cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lifetime of the 21.7 keV state in Eu151

Using sodium iodide detectors and a time-to-height converter, the half- life of the 21.7 kev state in Eu/sup 151/ was measured as (9.5 surface proces 0.5) ns. The 21.7 kev, l-forbidden M1 transition is found to have a hindrance factor of 118. These results indicate that in the approach to the deformed region, the hindrance factors for the l-forbidden M1 transitions from the first excited state to the ground state in Eu/sup 147/, Eu/sup 149/, and Eu/sup 151/ do not decrease monotonically, as was previously suggested. (auth)
Human X chromosomes: synchrony of DNA replication in diploid and triploid fibroblasts with multiple active or inactive X chromosomes.

We have analyzed patterns of DNA replication in X chromosomes from diploid cultured human fibroblasts and from three triploid 69,XXY fibroblast strains, using BrdU-33258 Hoechst—Giemsa techniques. Both X chromosomes in each of these Barr body-negative triploid strains were early-replicating. The results of gene dosage studies using (1) a histochemical stain to measure X-linked glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in single cells and (2) cellulose acetate electrophoresis of G6PD activity in cell extracts also indicated that both Xs in these strains were genetically active. When we compared the synchrony of X chromosome DNA replication kinetics both between cells and within cells containing multiple inactive Xs, a marked variability and asynchrony was observed for latereplicating X chromosomes. In a culture of 47,XXX fibroblasts administered an 8-h terminal pulse of dT after growth in BrdU-containing medium, asynchrony was detected between the two late-replicating Xs in ∼70% of cells examined. No such asynchrony was observed between the two earlyreplicating Xs in similarly cultured 69, XXY cells; in the triploid strains, the two Xs were distinguished by asynchronous replication in only ∼15% of cells. The striking variability in late X chromosome replication kinetics appears, then, to be a property unique to inactive Xs and is not inherent to all X chromosomes.
Chemical reversal of the RNA gain of function in myotonic dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is one of a number of microsatellite expansion diseases in which the causative mutation is an aberrant expansion of a 3-nt repeat (1). The DM1 mutation was identified in 1992, and by 2001 it was established that the primary cause of pathogenesis is toxicity of the repeat-containing RNA transcribed from the expanded allele. One mechanism by which the RNA induces pathogenesis is through direct binding and sequestration of the RNA binding protein, muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1). MBNL1 regulates a subset of alternative splicing events, and its depletion from the nucleoplasm results in misregulation of these events, causing features of the disease (2). In this issue of PNAS, Warf et al. (3) screened a relatively small number of nucleic acid binding compounds to identify those that could disrupt MBNL1–RNA interactions. The results add to the growing list of agents targeting the repeat-containing RNA of DM1 and are the first small molecules to show promising reversal of splicing defects in a DM1 mouse model.
Education eclipses ethnicity in predicting the development of the metabolic syndrome in different ethnic groups in midlife: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

Objective To determine the respective roles of socio-economic status (SES) and ethnicity in the risk of incident metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women. Design and participants A total of 3302 pre- and peri-menopausal women, not receiving hormone therapy at baseline, took part in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, a multi-site, community-based, longitudinal study of the menopausal transition. The main outcome measures were to ascertain the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and the incidence of the metabolic syndrome over 5 years of follow-up. Results At baseline, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 21% (n = 673). Among 2512 women without metabolic syndrome at baseline, 12.8% (n = 321) developed the metabolic syndrome during 5 years of follow-up. Both ethnicity and SES were significant univariate predictors of incident metabolic syndrome. In multivariate logistic regression models that included age at baseline, menopausal status and site, baseline smoking and alcohol consumption at follow-up visit 1, as well as baseline values of each of the components of the metabolic syndrome, only education was an independent predictor of incident metabolic syndrome. Conclusion Approximately 13% of peri-menopausal women developed the metabolic syndrome during the 5-year follow-up period. Education, but not ethnicity, was an independent predictor of incident metabolic syndrome risk.
Asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction is a risk factor for respiratory inhibition after crying in infants.

AbstractObjective: We investigated whether intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) correlated with respiratory inhibition after crying (RIAC) and feeding hypoxemia.Methods: We screened for RIAC among 1248 infants with a gestational age ≥36 weeks using our established method with cranial ultrasound, SpO2 monitoring, and polygraphy. We classified the infants into three groups: symmetric IUGR, asymmetric IUGR, and control. We compared the perinatal factors with the incidence of RIAC and feeding hypoxemia among the three groups.Results: Overall, 26 infants had symmetric IUGR, 143 infants had asymmetric IUGR, and 1079 infants were in the control group. RIAC was observed in 10 (6.9%) infants in the asymmetric IUGR group and in 37 (3.4%) infants in the control group. Feeding hypoxemia was observed in 15 (10.5%) infants in the asymmetric IUGR group and in 52 (4.8%) infants in the control group. The incidence of RIAC and feeding hypoxemia in the asymmetric IUGR group was significantly more than that in the control ...
Organizational citizenship behaviors and sales unit effectiveness

Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) are defined as discretionary, extra-role behaviors on the part of a salesperson that have been shown to influence managers’ evaluations of performance. I...
Visual dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Loss in spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity.

Flicker sensitivity and spatial contrast sensitivity (CS) were examined in a total of 99 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). All patients were undergoing treatment with dopaminergic agents. Specific losses in sensitivity observed in PD were (1) a loss in flicker sensitivity which was most pronounced around the peak of the function (8 Hz) and (2) a loss near the peak of the spatial CS curve, often with no noticeable low frequency attenuation. Several PD patients affected by the ‘on-off ’ syndrome were tested in both ‘on’ and ‘off’ phases, and the results show that the CS function switches in parallel with motor symptoms of the disease. These data suggest that not only is the visual system affected in PD, but that dopamine may have an essential role in receptive field organization in human vision.
Error exponent region for Gaussian multiple access channels

In this paper, we derive an inner bound (achievable region) and an outer bound for the error exponent region of a Gaussian multiple access channels (GMAC). We define a probability of error for each user, which, in general may be different for different users. Therefore, there are multiple error exponents, one for each user, for a given multiuser channel.
Society Magazines Plan Coverage for 2009

In 2009, the Computer Society will offer a slate of 13 magazines covering key topics in computing.
Visual Outcomes and Incidence of Vitreous Loss for Residents Performing Phacoemulsification Without Prior Planned Extracapsular Cataract Extraction Experience

Abstract Purpose Phacoemulsification cataract surgery is one of the most important surgical procedures learned by ophthalmology residents during their residency training. We evaluated the visual outcomes and incidence of vitreous loss of phacoemulsification cataract surgeries performed by ophthalmology residents without prior planned extracapsular cataract extraction experience. Design Interventional case series. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 332 consecutive phacoemulsification cataract surgeries performed by third-year ophthalmology residents from July 1999 through June 2001. Data included are preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, preexisting ocular comorbidities, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 89% of eyes. After excluding the cases with preexisting ocular comorbidities, the percentage increased to 97.7%. Vitreous loss occurred in 4.8% of cases. Conclusions Ophthalmology residents can learn to perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery safely and effectively without prior planned extracapsular cataract extraction experience.
Air muscle controller design in the distributed macro-mini (DM 2 ) actuation approach

Recently, on the base of distributed macro-mini actuation approach (DM2), a new robotic manipulator with hybrid actuation, air muscles-DC motor, has been developed. Among existing actuators, the hybrid actuation employs air muscles because they represent an advantageous tradeoff of performance and safety, due to their power/weight ratio and inherent compliance. The air muscles, however, are limited in bandwidth and their behavior is highly nonlinear. In order to overcome these limitations, the paper presents a torque control strategy based on a pair of differentially connected force-controlled air muscles. This controller was implemented and evaluated on a single joint testbed, first by itself and then as macro component into the Macro-Mini control strategy.
Magneto-Aerodynamic Interaction over Airfoil

The effectiveness of a plasma actuator on a NACA0012 airfoil to induce a magneto-aerodynamic interaction is investigated by a modeled gas glow discharge and dielectric barrier discharge. The simulations are performed for the range of Reynolds numbers from 1.2×10 4 to 1.2×10 6 based on the airfoil’s chord length, and the subsonic Mach numbers from 0.01 to 0.3. Computed results start from zero angle of attack until the stall condition is reached. It is found that the magneto-aerodynamic interactions depend strongly on the Reynolds number in the subsonic flow region. This characteristic of plasma actuators reveals the fundamental viscous-inviscid interacting mechanism for flow control. At the lower Reynolds number condition, the simulated dielectric barrier discharge becomes an efficient miniature trailing edge control device. Improvement to the physical fidelity of plasma actuator models has to be sustained in order to gain a better understanding of these devices.
Participative Management: A Reexamination of the Classics

The article reexamines “classic” research on participative management, which is often cited in other research and interpreted incorrectly. The study by K. Lewin, R. Lippitt, and R. K. White, who researched leader behavior in boys' groups and the perception of aggression in groups categorized as democratic or autocratic, is discussed, as well as the interpretation of the study by Campbell and colleagues who refer to group productivity. The study by L. Coch and J. P. R. French Jr. about resistance to change at Harwood Manufacturing Company is criticized by A. Lowin for its research methods.
Effect of distractions on operative performance and ability to multitask—A case for deliberate practice

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To measure the effect of distractions on the operative performance and analyze if practice and experience are the factors that can help to overcome the distractions. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: Ten postgraduate year (PGY) 2-6 residents and two faculty members from Johns Hopkins' otolaryngology department were recruited and asked to deepen the dissection at the sinodural angle on the Voxel-man mastoidectomy simulator. They were asked to perform the task under four conditions: 1) no distractors, 2) differentiation and counting of a specific alarm sound among different sounds played in the background while performing the surgical task, 3) simultaneous performance of simple arithmetic task of moderate difficulty, and 4) simultaneous performance of the task with both sets of distractors combined. RESULTS: Time taken for the task (P = .02) and error scores (P = .002) increased under the third and fourth conditions. The ability to multitask and response to surgical and cognitive tasks improved with increasing level of experience of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: Distractions lead to impaired dexterity and an increase in the incidence of errors. However, experience and deliberate practice can help achieve the ability to multitask without compromising the operative performance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 2014. Keywords: Driver distraction; Language: en
Quantitative microscopy and nanoscopy of sickle red blood cells performed by wide field digital interferometry

We have applied wide-field digital interferometry (WFDI) to examine the morphology and dynamics of live red blood cells (RBCs) from individuals who suffer from sickle cell anemia (SCA), a genetic disorder that affects the structure and mechanical properties of RBCs. WFDI is a noncontact, label-free optical microscopy approach that can yield quantitative thickness profiles of RBCs and measurements of their membrane fluctuations at the nanometer scale reflecting their stiffness. We find that RBCs from individuals with SCA are significantly stiffer than those from a healthy control. Moreover, we show that the technique is sensitive enough to distinguish classes of RBCs in SCA, including sickle RBCs with apparently normal morphology, compared to the stiffer crescent-shaped sickle RBCs. We expect that this approach will be useful for diagnosis of SCA and for determining efficacy of therapeutic agents.
Major DNA Fragmentation Is a Late Event in Apoptosis

Apoptosis, the terminal morphological and biochemical events of programmed cell death, is characterized by specific changes in cell surface and nuclear morphology. In addition, DNA fragmentation in an internucleosomal pattern is detectable in mass cultures of apoptotic cells. However, DNA fragmentation and nuclear morphological changes may not necessarily be associated events. In this study, we examined OVCAR-3 and KB human carcinoma cells using time-lapse video phase-contrast microscopy to characterize the surface and nuclear morphological features of apoptosis in response to treatment with either taxol or ricin. The surface morphological features of apoptosis were the same in both cell types and with both drugs. Using an in situ nick-translation histochemical assay, these single cells were also examined for DNA strand breaks during apoptosis. Surface morphological changes demonstrated discrete stages of cell rounding, surface blebbing, followed by cessation of movement and the extension of thin surface microspikes, followed much later by surface blistering and cell lysis. Nuclear features examined by DAPI cytochemistry demonstrated apoptotic nuclear condensation very early in this sequence, usually at the time of initial surface blebbing. The nick-translation assay, however, demonstrated DNA strand breaks at a much later time, only after the formation of separated apoptotic bodies or after final cell lysis. This study points out the differences between surface and nuclear morphological changes in apoptosis, and the large temporal separation between nuclear morphological changes and major DNA fragmentation detectable by this in situ technique. This result suggests caution in using in situ nick-translation as a direct correlate of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in apoptosis.
Renal Sympathetic Denervation: A Novel Intervention for Resistant Hypertension, Insulin Resistance, and Sleep Apnea

See related article, pp 559–565 “Effects of renal sympathetic denervation on blood pressure, sleep apnea course and glycemic control in patients with resistant hypertension and sleep apnea” by Witkowski et al is an illuminating report.1 The authors confirm that renal denervation lowers blood pressure (BP) in patients with stage 2 (BP ≥160/≥100 mm Hg) treatment-resistant hypertension adherent to optimal doses of ≥3 antihypertensive medications, including a diuretic.2,3 Their report also endorses the work of Mahfoud et al4 documenting that renal denervation in humans improves indices of insulin action and glucose metabolism. It should be noted, however, that glycosylated hemoglobin levels declined significantly among patients in the current but not the previous report.1,4 The current publication extends previous work by documenting that the BP and metabolic benefits of renal denervation include patients with sleep apnea. However, this is not surprising, because most hypertensive patients with treatment-resistant hypertension have sleep apnea,1 and it is unlikely that renal denervation would have been effective in previous studies if benefits did not extend to patients with sleep apnea. The novel aspect of the current work is that renal sympathetic denervation improved sleep apnea in 7 of 8 patients with obstructive sleep apnea and 1 of 2 patients with both obstructive and central components. Although the mechanism(s) by which renal denervation may improve obstructive sleep apnea is unknown, the authors' hypothesis that changes in sodium-volume status are …
Plan abstraction based on operator generalization

We describe a planning system which automatically creates abstract operators while organizing a given set of primitive operators into a taxonomic hierarchy. At the same time, the system creates categories of abstract object types which allow abstract operators to apply to broad classes of functionally similar objects. After the system has found a plan to achieve a particular goal, it replaces each primitive operator in the plan with one of its ancestors from the operator taxonomy. The resulting abstract plan is incorporated into the operator hierarchy as a new abstract operator, an abstract-macro. The next time the planner is faced with a similar task, it can specialize the abstract-macro into a suitable plan by again using the operator taxonomy, this time replacing the abstract operators with appropriate descendants.
Cancer presentation in the emergency department: a failure of primary care.

Emergency departments are intended to be the location of entry into the health care system for patients with acute problems, such as injuries and myocardial infarctions. In contrast, cancer should optimally be detected during periodic health examinations, either through screening procedures or by early detection from signs and symptoms which prompt a routine visit to a primary care physician. This study was undertaken to describe patients who present to an emergency department with urgent symptoms and signs, are hospitalized, and subsequently diagnosed with cancer (ED group). One hundred twenty-nine patients were retrospectively studied. When compared with patients diagnosed in a primary care setting (tumor registry patients), the ED group was significantly older, more often male, had a significantly lower survival rate, and more frequent metastatic disease at diagnosis (P less than .001). The ED group accounted for 5.3% of the new tumor registry patients for the study years. Only 3.1% of the ED group had no insurance, and 21% reported no personal physician. Strategies are needed for patients and physicians to reduce the number of late-diagnosed cancer cases presenting in emergency departments.
Mode of transmission and the evolution of arbovirus virulence in mosquito vectors.

The traditional assumption that vector-borne pathogens should evolve towards a benign relationship with their arthropod vectors has been challenged on theoretical grounds and empirical evidence. However, in the case of arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses), although a number of investigators have reported experimental evidence for virus-induced vector mortality, others have failed to detect any significant impact. Whether this variation in the observed level of arbovirus virulence depends on biological traits or experimental design is unclear. Here, we perform a meta-analysis of studies across a range of mosquito–virus systems to show that, overall, arboviruses do reduce the survival of their mosquito vectors, but that the magnitude of the effect depends on the vector/virus taxonomic groups and the mode of virus transmission. Alphaviruses were associated with highest virulence levels in mosquitoes. Horizontal transmission (intrathoracic inoculation or oral infection) was correlated with significant virus-induced mortality, whereas a lack of adverse effect was found for Aedes mosquitoes infected transovarially by bunyaviruses—a group of viruses characterized by high natural rates of vertical transmission in their enzootic vectors. Our findings are consistent with the general prediction that vertically transmitted pathogens should be less virulent than those transmitted horizontally. We conclude that varying degrees of virulence observed among vector–virus systems probably reflect different selective pressures imposed on arboviruses that are primarily transmitted horizontally versus vertically.
X-Box Binding Protein 1 Is Essential for Insulin Regulation of Pancreatic α-Cell Function

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) often exhibit hyperglucagonemia despite hyperglycemia, implicating defective α-cell function. Although endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been suggested to underlie β-cell dysfunction in T2D, its role in α-cell biology remains unclear. X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the unfolded protein response (UPR), and its deficiency in β-cells has been reported to impair insulin secretion, leading to glucose intolerance. To evaluate the role of XBP1 in α-cells, we created complementary in vivo (α-cell–specific XBP1 knockout [αXBPKO] mice) and in vitro (stable XBP1 knockdown α-cell line [αXBPKD]) models. The αXBPKO mice exhibited glucose intolerance, mild insulin resistance, and an inability to suppress glucagon secretion after glucose stimulation. αXBPKD cells exhibited activation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1, an upstream activator of XBP1, leading to phosphorylation of Jun NH2-terminal kinase. Interestingly, insulin treatment of αXBPKD cells reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) (pY896) and phosphorylation of Akt while enhancing serine phosphorylation (pS307) of IRS1. Consequently, the αXBPKD cells exhibited blunted suppression of glucagon secretion after insulin treatment in the presence of high glucose. Together, these data indicate that XBP1 deficiency in pancreatic α-cells induces altered insulin signaling and dysfunctional glucagon secretion.
Early induction of interferon-responsive mRNAs in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Foreign infectious agents typically evoke a host immune response. In scrapie and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), no immune response has been detectable. However, many latent or persistent viruses evade immune recognition but still activate inflammatory pathways. Unique microglial responses in late CJD infection that could be part of a host defense mechanism were previously delineated, although changes secondary to neurodegeneration could not be excluded. Data here show these microglial transcriptional changes are detectable in CJD brain beginning at 30 days after innoculation. In addition, 10 other interferon-sensitive genes were similarly upregulated at very early stages of infection. These responses occurred well before abnormal prion protein (PrP) and clinical signs of CJD were detectable. Further analyses in very pure microglia from CJD brain suggested the CJD agent activated signaling pathways distinct from those induced by amyloidogenic proteins (including abnormal PrP). Although increases in interferon-α or -β transcript levels were not seen in cultures or in whole brain, CJD microglia exhibited a potentiated interferon response when challenged with double-stranded RNA. The induction of interferon-sensitive genes without appreciable interferon synthesis was strikingly similar to that seen in some viral infections. These data suggest the CJD agent is recognized as a foreign virus-like entity. Moreover, the early reactive gene expression profiles described here may be useful in preclinical diagnosis.
Psychiatric Boarding in Washington State and the Inadequacy of Mental Health Resources

Psychiatric boarding is a term derived from emergency medicine that describes the holding of patients deemed in need of hospitalization in emergency departments for extended periods because psychiatric beds are not available. Such boarding has occurred for many years in the shadows of mental health care as both inpatient beds and community services have decreased. This article focuses on a 2014 Washington State Supreme Court decision that examined the interpretation of certain sections of the Washington state civil commitment statute that had been used to justify the extended boarding of detained psychiatric patients in general hospital emergency departments. The impact of this decision on the state of Washington should be significant and could spark a national debate about the negative impacts of psychiatric boarding on patients and on the nation's general hospital emergency services.
Ridge Analysis in Experimental Design

Ridge analysis is a valuable tool for exploring second-order surfaces that have been fitted to experimental data. Paths of absolute maxima (ridge of maxima), absolute minima (ridge of minima), or of intermediate turning values (ridges that are neither overall maxima nor minima but are best locally) can be located and followed. The paths can start from any selected location in the predictor space; often the coded origin of the experimental space would be chosen. Keywords: maximum response path; minimum response path; optimizing conditions; response surfaces; second-order fitted model
A field study of brook stickleback morphology: multiple predators and multiple traits

This field-based study examined a suite of morphological traits expressed by brook sticklebacks (Culaea inconstans (Kirtland, 1840)) coexisting with two types of predator communities. “Small-predator” communities included gape-limited predators only; “mixed-predator” communities included both gape-limited and non-gape-limited predators. Across 26 study sites in three drainages, sticklebacks in small-predator communities had longer bodies, longer spines, and deeper midbodies than those in mixed-predator communities. The observed differences were consistent with the hypothesis that stickleback morphology in small-predator communities would be better adapted for avoiding gape-limited predators and that in mixed-predator communities should be better adapted for avoiding large, non-gape-limited predators. Morphological differences were apparent in 1-year-old sticklebacks and likely resulted from predator–prey interactions early in the sticklebacks’ life history. Correlation among morphological traits involved ...
Insulin Stimulates Human Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis via an Indirect Mechanism Involving Endothelial-Dependent Vasodilation and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 Signaling

Objective: Our objective was to determine whether endothelial-dependent vasodilation is an essential mechanism by which insulin stimulates human skeletal muscle protein synthesis and anabolism. Subjects: Subjects were healthy young adults (n = 14) aged 31 ± 2 yr. Design: Subjects were studied at baseline and during local leg infusion of insulin alone (control, n = 7) or insulin plus the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA, n = 7) to prevent insulin-induced vasodilation. Methods: We measured skeletal muscle protein metabolism with stable isotope tracers, blood flow with indocyanine green, capillary recruitment with contrast enhanced ultrasound, glucose metabolism with stable isotope tracers, and phosphorylation of proteins associated with insulin (Akt) and amino acid-induced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling (mTOR, S6 kinase 1, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1) with Western blot analysis. Results: No basal differences between...
A new method for illustrating international documents

After reviewing conventional halftoning theory, the author describes how PC-based publishing systems handle illustrations, specifically, halftoned art. He summarizes some of the limitations of digital halftoning and shows how advances in printing technology are circumventing these shortcomings. It is concluded that desktop publishing and digital halftoning provide the means to create illustrated manuals with comparative ease and reasonable cost. >
Assessing the relationship between alternative production practices and energy and other input use in US agriculture

An important issue with regard to the overall effectiveness of conservation tillage practices in reducing the impact of agricultural production on the environment concerns what happens to energy, pesticide and fertiliser use as these practices are more extensively adopted. To gain some insight into this, the conservation tillage adoption decision is modelled. Starting with the assumption that the conservation tillage adoption decision is a two–step procedure – the first is the decision whether or not to adopt a conservation tillage production system and the second is the decision on the extent to which conservation tillage should be used – appropriate models of the Cragg and Heckman (dominance) type are estimated. Based on farm–level data on corn production in the United States for 1987, the profile of a farm on which conservation tillage was adopted is that the cropland had above average slope and experienced above average rainfall, the farm was a cash grain enterprise, and it had an above average expenditure on pesticides and a below average expenditure on energy and a below average expenditure on custom pesticide applications. Additionally, for a farm adopting a no tillage production practice, an above average expenditure was made on fertiliser.
SELL IN MAY AND GO AWAY REVISITED

Market returns were collected for the eight-year period November 2004 through October 2012 and divided into six-month periods November through April and May through October. Annualized returns for ...
An Urban Study of Vote Power on City Councils: The Political Incorporation of Minorities in Miami-Dade and Los Angeles Counties

This study analyzes voting power on city councils in Miami-Dade and Los Angeles counties. The theory extends our understanding of how minority voters are represented on local governing councils, through the analysis of political incorporation in two diverse metropolitan communities. In the greater Miami-Dade County area, the study sample covers thirty-five cities and the Dade County Commission, from municipal incorporation (for each city), where Miami-Dade County is an example of a community that has had an active municipal incorporation movement since 1991 which has resulted in the formation of new cities. For purposes of comparison, data for eighty-eight cities and the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County are also included in the analysis, beginning with the current (2000) redistricting. Even though most of the cities in both counties have at-large elections for city councils, the findings are presented by types of council elections and executive plans. Starting from the models of vote power, such as the Banzhaf and Shapley indices, the basic results generate the combinatorics in each of the one hundred and twenty four-local governments under study. This empirical analysis applies and extends existing measures of political incorporation, describing not only the value of council coalitions, but the actual coalition structures and changes to these coalition structures over both the long-run (in Miami-Dade County) and the short-run (in Los Angeles County). By defining local political regimes in terms of coalitions structures, this study provides a theoretical understanding of forming, maintaining, and changing coalitions in local politics. Furthermore, the results summarize the degree of (and trends in) political incorporation for racial and ethnic communities by municipality, by the value of the election districts, under mayor-council and council-manager forms of government. The study also finds greater Latino representation in Miami-Dade County and in the older, general law cities in Los Angeles County. Measures of the degree of political incorporation are shown to be uncorrelated with population per-constituency (or population seat values) or the control of the tax base (in the form of per-person tax revenues).
Cystic Malformations Within the Posterior Fossa

Cystic malformations within the posterior fossa are rather common findings in pediatric neuroimaging. They may be divided in two main groups based on their location and size: large extra-cerebellar and small intra-cerebellar cystic malformations. Both groups include various diseases: Dandy–Walker malformation, Blake’s pouch cyst, posterior fossa arachnoid cysts, and mega cisterna magna are extra-cerebellar posterior fossa cystic malformations, while α-dystroglycanopathies, GPR56-related fronto-parietal polymicrogyria, and Poretti–Boltshauser due to LAMA1 mutations are intra-cerebellar posterior fossa cystic malformations. These diseases may be differentiated based on the neuroimaging pattern. Differentiation between the various diseases associated with extra- and intra-cerebellar cystic malformations is important in terms of diagnosis, management, prognosis, and counseling of the affected families.
A comparison of texture and quality of breast fillets from broilers stunned by electricity and carbon dioxide on a shackle line or killed with carbon dioxide

To compare the broiler breast muscle quality resulting from three different slaughter methods, 36 broilers in each of two replicates were randomly divided into three groups receiving CO2 stunning, electrical stunning (ES), or CO2 killing. Carbon dioxide stunning was accomplished in a tunnel with a gradient from 40 to 60% CO2 by allowing the broilers on shackles to pass through the tunnel for 25 s. Electrical stunning was done by passing the bird's head through a charged 1% brine solution (35 mA, 7 s). For CO2 killing, the birds were killed by asphyxiation in an atmosphere of less than 2% oxygen (air displaced by CO2) for 2.5 min. Following slaughter, all breast fillets were harvested at 1.25 h postmortem and analyzed for pH, R value, shear value (SV), expressible moisture, and color (lightness and redness at 1.25 and 24 h postmortem). There were no differences (P<0.05) between treatments in pH, R value, SV, 1.25-h color values, or expressible moisture. There was an increase (P<0.05) in lightness between 1.25 and 24 h postmortem in all treatments, with the CO2 stun exhibiting the greatest increase and resulting in a significantly greater L* value at 24 h postmortem than the CO2 killing treatment. These results suggest that the postmortem metabolism or characteristics of the meat from animals processed with these stunning or killing methods does not differ to a large extent.
Robustness and convergence of suboptimal controls in distributed parameter systems

A fundamental prerequisite for the numerical computation of optimal controls is to show that sequences of suboptimal (that is, close-to-optimal) controls converge. We show this in a version that applies to hyperbolic and parabolic distributed parameter systems, the latter including the Navier–Stokes equations. The optimal problems include control and state constraints; in the parabolic case, the constraints may be pointwise on the solution and the gradient.
Patterning of cognitive and somatic processes in the self-regulation of anxiety: effects of meditation versus exercise.

Davidson and Schwartz (1) have proposed a psychobiological analysis of anxiety that emphasizes the patterning of multiple processes in the generation and self-regulation of this state. The present article specifically reviews recent research on cognitive and somatic components of anxiety. A dual com
Analysis of the results of malaria surveillance in Cixi, Zhejiang from 2001 to 2009

Objective To get an insight into the current epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Cixi from 2001 to 2009 for the development of malaria control strategies. Methods Malaria surveillance data in Cixi from 2001 to 2009 were analyzed by retrospective epidemiological approaches. Results A total of 135 malaria cases were reported from 2001 to 2009 in the city. One of them was a local resident returning home with imported infection, while all of the others were imported cases. The annual average incidence of the floating population was 2.17/105. Most of them were the migrant workers at age 20-39 years and 99.26% cases were attributable to vivax malaria. Conclusion In the past 9 years, Cixi has made significant achievements in malaria control. However, in view of the occasional imported cases in the floating population, great importance should still be attached to malaria prevention and control in the city.
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from food poison with enterotoxin genes and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

Objective To detect Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a food poisoning,and conduct enterotoxin genotype and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) genotype.Methods Enterotoxin genes were detected by mini-VIDAS and genotyped by PCR.PFGE was applied for typing as well as analyzing the homology of strains.Results Twenty-two S.aureus strains were isolated from samples,and the enterotoxin were all positive in preliminary screening,showing genotype as SEA.Three different PFGE types(P1~P3) were found among 22 strains,including 19 P1 type strains,2 P2 type strains and 1 P3type strain.Conclusion The food poisoning was caused by S.aureus and the enterotoxin gene type of isolates was SEA.Type P1 was the dominant strains from 22 isolates which included three PFGE types.
Local solvability in a class of overdetermined systems of linear PDE

The simplest linear partial differential equations whose local solvability is not automatic are those defined by complex, smooth, nowhere vanishing vector fields in regions of the plane. Let \(L = A\left( {{x_1},{x_2}} \right)\partial /\partial {x_1} + B\left( {{x_1},{x_2}} \right)\partial /{\partial _2} \) be such a vector field, defined in a domain Ω ⊂ R 2. The (inhomogeneous) equation $$Lu = f$$ (1) is said to be locally solvable at a point O ∈ Ω if there is an open neighborhood U ⊂ Ω of O such that, given any f ∈ C ∞(Ω), there is a distribution u ∈ D′(U) that satisfies (1) in the open set U. One can vary this definition by asking that u be a C ∞ function, in which case one may talk of local solvability in C ∞; or by asking that there be a distribution solution u in U, for each f ∈ D′(Ω). A moment of thought will also show that there is no loss of generality if we restrict our attention to right hand sides f whose support is compact and contained in U.
Toward Very Large, Efficient, Usable Network Structures

This chapter discusses some of the problems of programming networks, and of developing programming languages and good interactive software tools. Each particular problem, for which one develops an algorithm and a program, has its own structure. Ideally, one should build or reconfigure a computer network that embodies this structure as closely as possible. Occasionally that is possible, when the problem is important enough and the program runs long enough on sufficient data to justify the expense. In such cases, one may achieve a network structure that exhibits the anatomy of the problem, its nodes processing information flowing through it much as a human brain/nervous system processes information. More frequently, the same network will have to process a variety of programs, with a variety of different underlying structures. Therefore, one needs more general networks. An interesting, relatively simple network is one that contains a variety of different kinds of resources; each specialized for particular kinds of processes. Such a system is attractive because it also includes the conventional host 1-CPU computer that can be used for program development, editing, compiling, and the other traditional support processes.
Composing and Metaphoricity

Figurative descriptions or “metaphorical stories” of composing are ubiquitous in interviews with professional writers. Writers explain themselves as building, battling, or giving birth; their texts as flowing, growing, or coming alive; their minds as razors, reservoirs, or compost heaps. They position their writing as cooking, painting, rock-climbing. They present themselves as vehicles, listeners, actors, manipulators, manufacturers, masters. Their characters and their texts become active, even recalcitrant, co-authors. Figurative themes and metaphorical stories about composing acts bring writing down to earth, not only reflecting, but also constituting extant concepts of composing as authors’ interviews repeatedly reference actual life activities.
Independent prognostic factors for posttransplant survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing liver transplantation

The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal trends in locoregional therapy (LRT) use in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients listed for transplant, and evaluate independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in HCC patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was used to identify HCC patients listed for liver transplantation from 1988 to 2014, and longitudinal rates of bridging LRT were calculated. OLT recipients listed from 2002 to 2013 and transplanted up to 2014, with ≥1 year of follow-up were further analyzed. OS was compared between patients receiving bridging LRT versus none, high versus low wait times (HWT vs. LWT), and by geographic region. Bridging LRT use in the US has increased dramatically over 25 years, with more than 50% of listed patients receiving at least 1 LRT in 2014. Of 17,291 HCC patients listed for LT from 2002 to 2013, 14,511 received OLT, mean age 57.4 years, 76.8% male; 3889 received bridging LRT. Comparison groups were similar for gender, race, body mass index (BMI), HCC etiology, and biological MELD scores (P > 0.05). Significant differences in mean OS in regions with HWT/high LRT (122.4 months), HWT/low LRT (104.5 months), LWT/high LRT (104.2 months), and LWT/low LRT (102.3 months) were observed, P = 0.0006. Recipient age, donor age, bridging LRT, and longer wait times were independent prognostic factors of survival from OLT. Increasing longitudinal trends in bridging LRT for HCC patients were observed. Younger age, younger donor age, high wait times, and bridging LRT were significant independent prognostic factors for prolonged survival from transplant.
Clifford wavelets, Hardy spaces, and elliptic boundary value problems

We give an overview of results concerning certain boundary value problems for elliptic Partial Differential Equations on nonsmooth domains, Clifford algebras, and wavelet techniques, and how these are related. In particular, we consider Laplace’s equation on nonsmooth domains and show how this leads to wavelet analysis of certain Clifford algebra valued singular integral operators. A natural context for stuying these operators is the theory of Hardy spaces of Clifford analytic functions, which we discuss in some detail. General elliptic operators are also considered.
Structured Abstract: Y Usted? The Effects of Social Influence on Consumers’ Service Language Preference

Growth among multilingual consumers in the United States requires service marketers to consider service language use. While the limited research to date asserts that multilingual consumers prefer service in their native language, these studies do not consider contextual factors, including social influence. The current research investigates the moderating role of the presence of a friend whose native language differs from the language of the focal consumer on the relationships between service language and service satisfaction. In contrast to prior research, we find that minority language (i.e., Spanish) speakers prefer service in the majority language (i.e., English) when their friend’s native language is different from their own.
MR Imaging of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite advances in screening and prevention. Although cervical cancer remains clinically staged, the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics committee has encouraged the use of advanced imaging modalities, including MR imaging, where available, to increase the accuracy of staging, guide treatment, and detect recurrence. Understanding the multiple roles of advanced imaging in the evaluation of cervical cancer will help radiologists provide an accurate and useful report to the referring clinicians.
Cytokine contributions to alterations of the volatile metabolome induced by inflammation

Several studies demonstrate that inflammation affects body odor. Volatile signals associated with inflammation induced by pyrogens like LPS are detectable both by conspecifics and chemical analyses. However, little is known about the mechanisms which translate detection of a foreign molecule or pathogen into a unique body odor, or even how unique that odor may be. Here, we utilized C57BL/6J trained mice to identify the odor of LPS-treated conspecifics to investigate potential pathways between LPS-induced inflammation and changes in body odor, as represented by changes in urine odor. We hypothesized that the change in volatile metabolites could be caused directly by the pro-inflammatory cytokine response mediated by TNF or IL-1β, or by the compensatory anti-inflammatory response mediated by IL-10. We found that trained biosensors generalized learned LPS-associated odors to TNF-induced odors, but not to IL-1β or IL-10-induced odors. Analyses of urine volatiles using headspace gas chromatography revealed distinct profiles of volatile compounds for each treatment. Instrumental discrimination relied on a mixture of compounds, including 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole, cedrol, nonanal, benzaldehyde, acetic acid, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, and dehydro-exo-brevicomin. Although interpretation of LDA modeling differed from behavioral testing, it does suggest that treatment with TNF, IL-1β, and LPS can be distinguished by their resultant volatile profiles. These findings indicate there is information found in body odors on the presence of specific cytokines. This result is encouraging for the future of disease diagnosis via analysis of volatiles.
Chiral Separation Strategies in Mass Spectrometry: Integration of Chromatography, Electrophoresis, and Gas-Phase Mobility

Abstract In this chapter, we provide an overview of separation strategies focusing on chiral recognition prior to mass analysis. As modern mass spectrometers are highly selective in their ability to separate molecules based on molecular formula, this chapter centers on isomeric systems which are unresolvable by conventional mass spectrometry methods. Chromatography techniques currently represent the standard analytical method for distinguishing isomeric compounds and here we detail the fundamental underpinnings of these methods as well as provide a frame of reference for ion mobility approaches, which are a growing field of interest in analytical chemistry. Recently paired with high-resolution mass spectrometry detectors, ion mobility separations are a trending analytical approach capable of distinguishing isomeric species in complex biological samples. As a result of the growing interest in ion mobility separations, the chapter will then describe the fundamental mechanics and recent applications of this emerging analytical method.
Penicillium chrysogenum endophthalmitis.

Infections caused byPenicillium chrysogenum are rare. The first case of posttraumatic endophthalmitis caused by this saprophytic fungus is reported. Therapy with amphotericin B and topical natamycin eradicated the organism.