cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nephron Sparing Surgery Using a Bipolar Radio Frequency Resection Device

Purpose: We evaluated operative outcomes during nephron sparing surgery using a handheld radio frequency ablation resection device.Materials and Methods: Patients with a newly diagnosed renal mass who elected treatment were prospectively enrolled in a comparative trial designed to evaluate the usefulness of the handheld HABIB 4X™ radio frequency ablation device during open nephron sparing surgery. Preoperative variables were determined and patients subsequently underwent open nephron sparing surgery with (group 1) or without (control group 2) the assistance of the radio frequency ablation device. Data were collected on preoperative and postoperative creatinine and hematocrit, estimated operative blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and pathological outcomes.Results: A total of 90 patients underwent open nephron sparing surgery with (45) and without (45) the radio frequency ablation device. Mean pathological tumor size was 3.31 and 3.13 cm in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.49). ...
Pollen and the heat shock response

The literature related to the expression of heat shock protein (hsp) genes in developing pollen and in the mature male gametophyte has been surveyed. In general, mature pollen lacks a normal heat shock response. In mature pollen of several species either no hsps are synthesized in response to heat stress or, if synthesized, only a subset are made and the response is weak at both the transcriptional and translational levels, compared to the response in vegetative tissues. In developing pollen, however, a subset of hsps is induced in response to heat shock. In addition, certain hsp genes or heat shock cognate (hsc) genes are activated during normal pollen development in the absence of heat stress, indicating that these genes are likely to have important developmental functions. How the distinctive activation pattern of hsp and hsc genes relates to the known sensitivity of pollen to heat stress is discussed.
Chemical crosshairs on the central dogma

As cellular machines and processes that regulate the flow of genomic information have come into sharper focus, a new level of chemical control has become possible. The scope of such chemical intervention extends from the mechanistic dissection of biochemical processes in living cells to the targeted control of gene networks and cell fate.
Teaching About Family Violence: A Proposed Model Curriculum

Background: Medical schools around the country have initiated ad hoc teaching around family violence issues, especially child abuse and intimate partner violence (IPV). However, these activities typically are not integrated with other aspects of the curriculum, or with each other. Consequently, students do not have the opportunity to learn the broader issues related to family violence prevention and intervention. Description: To address these concerns, students at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine participated in an elective to develop a model family violence curriculum encompassing child abuse, IPV, sexual assault, and elder abuse. The activities use standardized patients and resource people, including hotline and shelter staff, legal professionals, and law enforcement. Evaluation: This article describes the family violence teaching activities at SIU preceding Curriculum 2000 and the proposed model curriculum including principles guiding the curriculum, the curriculum sequence, an...
Mostly C, challenges in LEGO® RCX code generation

In this paper, we describe the challenges of generating code for the LEGO® RCX microcomputer controller. The compiler improves on the widely used NQC (not-quite C) compiler with the addition of new data types, procedures, unions, and a math library.
Preoperative MRI Underestimates Articular Cartilage Defect Size Compared With Findings at Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Background:Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used as a preoperative tool to estimate the size of articular cartilage defects to optimize treatment selection. However, the reliability of MRI sizing of cartilage defects is not well understood.Hypothesis/Purpose:The purpose of this investigation was to compare the size of knee articular cartilage defects on MRI to arthroscopic visualization after debridement. It was hypothesized that MRI sizing would produce measurements that were no different than those made during arthroscopic knee surgery.Study Design:Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.Methods:Seventy-seven patients (age [mean ± SD], 38 ± 10.7 years) who met inclusion criteria underwent preoperative knee MRI of at least 1.5 T within 1 year of arthroscopic knee surgery for a high-grade cartilage defect. Postdebridement defect sizes were obtained from intraoperative surgery notes and compared with retrospective MRI estimates.Results:Ninety-two total cartilage defects were analyzed with ...
Eigenvalues and extremal degrees of graphs

Abstract Let G be a graph with n vertices, μ 1 ( G ) ⩾ ⋯ ⩾ μ n ( G ) be the eigenvalues of its adjacency matrix, and 0 = λ 1 ( G ) ⩽ ⋯ ⩽ λ n ( G ) be the eigenvalues of its Laplacian. We show that δ ( G ) ⩽ μ k ( G ) + λ k ( G ) ⩽ Δ ( G ) for all 1 ⩽ k ⩽ n and μ k ( G ) + μ n - k + 2 ( G ¯ ) ⩾ δ ( G ) - Δ ( G ) - 1 for all 2 ⩽ k ⩽ n . Let G be an infinite family of graphs. We prove that G is quasi-random if and only if μ n ( G ) + μ n ( G ¯ ) = o ( n ) for every G ∈ G of order n . This also implies that if λ n ( G ) + λ n ( G ¯ ) = n + o ( n ) (or equivalently λ 2 ( G ) + λ 2 ( G ¯ ) = o ( n ) ) for every G ∈ G of order n , then G is quasi-random.
Immunodetection of small o-phenylenebismaleimide-labeled peptides through carrier protein display on polyvinylidene fluoride.

Abstract Protein modification and peptide analysis are important techniques for the elucidation of the structure and function of enzymes. We describe a new technique for the identification of peptides covalently modified with the maleimide cross-linker o -phenylenebismaleimide (OPBM). The method can identify labeled peptides without the use of sophisticated instrumentation or radioactive markers and takes advantage of the separating power of RPLC and of the sensitivity of immunoblotting. Chloroplast ATPase F1 was labeled at a single cysteine residue by OPBM and trypsinized. Fractions collected by RPLC were bound to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Despite the small size of the OPBM-labeled peptide (1.84 kDa) it was possible to immobilize it on PVDF by using glutaraldehyde to conjugate the peptide to a larger, unlabeled protein. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the cross-linker N,N ′,1,5-naphthalenebismaleimide (NBM) cross-react with OPBM. These antibodies detected the presence of OPBM displayed on the PVDF and correctly identified the RPLC fraction containing the OPBM-labeled peptide as verified by both mass spectroscopy and radiolabeling of OPBM. This method could be adapted to detect the presence of linear epitopes recognized by an antibody and is a broadly applicable technique for the immunodetection of peptides.
Goal Impact: A Goal Systems Domain-General Prediction Tool, Applied to Voluntary Job Turnover

We introduce a domain-general decision-making measure, based on field-theory and goal-systems, for use in examining real-life decisions. We examine intentions to quit one's job; participants considered the impact on important life goals of staying at or leaving their job. First, they indicated the importance of goals from a comprehensive taxonomy. Second, they indicated how much staying in their job and leaving would facilitate or inhibit each goal (congruence ratings). Goal Impact, computed by multiplying each goal's importance by its congruence, predicted 39% of the variance in job intentions. Theory and applications to domains such as health and relationships are reviewed.
Adult age differences in the on-line processing of new concepts in discourse

Abstract Young university students and elderly community-dwelling volunteers read three short narratives word by word on a video display terminal, pacing the text by pressing a key. With this “moving window” method, reading times for each word were measured. Subjects recalled each narrative immediately after reading. Regression analyses were used to predict word-by-word reading times from text features representing different levels of discourse processing (e.g., word length and frequency, serial position, new concepts introduced, and the presence of syntactic boundaries). the effects of these features on reading time were examined not only for young and old as a whole, but also for good and poor recallers within each age group. For many of these features, younger and older readers responded similarly to the demands of the text in allocating reading time. Interesting differences among these different kinds of readers revolved around how they allocated time to encode and organize new concepts. Overall, olde...
Photopigment content of isolated bovine disk membrane vesicles.

Abstract Rod outer segment disk membranes are isolated from dark-adapted frozen bovine retinae, osmotically swollen into spherical vesicles, and their photopigment content is determined. The size and shape of the vesicles are deduced from elastic and quasielastic light scatterings, the vesicle number density by viscometry, and the photopigment concentration by optical absorbance and by total protein assays of Lowry and Bradford. We find that rhodopsin constitutes about 95% of the membrane proteins and there are about 7 × 104 rhodopsin/vesicle. Further the vesicle surface area per rhodopsin is about 40 nm2. This leads to a rhodopsin nearest-neighbor distance of 5.5 nm on the vesicle surface which is in good agreement with results based on microspectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction.
Synthesis of (-)-deoxypukalide, the enantiomer of a degradation product of the furanocembranolide pukalide.

A convergent stereoselective synthesis of (−)-deoxypukalide is described. This substance has not yet been found in Nature but is obtained through deoxygenation of pukalide, the first naturally occurring furanocembrane to be structurally elucidated. The route features a new intraannular furan synthesis that entails treatment of a 4-oxopropargylic β-keto ester with silica gel. The product of this novel reaction, a 3-carboxy 2,5-bridged furan, is formed in 96% yield. The synthetic strategy was strongly directed by molecular mechanics calculations, which provided valuable insight into stereodefining steps including double bond stereochemistry and butenolide configuration.
Field and Laboratory Studies of Environmental Carcinogenesis in Niagara River Fish

Combined field and laboratory studies were carried out to assess the possible role of contaminated bottom sediments to neoplastic disease in fish from eastern Lake Erie and the upper Niagara River. Correlations between sediment polycyclic hydrocarbons, neoplasms in feral fish, and the induction of neoplasms in bullheads (Ictalurus nebulosus) by exposure to extracts of polluted sediment support the hypothesis that some fish neoplasms result from exposure to carcinogenic chemicals present in the fishes environment.
Lactoferrin in Human Ocular Tissues

The main lacrimal gland and accessory lacrimal tissue from seven autopsy cases, lacrimal biopsy specimens from three patients, and conjunctival biopsy specimens from ten patients were examined for lactoferrin by an immunohistologic technique. Lactoferrin was identified and localized to acinar epithelial cells of both main and accessory lacrimal tissue. Lactoferrin was not found in conjunctival tissue except within conjunctival neutrophils. Other possible sources of human tear lactoferrin were considered, but we concluded from our data that the primary source of lactoferrin in normal human tears is the acinar epithelium of the main and accessory lacrimal glands.
Gas chromatographic determination of aqueous halides

Abstract Bromide, iodide, and chloride are extracted from aqueous solutions into toluene-alcohol solutions of tetraheptyl-ammonium carbonate. The tetraheptylammonium halides undergo thermal degradation to 1-haloheptanes and triheptylamine. On-column preparation of the haloheptanes is achieved above 150°C. The halocarbons produce gas chromatographic peaks which are used for quantitative analysis of bromide, chloride, and iodide at low ppm levels.
Studies of gaseous molecules by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Raman spectroscopy of gaseous molecules, while not a routine technique, can provide a useful means of probing selected processes: for example, molecular conformation studies and combustion systems. The Raman trace scattering spectrum, obtainable from a suitable combination of the polarized components of the scattered light, is especially well suited for quantitative measurements.
State space image motion restoration

A new recursive procedure, based on state space techniques is presented to solve the restoration problem of images degraded by motion in one direction.
Solubility of Inorganic Gases in High-Boiling Hydrocarbon Solvents

. . Tech. Papers, 53, 57 (1974). (18) Pocock, G.. Wormald, C. J., J. Chem. SOC., Faraday Trans. 1, 71, 705 (1975). (19) Soave. G.. Chem. fng. Sci., 27, 1197 (1972). (20) Starling, K. E.. Han, M. S., Hydrocarbon Process., 5 1 (5), 129 (1972). (21) Vukalovich, M. P.. Altunin, V. V., Bulle, Kh., Rasskazov. D. S., Ertel. D.. Therm. Eng., (Engl. Trans.), 16 (11). 99 (1969). (22) Vukalovich. M. P., Bulle, Kh., Rasskazov, D. S., Ertel, D.. Therm. Eng. (Engl. Trans.), 17 (6). 93 (1970). (23) Vukalovich, M. P., Bulle, Kh., Ertel, D., Russ. ./. Phys. Chem., 46, 1475 (1972). (24) Wilson, G. M., DeVaney, W. E., "Mark V Computer Program", available from the Gas Processors Association, Tulsa, Okla. (25) Yen, L. C., Alexander, R. E.. AIChE J., 11, 334 (1965).
High-resolution CT scanning: potential outcome measure.

Purpose of reviewHigh-resolution CT (HRCT) imaging of the chest can provide both structural and functional lung analysis useful to evaluate initial and progressive cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Chest HRCT scoring systems have been used to evaluate the extent and severity of CF specific airway a
The in situ reactive compatibilization of nylon‐6/polystyrene blends using anhydride functionalized polystyrenes

Nylon-6/polystyrene (PS) blends were reactively compatibilized by addition of various anhydride functionalized polystyrenes. The morphology of the blends was examined using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The particle size of the dispersed styrenic phase was about 3.2 μm for the uncompatibilized 8/2 Nylon-6/PS blend while those of the compatibilized blends were decreased by as much as two orders of magnitude depending on the amount and type of the functionalized polystyrene (FPS) added. Several low-molecular weight polystyrenes with terminal anhydride groups, prepared by two different functionalization methods, were examined. The effect of molecular weight on particle size reduction depended on the basis of comparison, mass of additive, or moles of anhydride units. A high-molecular weight random copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride was most effective when compared on a mass basis. The increase in adhesion between the Nylon-6 and the styrenic phases caused by the in situ reaction was evaluated by a lap shear technique. The free polystyrene, Nylon-6, and Nylon-FPS copolymer formed were separated by solvent extraction technique using formic acid and toluene. The extent of coupling reaction between the functionalized polystyrenes and Nylon-6 ranged from 25 to 43%. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Neuro-adaptive tracking control algorithms for a class of nonlinear systems

Presents a neural network (NN) based adaptive control method for a class of nonlinear dynamic systems. Two NN units are incorporated into control scheme which are shown to be effective in attenuating NN reconstruction error and other lumped system uncertainties. Since the control scheme is based upon the worst case that the NNs might behave, it exhibits a "fail-safe" feature, which enhances the reliability of the NN-based control scheme. Stable online weights tuning algorithms are derived based on Lyapunov stability theory. The control method is extended to robotic systems.
GLUTATHIONE INSTABILITY AND CHANGES IN PROTEIN-BOUND SUGAR IN RATS DUE TO MIXED BARTONELLA AND TRYPANOSOME INFECTION.

crepancy may have resulted from formerly having used a rat strain which was a carrier of Bartonella muris as opposed to using a bartonella-free strain in more recent investigations. The hemolytic tendency of bartonella-infected animals is well known (Weinman, 1944). The present investigations were, therefore, designed to test this hypothesis and also to add information regarding the behavior of bound as opposed to free sugar in plasma.
Vision-based control laws for distributed flocking of nonholonomic agents

We study the problem of vision-based flocking and coordination of a group of kinematic agents in 2 and 3 dimensions. It is shown that in the absence of communication among agents, and by using only visual information, a group of mobile agents can align their velocity vectors and move in a formation. A coordinate-free control law is used to develop a vision-based input for each nonholonomic agent. The vision-based input does not rely on heading measurements, but only requires measurements of bearing, optical flow and time-to-collision, all of which can be efficiently measured
An absolute scale for measuring the utility of money

Measurement of the utility of money is essential in the insurance industry, for prioritising public spending schemes and for the evaluation of decisions on protection systems in high-hazard industries. Up to this time, however, there has been no universally agreed measure for the utility of money, with many utility functions being in common use. In this paper, we shall derive a single family of utility functions, which have risk-aversion as the only free parameter. The fact that they return a utility of zero at their low, reference datum, either the utility of no money or of one unit of money, irrespective of the value of risk-aversion used, qualifies them to be regarded as absolute scales for the utility of money. Evidence of validation for the concept will be offered based on inferential measurements of risk-aversion, using diverse measurement data.
Alternative hand flaps for amputations and digital defects

Traumatic or thermal injury to the hand may result in a composite tissue loss. Exposed tendon, bone, or joint surface is best treated by flap coverage. This paper will discuss four types of alternative hand flaps that can be used to treat difficult areas and/or minimize complications. (1) A thumb flap elevated from the metacarpophalangeal joint flexion crease covers a fingertip injury and the donor site is closed primarily. (2) A proximally based side-finger flap, preferably from the ulnar side of the donor finger, can be used to cover a fingertip defect in a young person or a thumb tip in any age. (3) A deepithelized cross-finger flap, flipped 180 degrees upside-down, can cover a defect on an adjacent finger. The under side of the flap and the donor area are skin grafted. (4) A proximally based arterialized side-finger flap, including the digital artery but sparing the digital nerve, is rotated dorsally to cover a secondarily exposed proximal interphalangeal joint in burn patients where adjacent fingers are not available as donor sites.
All-optical flip-flop operation of VCSOA

An all-optical flip-flop, the memory of which is based on dispersive bistability in a single vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier, is demonstrated experimentally. Flip-flop control is achieved using two mechanisms: cross-phase modulation to set the flip-flop and cross-gain modulation of the holding beam within a remote SOA to reset it. Optical control signals are sub-milliwatt in power and derived from a single 5 ns, 1539 nm initial pulse. Flip-flop operation at 1542 nm is polarisation insensitive to control signals and achieved with an on-off contrast greater than 3 dB.
Multifunctional Antioxidant Activities of Alkyl Gallates

A series (C 1 to C 16 ) of alkyl gallates was tested for their antioxidant activity for food protection and human health. One molecule of alkyl gallate, regardless of alkyl chain length, scavenges six molecules of 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Alkyl gallates inhibited the linoleic acid peroxidation catalyzed by soybean lipoxygenase-1 (EC 1.13.11.12, Type 1) without being oxidized. The progress curves for enzyme reactions were recorded by both spectropho- tometric and polarographic methods and the inhibitory activity was a parabolic function of their lipophilicity (log P) and maximized with alkyl chain length between C 12 and C 16 . Tetradecanyl (C 14 ) gallate exhibited the most potent inhibition with an IC 50 of 0.06 µM. The inhibition kinetics of dodecyl gallate (C 12 ) revealed competitive and slow-binding inhibi- tion. Alkyl gallates chelate transition metal ions and this chelation ability should be of considerable advantage as antioxi- dants. Additionally, gallic acid was found to inhibit superoxide anion generated by xanthine oxidase (EC 1.1.3.22) but did not inhibit enzymatically catalyzed uric acid formation.
Digital Ischemia Associated with a Thrombosed Aneurysm of the Dorsal Interosseous Artery. A Case Report

True aneurysms in the upper extremity are unusual, particularly in the absence of trauma3,9. We report the treatment of digital ischemia caused by thrombosis of an aneurysmal dorsal interosseous artery. Our report is noteworthy in that the patient also had bilateral congenital absence of the radial artery, a rare and embryologically primitive variation of human anatomy8. A fifty-five-year-old healthy woman who worked at a restaurant was referred to us because of a twenty-four-hour history of pain, numbness, and bluish discoloration of the left index finger. Clinical examination revealed an absent radial pulse and a positive Allen test7, denoting inadequate inflow through the radial artery. For the Allen test, the patient performed repeated, forceful flexion and extension of the digit while the examiner applied pressure to the volar radial and ulnar arteries at the wrist with his thumbs and pressed on the dorsal aspect of the wrist with his forefingers. When the pressure over the radial artery was released, the hand remained white and ischemic, indicating no perfusion through that artery. Sensation in the index finger was diminished, with two-point discrimination of greater than twenty millimeters. Notably, the radial pulse was not palpable at the wrist on the contralateral, asymptomatic side. Arteriography of the left upper extremity revealed a four-centimeter filling defect in what initially appeared to be an anomalous radial artery. In addition, no flow through the radial artery was seen (Fig. 1). Local intra-arterial infusion of urokinase (100,000 units per hour) was begun, and repeat angiography, twenty-four hours later, demonstrated restoration of blood flow to the affected digit. A long fusiform aneurysm was now evident at the site of the previous filling defect (Fig. 2). Clinically, the digital pain and discoloration decreased. The …
The Legal Penalties for Financial Misrepresentation

This paper provides the first integrated analysis of the complex mix of private and regulatory penalties for financial misrepresentation. We examine the sizes, types, and determinants of legal penalties imposed for all 697 enforcement actions initiated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for financial misrepresentation from 1978 through 2004. These penalties include private class action awards, monetary penalties imposed by the SEC and Department of Justice, and such non-monetary sanctions as censures, trading suspensions, and jail time. Contrary to many criticisms of private lawsuits and regulatory actions, we find that legal penalties are highly systematic, and in particular, are positively related to the size and severity of the harm from the misconduct. The data also indicate deep pockets effects, as both private and regulatory monetary penalties are related to defendants' abilities to pay. A recent increase in regulatory penalties has coincided with a decrease in private monetary penalties, consistent with regulatory penalties crowding out the use of private penalties.
Teratogen update: Toluene

Extrapolating from animal data, at the level at which well-controlled occupational exposure to toluene vapor is encountered, in utero exposure does not pose a significant fetal risk. However, following chronic and excessive industrial accidents or intentional abuse, toluene exposure several orders of magnitude greater exists, and at these levels in utero exposures in both animals and humans have been shown to produce significant delays in fetal growth. At these greater exposure levels, both dose and gestational timing relationships can be demonstrated in animal models. Of note, in both animals and humans, postnatal persistence of growth deficiency has been observed. A pattern of teratogenicity similar to that of the fetal alcohol syndrome is prevalent in all human studies of excessive in utero exposure to toluene. In humans, the effects of in utero toluene exposure among intentional abusers is confounded by such variables as general health and exposure to other teratogens. Chronic toluene abuse produces a renal tubular acidosis with maternal hypokalemia and profoundly lowered serum pH. Further evaluation of greater numbers of infants with respect to maternal renal tubular acidosis will be needed to fully assess the contribution of chronic acidosis. The contribution of maternal acidosis to fetal teratogenicity remains speculative. Coabuse of additional agents, in particular alcohol, may increase the teratogenic risks. The overlap of features following in utero toluene abuse with those of fetal alcohol syndrome suggests a possible common pathway of craniofacial teratogenesis. Lastly, genetic variations that result in deficiency of ALDH2, an enzyme involved in toluene metabolism, may increase the risks of toluene teratogenicity in at-risk individuals at lower levels of exposure. Prospective studies of toluene-exposed pregnancies would provide more information on the fetal effects at these levels.
Detecting Data Concealment Programs Using Passive File System Analysis

Individuals who wish to avoid leaving evidence on computers and networks often use programs that conceal data from conventional digital forensic tools. This paper discusses the application of passive file system analysis techniques to detect trace evidence left by data concealment programs. In addition, it describes the design and operation of Seraph, a tool that determines whether certain encryption, steganography and erasing programs were used to hide or destroy data.
Summary and Conclusions: The Cost of Inaction and the Need for Urgency

The delta process is inherently dynamic, but no one alive today has ever witnessed a healthy period of stability through offsetting growth and decay. Consequently, only a full scientific understanding of how the Mississippi delta once formed and functioned under natural conditions can guide future restoration efforts. As the foregoing essays argue, living on the Delta means living with change. They present strong evidence that sediment diversions designed to restore wetlands in the Mississippi River delta will be effective and beneficial. Similarly, they argue that large-scale restoration will shift the locations of the major fisheries, but may represent the only hope of maintaining sustainable fisheries. And they explain why the system of levees and flood protection that currently provides crucial protection for human habitation must to be supplemented by extensive wetland regrowth. Additionally, they describe how the highly dynamic and changing coast is also impacted by subsidence, climate change, and sea level rise. Finally, they show that increasing energy costs will likely limit what can be done. Only by honestly examining the full range of challenges, and determining the best practices for adaptation, can policy-makers formulate informed decisions about the future of the Delta. We hope this book can make a substantial contribution to the success of this important process.
Twitter in Mass Emergency: What NLP Can Contribute

We detail methods for entity span identification and entity class annotation of Twitter communications that take place during times of mass emergency. We present our motivation, method and preliminary results.
Investigation of nested type X pinches with ∼ 1 MA current

Recent results of X pinch studies on the COBRA generator from Cornell University (peak current up to 1.2 MA and rise time of 100 ns) are presented. Preliminary experiments on COBRA generated a bright burst of soft X-ray radiation with an intensity that was much higher than the intensity of X pinch radiation obtained on generators with smaller current. Theoretical estimates show that energy yield of X-ray radiation could be proportional to the generator current to the power 34/9, i.e. grows with increasing current very quickly. A determination of the real scaling experiments on generators with a range of currents, but higher current requires the use of loads with higher mass per unit length. Such loads can be made by increasing the number of wires or the wire diameters. It is reasonable to expect that the configuration of the wire crossing point will influence X pinch neck formation processes. Using an initial configuration of wires (before their twisting), similar to nested arrays, enables the assembly of a symmetric configuration for the X pinch crossing region. It also enables an investigation of multilayered X pinches. X pinches of different configurations, including X pinches with different materials in the inner and outer wire layers, were tested. All diagnostics developed for the COBRA generator were used in the experiments. The results of the experiments were compared with results obtained in experiments with regular multi-wire X pinches.
If You Build It: State Unemployment Insurance Trust Solvency and Benefit Generosity

This paper employs panel estimators with data on the 50 American states for the years 1963 to 2006 to test the relationship between Unemployment Insurance (UI) trust fund solvency and UI benefit generosity. We find that both average and maximum weekly UI benefit amounts, as ratios to the average weekly wage, are higher in states and in years with more highly solvent trust funds. This result holds after controlling for state-level unemployment rate, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), population growth, legislative political ideology, partisan control of the executive and legislative branches, and gubernatorial election year across multiple specifications, including fixed-effects and dynamic panel estimators. We propose a theory of moderate coupling as the causal mechanism, whereby UI program benefits and financing are directly related but are not as tightly linked as in other social insurance programs, such as Medicaid. The findings have important policy implications for the funding of states’ UI systems. As a consequence of moderate coupling, the countercyclicality of the UI program is dampened.
Comparison of surgical outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: does the intra-operative use of a microscope improve surgical outcomes

Background: The primary aim of this study was to assess and compare the complications profile as well as long-term clinical outcomes between patients undergoing an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) procedure with and without the use of an intra-operative microscope. Methods: One hundred and forty adult patients (non-microscope cohort: 81; microscope cohort: 59) undergoing ACDF at a major academic medical center were included in this study. Enrollment criteria included available demographic, surgical and clinical outcome data. All patients had prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes measures and a minimum 2-year follow-up. Patients completed the neck disability index (NDI), short-form 12 (SF-12) and visual analog pain scale (VAS) before surgery, then at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Clinical outcomes and complication rates were compared between both patient cohorts. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between both cohorts. The mean ± standard deviation duration of surgery was longer in the microscope cohort (microscope: 169±34 minutes vs . non-microscope: 98±42 minutes, P<0.001). There was no significant difference between cohorts in the incidence of nerve root injury (P=0.99) or incidental durotomy (P=0.32). At 3 months post-operatively, both cohorts demonstrated similar improvement in VAS-neck pain (P=0.69), NDI (P=0.86), SF-12 PCS (P=0.84) and SF-12 MCS (P=0.75). At 2-year post-operatively, both the microscope and non-microscope cohorts demonstrated similar improvement from base line in NDI (microscope: 13.52±25.77 vs . non-microscope: 19.51±27.47, P<0.18), SF-12 PCS (microscope: 4.15±26.39 vs . non-microscope: 11.98±22.96, P<0.07), SF-12 MCS (microscope: 9.47±32.38 vs . non-microscope: 16.19±30.44, P<0.21). Interestingly at 2 years, the change in VAS neck pain score was significantly different between cohorts (microscope: 2.22±4.00 vs . non-microscope: 3.69±3.61, P<0.02). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the intra-operative use of a microscope does not improve overall surgery-related outcomes, nor does it lead to superior long-term outcomes in pain and functional disability, 2 years after index surgery.
Experiences That Predict Early Career Teacher Commitment to and Retention in High-Poverty Urban Schools

Correlation analysis was used to analyze what experiences before and during teacher preparation for 72 graduates of an urban teacher education program were associated with urban commitment, first j...
Effect of insulin on rate of metabolism of ethyl alcohol.

SummaryInsulin in a dose of 1 unit per kg was found to be variably effective in accelerating the rate of alcohol metabolism, the effect being striking in 2 dogs, much less in another. This is in accord with the variable results reported by Widmark.4 Half this dose was entirely ineffective in 2 dogs. The failure of Gregory and coworkers7 to demonstrate this accelerating action of insulin in adequate dosage must be due to the possibility that their 6 dogs fell, by chance, into the group of animals which does not show a striking acceleration with insulin.
Diminished anabolic signaling response to insulin induced by intramuscular lipid accumulation is associated with inflammation in aging but not obesity

The loss of skeletal muscle mass is observed in many pathophysiological conditions, including aging and obesity. The loss of muscle mass and function with aging is defined as sarcopenia and is characterized by a mismatch between skeletal muscle protein synthesis and breakdown. Characteristic metabolic features of both aging and obesity are increases in intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content in muscle. IMCL accumulation may play a mechanistic role in the development of anabolic resistance and the progression of muscle atrophy in aging and obesity. In the present study, aged and high-fat fed mice were used to determine mechanisms leading to muscle loss. We hypothesized the accumulation of bioactive lipids in skeletal muscle, such as ceramide or diacylglycerols, leads to insulin resistance with aging and obesity and the inability to activate protein synthesis, contributing to skeletal muscle loss. We report a positive association between bioactive lipid accumulation and the loss of lean mass and muscle strength. Obese and aged animals had significantly higher storage of ceramide and diacylglycerol compared with young. Furthermore, there was an attenuated insulin response in components of the mTOR anabolic signaling pathway. We also observed differential increases in the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the phosphorylation of IκBα with aging and obesity. These data challenge the accepted role of increased inflammation in obesity-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, we have now established IκBα with a novel function in aging-associated muscle loss that may be independent of its previously understood role as an NF-κB inhibitor.
A New Homobasidiomycete With Anomalous Basidia

SUMMARY Chionosphaera apobasidialis is described. Its basiodiocarps are tiny white capitate synnemata,2 occurring on the bark of dead limbs of Qitercius macrocarpa Michx., Q. stellata Wang., and Carpinus caroliniana Walt. They bear a superficial resemblance to some synnematous imperfect fungi and to some basidiomycetes. The fungus completes its life cycle in culture on a variety of media. Its basidiospores germinate by budding, and it is heterothallic. Fruiting bodies are produced in culture only when Chionosphaera is grown in association with a species of Cladosporium or another appropriate hyphomycete. The basidia of Chionosphaera are apobasidia, common among gasteromycetes but unique among hymenomycetes. It is most closely related to Filobasidiunm floriforme Olive. The Filobasidiaceae is emended to allow the inclusion of Chionosphaera.
Disease Due to Mycobacterium intracellulare: Its Possible Association with Human Leukocyte Antigens

Most of the population of the United States is exposed to Mycobacterium intracellulare, but only a few persons develop disease due to this organism. This fact suggests that certain host factors may predispose an individual to this disease. To investigate the possibility that susceptibility to disease due to M. intracellulare may be determined by genetic factors, as evidenced in profiles of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), we examined 41 consecutive patients with use of tissue typing for HLA-A and HLA-B loci. The association in individuals between disease and frequency of HLAs was analyzed and compared with control data of HLA frequencies in the Caucasian American population. The observed frequencies of many HLAs were different from those expected, but none of the individual differences were significant statistically. However, the frequency of the haplotype A2-B12 was found to be significantly higher than the expected frequency (P < 0.05). While the population of patients studied was small, the observed increase in the haplotype frequency may indicate a possible predisposing genetic factor in this disease. This study was done to investigate whether one or more of the serologically determined human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are associated with disease due to the Mycobacterium intracellulare
Educational Videos: An Effective Tool to Improve Training in Interventional Breast Procedures

Abstract Purpose Using the iPad application Explain Everything™, the authors created a "how to" video for stereotactic breast core biopsy to enhance their breast imaging curriculum. The objective was to show that video integration into residency training enhances resident learning. Methods A pretest was provided to all 40 radiology residents (postgraduate years 2-5) at the authors' institution. The test included 20 questions on the video content, 15 similarly framed control questions on material that was not included in the video, and four demographic questions. Questions were randomly ordered, and trainees were not informed that both types of questions were included. Residents were given one week to watch the 20-minute video before completing a posttest that included the same 35 content questions presented in a different order. Three logistical questions were also included. Results for the video and the control questions were analyzed separately and compared. Results Thirty of 40 residents (75%) participated (6-9 residents each year). The average scores for the video and control pretest were 7.7 of 20 (38.5%) and 7.8 of 15 (52%) and for the posttest were 13.8 of 20 (69%) and 7.8 of 15 (52%), respectively. This corresponds to a 30.7% mean improvement on the video-content questions compared with a 0% improvement for the control test ( P Conclusions This instructional video added significantly to resident learning in the short term. Further study on the long-term role of educational videos in radiology residency training seems warranted.
The Forest and the Trees: Neighborhood-Based Clinical Social Work

Social work education gives lip service to systems-based, integrative approaches to practice, yet the profession tends to create unnecessary polarities between clinical practice and social work’s original commitment to vulnerable populations, person-in-environment, and social change. The author describes a model of community-based family services that bridges this gap.
Pharmacokinetic studies of minoxidil

The disposition of minoxidil, a new direct arterial vasodilator and potent antihypertensive, was studied in 7 hypertensive patients. Following oral administration of 14C-labeled minoxidil, there was a rapid removal of the drug with a plasma half-life of 4.2 hours. The radioactive label was recovered quantitatively in the urine, predominantly in the form of 3 metabolites. The major metabolite in the first 12 hours after giving the drug was a glucuronide conjugate. The other 2 metabolites have not been identified but appeared to be excreted predominantly after the first 12 hours, when minoxidil had been essentially cleared from the circulating blood. These observations suggest a dissociation between the drug in circulating blood and its pharmacologic activity. Since the prolonged hypotensive response to minoxidil cannot be attributed to slow removal, we suggest that it may be exerting a persistent effect on receptor sites.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography in Newborns With Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease continues to be a leading cause of neonatal morbidity; however, advancements in diagnostic technology and surgical techniques have markedly improved patient survival. In particular, in-depth noninvasive imaging with computed tomography angiography (CTA) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) has had a tremendous effect on the amount of information available to the surgeon or interventionalist before any procedure. CTA and CMRI have their own advantages and disadvantages, and this review provides an overview of these technologies, highlighting clinical indications. This article also provides images and videotapes to better highlight our understanding of various complex congenital heart lesions.
Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide by Ocean Fertilization

Sequestration of carbon dioxide to the deep ocean by the fertilization of high nutrient, low chlorophyll (HNLC) ocean waters can be an answer to the concerns arising from the increasing carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere. This approach has the potential to sequester about 400,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide by repeated episodic fertilizations of the Pacific equatorial current for a cost of about $2.00/ton of carbon dioxide and for 1000 to 2000 years. A technology demonstration is planned to fertilize an area of 5,000 square miles of the equatorial Pacific that is expected to sequester between 600,000 and 2,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide in a period of 20 days. The ecological changes expected consist of the increase in diatoms, which double or triple each day until the limiting fertilizing element is used up. No adverse changes are expected, since this is exactly what happens naturally when episodic fertilization occurs in the open ocean. The concept is that fertilization of HNLC waters with chelated iron will cause a bloom of phytoplankton that sink below the thermocline into deep water due to their high density after they die. The experiment, while large by land comparisons, is small in terms of ocean area, about one square degree at the equator. The demonstration protocol will include measurements of the amount of carbon dioxide that is removed from the surface layer and the amount of organic carbon that is produced and exported to the ocean depths as well as other effects in the water column over a period of 20 days. After this time no further effects of iron fertilization are expected to take place because macronutrient elements (N, P and Si) are depleted to limiting concentrations. Since the iron enrichment is transient, no steady-state modification of the food web will occur. The experiment will be carried out outside the EEZ of any nation, as were the previous five experimental voyages, so, like them, no permits will be required. The five recent ocean experiments observed iron stimulation of phytoplankton growth, but the effects were difficult to quantify in the 9 to 28 square mile experiments since eddy diffusion along the edges of the patch diluted the bloom. This problem will be minimized in the planned technology demonstration because its larger area restricts the diffusion from the center of the patch to less than 2% of the concentration over the 20 day period of the test.
The Effects of Personal and Social Uses of Mobile Health Applications on Healthy Behaviors

In the face of America’s obesity epidemic, mobile health applications (MHAs) offer solutions for motivating users to be healthier. MHAs include both personal features for the individual user (e.g., calorie tracking) and social features, which connect the user to others (e.g., for support or competition). The present study explores the connection between both personal and social uses of MHAs and healthy behaviors. Findings indicate that the use of MHAs is positively associated with healthier overall behaviors: Personal aspects were related to healthier eating and workout behaviors, and social aspects were positively associated with only healthier workout behaviors. Perceptions of social support from others predicted healthier overall behaviors and were related to increased body satisfaction. Implications for the role of social support in MHAs are discussed.
Evaluation of DeNitrification DeComposition model for estimating ammonia fluxes from chemical fertilizer application

Abstract DeNitrification DeComposition (DNDC) model predictions of NH 3 fluxes following chemical fertilizer application were evaluated by comparison to relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) measurements, in Central Illinois, United States, over the 2014 growing season of corn. Practical issues for evaluating closure were addressed by accounting for fluxes outside the measurement site and differences in temporal resolution. DNDC modeled NH 3 fluxes showed no significant differences in magnitude (at p = 0.05) compared to measurements and replicated trends satisfactorily (r a 2 > 0.74), during the initial 33 days after fertilizer application, when measured fluxes were to the atmosphere, compared to later time periods when depositional fluxes were measured (r a 2 3 fluxes were most sensitive to air temperature, precipitation, soil organic carbon, field capacity, pH, and fertilizer application rate, timing, and depth. By constraining these inputs for conditions in Central Illinois, uncertainty in daily NH 3 fluxes was estimated to vary from 0% to 70% on a daily basis, during the corn growing season, with the highest uncertainty values estimated for the period of highest positive NH 3 fluxes. These results can guide future improvements in DNDC, which is a valuable tool to assist (1) in the development of NH 3 emission inventories with high spatial (constrained by the spatial resolution of input parameters) and temporal resolution (daily) and (2) in upscaling emissions from the site (farm) to the regional scale.
Empagliflozin (Jardiance) for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Empagliflozin can be added to existing type 2 diabetes treatment to lower A1C levels, although there are less expensive options. In older patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease, empagliflozin can decrease all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and hospitalization for heart failure.