cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Off‐Frequency Tuning Error Artifact in Steady‐State Free Precession Cine Imaging Due to Adjacent Air‐Filled Bowel

Identification of common cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) artifacts is important to optimal image acquisition quality and the avoidance of mistaken clinical diagnosis. We describe an off-frequency tuning error artifact observed during rapid steady-state free precession acquisitions in three patients and resulting in a dramatic appearance within the right and left ventricles. These artifacts were associated with large, adjacent air pockets within a loop of bowel or stomach and were eradicated by retuning of the magnetic resonance scanner's frequency. Awareness of this artifact, its cause and correction, should improve diagnostic image quality and avoid clinical diagnostic confusion. This report also heightens the need for a more robust shimming sequence for cardiac studies.
Synaptic function in the nervous system: a theory and its application.

The objective of this paper is to present a new theory of synaptic function in the nervous system. The basis for this theory is the experimental demonstration that a nerve impulse assumes five different forms as it advances through the synaptic region, and that five basic mathematical operations have been identified as being involved in the transformation of one form into another form. As a result of these data, the synaptic region is regarded as a functional unit where information coming to it is unpacked, processed, stored, and retrieved for transit to another synaptic region or effector site. The data also suggests that a nerve impulse is a bolus of energy, therefore, without substance; that it contains information coded in its shape or form; that it is precisely described mathematically. Furthermore, the data suggests synaptic regions process these nerve impulses by applying mathematical operations to them; that function in the synaptic region is highly stereotyped (programmed); that chemical substances are associated with the mathematical operations. The basic approach of this theory is to regard a significant portion of the nervous system as an ‘interface’ between the external universe and man himself. As an interface, the nervous system receives and processes information from both the external universe and man himself in a programmed manner. The interface functions by converting the information it receives into a bolus of energy, the nerve impulse, then processes the bolus by converting it into numbers or functions and applying mathematical operation to it.
Pharmacotherapy of atrial fibrillation: A pathophysiological perspective and review

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Although AF is due to the structural and electrophysiological alterations in the atria, its sustainability is multifactorial, and the actual mechanisms are still not clear. Despite the recent advances in catheter ablation technology and techniques, pharmacotherapy still remains the first-line therapy for the management of AF. Current pharmacotherapy targets ion channel alterations that in fact represent only one aspect of the management of this complex arrhythmia. Successful pharmacological treatment of AF and restoration of sinus rhythm is limited and is in part due to its potential deleterious side effects. Newer agents having diverse mechanisms acting on the recently uncovered pathophysiological processes are on the horizon. These include atrial repolarization delaying agents, newer class III agents, Na(+)-Ca(2+) channel blockers, stretch receptor blockers, I(KACH) blockers, gap junction modifiers, upstream therapies, and agents targeting ischemia-induced AF. Gene- and cell-specific therapies including 'tailored nanopharmacy,' newer rate control medications with minimal side effects and the emergence of novel drugs targeting multiple areas of AF arrhythmogenesis in tandem with electrical therapy may be the future direction in the management of AF.
Electroactive,π-Conjugated Polymers based on Transition Metal-Containing Thiophenes

A series of heterocycle-based bis(salicylaldimine) complexes have been synthesized and their electrochemical properties investigated. Both nickel and copper complexes of the simplest ligand 1 (SALOTH) were found to undergo electropolymerization to yield durable electro-active films under oxidizing condition. In both cases polymerization desisted upon blocking of the para position of the phenol ring. Hence, it appears that the polymer formed from complexes 2a-b is comprised of phenylene linkages at this site. In stark contrast when the conjugation of the monomer is extended by utilizing a terthiophene core, blocking of the para (complex 6) and both the ortho and para (complex 7) positions did not preclude polymerization. Furthermore, the metal-based oxidation moves to higher potentials, and additional redox processes, not seen in the other systems, grow in at lower potentials. Thus, we believe the polymer structure in these cases to be that of a polythiophene.
Effects of Anticonvulsants on Hyperthermia‐Induced Seizures in the Rat Pup

We studied the effects of phenobarbital (PB), valproic acid (VPA), and phenytoin (PHT) on the electroencephalograms and behaviorally defined seizure threshold temperatures in rat pups exposed to ambient hyperthermia on the fifth day of life. Animals injected with 10, 20, or 40 micrograms PB/g body weight (GBW) or 80, 150, or 300 micrograms VPA/GBW daily from the second day of life showed seizure temperature thresholds that were about 1.0 degree C higher than those of controls. Pups injected with PHT had thresholds that were equal to or lower than those in controls despite blood levels greater than 20 micrograms/ml. Preictal rhythmic sharp wave activity appeared in VPA-injected animals at temperatures below the threshold temperature. All experimental animals showed electrographic epileptiform activity at the threshold temperatures. We conclude that this animal model shows similar anticonvulsant efficacies to those found in human febrile seizures. This model may be useful in determining the efficacy of potentially useful anticonvulsant drugs and their mechanisms of action.
Hybrid Long-Range Collision Avoidancefor Crowd Simulation

Local collision avoidance algorithms in crowd simulation often ignore agents beyond a neighborhood of a certain size. This cutoff can result in sharp changes in trajectory when large groups of agents enter or exit these neighborhoods. In this work, we exploit the insight that exact collision avoidance is not necessary between agents at such large distances, and propose a novel algorithm for extending existing collision avoidance algorithms to perform approximate, long-range collision avoidance. Our formulation performs long-range collision avoidance for distant agent groups to efficiently compute trajectories that are smoother than those obtained with state-of-the-art techniques and at faster rates. Comparison to real-world data demonstrates that crowds simulated with our algorithm exhibit an improved speed sensitivity to density similar to human crowds. Another issue often sidestepped in existing work is that discrete and continuum collision avoidance algorithms have different regions of applicability. For example, low-density crowds cannot be modeled as a continuum, while high-density crowds can be expensive to model using discrete methods. We formulate a hybrid technique for crowd simulation which can accurately and efficiently simulate crowds at any density with seamless transitions between continuum and discrete representations. Our approach blends results from continuum and discrete algorithms, based on local density and velocity variance. In addition to being robust across a variety of group scenarios, it is also highly efficient, running at interactive rates for thousands of agents on portable systems.
Miocene and Pliocene paleoclimate of the Dry Valleys region, Southern Victoria land: a geomorphological approach

The Dry Valleys region is a hyper-arid, cold polar desert. Modern climate varies systematically with increasing elevation and distance from the coast. We distinguish three microclimate zones on the basis of varying precipitation, wind direction, relative humidity, temperature, and soil-moisture content. Zone 1 represents coastal, Zone 2 intermediate, and Zone 3 far-western areas of the Dry Valleys region. Soil-moisture content and relative humidity are the key parameters that control the areal distribution of solifluction terraces, gelifluction lobes, polygonal ground, scree slopes, and soil development in Zones 1, 2 and 3. The coastal Zone 1 shows active solifluction terraces, gelifluction lobes, levees, streams, debris flows, mudflows, and subxerous soils. The intermediate Zone 2 contains little evidence for modern downslope movement; here active gelifluction lobes, debris flows, and streams are largely restricted to north-facing slopes with high moisture content. The inland Zone 3 lacks evidence for significant modern downslope movement. There are no active solifluction terraces, stream channels, debris flows, or levees in Zone 3. Instead, Zone 3 shows Miocene- and Pliocene-age sand wedges, avalanche cones, and desert pavements. The mid-Miocene landsurface of Zone 3 is preserved to a remarkable degree. The antiquity and longevity of paleoforms in Zone 3 can be readily demonstrated by the topographic position of dated ashfall deposits. Our chronology comes from laser-fusion 40Ar/39Ar analyses of in-situ ashfall deposits that rest at, or just below, the ground surface in Zones 2 and 3 (Marchant et al., 1993a,b,c, 1995). The lack of gelifluction lobes, solifluction terraces, rills, levees, and stream channels on in-situ Miocene- and Pliocene-age deposits in Zone 3 indicates that here mean-annual air temperature, soil moisture content, and relative humidity did not reach levels that now occur in Zones 1 and 2. The present mean-annual air temperature and relative humidity of Zones 1 and 2 are about −17 °C/ 75% and −27 °C/ 45%, respectively. The implication is that climatic wanning of the magnitude necessary for East Antarctic Ice Sheet deglaciation predicted by some glaciological models (e.g., about 20 °C above present values according to Huybrechts, 1993) and growth of vascular vegetation in the Transantarctic Mountains (e.g., Webb and Harwood, 1993) could not have occurred during Pliocene time. In addition, the preservation of Miocene-age ashfall deposits, avalanche cones, and delicate desert pavements strongly suggest that no wet-based, erosive glaciers advanced into the far western Dry Valleys region above 1200 m elevation during late Pliocene time. Overall, our paleoclimate record from the Dry Valleys region implies an enduring East Antarctic Ice Sheet since Middle Miocene time. This makes it difficult to ascribe large-scale Pliocene sea-level fluctuations to ice-volume variations on the East Antarctic craton.
Simulation of the stress computation in shells

A self-teaching computer program is described, whereby the stresses in thin shells can be computed with good accuracy using the best fit approach. The program is designed for use in interactive game mode to allow the structural engineer to learn about (1) the major sources of difficulties and associated errors in the computation of stresses in thin shells, (2) possible ways to reduce the errors, and (3) trade-off between computational cost and accuracy. Included are derivation of the computational approach, program description, and several examples illustrating the program usage.
Robust rim phase shifting masks by selective diamond deposition

Diamondlike films were selectively deposited on the chromium of optical masks by hot filament and ac discharge plasma chemical vapor deposition. The deposited films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Because of their robust nature and the ease of control of their thickness, such films are promising candidates for rim phase shifting masks.
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver: An enigmatic lesion with polyclonal plasma cell proliferation

Five cases of inflammatory pseudotumour of the liver are reported and compared with seven individual previously published case reports. Clinical presentation was variable but often comprised low grade intermittent fever, vague abdominal symptoms, and a history of weight loss. Leucocytosis, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and polyclonal hyperglobulinaemia were also sometimes detected. All five cases in the present series were considered to be clinically malignant; and in two the histological diagnosis was also that of malignancy. The lesion is clearly inflammatory and reactive, but the aetiology remains unknown.
Cow Power: The Energy and Air Quality Benefits of Converting Manure to Biogas

This report consists of a top-level aggregate analysis of the total potential for converting livestock manure into a domestic renewable fuel source (biogas) that could be used to help states meet renewable portfolio standard requirements, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and improve air quality. In the U.S. livestock produces over one billion tons of manure annually. Typical disposal methods for animal manure allow for the emission of ammonia, particulate matter, unpleasant odors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a variety of other air pollutants, which can damage the environment and pose risks to animal and human health. These disposal methods also allow for the uncontrolled emission of methane and nitrous oxide, two potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), with 21 and 310 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide, respectively. Annually, 51 to 118 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon dioxide equivalent are emitted from livestock manure alone. Because air quality problems are on the rise, and trends show the contribution to GHG emissions from manure increasing from 1990 to 2005, limiting emissions from manure represents a valuable starting point for improving air quality and mitigating global climate change. Through anaerobic digestion, a well-known and time-tested process, animal manure is converted to methane rich biogas and many of the emissions of common manure management practices are avoided. Biogas is useful in a variety of applications such as a coal or natural gas substitute in electricity generation, which is the scenario considered in this analysis. Using values for the amount of biogas that can be produced per animal unit (defined as 1000 pounds of animal) per day and the number of animal units in the U.S., the authors determined that the 95 million animal units in the country could produce nearly 1 quad of renewable energy per year, approximately 1% of the U.S. total energy consumption. Converting the biogas into electricity using standard microturbines could produce 88 ± 20 billion kWh, or 2.4 ± 0.6% of annual electricity consumption in the U.S. Such an approach replaces two relatively dirty energy sources—manure and coal combustion—with a relatively cleaner source, biogas combustion, thereby yielding a net potential GHG emissions reduction of 99 ± 59 million metric tons or 3.9 ± 2.3% of the annual GHG emissions from electricity generation in the U. S. In addition, this approach has the potential to eliminate 0.4 ± 0.09 MMT of sulfur dioxide emissions, 0.1 ± 0.03 MMT of NOx, 0.002 MMT of mercury, and 0.69 ± 0.12 MMT of particulate matter from coal combustion. When natural gas is displaced, biogas use could eliminate 0.083 ± 0.019 of NOx and 0.006 ± 0.001 of SO2 while biogas combustion would emit approximately 0.068 MMT of NOx, 0.007 MMT of carbon monoxide, 0.005 MMT of particulate matter, 0.002 MMT of sulfur dioxide and 0.002 MMT of VOCs.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Communication Efficiency of Dysarthric Speakers as Measured by Sentence Intelligibility and Speaking Rate

In an effort to quantify communication efficiency, speaking rates and intelligibility scores were obtained from a normal speaking adult and 13 dysarthric speakers representing a wide range of sever...
Fluoroscopically guided aspiration of a symptomatic lumbar zygapophyseal joint cyst: a case report.

Lumbar zygapophyseal joint cysts are potential pain generators in patients with axial pain and/or lower-limb radicular pain. The traditional treatment of symptomatic cysts that do not respond to conservative measures is surgical decompression. Percutaneous needle aspiration under fluoroscopic guidance is a potential minimally invasive treatment option. We present a patient with a large symptomatic L4-5 zygapophyseal joint cyst and right L5 radiculopathy who responded well to percutaneous aspiration.
Visual exploration of structure–activity relationship using maximum common framework

To help tracking all molecules made in a typical medicinal chemistry project, we have developed an algorithm to generate a maximum common framework (MCF) hierarchy and an interactive tool for its visualization and analysis. By identifying all unique frameworks for a set of molecules and all molecules containing each framework, we were able to simplify the MCF hierarchy build up steps and, as a result, speed up the entire process significantly. By allowing compounds to be assigned to multiple MCFs, users can easily remove bad branching nodes and concentrate on interesting ones. MCF hierarchies provide an effective and intuitive visualization for tracking medicinal chemistry lead optimization projects. We will provide examples to illustrate its usefulness.
Optimization of a Large Diesel Engine via Spin Spray Combustion

A numerical simulation and optimization study was conducted for a medium speed direct injection diesel engine. The engine's operating characteristics were first matched to available experimental data to test the validity of the numerical model. The KIVA-3V ERC CFD code was then modified to allow independent spray events from two rows of nozzle holes. The angular alignment, nozzle hole size, and injection pressure of each set of nozzle holes were optimized using a micro-genetic algorithm. The design fitness criteria were based on a multi-variable merit function with inputs of emissions of soot, NO x , unburned hydrocarbons, and fuel consumption targets. Penalties to the merit function value were used to limit the maximum in-cylinder pressure and the burned gas temperature at exhaust valve opening. The optimization produced a 28.4% decrease in NO x and a 40% decrease in soot from the baseline case, while giving a 3.1% improvement in fuel economy. The improvements were found to be due to the formation of circulatory flows caused by the interaction of adjacent optimally timed injections. The resulting spinning flow field greatly enhances mixing and combustion rates, and is called "Spin-Spray Combustion*". The resulting fast mixing allowed the use of retarded injection timings, thereby lowering NO x production without increasing soot beyond the target values.
Brain spectrin: Structure, location, and function. A symposium overview

Abstract On November 12, 1986 a symposium was held at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience which brought together the pioneers and leaders in the brain spectrin field to discuss the structure, location, and function of this important cytoskeletal protein. In this brief overview, we summarize the major new concepts which emerged from this symposium.
Experiments on subaqueous sandy gravity flows: The role of clay and water content in flow dynamics and depositional structures

Deep-water deposits consisting mainly of massive sand are commonly identified as deposits of turbidity currents (i.e., turbidites). Speculation has risen in recent years as to whether some of these massive sandy deposits could have instead been deposited by debris flows. This possibility is explored here by examining the flow mechanics of sand-rich subaqueous gravity flows by means of laboratory experiments. In these experiments, sandy gravity flows were generated when well-mixed slurries of sand, clay, and water were released into a tank filled with tap water and allowed to flow under gravity over a slope that declined from 4.6° to 0.0°. The observed flow mechanics and resulting depositional features were strongly tied to the “coherence” of the debris flows (i.e., the ability of the slurry to resist being eroded and broken apart by the shear and pressure undergone by the flow). Low water content and high clay content resulted in strongly coherent debris flows, whereas high water content and low clay content resulted in weakly coherent flows. As little as 0.7 to 5 wt% of bentonite clay or 7 to 25 wt% of kaolinite clay at water contents ranging from 25 to 40 wt% was required to generate coherent gravity flows. Weakly coherent and moderately coherent flows produced significant, low-concentration subsidiary turbidity currents, and their deposits developed coarse- tail grading, water-escape structures, and minor increases in thickness at the base of the slope. Strongly coherent debris flows commonly hydroplaned and generated only minor subsidiary turbidity currents. Their deposits were structureless and ungraded, commonly showing tension cracks, compression ridges, water-escape structures, detached slide blocks, and a significant increase in thickness at the base of the slope. Application of distorted geometric scaling suggests that many aspects of these experiments appropriately scale up to the field scale of natural submarine debris flows.
PCI and CABG surgery in 2014: CABG surgery versus PCI in CAD--surgery strikes again!

Decision-making between percutaneous and surgical revascularization in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) is challenging. Current guidelines recommend surgery as the preferred revascularization strategy in patients with multivessel disease, and the 5-year SYNTAX trial results published this year further validates this. However, last-generation drug-eluting stents might challenge surgery in the contemporary setting.
The Rise of “The Rest”: Challenges to the West from Late-Industrializing Economies. By Alice H. Amsden. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. 416p. $35.00.

Alice Amsden is one of the founders of the “statist” or “revisionist” school of East Asian economic development. Her earlier book, Asia's Next Giant (1989), refuted claims that growth in South Korea and other Newly Industrialized Countries was simply a function of high investment rates and correct prices, based in turn on the small-government fundamentals of stable, private property rights, macroeconomic stability, and trade liberalization. Amsden, along with others, emphasized the benefits of sector-specific state interventions distinctly at odds with neoclassical prescriptions.
Preferential Fat Deposition in Subcutaneous Versus Visceral Depots Is Associated with Insulin Sensitivity

Background: Studies on the relationship between regional fat and insulin resistance yield mixed results. Our objective was to determine whether regional fat distribution, independent of obesity, is associated with insulin resistance. Design: Subjects included 115 healthy, overweight/moderately obese adults with body mass index (BMI) 25–36.9 kg/m2 who met predetermined criteria for being insulin resistant (IR) or insulin sensitive (IS) based on the modified insulin suppression test. Computerized tomography was used to quantify visceral adipose tissue (VAT), sc adipose tissue (SAT), and thigh adipose tissue. Fat mass in each depot was compared according to IR/IS group, adjusting for BMI and sex. Results: Despite nearly identical mean BMI in the IR vs. IS groups, VAT and %VAT were significantly higher in the IR group, whereas SAT, %SAT, and thigh sc fat were significantly lower. In logistic regression analysis, each sd increase in VAT increased the odds of being IR by 80%, whereas each increase in SAT decrea...
Organelles on the move: insights from yeast vacuole inheritance

Organelle inheritance is one of several processes that occur during cell division. Recent studies on yeast vacuole inheritance have indicated rules that probably apply to most organelle-inheritance pathways. They have uncovered a molecular mechanism for membrane-cargo transport that is partially conserved from yeast to humans. They have also shown that the transport complex, which is composed of a molecular motor and its receptor, regulates the destination and timing of vacuole movement and might coordinate organelle movement with several other organelle functions.
Marek’s Disease Research—History and Perspectives

Abstract INTRODUCTION MAREK’s disease (MD), a disease of chickens characterized by proliferation and neoplasia of lymphocytic tissues, continues to be of major economic importance in commercial flocks throughout the world. Although this disease has been studied intensively since its initial description by Marek (1907), only in the last decade have attempts to identify its cause and develop measures for its control reached some measure of fruition. Because recent developments have been profuse, it seems appropriate at this time both to reflect on some of the major past achievements and also to contemplate the direction of future research in this dynamic field. This brief history is not intended to duplicate more comprehensive reviews available elsewhere (Biggs, 1968; Calnek and Witter, 1971), but describes instead some aspects of the evolution of recent progress in MD research. Several key developments will be considered, with particular emphasis on the circumstances of their origin and on…
On holomorphic domination, II

Abstract Let X be a separable Banach space with the bounded approximation property, Ω ⊂ X pseudoconvex open, and u : Ω → R locally upper bounded. We show that there are a Banach space Z and a holomorphic function h : Ω → Z with u ( x ) ‖ h ( x ) ‖ for x ∈ Ω .
Causes of Death in the Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant

Objective. To present primary and secondary causes of death confirmed by autopsy for the extremely low birth weight infant. Methods. A total of 111 infants weighing between 300 and 1000 g at birth who died and were autopsied at our hospital during the 4-year period 1990-1993 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical, pathologic, and laboratory data were retrieved including results of placental examinations and autopsy cultures. Primary and secondary causes of death were assigned by the authors. Results. Infection was the most common primary cause (56/111) followed by respiratory distress syndrome/ bronchopulmonary dysplasia (24/111) and congenital defect (15/111). Immaturity as an only cause appeared almost exclusively in infants weighing <500 g at birth. Infection was significantly underdiagnosed clinically with most of these deaths attributed to immaturity or respiratory distress syndrome. In only 1 case was intraventricular hemorrhage considered the primary cause of death although it was present as a secondary cause in 19/111. Infections were divided into congenital (30/56) and acquired (26/56) by time of death. The congenital infections (≤48 hours) consisted of pneumonia and chorioamnionitis/funisitis attributable to maternal enteric organisms. Causative bacteria were obtained in pure culture in a number of these cases. The acquired infections were mainly caused by yeasts and nosocomial bacteria. Sixty-seven percent of the deaths occurred in the first 2 days and 12% were beyond the neonatal period at 29 to 104 days. Care was not initiated or was withdrawn in 50% of the infants, usually within the first 4 hours. Conclusions. Infection of the amniotic fluid leading to pneumonia was the major cause of death in the extremely low birth weight infant. Accurate cause of death can not be reliably ascertained without an autopsy accompanied by examination of the placenta in the early deaths. Antibiotic treatment of the mother and infant may have reduced the deaths from infection. Early failure to respond to neonatal intensive care may well indicate presence of a congenital pneumonia.
SOLITON THEORY FOR CLASSICAL STATISTICAL MECHANICS OF THE MASSIVE-THIRRING-SINE-GORDON MODEL

This paper reviews soliton theories for classical statistical mechanics of the massive-Thirring-sine-Gordon model. These theories attempt not only to reproduce the classical transfer matrix method result but also to provide thermodynamic information about exact nonlinear excitations of the model. Three theories are discussed. Firstly, the soliton–gas phenomenology which is successful in the Toda lattice is shown to be not even approximately correct for the sine-Gordon model. This breakdown is due to the incorrect counting of the number of degrees of freedom. Secondly, the soliton–phonon theory which reproduces the WKB result is also shown to be not exact. This non-exactness is ascribed to the fact that the nonlinear phonons are not exact elementary excitations in the model. Thirdly, a non-gas phenomenological soliton–breather theory is derived as a classical limit of quantum statistical mechanics of the model. The exactness of the last theory is demonstrated through an accurate numerical analysis of its basic equations.
A Torsional Contact Problem for an Indented Half-Space

This paper is concerned with the torsion ofa rigid disk bonded to the bottom of a cylindrical indentation on an elastic half-space. By virtue of Fourier sine and cosine transforms, the mixed boundary value problem in classical elastostatics is shown to be reducible to a pair of integral equations, of which one possesses a generalized Cauchy singular kernel. With the aid of the theory of analytic functions, the inherent fractional-order singularity in the contact problem is rendered explicit. Illustrative results on the torsional stiffness of the base of the indentation and the corresponding contact stress distribution are presented for engineering applications.
Effect of neonatally administered estrogen on development of male and female rats.

This investigation is, in part, a replication of a study which reported that neonatally administered estrogen masculinizes the genetic female rat to the extent that it exhibits ejaculatory responses. Male and female rats were injected when 4 days old with either 100 μg estradiol benzoate (EB) or oil. In comparison to controls, males neonatally injected with EB had delayed testicular descent and decreased male sexual behavior, body weight and testis weight. Upon histological examination, the testes of EB-treated males were found to have tubular abnormalities. While females injected neonatally with EB exhibited more incomplete and completecopulatory responses to exogenous androgen given at maturity than control subjects, none exhibited ejaculatory patterns. EBtreated females had precocious vaginal openings, disrupted vaginal cycles, anovulatory ovaries and heavier than normal postpuberal body weights.(Endocrinology 87:435,1970
Development of a Manipulative for Nephron Physiology Education.

some physiological concepts, such physiology of filtration and absorption in the different nephron segments, are so detailed that they can be a challenge to be memorized. This article describes an exercise that solidifies learning as students manipulate, using paper models, “transporters” and
A general framework for modeling and processing optimization queries

An optimization query asks for one or more data objects that maximize or minimize some function over the data set. We propose a general class of queries, model-based optimization queries, in which a generic model is used to define a wide variety of queries involving an optimization objective function and/or a set of constraints on the attributes. This model can be used to define optimization of linear and nonlinear expressions over object attributes as well as many existing query types studied in database research literature. A significant and important subset of this general model relevant to real-world applications include queries where the optimization function and constraints are convex. We cast such queries as members of the convex optimization (CP) model and provide a unified query processing framework for CP queries that I/O optimally accesses data and space partitioning index structures without changing the underlying structures. We perform experiments to show the generality of the technique and where possible, compare to techniques developed for specialized optimization queries. We find that we achieve nearly identical performance to the limited optimization query types with optimal solutions, while providing generic modeling and processing for a much broader class of queries, and while effectively handling problem constraints.
The Family and Society in Nineteenth-Century Latin America: an Historiographical Introduction

This historiographic essay reviews literature on the Latin American family within the context of themes, issues, and methodologies important in studies of European and United States families. The f...
Improving energy expenditure estimation by using a triaxial accelerometer

In our study of 125 subjects (53 men and 72 women) for two 24-h periods, we validated energy expenditure (EE), estimated by a triaxial accelerometer (Tritrac-R3D), by using a whole-room indirect calorimeter under close-to-normal living conditions. The estimated EE was correlated with the measured total EE for the 2 days (r = 0. 925 and r = 0.855; P < 0.001) and in minute-by-minute EE (P < 0.01). Resting EE formulated by the Tritrac was found to be similar to the measured values [standard errors of estimation (SEE) = 0.112 W/kg; P = 0.822]. The Tritrac significantly underestimated total EE, EE for physical activities, EE of sedentary and light-intensity activities, and EE for exercise such as stepping (all P < 0.001). We developed a linear and a nonlinear model to predict EE by using the acceleration components from the Tritrac. Predicted EE was significantly improved with both models in estimating total EE, total EE for physical activities, EE in low-intensity activities, minute-by-minute averaged relative difference, and minute-by-minute SEE (all P < 0. 05). Furthermore, with our generalized models and by using subjects' physical characteristics and body acceleration, EE can be estimated with higher accuracy (averaged SEE = 0.418 W/kg) than with the Tritrac model.
Learning, memory, and sleep in children

ion in language-learning infants. Psychol Sci 2006;17(8):670–4. 105. Gomez R, Maye J. The developmental trajectory of nonadjacent dependency learning. Infancy 2005; 7(2):183–206. 106. Hupbach A, Gomez RL, Bootzin RR, et al. Napdependent learning in infants. Dev Sci 2009; 12(6):1007–12. 107. Deregnaucourt S, Mitra PP, Feher O, et al. How sleep affects the developmental learning of bird song. Nature 2005;433(7027):710–6. Learning, Memory, and Sleep in Children 57
High-Resolution Nonoscillatory Central Schemes for Hamilton--Jacobi Equations

In this paper, we construct second-order central schemes for multidimensional Hamilton--Jacobi equations and we show that they are nonoscillatory in the sense of satisfying the maximum principle. Thus, these schemes provide the first examples of nonoscillatory second-order Godunov-type schemes based on global projection operators. Numerical experiments are performed; $L^1$/$L^{\infty}$-errors and convergence rates are calculated. For convex Hamiltonians, numerical evidence confirms that our central schemes converge with second-order rates, when measured in the L1-norm advocated in our recent paper [Numer. Math, to appear]. The standard $L^{\infty}$-norm, however, fails to detect this second-order rate.
Stochastic continuity algebras

Abstract This work is concerned with the study of the aggregate of all stochastic processes which are continuous in probability, over various parameter spaces. The collection of all such random functions on compact space forms a Frechet algebra. Our main objective is to study the closed ideals in this algebra and to relate these closed ideals to their hulls.
An Approach To Portable Parallel Programs

Parallel architectures vary greatly in their organizations. These differences arise naturally from designing machines to fit different problem domains, and from different physical and cost constraints. Thus, the world is, and will continue to be, populated with parallel processors having significantly different organizations and hence, incompatible programming models: a program written specifically for one parallel processor does not transport directly to another. Without portability, parallel processing cannot expect to enter the mainstream of computation. This paper broadly outlines how supporting a heterogeneous parallel programming model and alternate implementations can achieve portability among different parallel processors.
Detection of Salmonellae in the Environment

The incidence of salmonellae in contrasting environments was compared in this study. Samples collected from or near surface waters in a lush hardwood forest yielded four salmonellae serotypes from six culturally positive samples. A total of 76 samples collected from the top of a granite outcropping over a 3-month period yielded 10 positive samples. Only two salmonellae serotypes were isolated, and one of these was isolated only once. The nature of the sample material had no significant effect on the detection of salmonellae from the two sampling sites. However, the presence or absence of visible moisture in the sample significantly affected the recovery of salmonellae. The results showed that even a harsh environment such as that found on top of Stone Mountain may serve as an ecological niche for the survival and transmission of salmonellae.
Learning Concepts from Contexts and Definitions

Two groups of college students learned the meanings of 15 unfamiliar words. One group (N=35) learned them through the pairing of word and definition; the second group (N=35) learned them through analysis of each word as it appeared in one-sentence contexts. Two posttests were given both groups. One posttest consisted of one-sentence contexts similar to those seen by the context group. The second test consisted of the definitions seen only during training by the definition group. On the context posttest the group that had seen only contexts did significantly better than the group that had seen the definitions (p < .01). On the definitions-only test there was no difference. The results indicate the conceptual meanings of the words were best acquired through an analysis of contexts.
Means to What End? Conflict Management Frames

This article examines environmental disputants' conflict management frames—their preferred means of responding to conflict—and the impact of those frames on the conflict's intractability. Through c...
Employee Stock Ownership Plans And Shareholder Wealth: An Examination Of The Market Perceptions Of The Non-Tax Effects

As a means of achieving broad social and economic objectives, Congress has provided tax incentives designed to encourage Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). The purpose of this study is to determine if some of the observed market reaction to ESOP adoption may be attributed to nontax benefits of ESOPs. This studys findings indicate that the securities market does perceive positive benefits from an ESOP other than from the tax benefits provided by Congress.
Urban Traffic Flow Prediction Using a Spatio-Temporal Random Effects Model

Traffic prediction is critical for the success of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). However, most spatio-temporal models suffer from high mathematical complexity and low tune-up flexibility. This article presents a novel spatio-temporal random effects (STRE) model that has a reduced computational complexity due to mathematical dimension reduction, with additional tune-up flexibility provided by a basis function capable of taking traffic patterns into account. Bellevue, WA, was selected as the model test site due to its widespread deployment of loop detectors. Data collected during the 2 weeks of July 2007 from 105 detectors in the downtown area were used in the modeling process and traffic volumes predicted for 14 detectors for the entire month of July 2008. The results show that the STRE model not only effectively predicts traffic volume but also outperforms three well-established volume prediction models, the enhanced versions of autoregressive moving average (ARMA) and spatiotemporal ARMA, and ...
Depth and Tightness

We analyze futures market liquidity using audit trail data that allows for direct calculation of market attributes such as depth, spread and spread-free volatility. Depth is relatively stable throughout the trading day, in particular contrast to customer spreads, which are much higher at open and close, consistent with equity market evidence. Interestingly, spreads are larger at market close even for futures with substantial reductions in price volatility throughout the day. We present evidence consistent with the view that market power and inventory considerations are responsible for increased closing spreads.
Maintenance of Clinical Endpoints After Discharge from a Pharmacist-Managed Risk Reduction Clinic at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center

BACKGROUND: Diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension are complex chronic disease states that often require close monitoring and frequent follow-up to achieve and maintain therapeutic control as determined by hemoglobin A1c (A1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and blood pressure (BP). At the Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center (CGVAMC), physicians may refer their patients to the on-site pharmacist-managed Risk Reduction Clinic (RRC). Patients are discharged from the RRC once patient-specific therapeutic goals have been met for diabetes, dyslipidemia, and/or hypertension. This study investigated the change in A1c, LDL, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) after discharge from the CGVAMC RRC. OBJECTIVES: To investigate (a) how clinical endpoints for diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension change after discharge from the pharmacist-managed RRC at the CGVAMC; (b) the factors associated with worsening of monitoring parameters; and (c) the frequency of reconsultation to the RRC. METHODS: In this single...
Advanced materials with low dielectric constant and low coefficient of thermal expansion

For recent major low CTE and dielectric material is epoxy resin system, it must add a large amount of filler and flame retardant to decrease CTE value, Dk, and achieve UL-94 V0 standard. In this study, low CTE AI were synthesized by incorporating biphenyl- or naphthalene- type diisocyanate with rigid and symmetrical structure, and then reacted with naphthalene type epoxy forming low CTE resins. The AIE dielectrics possessed excellent thermal property and can pass the UL-94 V0 flammability standards without adding halogen or phosphorous flame retardants. Moreover, TM-AIE@SiO2 has low dielectric constant that Dk is 2.8@10GHz. The green dielectrics with Tg (> 200°), good dielectric and thermal properties, low CTE (X,Y-axis(a1) is 4 ppm/°C,), and can pass the UL-94 V0 flammability standard. This novel insulated material is very fantastic and compatible with the environment to meet WEEE/RoHS regulations. Therefore, various potential applications can be applied to HDI board, IC substrate, automobile, server board and so on.
A Unified Theory of Fair and Equitable Treatment

Since the beginning of the decade, international arbitral tribunals have struggled unsuccessfully to define the obligation of “fair and equitable treatment” required by the vast majority of the world’s 2,600 bilateral investment treaties (BITs). Although by the end of 2008 more than fifty awards had been issued by international tribunals interpreting that standard, none of them has purported to offer a unified theory of the standard. This article endeavors to supply such a theory.
A High Data-Rate Energy-Efficient Triple-Channel UWB-Based Cognitive Radio

This paper presents a fully integrated ultra wideband (UWB)-based cognitive radio (CR) transceiver for $1\,{\text{Gb/s}}$ data-rate energy-efficient short-range wireless connectivity by scavenging triple discrete inactive frequency bands in 3.1–10.6 $\,{\text{GHz}}$ ISM band. The transceiver including receivers (RXs), transmitters (TXs), spectrum sensors, and synthesizers is implemented in $1\,{\text{V}}$ $65\,{\text{nm}}$ standard CMOS technology. A novel pulse generator (PG) enables the TX to meet UWB emission mask and to reduce spectral sidelobe peak by ${ with low power consumption of $3.6\,{\text{mW}}$ . A dual-mode RX front-end provides quadrature analog correlation (QAC) for analog domain matched filtering during communication and analog wavelet-based energy detection (ED) during spectrum sensing (SS) without changing circuitry. The transceiver achieves the minimum energy consumption of $59.7\,{\text{pJ/b}}$ with $1.97 \times {10}^{-4}\,{\text{bit error rate (BER)}}$ and the maximum energy consumption of $102.3\,{\text{pJ/b}}$ with $1.25 \times {10}^{-3}\,{\text{BER}}$ . Die area is $4.6\,{{\text{mm}}^{2}}$ with on-die phase-locked loops (PLLs) and pads.
Streamlining nutritional care for the physician's office.

Objective: Nutritional care needs are overlooked in clinical practice. We review nutritional needs and describe an approach for improving nutritional care in clinical practice. Design: Data from a controlled trial and several population cohorts. Setting: Primary care practices and a population survey in New Hampshire and Vermont, USA. Subjects: The controlled trial involved 1651 persons aged 70+ years. The cohorts include information from 1879 persons aged 12+. Intervention: All patients completed standard surveys which included information about nutritional needs. 22 practices participated in the trial. Results: The higher the BMI, the less healthy the population. 15–30% of patients report problems or concerns with eating/weight and nutrition. Patients with problems or concerns are often bothered by other health and social problems. Patients who have productive interactions with clinicians have improved nutritional care and are more likely to report help with eating problems (68% vs 86%; Odds ratio 5.0 (95% CI: 0.9–27.0). Conclusions: Nutritional issues are common and complex. A productive provider-patient interaction can improve the nutritional care of patients. Essential elements for a productive interaction include an informed, educated patient and a provider (or clinical team) prepared to assess and manage the broad range of issues that are important to the patient. Technology facilitates necessary feedback between patient and provider.
Lithium Ordering in Li x Ti S 2

A new electrochemical measurement applied to the Li/Ti${\mathrm{S}}_{2}$ cell reveals subtle changes in slope on the voltage-composition relationship. These anomalies occur at compositions where ordered structures among intercalated lithium are predicted from lattice-gas theories. ${\mathrm{Li}}_{x}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{S}}_{2}$ appears to be a nearly ideal model for the study of composition- and temperature-dependent properties of the two-dimensional lattice gas.
Controversies in the Management of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Transradial Versus Transfemoral Approach

This article discusses the controversies surrounding the use of transradial versus transfemoral approaches in the management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, beginning with a review of the benefits of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in this population. The unanswered questions about the mechanism underlying the mortality benefit of transradial PCI are discussed, concluding with recommendations for safe and effective strategies for adoption of the transradial approach to optimize outcomes in these high-risk patients.
Laser refractometer as a transfer standard of the pascal

We have developed a new low pressure sensor which is based on the measurement of (nitrogen) gas refractivity inside a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity. We compare pressure determinations via this laser refractometer to that of well-established ultrasonic manometers throughout the range 100Pa to 100000Pa. The refractometer demonstrates 10−6 precision for p > 50 kPa; — as good or better than the manometer — we argue that a laser refractometer represents a state-of-the-art transfer standard of the pascal. We also claim the refractometer has an accuracy of U(p FP ) = [(16mPa)2 + (11.9 × 10−6 · p)2]1/2, as realized through the properties of nitrogen gas.