cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene polymorphism and scoliosis in Prader-Willi syndrome.

Abstract Objective A growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene polymorphism impacts sensitivity to endogenous and exogenous growth hormone (GH) to moderate growth and development. Increased sensitivity may accelerate spinal growth and contribute to scoliosis, particularly in GH-deficient and treated populations such as Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Therefore, we examined the relationship between GHR genotype and scoliosis (case and control) in PWS cohorts. Design We utilized a case-control design in a study of 73 subjects (34M; 39F) with genetically confirmed PWS in 32 individuals previously diagnosed with moderate to severe scoliosis (mean age = 16.9 ± 10.2 years; age range of 1 to 41 years) and 41 adults with no evidence of scoliosis (mean age = 30.8 ± 9.7 years; age range of 18 to 56 years). The GHR gene polymorphism was determined using PCR specific primers to capture the two recognized GHR gene fragment sizes [i.e., full length (fl) or exon 3 deletions (d3)]. Results Twenty-three (72%) of the 32 case subjects with scoliosis required surgical correction with an approximately equal balance for gender and PWS genetic subtype among cases and 41 control subjects without scoliosis. The GHR d3/d3 genotype was identified in N = 2 of 8 (25%) cases with scoliosis and the d3/fl genotype was identified in N = 11 of 25 (44%) cases with scoliosis but the distribution difference did not statistically differ. The GHR fl/fl genotype was correlated with a significantly faster rate and heavier weight gain among case subjects. Conclusion Our examination of demographic and genetic markers associated with scoliosis and surgical repair in PWS found no evidence to support differences in gender, PWS genetic subtype or GHR d3 allele distributions among the case vs control groups. Those with fl/fl alleles were heavier than those with d3/d3 or d3/fl genotypes and warrant further study with a larger sample size and possibly to include other vulnerable populations requiring growth hormone treatment.
Modelling the effects of habitat and hosts on tick invasions

AbstractMany tick species are invading new areas because of anthropogenic changes in the landscape, shifting climatic variables and increasing populations of suitable host species and tick habitat. However, the relative influences of habitat and hosts in tick dispersal and tick population establishment remain in question. A spatially explicit agent-based model was developed to explore the spatio-temporal dynamics of a generic tick population in the years immediately following the introduction of ticks into a novel environment. The general model was then adapted to investigate a case study of two recent tick species invasions into the Mid-Atlantic United States. The recent simultaneous range expansions of two ixodid tick species, Ixodes affinis and Amblyomma maculatum, provided an opportunity to determine if invasion patterns observed in the field could be replicated in silico on a small scale. The models presented here indicated that for generalist parasites, habitat connectivity is a better indicator tha...
Angular Dependence of Strong Field Ionization of Haloacetylenes HCCX (X = F, Cl, Br, I), Using Time-Dependent Configuration Interaction with an Absorbing Potential

Strong field ionization of haloacetylenes was simulated by time-dependent configuration interaction using all single excitations and a complex absorbing potential. The angular dependence of ionization for HCCX was mapped with static electric fields in the range 0.01–0.06 atomic units and compared with the results for CH3X. HCCF ionizes primarily from the CC π orbital. HCCX (X = Cl, Br, I) compounds show increasing amounts of ionization from the halogen π-type lone pair orbitals and have a node perpendicular to the molecular axis. These shapes can be understood in terms of the energies and interactions of the halogen π-type lone pairs with the π orbitals of the CC triple bond.
Entrepreneurship, Firm Size and the Structure of the Italian Economy

Since World War II, Italy's economic growth has been one of the highest in the world. The objective of this study is to examine the structure of the Italian economy and causes of this growth. It was found that small and medium-sized firms, most of them family-owned, have been the dynamic force behind the country?s extraordinary economic performance. The vital role of the family and that of the entrepreneur â€“ as the supreme spirit of enterprise and initiative - has been paramount in this process. Production by small and medium-sized firms have concentrated in a specific geographical area called â€œindustrial districtsâ€ and are capable of great cooperation with other firms, leading to increased production, efficiency and employment. In addition, it was found that small Italian firms have been very successful in the age of globalization, better able to take advantage of their small size by means of flexible strategies to innovate, invest and increase their export. Contrary to conventional wisdom, modernization theories (so widespread in the 1950s and 1960s) indicate that large firms have been models for growth in other industrialized countries and have exerted a passive role in the structure and development of the Italian economy.
Computational Study on a Novel Micropump Driven by a Built-In Thermal Bimorph Microvalve

Using the rarefied gas dynamic phenomenon of thermal edge flow, a micropump with a built-in thermal bimorph microvalve is proposed to provide pumping needs for systems such as micro fuel cells. A thermal bimorph cantilever used as a microvalve is located within one gas molecular mean free path away from a narrow flow channel, which connects two larger size connectors on either side. The sharp edge of the heated microvalve, whose length is several times of the gas molecular mean free path, can induce flows along its surface and into the narrow channel. Using the DSMC (Direct Simulation Monte Carlo) simulation technique, the thermal edge flow characteristics are studied computationally to determine the feasibility of the proposed design. The result for a closed simulation domains at steady state determined that a pressure ratio of 1.22 can be achieved by the proposed design. The average flow velocities in open simulation domains were found to be closely related to the heater location. This preliminary computational study has proven that with particular parameters, such as the microvalve’s size and location, matching the gas mean free path, the proposed micropump with a built-in microvalve design appears to be viable to drive the thermal edge gas flows and create noticeable pressure difference to serve as a micropump.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Modeling of Microporosity Evolution During Solidification Processes

The occurrence of porosity during alloy solidification is a significant factor in evaluating the quality of metal castings. In general, porosity forms when there is solidification shrinkage, failure of interdendritic feeding or exsolution of dissolved gas from the melt. The existence of porosity in castings is known to negatively effect mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, and fatigue life [1–4]. Foundry process computer simulations that help determine the location, size, shape and extent of porosity can be used by the casting designer to evaluate the probability of detecting porosity by NDE techniques.
MicroRNAs are likely part of the molecular toolkit regulating adult reproductive diapause in the mosquito, Culex pipiens

For many arthropods, including insects, diapause is the primary mechanism for survival during unfavorable seasons. Although the exogenous signals and endogenous hormones that induce and regulate diapause are well-characterized, we still lack a mechanistic understanding of how environmental information is translated into molecular regulators of the diapause pathway. However, short, non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are likely involved in generating both the arrested egg follicle development and fat hypertrophy in diapausing females of the Northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens. To determine whether miRNAs might respond to changes in day length and/or regulate diapause pathways, we measured the abundance of candidate miRNAs in diapausing and nondiapausing females of Cx. pipiens across the adult lifespan. Of the selected miRNAs nearly all were more abundant in nondiapausing females relative to diapausing females, but at different times. Specifically, miR-13b-3p, miR-14-3p, miR-277-3p, and miR-305-5p were upregulated in nondiapausing females early in adulthood, while miR-309-3p and miR-375-3p were upregulated later in adult life, and miR-8-3p and miR-275-3p were upregulated both early and late in adult life. Taken together, our data demonstrate that miRNA expression is dynamic, changing across adult lifespan. Further, differential miRNA expression between diapausing and nondiapausing females of Cx. pipiens suggests that this epigenetic mechanism is part of the molecular toolkit regulating diapause.
Optical-Fiber-Based Smart Concrete Thermal Integrity Profiling: An Example of Concrete Shaft

Concrete is currently the most widely used construction material in the world. The integrity of concrete during the pouring process could greatly affect its engineering performance. Taking advantage of heat production during the concrete curing process, we propose an optical-fiber-based thermal integrity profiling (TIP) method which can provide a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of the integrity of concrete immediately after its pouring. In this paper, we use concrete shaft as an example to conduct TIP by using the optical fiber as a temperature sensor which can obtain high spatial resolution temperature data. Our method is compared with current thermal infrared probe or embedded thermal sensor-based TIP for the concrete shaft. This innovation makes it possible to detect defects inside of the concrete shaft with thorough details, including size and location. First, we establish a 3D shaft model to simulate temperature distribution of concrete shaft. Then, we extract temperature distribution data at the location where the optical fiber would be installed. Based on the temperature distribution data, we reconstruct a 3D model of the concrete shaft. Evaluation of the concrete integrity and the existence of the potential defect are shown in the paper. Overall, the optical-fiber-based TIP method shows a better determination of defect location and size.
SUFU: The Jekyll and Hyde of the Cerebellum.

Pediatric tumors have enriched the understanding of germline genotype contribution to tumorigenesis. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Yin et al. (2018) describe genetic models of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) subgroup of medulloblastoma with SUFU alterations, painting more nuanced roles for SUFU in tumorigenesis and maintenance of Gli2 transcription factor circuitries.
Cost-Effectiveness of a Guided Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Placement System: A Single-Center Cohort Study

Abstract Purpose To assess the cost-effectiveness of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placements using an ultrasound and electrocardiogram-guided system versus external measurements and confirmatory chest X-rays (CXRs). Materials and Methods Sixty-eight guided PICC placements were performed in 63 outpatients (mean age, 43 ± 13 years; 50% male) and compared to 68 propensity score-matched PICC placements (mean age, 44 ± 13 years; 56% male) performed using external measurements by the same operators. Post-placement CXRs were used to confirm final catheter tip positioning. Cohorts were compared in terms of repositioning rates, desired tip positioning rates (in the lower third of the superior vena cava or at the cavoatrial junction), and estimated cost per PICC positioned as desired using manufacturer quotes, Medicare reimbursement rates, and hourly wages for staff time. Agreement between tip positioning according to the guided system versus CXR was also assessed. Results Guided PICC placements required less repositioning (1.5% vs 10.3%, P = .03) and resulted in more catheters positioned as desired (86.8% vs 67.6%, P = .01) than the external measurement approach. The cost per PICC positioned as desired was lower for guided placements ($318.54 vs $381.44), suggesting that the guided system was cost-effective in this clinical setting. Guided system-CXR agreement for tip position was poor (κ=0.25, P = .002) due to tips being slightly farther from the cavoatrial junction on CXR than indicated by the guided system. Conclusions The guided PICC placement system was cost-effective in outpatients treated by a single division of interventional radiology at an academic institution.
A Systematic Review of Instructional Comparisons in Single-Case Research:

Comparison studies conducted to determine which instructional interventions are most efficient for teaching discrete behaviors to individuals with disabilities are potentially valuable, although so...
How Risky is Nonviolent Dissent? Nonviolent Uprisings and Mass Killings

Why do mass killings occur during some popular uprisings but not others? To what degree do characteristics of the uprising itself help to explain (and predict) this variation? In this article, we identify the factors associated with mass killings that occur during and after major episodes of contention (MECs). Drawing on data from 1955-2014, we develop a series of models that (1) identify the structural and campaign-level correlates of mass killings during and after popular uprisings; and (2) validate those models by forecasting out-of-sample atrocities. We find that the structural variables associated with mass killings during national uprisings are generally consistent with those identified by prior literature on atrocities more generally. However, characteristics of the campaigns—such as whether the episode is primarily nonviolent, the elicitation of foreign support for the campaign or the regime, and the behavior of the military during the episode—also play an important role. We find further support for these findings in forecasting out-of-sample mass killing onsets. These findings demonstrate the importance of observing the behavior of various actors in the midst of popular uprisings as a way to better anticipate and prevent atrocities. While campaign-level factors play less of a role in post-conflict mass killings, we find that the duration of the preceding episode continues to influence whether a mass killing takes place after the crisis as well. We conclude by briefly identifying the implications of these findings for scholars, human rights advocates, and dissidents themselves.
Ancient Ocean Crossings: Reconsidering the Case for Contacts with the Pre-Columbian Americas; World Trade and Biological Exchanges Before 1492, Revised and Expanded Edition; Pre-Columbian Sailors Changed World History

Stephen C. Jett. Tuscaloosa, AL: The University of Alabama Press, 2017. xvii and 508 pp., maps, diagrams, drawings, notes, references, index. $49.95 cloth (ISBN 978-0-8173-1939-7).John L. Sorenson ...
Comments on Ricotta: Ecological Diversity and Biodiversity as Concepts for Conservation Planning

Ricotta argues against the existence of a unique measure of biodiversity by pointing out that no known measure of α-diversity satisfies all the adequacy conditions that have traditionally been set for it. While that technical claim is correct, it is not relevant in the context of defining biodiversity which is most usefully measured by β-diversity. The concept of complementarity provides a closely related family of measures of biodiversity which can be used for systematic conservation planning. Moreover, these measures cannot be replaced by summary statistics but must rely on inventories of biodiversity surrogates at candidate sites for conservation.
Social Relations Across the Life Span: Scientific Advances, Emerging Issues, and Future Challenges

Accumulating evidence demonstrates the importance of social relations at all stages of life (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age) and in diverse domains of life (including healt...
Show me the … family: How photos of meaningful relationships reduce unethical behavior at work

Abstract Environmental cues in the workplace influence unethical behavior, but the effects of these cues are less well understood than the effects of individual differences and social aspects of situations on unethical behavior. In this paper, we examine a common but underappreciated aspect of workspaces: photos of close others. Drawing on the literatures on symbols at work and behavioral ethics, we theorize that having photos of close others in sight decreases the hegemony of an economic schema in people’s minds, which in turn decreases their propensity to commit unethical behavior. Supporting our theory, a field survey and three experiments find a negative relationship between displaying photos of close others at work and financial transgressions and indicate that a decrease in the salience of the economic schema is a mechanism that drives the effect. We discuss implications of the results for the literatures on behavioral ethics, symbols at work, and work-life integration.
Treatment of fibrillary glomerulonephritis with rituximab: a 12-month pilot study.

BACKGROUND Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare type of glomerulonephritis with poor prognosis, with no known effective therapies available for treatment. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in treatment of patients with FGN and to investigate the effect of rituximab on DNAJB9 levels. METHODS This was a pilot prospective clinical trial in which patients with idiopathic FGN were treated with two courses of rituximab (1 g each) 2 weeks apart at the beginning and then again at 6 months. Primary outcome was defined as preservation of kidney function at 12 months with stable or increased creatinine clearance. Secondary outcome was defined as achieving complete remission (CR) defined as proteinuria <300 mg/24 h or partial remission (PR) with proteinuria <3 g/24 h and at least 50% reduction in the proteinuria. DNAJB9 levels were also measured in the serum at baseline, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS The creatinine clearance did not change significantly during this time, from 47.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline to 43.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 during follow-up (P = 0.15). Proteinuria declined from 4.43 (1.6-5.53) g/24 h at baseline to 1.9 (0.46-5.26) g/24 h at 12 months but did not reach significance (P = 0.06). None of the patients reached CR, and 3 of the 11 achieved PR. There was no change in the DNAJB9 levels following treatment with rituximab. The most common adverse event was nasal congestion, fatigue and muscle cramps. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of patients with two courses of rituximab over a span of 6 months was associated with stabilization of renal function but did not result in a significant change in proteinuria and with no change in the DNAJB9 levels.
Applications of Excimer Lasers to Semiconductor Processing

The basic processes involved in making an integrated circuit are the production of patterns by photolithography, the deposition of thin films of insulators and conductors, doping of semiconductors, and patterning of material by etching. Excimer lasers are being used to perform each of these operations in the laboratory and, in some cases, are being considered for use in a production environment. This paper will review the developments in each of these areas. Two conference proceedings contain a number of articles dealing with excimer laser processing [1,2].
Mutual estimates for the dyadic reverse Hölder and Muckenhoupt constants for the dyadically doubling weights

Muckenhoupt and Reverse Holder classes of weights play an important role in harmonic analysis, PDE’s and quasiconformal mappings. In 1974 Coifman and Fefferman showed that a weight belongs to a Muckenhoupt class Ap for some 1 < p < ∞ if and only if it belongs to a Reverse Holder class RHq for some 1 < q < ∞. In 2009 Vasyunin found the exact dependence between p, q and the corresponding characteristic of the weight using the Bellman function method. The result of Coifman and Fefferman works for the dyadic classes of weights under an additional assumption that the weights are dyadically doubling. We extend the Vasyunin’s result to the dyadic Reverse Holder and Muckenhoupt classes and obtain the dependence between p, q, the doubling constant and the corresponding characteristic of the weight. More precisely, given a dyadically doubling weight in RH p on a given dyadic interval I, we find an upper estimate on the average of the function w over the interval I. From the bound on this average we can conclude, for example, that w belongs to the corresponding Adq1 class or that w p is in Adq2 for some values of qi. We obtain our results using the method of Bellman functions. I. Definitions and main results. We will be dealing with a family of dyadic intervals on the real line: D := {[n2, (n+ 1)2], n, k ∈ N}. For an interval J , let D(J) stand for the family of all its dyadic subintervals, D(J) := {I ∈ D, I ⊂ J} and let Dn(J) stand for the family of all dyadic subintervals of J of the length exactly 2|J |. For a locally integrable function f , let 〈f〉 I stand for the average of f over the interval I, 〈f〉 I := 1 |I| ∫ I f(x)dx where |I| is the Lebesgue measure of I. Let w be a weight, i. e. w is a locally integrable almost everywhere positive function. Since we will be dealing mostly with averages, we define the dyadic doubling constant of the weight w to be Db(w) := sup I∈D 〈w〉 I 〈w〉 I = 1 2 sup I∈D ∫
Design, Optimization, and In-Depth Understanding of Front and Rear Junction Double-Side Passivated Contacts Solar Cells

In this article, detailed numerical modeling is performed for front junction (FJ) and rear junction (RJ) n-type Si solar cells with screen-printed double-side poly-Si based tunnel oxide passivated contacts (TOPCon). A roadmap for efficiency projections of commercial-type RJ and FJ topologies reaching 24.8% and 23.3% efficiencies, respectively, has been developed to quantify and explain the impact of various technological innovations on the performance of each design. Understanding of mechanisms governing cell operation is crucial to explore factors that limit the efficiency potential of the two device structures. By investigating several key parameters such as front poly-Si sheet resistance and thickness, bulk material properties, and current transport in our simulation model, we determine and explain why RJ cells outperform FJ cells. Our findings reveal that FJ suffers from present technological limitations of p-type poly-Si based passivated contacts—namely, 1) large recombination observed in textured p-TOPCon layers and 2) low boron solid solubility and hole mobility in boron-doped poly-Si which results in very high sheet resistance of the front p-poly-Si emitter that contributes to fill factor degradation, especially when using thin poly-Si layer to reduce absorption losses. RJ on the contrary desensitizes the cell efficiency to front sheet resistance to allow the application of ultra-thin front n-type poly-Si layer and is therefore ideally suited for double-side TOPCon cells.
Rapid Structural Condition Assessment Using Transmissibility with Quantified Confidence for Decision Making

The motivation of this paper is to achieve a rapid condition assessment and identification for aero-space structures. For such a circumstance, transmissibility is a good vibration-domain feature for damage detection and localization, highlighting the sensitivity of the relative dynamics between any two interest points on the structure to many forms of damage (such as connection losses). With a quantified uncertainty model of transmissibility available, test results may be compared to baseline (undamaged) statistics, and statistical significance under certain confidence level may be found. Receiver operating characteristic curves suggest the optimized threshold of detection that balances detections and false alarms. In this paper, three such models are presented, and the aforementioned statistical identifications are validated through a plate structure with a single-edge clamped boundary condition. The benchmark test results show very good consistency with the model prediction and the robustness to different noise contamination situations.
Claude Simon's Leçon de choses : Myth and Ritual Displaced

If the French nouveau roman is characterized in a descriptive rather than in a prescriptive fashion, we find that many of the qualities by which we now recognize it are reactions against the traditional, referential novel. The traditional novel is predicated upon the existence of a message: a novelist 'has something to say and says it well." In such a system, a novel's worth is to be judged, at least in part, by its "depth." "Profound" is a term of tribute; "sujaerficial" is an insult. The shift away from a theory of the novel based on depth could not cKcur overnight. Before significant numbers of readers turned their attention to the textual surface, a weaning process first had to separate the reader from his traditional quest for the best jxissible interpretation of the author's "message." An early stage of this departure from hermeneutic aesthetics may be seen in Jean Rousset's Forme et signification. ' The form of a text corresfK)nds, pKJsitively or antithetically, to the meaning of the text. While the door is thus of)ened to an examination of a text through a study of its structure, preexistence of the message is always implicit. Structure is considered to emanate from the subject, just as the textual surface, to whatever extent the reader is aware of it, is ascribable to the text's depth.
Radioisotope CSF flow studies in leptomeningeal metastases

Background: Leptomeningeal metastases is a frequent neuro-oncologic complication in patients with cancer. Objective: Radionuclide CSF flow studies provide a unique method of evaluating CSF compartments in patients with leptomeningeal metastases. Methods: Radionuclide CSF flow studies are performed by injecting 111Indium-DTPA into either the ventricular or lumbar CSF compartment. 111Indium-DTPA is entrained by CSF and flows through CSF compartments based on normal CSF physiology. Results: Normal times to appearance of 111Indium-DTPA following intraventricular injection in either adults or children are as follows: ventricles (median 1 minute); cisterna magna/basal cisterns (5); cervical (15); thoracic (20); and lumbar (30) spinal subarachnoid spaces; and sylvian cisterns (50). Normal times to appearance of 111Indium-DTPA following intralumbar injection are as follows: lumbar (1); thoracic (22.5); cervical (32.5) spinal subarachnoid spaces; cisterna magna/basal cisterns (37.5); sylvian cisterns (65); ventricles (1,440); and cerebral convexities (1,440). In 30 consecutive patients, 47% of patients had documented compartmentalization of CSF by 111Indium-DTPA CSF flow studies. 13% had base of brain obstruction of whom 50% responded with re-establishment of normal CSF flow and 33% had spinal subarachnoid space block of whom 40% following therapy had re-establishment of normal CSF flow. In 61 consecutive patients, 33% of patients had abnormal spinal CSF flow studies which better demonstrated interruption of CSF flow when compared to CT myelography and spine MR. In 40 patients, all with CSF block, 20 of whom responded to therapy with re-establishment of normal CSF flow as compared to 20 with refractory CSF block, significant differences were seen in median survival and cause of death favoring patients with normal or restored CSF flow. Conclusions: Radioisotope CSF flow studies in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis appear to have two practical uses. First, radioisotope CSF flow studies by documenting normal CSF flow predict for homogenous distribution of intra-CSF chemotherapy. Secondly, in patients with CSF flow obstruction refractory to site of obstruction therapy, limited survival, rapid leptomeningeal disease progression and death due to progressive CNS disease is predicted.
Serologic characteristics of ceftriaxone antibodies in 25 patients with drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia.

BACKGROUND: Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin, is commonly used to prevent and treat infections. Since 1987, it has been the second most common cause of drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) investigated in our laboratory. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples from 79 patients (1987-2010), suspected of having DIIHA caused by ceftriaxone, were studied for the presence of ceftriaxone antibodies. Direct antiglobulin tests (DATs) and tests with ceftriaxone-treated red blood cells (RBCs) or untreated and enzyme-treated RBCs in the presence of ceftriaxone were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-five (32%) of the 79 patients had antibodies to ceftriaxone detected. Seventeen (68%) of the 25 patients were children; reactions in children were usually dramatic and severe. Nine (36%) of the 25 patients had fatal DIIHA. Nineteen of the 25 samples had DATs performed by our laboratory; 100% of samples were reactive with anti-C3 and 47% were reactive with anti-IgG. All 25 sera had ceftriaxone antibodies detected when testing untreated or ficin-treated RBCs in the presence of ceftriaxone (resulting in agglutination, hemolysis or sensitization of test RBCs). These antibodies were primarily IgM and reactivity was enhanced by testing ficin-treated RBCs. Sixteen (64%) of the 25 sera reacted with test RBCs when no ceftriaxone was added in vitro; this was most likely due to the transient presence of drug or drug-immune complexes in the patient's circulation at the time that the blood samples were drawn. CONCLUSION: Ceftriaxone antibodies can cause severe intravascular hemolysis. Complement can usually be detected on the patient's RBCs and IgM antibodies are usually detected in the patient's serum.
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Convention

Tunas were not regarded highly as food fishes in the United States until about 1903, when albacore were first canned commercially in California. Consumer acceptance was low at first, but the fishery gradually expanded, and by 1914 annual landings in the United States were about 9,000 tons. In 1916 a poor albacore catch caused an increase in the canning of skipjack and yellowfin tuna. By 1918, 77 percent of the total pack was yellowfin and skipjack.
Studies on Media for Enumerating Enterococci in Frozen Vegetables

A study was made of the relative sensitivity and specificity of presumptive and confirmatory media for the most probable number enumeration of enterococci in frozen vegetables. Azide dextrose broth yielded the highest numbers of confirmable enterococci and its sensitivity was shown to be comparable to nonselective media. The use of ethyl violet azide broth as a confirmatory medium resulted in a significant number of false positive tests. Growth in broth containing 6.5% sodium chloride incubated at 45 C for 2 days was found to be a more specific confirmatory test for enterococci.
A Purinergic Dialogue between Glia and Neurons in the Retina

Abstract Our laboratory has characterized bidirectional signalling between neurons and glial cells in the mammalian retina. We find that light-evoked neuronal activity elicits Ca2+ increases in Muller cells, specialized glial cells of the retina. A flickering light stimulus evokes an increase in the occurrence of Ca2+ transients in Muller cells. Addition of adenosine greatly potentiates this light-evoked Ca2+ response. The purinergic antagonist suramin and the ATP hydrolysing enzyme apyrase block the glial Ca2+ response, indicating that neuron to glia signalling in the retina is mediated by ATP release from neurons and activation of glial purinergic receptors. Glia to neuron signalling has also been observed. Muller cell stimulation can evoke a hyperpolarization in neighbouring ganglion cells lasting tens of seconds. The hyperpolarization is blocked by the A1 adenosine receptor antagonist DPCPX and is reduced by ecto-ATPase and ectonucleotidase inhibitors, indicating that the hyperpolarization is mediated by glial release of ATP which is converted to adenosine by ecto-enzymes, leading to the activation of neuronal adenosine receptors. The existence of bidirectional purinergic signalling between neurons and glia suggests that glial cells participate in information processing in the retina.
Issues in the Analysis of Chinese Tone

Chinese tone has played an important role in the development of phonological theory from distinctive features and autosegmental phonology to Optimality Theory and its various adaptations. This article reviews some past and current issues in the analysis of Chinese tone and points out how the development of theoretical phonology has shaped the highs and lows of this research enterprise. To fruitfully proceed into the future, I plead to phonologists working in this area to cultivate a new respect for empirical data based on well-designed phonetic and psycholinguistic studies. This is necessitated by the observations that speakers’ knowledge of tone and tone sandhi may not be identical to their patterns in the lexicon, and impressionistic transcriptions, no matter how careful, can be inaccurate. Moreover, patterns of tone in Chinese are rich in variation, gradience, and exceptions due to dialectal contact and the influence from the dominant Standard Chinese, and existing research has shown that the productivity of Chinese tone sandhi patterns is influenced by both categorical factors such as phonological opacity and gradient factors such as the phonetic nature and the frequency of usage of the sandhi. An empirical basis built around these issues will allow the study of Chinese tone to make continued contributions to the development of phonological theory and our understanding of speakers’ phonological knowledge.
Myocardial protective effects of nicorandil, an opener of potassium channels on senile rat heart.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of nicorandil, an opener of potassium channels, on senile rat hearts from ischemic reperfusion injury. A modified working model of isolated perfused hearts of senile rats was used. After isolation, the hearts underwent 60 min of global hypothermic ischemia treatment, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. These hearts were distributed into three groups, each receiving different cardioplegic solutions: (1) St. Thomas' solution (Group S), (2) 100 micromol/L nicorandil (Group N), (3) St. Thomas' solution combined with 100 micromol/L nicorandil (Group S+N). The pre- and post-ischemic myocardial function were assessed by the percentage recovery of the heart rate (HR), +/- dp/dt(max) (maximal rate of change of left ventricular pressure) and cardiac output (CO). Upon reperfusion, the cardioplegic solution was collected from the coronary sinus and tested for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity. During 30 min of reperfusion, the percentage recovery of HR, +dp/dt and left ventricular stroke work (LVSW) were significantly higher in Group S+N than in Group S and Group N (p 0.05). There were no significant differences in the levels of LDH and CK-MB. Electron microscopic examination revealed better preservation of the ultrastructures of the myocardial tissue in Group N+S than the other two groups. These results indicate that nicorandil combined with St. Thomas' solution can improve the left ventricular function of the post-ischemic senile rat and offer a better myocardial protective effect on the ischemic senile myocardium.
Television Viewing and the Perception of Affluence

Paralleling research on the effects of television on cognitions regarding violence, this study examines the effects of television on perceptions of the extent of affluence in the United States. Television's frequent portrayal of America as a highly affluent society suggests that perceptions of affluence are positively related both to amount of television viewing and to perceived veracity of television, and that the effects of television viewing are strongest among persons who attribute the greatest veracity to television's depiction of American life. An analysis of survey data provides little support for these hypotheses. Although moderately strong positive relationships exist between affluence perceptions and both amount of television viewing and perceived veracity of television, these zero-order relationships are spurious associations accounted for by class-related variables, especially education. The ubiquity and mass popularity of television during the last three decades have prompted many empirical studies of the effects of television on cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors. The great preponderance of this research has focused on the possible effects of televised advertisements, political messages, and, especially, violence and aggression (see, e.g., Schramm, 1954; Schramm et al., 1961; Weiss, 1968; Surgeon General's Scientific Advisory Committee, 1972; Baker and Ball, 1969; Feshback and Singer, 1971; Liebert et al., 1973; Howitt and Cumberbatch, 1975; Hartnagel et al., 1975; Teevan and Hartnagel, 1976; Gerbner and Gross, 1976a). The purpose of this study is to extend such research by exploring the impact of television on beliefs about the extent of affluence in American society. Perceptions of affluence-and the social reality they reflect-have important implications for the legitimacy of the existing social order. Lipset (1960) has noted that social stability depends not only on economic development but also on the effectiveness and legitimacy of political institutions. Effectiveness refers to actual performance, while legitimacy refers to the ability of a system to engender and maintain beliefs that existing institutions are the appropriate ones for the society. Although analytically distinct, however, economic development, effectiveness, and legitimacy are increasingly intertwined in industrialized societies. This overlap of economic development, effectiveness, and legitimacy is especially evident in the United States. A central tenet of the dominant American ideology is the belief that America is a land of unprecedented material abundance. The roots of this ideological strain reach far back in the American experience; the cornucopia has long been a national symbol. Only during the last
UAS Integration Into the NAS: An Examination of Baseline Compliance in the Current Airspace System

As a result of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are expected to be integrated into the National Airspace System (NAS) by 2015. Several human factors challenges need to be addressed before UAS can safely and routinely fly in the NAS with manned aircraft. Perhaps the most significant challenge is for the UAS to be non-disruptive to the air traffic management system. Another human factors challenge is how to provide UAS pilots with intuitive traffic information in order to support situation awareness (SA) of their airspace environment as well as a see-and-avoid capability comparable to manned aircraft so that a UAS pilot could safely maneuver the aircraft to maintain separation and collision avoidance if necessary. A simulation experiment was conducted to examine baseline compliance of UAS operations in the current airspace system. Researchers also examined the effects of introducing a Cockpit Situation Display (CSD) into a UAS Ground Control Station (GCS) on UAS pilot performance, workload and situation awareness while flying in a positively controlled sector. Pilots were tasked with conducting a highway patrol police mission with a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS in L.A. Center airspace with two mission objectives: 1) to reroute the UAS when issued new instructions from their commander, and 2) to communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) to negotiate flight plan changes and respond to vectoring and altitude change instructions. Objective aircraft separation data, workload ratings, SA data, and subjective ratings regarding UAS operations in the NAS were collected. Results indicate that UAS pilots were able to comply appropriately with ATC instructions. In addition, the introduction of the CSD improved pilot SA and reduced workload associated with UAS and ATC interactions.
On the Evolution of the Solar Photospheric and Coronal Magnetic Field

The Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) and the Michelsen Doppler Imager (MDI) instruments on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) ran a coordinated observing campaign over the dates 1997 August 10-14. MDI generated 12 resolution magnetograms (06 pixels) of the solar photosphere at a nominal cadence of one minute while EIT observed Fe XII (195 A) (5'' resolution; 25 pixels) in the MDI high-resolution field of view at a cadence of ~17 minutes. We investigate the relationship between the quiet-Sun photospheric magnetic field and the quiet solar corona by first removing instrumental effects from the EIT data, time-averaging the MDI data for improved statistics, and coaligning the two data sets and applying solar rotation tracking. At the time of the observation, this was the longest continuous run of its kind. We conduct a detailed investigation of the processes of evolution in the photospheric magnetic field and look for sympathetic effects in the solar corona. We measure the lifetimes, dimensions, and orientations of small-scale coronal brightenings and reconcile these processes against the evolution of the underlying photospheric magnetic field. Using statistics collected from this study, we find that emerging bipoles in quiet Sun reach a typical length of ≈14 Mm before fading or reconnecting to other flux concentrations in a time period of ≈5-12 hr, and the quiet solar corona completely decorrelates in approximately 15 hr. We find that the majority of large coronal loops in quiet Sun are the products of numerous smaller magnetic flux concentrations coalescing in the photosphere rather than the product of a single large emerging bipole. This continuous process of emergence and coalescence leads to the observation that there is no preferred orientation to small-scale coronal brightenings in the solar corona.
What Is an American Muslim? Embracing Faith and Citizenship

Abdullahi Ahmed an-Na‘im is well known for his research on the status of minority communities within Islamic law. His previous works, which have focused upon both religious and gender issues, have ...
Isolation and characterization of fruit vacuolar invertase genes from two tomato species and temporal differences in mRNA levels during fruit ripening

To determine the relationship between invertase gene expression and glucose and fructose accumulation in ripening tomato fruit, fruit vacuolar invertase cDNA and genomic clones from the cultivated species, Lycopersicon esculentum cv. UC82B, and a wild species, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, were isolated and characterized. The coding sequences of all cDNA clones examined are identical. By comparison to the known amino acid sequence of mature L. esculentum fruit vacuolar invertase, a putative signal sequence and putative amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal propeptides were identified in the derived amino acid sequence. Of the residues 42% are identical with those of carrot cell wall invertase. A putative catalytic site and a five-residue motif found in carrot, yeast, and bacterial invertases are also present in the tomato sequence. Minor differences between the nucleotide sequences of the genomic clones from the two tomato species were found in one intron and in the putative regulatory region. The gene appears to be present in one copy per haploid genome. Northern analysis suggests a different temporal pattern of vacuolar invertase mRNA levels during fruit development in the two species, with the invertase mRNA appearing at an earlier stage of fruit development in the wild species. Nucleotide differences found in the putative regulatory regions may be involved in species differences in temporal regulation of this gene, which in turn may contribute to observed differences in hexose accumulation in ripening fruit.
A Comparative Perspective of Community Policing in Taiwan and Washington State

This study explores the attitudes and behaviors of Taiwanese police officers regarding community oriented policing (COP) by comparing their attitudes and behaviors with those of officers in Washington State. Data used in the study were collected from 375 Taiwanese line officers assigned to the city of Tainan and 167 American line officers from various police and sheriffs’ departments in Washington State. The study finds that (1) Taiwanese and American officers hold similar opinions of COP’s potential to reduce crime; (2) both groups are similarly involved in implementing the various strategies of COP; yet (3) American officers are more involved in formulating (planning/devising) COP strategies; and (4) are more receptive to citizen involvement in COP; while (5) Taiwanese officers are more receptive to civilian oversight, and (6) are more amenable to applying COP outcomes for evaluative purposes than are their American counterparts. Policy implications and areas for future research are discussed.
Future of clinical decision support in computerized prescriber order entry

In the defunct ABC television series Life on Mars , Jason O’Mara plays Sam Tyler, a modern-day New York City police detective thrust back in time to 1973. Upon arriving in the past, Sam finds none of the technological advances available in modern-day society—items we now take for granted—such
Recovery in Locke's Solution of a Retarding Agent from Immune Rats

The objection is frequently heard that transplantable tumors are not comparable with spontaneous new growths because they are not autochthonous, and as a consequence of the brilliant results already achieved by the newer carcinogenic substances and the promise which they hold for the future it has even been suggested, in the enthusiasm of the moment, that the propagable neoplasm be abandoned as an instrument of research. This would be a short-sighted policy, for the transplantable tumor represents a pure culture of cells that is more or less dependable, so far as this word can be applied to any new growth. In the second place, it will produce large amounts of neoplastic tissue when the conditions of the experiment so require. Thirdly, and most important of all, the propagable tumor, foreign as it is to the organism of its temporary host, frequently sets up a defensive reaction which is often vigorous enough to determine its regression; for this protective response, and no inferiority on the part of the graft, is responsible for the cure. In other words, the tissues of an animal with a receding tumor hold the long-sought agent that can destroy the malignant cell without inflicting damage on the host.
Estimation and Analysis of Irrigation in Single-Family Homes in Central Florida

AbstractThere are several studies that have estimated how much water is used for residential irrigation, principally at the national level, with outputs varying from 30 to 64% of total household potable water use. A methodology to estimate irrigation from potable use data in central Florida is presented in this paper. Monthly potable water billing records of single-family homes for the City of Tampa Water Department (TWD) and Orange County Utilities (OCU), Florida, were available from 2003 to 2007. Basic indoor water use at the household scale was estimated using two methods: the minimum month method and the per capita method. A range of impervious surfaces values (5, 15, and 20% from total green area) was considered to estimate the irrigable area. Irrigation was estimated on a monthly basis as the difference of total water use minus the estimated indoor water use, divided by the irrigable area. The estimated irrigation values were compared to a monthly theoretical irrigation requirement calculated by a d...
A Proposed "Automatic" Teaching Device

Teaching devices capable of directing the study of a student in accordance with his individual needs and capabilities offer exciting possibilities for the schools of the future. An "automatic" teaching device is one which incorporates both the presentation of information and the testing of the student in a controlled feedback relationship. This paper presents the case for "automatic" teaching devices along with some proposals for the construction of such machines.