cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Zp3–cre, a transgenic mouse line for the activation or inactivation of loxP-flanked target genes specifically in the female germ line

The site-specific DNA recombinase Cre is being used to develop a new generation of tools for controlling gene expression in mice [1]. Cre mediates the recombination of two directly repeated target (loxP) sites to a single loxP site, with concomitant excision of the DNA segment flanked by the loxP sites (the 'floxed' DNA). Such recombination can function to activate a gene by excising a floxed DNA segment that blocks expression because it either separates the regulatory and coding sequences of the gene [2] or interrupts the gene's open reading frame. Conversely, DNA excision can inactivate a gene if an essential fragment of the gene is floxed [3]. Gene activation or inactivation in vivo can be achieved by mating two different animals, one carrying a 'target gene' with appropriately placed loxP sites and one carrying a cre transgene. In most cases, the specificity of the system is dependent upon stringent regulation of cre expression. We describe here a mouse line in which cre expression is controlled by regulatory sequences from the mouse zona pellucida 3 (Zp3) gene, which is normally expressed exclusively in the growing oocyte prior to the completion of the first meiotic division [4]. We show that in target-bearing Zp3-cre mice, Cre-mediated recombination of the target gene apparently occurs in 100 % of oocytes. Moreover, Cre activity is not detected in the somatic tissues of most target-bearing Zp3-cre mice. Potential uses for this mouse line are discussed.
In Search of a Balanced Relationship: China, Latin America, and the United States

This study focuses on the four stages of Chinese relations with Latin America between 1949 and mid-2008. Ties during the 1950s were limited but directed toward a broad cross-section of individual Latin Americans. This was abruptly reversed during the Sino-Soviet dispute of the 1960s by militant advocacy of guerrilla warfare in Latin America. From the early 1970s until the death of Mao Zedong, militant Maoism was blended with a renewed opening of relations, now to military and civilian Latin governments. The final period began with Deng Xiaoping and his reforms and continues to today. This study focuses on Sino-Latin political and economic relations in general and links to the radical governments of Cuba and Venezuela in particular and weighs the impact of this expansion on Sino-U.S. relations. It concludes with comments on how China's presence may affect political and economic developments in Latin America itself and how to hone productive cooperation among China, the United States, and Latin nations.
An electron microprobe analysis of solute segregation near grain boundaries in an Al-Zn-Mg alloy

The concentration of zinc and magnesium across grain boundaries was measured by means of an electron probe microanalyzer for an Ag-Zn-Mg alloy after different quenching (brine, water, oil, and air) and aging heat treatments (room temperature, 165°, and 200°C). Significant solute segregation was detected in quenched specimens and also in specimens that were aged at room temperature. While no solute enrichment was measured in specimens that were aged at elevated temperatures, solute depletion was observed in a considerable proportion of the examined boundaries. It was concluded that solute segregation to grain boundaries occurred during quenching and was relieved during aging.
Coagulation abnormalities in the carbohydrate‐deficient glycoprotein syndrome: Case report and review of the literature

The carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndromes are a group of recently described autosomal recessive, metabolic defects affecting multiple systems. The disorder is caused by inefficient posttranslational glycosylation of glycoproteins. Patients with the syndrome present early in life with psychomotor retardation, seizures, hypotonia, and stroke-like episodes. They also have dysmorphic features including almond-shaped eyes, constant squint, inverted nipples, and buttock fat pads. One of the features of the syndrome is coagulopathy, and we report here a patient who presented with a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, and was subsequently diagnosed with the carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome. We also summarize the results of five previously published studies of the coagulation system in these patients. Most of the reported patients are deficient in factor XI, protein C, antithrombin III, and protein S. Other coagulation proteins are less frequently affected. Both bleeding and thrombosis have been observed, yet the cause of the stroke-like episodes remains speculative. The carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome is an increasingly recognized multisystem disorder affecting hemostasis, and thus will involve clinical hematologists as part of a multidisciplinary team caring for patients with the syndrome. Am. J. Hematol. 60:66–69, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cognitive control of tension headache

This study assessed the effectiveness of a cognitively oriented stress coping training program designed to provide skills for coping with daily life stresses as a treatment for tension headache. Thirty-one community residents with chronic tension headaches were assigned to stress-coping training (N =10),to biofeedback training (N =11),or to a waiting-list control group (N =10).Treatment procedures were accompanied by counterdemand instructions designed to minimize the influence of implicit demands for improved performance. Although only the biofeedback training group showed reductions in frontalis electromyographic activity, only the stress-coping training group showed substantial improvement on daily recordings of headache. These results were interpreted as providing support for a cognitive approach to the treatment of tension headache. Questions concerning the part played by nonspecific treatment factors in biofeedback training were also raised.
CORTISOL EFFECTS ON THE UTERINE RESPONSE TO ESTROGEN.

The rates of protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and phospholipid synthesis in the uteri of estrogen-treated rats were affected little, if at all, by 2 and 4 mg injections of cortisol-21-hydrogen succinate. However, cortisol did inhibit imbibition of fluid into the uteri of the same immature rats. In some experiments, but not all, a partial suppression of the incorporation of labeled precursors into protein, RNA, and phospholipid was observed in those uteri treated with both cortisol and estradiol when compared with animals receiving estradiol alone. It was concluded that the release of histamine cannot be considered to be more primary to the estrogen response than increased rates of synthesis of uterine protein, RNA, and phospholipid, since all these phenomena occur independently of changes in uterine wet weight. (Endocrinology 74: 955, 1964)
Low-voltage infrared free-electron lasers based on gyrotron-powered RF wigglers

Designs are presented for infrared free-electron lasers (FEL's) with gyrotron-powered electromagnetic wigglers and relatively low voltage electron beams. The use of an electromagnetic wiggler formed by a quasi-optical gyrotron, where the radiation is coupled into a corrugated waveguide, has the potential for substantial increases of FEL gain compared to an open mirror system. Designs for proof-of-principle low-voltage infrared FEL experiments based on both radio-frequency (RF) linear accelerator and electrostatic accelerator technology are presented together with point designs for portable systems covering the infrared windows in the atmosphere.
Rules don’t apply: Kafka’s insights on bureaucracy

Weber’s ideal typical model of bureaucracy constitutes the starting point for most scholarship on organizations. Much organizational behaviour, however occurs outside this formalized model. It is thus somewhat surprising that behaviours outside the formal-rational model are, more often than not, treated as aberrations. In contrast, the emerging critical literature on ‘inhabited institutions’ has identified such gaps in our theoretical understanding as foundational, warranting a more agentic conception of organizational life—a conception more fully acknowledging of and sensitive to the dynamics of power in organizational life. In this regard, we highlight four prevalent (though seldom theoretically incorporated) features of contemporary bureaucracies—divergent goals, patrimonialism, unwritten rules and chaos. These features, which we contend are no less critical to organizational functioning than those identified by Weber, constitute an organizational logic more compatible with a Kafkan vision of bureaucra...
Accordance between V̇O2 max and behavior in Ngisonyoka Turkana

This study examined the relationship between maximal aerobic work capacity (maximal oxygen uptake, VO2 max) and two variables (occupational group and history of cattle herding) related to the behavior of the Ngisonyoka Turkana, a group of East African pastoralists maintaining a traditional herding lifestyle. Maximal oxygen uptake was measured for 19 men aged 20-44 years using a Monark bicycle ergometer. In line with previous reports for East Africans, there was little difference among mean VO2 max for three Ngisonyoka age groups (20-29, 30-39, 40-49 years), P > 0.05. However, VO2 max varied with history of cattle herding [defined as either (1) presently herding cattle, (2) had formerly herded cattle, or (3) had never herded cattle], P < 0.01. Maximal oxygen uptake also varied with occupational group (defined as junior herder, senior herder, herdowner [= former herder], or impoverished herdowner [= resumed herder]), P < 0.05. Thus, culturally defined work history and occupational group are positively associated with VO2 max, and may be useful in field studies of the effects of past and present activity levels on aerobic capacity. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Intensive group therapy might be considered for older teenagers who stutter

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Fry, J., Millard, S., & Botterill, W. (2014). Effectiveness of intensive, group therapy for teenagers who stutter. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 49, 113–126.Source of funding and disclosure of interest: Rayne Foundation partially supported this study. Original authors reported that there were no conflicts of interest.
Tardive dysphoria: antidepressant-induced chronic depression.

Objectives A significant number of depressed individuals experience inadequate benefit from long-term antidepressant use. This paper investigates the hypothesis that in some individuals persistent use of antidepressants may be prodepressant. Methods Literature regarding the effect of long-term use of antidepressants was reviewed by searching PubMed and Ovid data bases with terms: antidepressant tachyphylaxis, treatment-resistant depression, chronic depression and antidepressant tolerance. Results Antidepressant treatment-resistant patients frequently had a positive initial response to antidepressants. When resistance appeared, initial increases in dose or medication changes usually resulted in transient improvement. Eventually, the episodic course of the original depressive illness was replaced with a continuous, unresponsive depressive syndrome. We propose the term tardive dysphoria to describe this phenomenon. Conclusions The phenomenon of antidepressantinduced depression, or tardive dysphoria, needs to be experimentally examined in blinded, randomised antidepressant discontinuation studies.
Resin‐Extractable Phosphorus, Vanadium, Calcium and Magnesium as Factors in Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield

Resin extraction of soil permits evaluation of ratios of readily extracted elements and correlation of concentrations obtained with crop yield. This information provides guidance on potential genotype selection and fertility management. Two hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.), designated 2292 and 3895, were grown annually in rotational succession on a 3.2-ha site with soybean (Glycine max L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Soil samples (0–15 cm) were extracted with ion-exchange resins and extracts were analysed with inductively coupled plasma. Data were regressed against crop yield using stepwise multiple correlation methods. Each hybrid was sensitive to unique combinations of extracted chemistries. Both hybrids of maize were sensitive to the resin-extractable V : (V + P) molar ratio and potential losses of ‡ 20 % were indicated as the ratio approached 0.2. A positive response to the Mg : (Mg + Ca) resin-extractable ratio was noted for maize hybrid 2292 in each of three successive years. Changes of yield potentials associated with the Mg : (Mg + Ca) ratio for hybrid 2292 ranged from none to ‡ 20 % as the ratio ranged from 0.2 to about 0.8. The results indicate that, in the presence of large extractable concentrations of competing or inhibitory ions, different approaches to nutrient management in the form of fertilizer nutrient analysis, application, and genotype selection are needed to overcome effects of competing ions.
The bi-directional transfer of cholesterol in normal aorta, fatty streaks, and atheromatous plaques.

SummaryIsotopic cholesterol was administered per os for 30 days to cholesterol-fed White Carneau pigeons. At weekly intervals and for 100 days after cessation of isotope administration, subgroups were killed and their aortas were divided into normal tissue, fatty streaks, and atherosclerotic plaques. Cryostat sections from each plaque were examined for morphologic features, and from the different areas of the aorta cholesterol concentration and radioactivity were determined. From the values obtained, rates of influx and efflux of plasma cholesterol were calculated. The results indicated that in normal aorta the influx of free cholesterol greatly exceeds that of cholesteryl esters. There appeared to be no net positive cholesterol balance. In fatty streaks, the influx of both free and esterified cholesterol was greater than for normal tissue, and influx rates exceeded those for efflux. In plaques, still greater rates of influx and efflux were seen, and the influx of cholesteryl esters frequently exceeded th...
They just fade away: Language death and the loss of phonological variation

Using data from four sets of alternating forms in a moribund Dutch-lexicon creole, this article addresses the characteristics of variation in moribund languages, and “the usefulness of variationist approaches in the description and analysis” of them (Drechsel 1990:552–53). The analysis shows how variable phonological rules continue to exist in a dying language, even after large numbers of words have been bled from the rules' inputs, thereby providing support for Dressler's hypothesis of lexical fading (1972). A three-stage scenario of rule loss is proposed to account for the fact that, in the Negerhollands case, there is substantially greater phonological variation at the level of the community than at the level of the individual. (Obsolescence, phonological variation, phonological change, creole languages, Virgin Islands, Negerhollands)
Structural text search and comparison using automatically extracted schema

An enormous amount of unstructured information is present on the web, in product manuals, e-mails, text documents, and other information sources. However, there is not enough support to automatically infer su‐cient structure from these data sources to be able to pose queries comparable in power to SQL. We present a prototype of new text database management system capable to automatically infer schema from text using natural language processing. It leverages extracted schema by supporting powerful structural search and fuzzy join operator between extracted entities.
A machine-learning approach to combined evidence validation of genome assemblies

Motivation: While it is common to refer to ‘the genome sequence’ as if it were a single, complete and contiguous DNA string, it is in fact an assembly of millions of small, partially overlapping DNA fragments. Sophisticated computer algorithms (assemblers and scaffolders) merge these DNA fragments into contigs, and place these contigs into sequence scaffolds using the paired-end sequences derived from large-insert DNA libraries. Each step in this automated process is susceptible to producing errors; hence, the resulting draft assembly represents (in practice) only a likely assembly that requires further validation. Knowing which parts of the draft assembly are likely free of errors is critical if researchers are to draw reliable conclusions from the assembled sequence data. Results: We develop a machine-learning method to detect assembly errors in sequence assemblies. Several in silico measures for assembly validation have been proposed by various researchers. Using three benchmarking Drosophila draft genomes, we evaluate these techniques along with some new measures that we propose, including the good-minus-bad coverage (GMB), the good-to-bad-ratio (RGB), the average Z-score (AZ) and the average absolute Z-score (ASZ). Our results show that the GMB measure performs better than the others in both its sensitivity and its specificity for assembly error detection. Nevertheless, no single method performs sufficiently well to reliably detect genomic regions requiring attention for further experimental verification. To utilize the advantages of all these measures, we develop a novel machine learning approach that combines these individual measures to achieve a higher prediction accuracy (i.e. greater than 90%). Our combined evidence approach avoids the difficult and often ad hoc selection of many parameters the individual measures require, and significantly improves the overall precisions on the benchmarking data sets. Availability: http://people.cgb.indiana.edu/jeochoi/gav/ Contact: jeochoi@indiana.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Aggregation and organic matter protection following tillage of a previously uncultivated soil

Understanding the effects of tillage on soils following years or decades of no-till is critical for developing C conservation strategies. To date, short-term responses to tillage in previously uncultivated or other long-term no-till soils have primarily focused on total C changes, which are difficult to detect. Tillage effects on soil conservation and C permanence may be better predicted by changes in more readily detected factors known to affect C storage such as aggregation and physically protected C. We annually plowed replicated plots in a previously uncultivated midsuccessional field between 2002 and 2004 and investigated changes in the distribution of aggregates, physically protected C, and light fraction (LF) organic matter. Within 60 d of initial cultivation, soil aggregates in the 2000- to 8000-μm size class declined from 0.47 to 0.15 g g -1 at 0- to 7-cm soil depth and from 0.32 to 0.23 g g -1 at 7 to 20 cm. Lower levels of aggregation persisted through the winter and spring of the following year. Inter-aggregate, unprotected light fraction (LF) increased following cultivation, as did particulate C in soil fractions with densities < 1.9 g cm -3 . Changes in the mass of total soil C were not detectable after 3 yr but the vertical distribution of all soil C pools was altered by plowing. Our study demonstrates that plowing once immediately and substantially alters aggregation and LF and particulate C dynamics and that these conditions persist. Results suggest that no-till soils need to be continuously maintained to protect aggregation and physically stabilized C pools.
Songs of cyberspace: an update on sonifications of network traffic to support situational awareness

Building on our previous work, we extend sonification techniques to common network security data. In this current work, we examine packet flow and the creation of socket connections between a requestor's IP address and port number with the server's IP address and port number. Our goals for the aural rendering are twofold: to make certain conditions immediately apparent to untrained listeners, and to create a sound model capable of enough nuance that there is the possibility of unexpected patterns becoming apparent to a seasoned listener. This system could be used to potentially provide better cognitive refinement capabilities for data fusion systems, especially when multiple sources of data at various levels of refinement are presented to the human analyst.
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-3 regulation of IGF-I is altered in an acidic extracellular environment.

While extracellular acidification within solid tumors is well-documented, how reduced pH impacts regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has not been studied extensively. Because IGF-I receptor binding is affected by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), we examined how pH impacted IGFBP-3 regulation of IGF-I. IGF-I binding in the absence of IGFBP-3 was diminished at reduced pH. Addition of IGFBP-3 reduced IGF-I cell binding at pH 7.4 but increased surface association at pH 5.8. This increase in IGF-I binding at pH 5.8 corresponded with an increase in IGFBP-3 cell association. This, however, was not due to an increase in affinity of IGFBP-3 for heparin at reduced pH although both heparinase III treatment and heparin addition reduced IGFBP-3 enhancement of IGF-I binding. An increase in IGF-I binding to IGFBP-3, though, was seen at reduced pH using a cell-free assay. We hypothesize that the enhanced binding of IGF-I at pH 5.8 is facilitated by increased association of IGFBP-3 at this pH and that the resulting cell associated IGF-I is IGFBP-3 and not IGF-IR bound. Increased internalization and nuclear association of IGF-I at pH 5.8 in the presence of IGFBP-3 was evident, yet cell proliferation was reduced by IGFBP-3 at both pH 5.8 and 7.4 indicating that IGFBP-3-cell associated IGF-I does not signal the cell to proliferate and that the resulting transfer of bound IGF-I from IGF-IR to IGFBP-3 results in diminished proliferation. Solution binding of IGF-I by IGFBP-3 is one means by which IGF-I-induced proliferation is inhibited. Our work suggests that an alternative pathway exists by which IGF-I and IGFBP-3 both associate with the cell surface and that this association inhibits IGF-I-induced proliferation. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optimal heat-reversible snap joints for frame-panel assembly in aluminium space frame automotive bodies

This paper presents a method for designing heat-reversible snap joints, locator-snap systems that detach non-destructively by heating a certain location of parts. It is expected to dramatically improve the recyclability of aluminium space frame (ASF) bodies by enabling clean separation of frames and body panels. Extending our previous work on the sequential design of the locators and heating area (Shalaby and Saitou, 2005), the method simultaneously optimises locators, heating area and snaps for ensuring joint detachment with minimum heat and avoiding resonance due to vehicle vibration. A multi-objective genetic algorithm is utilised to search for Pareto optimal design alternatives.
A Molecular Architectural Approach to Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Materials

The design and synthesis of a family of calix[4]arene-based nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores are discussed. The calixarene chromophores are macrocyclic compounds consisting of four simple D-π-A units bridged by methylene groups. These molecules were synthesized such that four D-π-A units of the calix[4]arene were aligned along the same direction with the calixarene in a cone conformation. These nonlinear optical super-chromophores were subsequently fabricated into covalently bound self-assembled monolayers on the surfaces of fused silica and silicon. Spectroscopic second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements were carried out to determine the absolute value of the dominant element of the second-order nonlinear susceptibility, d33, and the average molecular alignment, ψ. We find a value of d33 = 60 pm/V at a fundamental wavelength of 890 nm, and ψ˜ 36° with respect to the surface normal.
Using creation science to demonstrate evolution 2: morphological continuity within Dinosauria

Creationist literature claims that sufficient gaps in morphological continuity exist to classify dinosaurs into several distinct baramins (‘created kinds’). Here, I apply the baraminological method called taxon correlation to test for morphological continuity within and between dinosaurian taxa. The results show enough morphological continuity within Dinosauria to consider most dinosaurs genetically related, even by this creationist standard. A continuous morphological spectrum unites the basal members of Saurischia, Theropoda, Sauropodomorpha, Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Marginocephalia, and Ornithopoda with Nodosauridae and Pachycephalosauria and with the basal ornithodirans Silesaurus and Marasuchus. Morphological gaps in the known fossil record separate only seven groups from the rest of Dinosauria. Those groups are Therizinosauroidea + Oviraptorosauria + Paraves, Tazoudasaurus + Eusauropoda, Ankylosauridae, Stegosauria, Neoceratopsia, basal Hadrosauriformes and Hadrosauridae. Each of these seven groups exhibits within-group morphological continuity, indicating common descent for all the group’s members, even according to this creationist standard.
The acid phosphatase concentration of the prostatic exprimate during normal puberty.

A SIMPLE rapid method of measuring androgenic activity is greatly needed. The determination of the acid phosphatase concentration of the prostatic exprimate seems to supply a practical and reliable means of estimating the androgenic function in children and young adults. Acid phosphatase with an activity optimum near pH 5 is found in a very high concentration in the prostatic secretion of normal young men, the mean value for ages 20 to 40 years being 14,400 units per ml. (1). Between the ages of 40 and 100 years the phosphatase activity of the prostatic exprimate shows a gradual decline to an average value of 3,730 units per ml. for individuals over the age of 80 (1). As demonstrated by Kirk(2) this decline seems to be conditioned, at least partly, by involutionary changes in the prostatic gland. The existence in older children and in younger adults of a correlation between the androgenic activity and the secretion of acid phosphatase by the prostate has been substantiated particularly through recent exte...
Patterns of mood states in pregnant women undergoing chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis

The purpose of this study was to compare paterns of self-reported mood states of women having chorionic villus sampling (CVS) (n = 151) to those of women electing amniocentesis (n = 30) with the indication of advanced maternal age. Mood states were defined as scores on the 6 subscales of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Women at 4 U.S. prenatal diagnostic facilities completed the POMS at 4 assessment periods. These were (a) at their initial genetic counseling session, (b) 2 weeks post CVS results (or an equivalent time), (c) 2 weeks post amniocentesis results (or an equivalent time), and (d) at 30 weeks gestation. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that anxiety, fatigue, and confusion decreased, and vigor increased in both groups as the pregnancy progressed. Depression decreased in both groups and then increased at assessment 4 in women in the amniocentesis group but not in those electing CVS. Results should be interpreted in conjunction with obstetrically and genetically-oriented findings regarding safety and accuracy to help women decide between the 2 procedures.
Using biodiversity to link agricultural productivity with environmental quality: Results from three field experiments in Iowa

Agriculture in the US Corn Belt is under increasing pressure to produce greater quantities of food, feed and fuel, while better protecting environmental quality. Key environmental problems in this region include water contamination by nutrients and herbicides emitted from cropland, a lack of non-agricultural habitat to support diverse communities of native plants and animals, and a high level of dependence on petrochemical energy in the dominant cropping systems. In addition, projected changes in climate for this region, which include increases in the proportion of precipitation coming from extreme events could make soil and water conservation in existing cropping systems more difficult. To address these challenges we have conducted three cropping systems projects in central Iowa: the Marsden Farm Cropping Systems experiment, the Science-based Trials of Row-crops Integrated with Prairies (STRIPs) experiment, and the Comparison of Biofuel Systems (COBS) experiment. Results from these experiments indicate that (1) diversification of the dominant corn–soybean rotation with small grains and forage legumes can permit substantial reductions in agrichemical and fossil hydrocarbon use without compromising yields or profitability; (2) conversion of small amounts of cropland to prairie buffer strips can provide disproportionately large improvements in soil and water conservation, nutrient retention, and densities of native plants and birds; and (3) native perennial species can generate large amounts of biofuel feedstocks and offer environmental benefits relative to corn- and soybean-based systems, including greater carbon inputs to soil and large reductions in nitrogen emissions to drainage water. Increasing biodiversity through the strategic integration of perennial plant species can be a viable strategy for reducing reliance on purchased inputs and for increasing agroecosystem health and resilience in the US Corn Belt.
Students' gender bias in teaching evaluations

The goal of this study was to investigate if there is gender bias in student evaluations. Results revealed that there is certainly some gender bias at work when students evaluate their instructors. It was also found that gender bias does not significantly affect the evaluations. Most researchers studying the subject have found some sort of pattern regarding gender bias in evaluations, but still agree that it is inconsequential.
Genetic Algorithm Optimization of Hydra Pulse Jet Controller

Previous efforts to optimize a pulse jet controller for the Hydra 70 rocket resorted to brute force methods, requiring tremendous amounts of computer time, and limiting case studies to a few design variables. In this work we investigate the possibility of simultaneously optimizing two, three and more design variables using a genetic algorithm approach. The basic vehicle dynamics and controller design are reviewed. Numerical results are presented.
Combined therapy for purulent gastritis in neonates with hydrochloride berberine and venous nutrition in 46 patients

Objective To investigate new therapy for purulent gastritis in neonates.Methods Fourty six patients were treated by injecting hydrochloride berberine into the gastric and by parenteral nutrition.Results Thirty six cases (78 %) were cured in the fourth day after treatment and 10 cases were recovering from illness in third to fifth day.Conclusion The result suggests that the hydrochloride berberine and venous nutrition is effective to purulent gastritis in neonates.
Nuclear DNA analysis of insulinomas and gastrinomas

The potential for malignancy of an islet cell tumor of the pancreas is difficult to cytologically judge when one evaluates only the primary lesion, because a malignant condition is usually determined by the presence of regional or distant metastases. Nuclear DNA cytometric measurements have proved helpful both in the evaluation of the malignant potential of other endocrine and nonendocrine lesions and in the determination of the "aggressiveness" of these tumors. Thirty-six islet cell tumors or their metastases from 25 patients were studied. Eleven patients had insulinomas and typical insulinoma syndromes, and 14 others had gastrinomas with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Tissue from each tumor was stained by the Feulgen technique, and nuclear DNA cytometry was performed by means of the microTICAS system designed by the Cytopathology Laboratory of the University of Chicago. Ploidy measurements of insulinomas, taken alone, did not discriminate well between benign and malignant states. However, the single malignant insulinoma could be clearly recognized, for it was one of only two lesions in that group with 5N-exceeding rate (5N-ER) values of 1% or greater. (5N-ER is defined as the percentage of aneuploid nuclei with nuclear DNA content greater than 5N.) On the other hand, seven of eight malignant gastrinomas had ploidy values of 2.5N or greater (our definition of an aneuploid state) and/or had 5N-ER values of 1% or greater, while five of six benign gastrinomas had ploidy values of less than 2.5N and had 5N-ER values of 0%. In addition, the two most aggressive tumors had the highest ploidy and 5N-ER values. Nuclear DNA cytometric studies appear to offer promise as an aid in the evaluation of pancreatic islet cell tumors, particularly gastrinomas.
AC Versus DC Microgrid Planning

This paper presents a microgrid planning model for determining the optimal size and the generation mix of distributed energy resources (DERs), as well as the microgrid type, i.e., ac or dc. Considering the growing ratio of dc loads and DERs, dc microgrids could be potentially more beneficial than ac microgrids by avoiding the need to synchronize generators, reducing the use of converters, facilitating the connection of various types of DERs and loads to the microgrid common bus with simplified interfaces, and reducing losses associated with the ac–dc energy conversion. The microgrid type is selected based on economic considerations, where the planning objective includes the investment and operation costs of DERs, cost of energy purchase from the main grid, and the reliability cost. Numerical simulations exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed model and investigate in detail the impact of variety of factors on planning results, including the ratio of critical loads, the ratio of dc loads, and the efficiency of inverters and converters.
Construction and control of massive hydraulic miniature-actuator-sensor array

Massive actuator arrays have found applications in robotics, pharmaceutics, aerospace, etc. Compared with either electrically or pneumatically powered actuator arrays, a hydraulic array has the advantages of higher force density (i.e. force / actuation volume), better controllability, and simpler remote control accessibility. This paper presents approaches to construct and control a massive hydraulic miniature actuator array. The massive hydraulic actuator array was originally constructed for project “Digital Clay” (a novel hydraulic actuated human machine interface device) as a tangible human and machine interaction media. A pin-rod planar actuator array is investigated in this work. In this paper, designs of the practical kinematical structure are discussed, proposed control methods for the actuator array are introduced and experiment results are presented.
Ultrahard Polycrystalline Cubic Boron Nitride Composite through Hybrid Laser/Waterjet Heat (LWH) Treatment

Abstract Ultra-hard materials that are chemically inert and thermally stable at high temperatures are desirable for enhancing machining and wear performance in demanding chemical and thermal environments. Single and polycrystalline diamonds are the hardest tool materials; however, at high temperatures, diamond reacts with ferrous alloys, losing its chemical inertness and thermal stability. In contrast, cubic boron nitride (cBN) has exceptional chemical and thermal stability but has much lower hardness (35-45 GPa). Increasing the hardness of BN is expected to fill the property gap in state-of-the-art tool materials as shown and to generate huge industrial interest for meeting the stringent design requirements such as machining optical surfaces and reducing the cost and time for machining ferrous materials. A novel laser/waterjet heat treatment (LWH) process is investigated to enhance the surface hardness of a dual phase boron nitride (BN) material composed of 50% cubic and 50% wurtzite phases. Results indicate that experimentally measured hardness increase is dependent on the processing parameter such as laser fluence and overlap between heat treatment passes. Statistical analysis is carried out to identify the processing parameter that result in maximum hardness increase.
Ten thousand steps: a pedometer study of junior dentists in a major British teaching hospital and a district general hospital.

Abstract Sedentary behaviour is widely associated with deleterious health outcomes that in modern medicine have similar connotations to smoking tobacco and alcohol misuse. The integration of e-portfolio, e-logbook, British National Formulary (BNF) and encrypted emails has made smartphones a necessity for trainees. Smartphones also have the ability to record the amount of exercise taken, which allows activity at work to be monitored. The aim of this study to compare the activity of the same group of dental core trainees when they worked within a large multisite teaching hospital and a smaller district general hospital, to find out if supplementary activity was needed outside work. Data were collected from smartphones. To ensure continuity, data were collected only from those who had calibrated iPhones (n = 10). At the teaching hospital six of the trainees walked over 10 000 steps a day while working (mean (SD) 10 004 (639)). At the district hospital none of the trainees walked 10 000 steps. The mean (SD) number of steps completed by all trainees was 6265 (119). Walking at work provides the full quota of recommended daily exercise most of the time for those working in the teaching hospital, but additional exercise is occasionally required. While working at the district hospital they walk less, meaning that they should try to increase their activity outside work. Trainees working in the teaching hospital walk significantly more steps than in the district hospital.
Apuntes sobre anatomía y morfología de las semillas de cactáceas. II. Caracteres de valor taxonómico

Histological investigations were made of ovules and seeds of 18 species of Cactaceae representing the three tribes (or subfamilies) usually recognized. Fifteen characteristics of ovules and seeds are discussed. On the basis of these fifteen characters the three traditional tribes (Pereskieae, Careeae and Opuntieae) may be recognized; also several subgroups may be proposed in the Cereeae. The embryo appears to offer unusual possibilities in suggesting relationships between species, especially when employed together with other histological studies. AH lines of evidence point to the fact that the Opuntieae and the Pereskieae are quite natural taxa, while the Cereeae appears to be a very heterogeneous taxon.
Impact of Batista surgical ventricular restoration on heart failure surgery

BACKGROUND: In contrast to transplantation, surgical treatment of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (CMP) is a new field in cardiac surgery. In the past 8 or 9 years, partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) has emerged with initial enthusiasm but its results were disappointing. METHODS: We analyzed our own and collective data on PLV. RESULTS: Due to unsatisfactory initial results, PLV is presently rarely used. There are, however, several cases of improvement of clinical status and ventricular function following the procedure. Quite different approaches to PLV from different countries and centers that have performed and modified the procedure in this period have led to different outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: After fluctuations, PLV is still viable and needs more research and refinements. The very idea of restoring the left ventricle to its normal shape has facilitated the emergence of other procedures involved in heart failure surgery.
Changes in the rumen bacterial microbiome of cattle exposed to ponderosa pine needles.

Consumption of ponderosa pine needles, as well as needles and bark from a number of other trees, can cause abortions in cattle. The abortifacient compounds in these trees are labdane resin acids, including isocupressic acid and agathic acid. Previous research has demonstrated that cattle conditioned to pine needles metabolize the labdane resin acids more quickly than naive cattle. The results from that study indicated that changes had occurred in the rumen of conditioned cattle. Therefore, in this study, the changes that occurred in the rumen bacterial microflora of cattle during exposure to ponderosa pine needles were evaluated. Cattle were dosed with ground pine needles twice daily for 7 d. Rumen samples were collected on d 0, 3, 7, and 14 (7 d after treatment stopped) and ruminal bacterial microbiome analyses were performed. There were 372 different genera of bacteria identified in the rumen samples. Principal coordinate analysis indicated that there was a significant difference in the rumen bacterial composition between the time points. There were 18 genera that increased in abundance from d 0 to d 7. Twenty three genera decreased in abundance from d 0 to d 7. The results from this study demonstrated that exposure of cattle to pine needles caused a clear shift in the rumen microbiome composition. In general, this shift lasted less than 1 wk post exposure, which indicates that any prophylactic treatment to manipulate the ruminal metabolism of the abortifacient compounds in pine needles would need to be continuously administered to maintain the necessary microbial composition in the rumen.
Septum-less, hexagonal waveguide based circularly polarized horn antenna for mm-wave and terahertz band

T Traditional circularly polarized (CP) horn antennas use a septum (or a partition) based feed, which is difficult to fabricate beyond 60 GHz. As an alternative, here we propose hexagonal waveguide based CP antenna design that is fabrication friendly and low-cost. Design, fabrication and characterization is shown for an F-band prototype. The prototype exhibits 18 dBi mid-band gain with three dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth beyond thirty percent.
Expanding School Psychology Service Delivery Within the Context of National Health and Mental Health Reform

As a result of comprehensive health care reform, most recently the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; 2010), there has been an increase in health and mental health services available ...
A comparative study on the durability of geopolymers produced with ground glass fiber, fly ash, and glass-powder in sodium sulfate solution

Abstract An experimental investigation was conducted to investigate the performance of geopolymers made with three different precursors consisting of fly ash, Ground Glass Fiber (GGF), and Glass-Powder (GLP) exposed to sodium sulfate solution. Precursors were activated using either sodium hydroxide solution or combinations of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solution with varying levels of sodium and silica content. Among the mixtures with each of the three precursors, mortar mixtures with the highest compressive strength were selected to test their resistance against exposure to a 5% sodium sulfate solution. Changes in the weight and compressive strength of the specimens were monitored up to 120 days of exposure. In addition, change in the microstructure of geopolymer samples and mineral phases was investigated using SEM-EDX and XRD analyses, respectively. Further, techniques such as mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to study the pore structure and the leachability of elements from geopolymers, respectively. Results of this study revealed that the GGF and fly ash-based geopolymers performed significantly better in comparison to the GLP-based geopolymer, when exposed to the sodium sulfate solution. The durability of GGF and Fly ash based geopolymer samples could be related to their stable alumino-silicate gel that develops upon geopolymerisation as well as the low amount of calcium oxide in the geopolymer systems. On the other hand, the poor performance of the GLP-based geopolymer could be related to the less stable geopolymerisation products which result in increased porosity, and the high amount of available alkalis present in the raw GLP.
An optimization model for scheduling patients in destination medical centers

Abstract This research focuses on scheduling treatments of medical tourists who travel to destination medical centers. The objectives of this research is two-fold: (1) minimize the deviation from patient’s preferred start time, and (2) minimize the inter-waiting time between procedures of patients at a destination medical center. This scheduling problem is modeled as a non-permutation hybrid flow shop with an assumption that providers have specific periods of unavailability. The research problem is known to be NP-hard. Therefore, a hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm equipped with local search and a heuristic mining algorithm is proposed to reach a near-optimal solution efficiently. The parameters of the algorithms are first tuned using Taguchi design under different problem sizes. In the proposed Taguchi design, the parameter level with the lowest relative percentage deviation is selected as the best parameter level. Relative percentage deviation is defined as the relative difference between the obtained solution and the best solution for a given instance. Then, numerical experiments under different problem parameters’ settings are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Computational results confirm that the proposed algorithm has a statistically lower relative percentage deviation compared to particle swarm optimization equipped with local search and simulated annealing. Additionally, the proposed algorithm has a good performance compared to CPLEX in reaching optimal/near optimal solutions.
Introduction to Hardware Trojans

Hardware Trojans are a major concern to the overall security and trust of any electronic system. These malicious modifications of circuits are designed to wreak havoc by altering the intended behavior of the system. When triggered, Trojans adversely affect electronics leading to reduced reliability, system failure, remote access into hardware, sensitive information leakage, and damage to a company’s reputation. Hardware Trojans are specifically designed to be rarely activated and undetectable to conventional testing practices and verification methodologies. Trojans can be hidden in many electronic components of integrated circuits (IC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), system-on-chips (SoC), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), and third-party intellectual property (3PIP). They can be inserted by adversarial entities including untrusted foundries, designers, vendors, as well as electronic design automation (EDA) and computer-aided design (CAD) software tool suites. The emergence of hardware Trojans has discredited the common argument that hardware is always safe and trustworthy. This chapter provides a detailed insight into hardware Trojans including models, triggers, payloads, attacks, countermeasures, as well as the need to incorporate security through the entire hardware design flow and life cycle of ICs within the global supply chain.
Outreach: Extending Community Service in Urban Areas. Edited by Joseph J. Bannon

(1974). Outreach: Extending Community Service in Urban Areas. Edited by Joseph J. Bannon. Journal of Leisure Research: Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 327-328.