cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal study of symptom severity and language in minimally verbal children with autism

Background: A significant minority of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are considered ‘minimally verbal’ due to language development stagnating at a few words. Recent developments allow for the severity of ASD symptoms to be examined using Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Social Affect (SA) and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors (RRB) domain severity scores. The aim of the current study was to explore language outcomes in a cohort of minimally verbal children with autism evaluated through the preschool years and determine if and how ASD symptom severity in core domains predicts the development of spoken language by age 5. Methods: The sample consisted of 70 children with autism aged 1–5 years at the first evaluation who were examined at least 1 year later, during their fifth year of age. The ADOS overall level of language item was used to categorize children as minimally verbal or having phrase speech, and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning was used as a continuous measure of expressive language. Results: At Time 1, 65% (n = 47) of children in the sample were minimally verbal and by Time 2, 36% (n = 17 of 47) of them had developed phrase speech. While the Time 1 ADOS calibrated severity scores did not predict whether or not a child remained minimally verbal at Time 2, change in the SA calibrated severity score (but not RRB) was predictive of the continuous measure of expressive language. However, change in SA severity no longer predicted continuous expressive language when nonverbal cognitive ability was added to the model. Conclusions: Findings indicate that the severity of SA symptoms has some relationship with continuous language outcome, but not categorical. However, the omnipresent influence of nonverbal cognitive ability was confirmed in the current study, as the addition of it to the model rendered null the predictive utility of SA severity. Keywords: Language, autism spectrum disorders, preschool children, assessment, minimally verbal.
Effects of cultural practices on oat grain yield and mineral composition

Abstract Oats (Avena saliva L.) is an important protein and mineral source for humans and animals. Few data exist that relate cultural practices to oat grain nutritional quality. A split‐plot design was used to evaluate the influence of the four main treatment seeding rates (36,72, 108, and 143 kg/ha), and four split treatments of N fertilizer applications (control and 56 kg N/ha applied at planting, 4 leaf, and jointing stages) on oat grain yield and mineral concentration in oat grain. The study was conducted at two Ohio locations in 1984. The soil at Columbus was a Kokomo silty clay loam (fine, mixed, mesic type Argiaquoll) and at Springfield was an Ockley silt loam (fine, loamy, mixed, mesic type Hapludalf). There was no significant location effect on grain yield, but a significant location by seeding rate interaction was observed. Location affected grain mineral concentration for all elements except Mg. Location appeared to cause differences for all elements studied except N and K. Significant locatio...
Mental health and high-cost health care utilization: new evidence from Axis II disorders.

Objective To analyze the associations between Axis II (A2) disorders and two measures of health care utilization with relatively high cost: emergency department (ED) episodes and hospital admissions. Data Source/Study Setting Wave I (2001/2002) and Wave II (2004/2005) of the National Longitudinal Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Study Design A national probability sample of adults. Gender-stratified regression analysis adjusted for a range of covariates associated with health care utilization. Data Collection The target population of the NESARC is the civilian noninstitutionalized population aged 18 years and older residing in the United States. The cumulative survey response rate is 70.2 percent with a response rate of 81 percent (N = 43,093) in Wave I and 86.7 percent (N = 34,653) in Wave II. Principal Findings Both men and women with A2 disorders are at elevated risk for ED episodes and hospital admissions. Associations are robust after adjusting for a rich set of confounding factors, including Axis I (clinical) psychiatric disorders. We find evidence of a dose-response relationship, while antisocial and borderline disorders exhibit the strongest associations with both measures of health care utilization. Conclusions This study provides the first published estimates of the associations between A2 disorders and high-cost health care utilization in a large, nationally representative survey. The findings underscore the potential implications of these disorders on health care expenditures. © Health Research and Educational Trust.
Risk factors for pediatric asthma emergency visits

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for pediatric asthma emergency department (ED) visits. A cross-sectional sample of 307 families (24%) responded to a mailed survey. Respondents were similar to the target population of 2487 children with asthma. Thirty-seven percent of respondents had two or more asthma ED visits in the past year. Asthma ED use was associated with persistent asthma symptoms, parents without high school diplomas, age under 4 years, African-American race/ethnicity, use of written care plans, and use of spacers at school. The latter two variables were associated with severe asthma. High-risk children can be targeted for office-based medical care.
Association between Histoplasma exposure and stroke.

Background and Purpose The rate of cerebrovascular events within the stroke belt, a geographic area defined in the Southeastern United States, exceeds that of the rest of the nation. Despite evaluation of multiple risk factors for this disparity, specific causes for the stroke belt have not been elucidated. More than 45 years ago, the US Public Health Service and US Navy cooperative skin-testing program (1958-1965) documented adolescent exposure to Histoplasma capsulatum . Our purpose was to evaluate the association between exposure to Histoplasma capsulatum and subsequent development of stroke. Methods A cross-sectional study of stroke in a cohort of US Navy veterans was designed to assess our hypothesis. Medical records from 23,795 men who participated in the cooperative skin-testing program and who received medical care at Veterans Administration Hospitals and Clinics were reviewed. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio of stroke while controlling for multiple covariates. Because of the large number of possible risk factors for stroke, propensity scores were used to reduce bias. Results The adjusted odds ratio for stroke in veterans exposed to Histoplasma capsulatum during adolescence was 1.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.6; P = .0033). The increased risk was independent of traditional cerebrovascular event risk factors. Less frequent risk factors (atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, and prosthetic cardiac valvular replacement) were not controlled in this model. Conclusion Exposure to Histoplasma capsulatum during adolescence was associated with an increased risk of stroke.
DERMATOGLYPHIC ANALYSIS OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING PROBLEMS

Dermatoglyphic patterns can only be altered by environmental factors during the 1st and early 2nd trimesters. Since learning disabilities (L.D.) can have a prenatal etiology, it is likely that children with L.D. would have a greater frequency of abnormal dermatoglyphic patterns. In contrast to the children with prenatal factors, those with emotional or situational problems could be expected to have normal dermatoglyphics. Dermatoglyphic analyses were performed on 49 males and 27 females referred to our Evaluation Center for Learning Problems. Numerous dermatoglyphic parameters were studied, and, including the following, the frequency of specific patterns in children with learning problems was significantly greater than the frequency of these patterns in controls. Children with emotional or situational problems had normal dermatoglyphics. Dermatoglyphics may be useful in recognizing children whose L.D. has a prenatal etiology.
Use of Total Whey Constituents for Human Food

In recent years, utilization of whey has been felt to be an inexorable necessity in view of the current requirements for alleviating environmental pollution as well as using available nutrients for feeding the malnourished segments of human population. Presence of several nutritionally important constituents having excellent functional characteristics enhances opportunities for a wide-range application of whey and whey constituents in the food industry. Technology is being developed to utilize whey for the manufacture of a variety of new food products as well as for the replacement of comparatively costly food ingredients. Various aspects of utilization of whey for human nutrition are described.
Non-dispersive atomic fluorimeter for metals that form volatile hydrides

Abstract A non-dispersive atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer was built and tested for the determination of those elements that form volatile hydrides. The instrument design is compatible with simultaneous multiple element analysis for those elements that can be determined as their hydride. As little as 0.1 to 0.2 ng of Se, As, Bi and Sb was detected and this is typically 10-fold better than the reported hydride detection limits by atomic absorption. The precision was better than 2% at the 50 ng level of the elements.
Biaxial alignment of high-Tc superconductor polycrystals. VI. Biaxial alignment of (Eu0.92Yb0.08 Ba2Cu3Ox [1-2-3(Eu)]

Abstract We report a high degree of biaxial (and hence, triaxial) alignment of RE-1-2-3 superconductor ceramic grains achieved by a recently developed method that combines the effects of a magnetic field and a mechanical force (acting normal to each other); here RE = Eu0.92Yb0.08. XRD and analysis of the twin boundary distribution relative to the field direction are used to analyze the alignment fraction in the surface layer; relative to the random distribution, there is an increase of ≈ 400% in the number of grains having [100] or [010] axes parallel-aligned to within ± 5° from the field direction.
Axons Guided by Insulin Receptor in Drosophila Visual System

Insulin receptors are abundant in the central nervous system, but their roles remain elusive. Here we show that the insulin receptor functions in axon guidance. The Drosophila insulin receptor (DInR) is required for photoreceptor-cell (R-cell) axons to find their way from the retina to the brain during development of the visual system. DInR functions as a guidance receptor for the adapter protein Dock/Nck. This function is independent of Chico, the Drosophila insulin receptor substrate (IRS) homolog.
The ethics of morphing

Here’s one piece of practical reasoning: “If I do this then a person will reap some benefits and suffer some costs. On balance, the benefits outweigh the costs. So I ought to do it.” Here’s another: “If I do this then one person will reap some benefits and another will suffer some costs. On balance, the benefits to the one person outweigh the costs to the other. So I ought to do it.” Many influential philosophers say that there is something dubious about the second piece of reasoning. They say that it makes sense to trade-off costs and benefits within lives, but not across lives. In this paper I make a case for the second piece of reasoning. My case turns on the existence of morphing sequences—sequences of possible states of affairs across which people transform smoothly into other people.
Ultrasound Current Source Density Imaging using a clinical intracardiac catheter

Radiofrequency catheter ablation for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia requires pre-surgical mapping of the heart’s activation wave. However, modern cardiac mapping systems continue to suffer from significant limitations. We have proposed Ultrasound Current Source Density Imaging (UCSDI) as a new modality to map reentry currents in the heart. In this study, we focus on interfacing UCSDI with a clinical intra-cardiac catheter—a key step towards translating UCSDI to the clinic for guiding cardiac ablation therapy. Sensitivity of UCSDI combined with the catheter was tested in a tissue mimicking phantom and fresh excised porcine hear tissue. Effect of the recoding distance on the detection of UCSDI was also investigated. Sensitivity of UCSDI with catheter was 4.7 μV/mA (R = 0.999) in cylindrical gel (0.9% NaCl), and 3.2 μV/mA (R = 0.92) in porcine heart tissue. The AE signal was detectable more than 25 mm away from the source in cylindrical gel (0.9% NaCl). Keywords-cardiac arrhythmia; catheter ablation; acoustoelectric effect; ECG, EKG, multi-electrode recording I. BACKGROUND AND THEORY Cardiac arrhythmia is a serious health concern affecting more than 4 million Americans. Each year 500,000 receive radiofrequency catheter ablation for treatment. Catheter ablation therapy is completely curative for some types of arrhythmia [1]. It currently plays a pivotal role in the clinic for interventional treatment of arrhythmia. Despite broad success of catheter ablation, the procedure depends on a pre-surgical electrophysiology (EP) study to obtain the detailed mapping of the heart’s electrical system. This involves placing an electrode catheter into the heart and navigating it through the area of interest to collect multiple electrocardiograms (ECG). The most established EP guidance technique is fluoroscopy. Advanced mapping technologies, like electro-anatomical mapping (EAM), have been developed in recent years to facilitate mapping the cardiac activation wave with reduced exposure to ionizing radiation compared to fluoroscopy [2, 3]. Despite the high technological achievements, there still are factors limiting its functionality. For example, commercial mapping systems, such as the CARTOTM EAM system, are not able to monitor the cardiac activation wave in real-time, requiring averages over many cardiac cycles and, consequently, not capable of detecting nonsustained arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia) [4, 5]. We have formerly proposed Ultrasound Current Source Density Imaging (UCSDI) as a new modality that potentially facilitates and enhances mapping biopotentials in the heart [6, 7] and brain [8]. In this study, we focus on using UCSDI for cardiac imaging. UCSDI is based on Ohm’s Law and the acoustoelectric (AE) effect, which can be described as
Smoking Cessation Recruitment Among African American Youth: What Youth Think Will Help Them Attend

ABSTRACT Data on the perceived sources of cessation information and the reasons why alternative school students would attend a smoking cessation program were collected from 302 students at an alternative high school who were surveyed through the Safer Decisions Program in Houston, Texas. Data collection took place between September 2006 and January 2007. Logistic regression identified that non-smokers were more likely to believe it was important to receive cessation information from doctors (4.93 adjusted odds ratio [AOR]; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.96; 12.40), health educators (4.70 AOR; 95% CI = 1.46; 15.10), people who have been affected by smoking (3.20 AOR; 95% CI = 1.04; 9.80), teachers (2.73 AOR; 95% CI = 1.3; 5.60), and celebrities (2.44 AOR; 95% CI = 1.21; 4.92) compared to smokers. In addition, persons who had smoked in the past 30 days were twice as likely to report embarrassment (1.86 AOR; 95% CI = 1.00; 3.44) and feel that it was not right to smoke (2.24 AOR; 95% CI = 1.00; 5.00) compar...
The little rip

We examine models in which the dark energy density increases with time (so that the equation-of-state parameter $w$ satisfies $wl\ensuremath{-}1$), but $w\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{-}1$ asymptotically, such that there is no future singularity. We refine previous calculations to determine the conditions necessary to produce this evolution. Such models can display arbitrarily rapid expansion in the near future, leading to the destruction of all bound structures (a ``little rip''). We determine observational constraints on these models and calculate the point at which the disintegration of bound structures occurs. For the same present-day value of $w$, a big rip with constant $w$ disintegrates bound structures earlier than a little rip.
Fracture Analysis on Drainage Pipe Socket of Boiler

Rupture reason of boiler drainage pipe socket was analyzed by means of chemical composition analysis, macro-observation, metallurgical and SEM microstructure examination. Results showed that the rupture of the drainage pipe socket was a result of creep cracking initiated in intercritical zone of HAZ due to long period operation under high temperature. During creep process, carbides precipitated on fine grain boundaries of intercritical zone and grew up gradually into new coarse carbides as favorite nucleation site for creep void. With the growth, coalesce and connection of creep voids carries on, micro-cracks formed on original austenite boundaries and finally led to fracture of weld joint.
Peptide specificity for stimulation of corticotropin secretion: activation of overlapping pathways by the vasoactive intestinal peptide family and corticotropin-releasing factor.

The hypothalamic peptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) stimulates ACTH and endorphin secretion by the AtT20/Dl6 clohal strain of mouse pituitary tumor cells. The dose dependence for VIP stimulation of hormone release is biphasic, indicating that VIP is able to activate at least two classes of receptors in D16 cells (ED50 = 1.6 and 160 nM). We show that at high concentrations (ED50 ≥ 150 nM), other natural peptides with primary structures homologous to that of VIP also increased ACTH secretion by D16 cells, whereas structurally unrelated peptides did not. The stimulatory actions of GHreleasing factor (GRF) and porcine heptacosapeptide with amino-terminal histidine and carboxy-terminal isoleucine amide (PHI) were mediated by high affinity VIP receptors because their effects were not additive with that of 10 nM VIP. In addition, GRF and PHI behaved as antagonists at low affinity VIP receptors; both peptides inhibited stimulation by 1 μM VIP. In contrast, glucagon and gastric inhibitory polypeptide appe...
A dispersion and pulse width correction algorithm for the pulsed wire method

Abstract The pulsed wire technique is an attractive option for the measurement of undulators where the measurement access is restricted due to, for example, narrow undulator gaps or cryogenic environments in the case of superconducting undulators. Using the pulsed wire technique, direct measurements of the first and second integrals of the magnetic field can be obtained. However, one of the main limitations of this technique is the error introduced by dispersive wave motion, due to the finite flexural rigidity of the wire. For the measurement of the first integral of the magnetic field, an error is also introduced by the use of a current pulse with finite pulse width. In this paper, a general solution is presented for dispersive wave motion in pulsed wire measurements. A method for the measurement of the dispersive wave speed is presented and demonstrated through experimental examples. An algorithm is derived which corrects the dispersion and finite pulse-width errors in the measurement of first magnetic field integrals and the dispersion error in the measurement of second magnetic field integrals. The effectiveness of the correction algorithms is demonstrated through experimental measurements, and the results are compared with Hall probe measurements on a short undulator.
Massive right ventricular outflow tract aneurysm after ventriculotomy for subvalvular pulmonic stenosis associated with peripheral pulmonary arterial stenoses.

From the Pathology and Surgery Branches, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland . Manuscript received and accepted January 4, 1983, On leave from the Department of Pathology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri . ical tabulated sessile yellow mass, 23 X 22 X 14 mm . The chordae tendineae of this cusp were thickened and emerged from another yellow 20 X 12 X 8 mm mass that had largely replaced the posterior papillary muscle (Fig . 3) . The anterior cusp was normal. The mitral valve and the papillary muscles were excised and replaced by a 31 mm Bjork-Shiley prosthesis . The postoperative course was uneventful . Histologic examination of sections of the valve and thepapillary muscle tumors showed simple pure lipomas composed of mature fat cells (Fig . 4) .
Ultrasonic phased array system modeling-issues and solutions

In modeling ultrasonic phased array inspection systems one needs to characterize the electrical and electromechanical components of the system and the radiation properties of the individual array elements since both of these properties are important in being able to model the overall response of the array to any flaws present. Models for determining each of these elements will be obtained and issues unique to phased array systems will be discussed.
Preconcentration and voltammetric measurement of mercury with a crown-ether modified carbon-paste electrode

Abstract Carbon-paste electrodes modified with crown-ethers were constructed by mixing the crown-ethers into a graphite powder/Nujol oil matrix. The electrodes so formed were able to bind mercuric ions chemically, and gave greater voltammetric response to mercury than that of ordinary carbon-paste electrodes. The response was characterized with respect to paste composition, crown-ether, preconcentration period, mercury concentration, reproducibility, possible interferences, and other variables. Best results were obtained with 18-crown-6 and an acetate buffer (pH 4.0). The electrode gave good linearity for 1 × 10 −5 −6 × 10 −6 M mercury, a detection limit of 2 × 10 −6 M , and a relative standard deviation of 11%. The investigation may lead to a new class of modified (complexing) electrodes, with different patterns of reactivity.
Mood Disorders After TBI

In this article, we examine the epidemiology and risk factors for the development of the most common mood disorders observed in the aftermath of TBI: depressive disorders and bipolar spectrum disorders. We describe the classification approach and diagnostic criteria proposed in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. We also examine the differential diagnosis of post-TBI mood disorders and describe the mainstay of the evaluation process. Finally, we place a special emphasis on the analysis of the different therapeutic options and provide guidelines for the appropriate management of these conditions.
Colorectal and extracolonic cancer variations in MLH1/MSH2 hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer kindreds and the general population

PURPOSE: This clinical case review aimed to identify phenotypic variations in colorectal and extracolonic cancer expression between hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) families with MLH1 and MSH2 germline mutations and the general population. METHODS: Colorectal cancer onset and site distribution were compared among 67 members of MLH1 kindreds, 45 members of MSH2 kindreds, and 1,189 patients from the general population. Synchronous and metachronous cancer rates, tumor stage, extracolonic cancer incidence, and survival were also compared. RESULTS: Mean ages of colorectal cancer onset were 44, 46, and 69 years for MLH1, MSH2, and the general population, respectively (P<0.001). More proximal and fewer distal colon cancers were noted in HNPCC than the general population (P<0.001,P=0.04). Site distribution showed disparity of rectal cancers (8 percent MLH1vs. 28 percent MSH2;P=0.01) based on genotypes. Overall, synchronous colorectal cancer rates were 7.4, 6.7, and 2.4 percent for MLH1, MSH2, and the general population, respectively (P=0.016). Annual metachronous colorectal cancer rates were 2.1, 1.7, and 0.33 percent for MLH1, MSH2, and the general population, respectively (P=0.041). Colorectal cancer stage presentation was lower in HNPCC than the general population (P=0.0028). Extracolonic cancers were noted in 33 percent of MSH2 patients, compared with 12 percent of MLH1 patients and 7.3 percent of the general population with colorectal cancers (P<0.001). Combined MLH1 and MSH2 ten-year survival was 68.7 percent compared with 47.8 percent for the general population (P=0.009 stage stratified, hazard ratio 0.57). CONCLUSION: The presence of rectal cancer should not preclude the diagnosis of HNPCC, because the incidence of rectal cancer in MSH2 was comparable with that in the general population. Phenotypic variations, including the preponderance of extracolonic cancers in MSH2 patients, did not result in survival differences between genotypic subgroups. These phenotypic features of HNPCC genotypes may have clinical significance in the design of specific screening, surveillance, and follow-up for affected individuals.
Review Essay: Daniel W. Smith, Essays on Deleuze

A review essay of Daniel W. Smith, Essays on Deleuze (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2012).
LINKING POPULATION DYNAMICS AND DISEASE MODELS FOR MULTI-HOST PATHOGEN SYSTEMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PATHOGEN AND SPECIES INVASION

We consider models for the spread of disease in one or two species where density-dependent population dynamics can range from affecting primarily reproduction and juvenile survival to affecting death rates of adults. We show that disease and competition (both intra- and inter-specific) can interact to change the dynamics of a system, resulting in changes in species density, disease invasion and prevalence. Additionally, we show that the mechanism of competition between and within species can affect the ability of a disease to spread and persist. If density dependence acts only on reproduction and juvenile survival rates, disease is more likely to persist, while for the same system if competition acts solely on the survival rate of adults the disease is less likely to successfully invade. This has implications both for conservation and public health, especially as climate change and invasive species change community structure and as zoonotic diseases become more important.
Prolyl hydroxylase activity in L-929 fibroblasts incubated with and without ascorbate

Abstract An improved procedure was used to assay prolyl hydroxylase activity in both early-log and late-log L-929 fibroblasts grown on plastic surfaces. When 40 μg/ml of ascorbate was added to early-log phase cultures, the rate of hydroxy-[ 14 C] proline synthesis increased 2-fold within 4 h, but there was no change in prolyl hydroxylase activity per cell. The results indicated therefore that ascorbate did not “activate” prolyl hydroxylase in the sense of converting inactive enzyme protein to active enzyme protein. Instead ascorbate appeared to increase hydroxyproline synthesis in early-log L-929 fibroblasts because the prolyl hydroxylase reaction in such cells was limited by the availability of ascorbate or a similar cofactor. When 40 μg/ml of ascorbate was added to late-log phase cultures, there was essentially no effect on the rate of hydroxyl[ 14 C]-proline synthesis or prolyl hydroxylase activity. The late-log phase cells, however, contained three times more enzyme activity and about two times more immuno-reactive enzyme protein than early-log phase cells. In addition, the rate of protein synthesis per cell in late-log phase cells was only one-tenth the rate in early-log phase cells. The results suggested that as the cells grew to confluency, collagen polypeptides were more completely hydroxylated in part because the rate of polypeptide synthesis decreased and at the same time prolyl hydroxylase activity per cell increased. The results appear to provide an alternate explanation for previous observations on the effects of ascorbate and “crowding” on hydroxy[roline synthesis in cultures of L-929 fibroblasts.
Developmental rate and viability of rainbow trout with a null allele at a lactate dehydrogenase locus.

We show that a previously described isozyme polymorphism in rainbow trout(Salmo gairdneri) is the result of an enzymatically inactive (i.e., null) allele(n). Ldh3 null homozygotes(n/n) and heterozygotes(100/n) have reductions of about 20 and 12% in total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity at hatching, respectively. As juveniles,(100/n) fish have reductions in LDH activity of 15, 37, and 21% in brain, heart, and white muscle, respectively. Embryos with differntLdh3 phenotypes from 11 families do not differ significantly in either survival or hatching time. However, a second measure of developmental rate, the amount of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM) activity in 33-day-old embryos, suggests that(100/n) embryos develop more slowly than(100/100) embryos. In three of four families examined,(100/n) embryos have significantly lower amounts of total MDH activity (8–10%). In one of these,(100/n) embryos also have significantly lower total PGM activity (15%). These data suggest that the reduction in total LDH activity is associated with small but detectable delays in developmental rate but nondetectable differences in survival to hatching.
Spheroidization of Tubular Voids in Al2 O3 Crystals at High Temperatures

Cracks introduced into single-crystal sapphire broke up after annealing, first into channels of cylindrical voids and ultimately into rows of spherical pores, with the thicker gap spacings in the original crack remaining open. Breakup of the cylindrical voids on subsequent annealing conformed to the models for surface-diffusion-controlled material transport. At the temperatures of measurement, the magnitudes of the calculated surface diffusivities agree well with values reported previously.
Microtubule Deacetylases, SirT2 and HDAC6, in the Nervous System

Examination of the cytoskeleton has demonstrated the pivotal role of regulatory proteins governing cytoskeletal dynamics. Most work has focused on cell cycle and cell migration regarding cancer. However, these studies have yielded tremendous insight for development, particularly in the nervous system where all major cell types remodel their shape, generate unsurpassed quantities of membranes and extend cellular processes to communicate, and regulate the activities of other cells. Herein, we analyze two microtubule regulatory alpha-tubulin deacetylases, histone deacetylase-6 (HDAC6) and SirT2. HDAC6 is expressed by most neurons but is abundant in cerebellar Purkinje cells. In contrast, SirT2 is targeted to myelin sheaths. Expression of these proteins by post-mitotic cells indicates novel functions, such as process outgrowth and membrane remodeling. In oligodendrocytes, targeting of SirT2 to paranodes coincides with the presence of the microtubule-destabilizing protein stathmin-1 during early myelinogenesis and suggests the existence of a microtubule regulatory network that modulates cytoskeletal dynamics.
Lack of regioselectivity in formation of oxohydroxyoctadecenoic acids from the 9‐ or 13‐hydroperoxide of linoleic acid

Either 9-hydroperoxy-trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid or 13-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid was treated with the catalyst, cysteine-FeCl3, in the presence of oxygen. Oxohydroxyoctadecenoic acids were among the many products formed as a result of hydroperoxide decomposition. A mixture of 9(13)-oxo-13(9)-hydroxy-trans-11(10)-octadecenoic acids (δ-ketols) was produced from either isomeric hydroperoxide. The formation of isomeric δ-ketols from 9-hydroxy-trans-12,13-epoxy-trans-10-octadecenoic acid (epoxyol), a known product of 13-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid decomposition, implies that the epoxyol is an intermediate. The mechanism was elucidated by the facile conversion of the epoxyol (methyl ester_ to methyl 9(13)-oxo-13(9)-hydroxy-trans-11(10)-octadecenoates with a Lewis acid, BF3-etherate.
Chemical-Electric Car as an Undergraduate Student Project

A team of undergraduate students at Miami University has conducted design and experiments to build a small Chemical-Electrical (CHEM-E) car with the plan to enter the US National American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) CHEM-E car competition. The purpose of the CHEM-E car is to enhance undergraduate students experiential learning and get the students prepared for the future need of comprehensively research and analysis of real Chemical-Electric car. This team of undergraduate students has proposed an aluminum-air battery car with design consideration of low cost, durable materials, constrained size of the car, power generation and its stability and car speed.
A demonstration of differential refractoriness within a single fascicle of the human ventricular specialized conduction system.

Abstract In 15 patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), atrial (A), His bundle (H), and ventricular (V) electrograms were recorded. Successively more premature atrial depolarizations were introduced via a catheter in the right atrium. In eight patients, the ventricular specialized conducting system (VSCS) was the most refractory portion of the entire atrioventricular conducting system (AVCS) and A-V conduction, which had been occurring via the right bundle branch (RBB), failed below the His bundle as the effective refractory period (ERP) of the VSCS was reached. In two of these eight patients, after the ERP of the VSCS was exceeded, further shortening of the H 1 -H 2 interval (by 40 to 50 msec.) resulted in an unexpected resumption of A-V conduction, but with markedly prolonged H-V intervals (160 to 230 msec.). This demonstrates that differential refractoriness exists within the RBB of these patients. A zone of maximal refractoriness was initially encountered within the RBB when the premature impulse first blocked below the His bundle. In relative terms, this zone was distal to a more proximal area of the RBB where, with further shortening of the H 1 -H 2 interval, sufficient conduction delay occurred to permit recovery of excitability distally and the resumption of A-V conduction.
Nicholas Rast: A geologist who straddled the Atlantic but never an issue

Abstract Nicholas Rast died in Lexington, Kentucky on 28 August 2001, five months after his retirement as the first holder of the Hudnall Chair of Geology, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Kentucky. Born in Teheran in 1927, his early education was in Iran; his university education from 1948 was at University College London and University of Glasgow. His brilliant career as a university professor and award-winning researcher began in Aberystwyth, University of Wales, University of Liverpool, and continued in North America at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and at the University of Kentucky, USA. Rast's published research consists of over 100 books and papers as well as abstracts in scientific journals. The abstracts represent topics which Nick Rast and his collaborators presented to participants at scientific meetings, symposia, and conferences; he was never one to let a good idea lie fallow, and I think it is accurate to say that every abstract evolved into a published paper. Wherever Nick worked he became deeply involved in influential activities of the geological societies of the country and in so doing left his imprint on the policies of these societies in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, Canada and the United States. The organization of this retrospective deals generally with the chronology of Nick Rast's life and career. It includes a selection from among his most significant peer-cited reviewed publications, all of which are listed at the end of this chapter. From this list I have attempted to highlight some of the most important ideas contained in these publications. In addition I have interspersed a few colorful reminiscences by Nick's many friends, colleagues, and former students. These recalls were part of my “Rastfest” retirement banquet illustrated lecture which is now available on the Kentucky departmental website.
Cotton response to nonuniform and varying depths of irrigation

Abstract A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of nonuniform application of irrigation water at varying depths on deep percolation losses, crop water use and yield response of cotton. The experiment was conducted in the San Joaquin Valley of California using a linear move sprinkler system which had been modified to apply water at 3 different levels of uniformity and 2 different scale lengths. The effects of these application uniformities on cotton growth and yield were evaluated at 4 different average levels of water application (0.7, 0.9, 1.1, and 1.3 times crop evapotranspiration, et c). The leaf area index, plant height and total above-ground dry matter all exhibited a row-by-row response for the three lowest irrigation treatments. The seed cotton yields measured across rows did not follow the same pattern as the other plant parameters. Water applications far in excess of evapotranspiration often resulted in poor yields due to excess vegetative growth. In terms of above-ground total plant dry matter production, high water use efficiencies occurred with either short scale length or high application uniformities. Particularly in the 0.7 and 1.3 et c treatments, cotton yields and growth were greater in the more nonuniform treatments than in uniform treatments due to the adequate (not excess or deficit) irrigation occurring in some rows of the pattern.
Synergistic reaction between p-phenylenediamine and melanoma components.

SummaryA relatively vigorous oxygen consuming, non-enzymic reaction occurs at physiological temperatures between p-phenyl-enediamine (PPDA) and dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) when the 2 compounds are mixed in aqueous solution at pH 7.0 to 7.5, with maximum activity, based on oxygen consumption, obtained at a DOPA-PPDA molecular ratio of approximately 2:1. The reaction has been studied manometrically with pure compounds and with various melanoma components, such as are contained in mouse melanoma extract and in plasma and urine from patients with disseminated malignant melanoma. The oxidation observed with various melanoma components is thought to be identical or analogous to the PPDA-DOPA reaction found with the pure substances since in all instances the reaction is both KCN and heat insensitive. Preliminary data are given to illustrate the possibilities of exploiting such reactions for diagnostic and chemotherapeutic purposes.
High-dose magnesium sulfate infusion protocol for status asthmaticus: a safety and pharmacokinetics cohort study

Purpose To assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of high-dose magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) infusion in pediatric patients with status asthmaticus.
Chaotic Rotation of Nereid

The shape and spin of Neptune's outermost satellite Nereid are still unknown. Ground-based photometry indicates large brightness variations, but different observers report very different lightcurve amplitudes and periods. On the contrary, Voyager 2 images spanning 12 days show no evidence of variations greater than 0.1 mag. The latter suggest either that Nereid is nearly spherical, or that it is rotating slowly. We propose that tides have already despun Nereid's rotation to a period of a few weeks, during the time before the capture of Triton when Nereid was closer to Neptune. Since Nereid reached its present orbit, tides have further despun Nereid to a period on the order of a month. For Nereid's orbital eccentricity of 0.75, tidal evolution ceases when the spin period is still approximately 1/8 of the orbital period. Furthermore, the synchronous resonance becomes quite weak for such high eccentricities, along with other low-order spin orbit commensurabilities. In contrast, high-order resonances become very strong particularly the 6:1, 6.5:1, 7:1, 7.5:1, and 8:1 spin states. If Nereid departs by more than approximately 1% from a sphere, however, these resonances overlap, generating chaos. Our simulations show that Nereid is likely to be in chaotic rotation for any spin period longer than about 2 weeks.
A Semester-Long Seminar in Statistical Visualization for Undergraduates as Taught by a Science and Engineering Librarian

The development and instruction of an original and novel course in the School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University, is described. The seminar, aimed at first-year engineering students, explored excellence in quantitative display and asked students to study and critically examine a variety of maps, charts, and graphs as well as the underlying information and data sets. The instructor was a librarian with a dual purpose: to explore excellence in quantitative display in a way that just so happened to involve learning how to extract data from a library.
The use of evidence-based instructional strategies in special education settings in secondary schools: Development, implementation and outcomes

Abstract The lack of effective training and an inability to maintain fidelity are two major barriers to implementing evidence-based practices in schools. This study examined the level of implementation of evidence-based practices by teachers after they participated in a unique training program aimed at enhancing the use of evidence-based practices. The results indicate that five months posttraining, 62% of the evidence-based strategies had been implemented and these levels were maintained 13-months posttraining. While the level of exposure to students of the evidence-based practices was low, significant longitudinal improvements in reading and levels of inclusion were documented.
Parents of children with neurofibromatosis 1: Comparison of maternal and paternal responses

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF) is the most common single gene nervous system disorder. Prior adaptation research to a child's chronic illness has focused on maternal responses. Paternal/maternal comparison studies demonstrated contradictory and inconclusive findings (Katz, 2002), although Ablon (1996; 2000) documented NF gender differences. This study's purpose is to compare paternal/maternal responses from an international sample (N = 337) of parents of children with NF. Parental gender had significant indirect effects on family functioning (r = 0.27, P = 0.000) (Dylis, 2003). Independent T-tests in this ongoing secondary analyses revealed significant gender differences (P = 0.000) in all coping subscales and uncertainty stress (P = 0.009). These findings might assist in future development of individualized, gender specific parental adaptation interventions.
The induction of large deletions by nitrous acid.

Besides point mutants, nitrous acid induces large deletions in phage T4. In contrast to spontaneously occurring deletions most of the induced deletions in the r II region extend over more than half the region. There appear to be preferential end-points. Nitrous acid reactions that might hamper DNA replication are suggested as possible causes for the deletions.
Further field experiments on potato scab control in Western New York

All data have been obtained from experiments in a region characterized by soils of rather alkaline reaction, usually at least pH 6.0.
Battelle's scenario analysis of a European high‐tech market

In 1988 Battelle was asked to work with a U.S.‐based information technology (IT) company to apply the BASICS scenario method to a forecast of its changing European market.
Comparing faculty information seeking in teaching and research: Implications for the design of digital libraries

ADEPT is a 5-year project whose goals are to develop, deploy, and evaluate inquiry learning capabilities for the Alexandria Digital Library, an extant digital library of primary sources in geography. We interviewed nine geography faculty members who teach undergraduate courses about their information seeking for research and teaching and their use of information resources in teaching. These data were supplemented by interviews with four faculty members from another ADEPT study about the nature of knowledge in geography. Among our key findings are that geography faculty are more likely to encounter useful teaching resources while seeking research resources than vice versa, although the influence goes in both directions. Their greatest information needs are for research data, maps, and images. They desire better searching by concept or theme, in addition to searching by location and place name. They make extensive use of their own research resources in their teaching. Among the implications for functionality and architecture of geographic digital libraries for educational use are that personal digital libraries are essential, because individual faculty members have personalized approaches to selecting, collecting, and organizing teaching resources. Digital library services for research and teaching should include the ability to import content from common office software and to store content in standard formats that can be exported to other applications. Digital library services can facilitate sharing among faculty but cannot overcome barriers such as intellectual property rights, access to proprietary research data, or the desire of individuals to maintain control over their own resources. Faculty use of primary and secondary resources needs to be better understood if we are to design successful digital libraries for research and teaching.
Incidence, risk factors, and impact on mortality of status epilepticus in sepsis in the United States

We sought to determine the epidemiology of status epilepticus (SE), prevalence of risk factors and impact on hospital mortality in sepsis in the United States. We hypothesized that SE would be associated with increased mortality.
On t -branch split cuts for mixed-integer programs

In this paper we study the t-branch split cuts introduced by Li and Richard (Discret Optim 5:724–734, 2008). They presented a family of mixed-integer programs with n integer variables and a single continuous variable and conjectured that the convex hull of integer solutions for any n has unbounded rank with respect to (n−1)-branch split cuts. It was shown earlier by Cook et al. (Math Program 47:155–174, 1990) that this conjecture is true when n = 2, and Li and Richard proved the conjecture when n = 3. In this paper we show that this conjecture is also true for all n > 3.
A Tradeoff Analysis of Future Small Aircraft Capacity from a Point-to-Point Operation Perspective

Determination of an appropriate aircraft capacity requirement is a fundamental, yet difficult decision making task in civil aircraft design. The difficulty arises from the fact that both market forces and the engineering of the aircraft itself must be considered. This paper examines the interacting effect of these two perspectives for the case of a small aircraft operating on a point-to-point network in the 2030-2035 timeframe. Existing demand estimation, airline cost estimation, aircraft conceptual design, and geographic information system tools are integrated with a clustering algorithm and an airport mapping process to create a viable point-to-point network for each aircraft capacity studied. Simulation results indicate that more markets can be served with a larger aircraft and despite more markets being served, the total number of operations remains approximately the same for aircraft with capacities between 24 and 28 passengers. Examination of the resulting point-to-point network reveals that the number of nodes (serviced airports) is independent of the aircraft size but is strongly correlated with the threshold load factor.
Message broadcast in point-to-point computer networks

In a point-to-point computer network, broadcasting of messages is an important function when a node generates information and communicates it to all other nodes. The authors give an upper bound for the broadcast function B(n) for any given n and solve some of the design and analysis problems of broadcasting multiple messages in computer networks. >