cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceived Stress and Nonverbal Intellectual Abilities Are Differentially Related to Academic Success in Latinx and European American Rural Elementary Students

This study examines the relationship between perceived stress, nonverbal cognitive functioning, and statewide academic scores in both Latinx and European American elementary students in rural school districts. A total of 44 third graders participated in the study, including 13 Latinx students and 31 European American (EA) students. Perceived stress was self-reported by the Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C). A nonverbal measure of cognitive ability (The Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Intelligence) was administered individually to each student, and statewide academic testing results were obtained for all participants. Latinx and EA children self-reported comparable rates of perceived stress. Both groups obtained similar nonverbal cognitive composite scores, but with distinct subtest differences. Both groups scored similarly on statewide standardized testing for math, although the EA group scored higher than the Latinx group on English. Binomial tests of differences between correlations revealed that relationships among perceived stress, nonverbal intelligence, and academic achievement differed significantly for the Latinx and EA students. Academic achievement for Latinx students is correlated with lower perceived stress and higher nonverbal cognitive ability, including overall ability and the matrices, coding, and spatial span subtests. For European American children, academic success is correlated with higher nonverbal scores on the matrices and picture arrangement subtests but is not related to perceived stress. Thus, ethnicity may differentially impact the relationship between perceived stress, nonverbal IQ, and academic achievement in rural elementary students, based in part on culturally relevant contextual factors.
Synthesis, Structures, and Transformations of Bridging and Terminally-Coordinated Trimethylammonioalkenyl Ligands in Zwitterionic Pentaruthenium Carbido Carbonyl Complexes.

Reactions of the pentaruthenium cluster complexes Ru5(μ5-C)(CO)15 (5), Ru5(μ5-C)(CO)14[μ-η2-O═C(NMe2)](μ-H) (6), and Ru5(μ5-C)(CO)15Cl(μ-H) (7) with ethyne (C2H2) in the presence of Me3NO yielded t...
A new method of nuclear magnetic resonance for aging State detection of composite insulators

In order to measure the aging state of silicone rubber insulators, a new method of nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) measurement is proposed and a portable low field NMR measurement system is developed. This paper introduced a design method of magnet and RF coil of NMR sensor and made a experiment about the aging of composite insulators on 220kV high voltage. The study draw a conclusion that the transverse relaxation time of composite insulators decreases with the increasing of running time. Therefore, low-field NMR can be used to evaluate the aging state of composite insulator umbrella skirt quantitatively.
ND-Space: Normalized Difference Spectral Mapping, with Soil and Vegetation Examples

Identification of materials based on color is complicated by independent variations in intensity. Differences in the viewing/illumination directions, shadows, soil moisture content, etc., can obscure spectral changes and complicate modeling of those changes. A normalization procedure that removes intensity variations can greatly clarify the nature of the spectral change, allowing for more effective interpretation of color change in spectral imagery. Normalized difference measures are used here because of the simplicity of the computation, the convenient scaling [−1,1], and the ease with which the normalized difference procedure can be extended to multiple dimensions. A vector pace is described providing improved discrimination among bare soils and emergent vegetation, and a 2-D model of soil-specific change in vegetation density is presented.
Explore the Predictive Value of Peripheral Blood Cell Parameters in Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children Over 6 Years Old

Abstract Background: To determine the predictive value of peripheral blood cell parameters for refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in children over 6 years old. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in children with RMPP admitted to the respiratory department of Tianjin Children's Hospital from September 2017 to September 2019 and non-refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (NRMPP) were selected by propensity score method and matched according to the ratio of 1:1.5.We analyzed the differences of clinical characteristics, peripheral blood cell parameters, imaging findings, and treatments between the two groups, and further determined the predictive value of peripheral blood cell parameters on RMPP. Results: There were 76 patients in the RMPP group and 114 patients in the NRMPP group. We found the RMPP group have a longer clinical course, and a higher incidence of intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary complications(P3.92 (OR=3.243; 95%CI=1.485-7.081;P=0.003), MPVLR>5.29 (OR=2.700; 95%CI=1.258-5.795; P=0.011) and pleural effusion (OR=3.023; 95%CI=1.424-6.420; P=0.004) were significant factors in predicting RMPP. And our study showed that NLR had higher accuracy in predicting RMPP than CRP. Conclusions: The parameters of peripheral blood cells might be a predictor of RMPP. NLR>3.92, MPVLR>5.29 and pleural effusion might have important predictive value for RMPP in children over 6 years old.
A modified tiao-guttman rule for multiple outliers

A modification of the rule suggested by Tiao and Guttman (1967) is considered for the estimation of the mean of a normal population using data with an unspecified number of outliers. The properties of the modified rule are investigated by considering its premium and protection. For the case where the number of outliers, i, is specified, it is shown that the Tiao-Guttman tables for m 2 are adequate for all values of m.
Simulation of broadband double-ridged horn in high-fidelity material characterization using finite-difference time-domain method

To accurately characterize the double-ridged horn is very crucial to the design and improvement of the broadband free space material measurement. Based on traditional FDTD schemes, an improved boundary termination technique, reradiating boundary condition (rRBC) and the PEC block modeling scheme were used to model the complex structures and to improve the simulation accuracy and efficiency. The approach was verified on regular pyramidal horn and extended to double-ridged horn. Our results show significantly better consistency with the measurement data than numeric data provided by the manufacturer
Re-framing the “Bad Teachers” in the United States and Beyond

AbstractThis article analyzes current debates on education reform, paying particular attention to the ways that scapegoating public school teachers, teacher unions and teacher education masks more fundamental, systemic problems. It further demonstrates how reducing the problems in education to the level of individual (“bad”) teachers coincides with the sorting of both teachers and students. The article concludes with a call to engage in movement building as we reclaim public education and advance equitable education for all children.
Primary anaplastic lymphoma kinase-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the brain in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Abstract Anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a unique diagnostic subcategory of the T-cell lymphomas in the current World Health Organization classification. Representing approximately 3% of adult and 10% to 30% of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphomas, anaplastic large cell lymphoma classically consists of CD30+ large lymphoid cells with abundant cytoplasm and pleomorphic, often horseshoe-shaped or kidney-shaped nuclei. Among the reported nodal and extranodal sites of occurrence, the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system have rarely been noted. We report a case of primary anaplastic lymphoma kinase–negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma in the brain of a 46-year-old patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. T-cell lineage was confirmed by T-cell receptor γ chain gene rearrangements using polymerase chain reaction, and extra copies of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene of chromosome 2 were demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. To our knowledge, primary anaplastic large ...
Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) from Carya ovata, a deterrent to feeding by Scolytus multistriatus☆

Abstract Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) from the bark of Carya ovata proved to be a deterrent to feeding by Scolytus multistriatus. When juglone was removed from the extracts of the hickory bark, S. multistriatus fed extensively on the remaining extracts. The beetle fed, to varying extents, on bark extracts from several other species of trees.
A randomized comparison of conventional vs articulating laparoscopic needle-drivers for performing standardized suturing tasks by laparoscopy-naive subjects.

OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of conventional and articulating laparoscopic needle-drivers for performing standardized laparoscopic tasks by medical students with no previous surgical experience. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty medical students with no surgical experience were randomly assigned to two equal groups, one using a conventional laparoscopic needle-holder (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) and the other using a first-generation articulating laparoscopic needle-holder (Cambridge Endo, Framingham, MA, USA). Each student performed a series of four standardized laparoscopic tasks, during which speed and accuracy were assessed. The tasks tested needle passage through rings (1), an oblique running suture model (2), a urethrovesical anastomosis model (3) and a model simulating renal parenchymal reconstruction following partial nephrectomy (4). RESULTS Tasks 1 and 3 were completed significantly more quickly by those using the conventional instruments (P 0.05). Those using conventional instruments were significantly more accurate in all of the tasks than those using the articulated instruments (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The conventional laparoscopic needle-driver allowed laparoscopy-naive medical students to complete a series of standardized suturing tasks more rapidly and accurately than with the novel articulating needle-driver. Laparoscopic suturing with first-generation articulating needle-drivers might be more difficult to learn, secondary to the complexity of physical manoeuvres required for their use.
Radiation Testing of Recent Vintage 8080A Microprocessors from Several Manufacturers

A novel radiation experiment was performed using recent vintage 8080A microprocessors from several manufacturers. Functional self tests were continuously monitored during irradiation. Total dose failure levels as well as implications of dose rate dependency and mode of failure are noted.
Recuperation from Illness: Flavor Enhancement for Rats

Rats were given a distinctive fluid (milk or grape) during recuperation from an injection of a noxious drug (apomorphine). Single-bottle tests conducted after treatment indicated elevated consumption of the fluid conditionally paired with recuperation. This positive "medicinal" effect is to some degree independent of initial preference, of novelty effects, and of aversive reactions to other substances paired with the onset of illness.
Polyomavirus nephropathy in kidney transplantation.

Polyomavirus nephropathy has become an important complication in kidney transplantation, with a prevalence of 1% to 8%. Unfortunately, the risk factors for polyomavirus nephropathy and renal allograft loss are not well defined. The definitive diagnosis is made through assessment of a kidney transplant biopsy. Recently, noninvasive urine and serum markers have been used to assist in polyomavirus nephropathy diagnosis and monitoring. Primary treatment is immunosuppression reduction, but must be balanced with the risks of rejection. No antiviral treatments for polyomavirus nephropathy have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Although cidofovir has shown in vitro activity against murine polyomaviruses, and has been effective in some patients, it is associated with significant nephrotoxicity. Graft loss due to polyomavirus nephropathy should not be a contraindication to retransplantation; however, experience is limited. This review presents potential risk factors, screening, diagnostic and monit...
THE ROLE OF PROOF IN MATHEMATICS AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

ABSTRACT Especially in their first upper-division mathematics courses, students often have trouble with proofs; and sometimes they object, “This is hard. I do not get it. Why am I doing this?” Though symptomatic of emotional reaction to difficulty, at its heart this is a legitimate question and it deserves a legitimate answer. This article offers one such answer from a practical point of view.
Nucleoside mono-and diphosphate kinases of Ascaris lumbricoides.

Abstract 1. (1) The reproductive tract of Ascaris lumbricoides contains high activities of AMP and GMP kinases and low activities of UMP and CMP kinases. The kinases for the first mentioned nucleoside monophosphates were partially purified and show to be separate enzymes. 2. (2) Some properties of the kinases were studied. The specificity for the nucleoside triphosphate donors and the nucleoside monophosphate acceptors were also investigated.
Expression of the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-3 is associated with prognostic clinicopathologic characteristics and impairs proliferation and invasion in endometrial cancer

Objective Emerging evidence implicates the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-3 (Dkk3) as a tumor suppressor and potential biomarker in solid tumors. We investigated whether Dkk3 plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer (EC).
Nondestructive evaluation of damage in composite structures using modal parameters

The problem of using measured modal parameters to detect and locate damage in structures made of fiberreinforced composites is investigated. Recent work in this area using modal sensitivity equations is used in conjunction with internal-state variable constitutive theory to derive a set of damage-detection equations which are used to predict, from changes in measured modal parameters, the current value of the internal-state variables in each finite element. The value of the internal-state variable determines the extent of damage at a given location. Numerical examples involving damaged composite beams are used to demonstrate the capability of the theory to predict the exact location and the severity of damage. To provide experimental evidence to support the theory, mechanical and modal tests are performed on a [0,903]s laminated composite beam in the undamaged state and in three additional states of progressive damage. At each stage of damage, edge replications are taken to determine the crack density along the length of the beam. The predicted values of the internal-state variables, obtained from the modalsensitivity equations using measured modal information, are compared with the values of the internal-state variables obtained from crack-density measurements along the length of the beam. Good agreement between the predicted and the measured values is found.
Married with children: the influence of parental status and gender on ambulatory blood pressure.

Although there is substantial evidence that social relationships and marriage may influence both psychological and physical health, little is known about the influence of children. This study examined the competing predictions regarding the directional influence of parental status and its interaction with gender—given that mothers are typically disproportionately more responsible for everyday care of children—on cardiovascular functioning. We examined ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) over 24 hours among 198 married males and females. Couples without children had significantly higher ambulatory SBP and DBP than those with children. Moreover, we found a significant interaction between parental status and gender that suggested women with children showed the lowest ABP, whereas women without children displayed the highest ABP. These findings suggest that parenthood, and especially motherhood, may be cardioprotective.
Use of telemonitoring to decrease the rate of hospitalization in patients with severe congestive heart failure

We investigated whether the application of a home-based telemonitoring system could decrease hospital admissions and emergency room visits in 30 patients with severe congestive heart failure compared with 51 patients with congestive heart failure who received standard therapy. Emergency room visits (1 vs 11) and hospitalizations (13 vs 36) were decreased in the telemonitored group (both p <0.05).
Estrogen Increases cGMP in Selected Brain Regions and in Cerebral Microvessels

We have previously reported that exogenous and endogenous estrogen can amplify residual cerebral blood flow during experimental cerebral ischemia. Because estrogen has been linked to nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling in noncerebral tissue, we tested the hypothesis that long-term 17β-estradiol treatment increases basal cGMP in brain homogenates and cerebral microvessels in female rabbits. We also determined whether there are important baseline gender-specific differences in regional cGMP. Adult female rabbits were implanted with 17β-estradiol pellets, 10 mg (F10, n = 10) or 50 mg (F50, n = 13), and compared with untreated females (F, n = 19) and males with negligible estrogen (M, n = 19) (plasma 17β-estradiol levels of 4 ± 4 pg/mL in M, 7 ± 5 pg/mL in F, 141 ± 74 pg/mL in F10, and 289 ± 110 pg/mL in F50). Cyclic GMP was determined by radioimmunoassay in cerebellum, hypothalamus, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, and cortex. Cerebral microvessels were harvested from additional cohorts of untreated males and females or estradiol-implanted females (n = 6 per group). Basal cGMP was higher in F versus M only in cerebellum. Estrogen-induced increases in regional cGMP were prominent in hippocampus at all doses (M = 43 ± 26, F = 43 ± 21, F10 = 84 ± 24, F50 = 117 ± 55 fmol/mg protein) and in cortex at the high dose (M = 78 ± 55, F = 88 ± 51, F10 = 69 ± 34, F50 = 143 ± 52 fmol/mg protein). Similarly, microvascular cGMP increased only in females treated with the 50 mg dose (M = 77 ± 13, F = 86 ± 25, F10 = 106 ± 35, F50 = 192 ± 88 fmol/mg protein). Therefore, 17β-estradiol increases cGMP content in parenchymal regions that are known physiologic targets for reproductive steroids but are also areas of selective vulnerability to ischemic insult. Further, high doses of estrogenic steroids could amplify cGMP signaling within the cerebral microvasculature.
Beach Cusps as Self-Organized Patterns

Computer simulations of flow and sediment transport in the swash zone on a beach demonstrate that a model that couples local flow acceleration and alongshore surface gradient is sufficient to produce uniformly spaced beach cusps. The characteristics of the simulated cusps and the conditions under which they form are in reasonable agreement with observations of natural cusps. The self-organization mechanism in the model is incompatible with an accepted model in which standing alongshore waves drive the regular pattern of erosion and deposition that gives rise to beach cusps. Because the models make similar predictions, it is concluded that currently available observational data are insufficient for discrimination between them.
Statistical Discrimination of Liquid Gasoline Samples from Casework

The intention of this study was to differentiate liquid gasoline samples from casework by utilizing multivariate pattern recognition procedures on data from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A supervised learning approach was undertaken to achieve this goal employing the methods of principal component analysis (PCA), canonical variate analysis (CVA), orthogonal canonical variate analysis (OCVA), and linear discriminant analysis. The study revealed that the variability in the sample population was sufficient enough to distinguish all the samples from one another knowing their groups a priori. CVA was able to differentiate all samples in the population using only three dimensions, while OCVA required four dimensions. PCA required 10 dimensions of data in order to predict the correct groupings. These results were all cross-validated using the "jackknife" method to confirm the classification functions and compute estimates of error rates. The results of this initial study have helped to develop procedures for the application of multivariate analysis to fire debris casework.
Intervention analysis: The supreme court and hogan

The preceding article by Hogan suggests both that our earlier analysis (Rindfuss et al. 1978) did not contain any statistical data to support our assertions and that our conclusions were wrong. If Hogan wishes to deny that ours was a "formal statistical analysis" he is entitled to his definition but he certainly does not dispute two of our original observations each extremely unlikely under a hypothesis of chance variation only: (a) that birthrates declined in 9 of 11 Southern states at a time when they were increasing in 22 of the 31 non-Southern states with no de jure segregation; and (b) that seasonally- adjusted Southern birthrates for the months in question were substantially (more than two standard deviations) below those for the previous 13 months. Apart from this minor quibble about the proper terminology for our earlier rough-and-ready approach for reasons outlined below we question Hogans analysis and still maintain our original assertion that something unusual happened to Southern fertility rates in 1955. Our argument simply put was that in contrast to the North Southern fertility levels temporarily declined in 1955 in response to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision of Brown vs. Board of Education. This dip in the level of Southern fertility is visually evident in Figure 1 which is reprinted here from the original article. (excerpt)
The Nazi Party and the German New Middle Class, 1925-1933

In studies of the social origins of the German Nazi Party, the new middle class of white-collar employees and civil servants has received scant attention. This inattention is surprising given that the German new middle class was the fastest growing segment of the German population during Weimar. This article applies an interest-based model of political behavior to the German new middle class between 1925 and 1933 to assess the model's ability to explain the appeal of the German Nazi Party to joiners from the new middle class. The data for this study come from the Brustein-Falter sample drawn from the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) master file of 42,004 individuals who joined the Nazi Party between 1925 and 1933.
Effect of alpha- and beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents on the Renin Response to Hypoglycemia and Epinephrine in Dogs

In dogs treated with the β-adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol, there was almost complete inhibition of the increase in renin secretion produced by insulin-induced hypoglycemia. In dogs treated with the α-adrenergic blocking agent, phenoxybenzamine, there was a slight potentiation of the renin response to hypoglycemia. The increase in renin secretion produced by infusing epinephrine was slightly potentiated by phenoxybenzamine, whereas it was abolished when dogs that had received phenoxybenzamine were also given propranolol. The data strongly suggest that epinephrine stimulates renin secretion via a β-adrenergic receptor mechanism, and that the stimulatory effect of hypoglycemia is mediated, at least in part, via the increase in circulating epinephrine that it produces.
Oxygen consumption and water loss in the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta buren

Abstract 1. 1. Oxygen consumption of worker, alate female and alate male Solenopsis invicta Buren was determined at 15–40°C. 2. 2. Oxygen consumption increased with increasing temperature and was greater in males than in females or workers. 3. 3. Water loss by worker, alate female and alate male S. invicta was determined at 20–40°C and 0, 35, 60 and 85% r.h. 4. 4. Males and workers lost more water at all temperatures and relative humidities than females.
Ribozyme-mediated repair of defective mRNA by targeted trans -splicing

Ribozymes can be targeted to cleave specific RNAs, which has led to much interest in their potential as gene inhibitors. Such trans-cleaving ribozymes join a growing list of agents that stop the flow of genetic information. Here we describe a different application of ribozymes for which they may be uniquely suited. By targeted trans-splicing, a ribozyme can replace a defective portion of RNA with a functional sequence. The self-splicing intron from Tetrahymena thermophila was previously shown to mediate trans-splicing of oligonucleotides in vitro. As a model system for messenger RNA repair, this group I intron was re-engineered to regenerate the proper coding capacity of short, truncated lacZ transcripts. Trans-splicing was efficient in vitro and proceeded in Escherichia coli to generate translatable lacZ messages. Targeted trans-splicing represents a general means of altering the sequence of specified transcripts and may provide a new approach to the treatment of many genetic diseases.
Defining Autism: Variability in State Education Agency Definitions of and Evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorders

In light of the steady rise in the prevalence of students with autism, this study examined the definition of autism published by state education agencies (SEAs), as well as SEA-indicated evaluation procedures for determining student qualification for autism. We compared components of each SEA definition to aspects of autism from two authoritative sources: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA-2004). We also compared SEA-indicated evaluation procedures across SEAs to evaluation procedures noted in IDEA-2004. Results indicated that many more SEA definitions incorporate IDEA-2004 features than DSM-IV-TR features. However, despite similar foundations, SEA definitions of autism displayed considerable variability. Evaluation procedures were found to vary even more across SEAs. Moreover, within any particular SEA there often was little concordance between the definition (what autism is) and evaluation procedures (how autism is recognized). Recommendations for state and federal policy changes are discussed.
A microphone readout interface with 74-dB SNDR

A continuous-time (CT) sigma-delta modulator (SDM) for condenser microphone readout interfaces is presented in this paper. The CT SDM can accommodate a single-ended input and has high input impedance, so that it can be directly driven by a single-ended condenser microphone. A current-sensing boosted OTA-C integrator with capacitive feedforward compensation is employed in the CT SDM to achieve high input impedance and high linearity with low power consumption. Fabricated in a $$0.35$$ 0.35 - $$\upmu$$ μ m complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process, a circuit prototype of the CT SDM achieves a peak signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio of 74.2 dB, with 10-kHz bandwidth and $$801$$ 801 - $$\upmu$$ μ W power consumption.
The displacement initial-boundary value problem in bending of thermoelastic plates weakened by cracks

The displacement initial-boundary value problem for bending of a thermoelastic plate with transverse shear deformation weakened by a crack is studied, and its unique solvability in spaces of distributions is proved by means of a combination of the Laplace transformation and variational methods.
Monolithic Mesophase Silica with Large Ordering Domains

Two-dimensional X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of transparent mesoscopically ordered silica/block copolymer composite monoliths reveal single-crystal-like patterns that correspond to well-ordered hexagonal domains that are greater than 1 cm × 1 mm × 1 mm in size. Analyses of the diffraction patterns reveal highly uniform hexagonal domains with narrow distributions of orientational order that are characterized by a φ-mosaic smaller than 2° in the plane of the hexagonal lattice and a χ-mosaic smaller than 11° along the cylindrical aggregate axes. XRD and TEM results also show that the composite monoliths have large well-ordered cubic mesophase domains in the meniscus regions of the samples. Boundaries between the hexagonal and cubic domains in the monoliths reflect gradual transitions between the two epitaxially related structures. Such large single-domain hexagonal and cubic mesostructures were furthermore preserved following removal of the organic species by calcination to produce mesoporous silica mono...
Anatomical Aspects of the Gastrocnemius Aponeurosis and its Muscular Bound Portion: A Cadaveric Study—Part II

Gastrocnemius intramuscular aponeurotic recession is performed on the anterior surface of the muscular-bound portion of the gastrocnemius aponeurosis, in the "transection zone" located inferior to the region where the aponeurosis is formed by the separate tendons of the medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius, and superior to the inferior portions of the muscle's 2 heads. Measurements showed the mean proximal-to-distal length of the transection zone to be 50 mm (range 7 to 100 mm), and the mean width was 88 mm (range 48 to 19 mm). The part of the aponeurosis associated with the medial head contributed 60% of the width of the transection zone (mean 53 mm, range 30 to 80 mm), and the lateral head contributed 40% (mean 35 mm, range 18 to 53 mm). The mean lengths of the parts of the medial and lateral heads that were inferior to the transection zone were 40 mm (range 16 to 68 mm) and 22 mm (range 6 to 35 mm), respectively. In theory, a distal transection will have a large biomechanical effect, releasing more gastrocnemius fibers from their plantarflexory action; whereas a proximal transection will have less effect. An oblique incision or step-cut positioned distally on the medial side may be appropriate if the transection zone is short, if the transection is far distal in the zone, and/or if the medial head extends far distal to the lateral head.
Noun-phrase model and natural query language

Basic considerations in designing a natural data base query language system are discussed. The notion of the noun-phrase data model is elaborated, and its role in making a query system suitable for general use is stressed. An experimental query system, Yachimata, embodying the concept, is described.
Patterns of adrenocorticotropin secretagog release in response to social interactions and various degrees of novelty

Colchicine blockade of axonal transport from the paraventricular nucleus to the median eminence was used to indirectly infer ACTH secretagog release in response to the psychological stressors of social interactions and various degrees of novelty. Placing a rat in a new cage with either the smell or presence of a novel conspecific decreased arginine vasopressin and oxytocin (OT) contents, but not corticotropin-releasing factor content. Secretagog contents were unchanged in rats in their home cages faced with a novel conspecific. Secretagog release during social stress is thus primarily a function of being in a novel setting. For different degrees of novelty, rats were placed in either a novel cage, a novel bucket, or a novel bucket smelling of another rat. Whereas secretagog contents were unchanged with a novel cage, OT content alone decreased in response to both the bucket and the unclean bucket. Despite a graded corticosterone response, there was no distinction in the OT response, suggesting that the colchicine technique cannot accurately reflect gradations of stressors.
Skull base osteomyelitis leading to lateral medullary syndrome in a child

Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) arising from the sphenoidal paranasal air sinus infection without associated external otitis is rare. Initially SBO may have headache as the only symptom with cranial neuropathies occurring later. We report a 10-year-old immunocompetent girl with headache and chronic sinusitis, who developed a lateral medullary syndrome following streptococcal milleri sphenoidal osteomyelitis.
Combustion of solid oxidant-fuel systems: Thermodynamic and kinetic criteria leading to amplification of the combustion rate

Abstract The concept that combustion of solid oxidant-fuel systems is governed by thermodynamically predictable oxidant dissociation pressures and measurable kinetics of oxygen evolution is shown to be consistent with the experimental results reported here. Selection criteria and a model based on this concept show that systems thus formulated necessarily exhibit an amplification of the combustion rate, i.e., an enhancement of the speed of combustion. This is due to (1) oxidant-fuel coupling or synergy associated with the familiar exponential increase in the combusion rate with temperature and (2) sequential oxidant synergy in systems, such as Zr Co 3 O 4 , BaCrO4, Fe2O3, containing oxidants dissociating at sequentially increasing temperatures and rates. The net effect is that of a “kinetic stepladder.” These effects were experimentally confirmed and are applied in commercial practice.
Macroporous chitin affinity membranes for lysozyme separation

Macroporous chitin membranes with high, controlled porosity and good mechanical properties have been prepared using a technique developed in this laboratory based on silica particles as porogen. They were employed for the affinity separation of lysozyme. Chitin membranes (1 mm thickness) can be operated at high fluxes (>/=1.1 mL/min/cm(2)) corresponding to pressure drops >/=2 psi. Their adsorption capacity for lysozyme ( approximately 50 mg/mL membrane) is by an order of magnitude higher than that of the chitin beads employed in column separation. In a binary mixture of lysozyme and ovalbumin, the membranes showed very high selectivity towards lysozyme. The effect of some important operation parameters, such as the flow rates during loading and elution were investigated. Lysozyme of very high purity (>98%) was obtained from a mixture of lysozyme and ovalbumin, and from egg white. The results indicate that the macroporous chitin membranes can be used for the separation, purification, and recovery of lysozyme at large scale. (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 56: 610-617, 1997.
The quest for the “optimal” payment for environmental services program: Ambition meets reality, with useful lessons

Abstract Payments for ecosystem services (PES) have received considerable attention as a promising approach for correcting environmental externalities. Frequent shortcomings or outright lack of performance assessments of environmental interventions in general and PES projects in particular have resulted in recommendations for ”optimal” PES designs. Conditionality—paying service providers only if services or proxy inputs are delivered—and targeting—allocating payments based on service gains, provision costs or both—are central to such recommendations. We argue that a) true economic optimality is an unattainable PES objective and improving PES cost-effectiveness is a more realistic aspiration, and that b) current PES programs actually prevent cost-effectiveness analyses because they lack appropriate ecosystem service definitions and thus output measurements. We review the effects of conditionality on service flows and provide a framework for identifying the cost-effective level of conditionality stringency. We identify key analytical methods, data and analysis tools required to improve the cost-effectiveness of PES—or any ecosystem service—projects. Needed analytical concepts, metrics, and monitoring and modeling approaches often are sufficiently available for PES design to begin incorporating them. What is missing is their coherent application. Improving spatial-analytical and monitoring capacities should allow gradual implementation of modifications needed to improve PES cost-effectiveness.
Program execution in the SYMBOL 2R computer

The direct hardware implementation of the SYMBOL Programming Language (SPL) is highly dependent on an unusually powerful Central Processor(CP). This paper describes the principal features of the CP's operations in executing SPL programs.
Food Web Structure and Phosphorus Cycling in Lakes

Abstract We assessed the effects of trophic structure on phosphorus (P) recycling by fishes, Chaoborus, and zooplankton in lakes with different food web configurations. Fishes in a piscivoredominated system recycled little P compared to that regenerated by zooplankton and Chaoborus. In a plan ktivore-dominated lake, excretion by fishes (especially young of year) dominated P recycling to algae; Chaoborus and zooplankton recycling was decreased due to intense predation by fishes. The sum of P incorporated into primary production and lost to sedimentation in the piscivore-dominated lake was only 77% of that in the planktivore-dominated lake, Our analyses suggest that the 30% greater primary production in the planktivore-dominated system may be accounted for by the greater than 40% increase in estimated P recycling that was directly due to differences in food web structure, Diel vertical migrations by Chaoborus concentrated P excretion in the epilimnion during night hours. In the plan ktivore-dominated system...
Dynamic control of liquid-core/liquid-cladding optical waveguides

Liquid-core/liquid-cladding waveguides are dynamic; their operation depends on a continuous, laminar flow of a core and cladding fluid. We demonstrate single-mode and multi-mode waveguiding, switching and tunable evanescent coupling between liquid cores.
The kappa-opioid antagonist GNTI reduces U50,488-, DAMGO-, and deprivation-induced feeding, but not butorphanol- and neuropeptide Y-induced feeding in rats.

Antagonists selective for either kappa- [e.g. nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI)] and mu- (e.g. beta-funaltrexamine) opioid receptors have previously been shown to reduce both kappa- and mu-opioid-induced feeding. In the present studies, the anorectic effects of GNTI, a newly synthesized antagonist selective for kappa-opioid receptors, were studied in rats. GNTI (0.032-0.32 nmol; i.c.v.), administered 15 min prior to food access, reduced feeding induced by the kappa-opioid agonist U50,488 (producing a 70% maximal decrease), the mu-opioid agonist DAMGO (90% maximal decrease), and 24 h acute food deprivation (60% maximal decrease). GNTI did not reduce the orexigenic effects of butorphanol, an agonist that binds to both kappa- and mu-opioid receptors, and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Taken together, these results suggest that GNTI is a potent anorectic agent and opioid antagonist in rats. Like nor-BNI, GNTI reduced feeding induced by both kappa- and mu-opioid agonists. However, unlike nor-BNI, GNTI did not alter the orexigenic effects of butorphanol or NPY. Given the selectivity of GNTI and its effectiveness in several of the present experiments, its potency, and its short duration of action compared to nor-BNI, GNTI may serve to be a useful tool to study behavioral effects mediated by kappa-opioid receptors.
Die Oxydations-Empfindlichkeit von Wollfett bei Lagerung und Wirkung von Antioxydantien

Unter Zugrundelegung eigener Untersuchungen und des Literaturstandes wird uber die oxydative Veranderung des Wollfettes bei verschiedenen Lagerbedingungen berichtet. Die Stabilitat des Wollfettes betreffende Untersuchungen fuhrten zu dem Ergebnis, das die Wirksamkeit autoxydativer Zusatze der bei Fetten und Olen entspricht. Die Menge der zugefuhrten Antioxydantien ist von der Autoxydations-Intensitat des Wollfettes abhangig. The Oxidation-Sensitivity of Wool-Fat during Storage and the Action of Antioxidants The oxidative change of wool-fat under various storage-conditions has been reported on the basis basis of individual experiments and the available literature. The tests on the stability of wool-fat led to the result that the effectiveness of the addition of autoxidative substances corresponds those in the case of fats and oils. The amount of antioxidatives added depends on the autoxidative intensity of wool-fat.
Guest Editorial Special Section on PAR-CAD: Parallel CAD Algorithms and CAD for Parallel Architectures/Systems

The five papers in this special section on PAR-CAD: Parallel CAD algorithms and CAD for parallel architectures/systems.
A mosquito 2-Cys peroxiredoxin protects against nitrosative and oxidative stresses associated with malaria parasite infection.

Malaria parasite infection in anopheline mosquitoes induces nitrosative and oxidative stresses that limit parasite development, but also damage mosquito tissues in proximity to the response. Based on these observations, we proposed that cellular defenses in the mosquito may be induced to minimize self-damage. Specifically, we hypothesized that peroxiredoxins (Prxs), enzymes known to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen oxide species (RNOS), protect mosquito cells. We identified an Anopheles stephensi 2-Cys Prx ortholog of Drosophila melanogaster Prx-4783, which protects fly cells against oxidative stresses. To assess function, AsPrx-4783 was overexpressed in D. melanogaster (S2) and in A. stephensi (MSQ43) cells and silenced in MSQ43 cells with RNA interference before treatment with various ROS and RNOS. Our data revealed that AsPrx-4783 and DmPrx-4783 differ in host cell protection and that AsPrx-4783 protects A. stephensi cells against stresses that are relevant to malaria parasite infection in vivo, namely nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide, nitroxyl, and peroxynitrite. Further, AsPrx-4783 expression is induced in the mosquito midgut by parasite infection at times associated with peak nitrosative and oxidative stresses. Hence, whereas the NO-mediated defense response is toxic to both host and parasite, AsPrx-4783 may shift the balance in favor of the mosquito.
Contact lens care in keratoconus.

Purpose: To quantify the complexity involved in fitting contact lenses on the eyes of patients with keratoconus. Methods: The contact lens care of one randomly selected eye each of 38 keratoconus patients was retrospectively analyzed and compared to that of 38 gender and age matched controls. We evaluated the number of diagnostic contact lenses used to establish the initial contact lens order, number of ordered rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses needed to complete the fit, number of office visits during the initial 4 months of care, best spectacle and RGP contact lenses corrected Log MAR visual acuities, complications encountered, and whether or not the patient was successful in contact lens wear. Results: Keratoconic eyes statistically used more diagnostic lenses, more ordered lenses, and more office visits than did normal eyes. Visual acuities improved from an average of 20/40 with spectacles to an average of 20/20 by use of RGP contact lenses in keratoconic eyes. Visions were corrected to 20/20 with both spectacles and contact lenses in control eyes. Sixty nine percent (69%) of keratoconic eyes and 95% of controls were successful in contact lens wear. Conclusions: Contact lens care of keratoconic eyes is more challenging than care of normal eyes because of the need for more diagnostic and ordered contact lenses and the use of more professional time. Keratoconic eyes may suffer more complications than normals during contact lens care, but this does not affect the success rates, and such patients benefit from enhanced visual acuity with RGP contact lenses compared to that achieved with spectacles.
Transmembrane channel activity of gramicidin A analogs: Effects of modification and deletion of the amino-terminal residue

Abstract The relationship between the nature of the side-chain at position 1 and the activity of the gramicidin A channel was investigated. The N -formyl group was removed, one round of an Edman degradation was carried out, and a new N -formyl residue was inserted in place of N -formyl- l -valine. The conductance properties of semisynthetic gramicidins containing N -formyl derivatives of d -valine, desvaline, glycine, cysteine, S -methyl- l -cysteine, S -carboxamidomethyl- l -cysteine, S -(spin-labeled)- l -cysteine, p -iodo- l -phenylalanine, and p -fluoro- l -phenylalanine were investigated. We found that the nature of the side-chain at position 1 markedly affects channel activity. A highly hydrophobic l -residue is required.
Superplasticity in cast A356 induced via friction stir processing

Abstract Superplasticity was investigated in friction stir processed A356 alloy at temperatures of 470–570 °C and initial strain rates of 3 × 10 −4 –1 × 10 −1 s −1 . Maximum superplastic elongation of 650% was obtained at 530 °C and an initial strain rate of 1 × 10 −3 s −1 where a maximum strain rate sensitivity of 0.45 was observed.
Magnitude of Excitation Energy and Energy Transfer by Collision

Energy transfer by collision in fluorescent solutions is found to drop sharply when the excitation energy of the solute molecule is very close to or below that of the transferring molecule. The results indicate that energy is transferred only when molecules are close to each other as in collision.
Development of functional and structural connectivity within the default mode network in young children

Functional and structural maturation of networks comprised of discrete regions is an important aspect of brain development. The default-mode network (DMN) is a prominent network which includes the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), medial temporal lobes (MTL), and angular gyrus (AG). Despite increasing interest in DMN function, little is known about its maturation from childhood to adulthood. Here we examine developmental changes in DMN connectivity using a multimodal imaging approach by combining resting-state fMRI, voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging-based tractography. We found that the DMN undergoes significant developmental changes in functional and structural connectivity, but these changes are not uniform across all DMN nodes. Convergent structural and functional connectivity analyses suggest that PCC-mPFC connectivity along the cingulum bundle is the most immature link in the DMN of children. Both PCC and mPFC also showed gray matter volume differences, as well as prominent macrostructural and microstructural differences in the dorsal cingulum bundle linking these regions. Notably, structural connectivity between PCC and left MTL was either weak or non-existent in children, even though functional connectivity did not differ from that of adults. These results imply that functional connectivity in children can reach adult-like levels despite weak structural connectivity. We propose that maturation of PCC-mPFC structural connectivity plays an important role in the development of self-related and social-cognitive functions that emerge during adolescence. More generally, our study demonstrates how quantitative multimodal analysis of anatomy and connectivity allows us to better characterize the heterogeneous development and maturation of brain networks.
Networks on the ground: rural development in Kenya

This paper addresses the needs of rural development projects in Kenya employing Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a diagnosis tool. It attempts to identify the key players, the core and the structural roles in the customer network. The degree of recognition of direct and indirect competition is further investigated. Special attention is given to the organisations that hold the implicit power in the information flows in the dairy sector. Last but not least, this paper tests the existence of a small, tightly connected group in the dairy sector that has a pulling effect on the rest of the organisations in the industry.