a day, consistent with previous studies. Our results show that NIf input to HVC is acutely necessary for generating learned vocal behavior in songbirds, and that in its absence vocal production reverts to subsong driven by LMAN. Absent NIf input, the song circuit reorganizes and recovers its ability to produce pre-lesion song over the course of 1-2 days, suggesting a redundant role for NIf that can be assumed by other parts of the song circuit.
Effect of Intentional Cryo-Injury to the Renal Collecting System.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined the short-term and long-term sequelae of intentional cryoablation of the renal pelvicaliceal system and evaluated whether continuous irrigation of the renal pelvicaliceal system with warm saline protects it against cryo-injury.Materials and Methods: In 12 swine open bilateral renal cryoablation using an argon gas based system was performed to create a cryolesion in the lower pole that was intentionally extended into the collecting system. A single cryoprobe was used to create a 3 cm ice ball in group 1 (6 animals) and 2, 3 mm cryoprobes were used to create a 4.5 cm ice ball in group 2 (6). In all 12 right kidneys pelvicaliceal warming (range 38C to 42C) was performed using continuous retrograde saline irrigation through an indwelling 5Fr ureteral catheter. In all 12 left kidneys cryoablation was performed without pelvicaliceal warming. Real-time confirmation of caliceal involvement by the cryolesion was obtained by retrograde ureteropyelogram. Immediately after cryo-injury 6...
Affinity Chromatography with Immunochemical Detection Applied to the Analysis of Human Methionyl Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor in Serum

An on-line, automated, HPLC method was developed for the separation and detection of recombinant human methionyl granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) and GCSF modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-GCSF) in rat serum. The automated method consists of an initial immunoaffinity chromatography step, a microbore reverse phase separation, and postcolumn immunochemical detection. Calibration curves were constructed with a lower limit of 1.5 ng of GCSF (80 fmol) and 7.5 ng of PEG-GCSF in 120 μL of rat serum. In vivo serum samples from rats dosed with PEG-GCSF were also analyzed. The development of the method is discussed as well as its general application to the detection of metabolites of recombinant proteins in body fluids.
Photosynthetic response of Prorocentrum mariae-lebouriae (Dinophyceae) to different spectral qualities, irradiances, and temperatures

Photosynthetic productivity (Ps) of the estuarine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum mariae-lebouriae (Parke and Ballantine) comb. nov., was measured with an open differential infra-red gas analysis system especially designed to measure CO2 uptake at a constant CO2 concentration. Ps was determined in six different fluorescent lamp spectral qualities (SQ) (daylight, blue, green, orange, orange-red and red) with bandwiths ranging from 50 to 75 nm and at photon flux densities (PFD) from 1.7 to 170 μmol of quanta s−1 m−2 to characterize the spectral response of daylight SQ grown P. mariae-lebouriae cultures. Ps was significantly higher for blue irradiation than for any other SQ. Compared to blue (100%) the following mean values were found: daylight 88%, green 79%, orange 29%, orange-red 56%, and red 87%. Differences were greatest at low PFD. Most measurements were performed at 20°C, but Ps was found to vary as a direct function of the culture temperature. A 10°C increase in temperature caused a 50% increase in Ps from 10° to 30°C with saturating PFD. Since the analytical system measured very small CO2 differentials, down to 0.5 μl l−1, we were able to detect small and fast CO2 transients at the beginning and end of an irradiation. These transients, known as CO2-‘burst’ and CO2-‘gulp’, increased in magnitude with increased PFD.
Justifying Prenatal Screening and Genetic Amniocentesis Programs by Cost-Effectiveness Analyses A Re-evaluation

A strength of cost-effectiveness analysis is the presentation of all relevant clinical options, variables, and outcomes and the placement of values on the outcomes Despite success in many fields of health policy, cost-effectiveness analysts have failed to provide a complete evaluation of prenatal screening and genetic amniocentesis programs Specifically, all pub lished cost-effectiveness analyses of these programs at best only partially acknowledge the potential life of the aborted fetus. These incomplete evaluations not only violate some basic principles of cost-effectiveness analysis, they also produce conclusions that may be misleading. Ultimately, society must answer two basic questions regarding the use of cost- effectiveness to justify prenatal screening programs: Is cost-effecfiveness analysis an ap propriate tool for the evaluation of these programs? If so, then what are the outcomes of interest? This paper first shows that the current literature does not present a complete evaluation of these pro...
Extreme impact and cavitation forces of a biological hammer: strike forces of the peacock mantis shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus.

SUMMARY Mantis shrimp are renowned for their unusual method of breaking shells with brief, powerful strikes of their raptorial appendages. Due to the extreme speeds of these strikes underwater, cavitation occurs between their appendages and hard-shelled prey. Here we examine the magnitude and relative contribution of the impact and cavitation forces generated by the peacock mantis shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus . We present the surprising finding that each strike generates two brief, high-amplitude force peaks, typically 390–480 μs apart. Based on high-speed imaging, force measurements and acoustic analyses, it is evident that the first force peak is caused by the limb9s impact and the second force peak is due to the collapse of cavitation bubbles. Peak limb impact forces range from 400 to 1501 N and peak cavitation forces reach 504 N. Despite their small size, O. scyllarus can generate impact forces thousands of times their body weight. Furthermore, on average, cavitation peak forces are 50% of the limb9s impact force, although cavitation forces may exceed the limb impact forces by up to 280%. The rapid succession of high peak forces used by mantis shrimp suggests that mantis shrimp use a potent combination of cavitation forces and extraordinarily high impact forces to fracture shells. The stomatopod9s hammer is fundamentally different from typical shell-crushing mechanisms such as fish jaws and lobster claws, and may have played an important and as yet unexamined role in the evolution of shell form.
Evoked potential models of psychopathy: a critical evaluation

Abstract Raine (1989) reviewed all evoked potential studies carried out to date and developed an information-processing model of psychopathy from the findings of these studies. Jutai (1989) and Howard (1989) have outlined conceptual and empirical criticism of this model and a reply is made to these comments. Some are found to be invalid, while acceptance of others was not found to necessitate a rejection of the model. However, caveats made in the original paper are reiterated here. The cortical immaturity model outlined by Jutai (1989) as a counter-explanation to that proposed by Raine (1989) is evaluated, and criticisms of this alternative are outlined. It is argued that further progress to a more complete understanding of psychopathy will be achieved by empirically testing these and other models.
Free-induction decay in a magnetically dilute solid

Abstract The free-induction decay of a magnetically dilute system with spin 1 2 is evaluated using the Abragam Ansatz, Lowe-Norberg method and Evans-Powles method separately. We find that the results obtained by Lowe-Norberg theory disagree with those of Abragam Ansatz or Evan-Powles theory. This disagreement is believed to be due to an inadequate expansion for F(t).
Economics and Psychiatric Education: The Irresistible Force Meets the Moveable Object

Recent changes in health care delivery and financing threaten the traditional funding base for psychiatric education. These changes are disrupting the often-tenuous “critical balances” in psychiatry residency, weighting them toward greater provision of services and less training, education, autonomy of practice, and time for personal needs. Three strategies for adapting creatively to the new fiscal and organizational realities in health care are described: decreasing the number of residents and residency-training programs, rethinking the content of residency so that it provides training for the practice realities of the twenty-first century, and marketing the quality and cost-effectiveness of academic psychiatry systems better in a managed care environment.
Long-term engraftment failure after marrow ablation and autologous hematopoietic reconstitution: differences between peripheral blood stem cell and bone marrow recipients

We infused peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) into 51 patients with various malignant disorders, after myeloablative conditioning. Twenty-four patients also received autologous bone marrow (PBSC + BM). In a multivariate analysis, the only statistically significant predictors of neutrophil engraftment were log-dose CFU-GM (P < 0.001) and the number of prior chemotherapy regimens (P = 0.004). The factors predicting RBC and platelet engraftment were log-dose CFU-GM (P = 0.002), PBSC + BM infusion (P = 0.007) and the absence of neoplastic bone marrow involvement (P = 0.009). Seven patients remained platelet and/or red cell transfusion-dependent for 100 days or more post-transplant after good neutrophil recovery. Six of these seven long-term engraftment failures, as well as five additional patients, received < 10(5) CFU-GM/kg. Of the 11 patients who received < 10(5) CFU-GM/kg (low-dose patients), seven were PBSC recipients, of whom six were long-term engraftment failures. In contrast, there were no long-term engraftment failures among the four low-dose autologous marrow recipients. This difference in long-term engraftment failure rate was significant (P = 0.015). The low-dose PBSC patients all had a diagnosis of lymphoma with bone marrow involvement. The low-dose PBSC + BM group was more heterogeneous, but no patient had malignant involvement of the marrow. The low-dose PBSC patients had also received significantly more prior chemotherapy regimens than the low-dose PBSC + BM patients and a significantly higher proportion received total body irradiation (TBI) as part of their conditioning regimen. We conclude that marrow damage resulting from a combination of neoplastic infiltration, chemotherapy and TBI may result not only in low PBSC yields but also in an impaired capacity of the marrow microenvironment to support transplanted stem cells.
Preliminary investigation of the phage φX174 crystal structure

Abstract Crystals of the single-stranded DNA bacteriophage φX174 have been grown. They have a monoclinic unit cell with space group P 2 1 , unit cell dimensions of a = 306.0 (±0.2) A , b = 361.1 (±0.2) A , c = 299.7 (±0.2°) a A , β = 92.91° (±0.02°) and diffract to at least 2.7 A resolution. There are two virus particles per unit cell. Packing considerations show that the mean diameter of the virus particles is 280 A. The virus separates into two bands in a sucrose gradient. The ratio between the absorbance at 260 nm and 280 nm is 1.45 to 1.65 for the faster and 1.15 to 1.35 for the slower bands, but both bands contain intact particles. Crystals derived from these bands are isomorphous and there is no detectable difference in their structure amplitudes.
Use of synchrotron radiation in archaeometry

Abstract A synchrotron X-ray producing device such as the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory will present the research worker in the field of archaeometry with a number of new possibilities. These derive from the fundamental characteristics of the extracted X-ray beam: (a) its extraordinary intensity, four to five orders of magnitude greater than that of bremsstrahlung produced by X-ray tubes, (b) its polarization in the plane of the synchrotron ring and, (c) its energy tunability. Among the archaeometric applications one may readily identify: (a) very fast, sensitive, bulk analyses of materials such as ceramic and stone, for provenance research, (b) spot (microprobe) analytical capability, for obtaining structural information on artifacts, (c) scanning applications leading to images of the distributions of particular elements and, (d) element speciation on a micro scale. There is every reason to believe that this instrument will quickly take a prominent place in archaeometric research.
Frequency of biliary complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy detected by ERCP: experience at a large tertiary referral center

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has a higher incidence of bile-duct injuries than open cholecystectomy. Although a learning curve phenomenon was attributed to biliary injuries early after its introduction, we were interested in trends in biliary injury rates over time as laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a mature technology. Objective To analyze the frequency and anatomic distribution of bile-duct injuries referred after laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a 10-year period. Design Retrospective, case-series. Setting Tertiary, referral hepatobiliary unit. Patients Referrals to ERCP unit for diagnosis and treatment of biliary injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intervention ERCP to diagnose level and severity of bile duct injury. Main Outcome Measurements Type and anatomy of bile-duct injury, reason for cholecystectomy, mean time between injury and diagnosis, presenting symptoms, ratio of bile-duct injuries diagnosed over total ERCPs done per year. Results There were 87 bile-duct leaks, 28 leaks with stones, 51 strictures, and 17 complete duct transactions. The bile-duct injury rate calculated per 100 ERCPs per year was 0.84 (1994), 0.99 (1995), 1.36 (1996), 1.41 (1997), 1.03 (1998), 1.31 (1999), 0.84 (2000), 0.75 (2001), 1.15 (2002), and 0.94 (2003). Limitations Single institution, retrospective analysis, unknown denominator of cholecystectomies done in referral area per year to calculate true bile-duct injury rate. Conclusions Static incidence in frequency, anatomic distribution, and rate per 100 ERCPs per year of postcholecystectomy bile-duct injuries at a tertiary referral hepatobiliary unit over a 10-year period of observation.
Purification and characterization of bovine brain glucocerebrosidase.

Abstract Glucocerebrosidase was isolated from bovine brain by cholate extraction, ammonium sulfate fractionation, acid precipitation at pH 5.35, and hydrophobic chromatography. The purification is about 2400-fold with a specific activity of about 286,000 nmole/hr/mg protein. Molecular weight as determined by chromatography on Bio-Gel P-200 was 138,000. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the enzyme protein resolved into two bands with apparent molecular weights of 63,000 and 56,000. These bands are cross-reactive to monospecific polyclonal antibody to homogeneous human placental glucocerebrosidase. The enzyme was found to be a complex glycoprotein based on its lectin binding specificity. Brain enzyme was found to be similar to placental glucocerebrosidase in its pH optima, heat stability at 52°C, and substrate affinity. Enzyme kinetics were measured in the presence of conduritol-β-epoxide, an irreversible inhibitor, and gluconolactone, and competitive inhibitor.
Oral creatine supplementation : Separating fact from hype

Many athletes-especially those participating in sports that emphasize strength-are taking oral creatine. Creatine supplements appear to enhance performance in repeated short bursts of stationary cycling and weight lifting, but the data on running, swimming, and single cycle sprints are not convincing of an ergogenic effect. Commonly reported side effects include muscle cramping, GI disturbances, and renal dysfunction, but creatine's effect on the heart, brain, reproductive organs, and other organs has yet to be determined. Comprehensive studies with larger samples and crossover design are needed. If patients decide to take oral creatine, physicians need to provide guidance for proper dosing as well as education about potential harmful effects.
Toxic Chemical Releases, Health Effects, and Productivity Losses in the United States

In this paper we examine the impacts of toxic chemical releases on labor productivity. The hypothesis is that exposure to releases results in chronic or acute illnesses, which increases number of work days lost. To test the hypothesis we combine data from the National Health Interview Survey with data from US Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory, using an instrumental variable approach to control for endogeneity of subjective binary health status. We find that the survey respondents are significantly more likely to have increased work days lost as their exposure to toxic releases increases and that work days lost increase at an increasing rate with diminished health status.
Blue-green (450-nm) upconversion Tm(3+):YLF laser.

We report an upconversion laser that is pumped by two colors—one red and one near infrared—and emits in the blue-green region.
Effects of dynamic surface tension and fluid flow on the oscillations of a supported bubble

Abstract Oscillating bubble techniques are commonly used to infer dynamic surface tension (DST) from the measurement of the dynamic pressure difference across an interface. In inferring DSTs from such measurements, the hydrodynamic effects are assumed to be negligible, so that the surface tension is uniform and the static Young-Laplace (Y-L) equation is valid. To examine these assumptions, the Navier-Stokes and continuity equations governing the flow of a liquid outside an axisymmetric bubble supported by a narrow tube are solved simultaneously by a finite element method with the equations governing surfactant transport and adsorption. Surface densities of adsorbed surfactant monolayers are examined to find the limits for accurate DST measurements. At low pulsation or oscillation rates (compared to the reciprocal of capillary time scale) and moderate area amplitudes, surface densities on the interface are found to be uniform, and DST measurements from pressure differences are quite accurate unless low surface tensions are attained. At high frequencies, however, because of strong convection around the surface of the bubble, the surface density along the liquid–gas interface becomes non-uniform while the bubble shape becomes highly deformed. The latter findings have analogs in the closely related problem of oscillating supported drops and can have profound ramifications for popular techniques for measuring DSTs.
Negative differential resistance in phenylene ethynylene oligomers.

The origin of the sharp peak profile (i.e., negative differential resistance, NDR) observed in the I/V curves of three-ring phenylene ethynylene oligomers is a topic of major current interest. Here, quantum-chemical calculations are performed to analyze the evolution of the one-electron structure of an unsubstituted three-ring oligomer under the influence of a static electric field (which models the driving voltage applied in the experiments). The results indicate that the rotation of the central ring of the oligomer induces resonant tunneling processes over a limited voltage range. This can thus be responsible for the NDR signature observed experimentally.
Fluoroscopic findings post-peroral esophageal myotomy

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a surgical technique that has been evolving rapidly. Endoscopic submucosal dissection was initiated in 1999, in Japan, for en-bloc resection of large lesions of the stomach (Zhou et al., World J Gastroenterol 19:6962–6968, 2013, ; Kobara et al., Clin Exp Gastroenterol 7:67–74, 2014). Since then, many additional therapies utilizing natural transluminal endoscopic approach have evolved. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a minimally invasive type of transluminal endoscopic surgery that was recently developed for the treatment of achalasia and esophageal motility disorders. The peroral endoscopic myotomy is a less invasive surgical treatment that is suitable for all types of achalasia and used as an alternate to the Heller myotomy. The radiographic findings of achalasia and surgical changes after Heller myotomy have been described, however, very little is available on the post-POEM esophagram appearance. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the anatomy, surgical procedure, and normal and abnormal findings seen on esophagrams in patients who have undergone a POEM.
Sufentanil: Clinical use as postoperative analgesic—Epidural/intrathecal route

The administration of epidural and intrathecal opioids for the management of postoperative pain is well established. Fentanyl, because of its greater lipophilicity, offers a number of advantages over morphine for epidural analgesia, including a lower incidence of side effects and reduced risk of delayed-onset respiratory depression. The relatively short duration of action of epidural fentanyl makes this agent more ideally suited for continuous infusion or patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). The effective doses and adverse effects profile of epidural fentanyl are reasonably well understood. Because of the lack of spread through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and hence the segmental nature of the analgesia achieved, location of epidural catheter placement is of paramount importance when this agent is used. Prolonged epidural infusion of fentanyl may result in high systemic concentrations not dissimilar to IV infusion, and, therefore, the greatest efficacy of epidural fentanyl administration may be in combination with low concentrations of bupivacaine, an approach that achieves a synergistic effect. 2-Chloroprocaine has been shown to antagonize epidural fentanyl analgesia. Intrathecal fentanyl for postoperative analgesia is limited by its short duration of action with single-bolus administration. The widespread international increase in the use of epidural fentanyl for postoperative analgesia promises further improvements and refinement in techniques.
Tolerance of the stages of Stetborus punctum to selected insecticided and miticides.

The toxicity of 16 pesticides to all life stages of the predatory coccinellid Stethorus punctum (LeConte) resulted in a high number of survivors from all treatments except 0.50 lb active ingredient (AI) per 100 gallons of carbaryl WP 50%, and 0.1875 lb AI/100 gal carbofuran wp 75% when tested in an insectary. At the dosages tested, most other materials tested could be used in an integrated control program of apple pests with a high rate of survival of this predaceous arthropod.
Fluorescence Quenching of Eu3+ in Organic Solvents. Quenching Effect of the →C-H and -O-H Groups

Abstract The extremely weak fluorescence of the rare-earth ions in aqueous solutions is enhanced considerably by replacing H2O with D2O (1,2).
Modern Spectrum Analysis in Multidimensional NMR Spectroscopy: Comparison of Linear-Prediction Extrapolation and Maximum-Entropy Reconstruction

NMR spectroscopy is an inherently insensitive technique, and many challenging applications such as biomolecular studies operate at the very limits of sensitivity and resolution. Advances in superconducting magnet, cryogenic probe, and pulse sequence technologies have resulted in dramatic improvements in both sensitivity and resolution in the past decade. Conversely, the signal-processing method used most widely in NMR spectroscopy, extrapolation of the time domain signal by linear prediction (LP) followed by discrete Fourier transformation (DFT), was developed in the early 1980s and has not been subjected to detailed scrutiny for its impact on sensitivity and resolution. Here we report the first systematic investigation of the accuracy and precision of spectra obtained by LP extrapolation followed by DFT. We compare the results to spectra obtained by maximum-entropy (MaxEnt) reconstruction, which was developed contemporaneously to LP extrapolation but is not widely employed in NMR spectroscopy. Although it reduces truncation artifacts and increases the amplitudes of strong peaks, we find that LP extrapolation generates false-positive peaks and introduces frequency errors. These defects of LP extrapolation become less pronounced for longer data records and higher signal-to-noise ratio. MaxEnt generally yields more detectable peaks for a given number of data samples, more accurate peak frequencies, and fewer false-positive peaks than LP extrapolation. MaxEnt also permits the use of nonlinear sampling, which can give dramatic improvements in resolution. These results show that the use of MaxEnt together with nonlinear sampling, rather than LP extrapolation, could reduce the amount of instrument time required for adequate sensitivity and resolution by a factor of 2 or more.
Status epilepticus in children with newly diagnosed epilepsy

Status epilepticus (SE) constitutes a neurological emergency and may be of prognostic value in individuals with epilepsy. Little is known about the associations between other prognostic factors in epilepsy and the occurrence of SE. The following study examines associations between clinical characteristics of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy and the occurrence of SE when epilepsy is first diagnosed. Children were recruited prospectively from the practices of physicians throughout Connecticut. Information was collected via standardized interviews with parents and review of pertinent records. Analyses were performed for any SE, unprovoked SE only, and previous provoked SE. Of 613 children, 56 (9.1%) had one or more episodes of SE by the time the diagnosis of epilepsy was established. Factors correlated with SE during an unprovoked seizure were partial seizures and previous craniotomy. For SE during a provoked seizure, correlates were primarily young age at onset of epilepsy and nonidiopathic epilepsy syndrome. To date, subsequent SE has occurred in 4.3% of children without and in 19.6% of those with SE at diagnosis. By the time epilepsy is first diagnosed in children, SE has already occurred in a substantial minority. It is correlated with specific clinical characteristics in the children, which differ depending on whether the SE was provoked or unprovoked. SE has a high risk of recurring.
Activities of the initial enzymes of glycerolipid and sphingolipid synthesis in lung microsomes from rats exposed to air or 85% oxygen.

Abstract Lungs of adult rats exposed to 85% oxygen undergo extensive cellular reorganization; therefore, to investigate changes in lipid metabolism the initial enzymes of glycerolipid and sphingolipid synthesis were measured in lung microsomes. After 1 week of O2 treatment, the specific activity of the glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase increased to nearly twice that of the controls and remained elevated for the 3 weeks of study. Serine palmitoyltransferase activities were approximately the same for both groups. These results suggest that in addition to cellular proliferation caused by hyperoxia there are also selective changes in glycerolipid synthesis, which may explain the decreased sphingomyelin content of lung and lamellar bodies.
The effect of storage solutions and mounting media on the bond strenghts of a dentinal adhesive to dentin

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different storage solutions and mounting media on the in-vitro bond strength of a dentinal adhesive/composite to dentin. Thirty-six non-carious, unrestored human molars were randomly divided into 2 groups of 18: Group A were mounted in polymethyl methacrylate and Group C were mounted with improved dental stone in copper rings. The teeth were prepared to generate 4 planar surfaces which were oriented 90° to the mounting base to produce a total of 144 dentin bonding surfaces. Groups A and C were each subdivided into 3 groups of 6 teeth per group to be placed in 3 storage solutions: 0.9% aqueous NaCl (As, Cs); 0.05% saturated solution of thymol in distilled water (At, Ct); and distilled water (Aw, Cw). After 3 months in their respective storage solutions composite buttons 2.3 mm in diameter were attached using a dentinal adhesive. The bond strengths were tested in shear utilizing a cross-head speed of 0.5 cm/min and a 50 kg load cell. The results showed no significant differences at the 0.05 confidence level in mean bond strengths as related to the mounting media or the storage solutions tested.
Spontaneous passage of coins lodged in the upper esophagus

Coin ingestion with subsequent esophageal coin impaction is common in children. Although spontaneous passage to the stomach of coins at the gastroesophageal sphincter is fairly common, spontaneous passage of coins from the upper or mid-esophagus has only rarely been reported. Thus, in an effort at cost savings, an endoscopist might forego obtaining a second set of radiographs prior to removal of an esophageal coin. We present two cases of spontaneous passage of coins from the upper esophagus, both of which occurred hours after coin ingestion. These cases suggest that spontaneous passage of proximal esophageal coins does, in fact, occur in some children. A second set of radiographs, therefore, may identify these children, and prevent unnecessary invasive removal procedures.
New regime of conical emissions in multi-level optically-pumped atomic vapors☆

Abstract We present experimental results of spectral and spatial properties of the laser-pumped cascade emissions from sodium vapor when the 3 S 1 2 4 P 1 2 , 3 2 transitions of sodium are excited with resonant 330 nm narrowband radiation. We observe a pronounced hollow-conical emission of the 3P3S cascade transition only. The angle and frequency of the hollow-conical radiation depend on the sodium number density. A qualitative theoretical approach that explains the observed effects is outlined.
Site of Hydrolysis of Collagen by Hot Trichloroacetic Acid

When calfskin collagen is treated with trichloroacetic acid at 90 degrees C, it is hydrolyzed to a mixture of peptides, some of which are quite small. Cleavage of collagen by acid seems to occur at bonds between proline (or hydroxyproline) and other amino acids, with only a limited specificity for which amino acid donates its amino group to the susceptible peptide bond.
Effects of decreases of animal pollinators on human nutrition and global health: a modelling analysis.

Summary Background Anthropogenic declines of animal pollinators and the associated effects on human nutrition are of growing concern. We quantified the nutritional and health outcomes associated with decreased intake of pollinator-dependent foods for populations around the world. Methods We assembled a database of supplies of 224 types of food in 156 countries. We quantified nutrient composition and pollinator dependence of foods to estimate the size of possible reductions in micronutrient and food intakes for different national populations, while keeping calorie intake constant with replacement by staple foods. We estimated pollinator-decline-dependent changes in micronutrient-deficient populations using population-weighted estimated average requirements and the cutpoint method. We estimated disease burdens of non-communicable, communicable, and malnutrition-related diseases with the Global Burden of Disease 2010 comparative risk assessment framework. Findings Assuming complete removal of pollinators, 71 million (95% uncertainty interval 41–262) people in low-income countries could become newly deficient in vitamin A, and an additional 2·2 billion (1·2–2·5) already consuming below the average requirement would have further declines in vitamin A supplies. Corresponding estimates for folate were 173 million (134–225) and 1·23 billion (1·12–1·33). A 100% decline in pollinator services could reduce global fruit supplies by 22·9% (19·5–26·1), vegetables by 16·3% (15·1–17·7), and nuts and seeds by 22·1% (17·7–26·4), with significant heterogeneity by country. In sum, these dietary changes could increase global deaths yearly from non-communicable and malnutrition-related diseases by 1·42 million (1·38–1·48) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by 27·0 million (25·8–29·1), an increase of 2·7% for deaths and 1·1% for DALYs. A 50% loss of pollination services would be associated with 700 000 additional annual deaths and 13·2 million DALYs. Interpretation Declines in animal pollinators could cause significant global health burdens from both non-communicable diseases and micronutrient deficiencies. Funding Winslow Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Adiponectin, Leptin, and Resistin in Asthma: Basic Mechanisms through Population Studies

Adipokines, factors produced by adipose tissue, may be proinflammatory (such as leptin and resistin) or anti-inflammatory (such as adiponectin). Effects of these adipokines on the lungs have the potential to evoke or exacerbate asthma. This review summarizes basic mechanistic data through population-based and clinical studies addressing the potential role of adipokines in asthma. Augmenting circulating concentrations of adiponectin attenuates allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice. Murine data is supported by human data that suggest that low serum adiponectin is associated with greater risk for asthma among women and peripubertal girls. Further, higher serum total adiponectin may be associated with lower clinical asthma severity among children and women with asthma. In contrast, exogenous administration of leptin results in augmented allergic airway hyperresponsiveness in mice. Alveolar macrophages obtained from obese asthmatics are uniquely sensitive to leptin in terms of their potential to augment inflammation. Consistent with this basic mechanistic data, epidemiologic studies demonstrate that higher serum leptin is associated with greater asthma prevalence and/or severity and that these associations may be stronger among women, postpubertal girls, and prepubertal boys. The role of adipokines in asthma is still evolving, and it is not currently known whether modulation of adipokines may be helpful in asthma prevention or treatment.
A Comparison of the Ethical Beliefs of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and National Certified Counselors

Results of a national survey of certified rehabilitation counselors (CRCs) are compared with those obtained by Gibson and Pope (1993) from a national sample of national certified counselors (NCCs) to determine their beliefs about whether particular behaviors are ethical, and the degree of consensus or controversy about these behaviors. Commonalities and differences in the beliefs of these two groups are described. Implications for education and the field of rehabilitation counseling are discussed. The authors conclude that the high degree of similarity between beliefs of CRC and NCC respondents provides empirical support that these counselors share a fundamental set of ethical beliefs.
A co-phase matrix to guide simultaneous multithreading simulation

Several commercial processors have architectures that include support for simultaneous multithreading (SMT), yet there is still not a validated methodology for estimating the performance of an SMT machine that does not rely on full program simulation. To create an efficient sampling approach for SMT we must determine how far to fast-forward each individual thread between samples. The fast-forwarding distance for each thread will vary according to execution phases, thread interactions and changes to the architectural configuration. We examine using individual program phase information to guide SMT simulation. This is accomplished by creating what we call a co-phase matrix. The co-phase matrix is populated by collecting samples of the programs' phase combinations, and is used to guide fastforwarding between samples. We show for 28 pairs of SPEC programs that using the co-phase matrix provides an average error rate of 4% while requiring that only 1% of the full simulation be performed. The methods are also validated using a variety of architectural configurations and four-threaded workloads.
Correlation and Causality: The Multivariate Case

Simon's method for making causal inferences from patterns of intercorrelations is applied to a five variable sociological problem. The technique is used in exploratory fashion to develop successive causal models with progressively better prediction equations. It is argued that Simon's method yields more theoretical insights than does partial correlation. T HE general problem of making causal inferences from correlational data has received considerable attention in the social science literature. In particular, the three variable case and tlhe question of spurious correlation have been analysed in some detail.' The sociologist, however, usually deals with a larger number of factors, though for practical purposes he may limit any single analysis to only three variables. Perhaps this is due to the realization that the introduction of additional variables may complicate the conceptual problem, especially if a rather intricate causal network is involved. A method for making causal inferences from correlational data in the general multivariate case has been developed by Herbert Simon.2 The purpose of the present paper is to apply Simon's method to a specific problem involving five variables. In so doing, we shall attempt to show how this important new technique can be used not only to check the adequacy of any particular causal model but also in exploratory fashion to help develop alternative models.
Implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the real world: A case study of two mental health centers

Background Behavioral health services for children and adolescents in the U.S. are lacking in accessibility, availability and quality. Evidence-based interventions for emotional and behavioral disorders can improve quality, yet few studies have systematically examined their implementation in routine care settings.