cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Similar effects on cognitive performance during high- and low-carbohydrate obesity treatment.

Low-carbohydrate (L-CHO) diets are often used for weight loss but their effects on cognitive function are not well understood. The present study compared the effects of a L-CHO and high-carbohydrate (H-CHO) weight-loss diet on cognitive function adults. Participants were randomized to either a L-CHO (n=22) or H-CHO (n=25) weight-loss diet. Cognitive function was evaluated by four computerized cognitive tasks (Stroop Task, Continuous Performance Task, Word Recall and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task) presented in random order before and at 1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after the initiation of the L-CHO or H-CHO diet. Forty-seven adults (25 males) with a mean±s.d. age of 47.4±8.7 years and body mass index of 35.3±3.4 kg m−2. There were no significant differences in weight loss between groups at any time point. There were significant improvements on color Stroop task accuracy over time in both diet groups (P<0.05), but there were no differences in performance between groups on this or any other cognitive task at any time period. These findings suggest that weight loss has neither a positive nor a negative effect on cognitive function and that L-CHO and H-CHO weight-loss diets have similar effects on cognitive performance.
Analysis of finite and curved frequency-selective surfaces using the hybrid volume-surface integral equation approach

In practical applications, frequency-selective surfaces (FSSs) are finite, and sometimes even curved. In this paper, we present a hybrid volume-surface integral-equation approach to analyze the transmission and reflection characteristics of finite and curved FFS structures. The hybrid integral equations are established using the surface- and volume-equivalent principles. This approach has two advantages. One is the capability of modeling arbitrarily shaped FSS structures in detail, the other one allows us to easily apply the multilevel fast multiple algorithm to speed up the solution process. The scattering characteristics and frequency responses of several FSSs are analyzed. The simulation results show that for a finite-sized FSS, reducing the radius of curvature causes amplitude variation, frequency shift, and bandwidth change in the reflection and transmission responses. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 45: 107–112, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20738
Current topic: structural responses of the primate endometrium to implantation.

Abstract Morphological responses to implantation and pregnancy in the human and non-human primates include decidualization of the endometrial fibroblasts and accumulation of large numbers of large granular lymphocytes, formerly called endometrial granular cells, and may also include an epithelial plaque response and endothelial cell hypertrophy. Although stromal decidualization occurs in all species, it develops slower in macaques than in the human, and slower in the baboon than in the macaques. Cytologically, however, in all of these species there is extensive modification of the decidual cells by midgestation. Hypertrophy of luminal and gland neck epithelial cells is common in most monkeys and is also seen in the baboon, but has not been reported in humans. Large granular lymphocytes undergo changes in morphology during the first week after implantation in the rhesus monkey, the only species in which they have been studied in the immediate postimplantation period. Later in pregnancy many of the large granular lymphocytes are surrounded by decidual cells in this species. All of the responses can be elicited by trauma and appropriate hormonal conditions, but the epithelial plaque response forms first in the rhesus monkey and baboon. It is suggested that more complete fine structural and immunocytochemical studies of the different decidual regions at different gestational ages, combined with studies of the synthetic and antigenic nature of the different cell types, would allow determination of whether or not there are subpopulations of decidual cells in primates as well as suggesting possible functions of the cells in pregnancy.
Price Dynamics and Information Flows in Strategically‐Linked Debt Instruments: The NOB and MOB Constituents

We examine information flows between the constituents of the NOB (notes-over-bonds) and MOB (municipals-over-bonds) futures spreads. The results suggest a bicausal relationship between notes and bonds and a unicausal relationship from bonds to municipals. Shocks in the bond market have a large impact on the municipal and note markets, whereas shocks in the municipal or note markets have a smaller impact on the bond market. Volatility spillover from bonds to notes and municipals is detected. We also find significant volatility persistence in all three markets. Spread trades are found to have an asymmetric influence on notes and municipal futures variance.
DEVIATIONS FROM BULK MORPHOLOGIES IN THIN FILMS OF BLOCK COPOLYMER/ADDITIVE BINARY BLENDS

Deviations from bulk morphologies in thin films of binary blends of alkyne-functionalized diblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(n-butyl methacrylate-random-propargyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-P(nBMA-r-PgMA)) and Rhodamine B azide are reported, where thermal click reaction between the two components leads to microphase separated morphologies. Both in the bulk and in thin films, increasing the azide loading ratio resulted in the transition from a lamellar microdomain morphology to a hexagonally packed cylindrical mircodomain morphology. However, in thin films the lamellae-cylinder transition was observed at a different azide loading ratio, which was determined by film thickness. As a result, significant deviations from the bulk morphology were observed. These results indicate that surface interactions and confined geometry can play an important role in dictating the morphology in thin films of BCP/additive binary blends.
Sensitizing radiation therapists to the psychological needs of cancer patients.

Abstract Radiation therapists are trained to focus on physiological and medical aspects of administering radiation therapy to cancer patients. They often ignore patients′ psychological needs because they are inadequately prepared to understand and intervene in this area of patient care. We sought to remedy this educational gap by using a generic crisis-intervention training program as a method of sensitizing radiation therapists to the emotional and psychological concerns and problems of patients undergoing radiation therapy. After the training, radiation therapists were cognizant of the presence and effects of the special dependency needs of severely ill patients. Training helped them respond more empathically, to establish better rapport with their patients, and to provide more holistic and effective medical management as an integral part of radiation therapy. This included greater ease in knowing how, when, and where to make psychological referrals. A case vignette illustrates the usefulness and application of enhanced psychological awareness and interviewing skills learned by the physicians.
Game-theoretic approach for user migration in Diaspora

Diaspora is a decentralized online social networking platform where user profiles are hosted in multiple Diaspora nodes (pods) and the social connections can exist across different pods. User profile migration is a promising feature that would enable users to seamlessly migrate their profile data between different pods. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no research done on how this data portability may affect the user distribution and the performance of the pods. In this paper, our goal is to design an approach that facilitates the users to choose appropriate pods that would ensure better service quality. We propose a decentralized game-theoretic approach that is based on user's local neighborhood information and the quality of the pods. We have analytically determined, and experimentally substantiated, that through the proposed profile migration approach the users of Diaspora reach a stable and balanced distribution that improves their overall experience in respective pods.
Intestinal Methanobrevibacter smithii but not total bacteria is related to diet‐induced weight gain in rats

It is increasingly understood that gastrointestinal (GI) methanogens, including Methanobrevibacter smithii, influence host metabolism. Objective: Therefore, we compared M. smithii colonization and weight gain in a rat model under different dietary conditions. Design and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were inoculated with M. smithii or vehicle (N = 10/group), fed normal chow until day 112 postinoculation, high-fat chow until day 182, then normal chow until day 253. Thereafter, five rats from each group were fed high-fat and normal chow until euthanasia. Results: Both groups exhibited M. smithii colonization, which increased following inoculation only for the first 9 days. Change to high-fat chow correlated with significant increases in weight (P < 0.00001) and stool M. smithii (P < 0.01) in all rats, with stool M. smithi decreasing on return to normal chow. Rats switched back to high-fat on day 253 further increased weight (P < 0.001) and stool M. smithii (P = 0.039). Euthanasia revealed all animals had higher M. smithii, but not total bacteria, in the small intestine than in the colon. Rats switched back to high-fat chow had higher M. smithii levels in the duodenum, ileum, and cecum than those fed normal chow; total bacteria did not differ in any bowel segment. Rats which gained more weight had more bowel segments colonized, and the lowest weight recorded was in a rat on high-fat chow which had minimal M. smithii colonization. Conclusions: We conclude that M. smithii colonization occurs in the small bowel as well as in the colon, and that the level and extent of M. smithii colonization is predictive of degree of weight gain in this animal model.
Structural characterization of methionine and leucine enkephalins by hydrogen/deuterium exchange and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Conformational changes in two endogenous opioid active pentapeptides methionine enkephalin (Met-enk) and leucine enkephalin (Leu-enk) induced by trifluoroethanol (TFE) were identified using hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX), coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The exchange features in individual amino acid residues were characterized by acquiring tandem mass spectra of the deuterated peptides. The exact identity of the labile hydrogens involved in HDX reveals that the monomer forms of both peptides adopt an unfolded conformation in aqueous solvent, but prefer the 52 β-turn secondary structure under the membrane-mimetic environment. The ESI mass spectra of Met-enk and Leu-enk also reveal that the dimer structure of these peptides coexists with the monomer conformation. The extent of the dimer structure is dependent on the peptide concentration and nature of the solvent. The non-polar solvents facilitate the dimer formation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RR Interval Dynamics Before Atrial Fibrillation in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Background—Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) is a frequent complication of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) that leads to increased costs and morbidity. We hypothesized that heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of cardiac sympathovagal balance, is altered before the onset of postoperative AF. Because nonlinear methods of HRV analysis provide information about heart rate dynamics not evident from usual HRV measures, we also hypothesized that approximate entropy (ApEn), a nonlinear measure of HRV, might have predictive value. Methods and Results—Analysis of HRV was performed in 3 sequential 20-minute intervals preceding the onset of postoperative AF (24 episodes in 18 patients). These data were compared with corresponding intervals in 18 sex- and age-matched postoperative control subjects who did not develop AF. Patients had left ventricular ejection fractions >45% before surgery and were not receiving β-blockers during ambulatory ECG monitoring after surgery. Logistic regression demonstrate...
The continuum concept of vegetation

Introduction 13 0 The individualistic hypothesis .. ......... 133 The continuum 1 13 5 Evidence bearing on the continuum concept . 140 Interspecific association 142 Ordination, gradient analysis, and continuum analysis 146 Spatial gradients 147 Environmental gradients 147 Species position index values 148 Community index values ......10 1 Interpretations of unidimensional ordinations 1 ...5 .. 152 M ultidim ensional ordinations 15 3 The current state of the problem 159 Geometric models ..... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Continuity and homogeneity 14 164 Classification and ordination 167 Assessment ....170 Literature Cited .- 173
PREDICTION OF DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES IN OIL-WATER AND ALCOHOL-WATER MIXTURES AT 3,000 MHz, 25°C BASED ON PURE COMPONENT PROPERTIES

Measurements of oil-water emulsions show that dielectric properties are predicted at 3,000 MHz, 25°C by the noninteractive Fricke model for complex conductivity of colloidal suspensions. Similar measurements for methanol-water and ethanol-water show that dielectric properties are predicted at 3,000 MHz, 25°C by an empirical combination, designated as the interactive Fricke model, of the noninteractive Fricke model and the Debye models for pure polar liquids with single relaxation times. A tentative physical-chemical basis for prediction of dielectric properties in liquid food systems is suggested, which involves concepts of relative dielectric activities of major chemical constituents, extent of solvation and colloidal content and is based on mechanisms of dielectric behavior observed in aqueous mixtures at microwave frequencies.
Costs of maternal care: infant-carrying in baboons

Infant-carrying, the most costly form of primate parental care other than lactation, was investigated in savannah baboons of Amboseli, Kenya. Measurements of physical growth, counts and length of paces, and simultaneous records of carrying and locomotion were used to evaluate the time, distance, and energetic expenditure of infant-carrying. Finally, we modeled the energetics of independent infant locomotion and considered ontogenetic patterns in the alternative energetic costs of carrying versus independent infant locomotion under assumptions of complete nutritional dependency. The youngest infants were carried by their mothers during all travel and foraging, for a total of 8–10 km/day. By 8 months of age, both carrying time and distance were almost zero. However, daily carrying distance, unlike carrying time, did not decline in the first few months, because older infants were carried disproportionately during rapid travel and, consequently, for greater travel distances per unit carrying time. Females of low dominance rank carried their infants the most; the highest ranking mothers not only carried their infants least but biased their carrying against sons. Although carrying a growing infant is an increasingly costly behavior, during the period of nutritional dependence energetic costs to the mother are appreciably greater if an infant travels independently instead of being carried by its mother. Yet infants increased locomotor independence at a younger age than predicted by a simple model of maternal energetic efficiency. Trade-offs in energetic economy may enhance a mother's future reproduction at the expense of her present infant, may enhance survival of the present infant by promoting early acquisition of developmentally essential skills, or may suggest the importance of additional factors that influence the mother's and infant's behavior.
Surgical Management, Complications, and Outcome of Radical Nephrectomy with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombectomy Facilitated by Vascular Bypass

Objectives To describe the technique, complications, and outcomes of vascular bypass during radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy for patients with renal cell carcinoma and venous tumor thrombus. The indications and results for venovenous bypass (VVB) versus cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were reviewed as well. Methods We identified 41 patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy requiring VVB (n = 13) or CPB (n = 28) at our institution from 1970 to 2005 for renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombus. The clinicopathologic variables and complication rates were compared between the VVB and CPB patients. The postoperative cancer-specific survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Results The patients undergoing VVB experienced significantly shorter median bypass times ( P = 0.015), operative times ( P P P = 0.336), decreased blood/blood products transfused (median 2300 mL versus 4275 mL, P = 0.256), and decreased length of hospitalization (median 7 days versus 9 days, P = 0.078). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate was not significantly different for patients undergoing VVB (29.8%) versus those treated with CPB (36.4%; P = 0.989). Conclusions VVB was associated with significantly shorter bypass, operative, and anesthesia times, as well as trends toward decreased blood loss and hospital stay. Although the choice of bypass technique must be individualized according to the assessment of the bulk of thrombus to be resected, our results support the continued use of VVB in the management of renal cell carcinoma with extensive venous tumor thrombus, when appropriate.
Geometric axioms for existentially closed Hasse fields

Abstract We give geometric axioms for existentially closed Hasse fields. We prove a quantifier elimination result for existentially closed n -truncated Hasse fields and characterize them as reducts of existentially closed Hasse fields.
Coral Snake (Micrurus Fulvius Fulvius) Envenomation In Five Dogs: Present And Earlier Findings

Summary The purpose of this study is to report on five cases of coral snake envenomation in the dog to substantiate earlier findings in four dogs reported previously, and to describe any additional clinical features that have not yet been noted. The combined results from both studies allow for a more accurate projection of the frequency of certain clinical signs. Both groups showed signs of lethargy, lower motor neuron weakness (8 of 9 dogs) and varying hematologic changes with hemolysis and hemoglobinuria occurring most commonly (7 of 9 dogs). Cardiac dysrhythmias were recorded infrequently (2 of 9 dogs). Not reported previously was the presence of a subtle bite wound located on the upper or lower lip of three dogs in the present series. An unexpected finding in this second series was the occurrence of an anaphylactoid reaction in one dog presumably attributed to the antivenin. Close examination of the lip might reveal the site of envenomation (as found in 4 of 9 dogs from both studies). Treatment with coral snake antivenin should be given as early as possible and followed by close observation for signs of anaphylaxis. The results of this study substantiate earlier findings and provide for a larger data base for further reference.
Relationship between morphologic and seminal characteristics of equine spermatozoa

Summary Seminal samples were collected at regular intervals from 18 stallions from February 6 through July 5 to determine the relationship between morphologic and seminal characteristics of stallion spermatozoa. The highest correlation was between percentage of morphologic normal and progressively motile spermatozoa in extended and neat semen (r=0.63 and 0.61, respectively; P
Theoretical study of phase stability in Ni-Al and Ni-Ti alloys

The thermodynamic stability of the bcc and fcc based ordered phases in Ni-Ti and Ni-AI has been studied with a highly accurate first-principles electronic structure method. The occurrence of a martensitic transformation in Ni-AlB2 ordered intermetallic alloys is discussed with relation to the existence of intermediate structures between bcc and fcc based phases. It is shown that closely related ordered structures can exist on fcc and bcc lattices in the composition range where the transformation occurs. The Ni-rich side of the Ni-Al phase diagram has been computed, and a comparison with a recent assessment is made. In addition, the rather unusual appearance of the NiTi B2 ordered structure in the phase diagram is discussed.
Determining the absolute configuration of hindered secondary alcohols - a modified horeau's method

Abstract The kinetic resolution of racemic 2-phenylbutyryl chloride by hindered chiral secondary alcohols has been shown to be a viable approach to the determination of the absolute configuration of secondary alcohols through a study of ten chiral alcohols.
Tetralogy of Fallot : Underdevelopment of the Pulmonary Infundibulum and Its Sequelae

Abstract It is proposed that the tetralogy of Fallot basically is a “monology”, just 1 anomaly, namely, underdevelopment of the subpulmonary infundibulum and its sequelae. The parietal band (crista supraventricularis) and the adjacent infundibular free wall together form an abnormally small cone (conus) of muscle beneath the pulmonary artery, whereas the septal band is normally formed. The hypothesis that the essence of tetralogy is an abnormally small subpulmonary conus is illustrated by angiocardiographic and anatomic findings in typical tetralogy compared with the normal. This unifying concept, which needs experimental embryologic assessment, facilitates angiocardiographic diagnosis of “masked” tetralogy in which the presence of this anomaly may be obscured by associated malformations. To demonstrate this, a rare case is presented, the fourth known patient with coexisting tetralogy and cor triatriatum. This 20 year old man also had a patent ductus arteriosus and a right pulmonary sequestration. The resulting systemic level of pulmonary hypertension “masked” the coexistence of tetralogy, which angiocardiography made evident. Despite the absence of a pulmonary outflow tract gradient due to the association of severe pulmonary hypertension, autopsy confirmed that this patient displayed the angiocardiographic hallmark of tetralogy: an abnormally small subpulmonary infundibulum.
Imaging and negative refraction in left-handed metamaterials

Negative refraction and left-handed electromagnetism in a photonic crystal are demonstrated in waveguide and free space experiments at microwave frequencies. Precision control to achieve tailor-made refractive indices has been achieved. The negative refraction in these photonic crystals is shown to lead to imaging by a flat lens. We have also developed a generalized theory of flat lens imaging. These results promise potential applications in a variety of optical and microwave systems for communications and imaging.
Collaborative efforts of nursing students and surgical technology students in the simulation laboratory

Abstract The field of nursing education rarely integrates other allied health professions into its core curriculum. The surgical technology faculty and students at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, New York, assist the nursing students with their rotation through the operating room through simulation. This incorporation has been extremely helpful to the clinical nursing students and has allowed for a mutual understanding of the respective occupations and respect for their future colleagues.
What can you build with thousands of bricks? Musings on the cumulation of knowledge in program evaluation

Combining evaluation studies and evaluation designs and studying program processes can lead to the building of better social intervention theories needed to guide effective program development and evaluation design.
The effect of cis-platinum on the repair of radiation damage in plateau phase CHINESE hamster (V-79) cells

Abstract The interaction of cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) ( cis -DDP) with irradiation may be important in the clinical settings for which this drug is currently used. We have approached this problem by observing the effect of cis -DDP on repair of sublethal radiation damage (SLD) and potentially lethal radiation damage (PLD). Fed plateau phase Chinese hamster (V-79) cells were pretreated with cis -DDP for 2 hours prior to irradiation and for varying intervals after irradiation in single dose and two dose repair experiments. For drug concentrations of 5 μM and 10 μM (minimally toxic doses), inhibition of repair was observed in a split dose experiment. Repair of PLD was inhibited only minimally in the presence of cis -platinum in single dose experiments. This selective drug radiation interaction suggests that simultaneous combinations of platinum with radiation may result in altered biological effects of radiation.
Combined lipid/DNA extraction method for environmental samples

Abstract Previously, separate methods have been developed for the extraction and purification of lipids and DNA from soils and sediments. This paper describes a new method for the isolation of both lipids and DNA from the same environmental sample. This combined method is based on the Bligh and Dyer lipid extraction technique. Upon phase separation, lipids partition into the organic phase and DNA partitions into the aqueous phase. DNA extraction and recovery from the solid phase is necessary under certain conditions. Preliminary experiments performed with 32P-labeled DNA in the absence of soil showed that greater than 98% of the total DNA was present in the aqueous phase after the modified Bligh and Dyer extraction. Analysis of the DNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography demonstrated that no degradation of DNA occurred during the lipid extraction procedure. Lipid extraction of lyophilized cells showed that DNA was released from Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus subtilis cells corresponding to 26±5 and 14±4% of the theoretical DNA yield, respectively. The combined lipid/DNA extraction method was applied to both lyophilized cells and wet cells added to soil. Analysis by DNA:DNA hybridization showed that approx. 40–50% of the DNA from cells added to soil was recovered after lipid extraction relative to samples treated only with conventional DNA extraction. Estimation of cell number per gram soil based on either lipid or DNA analysis showed good agreement with actual numbers added based on plate counts of the inocula. DNA extracts from samples which had been lipid-extracted also had lower amounts of humic material. Although some DNA was not recovered after lipid extraction, that which was recovered was of sufficiently high quality for hybridization analysis. This method shows utility for the co-recovery of both lipids and DNA from a single sample; this is particularly useful when a small sample size is all that is available or procurable.
Progress Report of D-C Testing of Generators in the Field

For many years the company with which the authors are associated endeavored to find some satisfactory method of testing generator insulation in the field. With this in mind, it was decided to experiment with higher d-c potentials. Several d-c testers were built and a series of tests made. This paper describes the progress during the first ten years of testing generators in the field with high d-c voltage.
Polar model of order-disorder

It has been pointed out [2] that the introduction of the more recent concepts of electronic screening in metals applied to the AB alloys leads to a polar model resembling that of Mott [1]. The A and B atoms have opposite charges mainly related to their differences in valence. The ordering energy estimated from the theoretical screening parameters for β brass is in reasonable agreement with experiment, lending support to the physical validity of this model. The basic assumptions and consequences of the model with respect to the ordering energy will be reviewed and in addition an extension of this model to the computation of the electronic contribution to the elastic spectrum of the alloy will be described.
An approximate analysis of transient response of time-dependent linear systems by use of orthogonal polynomials☆

Abstract The paper deals with the approximate analysis of second order linear systems with variable coefficients through the application of orthogonal polynomials. The time-dependent functions appearing as coefficients in the system equations may be periodic, non-periodic or can have multiple turning points. These variable coefficients are replaced by simple functions, viz. a constant, a linear or a quadratic function, and orthogonal polynomial expansions are used in the desired time interval, such that the approximate differential equations thus obtained have known closed form solutions. In particular, expansions in ultraspherical polynomials have been treated in detail, which include the Chebyshev and Legendre polynomials as special cases. If the time-function is approximated by a constant, the approximate solutions are the sine and cosine functions, while a linear approximation leads to a solution in terms of Bessel functions of 1 3 order or Airy functions. The quadratic approximation of the function results in Weber's equations and the solutions are parabolic cylindrical functions. In the case of periodic coefficients, the functions are approximated such that the periods of the original and the approximate functions remain the same. The method has been applied to an equation with two turning points and to Mathieu's equation and the results are compared with numerical solutions. The well-known WKBJ results are also presented for comparison. Results obtained by the present approach agree with numerical solutions to a better accuracy depending on the choice of orthogonal polynomials used in the expansions. Moreover, in the case of turning point problems the approach is simpler as compared to other methods available in the literature and uniformly valid solutions are obtained without any difficulty.
Laudan's pragmatic alternative to positivist and historicist theories of science

(1981). Laudan's pragmatic alternative to positivist and historicist theories of science. Inquiry: Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 253-271.
Positive solutions for a nonlinear differential equation on a measure chain

We are concerned with proving the existence of positive solutions of general two point boundary value problems for the nonlinear equation Lx(t) := -[r(t)x^@D(t)]^@D=/tf(t, x(t)). We will use fixed point theorems concerning cones in a Banach space. Important results concerning Green's functions for general two point boundary value problems for Lx(t) := -[r(t)x^@D(t)]^@D=0 will also be given.
Autism in a Family in China: An investigation and ethical consideration of sibling issues

Having a child with autism in China raises challenges for families. Some are similar to those of families in western countries, but others are unique. This study sought to understand one aspect—the dilemmas of having a second child in a country where having only one child is the norm, and where social welfare services are not developed. This study examined the experiences of one family from the time when the family were considering having a second child through to the time when the younger child was a teenager. The most salient issues were the changing perspectives on the sibling’s role, and the responsibility and future burden of the sibling due to this responsibility. We use three ethical theories as a framework for analysis. The data suggested several benefits of having a second child and the possibilities for promoting opportunities and well-being, and not just responsibility and worry, in the second child. Areas of future research to expand this study are considered.
Selenium content and distribution in bovine and human milk from different regions of Poland.

Summary Human milk and bulk cow's milk samples from 3 different areas of central Poland were analized for their Se content. Cow's milk specimens were also analyzed for Se distribution and GSH-Px activity. Mature human milk contained 34–68% more Se than bulk cow's milk obtained from analogous areas of central Poland. Comparison of literature values suggest, that human and cow's milk from vicinity of Warsaw and Piotrkow Trubunalski were Se-adequate but milk from Siedlce area was Se-deficient. Glutathione peroxidase activity accounted for 25–31% of the total peroxidase activity of cow's milk. The majority of the Se was found in the whey fraction. It was suggested that the participation of the casein fraction in total milk selenium increased faster than milk Se content. Cow's milk obtained near Warsaw had a 2-times higher concentration of Se than in milk from Siedlce but the content of this microelement in the casein fraction (pellet) was 3-times higher.
Applications of information storage matrix neural networks

Information storage matrices (ISM) have recently been introduced as artificial neural networks. They define a new parallel processing architecture in which the neural connection weights are efficiently trained through a global learning strategy. This eliminates a need for slowly converging iterative learning schemes found in most present day neural network paradigms. Consequently, the ISM neural networks are attractive for real-time and online applications. Several such opportunities are discussed in this presentation. First it is demonstrated how the Boolean logic is implemented, and how the basic digital computer operations are realized through an inherently analog ISM organization. The ISM neural network is then trained to perform a pattern recognition task. The specified feature is extracted from a binary input data string. In addition, the ISM networks are used in the data processing and process control applications. In the first instance, spectral components of the covariance matrix are obtained without having to solve the characteristic equation. In the second case, process performance is stabilized on-line with respect to the initial state selected. As a result of such diverse application potentials, the ISM neural network is emerging as a useful parallel computing processor.
Regulation of stem cell factor receptor signaling by Cbl family proteins (Cbl-b/c-Cbl)

Activation of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase contributes to the pathogenesis of several human diseases, but the mechanisms regulating KIT signaling have not been fully characterized. Here, we show that stem cell factor (SCF), the ligand for KIT, induces the interaction between KIT and Cbl proteins and their mutual degradation. Upon SCF stimulation, KIT binds to and induces the phosphorylation of Cbl proteins, which in turn act as E3 ligases, mediating the ubiquitination and degradation of KIT and themselves. Tyrosine kinase binding and RING finger domains of Cbl are essential for Cbl-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of KIT. We propose a negative feedback loop controlling the SCF-KIT signaling pathway, in which SCF activates KIT. The activated KIT in turn induces phosphorylation and activation of Cbl proteins. The Cbl proteins then bind and direct the degradation of activated KIT, leading to down-regulation of KIT signaling.
TRANSFECTED CONNEXIN45 ALTERS GAP JUNCTION PERMEABILITY IN CELLS EXPRESSING ENDOGENOUS CONNEXIN43

Many cells express multiple connexins, the gap junction proteins that interconnect the cytosol of adjacent cells. Connexin43 (Cx43) channels allow intercellular transfer of Lucifer Yellow (LY, MW = 443 D), while connexin45 (Cx45) channels do not. We transfected full-length or truncated chicken Cx45 into a rat osteosarcoma cell line ROS-17/2.8, which expresses endogenous Cx43. Both forms of Cx45 were expressed at high levels and colocalized with Cx43 at plasma membrane junctions. Cells transfected with full-length Cx45 (ROS/Cx45) and cells transfected with Cx45 missing the 37 carboxyl-terminal amino acids (ROS/Cx45tr) showed 30-60% of the gap junctional conductance exhibited by ROS cells. Intercellular transfer of three negatively charged fluorescent reporter molecules was examined. In ROS cells, microinjected LY was transferred to an average of 11.2 cells/injected cell, while dye transfer between ROS/Cx45 cells was reduced to 3.9 transfer between ROS/Cx45 cells was reduced to 3.9 cells. In contrast, ROS/Cx45tr cells transferred LY to > 20 cells. Transfer of calcein (MW = 623 D) was also reduced by approximately 50% in ROS/Cx45 cells, but passage of hydroxycoumarin carboxylic acid (HCCA; MW = 206 D) was only reduced by 35% as compared to ROS cells. Thus, introduction of Cx45 altered intercellular coupling between cells expressing Cx43, most likely the result of direct interaction between Cx43 and Cx45. Transfection of Cx45tr and Cx45 had different effects in ROS cells, consistent with a role of the carboxyl-terminal domain of Cx45 in determining gap junction permeability or interactions between connexins. These data suggest that coexpression of multiple connexins may enable cells to achieve forms of intercellular communication that cannot be attained by expression of a single connexin.
Consultation for parents of young gifted children

Parents of young gifted children face a significant challenge in meeting developmental needs and planning for the school years. Services for preschool gifted children and their parents have not traditionally been available through schools even though the need for such service is well documented. This article describes evaluation and consultation services provided to parents of young gifted children, and discusses the benefits of private consultation and the potential role of school personnel in meeting the needs of this population.
The Efficacy of Postoperative Antibiotic Regimens in the Open Treatment of Mandibular Fractures: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the necessity and/or effectiveness of postoperative antibiotics in the treatment of mandible fractures. Materials and Methods This study is a prospective, randomized trial composed of patients who presented for operative treatment of open mandibular fractures and subsequently underwent open reduction and internal fixation at 1 institution. Mandibular fractures treated by an intraoral and/or extraoral open reduction with internal fixation were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups based on whether or not they received postoperative antibiotics. Both groups received preoperative antibiotics of various regimens as well as intraoperative antibiotics on the day of surgery. Group Ab patients received 2.4 mIU of intramuscular penicillin G benzathine, or if allergic, a 5- to 7-day regimen of oral clindamycin. Group non-Ab patients received no antibiotics postoperatively. Patients followed between 5 and 8 weeks were included in the data set. Results A total of 291 patients were enrolled in the study, of which 181 patients met the inclusion criteria. Group Ab included 81 and group non-Ab 100 patients. Twenty-two patients had evidence of infection noted within the 8-week follow-up period. There were 8 infections in group Ab and 14 infections in group non-Ab. Statistical analysis with the Pearson Chi-square and Student’s t test showed no statistically significant difference ( P = .399) between groups Ab and non-Ab. Conclusion This study could not prove any statistically significant benefit to the administration of postoperative antibiotics in patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures.
USE OF BODY MEASUREMENTS AND SERUM METABOLITES TO ESTIMATE THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF MALLARDS WINTERING IN THE MISSISSIPPI ALLUVIAL VALLEY, USA

We collected mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) from bottomland hardwood habitats on the Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area and the White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas County, Arkansas during the winter of 1990 to 1991 to determine if measures of physiological condition could be predicted from structural size, serum metabolite levels, or from direct measures of carcass composition. Serum triglyceride levels were correlated (r = 0.57, P = 0.007) with total body fat in males and slightly increased the value (from R2 = 0.64 to 0.76) of intact body mass alone for predicting total body fat in males. Overall, however, serum metabolites appeared to be poor indicators of the magnitude of nutrient masses in mallards. Three potential indices of nutritional status were developed from carcass composition data: protein/total ash, fat/total ash, and fat/fat-free body mass. Protein masses of male mallards changed over winter (P = 0.02). Consequently, fat-free masses are not constant and represent poor indicators ...
HIGH-FIDELITY MOTION SIMULATOR RAPID COCKPIT IMPLEMENTATION DEMONSTRATED USING A BLACKHAWK CONFIGURATION

This paper describes the development (eight months from conceptual design to full-motion data-gathering simulations) of a low-cost, high-fidelity UH-60A Blackhawk motion-rated simulator cab utilizing the Interchangeable Cab concept developed by the NASAAmes Research Center’s Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) Simulation Laboratory. The Project resulted in the design of a low-cost simulation system to replicate helicopter/shipboard launch and recovery envelopes, thereby reducing the reliance on expensive at-sea developmental flight tests. This paper focuses on the structural and mechanical areas of the project, and how the Simulation Laboratories’ rapid design and fabrication concept was used to accomplish the program’s demanding requirements. Key areas discussed are: developing a compact, low-cost, widefield-of-view, night-vision capable, cross-cockpit visual system; integration of a 4-axis dynamic seat shaker; and design and fabrication of a motion-rated Blackhawk simulator cab capable of operating on NASA’s Vertical Motion Simulator motion system.
Comparison of Oxygen‐Bomb Combustion with Standard Ignition Techniques for Determining Total Ash

Ash was determined in a variety of plant and organic soil samples by Oxygen—bomb combustion and by a simple muffle—furnace technique. The influence of using different drying temperatures was also assessed. Bomb combustion produced a systematic error of underestimate and a random error of variation between trials. These errors varied among the different types of material tested, but in general both types of error increased with the ash content of the material. The average systematic error of underestimate of ash content for all sampes was 1.46%, which led to an error of 1.56% when adjusting caloric coefficients to an ash—free basis. Lower drying temperatures had an insignificant effect on adjusted caloric coefficients. Independent ash determinations are recommended for materials with ash content greater than 5% to restrict the error of adjusted coefficients below 1%. The mufflefurnace technique is recommended for close approximations of absoulte ash content. See full-text article at JSTOR
Investigating the Impact of Pulsed Power Charging Demands on Shipboard Power Quality

The impact of pulsed power loads on shipboard power systems need to be properly determined to prevent pulsed loads from causing unacceptable power quality deviations, interference with other loads and degradation of overall system performance. This paper uses a high fidelity modeling and simulation approach to investigate the impact of real and reactive power, pulse ramp rate, pulse duration and frequency of occurrence of the pulsed power load. For this purpose, a notional shipboard power system, modeled in a real-time digital simulator, is used. Most pulsed loads on shipboard systems are not fed directly from the prime power system but via an energy storage system. This energy storage system in turn is interfaced with the shipboard prime power system typically through an electronic front-end charging circuit. In order to evaluate the impact of pulsed loads, existing power quality standards (related to voltage transients, harmonic distortions, and frequency variations) are applied.
Database design and implementation for quantitative image analysis research

Quantitative image analysis (QIA) goes beyond subjective visual assessment to provide computer measurements of the image content, typically following image segmentation to identify anatomical regions of interest (ROIs). Commercially available picture archiving and communication systems focus on storage of image data. They are not well suited to efficient storage and mining of new types of quantitative data. In this paper, we present a system that integrates image segmentation, quantitation, and characterization with database and data mining facilities. The paper includes generic process and data models for QIA in medicine and describes their practical use. The data model is based upon the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data hierarchy, which is augmented with tables to store segmentation results (ROIs) and quantitative data from multiple experiments. Data mining for statistical analysis of the quantitative data is described along with example queries. The database is implemented in PostgreSQL on a UNIX server. Database requirements and capabilities are illustrated through two quantitative imaging experiments related to lung cancer screening and assessment of emphysema lung disease. The system can manage the large amounts of quantitative data necessary for research, development, and deployment of computer-aided diagnosis tools.
Thermal stress analysis of plastic leaded chip carriers

The thermal stresses of molded plastic chip carriers (MPCCs) such as the plastic quad flat pack (PQFD) and plastic leaded chip carriers (PLCCs) are studied using the finite-element method. Two different types of lead frame materials are considered, alloy-42 and copper. The predicted failure mechanism agrees well with experimental data. In addition, a dual-inline package (DIP) with two different molded plastics is analyzed, and the stress results obtained by the finite-element method are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The results presented provide a better understanding of the thermal behavior of molded plastic packages and demonstrate the feasibility of using the finite-element method to design such electronic packaging. >
Nitrospira-like bacteria associated with nitrite oxidation in freshwater aquaria.

Oxidation of nitrite to nitrate in aquaria is typically attributed to bacteria belonging to the genus Nitrobacter which are members of the a subdivision of the class Proteobacteria. In order to identify bacteria responsible for nitrite oxidation in aquaria, clone libraries of rRNA genes were developed from biofilms of several freshwater aquaria. Analysis of the rDNA libraries, along with results from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) on frequently sampled biofilms, indicated the presence of putative nitrite-oxidizing bacteria closely related to other members of the genus Nitrospira. Nucleic acid hybridization experiments with rRNA from biofilms of freshwater aquaria demonstrated that Nitrospira-like rRNA comprised nearly 5% of the rRNA extracted from the biofilms during the establishment of nitrification. Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the a subdivision of the class Proteobacteria (e.g., Nitrobacter spp.) were not detected in these samples. Aquaria which received a commercial preparation containing Nitrobacter species did not show evidence of Nitrobacter growth and development but did develop substantial populations of Nitrospira-like species. Time series analysis of rDNA phylotypes on aquaria biofilms by DGGE, combined with nitrite and nitrate analysis, showed a correspondence between the appearance of Nitrospira-like bacterial ribosomal DNA and the initiation of nitrite oxidation. In total, the data suggest that Nitrobacter winogradskyi and close relatives were not the dominant nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in freshwater aquaria. Instead, nitrite oxidation in freshwater aquaria appeared to be mediated by bacteria closely related to Nitrospira moscoviensis and Nitrospira marina.