cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cognitive integration in children's memory for sentences and pictures

PARIS, ScoTT G., and MAHONEY, GERALD J. Cognitive Integration in Children's Memory for Sentences and Pictures. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1974, 45, 633-642. This study investigated the manner in which 7-11-year-old children abstracted and retained information from sets of pictures and sentences. A recognition memory task was employed to index subjects' implicit construction and retention of inferential spatial relationships. The recognition items included original sentences and pictures, implied relationships, and false relationships. It was observed that children had considerable difficulty differentiating old items from novel test items which preserved consistent semantic relationships, but they could readily discriminate false items which violated expressed or implied relationships. The results are discussed in terms of children's construction and retention of underlying relationships abstracted from visual and verbal information.
Nongeodesic motion in general relativity

The equations of motion of a spinning body in the gravitational field of a much larger mass are found using both the Corinaldesi-Papapetrou spin supplementary condition (SSC) and the Pirani SSC. These equations of motion are compared with our previous result derived from Gupta's quantum theory of Gravitation. It is found that the spin-dependent terms differ in each of the above three results due to a different location of the center of mass of the spinning body. As expected, these terms are not affected by the choice of either Schwarzschild or isotropic coordinates. Finally, for the presently planned Stanford gyroscope experiment, we find the maximum secular displacement of the orbit of the gyro with respect to the orbit of its non-rotating housing to be of the order of (10−7 cm/year)t, a result much smaller than Schiff's result which is proportional to time squared.
Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase: A model for the cooperativity kinetics induced by d- and l-phenylalanine

Abstract A preparation of l -phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.1.3.5.) from soybean ( Glycine max L. cv. Kanrich) showed negative cooperativity with respect to l -phenylalanine and competitive inhibition by d -phenylalanine. A two-protomer partially concerted model for inhibition kinetics is described. If cooperativity is associated with ligand binding but not k cat , plots of v against log [S] at constant [I] are symmetrical. Such curves may be fitted by graphical or iterative least-squares methods. The experimental results conform to this restricted model. The three-substrate and three-inhibitor dissociation constants were estimated by a stepwise procedure. For substrate only the first and second dissociation constants were 12 and 78 μ m , respectively, with a symmetry point value of 30.5 μ m . To a first approximation, site occupancy determines the cooperativity. As d - and l -phenylalanine produce equivalent effects, they are assumed to pack into the same induced space. As ligand binding at one site has little influence on the relative d : l binding at the other and does not influence k cat , cooperativity probably reflects changes in regions remote from the active site such as the interface between the protomers. The regulatory range in [S] of the enzyme in vivo may be indicated by the linearity range of the semilog plot for the isolated enzyme. The observed range corresponds to a 100-fold change in [S] compared to a 10-fold change for Michaelis-Menten kinetics.
Use of a Lanthanide Shift Reagent for Simplified NMR Analysis of Borneol—Isoborneol Mixtures. Apparent Catalysis of OH Proton Exchange by LSR

Abstract The use of 1H NMR at low field (60 MHz spectrometer frequency) for direct analysis of mixtures of borneol, 1, and isoborneol, 2, is considerably simplified by addition of the lanthanide shift reagent (LSR), tris(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionato)europium(III), 3. The effect of added 3 is twofold. Firstly, the analytical marker signals of the methine proton CHOH in 1 and 2, which are partly overlapped at 60 MHz in CDCl3 (28°), are separated and rendered baseline-resolved due to preferential LSR binding to the less hindered endo OH of 1. Secondly, the absorption signals of the CHOH methines actually sharpen in the presence of 3, and display clearly defined multiplet structure, attributed to full exchange decoupling of the vicinal OH as a result of enhanced OH exchange rates when LSR is present.
Electro-optical characterization of cyanine-based GUMBOS and nanoGUMBOS

Over the last decade in materials science, molecular electronics has emerged as one of the most rapidly developing interdisciplinary research areas with the prospects of ultimate miniaturization and integration of functional organic species with traditional silicon based semiconductor technology. To this end, fundamental studies to investigate the electrical and optical properties of organic nanomaterials deserve special attention. In this work, conductive probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM) and Raman spectroscopy have been performed on a new class of ionic materials, referred to as group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) and nanoparticles derived from these GUMBOS, termed as nanoGUMBOS. The GUMBOS investigated in this study are 1,1′-Diethyl-2,2′-cyanine bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide ([PIC][NTf2]) and 1,1′-Diethyl-2,2′-cyanine bis (pentafluoromethanesulfonyl) imide ([PIC][BETI]), which have been synthesized by use of a facile, template free anion exchange reaction between their respective parent compounds, followed by an ultrasonication assisted, additive free re-precipitation reaction to obtain the nanoscale particles (nanoGUMBOS). The ([PIC][NTf2] nanoGUMBOS were found to self-assemble into distinct diamond-like, trapezoid structures whereas [PIC][BETI] exhibited rod-like structures. [PIC][NTf2] nanoGUMBOS induced ~25 and ~38 times enhancement in the Raman signal intensity as compared to the parent compound [PIC][I] and [PIC][BETI] nanoGUMBOS respectively. In conjunction with the results of Raman spectra, the current-voltage (I-V) data obtained by CP-AFM are also presented as first-time evidence of electrical performance exhibited by these unique class of materials. The results reported in this study are indicative of their potential incorporation into next generation organic thin film applications in optoelectronics, dye-sensitized solar cells, and chemical sensors.
Effects of Composition and Reactivity on the Reaction Kinetics of Dimethacrylate Dimethacrylate Copolymerizations

The bis-GMA (2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane) and TEGDMA (triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) copolymerization has been often used as the organic phase of dental composites and is a good example of a dimethacrylate/dimethacrylate polymerization involving a viscous monomer and a reactive diluent. This work focuses on the kinetic behavior of this monomer system and the effect of monomer structure, viscosity, and comonomer concentration on the mobility and reactivity of the evolving network. Unsteady-state polymerizations were performed using various compositions of bis-GMA/TEGDMA to obtain the kinetic parameters as a function of double-bond conversion. Furthermore, TEGDMA and bis-GMA were hydrogenated, i.e., the double bonds were saturated, and utilized to study the effect of each reactive component on the copolymerization. The results suggest that reaction diffusion-controlled termination dominates as the reaction progresses and that bis-GMA plays a more controlling role in the ...
Cocaine-induced hepatic necrosis in mice--the role of cocaine metabolism.

Abstract Liver damage following cocaine injection in mice is due to the action of a metabolite of cocaine rather than of cocaine itself. The bioactivation of cocaine to a toxic metabolite appears to be a multi-step process, and is carried out by the cytochrome P-450 microsomal mixed function oxidase system. Inhibitors and inducers of this system blocked or potentiated liver damage respectively. Norcocaine was found to be more potent than cocaine, but also required further metabolism for hepatotoxicity. Inhibition of esterase activity increased damage from both cocaine and norcocainee. Most metabolites and analogues of cocaine were not hepatotoxic, indicating fairly strict structure requirements for activation. N -Hydroxynorcocaine, a possible metabolite of norcocaine, was also hepatotoxic. However, it too required further metabolism in order to produce liver damage. Glutathione in the liver was depleted after cocaine or norcocaine by 25–30 per cent at 1 hr after injection. Cysteine pretreatment offered protection from cocaine. These results suggest that an active metabolite of N -hydroxynorcocaine may be responsible for the liver damage observed after injection of cocaine into mice.
Thiosulfate-linked ATP-dependent NAD + reduction in Rhodopseudomonas palustris

A cytochrome containing fraction virtually devoid of the photosynthetic apparatus (bacteriochlorophyll and/or chromatophores) was isolated from Rps. palustris grown photolithotrophically with S2O3 =as the exogenous electron donor. This fraction contained predominantly cytochromes of c, a and o type and exhibited thiosulfate: cytochrome c oxidoreductase and ferrocytochrome c:O2 oxidoreductase activities. Under anaerobic conditions the enzyme preparation catalyzed an ATP-dependent NAD+ reduction by S2O3 =in the dark involving a reversal of electron transfer from cytochrome c and yielding a molar stoichiometry of approximately 2:1 for the ferrocytochrome c oxidized and NAD+ reduced. In this process approximately 4 to 7 molar equivalents of ATP were utilized/equivalent of NAD+ reduced. The optimal reaction occurred at pH 8.0 and in the presence of 55 μM added mammalian cyt. c, 1.7 mM Mg++, 1.7 mM ATP and 7.0 mM S2O3 =. The S2O3 =-linked ATP-driven reduction of NAD+ as well as the coupled oxidation of cyt. c were inhibited completely by 5 μm CCCP or 10 μM DNP and the reaction was also markedly sensitive to other uncouplers of the energy transfer reactions. The pathway of electron transfer from S2O3 = to NAD+ appears to involve cyt. c, b, and flavoprotein systems as evidenced by the complete inhibition of the process by low concentrations of antimycin A, NOQNO, rotenone and amytal.
Issues in selective perception

A historical review of the status of selection in machine vision is followed by some thoughts about the contributions of hardware and software architectures to the field. The ideas of parallel computation and encapsulated visual modules is captured in a suggested architecture. An example system shows that Bayes nets offer a mechanism to support selective perception. Finally, some related research issues are suggested. >
Three-dimensional structure of a viral genome-delivery portal vertex

DNA viruses such as bacteriophages and herpesviruses deliver their genome into and out of the capsid through large proteinaceous assemblies, known as portal proteins. Here, we report two snapshots of the dodecameric portal protein of bacteriophage P22. The 3.25-A-resolution structure of the portal-protein core bound to 12 copies of gene product 4 (gp4) reveals a ~1.1-MDa assembly formed by 24 proteins. Unexpectedly, a lower-resolution structure of the full-length portal protein unveils the unique topology of the C-terminal domain, which forms a ~200-A-long α-helical barrel. This domain inserts deeply into the virion and is highly conserved in the Podoviridae family. We propose that the barrel domain facilitates genome spooling onto the interior surface of the capsid during genome packaging and, in analogy to a rifle barrel, increases the accuracy of genome ejection into the host cell.
Recent developments in Oceanography at the United States Navy Hydrographic Office

For the past two or three years in his reports published in the Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, my predecessor, Admiral Bryan, has hinted at the work carried on at the Hydrographic Office to meet the oceanographic needs of the services during the War and has emphasized the need for a permanent organization to continue this work. When you hear a little more of our accomplishments during the War and of our plans for the future, I think that you will agree that we have been through a period of revolution and are now starting on a new era in the study of the sea. It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Bryan's fondest hope was realized just prior to his retirement; a Division of Oceanography has now been established to provide for the additional responsibilities assigned to the Hydrographic Office by the Secretary of the Navy.
Spinal Cord Stimulation: Neurophysiological and Neurochemical Mechanisms of Action

Chronic neuropathic pain can significantly reduce quality of life and place an economic burden on individuals and society. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an alternative approach to the treatment of neuropathic pain when standard pharmacological agents have failed. However, an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which SCS inhibits pain is needed to enhance its clinical utility. This review summarizes important findings from recent studies of SCS in animal models of neuropathic pain, highlights current understanding of the spinal neurophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms by which SCS produces an analgesic effect, and discusses the potential clinical applicability of these findings and future directions for research.
Low-conductivity water systems for accelerators

The performance of low-conductivity water (LCW) systems is of critical importance at accelerator facilities. An imbalance of water chemistry, supply temperature, or component availability can have a direct impact on machine performance. Downtime of the LCW system for any reason can result in downtime of the entire accelerator. LCW systems for copper components are similar to stator cooling systems for electric power generating equipment with respect to the chemistry of soluble copper and resultant corrosion. The basics of copper corrosion and agglomeration mechanisms, impact of dissolved oxygen concentration and pH, copper solubility data and its relationship with temperature, and relative corrosion rates for various possible operating regimes are available from existing literature and will be reviewed. Water treatment for aluminum LCW systems is different than for copper systems and will be outlined. Fundamental features of control systems capable of controlling LCW temperatures within a fraction of a degree will also be discussed. Operational reliability is very much related to system design, component selection, and operating practices, and some anecdotal information will be offered based on the author's experience.
Advances and Current Concepts of Cartilage Repair in the Patellofemoral Joint

The patellofemoral (PF) joint poses a unique challenge to the cartilage surgeon owing to its physiologically high forces (compression and shear) and multiple degrees of mobility. The recognition of malalignment and instability in patients with chondral lesions, is imperative and plays a significant role in the cartilage treatment algorithm. The goal of PF restoration is to return the articular surface as close to the natural state as possible while correcting malalignment to prevent abnormal loading and at the same time effecting a stable environment. Although cartilage repair outcomes in the tibiofemoral joint have improved over the years, the PF joint reported outcomes remain more variable. Many authors continue to work to optimize comfort and function at the PF joint with specific emphasis on malalignment, stability, and articular cartilage repair on the patella. Technological advances in microfracture, particulated juvenile cartilage allograft transplantation, and autologous chondrocyte implantation are providing the necessary catalyst for research to include well-designed studies, which focus on the PF joint. The purpose of this article is to inform the reader about the current state of the art in chondral repair using cell-based approaches, beyond osteochondral allografts, which are discussed elsewhere in this issue.
ENDOTHELIAL- LEUKOCYTE ADHESION MOLECULES

One decade ago, vascular endothelium was commonly considered a "non-stick" lining of blood vessels that functioned only to prevent blood coagulation and to separate the vascular space from tissues. By comparison to many other cell types, endothelial cells were thought to be less active, less complex, and less interesting. Since that time, research concerning the endothelium has expanded dramatically and produced a new image of the vascular lining as an active participant in a wide variety of pathophysiological processes, including inflammation and immunity. Nowhere has the excitement been more intense than in the study of the molecular mechanisms of leukocyte adhesion to endothelium. Recent efforts resulted in the identification, characterization, and cloning of multiple endothelial cell-surface glycoproteins that support adhesion through an interaction with specific ligands (or counter-receptors) on leukocytes. The selectins, two of which are found on endothelium and one on leukocytes, support adhesion through the recognition of carbohydrates. Endothelial members of the immunoglobulin superfamily including ICAM-1 and VCAM-1/INCAM-110 bind to leukocyte cell-surface integrins. In various combinations, these and other molecules support leukocyte adhesion to the vessel wall and extravasation, key steps in our response to infection and tissue injury.
Effects of radial shifts of eigenvalues on norms of linear systems

We show that for linear systems represented in the controllable canonical form there are simple and systematic changes in the input/output properties of the closed-loop system from the disturbance input to the system output when controls are applied to produce a radial displacement of all the closed-loop poles. In particular this is true for the transfer function and the impulse response of the systems. This in turn leads to a better understanding of how such changes in the control gains affect the induced L/sub 2/ norm, (the H/sub 2/ norm) and the induced L/sub /spl infin// norm (the L/sub 1/ norm) of the system.
Multi-level operator combination in XML query processing

A core set of efficient access methods is central to the development of any database system. In the context of an XML database, there has been considerable effort devoted to defining a good set of primitive operators and inventing efficient access methods for each individual operator. These primitive operators have been defined either at the macro-level (using a "pattern tree" to specify a selection, for example) or at the micro-level (using multiple explicit containment joins to instantiate a single XPath expression).In this paper we argue that it is valuable to consider operations at each level. We do this through a study of operator merging: the development of a new access method to implement a combination of two or more primitive operators. It is frequently the case that access methods for merged operators are superior to a pipelined execution of separate access methods for each operator. We show operator merging to be valuable at both the micro-level and the macro-level. Furthermore, we show that the corresponding merged operators are hard to reason with at the other level.Specifically, we consider the influence of projections and set operations on pattern-based selections and containment joins. We show, through both analysis and extensive experimentation, the benefits of considering these operations all together. Even though our experimental verification is only with a native XML database, we have reason to believe that our results apply equally to RDBMS-based XML query engines.
Rethinking Complementizer Agreement: Agree with a Case-Checked Goal

Agree(X, Subj) accounts for all agreement in West Germanic: complementizer agreement (CA) results from an Agree relation between uninterpretable φ-features of Fin0 (Rizzi 1997) and φ-features of th...
Association of genetic variation in serum amyloid-A with cardiovascular disease and interactions with IL6, IL1RN, IL1beta and TNF genes in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Aim: Since inflammation is an important contributor to atherosclerosis, gene variants mediating inflammation are of interest. We investigated gene variants in acute phase serum amyloid-A (SAA), a sensitive indicator of inflammatory activity, and their associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and HDL cholesterol. Interaction of the SAA genes with genetic variants of their regulators, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in influencing CVD was also explored.Methods: SNPs characterizing common variation in the SAA1 and SAA2 genes were genotyped in European-(EA) and African-American (AA) participants (n=3969 and n=719) of the Cardiovascular Health Study. Using linear and Cox proportional hazards regression, we assessed associations of SNPs with baseline carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and risk of incident myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, total CVD events or mortality during ˜14 years of follow-up.Results: No associations between SAA SNPs and outcomes were observed in EA, with the exception of total CVD events; each rs4638289 minor allele was associated with an increased risk in obese individuals, HR=1.2 (95%CI: 0.981.4; p=0.086) and decreased risk among non-obese, HR=0.9 (95%CI: 0.80.99; p=0.026). In AA, we observed modest associations between SAA SNPs and cIMT, potentially modified by HDL. SAA SNPs were also associated with lower HDL in EA and AA. Suggestive gene-gene interaction findings for cIMT in AA and CVD mortality in EA were not significant in subsequent model selection tests.Conclusion: Associations of SAA SNPs with cIMT, HDL and total CVD events were identified, unadjusted for multiple testing. These findings should be regarded as hypothesis-generating until confirmed by other studies.
Temporal Effects on the Incidence and Severity of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Feeding Injury to Peaches and Apples during the Fruiting Period in Virginia.

Exclusion cages were used to compare the incidence and severity of feeding injury from brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), on 'Redhaven' peaches, 'Golden Delicious' apples, and 'Smoothee Golden' apples at harvest, following sequential periods of exposure to natural H. halys populations during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons in Virginia. The fruit used in these experiments were in orchards or on trees that were not managed for H. halys. Treatments were sets of 50 fruit that were always caged, never caged, or exposed during one interval during the fruiting period of peaches and apples in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The cages effectively prevented feeding injury from H. halys. Peaches and apples that were never caged showed the highest percentages of injured fruit at harvest. Exposure treatment had a significant effect on the percentage of fruit showing external injury at harvest in both years for apples and in 2012 for peaches, and a significant effect on the percentage of apples and peaches showing internal injury at harvest in both years. There was no consistent effect of each exposure period on peach injury, but apples exposed during the mid- to latter portion of the season tended to show most injury. Across all exposure periods, more internal than external injuries were recorded at harvest from peaches, while apples tended to have equal or very similar numbers of both kinds of injury. The implications of these results to H. halys management in eastern apple orchards are discussed.
Control of Shock-Wave/Bound-Layer Interactions by Bleed

Bleeding away a part of the boundary layer next to the wall is an effective method for controlling boundary-layer distortions from incident shock waves or curvature in geometry. When the boundary-layer flow is supersonic, the physics of bleeding with and without an incident shock wave is more complicated than just the removal of lower momentum fluid next to the wall. This paper reviews CFD studies of shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions on a flat plate with bleed into a plenum through a single hole, three holes in tandem, and four rows of staggered holes in which the simulation resolves not just the flow above the plate, but also the flow through each bleed hole and the plenum. The focus is on understanding the nature of the bleed process.
Cancer-free survival and local tumor control after impendence-based radiofrequency ablation of biopsy-proven renal cell carcinomas with a minimum of 1-year follow-up.

Abstract Objectives There are numerous reports describing the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat renal cell carcinoma. Many series, however, describe heterogeneous populations, lack histologic descriptions, use various RFA systems, and indicate tumor destruction by different ablation end points. This study examined the outcomes of computed tomography–guided, impedance-based RFA of biopsy-proven renal cell carcinoma clinically staged as T1a with a minimum of 1 year of postablation follow-up. Methods and materials This retrospective study identified all consecutive patients who had undergone renal RFA since May 2005 at our institution. Patients without biopsy-proven renal cell carcinoma (RCCa) were excluded. Of the patients who met these criteria, evaluation was limited to patients with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. Data collected from the patients׳ electronic medical and radiologic records included demographic data, tumor-related data, procedural details, and clinical follow-up visits. Results A total of 39 patients (46 lesions) met the inclusion criteria. The mean tumor diameter was 2.6 cm (range: 1.2–4.0 cm). The most common histologies were clear cell (n = 27) and papillary (n = 16) renal cancer. The lesion location was equally divided between upper pole (n = 16), middle pole (n = 16), and lower pole (n = 14). Overall, 83% of the tumors were exophytic. No residual or recurrent enhancing mass was identified in the ablation bed on post-RFA imaging during the mean follow-up period of 35.3 months (range: 12–83). All patients were treated in a single encounter and no lesion required a second ablation; technical success (absence of residual tumor) on the initial post-RFA imaging study was 46 of 46 (100%). Clinical success was achieved in 45 of 46 lesions (98%); residual, viable tumor was found in a pretransplant nephrectomy specimen on postprocedure day 127. The mean cancer-free survival was 36.2 months. Comparison of preablation and postablation renal function found no statistically significant change. Conclusions The consistent outcomes in our post-RFA imaging and clinical surveillance allow us to offer image-guided ablation to patients with T1a RCCa as a valid treatment option offering long-term cancer-free survival. Impedance-based RFA in a carefully selected patient population with T1a RCCa is a reliable treatment option, with disease-free survival rates that are comparable to partial nephrectomy.
Enhancement of Experimental Anaerobic Infections by Blood, Hemoglobin, and Hemostatic Agents

Certain foreign materials have been demonstrated to enhance the infectivity of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Whole blood and other protein compounds encountered in surgical settings or trauma were tested for their effect on infectivity of nonsporeforming anaerobic bacteria. Infectious synergistic mixtures of Bacteroides fragilis plus Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Bacteroides melaninogenicus plus Fusobacterium necrophorum were each diluted to a barely noninfectious or minimally infectious concentration (subinfective inoculum) that was injected intraperitoneally into mice alone and in combination with test proteins. Infectivity was measured by deaths from sepsis or abscess(es) within the abdominal cavity at autopsy at 1 week. Two hemostatic agents, Gelfoam powder and Avitene (final concentrations, 10 mg/ml), and crystalline hemoglobin (4 g/100 ml) each produced a marked increase (P < 0.001) in the rate of infection when mixed with a normally subinfective inoculum of either bacterial mixture. Fresh homologous mouse blood (0.25 ml) injected intraperitoneally without anticoagulant also significantly enhanced infectivity (P < 0.01) of a subinfective inoculum of B. fragilis plus P. anaerobius. These studies demonstrated the capacity of whole blood, hemoglobin, and hemostatic agents to enhance the infectivity of certain nonsporeforming anaerobic bacteria. The high concentrations of anaerobic bacteria in the gastrointestinal, female genital, and respiratory tracts produce an increased risk of human infection after surgery or trauma in these sites; the protein agents studied here may further enhance infection.
Is inflammation a significant contributor to second trimester loss

SINDHU SRINIVAS, MICHAL ELOVITZ, University of Pennsylvania, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania OBJECTIVE: Greater than 85% of preterm births at less than 28 wks gestation are associated with histological chorioamnionitis (HCA). Whether inflammation is associated with 2nd trimester loss has not yet been determined. Our aim was to determine whether inflammation, as documented by the presence of HCA, was a contributor to 2nd trimester loss as well as to ascertain whether maternal demographics, obstetrical history and /or clinical presentatoin could predict the likelihood of HCA. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort study was performed on patients with a 2nd trimester (15-23.6 wk) loss between 2002-04. Demographic information, obstetrical history, clinical presentation and placental pathology were collected. Placental pathology was also collected on a cohort of patients undergoing elective 2nd trimester termination by labor induction. Chi square analysis was used to examine the association between placental pathology and maternal age, obstetric history and gestational age of loss. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients enrolled, 35 were primiparous and 52 were multiparous. 39 patients had at least one prior full term delivery and 22 patients had at least one prior preterm delivery (PTD). A total of 30 patients presented with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Of all cases, HCA was observed in 56 (64%) of the placentas while funisitis was reported in 20 (23%) cases. HCA occurred significantly less (20%) in patients with elective 2nd trimester abortions(P= .004). There were no significant associations found between HCA or funisitis and obstetrical history, maternal age or PPROM. CONCLUSION: This study is the largest to date that examines the relationship between 2nd trimester loss and placental inflammation. The high prevalence of HCA in this cohort of patients suggests that inflammation is a significant contributor to 2nd trimester loss. However, this study also suggests that obstetrical history and presentation do not accurately predict the presence of HCA. More research is warranted to determine etiologies of late pregnancy loss and strategies for prevention.
Fission-fusion populations.

What is fission–fusion and why is it important? Grouping among animals is ubiquitous, from swarms of insects, schools of fish and flocks of birds to herds of ungulates, troops of primates, and vast interconnected human urban settlements. In many grouping species, across genera and scales of organization, group formation is a highly dynamic process: group size and composition change frequently within the lifetime of members as groups split (fission) or merge (fusion) (Figure 1). The timescale over which such fission–fusion dynamics occur, the degree to which individual group-members control the process, and the influence of environmental factors differ among species, and often within species as environmental conditions or individual requirements change.
Significance of Morphologic Form in Producing Immunodiagnostic Antigens for Dimorphic Fungal Pathogens

Selection of the appropriate anamorph of a dimorphic fungal pathogen for the isolation and production of useful diagnostic antigens is essential to the development of immunologic tests for diagnosing systemic mycotic infections and identifying their etiologic agents. The routine immunodiagnosis of blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis continues to be achieved with crude or purified antigens derived from the growth of mycelial, yeast, and/or tissue forms of their respective etiologic agents.
Overwintering Studies on Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) in Kern County, California: Life Stages Sensitive to Diapause Induction Cues

F1 progeny of field-collected Culex tarsalis Coquillett females entered diapause when larvae or young pupae were transferred from summer (25°C, 16:8 [L:D] photoperiod) to winter (18°C, 10:14 photoperiod) experimental conditions. Those transferred as older pupae or young adults failed to enter diapause and readily imbibed blood meals from restrained chicks or initiated oogenesis autogenously. The data implied that older fourth instars and perhaps young pupae are the stages sensitive to diapause induction cues. The combination of cool temperature and short daylength suppressed the expression of autogeny, enabling genetically autogenous females to undergo facultative diapause.
A rapid safe technique for repeated blood collection from small laboratory animals. The farmer's wife method.

SummaryDifficulties in obtaining adequate volumes of blood for serial analysis often restrict the design of experiments using small animals. The techniques of bleeding rats and mice from the tail and guinea pigs from the toenail can be improved by warming the animals. Prior warming in an incubator at 40-45°C and gentle handling allow repeated collection of generous quantities of blood quickly.
Codling Moth Control with Carbofuran

Field trials were conducted over a 3-year period in northern California to determine the efficacy of carbofuran for control of Carpocapsa pomonella (L.). The 3 major agricultural host crops, apples, pears, and walnuts, Were utilized in the test program. Dosages varying from 0.125 to 0.5 lb active/100 gal, applied in a 3-cover-spray schedule, provided excellent control as measured by the reduction of larval entries in the harvested fruit or nuts.
Investigation and analysis of college's water system: the case of Northeastern University

To date there have been many studies of water system optimization which were focused on the water use performance of industrial, regional, and urban areas from a macro-perspective. However, water system optimization colleges and universities are rare, though the amount of water consumption is huge in higher education institutions. We applied a water extended input–output model to investigate and analyze the water system of Northeastern University. Results showed that the water consumption at Northeastern University is 106.72 m3/year per capita; 74.44% of the total water consumption at Northeastern University takes place in dormitories and other school buildings. In contrast with industrial and agricultural sewage, the pollutants in campus sewage are simple and are easy to render harmless or eliminate. Analyzed results showed that the rate of water recycling is low. In this paper, we present an optimization project for improving water efficiency at Northeastern University. Through measures such as dormitory toilets that reuse washroom sewage, our proposed plan will reduce water consumption per capita by 2.13 m3/year. If our proposed plan is adopted at other higher education institutions whose size is the same as Northeastern University all over the country, 7,842.77 × 105 m3/year of water will be saved, which is equivalent to 3.45 × 106 yuan.
A Comparison of Composite Reliability Estimators Coefficient Omega Confidence Intervals in the Current Literature

Coefficient omega and alpha are both measures of the composite reliability for a set of items. Unlike coefficient alpha, coefficient omega remains unbiased with congeneric items with uncorrelated e...
A Graph-based Model for GPU Caching Problems

Modeling data sharing in GPU programs is a challenging task because of the massive parallelism and complex data sharing patterns provided by GPU architectures. Better GPU caching efficiency can be achieved through careful task scheduling among different threads. Traditionally, in the field of parallel computing, graph partition models are used to model data communication and guide task scheduling. However, we discover that the previous methods are either inaccurate or expensive when applied to GPU programs. In this paper, we propose a novel task partition model that is accurate and gives rise to the development of fast and high quality task/data reorganization algorithms. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model by rigorous theoretical analysis of the algorithm bounds and extensive experimental analysis. The experimental results show that it achieves significant performance improvement across a representative set of GPU applications.
Epidemiological character analysis of mumps in Shenzhen city,Guangming district,from 2007 to 2011

Objective To analyze the epidemiological character of mumps in Shenzhen,Guangming District,from 2007 to 2011 and provide scientific evidence for control of mumps.Methods Data of mumps cases was analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method.And the inoculation of mumps vaccine was analyzed by telephone survey and Shenzhen Immunity Information System.Results In Shenzhen,Guangming district,843 cases of mumps were reported from 2007 to 2011,with the annual average incidence of 42.24 / lakh,and the incidence showed a ascending trend.The peak incidence was from May to July.Average median age of onset age was 7 year.Cases of age 5 to 10 and of age 0 to 4 accounted for 45.91% and 27.28%,respectively,and cases occurred in primary school students,scattered children and kindergarten children.Male / female ratio was 2.02∶1.Vaccination rate of MMR vaccine was 31.98% among mumps survey cases from January to July in 2012.The average time interval between vaccination and incidence of mumps survey cases was 4.3 years.The longer the onset of vaccination cases,the greater was the composition ratio of the number of cases.Conclusion The mumps incidence was mainly occurred in primary school students,scattered children and kindergarten children.To control the incidence of mumps,apart from the routine immunization,a second dose of mumps vaccine should be implemented in the focus groups of age below 15.
Effect of Pudilan antiphlogistic oral liquid on epidemic parotitis:observation of 26 cases

Objective: To observe the effect of Pudilan antiphlogistic oral liquid.Methods: Emplyed hypothermia,analgesia,depressurizing intracranial pressure and anticonvulsion treatment to patients with epidemic parotitis based on the pathogenic status.Treated therapy group with Pudilan antiphlogistic oral liquid,while treated control group with Shuanghuanglian oral liquid.Results: 14 cases were obviously effective,and 9 cases were effective in therapy group,with total efficiency as 88.5%.While 12 cases were obviously effective,and 7 cases were effective in therapy group,with total efficiency as 63.3%.The therapy group showed more satisfactory effect and there was significant difference between two groups(χ2=4.69,P0.05).Conclusion: With anti-bacteria and anti-virus effect,Pudilan antiphlogistic oral is helpful in boosting effect and shortening treatment course.And it is valuble in clinic application.
Plasma carnitine in fasting neonatal and adult northern elephant seals

Maintenance of adequate body carnitine stores is a requisite for fasting mammals, whose energy is derived mainly from free fatty acid oxidation. The impact of longterm fasting on carnitine status is unclear, and there have been no reports of carnitine during naturally occurring fasts. Total (TC), free (FC), and acylated (AC) plasma carnitine levels were determined in 10 weaned and 11 adult northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) during natural fasts lasting from 1 to 3 mo. In pups, TC declined little and AC increased only slightly [P greater than 0.05, analysis of variance (ANOVA)] through 11 wk of fasting. Plasma FC dropped by 53 and 26% from week 1 values at 10 and 11 wk fasting, respectively (P = 0.014, ANOVA). The AC/FC ratio did not approach 1.0 until 7 wk of fasting. TC was 38.6 +/- 1.4 microM and 47.6 +/- 4.1 microM in adult females and males, respectively. Adult AC/FC ratios were 0.71 +/- 0.10 (females) and 0.08 +/- 0.04 (males). Plasma TC status is not negatively affected by extended fasting in adult and weaned northern elephant seals. These data support the hypothesis that fasting northern elephant seals defend plasma TC and maintain an attenuated AC/FC ratio well into their prolonged natural fast.
Direct in vivo visualization of right cardiac anatomy by fibreoptic endoscopy : observation of radiofrequency-induced acute lesions around the ostium of the coronary sinus

Current mapping techniques used during electrophysiological study involve catheter placement under fluoroscopic guidance and are associated with prolonged radiation exposure. We considered that direct visualization of right heart anatomy by means of fibreoptic endoscopy could be useful in accurately localizing and guiding the ablation of arrhythmogenic substrates. Our goal was to evaluate the ability of this device to safely and accurately visualize the ostium of the coronary sinus and its vicinity as well as radiofrequency-induced acute lesions. Anaesthetized dogs (n = 4) were studied. Multipolar electrode catheters and a 3.6 mm diameter fibreoptic endoscope with a latex balloon covering the distal tip were inserted into the right atrium. The blood pressure, and surface and intracardiac electrocardiograms were recorded simultaneously. Radiofrequency energy was delivered just inside the coronary sinus ostium or in its vicinity. The acute lesions were carefully observed by endoscopy. Postmortem examination was then performed. With a balloon volume of 7-10 ml, the visual field was 15-20 mm in diameter. The blood pressure was generally stable. The ostium of the coronary sinus and its vicinity were clearly and accurately identified, and catheter placement in the coronary sinus and its vicinity could be achieved under direct vision in all four dogs. Additionally, the process by which acute lesions were created by radiofrequency was also directly visualized in great detail. There was a good concordance between endoscopically observed images and postmortem findings, and there was a strong correlation between delivered energy and the volume of the radiofrequency-induced lesions (r = 0.895).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Variation in Display Behavior, Ornament Morphology, Sexual Size Dimorphism, and Habitat Structure in the Fan-Throated Lizard (Sitana, Agamidae)

Abstract Fan-Throated Lizards (Sitana; Agamidae) are a widespread yet little-studied genus of lizards found in dry habitats throughout South Asia. Male lizards in this genus bear a fan-like structure under their throats that is displayed by rapid extension and retraction during the breeding season, particularly during courtship and male–male interactions. Throat-fans vary dramatically in both size and coloration across the genus, ranging from small and white to large and blue, black, and orange. In this paper, I investigate variation in throat-fan morphology and display behavior in eight populations of Fan-Throated Lizards. Displays of these lizards included partial and complete throat-fan extensions, changes in body position, rapid head-turning behavior, and occasional bipedality. Part of the variation in display behavior across these lizards was associated with throat-fan elaboration, and increased throat-fan size and coloration were associated with male-biased sexual size dimorphism but not with change...
Radiology of acute spinal trauma.

Radiologic diagnostic modalities utilized to evaluate acute spine trauma include plain films, tomography, computerized tomography (CT), myelography and CT-myelugraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging. The initial evaluation is aimed at delineating the nature and extent of both honey and soft tissue injuries, with particular attention directed toward differentiating intrinsic cord damage from extrinsic spinal cord or nerve root compression that may respond to surgical intervention. The selection of the optimal radiologic diagnostic algorithm requires familiarization with the techniques and limitations of each diagnostic procedure.
Multi-input converters

This chapter is dedicated to recent advances in multi-input converters. The novel applications for multi-input converters need customized power converter topologies. These topologies need to be synthesized considering the power conditioning requirements of the sources and the loads. The techniques recently proposed for synthesizing multi-input power converter topologies will be introduced in Section 3.2. The trivial multi-input topologies including dc link and ac link configurations will be discussed in Section 3.3. The major applications of the multiinput converters are reviewed in Sections 3.4 and 3.5. Section 3.5 belongs to the renewable energy systems, and Section 3.6 belongs to the vehicular power systems. The specific requirements of the mentioned applications are discussed from a designer point of view in these two sections. Finally, this chapter is summarized in Section 3.7.
Cranial Nonmetric and Morphoscopic Data Sets

Abstract Cranial nonmetrics and morphoscopic data are typically used differently by biological anthropologists depending on the context of their research. Bioarchaeologists often use nonmetric trait data to explore patterns of gene flow and genetic isolation in regional contexts. Collectively these are referred to as biological distance studies. Forensic anthropologists usually focus on a set of nonmetric traits, now commonly described as morphoscopic traits, to estimate ancestry in unknown skeletal remains toward the goal of positive identification. In this chapter both types of cranial trait are outlined to include definitions and data collection protocols. Statistical measures of biological distance of data sets within both bioarchaeological and forensic settings are also described.
Clinical Characteristics of Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease is a significant endotype of both asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. The disease demonstrates what seems to be a unified inflammatory mechanism culminating in highly eosinophilic nasal polyp disease and asthma. The rate of polyp recurrence and morbidity from asthma exacerbations are significant and warrant separating this group diagnostically from aspirin-tolerant peers. Given the unique anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin and the evolving landscape of new, targeted biologic treatments, it is even more incumbent to consider this diagnosis and offer patients treatment specific for the disease.
The Role of Endocasts in the Study of Brain Evolution

Endocasts are windows into deep history and as such provide modern neuroscience a more complete appreciation of: (1) the brain's evolutionary potential (by allowing sampling of extinct lineages) and (2) the origins of modern neurological disparity. Imaging technology has increased the number of endocasts and thus their integrative potential for informing broad patterns of brain evolution. Our goal is to facilitate this integration by explicating the inferential framework in which endocasts are studied, their anatomical identity, and the hypotheses they can and cannot address. Examples of endocasts' explanatory power and limitations are drawn largely from birds and their extinct relatives.