cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resisting Erasure: Cultivating Opportunities for a Humanizing Curriculum.

Our research reflects a long-term professional dialogue and inquiry with teachers to develop and refine curriculum to address the needs of students in a high poverty, predominantly African-American school. Through our collaboration, we identify both institutional and personal barriers to changing and implementing a more student-centered curriculum. We also identify teachers' relationships with their students as a resource for effectively reforming the curriculum and propose steps for supporting such change in practice.
Preparation and synthesis of Ag2Se nanowires produced by template directed synthesis

We have prepared silver selenide nanowires by a novel synthesis technique. The nanowires were produced through template directed synthesis, in which we used a porous alumina membrane as the template. Silver was deposited on one surface and in the pores close to that surface of the template, followed by electro-deposition of selenium into the pores. Silver selenide nanowires of high quality were produced inside the pores.
Modified aza-claisen rearrangement: Generation and isomerization of allyl enammonium salts☆

Abstract Base-promoted reaction of ketones and diethyl (diazomethyl)phosphonate in the presence of allylic amines affords allylic enamines in good yields. These enamines undergo [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement upon alkylation and heating at 80°C to iminium salts which can be hydrolysed to aldehydes. The procedure allows generation of quaternary carbon centers under mild reaction conditions.
Motor Unit Recruitment Pattern in a Respiratory Muscle of Unanesthetized Chickens

Abstract THE amplitude of electrical activity of respiratory muscles of the chicken, as recorded with a needle electrode, seems to be related to the level of anesthesia. Fedde et al. (1964) have shown that motor unit potentials of large amplitude are absent when chickens are deeply anesthetized. Since many investigations of the pattern of motor unit recruitment have used anesthetized animals (Sears, 1964; Fedde et al., 1969), we attempted to determine the motor unit recruitment pattern in unanesthetized chickens. METHODS A biopolar, electromyographic electrode (Fig. 1) was implanted in the transversus abdominis muscle (TA) in six, lightly anesthetized (20 mg./kg. of body weight of sodium pentobarbital administered intravenously) Single Comb White Leghorn males, 12 to 16 weeks old. The skin was incised along the ventro-lateral surface of the abdominal wall; then the fibers of the external abdominal oblique and rectus abdominis muscles were separated by blunt dissection to expose the lateral…
X-ray microscopy resource center at the advanced light source

An x-ray microscopy resource center for biological x-ray imaging will be built at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) in Berkeley, California. The unique high brightness of the ALS allows short exposure times and high image quality. Two microscopes, an x-ray microscope (XM) and a scanning x-ray microscope (SXM) are planned. These microscopes serve complementary needs. The XM gives images in parallel at comparable short exposure times, and the SXM is optimized for low radiation doses applied to the sample. The microscopes extend visible light microcopy toward significantly higher resolution and permit images of objects in an aqueous medium. High resolution is accomplished by the use of Fresnel zone plates. Design considerations to serve the needs of biological x-ray microscopy are given. Also the preliminary design of the microscopes is presented. Multiple wavelength and multiple view images will provide elemental contrast and some degree of 3-D information.
Multiple-Patient Simulation to Transition Students to Clinical Practice

Abstract Multiple-patient assignments are necessary for senior nursing students to learn to effectively prioritize and delegate care. Because of limitations in the clinical setting, students may not receive multiple-patient assignments or feel comfortable delegating to staff, thus prohibiting them from developing these necessary skills. High-fidelity simulation can be an effective teaching and learning tool to develop these skills, especially when caring for multiple patients. However, little has been published on this topic. This article will describe how a multiple-patient scenario provided senior students with a realistic, three-patient assignment. The article will focus on the collaborative efforts needed to plan, implement, and evaluate a multiple-patient simulation scenario. Lessons learned and revisions for future scenarios are also included.
A revised method of age determination using the os pubis, with a review and tests of accuracy of other current methods of pubic symphyseal aging

All current standardized methods of age determination using the os pubis were tested by blind assessment of a skeletal sample with documented ages (from the Todd collection; N = 96). No demographic data (sex, age, race, age composition) were known to the assessors prior to completion of the test. Results showed the Todd method to be more reliable than more recent component techniques and that all systems tended to underage. Therefore, modifications were made of the Todd system to eliminate this and other deficiencies, and a second test using a new sample was conducted (N = 109). The age distribution determined by the revised Todd method did not significantly differ from the actual age distribution of the second sample. Error due to race was nonsignificant. Biological stages of pubic metamorphosis are described and possible evolutionary specializations of the hominid symphysis are discussed. Revised standards for age determination are presented.
Origin of the main class of repetitive DNA within selected Pennisetum species

In an attempt to identify relationships among genomes of the allotetraploid Pennisetum purpureum Schumach and closely related Pennisetum species with which it can be successfully hybridized, repetitive DNA sequences were examined. Digestion with KpnI revealed two highly repetitive fragments of 140 by and 160 bp. The possibility that these sequences could be used as genome markers was investigated. Average sequences were determined for the 140 by and 160 by KpnI families from P. purpureum and P. squamulatum Fresen. Average sequences (based upon four or five repeats) were determined for the P. glaucum (L.) R. Br. 140 by KpnI family and the diploid P. hohenackeri Hochst. ex Steud. 160 bp KpnI family. The average sequences of the 160 by KpnI families in P. purpureum and P. squamulatum differ by only nine bases. The 140 by KpnI families of the three related species, P. purpureum, P. squamulantum, and P. glaucum are nearly identical, and thus likely represent a recent divergence from a common progenitor or a common genome. Each repetitive sequence may contain internal duplications, which probably diverged following amplification of the original sequence. The 140 by KpnI repeat probably evolved from the 160 by KpnI repeat since the missing 18 by segment is part of the internal duplication that is otherwise conserved in the subrepeats. Tandemly arrayed repetitive sequences in plants are likely to be composed of subrepeats which have been duplicated and amplified.
Source Parameters of Regional Small-to-Moderate Earthquakes in the Yunnan–Sichuan Region of China

Abstract We apply a grid-search waveform inversion technique to determine moment tensors for 73 small-to-moderate earthquakes that occurred in the Yunnan–Sichuan region of China in 2003 and 2004 and were recorded by a PASSCAL deployment together with 6 small-to-moderate events recorded by the Yunnan province digital seismic network (YDSN) that occurred in 2000 to 2001. The advantage of studying these earthquakes down to an M w 3.03 is that the large number of solutions present a picture of the interaction of the four tectonic blocks in the region. We find distinct patterns in the orientation of the maximum compressive stress axes derived from the moment tensor solutions. They are compatible with the clockwise rotation of the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis, northeastward compressive motion, and the south-southeast movement of the east Tibetan Plateau crustal material and the counterclockwise rotation at the east of the Red River fault. We also find a subtle variation in source depth for crustal sources across the region.
A direct intervention program for chronic neurogenic dysphagia secondary to brainstem stroke

Little objective documentation is available regarding the efficacy of therapies for oropharyngeal dysphagia. Information specifying efficacy of treatment for chronic dysphagic conditions is almost nonexistent. This report describes a direct therapy program for chronic neurogenic dysphagia resulting from brainstem stroke, and provides information on immediate and long-term clinical outcome. Changes in swallowing physiology reflect goals of therapy. Long-term follow-up shows that functional benefits are long lasting without related health complications.
Improved Diagnosis of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Using Haptoglobin and Serum Amyloid A in a Panel Screen

Timely, accurate diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) is hampered by the lack of effective circulating biomarkers. No single test has emerged that improves upon the commonly used biomarker cancer antigen 19–9 (CA 19–9) to discriminate PA from benign conditions effectively. The goals of this study were to validate two acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A (SAA), as biomarkers for PA and determine if the combination of haptoglobin, SAA, and CA 19–9 would improve PA diagnosis over CA 19–9 alone. Levels of haptoglobin, SAA, and CA 19–9 were measured in pretreatment sera from 75 PA patients, 32 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 42 patients with other benign pancreatic disease or biliary stricture, and 150 healthy control subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or colorimetric binding assay. Relative levels of haptoglobin or SAA were compared between groups using analysis of variance. The diagnostic accuracy of serum haptoglobin and SAA levels were investigated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Using classification tree analysis, an algorithm was developed that used haptoglobin, SAA, and CA 19–9 in a diagnostic screening panel. Both haptoglobin and SAA were significantly elevated in sera from PA patients compared to healthy control subjects (p < 0.0001) and patients with chronic pancreatitis (p = 0.01). Haptoglobin was significantly elevated in sera from PA patients relative to patients with other benign diseases (p = 0.0015), whereas SAA fell short of significance in the same comparison (p = 0.0508). ROC analysis indicated that haptoglobin [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.792] was a better diagnostic marker than SAA (AUC = 0.691) over multiple threshold cutoffs. Using specific cutoffs that minimized overall misclassification, haptoglobin yielded a sensitivity of 82.7% and a specificity of 71.1%, and SAA yielded a sensitivity of 34.7% and a specificity of 90.2% when discriminating PA cases from all non-PA controls. In the same sample set, CA 19–9 yielded a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 91.1%. Combining data from haptoglobin, SAA, and CA 19–9 in a diagnostic screening panel improved the overall accuracy when compared to CA 19–9 alone, yielding a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 95.5%. These data demonstrate that haptoglobin and SAA are useful for discriminating PA from benign conditions as well as healthy controls when used in a diagnostic screening panel. This study supports the use of combined biomarkers for improved accuracy in the diagnosis of PA.
Hypergeometric Series, II

In 1923, Hardy published a paper [1],[7, pp. 505–516] providing an overview of the contents of Chapter 12 of the first notebook. This chapter which corresponds to Chapter 10 of the second notebook, is connected primarily with hypergeometric series. It should be emphasized that Hardy gave only a brief survey of Chapter 12; this chapter contains many interesting results not mentioned by Hardy, and Chapter 10 of the second notebook possesses material not found in the first. Quite remarkably, Ramanujan independently discovered a great number of the primary classical theorems in the theory of hypergeometric series. In Particular, he rediscovered well-known theorems of Gauss, Kummer, Dougall, Dixon, Saalschutz, and Thomae, as well as special cases of Whipple’s transformation. Unfortunately, Ramanujan left us little knowledge as to how he made his beautiful discoveries about hypergeometric series. The first notebook is found after Entry 8, which is Gauss’s theorem. We shall present this argument of Ramanujan in the sequel.
Cholangiography and small duct injury.

Summary Eighteen instances of bile duct injury over the past 25 years have been reported. Manipulation of a minute cystic duct where the common bile duct was 3 mm in diameter or less was responsible for the division of the duct in eight cases. Most of the commercial catheters are sharp, about 2 mm in diameter, and can easily divide the bile duct if pushed too far. Since manipulation of the duct with a mosquito or tonsil clamp to insert other smaller catheters can also divide a small bile duct, we have decided to discontinue obtaining cholangiograms under these circumstances. Longitudinal splitting of two additional 3 mm ducts with a 3 mm dilator was another major source of injury. Overclipping of the cystic artery to involve the hepatic duct and overmobilization of the bile duct were other sources of injury. We have ceased attempting to obtain cholangiograms in patients with small cystic ducts because of the availability of endoscopic sphincterotomy, the low yield of the films under these circumstances, and fear of damaging the ducts. We use hepaticojejunostomy with Silastic tube stenting for repair of bile duct injuries.
Unions as social capital: the impact of trade union youth programmes on young workers' political and community engagement

Jarley (2005) recently proposed a model of social capital unionism that contends that unions should strive to recreate the dense communities of the past by systematically creating social networks among workers. Underlying this approach is the notion that sustained personal contacts with members are necessary to generate the generalised reciprocity norms that mobilise workers in times of need and sustain unions in periods of relative calm. This paper describes one union's attempt at social capital building among their young members. We also report on survey results that suggest that building social capital is challenging but potentially rewarding as dense social networks are correlated with union knowledge which in turn is correlated with increased union participation as well as community and political engagement.
The Influence of Complex Systems Interactions on Barrier Island Dune Vegetation Pattern and Process

Abstract Studies of dune vegetation patterns have emphasized two structuring agents: local environmental gradients that shape the prominent zonation of coastal plant species, and disturbance patches initiated by overwash during coastal storms. For dune systems of two barrier islands in the Georgia Bight, we investigate how the interplay of these two conceptual frames generate patterns in (1) longitudinal (along-shore) and transverse (across-shore) compositional variability and (2) the arrangement of species along transverse gradients. We describe how this interplay constitutes a complex biogeomorphic system in which disturbance and recovery along gradients reinforce one another in positive feedback. Topographic and cover data were sampled within strip transects aligned perpendicular to the shoreline at study sites along a frequently storm-overwashed microtidal (South Core Banks, North Carolina) and an infrequently overwashed mesotidal (Sapelo Island, Georgia) barrier island. Multiresponse permutation proc...
Multiple cranial lesions with porropsia and hyperacusis

Abstract 1. 1. A case of occipital metastatic osteomyelitis of the skull with an epidural abscess associated with a right sided chronic subdural hematoma is reported. 2. 2. Among other symptoms the patient complained of porropsia and hyperacusis. A search of the literature reveals only one other case presenting this combination of symptoms. 3. 3. Surgical extirpation of the infected bone and the discovery and drainage of the subdural hematoma eleven days later resulted in complete relief of the patient's symptoms. When last seen, sixteen months after operation, the patient was free from symptoms, neurologic examination revealed no abnormalities, and the osteomyelitis of the skull was completely healed.
Modern Diesel-Electric Drilling Rig Equipment

A modern Diesel-electric powered drilling equipment for drilling oil wells consists of several internal combustion engines driving d-c generators, which supply adjustable voltage power to the several d-c motors driving the various motions. This paper gives a description of the functions performed by the draw works, mud pumps, rotary table, and coring reel, and a typical arrangement of apparatus or elementary power diagram showing the main d-c circuits with the arrangement of drill-hoist contactors and manual transfer switches. In addition, there are related the general scheme of operation, strictly from the driller's point of view, without the details of how these functions are accomplished; the operating principles of the electrohydraulic governor that make this scheme of operation possible; as well as the various control features provided by the amplidyne excitation of the main generators. The electrohydraulic governor, a war development, is applied for the first time to Diesel-electric drilling rig equipment. This governor gives to the engines a degree of protection never before attained, by preventing the engine from being overloaded. The governor also permits running the engines at the lowest speeds consistent with the desired rig motion and not at full rated speed at all times as in the past. The electrohydraulic governor provides for engine paralleling without the driller having to pay any attention to the engine throttles. The merits of a-c versus d-c auxiliary drives are pointed out, and separate engine-driven auxiliary a-c generators are recommended instead of the usual practice of driving auxiliary d-c generators from the main engines. This gives a saving in first cost of auxiliaries conservatively estimated at 25 per cent, as well as gains in simplicity, sturdiness, and less weight.
An unusual interplanetary event: encounter with a comet?

The possibility that the slow rise to a sharp maximum and then decay surrounding a strong current sheet observed in the Venus magnetic field 0.72 AU from the sun was caused by passage of Venus through the wake of an active comet is examined. Data were also gathered by the ISEE 3 satellite magnetometer at 0.99 AU 25 h, 20 min later, a delay corresponding to the transit time for the solar wind. No shock structures bounded the phenomenon. The data indicate the presence of a small body in a much larger field of interaction and the magnetometer, solar wind probe, and electron temperature probe support a behavior similar to a planetary magnetosheath. The observed He structure in interplanetary space ruled out a solar wind source, while consideration of the magnetic equator and magnetic pole suggest that an unknown comet passed through the region between the sun and Venus at a distance where the effects would not be detected at earth.
Porosity, Specific Surface Area and Effective Thermal Conductivity of Anisotropic Open Cell Lattice Structures

Open-cell box-lattice structures consisting of mutually orthogonal thermally conductive cylindrical ligaments can be configured to have wide ranging porosity, a large specific surface area and effective thermal conductivity in a particular direction together with specified structural characteristics. Thermal and mechanical properties can be tuned (and anisotropy introduced) by specification of different filament diameter and pitch for the vertical and horizontal filaments. Analytical models for porosity, specific surface area and effective thermal conductivity of lattice structures having different ligament diameters and pitches (anisotropy) are developed. The models show that all three of these quantities are functions of three dimensionless lengths. This paper was also originally published as part of the Proceedings of the ASME 2005 Heat Transfer Summer Conference.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Effects of pressure on the micromechanics of faulting in San Marcos gabbro

Abstract Samples of San Marcos gabbro were deformed to both pre- and post-failure stages at confining pressures of 100, 250 and 350 MPa. Scanning electron microscope observations were performed on the samples after ion-milling. The unstressed gabbro has insignificant crack porosity but a high volume fraction of healed and sealed cracks. Extensive stress-induced cracking at high angles to the maximum compressive stress is observed at the two higher pressures. Such high-angle cracks are mostly associated with the pre-existing healed cracks or cleavage planes, and they control the geometry and length scale of crack networks in plagioclase. Intensive kinking in biotite is widely observed at 350 MPa pressure, which together with the crack networks control the brittle fracture process. Stress-induced cracks in samples deformed at 100 MPa pressure are predominantly subparallel to the maximum compressive stress, and their coalescence leads to shear localization. Quantitative measurements of crack density as a function of differential stress indicate that crack interaction is appreciable beyond about 90% peak stress for all three pressures. The data also show significant decreases in stress-induced anisotropy as pressure increases, suggesting that there may be a threshold pressure beyond which stress-induced anisotropy vanishes with the onset of cataclasis.
Structural characterization of a basic trinuclear ruthenium acetate

Abstract The compound previously reported to be Ru 2 (O 2 CCH 3 ) 4 (PPh 3 ) 2 has been characterized as Ru 3 O(O 2 CCH 3 ) 6 (PPh 3 ) 3 by an X-ray structural determination. It is thus related to the known basic acetates of general formula [M 3 O(O 2 CR) 6 L 3 ] + , M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru; L = H 2 O, O 2 CR. There is no direct metal-metal interaction. The equilateral triangle of ruthenium atoms is bridged by the six acetate groups and the central oxygen atom, which lies essentially in the Ru 3 plane. One PPh 3 ligand is coordinated to each metal opposite the central oxygen atom. Average values of interatomic distances (and average e.s.d.'s) include: RuP = 2.414(7); RuO(central) = 1.92(2); RuO(acetate) = 2.06(2); CO = 1.26(3); Ru…Ru = 3.329 (3); O…O = 2.26(2) A. The identity of the solid state and solution IR spectra indicates that the same structure is maintained in solution. The non-integral oxidation state (2 1 2 ) for Ru and the diamagnetism of the compound can be rationalized in terms of a qualitative molecular-orbital treatment of the Ru 3 OP 3 π-electron system. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with unit cell dimensions a = 31.372(7), b = 26.21(2), c = 9.375(8) A; α = 99.06(3), β = 84.03(2), γ = 100.51(1)°; V = 3180(30) A 3 ; ϱ calc = 1.52(1) g/cm 3 for Z =2; ϱ obs = 1.56(3) g/ml. The structure, excluding hydrogen atoms, was determined from the intensities of 3227 unique reflections collected with a counter diffractometer. It was solved by Patterson and difference Fourier syntheses and refined by full-matrix least-squares methods to a conventional R = 0.100 and weighted R = 0.091.
Understanding successful community living by individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.

Sztmmary.-34 volunteers diagnosed as chronically mentally ill were administered a questionnaire to evaluate what factors were important in preventing rehospitalization. The volunteers were divided into cwo groups based on their relapse history. Analysis showed the nonrelapse group were more JikeJy to attribute factors such as in-home therapy, taking medication, and having fun with friends than did the group who had experienced at least one relapse in the past 24 months. More than two decades have passed since the development and implementation of Community Support Programs designed for individuals with chronic mental Illness. Trained mental health technicians who offer therapy and support directly in the clients' home provide the services. The primary focus in Community Support Programs is assisting those with chronic mental illness to develop and maintain skds and attitudes consistent with successful independent living (Turner, 1977). Outcome research using a variety of parameters to measure success has been uniformly positive (Husted, Wentler, Allen, & Longhenry, 2000). Few studies are available which focus on the environmental or interpersonal factors associated with Community Support Program's long-term effectiveness. The community (environment) is of particular interest since the therapy is delivered in each individual's home rather than in an office or outpatient chic. The literature review was focused on studies of why these in-home approaches worked so well, i.e., which environmental and interpersonal factors appeared most facditative of clients' success. In organizing the literature review, we choose to separate reported studies into those focusing on interpersonal, diagnostic, or family factors, and those whose primary focus seemed more environmental. Vaughan, Doyle, McConaghy, Blaszc~nski, Fox, and Tarrier (1992) repor~ed a significant relationship between the number of critical comments expressed by relatives living with he schizophrenic individual returning
The preparation and properties of liposomes in the LA and LAC states.

Abstract Methods are described for washing liposmes, which have been incubated with antiserum in the presence or absence of complement, free of unreacted or non-bound serum components. These procedures, based on floatation or sedimentation of the liposomes in media of appropriate density, have been used to prepare liposomal model membranes in the LA and LAC states (analogous to the corresponding) EA and EAC states for sheep erythrocyte membranes). The LA liposomes are agglutinated, contain antibody protein, and retain their trapped glucose marker. In contrast, the LAC liposomes are not agglutinated, contain significantly more protein than the LA liposomes, and have lost most of their trapped glucose.
Future directions in interplays between particle and nuclear physics

Abstract A partial summary of a few specific physics issues presented at the conference is given. These include a global look at future prospects for rare decay experiments. There is a discussion of chiral symmetry breaking as it is evidence in the axial-vector decay of the neutron and in the large value of the pion-nucleon sigma term. The use of the Drell-Yan process to obtain flavor-specific quark momentum distribution functions is also presented. Concluding remarks are made regarding the necessity of constructing a “kaon factory”.
Comparisons of canid and felid social systems from an evolutionary perspective.

Abstract Canids and felids are compared regarding evolutionary history, distribution, habitat preferences, morphology and behaviour. Factors permitting and promoting sociality in both families are discussed, and communication mechanisms within each sensory modality compared. A solitary existence is compatible with felid specializations, the mother and young being the basic social unit. Canid specializations have permitted the development of a pair bond and male provisioning of young. As an adaptation to hunting large herbivorous prey, an increase in size occurred in the felids, but canids developed sophisticated pack-hunting techniques. Group structure in canids is based on long-term affiliations between a pair and matured offspring, while in the lion, the only truly social felid, it is based on a mother and maturing daughters.
The whole person at work: An integrative vocational intervention model for women's workplace issues

Abstract This article explains a vocational intervention model with a group counseling approach that is used to develop specific coping skills to aid women with workplace difficulties.
Prosecution of Physicians for Prescribing Opioids to Patients

Many patients in pain receive inadequate doses of opioids. Fear of government action against prescribing doctors is one cause of this inadequate treatment. The purpose of the study was to assess criminal prosecutions by reviewing press reports of indictments or trials of doctors for opioid offenses during 2 years. Forty-seven cases were reported involving 53 doctors. Fifteen cases were for offenses unrelated to medical practice. In 32 cases, the charge was based on determining the prescriptions for opioids were outside the bounds of proper medical practice. Only two of these cases were evaluated by a state medical board before indictment. Five doctors were indicted for murder related to drug overdose deaths. None were found guilty of murder. Prosecutorial excesses and hyperbole were common. The state medical board's review of appropriateness of prescribing opioids when a doctor-patient relationship is presumed to exist could decrease inappropriate criminal indictments and reduce this component of fear of prescribing adequate opioid therapy for patients in pain.
Characterization of PECVD Ti process and development of a plasma-less chlorine clean for process repeatability in advanced DRAM manufacturing

The TiCl4 based CVD-Ti process has been identified as the candidate of choice for the advanced contact metallization. A BKM wet clean recovery (WCR) procedure, involving extended chamber seasoning, has been developed for the CVD-Ti process. The new WCR methodology takes only 5 wafer processing to stabilize the CVD-Ti chamber condition and film properties. It has been found that a chamber seasoning for 200 sec, performed after every idle time (greater than 15 min.) and thermal periodic clean (at wafer count # 200), helps to maintain the CVD-Ti process performance. The reliability of the new chamber operating procedures was validated through a successful 3000 wafer marathon demonstration.
Occurrence and Quantitative Determination of 2-Dimethylaminoethanol in Animal Tissue Extracts

RECENTLY the function of 2-dimethylaminoethanol (Deanol) in the biosynthesis of choline and its role as a possible precursor of cerebral acetylcholine1 has intensified interest in this substance. Levine and Chargaff2 could not find it in phospholipides. Artom and Crowder3 claimed the occasional occurrence of traces of it in rat liver. Recently Wolf and Nyc4 reported that they were able to isolate it from a mutant strain (47904) of Neurospora crassa, which accumulates this substance. In a preliminary paper, Venkataraman and Greenberg5 showed on the basis of chromatographic evidence, that incubation of a rat liver extract with aminoethanol and formaldehyde yielded methylated intermediates of choline. To clarify the question of the natural occurrence of 2-dimethylaminoethanol in animal tissue a method was developed for the isolation, characterization and quantitative determination of small amounts of this substance in the presence of other amines.
Recognition and Management of Anxiety and Depression in Elderly Patients

Objective To describe important aspects of the recognition and management of anxiety and depression in elderly patients. Design We reviewed pertinent recent articles in the medical literature and compiled guidelines for diagnosing and treating anxiety and depression in the geriatric population. Results Depression and anxiety are common in the elderly population. The development of depression in elderly subjects is associated with a higher risk of death from suicide than for any other age-group. Recognition of depression in elderly patients is often hampered by an inability or reluctance on the part of these patients to report depressive symptoms. In addition, anxiety and depression are often attributed to organic illness in this age-group. Pharmacotherapy is effective; however, older patients are probably more likely than young patients to experience adverse effects. Using medications at lower doses, choosing drugs with shorter half-lives, and avoiding drugs with potent anticholinergic side effects are often advisable. Conclusion Anxiety and depression are common conditions among the elderly population. Correct recognition, attention to underlying precipitating factors, and compassionate, supportive care can vastly improve the quality of the lives of these patients.
Biochemical Studies of Human Semen. II. The Action of Semen on the Human Uterus.

Clinical research was undertaken to determine the effect of human semen on human uteri. Results are illustrated and graphed. The study shows that the same uterus will react to 1 semen by contracting and to another by relaxing. At the same time the same semen will cause 1 uterus to contract while it causes another to relax. It is tentatively concluded that some forms of infertility are attributable sometimes to the female and sometimes to the male. Uteri seem to be of 2 kinds receptive and rejective and semen seem to be of 2 kinds stimulant and depressant.
Out of step: The function of TALE homeodomain transcription factors that regulate shoot meristem maintenance and meristem identity

The indeterminate growth pattern displayed by shoots is mediated by the proper maintenance of the shoot meristem. Meristem maintenance is dependent upon the balance of stem cell perpetuation in the central zone (CZ) and organogenesis in the peripheral zone (PZ). Although the mechanisms that coordinate CZ and PZ function is not understood, meristem cell fate is likely achieved by the spatial interplay between gene regulatory networks and hormone signaling pathways. During shoot maturation, the identity of the shoot meristem as well as the lateral organs are transformed during the vegetative and reproductive transitions. Studies in model plant systems indicate that three amino acid extension (TALE) homeodomain proteins integrate signaling events that transform the identity of the shoot meristem and establish reproductive patterns of growth. This review will highlight the function of TALE homeodomain transcription factors that regulate shoot meristem cell fate and also function with phase specific regulators to maintain shoot meristem identity.
Simulation of Monitoring and Diagnosis of Flotation Columns Operation Using Projection Techniques

On line monitoring and diagnosis systems have become important part of industrial programs leading to improve process operation and therefore product quality over time. Today, great amount of process variables are routinely collected at high frequency by Distributed Control Systems (DCS). Highly correlated process input variables, low signal/noise ratios and missing data are some of the main difficulties found in modelling the process for monitoring and diagnosis purposes. Multivariate statistical projection methods, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) have been proposed to effectively deal with these situations. The development of a simulator to illustrate the application of these ideas to a flotation process is discussed here. In this work, the use of these projection tools in the detection of relevant variables presenting measurement problems, and in the identification of the set of variables responsible for driving the process outside its normal operating region, is demonstrated, giving considerable information for the correction of the operating problem.
Voxel Selection Framework in Multi-Voxel Pattern Analysis of fMRI Data for Prediction of Neural Response to Visual Stimuli

Multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data is an emerging approach for probing the neural correlates of cognition. MVPA allows cognitive states to be modeled as distributed patterns of neural activity and classified according to stimulus conditions. In practice, building a robust, generalizable classification model can be challenging because the number of voxels (features) far exceeds the number of stimulus instances/data observations. To avoid model overfitting, there is a need to select informative voxels before building a classification model. In this paper, we propose a robust feature (voxel) selection framework using mutual information (MI) and partial least square regression (PLS) to establish an informativeness index for prioritizing selection of voxels based on the degree of their association to the experimental conditions. We evaluated the robustness of our proposed framework by assessing performance of standard classification algorithms, when combined with our feature selection approach, in a publicly-available fMRI dataset of object-level representation widely used to benchmark MVPA performance (Haxby, 2001). The computational results suggest that our feature selection framework based on MI and PLS drastically improves the classification accuracy relative to those previously reported in the literature. Our results also suggest that highly informative voxels may provide meaningful insight into the functional-anatomic relationship of brain activity and stimulus conditions.
Provisioning resilient, adaptive Web services-based workflow: a semantic modeling approach

Web Services are emerging technologies that enable application-to-application communication and reuse of autonomous services over the Web. Recent efforts, OWLS, model the semantics of Web Services that includes the capabilities of the service, the service interaction protocol, and the actual messages for service exchanges. However, there is a need to automate discovery, selection and execution of OWL-S services. Further, a framework that meets the quality of service (QoS) requirements for ad hoc Internet based services is rarely provided. In this paper, we have proposed a rule-based framework, called SetnWebQ, which manages workflows composed of Semantic Web Services. SemWebQ is capable of conducting QoS-based adaptive selection as well as dynamic binding and execution of Web Services according to the semantics of workflow, thereby rendering a resilient and adaptive Web based service flow. A series of experiments performed on the SemWebQ with real Web Services have confirmed the effectiveness of proposed framework with respect to adaptive selection and execution of the Web Services in Web based workflows.
The quantum origins of the free induction decay signal and spin noise.

Abstract Experiments are described that elucidate the quantum mechanical origins of the free induction decay voltage and of spin noise. It is shown that the experimentally measured FID voltage induced in a Hertzian loop receiving coil following a 90° pulse is typically two orders of magnitude too large to be accounted for by the current quantum theory of signal reception—coherent spontaneous emission. An experiment is then presented in which spin noise is easily observed in a circuit with a Q-factor of order unity, thereby undermining a popular hypothesis that such noise is due to spontaneous emission and is only observable because of the enhancement in the density of the radiation field in a high Q-factor tuned circuit, the NMR probe. Both the free induction decay and the spin noise are shown to be accurately predicted by near-field Faraday induction, which is described in the theory of quantum electrodynamics by an exchange of virtual photons. A heuristic approach to understanding the nature and role of virtual photons in the signal reception process is then given. Thus current popular statements that observation of the magnetic resonance phenomenon relies on the absorption and emission of radio waves are shown to be wrong.
Studying the prevention of acute kidney injury: lessons from an 18th-century mathematician.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicates approximately 5 to 15% of hospitalizations, depending on its definition (1–3), and is independently associated with a five-fold or more increase in in-hospital mortality rates (3–5). AKI also extends length of stay, obligates excess hospital expenditures, and may exert long-term adverse effects, including an increased risk for ESRD. Several known mechanisms contribute to the development of AKI, including ischemia, vasoconstriction, toxic injury related to selected endogenous substances (e.g., myoglobin), radiocontrast and drugs (e.g., amphotericin B), and microcirculatory changes, as observed with sepsis and other inflammatory states (6). Given the dire consequences that are associated with AKI, efforts at prevention seem desirable and worthy of intense investigation. Unfortunately, most episodes of AKI cannot be predicted readily, either from clinical criteria or from the timing of events. The vast majority of prevention trials in kidney disease have been conducted in the setting of radiocontrast exposure. Several recently published studies in AKI prevention have attracted significant attention and have changed practice considerably (7–11). In this report, we scrutinize three of these studies, focusing on issues related to effect estimates and statistical power, and incorporate principles of Bayes’ Theorem in our interpretation of study results. More general, we provide a cautionary note regarding the interpretation of “positive” studies with an insufficient sample size and a “significant” (P 0.05) result.
Conceptualization and development of the Household/Neighborhood Model for skilled nursing facilities: A case study

Abstract The conceptualization of the Household/Neighborhood Model for skilled nursing facilities began in 1987 at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh, WI, USA in the search for the “perfect” nursing home. Being able to see perfection required being freed from the mental constraints of regulations, reimbursement systems, and existing staff training programs so that visionary thinking was possible. Conceptualization was followed by a pilot project to test various aspects of the vision. The result was (1) a management philosophy built on Continuous Quality Improvement, (2) a team-based organization structure, (3) cross-functional staff roles, (4) social-model activity programming, and (5) a residential style physical setting that won strong support from the State of Wisconsin. With this support, we had the opportunity to open in 1997 the first full-scale model of a Household/Neighborhood in the United States based upon providing “resident and relationship centered services and care”. The model was validated through a year-long evaluative research study. In 2004 we opened a second full-scale model incorporating significant improvements identified through experience. The opportunity to further develop the model has been provided through its adoption in China by China Senior Care, which will open their first facility in 2014.
On the design of constant settling time AGC circuits

The generalized design of Automatic Gain Control (AGC) circuits that have constant settling time is described. Each of the major components of the AGC circuit is modeled and the criteria to obtain a gain settling time independent of the absolute gain are determined. The method developed works with arbitrary monotonic nonlinear functions in the gain control characteristic of the variable gain amplifier. Several AGC circuits are simulated at the behavioral level to show the benefits of the technique developed.
Phase modulation characteristics of rewritable magneto-optic compact disks

Measurements have been made of the phase modulation and polarization rotation of some commercially available rewriteable magneto-optic compact disks (RMOCDs). The disks were then used in an optical processor (joint transform correlator) as spatial light modulators.
Bioavailable Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Inversely Related to Weight Gain in Postmenopausal Women regardless of Exogenous Estrogen

Background: Weight gain, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels, and excess exogenous steroid hormone use are putative cancer risk factors, yet their interconnected pathways have not been fully characterized. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between plasma IGF-I levels and weight gain according to body mass index (BMI), leptin levels, and exogenous estrogen use among postmenopausal women. Methods: This study included 794 postmenopausal women who enrolled in an ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study between February 1995 and July 1998. The relationship between IGF-I levels and weight gain was analyzed using ordinal logistic regression. We used the molar ratio of IGF-I to IGF binding protein-3 (IGF-I/IGFBP-3) or circulating IGF-I levels adjusting for IGFBP-3 as a proxy of bioavailable IGF-I. The plasma concentrations were expressed as quartiles. Results: Among the obese group, women in the third quartile (Q3) of IGF-I and highest quartile of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 were less likely to gain weight (>3% from baseline) than were women in the first quartiles (Q1). Among the normal weight group, women in Q2 and Q3 of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 were 70% less likely than those in Q1 to gain weight. Among current estrogen users, Q3 of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 had 0.5 times the odds of gaining weight than Q1. Conclusions: Bioavailable IGF-I levels were inversely related to weight gain overall. Impact: Although weight gain was not consistent with increases in IGF-I levels among postmenopausal women in this report, avoidance of weight gain as a strategy to reduce cancer risk may be recommend.
The effects of suggestions of altertness in hypnosis on pupillary response: Report on a single subject

Abstract The pupil size of a single S was recorded under 2 types of hypnotic suggestion: alertness instructions and traditional relaxation instructions. It was found that the size of the pupil increased significantly under alertness instructions. This result was taken as further corroboration of the hypothesis that changes in various parameters of arousal apparently associated with hypnosis may be attributed to specifiable characteristics of the instructions used rather than to stable characteristics of the “state” of hypnosis.
Maternal Plasma Hypo-Osmolality: Effects on Spontaneous and Stimulated Ovine Fetal Swallowing

Fetal swallowing is a major route of amniotic fluid resorption, and thus swallowing activity may alter amniotic fluid volume. Near-term ovine fetal swallowing increases in response to plasma and/or cerebrospinal fluid hypertonicity. As maternal hydration status alters amniotic fluid volume, we hypothesized that maternal plasma hypotonicity may alter fetal swallowing activity. Pregnant ewes (130 ± 1 d; n = 6) were chronically prepared with maternal and fetal vascular catheters, a fetal esophageal flow probe, and fetal thyrohyoid and nuchal and thoracic esophagus electromyogram electrodes. Spontaneous fetal swallowing and hypertonic saline thresholds for stimulated swallowing were determined prior to and following maternal hypotonicity induced with water loading and intravenous DDAVP (arginine vasopressin V2 agonist). Fetal swallowing thresholds were determined with intracarotid injections (0.15 ml/kg) of increasing sodium chloride concentrations (0.15–1.2 M) at 2-min intervals. Maternal DDAVP infusion sign...
Superstructure in Polypeptide Films as Noted by Small Angle Light Scattering

Abstract Films of various synthetic polypeptides were investigated by use of low angle photographic light scattering. Some oriented films of poly-ybenzyl-L-glutamate (PBLG) were prepared by casting them in the presence of a. strong magnetic field. These were also investigated by both light scattering and by wide angle X-ray diffraction. Some light scattering experiments were carried out on 6lms of reconstituted collagen in order to make some comparisons between the synthetic and natural peptides. It was found that, in general, a superstructure exists which can be interpreted as having the character of optically anisotropic rods. Speculation is made regarding the formation of these rod-like aggregates. Some electron electronmicroscopy was done to note the actual presence of these rod or fibrillar-like bundles. It wm found that these anisotropic bodies also exist in the magnetically oriented films but their long axis is found to lie perpendicular to the direction of the field while the molecular axi s lies ...