cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerated Decisionmaking via Action Learning at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Training courses are insufficient to solve the “wicked problems” facing organizations. Lengthy task forces also fail to meet urgent challenges that demand a rapid response. Intrigued by the success of General Electric's innovative WorkOuts, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has adapted this tool into an accelerated decisionmaking process to enhance both managerial and organizational effectiveness. Executives participate in a compressed version of the FDIC's accelerated decisionmaking process during management training, developing solutions for real organizational challenges posed by a corporate officer. Once exposed to this nontraditional problem-solving method, the executives are encouraged to apply the method to problems in their own realms. Emerging business demands compelled an evolution in the methodology, including the addition of tools for conscious reflection on the process, what the participants learn from the experience, and how they can apply that wisdom to their management practices.
Congenital carcinoma of the thymus with extensive generalized metastases

Summary The second case of congenital primary carcinoma of the thymus with extensive metastases to be recorded in the literature is reported above.
Performance of a computer-aided program for automated matching of metastatic pulmonary nodules detected on follow-up chest CT

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a computer-aided program that allows automated matching of metastatic pulmonary nodules imaged with two serial clinical chest CT studies.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The cases of 30 patients with metastatic pulmonary nodules depicted on two serial clinical MDCT scans (16- or 64-MDCT, 5-mm section thickness) were studied. The number of nodules per patient varied from a minimum of two to innumerable. A maximum of 10 well-defined solid nodules per patient, a total of 210 nodules, were selected from each baseline CT scan and were evaluated for matching detection in follow-up CT by means of an automated program. Substantial changes in lung findings and lung volumes between serial scans were visually assessed. The effects on matching rate of interval lung changes and location, size, and total number of nodules in the lung were analyzed with contingency tables. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate patterns for statistical significance.RESULTS. T...
Deviation in amniotic fluid optical density at a wavelength of 450 nm in Rh-immunized pregnancies from 14 to 40 weeks' gestation: a proposal for clinical management.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to study deviations in values of amniotic fluid optical density at 450 nm in Rh-immunized pregnancies in the second and third trimesters and to propose a clinical management plan. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 789 amniotic fluid single and serial values of deviations in optical density at 450 nm were performed on Rh-immunized pregnancies from 14 to 40 weeks' gestation. The relationship of the deviations in amniotic fluid values of optical density at 450 nm to varying degrees of fetal disease were examined. RESULTS: In Rh-negative fetuses (unaffected) amniotic fluid values rise until 22 to 26 weeks before decreasing to term. In fetuses at risk of dying in utero, values are higher and trends rise. A clinical management plan was devised on the basis of the amniotic fluid findings of deviations in optical density at 450 nm. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical management scheme consisting of four zones is outlined. Rh-negative fetuses have minimal invasive procedures. Fetuses at risk of death undergo early cordocentesis for evaluation and therapy. Values that fall in between can be separated into two zones on the basis of the degree of risk.
More than meets the eye: The influence of implicit and explicit self-esteem on materialism

Abstract Prior research has found a link between self-esteem and materialism. However, these studies examine explicit self-esteem without considering implicit self-esteem. We examine if these two forms of self-esteem jointly influence materialism. Specifically, we propose that discrepancies between implicit and explicit self-esteem are an important driver of materialism. Support for our view is presented in a series of four studies. Study 1 illustrates the link between self-esteem discrepancy and materialism. Studies 2 and 3 show that increases (decreases) in self-esteem discrepancies cause increases (decreases) in materialism. Study 4 confirms the link between self-esteem discrepancy and the desire to self-enhance through material possessions.
MP2, density functional theory, and semi-empirical calculations of the interaction energies between a series of statin-drug-like molecules and the HMG-CoA reductase active site

Abstract In previous work [E.A. Kee, M.C. Livengood, E.E. Carter, M.L. McKenna, M. Cafiero, J. Phys. Chem. B 113 (2009) 14810] it has been shown that the residue Tyr479 in the active site of 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase exerts a strong attraction on ligands. Statin drugs moderate blood cholesterol levels by acting as competitive inhibitors for this enzyme, blocking the biosynthesis of cholesterol early in the synthesis pathway. In this work a novel molecular fragment that binds strongly to Tyr479 has been developed using ab initio correlated methods and attached to known statin drugs (which bind well to other important residues in the active site) to create novel drug candidates that interact more strongly with the entire enzyme active site than the original drugs. Interaction energies between small molecule ligands and the target enzyme active site are calculated with all-electron density functional theory and semi-empirical methods, showing that the novel drug molecules will likely bind strongly in the active site. Solvation energies are also calculated to confirm behavior of the novel drug candidate molecules in vivo.
Design and construction of a Haemophilus influenzae conjugal expression system

Haemophilus influenzae is a fastidious Gram-negative coccobacilli that is a common commensal in the human upper respiratory tract. However, certain strains of this bacterium, including those considered to be nontypeable (NTHi), can cause human diseases ranging from otitis media to meningitis. Although naturally competent, NTHi take up plasmids by transformation very inefficiently, if at all. Many clinical isolates have also proven refractory to the introduction of currently available shuttle vectors via electroporation. Further, it has been difficult to determine protein expression from these vectors, unless specific antisera has been raised or a phenotype conferred. To address these problems, we have designed and constructed a set of broad host range vectors that are transferable via intergeneric conjugation with an Escherichia coli strain carrying chromosomally-encoded transfer functions. These vectors provide a site for cloning promoter::MCS regions and carry genes encoding resistance to one of two different antibiotics. This conjugal system allows the expression of marker genes in NTHi strains, enabling researchers to track the microbe's progress either in vivo using the infant rat model of infection, or in vitro through invasions of human tissue culture cell lines.
Dental treatment of patients with long QT syndrome.

ABSTRACT Background Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is associated with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias causing syncope and sudden cardiac death, frequently precipitated by physical or psychological stress. Types of Studies Reviewed The authors did a literature review of data published in peer-reviewed medical and dental journals. They also extracted epidemiologic information, correlations between genetic mutations and disease onset and progression, and data regarding outcomes of therapy from published peer-reviewed studies and the cohort population belonging to the International Long QT Syndrome Registry. Results LQTS is diagnosed after an unexpected cardiac event or through QT interval prolongation on an electrocardiogram. Gene mutation identification in LQTS provides insight into respective proarrhythmogenic factors and indicated therapeutic regimens. β-blockers are the initial treatment for two of the three major forms of LQTS. Patients refractory to s-antiadrenergic therapy may benefit from one or more of the following: cardiac pacemakers, implanted cardioverter defibrillators and left cardiac sympathetic denervation. Conclusions Clinical studies are needed to investigate the safety of treating patients in an ambulatory setting. Clinical Implications Preventive measures are recommended, including evaluation by a cardiac specialist before any dental intervention, use of anxiolytic protocols, avoidance of drugs that prolong the QT interval, and provision of treatment in a setting in which medical emergencies can be managed expeditiously. Dental treatment in a hospital and use of a general anesthetic administered by anesthesiologists are recommended for procedures in which anxiety and adrenergic stimulation would not be suppressed sufficiently in an ambulatory environment.
Role of the zoo veterinarian in the conservation of captive and free-ranging wildlife

The challenges to execute wildlife conservation projects successfully have become more complex as anthropogenic changes continue to stress the planet, changing wild lands. As the wild becomes less so, more species are placed in captivity to improve their chances of long-term survival, while concurrently management (and medicine) for free-ranging wildlife has become increasingly important. A variety of disciplines, including veterinary medicine, is now recognized as key to wildlife conservation. Although veterinarians have been involved in conservation for decades, it is only recently that their role has become more appreciated in the larger conservation community. This realization of the contributions of veterinarians has occurred at a time when disease has been recognized as significantly impacting species’ conservation both in situ and ex situ. Today, veterinarians work with captive and free-ranging animals to prevent and/or treat diseases that threaten species’ survival. Most of these diseases are associated with the increasing human footprint. In this paper, I present wildlife health in today’s world and the zoo veterinarian’s role in wildlife conservation.
Interactive microwave and structural studies of C–Er2Si2O7

Abstract Er 2 Si 2 O 7 compound exists in three polymorphs, low temperature polymorph (type-B), monoclinic (type-C) and the high temperature monoclinic modification (type-D). The polymorphic Er 2 Si 2 O 7 is synthesized by solid state double sintering method. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the calcined samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electromagnetic properties are measured through network analyzer (Agilent 8722ET). The dc electrical characterization is also performed in the microwave region and electrical transport data are analyzed according to Mott’s variable-range hopping. The activation energy (Δ E = 0.119 ± 0.001 eV) is calculated from lnρ versus 1 /k B T plot. Furthermore, the microwave electromagnetic properties of the samples were also studied at the frequency range from 20 Hz to 3 GHz on room temperature. It can be observed that C-type Er 2 Si 2 O 7 exhibit dielectric dispersion where both e′ and e′′ decrease slightly with increasing frequency up to 2.43 GHz, and then a resonance occurs around 2.85 GHz. This is the first kind of measurement on C–Er 2 Si 2 O 7 as far as our knowledge goes.
TOMS/ADEOS instrument characterization

Data sets from the total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) on the ADEOS I spacecraft have been processed using initial and time-dependent instrument characterizations. Initial characterizations, performed on the ground, focused on wavelength registration of the six near-UV TOMS channels and on the instrument albedo calibration. Few calibration adjustments were required in the postlaunch phase. Instrument performance, including bandpass wavelengths, were stable throughout the life of the instrument. Indirect evidence exists for small changes in the reflectance of the primary solar diffuser. Characterizations used in data processing assume no change. No ozone retrieval errors are expected due to this assumption. All totaled, estimated calibration uncertainties represent less than 1% in total column ozone uncertainty. A comparison between two TOMS instruments is marginally consistent with these estimates. However, a comparison with ground measurements resulted in differences exceeding 1%.
Compact, stable 1 GHz femtosecond Er-doped fiber lasers.

We demonstrate a high-repetition-rate soliton fiber laser that is based on highly doped anomalously dispersive erbium-doped fiber. By splicing an 11mm single-mode fiber to the erbium-doped fiber, the thermal damage of the butt-coupled saturable Bragg reflector (SBR) is overcome. The laser generates 187fs pulses at a repetition rate of 967MHz with a measured long-term stability of more than 60 h.
Unmarked structures and emergent rankings in second language phonology

One of the most interesting features of language contact situations involves the appearance of systematic patterns that are not manifested in either of the two languages in contact. A full analysis of such patterns may require constraint rankings that differ from those of both the native and the target languages. I examine possible sources of these constraint rankings with respect to the devoicing of final obstruents in learners whose native language contains either no final consonants or no final obstruents, and whose target language contains both voiced and voiceless final obstruents. I conclude that the interlanguage ranking follows from the frequency of different input structures, given the assumption that constraint rankings are stochastic (Boersma & Hayes, 2001), and that final devoicing is an effect of positional markedness constraints. I then consider possible alternative explanations of interlanguage final devoicing: as a reflection of native language rankings of positional faithfulness constraints; as an effect of perceptual filtering; and / or as a function of articulatory difficulty of sustaining voicing in final position.
Active learning in nonstationary environments

Increasing number of practical applications that involve streaming nonstationary data have led to a recent surge in algorithms designed to learn from such data. One challenging version of this problem that has not received as much attention, however, is learning streaming nonstationary data when a small initial set of data are labeled, with unlabeled data being available thereafter. We have recently introduced the COMPOSE algorithm for learning in such scenarios, which we refer to as initially labeled nonstationary streaming data. COMPOSE works remarkably well, however it requires limited (gradual) drift, and cannot address special cases such as introduction of a new class or significant overlap of existing classes, as such scenarios cannot be learned without additional labeled data. Scenarios that provide occasional or periodic limited labeled data are not uncommon, however, for which many of COMPOSE's restrictions can be lifted. In this contribution, we describe a new version of COMPOSE as a proof-of-concept algorithm that can identify the instances whose labels - if available - would be most beneficial, and then combine those instances with unlabeled data to actively learn from streaming nonstationary data, even when the distribution of the data experiences abrupt changes. On two carefully designed experiments that include abrupt changes as well as addition of new classes, we show that COMPOSE.AL significantly outperforms original COMPOSE, while closely tracking the optimal Bayes classifier performance.
Postoperative complications associated with jejunostomy tube placement using the interlocking box technique compared with other jejunopexy methods in dogs and cats: 76 cases (1999–2003)

Objective: To evaluate the postoperative complication rate associated with jejunostomy tubes (J-tubes) placed using the interlocking box (ILB) technique, and to test whether the ILB technique offers the advantage of early tube removal without additional complications in comparison with other jejunopexy methods. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: Seventy dogs and 6 cats had J-tubes placed during 1999–2003. Fifty-three tubes were placed using the ILB technique and 23 tubes were placed using a non-ILB technique. The overall tube-related complication rate was 33/76 (43.4%). The complication rate was slightly, but not significantly, lower in the ILB group (40% versus 52%; P= 0.556). In the majority of cases, (24/76, 31.5%), complications were considered mild. Moderate complications were noted in 4/76 cases (5.2%) and severe complications in 5/76 cases (6.5%). The mean time the tube remained in place and the mean time of tube usage were significantly shorter in the ILB group (5.2 versus 7.6 days, P=0.008, and 3.3 versus 5.8 days, P=0.013, respectively). Hospitalization time was also significantly shorter in the ILB group (mean of 8.1 days versus 10.5 days, P=0.014). The shorter period of tube presence in the ILB group did not result in an increase of the overall complication rate; however, inflammation around the tube exit site was more prevalent in the ILB group. Tubes that were not used for nutritional support in the ILB group stayed in place for a mean of 3.7 days and were removed with no significant complications. More complications were identified in the first 2 years of the study compared with the last 2. Conclusions: The ILB technique is not associated with a higher complication rate compared with other jejunopexy methods, and offers the advantage of safe, early removal if the tube is no longer needed for nutritional support.
Differences between Adopted and Nonadopted Adolescents in Wilderness and Residential Treatment.

Adopted children are disproportionately represented in residential treatment programs in the United States. Adopted children in the United States constitute only 2% to 3% of the U.S population. Nev...
Synergism between blue light and root exudate compounds and evidence for a second messenger in the hyphal branching response of Gigaspora gigantea

Light and chemical components of the host root exudate can induce hyphal growth and branching of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Compounds that induce the same morphogenetic or biochemical response as light are referred to as photo-mimetic compounds (PCs). This is the first report of a synergistic response by Gigaspora gigantea, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, to blue light and naturally occurring photomimetic compounds isolated from the exudate of host roots. The blue light treatment and exposure to photomimetic compounds were effective whether applied sequentially or simultaneously. The number of hyphal branches induced by blue light and photomimetic compounds together was greater than the sum of the branches generated by each separate treatment, and the synergism was greatest at the higher levels or orders of branches. The fact that blue light and PCs, individually, triggered the same hyphal branching response and when given together, they produced a synergistic response, indicated the activation of a second messenger in the induced-branching process. Delaying the application of PCs, after the initial light exposure, showed the second messenger was stable up to 3 h.
Use of alternative therapies: Estimates from the 1994 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Access to Care Survey

This study sought to update national estimates of the use of alternative therapies, to improve the quality of those estimates, and to examine differences between users and nonusers of alternative medicine. Data were analyzed from the general probability sample (N = 3450) of the 1994 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Access to Care Survey. The results indicate that nearly 10% of the U.S. population, almost 25 million persons, saw a professional in 1994 for at least one of the following four therapies: chiropractic, relaxation techniques, therapeutic massage, or acupuncture. Even though users of alternative therapies made almost twice as many visits to conventional (or orthodox) medical providers as nonusers made, the former still reported much higher levels of unmet need for medical care. The growing emphasis on market-driven health care and consumer choice suggests that alternative therapies could have a larger role in the health-care system of the future.
The Space Weather Monitor Project: bringing hands-on science to students of the developing world for the IHY2007

Stanford's Solar Center, Electrical Engineering Department, and local educators have developed inexpensive Space Weather Monitors that students around the world can use to track solar- and lightning-induced changes to the Earth's ionosphere. Through the United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI) and the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) Education and Public Outreach programme, our Monitors are being deployed to 191 countries. In partnership with Chabot Space and Science Center, we are designing and developing classroom and educator support materials to accompany the distribution. Materials will be culturally sensitive and will be translated into the six official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish). Monitors will be provided free of charge to developing nations and can be set up anywhere there is access to power.
Emergency contraception: when the pharmacist conscience clause restricts access.

The pharmacist conscience clause was not intended to obstruct the access to an oral contraceptive. Yet this is precisely what is occurring in rural communities when pharmacists allow their personal beliefs to override the health needs of their patients. The implications of the pharmacist conscience clause in relation to Plan B shows a clear need to focus on evidence-based practice and to seriously consider following the recommendations in this article to help women in rural communities access Plan B in a timely manner consistent with the promotion of optimal outcomes. (excerpt)
Neutralization of Endotoxin Toxicity in Chick Embryos by Antibiotics

Rifkind, David (University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver), and John D. Palmer. Neutralization of endotoxin toxicity in chick embryos by antibiotics. J. Bacteriol. 92:815-819. 1966.-Three cationic cyclic polypeptide antibiotics, polymyxin B sulfate colistin sulfate, and tyrocidine hydrochloride, were shown to neutralize endotoxin lethality in chick embryos. The neutralizing potency of these antibiotics was approximately equivalent, 0.06 to 0.11 mumole of antibiotic per mug of endotoxin. Methane sulfonation of colistin resulted in a 13-fold decrease in endotoxin-neutralizing potency. Other cationic cyclic polypeptide antibiotics were inactive, as well all other classes of antibiotics tested, including the neutral cyclic polypeptides. Several nonantibiotic polycationic proteins and polymers tested were also inactive. It is suggested that certain cationic cyclic polypeptide antibiotics neutralize by combining directly with the toxic moiety of the endotoxin molecule. Possibly this combination involves the cationic groups of the antibiotics and the polyphosphate groups of the phospholipid component of endotoxin.
The use of blood serum in the male frog test for pregnancy.

Abstract A modification of the male frog test for pregnancy was described. The modification consists of the intraperitoneal injection of blood serum rather than the injection of urine into the ventral lymph sac of the frog. A review of 800 frog tests performed in this manner was presented. The accuracy of the test was 97 per cent. It was concluded that the use of serum as the testing agent in the male frog test for pregnancy does not compromise the accuracy of the test as originally described.
LARVAL SWIMMING OVERPOWERS TURBULENT MIXING AND FACILITATES TRANSMISSION OF A MARINE PARASITE

Planktonic cercariae (parasite larvae) of digenetic flatworms (Himasthla rhigedana) encyst up to 100% of intermediate host populations. Toward explaining such high prevalence, larval behavior and passive-transport processes were evaluated experimentally for their roles in waterborne parasite transmission. Using a new application of laser and digital video imaging technologies, we quantified cercarial movements in still water and in simulated field flows. In still water, downward swimming in response to light, irrespective of intensity or source, and gravity brought larvae to the bottom three-times faster than gravitational sinking alone. A 33% elevation in temperature (18–24°C) caused a 71% increase in swim speed. In flume flows characteristic of southern California salt marshes (u* = 0.2 cm/s, occurring >80% of the time), vertical larval distributions were highly bottom skewed. The mean downward swim speed (0.59 cm/s at 24°C) was three times faster than turbulent fluctuations (w′ = 0.23 cm/s), indicating...
Herbicide-resistant Echinochloa oryzoides and E. phyllopogon in California Oryza sativa fields

Abstract Echinochloa oryzoides and E. phyllopogon have become the most serious weeds in California Oryza sativa since continuous flooding was used to suppress E. crus-galli. Continuous use of a limited number of available graminicides and an increasing number of control failures led to the investigation of herbicide resistance in E. oryzoides and E. phyllopogon. Greenhouse dose-response studies with postemergence (POST) applications of molinate, thiobencarb, fenoxaprop-ethyl, and bispyribac-sodium estimating GR50 (herbicide dose to inhibit growth by 50%) values suggested resistance to all herbicides in two E. phyllopogon accessions and to molinate and thiobencarb in one E. oryzoides accession when compared with susceptible E. phyllopogon and E. oryzoides controls, respectively. No resistance was detected in dose-response studies with propanil. Minimum and maximum ratios (R/S) of the GR50 values of resistant to susceptible E. phyllopogon plants (in two experiments involving two resistant accessions) were 7...
Signaling pathway for nitric oxide generation with simulated ischemia in flow-adapted endothelial cells.

Ischemia in the intact ventilated lung (oxygenated ischemia) leads to endothelial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). This study investigated the signaling pathway fo...
Opportunities to Learn: Inverse Relations in U.S. and Chinese Textbooks

ABSTRACTThis study, focusing on inverse relations, examines how representative U.S. and Chinese elementary textbooks may provide opportunities to learn fundamental mathematical ideas. Findings from this study indicate that both of the U.S. textbook series (grades K-6) in comparison to the Chinese textbook samples (grades 1–6), presented more instances of inverse relations, while also containing more unique types of problems; yet, the Chinese textbooks provided more opportunities supporting meaningful and explicit learning. In particular, before presenting corresponding practice problems, Chinese textbooks contextualized worked examples of inverse relations in real-world situations to aid in sense making of computational or checking procedures. The Chinese worked examples also differed in representation uses especially through concreteness fading. Finally, the Chinese textbooks spaced learning over time, systematically stressing structural relations including the inverse quantities relationships. These fin...
Non-Mainstream Religions and the Law

This essay analyzes how U.S. courts treat non-mainstream religions as compared to mainstream religions. Despite the commonalities shared by all religions, courts allow States to infringe upon the religious practices of adherents of non-mainstream religions more frequently than adherents of mainstream religions.
Efficient Water Oxidation Using CoMnP Nanoparticles

The development of efficient water oxidation catalysts based on inexpensive and Earth-abundant materials is a prerequisite to enabling water splitting as a feasible source of alternative energy. In this work, we report the synthesis of ternary cobalt manganese phosphide nanoparticles from the solution-phase reaction of manganese and cobalt carbonyl complexes with trioctylphosphine. The CoMnP nanoparticles (ca. 5 nm in diameter) are nearly monodisperse and homogeneous in nature. These CoMnP nanoparticles are capable of catalyzing water oxidation at an overpotential of 0.33 V with a 96% Faradaic efficiency when deposited as an ink with carbon black and Nafion. A slight decrease in activity is observed after 500 cycles, which is ascribed to the etching of P into solution, as well as the oxidation of the surface of the nanoparticles. Manganese-based ternary phosphides represent a promising new system to explore for water oxidation catalysis.
Effects of Lactation on Various Blood Parameters In Holstein Cows. II. Serum Minerals and Enzymes1

Abstract Sixty-three Holstein cows were utilized to determine the effects of lactation on blood serum calcium, phosphorus, the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, total and enzyme creatine phosphokinase, alkaline phosphatase, and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase. Sampling consisted of monthly blood collections starting with the onset of lactation and continuing to the dry period. Blood values obtained were statistically analyzed by linear regression onlactation number, month of calving, month of lactation at conception, stage of lactation, milk yield, and milk fat yield. Serum calcium was significantly influenced by all lactation parameters examined except milk fat yield. Circulating phosphorus levels were influenced by all lactation parameters examined except lactation number and stage of lactation. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio changed significantly withmonth of calving, month of lactation at conception, and milk fat yield. Serum total creatine phosphokinase was influenced by all lactation parameters examined except month of lactation at conception. Serum enzyme creatine phosphokinase was influenced by all lactation parameters examined except milk and milk fat yields. Circulating levels of alkaline phosphatase were influenced by all lactation parameters examined except milk fat yield. Levels of serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminasechanged with lactation number, month of calving, and stage of lactation.
Electroconvulsive shock and the response: ECS interval

It was attempted to determine whether the decrement in retention produced by ECS was a function of the response-EC S interval or the location of the interpolated ECS in the trial-test trial interval. It was hypothesized that when ECS is in close temporal relationship to a response, whether it is original learning or a test trial, a decrement in performance occurs; while ECS which is more remote in time from a trial does not create such a decrement. Four groups of rats, on a 24 hr. training interval, were given ECS 15min.,1hr., 23 hr., or 23 hr. 45 min. after the first trials. The greatest decrement in retention was found in the 15 min., 23 hr., and 23 hr. 45 min. groups, which supports the hypothesis.
3D electric geometry model on direct lightning and induced lightning trip-out risk of electric railway

com Abstract - Lightning strike directly on traction network can lead to direct lightning overvoltage, while lightning strike on the ground around traction network can lead to induced lightning overvoltage, and these two factors are the main factors leading to lightning fault of electrified railway. This paper built 3D lightning strike electric geometry model which considered sag basing on the actual traction network structure parameters and calculated the 3D lightning strike exposed surface of both feeder wire and messenger wire, figured out lightning finally stroke the feeder wire when leader lied in 3D exposed surface of feeder and likewise stroke the messenger wire when leader lied in 3D exposed surface of messenger, and these two factors can lead to direct lightning overvoltage. If lightning strike outside the 3D exposed surface of feeder and messenger wire, induced lightning overvoltage will be generated. Based on the lightning parameters around high-speed railway, trip-out rate of direct lightning and induced lightning will be calculated, and the model and algorithm is verified by actual lightning data. It turned out that the results calculated by theoretical arithmetic and actual lightning protection operation experiences have a relative error of only 6.9%, which improve the accuracy of lightning protection calculation, and provide scientific evidences to finding electrified railway's high risk of lightning strike area.
Mechanistic insights into the link between inflammation and cardiovascular disease: rheumatoid arthritis as a human model of inflammation.

Thirty years ago, a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) resigned the majority of patients to a lifetime of chronic inflammation and progressive joint destruction. With the potent disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) available today, severe disability from RA is the exception rather than the rule. Now, the leading cause of mortality in RA is cardiovascular disease.1 In fact, the risk of cardiovascular disease in RA is 1.5× that of age- and sex-matched individuals from the general population.2 This excess risk in RA has been attributed to chronic inflammation rather than a higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.3 Large observational studies show that treatment with DMARDs, such as methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk.4,5 The exact mechanisms linking inflammation with cardiovascular risk remain unclear. Studying pathways shared by both RA and atherosclerosis may provide insight into potential mechanisms of risk. Article see p 619 Patients with RA differ from the general population in both the magnitude and variability of inflammation they experience. As an example, a C-reactive protein (CRP) level of ≥3 mg/L is considered a marker for elevated cardiovascular risk and is high for an individual from the general population.6 In comparison, the mean CRP in a cohort of treated patients with RA at our academic institution is 9.7 mg/L.7 Fluctuations in CRP >50% routinely occur as part of RA flares and treatment. This amplification of fluctuations in the levels of inflammation provides a unique opportunity to study the association of changes in inflammation with physiological parameters of cardiovascular risk such as flow-mediated dilatation and coronary flow reserve.8,9 Treatment of RA with DMARDs targets preventing joint damage by controlling inflammation. Anti-cytokine DMARDs are directed at specific inflammatory mediators that are also involved in …
Characterization of Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae) Feeding and Oviposition Injury on Celery Seedlings

The western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae), can be a serious pest of celery, Apium graveolens dulce (Mill.) Pers. in the Central Coast region of California. Little is known about injury symptoms caused by L. hesperus adults on celery. When celery seedlings were exposed to L. hesperus adults, their crown area was found destroyed with necrotic dead tissue. Destroyed crowns of dead seedlings were observed when seedlings were exposed to five or more L. hesperus adults for ≥24 h but was not observed on seedlings exposed ≤12 h. In addition, elongated lesions were noticed on the celery petiole and were significantly greater when exposed to five or more L. hesperus adults for as little as 4 h. Number of elongated lesion injuries and number of eggs recovered from elongated lesions was correlated (r = 0.66; P < 0.001). Data provide key diagnostic symptoms of L. hesperus feeding and ovipositional injury on celery seedlings. Also, this study expands our understandings on the effects of L. hesperus adult density and duration of exposure which reinforces the need for regular scouting, and immediate management decisions and action to reduce losses from L. hesperus injury in both celery seedlings and mature plants in greenhouse and field settings, respectively
Project Case of the Treatment and Resource Utilization of Wastewater from 2-naphthol Manufacture

According to characteristics of the wastewater from 2-naphthol manufacture, namely low p H value, deep color,high content of sulfite and naphthalene sulfonate and high concentration of COD, acidification desulfurization- two stage complexation extraction- oxidation floculation process has been applied to the treatment of the wastewater. The paper introduces the design process of the patent technology, the main design parameters of the process and the investment operation cost. Engineering operating results show that the process design is reasonable and the technology is mature and stable. The effluent water quality meets the first class demand in the Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard(GB8978-1996). Recovered naphthalene sulfonate solid can be reapplied to 2-naphthol production system. The black liquor of back extraction was concentrated by evaporation and then send to synthesize the water reducing agent products which could meet or exceed the demands of Concrete Admixture( GB 8076—2008)
Prisons of the past: Penal nationalism and the politics of punishment in Central Europe:

This article explores the politics of punishment in contemporary Central Europe. Based on an analysis of penal policies and discourses in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, it exami...
Percutaneous therapy of painful arthritis

Pain in osteoarthrosis of the big weight bearing joints is either derived from periarticular ligaments, tendons, fasciae, muscles, bursae--peri-arthropathy as sign of decompensation--or from the reactive synovitis with or without effusion. NSAIDs systemically administered have been so far considered as first choice medication together with physical therapy. New pharmacokinetic data on the topical, percutaneous application of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, indomethacin, some salicylates and to a lesser degree for etofenamate and piroxicam) have demonstrated relevant advantages of the percutaneous route over the systemic one in soft tissue rheumatism. NSAIDs, mentioned above, locally administered as cream, gel or spray, quickly penetrate through the corneal layer of the skin at the site of application, reach high effective concentrations in subcutis, fasciae, tendons, ligaments and muscles, lesser in joint-capsule and -fluid indicating direct penetration. The blood levels of topical NSAIDs are extremely low with no systemic side effects, especially no gastric toxicity; however, local skin irritation is observed (1 to 2%). In contrast to this, systemic (oral) NSAIDs lead primarily via high blood levels to a much lesser concentration--only one tenth--in particular soft tissues with a high incidence of side effects. In conclusion the percutaneous application of certain NSAIDs has become a well established therapeutic regimen in painful osteoarthrosis and in all other inflammatory degenerative and posttraumatic alterations of soft tissue structures.
A Note on Sources

Research for this book was done at major libraries and archives in both the United States and Russia. In the United States a great bulk of the work was done at Harvard University Library and the Hoover Institution. While these libraries have many fine holdings in Russian history, especially the Hoover Archives and Library, they were no match for the materials that can be found only in the former Soviet Union. I should note here, though, that many of the materials found in America, especially the Russian materials in the Hoover’s holdings, cannot be found in the former Soviet Union. The same applies to the materials located in various branches of the Russian National Library (formerly the Lenin library). And it was the materials from this library that were the most important for completion of this manuscript. The nature of these unique sources requires some clarification.
Scalable Multimode Tree Coder with perceptual pre-weighting and post-weighting for wideband speech coding

A scalable Multimode Tree Coder with perceptual pre-weighting and post-weighting filters for wideband speech is presented. The average bit-rate of the Mutlimode Tree Coder operates at 30%–60% of the bit-rate of G.722. In addition, the algorithmic delay of the Multimode Tree Coder is 12.375 ms, which is about half of AMR-WB, and computational complexity is about a third of AMR-WB. Therefore, the Multimode Tree Coder is a low delay, low complexity, and moderate bit-rate speech codec for wideband speech. The scalable wideband Multimode Tree Coder provides a variable bit rate option not available before, while maintaining good performance, low delay, and low complexity.
Significant Value Found in Mentoring Programs for Novice Tenure-Track Academic Librarians

A Review of: Goodsett, M., & Walsh, A. (2015). Building a strong foundation: Mentoring programs for novice tenure-track librarians in academic libraries. College & Research Libraries, 76(7), 914-933. http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/crl.76.7.914 Objective – To examine the effectiveness of mentoring programs for novice tenure-track academic librarians, and to identify critical elements that define a successful mentoring program in various academic library settings. Design – Survey questionnaire with a voluntary phone interview. Setting – Academic libraries in the United States of America. Subjects – 283 librarians participated in a survey questionnaire. Researchers conducted additional interviews with 6 out of the 12 librarians who had volunteered on the survey questionnaire and who met the inclusion criteria. Methods – Researchers recruited participants through two professional e-mail lists: the Information Literacy Instruction Discussion List (ILI-L) listserv and the American Library Association’s New Members Round Table (NMRT) listserv. Interested participants completed a secured online survey that was hosted using SurveyMonkey. The researchers then coded and analyzed the collected survey data using the same software. At the end of the online survey, participants were given the opportunity to volunteer for an additional interview. Potential interviewees were selected if mentoring programs were available for tenure- track librarians at their institutions. Once selected, researchers contacted potential interviewees and conducted interviews. The interviews were transcribed, the data anonymized, and original recordings deleted. Researchers coded the anonymized interview data to identify common themes. Main Results – Researchers identified six themes from the survey data and interview transcripts: traits of an effective mentor; configuration of mentoring programs; elements of effective mentoring programs; mentoring partnerships within or beyond the library; role and training of mentors and mentees; and the mentor/mentee relationship. Overall, the survey and interview data suggest that mentoring programs provide valuable assistance with professional tenure-related activities, and facilitate less-tangible effects such as an increased understanding of an institution’s culture and an improvement of communication and time-management skills. The data also provides insight into effective program elements and areas for improvement. Conclusion – This study suggests that there is significant value in implementing a mentoring program. The results from this study can be used by academic libraries that are considering implementation of a mentoring program or improving an existing one.
The relationship between derived mutually entailed relations and the function of challenging behavior in children with autism: Comparing the PEAK-E-PA and the QABF

Abstract The study evaluated the relationship between participants’ abilities to derive mutually entailed relations across arbitrary stimuli and the function of their challenging behavior as indicated in the Questions About Behavior Function (QABF) indirect assessment. Entailed relational abilities were assessed using the Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge Equivalence Pre-Assessment (Dixon, 2015), and assessments were conducted across 47 individuals with autism or a related developmental disability. The results indicated that overall scores generated by the QABF were significantly lower for participants who could derive mutually entailed and/or combinatorially entailed relations (t (44) = 2.468, p .05) and was only related to scores on the Physical subscale of the QABF (t (24) = 3.37, p
Twenty-Four Syndrome: An Untold Presentation of Pontine Hemorrhage.

Pontine hemorrhages are relatively uncommon. Various atypical manifestations of pontine stroke like eight-and-a-half syndrome, fifteen-and-a-half syndrome, and sixteen syndrome have been described in the past. We came across a case of pontine bleed that presented with bilateral facial palsy, bilateral horizontal gaze palsy, and contralateral sensorineural hearing loss accounting to the hitherto not described “twenty-four syndrome” with Horner's syndrome and left hemiparesis.
The aerolysin nanopore: from peptidomic to genomic applications

The aerolysin pore (ARP) is a newly emerging nanopore that has been extensively used for peptide and protein sensing. Recently, several groups have explored the application of ARP in detecting genetic and epigenetic markers. This brief review summarizes the current applications of ARP, progressing from peptidomic to genomic detection; the recently reported site-directed mutagenesis of ARP; and new genomic DNA sensing approaches, and their advantages and disadvantages. This review will also discuss the perspectives and future applications of ARP for nucleic acid sequencing and biomolecule sensing.
A Comparison of Multivariate Control Charts for Individual Observations

For multivariate statistical process control with individual observations the usually recommended procedure in the retrospective phase is the Hotelling's T2 control chart. All the observations are pooled to estimate the mean vector and covariance matrix..
Dimensions of teachers’ attitudes toward instructional television

Responses were obtained from 50 fourth and ninth grade teachers on a 55-item test of their attitudes toward television in the classroom after 33 of them had been involved and 17 not involved in television series which introduced new ways of teaching mathematics. Intercorrelations were computed, and factors were analyzed. The resulting factor structure indicated 10 unique factors of the attitudes expressed. No general factor was found.
Multilevel Algorithm for Obtaining the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

A multilevel proper orthogonal decomposition (mPOD) is introduced for obtaining the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) of data sets with a large number of snapshots without requiring the solutio...