cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel characterization of MHC class II-negative population of resident corneal Langerhans cell-type dendritic cells.

PURPOSE. The presence of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as Langerhans cells (LCs), an epithelial form of dendritic cells (DCs), in corneal tissue is critical for generation of immune responses, including graft rejection and herpetic keratitis. The purpose of this study was to characterize the distribution and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen expression of corneal LCs. METHODS. Normal and inflamed corneas were excised from BALB/c mice, and immunofluorescence staining for CD11c, CD11b, CD45, CD80 (B7.1), CD86 (B7.2), CD3, and MHC class II (Ia) was performed by confocal microscopy on wholemount corneal epithelium. RESULTS. CD11c MHC class II‐positive LCs were found in the limbus and corneal periphery, but not in the center of the normal cornea. These cells were CD45 positive, exhibiting bone marrow derivation, and CD3 and CD11b negative, confirming a DC lineage. Additionally, these cells were CD80 and CD86 negative, reflecting an immature phenotype. In the central and paracentral areas, however, significant numbers of CD11c LCs were detected that expressed no MHC class II. It is important to note that although the density of the LCs declined from the limbus toward the center of the cornea, they were always present. In the inflamed cornea, the expression of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 was significantly enhanced, and present in all parts of the cornea, in contrast to the normal cornea. CONCLUSIONS. The present study demonstrates for the first time the phenotype and distribution of MHC class II‐negative LCs in the murine corneal epithelium. In the inflamed cornea, the LCs become activated as reflected by expression of B7 costimulatory markers. These changes in activation markers may provide additional information for devising novel immunomodulatory strategies. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002;43:639 ‐ 646)
Major Analytical Techniques Based on Color: Volumetric Analysis; Chromatography; Spectroscopy; Color Measurement

An old adage among analytical chemists of a “certain age” is that when you see a color change, you can be sure that it marks a chemical change. While this observation may not be entirely true in every instance, it certainly paid homage to the human eye as the detector par excellence in the early days of chemistry.
Theory and laboratory observations of naled ice growth

Based on observations of naleds (also called au/eis or icings) grown in a refr igerated laboratory flume, a detailed, composite description of the processes associated with naled ice growth is presen ted. A spread length is derived that represents a mass balance between the water supplied to a naled's surface and the ice that freezes on to the surface. Herein, this spread length is termed an equilib­ rium length. Guided by this concept of equilibrium length and the laboratory data, length- and time-scales applicable to the growth of two-dimensional naled! are proposed. These scales proved useful for normalizing the times and stream wise lengths that correspond to distinct phases of naled ice growt h. It is observed that, even in a laboratory flume, naleds spread and thicken in a complex, layer- by-layer manner. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported laboratory study on naled ice growth. The descriptions and concepts presented herein should be useful to engineers concerned with the effects of naled s on engineering works, and of interest to those who are planning experiments on naleds.
Monitoring of check valves in reciprocating pumps

Techniques are described for condition monitoring of check valves in reciprocating pumps that are used to charge pressure tanks to high pressures (310 bar). During a period of several months vibration measurements were made on cylinder heads of several pumps. The vibration signals typically showed transients that are caused by the closing impacts of the check valve plates. The frequency spectrum of the transients is complicated and, due to cross-talk from neighboring cylinders, it is not possible to draw conclusions from spectral information about a particular valve’s condition. To isolate signatures from particular valves, time domain modeling and filtering techniques have been studied (e.g., Prony Series). One approach has been to model, in detail, the transient events that take place during each revolution of a pump. The goal of this analysis was to find parameters that can be extracted from the signals that show sensitivity to the changing condition of the valves. The results from different analysis techniques are discussed in the paper, and are correlated with the known condition of the valves in one of the pumps. Finally, suggestions for an implementation in a condition monitoring device are made.
Cocurricular Activities and Student Development: How Positive Nations Encourage Students to Pursue Careers in Psychology

This chapter addresses an issue that is very relevant, but not often studied – the importance of extracurricular activities, in particular the belonging to an International Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi, the biggest society of this type) – to student development around the world. The focus of the work portrayed links data with positive psychology and the benefits that might emerge not only to the individual students enrolled and the promotion of their character strengths but also and mainly for the construction of positive nations and the moral character of a society. The authors are currently linked to universities and organizations in the USA: Mercedes A. McCormick, Grant Rich, Deborah Harris O’Brien, and Annie Chai.
The Resolution of Disputed Communication Origins

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the resolution of disputed communication origins. There are often occasions in which it is important to attempt to as-certain the origin of some communication. Such instances arise whenever the communication is anonymous or when there is reason to doubt the authenticity of the putative source of the communication. The orderly conduct of these interactions depends upon the authenticity of the communication origins. The need to resolve questions of disputed communication origins has motivated the development of a number of techniques, social conventions, and procedures. However, setting aside the issue of the adequacy of such methods, there has been little that has been done to establish the origins of written communications. Hand-writing analysis cannot be applied to typed documents and encounters difficulties when the script is disguised or if produced by someone other than the true origin through dictation or by the known writer acting under coercion. The source of a communication draws upon his finite store of vocabulary and syntax to compose his message. Despite the fact that one may assert that these characteristics are theoretically unique to each source, in practice, the determination of a common source for two or more communications must necessarily be probabilistic in nature. This is because there is always some natural variation in these characteristics that is random in character
Perception of sexual orientation through speech: Generational differences

Previous research has shown that listeners can perceive talkers' sexual orientation at a greater than chance levels from the acoustic characteristics of their speech (Munson et al., J. Phonetics [2006]). Recently, Obeda and Munson (2018, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 143, 1924) compared the perception of 44 gay, lesbian, and heterosexual people's sexual orientation through speech by the young adults reported in Munson et al. 2006 (whose data were collected in 2003) to a group of young adults tested in 2018. The new listeners were matched in age to the 2003 listeners. A number of differences between the two cohorts were found. In particular, the 2018 listeners were less willing to judge heterosexual women's speech as 'sounding heterosexual'. In this presentation, we compare both sets of data to the performance of a new set of listeners who are matched in birth year to the 2003 listeners, and who are currently 33–48 years old. Collection of those data is ongoing. Comparing this new group to the two other groups will allow us to examine whether the apparent generational change observed by Obeda and Munson has led listeners like those in 2003 to reevaluate their perception of sexual orientation through speech in 2018.Previous research has shown that listeners can perceive talkers' sexual orientation at a greater than chance levels from the acoustic characteristics of their speech (Munson et al., J. Phonetics [2006]). Recently, Obeda and Munson (2018, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 143, 1924) compared the perception of 44 gay, lesbian, and heterosexual people's sexual orientation through speech by the young adults reported in Munson et al. 2006 (whose data were collected in 2003) to a group of young adults tested in 2018. The new listeners were matched in age to the 2003 listeners. A number of differences between the two cohorts were found. In particular, the 2018 listeners were less willing to judge heterosexual women's speech as 'sounding heterosexual'. In this presentation, we compare both sets of data to the performance of a new set of listeners who are matched in birth year to the 2003 listeners, and who are currently 33–48 years old. Collection of those data is ongoing. Comparing this new group to the two other groups will ...
Do All Febrile Infants with Influenza/rsv Require a Urinalysis?

Purpose: Infants with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) commonly present to the Emergency Department with fever. Prior publications have suggested that patients under 12 months old should have a urinalysis and urine culture performed. The primary aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in febrile infants aged 2-12 months who presented to the ED and tested positive for influenza and/or RSV. We also applied the 2011 …
Resiliency of Native Prairies to Invasion by Kentucky Bluegrass, Smooth Brome, and Woody Vegetation

Since Euro-American settlement of the region, biological diversity of the northern Great Plains has been adversely affected, mainly by agricultural conversion. The role of invasive plants in degradation of remaining prairies has gained attention in recent years but remains poorly understood. Floristic composition of US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) prairies is significantly altered, mainly by invasion of smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and woody vegetation. We measured floristic composition of about 90 000 ha of Service-owned mixed-grass and tallgrass prairie in North Dakota, South Dakota, and northeastern Montana. Our primary objective was to identify factors associated with greater native grass-forb plant assemblages, while conversely identifying features more aligned with Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and low shrub invasion. Service-owned prairies had a higher frequency of native grass-forb farther from habitat edges, such as cropland boundaries and roads, and on harsher ecological sites composed of poorer soils, steeper slopes, or with southern and western exposures. Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and low shrubs differed in their respective responses to explanatory variables we considered and also reportedly differ in response to management actions such as fire and grazing. Therefore, prairie managers can expect significant challenges during restoration management in cases where two or more of these invaders occur. By understanding patterns of invasion related to edaphic, edge, and landscape features, prairie restorationists can focus on areas where the probability of restoration success is greater and better understand how these features might influence restoration success or failure.
Riverbank Stability Assessment during Hydro-Peak Flow Events: The Lower Osage River Case (Missouri, USA)

The fluctuation of water level downstream from dams due to hydropower flow releases can negatively affect riverbank stability. This research aims to investigate riverbank instability resulting from...
“Into the Wilds of America: Teaching British Romanticism’s Transatlantic Imagination”

Teaching a completely online course was the starting point for my submission to the NASSR Pedagogy contest. I designed “Wild Romanticism: North America in the British Romantic Imagination” at the U...
Coronavirus (Covid-19) sepsis: revisiting mitochondrial dysfunction in pathogenesis, aging, inflammation, and mortality.

Decline in mitochondrial function occurs with aging and may increase mortality. We discuss mitochondrial contribution to Covid-19 sepsis, specifically the complex interaction of innate immune function, viral replication, hyper-inflammatory state, and HIF-α/Sirtuin pathways. Articles from PubMed/Medline searches were reviewed using the combination of terms “SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19, sepsis, mitochondria, aging, and immunometabolism”. Evidence indicates that mitochondria in senescent cells may be dysfunctional and unable to keep up with hypermetabolic demands associated with Covid-19 sepsis. Mitochondrial proteins may serve as damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) activating innate immunity. Disruption in normal oxidative phosphorylation pathways contributes to elevated ROS which activates sepsis cascade through HIF-α/Sirtuin pathway. Viral–mitochondrial interaction may be necessary for replication and increased viral load. Hypoxia and hyper-inflammatory state contribute to increased mortality associated with Covid-19 sepsis. Aging is associated with worse outcomes in sepsis. Modulating Sirtuin activity is emerging as therapeutic agent in sepsis. HIF-α, levels of mitochondrial DNA, and other mitochondrial DAMP molecules may also serve as useful biomarker and need to be investigated. These mechanisms should be explored specifically for Covid-19-related sepsis. Understanding newly discovered regulatory mechanisms may lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Measurement of the Pu 239 ( n , f ) prompt fission neutron spectrum from 10 keV to 10 MeV induced by neutrons of energy 1–20 MeV

Although the prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) is an essential component of neutron-driven systems that has been measured for decades, there are still multiple glaring unknowns regarding the PFNS of major actinides in the fission neutron incident energy range, specifically with regard to multichance fission and pre-equilibrium neutron emission processes. The only impactful experimental $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$ PFNS measurements included in recent nuclear data evaluations were measured over a limited outgoing neutron energy range at thermal and 1.5-MeV average incident neutron energy, while other potentially impactful measurements have been shown to contain errors that resulted in either large uncertainty increases or in complete exclusion from nuclear data evaluation. We report here a measurement of the $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$ PFNS over a wide range of incident neutron energy (1--20 MeV) and three orders of magnitude in outgoing neutron energy (0.01--10 MeV) resulting from the Chi-Nu experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. These results are the combination of separate PFNS measurements in the same experimental area, one using a Li-glass and the other a liquid scintillator detector array. Covariances between all PFNS data points from each detector and within each incident energy range were generated between all other data in both detector arrays and within all other incident neutron energy bins, yielding a single covariance matrix for all 1300 PFNS data points reported here. These covariances are based on a thorough assessment of systematic bias and uncertainties associated with the measurement, PFNS extraction technique, combination of data from each detector type, and other aspects of the analysis. The existence of covariances between PFNS data points in different incident neutron energy ranges yielded covariances between average PFNS energy values at each incident energy to be reported here as well, which allowed for firm statements to be made regarding a shape of a purely experimental mean PFNS energy trend for the first time. Although minor PFNS shape differences exist between the results reported here and recent nuclear data evaluations, the ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3 PFNS evaluations agree reasonably well with the present results from 1-to 10-MeV incident neutron energy, which spans the well-measured 1.5-MeV incident neutron energy PFNS from Lestone and Shores as well as the onset of second-chance fission. However, while the pre-equilibrium component of the PFNS above 12-MeV incident neutron energy roughly agrees in position and magnitude with ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3, clear differences relating to the relative magnitude of third-chance fission PFNS features are present in the PFNS shape and in the mean PFNS energy trends.
From Micro to Macro: Aggregate Accruals, Mergers, and Returns. A Discussion of Heater, Nallareddy and Venkatachalam (2021)

Heater, Nallareddy, and Venkatachalam (2021), hereafter HNV, find that aggregate merger and acquisition (M&A) activity explains the ability of aggregate accruals to predict market-wide returns. In this discussion, we delineate HNV’s contribution to accounting literature and provide a review of the emerging stream of micro-to-macro accounting research. We also discuss HNV’s findings in relation to research beyond accounting, including the literature on aggregate return prediction and mergers and acquisitions. Our discussion draws parallels between HNV’s results and prior empirical evidence pertaining to aggregate investment and merger waves and identifies several puzzling inconsistencies. These inconsistencies highlight the lack of a clearly specified mechanism behind the return-predictive ability of aggregate M&A accruals. Finally, we point out the challenges posed by the small sample size and noisy measures of M&A accruals that may affect HNV’s inferences. We conclude by suggesting several directions for future research.
Hand and Lower Arm Movements Classification Using Deep ANN and sEMG

In this paper, we develop an Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) based softmax classifier mated to ANN sparse autoencoders to classify human's hand and lower arm movements in healthy participants utilizing muscles' Electromyography (EMG) signal datasets from [1]. We preprocess the data for the classifier in three main ways; filtering, replacing the data with its equivalent RMS value, and finally, dimension reduction using two stacked autoencoders. The classifier achieved a classification accuracy of more than 99% for the first data set with 10 moves, and more than 93% for the second data set with 26 moves. The average classification time for a single movement was 2.1 microseconds. Comparing these results to [1] we find over 7.6% classification accuracy improvement and more than 23% increase in classification speed; both improvements are essential in developing controllable prosthetic limbs.
Low frequency of delayed ischemic events on MRI after flow diversion for intracranial aneurysms.

Background The rate of silent ischemia detected on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the long-term follow-up period following endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is not well established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence rate of silent ischemia detected on MRI in patients undergoing treatment of intracranial aneurysms with PED receiving at least 6 months of MRI follow-up. Methods We evaluated our institution's database of patients receiving PED treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Imaging records were searched to identify which patients received an MRI at least six-months postoperatively. MR images were reviewed for evidence of new infarction and medical records were reviewed to determine the clinical outcome. Results Of the 68 patients with MR imaging following aneurysm treatment with PED, 40 patients had an MRI at least six months following treatment with the PED. Of patients with MRI at ≥6 months following PED treatment, 2/40 (5.0%) had a new infarct. Of these, one had a lacunar infarct which was likely non-embolic and one patient had a punctate infarction in the contralateral centrum semiovale. None of these infarcts were symptomatic. Conclusions In this study, a small number of silent ischemic events (5.0%) was found on routine long-term follow-up MRI of patients undergoing flow diversion. These events did not lead to any neurologic deficits. Our findings add to the available evidence on the long-term safety of flow diversion for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.
Study of liquid metal film flow characteristics under fusion relevant magnetic field conditions

The use of thin, fast flowing liquid metal films as the divertor surface is a very attractive option for effective particle pumping and surface heat removal. The major "show-stoppers" for such a design concept are the magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) effects associated with the flow, due to the presence of strong magnetic fields that vary spatially and temporally. This paper reports the preliminary experimental findings on the liquid metal free surface film flows under magnetic field conditions, similar to those experienced at the outboard divertor region of the NSTX machine at PPPL. The main goal of the study is to understand the MHD features associated with the flow, with emphasis on the variation of film thickness in the stream-wise and span-wise direction, as well as film surface stability. This study forms a part of a larger research effort at UCLA, directed towards providing qualitative and quantitative data on the liquid metal film flow behavior and identifying design constraints for the implementation of a liquid surface divertor module in NSTX.
Hearing aids as an etiologic factor in temporomandibular joint pain. Report of a case.

Abstract The temporomandibular joint pain-dysfunction syndrome may arise from a variety of conditions. When patients wearing hearing aids complain of ear, muscle, or temporomandibular joint pain, the hearing appliances should be considered among the possible etiologic factors.
Outcomes Analysis in Thyroid Surgery: A Review of Patient and Provider Predictors

In the past decade, there has been a litany of large, population-based studies demonstrating that clinical and economic outcomes from a number of surgical procedures are superior at hospitals that perform these procedures in high volumes. This “volume-outcomes” relationship is most compelling for cardiovascular operations (e.g., coronary artery bypass graft surgery [CABG], abdominal aortic aneurysm repair) and major cancer resections (e.g., pancreatic cancer resection, esophagectomy). These reviews suggest that thousands of preventable surgical deaths occur each year in the United States because elective surgery is performed in hospitals that have inadequate experience. Studies have also demonstrated an association between surgeon experience and patient outcomes, which appear to be independent of hospital volume.
Familial Hypobetalipoproteinemia: Report of a Case With Psychomotor Retardation

Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia as a clinical entity is as yet ill defined and poorly understood. The only consistent manifestation is reduced serum content of cholesterol and betalipoprotein. Four kindreds have been reported and of these only one person has clinical evidence of disease.1-4 This was characterized by signs and symptoms of progressive demyelinization of the central nervous system, lack of responsiveness to local anesthesia, and dislike of animal fats and milk.1 This report describes a fifth family. The propositus demonstrated delayed psychomotor development in addition to hypobetalipoproteinemia. Twenty-two members of his family were screened for serum lipoproteins, cholesterol, and triglyceride content; eight were found to have hypobetalipoproteinemia.
Chrysippus of Cnidus: Medical Doxography and Hellenistic Monarchies

A new collection and examination of the testimonia makes it possible to distinguish from the other medical Chrysippi the Chrysippus, active ca. 320–280, who was the teacher of Erasistratus.
GROWTH OF ACANTHAMOEBA CASTELLANI WITH THE YEAST TORULOPSIS FAMATA.

Abstract Nero, L. C. (Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago), Mae G. Tarver, and L. R. Hedrick. Growth of Acanthamoeba castellani with the yeast Torulopsis famata. J. Bacteriol. 87:220–225. 1964.—Acanthamoeba castellani and Torulopsis famata cells were cultured together for 10 days at three different temperatures: 18, 25, and 32 C. In the 18- and 25-C series, the yeast population reached a peak within 3 to 5 days and then declined for the next 5 days. This decrease in yeast population corresponded with an increase in the development of amoebae, which first appeared as vegetative cells and later transformed themselves into cysts. The changes in population were determined by counts in a hemocytometer. The vegetative amoeba population seldom exceeded 4 × 107 cells per bottle culture, but the encysted population approached 16 × 107 cysts per bottle culture within 10 days of incubation. The amoebae actively ingested the yeasts and used these cells as their principal source of energy. At 18 C each amoeba consumed 70 yeast cells per day; at 25 C each amoeba ingested 35 yeast cells per day. In the 32-C series, both the yeast and the amoebae had slow growth rates. The development of cysts corresponded with the growth of the yeast population without the rapid increase in yeast population prior to the growth of the amoebic cells.
Joint prognostic effect of obesity and chronic systemic inflammation in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Obesity is strongly linked with chronic systemic inflammation, and each has been linked with disease progression and survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The authors investigated the joint prognostic effects of obesity and circulating cytokines in patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC), an understudied patient group. METHODS In 242 chemotherapy-naive patients with mCRC, the authors measured a multiplex cytokine panel and abstracted clinicopathological features, height, and weight from medical records. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the date of mCRC diagnosis until the date of death from any cause and evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Cut points for cytokines were determined by restricted cubic spline regression. RESULTS In multivariable models, elevated interleukin (IL)−8, IL-2 receptor alpha, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) emerged as significant predictors of poor OS (hazard ratio [HR] and 95% confidence interval [95% CI] for above vs below the (referent) knot point: 2.5 [95% CI, 1.7-3.7], 1.9 [95% CI, 1.3-2.7], and 2.2 [95% CI, 1.6-3.1], respectively; all P<.001). Obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) was not found to be associated with OS, but appeared to modify the relationships observed with IL-8 and LDH, which were associated with a significant 4-fold and 5-fold risk of death, respectively, in obese patients compared with a 2-fold risk of death in nonobese patients (P for interaction of .06 and .04, respectively). Similar results emerged from joint effects analysis, in which obese patients with high IL-8 (or LDH) experienced the highest risk of death. CONCLUSIONS Although obesity itself was not found to be independently associated with survival in patients with mCRC, the adverse prognostic significance of LDH and IL-8 was found to be enhanced in obese patients. Cancer 2015;121:2968–2975. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
THE PHARMACOLOGY OF INTRINSIC FACTOR SECRETION IN MAN.

Summary An in vitro technique based on the interaction between intrinsic factor and intrinsic factor antibody, was used to measure gastric intrinsic factor secretion following histamine, betazole hydrochloride, and methacholine stimulation in man. The secretion of intrinsic factor was augmented by each of these gastric secretory stimuli. The maximal secretion of intrinsic factor was observed during the first 15 min of stimulation and preceded the maximal secretion of acid and water.
State-building through neotrusteeship: Kosovo and East Timor in comparative perspective

Why do some states, with foreign assistance, transition from `fragileÂ´ to `robust?Â´ Scholars in state-building have argued that neotrusteeship is an effective strategy by which external organizations might build post-conflict states. This working paper
Shaping Youth and Families Through Positive Behavior Support A Call for Counselors

This article describes positive behavior support (PBS) as an evidence-based practice that is used effectively in schools and in the home. Counselors working with children and families are uniquely situated to understand the approach and provide consultation and trainings for parents and teachers to manage challenging child behavior. Using PBS in the home includes a five-step process grounded in observations, data collection, and collaboration and will be discussed. Additionally, the use of functional behavioral assessment will be presented as a means to develop and conceptualize individualized interventions. A case study focusing on an elementary-aged student follows.
Spatial distribution, temporal stability, and yield loss estimates for annual grasses and common ragweed (Ambrosia artimisiifolia) in a corn/soybean production field over nine years

Abstract Weeds generally occur in patches in production fields. Are these patches spatially and temporally stable? Do management recommendations change on the basis of these data? The population density and location of annual grass weeds and common ragweed were examined in a 65-ha corn/soybean production field from 1995 to 2004. Yearly treatment recommendations were developed from field means, medians, and kriging grid cell densities, using the hyperbolic yield loss (YL) equation and published incremental YL values (I), maximum YL values (A), and YL limits of 5, 10, or 15%. Mean plant densities ranged from 12 to 131 annual grasses m−2 and < 1 to 37 common ragweed m−2. Median weed densities ranged from 0 to 40 annual grasses m−2 and were 0 for common ragweed. The grass I values used to estimate corn YL were 0.1 and 2% and treatment was recommended in only 1 yr when the high I value and either the mean or median density was used. The grass I values used for soybean were 0.7 and 10% and estimated YL was over...
Comparison of predictions based on observational data with the results of randomized controlled clinical trials of coronary artery bypass surgery

Clinical decisions are most secure when based on findings from several large randomized clinical trials, but relevant randomized trial data are often unavailable. Analyses using clinical data bases might provide useful information if statistical methods can adequately correct for the lack of randomization. To test this approach, the findings of the three major randomized trials of coronary bypass surgery were compared with predictions of multivariable statistical models derived from observations in the Duke Cardiovascular Disease Databank. Clinical characteristics of patients at Duke University Medical Center who met eligibility requirements for each major randomized trial were used in the models to predict 5 year survival rates expected for medical and surgical therapy in each randomized trial. Model predictions agreed well with randomized trial results and were within the 95% confidence limits of the observed survival rates in 24 (92%) of 26 clinical subgroups. The overall correlation between predicted and observed survival rates was good (Spearman coefficient 0.73, p less than 0.0001). These results suggest that carefully performed analyses of observational data can complement the results of randomized trials.
Weight Gain in Children With Hypertonia of Cerebral Origin Receiving Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy

Abstract McCoy AA, Fox MA, Schaubel DE, Ayyangar RN. Weight gain in children with hypertonia of cerebral origin receiving intrathecal baclofen therapy. Objective To identify the pattern of weight change in children receiving intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy. Design A retrospective medical chart review was conducted to identify weight status before and after ITB pump implantation. Setting Tertiary care children's hospital and academic medical center. Participants All children and adolescents with hypertonia of cerebral origin who were younger than 19 years of age at the time of pump placement and followed in our pediatric baclofen pump program. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures A linear mixed model was used to examine the rate of change in weight (weight-gain velocity) before and after surgery. Weight change was adjusted for age, sex, functional level determined by the Gross Motor Functional Classification System, tube feeding, dystonia, and other comorbidities. Results The average weight-gain velocity was 2.32kg/y presurgery and 2.93kg/y postsurgery, adjusted for potential confounders. The 0.61kg/y increase in weight-gain velocity attained statistical significance ( P =.028). Conclusions Although excessive weight gain is not a common problem in children with cerebral origin spasticity, increased weight-gain velocity is prevalent in children receiving ITB therapy. Health care providers may anticipate a welcome weight gain in the underweight child. This consequence should be considered when managing children receiving ITB therapy, and health care providers must appropriately intervene to prevent excessive weight gain. Further studies exploring the reasons for the increased weight-gain velocity are warranted.
A 4-marker model predicted a complicated course in normotensive patients with acute symptomatic PE

Source Citation Jimenez D, Kopecna D, Tapson V, et al; the PROTECT Investigators. Derivation and validation of multimarker prognostication for normotensive patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary...
Exercise in the Management of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Despite the establishment of feasibility and physiologic benefits, questions remained about the safety and clinical effectiveness of physical exercise in patients with heart failure. In 2002, however, the Heart Failure: A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training trial showed that physical exercise is safe, improves health status, increases cardiorespiratory capacity, and yields a modest reduction in clinical events among patients with HF. The magnitude of these benefits may relate to the volume of exercise completed.
Growth, Girls' Education, and Female Labor: A Longitudinal Analysis

The link between economic growth and labor market participation is complex and elusive. Investments in female education are expected to increase women's productivity at home, but the relationship to labor force participation is less clear. Research has identified a U-shaped relationship where women leave the labor market at early stages of economic development and return when a white-collar sector develops (Sinha, 1967; Durand, 1975; Pampel & Tanaka, 1986; Goldin, 1995; Horton, 1996; Mammen & Paxson, 2000; Juhn & Ureta, 2003). This study replicates previous models using time-series analysis and consideration of large increases in female schooling over the past 30 years. The results suggest that investments in female education can overcome potential reductions in female participation due to increases in wealth, and policies to invest in girls' education appear to have benefits for labor markets, as well as family production.
Media Use and Human Values

Research shows that both values and some media effects develop slowly, over a similar time frame. The current study uses cross-sectional data collected during the second round of the European Socia...
Context and Content Visuals and Performance on Listening Comprehension Stimuli.

The listening comprehension section of the TOEFL has traditionally involved audio presentations of language without accompanying visual stimuli. Now that TOEFL is computer based, listening comprehension items are being created that include both audio and visual information. A nested cross-over design (participants nested in proficiency, level and form) was used to examine the effects of visual condition (present or absent), type of stimuli (dialogues/short conversations, academic discussions and mini-talks) and language proficiency (high or low) on performance on CBT (Computer-based Test) listening comprehension items. Three two-way interactions were significant: proficiency by type of stimuli, type of stimuli by visual condition and type of stimuli by time. The interaction between type of stimuli by visual condition although weak, was perhaps the most interesting and indicated that the presence of visuals results in facilitation of performance when the visuals bear information that complements the audio ...
Topography of retinodiencephalic projections in adult channel catfish.

Abstract In order to determine the topography of retinal axons in diencephalic nuclei of Ictalurus punctatus , horseradish peroxidase was applied to the optic papillae. The topography was found to be similar in all nuclei in that the terminal endings of ventral retinal axons innervated rostrodorsally whereas dorsal retinal axons innervated caudoventrally. In general, the retinal topography in the diencephalon corresponded with the topography of retinal axons in the optic tracts. These data suggest a relation between retinal axon ordering within a target and the pathway by which axons enter the target.
Density of Reinforcement: I. Effect on Instrumental Response Vigor

Summary.-This experiment assessed the effect of density of reinforcement (the distribution of food pellets over time) on the instrumental running speed of 48 albino rats. Generally, lower density tended to produce faster run speeds, with magnitude of reward and goal-box detention time held constant. The results are consistent with recent research which showed that consummatory response "consistency" is more important than "vigor" in determining run speed. In addition, 10- and 20-sec. delay of reinforcement produced the s1oa.e~ running speeds typical of delayed reward conditions. The problem of specifying the mechanism by which reinforcement may influence incentive motivation and, hence, insuumental performance has a lengthy history in the literacure of psychology (see, e.g., Black, 1969) and has led to a variety of hypotheses concerning he nature and effects of such influence. As Black pointed out (1969, p. loo), [he behavior of S in relation to the reinforcement appears to be a common factor underlying all viewpoints. One theoretical position which has explicitly attempted to specify the relationship between the parameters of reinforceme~t and instrumental performance is that of the anticipatory response mechanism, r,-s,, presented by Spence ( 1956) and elaborated by Logan and Wagner (1965). Briefly, this position holds that responses (RG) elicited in the goal by the stimulus events experienced there (reinforcement or punishment) will be classically conditioned to cues in the experimental situation and will tend to become anticipatory, or to antedate the accual goal events. The response-produced stimuli (s,) resulting from the anticipatory form of the goal response (r,) are assumed to acquire associative control over the ongoing instrumental response (e.g., running), serving to boch guide behavior and mediate its intensity. An additional aspecc of this position is the concept of response compatibility-incompatibility, based on the relationship between two or more responses in terms of their physical facilitating or competing properties. Thus, goal responses which are compatible with the instrumental response would be expected to facilitate that instrumental response, whereas the opposite effect would be predicted when goal responses are incompatible with the instrumental response. Evidence in support of this position derives from two studies in which rats received boch food and electric shock in the goal area of a runway (Fowler, 1963; Fowler & Miller, 1963). Results of these studies indicated that punishment at the goal could either facilitate or inhibit subsequent running speeds, depending on the specific responses elicited by the shock. Application of shock which
Pathogenesis of peptic ulcer and implications for therapy.

ALTHOUGH several features of peptic ulcer disease have been elucidated over the past few years, new questions have replaced those that have been answered. Some of the factors that may predispose people to the development of peptic ulcers have been identified, but how they produce their effects and how they can be combated therapeutically remain unclear. This seminar briefly reviews current knowledge about the pathogenesis of peptic ulcers and discusses strategies for treatment. Defense of Normal Mucosa against Acid and Peptic Injury Three basic levels of defense underlie the remarkable ability of normal gastroduodenal mucosa to resist injury from the . . .
Cross-Linkage by “Intact” Bizelesin and Bisalkylation by the “Separated Halves” of the Bizelesin Dimer: Contrasting Drug Manipulation of DNA Conformation (5‘-TAATTA-3‘) Directs Alkylation toward Different Adenine Targets

Gel electrophoresis analysis of CPI-I bisalkylation of a 21-mer duplex containing 5‘-TAA2TTA1-3‘ (the palindromic preferred cross-linking sequence of the (+)-CC-1065 analog Bizelesin) shows same-strand (strand one) alkylation of first A1 and then A2 instead of the anticipated symmetrical A1 alkylation of strands one and two. Two-dimensional NMR analyses (NOESY and COSY) confirm the head-to-tail minor groove orientation of the same-strand-bound drugs. CPI-I contrasts sharply with Bizelesin (two CPI-I units linked tail-to-tail by a ureadiyl “linker”), which symmetrically cross-links this sequence at A1 (strands one and two), but only by first rearranging the duplex structure and consequently removing the duplex distortion stemming from monoadduct formation. CPI-I induces no such major DNA rearrangement prior to or during bisalkylation. Why does CPI-I react with the adenines of only a single strand? Two possible causes for the unexpected strand one A2 alkylation are, first, retardation of strand two A1 site'...
On nonlinear kinematic hardening plasticity theory

Abstract Experimental data for metals, e.g. stainless steel, at elevated temperatures show that the loop of the stress-strain curve obtained in a cyclic tension test grows in size in a bounded fashion with each successive cycle. This implies that either the material follows isotropic hardening during its initial deformation phase from the virgin state, or that the material obeys the kinematic hardening rule by maintaining constant elastic range but with continuously increasing hardening. The known experimental data seems to favor the latter assumption, in which case the classical linear kinematic hardening rule could not adequately describe the cyclic behavior of the material. It becomes necessary, therefore, to generalize the linear hardening rule to nonlinear hardening and furthermore to make the shape of the plastic portion of the stress-strain curve variable with the number of cycles. This paper presents a development of a nonlinear kinematic hardening rule which admits the use of nonlinear stress-strain curves whose shapes can be varied as functions of the number of cycles. It will be shown that the proposed rule leads to a yield surface that depends explicitly on past history in a special way. It will also be shown that, within the original framework of Prager's kinematic hardening postulate, the proposed generalization to nonlinear hardening admits radial as well as nonradial loading for initially isotropic material. A Ramberg-Osgood form of the stress-strain curve will be utilized to demonstrate the utility of the method and, by making the parameters in the stress-strain curve cycle dependent, a cyclic stress-strain curve which grows with the number of cycles can be adequately represented. Finally, an incremental stress-strain relation which can be used in structural analysis is derived on the basis of the proposed nonlinear kinematic hardening rule.
Need for sperm retrieval and cryopreservation at vasectomy reversal.

Purpose: Controversy exists on whether to obtain sperm for cryopreservation routinely at vasectomy reversal. With recent improvements in in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, it is now possible to obtain a small amount of testicular tissue for cryopreservation in the event of reversal failure. However, to our knowledge no studies exist of who is most likely to benefit from this procedure.Materials and Methods: We reviewed 84 consecutive vasectomy reversals performed by 1 surgeon (J. I. S.) between July 1996 and March 2000 with followup available for 77. We grouped cases by procedure as vasovasostomy, vasoepididymostomy and vasovasostomy with vasoepididymostomy as well as bilateral or unilateral. Sperm was retrieved at reversal in 15 of 46 vasovasostomy (none used), 11 of 18 vasoepididymostomy (3 used) and 13 of 20 vasovasostomy with vasoepididymostomy (none used) cases.Results: The overall anastomotic patency rate after unilateral or bilateral vasovasostomy, unilateral vasovasostom...
Evidence for rhombohedral boron nitride in cubic boron nitride films grown by ion-assisted deposition

We present high-resolution transmission electron-microscopic observations of the ${\mathit{sp}}^{2}$-bonded material that remains with the ${\mathit{sp}}^{3}$-bonded cubic boron nitride (cBN) in films grown by ion-assisted deposition. These observations show regions of ${\mathit{sp}}^{2}$-bonded material that are in a three-layer stacking configuration rather than the two-layer configuration of hexagonal boron nitride. Measurement of the lattice fringe angles shows that the observed three-layer stacking is consistent with the metastable, rhombohedral structure (rBN). Significantly, rBN allows for a diffusionless pathway for cBN synthesis under high pressure, unlike the high-activation-energy route that is required to directly convert the hexagonal phase to cBN. This low-energy pathway is considered in relation to recent work in the literature indicating that ion-induced compressive stress plays a critical role in the synthesis of thin-film cBN.
Spray casting: an integral model for process understanding and control

Abstract This paper discusses the scientific and technological aspects of spray casting. An integral model is presented which encompasses and addresses each unit stage of the overall process, namely atomization, spray, consolidation, shape, pre-form solidification and microstructure. The atomization model uses an empirical relationship to correlate the droplet size distribution with spray-forming process parameters. The spray model quantities the condition of the spray upon impact with the substrate; the condition of the spray is represented in terms of the fraction of liquid in the spray and the proportion of solid, mushy and liquid droplets. The sticking efficiency is obtained from the consolidation model and was found to be a critical parameter which governs the yield, shape and microstructure of sprayed deposits. The shape model dynamically predicts the evolution of pre-form shape for different combinations of substrate and spray motion. The model for pre-form solidification uses a two-dimensional heat transfer analysis to compute temperature-liquid fraction profiles in the perform. The microstructure model predicts the final grain or cell size in sprayed deposits as a function of the local solidification time. Individual models are interlinked to identify and asses the effect of critical process parameters on the integrity of spray-cast product.