cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of pediatric urethralstricture disease with the neodymium:Yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in the treatment of pediatric urethral stricture disease. Methods Twelve boys who had previously undergone unsuccessful cold-knife internal urethrotomy or serial urethral dilation for urethral stricture disease underwent endoscopic laser internal urethrotomy utilizing a contact-tip fiber for recurrent urethral stricture. Results At a mean follow-up of 12 months, 10 of the 12 boys are free of stricture disease for an overall success rate of 83%. Two boys were considered failures and underwent successful open urethroplasty. There were no treatment complications. Conclusions The Nd:YAG laser utilizing the contact-tip fiber was successful in treating recurrent urethral stricture disease. The hemostatic characteristic of the laser allowed bloodless urethrotomy, which was particularly useful when operating with the smaller pediatric endoscopic instruments.
The deuterium enrichment of individual amino acids in carbonaceous meteorites: A case for the presolar distribution of biomolecule precursors

The δD values of over 40 amino acids and two pyridine carboxylic acids of the Murchison and Murray meteorites have been obtained by compound-specific isotopic analyses. For compounds with no known terrestrial distribution, these values range from approximately +330‰ (for cyclic leucine) to +3600‰ (for 2-amino-2,3-dimethylbutyric acid). The latter value is the highest ever recorded for a soluble organic compound in meteorites and nears deuterium to hydrogen ratios observed remotely in interstellar molecules. Deuterium content varies significantly between molecular species and is markedly higher for amino acids having a branched alkyl chain. The δD value of Murray l-isovaline, with an enantiomeric excess of ∼ 6% in the meteorite, was within experimental error of that determined for the combined dl-isovaline enantiomers. Overall, the hydrogen isotope composition of meteoritic amino acids is relatively simple and their δD values appear to vary more with the structure of their carbon chains than with the number and relative distribution of their functionalities or 13C content. The magnitude and extent of deuterium enrichment shared by many and varied amino acids in meteorites indicate that cosmic regimes such as those found in the interstellar medium were capable of producing, if not all the amino acids directly, at least a suite of their direct precursors that was abundant, varied, and considerably saturated.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy and Cognitive Function in Postmenopausal Women Without Dementia

The epidemiologic evidence for an association between estrogen and cognitive function among healthy postmenopausal women remains controversial. Equivocal findings may be explained, in part, by differences in the methodologic approaches of these studies. Overall, the evidence for a positive relationship comes primarily from randomized clinical trials. These trials suggest an acute effect on specific tests of recent verbal memory and tasks incorporating concept formation and reasoning. The potential long-term effects of estrogen in slowing or delaying the age-related decline in cognitive function require further study. More data are needed to determine the effects of estrogen replacement therapy on cognitive function, independent of changes in mood and depressive symptoms. In addition, evidence suggests that progesterone may mitigate the beneficial effects of estrogen on mood. Research should be undertaken to determine the interactive effects of estrogen and progesterone on cognitive function. Lastly, there should be continued investigation by both epidemiologic and basic neuroscientific studies to further elucidate the specific cognitive domains that may respond to estrogen.
Safety Considerations in a Nuclear Electric Propulsion Spacecraft

Some nuclear safety aspects of a 3.2-MWt heat-pipe-cooled fast reactor with out-of-core thermionic converters are discussed. Safety-related characteristics of the design, including a thin layer of B 4C surrounding the core, the use of heat pipes and BeO reflector assembly, the elimination of fuel element bowing, etc., are highlighted. Potential supercriticality hazards and countermeasures are considered. Impacts of some safety guidelines of the space transportation system are also discussed briefly, since the currently developing space shuttle would be used as the primary launch vehicle for the nuclear electric propulsion spacecraft.
Vertebrate faunas and chronology of hominid-bearing sediments east of Lake Rudolf, Kenya.

The vertebrate faunas which have been collected from east of Lake Rudolf include hominid remains and the earliest dated stone artefacts known. It is now possible to recognize faunal units and to establish a tentative chronology for observed faunal events. It is suggested here that the faunal sequence at East Rudolf may extend from 4.5 m.y. to about 1.3 m.y. with a significant break between about 4.0 and 2.6 m.y.
Cooperative learning: Developing an observation instrument for student interactions

ABET states in Criterion 3(d) that engineering students should demonstrate "an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams." As we enter an era of globalization, industry is placing a greater emphasis on engineers who can engage in collaborative working environments, i.e. teams. Engineering educators must teach engineers the relevant content but also train them to interact and work productively in collaborative teams. The model of cooperative learning, developed by Johnson and Johnson, and applied to engineering by Smith, specifies instructional use of small groups (or teams) where students work together in an effort to maximize their own and others learning. The researchers state that carefully structured cooperative learning strategies involve the elements of positive interdependence, individual and group accountability, opportunities for group processing, a focus on developing social skills, and promotive face-to-face interaction. The authors of this paper have developed a classroom observation instrument for evaluating the elements of cooperative learning and teaming in an engineering setting. This paper presents and discusses the development of this mixed methods observation tool, that captures observed instances of cooperative learning and teaming among engineering students engaged in content and course assignments as well as evaluates the effectiveness of the observed instance for each element.
Waterflood management using two-stage optimization with streamline simulation

Waterflooding is a common secondary oil recovery process. Performance of waterfloods in mature fields with a significant number of wells can be improved with minimal infrastructure investment by optimizing injection/production rates of individual wells. However, a major bottleneck in the optimization framework is the large number of reservoir flow simulations often required. In this work, we propose a new method based on streamline-derived information that significantly reduces these computational costs in addition to making use of the computational efficiency of streamline simulation itself. We seek to maximize the long-term net present value of a waterflood by determining optimal individual well rates, given an expected albeit uncertain oil price and a total fluid injection volume. We approach the optimization problem by decomposing it into two stages which can be implemented in a computationally efficient manner. We show that the two-stage streamline-based optimization approach can be an effective technique when applied to reservoirs with a large number of wells in need of an efficient waterflooding strategy over a 5 to 15-year period.
Matrix Metalloproteinases and TIMPs Are Associated With Blood-Brain Barrier Opening After Reperfusion in Rat Brain

Background and Purpose —Reperfusion disrupts cerebral capillaries, causing cerebral edema and hemorrhage. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induces the matrix-degrading metalloproteinases, but their role in capillary injury after reperfusion is unknown. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors to metalloproteinases (TIMPs) modulate capillary permeability. Therefore, we measured blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, brain water and electrolytes, MMPs, and TIMPs at multiple times after reperfusion. Methods —Adult rats underwent MCAO for 2 hours by the suture method. Brain uptake of 14C-sucrose was measured from 3 hours to 14 days after reperfusion. Levels of MMPs and TIMPs were measured by zymography and reverse zymography, respectively, in contiguous tissues. Other rats had water and electrolytes measured at 3, 24, or 48 hours after reperfusion. Treatment with a synthetic MMP inhibitor, BB-1101, on BBB permeability and cerebral edema was studied. Results —Brain sucrose uptake increased after 3 and 48 hours of reperfusion, with maximal opening at 48 hours and return to normal by 14 days. There was a correlation between the levels of gelatinase A at 3 hours and the sucrose uptake ( P <0.05). Gelatinase A (MMP-2) was maximally increased at 5 days, and TIMP-2 was highest at 5 days. Gelatinase B and TIMP-1 were maximally elevated at 48 hours. The inhibitor of gelatinase B, TIMP-1, was also increased at 48 hours. Treatment with BB-1101 reduced BBB opening at 3 hours and brain edema at 24 hours, but neither was affected at 48 hours. Conclusions —The initial opening at 3 hours correlated with gelatinase A levels and was blocked by a synthetic MMP inhibitor. The delayed opening, which was associated with elevated levels of gelatinase B, failed to respond to the MMP inhibitor, suggesting different mechanisms of injury for the biphasic BBB injury.
External Contamination of Hair with Cocaine: Evaluation of External Cocaine Contamination and Development of Performance-Testing Materials*

The National Laboratory Certification Program undertook an evaluation of the dynamics of external contamination of hair with cocaine (COC) while developing performance testing materials for Federal Drug-Free Workplace Programs. This characterization was necessary to develop performance materials that could evaluate the efficacy of hair testing industry's decontamination procedures. Hair locks (blonde to dark brown/black) from five different individuals were contaminated with cocaine HCl. Hair locks were then treated with a synthetic sweat solution and hygienic treatments to model real-life conditions. Hair locks were shampooed daily (Monday through Friday) for 10 weeks, and samples of the hair locks were analyzed for COC, benzoylecgonine (BE), cocaethylene (CE), and norcocaine (NCOC). Three commercial analytical laboratories analyzed samples under three protocols: no decontamination procedure, individual laboratory decontamination, or decontamination by an extended buffer procedure at RTI International. Results indicated substantial and persistent association of all four compounds with all hair types. Hair that was not decontaminated had significantly greater quantities of COC and BE than did hair that was decontaminated. The only hair samples below detection limits for all four compounds were those decontaminated 1 h after contamination. Additionally, BE/COC ratios increased significantly over the 10-week study (regardless of decontamination treatment). From 21 days postcontamination until the end of the study, the mean BE/COC ratio for all hair types exceeded 0.05, the proposed Federal Mandatory Guidelines requirement. The largest variability in results was observed for samples decontaminated by participant laboratories. This suggests that current laboratory decontamination strategies will increase variability of performance testing sample results. None of the decontamination strategies used in the study were effective at removing all contamination, and some of the contaminated hair in this study would have been reported as positive for cocaine use based on the proposed Federal Mandatory Guidelines.
Data Fusion Based on Fuzzy Pan-Integral

In data fusion, aggregations with various backgrounds require a variety of integrals to be chosen. These integrals are generally nonlinear due to the nonadditivity of the set functions used in real problems. In this paper, data fusion based on fuzzy pan-integral is considered. Its primary properties and convergence theorems are given. It's the general form of most of the present integrals used in data fusion. In concrete problems, we can choose its proper form.
Correction for guessing in choice reaction time

Additional theoretical and experimental results are presented for a choice reaction time performance model described by Oilman (1966). A formula is given for estimating the latency distribution of true recognition responses from the results of a single session; the estimate is invariant with respect to changes in the proportion of “guess” responses and with respect to fluctuations in the latency distribution of guesses.
REGULATION OF MAMMALIAN ACETYL-COENZYME A CARBOXYLASE

Long-chain fatty acids are involved in all aspects of cellular structure and function. For controlling amounts of fatty acids, cells are endowed with two acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) systems. ACC-alpha is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biogenesis of long-chain fatty acids, and ACC-beta is believed to control mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. These two isoforms of ACC control the amount of fatty acids in the cells. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of ACC-alpha cause enzyme inactivation and activation, respectively, and serve as the enzyme's short-term regulatory mechanism. Covalently modified enzymes become more sensitive toward cellular metabolites. In addition, many hormones and nutrients affect gene expression. The gene products formed are heterogeneous and tissue specific. The ACC-beta gene is located on human chromosome 12; the cDNA for this gene has just been cloned. The gene for the alpha-isoform is located on human chromosome 17. The catalytic core of the beta-isoform is homologous to that of the alpha-isoform, except for an additional peptide of about 150 amino acids at the N terminus. This extra peptide sequence makes the beta-form about 10,000 daltons larger, and it is thought to be involved in the unique role that has been assigned to this enzyme. The detailed control mechanisms for the beta-isoform are not known.
Thermodynamic structure of a grass fire plume

High-frequency thermocouple measurements were made during an experimental grass fire conducted during idealweatherwithovercastandwindyconditions.Analysisofthethermodynamicstructureofthefireplumeshowedthata maximum plume temperature of 295.28C was measured directly above the combustion zone. Plume heating rates were on the order of 26-45kWm � 2 andoccurred inthe region just above the combustion zone between 10 and 15m above ground level and were followed by cooling of approximately � 37 and � 44kWm � 2 . The observed cooling was caused by strong entrainment that occurred behind the fire front and plume. The rapid heating and subsequent cooling indicate that the heatingcausedbyafirefrontislimitedtoasmallvolumearoundtheflamingfrontandthattheratesofheatgainoccurfora short duration. The short duration of plume heating is due to the fast rate of spread of the fire front and ambient wind.
Magenresektion beim peptischen Ulkus

Inadaquater Duodenalstumpfverschlus. Verletzung des Pankreas, postoperative Pankreatitis. Unvollstandige Resektion des Antrums (Antrumrest). Verletzung der Milz, des Gallengangs oder der Papille wahrend der Ulkuspraparation. Inadaquates Lumen der gastroduodenalen Anastomose bei der Billroth-I-Resektion. Falsch angelegte Gastrojejunostomie bei Billroth-II-Resektion (Gastroileostomie). Zu lange zufuhrende Jejunumschlinge bei Billroth-II-Resektion.
Using separation of concerns for embedded systems design

Embedded systems are commonly abstracted as collections of interacting components. This perspective has lead to the insight that component behaviors can be defined separately from admissible component interactions. We show that this separation of concerns does not imply that component behaviors can be defined in isolation from their envisioned interaction models. We argue that a type of behavior/interaction co-design must be employed to successfully leverage the separation of these concerns. We present formal techniques for accomplishing this co-design and describe tools that implement these formalisms.
Modified (NHC)Pd(allyl)Cl (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes for room-temperature suzuki-miyaura and buchwald-hartwig reactions

A series of (NHC)Pd(R-allyl)Cl complexes [NHC: IPr = N,N‘-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, SIPr = N,N‘-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene; R = H, Me, gem-Me2, Ph] have been synthesized and fully characterized. When compared to (NHC)Pd(allyl)Cl, substitution at the terminal position of the allyl scaffold favors a more facile activation step. This translates into higher catalytic activity in the Suzuki−Miyaura and Buchwald−Hartwig reactions, allowing for the coupling of unactivated aryl chlorides at room temperature in minutes. In the Suzuki−Miyaura reaction, aryl triflates, bromides, and chlorides react with boronic acids using very low catalyst loading. In the N-aryl amination reaction, a wide range of substrates has been coupled efficiently; primary-, secondary-, alkyl-, or aryl-amines react in high yields with unactivated, neutral, and activated aryl chlorides and bromides. In both reactions, extremely hindered substrates such as tri-ortho-substituted biaryls and tetr...
Can Toddlers Learn Vocabulary from Television? An Experimental Approach

This study was inspired by the rise in television targeting toddlers and preverbal infants (e.g., Teletubbies, Baby Mozart). Overall, we investigated if very young children who are in the early stages of language acquisition can learn vocabulary quickly (fast map) from television programs. Using a fast mapping paradigm, this study examined a group (n = 48) of toddlers (15–24 months) and their ability to learn novel words. Utilizing a repeated measures design, we compared children's ability to learn various novel words in 5 different conditions. These included the presentation and identification of a novel word by an adult speaker via live presentation when the toddler was attending (i.e., joint reference), an adult via live presentation when the toddler was not attending, an adult speaker on television, and an edited clip from a children's television program (Teletubbies). Overall, the toddlers were most successful in learning novel words in the joint reference condition. They were significantly less succ...
An efficient clustering-based heuristic for data gathering and aggregation in sensor networks

The rapid advances in processor, memory, and radio technology have enabled the development of distributed networks of small, inexpensive nodes that are capable of sensing, computation, and wireless communication. Sensor networks of the future are envisioned to revolutionize the paradigm of collecting and processing information in diverse environments. However, the severe energy constraints and limited computing resources of the sensors, present major challenges for such a vision to become a reality. We consider a network of energy-constrained sensors that are deployed over a region. Each sensor periodically produces information as it monitors its vicinity. The basic operation in such a network is the systematic gathering and transmission of sensed data gathering and transmission of sensed data to a base station for further processing. During data gathering, sensors have the ability to perform in-network aggregation (fusion) of data packets enroute to the base station. The lifetime of such a sensor system is the time during which we can gather information from all the sensors to the base station. A key challenge in data gathering is to maximize the system lifetime, given the energy constraints of the sensors. Given the location of sensors and the base station and the available energy at each sensor, we are interested in finding an efficient manner in which data should be collected from all the sensors and transmitted to the base station, such that the system lifetime is maximized. This is the maximum lifetime data-gathering problem. In this paper, we describe a heuristic to solve the data-gathering problem with aggregation in sensor networks. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm significantly outperform previous methods, in terms of system lifetime.
Descriptions of improvisational thinking by artist-level jazz musicians

Thought processes of seven artist-level jazz musicians, each of whom recorded an improvised solo, were investigated. Immediately after completing their improvisations, participants listened to recordings of their playing and looked at the notation of their solos as they described in a directed interview the thinking processes that led to the realization of their improvisations. In all of the interviews, artists described making sketch plans, which outlined one or more musical features of upcoming passages. The artists also described monitoring and evaluating their own output as they performed, making judgments that often were incorporated into future planning. Four strategies used by the artists for generating the note content of the improvisations emerged from the analysis: recalling well-learned ideas from memory and inserting them into the ongoing improvisation, choosing notes based on a harmonic priority, choosing notes based on a melodic priority, and repeating material played in earlier sections of the improvisation.
Low voltage power flow solutions and their role in exit time based security measures for voltage collapse

The authors examine the nature of the low-voltage power flow solution in power system models that involve voltage-magnitude-dependent reactive loads. The role of these solutions in exit-time-based measures of security with respect to voltage collapse is considered, and the special role of a 'lowest energy' solution is highlighted. Heuristics for initializing the Newton-Raphson (N-R) iteration for finding this low voltage solution are proposed and illustrated in simple networks. The convergence properties of the N-R algorithm are illustrated by examining the region of attraction associated with various low-voltage power flow solution with respect to the N-R iteration in sample networks. >
MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery

MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) surgery is a noninvasive thermal ablation method that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for target definition, treatment planning, and closed-loop control of energy deposition. Integrating FUS and MRI as a therapy delivery system allows us to localize, target, and monitor in real time, and thus to ablate targeted tissue without damaging normal structures. This precision makes MRgFUS an attractive alternative to surgical resection or radiation therapy of benign and malignant tumors. Already approved for the treatment of uterine fibroids, MRgFUS is in ongoing clinical trials for the treatment of breast, liver, prostate, and brain cancer and for the palliation of pain in bone metastasis. In addition to thermal ablation, FUS, with or without the use of microbubbles, can temporarily change vascular or cell membrane permeability and release or activate various compounds for targeted drug delivery or gene therapy. A disruptive technology, MRgFUS provides new therapeutic approaches and may cause major changes in patient management and several medical disciplines.
Analysis of referral appropriateness in the Western Cape, South Africa, and implications for resource allocation

Abstract Introduction The public health system in South Africa is a tiered system. Throughout the Western Cape are Community Health Centers (CHCs), which serve as the entry point for the majority of patients seeking medical care. Patients who require urgent or emergent treatment at the CHCs are transferred to secondary hospitals for further care. Patients requiring the highest level of care, such as specialized radiology or sub-specialist care are then transferred to a tertiary hospital. Hypothesis: Addressable limitations of basic human and technical capacities lead to preventable transfers and treatment delays for patients seeking care in this system. Methods Over a six-week period in 2006, 270 charts from patients transferred from one of five CHCs to a secondary hospital were reviewed to uncover addressable human and technical limitations that may have led to transfer. Results Of approximately 61950 patients seen at the CHCs during the study period 270 were transferred. 22% (60/270) of these met criteria as possibly unnecessary transfers. Of these, 47% (28/60) were transferred for radiograph interpretation, 23% (14/60) were transferred for ultrasound, and 17% (10/60) were transferred for incision and drainage. 13% (8/60) were transferred for a variety of reasons but then were immediately transferred onward to a tertiary care center. Discussion 22% (60/270) of transfers could have been avoided if specific resources or training were available to CHCs or if patients requiring tertiary care were identified prior to transfer to a secondary facility. The next step will be to compare the cost of providing these resources to the savings from decreased patient transfers. We believe the techniques used in this study can serve as a model for efficiency assessment of tiered health care systems throughout South Africa and beyond.
Ex vivo cardiovascular magnetic resonance measurements of right and left ventricular mass compared with direct mass measurement in excised hearts after transplantation: a first human SSFP comparison.

Background: CMR is considered the ‘gold standard’ for non-invasive LV and RV mass quantitation. This information is solely based on gradient-recalled echo (GRE) sequences while contrast dependent on intrinsic T1/T2 characteristics potentially offers superior image contrast between blood and myocardium. This study aims, for the first time in humans, to validate the SSFP approach using explanted hearts obtained from heart transplant recipients. Our objective is establish the correlation between and to validate steady-state free precession (SSFP) derived LV and RV mass vs. autopsy mass of hearts from cardiac transplants patients. Methods: Over three-years, 58 explanted cardiomyopathy hearts were obtained immediately upon orthotopic heart transplantation from the OR. They were quickly cleaned, prepared and suspended in a saline-filled container and scanned ex vivo via SSFP-SA slices to define LV/RV mass. Using an automatic thresholding program, segmentation was achieved in combination with manual trimming (ATMT) of extraneous tissue incorporating 3D cardiac modeling performed by independent and blinded readers. The explanted hearts were then dissected with the ventricles surgically separated at the interventricular septum. Weights of the total heart not excluding papillary and trabecular myocardium, LV and RV were measured via high-fidelity scale. Linear regression and Bland-Altman plots were used to analyze the data. The intra-class correlation coefficient was used to assess intra-observer reliability. Results: Of the total of 58 explanted hearts, 3 (6%) were excluded due to poor image quality leaving 55 patients (94%) for the final analysis. Significant positive correlations were found between total 3D CMR mass (450 ± 111 g) and total pathology mass (445 ± 116 g; r = 0.99, p < 0.001) as well as 3D CMR measured LV mass (301 ± 93 g) and the pathology measured LV mass (313 ± 96 g; r = 0.95, p < 0.001). Strong positive correlations were demonstrated between the 3D CMR measured RV mass (149 ± 46 g) and the pathology measured RV mass (128 ± 40 g; r = 0.76, p < 0.001). The mean bias between 3D-CMR and pathology measures for total mass, LV mass and RV mass were: 3.0 g, -16 g and 19 g, respectively. (Continued on next page)
Relaxation of Thermal Stress Singularities in Bonded Viscoelastic Quarter Planes

Singular thermal stress fields in bonded viscoelastic quarter planes are studied with the use of the viscoelastic analogy. The order of the singularity is shown to depend on the material properties, indicating that it will vary with time in viscoelastic materials. This is studied in detail for Maxwell materials, and it is shown that the order of the singularity generelly increases with time
EVALUATING PROTEIN QUALITY BY ESTIMATING WEIGHT GAIN COEFFICIENTS

A different approach was used to evaluate protein quality in this study. Varying amounts of isonitrogenous (1.6%) diets containing lactalbumin, commercially prepared nondefatted corn germ or isolated soybean protein were fed to weanling rats for 3 wk. Body weights were recorded weekly and feed intakes determined daily. Body weight change and feed intake (dry matter) of each rat were expressed as per kg metabolic body size (mean body weight, kg0.75). Weight change was related to feed intake by linear regression with the slope of the regression line being designated as the weight gain coefficient. A weight maintenance coefficient was determined for each diet by calculating from the appropriate regression equation the feed intake that maintained body weight. When the three diets were compared, there were no differences among the weight maintenance coefficients indicating that the three diets were equally effective in maintaining body weight. There were differences among the weight gain coefficients, however, demonstrating that the three diets were not equally effective in promoting growth. Since diets were isonitrogenous, differences among weight gain coefficients were attributed to differences among proteins. We propose that weight gain coefficients are directly related to protein quality when diets differ only with respect to the source of protein and suggest that there are distinct advantages in using this method for evaluating protein quality.
Nuclear Studies in Medicine: Manganese Metabolism

The work to be presented today is characterized by a high degree of reliance on nuclear methodology for its consummation. The utilization of techniques borrowed from modern physics has made possible the continuation of work which has interested biologists for a long time. Indeed since manganese was shown to be present in biological materials by Betrand (quoted in 1), postulations regarding its biological implications have been recurrent in the literature. Orent and McCollum (2) as well as Shills and McCollum (3), are credited with the clear demonstration of the essentiality of this element for life processes in mammals. Subsequently it was shown that deficiency of this element causes the appearance of typical and reproducible symptoms and signs. These have included any or all of the following: 1) retardation of growth; 2) bony anomalies, which occur in a large number of species (1, 4, 5) and are known as “slipped tendon” (or “perosis”) in the adult chick and as “chondrodystrophy” in the hatched chick ; 3) ataxia, which may be congenital (6, 7) ; and 4) sterility in the male and inability to conceive in the female (2, 3). These manifestations are preventable by manganous ion supplementation of the manganese deficient diet.
Estimation of Seat Belt Effectiveness Values Using Double Pair Comparison Method Based on State Highway Crash Data

The purpose of this study was to estimate seat belt effectiveness in preventing fatal and nonfatal injuries to motor vehicle occupants when they are involved in crashes. The double pair comparison method was used and the estimations were based on police reported highway crash data of the state of Kansas in the United States. Two vehicle groups were considered: passenger cars and other passenger vehicles (vans and pickup trucks). Only front seat occupants who were older than 14 years of age were considered in the analysis. Based on estimations, seat belts were found to be 53% effective in reducing fatal injuries to front seat occupants in passenger cars. In other passenger vehicles, effectiveness of seat belts in reducing fatal injuries is 57%. As far as nonfatal injuries are concerned, seat belts are 52% and 42% effective in reducing incapacitating and non-incapacitating injuries respectively in passenger cars. It was also found that seat belts are 34% effective in reducing possible injuries to front seat occupants in passenger cars. Seat belts reduce incapacitating injury risk to occupants in other passenger vehicles by 47%, while they reduce non-incapacitating injury risk by 42% in the same vehicle group. In addition, seat belts are 28% effective in reducing possible injuries to occupants in other passenger vehicles.
Oral terbinafine in the treatment of toenail onychomycosis: North American multicenter trial

Abstract Background: Onychomycosis is an increasing problem with limited therapeutic options. Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of oral terbinafine, a new fungicidal antimycotic, in patients with toenail onychomycosis. Methods: A North American multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the mycologic and clinical efficacy of oral terbinafine 250 mg/day for 12 or 24 weeks in 358 patients with toenail onychomycosis. Results: A total of 74% of patients treated with 12 or 24 weeks of terbinafine achieved a successful clinical outcome. Approximately 11% of terbinafine responders showed evidence of relapse 18 to 21 months after cessation of treatment. Terbinafine was well tolerated; most adverse events were transient and mild to moderate in severity. Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that oral terbinafine is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of onychomycosis. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1997;37:740-5.)
The Closed Environment Concept in VLSI On-Chip Transmission Lines Design and Modeling

The paper examines the question of when and how can an on-chip transmission line have a stand-alone, independent model in the actual VLSI design environment. The study addresses a certain set of simple structures, covering most of practical VLSI design needs, which includes coplanar single and coupled structures. Based on theoretical analysis and numerical results, practical criteria of "sufficiently closed" transmission line environment are suggested, depending on the kind of designed interconnect, the frequency range, the transmission line type and geometry.
Developing a resilient supply chain through supplier flexibility and reliability assessment

In this study, we examine the optimal allocation of demand across a set of suppliers in a supply chain that is exposed to supply risk and environmental risk. A two-stage mixed-integer programming model is used to develop a flexible sourcing strategy under disruptions. Our model integrates supplier selection and demand allocation with transportation channel selection and provides contingency plans to mitigate the negative impacts of disruptions and minimise total network costs. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the model and provide insights. The findings suggest that developing contingency plans using flexibility in suppliers’ production capacity is an effective strategy for firms to mitigate the severity of disruptions. We also show that flexibility and reliability of the suppliers and regions play a significant role in determining contingency plans for during disruption. Findings generally show that highly flexible suppliers receive less allocation, and their flexible capacity is r...
UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 and the Glucuronidation in Oncology Applications and Hyperbilirubinemia

Publisher Summary Glucuronidation is an important phase II reaction catalyzed by the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), UGTs are enzymes involved in a number of metabolic processes, including phase II drug metabolism conjugation of endogenous compounds with glucuronic acid, such as bilirubin and estradiol with glucuronic acid, to form water-soluble conjugates for excretion; and detoxification of potential carcinogens. Clinicians need to be aware of the options available to them for irinotecan and hyperbilirubinemia genetic testing. When complying with the minimum FDA requirements for irinotecan dose adjustments by only testing to determine if the *28 allele is present, patients of African or Asian ancestry could potentially be put at increased risk for neutropenia with this drug. Many factors go into determining hyperbilirubinemia; having a comprehensive genetic test available to aid a physician in treatment options (UGT1A1 genetic based or not) provides the patient with the best clinical outcome. The UGT1A1 gene is a complex gene, not only in its design, with alternative splicing on the 5’ and 3’ end of the gene, but also because of the impact it has on genetic diseases and drug metabolism. In addition, the variations that have been reported (known star alleles) all have different frequencies depending on ethnicity. As a result, an allele (for example, *6) may have vast clinical significance in one ethnicity but is rarely observed in other populations. Only by continuing to investigate and research the gene in various populations can we further our understanding on the clinical significance and impact of UGT1A1.
The mutual climatic range technique is (usually) not the area of sympatry technique when reconstructing paleoenvironments based on faunal remains

Abstract Names applied to particular analytical techniques must be explicit and distinctive. The potential that two distinct techniques of paleoenvironmental reconstruction that use ancient faunal remains, each with a particular name, might be confused in the future has recently become a reality. The name “mutual climatic range” (MCR), coined and developed in the 1980s and concerning the modern climatic (not geographic) co-occurrence of species represented in a prehistoric collection of remains, has been applied multiple times to a different technique first published in 2009. The new MCR technique is very similar to a distinct one developed in the 1950s and 1960s that focuses on the location of the geographic co-occurrence of species in an assemblage relative to the location of the deposit producing the remains. The older method has been known as the “area of sympatry” (AOS) technique since 1966. Histories of the AOS and original MCR techniques suggest they were developed independently. The new MCR technique seems to have been developed without knowledge of the two earlier ones. To avoid future confusion of one technique with the other, it is suggested that the new one be renamed the UTM-MCR technique because rather than use isopleths of climatic variables, as the AOS technique does, it considers climatic variables within 10 × 10 km UTM squares.
Variations in Human Adaptations During the Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene at Quebrada Jaguay (QJ-280) and the Ring Site, Southern Perú

ABSTRACTVertebrate remains from two stratified sites, the Quebrada Jaguay site (QJ-280) and the Ring Site, reveal details about economic strategies practiced between 13,145 and 7500 cal yr BP on the southern coast of Peru. The near absence of terrestrial resources, a broad continuity in economic activities focused on marine resources, and flexibility within the overall strategy, are among the most interesting aspects of these data. Although they reflect economic and social decisions driven, in part, by fluctuations in environmental conditions, they demonstrate that people were sophisticated strategists actively responding to dynamic environmental conditions.
Research Progress on Hazard and Protection of Electromagnetic Pollution

Electromagnetic pollution has been the fifth serious pollution that does dangerous harm to human health after atmospheric pollution,water pollution,soil pollution and noise pollution.In this paper,we learn the electromagnetic pollution hazard and its mechanism by summarizing and studying the research progress of the electromagnetic pollution hazard and its mechanism,electromagnetic radiation standard and protection,so as to provide the basic data for inspection and evaluation of electromagnetic hazard factors,implementation of protective measures,and further study.
Study of tonsillectomy combined with endoscopic-assisted adenoidectomy in treatment of children Snore

Objective To investigate the effects of tonsillectomy combined with endoscopic-assisted adenoidectomy in treatment of children snore. Methods Eighty children with snore from August 2011 to August 2012 in our hospital were randomly divided into two groups, 40 cases in each group. Patients in the experimental group underwent tonsillectomy combined with endoscopic-assisted adenoidectomy, patients in the control group underwent traditional tonsillectomy combined adenoidectomy surgery. Operative time, hospital stay, and surgical treatment effect in the two groups were compared. Results The cure rate and total effective rate in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group,and there was statistically significant(P 0.05). Surgery time, hospital stay were shorter than those in the control group, blood loss was less than that in the control group, there was significant difference (P 0.05). Conclusion Tonsillectomy combined with endoscopic-assisted adenoidectomy for treating children snore has a significant effect, and can effectively shorten the operation time and hospital stay, is worthy of clinical application.
Research on Nonlinear Vortex-induced Vibrations of Submerged Floating Tunnel Tethers

Mathematical model of nonlinear vortex-induced vibration was presented for predicting the nonlinear dynamic responses of submerged floating tunnel(SFT) tethers which were subjected to wave,current and oscillatory displacements at their upper end in horizontal and vertical directions.The finite difference method was used to solve the dynamic equations of tethers.The calculated results show that the transverse amplitudes of vortex-induced vibration decrease when considering the coupling between the in-line and the cross-flow vibrations.The geometric nonlinearity of the tether inhibits the excitement of higher modes of vibration.However,the in-line amplitudes of vortex-induced vibration increase due to the coupled vibrations.Periodical vibrations of submerged floating tunnel caused by wave forces play the roles of parametric exciter and forcing exciter to vortex-induced vibrations of tethers.In-line amplitudes of vortex-induced vibration increase obviously due to the external excitations,and the transverse amplitudes of vortex-induced vibration exhibit a periodic behavior.These results indicate that the higher modes of vibration are excited because of external excitations.
Abstract ES3-3: Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction: defining the effects of adjuvant treatment modalities on surgical outcomes

Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction is routinely offered immediately at the time of mastectomy, and can be performed using prosthetic or autologous techniques. Successful surgical outcomes are routine with these procedures, but can be complicated when adjuvant treatment modalities for breast cancer are employed. The most common adjuvant treatments effecting outcomes in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction are radiation, chemotherapy/hormonal therapy, and axillary lymph node dissection. Adjuvant radiation therapy has been shown to increase the complication rate in prosthetic breast reconstruction, specifically with increased rates of implant infection (22%, p=0.0), full-thickness mastectomy skin necrosis (11.5%, p=.001), and expander/implant removal (17.7%, p=0.0). Such complication rates are improvements over earlier reports, likely due to altered incision placement in nipple sparing mastectomy to the periareolar area, waiting at least 6 months following radiation completion prior to implant exchange, and the use of acellular dermal matrices (shown on multivariate analysis to reduce explantation rates in setting of radiation). With autologous breast reconstruction, adjuvant radiation has been shown to increase rates of volume flap volume loss (19.75%, p=.0001), but not flap loss rates (1.23%, p=1). The use of adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy has not been shown to negatively impact outcomes in prosthetic breast reconstruction, to any statistically significant amount. This includes tamoxifen and herceptin therapy. Similarly, the use of hormonal therapy does not significantly effect overall outcomes in autologous breast reconstruction. The use of axillary lymph node dissection has been shown to have a significant negative impact on outcomes in prosthetic breast reconstruction, compared to sentinel lymph node biopsy. On multivariate analysis, axillary lymph node dissection increased rates of breast implant loss (RR 2.0, p=.021), relative to sentinel lymph node biopsy. This is due to the decreased lymphatic drainage of remaining breast tissue, and resultant increase in infection and implant loss. Citation Format: Sbitany H. Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction: defining the effects of adjuvant treatment modalities on surgical outcomes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr ES3-3.
Seven Semesters of Android Game Programming in CS2

Mobile game development is a topic that interests many computer science students. The author included an open-ended Android game development project as the final project in a CS2 course for four years. Over 7 semesters, 141 students produced 87 different mobile games, of which 29 were published on the Google Play store. This paper discusses the experience of how this Android project was integrated with the course, as well as the projects themselves, and examines the factors that led to successful student submissions.
Writing, Urtext, Bullae

But to gain perspective on such questions, let me begin again, however questionably, with beginnings.
Wie Schach ohne Würfel

Zu den beliebtesten volkstumlichen Klischeevorstellungen uber Wissenschaftler gehort die von einer unuberbruckbaren Kluft zwischen Fachidioten und Sportskanonen. Aber wie die meisten Klischees, so wird auch dieses beiden Seiten nicht gerecht. Entgegen einem allgemeinen Vorurteil haben Fachidioten nicht von ihrem Wesen her etwas gegen sportliche Betatigungen – viele Physiker aus meinem Bekanntenkreis sind begeisterte Wanderer oder Fahrradfahrer, und jahrelang fanden im Rahmen der internationalen Fachtagung auf meinem Gebiet der Physik uberraschend hochklassige Softballpartien zwischen den Belegschaften des MIT und des National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder statt.
Basic Physical Sciences for the Formulation of Cosmetic Products

Innovative formulation of cosmetics and personal care products is facilitated by an understanding of the basic physical and chemical sciences of the ingredients and their interactions. This chapter explains those scientific underpinnings in a descriptive manner without too much mathematics.
Parental Co-Construction of 5- to 13-Year-Olds' Global Self-Esteem Through Reminiscing About Past Events

The current study explored parental processes associated with children's global self-esteem development. Eighty 5- to 13-year-olds and one of their parents provided qualitative and quantitative data through questionnaires, open-ended questions, and a laboratory-based reminiscing task. Parents who included more explanations of emotions when writing about the lowest points in their lives were more likely to discuss explanations of emotions experienced in negative past events with their child, which was associated with child attachment security. Attachment was associated with concurrent self-esteem, which predicted relative increases in self-esteem 16 months later, on average. Finally, parent support also predicted residual increases in self-esteem. Findings extend prior research by including younger ages and uncovering a process by which two theoretically relevant parenting behaviors impact self-esteem development.