cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitteilungen aus dem Laboratorium für Geophysik der Carnegie Institution in Washington. 4. Die genaue Bestimmung von Schwefel in Pyrit und Markasit

Es ist gezeigt worden, dass beim Zerreiben von Eisensulfiden fur die Analyse eine teilweise Oxydation unter Bildung von Schwefeldioxyd und Ferrosulfat eintritt. Wenn sie fein gepulvert werden, so ist dieser Fehler nicht zu vernachlassigen; er kann auf 0.050% verringert werden durch vorsichtiges Zerkleinern, bis das Material durch ein 8 (pro cm) Maschensieb hindurchgeht. Dies genugt fur die vorgeschlagene Analysenmethode. Ungleichformiges Material, wie man es bei technischen Analysen erhalt, mus wegen der genauen Probenahme gepulvert werden. In diesem Fall kann der Fehler bestimmt werden durch Auswaschen einer gewogenen Menge des Pulvers mit siedendem Wasser in einer Kohlendioxydatmosphare und Bestimmen des Eisens in den Waschwassern; das Verfahren ist ziemlich peinlich, weil sich die feuchten Sulfide schnell oxydieren.
A framework for understanding and predicting insider attacks

In this paper an insider attack is considered to be deliberate misuse by those who are authorized to use computers and networks. Applying this definition in real-life settings to determine whether or not an attack was caused by an insider is often, however, anything but straightforward. We know very little about insider attacks, and misconceptions concerning insider attacks abound. The belief that ''most attacks come from inside'' is held by many information security professionals, for example, even though empirical statistics and firewall logs indicate otherwise. This paper presents a framework based on previous studies and models of insider behavior as well as first-hand experience in dealing with insider attacks. This framework defines relevant types of insider attack-related behaviors and symptoms-''indicators'' that include deliberate markers, meaningful errors, preparatory behaviors, correlated usage patterns, verbal behavior and personality traits. From these sets of indicators, clues can be pieced together to predict and detect an attack. The presence of numerous small clues necessitates the use of quantitative methods; multiple regression equations appear to be a particularly promising approach for quantifying prediction.
First-Forbidden Beta Decay

In the last few years study of the laws of β decay has been the object of many experimental and theoretical investigations. As a consequence, the form of the nuclear (β-decay interaction is now well-established. We know that β decay violates parity conservation completely, and can be written V-A for electron (negaton) emission (TEN 58).
The quest for an administrative nexus for information technology programs

Information Technology and Information Systems have evolved as inherently interdisciplinary fields. While an essentially haphazard proliferation of programs has helped to create a field of study that can necessarily and appropriately cross boundaries between mathematics, science, engineering, and business disciplines, the historical ambiguity with respect to program naming and classification has been, for many individuals and institutions, a source of confusion.As a discipline, if indeed there can be a single discipline to consider, individuals, educational institutions, and practitioners are constantly addressing the issue of where programs belong, both pedagogically and administratively. The existence of numerous, competing classification schemes, none of which appears to either offer a compelling advantage or commands a consensus concerning appropriateness, is the core issue the authors address in this paper.An analysis of data that are freely available (web sites for relevant academic institutions and programs) reveals literally hundreds of titles and dozens of administrative configurations for programs that fall under the broader and typical headings of CS, IS, IT, MIS, etc.. A similar inquiry into the practitioner side of the problem reveals numerous competing schemes that include, CIP & SOC, not to mention a myriad of taxonomies from various industry and professional groups (ACM, IEEE, etc.).The one thing that can be asserted with essentially absolute confidence is that this amalgam is confusing at best, and the status quo is not in the long-term interests of the discipline. The authors make no grandiose claims to having developed a unified paradigm to magically make sense of the wide range of program offerings in the numerous Information Technology and Information Systems related disciplines. Rather, this paper recognizes and begins to address the need to lay a foundation for appropriately categorizing and classifying this diverse collection of programs and configuration.
THE EFFECT OF CHEMICAL PRETREATMENTS ON THE COMPOSITION OF NATURAL ILLITE

characterized and used as starting materials in experimental studies. The untreated samples were prepared for ATEM analysis by suspension of mg quantities in distilled water and dispersion onto a TEM grid with a carbon-film substrate. Larger quantities of GL, BB, MH and F were disaggregated by shaking in 2% K2CO 3 solutions for up to 8 h. SH could not be disaggregated by this method; it was ground in a bail mill containing a 1 M KCI solution for 3 d. The illites were then washed in distilled water and treated for the removal of carbonates (acetate buffer procedure), organic matter (H202 procedure) and iron oxide coatings (citratedithionite procedure) using the methods of Kittrick and Hope (1963), which are based on the work of Jackson (1956) and Mehra and Jackson (1960). These treatments were modified in that Na salts were replaced by their K equivalents to avoid Na contamination in the interlayer site. The samples were then saturated with K § using 1 M KC1 solution, followed by washing in distilled water to remove excess salt; size-separated to retain the 0.2-5 Ixm size fraction by gravity settling
De novo variation in life-history traits and responses to growth conditions of resynthesized polyploid Brassica napus (Brassicaceae)

Variation that arises in generations immediately following polyploidization may be important for the establishment, adaptation, and persistence of new polyploid species. We previously showed divergence for flowering time among lines from a resynthesized Brassica napus allopolyploid lineage derived from a cross of diploid B. rapa and B. oleracea. In this study, we more fully assess phenotypic differentiation of lines from the previously studied lineage and of lines derived from an additional resynthesized B. napus lineage. Nine polyploid lines and their diploid parents were grown under four growth conditions and measured for eight life-history traits. Polyploid lines within a lineage were expected to be genetically identical because they were derived from individual, chromosome-doubled amphihaploid plants. However, significant differences were found among lines within lineages for every phenotypic trait measured and in response to different growth conditions (genotype by environment interactions). When phenotypes of each polyploid line for each trait in each environment were compared with their diploid progenitors, approximately 30% were like one or the other parent, 50% were intermediate, and 20% were transgressive. Our results demonstrate extensive de novo variation in new polyploid lineages. Such changes could contribute to the evolutionary potential in naturally occurring polyploids.
Fornix integrity and hippocampal volume predict memory decline and progression to Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Background The fornix is the predominant outflow tract of the hippocampus, a brain region known to be affected early in the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aims of the present study were to: (1) examine the cross-sectional relationship between fornix diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity [MD], axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity), hippocampal volume, and memory performance, and (2) compare fornix DTI measures with hippocampal volumes as predictors of progression and transition from amnestic mild cognitive impairment to AD dementia. Methods Twenty-three mild cognitive impairment participants for whom hippocampal volumetry and DTI were conducted at baseline received detailed evaluations at baseline; 3, 6, and 12 months; and 2.5 years. Six participants converted to AD over the follow-up period. Fornix and posterior cingulum DTI measurements and hippocampal volumes were ascertained using manual measures. Random effects models assessed each of the neuroimaging measures as predictors of decline on the Mini-Mental State Examination, Clinical Dementia Rating-sum of boxes, and memory z scores; receiver operating characteristic analyses examined the predictive value for conversion to AD. Results There was a significant correlation between fornix FA and hippocampal volumes. However, only the fornix measurements (FA, MD, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity) were cross-sectionally correlated with memory z scores. Both fornix FA and hippocampal volumes were predictive of memory decline. Individually, fornix FA and MD and hippocampal volumes were very good predictors of progression, with likelihood ratios >83, and better than 90% accuracy. Conclusion Fornix FA both cross-sectionally correlated with and longitudinally predicted memory decline and progression to AD. Manually drawn region of interest within the fornix shows promise comparable with hippocampal volume as a predictive biomarker of progression, and this finding warrants replication in a larger study.
Fundamental Frequency Switching Strategies of a Seven-Level Hybrid Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter

This paper presents a cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter that can be implemented using only a single dc power source and capacitors. Standard cascaded multilevel inverters require n dc sources for 2n + 1 levels. Without requiring transformers, the scheme proposed here allows the use of a single dc power source (e.g., a battery or a fuel cell stack) with the remaining n-1 dc sources being capacitors, which is referred to as hybrid cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter (HCMLI) in this paper. It is shown that the inverter can simultaneously maintain the dc voltage level of the capacitors and choose a fundamental frequency switching pattern to produce a nearly sinusoidal output. HCMLI using only a single dc source for each phase is promising for high-power motor drive applications as it significantly decreases the number of required dc power supplies, provides high-quality output power due to its high number of output levels, and results in high conversion efficiency and low thermal stress as it uses a fundamental frequency switching scheme. This paper mainly discusses control of seven-level HCMLI with fundamental frequency switching control and how its modulation index range can be extended using triplen harmonic compensation.
Design and Characterization of Polymeric Stents

The study focuses on prototype manufacturing of polymeric stents. The prototype is an integrated braided and tubular narrow woven fabric assembly. The braided structure manufactured with polyester monofilaments, acts as the reinforcing component and the tubular narrow woven fabric tightly covering it, acts as the sealing component. Prototypes of bifurcated braided stent for abdominal aortic aneurysm applications are also manufactured with braiding of polyester monofilaments. Three-way ANOVA results show statistically significant effects of braid angle, braid diameter, and heatset time on the compression force of the reinforcing component of polymeric stents. All components of the polymeric stents are manufactured with the available textile machinery.
Compliance with drug therapies for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Objectives: This study used paid claims data from real-world treatment settings to investigate the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), bisphosphonate and raloxifene on patients with a recorded diagnosis of osteoporosis. Methods: Data from a large health insurer were used to identify 58,109 osteoporosis patients who initiated drug therapy for osteoporosis. Multivariate statistical models were developed for duration of therapy, compliance at 1 year, time to discontinuation or a change in therapy, health care costs and risk of fracture over 1 year. Results: One-year compliance rates were below 25% for all osteoporosis therapies. The mean unadjusted duration of continuous therapy was 221 days for raloxifene, 245 days for bisphosphonate, 262 for estrogen-only and 292 days for estrogen plus progestin. Raloxifene patients were consistently less compliant than estrogen-only patients after adjusting for differences in patient characteristics. Estrogen plus progestin patients were generally more compliant while bisphosphonate did not differentiate from estrogen-only. Compliance reduced the risk of hip fracture (o .r. = 0.382, P< 0.01) and vertebral fracture (o.r. = 0.601, P< 0.05). Compliant patients used fewer physicians services (−US$ 56, P< 0.0001), hospital outpatient services (−US$ 38, P< 0.05) and hospital care (−US$ 155, P< 0.01). Bisphosphonate patients were twice as likely as estrogen-only patients to experience vertebral, Colles and other fractures and experienced higher health care costs (+US$ 420, P< 0.01). The effectiveness of both raloxifene and bisphosphonate medications relative to estrogen-only improved significantly with the age of the patient. Conclusions: Compliance with drug therapies for osteoporosis over 1 year is poor leaving patients at risk for fractures and higher health care costs. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Variance vs. Standard Deviation: Variability Reduction Through Operations Reversal

We show that if the analysis of the model of Lee and Tang used standard deviation rather than variance, some nonintuitive predictions of their analysis would be eliminated.
Approach for validating actinide and fission product compositions for burnup credit criticality safety analyses

This paper describes a depletion code validation approach for criticality safety analysis using burnup credit for actinide and fission product nuclides in spent nuclear fuel (SNF) compositions. The technical basis for determining the uncertainties in the calculated nuclide concentrations is comparison of calculations to available measurements obtained from destructive radiochemical assay of SNF samples. Probability distributions developed for the uncertainties in the calculated nuclide concentrations were applied to the SNF compositions of a criticality safety analysis model by the use of a Monte Carlo uncertainty sampling method to determine bias and bias uncertainty in effective neutron multiplication factor. Application of the Monte Carlo uncertainty sampling approach is demonstrated for representative criticality safety analysis models of pressurized water reactor spent fuel pool storage racks and transportation packages using burnup-dependent nuclide concentrations calculated with SCALE 6.1 and the ENDF/B-VII nuclear data. Furthermore, the validation approach and results support a recent revision of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Interim Staff Guidance 8.
Alterations in chick thyroid function induced by cobalt.

THE goitrogenic action of cobaltous salts in man has recently been reported from our laboratories (1-3). The goiters, which followed long term administration of cobaltous chloride, showed colloid depletion, cellular hypertrophy and hyperplasia, were accompanied by laboratory evidence of suppression of thyroid function and occasionally by clinical myxedema. The goiters disappeared on withdrawal of the drug. These observations have since been confirmed by others (4-12). In order to understand the mechanism of the goitrogenic action of cobalt in man, we sought to reproduce and study the effects in animals. However, the results could not be reproduced by feeding cobaltous chloride to rats and young chicks or by intravenous injections in rabbits.
Exploring the feasibility of using electronic health records in the surveillance of fetal alcohol syndrome.

BACKGROUND Explore the use of electronic health records (EHRs) in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) surveillance systems. METHODS Using EHRs we identified diagnoses and anthropometric measurements related to the FAS criteria developed by the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network (FASSNet) among children aged 0 to 12 years. RESULTS There were 143,393 distinct children aged between 0 and 12 years enrolled in Kaiser Permanente, Georgia, during the study period. Based on diagnoses and anthropometric measurements, 20,101 children met at least one criterion of interest, and when grouped into combinations of different criteria there were 2285 who met GROWTH+CNS criteria, 76 children who met GROWTH+FACE criteria, 107 children who met CNS+FACE criteria, and 93 children who met GROWTH+CNS+FACE criteria. The prevalence of FAS as defined by FASSNet is 1.92 per 1000 children. We linked 17,084 (85.0%) children to their mothers in the health plan; only 3% of mothers of children in the GROWTH+CNS+FACE group had an indication of alcohol or drugs use, but they had the highest rate of depression (39%). CONCLUSION Data of utility in identification of FAS are readily available in EHRs and may serve as a basis for intervention with at-risk children and in planning of future FAS surveillance programs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:67–78, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Excitations in a High Density Electron Gas. I

A new systematical methcd for the description of an electron gas in terms of bosons is developed. This boson corresponds to an "exciton," i.e., a pair of an electron outside the Fermi sphere and a hole inside. The formalism is particularly suitable to the system at high density, as suggested by Sawada's discussion of the same system. As a straightforward application, the effect of electron exchange on the plasma frequency is calculated. The result coincides with that of a Rartree-rock treatment. (auth)
PHAVER syndrome: An autosomal recessive syndrome of limb pterygia, congenital heart anomalies, vertebral defects, ear anomalies, and radial defects

We have studied 2 sibs with vertebral, radial, congenital heart, and ear defects. The second patient also had limb pterygia and meningomyelocele. The abnormalities in these two sibs are seen in the VATER association; however, distinguishing these cases from the VATER association are the findings of pterygia, meningomyelocele, and probable autosomal recessive inheritance. We propose the acronym PHAVER syndrome for limb pterygia, heart defects, autosomal recessive inheritance, vertebral defects, ear anomalies and radial defects. This represents an new autosomal recessive disorder with phenotypic variability. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Black longshoremen and the fight for equality in an ‘anti-racist’ union:

This paper uncovers the contradictions between official ‘anti-racist’ union principles and local practice by exploring the ways that racism shaped a racially progressive union’s politics. Using interview material, it centres on the past and present experiences of African American union members working as longshoremen in southern California. Contrary to accounts that locate racism and the racial division of workers solely as a practice utilised by capital, the author argues that it was the labour union local itself, not capital, that readily relied on racism to undermine Black workers, thereby recreating the very same destructive forces that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s principles purported to oppose.
Blood flow dynamics after laser therapy of port wine stain birthmarks.

Background and Objective: During laser therapy of port wine stain (PWS) birthmarks, regions of perfusion may persist. We hypothesize that such regions are not readily observable even when laser surgery is performed by highly experienced clinicians. The objective of this study was to use objective feedback to assess the acute vascular response to laser therapy. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A clinic-friendly laser speckle imaging (LSI) instrument was developed to provide the clinician with real-time images of blood flow during laser therapy. Images were acquired from patients undergoing laser therapy of PWS birthmarks at Scripps Clinic and the Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic. Blood flow maps were extracted from the acquired imaging data. Histogram-based analysis was applied in grading the degree of heterogeneity present in the blood flow maps after laser therapy. Results: Collectively, two types of patient responses were observed in response to laser exposure: (1) an immediate increase in perfusion within minutes after laser therapy; and (2) an overall decrease in blood perfusion � 1 hour after laser therapy, with distinct regions of persistent perfusion apparent in the majority of post-treatment blood-flow images. A comparison of blood flow in PWS and adjacent normal skin demonstrated that PWS blood flow can be greater than, or sometimes equivalent to, that of normal skin. Conclusion: In general, a decrease in skin perfusion is observed during pulsed laser therapy of PWS birthmarks. However, a heterogeneous perfusion map was frequently observed. These regions of persistent perfusion may be due to incomplete photocoagulation of the targeted vessels. We hypothesize that immediate retreatment of these regions identified with LSI, will result in enhanced removal of the PWS vasculature. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:563–571, 2009. 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Uniform asymptotic approximations for incomplete Riemann Zeta functions

An incomplete Riemann Zeta function Z1(α, x) is examined, along with a complementary incomplete Riemann Zeta function Z2(α, x). These functions are defined by Z1(α, x) = {(1 - 21-α) Γ (α)}-1 ∫0x tα-1(et + 1)-1 dt and Z2(α, x) = ζ(α) - Z1(α, x), where ζ(α) is the classical Riemann Zeta function. Z1(α, x) has the property that limx→∞Z1(α, x) = ζ(α) for Re α > 0 and α ≠ 1. The asymptotic behaviour of Z1(α, x) and Z2(α, x) is studied for the case Re α = σ > 0 fixed and Im α = τ → ∞, and using Liouville-Green (WKBJ) analysis, asymptotic approximations are obtained, complete with explicit error bounds, which are uniformly valid for 0 ≤ x < ∞
Food contains the bioactive peptide, cyclo(His-Pro)

Cyclo(His-Pro) (CHP) is a cyclic dipeptide with numerous biological activities. As small di- and tripeptides may be absorbed intact when ingested orally, we were interested in examining several common foods for the presence of cyclo(His-Pro)-like immunoreactivity (CHP-LI). In all foods tested, CHP-LI was found at levels 5-1500 times those previously found in human plasma. This CHP-LI was identical to authentic CHP by immunoidentity and chromatographic behavior. We conclude that 1) CHP-LI is readily detectable in several common food sources; 2) this CHP-LI is indistinguishable from authentic CHP; and 3) it is likely the CHP-LI in foods is absorbed in quantities sufficient to cause elevations of CHP-LI in plasma to biologically significant levels.
Planning, Technology, and Legitimacy: Structured Public Involvement in Integrated Transportation and Land-Use Planning in the United States

The authors have measured an Arnstein gap, that is, a significant difference between desired and actual levels of citizen participation in planning processes. This Arnstein gap exists because even well-intentioned professionals have an unrealistic expectation of achieving consensus across large planning scales. Further, it is often hoped or believed that technologies of representation will somehow accomplish consensus. The authors argue this is not possible without developing a stronger theoretical framework for their deployment in planning in democratic societies. The purpose of this research is to move the public closer to the center of the public infrastructure planning and design process in a productive, efficient, and more satisfactory manner, that is, to close the Arnstein gap. The authors adapt a participatory framework, called structured public involvement (SPI), for integrating visualization and geospatial technologies into large-scale public involvement in planning domains. The authors discuss h...
Information technologies and instructional design in technical communication: a redefinition

How can we harness the power of computerized pedagogy without valorising technology for technology's sake? How can we capitalize on computers and the Internet to continue moving distance learning out of the realm of correspondence courses? The answer lies in redefining technical communication's relationship to information technologies and instructional design using the social construction model as tool. Our instructional theory should follow a model of effective technical communication embedded in social structures, and our teaching practices should provide for socially constructed learning environments. The paper describes the information transfer and the social construction models and identifies the attributes of social learning perspectives. It then shows how these attributes are demonstrated in various computer mediated settings at one university.
The Model Human Processor: A Model for Making Engineering Calculations of Human Performance:

It can be argued that one of the chief impediments to progress in human engineering is the lack of a model of the human information-processor posed in such a way as to enable approximate engineering calculations to be made of human performance. The Model Human Processor is an attempt at such a model. The use of the model is illustrated through sample computations.
No Need to be Discrete: A Method for Continuous Time Mediation Analysis

Mediation is one concept that has shaped numerous theories. The list of problems associated with mediation models, however, has been growing. Mediation models based on cross-sectional data can produce unexpected estimates, so much so that making longitudinal or causal inferences is inadvisable. Even longitudinal mediation models have faults, as parameter estimates produced by these models are specific to the lag between observations, leading to much debate over appropriate lag selection. Using continuous time models (CTMs) rather than commonly employed discrete time models, one can estimate lag-independent parameters. We demonstrate methodology that allows for continuous time mediation analyses, with attention to concepts such as indirect and direct effects, partial mediation, the effect of lag, and the lags at which relations become maximal. A simulation compares common longitudinal mediation methods with CTMs. Reanalysis of a published covariance matrix demonstrates that CTMs can be fit to data used in ...
Introduction to Picosecond Spectroscopy

The aim of this short course was to provide an introductory survey of the present status of picosecond spectroscopy. The first lecture covered the methods of generating, handling, and measuring picosecond pulses. The second one introduced the basic techniques and ideas of picosecond spectroscopy for the study of ultrashort processes in matter, with examples taken from biology and chemistry. These examples had been chosen for their pedagogical and illustrative value and did not represent necessarily the most recent and updated results. Finally, the third lecture dealt with the application of picosecond spectroscopy to selected problems of solid state physics. Given the amount of material, which could not have been covered in reasonable detail in a manuscript of limited length, we have chosen to give here a detailed table of contents of the first two lectures, together with a corresponding set of references. This has allowed us to deal somewhat more extensively with the subject of picosecond spectroscopy in solid state physics.1 Whereas several review papers exist that cover exhaustively the topics dealt with in the first two lectures,2–19 only two contributions have recently appeared in which topics discussed in the third lecture have been partially covered, and from a somewhat different viewpoint.20,21 A monograph containing an expanded version of the entire course will be published elsewhere.22
Managing Vesicoureteral Reflux in the Pediatric Patient: a Spectrum of Treatment Options for a Spectrum of Disease

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), or the reverse flow of urine from the bladder into the ureter or renal collecting system, is characterized by a wide spectrum of severity. Consequently, a spectrum of treatment options exists that can be broadly divided into non-operative and surgical management. Non-operative management is based on the natural history of reflux which suggests that the vast majority of VUR, and in particular low grades of reflux, will resolve spontaneously. Furthermore, most patients with lower grades of VUR are at relatively low risk for recurrent pyelonephritis. The focus of non-operative management is to prevent urinary tract infections that, when combined with VUR, place a child’s kidney at risk for renal damage and potential loss of renal function. This is typically achieved by optimizing bladder and bowel function through a combination of dietary, behavioral, or pharmacologic therapies and in some cases may include the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. Surgical management seeks to mechanically correct VUR, either by endoscopic injection of the intravesical ureteral tunnel with bulking agents (Deflux) or with open or minimally invasive surgical ureteral reimplantation. Deflux provides a less invasive but comparatively less successful alternative to surgical reimplantation, and therefore, surgical reimplantation is more frequently utilized in children with persistent high-grade VUR, known renal damage, and associated bladder and bowel dysfunction. These approaches are not mutually exclusive, and the management of VUR is highly individualized, taking into consideration a litany of factors including a child’s age, sex, severity of reflux, response to previous therapy options, the presence and severity of renal damage, and concomitant bladder and bowel dysfunction. These considerations must also be balanced with patient/parent preference and the potential consequences of choosing a particular treatment strategy.
Access Denied: Does Withholding the Law Violate Human Rights?

Human rights law encourages due process and enforcement of laws. The presupposition, however, is that the law is accessible. In many justice sectors, particularly in the developing world, the law is not publicized or available, leading to compounding human rights abuses. This article suggests that access to law itself should be a basic human right and that accessibility must be prioritized on the global stage.
Ablation of KNDy Neurons Results in Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Amplifies the Steroid-Induced LH Surge in Female Rats

In the human infundibular (arcuate) nucleus, a subpopulation of neurons coexpress kisspeptin and neurokinin B (NKB), 2 peptides required for normal reproductive function. A homologous group of neurons exists in the arcuate nucleus of rodents, termed KNDy neurons based on the coexpression of kisspeptin, NKB, and dynorphin. To study their function, we recently developed a method to selectively ablate KNDy neurons using NK3-SAP, a neurokinin 3 receptor agonist conjugated to saporin (SAP). Here, we ablated KNDy neurons in female rats to determine whether these neurons are required for estrous cyclicity and the steroid induced LH surge. NK3-SAP or Blank-SAP (control) was microinjected into the arcuate nucleus using stereotaxic surgery. After monitoring vaginal smears for 3-4 weeks, rats were ovariectomized and given 17β-estradiol and progesterone in a regimen that induced an afternoon LH surge. Rats were killed at the time of peak LH levels, and brains were harvested for NKB and dual labeled GnRH/Fos immunohistochemistry. In ovary-intact rats, ablation of KNDy neurons resulted in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, characterized by low levels of serum LH, constant diestrus, ovarian atrophy with increased follicular atresia, and uterine atrophy. Surprisingly, the 17β-estradiol and progesterone-induced LH surge was 3 times higher in KNDy-ablated rats. Despite the marked increase in the magnitude of the LH surge, the number of GnRH or anterior ventral periventricular nucleus neurons expressing Fos was not significantly different between groups. Our studies show that KNDy neurons are essential for tonic levels of serum LH and estrous cyclicity and may play a role in limiting the magnitude of the LH surge.
Quantification of Allergenic Bovine Milk αS1-Casein in Baked Goods Using an Intact 15N-Labeled Protein Internal Standard

Intact bovine 15N-αS1-casein was used as an internal standard in a selected reaction monitoring (SRM) assay for milk protein in baked food samples containing fats, sugar, and gums. Effects on SRM results of sample matrix composition in two biscuit recipes containing nonfat dry milk (NFDM) were studied, including samples from a milk allergen ELISA proficiency trial. Following extraction of defatted samples with carbohydrate-degrading enzymes and acid precipitation of casein, the SRM assay exhibited an LOQ of <3 ppm NFDM with 60–80% recovery. NFDM levels measured by the SRM assay were 1.7–2.5 times greater than median levels determined by ELISA. Differences were observed in the αS1-casein interpeptide SRM ion abundance profile between recipes and after baking. 15N-αS1-Casein increases SRM analysis accuracy by correcting for extraction recovery but does not eliminate underestimation of allergen concentrations due to baking-related milk protein transformation (modifications).
Light-Assisted Synthesis of Metal Oxide Heirarchical Structures and Their Catalytic Applications

Short reaction times and morphology control in the synthesis of inorganic materials under nonthermal conditions remain a challenge. Herein we report a rapid, self-templating, and nonthermal method based on ultraviolet light to prepare metal oxide hierarchical structures. With this method, the morphology of the metal oxides was controlled readily without using templates.
Allergy to Triatoma protracta (Heteroptera: Reduviidae). II. Antigen production in vitro.

To increase the availability of Triatoma protracta antigen for immunotherapy, diagnostic and experimental purposes, an organ culture medium was developed. Salivary glands maintained in the medium continued to secrete their product, which was demonstrated to be active by intradermal skin test on a hypersensitive individual. Antigen produced in vitro may provide an alternative to the use of salivary gland extracts.
Apoptosis in Degenerative Diseases of the Basal Ganglia

Degenerative disorders of the basal ganglia are characterized by disturbances of motor control. Prototypic examples are Parkinson's disease, which is caused by degeneration of dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra, and Huntington's disease, which is caused by degeneration of neurons of the striatum. In recent years, it has been postulated that some of these disorders may be caused by programmed cell death or apoptosis, a genetically regulated form of cell death. There is clear evidence that apoptosis occurs in neurons of the basal ganglia during normal development, that it can be regulated, and that it can be induced in some animal models of these disorders. Although there is some suggestive direct evidence that apoptosis may occur in the human brain in these disorders, the evidence to date is partial and not yet compelling. Nevertheless, programmed cell death is an important new hypothesis for the pathogenesis of these disorders and warrants vigorous further investigation, particularly with molecular ...
Incidence and etiology of conjuctivitis in navy recruits

Recruit sick call at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois was monitored for cases of conjunctivitis during two 2-week periods in March in 1981 and 1982. Twenty-three cases were detected. The incidence of conjunctivitis was 1.1 cases per 1000 recruits per week. Peak incidence occurred during the third and fourth weeks of training and two recruit companies had multiple cases. Conjunctival cultures for viruses and Chlamydia trachomatis were negative in all cases. Concurrent cultures of conjunctival exudate were obtained from 12 cases. Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from three of these cases and Streptococcus pneumoniae from one. Despite the high percentage of negative cultures, the clinical characteristics and pattern of occurrence of conjunctivitis in Navy recruits suggest that it is caused by an infectious agent or agents.
Increased Skeletal Muscle GLUT4 Expression in Obese Mice After Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise Is Posttranscriptional

Exercise promotes glucose clearance by increasing skeletal muscle GLUT4-mediated glucose uptake. Importantly, exercise upregulates muscle GLUT4 expression in an insulin-independent manner under conditions of insulin resistance, such as with type 2 diabetes. However, the insulin-independent mechanism responsible for rescued muscle GLUT4 expression is poorly understood. We used voluntary wheel running (VWR) in mice to test the prevailing hypothesis that insulin-independent upregulation of skeletal muscle GLUT4 protein expression with exercise is through increased Glut4 transcription. We demonstrate that 4 weeks of VWR exercise in obese mice rescued high-fat diet-induced decreased muscle GLUT4 protein and improved both fasting plasma insulin and hepatic triacylglyceride levels, but did not rescue muscle Glut4 mRNA. Persistent reduction in Glut4 mRNA suggests that a posttranscriptional mechanism regulated insulin-independent muscle GLUT4 protein expression in response to exercise in lean and obese mice. Reduction of GLUT4 protein in sedentary animals upon treatment with rapamycin revealed mTORC1-dependent GLUT4 regulation. However, no difference in GLUT4 protein expression was observed in VWR-exercised mice treated with either rapamycin or Torin 1, indicating that exercise-dependent regulation on GLUT4 was mTOR independent. The findings provide new insight into the mechanisms responsible for exercise-dependent regulation of GLUT4 in muscle.
Comparative study of sigma delta and nonuniform sampling A/D converters

Abstract This paper compares the performance of the sigma delta analog-to-digital converter ( Σ Δ ADC) and the nonuniform sampling analog-to-digital converter (NUSADC) in terms of their achieved signal-to-quantization noise ratio (SQNR) and their computational complexity. Relaxation of the performance requirements of an anti-aliasing filter preceding an ADC can be achieved with oversampling and/or nonuniform sampling of the input signal. Oversampling is performed in the Σ Δ ADC, and nonuniform sampling is implemented in the NUSADC. For the NUSADC, 4-bit and 7-bit voltage crossing levels are used and for the Σ Δ ADC, first- and second-order modulators with a single-bit quantizer are used. The NUSADC uses an additive “dither signal” to force threshold crossing events and achieve a predictable average sampling rate. The average rate of nonuniform samples is calculated for both 4-bit and 7-bit NUSADC. The equivalent sampling frequency is used for the Σ Δ ADC, allowing us to compare two architectures using equivalent sampling frequencies. We found that the first-order Σ Δ ADC has inferior performance as compared to NUSADC, while the second-order Σ Δ ADC can achieve equivalent SQNR values. The results also show that the second-order Σ Δ ADC achieved an SQNR nearly equal to that of the NUSADC, with less computational cost.
Gpr124 is essential for blood–brain barrier integrity in central nervous system disease

Although blood-brain barrier (BBB) compromise is central to the etiology of diverse central nervous system (CNS) disorders, endothelial receptor proteins that control BBB function are poorly defined. The endothelial G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Gpr124 has been reported to be required for normal forebrain angiogenesis and BBB function in mouse embryos, but the role of this receptor in adult animals is unknown. Here Gpr124 conditional knockout (CKO) in the endothelia of adult mice did not affect homeostatic BBB integrity, but resulted in BBB disruption and microvascular hemorrhage in mouse models of both ischemic stroke and glioblastoma, accompanied by reduced cerebrovascular canonical Wnt-β-catenin signaling. Constitutive activation of Wnt-β-catenin signaling fully corrected the BBB disruption and hemorrhage defects of Gpr124-CKO mice, with rescue of the endothelial gene tight junction, pericyte coverage and extracellular-matrix deficits. We thus identify Gpr124 as an endothelial GPCR specifically required for endothelial Wnt signaling and BBB integrity under pathological conditions in adult mice. This finding implicates Gpr124 as a potential therapeutic target for human CNS disorders characterized by BBB disruption.
Corneal Diseases in Children: Ocular Surface Diseases

The ocular surface consists of the conjunctival mucosa, corneoscleral limbus, corneal epithelium, and tear film. Its proper functioning is dependent on the integrity of the adjacent structures: the eyelids, meibomian glands, and lacrimal system. A healthy ocular surface maintains the clarity of the cornea, the major refracting power of the eye. It also protects the underlying globe from infection and trauma. The ocular surface must maintain a delicate homeostasis, both in physical and chemical composition. Dysregulation can result in impaired vision, corneal scarring, and impaired ocular immunity. The ocular surface can be damaged as a result of toxic, traumatic, infectious, congenital, autoimmune, iatrogenic, and nutritional insult. This chapter reviews the etiologies of ocular surface disease in children. These diverse diseases can be broadly categorized as diseases of tear film dysfunction, neurotrophic keratitis, exposure keratitis, and limbal stem cell deficiency.
Relationship of compressive stress-strain response of engineering materials obtained at constant engineering and true strain rates

Abstract In this study, a Johnson–Cook model was used as an example to analyze the relationship of compressive stress-strain response of engineering materials experimentally obtained at constant engineering and true strain rates. There was a minimal deviation between the stress-strain curves obtained at the same constant engineering and true strain rates. The stress-strain curves obtained at either constant engineering or true strain rates could be converted from one to the other, which both represented the intrinsic material response. There is no need to specify the testing requirement of constant engineering or true strain rates for material property characterization, provided that either constant engineering or constant true strain rate is attained during the experiment.
Marital Satisfaction and Cherokee Language Fluency.

The Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised (MSI-R; D. K. Snyder, 1997) norms were compared with scores for 162 volunteer Cherokee participants. Differences were found on the Inconsistency, Conventi...
The Beginning – Historical Aspects of Clinical Research, Clinical Research: Definitions, “Anatomy and Physiology,” and the Quest for “Universal Truth”

To answer many of their clinical questions, health care practitioners need access to reports of original research. This requires the reader to critically appraise the design, conduct, and analysis of each study and subsequently interpret the results. This first chapter reviews some of the key historical developments that have led to the current paradigms used in clinical research, such as the concept of randomization, blinding (masking) and, placebo-controls.
Systems of Rules

We define a system S of rules {R 1,R 2, ..., R i , ...} by partitioning the contextual space of a base rule R.
LEARNING AND FORGETTING CURVES IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT : DOES TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE MATTER ?

What type of knowledge, among domain, technology, and methodology knowledge, is most influential to the performance of software development? We answer to this question by empirically investigating the learning and forgetting curves in software development using an extensive archival data set of software development projects in an IT service company. We find that prior experiences with the same methodology or technology have a stronger impact on software project performance than those in the same application domain. Furthermore, our results show that methodology knowledge is more easily forgotten than domain or technology knowledge. Our findings provide managerial implications not only to the development of knowledge and skills, but also to other organizational issues in software development such as project team staffing and career development.
Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma: Debate for the ideal surgical option.

e15644Background: Current limited evidence from observational studies suggest lack of survival benefit from liver transplantation (LT) for combined hepatocellular carcinoma with cholangiocarcinoma ...
Accuracy of a Smartphone-based Autorefractor Compared with Criterion-standard Refraction.

SIGNIFICANCE Uncorrected refractive error is a prevalent problem throughout the world especially among the low-income population who have limited access to professional eye care and cannot afford eyeglasses. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and usability of a low-cost, portable, smartphone-based autorefractor (Netra, EyeNetra Inc., Somerville, MA) in adults. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the portable refractor with subjective (manifest and cycloplegic) refraction for sequential adult participants with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or greater. For each method of refraction, the spherical equivalent was calculated. Differences between methods were tested with linear mixed regression models. A validated usability questionnaire was administered regarding ease of use (100-point scale, higher scores better) for the portable autorefractor. RESULTS Eighty-seven subjects (152 eyes) were studied (age range, 20 to 90 years; mean ± standard deviation, 51.9 ± 18.3 years). Mean spherical equivalent by the portable device was -2.76 D (range, -14.75 to 3.63 D) compared with -2.49 D (range, -15.25 to 4.25 D) by manifest refraction. The mean relative difference in spherical equivalent between methods was -0.27 D (P = .001, significantly different than 0 D). The mean absolute difference between methods was 0.69 D (P < .001, significantly different than 0.5-D absolute difference). Similar results were found when comparing spherical equivalent between Netra and cycloplegic refraction methods. Subjects reported average ease of use for the Netra of 75.4 ± 19.8. CONCLUSIONS The portable autorefractor had small but clinically significant differences from subjective refraction. The device's scores on the usability scale indicate good overall patient acceptance. The device may be valuable for use where there is limited access to a trained refractionist.