cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Trajectory-Based Arrival Operations Equipage

The ability of aircraft to participate in trajectory-based operation concepts are often dependent on flight management system capabilities onboard aircraft. It is important to estimate the level of eligibility, determined by flight management system capabilities onboard aircraft, of current and future National Airspace System (NAS) operations for benefits quantization and concept development. This paper presents a methodology for estimating levels of participation at specific Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) airspace sites for a trajectory-based operations concept. The methodology is detailed through an example to determine the eligibility level of operations for participating in the Three-Dimensional Path Arrival Management (3D PAM) concept, a type of trajectory-based operation. The results of an analysis conducted by the MITRE Corporation, based on this methodology, show that the current eligibility level for participation in the 3D PAM concept is generally high across TRACON sites, although some do have more moderate levels. The forecast of future participation levels shows a rising trend.
Solvable groups contain large centralizers

It is proved that every nonabelian solvable group contains a noncentral element whose centralizer has order exceeding its index.
Cocaine Analytes in Human Hair: Evaluation of Concentration Ratios in Different Cocaine Sources, Drug-User Populations and Surface-Contaminated Specimens

Hair specimens were analyzed for cocaine (COC), benzoylecgonine (BE), cocaethylene (CE) and norcocaine (NCOC) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Drug-free hair was contaminated in vitro with COC from different sources with varied COC analyte concentrations. Results were compared to COC analyte concentrations in drug users' hair following self-reported COC use (Street) and in hair from participants in controlled COC administration studies (Clinical) on a closed clinical research unit. Mean ± standard error analyte concentrations in Street drug users' hair were COC 27,889 ± 7,846 (n = 38); BE 8,132 ± 2,523 (n = 38); CE 901 ± 320 (n = 20); NCOC 345 ± 72 pg/mg (n = 32). Mean percentages to COC concentration were BE 29%, CE 3% and NCOC 1%. Concentrations in hair were lower for Clinical participants. COC contamination with higher CE, BE or NCOC content produced significantly higher concentrations (P = 0.0001) of all analytes. CE/COC and NCOC/COC ratios did not improve differentiation of COC use from COC contamination. COC concentrations in illicit and pharmaceutical COC affect concentrations in contaminated hair. Criteria for distinguishing COC use from contamination under realistic concentrations were not significantly improved by adding CE and NCOC criteria to COC cutoff concentration and BE/COC ratio criteria. Current criteria for COC hair testing in many forensic drug-testing laboratories may not effectively discriminate between COC use and environmental COC exposure.
Nanomaterials can Dynamically Steer Cell Responses to Biological Ligands

Traditional tissue regeneration approaches to activate cell behaviors on biomaterials rely on the use of extracellular-matrix-based or soluble growth-factor cues. In this article, a novel approach is highlighted to dynamically steer cellular phenomena such as cell motility based on nanoscale substratum features of biological ligands. Albumin-derived nanocarriers (ANCs) with variable nanoscale-size features are functionalized with fibronectin III9-10 matrix ligands, and their effects on primary human keratinocyte activation are investigated. The presentation of fibronectin fragments from ANCs significantly enhances cell migration as compared to free ligands at equivalent concentrations. Notably, cell migration is influenced by the size of the underlying ANCs even for variably sized ANCs covered in comparable levels of fibronectin fragment. For equivalent ligand concentrations, cell migration on the smaller-sized ANCs (30 and 50 nm) is significantly enhanced as compared to that on larger-sized ANCs (75 and 100 nm). In contrast, the enhancement of cell migration on nanocarriers is abolished by the use of immobilized, biofunctionalized ANCs, indicating that "dynamic" nanocarrier internalization events underlie the role of nanocarrier geometry on the differential regulation of cell migration kinetics. Uptake studies using fluorescent ANCs indicate that larger-sized ANCs cause delayed endocytic kinetics and hence could present barriers for internalization during the cell adhesion and motility processes. Motile cells exhibit diminished migration upon exposure to clathrin inhibitors, but not caveolin inhibitors, suggesting the role of clathrin-mediated endocytosis in facilitating cell migratory responsiveness to the nanocarriers. Overall, a monotonic relationship is found between the nanocarrier cytointernalization rate and the cell migration rate, suggesting the possibility of designing biointerfacial features for the dynamic control of cell migration. Thus, the functionalization of a mobile nanocarrier by a biorelevant ligand can be used to sensitize cellular motility activation to the adhesion ligands, and such nanocarrier interfaces can dynamically attune cell migration kinetics by modulating the uptake of the ligand-nanocarrier complex via nanocarrier size.
Bile acid solubility and precipitation in vitro and in vivo : the role of conjugation, pH, and Ca2+ ions

The principles governing the in vitro solubility of the common natural conjugated and unconjugated bile acids and salts in relation to pH, micelle formation, and Ca2+ concentration are considered from a theoretical standpoint and then correlated first with experimental observations on model systems and second with the formation of precipitates containing bile acids in health and disease. In vitro, taurine-conjugated bile acids are soluble at strongly acidic pH; glycine-conjugated bile acids are poorly soluble at moderately acidic pH; and many of the common, natural unconjugated bile acids are insoluble at neutral pH. For both glycine-conjugated and unconjugated bile acids, solubility rises exponentially, with increasing pH, until the concentration of the anion reaches the critical micellization concentration (CMC) when micelle formation occurs and solubility becomes practically unlimited. In vivo, in health, conjugated bile acids are present in micellar form in the biliary and intestinal tract. Unconjugated bile acids formed in the large intestine remain at low monomeric concentrations because of the acidic pH of the proximal colon, binding to bacteria, and absorption across the intestinal mucosa. In diseases in which proximal small intestinal content is abnormally acidic, precipitation of glycine-conjugated bile acids (in protonated form) occurs. Increased bacterial formation of unconjugated bile acids occurs with stasis in the biliary tract and small intestine; in the intestine, unconjugated bile acids precipitate in the protonated form. If the precipitates aggregate, an enterolith may be formed. In vitro, the calcium salts of taurine conjugates are highly water soluble, whereas the calcium salts of glycine conjugates and unconjugated bile acids possess limited aqueous solubility that is strongly influenced by bile acid structure. Precipitation occurs extremely slowly from supersaturated solutions of glycine-conjugated bile acids because of metastability, whereas super-saturated solutions of unconjugated bile acids rapidly form precipitates of the calcium salt. In systems containing Ca2+ ions and unconjugated bile acids, pH is important, since it is the key determinant of the anion concentration. For bile acids with relatively soluble calcium salts (or with a low CMC), the concentration of the anion will reach the CMC and micelles will form, thus precluding formation of the insoluble calcium salt. For bile acids, with relatively insoluble calcium salts (or with a high CMC), the effect of increasing pH is to cause the anion to reach the solubility product of the calcium salt before reaching the CMC so that precipitation of the calcium salt occurs instead of micelle formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Neurotrophic factor expression in newborns with myelomeningocele: preliminary data.

Abstract Background Neurotrophic factors play a crucial role in the stimulation of sprouting, synaptic plasticity and reorganization after spinal cord damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of some neurotrophic factors [brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF)] in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of newborns with myelomeningocele (MMC) and to determine their correlations with this malformation. Methods To measure the expression of BDNF, GDNF, and NGF, we collected CSF samples of six newborns during the neurosurgical operation to correct the open MMC and of 10 matched controls. Endogenous neurotrophic factor levels were quantified using a two-site immuno-enzymatic assay. The statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney two-tailed two-sample test. Findings In the CSF of patients analysis of neurotrophic factor expression showed a significant increase of BDNF, GDNF, and NGF compared to the mean level of the control group (445.8±82.3, 86.5±2.6, and 59.9±6.2pg/mL, respectively, respect to 10.2±5.9, 19.9±11.3, and 15.3±2.6pg/mL) ( p Interpretation Our study shows an over-expression of neurotrophic factors in the CSF of newborns with MMC. This neurotrophin up-regulation may stimulate axonal sprouting and synaptic reorganization of the damaged neural cells at the site of spinal cord lesion. The neurotrophic factor up-regulation may represent a particularly important biochemical markers of spinal cord damage and might be associated with the severity of spine injury in MMC patients.
The Effect of Sliding Knots on the Suture-Tendon Interface Strength A Biomechanical Analysis Comparing Sliding and Static Arthroscopic Knots

Background:The tissue-suture interface remains the most common site of failure in rotator cuff repairs. It is currently unknown if arthroscopic sliding knots injure the tissue and weaken the suture-tendon interface.Purpose:To evaluate the effect sliding knots have on the strength of the suture-tendon interface.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:A total of 32 sheep infraspinatus tendons were randomized among 4 groups of stitches (n = 8): simple-static, simple-sliding, mattress-static, and mattress-sliding. All high-strength, No. 2 suture stitch-knot combinations were created in an arthroscopic simulated environment, and sliding knots were tied with shortening of the suture and sliding of the knot down to the tissue interface to simulate surgical technique. Each graft was cyclically loaded on a mechanical testing system from 5 to 20 N for 20 cycles and then loaded to failure. A least squares analysis of variance model was used to test significance of sliding stitches upon cyclic elongation, pe...
Medical and surgical treatment for ocular myasthenia

Background Approximately 50% of people with myasthenia gravis present initially with purely ocular symptoms, so called ocular myasthenia and between 50 to 60% of these people will progress to develop generalized disease. The vast majority will do so within the first one to two years. There is controversy surrounding the appropriate management of patients with ocular myasthenia. Objectives To perform a systematic review of the literature relevant to the treatment of ocular myasthenia and to answer three specific questions. Are there any medical or surgical treatments that have an impact on the risk of progression from ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis? Are there any medical or surgical treatments that improve symptoms of diplopia or ptosis in ocular myasthenia? What is the frequency of side effects associated with treatments used in people with ocular myasthenia? Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Trials Register (searched December 2004), MEDLINE (1996 to 2004) and EMBASE (1980 to 2004) for randomized controlled trials as well as case-control and cohort studies. The titles and abstracts of all articles were read by both authors and the full text of all articles that were of possible relevance was reviewed in full. The references of all manuscripts included in the review were scanned to identify additional articles of relevance and experts in the field were contacted to identify additional published and unpublished data. Where necessary and possible, we contacted authors for further information. Selection criteria To be included in the review, studies had to meet three criteria: (a) randomized (or quasi-randomized) controlled study design; (b) active treatment compared to placebo, no treatment or some other treatment; and (c) results reported separately for patients with ocular myasthenia (grade 1) as defined by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. Data collection and analysis We collected data regarding the risk of progression to generalized myasthenia gravis, improvement in ocular symptoms, and the frequency of treatment-related side effects. Main results We identified two randomized controlled trials relevant to the treatment of ocular myasthenia, only one of which reported results in terms of the pre-specified outcome measures used in this review. This study included only three participants and was of limited methodological quality. In the absence of data from randomized controlled trials, we present a review of the available observational data. Authors' conclusions There are no data from randomized controlled trials on the impact of any form of treatment on the risk of progression from ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis. The available randomized controlled literature does not permit any meaningful conclusions about the efficacy of any form of treatment for ocular myasthenia. Data from several reasonably good quality observational studies suggest that corticosteroids and azathioprine may be beneficial in reducing the risk of progression to generalized myasthenia gravis.
NOD2 Regulates CXCR3-Dependent CD8+ T Cell Accumulation in Intestinal Tissues with Acute Injury

Polymorphisms in NOD2 confer risk for Crohn's disease, characterized by intestinal inflammation. How NOD2 regulates both inflammatory and regulatory intestinal T cells, which are critical to intestinal immune homeostasis, is not well understood. Anti-CD3 mAb administration is used as therapy in human autoimmune diseases, as well as a model of transient intestinal injury. The stages of T cell activation, intestinal injury, and subsequent T tolerance are dependent on migration of T cells into the small intestinal (SI) lamina propria. Upon anti-CD3 mAb treatment of mice, we found that NOD2 was required for optimal small intestinal IL-10 production, in particular from CD8(+) T cells. This requirement was associated with a critical role for NOD2 in SI CD8(+) T cell accumulation and induction of the CXCR3 ligands CXCL9 and CXCL10, which regulate T cell migration. NOD2 was required in both the hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic compartments for optimal expression of CXCR3 ligands in intestinal tissues. NOD2 synergized with IFN-γ to induce CXCL9 and CXCL10 secretion in dendritic cells, macrophages, and intestinal stromal cells in vitro. Consistent with the in vitro studies, during anti-CD3 mAb treatment in vivo, CXCR3 blockade, CD8(+) T cell depletion, or IFN-γ neutralization each inhibited SI CD8(+) T cell recruitment, and reduced chemokine expression and IL-10 expression. Thus, NOD2 synergizes with IFN-γ to promote CXCL9 and CXCL10 expression, thereby amplifying CXCR3-dependent SI CD8(+) T cell migration during T cell activation, which, in turn, contributes to induction of both inflammatory and regulatory T cell outcomes in the intestinal environment.
The respiratory responses of subjects with allergic rhinitis to ozone exposure and their relationship to nonspecific airway reactivity.

Ozone exposure in man produces changes in respiratory function and symptoms. There is a large degree of unexplained intersubject variability in the magnitude of these responses. There is concern that individuals with chronic respiratory diseases may also be more responsive to ozone than normal individuals. The purpose of this study was to describe the responses of subjects with allergic rhinitis to ozone exposure and to compare these responses to those previously observed in normal individuals. A further purpose was to measure the association of baseline nonspecific airway reactivity with changes in lung function and respiratory symptoms following ozone exposure. A group of 26 nonasthmatic subjects with allergic rhinitis performed a bronchial inhalation challenge with histamine and subsequently underwent two hour exposures to both clean air and to 0.18 part per million ozone with alternating periods of rest and heavy exercise. The airway reactivity of this group of subjects was no greater than that of a comparable group of subjects without allergic rhinitis. The respiratory responses of these subjects to ozone exposure were similar to those previously reported for subjects without allergic rhinitis with the exception that the allergic rhinitis subjects appeared to have a modestly increased bronchoconstrictor response compared tomore » normals. Furthermore, we observed no significant relationships between nonspecific airway reactivity and response to ozone as measured by changes in lung function or the induction of symptoms.« less
Relationship between bronchial responsiveness to hyperventilation with cold and methacholine in asthma

Twenty-seven subjects with asthma and normal baseline lung function were challenged with aerosols of methacholine (M) and by isocapnic hyperventilation with cold air (HV). Stimulus-effect relationships were determined for each provocational technique on separate days and were expressed as the dose required to produce a 20% fall in forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1) obtained by linear interpolation from log stimulus vs. response curves (PD20). Each stimulus was applied with a sufficient intensity to produce a 20% or greater fall in FEV1 in each subject. The PD20 for M correlated significantly with the PD20 for HV (p less than 0.001) when the latter was expressed in liters per minute. The correlation between cumulative M PD20 and HV PD20 expressed as a percent of maximal voluntary ventilation was significant but less strong. We conclude that the airway response to HV reflects nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness and that the dose of HV is best determined as the absolute level of ventilation.
Acoustic plate mode devices as liquid phase sensors

Acoustic plate mode devices (APMs) which show considerable promise as sensors of liquid properties and solution species, and as probes of the solid-liquid interface are described. Their sensitivity to a variety of parameters including viscosity, dielectric coefficient, ionic conductivity, and changes in surface mass and mechanical properties allow a variety of sensors to be constructed. At the same time, the relative magnitude of each of these effects must be considered at all times to properly interpret experimental results. The experimentally determined mass sensitivity of the 158-MHz APM in 0.19 mm thick ST-quartz, 44 cm/sup 2//g, is about one-third of the 97 MHz SAW mass sensitivity, but nevertheless allows accurate measurement of fractional monolayer mass changes at the solid/solution interface. >
Transgender identity and health care: implications for psychosocial and physical evaluation.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to educate nurse practitioners (NPs) regarding: (a) the definition and range of transgenderism, (b) social influences on transgender persons, and (c) health care for transgender persons. Data sources: Data sources include review of the literature in the areas of gender, gender identity, marginalized populations, and gender transition. Personal communication was also utilized. Conclusions: Transgender persons remain marginalized and may remain closeted and at risk for negative psychosocial consequences. For those that do come out, other issues present, including the navigation of gender transition and psychosocial and physical changes that may be positive and/or negative. Examples of positive effects may include satisfaction of living authentically and decrease in depression. Negative effects may include social discrimination and loss of relationships. To provide holistic care, NPs need to be aware of transgender lives in social context and of their healthcare needs. Implications for practice: Suggestions for cultivating a supportive healthcare environment include the usage of sensitive language and an appropriate health history and physical examination. Further, to help rectify the knowledge deficit regarding transgender care among healthcare providers, NP educators and preceptors may utilize this article as a resource in their work with students.
Synthesis and Characterization of Amino-Capped Oligothiophene-Based Hole-Transport Materials

A series of seven thiophene-based oligomers were prepared as hole transport materials. The DBATn series is composed of six oligothiophenes (n = 1–6) capped with two dibutylaminostyryl electron donating moieties. The band gaps for these compounds range from 2.47 to 2.19 eV. It was found that the bis(amino) substituents control the ionization potential, while the electron affinity and energy gap depend directly on the oligothiophene chain length. The bulk crystalline properties of these materials depend strongly on whether the number of thiophene rings in the bridge is even or odd. This results in the compounds that have an odd number of thiophene units in the bridge to exhibit depressed melting points with respect to the structures with an even number of rings. X-Ray structure determination was obtained from single crystals of DBAT1 and -2. Good solubility, thermal stability and film forming properties were found throughout the series of compounds. A seventh compound, DH2E4T, was also prepared. This molecule is comparable to α,ω-dihexylsexithiophene but with greater solubility and reduced optical band gap (2.32 eV).
Efficient Learning of Sparse Representations with an Energy-Based Model

We describe a novel unsupervised method for learning sparse, overcomplete features. The model uses a linear encoder, and a linear decoder preceded by a sparsifying non-linearity that turns a code vector into a quasi-binary sparse code vector. Given an input, the optimal code minimizes the distance between the output of the decoder and the input patch while being as similar as possible to the encoder output. Learning proceeds in a two-phase EM-like fashion: (1) compute the minimum-energy code vector, (2) adjust the parameters of the encoder and decoder so as to decrease the energy. The model produces "stroke detectors" when trained on handwritten numerals, and Gabor-like filters when trained on natural image patches. Inference and learning are very fast, requiring no preprocessing, and no expensive sampling. Using the proposed unsupervised method to initialize the first layer of a convolutional network, we achieved an error rate slightly lower than the best reported result on the MNIST dataset. Finally, an extension of the method is described to learn topographical filter maps.
Method of Infection Does Not Alter Response of Chicks and House Finches to Western Equine Encephalomyelitis and St. Louis Encephalitis Viruses

The effects of method of infection and virus dose on the viremia and antibody responses of 1-wk-old chicks and after-hatching-year house finches to infection with western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) and St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) viruses were studied under laboratory conditions. Using a capillary tube technique, females from 2 strains of Culex tarsalis Coquillett mosquitoes were estimated to expectorate from 1.0 to 1.7 log10 plaque forming units (PFU) of WEE and from 1.9 to 2.2 log10 PFU of SLE. Based on the proportion of parenterally infected females that transmitted and the number that blood fed during each experiment, virus doses per bird were estimated to be 1.0–1.9 log10 PFU for WEE and 1.4–2.3 log10 PFU for SLE. When infected with comparable doses of WEE by subcutaneous inoculation, there was no significant difference in the duration or magnitude of the viremia response between birds infected by mosquito bite or syringe; few birds developed a viremia response after infection with SLE, precluding analysis. In chickens, increasing the syringe dose of WEE from 0.3 to 1.7 log10 PFU/0.1 ml shortened the time when viremia first appeared from 3 to 1 d postinfection and increased the duration of the viremia period from 1 to 3 d, but did not alter the maximum viremia titer. In house finches, increasing the syringe dose of WEE from 2.6 to 3.3 log10 PFU/0.1 ml did not alter markedly the viremia response. Most birds developed antibody detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). In chickens, WEE EIA levels and PRNT titers were higher for birds infected by syringe than by mosquito bite, whereas in house finches the pattern was reversed. For birds infected with SLE, there was overlap among groups infected by mosquito bite or syringe. These results indicate that subcutaneous syringe inoculation provides a biologically sound mode of infection that did not alter viremia and antibody responses when compared with infection by mosquito bite.
Virtual Fusion: State of the Art in Component Simulation/Emulation for Manufacturing

Simulation is an indispensable part of design and analysis in a near infinite space of applications. Every day, simulation is applied to new problems as well as giving further insight into existing ones. Additionally, advancements in computing have enabled simulation to continue contributing understanding in areas where it is already a ubiquitous tool. Manufacturing in particular has benefited a great deal from simulation techniques ranging from Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for product design, to Discrete Event Simulations (DES) for process planning. In recent times emulation has emerged as an effective means of process validation. Emulation typically refers to a testing process where the controllers or control code are in their final state, while the components they control are still virtual. Virtual Fusion takes this one step further in creating a Hybrid Process Simulation (HPS), where any component of the process may be physically present or completely simulated. This paper first defines and then discusses the characteristics necessary for the component simulations needed in an HPS. It then follows with a technological survey, a literature review of existing tools, and concludes with research challenges.
Time and the comparative method

Phylogenetic methodology has always attracted more than its share of controversy, so I expected critical responses to my 1999 piece on the evolutionary implications of character-taxon matrices. In that piece, I argued that the topology of a clade, as inferred from cladistic parsimony analysis of a rectangular matrix of characters and taxa, is influenced by all the taxa considered, including those that fall outside the clade in question. The inferred pattern of branching in the clade is therefore statistically influenced by and dependent on the inferred evolutionary pattern among the other taxa. This dependence is at odds with the principle that, once sister-groups of eukaryotes have diverged, their subsequent pathways of evolution are independent of each other. I also suggested that, along with evidence from ontogeny, times of appearance of taxa as inferred from stratigraphic data be allowed to influence interpretations of which characters are primitive and which are derived. Brochu et al. (this issue) rejected my first argument because, in their view, statistical dependence between taxa in the matrix does not imply evolutionary dependence among clades in the evolutionary trees derived from the matrix. They acknowledge, however, that “The pattern recovered from a parsimony analysis depends on the distribution of character states throughout the matrix. The pattern therefore arises …
Coupled Effects: Joule-Heating

Heterogeneous microstructures lead to a distortion of the electrical and current field within the material mixture. This leads to the fields becoming amplified within the material, which can lead to a variety of detrimental effects. An important quantity of interest is the amount of heat generated from an electrical field. The interconversions of various forms of energy (electromagnetic, thermal, etc.) in a system are governed by the first law of thermodynamics (which will be derived in detail shortly),
Microhabitat Differences in the Benthic Substrata Affect Parasitism in a Pulmonate Snail Host, Helisoma anceps

Abstract The microhabitats in which hosts live can potentially influence the ability and success of parasites in finding and infecting these hosts. The infection dynamics of both digenetic trematode parasites and a nematode parasite (Daubaylia potomaca) infecting a pulmonate snail, Helisoma anceps, were observed in a small North Carolina lake using 3 different classifications of substratum type based on percent coverage by leaves and debris. There were no differences in snail site occupancy or density between substratum types, but small-scale differences in microhabitat impacted parasite prevalence and intensity in their gastropod hosts. Snails inhabiting substrata covered in more leaf litter and debris had a lower prevalence and intensity of infection by all of the trematode species and life stages when compared to H. anceps inhabiting other substrata types, while only the intensity of infection was impacted in D. potomaca infections. These findings emphasize the importance of microhabitat, specifically ...
Suppression of ovarian function by LHRH and its analogues in pregnant rats.

The chronic administration of large doses of LHRH and its analogues to rats from Days 1 through 7 of pregnancy delayed ovum implantation (1,2). The ovaries of pregnant rats treated with an LHRH analogue were significantly smaller than the ovaries of control intact rats; the corpora lutea were small and no large antral follicles were observed in the ovaries of the treated rats. In these rats serum levels of progesterone were significantly lower, and those of LH were significantly higher than those in control intact rats (2). The present studies were performed to determine (a) how soon after the initiation of the treatment is ovarian progesterone secretion affected by LHRH and its analogues, (b) what are the LH/hCG receptor levels in the ovaries of the rats treated with LHRH and its analogues, and (c) if chronic administration of LH would delay ovum implantation and reduce progesterone levels as was observed in the rats treated with LHRH and its analogues.
Smoking cessation treatment preferences, intentions, and behaviors among a large sample of Colorado gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered smokers.

INTRODUCTION Little is known about preferences, intentions, and behaviors regarding evidence-based cessation treatment for smoking cessation among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) adults. METHODS We obtained and analyzed questionnaire responses from GLBT smokers (n= 1,633) surveyed in 129 GLBT-identified Colorado venues and online during 2007. RESULTS Most respondents (80.4%) smoked daily. Nearly one-third smoked 20 or more cigarettes/day. Fewer than half (47.2%) had attempted quitting in the previous year, and only 8.5% were preparing to quit in the next month. More than one-fourth (28.2%) of quit attempters had used nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and a similar proportion said they intended to use NRT in their next quit attempt. Lesbians were significantly less likely than gay men to have used or intend to use NRT. One-fourth of respondents said they were uncomfortable talking to their doctor about quitting smoking. Four factors (daily smoking, ever having used NRT, a smoke-free home rule, and comfort asking one's doctor for cessation advice) were associated with preparation to quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS GLBT self-identification was not associated with lower than average acceptance of evidence-based smoking cessation strategies, especially NRT, but a large minority of GLBT smokers were unlikely to seek cessation assistance through clinical encounters. Public health campaigns should focus on supporting motivation to quit and providing nonclinical access to evidence-based treatments.
On the Development of Key Coastal Ports in Southeast Fujian during Ming and Qing Dynasties

The key coastal ports in Southeast Fujian developed in response to the interaction between marine culture and hinterland cuture and to the interaction between state and society. The development of coastal ports radiated influence over social and economic development of neighbouring regions and resulted in social and cultural change of those regions. In this paper, the motive power and the action of the development of key coastal ports in Southeast Fujian during Ming and Qing Dynasties are discussed in their entirety.
LACMA So Far: Portrait of a Museum in the Making

Thus Suzanne Muchnic characterizes my thirty-eight-month tenure as director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in her concise and highly readable unofficial history, LACMA So Far: Portrait of ...
Abdominal Ultrasonography in Trauma

Ultrasonography has been used by surgeons in the evaluation of trauma patients for more than two decades in Europe and Asia. Ultrasonography is easy to use, cost effective, noninvasive, portable, rapid, and repeatable. Because the results are available so quickly, they may be used by the surgeon to prioritize resources for resuscitation and evaluation. In the diagnosis of hemoperitoneum in patients with blunt abdominal trauma, ultrasonography has sensitivity and specificity similar to diagnostic peritoneal lavage.
Design criteria for an input colour scanner evaluation test object

AbstractThe need for a colour test object that guides the basic colour correction adjustments of the electronic colour separation scanner provides the starting point for this paper. This need arises because of the differences in original photographic colour materials, different process ink colorants, and differences in the red, green, and blue responses of the various colour scanners. A three-element test object evolved from a detailed analysis of this need: a selective neutral scale based on perceptually equal step-to-step differences, a neutral scale plus corresponding c-m-y-r- g-b dye scales, and a set of 120 colour patches which cover the colour space of the colour material (10 variations in lightness and chroma at 12 different hues). We will discuss the determination of the C1ELAB L*a*b aims for these colour elements and the conversion of these colorimetric aims into dye density aims for the colour material.
Money, Commerce and Moral Theory

Western culture has long held a suspicion of the morally contaminating powers of money. When the father of Nausica in Homer’s Odyssey wished to add insult to injury to the half-drowned Odysseus, he called him a merchant.1 Think, too, of Judas Iscariot for whom the siren call of money was such that it led him to betray his God. Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the priests and said ‘What will you give me if I deliver him to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matt. 26:14)2 Recall the legend of King Midas who, being granted one wish by the grateful God Dionysus for rescuing his drunken companion Silenus, asks that all he touches turn to gold. He narrowly avoids being the richest man ever to starve to death only by a later appeal to Dionysus, who advises him to wash in the waters of the river Paktalos so that the golden touch might be washed away.3
A Geostatistical Approach to Visualize the Diversity of Soil Inhabiting Bacteria and Edaphic Qualities in Potato ( Solanum tuberosum) Production Systems

A study was conducted in Michigan (MI) to assess spatial patterns of soil biological and physiochemical factors related to yield in potato production. The project developed an approach to integrate techniques including: high-throughput DNA sequencing; GIS; geostatistics; traditional soil analyses; and yield data. Twenty soil samples were taken and GPS marked in the fall of 2012 from a grower’s field scheduled to be in potato production, and total genomic DNA was extracted. Parallel sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA gene was used to assess bacterial diversity. The total number of taxa identified by sequence analysis was 21, 81, 140, 300 and 814 at the level of phyla, class, order, family and genus respectively. Sequencing results and information gathered on yield at each point was used to generate multi-layer GIS-based maps.
Microfluidic Aqueous Two-Phase Systems

Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS) are an established technology that have been used to separate out biologically important particles such as biomolecules, organelles, and whole cells. ATPS are formed by mixing polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran (Dex) at sufficiently high concentrations such that two immiscible phases are formed. Traditional macroscale ATPS are performed in test tubes and require relatively large reagent volumes and are limited to a vertical configuration where the interface lies perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Settling becomes problematic for larger particles and the long diffusion distances mean that separations require significant time. Recent advances in microfluidics systems allow novel configurations of ATPS that are impossible with traditional techniques. Examples are nanoliter ATPS droplets or parallel streams of ATPS which enable new applications and improvements over traditional separations. Microscale ATPS can separate particles in seconds instead of hours using only microliters of reagent.
A Molecular Circuit Regenerator to Implement Iterative Strand Displacement Operations

The predictable chemistry of Watson-Crick base-pairing imparts a unique structural programmability to DNA, enabling the facile design of molecular reactions that perform computations. However, many of the current architectures limit devices to a single operational cycle. Herein, we introduce the design of the "regenerator", a device based on coupled enthalpic and entropic reactions that permits the regeneration of molecular circuit components.
Densification Kinetics During Nonisothermal Sintering of Oxides

The intial densification kinetics in the sintering of powder compacts have been examined for five oxides: ZrO2-CaO, MgO, CaO, CeO, and SiO2. Study of the initial sintering, the densification which occurs as the temperature of the specimen is increased, permits the observation of densification kinetics which may not be diffusion controlled. The densification kinetics demonstrate several features which are not compatible with a diffusion-controlled process. For example, there is a disproportionately large increase in the densification rate when the temperature is increased compared to that expected from a volume diffusion process. Other tests indicate that isostatic pressing of partially sintered powder compacts causes densification on subse-quent heat treatment. An explanation of these effects by a diffusion sintering process, either volume or grain boundary diffusion, is not evident; however, a qualitative explanation based on dislocation transport of material can be proposed. This explanation rests on the premise that as the temperature is increased, the stress required for motion and generation of dislocations decreases.
Decolonizing place in early childhood studies: Thinking with Indigenous onto-epistemologies and Black feminist geographies:

This article aims to center Indigenous onto-epistemologies and Black feminist geographies in considerations of place, environment, and “nature” in early childhood studies. We consider how these per...
Communicating the benefits and risks of inflammatory bowel disease therapy to patients and families.

Purpose of review Treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have rapidly expanded as the treatment paradigm has shifted from controlling symptoms to reducing lifetime inflammatory burden. Families are confronted with the actual and perceived risks of this ever-expanding array of choices. We aim to review the shared decision-making process in pediatric IBD to ensure an optimal therapeutic plan for the child and their family. Recent findings Mucosal healing is a critical treatment target in pediatric IBD but it may not coincide with clinical symptoms. Evidence-based therapies carry important risks, some of which may be less severe than previously suspected, and a family's understanding of these risks plays a crucial role in how they make health decisions. To form an effective shared therapeutic plan, the physician must incorporate an understanding of the values of both the child and family along with their lived experience of illness. Summary To limit harm and promote health in pediatric IBD, the physician must communicate collaboratively with the child and their family to form mutually understood goals of care - both subjective experiential and objective biological - and appreciate actual and perceived risks of treatment options to effectively educate families and navigate toward the best treatment choices. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Potential Operators with Mixed Homogeneity

In 1966 Cora Sadosky introduced a number of results in a remarkable paper “A note on Parabolic Fractional and Singular Integrals”, see Sadosky (Studia Math 26:295–302, 1966), in particular, a quasi homogeneous version of Sobolev’s immersion theorem was discussed in the paper. Later, C. P. Calderon and T. Kwembe, following those ideas and incorporating the context of Fabes-Riviere homogeneity (Fabes and Riviere, Studia Math 27:19–38, 1966), proved a similar results for potential operators with kernels having mixed homogeneity. Calderon-Kwembe’s (Dispersal models. X Latin American School of Mathematics (Tanti, 1991). Rev Un Mat Argent 37(3–4):212–229, 1991/1992) basic theorem was very much in the spirit of Sadosky’s result. The natural extension of Sadosky’s paper is nevertheless the joint paper by C. Sadosky and M. Cotlar (On quasi-homogeneous Bessel potential operators. In: Singular integrals. Proceedings of symposia in pure mathematics, Chicago, 1966. American Mathematical Society, Providence, 1967, pp 275–287) which constitutes a true tour de force through, what is now considered, local properties of solutions of parabolic partial differential equations. The tools are the introduction of “Parabolic Bessel Potentials” combined with mixed homogeneity local smoothness estimates.
How many trials does it take to get a significant ERP effect? It depends

In designing an ERP study, researchers must choose how many trials to include, balancing the desire to maximize statistical power and the need to minimize the length of the recording session. Recent studies have attempted to quantify the minimum number of trials needed to obtain reliable measures for a variety of ERP components. However, these studies have largely ignored other variables that affect statistical power in ERP studies, including sample size and effect magnitude. The goal of the present study was to determine whether and how the number of trials, number of participants, and effect magnitude interact to influence statistical power, thus providing a better guide for selecting an appropriate number of trials. We used a Monte Carlo approach to measure the probability of obtaining a statistically significant result when testing for (a) the presence of an ERP effect, (b) within-participant condition differences in an ERP effect, and (c) between-participants group differences in an ERP effect. Each of these issues was examined in the context of the error-related negativity and the lateralized readiness potential. We found that doubling the number of trials recommended by previous studies led to more than a doubling of statistical power under many conditions. Thus, when determining the number of trials that should be included in a given study, researchers must consider the sample size, the anticipated effect magnitude, and the noise level, rather than relying solely on general recommendations about the number of trials needed to obtain a "stable" ERP waveform.
Real Classrooms in Virtual Worlds: Scaffolding Interdisciplinary Collaborative Writing

This chapter advocates the use of a mixed methodology approach to classroom-based research while highlighting a related, three-year study that used virtual worlds to facilitate writing. Second Life (SL), a three-dimensional virtual world created entirely by its residents, afforded students the ability to quickly and collaboratively model scientific processes. The inherent social nature of this virtual space served as an effective mode of fostering collaborative writing, scaffolding academic research, and lowering writing apprehension in interdisciplinary technical writing courses. Additionally, the adaptive attributes of this virtual world reveal the role of student avatars as intelligent agents who can use model-centered instruction and design layering in this learning system.
Abnormal High-Resolution Manometry Findings and Outcomes after Paraesophageal Hernia Repair

Background Abnormal esophageal peristalsis diagnosed by high-resolution manometry is frequently found as part of the preoperative evaluation of patients with paraesophageal hernia (PEH). Currently, the clinical relevance of these findings is largely unknown. Study Design From 2013 to 2016, two hundred and twelve patients undergoing PEH repair were prospectively recorded in an IRB-approved database. Preoperative high-resolution manometry was available for reanalysis according to the latest Chicago Classification (version 3.0) in 200 patients. Outcomes in patients with abnormal motility (AM) were compared with patients with normal motility (NM). Results Abnormal motility was documented in 106 (53%) patients. Abnormal motility was associated with older age (72 vs 69 years) and increased age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (both, p = 0.04). Compared with preoperative symptoms, postoperative retrosternal pain in AM vs NM patients went from 79% to 5% vs 75% to 2%, regurgitation from 52% to 2% vs 59% to 0%, and dysphagia from 56% to 7% vs 67% to 7%. An esophagogram was performed at a median of 4 months and 3.5 months postoperatively. Postoperative reflux in AM vs NM went from 54% to 21% vs 57% to 16%, and abnormal esophageal motility, visually assessed during the esophagogram, was stable (52% to 56% vs 41% to 48% for AM vs NM, respectively). Conclusions Patients found to have AM according to the Chicago classification before surgical repair of PEH demonstrated similar symptomatic improvement compared with patients with NM. Selective motility disorders diagnosed by preoperative high-resolution manometry should not preclude surgical repair of giant PEHs.
A Prior-Less Method for Multi-face Tracking in Unconstrained Videos

This paper presents a prior-less method for tracking and clustering an unknown number of human faces and maintaining their individual identities in unconstrained videos. The key challenge is to accurately track faces with partial occlusion and drastic appearance changes in multiple shots resulting from significant variations of makeup, facial expression, head pose and illumination. To address this challenge, we propose a new multi-face tracking and re-identification algorithm, which provides high accuracy in face association in the entire video with automatic cluster number generation, and is robust to outliers. We develop a co-occurrence model of multiple body parts to seamlessly create face tracklets, and recursively link tracklets to construct a graph for extracting clusters. A Gaussian Process model is introduced to compensate the deep feature insufficiency, and is further used to refine the linking results. The advantages of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated using a variety of challenging music videos and newly introduced body-worn camera videos. The proposed method obtains significant improvements over the state of the art [51], while relying less on handling video-specific prior information to achieve high performance.