cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal fluid area and syringogenesis in Chiari malformation type I.

Objective Syringogenesis in Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is thought to occur secondary to impaction of the cerebellar tonsils within the foramen magnum (FM). However, the correlation between the CSF area and syringogenesis has yet to be elucidated. The authors sought to determine whether the diminution in subarachnoid space is associated with syringogenesis. Further, the authors sought to determine if syrinx resolution was associated with the degree of expansion of subarachnoid spaces after surgery. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing posterior fossa decompression for CM-I from 2004 to 2016 at the University of Virginia Health System. The subarachnoid spaces at the FM and at the level of the most severe stenosis were measured before and after surgery by manual delineation of the canal and neural tissue area on MRI and verified through automated CSF intensity measurements. Imaging and clinical outcomes were then compared. Results Of 68 patients, 26 had a syrinx at presentation. Syrinx patients had significantly less subarachnoid space at the FM (13% vs 19%, p = 0.0070) compared to those without syrinx. Following matching based on degree of tonsillar herniation and age, the subarachnoid space was significantly smaller in patients with a syrinx (12% vs 19%, p = 0.0015). Syrinx resolution was associated with an increase in patients' subarachnoid space after surgery compared with those patients without resolution (23% vs 10%, p = 0.0323). Conclusions Syrinx development in CM-I patients is correlated with the degree to which the subarachnoid CSF spaces are diminished at the cranial outlet. Successful syrinx reduction is associated with the degree to which the subarachnoid spaces are increased following surgery.
An investigation of the impact of social exclusion on attachment to possessions and saving behaviors

Abstract Background and objectives Hoarding disorder (HD) is a debilitating mental illness characterized by extreme difficulty parting with possessions and clutter that can result in dangerous living conditions. One hypothesis about why individuals with HD save possessions is that they possess a pathological attachment to their belongings, which may serve to compensate for unfulfilling interpersonal relationships. However, there is a dearth of empirical work examining this. The current study examined the impact of an experimental manipulation of social exclusion on attachment to possessions and saving behaviors in a sample of individuals with elevated hoarding symptoms. Methods Participants (n = 117) were selected for scoring above the non-clinical mean on a measure of hoarding symptoms. Participants were randomized to either be included or excluded in a game of Cyberball. They completed a behavioral discarding task and object attachment measure before and after completion of the game. Results Study condition was unrelated to in vivo attachment to possessions and saving behaviors during the discarding task. However, a post hoc mediation model showed that greater feelings of rejection, regardless of condition, were associated with greater in vivo attachment to possessions and subsequent number of items saved during the lab task. Limitations Limitations include the use of a non-clinical and homogeneous sample. Conclusions Taken together, individuals prone to feelings of rejection may be at risk for developing HD as they may use possessions to cope with interpersonal stress. Results will be discussed in light of implications for theoretical models and potential treatment targets in HD.
Internal conversion and intersystem crossing dynamics of uracil upon double thionation: a time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy study in the gas phase

The photophysical properties of 2,4-dithiouracil (2,4-DTU) in the gas phase are studied by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) with three different excitation wavelengths in direct extension of previous work on uracil (U), 2-thiouracil (2-TU) and 4-thiouracil (4-TU). Non-radiative deactivation in the canonical nucleobases like uracil mainly occurs via internal conversion (IC) along singlet excited states, although intersystem crossing (ISC) to a long-lived triplet state was confirmed to play a minor role. In thionated uracils, ISC to the triplet state becomes ultrafast and highly efficient with a quantum yield near unity; however, the lifetime of the triplet state is strongly dependent on the position of the sulfur atom. In 2-TU, ISC back to the ground state occurs within a few hundred picoseconds, whereas the population remains trapped in the lowest triplet state in the case of 4-TU. Upon doubling the degree of thionation, ISC remains highly efficient and dominates the photophysics of 2,4-DTU. However, several low-lying excited states contribute to competing IC and ISC pathways and a complex deactivation mechanism, which is evaluated here based on TRPES measurements and discussed in the context of the singly thionated uracils.
High Performance Computing in Parallel Electromagnetics Simulation Code suite ACE3P

A comprehensive set of parallel finite-element codes suite ACE3P (Advanced Computational Electromagnetics 3D Parallel) is developed by SLAC for multi-physics modeling of particle accelerators running on massively parallel computer platforms for high fidelity and high accuracy simulation. ACE3P enables rapid virtual prototyping of accelerator and RF component design, optimization and analysis. Advanced modeling capabilities have been facilitated by implementations of novel algorithms for numerical solvers. Code performance on state-of-the-art high performance computing (HPC) platforms for large-scale RF modeling in accelerator applications will be presented in this paper. All the simulations have been performed on the supercomputers at National Energy Research Computer Center (NERSC).
High-Performance Depletion/Enhancement-ode $\beta$ -Ga2O3 on Insulator (GOOI) Field-Effect Transistors With Record Drain Currents of 600/450 mA/mm

In this letter, we report on high-performance depletion/enhancement-mode $\beta $ -Ga2O3 on insulator (GOOI) field-effect transistors (FETs) with record high drain currents ( $\text{I}_{\mathrm {\sf D}}$ ) of 600/450 mA/mm, which are nearly one order of magnitude higher than any other reported $\text{I}_{\mathrm {\sf D}}$ values. The threshold voltage ( $\text{V}_{\mathrm {\sf T}}$ ) can be modulated by varying the thickness of the $\beta $ -Ga2O3 films and the E-mode GOOI FET can be simply achieved by shrinking the $\beta $ -Ga2O3 film thickness. Benefiting from the good interface between $\beta $ -Ga2O3 and SiO2 and wide bandgap of $\beta $ -Ga2O3, a negligible transfer characteristic hysteresis, high $\text{I}_{\mathrm {\sf D}}$ ON/OFF ratio of $10^{10}$ , and low subthreshold swing of 140 mV/decade for a 300-nm-thick SiO2 are observed. E-mode GOOI FET with source to drain spacing of 0.9- $\sf \mu \text{m}$ demonstrates a breakdown voltage of 185 V and an average electric field (E) of 2 MV/cm, showing the great promise of GOOI FET for future power devices.
Serotonin system genes contribute to the susceptibility to obesity in Black adolescents.

Objective The importance of the central and peripheral serotonin systems in regulating energy balance and obesity development has been highlighted in animal models. Yet, the role of both serotonin systems has not been systematically assessed in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of genes within both serotonin systems with obesity outcomes in black adolescents. Methods African-American adolescents (n = 1052) whose mothers participated the Memphis New Mother's Study were assessed. In total, 110 polymorphisms mapped to 10 serotonin genes were examined for their associations with standardized body mass index (BMI-z) scores and waist circumferences using generalized estimating equation models. Results Over 39% of adolescents were overweight or had obesity. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within TPH2, HTR3B, and SLC6A4, were significantly associated with BMI-z scores (p < 1.7 × 10-3). Two SNPs in TPH2 were nominally associated with waist circumferences. One SNP in HTR2C was associated with BMI-z scores (p = 0.001) and waist circumferences (p = 0.005) only in girls. Tissue-specific expression indicates that three identified genes are predominantly expressed in the brain. Conclusion The central serotonin system may play a key role in obesity development in black adolescents. Future studies are warranted to explore additional serotonin system genes and their potential obesogenic mechanisms in humans.
Public support for electoral reform: The role of electoral system experience

Abstract What affects public support for electoral reform? How does experience with different electoral systems affect people's willingness to support electoral reform? Given the salience of changes to election rules even when they are passed via the legislature and the increasing use of referenda as alternative mechanisms for change, these questions are critical to understanding when electoral reform will occur. I argue that experience (specifically, with an electoral system similar to that under consideration) affects public opinion by reducing uncertainty about the likely effects of reform and thus affects support for reform (although the direction of the effect depends on partisan bias). Moreover, I argue that experience is most important in the absence of strong party cues. I leverage subnational electoral system variation in the United Kingdom and find that experience does affect support for reform — negative experiences decrease support for reform. The results have implications for the possibility of electoral reform in the UK and beyond.
The effects of organic grass and grass-birdsfoot trefoil pastures on Jersey heifer development: Heifer growth, performance, and economic impact.

ABSTRACT Dairy heifers developed in certified organic programs, especially those utilizing pasture-based management schemes, have lower rates of gain than heifers raised in nonorganic confinement production systems in temperate climates, such as in the Intermountain West region of the United States. This study investigates the effects that different forages in a rotational grazing system have on development of organically raised Jersey heifers. Over 3 years, 210 yearling Jersey heifers were randomly assigned to one of 9 treatments, including a conventional confinement control where animals were fed a total mixed ration or one of 8 pasture treatments: Cache Meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehmann), QuickDraw orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.), Amazon perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), or Fawn tall fescue (Schendonorus arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort) and each individual grass interseeded with birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L., BFT). Each treatment had 3 blocks/yr over the 3-yr period, with each block having a 0.4 ha pasture of each treatment. Every 35 d, over a 105-d period, heifers were weighed and measured for hip height, and blood samples were collected to determine serum insulin-like growth factor-1 and blood urea nitrogen concentrations. Fecal egg counts were also assessed. Heifer body weight (BW), blood urea nitrogen, and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations were affected by treatment when analyzed over time. Heifers on grass-BFT pastures had increased BW compared with heifers on monoculture grass pastures. Heifers receiving a total mixed ration or perennial ryegrass+BFT had increased BW gain over the 105-d period compared with heifers grazing tall fescue+BFT, orchard grass, perennial ryegrass, meadow bromegrass, or tall fescue. Individually for all grass species, heifers grazing +BFT pastures had greater ending BW and weight gain than heifers grazing the respective grass monocultures. Furthermore, weight gain for heifers on perennial ryegrass+BFT, meadow bromegrass+BFT, and orchard grass+BFT were not different from those on a total mixed ration. Heifers grazing grass-BFT pastures had increased blood urea nitrogen compared with heifers grazing monoculture grass pastures. Heifer hip height and fecal egg counts were not affected by treatment. These results show that the addition of BFT to organic pasture improves growth of grazing replacement heifers. Economic analyses also demonstrate that interseeding grass pastures with BFT results in an increased economic return compared with grazing monoculture grass pastures. Grass pastures interseeded with BFT may be a sustainable option to achieve adequate growth of Jersey heifers raised in an organic pasture scenario in a temperate climate.
“Yellow Perils,” Revived: Exploring Racialized Asian/American Affect and Materiality Through Hate Discourse over the COVID-19 Pandemic

The goal of this essay is to explore what kind of hate is produced against Asian bodies in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. By centering Asian/American affect and materiality – marginalized voices, narratives, and feelings of Asian/Americans as affective-performative texts, this essay attends to critique the historical continuum of racial discrimination against Asian/Americans (i.e., yellow peril) and advocate for social justice, equality, and inclusion in the U.S. Overall, I argue that Asian/American bodies are both physiologically and ideologically desensitized, dehumanized, and weaponized as the revival of yellow perils over the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, this essay highlights the possibility of adding affective and performative lenses in Critical Intercultural Communication research, exploring the politics of Asian/American bodies and the hate discourse as a case study for further academic conversations in Asian/American scholarship in Communication.
Biliary Leaks and Thoracobiliary Fistula

Biliary leaks and thoracobiliary fistula are an important source of morbidity after procedures of the biliary tract. This chapter focuses on how biliary leaks and thoracobiliary fistula are defined, diagnosed, and managed. Risk factors and prevention of biliary leaks will also be addressed.
The Nucleases of Escherichia coli

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the nucleases of Escherichia coli. The chapter compiles the information currently available, with respect to the nucleases characteristic of a single cellular species— namely, Escherichia COX. This chapter also describes the enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis or phosphorolysis of the various nucleic acid constituents. The nucleic acids of E. coli, their structure and biosynthesis, have been and continue to be under intensive genetic and biochemical investigation and much of our knowledge, regarding the enzymatic synthesis of nucleic acids and the involvement of nucleic acids in protein synthesis, are being derived from the studies carried out with this particular organism. Emphasis, in the foregoing discussion, has been on the properties of the nucleases of E. coli and their place in the nucleic acid economy of this organism. Furthermore, the inability of this enzyme to attack the last two nucleotide residues at the 5'-phosphoryl or 5'-hydroxyl terminus of a polydeoxyribonucleotide chain, coupled with its lack of endonuclease activity, permits the use of this enzyme as an end group reagent.
Leptin differentially increases sympathetic nerve activity and its baroreflex regulation in female rats: role of oestrogen

Obesity and hypertension are commonly associated, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system is considered to be a major contributor, at least in part due to the central actions of leptin. However, while leptin increases sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in males, whether leptin is equally effective in females is unknown. Here, we show that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) leptin increases lumbar (LSNA) and renal (RSNA) SNA and baroreflex control of LSNA and RSNA in α-chloralose anaesthetized female rats, but only during pro-oestrus. In contrast, i.c.v. leptin increased basal and baroreflex control of splanchnic SNA (SSNA) and heart rate (HR) in rats in both the pro-oestrus and dioestrus states. The effects of leptin on basal LSNA, RSNA, SSNA and HR were similar in males and pro-oestrus females; however, i.c.v. leptin increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) only in males. Leptin did not alter LSNA or HR in ovariectomized rats, but its effects were normalized with 4 days of oestrogen treatment. Bilateral nanoinjection of SHU9119 into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), to block α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) type 3 and 4 receptors, decreased LSNA in leptin-treated pro-oestrus but not dioestrus rats. Unlike leptin, i.c.v. insulin infusion increased basal and baroreflex control of LSNA and HR similarly in pro-oestrus and dioestrus rats; these responses did not differ from those in male rats. We conclude that, in female rats, leptin's stimulatory effects on SNA are differentially enhanced by oestrogen, at least in part via an increase in α-MSH activity in the PVN. These data further suggest that the actions of leptin and insulin to increase the activity of various sympathetic nerves occur via different neuronal pathways or cellular mechanisms. These results may explain the poor correlation in females of SNA with adiposity, or of MAP with leptin.
An 8-Bit, 20 MSPS pipelined ADC

This paper presents the design and simulation of an 8-bit, 20 mega-sample per second (MSPS), multi-bits per stage, pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC). By using 0.18 mum standard CMOS process, the design can be embedded with digital circuits in system-on-chip (SOC). The ADC's architecture, circuits of individual components and simulation results are presented
Structure and function of the beta-barrel assembly machine and its chaperones (224.2)

Transmembrane proteins in the bacterial outer membrane display a characteristic beta-barrel architecture. Folding and insertion of these Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) is essential for Gram-Negativ...
Effect of processing, packaging and vibration treatment on the sensory quality of fresh-cut apple slices

SUMMARY Fresh-cut fruit industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years. The present study was designed with the objective of studying the sensory quality of fresh-cut apple slices that were treated with different antibrowning agents, packed in three types of packaging materials and subjected to vibration treatment to simulate commercial transportation. The slices were treated with two commercial antibrowning agents [NatureSeal (Mantrose-Haeuser Co., Inc., Westport, CT, USA) and Ever-Fresh (Kraft Foods, Inc., Rye Brook, NY, USA)] at 5% (w/v) application rate. The treated slices were packaged in 5 oz polystyrene rigid container, 2 lb polyethylene bag or 2 oz polyethylene bag. A nine-member trained panel and a 100-member consumer panel evaluated the treated slices for selected sensory attributes. The trained sensory small panel found minimal difference in the fresh-cut slices in comparison with the control (non-vibrated) sample, with the slices treated with NatureSeal better in quality than those treated with Ever-Fresh. Case positions (bottom, middle or top) within the vibration stack did not affect the quality of the slices significantly; similar results were found from the consumer panel sensory evaluation. The consumer panel evaluation results showed that the slices treated with NatureSeal were better in sensory attributes of colour, texture, flavour and overall acceptability. Overall, package type had no or minimal effect on the slice quality attributes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of the Public Health Model for Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Within the Military

Musculoskeletal injuries and conditions are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality within the US military population, and they negatively impact force readiness. Since the early 1990s, military leaders have become increasingly aware of the burden that musculoskeletal injuries and conditions place on military populations. The public health model has recently been applied as an overarching framework to address this critical threat to military readiness. Combined with a systematic approach to evidence-based decision making, the public health model has been used to make significant progress toward achieving important injury prevention objectives within the Department of Defense. Despite the advances that have been made, dedicated injury prevention research objectives and resource support remain critical barriers to effective injury prevention in the military. Unfortunately, the efficacy and effectiveness of many injury prevention interventions are dependent on health-related behavior at multiple levels of the organization in order to initiate and sustain clinically important behavior change. The purpose of this chapter is to review how the public health approach has been applied to address the injury problem in the military and to provide an overview of how theories of health behavior change might be utilized to improve injury prevention intervention planning, implementation, and outcomes in this high-risk population.
Removal of intra-abdominal intrauterine contraceptive devices through a peritoneoscope with the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy to aid localization.

Abstract Four cases of perforation of the uterus at the time of insertion of an intrauterine device are presented. Surgical exploration was avoided by removing these devices with a peritoneoscope. In two instances, intraoperative fluoroscopy aided in the localization of the device. Recommendations for prevention and management of this problem are presented.
The Extended Kalman Filter as a Local Asymptotic Observer for Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems

The convergence aspects of the extended Kalman filter, when used as a deterministic observer for a nonlinear discrete-time system, are analyzed. The case of systems with nonlinear output maps as well as with linear maps is treated and the conditions needed to ensure the uniform boundedness of certain Riccati equations are related to the observability properties of the underlying nonlinear system. Furthermore, we show the convergence of the filter without any a priori boundedness assumptions on the error covariances as long as the states stay within a convex compact domain.
A Review of “Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach”

Jeffrey Jensen Arnett stated in 2000 that “Sweeping demographic shifts have taken place over the past half century that have made the late teens and early twenties … a distinct period of the life c...
Ace Inhibition, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade, and Diabetic Nephropathy

Only a large, rigorous randomized double-blind assessment of a therapeutic candidate compared to the appropriate alternative can prove therapeutic efficacy. One such trial assessed the effect of captopril in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) who were at risk of nephropathy [1] with results that were sufficiently impressive that the use of captopril quickly became a professional necessity supported by public policy. Moreover, multiple lines of evidence accumulated over a decade suggested that this useful feature of captopril was a class action, extending to all ACE inhibitors [2,3]. In the case of the angiotensin II (Ang II) AT1 receptor blockers (AT1 antagonists), we are fortunate in having very early in the development of these agents two ongoing major, high quality trials in patients with NIDDM who are at risk of nephropathy — one involving Irbesartan, the other involving Losartan. Unfortunately, the outcome of these trials is unlikely to be available to us until the coming millennium, and this chapter is due well before!
Changing Healthcare Policies: Implications for Income, Education, and Health Disparity.

The economic pie has seen growth, despite the recessions of the past decade, and has resulted in an increase in the total income level. At the same time, increasing national healthcare spending due to the high costs of medical research and development paired with a growing and aging population has become prevalent in most nations. Healthcare costs (HCs) are a significant factor that influences the current and future government budget allocations. These HCs are generating major problems for welfare systems in both the short and long term. Income disparity has become a major issue in the past decade (1–3). Ettner (4) shows that increased income levels improve mental and physical health, and Wildman (5) theoretically proves the relationship between the income differential and health disparity (4, 5). Also, Liu et al. (6) document the health inequality implications of the increasing gap in income and healthcare utilization (6). Apart from income, education also has a positive effect on healthcare consumption and health status (7). Literature shows that increase in education enhances health capital. However, there is no clear discussion on the systematic relationship between the health educational differential and income level with health disparity (8). This paper demonstrates how health education and income differentials affect health status thus creating health disparity.
SU-FF-J-124: The Hounsfield Unit (HU) Accuracy in Varian's Cone-Beam CT (CBCT) and Its Effect On Dosimetric Verification

Purpose: To evaluate the HU accuracy of Varian's on board CBCT and its effect on the accuracy of dose calculation for dosimetric verification. Methods and Materials: A mini CT QC phantom (15cm diameter, 2cm thickness) with different inserts (2cm diameter) of known electron densities was embedded into an IMRT QA phantom to form a body phantom and scanned using CBCT. The scan was acquired in half‐fan and pulsed‐fluoro mode with a half bowtie mounted. A technical setting of 125kV, 80mA and 25ms was used. The HU for each insert was measured and the HU‐ED curve for CBCT was obtained. After that, a Rando pelvic phantom was scanned with both CBCT and SIM‐CT using nearly the same KV. The two sets of CT were fused so that SSD at any beam direction agree to 1mm. In this way, the structures drawn in SIM‐CT (to simulate prostate treatment) can be exactly transferred to CBCT. Without inhomgeneity correction; the two sets of CT generate exactly the same plan. With inhomogeneity correction, the dosimetric difference was mainly from the HU difference. Results: The average HU difference between CBCT and SIM‐CT is ∼50 but the standard deviation of HU in CBCT is 3–4 times higher. Due to higher beam hardening effect in CBCT, the HU at phantom center is 60–80 higher than that at edges. There is also a ring artifact of 20cm diameter and 1.5cm broad in which the HU is 200 lower. Even though, the dosimetric difference with inhomogeneity correction is relatively small. The minimum dose, maximum dose and mean dose etc. for any structure generally agrees within ∼2–5% between the CBCT plan and the SIM‐CT plan. The CBCT plan is ∼2% hotter at the phantom center. Conclusions: Dosimetric difference between CBCT and SIM‐CT is ∼2–5% due to the inaccurate HU in CBCT.
Fasting Decreases Rates of Noninsulin-Mediated Glucose Uptake in Man*

Although fasting decreases insulin-mediated glucose uptake (IMGU), its effect on noninsulin-mediated glucose uptake (NIMGU) is not known. To examine this issue we studied seven obese men [mean (±sd) age, 36 ± 5 yr; weight, 91 ± 13 kg] after an overnight fast (day 0) and 3 days (day 4) and 9 days (day 10) of total fasting and six normal weight men (age, 32 ± 4 yr; weight, 73 ± 6 kg) after an overnight and 3 days of fasting. To study NIMGU, somatostatin (0.16 μg/kg·min) was infused to create severe insulin deficiency and [3H]3-glucose to measure glucose disappearance (Rd), while serum glucose was sequentially clamped at a level of about 4.7 mmol/L for 180 min and about 11 mmol/L for an additional 100 min. The results from the last 60 min of each glycemic plateau were used for analysis. Under these conditions insulin action is absent and Rd = NIMGU. Since under conditions of euglycemic insulinopenia, NIMGU into noncentral nervous system tissues is negligible, and central nervous system (CNS) glucose uptake s...
Talking When Talking is Tough: Taking on Conversations About Race, Sexual Orientation, Gender, Class, and Other Aspects of Social Identity

Abstract Conversations that involve aspects of social identity are important to engage in, yet challenging. They involve diverse experiences, worldviews and differential social power and privilege. This paper explores why it is important to engage in difficult conversations about social identity, what the consequences are of avoiding them, what makes them challenging, and how to create an environment where such conversations can occur.
Electrophysiological correlates of saccadic suppression.

Abstract Both binocular rivalry and saccadic suppression produce an elevation of the visual threshold and a diminution of the pupillary reflex. In addition, binocular rivalry is known to be accompanied by a reduction in the amplitude of the visually evoked response (VER) produced by stimuli delivered to the suppressed eye. In an attempt to discover whether saccadic suppression has a similar effect on the VER, subjects were placed in a situation in which saccadic suppression could be produced, and the VER was examined under three conditions: suppression occurring with the presentation of stimuli before the beginning of a saccade; suppression occurring with stimuli presented synchronously with the beginning of the eye movement; and with the intensity of the stimuli increased to a level where no suppression occurs. In all cases where suppression was reported obvious concurrent changes in the wave shape of the VER were observed. When no suppression occurred the VER was essentially unchanged. This additional similarity between binocular rivalry and saccadic suppression suggests that the two phenomena may share a common mechanism at the higher levels of the visual system. It is suggested that such a common mechanism may be located at a point in the visual system where monocularly oriented data processing occurs.
Measurement of Sodium Vapor Densities in Optical Pumping Experiments using a Scanning Fabry–Perot Interferometer*

Reliable estimates of alkali vapor densities in the absorption cells used in optical pumping experiments have usually been quite difficult to obtain. In the present work, a pressure-scanned Fabry–Perot etalon has been used as a high-resolution device to obtain absorption profiles from which the alkali vapor density can be directly derived. The measurements have been made with sodium only, and the results of these experiments are graphs of the optical-pumping signal strength in a Dehmelt transmission arrangement as a function of the alkali vapor density. These graphs may be useful in estimating vapor densities in those optical-pumping experiments for which construction of the requisite spectroscopic equipment is not feasible.
Normal masticatory performance in young adults and children

Previous studies have paid little attention to either the development or sexual dimorphism of masticatory performance. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the masticatory performance of adults and children. Forty-seven healthy and normal individuals (15 adult men, 15 adult women, 15 young girls and 2 young boys) were selected, based on their occlusion, temporomandibular joint function, skeletal classification, and the state of their dentition. Masticatory performance was evaluated by the individual's ability to break down a standardized bolus. Cuttersil impression material was chewed for 20 strokes, spat out, dried, and passed through a series of seven sieves. The Rosin-Rammler equation was used to calculate the median particle size and broadness of particle distribution. Measurements of dentitional surface area, contact area, bite force, mandibular morphology, and body size were also taken as covariates. The results showed significant differences in masticatory performance among the three larger groups; men performed best, followed by women then girls. Multiple regression analyses showed that body size was the most important variable associated with differences in masticatory performance. Adjusting for weight eliminated the group differences. Body size, together with the occlusal contact area of the posterior teeth and the bite force, explained 60-72 percent of the variation in performance. Contact area, posterior ramus height, and bite force explained differences between men and women, but differences between adults and children remained.
Effects of buried ionizable amino acids on the reduction potential of recombinant myoglobin

The temperature dependences of the reduction potentials (E degrees') of wild-type human myoglobin (Mb) and three site-directed mutants have been measured by the use of thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry. Residue Val68, which is in van der Waals contact with the heme in Mb, has been replaced by Glu, Asp, and Asn. The changes in E degrees' and the standard entropy (delta S degrees') and enthalpy (delta H degrees') of reduction in the mutant proteins were determined relative to values for wild type; the change in E degrees' at 25 degrees C was about -200 millivolts for the Glu and Asp mutants, and about -80 millivolts for the Asn mutant. At pH 7.0, reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) in the Glu and Asp mutants is accompanied by uptake of a proton by the protein. These studies demonstrate that Mb can tolerate substitution of a buried hydrophobic group by potentially charged and polar residues and that such amino acid replacements can lead to substantial changes in the redox thermodynamics of the protein.
Numerical Modeling of Thermoplastic Films in a Laser Welding Process

A numerical simulation code is used to investigate the size of the heat affected zone (HAZ) and the onset of thermal damage in a short pulsed transmission laser welding process. The welding process involves the lap welding of two thin 30 microns thick, moving layers, of thermoplastic films. The investigated welding conditions are transparent material over a semi-transparent or opaque material and two transparent materials over a reflective backing. The results provide temperature profiles that illustrate the relationship between; surface cooling, laser intensity, velocity feed rates and material thermo-physical properties.© 2005 ASME
Meta-Analysis of Survival After Pleurectomy Decortication Versus Extrapleural Pneumonectomy in Mesothelioma

Background This comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to answer the question as to which procedure, pleurectomy decortication (P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is more beneficial to malignant pleural mesothelioma patients' outcome. Methods Original research studies that evaluated long-term outcomes of P/D versus EPP were identified, from January 1990 to January 2014. The combined percent perioperative and 2-year mortality, and median survival were calculated according to both a fixed and a random effect model. The Q statistics and I 2 statistic were used to test for heterogeneity between the studies. Results There were 24 distinct data sets, for a total of 1,512 patients treated with P/D, and 1,391 treated with EPP. There was a significantly higher proportion of short-term deaths in the EPP group versus the P/D group (percent mortality meta estimate; 4.5% vs 1.7%; p Conclusions The reanalysis of the large number of studies comparing P/D to EPP suggests that P/D is associated with a 2 ½-fold lower short-term mortality (perioperatively and within 30 days) than EPP. Pleurectomy decortication should therefore be preferred when technically feasible.
Doxazosin in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: urodynamic evaluation at 15 months

Abstract Objectives To assess the results of doxazosin treatment in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) treated for 15 months and to correlate symptomatic changes with alterations in urodynamic measures. Methods After an initial 3-month treatment period with doxazosin 4 mg/day, 50 men with LUTS were given the choice of continued treatment with this agent or other therapeutic options. All patients were evaluated by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaires and urodynamic evaluation initially and after 3 months of treatment. Patients were followed for an additional 12 months and those who continued doxazosin treatment underwent repeat urodynamic testing. Results Among the original 50 patients, 24 men (48%) continued doxazosin treatment for 15 months, 18 men (36%) discontinued therapy, and 8 men (16%) were either dead or lost to follow-up or had been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer. Comparison of values at 3 and 15 months of follow-up (9.4 versus 13.4, P=0.03) showed significant worsening of voiding symptoms, as assessed by the IPSS, in the 24 men still receiving doxazosin. This deterioration of subjective results with doxazosin occurred despite continued improvements in peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), detrusor pressure at peak flow (PdetQmax), and objective measures of obstruction (Abrams-Griffiths number) from 3 to 15 months of follow-up. Conclusions Relief of voiding symptoms in men with LUTS treated with doxazosin over prolonged intervals of 15 months does not correlate well with changes in urodynamic measures.
Postcard reminders versus replacement questionnaires and mail survey response rates from a professional population

This study establishes that there are positive relationships between CAPM’s expected return, risks (measured by β) and risk premium. The zero value of the intercept term has been tested in most capital markets the world over. Research results of analysed data of the risk-free rate of return, R f , calculated β, expected market return, R m (proxied by the return on Nigeria’s IBTC index fund), the excess of market return over the risk-free rate, (R m – R f ) and risk premium of 24 quoted firms from the Nigerian capital market using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) revealed that the intercept term is non-zero contrary to the CAPM theory; and there exists a positive below average relationship between E(R) and β, and between E(R) and (R m – R f ), and between β(R m – R f ), the risk premium; and E(R) with evidence of strong positive correlation between β(R m – R f )and E(R) , and between E(R) and (R m – R f ) necessitating full compensation for all risks requiring increased effect of β on E(R) Key words : CAPM, beta (β) risk premium, market return and risk-free rate.
Chemical studies on mammalian sperm.

Abstract 1. 1. Methods are described for the preparation of the heads of the sperm of five mammalian species, free from the tails and midpieces. 2. 2. 1.0 M sodium chloride removes a very small amount of protein and nucleic acid (DNA and PNA) from bull sperm heads. 3. 3. A lipoprotein can be extracted from the sperm heads of each of the five species by means of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide or a 1 M solution of sodium chloride at pH 12.6. More weakly alkaline reagents dissolve the lipoprotein less readily. 4. 4. A histone-like protein can be extracted from the sperm heads with very strongly alkaline solutions. High salt concentrations aids in this extraction. 5. 5. After the histone-like protein is removed from the heads, the nucleic acid dissolves in more weakly alkaline solutions. 6. 6. The three major components were characterized by chemical analysis and ultraviolet light absorption studies. The lipoprotein was also studied by electrophoresis and the histone-like protein by paper chromatography. 7. 7. The relation of the chemical composition of the sperm heads to their morphology is discussed. 8. 8. The names “bovin”, “ovin”, “canin”, “hominin” and “suin” are suggested for the histone-like proteins from the sperm of the bull, ram, dog, man and boar, respectively.
Note on the approximation problem

NETWORK synthesis is the aggregate of concepts and procedures utilized in obtaining an electric network whose performance approximates an arbitrarily prescribed performance. The performance specified may be the desired time response to a given excitation, such as a step or impulse function. More usually, it is the magnitude of the steady-state transfer function over all or part of the frequency axis; or it may be the angle of this function specified over all or part of the frequency axis, or it may be some combination of these over parts of the frequency axis. This paper is concerned only with a magnitude function prescribed over part or all of the frequency axis. The network functions of interest are output over input functions, with any combination of voltage or current as output and input. All of these are functions having similar properties. To include them all in the discussion the transfer function F will be defined as a function specifying the output of a network divided by the input.
Recurrent rectal prolapse following primary surgical treatment

Purpose The management of recurrent rectal prolapse following initial surgical procedures remains unclear. We present a series of pediatric patients with rectal prolapse and describe their surgical management, and the subsequent care for those children developing recurrence.
Control of Vocal Loudness in Young and Old Adults

This study examined the effect of aging on respiratory and laryngeal mechanisms involved in vocal loudness control. Simultaneous measures of subglottal pressure and electromyographic (EMG) activity...
Measurement of the heat capacity of helium under superfluid flow conditions near the lambda transition.

Abstract A proposed experiment to measure the heat capacity of helium under superfluid flow condition near the lambda transition is discussed. This experiment would clarify the role of the superfluid density depression versus the role of the intrinsic critical velocity, in the description of the property of helium.
Transients in adiabatic tubular reactors. Axial dispersion models with well-mixed appended sections

Abstract Using boundary conditions more general than those due to Danckwerts, the authors recently showed that significant variations may be encountered in the global stability characteristics of an axially dispersed adiabatic tubular reactor. The numerical results presented in this communication demonstra that for a fixed initial state of the reactor, steady states very different from those predicted with Danckwerts conditions are reached depending on th initial state of the reactor appendages. The cases where the reactor is preceded or succeeded by well-mixed (non-reactive) sections are considered. The findings will be very useful in regulation of the dynamics of tubular reactors.
Energy payback for energy systems ensembles during growth

During periods of growth, the energy payback performance of new energy generating technologies deviates substantially from the usual static measures of energy return on investment (EROI), and time to breakeven (t B ) for single systems. Here we examine the performance of growing ensembles, develop new measures of dynamic performance, and identify an optimum growth rate (largest value of net energy production) and critical growth rate (rate at which the ensemble generates no new energy). Hence, if ensembles grow too fast they can look like net energy sinks in spite of good (static) single system performance indicators.
Attitudinal correlates associated with recent alcohol use and episodic heavy drinking among African American youth

Abstract African–American students in 7th–12th grades completed the PRIDE survey examining attitudinal correlates associated with recent alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking. Of participants, 13.6% reported using alcohol in the past 30 days and 5.1% reported frequent heavy episodic drinking. Logistic regression analyses indicate that male, in high school and employed increased the odds of engaging in recent use and frequent heavy episodic drinking. Perceived harm and parent/peer disapproval of substance use was negatively associated with use. Results may assist professionals in developing prevention programs for African-American youth.
Room-temperature dissolution of coal fly ash for trace metal analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract A room-temperature digestion technique with hydrofluoric acid, followed by addition of boric acid, is described for coal fly ash; 19 elements (Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Ti, Cu, Mn, Zn, Be, Ba, Co, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Sr) can then be determined by flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrometry (a.a.s.). The technique has been applied to hopper fly ash collected from an electrostatic precipitator, aerodynamically size-fractionated stack fly ashes and National Bureau of Standards fly ash (SRM 1633). Results for ten elements (Mn, Zn, Cr, Sr, Pb, Cu, Ni. K, Co and Be) by a.a.s. were within the certified range or in good agreement with the information values for the NBS fly ash. Cadmium was 7% higher than the certified value. If the major and minor elements are present as common oxides, mass recoveries for six fly ash fractions samples were quantitative, ranging from 99.1% to 101.4%. Instrumental neutron activation analysis of the undissolved residue from SRM 1633 indicates that the dissolution technique should also be useful for a.a.s. of Sn, Mo, Sb, V, and As, but not for Se, 75% of which remains in the residue.
Comparative measurements of left-ventricular performance produced by rapid changes in blood volume in dogs.

Left-ventricular function was evaluated in 11 open-chest dogs under pentobarbital anesthesia. Ventricular performance was altered by infusing or withdrawing crossmatched blood, and simultaneous recordings obtained of left-atrial pressure, leftventricular pressure, aortic flow, and aortic pressure. From these recording were obtained the stroke volume, stroke work, peak ventricular power, and the maximal rate of change of aortic flow and ventricular pressure. The derived variables were plotted versus end diastolic pressure to provide ventricular-function curves. The curves were obtained during a control state, during norepinephrine infusion, and subsequent to aortic constriction at the level of the coronary ostia. Studies were done in the heart-rate paced and nonpaced animal; the data were presented in terms of per cent change from control values. Peak power and stroke work provided the more classical type of ventricular-function curves and it is suggested that these provide the most useful information. Pressure-derivative curves were the most widely separated. Similar studies were repeated in seven animals in which afterload was controlled at 100 mm Hg. Curve shape was somewhat altered but overall changes were comparable.
Equine complement activation as a mechanism for equine neutrophil migration in Onchocerca cervicalis infections.

Abstract Extracts of Onchocerca cervicalis, an equine parasite, were incubated with radiolabeled equine neutrophils and neutrophil migration was assessed for factors derived from the parasite itself or for host-derived factors after incubation of these same parasite extracts with equine serum. No stimulus for cell migration was observed in saline extracts of adult worms, uterine microfilariae, or skin microfilariae at any dosage tested. However, after incubation of saline extracts with fresh normal equine sera a marked stimulus for neutrophil migration was observed. Ablation of this biologic activity was noted if equine serum had been pretreated with 10 mM EDTA or heated at 50 and 56°C for 30 min. However, if equine serum was treated with 10 mM EGTA, made 10 mM with respect to Mg2+ ions, no reduction in neutrophil migration was noted, thereby suggesting that the equine alternative complement pathway was the means of generating the serum-derived neutrophil migration stimulus. Preliminary gel filtration of the activated equine serum suggested that although there was a neutrophil stimulus associated with a C5a-like molecule, other complement or serum components could be involved.