cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anti-thymocyte Globulin for the Treatment of Acute Cellular Rejection Following Liver Transplantation

Acute cellular rejection (ACR) post-liver transplantation (LT) can usually be reversed with pulse dose steroids. Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is used to treat steroid-resistant rejection (SRR). We report 15 male and five female LT recipients with a median age of 48.3 (range 14.3–71.7) years, who received ATG for biopsy-proven steroid-resistant rejection (n = 13), severe rejection (6), and severe rejection/recurrent autoimmune hepatitis (n = 1) median 42 (range 6–2,456) days following LT. Underlying liver diseases included HCV (n = 7), alcoholic cirrhosis (n = 3), NASH (n = 2), HBV (n = 2), autoimmune hepatitis (n = 1), PSC (n = 1), miscellaneous (n = 4) including three re LTs. All patients responded to treatment (median AST declined from 172 to 34U/l, median total bilirubin from 9.1 to 1.3 mg/dl; p < 0.001). Three patients developed recurrent ACR, and none chronic rejection. All HCV patients developed recurrence with significant rises in HCV RNA levels. Infections included pneumonia, sepsis, intraabdominal infection, chronic diarrhea, wound infection, EBV, and CMV disease. After a median follow-up of 65.5 (range 4.3–101.7) months post-ATG and median 67.7 (range 9.3–306.3) months post-LT, 17 patients are alive, two died from sepsis/multi-organ failure and one from HCV recurrence. ATG effectively reversed severe and SSR; HCV recurrence and infections remain significant complications.
DB2 10.5 mit BLU Acceleration: Optimiert für komplexe analytische Anfragen

Mit der Einfuhrung von DB2 10.5 im Juni 2013 bietet DB2 eine neue Technologie, die einen deutlichen Leistungssprung fur die Verarbeitung komplexer Datenbankanfragen erlaubt, zum Beispiel in Data Warehouse- und Data Mart-Anwendungen. Hinter dem Namen „BLU Acceleration“ verbirgt sich eine Kombination mehrerer fundamentaler Neuheiten in DB2, wie zum Beispiel spaltenorientierte Speicherung, ordnungserhaltende Komprimierung, Anfrageauswertung auf komprimierten Daten, Vektorverarbeitung der Daten auf Hardwareebene, und „Data Skipping“. Dieser Artikel bietet ein Uberblick uber DB2 10.5 mit BLU Acceleration (kurz: BLU).
Big ideas in science

I often stump my students when I ask them ‘from where do hypotheses come?’ I then quote Richard Feynman [1]: ‘The principle of science, the definition, almost, is the following: The test of all knowledge is experiment. Experiment is the sole judge of scientific “truth”’ and note that Feynman goes on to write ‘But what is the source of knowledge? Where do the laws that are to be tested come from? Experiment, itself, helps to produce these laws, in the sense that it gives us hints. But also needed is imagination to create from these hints the great generalizations – to guess at the wonderful, simple, but very strange patterns beneath them all, and then to experiment to check again whether we made the right guess.’
Comparison of 2H and 13C NMR Relaxation Techniques for the Study of Protein Methyl Group Dynamics in Solution

A comparison of 2H- and 13C-based NMR relaxation methods to characterize the dynamics of methyl groups in proteins is presented. Using human ubiquitin as a model system, the field dependence of carbon and deuterium relaxation parameters has been measured and used to probe the utility of various forms of the model-free formalism in revealing the underlying dynamics. We find that both approaches reveal the same overall dynamical features provided that suitable parametrization and model-free spectral densities are employed. It is found that the original and extended model-free formalisms yield different descriptions of the methyl group dynamics and that the extended version is more appropriate for the analysis of carbon relaxation. Because of the inherent differences in the types of information that 2H and 13C offer, deuterium methods appear to provide robust access to methyl symmetry axis order with the least amount of data, while carbon methods provide more robust access to model-free parameters defining t...
Blue Moon Natural Foods

Blue Moon began as a natural foods market and deli in Exeter, New Hampshire, added a small restaurant, and had just opened an upstairs space for classes by local instructors. Founder Kathy Gallant had a vision that had evolved over time and a strong commitment to her customers and employees. At the end of 2002, Kathy was considering future paths for Blue Moon and herself. She was contemplating ways eventually to leave the business but still had many ideas for Blue Moon and its community.
The Influence of Troubleshooting, Education, and Documentation on Computer User Satisfaction

The influence of a number of technical support (TS) independent variables on overall computer user satisfaction is analyzed. The variables troubleshooting, user expectations, and documentation are found to be the most significant variables affecting overall satisfaction, whereas the variables number of computer systems and the microcomputer (as the type of installation) have the least significant effect in the user satisfaction model.
390 THE IMPACT OF MIXED HISTOLOGAL FEATURES ON SURVIVAL FOLLOWING RADICAL CYSTECTOMY FOR UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA

and muscle-invasive tumor (P 0.0010), or disease-specific mortality in patients with muscle-invasive tumor (P 0.0073). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to benign bladders, significant decreases in the expression of AR, ER , or ER in bladder cancer were seen. Loss of AR or ER was strongly associated with higher grade/ more invasive tumors, while ER expression was increased in highgrade/invasive tumors and predicted worse prognosis.
The Relationship between Total Testosterone Levels and Prostate Cancer: A Review of the Continuing Controversy

Purpose: For many years it was believed that higher total testosterone contributed to prostate cancer and caused rapid cancer growth. International guidelines consider that adequate data are not available to determine whether there is additional risk of prostate cancer from testosterone replacement. Numerous studies with multiple designs and contradictory conclusions have investigated the relationship between total testosterone and prostate cancer development. To establish current knowledge in this field we reviewed the literature on total testosterone and the subsequent risk of prostate cancer as well as the safety of exogenous testosterone administration in patients with a history of prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We searched the literature to identify articles from 1994 to 2014 related to the relationship between total testosterone and prostate cancer. Emphasis was given to prospective studies, series with observational data and randomized, controlled trials. Case reports were excluded. Article...
Flooding in tubes and annuli

Abstract The limitation of vertical countercurrent flow, called flooding, is important for the operation of Emergency Core Cooling Systems in Nuclear Reactors. A new flooding correlation is presented which solves the obvious contradiction between the Wallis correlation and the study by Pushkina and Sorokin concerning the scaling question at zero penetration of liquid. In addition, this flooding correlation is applicable for partial delivery in pipe and annuli experiments as long as the liquid penetrates in the form of a film along the walls.
Isolubimin: A possible precursor of lubimin in infected potato slices

Abstract Potato slices treated with spirovetiva-1(10),11-diene-2-one yield lubimin and rishitin within 24 hr. A vetispirane which has not been detected in fungally infected potatoes was also isolated. This compound, isolubimin, appears to be an intermediate in the conversion of the above spirovetivone to lubimin.
Opportunities for near-infrared thermal ablation of colorectal metastases by guanylyl cyclase C-targeted gold nanoshells

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While surgery remains the mainstay of therapy, approximately 50% of patients who undergo resection develop parenchymal metastatic disease. Unfortunately, current therapeutic regimens offer little improvement to the survival of patients with parenchymal metastases in the liver and lung. In that context, there is a significant unrealized opportunity at the intersection of engineering and biology for the development of novel targeted therapeutic approaches to colorectal cancer metastases. This opportunity exploits the discovery that an intestinal receptor, guanylyl cyclase C, which mediates diarrhea induced by bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins (STs), is over-expressed by metastatic colorectal tumors only. Moreover, it leverages recent advances in the fabrication of metal nanoshells with defined thicknesses absorb near-infrared (NIR) light, resulting in resonance and transfer of thermal energies of more than 40 degrees C. Thus, the conjugation of ST to gold nanoshells, which can undergo resonance excitation by NIR light and emit heat, represents a previously unrecognized approach for the targeted therapy of parenchymal colorectal cancer metastases, specifically to the liver and lung. This article discusses the potential of ST-targeted nanoshells for NIR thermal ablation of metastatic colorectal tumors and highlights the significant challenges and solutions linked to the translation of this emerging technology to patient care.
Biopsychosocial studies on cutaneous malignant melanoma: Psychosocial factors associated with prognostic indicators, progression, psychophysiology and tumor-host response

A series of seven studies investigating biopsychosocial aspects of cutaneous malignant melanoma were conducted by a multidisciplinary group of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. Two studies investigated the relationship of variables derived from a videotaped psychosocial interview and from self-report measures, and two histopathologic indicators: tumor thickness and level of invasion. Associations of psychosocial variables to prognostic indicators were stronger within the younger vs the older subject group. In a multiple regression analysis, patient delay in seeking medical attention emerged as the most significant variable predicting tumor thickness. A study of factors related to patient delay found longer delays in patients who had lesions on the back, less previous knowledge of melanoma, less understanding of its treatment and less minimization of its seriousness. Another study compared the repressive coping reactions--defined as the discrepancy between reported anxiety and that reflected in electrodermal activity--in melanoma patients, cardiovascular disease patients and disease-free controls. The melanoma group was significantly more 'repressed' on the combined self-report/physiological measure, as well as on other self-report measures of repressiveness. In order to investigate the relationship of psychosocial factors to more disease-relevant physiological variables, the next study focused on two clinical variables significantly predictive of disease outcome:mitotic rate of the tumor and lymphocytes at tumor site. Emotional expression of sadness and anger, rated from the videotaped interviews, was positively correlated with tumor-specific host-response factors and negatively correlated with mitotic rate. In another study, subjects who had died or had disease progression were matched on the basis of tumor and demographic characteristics with subjects who had no evidence of disease by follow-up. The unfavorable outcome group had higher scores on self-report scales of dysophoric emotion and distress which were administered one to three years previously. An experimental investigation of relationships among behavioral, physiological and tumor outcome variables in the Syrian hamster found that general activity was correlated positively with greater tumor growth following induction. These results were compared to those from the preceeding two human studies, and discussed in terms of a stress-arousal-coping model.
Dynamics of moving space-charge domains in germanium

Abstract We report the experimental measurement of moving space-charge domains in liquid He cooled ultrapure p-Ge using a movable capacitive probe to map the one-dimensional potential, electric field and space charge distributions along the conduction direction of rectangular samples at successive times. The data show dipole-type domains moving periodically through the sample in the direction of applied dc electric field.
Multiple Cholesterol Emboli Syndrome after Angiography

Multiple cholesterol emboli syndrome (MCES) after angiography has been reported infrequently. Seven patients (from five reports) who developed MCES after angiography are reviewed. An eighth case is described. All patients had evidence of extensive atherosclerosis. Following angiography of the eight patients, six demonstrated livedo reticularis below the umbilicus; technical difficulties were reported in four; four became febrile and/or hypertensive; and only one survived. Since therapy has been unsuccessful, careful angiographic technique is essential to prevent this syndrome.
Cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents under development with a possible future role in prostate cancer.

New cytotoxic chemotherapeutic compounds under development or in early clinical trial which might be considered for clinical evaluation in prostatic carcinoma are discussed. The following classes of agents are considered: lipid-soluble antifolates, anthracyclines, nitro-soureas, and platinum analogues. A group of miscellaneous compounds is also discussed.
Characterization of immunoglobulin class and subclass responses in secondary aborter sera

Sera from secondary (2 degrees) aborters exhibit persistent, high-titred cytotoxicity against paternal as well as HLA dissimilar non-paternal lymphocytes. The majority of antipaternal complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and complement-independent antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was recovered in IgG enriched fractions following ion-exchange chromatography of 2 degrees aborter sera. The IgG subclasses mediating antipaternal reactivity were determined using murine anti-human IgG subclass specific monoclonal antibodies and Protein A affinity chromatography (SPA). Inhibition of paternal CDC by the anti-subclass reagents showed 75-90% of the reactivity mediated by maternal IgG1 antibodies. Anti-IgG3 inhibited 15-30% whereas anti-IgG2 produced little inhibition. SPA chromatography of 2 degrees aborter IgG supported the monoclonal antibody results in that greater than 80% of the CDC activity was recovered in the IgG1, 2, and 4 containing eluate and 20% was found in the IgG3 enriched effluent. Although the anti-IgG subclass specific monoclonals did not inhibit antipaternal ADCC, IgG3 did not appear to mediate this cytotoxicity as the ADCC was recovered in the eluate and not the effluent following SPA chromatography of 2 degrees aborter IgG enriched serum fractions. These data indicate that the humoral antipaternal and polyspecific CDC immune reactivities of 2 degrees aborters are due to the production of IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies.
NMDA receptor-mediated K+ efflux and neuronal apoptosis.

Neuronal death induced by activating N -methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been linked to Ca2+ and Na+ influx through associated channels. Whole-cell recording from cultured mouse cortical neurons revealed a NMDA-evoked outward current, I NMDA-K, carried by K+ efflux at membrane potentials positive to –86 millivolts. Cortical neurons exposed to NMDA in medium containing reduced Na+ and Ca2+ (as found in ischemic brain tissue) lost substantial intracellular K+ and underwent apoptosis. Both K+ loss and apoptosis were attenuated by increasing extracellular K+, even when voltage-gated Ca2+channels were blocked. Thus NMDA receptor–mediated K+efflux may contribute to neuronal apoptosis after brain ischemia.
An inference model for inheritance hierarchies with exceptions

We present a definition of property inheritance with exceptions in terms of a formal model of default reasoning called nonconclusive reasoning. Our model resolves both types of ambiguity encountered in inheritance with exceptions and avoids the need for explicit exceptions without resorting to extralogical mechanisms to derive them.
Active Immunization of Rats Against Nippostrongylus muris

Conclusions and SummaryResults obtained from this series of experiments seem to warrant the following conclusions: 1. Immunity can be engendered to a marked degree in pied stock rats against Nippostrongylus muris after vaccination with antigens prepared by extracting the homologous worms. 2. Immunization of pied stock rats with these two types of “improved” antigens precludes any possibility of the condition described as “prernunition”, as in the case of the results obtained by a previous investigator.1,2 3. The immunity produced by this method is effective against the lung and intestinal phases, and possibly the skin phase, of the parasite, in the same manner as those reported by previous investigators after active (by prior infection) and passive immunization against this parasite.5,6,7
One-Step Preparation of [2,3-3H]1-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic Acid: A Useful Ligand for Strychnine-Insensitive Glycine Receptors

Catalytic hydrogenation of 1-aminocyclopropenecarboxylic acid under tritium gas afforded [2,3-3H]1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid with specific activity 26 Ci/mmol, determined by a combination of 1H and 3H NMR. Pilot radioligand binding assays indicate this compound will be a useful probe for the NMDA receptor-associated strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor.
Assessment of the potential for a pharmacokinetic interaction between fluoxetine and terfenadine

Objective To assess whether fluoxetine and its metabolite, norfluoxetine, are inhibitors of the metabolism of CYP3A substrates. Background Because inhibition of the first-pass metabolism of terfenadine may be associated with fatal arrhythmia, we assessed the possibility that fluoxetine inhibits this metabolism as a model for CYP3A drug interactions. Methods Male subjects (n = 12) were given two single doses of 60 mg terfenadine alone (treatment 1) and again after the eighth dose in a 9-day regimen of 60 mg fluoxetine once a day (treatment 2). Blood samples, collected up to 48 hours after each terfenadine dose, were assayed for terfenadine and terfenadine acid metabolite. The assay limits of quantification were 0.1 ng/ml and 5.0 ng/ml, respectively. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic data for terfenadine and terfenadine acid metabolite were compared between treatments. Results Mean value ± SD plasma concentrations of fluoxetine (165 ± 45 ng/ml) and norfluoxetine (83 ± 23 ng/ml) achieved after the eighth dose did not cause a significant change in terfenadine acid metabolite pharmacokinetics. All terfenadine concentrations were less than 5 ng/ml and they were approximately 30% lower after fluoxetine pretreatment compared with terfenadine alone. The area under the concentration-time curve for terfenadine was lower after fluoxetine administration, a statistically significant difference, but the peak concentration of terfenadine was not significantly different. Because most antihistaminic activity after terfenadine administration is attributed to its acid metabolite, the small decrease in terfenadine concentration is not clinically significant. No subject discontinued the drugs because of an adverse event. Conclusion Fluoxetine did not inhibit the metabolism of terfenadine and is unlikely to affect the metabolism of terfenadine or other drugs that are CYP3A substrates. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1997) 62, 643–651; doi:
A virtualização da memória: linguagem, memória e imaginação

Hoje, rememorar oralmente parece ter sido substituido por imagens. Estaria a memoria se virtualizando? Neste artigo, pretende-se ir alem de uma categorizacao da memoria, da linguagem e da imaginacao. O objetivo e explicitar as relacoes subjacentes a elas para alcancar seu sentido hermeneutico. O que a memoria, a linguagem e a imaginacao tem em comum em sua natureza? Qual, ou quais as consequencias para a constituicao da identidade do sujeito e sua existencia? A investigacao e filosofica e hermeneutica. A metodologia usada e a interpretacao. Os resultados da investigacao sao: (a) a memoria, pelo processo imagetico desencadeado pela midia, esta se virtualizando; (b) memoria e imaginacao sao formas de linguagem; (c) na imagem, encontra-se o elemento reflexivo e gerador de sentido da linguagem, da memoria e da imaginacao; (d) o virtual se configura como via privilegiada de constituicao da subjetividade. Palavras-chave: v irtualizacao da memoria; linguagem; imaginacao. Abstract Today, to recollect orally report of lived experiences seems to have been replaced by images. Would the memory be virtualizing? In this article, we intend to go beyond a memory, language and imagination categorization. The aim of this study is to make explicit the underlying relationships with them to achieve their hermeneutic sense. What do memory, language and imagination have in common in their own nature? Which are the consequences for individual identity the constitution and its existence? The investigation comes within the philosophy field in its hermeneutic extension. The methodology used here is the interpretation. The research results are: (a) memory, for the image process mostly caused by the media, is in the process of virtualization; (b) memory and imagination are language forms; (c) In the picture, is the reflexive element and meaning generator of language, memory and imagination; (d) the virtual sets as a privileged way of constituting the subjectivity. Keywords: memory virtualization; language; imagination.
Dynamic Feedback Allocation Algorithms for Interference Management in MIMO Uplink

This paper investigates the impact of limited feedback on the uplink of a wireless network with multiple access points. The network adopts universal frequency re-use with each access point serving a set of users using orthogonal signalling. All wireless nodes are multiple-input-multiple-output-capable. Block Diagonalization, a popular technique for interference cancellation, is performed at each transmitter. Interference cancellation on the cell boundary is being considered in future wireless standards such as IEEE 802.16m and 3GPP Long Term Evolution Advanced. In such systems, the precoder is fed back to the mobile by its home base station. It follows that the rate achieved at the home as well as neighbouring access points is a function of the bandwidth of this feedback channel. We study the problem of minimizing the network-wide feedback budget subject to guaranteeing a minimum rate at each access point. We compute the optimal network-wide allocation using dynamic programming on junction trees with complexity that depends on the structure of the underlying interference graph. Unfortunately, when the interference graph forms a grid such as the traditional arrangement of base stations, this complexity becomes exponential in the number of users, N. We propose a greedy allocation algorithm with significantly-reduced complexity and with an approximation guarantee that, provably, scales as N. The constant of proportionality is shown to be a function of the precoder quantizer distortion, cost per feedback bit (for reliable delivery) and the size of the largest neighbourhood of the network.
Within or Without? How Firms Combine Internal and External Labor Markets to Fill Jobs

We examine which jobs are more likely to be filled by internal mobility (specifically, promotions and lateral transfers) than by hiring. Building on the assumptions of transaction cost accounts of ...
Racial Disparities in Erectile Dysfunction among Participants in the California Men's Health Study

ABSTRACT Introduction The burden of erectile dysfunction (ED) among different racial and ethnic groups is unclear, in part, because prior studies have not included all four major racial and ethnic groups in the same population‐based sample. Aim To determine the prevalence and odds of ED among all four major racial and ethnic groups after adjustment for demographic, medical, socioeconomic, and lifestyle characteristics. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted using data from men, aged 45–69 years, without a diagnosis of prostate cancer (N = 78,445), who completed questionnaires as part of the California Men's Health Study, a large multiethnic cohort study with detailed demographic, medical and, socioeconomic data. Main Outcome Measure Erectile dysfunction measured by a previously validated four‐level response question. Results The overall prevalence of ED by age category was 13%, 24%, and 44% for men aged 45–49 years, 50 and 59 years, and 60–69 years, respectively. In a multivariable model, relative to white men, Hispanic (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.99, 1.12), Asian (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.02, 1.19), and other men (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.06, 1.1.21) had increased odds of moderate‐severe ED, while black men were less likely to report moderate to severe ED (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.81, 0.92). Black (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48, 0.61) and Asian men (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.80, 1.04) were less likely to have severe ED after adjustment for age, socioeconomic status, medical co‐morbidities, and lifestyle characteristics. Conclusion These data demonstrate that the prevalence of ED among different racial and ethnic groups is likely the result of complex phenomena and depends upon the interplay of socioeconomic, demographic, medical, cultural, and lifestyle characteristics. After accounting for these factors, these data suggest that Asian and black men are less likely to have severe ED relative to white men. Smith JF, Caan BJ, Sternfeld B, Haque R, Quesenberry CP, Jr, Quinn VP, Shan J, Walsh TJ, Lue TF, Jacobsen SJ, and Van Den Eeden SK. Racial disparities in erectile dysfunction among participants in the California men's health study.
Syndromes of reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormone : genetic defects in hormone receptors, cell transporters and deiodination

At least six major steps are required for secreted thyroid hormone (TH) to exert its action on target tissues. Mutations interfering with three of these steps have been so far identified. The first recognized defect, which causes resistance to TH, involves the TH receptor β gene and has been given the acronym RTH. Occurring in ∼1 per 40,000 newborns, more than 1000 affected subjects, from 339 families, have been identified. The gene defect remains unknown in 15% of subjects with RTH. Two novel syndromes causing reduced sensitivity to TH were recently identified. One, producing severe psychomotor defects in > 100 males from 26 families, is caused by mutations in the cell-membrane transporter of TH, MCT8 ; the second, affecting the intracellular metabolism of TH in four individuals from two families, is caused by mutations in the SECISBP2 gene, which is required for the synthesis of selenoproteins, including TH deiodinases.
IBM MASTOR SYSTEM: Multilingual Automatic Speech-to-Speech Translator

In this paper, we describe the IBM MASTOR, a speech-to-speech translation system that can translate spontaneous free-form speech in real-time on both laptop and hand-held PDAs. Challenges include speech recognition and machine translation in adverse environments, lack of training data and linguistic resources for under-studied languages, and the need to rapidly develop capabilities for new languages. Another challenge is designing algorithms and building models in a scalable manner to perform well even on memory and CPU deficient hand-held computers. We describe our approaches, experience, and success in building working free-form S2S systems that can handle two language pairs (including a low-resource language).
Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying muscular dystrophy

The muscular dystrophies are a group of heterogeneous genetic diseases characterized by progressive degeneration and weakness of skeletal muscle. Since the discovery of the first muscular dystrophy gene encoding dystrophin, a large number of genes have been identified that are involved in various muscle-wasting and neuromuscular disorders. Human genetic studies complemented by animal model systems have substantially contributed to our understanding of the molecular pathomechanisms underlying muscle degeneration. Moreover, these studies have revealed distinct molecular and cellular mechanisms that link genetic mutations to diverse muscle wasting phenotypes.
Using Standardized Tests to Inventory Consonant and Vowel Production: A Comparison of 11 Tests of Articulation and Phonology

Purpose This report considered the validity of making conclusions about a child’s phonetic inventory (the sounds a child can and cannot produce spontaneously without a prior model or other stimulat...
Improving the Prediction of Reading for the Individual Child A Four-Year Follow-Up

In a follow-up of 208 boys, the 16 who scored low on a prekindergarten screening battery, but were satisfactory readers four years later, were compared with 13 others, who were low on both prekindergarten and reading measures. All but two of the 16 good readers, but only one poor reader, were classified by criteria consisting mainly of biographical variables. Four sets of biographical and screening data, applied to the 179 boys who scored above the screening cutoff, identified 16 of 17 who became poor readers, but only one good reader. The four subgroups identified resembled subtypes of reading disability found by some researchers.
Development and Integration of an Advanced Stirling Convertor Linear Alternator Model for a Tool Simulating Convertor Performance and Creating Phasor Diagrams

A simple model of the Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASC) linear alternator and an AC bus controller has been developed and combined with a previously developed thermodynamic model of the convertor for a more complete simulation and analysis of the system performance. The model was developed using Sage, a 1-D thermodynamic modeling program that now includes electro-magnetic components. The convertor, consisting of a free-piston Stirling engine combined with a linear alternator, has sufficiently sinusoidal steady-state behavior to allow for phasor analysis of the forces and voltages acting in the system. A MATLAB graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed to interface with the Sage software for simplified use of the ASC model, calculation of forces, and automated creation of phasor diagrams. The GUI allows the user to vary convertor parameters while fixing different input or output parameters and observe the effect on the phasor diagrams or system performance. The new ASC model and GUI help create a better understanding of the relationship between the electrical component voltages and mechanical forces. This allows better insight into the overall convertor dynamics and performance.
Opening Doors or Slamming Them Shut? Online Learning Practices and Students with Disabilities

Online learning has the potential to open doors to education for everyone who has access to the technology required to participate. Or does it? When it comes to social inclusion in online learning, who are the “haves” and who are the “have-nots?” Some online learning practices erect barriers to individuals with disabilities—uncaptioned videos are not accessible to students who are deaf, content presented only within graphic images is not accessible to individuals who are blind, unorganized content cluttered on a page creates barriers to some students with learning disabilities and attention deficits, web pages that require the use of a mouse are inaccessible to those who cannot operate a mouse. This article explores the question, “What online learning practices make social inclusion possible for individuals with disabilities?” The author answers this question with lessons learned from her own teaching experiences as well as those presented in research and practice literature. She also shares overall characteristics of distance learning programs that promote the social inclusion of students with disabilities in their courses. The author points out how making courses welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by individuals with disabilities may promote the social inclusion of other students as well. She recommends further dissemination and future research regarding inclusive practices in online learning.
Characteristics of young women enrolled in a high-risk breast cancer screening program

1512 Background: Young women at higher risk for breast cancer may benefit from enrollment in a dedicated surveillance program to ensure that their unique needs for examination, imaging, and risk modification are met. Though these programs do exist, little information is known about their effectiveness. In this pilot study, we sought to characterize the patients enrolled in our high-risk screening program. Methods: The Special Surveillance Breast Program (SSBP) at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) was initiated in 1992 and enrolls patients in four categories: known and probable genetic mutation carriers, atypia, LCIS, and positive family history. Data is collected prospectively in an IRB-approved database and reviewed retrospectively. Patients enrolled from 1992 to March 2008 were included. Inclusion criteria included age under 40 and at least one follow-up visit. Data was validated with the patients’ medical records. Results: Four hundred and thirteen patients met inclusion criteria. The ...
JUVENILE XANTHOGRANULOMA WITH PULMONARY LESIONS. A CASE REPORT.

A case of juvenile xanthogranuloma with pulmonary lesions is presented. The benign course of this child9s disease without therapy is stressed. Other reported cases of internal involvement in juvenile xanthogranuloma are reviewed.
Influence of Various Hormonal Contraceptives on Sperm Migration in Vivo

To determine the effect of the cervical mucus in hormonal contraception a standardized postcoital test was designed. Subjects were fertile young women attending contraception and fertility clinics. The control group of 19 women had normal menstrual cycles. Of these 16 had undergone tubal ligation; the other 3 were being treated for secondary infertility. 10 women were using Sequens containing estrogen only for 7 days of the cycle Days 10-16. 44 women were wearing Lippes loops. Oral progestagen microdoses were being given to 50 women who were taking 30 mcg of d-norgestrel daily. Monthly injectable progestogens (norethindrone enanthate) were given to 30 women who received a single dose of 25 mcg without estrogenic addition on Day 6 or 8 of each cycle. Long-acting (depot) injectable progestogens were used by 93 women. Norethindrone enanthate 200 mg had a contraceptive effect for at least 12 weeks. The postcoital tests were made 4-10 hours after coitus following 3 days of abstinence and on 1 of the 7 days from Day 10 to Day 16 of the cycle. Intracervical material was taken from the middle third of the cervical canal. A sample of intrauterine material was then taken. Sperm counts were made. The number of motile sperm were recorded and the number with progressive forward motion noted. Quantity transparency spinnbarkeit and arborization or ferning were observed. Almost all sperm found in the uterine lumen were motile and with good forward motion. Treatment with estrogen alone did not interfere with sperm migration into the uterine lumen. Postcoital test findings for the 44 women wearing IUDs showed marked variations. In the 3 groups treated with progestational contraceptives differences were found between the intracervical and intrauterine specimens. Endocervical specimens were similar to those of the control group but intrauterine findings showed an almost total absence of sperm. Of the 93 patients receiving injections of depoprogestogen at 12-week intervals the postcoital test was done during the 1st postinjection months for 43 during the 2nd month for 18 and on the day they came for the next injection for 32. Total sperm counts were considerably lower at first for the progestogen group at high dosage but no longer at 12 weeks postinjection. At 12 weeks uterine sperm were found in only 7 of 32 patients. Groups treated with progestogens were almost all negative for spermatozoa in the uterus except for those using a low oral microdose. Cervical mucus arborization correlated with the number of sperm showing directional motion. Results show that the estrogens used increased intercervical penetrability but had no action on intrauterine sperm penetration. The IUDs had no uniform effect on sperm ascension. Only high-dose progestogens decreased intracervical penetration but even low doses of progestogens stopped intrauterine penetration of sperm. This lack of entrance of sperm into the uterine cavity may account for the contraceptive effect of low-dose progestational agents.
Development and demonstration of a two-dimensional, accurate and computationally-efficient model for boron implantation into single-crystal silicon through overlying oxide layers

A 2-D model for boron implantation into (100) silicon through overlying oxide layers has been developed and implemented into the process simulator FLOOPS. This model is both accurate and computationally efficient and shows explicit dependencies on all of the key implant parameters: energy, dose, tilt and rotation angles, oxide layer thickness, mask height, mask edge orientation, and rotation of the wafer during implantation.
The effect of crop rotations on Rhizoctonia disease of potatoes

Since 1964, replicated rotation plots in Presque Isle, Maine have continually been planted and evaluated to determine the effect of various rotation crops on tuber appearance, quality, and yield. In 1974 and 1975, the saprophytic activity ofRhizoctonia solani in the soils of each rotation combination was determined, and the tubers harvested were scored forRhizoctonia damage. Soils with a two-year rotation of oat-potato had the lowest amount of saprophytic activity byRhizoctonia and provided the lowest incidence of disease on the stems, roots, and tubers of the cultivars Kennebec and Katahdin. With the cultivar Russet Burbank, the three-year rotations generally provided the lowest incidence of disease; however, this cultivar is more susceptible to the pathogen. The plots of potatoes that were not rotated had the highest pathogen activity and the greatest disease incidence.
Delayed erythropoietin therapy improves histological and behavioral outcomes after transient neonatal stroke

Abstract Background and purpose Stroke is a major cause of neonatal morbidity, often with delayed diagnosis and with no accepted therapeutic options. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of delayed initiation of multiple dose erythropoietin (EPO) therapy in improving histological and behavioral outcomes after early transient ischemic stroke. Methods 32 postnatal day 10 (P10) Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham surgery or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 3 h, resulting in injury involving the striatum and parieto-temporal cortex. EPO (1000 U/kg per dose × 3 doses) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally starting one week after tMCAO (at P17, P20, and P23). At four weeks after tMCAO, sensorimotor function was assessed in these four groups (6 vehicle-sham, 6 EPO-sham, 10 vehicle-tMCAO and 10 EPO-tMCAO) with forepaw preference in cylinder rearing trials. Brains were then harvested for hemispheric volume and Western blot analysis. Results EPO-tMCAO animals had significant improvement in forepaw symmetry in cylinder rearing trials compared to vehicle-tMCAO animals, and did not differ from sham animals. There was also significant preservation of hemispheric brain volume in EPO-tMCAO compared to vehicle-tMCAO animals. No differences in ongoing cell death at P17 or P24 were noted by spectrin cleavage in either EPO-tMCAO or vehicle-tMCAO groups. Conclusions These results suggest that delayed EPO therapy improves both behavioral and histological outcomes at one month following transient neonatal stroke, and may provide a late treatment alternative for early brain injury.
Brief description for tower solar thermal power generation

This paper introduces the composition of tower solar thermal power generation system,and mainly expounds the collector subsystem,receiving subsystem(receiver).Finally,the paper presents the situation about tower solar thermal power generation system at home and abroad.
A Novel Approach to Evaluate Community Detection Algorithms on Ground Truth

Evaluating a community detection algorithm is a complex task due to the lack of a shared and universally accepted definition of community. In literature, one of the most common way to assess the performances of a community detection algorithm is to compare its output with given ground truth communities by using computationally expensive metrics (i.e., Normalized Mutual Information). In this paper we propose a novel approach aimed at evaluating the adherence of a community partition to the ground truth: our methodology provides more information than the state-of-the-art ones and is fast to compute on large-scale networks. We evaluate its correctness by applying it to six popular community detection algorithms on four large-scale network datasets. Experimental results show how our approach allows to easily evaluate the obtained communities on the ground truth and to characterize the quality of community detection algorithms.
A web-based tool for teaching data modeling

Database normalization and entity relationship (ER) diagram are two major topics in database teaching. Some students have problems mastering those concepts in a short period of time. A Web-based tool is developed to provide students an interactive hands-on experience in data modeling. The tool is suitable for relational and ER data modeling in a database course.
Student pharmacists’ knowledge of biostatistical and literature evaluation concepts

Abstract Background Pharmacists must have working knowledge of biostatistical and literature evaluation concepts in order to accurately interpret data from the primary literature and deliver effective patient care. Therefore, it is important for colleges and schools of pharmacy to provide graduates with a strong foundation in biostatistics knowledge. Objective To assess student pharmacists׳ knowledge with regard to biostatistics and literature evaluation concepts during each year of a professional degree program. Methods A previously validated Biostatistical Knowledge Test Survey Instrument (BKTSI) was administered to all students in the graduating class of 2013 on an annual basis as they progressed through P1–P4 years of the curriculum. Results Response rates were 79% (131/166), 88% (146/165), 73% (115/158), and 70% (109/156), during the P1, P2, P3, and P4 years, respectively. The mean BKTSI scores were 44.5% ± 10.6, 49.5% ± 12.4, 45.0% ± 12.9, and 47.1% ± 14.2 during the P1, P2, P3, and P4 years, respectively. BKTSI scores were numerically higher in the P2 year compared to the P1 and P3 years. Conclusion Although an improvement in mean BKTSI score was seen early in the curriculum, a trend toward improvement was not observed over the entire four-year period. These results underscore the importance of continued emphasis and application of biostatistical and literature evaluation concepts throughout pharmacy training.
EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA ON ROOT AND SHOOT RESPIRATION OF SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA

Abstract Carbon dioxide release (nM gdw -1 s -1 ) of shoot and root systems of intact Spartina alterniflora was monitored in a 2-chamber laboratory apparatus in darkness while the shoot atmosphere was varied. Whole plant respiration averaged 12.3 nM CO 2 gdw -1 V -1 at 30°C with shoots in 21% O 2 gas and roots in 0.02% O 2 . Shoot CO 2 release exceeded belowground CO 2 release under the conditions tested; however, some of this differential resulted from CO 2 flux from the root system to the shoot through internal gas spaces. Carbon dioxide release of both aerial and belowground tissues declined when oxygen concentration in the shoot chamber was lowered from 21% to 0.02%, but the decline was proportionally greater in shoot tissues. Full submergence of the shoot produced a roughly equivalent decline in CO 2 release. These findings imply that tidal flooding in darkness, by inducing internal hypoxia, can inhibit respiration of S. alterniflora.
Fault Detection and Isolation with Applications to Vehicle Systems

This chapter provides solutions to the fault detection and isolation (FDI) problem when the model describing the system behavior is a deterministic continuous-variable system and faults can be modeled as additive signals acting on the process. The solution to this problem leads to a diagnostic system that consists of two parts: a residual generation module and a residual evaluation module. The chapter focuses on two FDI approaches: the observer design method and the nonlinear parity equation method. Illustrative examples on fault diagnosis for a brake-by-wire system and a battery demonstrate the efficacy of the methods.
Adrenal gland: New guidelines for adrenal incidentalomas.

Adrenal incidentalomas are masses found in the adrenal glands during examination for other indications. New guidelines from the European Society of Endocrinology in collaboration with the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors present evidence-based recommendations for the clinical management of these tumours following their detection in patients.
Induction motor efficiency maximizer using multi-layer fuzzy control

An extension to fuzzy control, multi-layer fuzzy control (MLFC), is applied to efficiency maximization of induction motors. The efficiency of induction motors decreases when the operating point deviates from the rated speed and torque. The MLFC based efficiency maximizer reduces the input electric power by adjusting the voltage to frequency (V/Hz) ratio. This is done by a coarse adjustment which moves quickly to the neighbourhood of the optimal V/Hz ratio and a fine adjustment which converges slowly to the optimum. The MLFC efficiency maximizer is tested in the laboratory and its effectiveness is verified.
What’s missing in most of our early childhood degrees? Focusing more deeply on relationships and learning with infants, toddlers, and their families

ABSTRACTInfant-toddler teachers have the least education, the lowest pay, and the highest turnover rate of all adults in the field of early childhood education. In this article, the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and their families are explored at the 2-year associate (AA) and the 4-year bachelor (BA) levels of early childhood higher education degree programs in Washington State. This participatory action review was conducted through surveys and interviews with members of a state early childhood teacher educator professional organization and through examination of publically available course information. The study explored whether early childhood teachers were being prepared in coursework and field experiences to meet Washington state and nationally accepted core knowledge and broad competency areas for preparation of the infant-toddler workforce. A review of early childhood degree programs found an overall insufficient emphasis on a deeper understanding of holistic infant early development and interv...
Size-exclusion chromatography

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) is used for the characterization and/or separation of macromolecules. Size-based sampling of column pore volume provides information in terms of the molar mass averages and distributions of disperse polymers. The history of the development, the basic theory of column separations, calibration, and detection strategies for obtaining absolute molar mass information are described, as are modern multidetector techniques and the incorporation of SEC into two-dimensional liquid chromatographic arrangements.