cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of dextromethorphan and its metabolite dextrorphan in human urine using high performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry: a study of selectivity of a tandem mass spectrometric assay.

Abstract Analytical method for the simultaneous determination of dextromethorphan ( 1 ) and dextrorphan ( 2 ) in urine, based on solid-phase extraction of drug from acidified hydrolyzed biological matrix, were developed. The analytes ( 1 and 2 ) and the internal standard (levallorphan, 3 , IS) were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) in positive ionization mode using a heated nebulizer (HN) probe and monitoring their precursor → product ion combinations of m / z 272 → 215, 258 → 201, and 284 → 201 for 1 , 2 , and 3 , respectively, in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The analytes and IS were chromatographed on a Keystone Prism reverse phase (50 mm × 2.0 mm) 5 μm column using a mobile phases consisting of a 35/65 or 27/73 mixtures of methanol/water containing 0.1% TFA adjusted to pH 3 with ammonium hydroxide pumped at 0.4 ml/min for 1 and 2 , respectively. The limits of reliable quantification of 1 and 2 were 2 and 250 ng/ml, respectively, when 1 ml of urine was processed. The absence of matrix effect was demonstrated by analysis of neat standards and standards spiked into urine extracts originating from five different sources. The linear ranges of the assay were 2–200 and 250–20,000 ng/ml for 1 and 2 , respectively. Assay selectivity was evaluated by monitoring the “cross-talk” effects from other metabolites into the MS/MS channels used for monitoring 1 , 2 , and 3 . In addition, an interfering peak originating from an unknown metabolite of 1 into the quantification of dextromethorphan was detected, requiring an effective chromatographic separation of analytes from other metabolites of 1 . The need for careful assessment of selectivity of the HPLC–MS/MS assay in the presence of metabolites, and the assessment of matrix effect, are emphasized.
Speciation effects of solvent chemistry on the analysis of drugs and explosives by electrospray ion mobility mass spectrometry

The present work highlights the effect that solvent chemistry has on analytes being detected when utilizing electrospray ionization in ion mobility mass spectrometers. Various studies were conducted involving both positive and negative mode ionization. The enhancements observed by utilizing different levels of acid modifiers as well as the different ionic species of analytes being formed and detected are presented. The makeup of the electrospray solvent determined whether the ionic species would be protonated, sodium adducted, ammonium adducted, proton abstracted or chlorinated. Addition of solvent modifiers such as acids in the positive mode, and organic halides in the negative mode improved signal strength of analytes as well as improved spray characteristics that also decreased signal variability. The ability to perform simultaneous ionization of complex mixtures was also demonstrated through the use of solvent modifiers thereby allowing electrospray ionization ion mobility mass spectrometry the ability to simultaneously analyze complicated mixtures very quickly (millisecond separations).
Gaba and dopamine act directly on melanotropes of xenopus to inhibit msh secretion

Abstract The release of melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH) from the pars intermedia of the amphibian Xenopus laevis is regulated by multiple factors of hypothalamic origin. The aim of this study was to determine if potential secretagogues function through a direct action on the melanotrope cell. For this purpose an in vitro superfusion system containing isolated melanotropes (cell suspension) was utilized. The viability of the cells in suspension was tested by examining their ability to synthesize, process and release pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) related peptides. All biosynthetic functions appeared normal, with the exception that the isolated melanotropes are unable to N-terminally acetylate MSH. Release of immunoreactive-MSH from these cells was shown to be Ca 2+ -dependent and high K + stimulated release. Both the neurotransmitters dopamine and γ-aminobuiyric acid (GABA), which are thought to be physiologically important MSH-release inhibiting factors, were shown to inhibit MSH release from isolated melanotropes. Dopamine appeared to function through a dopamine D2 type receptor mechanism while for GABA, both a GABAa and GABAb receptor mechanism are involved.
A selenocysteine variant of the human copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase. A Se-XAS probe of cluster composition at the domain 3-domain 3 dimer interface.

We report the semisynthesis of a selenocysteine (Sec) derivative of the human copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase, substituted with Sec at the C-terminal C246 residue. Measurements of hCCS-induced SOD1 activation were used to show that the C-terminal CXC sequence is both necessary and sufficient for EZn-SOD maturation. Therefore, an active CAU variant carrying Sec as the terminal amino acid was prepared by expressed protein ligation of a single selenocysteine amino acid to a 243-CA truncation. This reaction proceeded in high yield and generated the desired 243-CAX (X = C or U) protein with the expected mass. Se-edge XAS of the apoprotein indicated that both Se−S and Se−Se interactions were present in a 0.3:0.7 ratio, indicating an equilibrium between species with either a selenosulfide or a diselenide cross-link. After reduction on immobilized TCEP, the ligated Cys and Sec apoproteins bound up to 2.5 Cu(I) ions per hCCS monomer with both Cu and Se as constituent atoms of the cluster which forms at t...
Honing in on the social phenotype in Williams syndrome using multiple measures and multiple raters.

The behavioral phenotype of Williams syndrome (WS) is characterized by difficulties with establishment and maintenance of friendships despite high levels of interest in social interaction. Here, parents and teachers rated 84 children with WS ages 4–16 years using two commonly-used measures assessing aspects of social functioning: the Social Skills Rating System and the Social Responsiveness Scale. Mean prosocial functioning fell in the low average to average range, whereas social reciprocity was perceived to be an area of significant difficulty for many children. Concordance between parent and teacher ratings was high. Patterns of social functioning are discussed. Findings highlight the importance of parsing the construct of social skills to gain a nuanced understanding of the social phenotype in WS.
Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and induced hypertension improve spinal cord perfusion after acute spinal cord injury in pigs.

BACKGROUND:Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is commonly treated by elevating the mean arterial pressure (MAP). Other potential interventions include cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD).OBJECTIVE:To determine the efficacy of aggressive MAP elevation combined with intrathecal pressure (ITP) reduction; o
On Solving Multifacility Location Problems using a Hyperboloid Approximation Procedure

Abstract An iterative solution method is presented for solving multifacility location problems involving rectilinear and/or Euclidean distances. The iterative procedure is based on the use of an approximating function involving hyperboloids, which in the limit approach the cones in the original objective function. Given that the hyperboloid approximation procedure converges, it is shown to converge to the optimum solution. Computational experience with the procedure is described.
Comparisons among electoral systems: Distinguishing between localism and candidate-centered politics

Abstract Carey and Shugart (1995) offer a four component composite index of “incentives to cultivate a personal vote.” We argue that this index, while tapping important aspects of electoral system choice, is best regarded as encompassing two distinct dimensions: degree of party-centeredness of the electoral system, on the one hand, and incentives for “parochial” behavior on the part of legislators, on the other. Also, while we have no problem with the three indicators used by Carey and Shugart to measure party-centeredness; to measure parochial incentives we prefer to use a new measure, E (Grofman, 1999a) of the size of a legislator's electoral constituency, rather than using district magnitude, m, as a proxy for a the size of a legislator's geographic constituency, as Carey and Shugart do. In the conclusion to the paper we argue that the degree of similarity between any two electoral systems will depend upon the research question at issue, and that the expected degree of proportionality of election results is only one of the many political consequences of electoral laws to which we ought to be paying attention.
On the Computation of Spatial Angular Orientation From Angular Position Sensor Data

Recently, it has been discovered that RF waveguides can be used as onboard wireless sensors for the direct measurements of angular positions of a moving object and that a combination of RF waveguides may be used to measure full spatial angular orientation of the object. This paper deals with the computational issues that arise in resolving the spatial orientation from the measurement data of a set of RF waveguide sensors. The paper presents an algorithm that combines a heuristic search method with the least-squares approach for computing the full orientation of an object. The goal is to develop a general and efficient method for computing spatial orientation from the sensor data of a class of angular position sensors that have smooth sensor profiles.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Corporate Hedging Policy and Equity Mispricing

We show that firms’ use of derivatives is negatively associated with stock mispricing. This result is consistent with the notion that hedging improves the transparency and predictability of firms’ cash flows resulting in less misvaluation. Furthermore, we show that the negative relationship between mispricing and hedging is particularly strong when market value is below fundamental value, which is consistent with prior evidence that hedging has a positive impact on firm valuation. Finally, we provide evidence that a “spread-out” hedging policy that entails the use of a variety of derivative contracts can be more effective in reducing mispricing.
Interaction solid solution hardening in 2.25Cr-1Mo steel☆

Abstract The creep behavior of annealed 2.25Cr-1Mo steel—a low-alloy ferritic steel—is complicated by the metallurgical processes that occur in the steel. These processes, which involve both solid solution and precipitation effects, give rise to creep curves that differ from a classical three-stage creep curve in that two steady-state stages occur. During the first steady-state stage, the creep rate is controlled by the motion of dislocations that contain atmospheres of carbon and molybdenum atom clusters, a process termed interaction solid solution hardening. Eventually, the precipitation of Mo 2 C removes molybdenum and carbon from solution, and the creep rate increases to a new steady state where the creep rate is controlled by atmosphere-free dislocations moving through a precipitate field. These nonclassical curves occur at intermediate stresses. As the stress decreases, the first steady-state stage disappears because the dislocation velocity decreases and the molybdenum-carbon atmosphere will be able to diffuse with the dislocations. At high stresses a classical curve occurs when the creep rate is controlled by a combination of processes that operate in the two steady-state stages of the nonclassical curves.
Teaching technologic restraint: an evaluation of a single session.

An excessive number of serum determinations of vitamin B-12 and fohc acid was being ordered from the Medical Service. During 1976 the estimated laboratory costs for detecting five cases of pernicious ane mia were about $45,000 or $9,000 per case. It was felt that an educational program stressing the limitations of this use of the laboratory, the cost of the strategies in use, and the proposal of alternate, less costly strategies might lead to a reductm in utihzation of the laboratory. It has been the feeling that voluntary technologic restraint could not be practiced by physicians and that economic rationing might become necessary to control costs. It was found that physicians could be taught restraint but that constant reinforcement and emphasis would be necessary to make voluntary technologic restraint useful. Monitor ing use of the clinical laboratory is a useful technique for assessing the effectiveness of programs aimed at cost containment.
Methods used to conduct and report Bayesian mixed treatment comparisons published in the medical literature: a systematic review

Objectives To identify published closed-loop Bayesian mixed treatment comparisons (MTCs) and to summarise characteristics regarding their conduct and reporting. Design Systematic review. Methods We searched multiple bibliographic databases (January 2006–31 July 2011) for full-text, English language publications of Bayesian MTCs comparing the effectiveness or safety of ≥3 interventions based on randomised controlled trials and having at least one closed loop. Methodological and reporting characteristics of MTCs were extracted in duplicate and summarised descriptively. Results We identified 34 Bayesian MTCs spanning 13 clinical areas. Publication of MTCs increased over the 5-year period; with 76.5% published during or after 2009. MTCs included a mean (±SD) of 35.9±30.1 trials (n=33 459±71 233 participants) and 8.5±4.3 interventions (85.7% pharmacological). Non-informative and informative prior distributions were reported to be used in 44.1% and 8.8% of MTCs, respectively, with the remainder failing to specify the prior used. A random-effects model was used to analyse the networks of trials in 58.5% of MTCs, all using WinBUGS; however, code was infrequently provided (20.6%). More than two-thirds of MTCs (76.5%) also conducted traditional meta-analysis. Methods used to evaluate convergence, heterogeneity and inconsistency were infrequently reported, but from those providing detail, methods appeared varied. MTCs most often used a binary effect measure (85.3%) and ranking of interventions based on probability was common (61.8%), although rarely displayed in a figure (8.8% of MTCs). MTCs were published in 24 different journals with a mean impact factor of 9.20±8.71. While 70.8% of journals imposed limits on word counts and 45.8% limits on the number of tables/figures, online supplements/appendices were allowed in 79.2% of journals. Publication of closed-loop Bayesian MTCs is increasing in frequency, but details regarding their methodology are often poorly described. Efforts in clarifying the appropriate methods and reporting of Bayesian MTCs should be of priority.
Physical, Textural and Sensory Properties of Gluten-Free Muffins Prepared Using Quinoa Flour as a Replacement for Rice Flour

The market for gluten-free products that are nutritious and palatable is growing exponentially as more people are choosing a gluten-free diet out of necessity or personal preference. Rice flour is often used in gluten-free products. However, other choices, such as quinoa flour, can provide an improved nutrition profile. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of quinoa substitution on the physical, textural and sensory properties of gluten-free muffins. A 100% rice flour control muffin was compared with muffins containing quinoa substitutions at 30% and 50%. There was no significant difference in volume, percent increase in height, and water activity with quinoa substitution. Textural analysis measured by TA.XT plus Texture Analyzer (Texture Technologies Corp., Scarsdale, NY) showed muffins with quinoa substitution have decreased firmness versus the control, but no significant differences were seen in cohesiveness and springiness. Acceptability was determined by 75 untrained consumer panelists using a 9-point hedonic scale. There were no significant differences found between the variations in appearance, odor, flavor or taste. There was a trend for the 50% variation to be ranked highest in order of preference while the control ranked lowest. Muffins prepared with 50% quinoa flour were highly acceptable to consumers and had a more favorable nutrient profile (22% more protein, 1600% more fiber, 829% more magnesium, 204% more potassium and 209% more zinc) than the rice flour control. Quinoa flour can be considered a good alternative to rice flour in the production of gluten-free products.
Northern Haida Songs

Northern Haida Songs. John Enrico and Wendy Bross Stuart. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press; Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1996. 519 pp.
Tumour location affects the incidence of cataract and retinopathy after ophthalmic plaque radiation therapy.

AIM To examine how tumour location affects ocular morbidity after ophthalmic plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma. METHODS 69 eyes were irradiated and followed for a mean 42 months. There were 23 anterior uveal melanomas and 46 were posterior to the equator. Anterior and posterior tumours had similar basal dimensions. Their mean apical heights were 4.8 mm (anterior) and 3.5 mm (posterior) which received a mean 88 Gy and 83.4 Gy respectively. RESULTS Only one patient (4%) plaqued for an anterior uveal melanoma developed secondary retinopathy (cystoid macular oedema). In contrast, 24 (52%) of the posterior choroidal melanoma patients developed retinopathy (p value CONCLUSION While plaque radiation of anterior melanomas is more likely to cause reversible vision loss secondary to cataract, treatment of posterior tumours is more likely to be associated with irreversible loss because of retinopathy. Nasal location is also protective against severe loss of vision.
Darden's Luckiest Student: Lessons from a High-Stakes Risk Experiment

This paper reports on two high-stakes events in which a randomly selected “luckiest” student received the opportunity to participate in a lottery consisting of equally likely outcomes of zero and the cash equivalent to one semester of tuition. The major purpose of the events was to provide students and the larger community an opportunity to experience an event that was both significant in magnitude and undeniably random. A second purpose was to study the choice behavior of individuals facing lotteries involving stakes that, to our knowledge, were higher than any used in prior laboratory experiments. Prior to the selection of the luckiest student, all students were asked to declare the price at which they would choose the fixed dollar offer over the lottery. We studied how these reported prices changed when payoffs were hypothetical versus real and how students came up with their prices. With the second event, we conducted a full-factorial experiment that measured the effects of three factors identified during the first event (e.g., whether they were a buyer or seller). Our descriptions here of the formal and informal lessons from these events will be of interest to those involved in educational programs and in behavioral research related to decision analysis.
Stable mixed hematopoietic chimerism permits tolerance of vascularized composite allografts across a full major histocompatibility mismatch in swine.

Summary This study tested the hypothesis that vascularized composite allografts (VCA) could be accepted in a robust model of hematopoietic chimerism by injecting allogeneic bone marrow cells (BMC) into swine fetuses. Outbred Yorkshire sows and boars were screened to ensure the absence of the major histocompatibility (MHC) allele SLAcc of inbred MGH miniature swine and then mated. Bone marrow harvested from an SLAcc swine donor was T-cell depleted and injected intravenously into the fetuses between days 50–55 of gestation. After birth, the piglets were studied with flow cytometry to detect donor cells and mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) assays to assess their response to donor. Donor-matched VCAs from SLAcc donors were performed on four chimeric and two nonchimeric swine. The results showed donor cell engraftment and multilineage macrochimerism after the in utero transplantation of adult BMC, and chimeric animals were unresponsive to donor antigens in vitro. Both control VCAs were rejected by 21 days and were alloreactive. Chimeric animals accepted the VCAs and never developed antidonor antibodies or alloreactivity to donor. These results confirm that the intravascular, in utero transplantation of adult BMC leads to donor cell chimerism and donor-specific tolerance of VCAs across a full MHC barrier in this animal model.
A heuristic genetic algorithm methodology

The family of combinatorial optimization problems is characterized by having a finite number of feasible solutions. These problems abound in everyday life, particularly in engineering design. In principle, finding the optimal solution for a finite problem could be done by simple enumeration. However, real life problems are much more complicated and enumeration is frequently an impossible technique to use because the number of feasible solutions call be enormous. This article will propose a methodology for using GA in solving complex combinatorial optimization problems. A classification scenario is used as an example.
Highly efficient, ultra low dark current germanium photodetectors integrated on submicron silicon waveguides

We demonstrate germanium photodetectors integrated on submicron silicon waveguides by low-temperature bonding and ion-cut. The devices show very low dark current of ~100 nA, fiber-accessed responsivity of 0.44 A/W, and quantum efficiency of >90%.
Environmental Technology Policy in the US, from the 1970s into the Twenty-First Century

Since the time when this chapter was written – some 3 years before publication – the context for US environmental technology policy has been transformed. Three seminal developments stand out: the Administration of President Obama; the economic recession, and consequent government rescue package; and a new commitment in the US to craft climate change policies. What these changes imply is a new mind-set about the connection between the environment and technological change, an enormous increase in environment and energy-related research, and significant movement toward new laws and incentives to attack climate change. Given these developments, the pessimistic tone with which the paper ends needs to be modified to some extent.
Anxiety After Cardiac Arrest/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Exacerbated by Stress and Prevented by Minocycline

Background and Purpose— Stress is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, most of the research on this topic has focused on incidence rather than outcome. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of prior exposure to chronic stress on ischemia-induced neuronal death, microglial activation, and anxiety-like behavior. Methods— In Experiment 1, mice were exposed to 3 weeks of daily restraint (3 hours) and then subjected to either 8 minutes of cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) or sham surgery. Anxiety-like behavior, microglial activation, and neuronal damage were assessed on postischemic Day 4. In Experiment 2, mice were infused intracerebroventricularly with minocycline (10 μg/day) to determine the effect of inhibiting post-CA/CPR microglial activation on the development of anxiety-like behavior and neuronal death. Results— CA/CPR precipitated anxiety-like behavior and increased microglial activation and neuronal damage within the hippocampus relative to s...
Automatic synthesis of data storage and control structures for FPGA-based computing engines

Mapping computations written in high-level programming languages to FPGA-based computing engines requires programmers to create the datapath responsible for the core of the computation as well as the control structures to generate the appropriate signals to orchestrate its execution. This paper addresses the issue of automatic generation of data storage and control structures for FPGA-based reconfigurable computing engines using existing compiler data dependence analysis techniques. We describe a set of parameterizable data storage and control structures used as the target of our prototype compiler. We present a compiler analysis algorithm to derive the parameters of the data storage structures to minimize the required memory bandwidth of the implementation. We also describe a complete compilation scheme for mapping loops that manipulate multi-dimensional array variables to hardware. We present preliminary simulation results for complete designs generated manually using the results of the compiler analysis. These preliminary results show that it is possible to successfully integrate compiler data dependence analysis with existing commercial synthesis tools.
Sodium Movement in High Sodium Feline Red Cells

The transport of Na in the cat red cells has been studied under various experimental conditions. The unidirectional radioactive Na influx increased with increasing temperature until it reached a maximum value at 37°C ± 2°C and then decreased with a further increase in temperature. Errors stated in this paper represent 1.0 standard errors of the mean. The apparent activation energy was calculated in the region between 25 and 37°C and was found to be 4.9 ± 0.5 kcal/mole. Copper at a concentration of 0.04 mM inhibited this influx by 65%. When cells were suspended in isosmotic KCl buffer, cell volume was found to decrease initially with time. This unusual behavior is discussed in terms of Na to K preference of the cell membrane. In cat red cells, Na influx was found to increase about 13-fold when cell volume was decreased from 1.16 normal to 0.87. This effect could not be reproduced when the medium osmolarity was changed only by the addition of urea, a permeating molecule. On the other hand, K influx was found to decrease from 0.24 ± 0.03 mEq/liters RBC, hr at a relative cellular volume equal to 1.0 to 0.11 ± 0.01 mEq/liters RBC, hr at a cell volume of 0.75. Na influx in human red cells did not show any significant dependence on cell volume. The properties of Na movement in the cat red cells are compared to those of human red cells.
The Political Economy of NATO: Past, Present, and into the 21st Century. By Todd Sandler and Keith Hartley. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. 240p. $29.95, cloth.

This book has an admirable goal: to present policy-relevant results of past academic research to "a wide audience of students, practitioners, policy makers and researchers who want a modern treatment of NATO" (p. xii). To direct fruitfully the results of scholarly work to less academic audiences is a difficult task, because many theoretical as- sumptions and methodological issues must be skimmed over and criticisms of the work summarized or ignored. Nonethe- less, the goal is a good one, and the authors are well positioned to accomplish their purpose, which they do to a large extent. For more than two decades Todd Sandler has been the primary proponent of the "joint product" model of alliances. This model is possibly the most prominent chal- lenge to (or modification of) the public-goods approach to the study of alliances that was pioneered by Mancur Olson and Richard Zeckhauser. Keith Hartley, director of the Centre for Defence Economics at the University of York, has written extensively on defense procurement, disarmament, and conversion.
Automated objective surgical skill assessment in the operating room from unstructured tool motion in septoplasty

Previous work on surgical skill assessment using intraoperative tool motion has focused on highly structured surgical tasks such as cholecystectomy and used generic motion metrics such as time and number of movements. Other statistical methods such as hidden Markov models (HMM) and descriptive curve coding (DCC) have been successfully used to assess skill in structured activities on bench-top tasks. Methods to assess skill and provide effective feedback to trainees for unstructured surgical tasks in the operating room, such as tissue dissection in septoplasty, have yet to be developed. We proposed a method that provides a descriptive structure for septoplasty by automatically segmenting it into higher-level meaningful activities called strokes. These activities characterize the surgeon’s tool motion pattern. We constructed a spatial graph from the sequence of strokes in each procedure and used its properties to train a classifier to distinguish between expert and novice surgeons. We compared the results from our method with those from HMM, DCC, and generic metric-based approaches. We showed that our method—with an average accuracy of 91 %—performs better or equal than these state-of-the-art methods, while simultaneously providing surgeons with an intuitive understanding of the procedure. In this study, we developed and evaluated an automated approach to objectively assess surgical skill during unstructured task of tissue dissection in nasal septoplasty.
Spacing and Ecology of North American Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in a Prairie-Dog (Cynomys leucurus) Complex

We studied spacing, food habits, habitat use, and population characteristics of North American badgers (Taxidea taxus) in and around a prairie-dog (Cynomys leucurus) town in southeastern Wyoming, May 1991-October 1993. Densities of badgers varied from 0.8 to 1.1/km 2 . Prairie dogs occurred in 57% of stomach and fecal samples from female badgers, and females used prairie dog towns more than expected from spatial availability of prairie-dog towns. Ninety-five percent adaptive-kernel home ranges of females were smaller than those of males (male X = 12.3 ± 4.8 km 2 [± SD], female X = 3.4 ± 1.4 km 2 ), and occurrence of overlap and geometric mean overlap were less for females than for males. Home ranges of males were larger during the breeding season than during the nonbreeding season (breeding X = 11.1 ± 5.0 km 2 , nonbreeding X = 5.4 ± 1.7 km 2 ). Breeding home-range size of males was 2.5 times larger than that predicted (4.5 km 2 ) based on energetic demands. Spacing patterns of males were similar to those reported in other studies, but females were more territorial than reported elsewhere.
Predicting release and aquatic effects of total dissolved solids from Appalachian USA coal mines

Appalachian USA coal mines have been implicated as major stressors to aquatic life in headwater streams via discharge of total dissolved solids (TDS). This paper summarizes column leaching studies of spoils (n > 50) and refuse and TDS effects on local water quality and biotic response. The initial pH of most materials is near-neutral. Initial specific conductance (SC) values range from 500–1,000 to >3,000 µs/cm, but 2/3 of materials drop below 500 µs/cm after several pore volumes of leaching. Studies of mining-influenced streams have found altered aquatic life, relative to natural conditions with no mining influence, at SC ranging from ~200 to ~700 µs/cm with depressed aquatic life consistently associated with elevated TDS; mechanisms causing such effects are under investigation. We suggest that active mine operations should be modified to place high TDS producing materials in ways that reduce contact with percolating drainage waters.
Correlates of Alcohol Arrests in a Rural State

Arrest and conviction rates for public intoxication, driving while intoxicated, and liquor law violations were correlated with population, population change, liquor sales, number of law officers, Indian population, and overall crime rate for 23 counties in Wyoming. It was concluded that increased liquor sales, but not arrest rates, are associated with population increase. Alcohol arrests are related positively to population magnitude and overall crime rate, but not to number of law officers. Counties with larger Indian populations report, higher arrest rates for public intoxication and liquor law violations, but conviction rates for alcohol arrests in these counties are not different.
Primary cutaneous epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma: a rare, recently described entity with review of the literature

We report a case of a primary cutaneous epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma that presented as a single raised pink-purple lesion (3.3 × 2.2 cm) on the left base of neck in a 75-year-old man. Histopathologic examination revealed an exophytic, nodular tumor within the dermis and superficial subcutis with overlying ulceration. The tumor exhibited sheet-like growth, infiltration of adjacent structures, and was composed of uniform epithelioid cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and eccentrically placed vesicular nuclei with irregular nuclear contours and prominent central nucleoli. Numerous mitotic figures were present [28/10 high power fields (HPF)] but only mild cytologic pleomorphism was identified. By immunohistochemistry, tumor cells were diffusely and strongly positive for desmin and MYOD1. Focal positive staining for myogenin and cytokeratin CK903 was identified. Stains for Melan-A, S-100, SOX10, p63 and CK5/6 were negative. These histopathologic and immunophenotypic features support a diagnosis of epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma. No evidence of a deep soft tissue primary lesion was identified. In summary, epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma can present as a primary cutaneous lesion and dermatopathologists should be aware of this entity.
pathways to literacy: connections between family assets and preschool children’s emergent literacy skills:

Using a developmental assets framework, we examined the influences of family resources, routines, and stress on preschool-aged children’s emerging literacy development. Data were collected from 85 children as well as from their parents. Using path analysis, the results revealed that the more regular the routines in the household, the more likely parents were to engage their children in literacy enhancing activities, and in turn the higher the children’s print knowledge and reading interest. This was the case both initially and a year later. Results also showed that family resources and stress contributed to aspects of literacy development, although not as strongly as family routines. The findings suggest that interventions should include efforts to promote supportive family contexts as an additional means to enhance children’s literacy development.
Therapeutic Consultation in Pediatric Dentistry

The pediatric dental operatory is naturally a setting that is unusual for its young patients. Although the modern clinic is less foreboding than its predecessors, being cheerfully decorated with posters and housing numerous stuffed animals and other pleasant furnishings, it is not a place that is frequently visited, and it is a setting in which unusual procedures are conducted. The young child is required to lie helplessly on his or her back underneath an array of lights and instruments. Smiling adults in white coats insert strange and unusual items inside the mouth. The mouth must be kept open for long periods of time, even if it is held open mechanically. The sensations in the mouth are different, including the touch and vibration of the sharp and blunt instruments and the taste of chemicals, saliva, and blood. The sounds of the dental clinic are different. The drills whirr and the suction forcefully extracts saliva and other debris from the mouth. There is even a distinct aroma in a dental operatory. Modern dentistry has become a largely painless experience under the hand of a skilled practitioner. Yet given the assault on the child’s person, it is surprising that more children do not display serious behavioral problems while visiting the dentist.
Prosecutors and Bargaining in Weak Cases: A Comparative View

One of the most controversial uses of prosecutorial discretion in plea bargaining concerns cases involving weak evidence of guilt. When a prosecutor bargains about the charges or even the facts in a case with weak evidence, at least three problems may arise. First, if the charge bargain is generous, it may coerce an innocent defendant to plead guilty. Second, such a bargain may let a guilty defendant off too easily, thus disserving the public and victim’s interests. Third, if the parties bargain about the facts, the result may distort the truth of the case. In this book chapter, I examine how three major legal systems - those of the United States, Germany, and Japan - approach these potential problems. To do so, I discuss how prosecutors in these systems would resolve a hypothetical criminal case involving weak evidence. I have chosen to compare the United States, Germany, and Japan because of their distinct approaches to both plea bargaining and prosecutorial discretion. In the United States, prosecutors have largely unfettered discretion in both charging and plea bargaining. Germany allows a form of sentence bargaining that involves both the prosecutor and the judge, but sharply limits prosecutorial discretion with respect to charging and prohibits charge and fact bargaining. Japan does not allow any explicit bargaining, but gives prosecutors broad discretion to refrain from filing charges. After describing the relevant differences in the prosecutors’ role in these countries, I raise several questions about the proper approach for prosecutors in evidentially weak cases. While none of the systems I discuss has a perfect solution to the problem of factually weak cases, the comparison may encourage us to rethink three key features of American-style plea bargaining: our practice of aggressive charge bargaining, particularly in cases where the evidence is weak; the lack of limits on plea discounts; and the limited external and internal review of prosecutorial charge bargaining decisions.
Human Growth Hormone Promotes Corneal Epithelial Cell Migration in Vitro

Purpose Corneal wound healing is a highly regulated process that requires the proliferation and migration of epithelial cells and interactions between epithelial cells and stromal fibroblasts. Compounds that can be applied topically to the ocular surface and that have the capability of activating corneal epithelial cells to proliferate and/or migrate would be useful to promote corneal wound healing. We hypothesize that human growth hormone (HGH) will activate Signal Transducer and Activators of Transcription-5 (STAT5) signaling and promote corneal wound healing by enhancing corneal epithelial cell and fibroblast proliferation and/or migration in vitro. The purpose of this study is to test these hypotheses.
Interval Management: Development and Implementation of an Airborne Spacing Concept

Interval Management is a suite of ADS-B-enabled applications that allows the air traffic controller to instruct a flight crew to achieve and maintain a desired spacing relative to another aircraft. The flight crew, assisted by automation, manages the speed of their aircraft to deliver more precise inter-aircraft spacing than is otherwise possible, which increases traffic throughput at the same or higher levels of safety. Interval Management has evolved from a long history of research and is now seen as a core NextGen capability. With avionics standards recently published, completion of an Investment Analysis Readiness Decision by the FAA, and multiple flight tests planned, Interval Management will soon be part of everyday use in the National Airspace System. Second generation, Advanced Interval Management capabilities are being planned to provide a wider range of operations and improved performance and benefits. This paper briefly reviews the evolution of Interval Management and describes current development and deployment plans. It also reviews concepts under development as the next generation of applications.
Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene, pentamethylbenzene, 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde, 2,4,5-trimethylphenol, and 3-methyl-3-hexene-2,5-dione and products of OH + 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene.

Using a relative rate method, rate constants have been measured for the reactions of OH radicals with 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene, pentamethylbenzene, 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde, 2,4,5-trimethylphe...
Resistance to Three Organophosphorus Insecticides in Strains of the German Cockroach from Texas

In 1963 some pest-control operators in Texas experienced failures in controlling German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), with insecticides that had previously given satisfactory control. Five strains from 3 locations were tested in the laboratory and compared with a normal strain for determination of level of resistance. At LC50 the times resistances were: to diazinon 2.5–6.3; to fenthion 2.7–5.0; and to malathion 2.2–12.8. At LC90 the values were: to diazinon 2.9–8.2; to fenthion 3.2–9.9; and to malathion 1.9–26.7.
Flow generated in the ambient medium by a turbulent jet

A solution is obtained to the problem of calculating the flow induced in the ambient medium by a plane jet expelled from a nozzle of finite dimensions. The theoretical results are in satisfactory agreement with the experiment.
Impact of Potential Fermentation Inhibitors Present in Sweet Sorghum Sugar Solutions

In this work, the fermentation of the sweet sorghum sugars such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose to ethanol was studied in the presence of acetic acid, lactic acid, and aconitic acid, which are present in the juice or produced by microorganisms during prolonged storage of harvested materials or juice. An industrial strain of distiller’s yeast was used to produce ethanol from 100 g/L (83 g/L after inoculum) of total sugars. The fermentation time ranged from 12 to 140 h, with the longer fermentation time corresponding to clear inhibition of yeast growth and product accumulation in the presence of 8 g/L of initial acetic acid. Among the acids, only acetic acid showed a negative impact on the fermentation rates and only at levels greater than 2 g/L. Lower levels of acetic acid and all levels of lactic acid and aconitic acid (1–5 g/L) either showed an improvement in fermentation rates or in final ethanol concentration. The acidity was not controlled during the fermentation but was initially adjusted, and it is presumed that the pH buffering effect on the organic acids contributed to the higher fermentation rates and prevented the pH from naturally dropping as the fermentation progressed.
A More Detailed Understanding Of Factors Associated With Hospital Profitability

To identify the characteristics of the most profitable US hospitals, we examined the profitability of acute care hospitals in fiscal year 2013, measured as net income from patient care services per adjusted discharge. Based on Medicare Cost Reports and Final Rule Data, the median hospital lost $82 for each such discharge. Forty-five percent of hospitals were profitable, with 2.5 percent earning more than $2,475 per adjusted discharge. The ten most profitable hospitals, seven of which were nonprofit, each earned more than $163 million in total profits from patient care services. Hospitals with for-profit status, higher markups, system affiliation, or regional power, as well as those located in states with price regulation, tended to be more profitable than other hospitals. Hospitals that treated a higher proportion of Medicare patients, had higher expenditures per adjusted discharge, were located in counties with a high proportion of uninsured patients, or were located in states with a dominant insurer or ...
Analysis of Epidemiology Characteristics of Condyloma Acuminata in Beijing from 2006 to 2010

Objective To understand epidemiological features of condyloma acuminata in Beijing from 2006 to 2010 and provide a scientific basis on which to develop the strategies for the prevention and control of the disease in the future. Methods The analysis was conducted on the incidence data of condyloma acuminata from 2006 to 2010 which were collected from the disease surveillance information reporting system, and descriptive epidemiology was used to analyze the data. Results A total of 17 489 cases of condyloma acuminata were reported from 2006 to 2010. The reported incidence of condyloma acuminata was 19.61/100 000, 22.50/100 000, 24.65/100 000, 20.58/100 000, 19.38/100 000 from 2006 to 2010. The cases are distributed mainly in Chaoyang, Fengtai and Haidian, accounting to 43.85% of the total cases. The male to female ratio was 1.06 ∶ 1, most of the cases were between 20~49 yeas old. Conclusion It is important for adolescents to increase their basic knowledge and skill of STDs. People aged 20~49 years were the focus group of prevention, and corresponding prevention and control strategies are required to control the epidemic of condyloma acuminata and other STDs.
Contribution of material properties of cellular components on the viscoelastic, stress-relaxation response of a cell during AFM indentation

ABSTRACTThe close relationship between the mechanical properties of biological cells, namely, elasticity, viscosity, and the state of its disease condition has been widely investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In this study, computational simulation of the AFM indentation is carried out using a finite element (FE) model of an adherent cell. A parametric evaluation of the material properties of the cellular components on the viscoelastic, stress-relaxation response during AFM indentation is performed. In addition, the loading rate, the size of the nucleus, and the geometry of the cell are varied. From the present study, it is found that when comparing the material properties derived from experimental force-deflection curves, the influence of loading rates should be accommodated. It also provides a framework that can quantify the variation of the mechanical property with various stages of malignancy of the cancer cell, a potential procedure for cancer diagnosis.
The Impact of a Course-Content Creation Tool (Educreations™) on Student Learning in a Physiology Course

As the iPad has grown in popularity, there has been a corresponding surge of educational technology software developed to support its educational use in K-12 as well as in higher education. One such iPad software is Educreations (www.educreations.org), a tool that instructors can use to record live lectures while simultaneously drawing and annotating the presentation in real time. In a brief, paper-based questionnaire, distributed in two trimesters, we surveyed 143 students to evaluate their attitudes towards Educreations-created videos as a supplemental learning tool in a physiology course. The survey was administered in conjunction with the implementation of new educational technology initiatives. Since faculty members at any institution can often be resistant to technology change, we wanted to inquire whether the videos created with Educreations are perceived by students as having any impact on student learning, and the level of student satisfaction with such videos. Survey results showed high student satisfaction with this mode of content delivery.
Management of Neonatal Seizures

The generally accepted clinical approaches to neonatal seizures were determined by questionnaires completed by pediatric neurologists and neonatologists representing all the pediatric neurology units and all departments of neonatology in Isrrael, and were evaluated at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.