cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Wichita Indians: Traders of Texas and the Southern Plains, 1540-1845

When two Wichita traders first encountered Europeans visiting the Pecos Pueblo in 1540, the Wichita tribes dominated the Southern Plains area, which stretched from Kansas to Central Texas. In the three centuries that followed, the Wichitas would be forced to negotiate with competitors, both European and Indian, for land, resources, trade, and their very survival. The Wichita Indians presents a thorough narrative of these bands from their first contact with Europeans until 1845, when the United States annexed Texas. Historian F. Todd Smith provides background information on the Wichita Indians' provenance--the separate tribes of Taovayas, Tawakonis, Kichais, Wacos, and other bands whose shared language and culture united them for survival when external pressures increased. Offering detailed descriptions of their battles, negotiations, trading practices, and survival strategies, Smith traces the Wichitas' struggles to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and defend themselves from encroaching tribes and white settlers. A companion to Smith's other works on the early Caddos and the post-1845 Wichita and Caddo peoples, The Wichita Indians fills a gap in the history of Native Americans by focusing on this important tribe whose influence peaked on the Southern Plains long before the United States came into being.
Branch retinal artery occlusion associated with compound heterozygous genotype for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

We present a case in which mfERG and OCT helped to make a diagnosis of an old BRAO in the setting of compound heterozygous MTHFR genotype. A 44-year-old woman presented for evaluation of a 10 month history of persistently cloudy vision OS. She had been worked up previously for MS versus BRAO, and she was on coumadin, folate, and multivitamin at the time of presentation. The patient has a fraternal twin sister who was diagnosed with MS. Dilated fundus examination OS showed subtle inferior optic atrophy with slight narrowing of the inferotemporal retinal artery, and HVF test revealed a superonasal depression OS. mfERG also showed superonasal depression OS. Retinal origin of the chief complaint was further confirmed by OCT, which showed thinning of the NFL in the corresponding region of the retina OS. Coagulopathy evaluation revealed C677T/A1298C compound heterozygous genotype for MTHFR, and plasma homocysteine level after 6 months of folate and multivitamin supplementation was 10 μM (reference range 4–10 μM). The patient was diagnosed with BRAO and maintained on coumadin therapy.
Induced lactation in pubertal heifers: Efficacy, response to bovine somatotropin, and profitability

Heifer rearing represents one of the largest costs of commercial dairying because these animals do not begin to produce milk until approximately 2 yr of age. The objectives of this study were to characterize milk production, growth, reproduction, and herd life after induced lactation in healthy 15-mo-old heifers. We further wanted to quantify their lactation response to bovine somatotropin (bST), and compare survival rate and profitability of heifers induced into lactation to that of heifers reared using traditional methods. Holstein heifers (n = 32) were induced into lactation by administration of estradiol-17β (0.075 mg/kg of body weight per d) and progesterone (0.25 mg/kg of body weight per d) for 7 d. Milking began on experimental d 18. Heifers were paired based on milk production, and one in each pair was assigned randomly to bST or control treatment groups; treatments began on 25 ± 7 d of lactation, and milk production was compared for 70 d. Heifers treated with bST produced 14.7% more milk than did controls. After the 70-d comparison period, all heifers received bST for the remainder of their lactations. Throughout the induced lactation, heifers gained 0.69 kg/d, averaged 1.8 services/pregnancy, and 27 heifers calved for a second lactation. For the herd life and economic analyses, heifers induced into lactation were compared with similarly aged heifers in the same herd reared by traditional management methods. The animals induced into lactation had a 62.7% chance of remaining in the herd as long as the peer cohorts, but both groups had similar productive lifespans. Net present value for an induced animal ($2,459) was not different from that of a traditionally raised peer ($3,137). In summary, heifers hormonally induced into lactation with estrogen and progesterone were healthy, grew normally, had a mean daily milk production of 18 kg with normal composition, and had good reproductive performance. Based upon the assumptions and prevailing financial environment of this experiment, hormonally induced lactation of 15-mo-old heifers, as a routine management tool, was not more profitable than traditional management practices.
Comparison of dynamic and spiral CT for imaging the glottic larynx.

Objective : Our goal was to prospectively compare dynamic CT (DCT) and spiral CT (SCT) for evaluating patients with suspected abnormalities of the glottic region and correlate the observed differences between the two techniques with phantom measurements. Materials and Methods : Thirty-one patients suspected of having laryngeal abnormalities underwent DCT and SCT. The studies were evaluated by two head and neck radiologists for lesion detection, visualization of the paraglottic fat planes (PGFPs), motion artifact, respiratory misregistration, and overall image quality. Slice sensitivity profile (SSP) and image noise were measured for DCT and SCT for the imaging parameters used in this study. Results : Artifacts due to motion and respiratory misregistration were reduced with SCT compared with DCT. Laryngeal abnormalities and the adjacent PGFPs were better visualized with DCT than SCT. With use of similar imaging parameters, SSP and image noise were both increased with SCT compared with DCT. Conclusion : SCT produces high quality images of the larynx with less motion and respiratory misregistration artifacts than DCT. DCT allows better visualization of lesions and subtle anatomic features of the glottic region. SCT may substitute for DCT in laryngeal imaging.
Size-distribution and annealing behavior of end-of-range dislocation loops in silicon-implanted silicon

A study of end-of-range (EOR) dislocation loops in silicon implanted with 50 keV 1016 Si/cm2 was carried out by using transmission electron microscopy. Two kinds of post-implantation anneals were performed, furnace anneals at 850 °C and rapid thermal anneals at 1000 °C. We observed the ripening for two types of EOR dislocation loops. They were faulted Frank dislocation loops and perfect prismatic dislocation loops. By separating their size distribution profiles, we found that their distribution profiles are different from that of conventional Ostwald ripening for precipitates. A long tail distribution profile was formed for perfect prismatic dislocation loops. We analyzed the distribution profiles and found that the size distribution profile of faulted Frank dislocation loops could be well fitted by a normal Gaussian probability function and that of perfect prismatic dislocation loops by a log-normal Gaussian probability function. Measurement of the total number of interstitials within both types of loops...
Studies of non-covalent interactions of actinomycin D with single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides by ion spray mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry.

Non-covalent binding of actinomycin D (AMD) to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was observed by ion spray mass spectrometry. Interactions between AMD and different sequences of non-self-complementary otigodeoxynucleo-tides were investigated as a function of pH. Non-covalent AMD/ssDNA complexes disappeared at low pH, and no ssDNA complexes were detected with rifampicin (RP). Moreover, the different binding affinities between AMD and ssDNA with and without 5′G-C3′ or 5′C-G3′ base sequences were also demonstrated using ion spray mass spectrometry. Additional support for the non-covalent nature of binding in AMD/ssDNA complexes was obtained from tandem mass spectrometry.
Interprocedural query extraction for transparent persistence

Transparent persistence promises to integrate programming languages and databases by allowing programs to access persistent data with the same ease as non-persistent data. In this work we demonstrate the feasibility of optimizing transparently persistent programs by extracting queries to efficiently prefetch required data. A static analysis derives query structure and conditions across methods that access persistent data. Using the static analysis, our system transforms the program to execute explicit queries. The transformed program composes queries across methods to handle method calls that return persistent data. We extend an existing Java compiler to implement the static analysis and program transformation, handling recursion and parameterized queries. We evaluate the effectiveness of query extraction on the OO7 and TORPEDO benchmarks. This work is focused on programs written in the current version of Java, without languages changes. However, the techniques developed here may also be of value in conjunction with object-oriented languages extended with high-level query syntax.
Steve Biko and a critique of global governance as white liberalism

This article asks what it might mean to use African anticolonial theory – and Steve Biko's critique of white liberalism in particular – to speak directly to contemporary debates about global governance. Biko argues that white South Africans who opposed apartheid yet still benefited from racial privilege could not be the engines of meaningful political change. The difficult task of creating a more just and equitable form of governance, instead, depended upon the political activities of those most marginalized under apartheid rule, namely, the majority black population. I apply this argument to the claim that global governance institutions and ‘global’ civil society are best positioned to address the many problems facing Africa. Looking specifically at Invisible Children's KONY 2012 campaign and the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, I argue that liberals who today advance global governance not only often ignore their own complicity within the existing ‘global’ order, but also are actually not we...
The effects of p-chloroamphetamine on instrumental conditioning in the rat.

Abstract Hungry rats (n = 40) were given 60 training trials in a multiple continuous reinforcement (CRF) schedule under either drug (p-chloroamphetamine, 3.5 mg kg i.p.) or placebo (saline) conditions. A comparable 60 trial testing phase followed in which half of the subjects continued under the training injection conditions and the other half were switched to the alternative injection. Drugged subjects displayed slightly inferior discrimination performance in training as a result of elevated responding in extinction. No differences between groups were obtained on CRF performance. In the testing phase, extinction performance was similarly affected by both concurrent testing and prior training phase conditions. The data suggest that p-chloroamphetamine administration results in a selective disruption of responding to stimuli correlated with nonreward and that this effect tends to persist for long periods of time. The results are consonant with other reports of disinhibition resulting from brain serotonin depletion.
Diversity performance of DS-CDMA communication system on Nakagami fading with arbitrary parameters

Abstract This paper is concerned with the analysis of direct sequence-code division multiple access system operating over Nakagami fading channel having independent but arbitrary fading with unequal mean powers in the diversity branches. Performance is measured by the bit error rate and the outage probability under a generalized binary detection scheme for various multipath fading conditions. New analytical expressions are derived as a function of the number of branches, fading parameters, unequal mean signal power and the number of users. Analyses include both coherent and noncoherent binary detection schemes. The result indicates that the effect of arbitrary fading is not negligible.
The deformation of plastically non-homogeneous materials

Abstract Many two-phase alloys work-harden much faster than do pure single crystals. This is because the two phases are not equally easy to deform. One component (often dispersed as small particles) deforms less than the other, or not at all, so that gradients of deformation form with a wavelength equal to the spacing between the phases or particles. Such alloys are ‘plastically non-homogeneous’, because gradients of plastic deformation are imposed by the microstructure. Dislocations are stored in them to accommodate the deformation gradients, and so allow compatible deformation of the two phases. We call these ‘geometrically-necessary’ dislocations to distinguish them from the ‘statistically-stored’ dislocations which accumulate in pure crystals during straining and are responsible for the normal 3-stage hardening. Polycrystals of pure metals are also plastically non-homogeneous. The density and arrangement of the geometrically-necessary dislocations can be calculated fairly exactly and checked by electr...
Targeting COBOL programmers for C training: the role of job insecurity and organizational tenure

Abstract A majority of the applications development workforce in business today received its formal training and ensuing experience in mainframe computing and COBOL programming. Reskilling these individuals and persuading them to adopt innovations such as the C language represents a problem of considerable magnitude. We report the results of a study focused on experienced COBOL programmers and their transition to the C language. The study was conducted at a major financial services firm that is in the process of transforming its application development practice from a primarily mainframe, COBOL-based environment to a client-server, C-based environment. Two research questions motivated and guided the study: one, what are the perceptions of COBOL programmers about the C language, and two, how can training in the C language for COBOL programmers be targeted effectively? Results validate the general perception that COBOL programmers do not have very positive attitudes towards C. Results also point to the contingent effects of job insecurity and organizational tenure on training outcomes.
Characterization of the alpha 4 integrin gene promoter.

Abstract A cDNA for the alpha 4 chain of the alpha 4 beta 1 integrin was described previously [Takada, Y., Elices, M. J., Crouse, C. & Hemler, M. E. (1989) EMBO J. 8, 1361-1368]. Primer extension analysis indicated that alpha 4 mRNA extended well beyond the 5' end of this cDNA. To clone this 5' sequence, a primer extension cDNA library was constructed, and a cDNA extending an additional 660 base pairs was isolated. This cDNA hybridized to multiple mRNAs in both T and B lymphocytes, but no alpha 4 mRNA was found in different tissues or in adherent cell lines. A single alpha 4 gene was detected in a genomic Southern blot when hybridization was done at high stringency; however, additional bands were observed at lower stringency, indicating the presence of alpha 4-related genes. Some of the different mRNAs that hybridize to the alpha 4 cDNA may then be the products of these related genes. Analysis of the alpha 4 genomic sequence revealed a large first exon of 958 base pairs. Interestingly, translation of alpha 4 initiates from the second ATG in this exon (nucleotide + 744). The first ATG (nucleotide +21) is followed by a termination codon 21 amino acids downstream. Such upstream ATG codons have been implicated in translational control of protooncogenes. One major transcriptional start site was identified by using S1 nuclease and primer extension mapping. Consensus sequences for DNA regulatory elements were found upstream of the gene and in exon 1 and intron 1. The alpha 4 gene 5' flanking region acted as a promoter in transfection assays. Detailed characterization of the promoter should provide insight into molecular events regulating expression and tissue specificity of alpha 4.
Catalytic dissociation, hydrogen embrittlement, and stress corrosion cracking

Fatigue cracked 4340 steel specimens were austenized and oil quenched to hardness 42 R . All specimens are WOL type [9]; thickness is 1/4 in, and overall c~ck length is 2.03 ± 0.02 in. All the specimens are of the same geometry and were heat treated identically. The fracture load of the specimen in air was 7820 lb. This value provides a reference for experiments subsequently performed in a hydrogen atmosphere.
Diabetes, obesity, and erectile dysfunction

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity affect large parts of the population in the United States and around the world. These disorders are among the most common risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED), because of their effects on the vasculature and the hormonal milieu. Objective This article reviews the current literature on the connection between DM, obesity, and ED. Methods Using the search terms erectile dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, hypogonadism, diabetes, and obesity, a systematic review of the available literature in the PubMed database was conducted. Relevant English-language publications (to August 2008) were identified. Results ED is highly prevalent in men with both DM and obesity, and may act as a harbinger for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in this high-risk population. In addition to male hypogonadism and macrovascular disease, endothelial dysfunction is central to the connection between the metabolic syndrome and ED. Conversely, improved glycemic control and weight loss have been found to improve erectile function. Conclusion ED is very prevalent in men with DM and obesity. It is increasingly being recognized as an early clinical indicator and motivator for patients with CVD. The role of pharmacologic ED treatments in improving endothelial function is currently being investigated.
Pancréatectomies sous laparoscopie : une série de 22 patients

Resume Introduction. – La chirurgie pancreatique sous laparoscopie a subi de nombreuses modifications au cours de ces dernieres annees. Les indications admises actuellement comprennent le bilan d’extension ou le traitement palliatif de neoplasies pancreatiques et le drainage de pseudokystes. Les resections pancreatiques sous laparoscopie restent, quant a elles, en cours d’evaluation. Nous souhaitons rapporter notre experience dans ce domaine. Materiel et methodes. – Etude retrospective des pancreatectomies caudales ou enucleations realisees sous laparoscopie dans une meme institution. Resultats. – De novembre 1993 a juin 2002, une resection pancreatique sous laparoscopie a ete tentee chez 22 patients. Il y avait eu 17 pancreatectomies gauches et cinq enucleations. Dix-neuf interventions ont ete entierement realisees sous laparoscopie (86 %), deux ont du etre converties en laparotomie (9 %), et une conversion en technique « hand-assisted » a ete necessaire (5 %). La duree mediane d'intervention a ete de 4,1 heures (de 1,6 a 6,6 heures). Il n'y a pas eu de deces dans les 30 premiers jours postoperatoires. La morbidite globale a ete de 32 % ( n = 7), dont quatre fistules pancreatiques (18 %), une phlebite superficielle, un ileus prolonge et une collection peripancreatique. La duree mediane d'hospitalisation a ete de six jours (de 1 a 26 jours). Conclusion. – Les pancreatectomies caudales et les enucleations sont realisables sous laparoscopie, avec un taux de mortalite et de morbidite comparables aux resections par laparotomie. Malgre ses avantages potentiels (reduction des douleurs postoperatoires, de la duree d’hospitalisation et de convalescence), cette technique pourrait accroitre le risque de fistule pancreatique. Ce risque devrait etre evalue par des etudes a plus large echelle avant de diffuser cette technique dans la pratique courante.
Endohedral magnetic shielding in fullerenes. A GIAO CPHF study

Abstract Ab initio GIAO CPHF calculations on the NMR chemical shifts of the noble gas guests in the He@C 60 , Ne@C 60 , He@C 6− 60 , He@C 70 , and He@C 76 endohedral complexes are reported. Changes in shifts experienced by the guests upon encagement are found to be sensitive to the host geometries but only weakly dependent on the noble gas atom. For the He@C 60 complex, good agreement between the shift calculated at the GIAO CPHF/6-31G&DZP level of theory and its experimental counterpart is obtained, and the differences among previous theoretical predictions are resolved. A simple theory explaining the observed trends in chemical shifts is outlined.
Adlerian Marriage Therapy

The Adlerian approach to integrating marriage therapy ispresented. The basic principles of Adlerian psychology undergird the assessment process and marital therapy technique.
The Weakening of Taxonomic Inferences by Homological Errors

In the past decade there has been a growing concern in devising classification algorithms which are applicable to large bodies of data. Such algorithms are characterized necessarily by a sacrifice of statistical sophistication for a gain in computational simplicity. Accordingly, inferences drawn from taxonomic studies in which these algorithms have been employed may be affected by accidental and poorly understood features of such algorithms. An error analytic technique is presented which reduces this possibility. It is applicable to many of the classification algorithms currently in use. The combinatorial problems encountered in the error analysis are discussed and a computationally viable method for their solution is formulated. The technique is illustrated by an experiment with a small set of data.
Exploiting low complexity motion for ad-hoc localisation

As opposed to conventional omni-directional sensor networks, directional sensors have appeared in recent applications such as acoustic source localisation and vision sensor networks. In this paper we consider a localisation problem of 2-D directional sensor networks that contain a subset of static anchor nodes. All sensors are assumed to recognise the global north exactly through the operation of equipped compass. We introduce a distributed strategy to calibrate the position of non-anchor sensors. In our approach, directional sensors measure relative range and bearing with respect to neighbouring nodes. Moreover, sensors enable low complexity motion (rotation) to compensate the confined field of view and improve relative bearing measurements. We discuss the localisation accuracy as a function of deployment density and bearing granularity. Using noisy distance and bearing (angular) information allows sensors to compute position estimate that asymptotically approaches ground truth given sufficiently high deployment density. We evaluate the performance through simulations.
Potentiation by dipyridamole of myocardial reactive hyperemia in the dog

Summary The experiments tested the hypothesis that adenosine is the mediator of myocardial reactive hyperemia. This was done by examining the effect of dipyridamole, a drug which is known to inhibit the degradation of adenosine in whole blood and myocardial tissue and to enhance the coronary vasodilataion produced by intravenous administration of adenosine. Potentiation of adenosine induced coronary vasodilation and myocardial reactive hyperemia was observed in all animals. This effect was shown to be cardiac in orgin and to follow exposure of myocardial tissue to dipyridamole. This action was not abolished by propranolol 1mg/Kg. These data support the hypothesis that adenosine may be a mediator of myocardial reactive hyperemia.
On the augmentation terminal of a finite abelian group

Abstract We apply our earlier results on invertible powers of ideals in commutative separable algebras to obtain a generalization of a theorem of Bachmann and Grunenfelder on filtrations of the augmentation ideal of the integral group ring of a finite abelian group.
Direct demonstration of sensitization at 980nm optical excitation in erbium-ytterbium silicates

Sensitization of erbium by ytterbium in Er x Yb 2−x SiO 5 thin films at 980nm optical excitation is demonstrated by means of comparison of the 1.54µm photoluminescence intensities excited with 488nm and 980nm light. Additionally, it is shown that detrimental Er-Er interactions such as concentration quenching increase non-radiative decay rates at high erbium concentrations. Dilution of erbium by ytterbium reduces these interactions, leading to an increase of internal quantum efficiency.
High-density cell systems incorporating polymer microspheres as microenvironmental regulators in engineered cartilage tissues.

To address the significant clinical need for tissue-engineered therapies for the repair and regeneration of articular cartilage, many systems have recently been developed using bioactive polymer microspheres as regulators of the chondrogenic microenvironment within high-density cell cultures. In this review, we highlight various densely cellular systems utilizing polymer microspheres as three-dimensional (3D) structural elements within developing engineered cartilage tissue, carriers for cell expansion and delivery, vehicles for spatiotemporally controlled growth factor delivery, and directors of cell behavior via regulation of cell–biomaterial interactions. The diverse systems described herein represent a shift from the more traditional tissue engineering approach of combining cells and growth factors within a biomaterial scaffold, to the design of modular systems that rely on the assembly of cells and bioactive polymer microspheres as building blocks to guide the creation of articular cartilage. Cell-based assembly of 3D microsphere-incorporated structures represents a promising avenue for the future of tissue engineering.
Membrane delimited and intracellular soluble pathways in the somatostatin modulation of ACH release

The signal transduction cascade between the activation of the somatostatin (SOM) receptor and modulation of transmitter release was study using Acetylcholine (Ach) release measurements and patch clamp recordings of Ca2+ current from acutely dissociated St 40 ciliary ganglion neurons. As in intact synapses, somal ACh release was blocked by 100 nM SOM or 100 microM dibutyril cGMP, and the SOM-mediated inhibition could be reversed by 10 microM 1-NAME (a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, NOS) or 100 microM Rp-8p-CPT-cGMPs (a selective inhibitor of a cGMP protein dependent kinase, PKG). In whole cell recordings, SOM inhibition of Ca2+ current rapidly relaxes to control levels but is sustained in perforated patch recordings which decreases cell dialysis. Inhibition of NOS or PKG in perforated patch recordings, however caused SOM effects to become transient again. We hypothesize that PKG alters the characteristics of the membrane-delimited G protein inhibition of Ca2+ current. Therefore SOM receptors trigger a membrane-delimited signal transduction cascade that is modulated by soluble messengers, converging on voltage activated Ca2+ channels. When both pathways are active together, SOM causes a sustained inhibition of neuronal Ca2+ current leading to a decrease in transmitter release.
Translating Self into Liminal Space: Eva Hoffman’s Acculturation in/to a Postmodern World

In Lost in Translation: A Life in a New Language, Eva Hoffman describes her struggle to re-establish a self-concept after her family’s emigration to North America. She locates her indentity/ies and...
Organocatalytic Upgrading of Furfural and 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural to C10 and C12 Furoins with Quantitative Yield and Atom-Efficiency

There is increasing interest in the upgrading of C5 furfural (FF) and C6 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) into C10 and C12 furoins as higher energy-density intermediates for renewable chemicals, materials, and biofuels. This work utilizes the organocatalytic approach, using the in situ generated N,S-heterocyclic carbene catalyst derived from thiazolium ionic liquids (ILs), to achieve highly efficient self-coupling reactions of FF and HMF. Specifically, variations of the thiazolium IL structure have led to the most active and efficient catalyst system of the current series, which is derived from a new thiazolium IL carrying the electron-donating acetate group at the 5-ring position. For FF coupling by this IL (0.1 mol %, 60 °C, 1 h), when combined with Et3N, furoin was obtained in >99% yield. A 97% yield of the C12 furoin was also achieved from the HMF coupling by this catalyst system (10 mol % loading, 120 °C, 3 h). On the other hand, the thiazolium IL bearing the electron-withdrawing group at the 5-ring position is the least active and efficient catalyst. The mechanistic aspects of the coupling reaction by the thiazolium catalyst system have also been examined and a mechanism has been proposed.
Effects of pesticides on growth and survival ofEuglena gracilis Z.

Vapam and nabam were more toxic to cultures ofEuglena gracilis Z than malathion and parathion. Growth and survival of cells were affected by these compounds. Divalent metal ions did not offer protection against the killing action of nab
Connecting scientific observations to stakeholder needs in sea ice social–environmental systems: the institutional geography of northern Alaska

Abstract The institutions governing sea ice system services in the Arctic are associated with particular places, species, and environments. Yet scholars rarely consider the way these associations may present barriers to, or facilitate, effective translation of scientific data into broadly available information for stakeholders to create and debate policy. In light of rapidly changing arctic environments how can data best be collected and disseminated to affected stakeholders as usable information to facilitate effective planning? This article explores the linkages between scientific data production and policy implementation related to sea ice loss in the Arctic. The rapid decline of arctic summer sea ice is currently tracked and studied intensively but a comprehensive approach to address the changes is lacking. Our work builds upon earlier research establishing the need to approach sea ice as a complex multi-jurisdictional geophysical–social–ecological feature from a services standpoint. Our research cata...
CHADS2 SCORE PREDICTS PERIOPERATIVE STROKE RISK IN PATIENTS WITHOUT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Perioperative stroke is associated with high mortality. We investigated the ability of the CHADS2 score to predict perioperative stroke in patients with and without atrial fibrillation (afib). We analyzed data from the discharge weighted Nationwide Inpatient Sample(NIS) from 2001 to 2010. All
Effects of estriol on PGF2α output by cultures of human endometrium and endometrial cells

Abstract We have shown that the rate of release of PGF 2α by monolayer cultures of epithelial cells from proliferative endometrium is markedly elevated by addition of estradiol to the medium. In cultures maintained in HAM F-10 medium containing charcoal stripped calf serum, estradiol (10 −8 M) increased the levels of PGF 2α several fold during the second and third days in culture. Similar responses were obtained with estradiol at 10 −10 M concentration. When this system was used to compare the effects of estradiol and estriol at equal concentrations (10 −8 M), similar elevation (10–16-fold) of PGF 2α levels were noted during 3 consecutive days in culture. When cultures of epithelial cells derived from secretory endometrium were used for these tests, estriol was as effective as than estradiol in elevating PGF 2α levels in the medium. When the effects of estradiol and estriol were compared using fragments of secretory endometrium in organ culture, the increases in PGF 2α levels noted in the medium were about equal (2- to 10-fold) for the two estrogens at the same concentration (10 −9 −10 −8 M). Exposure of the tissue to either estradiol or estriol for only 1 h resulted in increases in PGF 2α output for the following 3 days. These results clearly show that estriol is as effective as estradiol in stimulating PGF 2α output by human endometrial tissue.
The Discourse of Transition: Teachers' Language Ideologies within Transitional Bilingual Education Programs.

Transitional bilingual education (TBE), the most common form of bilingual education in the United States, is too often entrenched in a subtractive, English-dominant ideology. This article explores the conflicting language ideologies of teachers in TBE programs, posing the question, “In what way do TBE teachers' discourses reflect/reinforce and simultaneously confront/counter the ideology of the program model within which they operate?” The article draws on two datasets: interviews with 16 TBE teachers at 6 schools in a large, urban school district in Texas and participant observations; and interviews of 2 TBE teachers as they struggled to move their classrooms away from English dominance and toward a more balanced, additive bilingual space. Based on Bourdieu's conception of legitimate language and Bakhtin's conception of dialogue, the article argues that TBE teachers demonstrate a tension between their stated positive orientations toward bilingualism and the restrictive influences of what is termed the “d...
Pseudospectral/Delves-Freeman Computations of the Radiation Coefficient for Weakly Nonlocal Solitary Waves of the Third-Order Nonlinear Schroedinger Equation and Their Relation to Hyperasymptotic Perturbation Theory

We revive a strategy of Delves to precondition a spectral calculation using an almost-diagonal Galerkin matrix. We also show that hyperasymptotic singular perturbation theory is a specialization of the Delves?Freeman iteration to a single step with a diagonal Galerkin matrix. We calculate the first three orders in the hyperasymptotic expansion of the radiation coefficient of the weakly nonlocal envelope solitary waves of the third-order nonlinear Schroedinger (TNLS) equation, which is important in fiber optics telecommunications and water waves. In a long appendix, it was necessary to develop some non-numerical but numerically essential additions to the theory of the TNLS equation: Good numerics often requires a much deeper understanding of a problem than the generation of a string of power series coefficients.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis. What does it measure

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been proposed for measuring fat-free mass, total body water, percent fat, body cell mass, intracellular water, and extracellular water: a veritable laboratory in a box. Although it is unlikely that BIA is quite this versatile, correlations have been demonstrated between BIA and all of these body compartments. At the same time, it is known that all of the compartments are correlated among themselves. Because of this, it is difficult to determine whether BIA is specific for any or all of these compartments. To investigate this question, we induced acute changes in total body water and its compartments over a 3-h period. Using this approach, we demonstrated that multifrequency BIA, using the Cole-Cole model to calculate the zero frequency and infinite frequency resistance, measures extracellular and intracellular water.
What They Tell You to Forget: From Child Sexual Abuse to Adolescent Motherhood

This study explores the relationship between child sexual abuse and adolescent motherhood, using a life story interview method. The sample consists of 27 mothers participating in a home-visitation parenting program for mothers at risk of child maltreatment. The failure to articulate the violation of child sexual abuse and to appropriately construct blame resulted in a range of self-destructive behaviors, some of which placed mothers at greater risk of teen pregnancy. Repressed feelings associated with the trauma often resurfaced with motherhood as victims re-experienced their innocence and vulnerability as children.
Efficient fault collapsing via generalized dominance relations

Fault collapsing of a fault-set helps in obtaining smaller test-sets as well as in reducing fault-simulation times. In this paper, we propose two new theorems by making use of the generalized dominance relations exhibited by a pair of faults. In order to learn several unique requirements for the faults in a low-cost manner, we employ a fault-independent analysis and propose heuristics to reduce the number of fault-pair comparisons required. Experimental results on ISCAS85, 89 & 93 benchmarks show that significantly more faults can be collapsed as compared to the existing methods, with smaller run-times in many cases. For most circuits, collapsing to less than 30% of the total number of faults is achieved.
Probabilistic estimation of Multi-Level terrain maps

Recent research has shown that robots can model their world with Multi-Level (ML) surface maps, which utilize ‘patches’ in a 2D grid space to represent various environment elevations within a given grid cell. Though these maps are able to produce 3D models of the environment while exploiting the computational feasibility of single elevation maps, they do not take into account in-plane uncertainty when matching measurements to grid cells or when grouping those measurements into ‘patches.’ To respond to these drawbacks, this paper proposes to extend these ML surface maps into Probabilistic Multi-Level (PML) surface maps, which uses formal probability theory to incorporate estimation and modeling errors due to uncertainty. Measurements are probabilistically associated to cells near the nominal location, and are categorized through hypothesis testing into ‘patches’ via classification methods that incorporate uncertainty. Experimental results comparing the performances of the PML and ML surface mapping algorithms on representative objects found in both indoor and outdoor environments show that the PML algorithm outperforms the ML algorithm in most cases including in the presence of noisy and sparse measurements. The experimental results support the claim that the PML algorithm produces more densely populated, conservative representations of its environment with fewer measurements than the ML algorithm.
Improving the medical malpractice litigation process.

Critics charge that judges and juries are incompetent to address medical liability issues. Some advocate shifting authority away from ordinary judges and juries, either by appointing “expert” decisionmakers, such as “medical screening panels” or specialized “medical courts,” or by instituting caps on damages. Problems with the tort liability system may weigh in favor of a shift to a no-fault administrative compensation system. If the current fault-based system is retained, however, policymakers should not adopt half-measures by creating “expert” panels or “expert” courts. Rather, they should better equip the existing decisionmakers to deal with liability and damages questions.
Effect of system interactions on the removal of total oxidizable carbon from DI water polishing loops

Ultra-pure water systems in semiconductor plants consist of many components. Although the operating principles behind each component are well-known, the interactions between system components, including cancellation and synergism, are not generally understood and taken into account. In this study, two examples of these interactions are studied and analyzed: UV interactions with membrane filters and UV interactions with ion exchange units. The results indicate that the sequencing of UV and filter affect the total oxidizable carbon removal efficiency and it is preferable to have filter before UV. UV followed by ion exchange is an effective configuration for some impurities but can be undesirable for some contaminants and particles. >
Corrigendum to “Seizure detection using digital trend analysis: Factors affecting utility” [Epilepsy Res. 93 (2011) 66–72]

n developing a subsequent study of our above published paper we realized that there was an error on the montages for the olour density spectral array (CDSA), referred to in paper as CSA, on Figs. 1, 2 and 3A. We are sorry that we did not see it reviously but saw it when the figures were magnified. The montage labelling is not visible at standard magnification. In the CDSA montage, the C4-T4 and T4-O2 channels are duplicated so that instead of C3-T3 and T3-O1, the C4-T4 and 4-O2 channels are repeated. We do not believe that this changes the results for our data. In the methods, ‘‘The reviewers were asked to identify hether or not the display demonstrated a seizure.’’ To clarify regarding the duplicated channels, this question was for the ntire display and not for each channel. This error does not change the ‘‘yes seizure, no-seizure’’ design of the study. The data for the seizure detection by envelope trend, seizure detection by CSA, and seizure detection by duration (Tables —3) was derived from the raw EEG data. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused to the readers of the journal.
State policy and practice regarding substance abuse treatment services for medicaid recipients with disabilities.

This article presents the results of an exploratory study conducted to identify best practice Medicaid managed care models for people with disabilities who need substance abuse treatment services. These results suggest that there is wide variation in the managed care strategies that states use to provide substance abuse treatment services to the SSI disabled population, that state policymakers are often focused on general program management issues rather than addressing specific issues related to providing substance abuse treatment services to people with disabilities, and that although managed care theoretically offers opportunities for creativity, this practice does not appear to be widespread under current Medicaid managed care arrangements for people with disabilities.
Optimization-based synthesis of microresonators

The rapid layout synthesis of microresonators from high-level engineering specifications is demonstrated. Functional parameters such as resonant frequency, quality factor, and displacement amplitude at resonance are satisfied while simultaneously minimizing a user-specified objective function. A synthesis tool implementing the optimization-based formulation can be used to explore micromechanical design issues and objectives, as illustrated with a polysilicon lateral resonator example modeled in three mechanical degrees of freedom. Layouts for four sets of five different resonators from 3 kHz to 300 kHz are generated, with each set globally optimized to minimize either active device area, electrostatic drive voltage, a weighted combination of area and drive voltage, or to maximize displacement amplitude at resonance.
Central Nervous System Disease in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Prophylaxis and Treatment

Improved treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has virtually eliminated testicular relapse. However, the control of central nervous system (CNS) leukemia remains a therapeutic challenge in childhood ALL, partly because of the late complications arising from cranial irradiation. In most current pediatric protocols, cranial irradiation (12 to 18 Gy) is given to 5% to 25% of patients--those with T-cell ALL, overt CNS disease (CNS3 status) or high-risk cytogenetics. CNS control is a less urgent concern in adults with ALL, in whom systemic relapse remains the major problem. With current approaches, approximately 2% to 10% of patients can be expected to develop CNS relapse. Children with B-cell precursor ALL who have a late CNS relapse (after an initial remission of 18 months or more) and did not receive cranial irradiation have an excellent outcome after retrieval therapy, with a 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate approaching that in newly diagnosed patients. Innovative treatment options are needed for children who develop CNS relapses after a short initial remission or after receiving cranial irradiation, and in any adults with CNS leukemia at diagnosis or relapse.
Information and Efficiency

The neoclassical tradition in economic theory uses two critical hypotheses of perfect competition to analyze the private enterprise economy. One is that the long run perfectly competitive equilibrium of prices yields a Pareto-optimal allocation of resources and conversely. The second is that the information set available to each price taking agent is costless and freely available. Both of these propositions have been challenged in recent times. Modern technological change, R&D investment in knowledge capital, and the non-competitive market dynamics have altered the very foundations of the competitive model.
Capacity of associative memory

It is well known that the second-order Hopfield associative memory has storage capacity of order O(n/log n) This result is proved under the assumption that the stored vectors and probe vector are subject to uniform distributions. Unfortunately, this is not always the case practically. We prove that the capacity drops to order of zero when stored vectors and probe vector have nonuniform distributions. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the influence of these distributions on the capacity. To improve the capacity of associative memory, the high-order Hopfield model was proposed by Psaltis, Park and Hong (1988) whose capacity is rigorously determined in this paper. As an alternative of the Hopfield associative memory, are introduce an s-order polynomial approximation of the projection rule and prove that its storage capacity is higher than that of the Hopfield associative memory with the same implementation complexity. >
Topical refrigerant spray for pediatric venipuncture for outpatient surgery

Abstract Anxiety in the pediatric patient population is a problem for outpatient anesthesia because of poor patient compliance during the initiation of the anesthetic technique. A variety of techniques have been used in the outpatient surgery and emergency department settings to improve cooperation in the pediatric age group or those with developmental and cognitive delay. These adjunctive techniques include the growing popularity of the use of eutectic mixtures of local anesthetic cream, nitrous oxide, oral premedication, and intramuscular injections. A highly effective technique to use during intravenous catheter insertion is the use of a refrigerant spray, ethyl chloride, to cause a transient local hypoesthesia of the skin at the venipuncture site. This technique is not associated with any significant contraindications or adverse reactions, and it should be considered for both pediatric and adult patients in the oral and maxillofacial surgery practice.
Young Children in Recreational Sports Participation Motivation

More than 20 million children between ages 6 and 16 years participate in nonschool sports programs, with increasingly more programs being established for younger-age children. A questionnaire based on previous research with adolescent athletes was developed to determine participation motivation of 6- to 10-year-old children. Three hundred fourteen boys participating in a basketball program were interviewed privately with this instrument.Of the 12 participation motivation items, "learn to do my best," "learn and improve skills," "have a coach to look up to," and "get stronger and healthier" were most highly rated, whereas "win games" and "become popular" were rated least important. When responses of 6 and 7 year olds were compared with those of 9 and 10 year olds, older children rated "feel part of a team", "have fun and excitement" and "be with and make new friends" higher at a statistically significant level (p < 0.05). Older children rated "win games" and "become popular" lower at a statistically signif...
TGF-β antagonists: Why suppress a tumor suppressor?

Tumor metastasis is the major determinant of cancer patient survival. This ultimate phase in tumorigenesis depends on the ability of a tumor cell to invade the stroma, migrate in and out of blood or lymphatic vessels, and survive and re-establish itself at a secondary site. A large number of papers have provided strong evidence for a role of TGF-β in tumor invasion and/or metastasis (1–6). Now, two papers in this issue of the JCI highlight this clinically significant action of TGF-β in tumorigenesis and provide very encouraging results regarding both the efficacy and the low toxicity of a soluble TGF-β receptor antagonist that effectively reduces tumor spread (7, 8).