cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Mature Erythrocyte

Recent developments in prostaglandin biology have revealed diverse pharmacological activity (Ramwell and Rabinowitz, 1972), and although the specific physiological role of prostaglandins as intercellular or intracellular “hormones” is yet to be elucidated, most cells and tissues appear to have the capacity for both their evoked synthesis and release (Ramwell and Shaw, 1970) and their metabolism (Anggard and Samuelsson, 1964). The prostaglandins have many implications in hematology (Johnson and Ramwell, 1973a), and blood is a unique medium for their study since it contains single cell type components, each with a characteristic biological responsiveness but maintained in the same physiological environment.
Design of Hepatitis B Vaccines

Approaches to the design of “second generation” vaccines against hepatitis B are discussed with special emphasis on synthetic peptides corresponding to sequences in the preS region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope gene.
Diabetes and hyper-insulinemia as predictors of colorectal cancer risk in a prospective cohort of women

B93 Insulin, which is chronically elevated in the pre-diabetic condition and in diabetes before pancreatic exhaustion, stimulates growth of both normal colonic and carcinoma cells, and perhaps more importantly, modulates IGF-I and its binding proteins to create a pro-mitotic environment for colonic epithelial cells. We analyzed data from a prospective cohort of women selected from participants in a breast cancer screening program conducted between 1973-81 at 29 centers throughout the United States to determine if diabetes was a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Since hyper-insulinemia might be misclassified if we only considered subjects with diagnosed diabetes at baseline as exposed, we did additional analyses in which we analyzed risk of colorectal cancer among those who were either diabetics at baseline or likely pre-diabetic at baseline (identified based on subsequent self-report of diabetes at the 1993-1995 follow-up). Between 1987 and 1989, 45,519 women without a history of colorectal cancer or suspected Type I diabetes (onset before age 25) successfully completed a series of baseline questionnaires assessing dietary and other health and lifestyle risk factors for colorectal cancer. Mean age at time of interview was 61.9 years. Women were followed for an average of 8.5 years between 1987-89 and 1995-98, and during this time 489 women developed colorectal cancer. We used Cox proportional hazards models, with age as the underlying time metric, to estimate risk of colorectal cancer. Models of diabetes diagnosed at or before baseline controlled for age, physical activity, energy intake, alcohol, menopausal hormone therapy, smoking, multivitamin use, education, ethnicity, NSAID use, calcium from supplements, and intake of calcium from diet. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (and 95% confidence interval) for prevalent diabetes at baseline was 1.50 (1.09-2.07). After reclassifying the exposed category to include those who were likely pre-diabetic at baseline, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio remained statistically significant, but was of lesser magnitude: 1.36 (1.01-1.83) for self-report of diabetes at baseline or at 1993-1995 follow-up. These results suggest that prior diagnosis of diabetes increased risk of colorectal cancer, and therefore support the hyper-insulinemia hypothesis. However, our observation that the risk estimate was attenuated if we included in the exposed category subjects who were likely pre-diabetic (and therefore hyper-insulinemic) at baseline suggests that either the degree of hyper-insulinemia in such subjects was not of sufficient magnitude or of sufficient duration to increase risk or that some factor related to diabetes but independent of hyper-insulinemia was responsible for the increased risk we observed for diabetic subjects.
Abstract IA13: Multilevel studies for better understanding the Hispanic immigrant paradox across the cancer continuum

The “Hispanic paradox” refers to observed favorable health outcomes among U.S. Hispanics relative to non-Hispanic Whites, which is unexpected due to the generally lower socioeconomic status among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Likewise, the “Hispanic immigrant paradox” refers to more favorable health outcomes among immigrant Hispanics relative to US-born Hispanics. These paradoxes have been observed for a number of cancer sites, across the cancer continuum, from incidence to mortality. This presentation will highlight evidence of the Hispanic and Hispanic immigrant paradox, specifically observed for breast, prostate, lung, and cervical cancer survival, and for breast cancer risk. By considering neighborhood context, specifically residence in an ethnic enclave, insights can be gleaned for whether the health advantage among Hispanic immigrants might be most attributable to individual9s health behaviors and exposures, contextual-level influences like social and built environments or co-ethnic social networks and support, or a synergistic effect of these factors. Methodological considerations, such as differential loss to follow-up and survival bias, will be explored. Citation Format: Scarlett Lin Gomez. Multilevel studies for better understanding the Hispanic immigrant paradox across the cancer continuum. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr IA13.
Determining the Pull-Forces Required to Extricate a Victim Entrapped at Various Angles in a Grain Mass

Prior research on extrication of victims entrapped in stored grain has measured the vertical forces applied to a representative victim (i.e., mannequin) using an anchor point that is mounted directly overhead. However, primarily because of how most grain storage structures are designed, the forces applied would more likely be coming from an angle. This is due to the victim typically being entrapped in the center of the grain mass while the access point is at the perimeter of the roof. The objective of this study was to measure the peak forces required to pull a mannequin at an angle and compare it to vertical pull. An adult-size mannequin was pulled out of dry corn and soybean masses from various depths and at various angles. It was found that both corn and soybeans were comparable regardless of depth or angle with the exception of 15° angle. It was also found that, at pulling angles of 60° and 75°, the loads were comparable to those required at 90° or directly overhead. Only at the sharper angles of 15° and 30° did the peak forces significantly increase. The results highlight that there is some flexibility in the placement of the anchor point and that extrication forces on the body will increase at sharper pull angles.
Arbitration of Family Disputes

Many people have difficulty handling the ups and downs of everyday family life. Herrman, McKenry, and Weber (1979) point out: People are typically “reluctant decision makers.” They try to avoid conflict and decisions over which there is little control or decisions with possible negative effects. Divorcing parties have not been able to manage family conflict successfully in the past, otherwise divorce would not be imminent. (p. 17) These unmanageable conflicts, however, are not confined to divorcing couples. They can plague all the adults and children throughout any family with significant disputes.
Adolescence and risk of preterm birth in multifetal gestations.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate if adolescence confers additional risk for preterm delivery in multifetal gestations.Methods: This is a retrospective review of all twin and tr...
Biomimetic antimicrobial polymers: recent advances in molecular design

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, coupled with the decline in the number of new antibiotic drug approvals, has created a therapeutic gap that portends an emergent public health crisis. Since the 1980s, host defense peptides (HDPs) have been recognized as antibacterial compounds that do not induce resistance, but are hampered by their high cost and lack of synthetic scalability. Starting in the early 2000s, synthetic (co)polymers have been designed to mimic the salient physiochemical features of HDPs. These polymers have shown broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, rapid bactericidal kinetics, and a very low propensity to induce resistance. Systematic optimization of the (co)polymer composition, chain length, hydrophobicity, and cationic charge has generated select examples that are also highly biocompatible (non-hemolytic and non-cytotoxic in vitro). These polymers are derived from inexpensive feedstocks and are produced using cost-effective, scalable processes. Accordingly, such polymers may be viewed as early stage pre-clinical candidates for potential use in pharmaceutical or therapeutic applications. In this review, we focus on the key macromolecular design principles that have been gleaned from more than a decade of structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies, as well as some key mechanistic investigations, across this multidisciplinary field. A fundamental understanding of these functional (co)polymers has arisen from a convergence of ideas in polymer chemistry, microbiology, and biophysics. In this context, we emphasize the recent advances from the past few years and emerging opportunities surrounding the rapidly growing field of HDP-mimetic antimicrobial polymers.
Connections, confidence, and competence: the meaning of professional development for community college support staff personnel

Using a qualitative, phenomenological methodology this dissertation study describes and examines the meaning of participation in professional development for community college support staff and the perceived meaning, benefits, and challenges to both the individual participant and the institution. The research site is an urban Midwestern U.S. community college that offers a comprehensive staff development program. The study includes the perspectives of both support staff participants in professional development and administrative staff who work closely with the program. A total of 15, all female, participants—11 support staff and four administrative staff—took part in the study. This study was of interest because, despite the fact that over 25% of the employees in U.S. community colleges are classified as support staff, no substantive empirical research regarding any aspect of community college support staff participation in professional development could be identified. Additionally, the literature has strongly suggested that focused professional development programs have been shown to have a positive effect on the personnel who participate in them and on the institutions in which they work. Literature reviewed for the study includes community college professional development, the learning college and learning organization, and women’s ways of knowing and learning. Study data were analyzed using the Moustakas modification of the Stevick-ColaizziKeen method for analyzing phenomenological data. This analysis resulted in nine textural themes: gaining knowledge, personal improvement, social enjoyment, attaining career/educational goals, support and encouragement, organizational issues, equity of access, obstacles, and opportunities and three structural themes: connections, confidence, and competence. Recommendations for practice from the study results include: providing
Three Midwest Rural School Districts’ First Year Transition to the Four Day School Week: Parents’ Perspectives

The four-day school week is a concept that has been utilized in rural schools for decades to respond to budgetary shortfalls. There has been little peer-reviewed research on the four-day school week that has focused on the perception of parents who live in school districts that have recently switched to the four-day model. This study collected data from 584 parents in three rural Missouri school districts that have transitioned to the four-day school week within the last year. Quantitative statistical analysis identifies significant differences in the perceptions of parents classified by the age of children, special education identification, and free and reduced lunch status. Strong parental support for the four-day school week was identified in all demographic areas investigated; however, families with only elementary aged children and families with students receiving special education services were less supportive than other groups.
Gender Dysphoria in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract Purpose: While gender dysphoria (GD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are generally identified in isolation, research on individuals who are gender-referred or have autism suggests a pos...
New and interesting species of Chrysobalanaceae

Abstract Four new species of Licania and two of Hirtella are described and additional notes are given on three other little known species of Chrysobalanaceae. All the new species have been collected recently since 1972 when the author monographed the neotropical Chrysobalanaceae. Three of the new species are from Amazonia, two from Panama, and one from Pacific coastal Colombia confirming that these three areas still have many undescribed species and are in need of further exploration.
Early E. casseliflavus gut colonization and outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Gut dysbiosis has been associated with worse allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) outcomes. We reported an association between intrinsically vancomycin-resistant enterococci (iVRE: E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus) gut colonization and lower post-transplant mortality. In this study, using an expanded cohort, we evaluated whether our previously observed association is species-specific. We included allo-HCT recipients with ≥1 positive rectal swab or stool culture for iVRE between days -14 and +14 of transplant. To investigate whether iVRE modulate the gut microbiota, we performed agar diffusion assays. To investigate whether iVRE differ in their ability to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, we analyzed iVRE genomes for enzymes in the shikimate and tryptophan pathways. Sixty six (23 E. casseliflavus and 43 E. gallinarum) of the 908 allograft recipients (2011–2017) met our inclusion criteria. Overall survival was significantly higher in patients with E. casseliflavus (91% vs. 62% at 3 years, P = 0.04). In multivariable analysis, E. casseliflavus gut colonization was significantly associated with reduced all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.20, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.91, P = 0.04). While agar assays were largely unremarkable, genome mining predicted that E. casseliflavus encodes a larger number of enzymes in the tryptophan metabolism pathway. In conclusion, E. casseliflavus gut colonization is associated with reduced post-HCT morality. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms for this association.
DEF Systems and Aftertreatment Architecture Considerations

As emissions regulations become more stringent, new aftertreatment technologies are necessary. To assist in the reduction of NOx emissions, liquid-based SCR technologies have been adopted globally. The most common technique used to introduce ammonia (NH3) into the exhaust stream is via a dosing system metering diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). SCR system efficiency relies heavily on how uniformly the NH3 is distributed across the catalyst face.
CHAPTER 31 – Insecticidal Phytochemicals

Publisher Summary Local plants are used throughout the world for making insecticidal preparations. Compounds containing insecticidal properties occur in many plant parts, for example—pyrethrins in the flower heads of pyrethrum, nicotine in the leaves of tobacco, rotenoids in the roots of denis, and ryanodine in the stem of ryania. This chapter discusses these plant insecticides. The most important natural plant insecticides are the pyrethrins. These compounds are of great interest because of their lethal activity against insects, low toxicity to mammals, and low persistence after use. They paralyze flying insects very rapidly. Pyrethrum is a small perennial herb, with deeply lobed leaves of variable shape and length. Pyrethrins are a mixture of six structurally related insecticidal esters formed by a combination of two acids and three alcohols. Phytoecdysones are found in plants and are analogs of ecdysteroids, a group of insect hormones that initiates the cycles of ecdysis in insect development. They can disrupt the growth cycles of insects and this can result in the formation of abnormal adults.
Divorcing Traditions: Islamic Marriage Law and the Making of Indian Secularism: by Katherine Lemons, Ithaca, NY/London, Cornell University Press, 2019, vii + 232 pp., US$26.95 (paperback), ISBN 9781501734779

Katherine Lemons has written a provocative and thought-provoking book on a topic that, particularly in recent years, has aroused much contentious attention among legal scholars, politicians and the...
Elliptic, Yangian-Invariant "Leading Singularity"

We derive closed formulas for the first examples of nonalgebraic, elliptic ``leading singularities'' in planar, maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and show that they are Yangian invariant.
Oscillons, walking droplets, and skipping stones (an overview)

This article considers additional phenomena that complement the earlier topics addressed by Ibrahim [(Liquid Sloshing Dynamics: Theory and Applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005), (ASME J Fluids Eng 137(9):090801, 2015)]. The first phenomenon is the localized Faraday waves known as oscillons, which were observed in granular materials and liquid layers subjected to parametric excitation. Extreme waves, known as rogue, generated in the Faraday surface ripples, are related to the increase in the horizontal mobility of oscillating solitons (oscillons), and their horizontal motion is random over a limited range of excitation acceleration amplitude. Parametric excitation of water in a Hele–Shaw cell and the associated localized standing surface waves of large amplitude will be discussed. The surface wave pattern exhibited a certain similarity with the three-dimensional axisymmetric oscillon. Faraday waves in superfluid Fermi–Bose mixtures and their wave function will be addressed in terms of position and time as described by the Schrodinger equation with time-dependent parabolic potential. The phenomenon of walking fluid droplets on Faraday waves constitutes the majority portion of this article. Different regimes of droplet motion in terms of droplet physical properties, the fluid bath excitation acceleration amplitude and frequency will be discussed. The droplet trajectory diffraction, when passes through a slit, shares the same random features of electron diffraction. The duality of the droplet-wave field together with the path-memory-driven nonlocality and other related topics will be assessed. This article is complemented with the fascinating phenomenon of the stone and bombs skipping/ricochet over water surface.
Comparison Case Study of Risk Assessment of Dropped Objects on Subsea Pipelines

AbstractDet Norske Veritas is a company that gives an available classification guidance, which can provide a systematic methodology to estimate the risk due to dropped objects for the purpose of su...
Using the Newcomb-Benford law to study the association between a country's COVID-19 reporting accuracy and its development

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred controversies related to whether countries manipulate reported data for political gains. We study the association between accuracy of reported COVID-19 data and developmental indicators. We use the Newcomb-Benford law (NBL) to gauge data accuracy. We run an OLS regression of an index constructed from developmental indicators (democracy level, gross domestic product per capita, healthcare expenditures, and universal healthcare coverage) on goodness-of-fit measures to the NBL. We find that countries with higher values of the developmental index are less likely to deviate from the Newcomb-Benford law. The relationship holds for the cumulative number of reported deaths and total cases but is more pronounced for the death toll. The findings are robust for second-digit tests and for a sub-sample of countries with regional data. The NBL provides a first screening for potential data manipulation during pandemics. Our study indicates that data from autocratic regimes and less developed countries should be treated with more caution. The paper further highlights the importance of independent surveillance data verification projects.
The Penn Square Bank failure: Effect on commercial bank security returns — a note

Abstract In this paper, we apply standard event methodology to test the effect of the Penn Square Bank failure on the daily returns of three groups of bank holding companies. During the 75-day event period, upstream banks which had Penn Square loan participations faced nearly continual declines in daily returns; banks in the same economic region followed a pattern of less severe but continuously declining returns; while returns for banks outside the region were not significantly affected. We conclude that the market viewed the Penn Square failure as an isolated event which did not significantly affect banks away from regional economic influences.
Equivalence, invariants, and symmetry

1. Geometric foundations 2. Lie groups 3. Representation theory 4. Jets and contact transformations 5. Differential invariants 6. Symmetries of differential equations 7. Symmetries of variational problems 8. Equivalence of coframes 9. Formulation of equivalence problems 10. Cartan's equivalence method 11. Involution 12. Prolongation of equivalence problems 13. Differential systems 14. Frobenius' theorem 15. The Cartan-Kahler existence theorem.
Interception: The use of postovulatory estrogens to prevent implantation

Abstract The administration of high dosages of estrogen in the postovulatory period appears to be effective in lowering pregnancy rates following mid-cycle exposure to the 0.3 to 0.03 per cent range. While nausea is encountered in approximately half the patients, no serious side effects have been noted except for one case of acute pulmonary edema. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy appears to be elevated. No fetal abnormalities were noted in infant macaque monkeys born when marginal maternal doses were given.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Usage among Men and Women

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to a broad range of practices and beliefs that consumers, especially women, increasingly turn to in the United States. A growing body of literature in sociology has examined how socio-demographic factors affect usage. One consistent finding is that, given their differing health needs and behaviors, women are more likely than men to try CAM. Women may be drawn to CAM by the ideology or their frustration with the type of care or results that their physicians provide. Future sociological research should continue to explore why gendered patterns exist and how they vary by other social factors such as race and education. Keywords: alternative medicine; gender; holism; United States of America
Study of placental transfer of thiouracil derivatives

Abstract Five different 14 C-labeled derivates of thiouracil were prepared by condensation of 14 C-thiourea with β-oxo esters. Methyl, propyl, phenyl, and benzyl radicals were substituted at positions 5 or 6 in the thiouracil ring. The placental transfer of the synthesized compounds was measured using 14-day-pregnant rats. The results indicated a rapid transfer of all five compounds, but the more complex structures displayed the slowest rate of transplacental passage. Such decrease in transfer with increasing steric hindrance suggests that the placental transfer of thiouracil derivatives involves a simple diffusion process.
Electrochemical Performance and Stability of the Cathode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells IV. On the Ohmic Loss in Anode-Supported Button Cells with LSM or LSCF Cathodes

Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with a variety of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte thicknesses were fabricated by tape casting and lamination. Preparation of the YSZ electrolyte tapes with various thicknesses was accomplished by using doctor blades with different gaps between the precision machined, polished blade and the casting surface. The green tape was cut into disks, sintered at 1385°C for 2 h, and subsequently creep-flattened at 1350°C for 2 h. Either (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)0 3 (LSCF) with an Sm 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9 (SDC) interlayer or an (La 0.8 Sr 0.2 ) 0.98 MnO 3 (LSM) + YSZ composite was used as the cathode material for the fuel cells. The ohmic resistances of these anode-supported fuel cells were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at temperatures from 500 to 750°C. A linear relationship was found between the ohmic resistance of the fuel cell and the YSZ electrolyte thickness at all the measuring temperatures for both LSCF and LSM + YSZ cathode fuel cells. The ionic conductivities of the YSZ electrolyte, derived for the fuel cells with LSM + YSZ or LSCF cathodes, were independent of the cathode material and cell configuration. The ionic conductivities of the YSZ electrolyte were slightly lower than that of the bulk material possibly due to Ni doping into the electrolyte. The fuel cell with an SDC interlayer and an LSCF cathode showed a larger intercept resistance than the fuel cell with an LSM + YSZ cathode, which was possibly due to the imperfect contact between the SDC interlayer and the YSZ electrolyte and the migration of Zr into the SDC interlayer to form an insulating solid solution during cell fabrication. Calculations of the contribution of the YSZ electrolyte to the total ohmic resistance showed that YSZ was still a satisfactory electrolyte at temperatures above 650°C. Explorations should be directed to reduce the intercept resistance to achieve significant improvement in cell performance.
Ionic Cooper minima

Zeros in dipole matrix element are found for heavy ions, even when highly ionized, from our relativistic calculation. While the photon energy at which a zero occurs does vary slowly with degree of ionization, the disappearance of bound continuum transition zeros in high-Z elements is primarily associated with the increase in the binding energy of a given subshell with increasing degree of ionization. The stabilization of the value in photoelectron energy of the Cooper minima, as a function of degree of ionization and of principal quantum number n, is also discussed.
Message-passing for graph-structured linear programs: proximal projections, convergence and rounding schemes

A large body of past work has focused on the first-order tree-based LP relaxation for the MAP problem in Markov random fields. This paper develops a family of super-linearly convergent LP solvers based on proximal minimization schemes using Bregman divergences that exploit the underlying graphical structure, and so scale well to large problems. All of our algorithms have a double-loop character, with the outer loop corresponding to the proximal sequence, and an inner loop of cyclic Bregman divergences used to compute each proximal update. The inner loop updates are distributed and respect the graph structure, and thus can be cast as message-passing algorithms. We establish various convergence guarantees for our algorithms, illustrate their performance, and also present rounding schemes with provable optimality guarantees.
Studies of the Chemotherapy of Endocarditis: Correlation of in Vitro, Animal Model, and Clinical Studies

Bactericidal antibiotic activity is necessary for cure of bacterial endocarditis. The animal model of this disease has proved extremely useful for determining the in vivo significance of in vitro observations of antibiotic effect. A review and correlation of data from in vitro, animal model, and clinical studies regarding p-lactam therapy of streptococcal and staphylococcal endocarditis are presented. Although most in vitro findings have predicted therapeutic response to infection in experimental animals and humans, discrepancies, such as the tolerance phenomenon in Staphylococcus aureus and the efficacy of certain p-lactam-aminoglycoside combinations in enterococcal infections, do exist. In general, where examples exist, the results in animal models correlate with results from clinical studies of endocarditis. The goal of therapy for infectious diseases is to achieve maximal efficacy with a minimum of toxicity, time, and expense. The choice of an optimal antibiotic regimen is based on accumulated clinical experience and the results of in vitro testing. In most instances the determination of antibiotic susceptibility, usually by growth inhibition, has provided an acceptable guide in therapy. For infections in which host defenses are active, the use of drugs that arrest growth are usually effective, and such activity can be predicted by standard susceptibility testing. When host defenses are impaired, antibiotic regimens must kill the infecting organism. Thus, in vitro assays that measure bactericidal activity and accurately reflect in vivo action acquire greater significance. Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in which host defenses are clearly impaired and for which a bactericidal effect must be produced by the antibiotics in order to ensure cure. In this paper we will review the accumulated
Listening comprehension as a function of word rate.

Twelve comparable groups of Ss heard a listening selection that differed, from group to group, with respect to word rate. Word rate was varied, in increments of 25 wpm (words per minute), from 125 to 400 wpm, by means of the sampling method for compressing or expanding recorded speech. After listening to the selection, Ss were tested for comprehension by a multiple choice test. Comprehension was not seriously affected by increasing word rate from 125 to 250 wpm, but it declined rapidly thereafter. The suggested explanation of these results is that time is required for the perception of words, and that as word rate is increased beyond a certain point, the perception time available to the listener becomes inadequate, and a rapid deterioration of listening comprehension commences.
Radiology Resident Preliminary Reporting in an Independent Call Environment: Multiyear Assessment of Volume, Timeliness, and Accuracy

Abstract Purpose The objective of this paper is to assess the volume, accuracy, and timeliness of radiology resident preliminary reports as part of an independent call system. This study seeks to understand the relationship between resident year in training, study modality, and discrepancy rate. Methods Resident preliminary interpretations on radiographs, ultrasound, CT, and MRI from October 2009 through December 2013 were prospectively scored by faculty on a modified RADPEER scoring system. Discrepancy rates were evaluated based on postgraduate year of the resident and the study modality. Turnaround times for reports were also reviewed. Differences between groups were compared with a chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05. Institutional review board approval was waived as only deidentified data were used in the study. Results A total of 416,413 studies were reported by 93 residents, yielding 135,902 resident scores. The rate of major resident–faculty assessment discrepancies was 1.7%. Discrepancy rates improved with increasing experience, both overall (PGY-3: 1.8%, PGY-4: 1.7%, PGY-5: 1.5%) and for each individual modality. Discrepancy rates were highest for MR (3.7%), followed by CT (2.4%), radiographs (1.4%), and ultrasound (0.6%). Emergency department report turnaround time averaged 31.7 min. The average graduating resident has been scored on 2,746 ± 267 reports during residency. Conclusions Resident preliminary reports have a low rate of major discrepancies, which improves over 3 years of call-taking experience. Although more complex cross-sectional studies have slightly higher discrepancy rates, discrepancies were still within the range of faculty report variation.
Babies and Brains: Habituation in Infant Cognition and Functional Neuroimaging

Many prominent studies of infant cognition over the past two decades have relied on the fact that infants habituate to repeated stimuli — i.e. that their looking times tend to decline upon repeated stimulus presentations. This phenomenon had been exploited to reveal a great deal about the minds of preverbal infants. Many prominent studies of the neural bases of adult cognition over the past decade have relied on the fact that brain regions habituate to repeated stimuli — i.e. that the hemodynamic responses observed in fMRI tend to decline upon repeated stimulus presentations. This phenomenon has been exploited to reveal a great deal about the neural mechanisms of perception and cognition. Similarities in the mechanics of these two forms of habituation suggest that it may be useful to relate them to each other. Here we outline this analogy, explore its nuances, and highlight some ways in which the study of habituation in functional neuroimaging could yield novel insights into the nature of habituation in infant cognition — and vice versa.
Segmentation of the brain from 3D magnetic resonance images of the head

With the advent of fast 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, truly 3D volumes of data can be routinely acquired. While images produced by modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET;) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) depict functional information, newer MRI techniques like magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (MP-RAGE) capture a great deal of ana tomical detail [3,10]. Such 3D images are used by clinicians in two types of tasks, visualization and quLantifi cation. Visualization, in its most basic form, permits a user to see structures of interest within a volume of data. The "structures of interest" may not correspond to any physically visible phenomenon (e.g. the quan tity of blood flow to neural tissue in a functional image) but the process of visualization transforms the data into images which may then be displayed using computer graphics. On the other hand, quantification, while often depicted graphically, attempts to reduce the mass of data into numbers useful as clinical indicators. A major obstacle to both of these tasks is the prerequisite image segmentation. In order for the brain to be visualized beneath the overlying head, a segmentation step must determine which volume elements, or voxels, in the 3D head image correspond to the brain. Similarly, quantification requires the distinguishing of background voxels from voxels corresponding to the VOl. A growing number of clinical studies depend on volume measurements after segmentation. Examples include: tracking the progression/remission of disease processes (e.g. the size of intracranial tumors); evaluating the neuroanatomical abnormalities associated with schizophrenia (e.g. ventricular volumes); and determining atrophy associated with Alzheimer-type dementia and temporal lobe epilepsy (as in the hippocampal formation).
Discovering Disease Genes: Multipoint Linkage Analysis via a New Markov Chain Monte Carlo Approach

Multipoint linkage analyses of data collected on related individuals are often performed as a first step in the discovery of disease genes. Through the dependence in inheritance of genes segregating at several linked loci, multipoint linkage analysis detects and localizes chromosomal regions (called trait loci) which contain disease genes. Our ability to correctly detect and position these trait loci is increased with the analysis of data observed on large pedigrees and multiple genetic markers. However, large pedigrees generally contain substantial missing data and exact calculation of the required multipoint likelihoods quickly becomes intractable. In this paper, we present a new Markov chain Monte Carlo approach to multipoint linkage analysis which greatly extends the range of models and data sets for which analysis is practical. Several advances in Markov chain Monte Carlo theory, namely joint updates of latent variables across loci or meioses, integrated proposals, Metropolis--Hastings restarts via sequential imputation and Rao--Blackwellized estimators, are incorporated into a sampling strategy which mixes well and produces accurate results in real time. The methodology is demonstrated through its application to several data sets originating from a study of early-onset Alzheimer's disease in families of Volga-German ethnic origin.
Determination of correlations to predict the minimum agitation speed for complete solid suspension in agitated vessels

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of impeller clearance, impeller diameter, and other operating variables on the minimum agitation speed for off-bottom solid suspension in agitated vessels, Njs, for disc turbines (DTs) and flat-blade turbines (FBTs). Only data for which the impellers produced recirculation flows above and below the impeller (the so-called “double-eight” flow pattern) were considered. Regression equations for Njs were obtained, in which explicit terms for impeller clearance and vessel diameter-to-impeller diameter ratio (T/D) were included. Modified Zwietering equations (Zwietering, 1958) were also obtained, in which Zwietering's parameter S was mathematically expressed as a function of vessel diameter-to-impeller clearance ratio and T/D ratio. When used together with the correlations of Armenante and Uehara Nagamine (1998) for impellers close to the vessel bottom, the equations presented here can be used to calculate Njs for DTs and FBTs for any typical impeller clearance.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Total Radial Distribution Functions for Interlayer Water in Li-, Na-, and K-Montmorillonite Hydrates

Recent 1H/2D isotopic-difference neutron diffraction experiments on interlayer water in the two-layer hydrates of Wyoming montmorillonite with Li+ or Na+ counterions have shown that the organization of the water molecules differs from that in the bulk liquid. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying these structural differences in terms of radial distribution functions for H−O and H−H spatial correlations. Our simulations of the first-order difference total radial distribution function, GH(r), for interlayer water were in good agreement with published experimental data based on 1H/2D isotopic-difference diffraction patterns for the two-layer hydrates of Na- and Li-montmorillonite. Detailed examination of our results showed that the H−O and H−H spatial correlations found among interlayer water molecules differ from those obtained in the bulk liquid. Moreover, O−O spatial correlations are longer-ranged than in the bulk liquid because of cation solvation effects. ...
Computer Music Network

Abstract The social climate and cultural atmosphere of the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 70's early 80's plus the emergence of the nascent microcomputer industry made for a social network and approach that fostered the creation of a new type of collaborative electronic music ensemble with techniques that have come to be known as “Computer Music Network”. A transformation from initial heterogeneous to a more homogeneous underlying paradigm has brought with it aesthetic questions about the reason and evolution of this new genre.
Fasting increases glucose and leucine uptake during regeneration of the hypoglossal nerve in the rat

Abstract Glucose uptake is increased during motoneuron regeneration. Since this glucose is probably used as an energy source for axonal regeneration we postulated that hypoglycemia might interfere with motoneuron regeneration. In order to partially test this hypothesis we attempted to induce moderate hypoglycemia by fasting rats for 3 days between the time of hypoglossal nerve transection and the time of [ 14 C]2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) and [ 14 C]leucine measurement. We transected one hypoglossal nerve, leaving the other intact, and measured the glucose uptake quantitatively or leucine uptake semiquantitatively in the hypoglossal nucleus. We found that both glucose and leucine uptake were increased in the hypoglossal nuclei during regeneration of the nerve in the fasted animals above that in the normally fed animals. This suggests that fasting creates a deficit of glucose and perhaps leucine which induces increased uptake
Spontaneous and Evoked Quantal Transmitter Release at a Vertebrate Central Synapse

THIS report deals with some of the statistical properties of quantal transmitter release at the Mauthner fibre-giant fibre synapse in the hatchetfish Gasteropelecus and the way in which these properties are modified by presynaptic intracellular depolarization. The experiments reported indicate that Poisson statistics describe transmitter release in the hatchetfish at low, but not at high, release levels.
In Vitro Effect of Virazole Against Influenza Viruses

The minimal inhibitory concentrations of Virazole against 32 mean tissue culture infective doses of three type A influenza strains including type A/England/42/72 (H3N2) and a type B strain in tissue culture were 0.1 and 0.05 μg/ml, respectively. The growth inhibition pattern by various Virazole concentrations of type A virus was similar to that of the type B virus. Virazole appears to be slightly more potent against the A/England/42/72 strain than are other antiinfluenzal agents.
Dynamic Triangle Geometry: Families of Lines with Equal Intercepts

This snapshot outlines an experiment in triangle geometry using the Geometer’s Sketchpad which enables students to explore and discover interesting results which are expressible in elementary terms in Advanced Euclidean Geometry. 1 We shall assume basic commands of the Geometer’s Sketchpad and the availability of a tool folder containing the following tools 2 for the classical centers of a triangle: (1) the centroid (G in Figure 1), (2) the circumcenter (O in Figure 1) and circumcircle, (3) the orthocenter (H in Figure 1), (4) the incenter (I in Figure 2) and the incircle with its points of tangency with the sidelines, and the Gergonne point (Ge in Figure 2) which is the intersections of the three lines each joining a vertex to the point of tangency of the incircle with the opposite side, 3 (5) the excircles and their centers, with the points of tangency with the sidelines, and the associated Nagel point (Na in Figure 2), which is the intersection of the three
After-school programs for delinquency prevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This article reports on the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of after-school programs (ASPs) on delinquency. Mixed results from some well-known evaluations, a wide range of modalities, and continued interest in and demand for this social intervention motivated this review. A rigorous criteria for inclusion of studies was developed, comprehensive search strategies were employed to identify eligible studies (published and unpublished), and a protocol was followed for coding of key study features. Meta-analytic techniques were used to assess the impact of ASPs on delinquency and investigate study features associated with variation in effects. Seventeen studies--based on 17 independent samples--met the inclusion criteria. All but two of the studies were multimodal, involving primary and secondary interventions. Studies could be grouped into one of the three primary intervention types: academic, recreation, and skills training/mentoring. There was evidence that ASPs had a small but nonsignificant effect on delinquency, with a weighted mean d = 0.062 (95% confidence interval: [-0.098, 0.223]). Moderator analyses indicated that not one of the intervention types was associated with a significant effect on delinquency. Nothing in the present review suggests that ASPs--of any type--should be discontinued. But business as usual does not seem in order for ASPs with a focus on delinquency prevention. Several research priorities could go some way toward addressing this, including further high-quality evaluations targeted on the three main types of ASPs and a special focus on program fidelity. Keywords: Juvenile justice Language: en
Amino acid sequence of bovine heart cytochrome oxidase subunit IV (Albany)

The preliminary data on the amino acid sequence of subunit IV from bovine heart cytochrome oxidase (Albany) is presented. The subunit consists of 97 amino acids linked together in a single polypeptide chain. The sequence was established by the isolation, purification and sequencing of some of the tryptic, chymotryptic and thermolytic and Staphylococcus aureus protease peptides. This subunit is present in all cytochrome oxidase preparations. It corresponds to polypeptide VIa in cytochrome oxidase (Aachen) and subunit a in cytochrome oxidase (Eugene).
Inhalation challenge with ragweed pollen in ragweed-sensitive asthmatics

Abstract We reexamined the ability of inhaled ragweed pollen to induce bronchoconstriction in ragweed-sensitive asthmatic patients using a turbo-inhaler to administer pollen quantitatively. Adult subjects were selected for study on the basis of fall season asthmatic attacks, positive skin test, histamine release, RAST, and bronchial challenge responses to ragweed extract. Not one of 12 such subjects had any bronchial response to oral inhalation of whole pollen grains even when the dose was increased to 7640 pollen grains (more than the estimated maximum daily exposure in season), whereas nasal challenge by the same method produced brisk hay fever responses without bronchospasm. On the other hand, when the pollen was ground to fragments with a size range of 1 to 8 μm, oral inhalation produced a 35% fall in airways conductance in six of seven subjects in doses ranging from 59 to 20,000 pollen grain equivalents. Atropine pretreatment did not modify the response to pollen fragments, making an irritant response unlikely. These data, coupled with earlier observations that no more than a few pollen grains penetrate further than the larynx, raise further questions about the role of whole ragweed pollen in fall asthma in allergic patients. In addition, ragweed-allergic asthmatics appear not to have their symptoms at the time of maximum pollen load in the air. We believe that small-particle allergens other than ragweed pollen should be considered in most cases of all seasonal asthma.
A Calibration Technique For Photometers

The oxidation of luminol, 3-aminophthalhydrazide, gives rise to light emission in the blue part of the spectrum [1]. The quantum yield of this reaction, i.e. the number of photons emitted per luminol molecule reacted was measured some time ago and the reaction proposed as a chemical light standard [2]. The absolute quantum yield of the reaction has been measured then and since using calibrated photomultipliers and small solid angle geometry [3,4], an integrating sphere arrangement with quantum counter and photo-multiplier [5], and a 4i solid angle arrangement where the sample was surrounded by the chemical actinometer ferrioxalate [6]. The present work concerns a remeasurement of the quantum yield using a silicon, Si, photodiode detector and a geometry for which the light collection efficiency is known absolutely. The luminol reaction has been used in turn to calibrate a portable photometer of similar geometry which in conjunction with a transferable light emitting fluid may be used in the field to calibrate underwater photometers.