cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response to Intervention (RTI) for Students Presenting with Behavioral Difficulties: Culturally Responsive Guiding Questions

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a tiered intervention that assists school personnel in determining eligibility for special education services. Studies support the use of RTI as an early intervention for addressing significant learning disabilities (SLD) and social emotional behaviors, as well as for students who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) and not making progress through general interventions. However, recommendations for implementation are not explicitly provided, especially for culturally responsive implementation. While proposed as a model for students with challenging behaviors, there is an absence of culturally responsive methods to support CLD students. This article will discuss the use of culturally responsive guiding questions in an RTI framework.
Classification of breast microcalcifications using dual-energy mammography

Purpose: To investigate the potential of spectral mammography to distinguish between type I microcalcifications, consisting of calcium oxalate dihydrate compounds typically associated with benign lesions, and type II microcalcifications containing hydroxyapatite which are predominantly detected in malignant tumors. Methods: Simulation and phantom studies were carried out using polyenergetic spectra from a tungsten anode x-ray tube at low and high voltage (kVp) settings. Low- and high-energy attenuation ratios were calculated for microcalcifications of different types and thicknesses. Classification of type I or II calcifications was performed by using the attenuation ratio as a criterion. The results were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: In simulation studies, four combinations of dual (low and high kVp) energy exposure technique were investigated: 1) 30 kVp, 1 mm aluminum filtration and 50 kVp, 0.1 mm copper filtration; 2) 30 kVp, 1 mm Al and 50 kVp 0.2 mm Cu; 3) 30 kVp, 2 mm Al and 50 kVp, 0.1 mm Cu; and 4) 30 kVp 2 mm Al and 50 kVp, 0.2 mm Cu. In the ROC curve analysis, area under the curve (AUC) values were above 0.95 for all of the spectra with the exposure equivalent to 1.5 mGy of the mean glandular dose delivered to a 4 cm thick breast phantom. 30 kVp/2 mm Al and 50 kVp/0.1 mm Cu tube voltage/filter combinations demonstrated better performance compared to other combinations. In phantom studies, a 40 kVp setting paired with 1 mm Al filter and a 70 kVp setting paired with 0.1 mm Cu filter operated at 20 mAs technique were used. Obtained AUC value was also high (0.91), supporting the accuracy of the proposed classification method. Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that dual energy mammography systems have potential to be used for discrimination between type I and type II microcalcifications to improve early breast cancer diagnosis and reduce the number of unnecessary breast biopsies.
Obesity as a risk factor in drug-induced organ injury. III. Increased liver and kidney injury by furosemide in the obese overfed rat.

Effects of the diuretic drug furosemide were examined in obese animals to evaluate the hypothesis that organ damage by reactive drug metabolites may be potentiated by this disease. Obese overfed Sprague-Dawley rats that were treated ip with 450 mg/kg furosemide on the basis of total body mass suffered a 58% mortality rate over 24 h. This contrasted with 0% mortality in animals of normal body mass. On the basis of median histopathology scores, organ necrosis was judged to be greater in the liver (2+) and kidneys (1+) of obese rats than in the liver (1+) and kidneys (<1+) of normal controls (p<0.05). Obese animals demonstrated a fourfold rise in fat mass over controls. The low solubility of furosemide in lipid makes it probable that aggravated drug toxicity in obese rats dosed to total body mass resulted in part from elevated furosemide concentrations in lean body mass. In a subsequent study designed to minimize this possibility, furosemide was administered on the basis of fat-free body mass to equalize initial drug exposure in obese and control rats. Even with this downward dosage adjustment, obese animals suffered increased hepatic necrosis (median score of 2+ versus 0 in treated controls), greater impairment of renal function (plasma creatinine concentration of 2.41 mg/dl versus 0.96 mg/dl in treated controls), and more extensive enzymuria (enzyme excretion 175–300% more elevated than in treated controls). In conclusion, obese rats appear to be at increased risk of furosemide-induced liver and kidney injury due to at least two factors: (1) increased exposure of target organs in lean body mass to furosemide when the dosing of this poorly lipophilic drug was based on total body mass, and (2) increased susceptibility of target organs in lean body mass to furosemide injury when dosing was adjusted downward to reflect fat-free body mass and to equalize initial drug exposure.
RHEUMATIC FEVER: The Relationships Between Host, Microbe, and Genetics

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a delayed, nonsuppurative sequela of a pharyngeal infection with the group A streptococcus. Following the initial streptococcal pharyngitis, there is a latent period of 2 to 3 weeks. The onset of disease is usually characterized by an acute febrile illness that may manifest itself in one of three classical ways. (1) The patient may present with migratory arthritis predominantly involving the large joints of the body. (2) There may be concomitant clinical and laboratory signs of carditis and valvulitis. (3) There may be involvement of the central nervous system, manifesting itself as Sydenham's chorea. The clinical episodes are self-limiting, but damage to the valves may be chronic and progressive, resulting in cardiac decompensation and death. Although there has been a dramatic decline in the severity and mortality of the disease since the turn of the century, there have been recent reports of its resurgence in the United States 61 and in many military installations in the world, reminding us that the disease remains a public health problem even in developed countries. In addition, the disease continues essentially unabated in many of the developing countries. Estimates suggest there will be 10 to 20 million new cases per year in those countries where two thirds of the world's population lives.
Technology and Social Change: Ironworking in the Rise of Social Complexity in Iron Age Central Europe

It has long been recognized that the last millennium B.C. was a time of profound social change in central Europe (see Bintliff 1984a; Wells 1984 for recent discussions that include historical backgrounds). It was also the period of the gradual but steady spread of ironworking into central Europe and beyond into western and northern Europe, as well as of the gradual and steady improvement of ironworking technology. Scholars have long sought to link the social and technological developments.
Abstract # 3151 Cancer caregiver PTSS following diagnosis relates to dysregulated salivary alpha amylase and cortisol at one-year follow-up

Caring for a loved one with cancer can take a toll on one’s physical health. Cancer caregivers may also experience posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) from cancer as a secondary trauma, possibly linking to physiological alterations. This study examined longitudinally relations between caregiver PTSS around diagnosis (T1) with neuroendocrine biomarkers one-year later (T2). Caregivers of newly and recently diagnosed colorectal cancer patients enrolled (N = 42, age M = 49, 74% female, 67% patient’s spouse, 74% Hispanic, M = 3 months post-diagnosis). Caregivers self-reported PTSS clusters (avoidance, intrusive thoughts, hyper-arousal: Impact of Events Scale) and collected four saliva samples on two consecutive days, which were assayed for alpha-amylase (sAA) and cortisol. sAA and cortisol area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg), awakening response (AR), and diurnal slope served as outcomes. Age, gender, ethnicity, income, relationship to patient, and T1 sAA and cortisol were covariates. Intrusive thoughts at T1 positively related to sAA AUCg (B = 796.02, p = .02) and cortisol AUCg (B = 575.76, p = .03) at T2; whereas, hyperarousal at T1 negatively related to sAA AUCg (B = -700.01, p = .03) and cortisol AUCg (B=-824.54, p .01) at T2. Avoidance at T1 negatively related to sAA AR at T2 (B = -41.96, p = .03). Results suggest PTSS clusters differentially manifest in neuroendocrine functioning at one-year follow-up, which may account for cancer caregivers’ health risk. Findings warrant future investigation of caregiver PTSS and subsequent morbidity and mortality risk in the years following cancer.
Utility and accuracy of a smartphone-based electrocardiogram device as compared to a standard base-apex electrocardiogram in the horse

Abstract Objective Evaluate accuracy and utility of a smartphone-based ECG device compared to a standard base-apex lead ECG in horses. Methods ECGs were acquired prospectively from 28 client-owned horses at 2 equine referral hospitals. Twenty-five pairs of 30-s ECG recordings were acquired simultaneously from 23 horses with a smartphone ECG device (a bi-polar single lead recorder coupled to a smartphone with an ECG application) and with a standard base-apex lead ECG; 2 horses provided two pairs of simultaneously acquired ECGs. In one horse, the ECGs pairs were recorded immediately sequentially. An additional 7 smartphone ECGs were recorded from 5 horses without contemporaneous reference ECGs. Three observers independently evaluated all ECGs without knowledge of ECG pairing. Inter- and intra-observer agreement between the 2 ECG modalities was evaluated for rhythm diagnosis and QRS polarity. Heart rate agreement was also evaluated. Results Intra-observer agreement for rhythm assessment was very high; one observer diagnosed the same cardiac rhythm on both recordings in 24/26 instances and two observers agreed in 25/26 instances. The polarity of the QRS complex was similar on ECGs acquired simultaneously by both systems. Heart rates calculated from ECG pairs were within 1 beat of each other. Conclusions The smartphone-acquired ECG accurately identified cardiac rhythm and heart rate in most horses. In one case, small size of the complexes precluded identification of P waves on smartphone-acquired ECGs, resulting in a misdiagnosis. The smartphone-acquired ECG device might allow veterinarians to evaluate and monitor cardiac arrhythmias relatively inexpensively in field or hospital settings.
Culturing C2C12 myotubes on micromolded gelatin hydrogels accelerates myotube maturation

Skeletal muscle contributes to roughly 40% of lean body mass, and its loss contributes to morbidity and mortality in a variety of pathogenic conditions. Significant insights into muscle function have been made using cultured cells, in particular, the C2C12 myoblast line. However, differentiation of these cells in vitro typically yields immature myotubes relative to skeletal muscles in vivo. While many efforts have attempted to improve the maturity of cultured myotubes, including the use of bioengineered substrates, lack of molecular characterization has precluded their widespread implementation. This study characterizes morphological, molecular, and transcriptional features of C2C12 myotubes cultured on crosslinked, micropatterned gelatin substrates fabricated using previously established methods and compares them to myotubes grown on unpatterned gelatin or traditional plasticware. We used immunocytochemistry, SDS-PAGE, and RNAseq to characterize C2C12 myotubes grown on micropatterned gelatin hydrogels, unpatterned gelatin hydrogels, and typical cell culture substrates (i.e., plastic or collagen-coated glass) across a differentiation time course. The ability to form aligned sarcomeres and myofilament protein concentration was assessed. Additionally, the transcriptome was analyzed across the differentiation time course. C2C12 myotubes grown on micropatterned gelatin hydrogels display an increased ability to form aligned sarcomeres as well as increased contractile protein content relative to myotubes cultured on unpatterned gelatin and plastic. Additionally, genes related to sarcomere formation and in vivo muscle maturation are upregulated in myotubes grown on micropatterned gelatin hydrogels relative to control myotubes. Our results suggest that growing C2C12 myotubes on micropatterned gelatin hydrogels accelerates sarcomere formation and yields a more fully matured myotube culture. Thus, the use of micropatterned hydrogels is a viable and simple approach to better model skeletal muscle biology in vitro.
Parental Perception of Competence Related to School Preparation for Their Children after Participation in a Brief Kindergarten Readiness Workshop.

Low-income parents often have limited involvement in the education of their children, and children who live in poverty frequently do not have the prerequisite skills needed to enter kindergarten. T...
Comparison of patient factors influencing the selection of an orthodontist, general dentist, or direct-to-consumer aligners.

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the factors that influence potential orthodontic patients choosing an orthodontist, general dentist, or direct-to-consumer (DTC) aligners for their treatment, and to determine the level of interest in each provider type. Methods An electronic survey was administered to 249 adults among the general population in the United States to determine and evaluate the level of interest in pursuing orthodontic treatment with each provider type. Results When asked their preference for provider type, 44% of respondents selected orthodontist, 34% selected DTC aligners, and 22% selected general dentist. Among respondents with the highest level of interest in pursuing orthodontic treatment, 50% selected orthodontist, and 27% selected DTC aligners (P = 0.002). For respondents with a moderate interest in pursuing treatment, only 21% selected orthodontist, and 48% selected DTC aligners (P = 0.002). The biggest perceived advantage of treatment with orthodontists was the quality of treatment, and for DTC aligners, it was convenience, followed by cost. Among adults with children, 34% selected DTC aligners for themselves, and only 16% selected DTC aligners when selecting for their children (P = 0.0001). Conclusions There is a high level of interest among adults in pursuing treatment with both orthodontists and DTC aligners. Patients with the highest level of interest in pursuing orthodontic care tend to prefer orthodontists, whereas those with a moderate interest in pursuing treatment prefer DTC aligners. Patients tend to select orthodontists primarily because of treatment quality, whereas they select DTC aligners for convenience and then cost. Parents tend to select an orthodontist for their child's treatment, even when selecting DTC aligners for themselves.
Looking ahead: The risk of neurologic complications due to COVID-19

The rapid spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has become a public health emergency of international concern. The outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. The most characteristic symptom of patients with COVID-19 is respiratory distress. Some patients may also show neurologic signs and symptoms ranging from headache, nausea, vomiting, and confusion to anosmia, ageusia, encephalitis, and stroke. Coronaviruses are known pathogens with neuroinvasive potential. There is increasing evidence that coronavirus infections are not always confined to the respiratory tract. CNS involvement can occur in susceptible individuals and may contribute overall morbidity and mortality in the acute setting. In addition, postinfectious, immune-mediated complications in the convalescent period are possible. Awareness and recognition of neurologic manifestations is essential to guide therapeutic decision-making because the current outbreak continues to unfold.
Amantadine and Modafinil as Neurostimulants During Post-stroke Care: A Systematic Review

Amantadine and modafinil are neurostimulants that may improve cognitive and functional recovery post-stroke, but the existing study results vary, and no comprehensive review has been published. This systematic review describes amantadine and modafinil administration practices post-stroke, evaluates timing and impact on clinical effectiveness measures, and identifies the incidence of potential adverse drug effects. A librarian-assisted search of the MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE databases identified all English-language publications with “amantadine” or “modafinil” in the title or abstract from inception through February 1, 2020. Publications meeting predefined Patient, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome (PICO) criteria were included: Patients (≥ 18 years of age post-stroke); Intervention (amantadine or modafinil administration); Comparison (pretreatment baseline or control group); Outcomes (cognitive or functional outcome). Amantadine and modafinil administration practices, cognitive and functional outcomes, and incidence of potential adverse drug effects were collected following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidance. Quantitative analyses were not performed due to heterogeneity in the clinical effectiveness measures; descriptive data are presented as number (percent) or median (interquartile range). Of 12,620 publications initially identified, 10 amantadine publications (n = 121 patients) and 12 modafinil publications (n = 120 patients) were included. Amantadine was initiated 39 (16, 385) days post-stroke, with most common initial doses of 100 mg once or twice daily (range 100–200 mg/day), and final daily dose of 200 (188, 200) mg/day. Modafinil was initiated 170 (17, 496) days post-stroke, with initial and final daily doses of 100 (100, 350) mg/day and 200 (100, 350) mg/day, respectively. The most common indication was consciousness disorders for amantadine (n = 3/10 publications; 30%) and fatigue for modafinil (n = 5/12; 42%). Forty unique clinical effectiveness measures (1.8 per study) with 141 domains (6.4 per study) were described across all studies. A positive response in at least one clinical effectiveness measure was reported in 70% of amantadine publications and 83% of modafinil publications. Only one publication each for amantadine (10%; n = 5 patients) and modafinil (8%; n = 21 patients) studied acutely hospitalized or ICU patients; both were randomized studies showing improvements in neurocognitive function for amantadine and fatigue for modafinil. Potential adverse drug effects were reported in approximately 50% of publications, most commonly visual hallucinations with amantadine (2% of patients) and dizziness (5% of patients) and dry eyes or mouth (5% of patients). Amantadine and modafinil may improve cognitive and functional recovery post-stroke, but higher-quality data are needed to confirm this conclusion, especially in the acute care setting.
Analysis of households consumption of iodized salt in Xinjian county of Jiangxi province during 2006-2010

Objective To find out households consumption of iodized salt in Xinjian county, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency disorders(IDD). Methods From 2006 - 2010 in Jiangxi province, according to the direction of east, west, south, and north, nine townships(streets) were selected,in each township (street), 4 administrative villages (committees) were selected, in each administrative village(committee) 8 households were selected to collect their edible salt each year, direct titration method was adopted to detect salt iodine. Results From 2006 - 2010 a total of 1440 salt samples were collected, of which 1379 were qualified iodized salt, 34 unqualified, 27 non-iodized salt; iodized salt coverage rate, qualified iodized salt and iodized salt consumption rates were 98.13% (1413/1440), 97.59% (1379/1413) and 95.76% (1379/1440),respectively, and the rate of non-iodized salt was 1.88% (27/1440). Conclusions The intake rate of qualified iodized salt in Xinjian county have reached the standards of eliminating IDD. The quality of iodized salt should be improved in few counties. In the future, we should also increase the use of various forms advocacy of IDD prevention and treatment, and educate the masses to enhance self-protection awareness, so that they can consciously resist the salt smuggling, and refuse to buy non-iodized salt. Key words: Iodine; Deficiency diseases; Salts; Data collection
Automated Control of Transactive HVACs in Energy Distribution Systems

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems contribute significantly to a building’s energy consumption. In the recent years, there is an increased interest in developing transactive approaches which could enable automated and flexible scheduling of HVAC systems based on the customer demand and the electricity prices decided by the suppliers. Flexible and automated scheduling of the HVAC systems make it a prime source for participation in residential demand response or transactive energy systems. Therefore, it is of significant interest to identify an optimal strategy to control the HVAC systems. In this article, reducing the energy cost while keeping the comfort level acceptable to the users, we argue that such a control strategy should consider both the energy cost and user comfort simultaneously. Accordingly, we develop the control strategy through the solution of an optimization problem that balances between the energy cost and consumer’s dissatisfaction. This optimization enables us to solve a decision-making problem through first price prediction and then choosing HVAC temperature settings throughout the day based on the predicted price, history of the price and HVAC settings, and outside temperature. More specifically, we formulate the control design as a Markov decision process (MDP) using deep neural networks and use Deep Deterministic Policy Gradients (DDPG)-based deep reinforcement learning algorithm to find the optimal control strategy for HVAC systems that balances between electricity cost and user comfort.
Device-Based Probe of Triplet Exciton Diffusion in Singlet Fission Materials

Probing triplet transport in singlet fission materials can be challenging due to the presence of multiple diffusing species. We present a device-based method to measure the intrinsic triplet diffusion length (LD) in organic semiconductor thin films exhibiting singlet fission. Triplet states are optically injected into the singlet fission material of interest via energy transfer from an adjacent thin film characterized by strong spin-orbit coupling. Injected triplets migrate through the full thickness of the material before undergoing dissociation at a donor-acceptor interface. By modeling the ratio of injector and acceptor photocurrent as a function of layer thickness, the triplet LD is extracted separate from processes of unknown efficiency including singlet fission and diffusion. In considering three archetypical fission systems, a wide range is found for the triplet LD, ranging from 3.3 ± 0.4 nm for 5,12-bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)tetracene to 17.1 ± 1.3 nm for pentacene and 32.1 ± 2.6 nm for tetracene.
Transformation of tenofovir into stable ProTide nanocrystals with long-acting pharmacokinetic profiles.

Treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) infection was transformed through widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, ART has limitations in requiring life-long daily adherence. Such limitations have led to the creation of long-acting (LA) ART. While nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) remain the ART backbone, to the best of our knowledge, none have been converted into LA agents. To these ends, we transformed tenofovir (TFV) into LA surfactant stabilized aqueous prodrug nanocrystals (referred to as NM1TFV and NM2TFV), enhancing intracellular drug uptake and retention. A single intramuscular injection of NM1TFV, NM2TFV, or a nanoformulated tenofovir alafenamide (NTAF) at 75 mg/kg TFV equivalents to Sprague Dawley rats sustains active TFV-diphosphate (TFV-DP) levels ≥ four times the 90% effective dose for two months. NM1TFV, NM2TFV and NTAF elicit TFV-DP levels of 11,276, 1,651, and 397 fmol/g in rectal tissue, respectively. These results are a significant step towards a LA TFV ProTide. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the treatment of HIV-1 requires life-long daily adherence to supress viral replication, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors that are commonly used in ART have not been converted into long-acting agents. Here, the authors report two lipophilic tenofovir (TVF) ProTide nanoformulations, NM1TFV and NM2TFV, which sustain drug levels above therapeutic concentrations for two months after a single intramuscular dose in rats.
Practicing Pronunciation: Will Voice XML do for language learners what HTML did for collaborators?

This paper considers the utility of the Voice Extensible Markup Language (Voice XML) for language learning. In particular, this article considers whether Voice XML might become as popular as HTML. First, this paper discusses the surprising popularity of HTML, which provides contextual information useful for considering the potential of Voice XML. Second, this article discusses two voice scripts in order to demonstrate Voice XML tags and features. The first example script concerns voice synthesis only whereas the second script utilizes both voice synthesis and voice recognition. In order to gain insight into the utility of Voice XML for instructional applications, the second voice script can be accessed by language learners in order to practice pronouncing words in English. Technically, each voice script is a text file containing Voice XML tags. Once the file containing a Voice XML script is stored on a web server and a telephone number linked to the file, a language learner can use a telephone to practice pronouncing words. Those implementation details are considered in the third section of this paper, which identifies one particular system that permits developers to test and deploy Voice XML scripts free of charge. Lastly, this article concludes with a discussion of issues concerning the utility of Voice XML relative to HTML.
Clinical case studies

This chapter presents clinical case studies. The area of academic or test accommodations and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is in dire need of more high-quality research. It discusses various disabilities that impact people in testing situations, and types of appropriate accommodations, highlighting the need for further exploration before any data-based conclusions can be drawn on these issues. The main purposes of this chapter: (1) illustration of some of the more common challenges that arise in the assessment of Adult ADHD, (2) discussion about the conceptualization and resolution of these challenges, (3) description of the rationale for the assessment/treatment decisions rendered, and (4) to underscore the importance of doing a credible and thorough assessment. The chapter concludes that if clinicians have to optimize their advocacy efforts for students with ADHD, it is recommended that they adhere to the principles suggested and build a solid case for the diagnosis as well as providing a defensible rationale for the requested accommodations.
Analysis of non-isentropic compressible Euler equations with relaxation

Abstract This paper is contributed to the study of the one-dimensional non-isentropic compressible Euler equations with relaxation. It is shown that classical solutions do not exist globally-in-time under general conditions on initial data. Indeed, finite-time blowup occurs in a quantity related to the first moment. On the other hand, when the initial datum is sufficiently close to a constant equilibrium state, it is shown that the equations possess a unique global-in-time classical solution, and the solution converges to the equilibrium state in the long-time run. When the domain is finite, the convergence rate is shown to be exponential, due to boundary effects.
Action Timing Discretization with Iterative-Refinement

Artificial Intelligence search algorithms search discrete systems.To apply such algorithms to continuous systems, such systems must first be discretized, i.e. approximated as discrete systems. Action-based discretization requires that both action parameters and action timing be discretized.We focus on the problem of action timing discretization.After describing an ?-admissible variant of Korf's recursive best-first search (?-RBFS), we introduce iterative-refinement ?-admissible recursive best-first search (IR ?-RBFS) which offers significantly better performance for initial time delays between search states over several orders of magnitude. Lack of knowledge of a good time discretization is compensated for by knowledge of a suitable solution cost upper bound.
A switched-capacitor filter in 2 /spl mu/m CMOS using parallelism to sample at 80 MHz

Switched-capacitor filters (SCFs) are usually used in low-frequency applications, where the ratio of sample rate to corner frequency is high enough so that only simple anti-alias filters are required. At video bandwidths in CMOS technologies, however, op-amp settling time limits this ratio and increases the complexity of the anti-alias filter. Op amps and anti-aliasing are not needed with a continuous-time, transconductance-capacitor structure, but, this approach requires complex tuning. To avoid such tuning and to increase the sample-rate-to-corner-frequency ratio, this paper describes a prototype SCF that uses parallelism. >
DNA identification and morphological description of the first confirmed larvae of Hetaeriinae (Coleoptera: Histeridae).

Using DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal (18S) and mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I) genes (a modified DNA barcoding approach), we positively identify, for the first time, larvae of hetaeriine Histeridae. Species in this subfamily occur as obligate associates of social insect colonies, particularly those of neotropical army ants. Of several larval specimens collected from bivouacs of Eciton burchelli, we identify the two larval instars of Paratropinus scalptus, and discuss a quite different first instar larva near Euxenister. The larvae are described and illustrated, with attempts to homologize all chaetotaxy to other known histerid larvae. Phylogenetic trees for 18S and cytochrome oxidase I, for over twenty hetaeriine taxa, are compared with each other and with a previous hypothesis of relationships in the subfamily.
Chapter 23 Reference value determination

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the methodology to determine normal or reference values for electrodiagnostic studies. It reviews the purpose of establishing reference values, terminology, selecting a population to study, data collection, and data analysis. It also provides examples using these methodologies. Becoming familiar with the statistical theory and methodology for establishing reference values in electrophysiology is critical to providing an accurate determination of abnormalities. Nevertheless, there are cases where a summary index can be calculated easily. An example is the combined sensory index which has been studied in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome. In this case, three latency differences among sensory nerves are added together to provide a single variable reflecting median nerve slowing. In many cases, the clinical neurophysiologist will not be able to collect his/her own reference data and may rely upon published values. In such an event, one should evaluate the methods of data collection and assess how well they can be generalized to one's own laboratory.
Culture, Power, and the State: Rural North China, 1900‐1942

Prasenjit Duara Culture, Power, and the State: Rural North China, 1900-1942. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1988
Business Taxes and International Competitiveness

Around the world, policymakers are obsessed with the competitiveness of their domestic companies and domestically based multinational corporations (MNCs). Such concerns frequently influence policy, especially tax policy. In this paper, I develop a theory of how taxes affect the international competitiveness of businesses. I then use that theory to evaluate basic tax policy decisions, such as the choice between residence- and source-based taxation and the level of tax rates, and to understand the impact various provisions in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code are likely to have on the competitiveness of U.S.-based corporations and MNCs.
Adaptive signal processing with a self-development neural network

A self-developing neural network model for adaptive signal processing is proposed. The major improvement of this model over most current models is that the number of neurons can be dynamically adjusted by generating new neurons or annihilating existing nonactive neurons according to the training patterns. This model can be used to design adaptive signal processing systems with dynamically scalable processing capability. In particular, an adaptive source coder for data compression that is based on this neural network model is proposed. >
Thermal fracture of functionally graded plate with parallel surface cracks

This work examines the fracture behavior of a functionally graded material (FGM) plate containing parallel surface cracks with alternating lengths subjected to a thermal shock. The thermal stress intensity factors (TSIFs) at the tips of long and short cracks are calculated using a singular integral equation technique. The critical thermal shock ΔTc that causes crack initiation is calculated using a stress intensity factor criterion. Numerical examples of TSIFs and ΔTc for an Al2O3/Si3N4 FGM plate are presented to illustrate the effects of thermal property gradation, crack spacing and crack length ratio on the TSIFs and ΔTc. It is found that for a given crack length ratio, the TSIFs at the tips of both long and short cracks can be reduced significantly and ΔTc can be enhanced by introducing appropriate material gradation. The TSIFs also decrease dramatically with a decrease in crack spacing. The TSIF at the tips of short cracks may be higher than that for the long cracks under certain crack geometry conditions. Hence, the short cracks instead of long cracks may first start to grow under the thermal shock loading.
Rationale for use and clinical responsiveness of hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 for the treatment of plaque psoriasis: a pilot study.

Background Vitamin D analogues are useful in topical therapy of psoriasis. Objectives To evaluate the effect of hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (F 6 -1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ) in treatment of psoriasis. Methods Fifteen patients with plaque-type psoriasis were enrolled in a single centre double-blind, right/left comparison, placebo-controlled study, and received 0.1 g of petrolatum containing 5 μg of F 6 -1,25(OH) 2 D 3 or 0.1 g of petrolatum (placebo) for 3 months. After completion of this double-blind study, a subset of these patients (n = 12) applied F 6 -1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ointment (50 μg g -1 of petrolatum) to all their lesions (total area, 100-5000 cm 2 . mean area: 3300 m 2 ) for 2 months as a single application at night. Results The mean severity score in the right/left-sided controlled topical F 6 -1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (50 μg g -1 ) therapy group showed a decrease of 85%. In contrast, the mean severity score for the placebo-treated areas showed a decrease of 45% (P < 0.001). In the 12 patients who subsequently applied F 6 -1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (50 μg g -1 ) ointment to all of their lesions. 91.6% showed moderate to excellent improvement. The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score decreased by 44.9% (from 33.6 ± 15 to 18.5 ± 13). No effect on calcium homeostasis was noted. Adverse events included mild irritation in two patients that resolved during therapy. Conclusions Topical F 6 -1,25(OH) 2 D 3 is a safe and effective once a day treatment for psoriasis.
Probing Ferromagnets with Andreev Reflection

High transmissivity, ferromagnet-superconductor thin film nanocontacts are studied experimentally. Compared to nonmagnetic metal-superconductor contacts, Andreev reflection is strongly suppressed due to the spin polarization of conduction electrons in the ferromagnet. This effect is used to measure both the transparency of the interface and spin polarization of the direct current in the ferromagnet in contrast to the spin polarization of the tunneling current previously measured in ferromagnet-insulator-superconductor systems.
Saddlepoint approximations for the generalized variance and Wilks statistic

Saddlepoint approximations to densities of sums of random variables were introduced by Daniels (1954). These methods were further developed by Barndorff-Nielsen & Cox (1979) to approximate joint and conditional densities for canonical sufficient statistics in exponential family settings. Approximations for the cumulative distributions of sums were developed by Lugannani & Rice (1980) and Robinson (1982), while the approximation of conditional cumulative distribution functions was addressed by Skovgaard (1987). The modifications necessary to apply the Lugannani & Rice and Skovgaard approximations to conditional distributions of canonical sufficient statistics in exponential family settings have been summarized by Davison (1988). Reid (1988) provides an overall review of the saddlepoint literature. In the present paper the Lugannani & Rice, and Skovgaard approximations are used to reproduce the distributions of the generalized variance and Wilks' likelihood ratio statistic in a multivatiate analysis of variance. Representing the degree of freedom in a gamma regression model as an appropriate linear function, the generalized variance distribution arises as the marginal distribution of a canonical sufficient statistic to which the Lugannani & Rice approximation may be applied. The more recent approximations of Fraser (1990) and Barndorff-Nielsen (1990) are exactly the same for this setting. Comparison of its accuracy with the approximation of Hoel (1937) as well as a normal approximation (Johnson & Kotz, 1972, p. 198) shows the Lugannani & Rice approximation to be highly accurate and uniformly better than its competitors. The distribution of Wilks' likelihood ratio statistic has two distinct characterizations in terms of products of independent beta variates (Anderson, 1958, Ch. 8). In conjunction with these characterizations we use Skovgaard's approximation to construct two distinct
Complications related to the Nuss procedure: minimizing risk with operative technique.

Abstract Introduction Pectus Excavatum (PEx) is the most frequent congenital chest wall deformity; surgical correction has a complication rate of 10%–50%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes in a recent cohort of pediatric patients from a single institution and investigate factors associated with complications. Methods A review of all patients with PEx treated with a Nuss procedure from 2003 to 2011 was performed. Complications included hemo/pneumothorax, infection, bar migration, and operative injury. Chi-square, Student's t-test, and logistic regression were performed. Results The study included 127 Nuss patients with a the median age of 15.2years (5.4–18.7) and a mean Haller index of 4.2 (+1.6). The total complication rate was 26% and bar migration rate was 18%. The use of a stabilizer was associated with fewer overall complications (17% vs 41%,p=0.006), decreased reoperation (16% vs 41%,p=0.003), decreased readmission (15% vs 39%,p=0.004), and decreased bar migration rate (9% vs 36%,p=0.001) compared to patients without a stabilizer. On multivariate analysis, the use of a stabilizer (OR 0.18,p=0.011,95% CI 0.049–0.68) and the use of a pericostal suture (OR 0.19,p=0.03,95% CI 0.41–0.85) were associated with decreased rates of bar migration. Conclusion The use of a lateral stabilizer and pericostal sutures decreased complication and reoperation rates for the Nuss procedure.
POWER3: the next generation of PowerPC processors

The POWER3 processor is a high-performance microprocessor which excels at technical computing. Designed by IBM and deployed in various IBM RS/6000® systems, the superscalar RISC POWER3 processor boasts many advanced features which give it exceptional performance on challenging applications from the workstation to the supercomputer level. In this paper, we describe the microarchitectural features of the POWER3 processor, particularly those which are unique or significant to the performance of the chip, such as the data prefetch engine, nonblocking and interleaved data cache, and dual multiply-add-fused floating-point execution units. Additionally, the performance of specific instruction sequences and kernels is described to quantify and further illuminate the performance attributes of the POWER3 processor.
THE ACRIDITY FACTOR IN TARO PROCESSING1,2

Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott), a tropical, edible aroid, contains an irritant preventing its corm from being eaten raw or incompletely cooked. The irritation is thought to be associated with needles of calcium oxalate called raphides which are released from special cells called idioblasts. The irritation is removed by prolonged baking or boiling. To find a suitable processing method to eliminate the acridity and to make the product stable toward microbial and chemical degradation, some of the properties of the acridity factor were investigated. Results suggest that the acridity of taro is not caused solely by the calcium oxalte crystals, but is also associated with a boiling water and ethanol labile factor. Separation of the idioblasts reduces the acridity. Extraction with ethanol either removes the factor or renders the cell's ability to deliver the factor useless. The rat appears to be a useful animal in differentiating the acridity in taro roots.
Surface effects of various environments and of thermosetting resins on the strength of glass

Glass rods were etched to reduce their surface flaws and hence to increase their flexural strength. They were then subjected to various environments to see how these would affect their strength and hence their surface. It appeared that no liquid environments affected their strength. This included boiling water. The effect of curing resin against the surface was also shown as was subsequent boiling: Shell Epon 828 appeared to increase the strength of the rods, but only when there was a surface treatment of Union Carbide A-1100 or Owens-Corning 801.
Concentrations of steroid hormones in layers and biopsies of chelonian egg yolks.

The actions of circulating hormones, although relatively well understood for adults, are largely unknown for their developing embryos. Transfer of maternal hormones to the egg is known to occur in oviparous species, and recently the presence of hormonally heterogeneous yolk layers has been described in two avian species. To investigate the possibility of a similar phenomenon occurring in chelonian species, egg yolk layers were analyzed in the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) and the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans), two species that exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination. There was a similar pattern of hormonally heterogeneous yolk layers in both species: concentrations of progesterone and testosterone were significantly higher in the external yolk layer while concentrations of 17beta-estradiol were significantly higher in the intermediate and internal layers. This pattern of hormone deposition concurs with previously published studies of plasma hormone profiles from females of temperate-zone turtle species. Yolks of freshly laid eggs were also sampled using a biopsy technique to examine the concordance of early yolk hormone concentrations and offspring sex. No relationship was found between yolk hormone concentrations and individual offspring sex. Previous work showing that maternally derived yolk estradiol concentrations are correlated with female-biased sex ratios was, however, replicated. These findings suggest that offspring sex is influenced, in part, by the maternal hormone environment.
Optimal Rounding of Instantaneous Fractional Flows Over Time

A transshipment problem with demands that exceed network capacity can be solved by sending flow in several waves. How can this be done in the minimum number, T, of waves, and at minimum cost, if costs are piecewise linear convex functions of the flow? In this paper, we show that this problem can be solved using $\min\{ m,\log T,\ub{\Gamma}{U} \}$ maximum flow computations and one minimum (convex) cost flow computation. Here m is the number of arcs, $\Gamma$ is the maximum supply or demand, and U is the maximum capacity. When there is only one sink, this problem can be solved in the same asymptotic time as one minimum (convex) cost flow computation. This improves upon the previous best algorithm to solve the problem without costs by a factor of k. Our solutions start with a stationary fractional flow and use rounding to transform this into an integral flow. The rounding procedure takes O(n) time.
Persistent infection of mice with Pichinde virus associated with failure to thrive

Intracranial inoculation of neonatal mice of certain inbred strains with Pichinde virus has been found to be fatal, but Balb/c neonates survive such infection. Survival of Balb/c mice after neonatal inoculation was not linked to the major histocompatability complex. Virus was gradually cleared in surviving Balb/c mice but could be detected in the brain and kidneys for up to 9 months after infection. These animals were not immunologically tolerant but exhibited high antibody titers to viral antigens. MHC restricted cytotoxic T cell activity was also demonstrable in persistently infected mice following challenge with high titered virus. Pathological changes consistent with glomerulonephritis were observed in the kidneys and surviving mice were runted compared to normals. This model differs from the widely studied persistent infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and provides a unique model for the study of the genetics of resistance to viral infection, mechanisms of persistence and pathological processes in chronic viral infections.
An examination of conditions for the cleavage of polypeptide chains with cyanogen bromide: application to catalase.

Abstract The poor cleavage of a -Met-Thr- bond in catalase by cyanogen bromide has been improved by modifying the conditions of the reaction. More complete cleavage occurs in 70% trifluoroacetic acid than in 70% formic acid. The much slower rate of reaction in trifluoroacetic acid has been enhanced by increasing the concentration of the reactants.
The Dictator Game, Fairness and Ethnicity in Postwar Bosnia

This study considers the effects of ethnic violence on norms of fairness. Once violence is a foregone conclusion, will cooperative norms ever (re-)emerge beyond ethnic boundaries? We use an experiment that measures how fairly individuals in a postconflict setting treat their own ingroup in comparison to the outgroups—in this case, examining the behavior of 681 Muslims, Croats, and Serbs in postwar Bosnia-Herzegovina. To assess fairness, we use the dictator game wherein subjects decide how to allocate a sum of money between themselves and an anonymous counterpart of varying ethnicity. We find that the effects of ethnicity on decision making are captured by our experiments. Although results indicate preferential ingroup treatment, the incidence and magnitude of outgroup bias is much less than expected. We conclude that norms of fairness across ethnicity are remarkably strong in Bosnia, and we take this to be a positive sign for reconciliation after violent conflict.
Slowing DNA translocation in a solid-state nanopore

Reducing a DNA molecule's translocation speed in a solid-state nanopore is a key step toward rapid single molecule identification. Here we demonstrate that DNA translocation speeds can be reduced by an order of magnitude over previous results. By controlling the electrolyte temperature, salt concentration, viscosity, and the electrical bias voltage across the nanopore, we obtain a 3 base/μs translocation speed for 3 kbp double-stranded DNA in a 4−8 nm diameter silicon nitride pore. Our results also indicate that the ionic conductivity inside such a nanopore is smaller than it is in bulk.