cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A multivariate analysis of psychographic variables.

Summary This study examined the relationship between demographic and personality variables through the use of a multivariate technique, canonical analysis. The principal advantage of such a technique lies in its ability to simultaneously consider sets of variables rather than focusing narrowly in a single predictor or criterion variable. The four demographic variables examined, sex, age, education, and marital status, produced four statistically significant relationships with personality traits measured by the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule. These relations were examined and suggestions made as to how the results might be used to indicate areas for further research.
The Program Plan Index: An Evaluation Tool for Assessing the Quality of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program Plans

To assess process, impacts, and outcomes among 45 distinct county teen pregnancy prevention initiatives, several standardized data collection procedures, instruments, and protocols were developed including the Program Plan Index (PPI). The PPI was developed to determine if program plans met legislative requirements and were consistent with best practices in public health program planning and teen pregnancy prevention. Analysis of proposals from 45 counties revealed that 12 county plans were evaluated as deficient, 14 as low, 14 as acceptable, 4 as good, and 1 as excellent. Explanations for overall performance included the following: criteria used to develop the PPI based on an in-depth understanding of best practices, variations in the criteria for county request for proposals, lack of prevention expertise at the local level, and minimal time for grantees to draw down funds. Statewide efforts to improve funded community-based teen pregnancy prevention planning, implementation, and empowerment evaluation efforts are ongoing.
HIDA DISTRIBUTIONS ON COMPACT LIE GROUPS

We show that a nuclear space of analytic functions on K is associated with each compact, connected Lie group K. Its dual space consists of distributions (generalized functions on K) which correspond to the Hida distributions in white noise analysis. We extend Hall's transform to the space of Hida distributions on K. This extension — the S-transform on K — is then used to characterize Hida distributions by holomorphic functions satisfying exponential growth conditions (U-functions). We also give a tensor description of Hida distributions which is induced by the Taylor map on U-functions. Finally we consider the Wiener path group over a complex, connected Lie group. We show that the Taylor map for square integrable holomorphic Wiener functions is not isometric w.r.t. the natural tensor norm. This indicates (besides other arguments) that there might be no generalization of Hida distribution theory for (noncommutative) path groups equipped with Wiener measure.
Effect of Adenosine Deaminase upon the Antiviral Activity In Vitro of Adenine Arabinoside for Vaccinia Virus

This study determined that the effect of 9-beta-d-arabinofuranosyl-adenine (adenine arabinoside, Ara-A) upon vaccinia virus plaque development in the stable monkey kidney line, LLC-MK(2), was increased approximately 40-fold when an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase (ADA) was added to the tissue culture media along with infective inocula. The concentration of Ara-A required to completely suppress plaque development (total plaque inhibitory concentration(100); TPIC(100)) was greater than 10 mug/ml. However, when ADA activity was inhibited, the TPIC(100) was 0.5 mug/ml or less. Chromatographic assay of arabinosylpurines in the media provided evidence that adenine arabinoside was rapidly deaminated to 9-beta-d-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine by the cellular monolayers, in the absence of animal serum, and that the rate of deamination, at 5 mug/ml, by the cells was equal to the rate of diffusion of Ara-A across the cellular membrane. The half-life of Ara-A in the media, starting with 5 mug/ml, was 2 to 3 h and shorter at lower concentrations. The study demonstrates the profound effect that an indicator system, acting as an intact biological unit, can have upon a potential antiviral compound.
Computer science needs its laboratory

A Computer Science Department is no longer a novelty in our universities. On the other hand, the place of computer science in the university, the subject matter to be taught, and the way in which the teaching is done vary widely from one institution to another and with time at any single institution. My concern here is with an aspect of curriculum and of facilities which seems to have been inadequately appreciated. The subject matter is the massive array of programs constituting the software system through which the computer is used. My contention is that we have not understood the problem of teaching software systems and are not properly equipped to teach much more than “Some Aspects of How Our Supplier's System Works.”
Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis: Etiology and Clinical Course

It is currently believed that non-A, non-B hepatitis represents several different viral infections. Although the condition is clearly distinct from common cases of hepatitis A and B, new forms of non-A, non-B hepatitis have recently been found that share some characteristics with these diseases. Reliable serologic assays do not exist, but animal transmission and electron microscopic studies indicate the presence of more than one viral agent. The great risk of chronicity following post-transfusion non-A, non- B hepatitis contrasts with the infrequent chronicity of sporadic non-A, non-B disease. Chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis is usually clinically inapparent with mild biochemical abnormalities ; nevertheless, it slowly but relentlessly progresses to cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
The relationship between anemia, change in hematocrit over time and change in health status in patients with heart failure after myocardial infarction.

Abstract Background Studies have identified anemia as a potential therapeutic target in patients with heart failure, with the goal of improving survival and health status. However, whether changes in hematocrit are associated with changes in health status is unknown. Methods and Results We studied 1382 patients with heart failure after myocardial infarction who had serial hematocrits and health status assessments with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Linear regression models assessed the relationship between change in hematocrit and change in health status between 1 month (baseline) and 3 months after hospitalization. During follow-up, 12.6% of patients experienced a greater than 2% decline in hematocrit, 32.5% experienced a greater than 2% improvement in hematocrit, and 54.9% had no significant hematocrit change. After multivariable adjustment there was a highly significant interaction (P = .007) between baseline hematocrit and change in hematocrit, suggesting that the effects of changes in hematocrit on health status vary as a function of patients' initial hematocrits. Patients with severe anemia initially (hematocrit ≤ 33%) experienced marked decrements in health status (−4.4 point KCCQ change per 1% hematocrit decline, P = .006) with further declines in hematocrit, but only modest health status gains with hematocrit improvements (0.6 point KCCQ change per 1% hematocrit improvement, P = .3). Less pronounced changes were observed among patients with a baseline hematocrit greater than 33% to 39%, and no significant changes were seen in patients with hematocrit levels greater than 39%. Conclusion Among anemic patients with heart failure, a decrease in hematocrit is associated with marked decline in health status, whereas health status gains associated with hematocrit improvements are modest.
Physical characterization of laminar spray flames in the pressure range 0.1-0.9 MPa

An experimental study is reported on the physical characterization of the structure of ethanol/argon/oxygen coflow laminar spray diffusion flames in the pressure range 0.1–0.9 MPa. Diagnostic techniques include phase Doppler anemometry to measure the droplet size distribution and the axial and radial velocity components of the droplets. The gas-phase velocity is determined using measurements from the smallest (low Stokes number) droplets and is corrected for thermophoretic effects. Temperature information is obtained using thin-film pyrometry combined with an infrared camera. All flames present a cold inner core, in which little or no vaporization takes place, surrounded by an envelope flame buried in a thermal boundary layer, where most of the droplet evaporation occurs. The thickness of this thermal boundary layer scales with the inverse of the Peclet number. Especially near the base of the flame, photographic evidence of streaks, which in some case even reveal the presence of soot, suggests that some droplets survive the common envelope flame and burn isolated on the oxidizer side in a mixed regime of internal/external group combustion. The reconstruction of the entire droplet vaporization history confirms this evidence quantitatively. A criterion for droplet survival beyond the envelope flame based on the critical value of a suitably defined vaporization Damkohler number is proposed. The scaling and self-similar behavior of the investigated flames suggest that a mixed regime is established, with a momentum-controlled cold core and a buoyancy-controlled high-temperature boundary layer, the thickness of which varies significantly with pressure, as expected from Peclet number scaling. The growth of this layer and the thickness of the vaporization region are reduced at pressures above atmospheric because of density effects on thermal diffusivity. Some aspects of the design of the combustion chamber and of the atomizer system are discussed in detail since they are critical to the suppression of instabilities and to the establishment of a well-defined high-pressure quasi-steady laminar environment.
Timing analysis for digital fault simulation using assignable delays

The techniques to be described in this paper are generally applicable to any time domain, parallel fault, digital logic simulation system. The particular implementation was done on the CC-TEGAS3 system and quoted results are from this system.The first technique to be considered provides accuracy of fault simulation when using assignable nominal delays for different element types. The second technique provides for handling fault induced activity in a network, in such a way as to considerably reduce the amount of simulation time required.
Social circumstances and medical complications in children with intestinal failure

Although most children discharged on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) will achieve enteral autonomy, some remain parenteral nutrition dependent; those who develop life-threatening complications may undergo small bowel transplantation (SBTx). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between social circumstances, compliance and complications. Subjects and methods An observational study in 2008–2012 on 64 children (34 HPN, 30 SBTx) from three units (two regional gastroenterology; one transplant). Social circumstances were assessed routinely as part of discharge planning; adherence by families to home care management was scored, and episodes of catheter-related blood stream infection and graft rejection were recorded for 2 years and related to compliance and social circumstances. Results A quarter of families had a disadvantaged parent: non-English speaking (n=11), unable to read (n=5), physical disability (n=3), mental health problems disclosed (n=10); 20% children were cared for by a lone parent. Discharge home was delayed by social factors (n=9) and need for rehousing (n=17, 27%). 17/34 (50%) of HPN and 12/30 (40%) of transplant families were assessed as fully adherent. 10 families were assessed as non-adherent, eight were subject to child protection review and care was taken over by another family member (n=3) or foster parents (n=2). The risk of catheter-related blood stream infection was increased by parental disadvantage and age Conclusions Children receiving complex home care may be socially isolated and measures to support improved compliance such as increased community support, social care involvement and respite care may improve outcomes.
Pharmacokinetics and Mechanisms of Action of Analgesics in Clinical Pain

Due to recent interest in the development of drug assay techniques, the pharmacokinetics of many analgesics have been defined. In addition, mechanisms of action of the commonly used analgesics have been partly delineated, and currently accepted analgesic regimens and usages are being questioned. By considering both the pharmacokinetics and the mechanism of action of each of these analgesics, it would appear that only a few of the currently available agents are needed for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Newer agents with reduced toxicity have been introduced but have resulted in little expansion of novel ways to interfere with pain. The recent discovery of the beta-endorphin system, the reevaluation of older agents, and the development of new agents that work at pain pathways other than the classical sites hold out the promise of alternative means of control of certain types of pain. An agent that has analgesic efficacy equivalent to morphine but with reduced toxicity is especially exciting in the development of new analgesics. An agent that, in addition, does not lead to intolerable psychomimetic reactions but instead addresses multiple aspects of treating the fear, pain, and tension triad of pain will be beneficial in acute pain but will especially enhance the spectrum of the control of chronic pain such as cancer, neuralgia and arthralgia.
A frequency diverse Doppler radar for range-to-motion estimation in urban sensing applications

In this paper, statistical bounds on carrier diverse range estimation are provided. Single frequency (Doppler) radars cannot be used in range estimation due to their range ambiguities. An additional frequency can be used to increase the maximum unambiguous range to accepted values for indoor range estimation of moving targets. The target is assumed to have a linear translation motion profile. The dual frequency radar can also be used to estimate the actual target velocity, by conducting two different Doppler data measurements, separated by a time period, over which the target continues to exhibit the identical linear translation motion. The parametric model is developed, and the identifiability of the parameters is validated by the non-singularity of the Fisher information matrix. We provide Cramer-Rao bounds for the parameters and show their dependency on the observation period assuming partial knowledge of motion and noise parameters.
Compact range reflector analysis using the plane wave spectrum approach with an adjustable sampling rate

An improved method for determining the test zone field of compact range reflectors is presented. The plane wave spectrum (PWS) approach is used to obtain the test zone field from knowledge of the reflector aperture field distribution. The method is particularly well suited to the analysis of reflectors with a linearly serrated rim for reduced edge diffraction. Computation of the PWS of the reflector aperture field is facilitated by a closed-form expression for the Fourier transform of a polygonal window function. Inverse transformation in the test zone region is accomplished using a fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm with a properly adjusted sampling rate (which is a function of both the reflector size and the distance from the reflector). The method is validated by comparison with results obtained using surface current and aperture field integration techniques. The performance of several serrated reflectors is evaluated in order to observe the effects of edge diffraction on the test zone fields. >
Wellness issues and the emergency medicine resident.

Abstract [Houry D, Shockley LW, Markovchick V. Wellness issues and the emergency medicine resident. Ann Emerg Med. April 2000;35:394-396.]
An Improved Technique for Blind Audio Source Separation

A blind audio source separation technique with an ill-posed mixing matrix and additive noise is proposed in this work. With this technique, we divide the solution into two steps. The first step is to estimate the ill-posed mixing matrix and the second step is to separate original sources. To estimate the ill-posed mixing matrix, an enhanced soft-assignment method is used in the first step. Then, the generalized p-norm optimization method is adopted in the second step, which can yield a solution sparser than the l1-norm minimization technique. Experimental results on synthetic mixtures and real-world mixtures are used to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed technique in the presence of an ill-posed mixing matrix and additive noise.
RESEARCH ARTICLE: Acculturation via Nature-Based Outdoor Recreation: A Comparison of Mexican and Chinese Ethnic Groups in the United States

This research considers acculturation by Mexican and Chinese groups in the United States and how participation in five nature-based outdoor recreation activities may be an indicator of acculturation to American society. We argue that the greater incidence of professional human capital among Chinese immigrants helps this group acculturate more quickly than Mexicans, who are more likely to be labor immigrants and that as a result, Chinese immigrants will be more likely than Mexican immigrants to participate in nature-based outdoor recreation activities. We also posit that US-born Chinese have a greater likelihood of participation compared to US-born Mexicans. Results show Chinese immigrant participation is distinguished only slightly from Mexican immigrant participation; no differences were found between US-born Chinese and US-born Mexicans. Within-group comparisons show immigrant Chinese participation to be more aligned with US-born Chinese participation than immigrant Mexican participation to US-born Mexi...
LARSEN: 'LATINAMERICANISM WITHIN THE MARXIST TRADITION OF LITERARY AESTHETICS'*

Resumen: This interview is about Professor Neil Larsen’s biography, since his formative years, focussed in his years in the University of Minnesota, during the Reagan’s administration. It presents a critical analysis of the changes in the American intellectual context during the 80’s, and emphasizes the impoverishment and ‘domestication’ of intellectual life in the United States. On the contrary, Larsen defends the engagement with Lukacs, as necessary to preserve the tradition of the Marxist literary aesthetics. Palabras Clave: latinamericanism, literature, Lucaks, marxist tradition, Neil Larsen.
Protected circumferential conduction in the posterior atrioventricular vestibule of the left atrium: electrophysiologic and anatomic correlates.

Background: The anatomic substrate for protected isthmus conduction in the right atrium has been well defined. Little is known of similar substrates in the left atrium (LA). Methods: Patients (pts) with reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) supported by a single left-sided accessory pathway were studied retrospectively (n = 64) and prospectively (n = 31). Intracardiac electrograms were recorded from the His bundle position and coronary sinus (CS). The LA was mapped with a steerable catheter using the transseptal approach. LA anatomy was examined grossly and histologically in six cadaver hearts after removal of endocardium. Results: A distal-to-proximal CS activation sequence during AVRT was seen in all patients with a left lateral accessory pathway before ablation. After one to three radiofrequency (RF) energy deliveries that did not interrupt accessory pathway conduction, the CS activation sequence was reversed in three patients in the retrospective group and bidirectional conduction block in the posterior atrioventricular vestibule of the LA (PAVV) was demonstrated in nine patients in the prospective group. Four of the six cadaver hearts showed a distinct circumferential inferoposterior myocardial bundle that coursed parallel to the CS in the PAVV. Conclusions: We described evidence of bidirectional intraatrial block in the PAVV after application of RF energy during accessory pathway ablation. Such conduction block may mimic the presence of a second accessory pathway. Our data suggest that circumferential conduction in the PAVV may be poorly coupled to the rest of the LA and may be involved in the macro-reentrant circuit around the mitral annulus. The circumferential inferoposterior myocardial bundle may serve as the underlying anatomic substrate
Optimal linear associative memories for noise rejection

An approach to design of linear associative memories for rejection of colored input noise is proposed in the sense of the least mean square error. A null-space projection model, an optimal unbiased model and an optimal biased model are developed. Computer simulation results demonstrate that the proposed models have a superior noise rejection performance over the Kohonen model. Especially, the optimal unbiased and the optimal biased models show excellent efficiency. >
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture after Thermal Treatment in a Canine Model

Background:The use of radiofrequency energy to treat damaged anterior cruciate ligaments is gaining popularity. However, complete rupture of the ligament after treatment has been reported.Purpose:To evaluate the effect of thermal energy applied arthroscopically to normal, intact anterior cruciate ligaments in mature dogs.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Monopolar radiofrequency energy was applied to the normal anterior cruciate ligament of 1 knee in 18 dogs. The contralateral anterior cruciate ligament (also normal) was sham treated. Force-plate gait analysis was performed preoperatively and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 26, and 36 weeks after surgery. Anterior cruciate ligament rupture was detected by a sudden onset of nonweightbearing and a positive drawer sign.Results:All treated ligaments ruptured approximately 55 days after surgery (mean, 55 days; standard error, 1.6).Conclusions:Although monopolar radiofrequency energy may have some potential in the treatment of lax anterior cruciate ligaments, i...
Antipredator responses of California ground squirrels to rattlesnakes and rattling sounds: the roles of sex, reproductive parity, and offspring age in assessment and decision-making rules

California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) and northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridus oreganus) have an adversarial relationship. Adults are partially protected by venom resistance and harass rattlesnakes in part to defend their more vulnerable offspring. Larger, warmer snakes are more dangerous than smaller colder snakes, and in escalated conflict squirrels could benefit from risk assessment strategies. Rattlesnakes often rattle at harassing squirrels and rattling sounds produce cues related to body size and temperature. In study 1 we played back rattling sounds from snakes that varied in dangerousness and evaluated the roles of sex and parity in squirrel risk assessment strategies. In general, squirrels tail flagged and stood bipedally more, and were slower to reapproach the playback speaker following playbacks of rattling sounds from more dangerous snakes. In comparison with males and nonmothers, mothers were most responsive to rattling sounds and more sensitive to variation in snake dangerousness. Mothers tail flagged more than males and nonmothers, and this behavior tracked variation in snake dangerousness most closely, perhaps reflecting the effects of snake size and temperature on pup vulnerability. These findings suggest that many aspects of squirrel antisnake behavior are governed by their effects on descendant kin. In study 2 we tested the effects of offspring age on mothers’ responses to live rattlesnakes and rattling sounds. According to the offspring value hypothesis, mothers should take more risks in defense of older offspring because they are more likely to survive to reproductive age. By contrast, under the offspring vulnerability hypothesis, older offspring are less vulnerable to predators and thus mothers should take fewer risks. Risk-taking, as measured by behaviors that bring the squirrel close to the snake’s strike range, was either unaffected by or negatively correlated with offspring age. Thus, our findings suggest that whereas offspring value is unimportant in squirrel antisnake behavior, offspring vulnerability may affect maternal defense. We suggest that offspring vulnerability in mammals, in comparison with birds, may play a larger role in parental defense against predators.
GraphGen: An FPGA Framework for Vertex-Centric Graph Computation

Vertex-centric graph computations are widely used in many machine learning and data mining applications that operate on graph data structures. This paper presents GraphGen, a vertex-centric framework that targets FPGA for hardware acceleration of graph computations. GraphGen accepts a vertex-centric graph specification and automatically compiles it onto an application-specific synthesized graph processor and memory system for the target FPGA platform. We report design case studies using GraphGen to implement stereo matching and handwriting recognition graph applications on Terasic DE4 and Xilinx ML605 FPGA boards. Results show up to 14.6x and 2.9x speedups over software on Intel Core i7 CPU for the two applications, respectively.
A phase 2, 24-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study examining the efficacy and safety of an anti-interleukin-12 and -23 monoclonal antibody in patients with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Background: Interleukins 12 and 23 (IL-12/23) have been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of ABT-874, a monoclonal anti-IL-12/23 antibo...
Overdose rescues by trained and untrained participants and change in opioid use among substance-using participants in overdose education and naloxone distribution programs: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: One approach to preventing opioid overdose, a leading cause of premature, preventable mortality, is to provide overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND). Two outstanding issues for OEND implementation include 1) the dissemination of OEND training from trained to untrained community members; and 2) the concern that OEND provides active substance users with a false sense of security resulting in increased opioid use. Methods: To compare overdose rescue behaviors between trained and untrained rescuers among people reporting naloxone rescue kit use; and determine whether heroin use changed after OEND, we conducted a retrospective cohort study among substance users in the Massachusetts OEND program from 2006 to 2010. We used chi square and t-test statistics to compare the differences in overdose management characteristics among overdoses managed by trained versus untrained participants. We employed Wilcoxon signed rank test to compare median difference among two repeated measures of substance use among participants with drug use information collected more than once. Results: Among 4,926 substance-using participants, 295 trained and 78 untrained participants reported one or more rescues, resulting in 599 rescue reports. We found no statistically significant differences in help-seeking (p =0.41), rescue breathing (p =0.54), staying with the victim (p =0.84) or in the success of naloxone administration (p = 0.69) by trained versus untrained rescuers. We identified 325 OEND participants who had drug use information collected more than once. We found no significant overall change in the number of days using heroin in past 30 days (decreased 38%, increased 35%, did not change 27%, p = 0.52). Conclusion: Among 4926 substance users who participated in OEND, 373(7.6%) reported administering naloxone during an overdose rescue. We found few differences in behavior between trained and untrained overdose rescuers. Prospective studies will be needed to determine the optimal level of training and whether naloxone rescue kits can meet an over-the-counter standard. With no clear evidence of increased heroin use, this concern should not impede expansion of OEND programs or policies that support them.
Design of a subcutaneous implantable biochip for monitoring of glucose and lactate

The design, fabrication, and in-vitro evaluation of an amperometric biochip that is designed for the continuous in vivo monitoring of physiological analytes is described. The 2 /spl times/4 /spl times/0.5 mm biochip contains two platinum working enzyme electrodes that adopt the microdisc array design to minimize diffusional limitations associated with enzyme kinetics. This configuration permits either dual analyte sensing or a differential response analytical methodology during amperometric detection of a single analyte. The working enzyme electrodes are complemented by a large area platinized platinum counter electrode and a silver reference electrode. The biorecognition layer of the working electrodes was fabricated from around 1.0-/spl mu/m-thick composite membrane of principally tetraethylene glycol (TEGDA) cross-linked poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) that also contained a derivatized polypyrrole component and a biomimetic methacrylate component with pendant phosphorylcholine groups. These two additional components were introduced to provide interference screening and in vivo biocompatibility, respectively. This composite membrane was used to immobilize glucose oxidase and lactate oxidase onto both planar and microdisc array electrode designs, which were then used to assay for in vitro glucose and lactate, respectively. The glucose biosensor exhibited a dynamic linear range of 0.10-13.0 mM glucose with a response time (t/sub 95/) of 50 s. The immobilized glucose oxidase within the hydrogel yielded a K/sub m(app)/ of 35 mM, not significantly different from that for the native, solution-borne enzyme (33 mM). The microdisc array biosensor displayed linearity for assayed lactate up to 90 mM, which represented a 30-fold increase in linear dynamic lactate range compared to the biosensor with the planar electrode configuration. Preliminary in vitro operational stability tests performed with the microdisc array lactate biosensor demonstrated retention of 80% initial biosensor response after five days of continuous operation in buffer under physiologic conditions of pH and temperature.
Transcriptional profiling of the transition from normal intestinal epithelia to adenomas and carcinomas in the APCMin/+ mouse.

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene that result in excessive β-catenin-induced cell signaling are implicated in the risk of colon cancer. Although the mechanism of APC-mediated t...
Thinking through Positive Psychology

Positive psychology offers a needed corrective to deficiencies in mainstream psychology. However, there have been relatively few attempts to systematically analyze and assess this movement. This sp...
The Maize Genome Contains a Helitron Insertion

The maize mutation sh2-7527 was isolated in a conventional maize breeding program in the 1970s. Although the mutant contains foreign sequences within the gene, the mutation is not attributable to an interchromosomal exchange or to a chromosomal inversion. Hence, the mutation was caused by an insertion. Sequences at the two Sh2 borders have not been scrambled or mutated, suggesting that the insertion is not caused by a catastrophic reshuffling of the maize genome. The insertion is large, at least 12 kb, and is highly repetitive in maize. As judged by hybridization, sorghum contains only one or a few copies of the element, whereas no hybridization was seen to the Arabidopsis genome. The insertion acts from a distance to alter the splicing of the sh2 pre-mRNA. Three distinct intron-bearing maize genes were found in the insertion. Of most significance, the insertion bears striking similarity to the recently described DNA helicase–bearing transposable elements termed Helitrons. Like Helitrons, the inserted sequence of sh2-7527 is large, lacks terminal repeats, does not duplicate host sequences, and was inserted between a host dinucleotide AT. Like Helitrons, the maize element contains 5′ TC and 3′ CTRR termini as well as two short palindromic sequences near the 3′ terminus that potentially can form a 20-bp hairpin. Although the maize element lacks sequence information for a DNA helicase, it does contain four exons with similarity to a plant DEAD box RNA helicase. A second Helitron insertion was found in the maize genomic database. These data strongly suggest an active Helitron in the present-day maize genome.
Airborne Doppler Radar Analysis of Supercells during COPS-91

Abstract On 26 May 1991, NOAA P-3 airborne Doppler radar data were collected near two tornadic supercells in the southern Plains during the Cooperative Oklahoma Profiler Studies (COPS-91) field program. The 3-cm radar mounted in the tail of the aircraft was operated using the fore–aft scanning technique (FAST). Both storms were sampled just minutes after each had produced a tornado. The COPS-91 storms are the first tornadic supercells to be sampled extensively by airborne Doppler radar using the FAST methodology. Pseudo-dual-Doppler analyses of a dissipating storm in southwest Kansas show no remaining low-level circulation, even though the storm had just produced a tornado. The analyses of a storm in northwest Oklahoma reveal better-defined features in the wind field near the surface. In contrast to what has been previously observed in post-tornadic supercells, the cyclonic vorticity in both storms was greater aloft than at low levels. The 26 May 1991 storms provide further evidence that supercells often ...
Binding of [3H](+)-BW373U86 to δ-opioid receptors in rat brain membranes

Abstract A tritiated form of the non-peptidic δ-opioid receptor agonist (+)-BW373U86 ((+)-4-((α-R)-α-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N-diethylbenzamide) was synthesized and its binding characteristics studied. [3H](+)-BW373U86 bound with subnanomolar affinity to rat brain membranes and was displaced most effectively by ligands selective for δ-opioid receptors. Naltrindole, naltriben, and 7-benzylidenenaltrexone exhibited apparent inhibition constants of 0.06, 1.54, and 4.49 nM, respectively, while μ- or κ-selective ligands showed little affinity for this site. [3H](+)-BW373U86 binding was sensitive to the presence of guanine nucleotides; GDP caused a 3-fold decrease and 5′-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) caused a 25% increase in binding affinity.
Graph-Based Visualization of Neuronal Connectivity Using Matrix Block Partitioning and Edge Bundling

Neuronal connectivity matrices contain information vital to the understanding of brain structure and function. In this work we present graph-based visualization techniques for macroscale connectivity matrices that retain anatomical context while reducing the clutter and occlusion problems that plague 2D and 3D node-link diagrams. By partitioning the connectivity matrix into blocks corresponding to brain hemispheres and bundling graph edges we are able to generate intuitive visualizations that permit investigation at multiple scales (hemisphere, lobe, anatomical region). We demonstrate our approach on connectivity matrices computed using tractography of high angular resolution diffusion images acquired as part of a Parkinson’s disease study.
Designing a Course

This chapter discusses the principles of overall course design, emphasizing the concept of backward design: outlining what should students be able to do by the end of the course, and then determining what they must learn in order to achieve the target levels of knowledge and performance. From this specification will come the course goals and objectives, which must be consistent with the overall curricular goals and objectives. Learning resources must be identified, and the appropriate teaching methods for the course must be determined. Finally, but no less important, appropriate assessment and feedback approaches must be selected.
Child Soldiers, Where is the Law?

Maya was 12 when she was kidnapped by rebel forces in the Republic of Congo where she was made to fight against government soldiers. By 14 she had killed other children and committed unimaginable atrocities against her own community, just to stay alive. At the same time commanders in the militia group she was fighting for were beating and raping her. The concept of child soldiers is not a modern phenomenon; historical records prove that children were previously used in conflict for several roles including combat . Statistics show that 6% of the soldiers who died in World War II were 16 years old. Furthermore, an estimated 10% enlisted to fight with the allied forces. The stark revelation is that children are still being used in combat with some even younger than 10. One would have thought that the progression of the international community, the adoption of an attitude of collective responsibility and the development of international law would all contribute to curbing violations against human rights. However, this seems a tall order as children are still having their rights violated. Research shows that despite the existence of numerous laws prohibiting the recruitment of children less than 15 years of age, there are still around 500,000 child soldiers in over 85 countries. Undoubtedly, this illustrates the ‘toothless’ nature of the provisions currently in place and the failures of international law as an effective system of law.
Zika Virus: New Clinical Syndromes and its Emergence in the Western Hemisphere

Zika virus (ZIKV) had remained a relatively obscure flavivirus until a recent series of outbreaks accompanied by unexpectedly severe clinical complications brought this virus into the spotlight as causing an infection of global public health concern. In this review, we discuss the history and epidemiology of ZIKV infection, recent outbreaks in Oceania and the emergence of ZIKV in the Western Hemisphere, newly ascribed complications of ZIKV infection, including Guillain-Barre syndrome and microcephaly, potential interactions between ZIKV and dengue virus, and the prospects for the development of antiviral agents and vaccines.
Paper Chromatographic Analysis of Certain Protein Constituents from the House Fly, Musca Domestica Linnaeus (Diptera, Muscidae)

Paper chromatographic and acid hydrolysis techniques were used to determine the chemical nature of nine ninhydrin-positive protein constituents from fresh tissue homogenates. The techniques, which are described in detail, included both one-way and two-way chromatograms. The nine constituents found, and/or the amino acids yielded by their acid hydrolysis, were: glutamic acid, serine, and an unknown compound; glutamic acid and alanine; threonine, serine, and beta alanine; aspartic acid and serine; alanine and tyrosine; proline; tryptophan, phenylalanine (?), and valine; methionine and valine. It was concluded that most of the constituents are probably simple peptides (though the Biuret test did not give typical results), and that one constituent is the free amino acid proline.
Distribution static synchronous compensator for power quality control in substation and its system test

For the difficulties of dynamic power quality control in substation, a compensationplan is presented in which cascade distribution static synchronous compensator(D-STATCOM)and switching capacitor work together. The method realizes the simultaneous compensation steady state for voltage regulation and impact load harmonics and reactive power. According to the application example ,a completeD-STATCOM system testing and commissioning method is put forward,including the regular inspection, insulation test, protection test ,reactive powerregulating range and output harmonic test,responding time test,steady state voltage regulation test,loss test and load compensation test. The detailed test data are given as well .Theexperience and conclusion of the project provide reference for the design and application of similar equipment.
Spondyloarthropathies: management of AS-new guidelines in the spotlight.

New guidelines for the management of ankylosis spondylitis provide evidence-based disease management recommendations, which aim to be the ideal standard practice. How robust are these suggestions and are they applicable to the worldwide community of rheumatologists practicing in very different clinics around the globe?
Technique, Complications, and Mid-Term Results of Hindfoot Arthrodesis with a Posterior Blade Plate

Category:Ankle ArthritisIntroduction/Purpose:Previous hindfoot surgeries present a unique challenge in performing hindfoot arthrodesis. The use of a blade plate construct is widely accepted, howeve...
AAV Vectorization of DSB-mediated Gene Editing Technologies.

Abstract Recent work both at the bench and the bedside demonstrate zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), CRISPR/Cas9, and other programmable site-specific endonuclease technologies are being successfully utilized within and alongside AAV vectors to induce therapeutically relevant levels of directed gene editing within the human chromosome. Studies from past decades acknowledge that AAV vector genomes are enhanced substrates for homology-directed repair in the presence or absence of targeted DNA damage within the host genome. Additionally, AAV vectors are currently the most efficient format for in vivo gene delivery with no vector related complications in g100 clinical trials for diverse diseases. At the same time, advancements in the design of custom-engineered site-specific endonucleases and the utilization of elucidated endonuclease formats have resulted in efficient and facile genetic engineering for basic science and for clinical therapies. AAV vectors and gene editing technologies are an obvious marriage, using AAV for the delivery of repair substrate and/or a gene encoding a designer endonuclease; however, while efficient delivery and enhanced gene targeting by vector genomes are advantageous, other attributes of AAV vectors are less desirable for gene editing technologies. This review summarizes the various roles that AAV vectors play in gene editing technologies and provides insight into its trending applications for the treatment of genetic diseases.
The Branch Model Case Study

This book uses the Branch or Interspersed model to describe a situation in which personal financial education emanates from several sections within a university. The university represents the tree and the sections from which financial education emanates are the branches. These sections may or may not be connected to or even know of each other. California State University Northridge (CSUN) best typifies this model. In this model, two academic departments offer their own personal financial education initiatives, programs, and courses. There are family financial management courses, general education courses in personal finance, and a sequence of courses leading to CFP Certification Examination. In addition, there are the Center for Financial Planning and Investment, a financial literacy program managed by the Financial Aid Office, and a “Financial Literacy Affinity Group,” affiliated to the University’s Institute of Community Health and Wellbeing. The chapter discusses the units’ roles in furthering personal financial education on the campus and the challenges they face in making their programs different yet relevant.
Distribution of hotelling's T2 statistic based on the successive differences estimator

In the historical (or retrospective or Phase I) multivariate data analysis, the choice of the estimator for the variance-covariance matrix is crucial to successfully detecting the presence of special causes of variation. For the case of individual multivariate observations, the choice is compounded by the lack of rational subgroups of observations with the same distribution. Other research has shown that the use of the sample covariance matrix, with all of the individual observations pooled, impairs the detection of a sustained step shift in the mean vector. For example, research has shown that, with the use of the sample covariance matrix, the probability of a signal actually decreases below the false-alarm probability with a sustained step shift near the middle of the data and that the signal probability decreases with the size of the shift. An alternative estimator, based on the successive differences of the individual observations, leads to an increasing signal probability as the size of the step shift increases and has been recommended for use in Phase I analysis. However, the exact distribution for the resulting T 2 chart statistics has not been determined when the successive differences estimator is used. Three approximate distributions have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we demonstrate several useful properties of the T 2 statistics based on the successive differences estimator and give a more accurate approximate distribution for calculating the upper control limit for individual observations in a Phase I analysis.
Selective Tumor Uptake of Boronophenylalanine-Fructose (BPA-F) in an Animal Model of Hepatic Colorectal Metastases

In 1998 more than 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and over 60,000 will die from this tumor. At the time of diagnosis, 15–25% will have hepatic metastases, and another 20–30% will develop metastatic hepatic lesions subsequent to resection of the primary tumors. Treatment options for hepatic metastases include aggressive surgical resection, administration of regional chemotherapeutic agents, sys temic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other palliative and experimental procedures. Despite well-defined pharmacological benefits of selected chemotherapeutics, there is no convincing survival advantage for many of the above mentioned techniques.1,2,3,4 The median survival after diagnosis is typically 22–24 months, and has changed minimally over the past decade.
T Follicular Helper Cells as a Therapeutic Target for Autoimmune Diseases

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are specialized to provide help to B cells and to induce durable antibody response. Our knowledge on the biology of Tfh cells and their contribution to autoimmunity has significantly increased in the past decade. In particular, recent progress in understanding the relationship between blood CXCR5 + CD4 + memory T cells and the Tfh lineage cells in lymphoid organs has made the monitoring of ongoing Tfh responses in humans more feasible than before. Importantly, recent studies show that the dominant cytokines associated with the development of Tfh cells differ between mice and humans, indicating the importance of studies in humans. This chapter first summarizes current knowledge of the biology of Tfh cells with a particular focus on human Tfh cells and their association with the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Then, it discusses potential strategies to target Tfh cells and/or molecules as a therapeutic modality of autoimmune diseases.