cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Whole-genome homozygosity mapping reveals candidate regions affecting bull fertility in US Holstein cattle.

Achieving rapid genetic progress while maintaining adequate genetic diversity is one of the main challenges facing the dairy industry. The increase in inbreeding can be used to monitor the loss of genetic diversity. Inbreeding tends to increase the proportion of homozygous loci, some of which cause homozygosity of recessive alleles that results in reduced performance. This phenomenon is known as inbreeding depression and tends to be most prominent on fitness-related traits, such as male fertility. Traditionally, inbreeding has been monitored using pedigree information, or more recently, genomic data. Alternatively, it can be quantified using runs of homozygosity (ROH), i.e., contiguous lengths of homozygous genotypes observed in an individual’s chromosome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between ROH and sire conception rate. ROH were evaluated using 268 k genetic markers in 11,790 US Holstein bulls. Interestingly, either the sum, mean, or maximum length of ROH were negatively associated with bull fertility. The association analysis between ROH and sire fertility was performed comparing 300 high-fertility vs. 300 low-fertility bulls. Both the average and sum of ROH length were higher in the low-fertility group. The enrichment of ROH regions in bulls with low fertility was assessed using a Fisher’s exact test. Nine regions were significantly enriched in low-fertility compared to high-fertility bulls. Notably, these regions harbor genes that are closely related to sperm biology and male fertility, including genes exclusively or highly expressed in testis. The results of this study can help not only to manage inbreeding in genomic selection programs by designing custom mating schemes, but also to better understand the mechanisms underlying male fertility in dairy cattle.
Individual differences in learning the regularities between orthography, phonology and semantics predict early reading skills

Statistical views of literacy development maintain that proficient reading requires the assimilation of myriad statistical regularities present in the writing system. Indeed, previous studies have tied statistical learning (SL) abilities to reading skills, establishing the existence of a link between the two. However, some issues are currently left unanswered, including questions regarding the underlying bases for these associations as well as the types of statistical regularities actually assimilated by developing readers. Here we present an alternative approach to study the role of SL in literacy development, focusing on individual differences among beginning readers. Instead of using an artificial task to estimate SL abilities, our approach identifies individual differences in children's reliance on statistical regularities as reflected by actual reading behavior. We specifically focus on individuals' reliance on regularities in the mapping between print and speech versus associations between print and meaning in a word naming task. We present data from 399 children, showing that those whose oral naming performance is impacted more by print-speech regularities and less by associations between print and meaning have better reading skills. These findings suggest that a key route by which SL mechanisms impact developing reading abilities is via their role in the assimilation of sub-lexical regularities between printed and spoken language -and more generally, in detecting regularities that are more reliable than others. We discuss the implications of our findings to both SL and reading theories.
Osmotic Response of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Expressing Wild-Type and Mutant KCC3 Transporters

Background/aims Loss-of-Function (LOF) of the potassium chloride cotransporter 3 (KCC3) results in hereditary sensorimotor neuropathy with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (HSMN/ACC). Our KCC3 knockout mouse recapitulated axonal swelling and tissue vacuolization observed in autopsies of individuals with HSMN/ACC. We previously documented the first human case of a KCC3 gain-of-function (GOF) in which the patient also exhibited severe peripheral neuropathy. Furthermore, the GOF mouse model exhibited shrunken axons implicating the cotransporter in cell volume homeostasis. It is unclear how both KCC3 LOF and GOF lead to peripheral neuropathy. Thus, we sought to study differences in cell volume regulation of dorsal root ganglion neurons isolated from different mouse lines. Methods Using wide-field microscopy, we measured calcein fluorescence intensity through pinhole measurements at the center of cells and compared cell swelling and cell volume regulation/recovery of wild-type, LOF, and GOF dorsal root ganglia neurons, as well as wild-type neurons treated with a KCC-specific inhibitor. Results In contrast to control neurons that swell and volume regulate under a hypotonic challenge, neurons lacking KCC3 swell but fail to volume regulate. Similar data were observed in wild-type neurons treated with the KCC inhibitor. We also show that sensory neurons expressing a constitutively active KCC3 exhibited a blunted swelling phase compared to wild-type neurons, questioning the purely osmotic nature of the swelling phase. Conclusion These findings demonstrate the integral role of KCC3 in cell volume homeostasis and support the idea that cell volume homeostasis is critical to the health of peripheral nerves.
The weekend effect and workforce in kidney transplantation.

The weekend effect, an association of increased mortality with admission to hospital on the weekend, appears to be true albeit contested. Its cause is unknown but may be weekend staffing. Studies of transplant registries in the U.S., U.K., Australia and New Zealand, and now France, and a single center study in Germany, gratifyingly have shown no weekend effect on patient and graft survival in deceased donor kidney transplantation. However, an increase in early surgical complications has been shown, possibly reflecting technical error as a manifestation of fatigue due to weekend staffing. This observation should be acknowledged in the design and staffing of the workforce of transplant programs.
Real-time 3D thermoacoustic imaging and thermometry using a self-calibration technique

Thermoacoustic (TA) imaging is a modality where pulsed microwaves are used to generate ultrasound waves in tissue, which are highly correlated with temperature. This study uses a self-calibration approach to improve the estimation of temperature using 3D real-time TA thermometry in porcine tissue during localized heating. The self-calibration method estimated temperatures at eight embedded thermocouple locations with a normalized root-mean-square error of 3.25±2.08%. The results demonstrate that the method has the suitable accuracy and resolution to provide feedback control for breast cancer ablation therapy.
Digital Adaptability: A New Measure for Digital Inequality Research

Past research suggests the ability to adapt to technological change by learning new technologies is a core feature of technological competence and consequential for inequality. Yet there exists no ...
Wandering intravascular air gun BB pellet

ABSTRACT Approximately 13,500 children each year are treated for non-powder gun injuries of which approximately one-quarter of these injuries are puncture wounds. Although rare, vascular migration of the bullet or pellet (otherwise known as the “wandering bullet”) may result in downstream organ damage secondary to vascular or venous occlusion, most commonly travelling anterograde and lodging within the lung venous system. Interestingly, we present a case of a 12-year-old female who was shot in the neck with a compressed-air gun loaded with ball-bearing pellets. Eventual retrograde vascular migration of the ball-bearing pellet from the right internal jugular vein to the hepatic vein caused hepatic venous occlusion and congestion. It is important for radiologists to remember the possibility of retrograde travel of bullets and pellets, and radiographs should be scrutinized for foreign bodies present in areas other than the region of injury. Bullet retrieval is determined by clinical evaluation and necessity, and if indicated, endovascular, percutaneous retrieval, or surgical exploration may be considered.
Redressing a Straw Man: Correcting Critical Misunderstandings of Aldous Huxley’s Perennial Philosophy:

This essay reinvigorates the Huxley/Osmond theory that psychedelic drugs can occasion a cross-cultural mystical experience characterized by a sense of “unity with ultimate reality.” It offers a lon...
The Burn Behind the Bullet: Understanding Black Mothers’ Experiences After Losing a Child to Gun Violence in Washington, DC-Baltimore City Metropolitan Region

Abstract: The purpose of this research article is to examine how complicated grief, post-traumatic stress, and depressive symptoms that are induced from losing a child to gun violence affects traits of resilience and post-traumatic growth among a sample of black mothers living in Washington DC and Baltimore, Maryland. This research project was executed through having a total of 4 Black mothers who lost a child to gun violence that resided in the Baltimore-Washington area participate in a self-reported survey assessing grief, traumatic stress, and depression. Participants also completed an oral interview that focused on resilience, post-traumatic growth, and policy recommendations. Findings associated with post-traumatic stress indicated that all black mothers in this study reported it was somewhat true that they avoid things that remind them of their loved ones (n= 4, 100%) and 3 out of 4 of the mothers felt cut off or distant from other people since their loved one died (n= 3, 75%). Outcomes related to complicated grief revealed that all mothers in this study reported that they felt a great deal of loneliness since their child has died (n= 4, 100%). Moreover, 3 out 4 Black mothers who lost a child to gun violence reported that memories of their child upset them in the last past 7 days (n= 3, 75%). Results aligning with post-traumatic growth displayed that all black mothers in this study reported it was mostly true that they learned they were stronger than they originally thought they were after losing a child to gun violence (n=4, 100%). Additionally, 3 out of 4 black mothers in this study stated it is mostly true that they developed a strong religious faith upon losing a child to gun violence ( n= 3, 75%). Furthermore, 3 out of 4 black mothers in this study reported that they found a stronger sense of purpose in life upon losing a child to gun violence (n = 3, 75%). Findings relating to depressive symptomatology contained a large amount of variation and did not produce any significant results. The data results from the oral interview indicated that 7 themes emerged from black mothers who lost a child to gun violence in this study which included black mothers explaining their character traits as Loving, Committed, and Strong. Subsequently, Black mothers classified their coping strategies as Active Coping (Embracing Self love, Forgiveness, and Faith in God) and Avoidant Coping (Denial, Betrayal, and Not Coping). Lastly, Black mothers policy recommendations in this study focused on themes like Demanding resources for families and Laws on gun violence prevention that give attention to the victims.
A comparative retrospective study of different surgical guide designs for static computer-assisted implant surgery in posterior single edentulous sites

AIM The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to compare the accuracy of static Computer-assisted implant surgery (sCAIS) in posterior single edentulous patients using different surgical guide designs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-seven partially edentulous patients with a total of 54 implants were included in the study. Seventeen implants were included in Group 1-Unbounded Tooth-Mucosa Supported; 18 implants in Group 2-Unbounded Tooth Supported; and 19 implants in Group 3 (Control)-Bounded Tooth Supported. All partially edentulous patients were treated with fully guided implant surgery using the corresponding surgical guide. Discrepancies between the pre-planned and post-operative implant position were evaluated. RESULTS The mean angular deviation ± standard deviation (SD) was 2.91 ± 1.56°, 3.33 ± 1.72° and 2.25 ± 1.13° for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean ± SD 3D offset at base was 0.66 ± 0.29 mm, 0.77 ± 0.24 mm, and 0.49 ± 0.22 mm; and 3D offset at tip was 0.84 ± 0.45 mm, 1.07 ± 0.38 mm, and 0.75 ± 0.25 mm for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistically significant differences between groups were found for angular deviation. There were statistically significant differences between Groups 2 and 3 for 3D offset at base (p = .002) and 3D offset at tip (p = .010). CONCLUSIONS Different surgical guide designs for posterior single edentulous areas appear to be associated with the accuracy level of sCAIS. In unbounded sites, having additional posterior attached soft tissue support is preferable.
Manufacturing Capability Inference and Supplier Classification Based on a Formal Thesaurus

Standard representation of manufacturing capability information is a necessity for efficient configuration of loosely-coupled supply chains. ManuTerms is a formal thesaurus that provides a set of standard vocabulary that can be used for description of manufacturing capabilities. In this paper, a method is proposed for supplier characterization and classification guided by ManuTerms. The tools developed in this work use the capability narrative of manufacturing suppliers as the input and extract key concepts that refer to certain aspects of manufacturing capabilities in order to characterize and classify manufacturing suppliers. Through an experimental study, the supplier classification method was validated with respect to the level of agreement with human judgment.
Abstract NS9: A Successful Fall Prevention Program In A Mixed Nursing Unit Does Not Translate To Decreased Fall Rates For Stroke Patients

Background: Patients with stroke are at high risk for falls, and it is a known medical complication after stroke. It is recorded that approximately 5% of ischemic stroke patients fall at least once in the acute hospitalization. In August 2011, a fall prevention program was implemented in a mixed nursing unit that was successful in reducing falls for hospitalized patients. Purpose: The aim of this retrospective sub-group analysis is to examine the fall rate and percentage of falls for stroke and TIA patients after the implementation of a successful fall prevention program in a nursing unit within a community hospital. Methods: The fall prevention program, entitled “No One Walks Alone (NIWA)” was implemented August 2011 in an area where the majority of stroke patients were hospitalized. NIWA included the use of routine bed alarms, identifying all patients as a fall risk, routine rounding, and a team approach, which involved the unit desk clerk, primary nurse, patient, and/or family. Stroke records for 3/2011-12/2011 was retrospectively retrieved and the percentage and rate of post-stroke falls compared. Results: A total of 300 hospitalized patients with stroke (mean age 73.1, 54.7% male, 73.4% ischemic, 17% TIA, 9.6% hemorrhagic) were reviewed during the study period, and there was a total of 6 falls. Prior to NIWA, there were 165 stroke patients, with an incidence of 3 falls (1.8%) compared to 135 stroke patients with 3 falls (2.2%, p>0.05). The fall rate for stroke patients prior to NIWA was 6.2 falls per 1000 patient days compared to 9.6 falls per 1000 patient days (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference between the fall percentage and rate for stroke patients with the implementation of a successful fall prevention program, our analysis supports the importance of fall prevention during the acute hospitalization. When compared to the 5% of stroke patients who fall during the acute hospitalization, our hospital continued to demonstrate a lower percentage of falls in this sub-group of patients. Further study is warranted in obtaining a larger cohort, with further analysis to identify risk factors and unique characteristics specific to our patient population to identify those at risk and prevent further post-stroke falls.
Configuration Space of ℝ n+1, n > 1

In this chapter we shall consider the configuration space \(\mathbb{F}_k (\mathbb{R}^{n + 1} )\) and n < 1. The space is simply connected. The case when n = 1 will be taken up in Chapter IV.
Sigma receptors modulate nicotinic receptor function in adrenal chromaffin cells.

Neither the physiological function of sigma (sigma) receptors nor the cellular mechanism responsible for the pharmacological effects of sigma receptor ligands is known. We now report that sigma receptor ligands noncompetitively inhibit nicotine-stimulated catecholamine release from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in a concentration-dependent and reversible manner. The rank order of potency of ligands to inhibit nicotine-stimulated catecholamine release is significantly correlated (P < 0.005) with that observed in radioligand binding assays selective for the sigma 1 receptor subtype. This naltrexone-insensitive effect is paralleled by an inhibition of nicotine-stimulated increases in [Ca2+]i. Sigma ligands were without effect on catecholamine release or [Ca2+]i in the absence of nicotine. In addition, nicotine accelerated the association of the sigma receptor selective radioligand, [3H](+)pentazocine, to adrenal medullary homogenates while having no effect on the rate of ligand dissociation, consistent wit...
HISTORY, OPPOSITION, AND SALVATION IN AGARABI ADVENTISM

Growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was particularly strong in the Papua New Guinea Eastern Highlands in the last decade. This article discusses a variety of reasons for this change, emphasizing Adventist beliefs that create a distinct historical consciousness among church members. In the face of a rapidly changing society, it is argued, these beliefs structure an appealing ideological framework that facilitates both individual and collective transformation. Significant for Eastern Highland Adventists is a doctrine of opposition toward other Christian groups and a sense of their own unique role in the prophetic events that make up their historical model.
Thermomechanical Behavior of Ceramic Green Bodies During Presintering

A testing methodology, which includes the evaluation of free sintering strain, stress-induced dimensional changes, and weight changes, was developed to determine the critical dimensional changes and thermomechanical response during presintering (i.e., before densification). The effects of organic binder burnout, decomposition of phases, and phase changes on the thermomechanical behavior of a ceramic green body, consisting of methylcellulose as a binder, gibbsite, silica, and alumina, were studied. The compressive stress–strain behavior was found to be nonlinear. The average compressive and tensile strengths of the sample at room temperature were −14.5 and 1.06 MPa, respectively. Both the compressive and tensile strengths decrease by two orders of magnitude with the increasing temperature as a result of binder removal and phase changes. Moreover, the tensile strengths are typically an order of magnitude lower than the ultimate compressive strength. Dynamic measurements, such as constant strain-rate deformation, can be used to further quantify the deformation mechanics during heating. Such data are particularly useful for the modeling of stresses that arise in the early stages of the presintering process, when green bodies have low strength.
Abstract 308: Targeted Inhibition of Cardiac Ankyrin Repeat Protein Disrupts Sarcomeric ERK-GATA4 Signaling at the Titin I-band and Abrogates Agonist-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

Hypertrophic cardiomyocyte growth occurs in response to various stress stimuli including biomechanical stress and neurohormonal factors. Accumulating evidence suggest that sarcomere signaling complexes play a pivotal role in the cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response by transmitting signals to the nucleus to induce gene expression. Cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP, Ankrd1) is a transcriptional regulatory protein that also associates with the titin I-band spring domain, however the exact role of CARP in the heart remains to be elucidated. We report that CARP directly interacts with mitogen activated protein kinase ERK1/2 and cardiac transcription factor GATA4. Phenylephrine (PE) stimulation in cardiomyocytes induced ERK1/2 and GATA4 to transiently co-localize with sarcomeric CARP, followed by translocation of CARP and GATA4 to the nucleus. Four-and-a-half-LIM (FHL) domains proteins are part of a sarcomeric ERK2 sensory complex and knockdown of CARP by small interfering RNA (siRNA) resulted in disruption of FHL1 and FHL2. Moreover, loss of CARP attenuated PE-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and GATA4, decreased GATA4 DNA binding, and prevented PE-induced cardiomyocyte growth. Mice lacking CARP have decreased FHL1 levels, and PE stimulation in wild-type mice resulted in elevated GATA4 phosphorylation and a hypertrophic response, which were completely abrogated in CARP-KO mice. We demonstrate that CARP plays an important role in PE-induced hypertrophic signaling by recruiting ERK2 and GATA4 into a titin I-band macro-molecular complex to induce GATA4 activation, followed by translocation of CARP and GATA4 to the nucleus to enhance GATA4 DNA binding and hypertrophic gene expression. Loss of CARP destabilizes FHL1 and FHL2, resulting in disruption of the PE-induced sarcomeric complex and abrogation of the cardiomyocyte hypertrophic response. These data reveal a novel role for sarcomeric titin I-band as a transcription factor activation hub that induces downstream nuclear signaling in response to agonist-induced hypertrophic stimuli.
Automated defect localization via low rank plus outlier modeling of propagating wavefield data

This work proposes an agnostic inference strategy for material diagnostics, conceived within the context of laser-based nondestructive evaluation methods which extract information about structural anomalies from the analysis of acoustic wavefields measured on the structure's surface by means of a scanning laser interferometer. The proposed approach couples spatiotemporal windowing with low rank plus outlier modeling, to identify a priori unknown deviations in the propagating wavefields caused by material inhomogeneities or defects, using virtually no knowledge of the structural and material properties of the medium. This characteristic makes the approach particularly suitable for diagnostics scenarios in which the mechanical and material models are complex, unknown, or unreliable. We demonstrate our approach in a simulated environment using benchmark point and line defect localization problems based on propagating flexural waves in a thin plate.
Progress toward gas atomization processing with increased uniformity and control

Abstract Many advanced technologies based on particulate materials demand the availability of fine spherical powders or spherical powders of a narrow particle size class. Generally, high-pressure gas atomization (HPGA) is a close-coupled discrete jet atomization method and is one of the most effective methods of producing such powders. Development of HPGA nozzles with discrete jets resembling convergent–divergent (C–D) rocket nozzle designs, instead of the previous cylindrical jets, was conducted to increase atomization efficiency and uniformity and to reduce the required gas supply pressures. Results of compressible gas flow measurements on both types of HPGA nozzles revealed a steadily increasing trend of gas mass flow with gas supply pressure and a positive deviation from isentropic behavior that increases for increasing supply pressure. This has been attributed to an insufficient volume in the atomization nozzle gas manifold that experiences enhanced expansion cooling at increasing pressures. In experiments on 316L stainless steel, the atomization efficiency of the HPGA nozzle with C–D jets was higher than that of the HPGA nozzle with cylindrical jets, reflecting a lower gas/metal mass flow ratio. In other words, while the powder size distributions were nearly the same for all of the HPGA experiments, the HPGA nozzle with C–D jets utilized atomization gas with a significantly reduced operating pressure and mass flow rate.
DNA methylation and plant development

The development of genetic tools to alter DNA methylation has led to a deeper understanding of the importance of DNA modification in the life strategies of different eukaryotic organisms. This review focuses on recent findings that demonstrate a role for cytosine methylation in the development of higher plants. The effects of altering DNA modification are considered in the context of unique aspects of plant development.
Mutations in CHEK2 associated with prostate cancer risk.

The DNA-damage–signaling pathway has been implicated in all human cancers. However, the genetic defects and the mechanisms of this pathway in prostate carcinogenesis remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed CHEK2, the upstream regulator of p53 in the DNA-damage–signaling pathway, in several groups of patients with prostate cancer. A total of 28 (4.8%) germline CHEK2 mutations (16 of which were unique) were found among 578 patients. Additional screening for CHEK2 mutations in 149 families with familial prostate cancer revealed 11 mutations (5 unique) in nine families. These mutations included two frameshift and three missense mutations. Importantly, 16 of 18 unique CHEK2 mutations identified in both sporadic and familial cases were not detected among 423 unaffected men, suggesting a pathological effect of CHEK2 mutations in prostate cancer development. Analyses of the two frameshift mutations in Epstein Barr virus–transformed cell lines, using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, revealed abnormal splicing for one mutation and dramatic reduction of CHEK2 protein levels in both cases. Overall, our data suggest that mutations in CHEK2 may contribute to prostate cancer risk and that the DNA-damage–signaling pathway may play an important role in the development of prostate cancer.
A biomimetic fabricated carbon nanotube synapse for prosthetic applications

A biomimetic carbon nanotube synapse, the portion of the neuron that receives inputs from other neurons, has been fabricated in the laboratory as an analog circuit. The waveforms input to the synapse and output from the synapse resemble biological waveforms in shape and relative amplitudes and durations. This working circuit is an important first step towards the use of nanotechnology for biomimetic neural circuits and neural prosthesis.
Characterization of mid-infrared single mode fibers as modal filters.

We present a technique for measuring the modal filtering ability of single mode fibers. The ideal modal filter rejects all input field components that have no overlap with the fundamental mode of the filter and does not attenuate the fundamental mode. We define the quality of a nonideal modal filter Q(sub f) as the ratio of transmittance for the fundamental mode to the transmittance for an input field that has no overlap with the fundamental mode. We demonstrate the technique on a 20 cm long mid-infrared fiber that was produced by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. The filter quality Q(sub f) for this fiber at 10.5 micron wavelength is 1000 +/- 300. The absorption and scattering losses in the fundamental mode are approximately 8 dB/m. The total transmittance for the fundamental mode, including Fresnel reflections, is 0.428 +/- 0.002. The application of interest is the search for extrasolar Earthlike planets using nulling interferometry. It requires high rejection ratios to suppress the light of a bright star, so that the faint planet becomes visible. The use of modal filters increases the rejection ratio (or, equivalently, relaxes requirements on the wavefront quality) by reducing the sensitivity to small wavefront errors. We show theoretically that, exclusive of coupling losses, the use of a modal filter leads to the improvement of the rejection ratio in a two-beam interferometer by a factor of Q(sub f).
A note on the oscillatory property for nonlinear difference equations and differential equations

Abstract Criteria are given to determine the oscillatory property of solutions of the nonlinear difference equation: Δ d u n + ∑ i = 1 m p in f i ( u n , Δu n ,…, Δ d − 1 u n ) = 0, n = 0, 1, 2,…, where d is an arbitrary integer, generalizing results that have been obtained by B. Szmanda ( J. Math. Anal. Appl. 79 (1981) , 90–95) for d = 2. Analogous results are given for the differential equation: u ( d ) + ∑ i = 1 m p i ( t ) f i ( u , u ′,…, u ( d − 1) ) = 0, t ⩾ t 0 , which coincide with the criteria given by A. G. Kartsatos ( J. Differential Equations 6 (1969), 232–237; Proc. Japan Acad. 44 (1968) , 599–602) and H. Onose ( Proc. Japan Acad. 44 (1968), 110–113; J. Differential Equations 7 (1970), 454–458; SIAM J. Appl. Math. 18 , No. 3 (1970) , 715–719) for the case m = 1.
Interferometry new ideas and new directions

Abstract Recent experimental and theoretical developments in the application of two-particle interferometry to relativistic nuclear collisions are presented. The frame-dependence of apparent source parameters, the prospects for detecting coherent phenomena, and the importance of model-building are discussed.
A New Kalman Filtering Based Digital Distance Relay

This paper describes the design and test results of a Kalman filtering based digital distance protection scheme. A brief review of voltage and current Kalman filters is followed by sensitivity analysis due to incorrect model parameters. The complete scheme for fault detection, classification, zone computation, and fault location calculation is tested for all types of faults at different locations using simulated data. The major parts of the scheme were tested using the available recorded data. The test results indicated that the proposed scheme has a mean operating time of a quarter of a cycle, insensitive to incorrect model parameters, and represents a low computer burden.
Riemannian wavefield extrapolation: Nonorthogonal coordinate systems

Riemannian wavefield extrapolation (RWE) is used to model one-way wave propagation on generalized coordinate meshes. Previous RWE implementations assume that coordinate systems are defined by either orthogonal or semiorthogonal geometry. This restriction leads to situations where coordinate meshes suffer from problematic bunching and singularities. Nonorthogonal RWE is a procedure that avoids many of these problems by posing wavefield extrapolation on smooth, but generally nonorthogonal and singularity-free, coordinate meshes. The resulting extrapolation operators include additional terms that describe nonorthogonal propagation. These extra degrees of complexity, however, are offset by smoother coefficients that are more accurately implemented in one-way extrapolation operators. Remaining coordinate mesh singularities are then eliminated using a differential mesh smoothing procedure. Analytic extrapolation examples and the numerical calculation of 2D and 3D Green’s functions for cylindrical and near-spher...
Charge transport through the cadmium-selenium interface

The current-voltage and capacitance-voltage characteristics of a CdSe rectifier are shown to be consistent with the existence of a CdSe layer at the interface acting as an insulating n-type layer whose current-voltage characteristic is determined by a Poole-Frenkel modulation of trap depth. The CdSe layer supports the largest part of the forward voltage from 0.16 to 0.36 V. Below this range and under reverse bias the diode obeys the theoretical Schottky diode law, whilst above it the current flow is limited by the bulk resistance of the selenium. The presence of the insulating layer causes the voltage drop across the diode with large forward currents flowing to be larger than is the case for Schottky diodes with ideal characteristics. These findings support the assumption that current flow in selenium diodes is by the majority carrier holes. Es wird gezeigt, das die Strom-Spannungs- und Kapazitats-Spannungs-Charakteristiken eines Cd-Se-Gleichrichters mit der Existenz einer CdSe-Schicht an der Grenzflache konsistent sind, die als isolierende n-leitende Schicht wirkt und deren Strom-Spannungscharakteristik durch eine Poole-Frenkel-Modulation der Traptiefe bestimmt wird. Die CdSe-Schicht unterstutzt den grosten Teil der Flusspannung von 0,16 bis 0,36 Volt. Unterhalb dieses Bereiches und bei inverser Vorspannung gehorcht die Diode dem theoretischen Schottky-Diodengesetz, wahrend oberhalb des Bereiches der Stromflus durch den Volumenwiderstand des Selens begrenzt wird. Die Anwesenheit der isolierenden Schicht verursacht den Spannungsabfall uber der Diode mit grosen Durchlasstromen, die groser sind als im Fall der Schottky-Dioden mit idealer Charakteristik. Die Ergebnisse unterstutzen die Annahme, das Stromflus in Selendioden durch Locher als Majoritatsladungstrager getragen wird.
Differences in adrenal cholesterol, ascorbic acid, circulating corticosterone and aldosterone during the onset of hypertension in SHR vs WKy rats

Young adult male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats were killed under strictly quiescent conditions when they became 24, 32, 44, 60, 90 and 120 days of age. Systolic blood pressure was measured just prior to autopsy. Adrenal glands were assayed for ascorbic acid and total cholesterol content, and examined histologically. At 60 days of age, the blood pressure of the SHR became abnormally elevated, reaching severely elevated levels by 120 days of age. The adrenal glands of SHR were consistently smaller than those of WKy but their zonae glomerulosae stained intensively positive for lipid. Adrenocortical ascorbate and cholesterol content remained consistently and significantly lower in SHR vs WKy as did circulating corticosterone levels. Plasma aldosterone levels rose concomitantly with rising blood pressure in SHR and became progressively lower with age in normotensive WKy. These findings suggest that corticosteroidogenesis is different in SHR vs normotensive WKy rats.
Giant Invasive Prolactinomas

Two of the largest prolactinomas ever documented that have been followed for nine and 10 years, respectively, demonstrate how aggressive prolactinomas may become and how difficult invasive prolactinomas are to treat. One of these prolactinomas invaded both internal auditory canals and simultaneously grew inferiorly, reducing the bony support of the skull and necessitating the patient to utilize both hands to hold his head up. The second patient's prolactinoma invaded the sphenoidal, ethmoidal, and cavernous sinuses. Both of these patients had neurosurgical debulking of their tumors followed by radiation therapy. Neither patient's prolactin levels decreased significantly during their first five years post-surgically, at which time bromocriptine was added. Since then, there has been a gradual lowering of serum prolactin levels and a decrease in the size of these tumors. These cases demonstrate that prolonged treatment and very large doses of bromocriptine may be necessary for tumor reduction in patients with invasive prolactinomas.
Cortical magnetoencephalography of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of postural tremor

The effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on motor cortex circuitry in Essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients are not well understood, in part, because most imaging modalities have difficulty capturing and localizing motor cortex dynamics on the same temporal scale as motor symptom expression. Here, we report on the use of magnetoencephalography (MEG) to characterize sources of postural tremor activity within the brain of an ET/PD patient and the effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS on these sources. Recordings were performed during unilateral and bilateral DBS at stimulation amplitudes of 0 V, 1 V, and 3 V corresponding to no therapy, subtherapeutic, and therapeutic configurations, respectively. Dipole source localization in reference to the postural tremor frequency recorded with electromyography (EMG) showed prominent sources in both right and left motor cortices when no therapy was provided. These sources dissipated as the amplitude of stimulation increased to a therapeutic level (p=0.0062). Coherence peaks between the EMG and MEG recordings were seen at both 4 Hz, postural tremor frequency, and at 8 Hz, twice the tremor frequency, with no therapy. Both peaks were reduced with therapeutic DBS. These results demonstrate the capabilities of MEG to record cortical dynamics of tremor during deep brain stimulation and suggest that MEG could be used to examine DBS in the context of motor symptoms of PD and of ET.
Histochemical and chemical studies of the localization of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves in normal and denervated cat hearts.

The localization of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves in normal and denervated cat hearts was studied histochemically. The norepinephrine content of atria and ventricles was chemically determined by a spectrofluorometric method. In hearts denervated 9 to 42 days, little or no norepinephrine was detected. Histochemically, many catecholamine-containing fibers were present in the atria and ventricles of normal cats, whereas in denervated cats there were none in one and very few in four. There were many cholinergic nerves in the atria and a small to moderate number in the ventricles. The left atria of denervated hearts showed a marked reduction in cholinergic nerve fibers. It is concluded that cardiac denervation by mediastinal neural ablation is often incomplete. When norepinephrine is not detectable by chemical analysis, individual nerve fibers not sectioned can still be histochemically identified.
The Mechanism of J-V “Roll-Over” in CdS/CdTe Devices

The “roll-over” phenomenon in current-voltage (J-V) curves of CdS/CdTe devices is recognized as a result of the formation of a higher back barrier. When Cu has not been intentionally added to the back contact, roll-over is understandable. However, the mechanism was unclear for forming J-V roll-over in a CdTe cell with a back contact containing Cu. We did extensive characterizations, including XRD, XPS, SIMS, TEM, and EDS, and “recontact” experiments to understand this phenomenon. The results show that the roll-over comes from the formation of Cu-related oxides at the back side of the device during processing, rather than the diffusion of Cu to the front side of the device. Discussions related to the J-V roll-over mechanisms will also be presented.
Transition in agriculture: A strategic assessment of agriculture and banking

The American Bankers Association (ABA) initiated an assessment of the role of banks in providing credit and other financial services to the farm sector. The study reviews the trends in banking; projects the future economic conditions in agriculture; provides an assessment of the existing agricultural credit delivery system; and addresses the credit and banking policy changes needed to strengthen the ability of banks to serve the changing financial needs of agriculture. The findings of this study are summarized in this article.
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERIZATION OF CERIUM OXIDE ABRASIVES FOR CHEMICAL-MECHANICAL POLISHING OF GLASS

Abstract Investigation of the nature of chemomechanical polishing (CMP) for glass requires an in-depth knowledge of the influences of abrasive physical properties and slurry chemistry. In the present work, eight cerium oxide abrasives were used to polish fused silica on a polyurethane pad. Results from pre-polished surfaces re-polished in aqueous and non-aqueous suspensions and from corrosion testing of solutions recovered from abrasive suspensions were used to discern chemical, chemomechanical, and mechanical equivalents for each abrasive. Performance indices (i.eabrasive quality values) were generated from the equivalents and related to conventional polishing of lapped surfaces. Optimally performing abrasives were found to require a balance of equivalents (i.eset ratio) as dictated by inherent chemical activities, heat treatments, and milling. From solution chemistry testing, particle/workpiece attraction via surface charge was found to increase the chemomechanical effect. The CMP mechanism is concluded...
Managers' theories of subordinates: A cross-cultural examination of manager perceptions of motivation and appraisal of performance

Abstract The present study sought to examine the relationship between managers’ perceptions of employee motivation and performance appraisal by surveying managers and employees in three distinct cultural regions (North America, Asia, and Latin America) within a single global organization. Three distinct cultural patterns emerged in the theories managers’ held about their subordinates. While North American managers perceived their employees as being more extrinsically than intrinsically motivated, perceptions of intrinsic motivation proved to be a more robust predictor of performance appraisal. Asian managers exhibited a holistic tendency in that they perceived their subordinates as equally motivated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and their perceptions of both motivations proved to be comparable predictors of performance appraisal. Latin American managers perceived their employees as being more intrinsically than extrinsically motivated, and accordingly, only their perceptions of intrinsic motivation proved to be significantly correlated with performance appraisal. In contrast to the cultural variations exhibited in manager perceptions, employees consistently reported themselves as being more motivated by intrinsic than extrinsic incentives. Explanations for the distinct cultural patterns that emerged and their implications for the study of culture and organizational behavior are discussed.
Nontherapeutic opiate addiction in health professionals: a new form of impairment.

Case studies describe a new type of addicted health professional whose opiate abuse originated recreationally . Historically, health professionals have had high rates of opiate addiction, usually viewed as an occupational hazard stemming from access and from self-treatment for pain or stresses of the medical profession. Partly because addiction in health professionals was almost always therapeutic (iatrogenic) or quasi-therapeutic (stress-related), it affected them less severely than it affected heroin addicts, whose drug abuse usually began recreationally . Now, however, because recreational drug abuse has become commonplace at American colleges since the mid-1960s, a majority of young health professionals have histories of abusing drugs and some are becoming non-therapeutically addicted. Six case studies describe this new addict type, showing how the subjects went from heavy soft drug use to opiate addiction, experienced severe longterm effects, were treated by society, and responded to treatment.
Pharmacokinetics of pyrethroids in twospotted spider mites

Abstract The penetration and degradation of six pyrethroids were examined in the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and the results were related to their toxicity as measured by inhibition of respiration using the Warburg technique and mortality using the slide-dip bioassay. FMC-54800 [1,1′-biphenyl-3ylmethyl cis -3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] was the most toxic pyrethroid to the mites based on both respiration and mortality studies. It and flucythrinate had the highest pharmacokinetic efficiency as determined by delivery and maintenance of internal levels of parent compounds. Permethrin, fenvalerate, and fluvalinate were intermediate in pharmacokinetic efficiency, whereas cypermethrin was significantly lower. The highest intrinsic activity, as estimated by the percentage inhibition of respiration per microgram of internal parent, was possessed by cypermethrin and FMC-54800. Fenvalerate and fluvalinate had intermediate levels, while permethrin and flucythrinate had significantly lower capacities to inhibit respiration. The combination of relatively high pharmacokinetic efficiency and intrinsic activity of FMC-54800 appeared to be responsible for its high toxicity. In addition to these findings, differences in the kinetics for cis and trans isomers were observed for permethrin but not cypermethrin. This study has yielded evidence that acaricidal activity of pyrethroids can be enhanced by optimizing the structure for increased pharmacokinetic efficiency and increased intrinsic activity.
Spectral analysis of the cardiac cycle of signal-averaged Frank leads from patients with ventricular tachycardia.

Identification of the spectral features in electrocardiograms that distinguish patients prone to ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a prerequisite to increasing the diagnostic power of the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG). To determine distinguishing features of the magnitude spectrum, the spectra of SAECGs of sinus beats were analyzed over the entire cardiac cycle from 32 patients with VT, 30 without VT, and 10 normal control subjects. The magnitude spectra of the Frank SAECGs separated patients with VT from those without VT over the band from 7 to 140 Hz with a P value of .000000047. To determine distinguishing features of phase and group-delay spectra, SAECGs of sinus beats over the entire cardiac cycle were analyzed from 57 patients with VT, 65 without VT, and 20 normal control subjects. Unwrapped phase spectra from SAECGs of the entire cardiac cycle were calculated with respect to the onset of the Q wave. Phase spectra of SAECGs from patients with VT differed from those from non-VT patients at frequencies of 60 Hz or greater (P = .00085). Average group delays in SAECGs from patients with and without VT differed (P = .00000069) from 14 to 24 Hz. Group delays in the VT patients in the 14-24-Hz band were on average 9 ms and 5 ms longer than those of the non-VTs and normal subjects, respectively. Time-domain reconstructions demonstrated that distinguishing frequency bands were detectable throughout the QRS complex, ST-segment, and T wave in SAECGs from each group. Thus, the spectra of SAECGs over the cardiac cycle contain features that together with temporal features from throughout the cardiac cycle are essential in improving methods for stratifying risk of VT.
Renal vascular changes produced by the mercurial diuretic salyrgan.

It is generally stated that mercurial diuretics do not change the hemodynamics of the kidney1, 2. On the other hand, reductions in kidney volume, renal blood flow and glomerular filtration have been described by a number of independent investigators3, 4, 5, while Dicker 6 has shown that in rats salyrgan increases the diodrast and inulin clearances. A study of the available literature indicates that mercurials can produce several qualitatively and quantitatively different effects on the renal hemodynamics. In the present study an attempt will be made to characterize these mercurial-induced renal vascular changes in the dog and to elucidate the importance of these changes in the response of the kidney to these diuretics.
Extraction and characterization of a “native” vitamin A-sensitive glycoprotein from rat intestine

Abstract It was found previously (DeLuca, L., Schumacher, M. and Wolf, G. (1970) J. Biol. Chem. 245, 4551–4558) that the incorporation of labeled glucosamine into a specific fucose-containing glycopeptide, located in the goblet cells of intestinal mucosa, was greatly impaired in vitamin A deficiency. A new method for solubilization and isolation for the vitamin A-sensitive glycoprotein from which the glycopeptide was derived is now described. Four criteria of identity were used: (1) the ratio of [ 14 C]glucosamine to [ 3 H]fucose in the two molecules were found to be similar when the glycopeptide and glycoprotein were isolated from the same preparation of intestinal mucosa, labeled in vivo with [ 14 C]glucosamine and [ 3 H]fucose; (2) the fucose-containing glycoprotein showed the expected decrease of glucosamine incorporation in vitamin A deficiency; (3) the carbohydrate composition of the molecules was found to be similar; and (4) the glycoprotein cross-reacted at the same concentration as did the glycopeptide with antiserum prepared against the glycopeptide.