cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single-Site β-Diiminate Zinc Catalysts for the Ring-Opening Polymerization of β-Butyrolactone and β-Valerolactone to Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)

Polymerization of β-butyrolactone (BBL) and β-valerolactone (BVL) using the zinc alkoxide initiator (BDI-1)ZnOiPr [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] proceeds very rapidly under mild conditions to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV), respectively. For the monomer-to-initiator ratio 200:1, PHB number-average molecular weights (Mn) are proportional to conversion throughout the reaction and polydispersity indices (PDIs) are narrow, consistent with a living polymerization. Higher monomer-to-initiator ratios can be used to achieve high molecular weight PHB (Mn > 100 000). End-group analysis verifies that the polymerization of BBL follows a coordination-insertion mechanism, where complexes of the form (BDI-1)ZnOCH(Me)CH2CO2R are the active species. Variable temperature NMR experiments show that (BDI-1)ZnOiPr is monomeric in benzene-d6 solution. In contrast, (BDI-2)ZnOiPr [(BDI-2) = 2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethy...
Avoidance of thermal stimuli in the rat

The study of thermally motivated instrumental behavior was extended to the avoidance-conditioning paradigm. Six Ss were trained on a thermal Sidman avoidance schedule. The UCS temperature and the ambient temperature were varied, while the temporal properties of the schedule were held constant. The results indicated that whenever the difference between the two thermal conditions is sufficient to sustain responding, the probability of an avoidance response is related to the mean of the UCS and ambient temperatures.
Aluminum sulfate treatment: Short-term effect on complex phosphorus compounds in a eutrophic lake

Application of aluminum sulfate to the hypolimnion of West Twin Lake, a hardwater eutrophic lake in northeastern Ohio, did not efficiently remove complex phosphorus compounds from the water column. The majority of the complex phosphorus compounds remaining after alum treatment released P04 following brief treatment with alkaline phosphatase.
Group disparities and health information: a study of online access for the underserved.

The Internet is an oft-cited learning resource, useful to consumers who seek to educate themselves on specific technical issues or knowledge-intensive topics. Availability of public-access Internet portals and decreasing costs of personal computers have created a consensus that unequal access to information, or a “Digital Divide”, presents a like problem specific to information for uninsured or under-insured healthcare consumers. Access to information, however, is now an essential part of consumer-centric healthcare management. To date little research has been done to differentiate levels of health information access on the Web by different subgroups, linking online socioeconomic characteristics and health seeking behaviors. This analysis of a landmark Pew Foundation survey seeks to differentiate and delineate information access, or lack of desired access, across targeted, “digitally underserved” subgroups.
Mechanism and kinetics of the reaction of F with trivalent phosphorus iodide using electron spin resonance detection

Abstract The reaction of iodobistrifluoromethylphosphine, P(CF 3 ) 2 I, with atomic fluorine was studied by fast-flow ESR methods. The initial stage of the reaction is the abstraction of I by F, to form IF with a bimolecular rate constant of (1.0 ± 0.3) × 10 14 cm 3 mol −1 s −1 at 297 K. In the presence of excess F, stepwise addition to the phosphorous occurs. In the presence of excess P(CF 3 ) 2 I, the reaction P(CF 3 ) 2 + IF → P (CF 3 ) 2 F + I appears to take place. This reaction rate is slow relative to P(CF 3 ) 2 + F → P(CF 3 ) 2 F.
Low-Terahertz Spectroscopy of Liquid Water

In this work we present the results on combined experimental and computational study of sub-THz spectra of liquid water. The important new result is the detection of hydrogen bonds in liquid water. The experimental study was performed by employing Fourier Transform terahertz (THz) spectroscopy with spectral resolution of 0.25 cm -1 . Resonance features in transmission spectra of water layers between thin film substrates are demonstrated in the sub-THz range. The theoretical approach for computer simulation of THz absorption spectra from liquid water is also discussed. The molecular dynamical (MD) simulations of water were performed using Amber 8 and the TIP3P, SPCE (Extended Single Point Charge) and TIP4P water models. Several examples of modeling results are presented. The experimental spectra are compared with the theoretical predictions. The SPCE model better correlates with experimental spectra compare to two other models.
Calcium Influx Mechanisms Underlying Calcium Oscillations in Rat Hepatocytes

The process of capacitative or store-operated Ca2+ entry has been extensively investigated, and recently two major molecular players in this process have been described. Stromal interacting molecule (STIM) 1 acts as a sensor for the level of Ca2+ stored in the endoplasmic reticulum, and Orai proteins constitute pore-forming subunits of the store-operated channels. Store-operated Ca2+ entry is readily demonstrated with protocols that provide extensive Ca2+ store depletion; however, the role of store-operated entry with modest and more physiological cell stimuli is less certain. Recent studies have addressed this question in cell lines; however, the role of store-operated entry during physiological activation of primary cells has not been extensively investigated, and there is little or no information on the roles of STIM and Orai proteins in primary cells. Also, the nature of the Ca2+ influx mechanism with hormone activation of hepatocytes is controversial. Hepatocytes respond to physiological levels of glycogenolytic hormones with well-characterized intracellular Ca2+ oscillations. In the current study, we have used both pharmacological tools and RNA interference (RNAi)-based techniques to investigate the role of store-operated channels in the maintenance of hormone-induced Ca2+ oscillations in rat hepatocytes. Pharmacological inhibitors of store-operated channels blocked thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ entry but only partially reduced the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations. Similarly, RNAi knockdown of STIM1 or Orai1 substantially reduced thapsigargin-induced calcium entry, and more modestly diminished the frequency of vasopressin-induced oscillations. Conclusion: Our findings establish that store-operated Ca2+ entry plays a role in the maintenance of agonist-induced oscillations in primary rat hepatocytes but indicate that other agonist-induced entry mechanisms must be involved to a significant extent. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
A corticotropin-releasing factor antagonist reverses the stress-induced changes of exploratory behavior in mice

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) to rats and mice has been shown to elicit a variety of behaviors resembling those that occur in stress. In a novel multicompartment chamber, ICV CRF altered the behaviors in a manner closely resembling that observed following a period of restraint. In particular, 75 ng CRF ICV or 30-40 min restraint markedly reduced the time mice spent in contact with novel stimuli. ICV injections of a peptide antagonist of CRF, alpha-helical CRF9-41 (ahCRF), reversed the effects of restraint on this measure. This effect of ahCRF was dose dependent, with a minimal effective dose of 10 micrograms. Other behavioral measures appeared normal, and ahCRF did not significantly alter the stimulus-contact time in unrestrained mice. These results provide strong evidence to support the hypothesis that endogenous CRF may be a factor affecting stress-induced changes in exploratory behavior in mice.
A comparison of a first-order thermal lensing model to a closed aperture Z-scan for the propagation of light in ocular media

The phenomenon of thermal lensing was investigated in water using a Z-scan method and corresponding first-order mathematical models. Data from first-order thermal lensing models and ABCD beam propagation methods were used to simulate the non-linear absorption of water held in a thin sample cuvette for a Z-scan optical set up of CW cases at 1313 nm. The single beam closed aperture Z-scan was then used to determine the non-linear absorption at 1313 nm for water in 10 mm and 2 mm cuvettes at 48.00, 16.80, 9.80 and 2.83 mW then compared to the first-order model data. The results from the closed aperture Z-scan were also used to back calculate the spot size in the far field for comparison to the model's prediction of the beam's temporal response. Experimental Z-scan data were found not to correlate strongly with our first-order model suggesting the need for higher order models to successfully predict spot size in absorbing media inside the Rayleigh range.
Lessons learned from building a graph transformation system

Model-driven software development is a language- and transformation-based paradigm, where the various development tasks of engineers are cast in this framework. During the past decade we have developed, evolved, and applied in practical projects a manifestation of this principle through a suite of tools we call the Model-Integrated Computing suite. Graph transformations are fundamental to this environment and tools for constructing model translators, for the specification of the semantics of languages, for the evolution of modeling languages, models, and their transformations have been built. Designing and building these tools have taught us interesting lessons about graph transformation techniques, language engineering, scalability and abstractions, pragmatic semantics, verification, and evolutionary changes in tools and designs. In the paper we briefly summarize the techniques and tools we have developed and used, and highlight our experience in constructing and using them.
Implementing a Collaborative Protocol in a Sepsis Intervention Program: Lessons Learned

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to see the effect of the implementation of a Sepsis Intervention Program on the standard processes of patient care using a collaborative approach between the Emergency Department (ED) and Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). This was performed in a large urban tertiary-care hospital, with no previous experience utilizing a specific intervention program as routine care for septic shock and which has services and resources commonly available in most hospitals. The study included 106 patients who presented to the ED with severe sepsis or septic shock. Eighty-seven of those patients met the inclusion criteria for complete data analysis. The ED and MICU staff underwent a 3-month training period followed by implementation of a protocol for sepsis intervention program over 6 months. In the first 6 months of the program’s implementation, 106 patients were admitted to the ED with severe sepsis and septic shock. During this time, the ED attempted to initiate the sepsis intervention protocol in 76% of the 87 septic patients who met the inclusion criteria. This was assessed by documentation of a central venous catheter insertion for continuous SvO2 monitoring in a patient with sepsis or septic shock. However, only 48% of the eligible patients completed the early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) protocol. Our data showed that the in-hospital mortality rate was 30.5% for the 87 septic shock patients with a mean APACHE II score of 29. This was very similar to a landmark study of EGDT (30.5% mortality with mean APACHE II of 21.5). Data collected on processes of care showed improvements in time to fluid administration, central venous access insertion, antibiotic administration, vasopressor administration, and time to MICU transfer from ED arrival in our patients enrolled in the protocol versus those who were not. Further review of our performance data showed that processes of care improved steadily the longer the protocol was in effect, although this was not statistically significant. There was no improvement in secondary outcomes, including total length of hospital stay, MICU days, and mortality. Implementation of a sepsis intervention program as a standard of care in a typical hospital protocol leads to improvements in processes of care. However, despite a collaborative approach, the sepsis intervention program was underutilized with only 48% of the patients completing the sepsis intervention protocol.
Goodness-of-fit tests for kernel regression with an application to option implied volatilities

This paper proposes a test of a restrictedspeci"cation of regression, basedon comparing residual sum of squares from kernel regression. Our main case is where both the restrictedspeci"cation andthe general mod el are nonparametric, with our test equivalently viewed as a test of dimension reduction. We discuss practical features of implementing the test, andvariations applicable to testing parametric mod els as the null hypothesis, or semiparametric models that depend on a "nite parameter vector as well as unknown functions. We apply our testing procedure to option prices; we reject a parametric version of the Black–Scholes formula but fail to reject a semiparametric version against a general nonparametric regression. ? 2001 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved. JEL classi/cation: C12; C14
Versatile N2S2 nickel-dithiolates as mono- and bridging bidentate, S-donor ligands to gold(I)

Development of square planar cis-dithiolate nickel complexes as metallo S-donor ligands focuses on the synthesis and structures of gold(I) heterometallic clusters derived from assemblage with three NiN2S2 complexes: Ni(bme-daco), Ni(bme-dach) and Ni(ema)2− (bme-daco = (bismercaptoethanediazacyclooctane); bme-dach = bismercaptoethanediazacycloheptane; and ema = N,N′-ethylenebis-2-mercaptoacetamide). With Ph3PAuCl as the gold source, examples of simple S-aurolation retaining the PPh3 on Au+ were obtained for [{Ni(bme-daco)}AuPPh3]+Cl− and [{Ni(ema)}2Au4(PPh3)4], where the latter complex demonstrated unsupported aurophilic interactions between [{Ni(ema)}Au2(PPh3)2] units in its X-ray crystal structure (Au–Au = 3.054 and 3.127 A). Three compounds containing fully-supported digold units with Au–Au distances in the aurophilic range of 3.11 to 3.13 A were found as stair-step structures in which planar NiN2S2 step treads are connected by planar S2Au2S2 risers at ca. 90°: [{Ni(bme-daco)}2Au2]2+(Cl−)2; [{Ni(bme-dach)}2Au2]2+(Cl−)2; and (Et4N+)2[{Ni(ema)}2Au2]2−. Electrochemical data from cyclic voltammograms demonstrated a positive shift in NiII/I couples for the [{NiN2S2}xAuy] complexes as compared to the NiN2S2 precursors and a ca. 700 mV decrease in communication between multiple NiN2S2 units as compared to [{NiN2S2}2Ni]2+ analogues in slant chair conformation. The analogy between NiN2S2 metallodithiolate ligands and diphosphine ligands holds here as in other examples of inorganic and organometallic complexes.
The consistency of family and peer influences on the development of substance use in adolescence.

Latent growth modeling (LGM) was used to analyse longitudinal data for adolescent substance use from five overlapping age cohorts (11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 years at first assessment) measured at four annual time points. An associative cohort-sequential model was tested for alcohol, cigarette and marijuana use with a sample of 345 adolescents (11-18 years old) from an urban area in the Pacific Northwestern region of the United States. Hypotheses concerning the shape of the growth curve, the extent of individual differences in the common trajectory over time, and the influence of family cohesion, peer encouragement and gender on initial substance use and shape of the growth curve were tested. Results indicated similarities between alcohol, cigarette and marijuana initial use and development, with peer encouragement and family cohesion predictive of initial levels of use, and changes in peer encouragement influencing the developmental trajectories of the three substances. Females were higher than males in initial status and developed less rapidly in their use of the substances than did males. Findings are discussed in terms of the similarities and differences in the developmental trajectories of the three substances and the importance of family and peer influences on these trends. Language: en
Speckle myocardial imaging modalities for early detection of myocardial impairment in isolated left ventricular non-compaction

Objective To examine the hypothesis that speckle myocardial imaging (SMI) modalities, including longitudinal, radial and circumferential systolic (s) and diastolic (d) myocardial velocity imaging, displacement (D), strain rate (SR) and strain (S), as well as left ventricular (LV) rotation/torsion are sensitive for detecting early myocardial dysfunction in isolated LV non-compaction (iLVNC). Design and results Twenty patients with iLVNC diagnosed by cardiac magnetic resonance (15) or echocardiography (5) were included. Patients were divided into two groups: ejection fraction (EF)>50% (n=10) and EF≤50% (n=10). Standard measures of systolic and diastolic function including pulsed wave tissue Doppler Imaging (PWTDI) were obtained. Longitudinal, radial and circumferential SMI, and LV rotation/torsion were compared with values for 20 age/sex-matched controls. EF, PWTDI E9, E/E9 and all of the SMI modalities were significantly abnormal for patients with EF≤50% compared with controls. In contrast, EF and PWTDI E9, E/E9 were not significantly different between controls and patients with iLVNC (EF>50%). However, SMI-derived longitudinal sS, sSR, sD and radial sS, as well as LV rotation/torsion values, were all reduced in iLVNC (EF>50%) compared with controls. Measurements with the highest discriminating power between iLVNC (EF>50%) and controls were longitudinal sS mean of the six apical segments (area under the curve (AUC)=0.94), sS global average (AUC=0.94), LV rotation apical mean (AUC=0.94); LV torsion (AUC=0.93) LV torsion rate (AUC=0.94). Conclusions LV SMI values are reduced in patients with iLVNC, even those with normal EF and PWTDI. The most accurate SMI modalities to discriminate between patients and controls are longitudinal sS mean of the six apical segments, LV apical rotation or LV torsion rate.
Determination of methenamine, methenamine mandelate and methenamine hippurate in pharmaceutical preparations using ion-exchange HPLC

An ion-exchange column high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of methenamine in methenamine and methenamine hippurate pharmaceutical preparations. The HPLC method uses a Zorbax SCX-300 column with acetonitrile-0.1M sodium perchlorate monohydrate (pH 5.8) (70:30, v/v) as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 1 mL/min. UV-detection was at 212 nm. The linear concentration plots for methenamine were linear over the concentration range of 0.25-50mM for methenamine and methenamine mandelate standards. The intra-day RSD precision was <1.25%, and for inter-day, <1.85%. The peaks for mandelic acid, hippuric acid and the other ingredients from placebo tablets do not interfere with the analysis for methenamine. The accuracy of this method was shown to be 99-101% by measuring the recovery of methenamine from spiked placebo tablets. The assay of methenamine from methenamine hippurate tablets and from a urinary antiseptic tablet containing methenamine were in the range of 98-102%. This HPLC method is a fast, simple and straightforward method for the analysis of methenamine in pharmaceutical preparations.
Elbow valgus stress radiography in an uninjured population

Valgus instability of the elbow joint is a clinical diagnosis. However, many authors describe valgus stress radiographs as an aid in making this diagnosis. We studied valgus stress radiographs of 20 men (40 elbows) and 20 women (40 elbows), none with a history of elbow trauma or instability. The medial ulnohumeral distance was measured with no stress, valgus stress by gravity, and an applied valgus stress of 25 N (approximately 5 pounds). Measurements were made with the elbow positioned in extension and in 30 degrees of flexion. The increase in medial ulnohumeral gapping with either gravity or 5 pounds of stress was statistically significant at both extension and 30 degrees of flexion compared with the unstressed condition. The difference in ulnohumeral gapping between gravity stress and 5 pounds of valgus stress in extension and in 30 degrees of flexion was also significant. We found no differences with regard to hand dominance or sex. We conclude that uninjured elbows have significant medial ulnohumeral gapping on valgus stress radiography. Although this is an important tool in diagnosing valgus instability of the elbow, it may yield a false-positive assessment of valgus instability. Valgus stress radiographs comparing contralateral elbows may reduce the false-positive rate since there appears to be no significant difference in medial ulnohumeral gapping between the two elbows.
Characterization of epoxy–surfactant interactions

We have investigated epoxies based on the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) cured with 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI-24) in the presence of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100. A goal was to determine if the viscoelastic properties of the epoxy–surfactant system differed when prepared in bulk form, as opposed to being cast as a thin film on the surface of E-glass cloth. Such a combination of materials has generated great interest for potential use in the construction of laminated circuit boards. Using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), it was determined that the surfactant acts as a plasticizer and is miscible with the epoxy system in concentrations up to 15% by weight. The glass transition temperature (Tg) depression of the epoxy due to the surfactant was accurately described by the Fox equation. DMA master curves were constructed in the frequency domain. The temperature dependence of the shift factors was used to determine the fragility of each of the samples studied. It was found that the fragility (cooperativity) of the epoxy decreased as the concentration of surfactant increased, presumably due to a reduction of intermolecular constraints. The fragility of the combined epoxy–surfactant system increased when cast on the surface of the E-glass cloth. Results for our model epoxy–surfactant resin were in excellent agreement with those obtained using a commercially available aqueous waterborne epoxy resin. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 2781–2792, 1998
Hemodialysis catheter insertion: is increased PO2 a sign of arterial cannulation? A case report

Background: Ultrasound-guided Central Venous Catheterization (CVC) for temporary vascular access, preferably using the right internal jugular vein, is widely accepted by nephrologists. However CVC is associated with numerous potential complications, including death. We describe the finding of a rare left-sided partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection during central venous catheterization for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Case presentation: Ultrasound-guided cannulation of a large bore temporary dual-lumen Quinton-Mahurkar catheter into the left internal jugular vein was performed for CRRT initiation in a 66 year old African-American with sepsis-related oliguric acute kidney injury. The post-procedure chest X-ray suggested inadvertent left carotid artery cannulation. Blood gases obtained from the catheter showed high partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) of 140 mmHg and low partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) of 22 mmHg, suggestive of arterial cannulation. However, the pressure-transduced wave forms appeared venous and Computed Tomography Angiography located the catheter in the left internal jugular vein, but demonstrated that the tip of the catheter was lying over a left pulmonary vein which was abnormally draining into the left brachiocephalic (innominate) vein rather than into the left atrium. Conclusion: Although several mechanical complications of dialysis catheters have been described, ours is one of the few cases of malposition into an anomalous pulmonary vein, and highlights a sequential approach to properly identify the catheter location in this uncommon clinical scenario.
Glycemic Control for Postoperative Pediatric Cardiac Patients

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperglycemia among pediatric postoperative cardiac patients, its impact on outcomes, and whether hyperglycemia can be controlled effectively in this population. A retrospective chart review of 100 postoperative patients admitted to the authors’ pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) was conducted. Patients were evaluated for incidence of hyperglycemia, defined as blood glucose (BG) level exceeding 7.7 mmol/l (140 mg/dl), and outcomes. The evaluation also included 20 different postoperative patients with a BG level exceeding 7.7 mmol/l (140 mg/dl) who received management with insulin via the authors’ pediatric-specific glycemic control protocol. The BG control and hypoglycemic rates in this cohort were assessed. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 84%. The hyperglycemic patients had higher inotrope scores, longer hospital stays, more mechanical ventilation days, and higher mortality rates than those without hyperglycemia. For the patients with hyperglycemia managed via the authors’ pediatric-specific glycemic control protocol, 62% of all BG values were within the authors’ goal range, and less than 4% of BG values were less than 3.3 mmol/l (60 mg/dl). No patient had a BG level lower than 2.2 mmol/l (40 mg/dl) during glycemic management. Severe hyperglycemia is prevalent among postoperative pediatric cardiac patients and correlates with morbidity and mortality. Hyperglycemia may be controlled effectively in these patients using a pediatric-specific glycemic control protocol without increasing the incidence of hypoglycemia.
Overview Article: Basal Lamina of Epidermis, Muscle Fibers, Muscle Capillaries, and Renal Tubules: Changes with Aging and in Diabetes Mellitus

Using autopsy material from 14 diabetics and 10 controls (8-84 years old), the authors measured the thickness of basal lamina (BL) in skeletal muscle capillaries, renal tubules, skeletal muscle fibers, and epidermis to determine whether BL accumulation is a generalized phenomenon or limited only to certain anatomic structures. The four structures were selected because earlier experiments in animals have shown that in two (muscle capillaries and renal tubules) BL accumulates as a by-product of cell renewal while in the other two (muscle fibers and epidermis) it does not. In human tissues we found that BL accumulates in muscle capillaries and renal tubules but not in muscle fibers and epidermis, in muscle capillaries and in renal tubules it accumulates in controls and in diabetics as a function of aging, more BL in both anatomic structures accumulates in diabetics than in controls, and the extent of BL accumulation in muscle capillaries and renal tubules does not correlate with duration of diabetes mellitus. In addition to the fact that BL does not accumulate in all anatomic structures in which BL is normally present, the observations indicate that diabetes alone is not responsible for BL accumulation, diabetes exaggerates age-dependent accumulation of BL, and accumulation of BL in man is probably a by-product of cell renewal.
Development of a small rotary wing autonomous vehicle

This paper discusses ongoing work being performed to develop a rotary wing autonomous vehicle. A small avionics package has been developed, installed, and verified on a Bergen Industrial Twin Helicopter. The avionics development included the design of an ultrasonic altimeter and mounting of a three-axis accelerometer. A small data logger based on a Motorola MC68332 processor was used to collect sensor data. A control program for the data logger was developed using the C programming language. The operation of the avionics package was validated through ground and flight testing. Concurrently with the development of the avionics package, a dynamic model of the helicopter was developed using aerodynamic parameterization and linear state-space modeling techniques. The Joint Army/Navy Rotorcraft Analysis and Design (JANRAD) computer program was utilized to obtain the stability and control derivatives. The fidelity of the simulation model was verified by comparing the simulation responses with data collected from the avionics sensors during flight tests.
Simultaneous midline laser glossectomy with palatopharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

We investigate the outcome of performing tongue base reduction surgery and palatopharyngeal surgery in a single stage to determine whether the same-stage midline laser glossectomy (MLG) with extended uvulopalatal flap (EUPF) for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a safe and effective procedure. Six male patients with a history of severe OSAS were recruited into the retrospective study. They were the first patients to undergo the MLG with EUPF procedure. Patients were identified to have retropalatal and hypopharyngeal sites of obstruction on the basis of fiberoptic endoscopy with Muller's manoeuvre and three-dimensional computerised tomography. No significant adverse events occurred. The follow-up polysomnography (6-month follow-up) revealed that the mean respiratory disturbance index from 50.7 to 11.6, snoring index from 230.9 to 137.3 and the minimal oxygen saturation from 76.3 to 88.8. This study confirms that the same-stage MLG with EUPF for OSAS is a safe and effective procedure.
Evaluation of Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterizations in Tropical Cyclones by Comparison of In Situ Observations and High-Resolution Simulations of Hurricane Isabel (2003). Part II: Inner-Core Boundary Layer and Eyewall Structure

This is the second of a two-part study of the representation of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) in highresolutionWeatherResearchandForecastModel(WRF) simulationsofHurricaneIsabel(2003).TheYonsei University (YSU) PBL parameterization and the Mellor‐Yamada‐Janjic´ (MYJ) PBL parameterization are evaluated by direct comparison to in situ data obtained by research aircraft. The numerical model, simulation design, details of the PBL schemes, and the representation of the boundary layer in the outer-core were presented in Part I. This part presents a detailed study of the inner-core PBL, including its axisymmetric and asymmetric structures, and comparisons to analyses of dropsonde data from previous studies. Although neither PBL scheme was designed specifically for hurricane conditions, their simulated boundary layers are reasonably good representations of the observed boundary layer. Both schemes reproduce certain unique features of the hurricane boundary layer, such as the separate depths of the well-mixed layer and the inflow layer, and the pronounced wind speed maxima near the top of the inflow layer. Modification of the original YSU and MYJ schemes to have ocean roughness lengths more in agreement with recent studies considerably improves the results of both schemes. Even with these improvements, the MYJ consistently produces larger frictional tendencies in the boundary layer than the YSU scheme, leading to a stronger lowlevel inflow and a stronger azimuthal wind maximum at the top of the boundary layer. For both schemes, differences in the low-level asymmetries between the simulated and observed wind fields appear to be related to eyewall asymmetries forced by environmental wind shear. The effects of varying horizontal and vertical resolutions are also considered. Increasing the vertical resolution in the PBL results in minor improvements in the inner-core structures. Increasing the horizontal resolution around the eyewall also leads to improved boundary layers, as well as an improvement of the vertical structure of the inner-core wind field. A summary and discussion of the results of both Parts I and II is provided.
Numerical and graphical data summary using O-statistics

Abstract Numerical and graphical techniques for descriptive data analysis and presentation are developed using O-statistics, which are smoothed generalizations of the usual sample order statistics. Following the derivation of O-statistics and their elementary properties, the statistical relevance and descriptive capabilities of O-statistics are demonstrated through a series of examples.
Thermal decomposition of JP-10 studied by micro-flowtube pyrolysis-mass spectrometry

Abstract Decomposition of JP-10 (exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene) was studied in a small flowtube reactor over the temperature range up to ∼ 1700 K on the millisecond time scale. For comparison, the decomposition behavior of cyclopentadiene, dicyclopentadiene, and benzene was studied under identical conditions. Products of pyrolysis were identified by chemical ionization (CI) and electron impact ionization (EI) mass spectrometry. On the experimental time scale, JP-10 begins to decompose above 900 K and is completely decomposed by 1300 K. In the initial decomposition, the principal products are cyclopentadiene, benzene, propyne, and C4Hx. At high temperatures, the cyclopentadiene decomposes, and the principal species observed are benzene, acetylene, and ethylene. From the combination of EI and CI spectra, we can confirm that the C6 product observed is benzene, with few if any other C6Hx products. Similarly, the C5 product is cyclopentadiene, with no cyclopentene or other C5Hx products. The observed product distribution is inconsistent with both equilibrium speciation and predictions of existing JP-10 kinetic models.
Metaplastic control of the endocannabinoid system at inhibitory synapses in hippocampus.

The modifiability of neuronal response plasticity is called “metaplasticity.” In suppressing synaptic inhibition and facilitating induction of long-term excitatory synaptic plasticity, endocannabinoids (eCBs) act as agents of metaplasticity. We now report the discovery of a calcium-dependent mechanism that regulates eCB mobilization by metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation. The switch-like mechanism primes cells to release eCBs and requires a transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) but not concurrent activation of mGluRs. Conversely, short-term, [Ca2+]i- dependent eCB release can be persistently enhanced by mGluR activation. Hence, eCBs are also objects of metaplasticity, subject to higher levels of physiological control.
Scarred for life: The impact of the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act of 2010 on addressing violence against women in Pakistan

تستعين هذه المقالة بالقانون الباكستاني الخاص بمنع ومكافحة جرائم الاعتداءات بالأحماض الحارقة لعام 2010 (قانون عام 2010) كمثال لمناقشة استخدام التشريعات المخصصة لقضايا العنف ضد المرأة في باكستان. منذ عام 2008 وحتى 2011، سجلت 158 حالة اعتداء بالأحماض الحارقة في باكستان. وفى حين أن ما يشفى صدور ضحايا هذه الاعتداءات قد يكون في عقاب المعتدين، إلا أن العلاج الأمثل والدائم يكمن في ضمان منع حدوث مثل هذه الاعتداءات المروعة وتكرارها مع ضحايا آخرين. تتناول هذه المقالة فعالية قانون عام 2010 في التصدي للاعتداءات بالأحماض، وكذلك وضع القانون بالنسبة للجهود الرامية للحد من العنف ضد المرأة في باكستان. وخطورة التشريع الصادر لمواجهة نوع محدد من الجرائم، مثل قانون عام 2010، تتمثل في أنه يخدم نسبة ضئيلة من ضحايا العنف من النساء. فهو يتصدى لنوع واحد فقط من الاعتداءات، حتى وإن حقق الهدف المرجو منه لتوفير الحماية لهؤلاء الضحايا. وقد تفتقر التشريعات التي تسن لغرض محدد إلى التطوير الكافي والشمولية اللازمة لمعالجة قضية ما، ومن تم يخذل القانون الفئة التي يهدف إلى خدمتها، وإهدار فرصة التصدي للمشكلات التي تسهم في العنف ضد المرأة بوجه عام. وتحاول هذه المقالة إثبات أنه بالرغم من النوايا الحسنة لقانون عام 2010 ونجاحه المحدود، إلا أنه يعجز عن تحقيق غرضه الوقائي بسبب اعتماده على الردع، والذي لا يعالج مجموعة العوامل التي تتسبب أساسا في العنف ضد المرأة، فضلا عن أنه يخلق عقبات أمام المرأة التي تحاول الحصول على العدالة. وبالتالي لا يفي قانون 2010 بمنح الحماية الكافية لضحايا اعتداءات المواد الحمضية، والأهم من ذلك أنه لا يساهم في تفعيل تغيير منهجي على نطاق أوسع يعود بالفائدة على جميع النساء
Probing the impact of GFP tagging on Robo1-heparin interaction

Green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) and their derivatives are widely used as markers to visualize cells, protein localizations in in vitro and in vivo studies. The use of GFP fusion protein for visualization is generally thought to have negligible effects on cellular function. However, a number of reports suggest that the use of GFP may impact the biological activity of these proteins. Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) that interacts with a number of proteins mediating diverse patho-physiological processes. In the heparin-based interactome studies, heparin-binding proteins are often prepared as GFP fusion proteins. In this report, we use surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy to study the impact of the GFP tagging on the binding interaction between heparin and a heparin-binding protein, the Roundabout homolog 1 (Robo1). SPR reveals that heparin binds with higher affinity to Robo1 than GFP-tagged Robo1 and through a different kinetic mechanism. A conformational change is observed in the heparin-Robo1 interaction, but not in the heparin-Robo1-GFP interaction. Furthermore the GFP-tagged Robo1 requires a shorter (hexasaccharide) than the tag-free Robo1 (octadecasaccharide). These data demonstrate that GFP tagging can reduce the binding affinity of Robo1 to heparin and hinder heparin binding-induced Robo1 conformation change.
Spoken language achieves robustness and evolvability by exploiting degeneracy and neutrality

As with biological systems, spoken languages are strikingly robust against perturbations. This paper shows that languages achieve robustness in a way that is highly similar to many biological systems. For example, speech sounds are encoded via multiple acoustically diverse, temporally distributed and functionally redundant cues, characteristics that bear similarities to what biologists call "degeneracy". Speech is furthermore adequately characterized by neutrality, with many different tongue configurations leading to similar acoustic outputs, and different acoustic variants understood as the same by recipients. This highlights the presence of a large neutral network of acoustic neighbors for every speech sound. Such neutrality ensures that a steady backdrop of variation can be maintained without impeding communication, assuring that there is "fodder" for subsequent evolution. Thus, studying linguistic robustness is not only important for understanding how linguistic systems maintain their functioning upon the background of noise, but also for understanding the preconditions for language evolution.
Is Fair Trade Worth Its Cost

This paper extends the existing literature on fair trade by incorporating the latest empirical analyses as well as responding to recent claims that even if fair trade is deemed to be an inef�耀cient or ineffective tool toward poverty alleviation, there may nevertheless be other compelling reasons to retain either the fair trade model or the fair trade label. The analysis contrasts the alternative trade organization (ATO) model of fair trade with the commodity-based Fairtrade International (FLO) model, and also discusses the recent departure of Fair Trade USA from the FLO. We conclude that commodity-based fair trade initiatives are simply not worth their opportunity cost. JEL: F13, I38, O15, O19. Keywords: fair trade, economic development, poverty, trade, exports
Hákonar saga Ívarssonar Once Again

Sverre Bagge has recently restudied the relationships of the various versions of Hakonar saga Ivarssonar and arrived at strikingly new conclusions.1 He favors the view that the account in Morkinskinna is the earliest version and is drawn from oral tradition (2014: 13). The author of Heimskringla (most likely Snorri) subsequently reworked this account on the basis of a conjecture that Hakon Ivarsson belonged to the lineage of the jarls of Hlaðir. The revision also involved a reordering of the chronology (2014: 9–10). The somewhat differing version of the story in Hakonar saga Ivarssonar, represented by four fragments of the fifteenth-century manuscript AM 570a, 4to, and a Latin “Compendium” found among the papers of Anders Sorensen Vedel, had previously been regarded as an early version from the beginning of the thirteenth century and hence as a source for Heimskringla.2 But Bagge concludes that it is a late version based on Heimskringla (2014: 4–8). The present paper returns experimentally to the view that Hakonar saga Ivarssonar is the oldest version, probably in some relationship to *Hlaðajarla saga, that the version in Morkinskinna was recorded independently from oral tradition, and that the version in Heimskringla is based on Hakonar saga with possible additions from Morkinskinna. Before entering into the details of this discussion, I will try to facilitate the comparison of the texts with an overview in tabular form.
Bridging the Gap Between Farmers and Food Service Directors: The Social Challenges in Farm to School Purchasing

Farm to school programs in which primary and secondary schools purchase locally grown products for school lunches aim to increase children's consumption of fresh foods while creating new markets for local food producers. However, the institutional purchasing of local foods can be fraught with difficulties. Many scholars have explored the structural challenges of local purchasing associated with cost, supply, and distribution. Less well examined are the ways that the different viewpoints and knowledge of farm to school participants affect procurement. This reflective essay provides a case study of local food purchasing at one medium-sized Midwestern public school district. Ethnographic examination of this process shows that local food farmers and school food service buyers have vastly different approaches to food production and handling. Attending to the social barriers of farm to school purchasing may improve participation by both farmers and food service directors.
The Biology of Cloeon cognatum (Ephemeroptra Baetidae)

The life history of Cloeon cognatum Stephens is described. Details are given on gill regeneration and light-intensity induced metamorphosis. The role of ocelli as possible mediators of metamorphosis is discussed. The function of the subimago is examined.
Laboratory Rearing of the Lesser Peach Tree Borer, Synanthedon pictipes, on Artificial Diets,

The lesser peach tree borer, Synanthedon pictipes (Grote and Robinson), is a pest in low-vigor cherry trees in northern Wisconsin. Females oviposit especially in tree wounds, which are often produced by mechanical shakers or wind and storm damage. While investigating chemical and physical factors which influence female preference of wounds as ovipositional sites, and studying factors involved in early-instar feeding responses, a dependable daily emergence of adults was required. For this reason we began rearing the insect on artificial diets, and this note describes our laboratory culture techniques.
Role of arachidonic acid and its metabolites in the regulation of progesterone and oxytocin release from the bovine corpus luteum

We have examined the effects of arachidonic acid (AA) and some of its metabolites on progesterone (P4) and oxytocin (OT) release by corpora lutea obtained from Holstein heifers at day 8 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 = estrus). The luteal cells were dispersed with collagenase and small and large cells were separated by unit gravity sedimentation and flow cytometry. After an 18-hr preincubation period, the cells were incubated in the presence of various treatments for 1 hr, followed by a 23-hr incubation period with no treatment. OT was secreted by the large, but not by the small, luteal cells into the incubation medium. AA elicited a significant (P less than 0.05) release of OT from the large cells and P4 from both the large and small cells within 1 hr of incubation, having a specific effect at a concentration of 10 microM. Larger doses (25 and 100 microM) of AA adversely affected the cell viability. Phospholipases A2 (0.5 unit/ml) and C (0.05 unit/ml) and calcium ionophore A23187 (0.1 microM) stimulated OT release from the large cells to the same extent as AA (10 microM). Inhibition of the AA cyclooxygenase metabolic pathway by indomethacin did not affect AA-induced release of OT and P4, although exogenous prostaglandins F2 alpha and I2 (5-25 ng/ml) stimulated the release of OT. Lipoxygenase products of AA (hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and leukotrienes; 25 ng/ml) also stimulated OT release. Inhibition of the lipoxygenase metabolic pathway by nordihydroguaiaretic acid abolished AA-induced release of both OT and P4. These results suggest that intracellular accumulation of free AA may modulate secretory functions in the bovine corpora lutea, including OT and P4 release.
Research on an Algorithm of Oracle Domain Concept Extraction Based on Context Semantic

In the process of building ontology,It is focused on concept extraction. A new algorithm based on context semantic is proposed for Oracle-bone domain concepts extraction,according to characteristics of the oracle bone inscriptions and overcome the defects of domain concept extraction algorithms. Aiming at the shortcoming of algorithm of concept extraction based on DR + DC,this paper makes some improvement on it. Is proposed based on the calculation method of the degree of similarity between the concept of context,and proposed a sieving algorithm of domain concept based on context. Experimental results show that the algorithm has higher precision and recall and perplexity attenuation ration than the method based on DC + DR.
Upper and (old) lower facial (VII) nerve palsies on opposite sides.

An 86 year-old woman suffered a left internal capsule stroke one month before these photos. She had right facial weakness along with mild right arm and leg weakness as residua. Six years earlier she had had a left sided Bell’s palsy with an excellent recovery. Photo A shows a mildly increased right palpebral fissure and mildly reduced right naso-labial fold. These findings indicate mild facial weakness on the right. In photo B, when smiling, one can see an increase in the naso-labial fold asymmetry, and contraction of the left orbicularis muscles. In photo C her left peri-orbital muscles contract as she puckers her lips, indicating synkinesis, a very common phenomenon in people who recover from a Bell’s palsy. Upper facial weakness can usually be distinguished from a lower motor weakness by having the patient contract the frontalis muscle (raising the eyebrows). In upper motor neuron (UMN) lesions the frontalis contracts. It does not with lower motor neuron (LMN) lesions. The vast majority of Bell’s palsy cases recover very nicely but often develop synkinesis, a syndrome in which the VII nerve regenerates but one branch innervates more than one muscle, usually the mouth and eye so that smiling or lip puckering causes the eye to close and closing the eyes causes a unilateral smile. These photos show the difference between an UMN and old, or “healed” LMN VII nerve weakness. The patient provided written informed consent to allow her photos to appear in this journal.
Computing Robust, Bootstrap-Adjusted Fit Indices for Use With Nonnormal Data

Nonnormality of data presents unique challenges for researchers who wish to carry out structural equation modeling. The subsequent SPSS syntax program computes bootstrap-adjusted fit indices (comparative fit index, Tucker–Lewis index, incremental fit index, and root mean square error of approximation) that adjust for nonnormality, along with the Bollen–Stine bootstrap-adjusted χ2 equivalent statistic and associated scaling factor.