cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning a gradient grammar of French liaison

In certain French words, an orthgraphically-final consonant is unpronounced except, in certain environments, when it precedes a vowel. This phenomenon, liaison, shows significant interactions with several other patterns in French (including h-aspire, schwa deletion, and the presence of other morphemes in the liaison context). We present a learning algorithm that acquires a grammar that accounts for these patterns and their interactions. The learned grammar employs Gradient Symbolic Computation (GSC), incorporating weighted constraints and partially-activated symbolic representations. Grammatical analysis in the GSC framework includes the challenging determination of the numerical strength of symbolic constituent activations (as well as constraints). Here we present the first general algorithm for learning these quantities from empirical examples: the Error-Driven Gradient Activation Readjustment (EDGAR). Smolensky and Goldrick (2016) proposed a GSC analysis, with hand-determined numerical strengths, in which liaison derives from the coalescence of partially-activated input consonants. EDGAR allows us to extend this work to a wider range of liaison phenomena by automatically determining the more comprehensive set of numerical strengths required to generate the complex pattern of overall liaison behaviour.
The Role of PET/CT in Melanoma Patients: A Surgeon’s Perspective

Surgeons depend upon radiologic imaging for staging melanoma patients, determining resectability of metastases, and surveillance of metastatic melanoma survivors. The combination of functional glucose imaging with fluorodeoxyglucose [18F]-positron emission tomography, FDG PET, with computed tomography (CT) has improved all of these. FDG PET/CT is the most accurate staging study for metastatic melanoma patients, allows for accurate preoperative planning prior to a metastasectomy, and is the most accurate surveillance modality for the metastatic melanoma patients.
Larval Tapeworm Infections in Primates: Coenurosis, Cysticercosis, and Echinococcosis

As globally distributed parasites of humans, livestock, and wildlife, taeniid parasites exploit predator–prey relationships across mammalian systems. Infections with the larval taeniid stage cause symptoms ranging from the neurological (e.g., paralysis, seizures) to the ocular (e.g., blindness) and muscular (e.g., atrophy), result in massive economic losses in livestock, and threaten wildlife populations. While taeniids were once considered to be relatively host-specific in their larval stage, reports of taeniid emergence in nontraditional hosts are increasing in frequency. In this chapter, I take a One-Health approach to examining cases of larval taeniid infections in primates, focusing on the infection of wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada) with the larval stage of Taenia serialis. By understanding how taeniid species emerge in nontraditional hosts, we can build useful frameworks for predicting and disrupting transmission and thereby protecting captive and wild NHP, domestic animals, and humans in a world with a broadening human–wildlife interface.
On the Objective Evaluation of Post Hoc Explainers.

Many applications of data-driven models demand transparency of decisions, especially in health care, criminal justice, and other high-stakes environments. Modern trends in machine learning research have led to algorithms that are increasingly intricate to the degree that they are considered to be black boxes. In an effort to reduce the opacity of decisions, methods have been proposed to construe the inner workings of such models in a human-comprehensible manner. These post hoc techniques are described as being universal explainers - capable of faithfully augmenting decisions with algorithmic insight. Unfortunately, there is little agreement about what constitutes a "good" explanation. Moreover, current methods of explanation evaluation are derived from either subjective or proxy means. In this work, we propose a framework for the evaluation of post hoc explainers on ground truth that is directly derived from the additive structure of a model. We demonstrate the efficacy of the framework in understanding explainers by evaluating popular explainers on thousands of synthetic and several real-world tasks. The framework unveils that explanations may be accurate but misattribute the importance of individual features.
Impact of carrier wafer on etch rate, selectivity, morphology, and passivation during GaN plasma etching

The choice of carrier wafer was found to significantly influence etch rates, selectivity, and morphology in GaN micropillar etching in a Cl2-Ar high-density inductively coupled plasma. 7 × 7 mm2 GaN on sapphire chips with a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition SiO2 hard mask was etched on top of 4-in. fused silica, silicon carbide, silicon, sapphire, aluminum nitride, and high purity aluminum carriers. Silicon and silicon carbide carriers reduced GaN:SiO2 selectivity because incidental SiClx and CClx etch products from the carriers attack the SiO2 mask. Aluminum nitride and high-purity aluminum carriers yielded the highest GaN:SiO2 selectivities due to the deposition of Al-based etched by-products, while the highest GaN etch rate was achieved using the sapphire carrier since it was the most inert carrier and did not sink any Cl2. Results indicate that SiO2 and Al may be used as passivation materials during GaN etching, as vertical profiles were achieved when SiO2 or Al is redeposited from the fused silica and aluminum carriers, respectively. Floor pitting, trenching, sidewall roughness, and faceting were all influenced by carrier wafer type and will be discussed.
Design of a Hybrid SMA-Pneumatic based Wearable Upper Limb Exoskeleton

Upper limb mobility impairments affect individuals at all life stages. Exoskeletons can assist in rehabilitation as well as performing Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Most commercial assistive devices still rely on rigid robotics with constrained biomechanical degrees of freedom that may even increase user exertion. Therefore, this paper discusses the iterative design and development of a novel hybrid pneumatic actuation and Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) based wearable soft exoskeleton to assist in shoulder abduction and horizontal flexion/extension movements, with integrated soft strain sensing to track shoulder joint motion. The garment development was done in two stages which involved creating (1) SMA actuators integrated with soft sensing, and (2) integrating pneumatic actuation. The final soft exoskeleton design was developed based on the insights gained from two prior prototypes in terms of wearability, usability, comfort, and functional specifications (i.e., placement and number) of the sensors and actuators. The final exoskeleton is a modular, multilayer garment which uses a hybrid and customizable actuation strategy (SMA and inflatable pneumatic bladder).
Mouse Embryo Fibroblast (MEF) Feeder Cell Preparation

Mitotically inactive mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) are commonly used as feeder layers to prevent the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. This unit describes the isolation of MEFs and the use of g-irradiation or mitomycin C to produce inactivated feeders suitable for the culture of ES cells.
Some Attitudes Associated with Sport Participation among Junior High School Females

Abstract This paper focuses on young female participants and their self-perceptions. The findings indicate that self-perceived characteristics of ambition, competition, strength, and speed were more evident for participants than nonparticipants. However, there was no significant difference between participants and nonparticipants concerning characteristics of happiness, affection, femininity, sensitivity, gentleness, and attractiveness. The data also indicated that the young female participants have not developed a highly professionalized orientation toward competition, yet they are more likely to be concerned about playing well than are nonparticipants. The findings suggest that even by early adolescence either selectivity and/or socialization differences are emerging between female participants and nonparticipants.
Continuous Localization of Mobile Robots using Systematical Error Correction and a New Computational Algorithm

This paper presents a modified localization scheme of a mobile robot. When it navigates, the position error of a robot is increased and doesn't go to a goal point where the robot intends to go at the beginning. The objective of localization is to estimate the position of a robot precisely. Many algorithms were developed and still are being researched for localization of a mobile robot at present. Among them, a localization algorithm named continuous localization proposed by Schultz [2] has some merits on real-time navigation and is easy to be implemented compared to other localization schemes. Continuous Localization (CL) is based on map-matching algorithm with global and local maps using only ultrasonic sensors for making grid maps. However, CL has some problems in the process of searching the best-scored-map, when it is applied to a mobile robot. We here propose fast and powerful map-matching algorithm for localization of a mobile robot by experiments.
Block Unification Scheme for Elliptic, Telegraph, and Sine-Gordon Partial Differential Equations

In this paper, we use the method of lines to convert elliptic and hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs) into systems of boundary value problems and initial value problems in ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by replacing the appropriate derivatives with central difference methods. The resulting system of ODEs is then solved using an extended block Numerov-type method (EBNUM) via a block unification technique. The accuracy and speed advantages of the EBNUM over the finite difference method (FDM) are established numerically.
The economics of robotic cystectomy: cost comparison of open versus robotic cystectomy

Study Type – Therapy (cost minimisation) Level of Evidence 2b OBJECTIVE • To assess and compare the economic burden of open radical cystectomy (OC) vs robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RC) with pelvic lymph node dissection and urinary diversion. PATIENTS AND METHODS • A series of 103 and 83 consecutive patients undergoing OC and RC, respectively, were prospectively studied at a tertiary care institution from April 2002 to February 2009. • Data were collected on patient demographics, perioperative parameters and length of stay (LOS) in hospital. Cohorts were subdivided into ileal conduit (IC), continent cutaneous diversion (CCD) and orthotopic neobladder (ON) subgroups. • A linear cost model was created to simulate treatment with OC vs RC. Procedural costs were derived from the Medicare Resource Based Relative Value Scale. Materials costs were obtained from the respective suppliers. The indirect costs of complications were considered. • Sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS • Despite a higher cost of materials, RC was less expensive than OC for IC and CCD, although the cost advantage deteriorated for ON. • The per-case costs of RC with IC, CCD and ON were $20 659, $22 102 and $22 685, respectively, compared to $25 505, $22 697 and $20 719 for their OC counterparts. • The largest cost driver in the study was LOS in hospital. • RC showed a shorter LOS compared to OC, although this effect was insufficient to offset the higher cost of robotic surgery. • Complications materially affected cost performance. CONCLUSIONS • Despite a higher cost of materials, RC can be more cost efficient than OC as a treatment for bladder cancer at a high-volume, tertiary care referral centre, particularly with IC. • Complications significantly impact cost performance.
A Review of “A Strange Stirring: The Feminine Mystique and American Women at the Dawn of the 1960s”

“The problem lay buried, unspoken, for many years in the minds of American women. It was a strange stirring, a sense of dissatisfaction, a yearning…. Each suburban wife struggled with it alone. As ...
A study of mitosis in mouse ear epidermis in vitro. V. Effects of hormones.

Abstract 1. 1. The present study examines the question of whether hormones stimulate or inhibit mitotic activity because of their influence on glucose utilization and energy production for mitosis in mouse ear epidermis cultured in vitro. 2. 2. Estrone, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and ACTH generally had no effect on epidermal mitotic activity; adrenalin, adrenochrome, insulin, growth hormone and DOCA inhibited mitosis to various degrees and with various consistencies; and glucagon increased mitotic activity under certain conditions. 3. 3. Testing these hormones in the presence of three different concentrations of glucose indicated that the mitotic action of a hormone in vitro is not a result of merely increasing or decreasing the available intracellular glucose supply. 4. 4. The belief that insulin and the growth hormone mediate their mitotic, effects specifically through the glucokinase reaction was shown to be invalid. 5. 5. Trace quantities of metals (possible hormone contaminants) by themselves are capable of increasing or inhibiting epidermal mitotic activity. 6. 6. Further evidence is presented to question the actual function of glucose as an energy metabolite for epidermal mitosis in vitro (non-utilizable sugars also support mitotic activity). 7. 7. All of our results support the contention that hormonal influences on epidermal mitotic activity are neither related to the known biological effects of a hormone or to any specific energy requirements for mitosis.
Low Energy Aspects of Circular Accelerators

Particle intensities, N, and densities, N/e emanating from circular accelerators can be limited for γ<<∞. Limits occur in both transverse and longitudinal phase space. These effects are generally present only in proton and heavy ion accelerators/storage rings.
A cascade control for Sander automation system

Hydraulic fracturing is one of the key technologies that are currently used for shale oil and gas production. Sander is the equipment that delivers various types of sand with desired sand rate demand and dumps the sand to the blender's sand hopper for hydraulic fracturing. Due to the limited capacity of sand hopper as well as the high amplitude of internal disturbance, it is a great challenge to maintain the hopper's sand level at a setting point. In this paper, a cascade control is developed for the Sander automation system to actively reject the internal disturbance. The cascade control employes an inner-loop PI control for tracking the disturbance and an outer-loop PI control for maintaining the sand level, respectively. A disturbance-amplitude-dependent gain scheduling algorithm is developed for the outer-loop control, which enables the control to adjust its time response to the amplitude of the disturbance. With the cascade control, the Sander automation system is able to actively reject the internal disturbance in the inner-loop and gradually compensate the static errors of sand rate and sand rate demand in the outer-loop. A relay feedback approach is developed to tune the PI gains for the inner-loop and outer-loop controls. Both simulation and hydraulic fracturing job testing results have verified that the cascade control is reliable and practical for the Sander automation system.
Very early recurrence of anti-Phospholipase A2 receptor-positive membranous nephropathy after transplantation.

Membranous nephropathy is a common cause of adult nephrotic syndrome, with recent evidence suggesting that 70% of idiopathic disease is associated with anti-Phospholipase A2 receptor autoantibodies. We describe a 63-year-old man with membranous nephropathy who underwent a kidney transplant and developed recurrent membranous nephropathy with fine granular co-localization of Phospholipase A2 receptor and IgG evident on transplant biopsy on day 6 and elevated circulating levels of serum anti-Phospholipase A2 receptor autoantibody that declined over time in conjunction with improvement in the serum creatinine and urinary protein. This is a very early case of Phospholipase A2 receptor-associated recurrent membranous nephropathy with circulating anti-Phospholipase A2 receptor autoantibody, which supports the emerging evidence that idiopathic membranous nephropathy is an autoimmune disease.
A Randomized Phase I Evaluation of CTP-499, a Novel Deuterium-Containing Drug Candidate for Diabetic Nephropathy.

To determine maximum tolerated dose and food effect for CTP-499, a novel agent being studied for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease. CTP-499 has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-oxidative activities in vitro as well as anti-inflammatory and renoprotective effects in a diabetic nephropathy (DN) model. Two studies were performed. Study 1 was a single-dose escalation study with 600, 1200, 1800, and 2400 mg doses of controlled-release (CR) CTP-499 and a 400 mg immediate release dose to aid in the development of prototype formulations of CTP-499. Study 2 was a food-effect study. Plasma concentrations of CTP-499 and its metabolites were measured to determine pharmacokinetic parameters in each study. Safety was assessed to determine tolerability. Doses up to and including 1800 mg were well tolerated. Cmax was either equivalent (CTP-499) or slightly lower (metabolites) for the fed condition, while overall exposure was equivalent (CTP-499) or slightly higher (metabolites) for the fed condition. The range of tolerated doses of CTP-499 and the effects of food on exposure were identified, contributing to selection of the dose for Phase II development.
Reduced field TE/sub 01/ X-Band travelling wave window

The RF electric field is reduced by more than a factor of two using a pair of symmetrically located irises in a new type of klystron window operating in the TE/sub 01/ mode at X-Band. The advantages of this window over the usual TE/sub 01/ half-wave resonant window are discussed as well as theory and operating results. Ultra high purity alumina formed by the HIP process is used. This window has been successfully tested at 100 MW with a 1.5 microsecond RF pulse width and is being used on the XL series klystrons.
Lack of outcome benefit and clopidogrel "resistance." The TRITON trial challenge.

Impaired response to clopidogrel, or “resistance” is a cornerstone concept for justification of more aggressive antiplatelet regimens, and development of new more potent drugs. There are over 1,000 citations (although predominantly reviews, or case reports) in MEDLINE related to clopidogrel “resistance”, while about 100 of them attempted to link low response to adverse clinical outcomes. However, most of these studies are woefully small, and not randomised. The TRITON trial assessed head-to-head novel antiplatelet agent prasugrel versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes. This study was the first in a decade to challenge clopidogrel monopoly, and to indirectly test the “resistance” hypothesis. The primary endpoint was the rate of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or stroke, and occurred in 12.1% of patients treated with clopidogrel, and 9.9% of patients randomised to prasugrel, suggesting impressive vascular outcome benefit of prasugrel over clopidogrel. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) presented more balanced, and realistic outlook on TRITON. While very early periprocedural benefit exists, long-term prasugrel therapy yielded identical to clopidogrel vascular outcomes among 13,608 TRITON patients challenging the postulate that clopidogrel “resistance” phenomenon is clinically relevant. Despite the fact that prasugrel 10 mg/daily cause 2.5 times more potent platelet inhibition than conventional clopidogrel 75 mg/daily, with fewer patients exhibiting broad response variability, and/or antiplatelet “resistance”, the vascular benefit beyond acute phase was identical. Keeping in mind growing over time bleeding, cancer, and mortality risks associated with chronic prasugrel use, small observational studies should be judged with skepticism as hypothesis-generating, pending confirmation in randomised trials.
The IMET (Improved Meteorology) Ship and Buoy Systems

Abstract The recently developed IMET (improved meteorology) system for ships and buoys and the key elements of the program that led to its development are described. The system improves the ability to measure mean meteorological variables, including wind velocity, barometric pressure, incoming shortwave and longwave radiation, air temperature, sea surface temperature, humidity, and precipitation, from both types of platforms. Extensive laboratory and field tests of a variety of sensors were conducted to investigate and document their stability, accuracy, and reliability. Modular electronics were developed so that each sensor in the system communicated digitally, returning calibrated values to a central data recorder. IMET systems have been deployed on buoys in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and on research vessels. The history of the program, reasons for the choice of the present sensor suite, the design of the sensor modules, a description of the data acquisition system, and examples of data collected w...
An immunoassay for the detection and quantitative determination of mycothiol

Mycothiol (MSH) is a glycosylated derivative of N-acetylcysteine that may have antioxidant functions in mycobacteria and other actinomycetes. To develop a highly specific assay for MSH, we capitalized on the selective binding of thiols to a maleimide residue linked to bovine serum albumin and employed affinity-purified polyclonal antibody and an enzyme-linked secondary antibody for detection. The assay was shown to be specific and to detect MSH at levels as low as 0.1 pmol when conducted in the form of a microtiter plate-based ELISA. A similar, nitrocellulose membrane-based immunoassay was shown to be useful for qualitative detection of MSH-producing bacterial colonies.
The Clerid Beetle, Thanasimus dubius, as a Predator of the Southern Pine Beetle

In the laboratory adult clerid beetles, Thanasimus dubius (F.), killed an average of 2.2 adults of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman, per day for 5-10 weeks. Females daily deposited up to 44 eggs which hatched in approximately 10 days. Clerid larvae destroyed as many as 100 immature bark beetles during their feeding period. Clerid adults destroyed 318 of 1000 southern pine beetles introduced into a cage with them, mostly before the pine beetles could attack fresh bolts. In nature, clerids kill many bark beetles, but probably are incapable of preventing epidemics.
Arguesian lattices which are not type-1

A "type-l" representation of a lattice, in the sense of J6nsson [6], means a representation by pairwise commuting equivalence relations on some set. J6nsson proved that type-1 representable lattices obey the Arguesian law, a strong lattice identity with important applications in coordinatization theory (see [1] for a survey). J6nsson asked whether, conversely, the Arguesian law might imply type-1 representability. The research announcement [3] sketches the construction of certain Arguesian (for n > 7 and probably for n > 4) lattices An which do not have type-I representations, settling J6nsson's question in the negative. In fact, these counterexamples allow one to conclude that no finite system of lattice identities or even universal Horn sentences can imply type-I representability. By contrast, it is known that there is an infinite system of universal Horn sentences characterizing type-1 representability [2], [7]. In this paper we explain the construction of the lattices A,, inclu~ling in full the parts of the reasoning omitted in [3]. For n > 4 (A3 is not Arguesian), these lattices have skeletons which are not distributive. Prompted by this fact and by their result showing that an Arguesian lattice whose skeleton is a chain is type-1 representable, Nation and Picketing [8] conjectured that having a distributive skeleton might be a sufficient condition for a finite-dimensional Arguesian lattice to be type-1 representable. At the end of this paper we show how to modify the examples A, to give counterexamples to this conjecture. We presume the reader's familiarity with Herrmann's theory [5] of "S-gluings" and the skeleton of a finite-dimensional modular lattice L. We only review the notation (since ours departs slightly from his). For x 6 L, x* is the join of the covers of x; x . is the meet of its co-covers. These are monotone operations. The
Oxytocin in the Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus Reduces Feeding and Acutely Increases Energy Expenditure

Central oxytocin reduces food intake and increases energy expenditure. The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) is associated with energy balance and contains a high density of oxytocin receptors. We hypothesized that oxytocin in the VMN is a negative regulator of energy balance acting to reduce feeding and increase energy expenditure. To test this idea, oxytocin or vehicle was injected directly into the VMN of Sprague-Dawley rats during fasted and nonfasted conditions. Energy expenditure (via indirect calorimetry) and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) were recorded simultaneously. Animals were also exposed to a conditioned taste aversion test, to determine whether oxytocin's effects on food intake were associated with malaise. When food was available during testing, oxytocin-induced elevations in energy expenditure lasted for 1 h, after which overall energy expenditure was reduced. In the absence of food during the testing period, oxytocin similarly increased energy expenditure during the first hour, but differences in 12-h energy expenditure were eliminated, implying that the differences may have been due to the thermic effects of feeding (digestion, absorption, and metabolic processing). Oxytocin acutely elevated SPA and reduced feeding at doses that did not cause a conditioned taste aversion during both the fed and fasted states. Together, these data suggest that oxytocin in the VMN promotes satiety and acutely elevates energy expenditure and SPA and implicates the VMN as a relevant site for the antiobesity effects of oxytocin.
Racial integration in the USA and South Africa: lessons in a comparative perspective

The year 2004 marked the 50th anniversary of the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case that put an official end to segregated schooling in the USA. Desegregation has received little attention as of late, yet a number of scholars argue that the work of desegregation is far from being complete in the USA. The aim of this paper is to refocus attention on desegregation through a detailed comparison with a more recent case: the racial integration of schools in post‐Apartheid South Africa. While South Africa is not held up as the perfect example of integration, it illuminates concepts and ideas that may explain shortcomings of the US process and present new alternatives to revitalize the process. Likewise, it is hoped that the historical example of the USA is instructive to those involved in the integration effort in South Africa.
A New Approach to Calibration of Printed Circuit Board Coordinates: 2D-Depth Sensor Applied to Robotic Screwdrivers Assembly Systems

We consider the parts screwing problems, which of automatic assembly robotic screwdrivers system required precisely depth and tilt-angle at each insertion point. However, commonly computer vision inspection tools which obtain tilt-angle on clamping printed circuit board is a challenging problem. Further, even if given a depth senor, that still to consider inspection target size. Thus, we present an approach for screwing angle measurement of printed circuit board assembly in Consumer electronics production lines. The methods involved using 2D-Depth sensor to identify screwing angle, and measuring depth information near the hole of printed circuit board. Our method successfully conform to screwdrivers system requirement, tilt angle under three degree and sampling small area target under 10mm^2,which obtains measurement results will be applied to refer on robotic positioning and assembling.
Anti-cancer activities of ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

The ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are two major families of PUFAs present as essential cellular components which possess diverse bioactivities. The ω-3s, mainly found in seafood, are associated with many beneficial effects on human health, while the ω-6s are more abundant in our daily diet and could be implicated in many pathological processes including cancer development. Increasing evidence suggests that the adverse effects of ω-6s may be largely attributed to arachidonic acid (AA, a downstream ω-6) and the metabolite prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) that stems from its cyclooxygenase (COX)-catalyzed lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, two of AA's upstream ω-6s, γ-linolenic acid (GLA) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), are shown to possess certain anti-cancer activities, including inducing cell apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation. In this paper, we review the documented anti-cancer activities of ω-6 PUFAs, including the recent findings regarding the anti-cancer effects of free radical-mediated DGLA peroxidation. The possible mechanisms and applications of DGLA (and other ω-6s) in inducing anti-cancer activity are also discussed. Considering the wide availability of ω-6s in our daily diet, the study of the potential beneficial effect of ω-6 PUFAs may guide us to develop an ω-6-based diet care strategy for cancer prevention and treatment.
Solution Phase Interaction of Nicotinamide with Ascorbic Acid

A study was made of what appears to be a charge-transfer interaction that is responsible for the instantaneous generation of a yellow color in aqueous solutions containing nicotinamide and ascorbic acid. Spectral studies were utilized to elucidate some of the factors that influence the interaction. Analysis, by the method of continuous variation, showed that a 1:1 complex was formed. The extent of association was pH dependent and exhibited a maximum at a pH of approximately 3.8. The pH dependency was compared with that of the 3-carbamyl-l-methyl-pyridinium chloride-ascorbic acid system and indicated that the interactants were protonated nicotinamide and ascorbate anion. Association constants, at a number of different temperatures, were determined by using the Benesi-Hildebrand treatment of spectral data. The standard enthalpy change that resulted from association was estimated to be —1,500 cal.
Nutritional Understanding of Preschool Children Taught in the Home or a Child Development Laboratory.

The main conclusion of this research is that preschool children are capable of learning basic concepts of nutrition, including nutritive value, nutrient function, and the impact of nutrition on health. The research design was a before and after experimental model, with 20 children taught nutritional concepts in a child de velopment lab, 20 children taught at home by parents, and 20 children serving as a control group and receiving no instruction. The curriculum was based on nutrient density and used the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). Mean compar isons of pre- and posttest scores on a 12-item nutrition test were significant with both the Child Lab and home-taught groups.
Potassium ion channel blockade restores conduction in heat-injured nerve and spinal nerve roots.

Abstract Compound action potentials were recorded in vitro from rat peroneal and sural nerves and from dorsal and ventral roots of the cauda equina before and after radiofrequency heating of 5-mm-length segments of these nerves to 41 to 45°C. The heating was continued for intervals sufficient to reduce response amplitude by 50%. Inflection velocity, potential duration at 1 2 peak height, and the proportion of conducting Aα fibers were also measured. The topical application of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) to the previously heated segments immediately following the radiofrequency injury completely or near-completely restored amplitude height to the preheat value in all experiments. Aα sensory fibers were the most susceptible to the conduction block. Conduction in these fibers was also the most readily restored by the application of 4-AP or TEA. The effects of TEA, but not of 4-AP, could be reversed by saline or buffer washing. Topical application of verapamil and of magnesium or calcium ions had no discernible effect on heated nerves. We suggest that the mechanism of heat-induced conduction block may be similar to that from early demyelination or stretch injury. Further, motor and sensory Aα fibers differ both in their vulnerability to heat and in their subsequent response to the application of potassium channel blockers.
A test assembly for hydrogen production by the hydrolysis of solid lithium hydride

Abstract The design of an experimental test vessel to generate hydrogen gas from the hydrolysis of lithium hydride is described. The test vessel consists of a reaction chamber equipped with a demountable sample holder to retain a pellet of solid lithium hydride. A solenoid-driven, diaphragm-type metering pump delivers water at rates from 1 to 10 ml/min. As hydrogen gas and LiOH evolve, these products pass into a chamber that is connected to a 1 1 collecting bottle. Temperature and pressure are monitored during reaction and are used to identify the behavior and controllability of the reaction before scale-up as a quiet, long-endurance propulsion system for unmanned undersea vehicles. A major finding is that the hydrogen generation rate is controlled to a greater extent by the rate of water supply rather than surface area of the lithium hydride pellet, reaction pressure, and water salinity.
Normal endonuclease activities for damaged DNA during hepatocarcinogenesis

Two endonuclease activities in rat liver for damaged DNA were assayed. Double-stranded, covalently closed DNA from phage PM2 was damaged by either ultraviolet irradiation or by heating at acid pH, and used as substrate for endonucleases specific for ultraviolet DNA damage and for DNA apurinic sites, respectively. The levels of both enzyme activities in livers of normal rats were compared to levels in livers of rats fed N-2-acetylaminofluorene. At critical stages of the carcinogenic regimen levels of both endonuclease activities were normal. This, together with other data, suggests that depression of excision-repair of DNA damage does not take place during experimental carcinogenesis.
Are margins more procyclical in concentrated industries

In a series of recent papers, Domowitz, Hubbard and Peterson (DHP) have explored the temporal behavior of price-cost margins in a panel of 284 four-digit SIC industries. This paper reexamines DHP's apparent finding of more procyclical margins in concentrated industries, concluding that it is not robust. The result appears to arise from long-run trend correlations between margin and demand levels, rather than from short-run cyclical effects. Consistent with DHP, prices are found to be stickier and unit costs more countercyclical in concentrated industries. However, (1) an omitted variables bias is uncovered which substantially reduces the estimated cyclical effect on costs, and (2) prices are found to be more flexible in low concentration, low-PCM industries than DHP estimate. With prices more responsive to growth in demand and a countercyclical effect on cost of substantially lower magnitude, margins are thus estimated to bemore procyclical in less concentrated industries. This finding explains the relative rise in low concentration margins in the sixties which, in turn, helps account for the declining significance of the cross-sectional concentration-margins relationship.
Shoot development and bud mite infestation in hazelnut (Corylus avellana)

SUMMARY The interaction of environmental and genetic variation in hazelnut (Corylus avellana) shoot development and the behaviour, survival, and colonisation of eriophyid bud mites (Phytoptus avellanae and Cecidophyopsis vermiformis) were studied. The distribution of galled buds on shoots indicated that mites colonised only those buds formed during the mite migration period. The point of entry is probably the growing shoot tip. Once within this structure, as the shoot develops the mites have access to a succession of newly-formed, bud primordia that are unprotected by bud scales. The relative accessibility of the apical meristem and bud primordia may affect host susceptibility.
U.S. States, the Medicaid Program, and Tax Smoothing

This paper tests the tax smoothing theory by focusing on its implication that a change in permanent government spending should result in an equal sized change in the tax rate. The effect of Medicaid, a state administered, federal and state funded medical insurance program for the poor, on state tax rates is investigated. The Medicaid program provides a natural experiment for this test as states are required to cover certain groups in order to receive federal matching money. Additionally, during the 1980s, a series of federal mandates greatly increased state Medicaid expenditures. Two stage least squares is used on a panel of U.S. states (1978-1994) to test whether changes in permanent state Medicaid expenditures resulted in equal sized tax rate changes. Tax smoothing as a positive theory of state government behavior is rejected. Additionally, it is found that this rejection cannot be attributed to the stringency of balanced budget rules.
Guaranteed by design or guaranteed to fail or guaranteed by test? or ... neither?

The interaction between design and test is a matter of great importance in high-speed RF product development. In this paper, the guaranteed-by-design concept was evaluated. The quest for "guaranteed by design" increasingly runs into obstacles for various reasons
Pediatrics in the community: Cap4Kids.org: connecting pediatricians to the community at the speed of light.

1. Daniel R. Taylor, DO, Assistant Professor 1. Drexel University College of Medicine Director, Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy St. Christopher's Hospital for Children Philadelphia, Pa 1. C. Andrew Aligne, MD 1. Co-Director of the Pediatric Links to the Community Program University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Rochester, NY The Children's Advocacy Project of Philadelphia (Cap4Kids) was developed in 2004 to help busy practitioners learn more about social service agencies, advocacy programs, and laws in their geographic area. The project was started by pediatric residents Raj Raman and, subsequently, Payal Maniar at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, with attending oversight by Dan Taylor, director of the residency advocacy program. They realized that most physicians were not aware of the myriad social service agencies in their area and, therefore, compiled a comprehensive, verified, up-to-date list of relevant organizations in Philadelphia. This process was extremely time-consuming, but it uncovered many programs and individuals who are committed to improving the lives of children. The project was funded initially by …
Appropriateness of the multi-attitude suicide tendency scale for non-White individuals

Analyses of data collected from 480 university students (approximately 56% White and 44% Black) challenge the utility of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) for use with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds. This size sample allowed for an examination of the psychometric properties and cultural relevance of the MAST for non-Whites. Correlations between scores on the MAST, suicide, and depression measures were in the expected directions for Whites but not for Blacks or Latinos. The White sample data fit the four-factor model of the MAST, but the model required several modifications to fit the data from the Black sample. Verification of the cultural relevance of the MAST and a revision of the scale are recommended to improve its usefulness.
Hermitian metrics of negative holomorphic sectional curvature on some hyperbolic manifolds

On montre que pour certains types de varietes hyperboliques compactes, on peut construire une metrique hermitienne dessus avec partout une courbure sectionnelle holomorphe negative
Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy with Hilar Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES Lymph node dissection (LND) may improve accuracy of staging, decrease recurrence rates, and improve survival in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here we assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic LND. METHODS Data were analyzed for patients who underwent combined laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) with LND between July 1997 and September 2006. Demographics, operative data, pathologic data, outcomes, and complications were assessed. RESULTS In a cohort of 700 patients who underwent LRN, 14 (13 male, 1 female) underwent LND. Transperitoneal LRN was conducted in 12 patients (86%). Retroperitoneal LRN and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy were conducted in 1 patient each (7%). Lymph node dissection yielded an average of 2.7 lymph nodes. Median tumor size was 9.5 cm (range, 1.5 to 13 cm), and median node size was 2.3 cm (range, 0.8 to 11 cm). Tumor stage was T2 or higher in 9 cases (64%), and distant metastasis was present in 7 patients (50%). One elective hand-assist and one open conversion were performed. Median estimated blood loss was 250 mL (range, 100 to 2100 mL). Median length of hospital stay was 2.5 days (range, 2 to 5 days). Median operative time was 199 minutes (range, 152 to 260 minutes). There was a single grade 1 complication (7%). CONCLUSIONS Patients with advanced or metastatic RCC may require cytoreductive nephrectomy for staging and tumor debulking before secondary therapy. Laparoscopic LND is both feasible and safe in select patients. Decreased morbidity associated with the laparoscopic approach is beneficial to patients with advanced disease.
Concerning the Strauss conjecture on asymptotically Euclidean manifolds

Abstract In this paper we verify the Strauss conjecture for semilinear wave equations on asymptotically Euclidean manifolds when n = 3 , 4 . We also give an almost sharp lifespan for the subcritical case 2 ⩽ p p c when n = 3 . The main ingredients include a Keel–Smith–Sogge type estimate with 0 μ 1 / 2 and weighted Strichartz estimates of order two.
Use of a semicontinuous culture system as a model for determining the role of human intestinal microflora in the metabolism of xenobiotics

Abstract The use of semicontinuous culture system for determining the role of the human intestinal microflora int he biotransformation of xenobiotics is discussed. This model system, which stimulates the lumen of the large intestine, has been used to investigate human intestinal microflora metabolism of compounds representative of three different classes of chemicals; a benzidine-based azo dye, Direct Black 38, a nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, 1-nitropyrene and a substituted pyrimidine, 5-fluorocytosine. Metabolites of each of the test compounds were identified, and the kinetics of production and biological activity of the metabolites determined. Metabolic adaptation was observed with 1-nitropyrene and 5-fluorocytosine incubations. This microbial culture system could be quite useful, especially in concert with other in vitro models and animal studies, for determining the pharmacological and toxicological role of the human intestinal microflora in the transformation of xenobiotics. Particular emphasis on the application of this method for toxicological studies in elucidating the role of the intestinal microflora in the etiology of cancer is described.
Overcoming adolescents' resistance to anti-inhalant appeals.

This research was concerned with factors that affect adolescents' evaluations of persuasive anti-inhalant messages and the association of these evaluations with usage intentions. Sixth and 7th graders (N = 894) received anti-inhalant messages that varied as a result of the factorial combination of message source (doctor or peer), suggested harm (social or physical), and target (message was addressed directly or indirectly to receivers). Manipulated variables were crossed with inhalant-user status (resolute nonuser, vulnerable nonuser, and user). Significant (p <.01) target and status effects on message evaluation were found. Significant interactions of status with each of the manipulated variables also emerged. Users were resistant to threatened physical harms, but suggested harms did not differentially affect resolute nonusers or vulnerable nonusers. Users and vulnerable nonusers evaluated the message more positively when targeted indirectly (p <.05). Vulnerable nonusers were more receptive to peer sources, whereas users preferred adult sources. Message evaluation was significantly associated with inhalant usage intentions (r = -.22), and this association held even after the contributions of sex, sensation seeking, acculturation, prior use, familism, and assumed peer usage were accounted for in a multiple regression analysis (overall R 2 =.24).
Effect of trivalent lanthanide cations on chlorophyll fluorescence and thylakoid membrane stacking

Abstract We have used trivalent lanthanide metal cations in the buffering media of pea chloroplasts to probe the stacking arrangement of thylakoid membranes and the spatial distribution of chlorophyll-protein complexes of Photosystems I and II. Measurements of steady-state chlorophyll fluorescence emission spectra of pea chloroplasts at room temperature demonstrate that, within this tripositive valency group, the extent of membrane appression is a function of hydrated metal ionic radius. These results are in agreement with a recent investigation using monovalent and divalent metal cations (Karukstis, K.K. and Sauer, K. (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 806, 374–389). In addition, the lanthanide cation concentration effective in producing the maximum chlorophyll fluorescence intensity upon grana formation is dependent on hydrated ionic size. The current investigation supports the proposed hypothesis that cation screening ability defines the extent of intermembrane separation as well as the extent of lateral distribution of chlorophyll-protein complexes.
Nosocomial neonatal candidiasis.

As the survival of our smallest, most immature patients has increased, a concurrent increase in the length of stay on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the risk of nosocomial infection has been observed. In a representative cohort of 6000 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (401–1500 g), 21% had blood culture-proved late onset sepsis (defined as sepsis occurring after 3 days of age). Fungal infections accounted for 12% of the episodes of late onset sepsis; Candida albicans, the third most common single organism isolated, was responsible for 6% of all such infections in this patient population. Rates of nosocomial candidemia approached 17% among the subpopulation of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants ( 1000 g). Unique among the NICU population is the distribution of non-C. albicans Candida species isolated from the bloodstream of infected neonates. Candida parapsilosis is the second most common yeast responsible for late onset fungemia, and Candida glabrata ranks third. Candida is an important pathogen in this fragile group of immunocompromised patients with high rates of mortality (25–30%) and morbidity (20–50%), including significant adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
On estimating the enthalpy of formation and hydrogen content of quaternary hydrides

Abstract An approximate semi-empirical model is developed for estimating the enthalpy of formation and hydrogen content of quaternary AB n C m H x hydrides. Results are in favorable agreement with experiment for a variety of materials, including complex hydrides.
Digital control using a parallel processor

This paper discusses the application of a parallel processor to the speed up of computation in various control applications.