cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Defense of the Court's Legitimacy

Even as it brought the 2000 presidential election to conclusion, Bush v Gore' gave rise to a flurry of attacks on the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. Many scholars criticized the Court for its creation of a new Equal Protection Clause claim never before seen, for its sudden imposition of a deadline that foreclosed any remedy, for its apparent hypocrisy in intervening into a local election dispute, and for its intervention into an utterly partisan dispute. Criticism usually would come as no surprise -it is merely the standard discussion about the actions of the institution that is the focus of much of our work in academia. While early opinion polls show that most Americans have decided to move on, it seems that many academic critics of Bush v Gore have decided to go beyond the usual mulling over of Supreme Court opinions. In the weeks following the Court's decision, prominent legal academics have voiced a number of objections that question the Court's very legitimacy, and in some cases have urged the political system to attack the Court. Many have characterized the decision as partisan and ungrounded in law.3 Some have even compared the justices to partisan lobbyists.4 As a result, these critics have called upon the Senate to refuse to confirm any Supreme Court justices during President Bush's term,5 while others have hit upon the idea of reducing the number of justices on the Court.6 Some have even gone so far as to compare the Court's alleged loss of legitimacy today to the Court's
Singular Integral Equations

An integral equation is called singular if either the range of integration is infinite or the kernel has singularities within the range of integration. Such equations occur rather frequently in mathematical physics and possess very unusual properties.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Clinical and Medical Perspectives

The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are identified by behaviorally defined clinical features characterized by core symptoms of impaired social interaction, delayed and disordered communication/language, and isolated areas of interest. It is now recognized that individuals affected with ASD are heterogeneous in terms of the cause of their disorder and the degree to which each is affected functionally and neurobiologically. Since its initial description in 1943, a growing body of research has broadened our perspective of the disorder and has created an environment whereby early diagnosis and intervention has become the standard of care, with the realization that, in many cases, early identification and intensive therapies can lead to more positive developmental outcomes. With advancements in clinical care, has come the observation and appreciation of the fact that many ASD children, adolescents, and adults have medically relevant health-care issues that may go undetected due to atypical symptom presentation, the inability of the patient to describe or localize discomfort and often due to behavioral issues that can make physical examination challenging. However, many of these medical conditions are treatable, and if and when identified, may improve quality of life for the patient and his/her family and may broaden our understanding of the phenotypic expression of ASD, leading ultimately to a better defined genotypic sub-typing of individuals on the spectrum.
On the attempted synthesis of 3β-hydroxy-7β-kemp-8(9)-en-6-one

Abstract Ketone 2 was predicted by molecular mechanics calculations to be more stable than the conjugated ketone 1 by 1.9 kcal/mol. An attempted total s
EEG and ERP profiles in the high alcohol preferring (HAP) and low alcohol preferring (LAP) mice: relationship to ethanol preference

Neurophysiological measures, such as decreased P300 amplitude and altered EEG alpha activity, have been associated with increased alcoholism risk. The purpose of the present study was to extend the assessment of the neurophysiological indices associated with alcohol consumption to a recently developed mouse model of high ethanol consumption, the first replicate line of high alcohol preferring (HAP-1) and low alcohol preferring (LAP-1) mice. Male HAP-1, LAP-1, and HS mice from the Institute for Behavioral Genetics at the University of Colorado Health Science Center (i.e., HS/Ibg mice) were implanted with cortical electrodes. EEG activity, and event related potentials (ERPs) were then examined. Following electrophysiological assessment, ethanol preference was assessed to examine the relationship between neurophysiological indices and ethanol consumption. EEG analyses revealed that HAPs and HS/Ibgs had greater peak frequency in the 2-4-Hz band and lower peak frequency in the 6-8- and 1-50-Hz bands of the cortical EEG compared to LAPs. Compared to HAPs, LAPs and HS/Ibgs had decreased peak EEG frequency in the 8-16-Hz band. Decreased parietal cortical power from 8 to 50 Hz was associated with high initial ethanol preference in HAP mice. In regards to ERPs, P1 amplitude was greater in HAPs compared to both LAPs and HS/Ibgs and the P3 latency in LAPs was decreased compared to both HAPs and HS/Ibgs. As expected, HAPs consumed more ethanol and had higher ethanol preference than LAPs and HS/Ibgs. There were no significant differences in ethanol intake or preference between HS/Ibgs and LAPs. These data indicate that selective breeding of the HAP and LAP lines has resulted in the divergence of EEG and ERP phenotypes. The differences observed suggest that increased cortical P1 amplitude and altered cortical EEG activity in the 8-50-Hz frequency range may be neurophysiological 'risk factors' associated with high ethanol consumption in mice. Decreased P3 latency in LAPs compared to HAPs and HS/Ibgs mice may be a 'protective factor'.
An Analysis of the Impact of Gender on Physician Practice Patterns

Through analysis of Community Tracking Study Physician Survey, a nationally representative survey of U.S. physicians, we find that women physicians are significantly less satisfied with time for patients than their male colleagues. Among primary care physicians, about one third of the gender difference is explained by physician attributes, practice characteristics, geographical location and patient profiles. Control variables explain all of the gender gap among specialist physicians. Among primary care physicians, the effects of practice type and perceptions of patient complexity on satisfaction with time for patients are mediated by physician gender. Among specialist physicians, gender interacts with practice ownership and hours spent in medically related activity to determine satisfaction with time for patients.
The early detection of prostate carcinoma with prostate specific antigen: the Washington University experience.

BACKGROUND It is not yet known whether screening for the detection of early prostate carcinoma will reduce mortality rates. However, data are available to assess intermediate outcomes from screening, including the performance characteristics of the screening tests and shifts in disease stage. METHODS Approximately 30,000 community volunteers (mean age 60 years; <5% nonwhite) were enrolled in 1 of 3 screening studies. Volunteers were screened with PSA or PSA in combination with digital rectal examination at 6-month intervals, and prostatic biopsy was recommended for those with results suspicious for cancer. Based on a first-time screen, the current study reports screening test results, the proportion of men recommended to undergo biopsy, the proportion who actually underwent biopsy, and the carcinoma detection rates for each study, stratified by initial PSA level. The authors also report the pathologic features of screen-detected carcinomas for a subset of men who underwent radical prostatectomy and for whom complete embedding and microscopic examination of the surgical specimen was performed. RESULTS Approximately 10% of the volunteers had PSA levels >4.0 ng/mL and 3-10% had digital rectal examination results suspicious for cancer. Overall, 9-20% of volunteers were recommended to undergo biopsy and 8-13% actually underwent the procedure. The positive predictive value for carcinoma detection ranged from 25-33% across studies. In the subset of men for whom surgical specimens were completely embedded, the majority of tumors detected had the clinicopathologic features of significant carcinoma (<10% possibly harmless). CONCLUSIONS The intermediate outcomes for screening with PSA and/or PSA in combination with digital rectal examination are encouraging. In community volunteers these screening tests demonstrated reasonable positive predictive value and detected carcinomas at an earlier stage. The majority of screen-detected tumors had the pathologic characteristics of medically significant carcinoma. Cancer 1997; 80:1852-6. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Determination of tryptophan derivatives by thin-layer chromatography.

Abstract A simple, accurate, quantitative method for determining the concentration of xanthurenic acid, kynurenic acid, and kynurenine in urine has been described. The compounds were separated by thin-layer chromatography, localized by their fluorescence, and eluted in alkali. The concentration was determined at an appropriate wavelength for each compound in the ultraviolet region. Little interference was encountered among tryptophan derivatives in the respective assays, and over the range of 50–365 μg/ml of urine, recoveries were in the range of 91–104%.
Within-Year Oral Reading Fluency with CBM: A Comparison of Models.

This study examined the type of growth model that best fit within-year growth in oral reading fluency and between-student differences in growth. Participants were 2,465 students in grades 3–5. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses modeled curriculum-based measurement (CBM) oral reading fluency benchmark measures in fall, winter, and spring with grade level and student characteristics (including special education and Limited English Proficiency status) as covariates. Results indicated that a discontinuous growth model fit the data better than a linear growth model, with greater growth in the fall than in the spring. Oral reading fluency growth rates also differed by grade and student characteristics. Implications for school practice and research are discussed.
The use of carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy to differentiate between cis- and trans- isomers of Rh(en)2XY+

Abstract Carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectroscopy is shown to be a viable tool in differentiating geometric isomers of the type, cis- and trans-Rh(en)2XYn*. The Rh(en)3+3 ion and the trans-Rh(en )2XC1n+ ions (where X = Cl, OH2 and NH3) display only one proton-decoupled C-13 signal. The cis complex ions, cis-Rh(en)2XCln+, display between two (X = Cl) and four (X = OH2, NH3) 13Cc peaks. The configurational changes of the individual chelate rings (λ ⇌ δ) appear to be fast on the nmr time scale. The splitting pattern and chemical shifts have enabled us to assign a cis configuration to the Rh(en)2(enH)Cl3+ product formed from photolysis of Rh(en)3+3 in 1M HCl. The results reported herein will be compared and contrasted to earlier synthetic and 13C nmr studies.
Ingestive behaviour of beef cattle grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Development of simulation models of grazing beef cattle requires measurement of the components of the ingestive process and the establishment of relationships between these components and the structure of the sward. The ingestive behaviour of eight half-sib Angus steers (live weight (LW), x= 270 kg) grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was studied at three stages of maturity (26, 40 and 47 days of regrowth) and at four allowances of herbage dry matter (DM) (1·0, 1·5, 20 and 2·5 kg per 100 kg LW) at each of two daily grazing sessions. A tethering system of grazing was used in which the experimental unit was a tethered steer and its plot for one grazing session. Grazing sessions commenced at 08.00 and 14.00 h EDT. Intake (DM) increased linearly from 1·98 kg per steer session at a DM allowance of 1 kg (100 kg LW)−1 to 2 89 kg steer session at an allowance of 2·5 kg (100 kg LW) −1 as utilization of herbage declined linearly from 0·69 to 0·43. Herbage DM in take per bite increased from 1 0 g at 1 kg (100 kg LW) −1 allowance to 1·5 g at 2·5 kg (100 kg LW) −1 allowance. Rates of biting were not affected by herbage allowance and averaged 21 bites min−1. Dry matter intake increased from 1·77 to 3 41 kg per steer session as the alfalfa matured and herbage mass changed from 1500 to 4656 kg ha−1. Mean rates of biting were 24 bites min−1 for steers grazing the youngest alfalfa and 16 bites min−1 for steers on the oldest forage. Herbage DM intakes per bite were 1·1 g and 1·7 g at the same stages. Rates of DM intake approached 2 kg h−1 and maximum daily DM intake was estimated at 2 75 kg (100 kg LW) −1. Intake of alfalfa was limited by allowance and mass of herbage above a canopy horizon of 20 cm and, to a lesser extent, by the length of fast.
Effects of slice thickness filter in filtered backprojection reconstruction with the parallel breast tomosynthesis imaging configuration

Digital breast tomosynthesis is a novel breast cancer detection technique by allowing the reconstruction of arbitrary planes in the breast from a set of limited-angle projection images acquired at different view angles with a particular tube geometry setup. In this paper, filtered backprojection (FBP) was optimized as the reconstruction method with a parallel imaging breast tomosynthesis system. The slice thickness filter (profile filter) with task-adapted parameters was applied to computer simulated data, in order to investigate the main effects of this kind of filter regarding spatial resolution and artifacts in the reconstructed results.
Fluid Film Bearing Housing Design for a Hot Ambient Environment

Industrial gas turbine rotors sometimes require a journal bearing in a region of the machine surrounded by compressor discharge air. Ambient temperatures in this region may exceed 600 F (588 K), which poses a challenge to bearing designers. The present paper describes housing design approaches to meeting this challenge, an experimental program to evaluate them, and the application of results to operating field units. The experimental program was carried out in a special test facility on full-size housings for a 14-in. journal bearing in a hot, pressurized environment.Copyright © 1976 by ASME
Nontraumatic immediate complete denture placement: A clinical report

This clinical report presents a treatment procedure that makes immediate denture placement a more predictable and less stressful procedure. It provides greater control over the prosthodontic aspects of denture delivery by the restorative dentist, and the convenience of performing the placement procedures in a clean, blood-free environment. The delivery of the prosthesis is less traumatic because extractions and/or surgery are deferred. In addition, by the time the remaining roots are extracted, all denture adjustments will have been made and the patient will have accommodated to the prosthesis.
Epidermal growth factor down-regulates the expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) through E-cadherin in pancreatic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The authors previously reported that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) overexpression significantly blocked invasion and angiogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). They also demonstrated a loss of NGAL expression in the advanced stages of PDAC. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms of NGAL regulation in PDAC. Because the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-EGF receptor (EGFR) axis is up-regulated significantly in PDAC, they examined EGF-mediated NGAL regulation in these cells. METHODS: The NGAL-positive cell lines AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 were used as a model system. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence studies were used to investigate EGF-mediated effects on NGAL expression. E-cadherin expression was manipulated using lentiviral overexpression or small hairpin RNA constructs. NGAL promoter activity was assessed by luciferase-reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: NGAL expression was positively associated with tumor differentiation and was down-regulated significantly after EGF treatment along with a concomitant reduction of E-cadherin expression in PDAC cells. E-cadherin down-regulation was partly through the EGFR-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) (MEK-ERK) signaling pathway. In addition, E-cadherin down-regulation reduced NGAL expression in PDAC cells, whereas overexpression of E-cadherin led to increased NGAL expression and partly rescued the inhibition of NGAL expression by EGF. Furthermore, EGF, in part through E-cadherin, reduced NGAL promoter activity by blocking nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated for the first time that EGF potently blocked NGAL expression in PDAC cells. This effect was mediated in part through activation of the EGFR-MEK-ERK signaling pathway, which, in turn, down-regulated E-cadherin with a subsequent reduction in NF-κB activation. These findings illustrate a novel mechanism by which EGF regulates NGAL expression in PDAC. Cancer 2011;. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Competing News Frames and Hegemonic Discourses in the Construction of Contemporary Immigration and Immigrants in the United States

Using content analysis of the New York Times and USA Today, this study investigates the framing of immigration in two policy debates: on the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437) in 2006 and on the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act or Arizona Senate Bill (S.B.) 1070 in 2010. The bills crystallized various discourses on immigration in American society. Drawing on literature on media discourses, news frames, and framing processes, the article examines the attempt of mainstream mass media to reduce the complexity of immigration into palatable talking points. The findings demonstrate that through framing, the media create diametrically opposed representations of immigration and contemporary immigrants but at the same time normalize dominant ways of thinking and talking about immigration that sustain and consolidate power relationships.
Groundwater Quality and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Nebraska's Central Platte River Valley.

Groundwater nitrate contamination has been an issue in the Platte River Valley of Nebraska since the 1960s, with groundwater nitrate-N concentrations frequently in excess of 10 mg L⁻¹. This article summarizes education and regulatory efforts to reduce the environmental impact of irrigated crop production in the Platte River Valley. In 1988, a Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) was implemented in the Central Platte Natural Resources District to encourage adoption of improved management practices. Since 1988, there have been steady declines in average groundwater nitrate-N concentrations of about 0.15 mg NO₃–N L⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in much of the GWMA (from 19 to 15 mg NO₃–N L⁻¹). However, N use efficiency (NUE) (partial factor productivity for N [PFPN]) has increased very little from 1988 to 2012 (60–65 kg grain kg N⁻¹), whereas statewide PFPN increased from 49 to 67 kg grain kg N⁻¹ in the same period. Although growers are encouraged to credit N from sources besides fertilizer (e.g., soil residual, legumes, irrigation water, and manure), confidence in and use of credits tended to decrease as credits became larger; there was a tendency toward an average N rate regardless of credit-based recommendations. This information, coupled with data from other studies, suggests that much of the decline in groundwater nitrate can be attributed to improved irrigation management—especially conversion from furrow to sprinkler irrigation—and to a lesser extent to improved timing of N application. The development and adoption of improved N management practices, such as fertigation, controlled-release N formulation, and use of crop canopy sensors for in-season N application may be required for further significant NUE gains in these irrigated systems.
Palladium as a substrate for self-assembled monolayers used in biotechnology.

This paper describes self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on palladium that resist the nonspecific adsorption of proteins and the adhesion of mammalian cells. These SAMs form when thin films of palladi...
MMO: P450 in wolf's clothing?

Methane monooxygenase (MMO) catalyzes the oxidation of stable hydrocarbons that are not attacked by cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. A key transient intermediate in the catalytic cycle of the soluble form of MMO termed compound Q (Q) has been trapped and characterized through spectroscopic comparisons with novel high valent model complexes. Q appears to contain a non-heme dinuclear Fe(IV) cluster bridged by at least two single oxygen atoms to form a so-called diamond core. Q has the ability to react directly with unactivated hydrocarbons to yield oxidized products. Several types of experiments indicate that this reaction involves formation of an intermediate, probably with radical character. This is consistent with a hydrogen atom abstraction mechanism analogous to that ascribed to cytochrome P450. However, these same experiments show that a pure hydrogen atom abstraction mechanism is unlikely for many substrates without an additional interaction between the intermediate that is formed and the high valent cluster. The results may be of general relevance to monooxygenase catalysis.
Compensation-aware data types in RDBMS

In a traditional database system, the transaction management protocols and mechanisms are constrained by the fundamental properties of atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability (ACID). A transaction management system with strict ACID properties typically employs read and write locks, held for the duration of the transaction, to protect its uncommitted data from being seen and modified by some other transaction. While this approach is effective for applications involving short execution times and relatively small number of concurrent operations, it is too restrictive for applications that involve reactive, long-lived, and complex transactions. The common denominator of such applications is the need for transactions to read and possibly modify uncommitted data values [1] and for the database system to still retain the ability to abort a transaction and the ability to recover from failures. This paper proposes a Business Transaction framework that allows long lasting, discontinuous, and resumable transactions to perform shared updates to common data by holding semantic locks on the modified rows. Under this framework, basic SQL data types are made compensation-aware by associating domain-specific shared update semantics with them. These semantics ensure that each data modification operation is compatible with other uncommitted activity on the same data and that the operation can be undone, if needed, without resorting to cascading aborts. This paper describes the key concepts and presents our approach for supporting shared updates in Oracle RDBMS.
Predicting brain tissue deformation around an implantable electrode due to dynamic micromotion

Brain cells located adjacent to an implantable electrode are susceptible to both insertion and mechanical damage due to micromotion as the tissue undergoes cyclic periods of pulsation and breathing. The brain cells inevitably interface with electrodes that are typically much lighter and stiffer in comparison. As a result, the brain's high sensitivity to deformation poses a great challenge in designing a neuron probe that is durable throughout time, as mechanical damage in the brain can reduce the usefulness of the electrode. A number of electrode design parameters need to be examined to determine how the brain's high susceptibility to deformation can be minimized, such as material properties and geometry. Objectively, a neuron probe may need to be designed such that it can conform to motion of the brain while electrical functionality is maintained during deformation. To better understand the design enhancements needed for the neuron probe, a series of dynamic simulations are conducted which represent the motion the brain is expected to undergo over time. This motion will, in turn, influence the motion of the neuron probe throughout time. Of interest is how the brain tissue deformation near the interface of the neuron probe will be affected by micromotion of the probe. The nonlinear transient explicit finite element code LS-DYNA is used to carry out the analyses.
Medical disability assessment of the back pain patient for the social security administration: The weighting of presenting clinical features

We investigated how physicians use history and physical findings when assessing disability for low back pain. Thirty-six North Carolina physicians, either practitioners experienced in disability determinations (26) or employees of the Social Security disability agency (10), responded to 48 clinical vignettes. They rated each case on a scale of 0 to 1.0, according to their degree of certainty that the patient was disabled. All combinations of five patient variables were presented in the vignettes: pain (mild or severe), physical examination (normal, reflex loss or muscular weakness), mobility (normal or restricted), X-rays (normal or osteoarthritis), and occupational history (normal or light work). The mean certainties for the individual vignettes ranged from 0.08 to 0.43. Mean certainty estimates across physicians ranged from 0 to 0.61, indicating substantial variability in how physicians assess disability. Practicing physicians had higher certainty of patients' disability than did physicians employed by Social Security, 0.37 vs 0.07 (p < 0.01). Degree of pain was not associated with certainty of disability. All other clinical factors were highly significant predictors of physician assessment of certainty of disability. The emphasis on physical and radiographic findings over history places disability evaluation distinctly apart from other medical assessments.
Alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences: associations with emotion regulation difficulties.

AbstractBackground: Understanding factors associated with alcohol-related consequences is an important area of research. Emotional functioning has been associated with alcohol-related consequences but there is less research examining a comprehensive underlying model of emotional regulation. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is a recent measure developed to assess six facets of emotion regulation difficulties that contribute to overall emotional functioning. Objectives: The current study examines associations between these six facets of emotion regulation difficulties and problematic alcohol use. Methods: Participants (n = 1758 college students) were recruited as part of a larger study and were asked to complete online questionnaires assessing demographics, alcohol use and problems, and emotion regulation difficulties. Results: Negative binomial hurdle models for alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences were estimated. Impulse control difficulties were positively related to the number...
Isoform-specific knockout of endothelial myosin light chain kinase: closing the gap on inflammatory lung disease

Inflammatory lung diseases result in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Central to the pathogenesis of these diseases is disruption of endothelial barrier function. Activation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is a key regulatory step in the modulation of endothelial permeability. Recent studies show that mice with selective knockout of the endothelial MLCK are less susceptible to endotoxin-induced acute lung injury and that a new small-molecule inhibitor of MLCK also protects against lung injury.
Heat-treated metal phthalocyanine complex as an oxygen reduction catalyst for non-aqueous electrolyte Li/air batteries

Abstract In this work we study heat-treated FeCu-phthalocyanine (FeCuPc) complexes as the catalyst for oxygen reduction in non-aqueous electrolyte Li/air cells by supporting the catalyst on a high surface area Ketjenblack EC-600JD carbon black. It is shown that the resultant FeCu/C catalyst not only accelerates the two-electron reduction of oxygen as “O 2 + 2Li + + 2e → Li 2 O 2 ”, but also catalyzes the chemical disproportionation of Li 2 O 2 as “2Li 2 O 2 → 2Li 2 O + O 2 ”. In Li/air cells, the catalyst reduces polarization on discharge while simultaneously reducing the fraction of Li 2 O 2 in the final discharged products. In a 0.2 mol kg −1 LiSO 3 CF 3 7:3 (wt.) propylene carbonate (PC)/tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) phosphate (TFP) electrolyte, the Li/air cells with FeCu/C show at least 0.2 V higher discharge voltage at 0.2 mA cm −2 than those with pristine carbon. By measuring the charge-transfer resistance ( R ct ) of Li/air cells at temperatures ranging between −30 °C and 30 °C, we determine the apparent activation energy of the discharge of Li/air cells and discuss the effect of FeCu/C catalyst on the oxygen reduction in Li/air cells.
Airway obstruction in children with cerebral palsy: need for tracheostomy?

Abstract Objective To examine the progress of the airway obstruction over time in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and the timing of any interventions. Methods The medical notes of patients with CP younger than 16 years admitted with airway obstruction to a tertiary referral Pediatric Otolaryngology Center from 2006 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The gender, age of referral, co-morbidities, type of surgical intervention and age this was performed and the time interval between sequential surgeries were documented. Results Fifteen children with CP and airway obstruction were admitted, eight boys and seven girls with an average age of referral 8 years (range 3–13.3 years). Adenotonsillectomy was performed in 11/15 patients at a mean age of 9.1 years (range 4.5–14 years). Tracheostomy was performed in 8/15 children at an average age of 11.6 years (range 7.5–15 years). Seven out of 11 patients having undergone adenotonsillectomy, required tracheostomy after an average time interval of 1.9 years (range 0.5–3.5 years). Tracheostomy was performed in 80% of referred patients with CP older than 10 years, while surgical intervention was uncommon in children younger than 5 years. There was a statistically significant correlation between the age of the children and the performance of a tracheostomy (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.68, p = 0.005). Conclusions The severity of the airway obstruction in children with CP tends to increase with age. We postulate that this increase results from worsening hypotonia of pharyngeal musculature. Children with CP and severe upper airway obstruction are likely to require tracheostomy as they grow older.
Ion implantation of Si and Be in Al0.48In0.52As

Electrical characterization of (Al,In)As ion implanted with Be and Si following low and high dose multiple energy implant schedules, and annealed between 740 and 815 °C with a pyrolytic silicon dioxide cap is reported. Only very low activation of Be is achieved ( 40%) and increases with increasing anneal temperature. However, a high concentration n‐type surface layer is found on samples annealed at 815 °C. This surface layer is not found on similarly annealed samples which were not implanted, or which were implanted with phosphorus.
Clinical use of the patellar-public percussion sign in hip trauma

Abstract To assess the reliability and validity of osteophony (patellar-public percussion [PPP] test) as a physical diagnostic sign in the evaluation of hip trauma, a prospective study was undertaken of 41 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with a history of hip trauma necessitating radiographic examination. Fifteen of 19 (78.9%) patients who presented with a history of hip trauma and a fracture on radiograph were found to have had an abnormal PPP sign by at least one of two raters ( P P P P
Autoimmune pancreatitis in a child presenting as a pancreatic mass

Abstract In childhood and adolescence, pancreatic neoplasms are generally treated by resection, whereas the management of pancreatitis is predominantly nonoperative. Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a form of chronic pancreatitis that frequently presents as a mass and responds to corticosteroids. When serologic tests are not diagnostic, a biopsy may spare a child a pancreatic resection. We report the case of a child who presented with a 3 cm mass in the head of the pancreas with a double duct sign who had AIP.
A DEMINERALIZATION PROCEDURE FOR ENZYMATIC HISTOCHEMICAL USE: A QUANTITATIVE SUCCINIC DEHYDROGENASE ASSAY.

Thinnest practical slices of bones or teeth are suspended at 4 C in a 10% solution of EDTA in 0.1 M tris buffer brought to pH 6.95 with KOH pellets. The solution is stirred moderately and continuously with a magnetic stirrer until specimens are demineralized. Unwashed specimens, taken directly from the demineralizing fluid, are frozen on a block of CO2 ice, mounted on a tissue carrier and sectioned at 6 μ in a cryostat. Histochemical stains conducted on sections stored in a slide holder enclosed in a plastic bag in a refrigerator for as long as 2 wk were successful. Quantitative studies on the preservation of succinic dehydrogenase showed nearly all of it present in specimens demineralized for 2 days, and approximately 50% remaining in specimens demineralized for 7 days. Qualitative studies with other dehydrogenases indicate that several may be similarly affected.
Apparent asymmetric septal hypertrophy due to angled interventricular septum

Abstract A distinct geometric pattern is described in patients whose M mode echocardiogram falsely indicates asymmetric septal hypertrophy. Sixty-four patients were referred because of clinically suspected idiopathic hypertropic subaortic stenosis. Thirty-six of these patients had M mode echocardiograms showing asymmetric septal hypertrophy (septal/free wall ratio 1.3 or greater). On two dimensional study, only 16 of the 36 had this finding; each of the remaining 20 had a normal interventricular septum. The apparent asymmetric septal hypertrophy on M mode echocardiography was due to anterior angulation of the septum: The thickness of the septum was exaggerated because of its oblique orientation with respect to the path of the single dimensional echocardiographic beam. This anterior direction of the septum was indicated by measuring the angle between the mid line axis of the aortic root and that of the septum. In patients with apparent asymmetric septal hypertrophy this angle was lower (97 ° ± 2.6 ° [mean ± standard error of the mean]than in patients with true asymmetric septal hypertrophy (124 ° ± 2.9 °, p M mode echocardiograms were similar in the groups with apparent and true asymmetric septal hypertrophy with respect to septal velocity and percent thickening. The two groups were likewise similar with respect to clinical features (chest pain, palpitation, systolic murmur). The group with true asymmetric septal hypertrophy had a larger proportion of electrocardiographic abnormalities. Because of limitations in technique, M mode echocardiography may allow overdiagnosis of asymmetric septal hypertrophy in certain patients. When a more secure diagnosis of this abnormality is necessary, two dimensional echocardiography is helpful.
A feature-based inspection and machining system

Abstract This paper 1 describes an architecture for a system for machining and inspecting mechanical piece parts and an implementation of it called the Feature-Based Inspection and Control System (FBICS). In FBICS, the controller of a machining center or coordinate measuring machine uses a standard feature-based description of the shape of the object to be made as a principal input for machining and/or inspection. FBICS is a hierarchical control system and performs automated hierarchical process planning. FBICS serves: (1) to demonstrate feature-based inspection and control in an open-architecture control system; (2) as a testbed for solving problems in feature-based manufacturing; and (3) to test the usability of STEP methods and models.
Revision of electrical units

The international situation necessitated that the adoption of certain changes in electrical units which was to have taken place January 1, 1940, be indefinitely postponed. This article outlines the existing status of the changes, and also endeavors to clarify the proposed “mks” system of practical units, adoption of which has been advocated by the International Electrotechnical Commission. In addition, certain other proposals for adjustment of units are discussed.
Pseudochannel approach to scattering problems: The calculation of coupling elements from ground-state expectation values.

We derive and test a new method for replacing an infinite set of close-coupling equations with only two equations, of the same form but involving an effective coupling potential. The resulting coupling matrix element is entirely expressible in terms of ground-state expectation values. As an example, we test the new method for a model system of electron--hydrogen-atom scattering and find that the calculations involving only ground-state properties do predict results in good agreement with calculations in which excited states are included explicitly.
Anti-interleukin-6 antibodies attenuate inflammation in a rat meningitis model.

OBJECTIVES Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of humans and animals with bacterial meningitis. This study's hypothesis was that anti-IL-6 antibodies will attenuate meningeal inflammation in a rat model of bacterial meningitis. METHODS 14 male Sprague-Dawley rats were inoculated intracisternally (IC) with 0.1 mL of heat-killed pneumococci. At one hour post-inoculation, the rats received intraperitoneal doses of either 1.0 mL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS treatment group, n = 7) or 70 microg anti-IL-6 antibodies in 1.0 mL PBS (anti-IL-6 antibody treatment group, n = 7). Nine rats (normal group, n = 9) had no inoculation, and four rats (surgical sham group, n = 4) had IC inoculations of saline. At six hours post-inoculation, all the animals had CSF removed via IC tap. The CSF protein and white blood cell (WBC) count measures were compared using a t-test. RESULTS Mean CSF WBC for the anti-IL-6 treatment group was 2,458/microL, versus the PBS controls' mean of 9,697/microL (p = 0.007). Mean CSF protein for the anti-IL-6 group was 180 mg/dL, versus 296 mg/dL for the controls (p = 0.032). The surgical sham and normal animals had normal CSF WBC and protein values. CONCLUSIONS In this rat meningitis model, systemic treatment with anti-IL-6 antibodies after the induction of meningitis suppressed both CSF WBC count and CSF protein level, two important indices of meningeal inflammation.
The need for easier manufacturing of artificial hearts and assist devices and how this need can be met by the vacuum molding technique.

Summary Introduction (1979) Available Space and the Unfortunate Shape of Current Devices Few changes were made in the past because of cumbersome manufacturing. Better ways to manufacture Artificial Hearts and Assist Devices Vacuum Molding with new Rules Cavity Molding Unsatisfactory State of Heart Valves and Occurrence of Pannus Crowding at the top of Artificial Hearts Orthotopic Implantation of Artificial Heart and Variations to Enlarge Available Space Need for Different Artificial Atria Using the mitral Orifice for connection leaves little space between it and the human diaphragm Higher Cut-off Artificial Atria: soft, pliable, and compliant Quick Connects—although they facilitate surgical insertion, waste space Alternative—A soft, roll-up heart Conclusions: New and different approach to the shape and physical characteristics of Artificial Hearts is needed, plus new manufacturing ideas to make changes practical LVAD—RVAD—BVAD LVAD will be used as an example of manufacturing techniques Aim of New Design for LVAD and RVAD Principles for Vacuum Molding of parts that fit each other Fitting Pumping Membrane Inner Surface—Rotational Cavity Molding Step-by-Step Vacuum Molding of an LVAD Very First Result Advantages of Proposed Design—Fits in and outside the chest, etc. Can be driven by simple Utah Drive System Fitting of completed LVAD and RVADs in Cadavers
Initiative addresses subsurface energy and environment problems

Members of the geoscience community are cooperating in conceptualizing fundamental, crosscutting research to address major obstacles to solving energy and environmental problems related to the subsurface, through the SECUREarth initiative, which began in 2004. Addressing problems, such as reliable nuclear waste storage and safe carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, are critical to maintaining an economical and safe energy supply and clean environment. A recent workshop in Golden, Colo., helped to further the development of the SECUREarth (Scientific Energy/Environmental Crosscutting Underground Research for Urgent Solutions to Secure the Earth's Future) initiative by identifying the key scientific challenges in the geosciences, as well as to target possible approaches for overcoming roadblocks.
The amino terminal amino acid sequence of human angiotensinogen.

Abstract The amino terminal amino acid sequence of purified human angiotensinogen has been determined. The first 25 residues with the exception of number 14 were identified. The sequence of the first ten amino acids is that of angiotensin I. The sequence surrounding the renin cleavage site in this protein is Leu- 10 Val- 11 Ile- 12 His- 13 . Thus, human renin must cleave a Leu-Val peptide bond in human angiotensinogen to release angiotensin I, rather than a Leu-Leu bond as reported for other species. The differences between the sequence of human angiotensinogen and that previously reported for a tetradecapeptide derived from equine and porcine angiotensinogen may be responsible for the known species specificity of renin.
Fault tolerant triangulation in distributed aircraft networks with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B)

In this work, we present a novel framework for a fault tolerant triangulation algorithm for aircraft in the presence of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcasts (ADS-B). We propose a practical r...
Asymptotic behavior of densities in diffusion-dominated annihilation reactions.

We obtain rigorous bounds on the long-time behavior of the densities ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{A}(t)$ and ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{B}(t)$ of species $A$ and $B$, which diffuse and annihilate upon meeting, i.e., $A+B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{inert}$. For equal initial densities ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{A}(0)={\ensuremath{\rho}}_{B}(0)$, the density goes to zero asymptotically as ${t}^{\frac{\ensuremath{-}d}{4}}$ for dimensions $d\ensuremath{\le}4$ and as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for $d\ensuremath{\ge}4$. When ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{A}(0)l{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{B}(0)$, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{A}(t)\ensuremath{\sim}\mathrm{exp}({\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{1}\sqrt{t})$, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{A}(t)\ensuremath{\sim}\mathrm{exp}(\frac{{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{2}t}{\mathrm{In}t})$ for $d=1,2, \mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{v}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{y},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{A}(t)\ensuremath{\sim}\mathrm{exp}({\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{d}t)$ for $d\ensuremath{\ge}3$.
Formation and fractionation of basic magmas at high pressures

Synopsis Experiments were conducted at 30 kilobars on dry synthetic mixtures in the join diopside (CaMgSi 2 O 6 )-pyrope (Mg 3 Al 2 Si 3 O 12 ), on a small number of compositions in adjacent parts of the plane CaSiO 3 -MgSiO 3 -Al 2 O 3 and one composition in the plane diopside-pyrope-forsterite. In addition, experiments were made at the same pressure on the joins chrome diopside-enstatite, chrome diopside-pyrope, and chrome diopside-pyrope-olivine using the separated analysed minerals of a natural garnet-peridotite nodule in kimberlite, and the join garnet-omphacite using the separated analysed minerals of an eclogite nodule in kimberlite. A few experiments were made on the whole-rock sample of some eclogite nodules in kimberlite. The results have an important bearing on the range ofcomposition of clinopyroxene solid solutions, the conditions of equilibration and original formation of eclogite and kimberlite, and the existence of an orthopyroxene-liquid reaction relationship in olivine and hypersthene-normative liquids at 30 kilobars pressure. They lead to the construction of a new fractionation scheme at high pressure in which a hypersthene-normative picrite or olivine tholeiite magma is the primary liquid, formed by partial melting of a garnet-peridotite mantle. Precipitation of garnets and clinopyroxenes (eclogite accumulates) leads to me development of alkaline and silica-poor mafic magmas from this primary liquid.
Experiences with the development and operation of a large-scale preparative gas chroamtograph

A large-scale preparative gas chromatograph containing a 3 m long 100 mm l. D. column was built to investigate the application of preparative gas chromatography for the separation and production of various organic compounds. In this paper some experiences are reported concerning the operation of this large-scale preparative unit. In particular the efficiency of the receivers, the method of sample introduction as well as the stability of column packing were investigated.
Correlation and the coefficient of determination.

Presentation d'une interpretation du coefficient de correlation dans laquelle la valeur absolue de la correlation et non son carre fournit un coefficient de determination et discussion des conditions appropriees de son emploi
Synthesis of [3-14C]-2′-methylreticuline and its incorporation into alkaloid fractions of Papaver somniferum

Abstract [3- 14 C]-2′-Methylreticuline has been synthesized by standard methods. This modified opium alkaloid precursor is efficiently incorporated by aberrant biosynthesis into alkaloid fractions of Papaver somniferum , particularly into a highly purified codeine fraction.
Differential regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis in ovine large and small luteal cells.

This study was undertaken to characterize differences in Ca2+ homeostasis between small and large ovine luteal cells. Although increasing extracellular pH (pHex) resulted in increases in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]in) in both cell types, the large cells exhibited a greater sensitivity, suggesting that distinct [Ca2+]in regulatory mechanisms with distinct pH optima are operating in the two cell types. The sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors thapsigargin (TG) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) increased [Ca2+]in in both cell types. Treatment of small cells with CPA resulted in transient increases in [Ca2+]in, whereas CPA produced sustained increases in [Ca2+]in in large cells. In small cells, pretreatment with CPA prevented further increases in [Ca2+]in in response to TG and vice versa. In large cells, TG pretreatment precluded further increases in [Ca2+]in with either prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) or CPA. In contrast, after CPA pretreatment, PGF2 alpha or TG induced further increa...
Interannual variability of the Gulf of Alaska eddy field

[1] Regions of high eddy kinetic energy (EKE) in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), calculated from altimetry data, denote formation regions and translation pathways for eddies. High EKE is observed along the shelf break in winter and spring with lower values in summer and autumn. Three regions of high EKE are examined in detail. In the eastern GOA, particularly high EKE occurred in 1998. In the northwestern GOA, eddies were observed quasi-annually between 1999 and 2004, but were less frequent prior to that time (or in 2005 and 2006). Eddies northeast of Kodiak Island have been implicated in high offshelf chlorophyll concentrations observed from ocean color satellites. Correlations between EKE and chlorophyll concentration are significant there suggesting that EKE may be valuable for predicting phytoplankton blooms in this region.