cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Zn-diffused, stripe-geometry, double-heterostructure GaInAsP/InP diode lasers

Deep Zn diffusion from a ZnP 2 source has been used to fabricate stripe-geometry double-heterostructure GaInAsP/InP diode lasers with emission wavelengths in the 1.2-1.3 \mu m range. These devices exhibit good electrical and optical confinement. For sufficiently narrow stripe widths ( m), emission is usually single mode and linear. CW outputs up to ∼8 mW per facet have been observed. In initial life tests, two Zn-diffused lasers have operated CW at room temperature for over 5000 h without appreciable degradation.
Energy-efficient sub-DAC merging scheme for variable resolution SAR ADC

An energy-efficient capacitive digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) switching method for a reconfigurable successive-approximation register (SAR) analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) is proposed. The proposed method can achieve a variable resolution starting from 1 bit with 1 bit resolution increments. The proposed method achieves the energy savings due to the fact that the binary-weighted capacitors are merged with the main-DAC, as and when required. When sized for the same thermal noise as the traditional SAR ADC, the proposed method achieves 96.9% reduction in switching energy and a factor of 2 improvement in static linearity performance. If sized for the same static linearity as the conventional SAR ADC, the DAC area could be reduced by a factor of 4, which further improves the switching energy savings to 99.2%.
Versatility of Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly (EISA) Method for Preparation of Mesoporous TiO2 for Energy and Environmental Applications

Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly (EISA) method for the preparation of mesoporous titanium dioxide materials is reviewed. The versatility of EISA method for the rapid and facile synthesis of TiO₂ thin films and powders is highlighted. Non-ionic surfactants such as Pluronic P123, F127 and cationic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide have been extensively employed for the preparation of mesoporous TiO₂. In particular, EISA method allows for fabrication of highly uniform, robust, crack-free films with controllable thickness. Eleven characterization techniques for elucidating the structure of the EISA prepared mesoporous TiO₂ are discussed in this paper. These many characterization methods provide a holistic picture of the structure of mesoporous TiO₂. Mesoporous titanium dioxide materials have been employed in several applications that include Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs), photocatalytic degradation of organics and splitting of water, and batteries.
ISDN conformance test development at NIST

Summary form only given. In the area of ISDN conformance test development NIST's objective is to produce abstract test scripts independent of any test system environment, and to place these test scripts in the public domain. NIST has promoted a cooperative effort amongst interested parties in the industry and a unified conformance effort has been established in the NIU Forum. NIST will maintain a neutral position and serve as a catalyst to the development of test suites in a timely manner. It is planned that test suites for layer 2 (CCITT Q921) and layer 3 (CCITT Q931 or ANSI's equivalent) will be developed first. Currently, NIST is focused on three areas of ISDN conformance testing: a test suite for the layer 2 (LAPD) protocol, test procedures for the layer 1 (I430) protocol, and a TTCN to 'C' translator. >
Inferring Rotation Periods of Young Stars from Synoptic Observations

Using known distributions for the periods, amplitudes, and light curve shapes of young stars, we examine how well one can measure periods of these objects in the upcoming era of large synoptic surveys. Surveys like the LSST should be able to recover accurate rotation periods for over 90% of targets of interest in regions of nearby massive star formation. This information will usher in a new era in our understanding of how the angular momentum of a young star/disk system evolves with time.
The Quartz Crystal Microbalance in Electrochemistry

The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is based on the principle that a change in resonance frequency of a quartz crystal is directly proportional to a change in total mass (crystal and surface deposit). When one of the quartz crystal contacts is the working electrode of an electrochemical cell, the charge passed during an electrochemical process can be correlated with nanogram mass changes on the quartz crystal electrode. Other factors that influence overall frequency change include viscoelastic behavior of electrode deposit, surface roughness, entrapment of solvent or air in electrode deposit, nonuniform mass distribution, and ambient temperature changes. The ability to determine both the energy dissipation, D, and resonance frequency change, fr, illustrates the use of QCM as both a gravimetric and viscoelastic probe of materials deposited onto the quartz crystal electrode surface. Keywords: QCM; piezoelectric; nanogram mass change; impedance analysis; thickness shear mode oscillator
Efficient architectures for operators

The paper discusses the possibility of high performance computing for restricted classes of algorithms. An analysis of signal processing algorithms has identified a number of common operators which can be implemented efficiently with VLSI technology. The integration of these operators into conventional workstation environments provides the potential for orders of magnitude performance improvements for large numbers of algorithms which are used in linear transform and linear algebra applications. A small set of preferred operators is defined and their implementation is discussed. Simulation results are used to predict the expected performance gains for some of the operators when used in a number of typical algorithms. >
Metaphors for Leadership: Military Battle and Friendship

This article discusses leadership in terms of two metaphors--military battle and friendship, and illustrates how these different metaphors provide contrasting conceptions of leadership and leader-follower relationships. An argument is made for the importance of a friendship metaphor in reframing our conception of the theory and practice of leadership as well as in shaping a more ethical and humane society.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Mutations Selected in Patients Failing Efavirenz Combination Therapy

Efavirenz is a potent and selective nonnucleoside inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT). Nucleotide sequence analyses of the protease and RT genes (coding region for amino acids 1 to 229) of multiple cloned HIV-1 genomes from virus found in the plasma of patients in phase II clinical studies of efavirenz combination therapy were undertaken in order to identify the spectrum of mutations in plasma-borne HIV-1 associated with virological treatment failure. A K103N substitution was the HIV-1 RT gene mutation most frequently observed among plasma samples from patients for whom combination therapy including efavirenz failed, occurring in at least 90% of cases of efavirenz-indinavir or efavirenz-zidovudine (ZDV)-lamivudine (3TC) treatment failure. V108I and P225H mutations were observed frequently, predominantly in viral genomes that also contained other nonnucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance mutations. L100I, K101E, K101Q, Y188H, Y188L, G190S, G190A, and G190E mutations were also observed. V106A, Y181C, and Y188C mutations, which have been associated with high levels of resistance to other NNRTIs, were rare in the patient samples in this study, both before and after exposure to efavirenz. The spectrum of mutations observed in cases of virological treatment failure was similar for patients initially dosed with efavirenz at 200, 400, or 600 mg once a day and for patients treated with efavirenz in combination with indinavir, stavudine, or ZDV-3TC. The proportion of patients carrying NNRTI resistance mutations, usually K103N, increased dramatically at the time of initial viral load rebound in cases of treatment failure after exposure to efavirenz. Viruses with multiple, linked NNRTI mutations, especially K103N-V108I and K103N-P225H double mutants, accumulated more slowly following the emergence of K103N mutant viruses.
Linker Regions of the RhaS and RhaR Proteins

Substitutions within the interdomain linkers of the AraC/XylS family proteins RhaS and RhaR were tested to determine whether side chain identity or linker structure was required for function. Neither was found crucial, suggesting that the linkers do not play a direct role in activation, but rather simply connect the two domains.
A real-time digital adaptive tracking controller for a DC motor

The objective of this design is to implement an accurate and cost effective adaptive tracking controller for a DC motor using an 80C196kr microcontroller system. The on-chip embedded functions, optical quadrature encoder and a PWM waveform generator, are used to measure motor positions' and generate DC voltages to drive a DC motor respectively. A homing routine that incorporates a photoelectric sensor is used to position the motor at a reference point. Users communicate with the system through a 4/spl times/4 matrix keypad and 20/spl times/2 LCD display or through a PC. The experimental results have shown the validity of this simple microcontroller-based digital control system. This system is performed on a real-time basis, and the control law can be easily replaced by any advanced control laws without changing the hardware setup.
Examining the antecedents of U.S. nonmarital fatherhood.

Despite the dramatic rise in U.S. nonmarital childbearing in recent decades, limited attention has been paid to factors affecting nonmarital fatherhood (beyond studies of young fathers). In this article, we use data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort to examine the antecedents of nonmarital fatherhood, as compared to marital fatherhood. Overall, we find the strongest support across both data sets for education and race/ethnicity as key predictors of having a nonmarital first birth, consistent with prior literature about women’s nonmarital childbearing and about men’s early/teenage fatherhood. Education is inversely related to the risk of nonmarital fatherhood, and minority (especially black) men are much more likely to have a child outside of marriage than white men. We find little evidence that employment predicts nonmarital fertility, although it does strongly (and positively) predict marital fertility. High predicted earnings are also associated with a greater likelihood of marital childbearing but with a lower likelihood of nonmarital childbearing. Given the socioeconomic disadvantage associated with nonmarital fatherhood, this research suggests that nonmarital fatherhood may be an important aspect of growing U.S. inequality and stratification both within and across generations.
Erythroid differentiation of mouse erythroleukemia cells results in reorganization of protein-DNA complexes in the mouse beta maj globin promoter but not its distal enhancer.

Abstract Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) induction of mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells represents a well-defined in vitro system of terminal erythroid differentiation. We have studied the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional activation of the mouse beta maj globin gene during MEL cell differentiation by analyzing nuclear factor-DNA interactions in vivo at the gene's upstream promoter and a distal enhancer, 5'HS-2. Genomic footprinting data indicate that three motifs, CAC, NF-E2/AP1, and GATA-1, of the 5'HS-2 enhancer are bound with nuclear factors in MEL cells both prior to and after DMSO induction. No obvious conformational change of these nuclear factor-DNA complexes could be detected upon terminal differentiation of MEL cells. On the other hand, DMSO induction of MEL cells leads to the formation of specific nuclear factor-DNA complexes at several transcriptional regulatory elements of the mouse beta maj globin upstream promoter. Our genomic footprinting data have interesting implications with respect to the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and chromatin change of the mouse beta maj globin gene during erythroid differentiation.
Task scheduling algorithm for an air and missile defense radar

An algorithm for scheduling tasks for an air and missile defense radar is proposed. The algorithm consists of two sub-algorithms: a task interleaving algorithm followed by a distributed greedy scheduling algorithm. The interleaving algorithm efficiently interleaves range-unambiguous and range-windowed tasks (such as BMD-track tasks) based on knowledge of the task dwell characteristics. The output of the interleaving algorithm and the remaining tasks are then input to a greedy scheduling algorithm which attempts to schedule as many tasks as possible while maintaining temporal regularity between the task update intervals. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the behavior of the proposed algorithm.
Events and Economy of Coordination

I argue that reinforcement of the conjunction and with the correlative both has a precise and consistent semantic effect on the event structure: assignment of two separate (θ-) roles to the conjuncts, which gives rise to the interpretation of two grammatically encoded events/states. This effect is argued not to be the property of the meaning of the lexical item both itself but a computational property of the number of overt heads associated with coordination. Roughly put, multiplicity of events is encoded syntactically, in fact iconically, by an increased number of conjunction markers. I argue that the effect eventually follows from Economy of Pronunciation, a principle independently needed in the grammar. These event considerations are argued to be encoded in the structural representation of coordination.
The application of neural network based methods to the extraction of knowledge from accounting reports

Develops a new approach to the problem of extracting meaningful information from samples of accounting reports. Neural network-like algorithms are capable of implementing this approach. Such tools are able to automatically build optimal structures similar to financial ratios. Some results are presented. They suggest that this approach effectively avoids the search of appropriate ratios by the analyst along with some other major drawbacks of the multivariate statistical modelling techniques used in accountancy. The organization of the neural network models also outlines internal features of accounting data, providing new insights into the relative importance of variables for modelling a particular relation. The paper also argues that, in the accounting and finance context, a major problem of neural networks, that of understandability of the resulting parameters, is minimised. Much of the internal operation of the networks involves the construction of generalisations of the ratio concepts with which accountants are familiar. >
Measuring the impact of China's rural insurance scheme on health: propensity score matching valuation using biomarkers

Abstract Background Following the breakdown of China's Cooperative Medical Scheme in the early 1980s, the Chinese government established the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in 2003 with the goal of improving health for the country's 800 million mostly uninsured rural residents. Using new data on objective health measures, we seek to analyse the programme's effectiveness in improving health for enrolees. Until now, analysis has focused on self-reported measures of health and recent illness and has provided inconclusive results. Methods We used ordinary least squares and logistic analysis on matched cross-sectional data (2009) from the China Health and Nutrition Survey to compare objective health measures (biomarkers) of rural residents who were and were not enrolled in NCMS. We also used individual fixed effects and difference-in-difference analysis (exploiting variation in regional rollout times) on longitudinal data (1997–2009) to evaluate self-reported health and recent sickness/injury. Findings By 2009, more than 90% (5734 of 6168) of rural individuals in the sample reported having some kind of insurance. Of these, 79% (4553 of 5734) had NCMS. Our preliminary results indicate that those with NCMS insurance coverage were less likely to have abnormal blood glucose levels (p=0·0004) and abnormal total cholesterol levels (p=0·019) than their counterparts without the insurance scheme. These results are consistent with previous research that finds decreased use of traditional Chinese folk doctors and increased use of preventive care among enrolees. Interpretation The NCMS appears to have improved objective indicators of health including blood glucose and total cholesterol levels among rural adults. Long-term effects on the management of chronic health conditions have yet to be demonstrated. Funding None.
Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a paradigm for bedside-to-bench patient-oriented translational clinical investigation.

At least 71 patients have been reported in which their otherwise typical subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) skin lesions were felt to have been temporally associated with the systemic administration of a drug. The mean age of this cohort of drug-induced SCLE (DI-SCLE) patients was 59 years of age which is somewhat older than the mean age of previously reported idiopathic SCLE patient cohorts. Patients had been taking the suspected triggering drug for weeks to years before the onset of SCLE skin lesions. In addition, it was not unusual for 2-3 months to be required for resolution of the SCLE skin lesions following discontinuation of the triggering drug. A relatively large number of drugs representing different pharmacological classes have been implicated in the induction of SCLE. The drug classes that were more frequently encountered were those used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, especially hypertension. Calcium channel blockers were especially common in this regard. Elderly individuals being treated for hypertension are often taking multiple classes of drugs that have been implicated in triggering SCLE (thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers). An approach to the management of DI-SCLE is presented. Ro/SS-A autoantibodies tended to remain present in the blood after resolution of drug-induced SCLE skin lesions. A common link between the disparate group of drug structures implicated in triggering SCLE is their tendencies to produce photosensitivity and lichenoid drug reactions. This leads to the speculation that DI-SCLE could represent a photo-induced isomorphic/Koebner response in an immunogenetically predisposed host.
Measurement of Valence Band Offset in Strained GexSi1−x/Si Heterojunctions

The valence band discontinuity ΔEv in the coherently strained GexSi1−x/Si heterostruc-ture is determined using I-V-T measurement. The electrical measurements of the band discontinuity of the pseudomorphic layers are difficult due to the thin layer imposed by the strain. Recently, low temperature growth of thick layer (>100 nm) of coherently strained GexSi1−x on Si has been achieved and thus made it possible for an accurate electrical measurement of band offset. The results obtained are in good agreement with the theoretical calculations by pseudopotential method.
A submission model for use in the indexing, searching, and retrieval of distributed pathology case and tissue specimens.

This paper describes the Shared Pathology Informatics Network (SPIN) submission model for uploading de-identified XML annotations of pathology case and specimen information to a distributed peer-to-peer network architecture. SPIN use cases, architecture, and technologies, as well as pathology information design is described. With the architecture currently in use by six member institutions, SPIN appears to be a viable, secure methodology to submit pathology information for query and specimen retrieval by investigators.
13.3 Selling and Sales Management Issues : Strategic Issues in Sales Management

Customer satisfaction is an increasingly important issue for businesses, and managers need a greater understanding of the role of salespeople in creating satisfaction. This study examines the impact of salesperson created expectations on satisfaction with a product. Specifically, it discusses the competing recommendations of raising versus lowering expectations, and empirically assesses the impact of expectations on satisfaction. Result indicate that expectations have a dual role, in that they are positively related to satisfaction through perceptions of performance, and negatively related to satisfaction through disconfirmation. Implications for sales management are discussed.
Management of the carotid arteries during carotid and vagal paraganglioma surgery

Surgery for carotid and vagal paraganglioma presents a high risk for carotid artery injury. The authors' objective was to describe a strategy for preoperative evaluation, risk stratification, and operative management of the carotid arteries when operating on carotid and vagal paraganglioma. They suggest stratifying patient risk for carotid artery involvement first according to the tumor׳s Shamblin group. Those with low Shamblin grade and no other concerning anatomic features need no preoperative carotid evaluation. Those at moderate anatomic risk benefit from preoperative temporary balloon test occlusion, whereas those at high risk should routinely have shunts placed intraoperatively. A variety of shunts are available, and surgeons should be prepared to place them in any patient. Saphenous vein or prosthetic grafts can be used to reconstruct the internal carotid artery, if necessary, and the external carotid artery can be ligated. In patients at high risk for carotid involvement and in whom carotid shunting or reconstruction may be difficult, preoperative carotid stent placement, internal to external carotid bypass, and nonoperative tumor treatment strategies should be considered. The authors conclude that surgeons performing carotid and vagal paraganglioma surgery should be prepared for carotid artery involvement in all patients. They recommend a strategy of preoperative risk stratification according to Shamblin group and temporary balloon test occlusion and surgeon familiarity with techniques for carotid shunting and reconstruction.
Role of sphingosine kinase activity in protection of heart against ischemia reperfusion injury.

Background: Sphingosine kinase (SKase) has been implicated in the protection of hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury. This hypothesis was further examined. Matreial/Methods: Changes in SKase activity and cardiac function (left ventricular developed pressure, LVDP, and infarct size) in response to ischemia and reperfusion were studied in adult rat hearts by the ex viva Langendorff method. Following initial equilibration or preconditioning, there was 45 min no-flow ischemia and then 45 min of reperfusion. Results: SKase activity declined 61% during ischemia and did not recover upon reperfusion. LVDP also did not recover upon reperfusion and the infarct size was 47%. A short 30 min period of ischemia was associated with variable recovery of SKase activity that directly correlated with LVDP recovery. Preconditioning of hearts reduced the decrease in SKase activity during ischemia by half, and upon reperfusion activity returned to normal. The LVDP recovered 79% and infarct size was small. Preconditioned hearts had higher S-1-P levels after ischemia/reperfusion relative to non-preconditioned hearts. The decline in SKase activity during ischemia of preconditioned hearts could not be mimicked in vitro by treatment with protein phosphatases. Attepipts to alter activity of SKase from control, preconditioned, ischemic, or reperfused hearts by phosphorylation with ERK1/2 were unsuccessful. Treatment of non-preconditioned hearts at reperfusion with 100 nM S-1-P improved recovery of LVDP. The SKase inhibitor dimethylsphingosine blocked hemodynamic recovery in preconditioned hearts. Conclusions: The data support a role for SKase activity in recovery of hemodynamic function after ischemic injury and also in the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning.
If You’re House Is Still Available, Send Me an Email: Personality Influences Reactions to Written Errors in Email Messages

The increasing prevalence of social media means that we often encounter written language characterized by both stylistic variation and outright errors. How does the personality of the reader modulate reactions to non-standard text? Experimental participants read ‘email responses’ to an ad for a housemate that either contained no errors or had been altered to include either typos (e.g., teh) or homophonous grammar errors (grammos, e.g., to/too, it’s/its). Participants completed a 10-item evaluation scale for each message, which measured their impressions of the writer. In addition participants completed a Big Five personality assessment and answered demographic and language attitude questions. Both typos and grammos had a negative impact on the evaluation scale. This negative impact was not modulated by age, education, electronic communication frequency, or pleasure reading time. In contrast, personality traits did modulate assessments, and did so in distinct ways for grammos and typos.
Renormalization and direct nonlinear FWI - Concept and progress review

Summary A brief introduction to the nonlinear sensitivity operator and its forward-scattering renormalization with the DWA (De Wolf approximation) is given. I discuss the relation between the nonlinear sensitivity operator and the direct nonlinear FWI, and then give a conceptual comparison of optimization-based waveform inversions by the linear sensitivity operator and the renormalized nonlinear sensitivity operator. In the presentation, I will give a report on the progress along this research direction.
Disability Studies and the Support of Individuals with Significant Disabilities and their Families: An Introduction to the Issues:

This article introduces a set of four articles with a shared focus on the emerging field of disability studies and its relevance to individuals with significant disabilities and their families. The...
Visual Diagnosis: Swelling of the Left Side of the Neck in an Adolescent

1. Raghu Varier, DO* 2. Laura Plencner, MD* 3. Douglas Rivard, DO† 4. Angela L. Myers, MD, MPH* 1. *Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics and The University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO. 2. †Department of Radiology, Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics and The University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO. A previously healthy 13-year-old girl presents to the emergency department with a 2-week history of worsening sore throat and a 4-day history of left neck swelling, pain, and fever. Results of evaluation by a prior clinician at the onset of symptoms included a negative rapid streptococcal antigen test and a positive heterophile antibody test, prompting treatment with oral corticosteroids for 5 days as an anti-inflammatory medication. The girl now reports pain with swallowing, decreased oral intake, and left-sided head tilt for the past 24 hours. On physical examination, the girl has a temperature of 38.4°C and appears to be in no acute distress. In addition, her heart rate is 91 beats/min, respiratory rate is 20 breaths/min, and blood pressure is 119/69 mm Hg. She has a warm, very tender, firm, anterior, left-sided 1.5-cm mass at the level of the thyroid gland. The mass moves when she swallows. Findings on the rest of her physical examination are normal. Laboratory investigation reveals a white blood cell count of 17.2×103/μL (17.2×109/L) with 74% neutrophils and 14% lymphocytes, hemoglobin of 13 g/dL (130 g/L), and platelet count of 423×103/μL (423×109/L). C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement is elevated at 1.6 mg/dL (normal, 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL). Computed tomography (CT) scan of her neck with intravenous contrast enhancement suggests the diagnosis (Fig. 1). Figure 1. Axial computed tomography scan of the neck with intravenous contrast enhancement. The patient's physical and laboratory findings and CT scan of the neck are consistent with acute suppurative thyroiditis. The CT scan reveals a multilocular inflammatory phlegmon/abscess-in-evolution involving the superior pole of the …
Report on 20 years neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism and phenyletonuria

[Objective] To develop the screening of newborns for congenital hypothyroidism(CH) and phenyletonuria(PKU) to prevent the children from mental retardation and improve the eugenics of our country. [Methods] Concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and phenlalanine(Phe) in dried blood spots on filter paper were measured by time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay(Tr-FIA),bacterial inhibition assay(BIA) or fluorometric method. [Results] 609 037 neonates were screened for CH,170 cases were confirmed and the incidence was 2.79/10,000.Of 198 405 neonates screened for PKU by BIA,10 were found to be defective,the incidence being 5.04/100,000.Two cases were missed.Of 321 127 neonates screened by fluorometric method,27 cases were confirmed,the incidence was 8.40/100,000. [Conclusion] Tr-FIA is an ideal technique for screening CH for its excellent precision and accuracy.The quantitative fluorometric method is more sensitive and less time-consuming than BIA.The laboratory quality control is an important part in neonatal screening and can ensure the stability of the analytical process in newborn screening.
Determination of fumonisin B1 in maize by liquid chromatography /tandem mass spectrometry

Objective To develop a liquid chromatography /tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of fumonisin B1 in maize. Methods The analyte was extracted from maize samples by acetonitrile-water-acetic acid 49 + 50 + 1( v / v /v),evaporated to dryness and dissolved with mobile phase,then determined by a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization source. Results The method has a limit of quantification of 10 μg / kg in maize samples. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 1 μg / ml ~ 500 μg / ml. The mean recovery ranged from 94% to 104% and the relative standard derivations were lower than 9%. Conclusion This method was sensitive and specific to be applied for the determination of fumonisin B1in maize samples.
Carnivalesque Features of Lazarillo de Tormes

Lazarillo de Tormes,one of the picaresque novels of Spain in its Golden Age,is analyzed with Bakhtin' s theory of carnivalesque.The carnival scenes,language and laugh in the novel are discussed.By breaking the tie of the government on people' s activity and language,the author of the novel demonstrates the power of the folk humor culture in medieval Europe.
Wound-Induced Accumulation of Proteinase Inhibitor I in Tomato Leaves

Our recent studies of the role of Inhibitor I in potato and tomato plants has led to the discovery that insect damage causes the accumulation of Inhibitor I in leaves of the attacked plants. This suggests that the inhibitor may accumulate as a possible defense mechanism directed toward the intestinal digestive enzymes of insects.
TREATMENT OF DIFFICULT PIP JOINT FRACTURES WITH A MINI-EXTERNAL FIXATION DEVICE

Closed intra-articular proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint fractures--often with accompanying joint subluxation--constitute a difficult treatment problem. This article presents an alternative method consisting of closed treatment of complex PIP joint fractures with a mini-external fixator. The method utilizes the traction principle without necessitating a complex outrigger system. Immobilization is reduced to 3 weeks and monitored with a mini-fluoro unit. The three cases presented had 1- to 2-year follow-up and excellent clinical results despite suboptimal roentgenographic appearance.
Future trends in spinal cord stimulation.

AbstractSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been available for about 30 years, but only in the past five years has it met with widespread acceptance and recognition by the medical community. Traditionally performed by neurosurgeons, SCS is being increasingly utilized by anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons and physiatrists. Pain management continues to be the most widespread application of SCS. More sophisticated technology has allowed the implanters to successfully address more complex pain syndromes such as widespread reflex sympathetic dystrophy and the failed back syndrome. Other applications are being developed, combining the ability to stimulate the spinal cord, the nerve roots and the peripheral nerves. Examples include angina pectoris, urinary incontinence and occipital neuralgia. Computer-interactive programming is gaining popularity, especially due to the extreme complexity of the implanted stimulation devices. The ability to stimulate independently multiple channels as well as multiple arrays o...
Reducing Postoperative Abdominal Bulge Following Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction with Onlay Monofilament Poly-4-Hydroxybutyrate Biosynthetic Mesh.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a biosynthetic mesh onlay on reducing postoperative abdominal bulge following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. Methods All patients undergoing DIEP reconstructions from January, 2010 to January, 2014 at a tertiary center were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups for comparison based on whether a biosynthetic mesh onlay (Phasix [monofilament poly-4-hydroxybutyrate], Bard Inc., Warwick, RI) was used for reinforcement of the anterior rectus fascia. Rates of postoperative abdominal bulge were compared between the groups utilizing standard statistical methods. Results During the study period, 319 patients underwent 553 DIEP reconstructions, 160 (50.2%) used mesh and 159 (49.8%) did not (nonmesh). The mean follow-up was 16.4 ± 11.1 months. There was no difference in age (49 ± 9.3 years), current tobacco use, diabetes, or mean body mass index (BMI, 29.4 ± 4.4) between the mesh and nonmesh groups (p > 0.05); however, there was a higher proportion of obese patients (BMI > 30) in the mesh group (45.0 vs. 33.3%; p = 0.03). Abdominal bulge rate following DIEP with mesh was lower than the nonmesh group (0 vs. 5.0%; p = 0.004). In the entire sample, 234 (73.4%) underwent bilateral DIEP and 85 (26.6%) underwent unilateral DIEP. In unilateral DIEP patients, the bulge rate was similar between the mesh and nonmesh groups (0 vs. 4.4%; p > 0.05); however, in bilateral DIEP patients, the bulge rate was lower in the mesh group compared with a nonmesh group (0 vs. 5.5%; p = 0.008). Conclusion Reinforcement of the anterior rectus with an onlay monofilament poly-4-hydroxybutyrate biosynthetic mesh may reduce the risk of postoperative bulge rate in patients undergoing DIEP reconstruction.
Symptomatic Narcolepsy with Diencephalic Lesions

Three patients with symptomatic narcolepsy are reported from the Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, university of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI.
Life cycle environmental consequences of grass-fed and dairy beef production systems in the Northeastern United States

Innovative strategies are needed to improve the sustainability of beef production and consumption systems. Increasing reliance on regional or local food systems may improve resilience, and consumer demand for such foods is high. In the Northeastern U.S., the dairy sector may provide beef at a low environmental cost relative to other systems due to multi-functionality (i.e., milk and meat outputs). Additionally, landscape and market factors indicate suitability and demand for regional grass-fed beef. We used ISO-compliant life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental burdens of grass-fed beef with management-intensive grazing (GF) and confinement dairy beef (DB) production systems in the Northeastern U.S. The impact scope included global warming potential, eutrophication and acidification potential, fossil fuel and water depletion, and agricultural land use. The foundation of the production system models was a herd-level, life cycle livestock feed requirements model, which we adapted and applied for the first time within LCA. Per kg carcass weight beef produced, DB had lower global warming potential, eutrophication potential, acidification potential, and agricultural land use than GF with higher fossil fuel depletion and water depletion. Calculating eutrophication and acidification per hectare agricultural land resulted in lower impacts for GF compared to DB. Maintaining the breeding herd accounted for over half of GF (60%) and DB (52%) impacts on average across categories. Sensitivity analyses indicated potential pasture carbon sequestration and lower enteric methane emissions under management-intensive grazing may substantially reduce the carbon footprint of GF (though not lower than DB), which should be explored with further research. Future research should also examine holistic strategies to reduce regional GF and DB system footprints, such as substituting food waste for traditional feeds and accounting for ecosystem services provided by pasture-based farming systems within LCA.
Aging and Microglial Activation in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Biological aging describes the gradual degradation of physiological function which is a consequence of accumulating spontaneous and environmentally derived mutations and adducts. Aging lowers cellular fitness and drives senescence in the later years of life. Some hallmarks associated with aging include genomic instability; increased protein aggregates with reduced proteolytic capabilities; hypometabolism; and primed inflammatory responses—together increasing the vulnerability of aged cells to insults, disease and death. According to the World Health Organization, better living and working conditions, improved access to healthcare, and trends to reduce harmful habits (e.g. improper hygiene, poor nutrition, smoking and sedentary lifestyles) have contributed to shifting the world average life expectancy from 31 to 71.5 years of age within the century. Consequently, with greater longevity the prevalence of late-onset neurodegenerative disorders is on the rise—particularly among developed countries. As population trends project the world average life expectancy to reach 87 years by 2030 with an elderly population (>65 years of age) growing from 6 to 12 % of the total population, understanding how aging increases the risk of developing a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder is paramount. This chapter will describe the current state of research regarding the risk of aging-related oxidative stress and neuroinflammation on the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Potential Spectrum of Missense and Nonsense Factor (F)VIII Gene (F8) Alleles Based on Single Nucleotide Substitutions - How Many Remain To Be Identified?.

Regardless of advances in prenatal diagnosis, carrier detection and gene therapy for hemophilia-A, new patients with bleeding diatheses due to inadequate plasma FVIII activity (FVIII:C) levels will still require specialized management at treatment centers. In the ‘post-genome era’ the possibility exists for personalized medicine, in which an individual’s genetic information will be used to tailor prophylactic and/or treatment regimens that will optimize patient outcomes. As listed in the HAMSTeRS database, ~1,000 distinct loss-of-function F8 variants, representing all mutation types including inversions, insertion/deletions and single nucleotide substitutions (SNSs), have been associated with deficiencies of FVIII. To estimate how soon a complete catalogue of every possible mutation affecting FVIII:C levels may become available, we first determined the theoretical number of potential missense and nonsense F8 alleles, whether loss-of-function or not, based on each possible SNS in the coding region as compared to the reference sequence. While the impact of a missense change on FVIII:C, if any, is not always obvious, in contrast to premature-termination codons (PTCs), which are almost always deleterious, findings from a recent resequencing study raises the possibility that non-hemophilic structural differences between a patient’s endogenous FVIII protein and the infused “wildtype” molecule may increase risk of alloimmunization during replacement therapy. Wildtype FVIII contains 2,351 amino acid (aa) residues: 2,332 in the mature protein and 19 in the signal peptide (SP). Appropriate SNSs within the codons for 793 of these residues would create a PTC (UAA, UAG, UGA). Since three distinct base substitutions are possible at each of the three codon positions, 996 nonsense alleles could theoretically arise naturally. As only 123 distinct nonsense mutations are listed in HAMSTeRS,
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma incidence and mortality trends in the United States, 1973-2013.

Objective To analyze oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma incidence and mortality trends in the United States for the years 1973 through 2013. Study Design Cross-sectional study using a large population-based cancer database. Methods Data on incidence and mortality rates were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 9 Database. Annual percentage change in rates was calculated using Joinpoint regression analysis (National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD). Results Incidence rates increased (annual percent change [APC]; 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17 to 2.88) from 1973 to 1983, remained stable (APC −0.52, 95% CI −1.30 to 0.26) from 1983 to 1997, and increased (APC 1.32, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.81) from 1997 to 2013. Overall, incidence rates increased for males (APC 0.73, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.25) but not females (APC −0.77, 95% CI −0.68 to 0.82). Incidence rates increased in the white population (APC 0.79, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.25) but decreased in the black population (APC −0.72, 95% CI −1.41 to −0.02). The incidence rates increased for tongue-base tumors (APC 1.17, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.92) and tonsil tumors (APC 0.47, 95% CI 1.10 to 4.96) but decreased for other sites. Incidence-based mortality decreased (APC −0.78, 95% CI −1.13 to −0.42) from 1993 to 2013. Conclusion Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma incidence rates increased in a nonlinear fashion from 1973 to 2013, whereas mortality rates declined. This, along with variation in trends by demographic and tumor factors, suggest that human papilloma virus is the main driver of the recent rise in incidence. Level of Evidence 2b. Laryngoscope, 2017
Does septal thickness influence outcome of myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Objectives Patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and basal septal thickness Methods Clinical and echocardiographic data were reviewed for 1486 consecutive adult patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who underwent transaortic septal myectomy from January 2005 through December 2014. Comparisons between patients, grouped by septal thickness ( 21 mm, n = 505), were performed with the Kruskal-Wallis and the Pearson χ2 tests and semiparametric analysis of covariance. Results Median group ages were 57, 57 and 54 years (P = 0.007); men comprised 50.4%, 56.7% and 62.0%, respectively (P = 0.003). Intrinsic MV disease was present in 5.9%, 5.2% and 4.6%, respectively (P = 0.80). All patients underwent transaortic septal myectomy. Additional mitral procedures were performed in 7.6%, 7.8% and 8.1%, respectively (P = 0.90). Reasons for MV surgery included intrinsic MV disease (66.7%), residual mitral regurgitation (30.8%) and residual gradient (2.6%). All groups had postoperative gradient relief (median reduction: 51, 54 and 50 mmHg; P = 0.11). Ventricular septal defect occurred in 4 patients (0.3%), and risk did not differ by group (P = 0.24). Conclusions Adequate relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction can be achieved via transaortic septal myectomy without concomitant MV procedures when septal thickness is
Parenting a Child with Disabilities: the Intersection of Education and Cultural Perceptions in Southern India

Cultural and religious stigmas continue to negatively affect the basic human rights of people with disabilities in India in areas such as education and access to specialized services. There has been an increase in efforts to address misperceptions that affect daily life for people with disabilities and their families, particularly through special schools that serve these families. This qualitative study utilized the method of photo elicitation in an exploratory examination of the perceptions of parents in South India concerning what it is like to have a child with a disability. Six mothers and two fathers were recruited from one large special school operating multiple centers to serve children with disabilities in both an urban area and the surrounding rural villages. Findings did not reflect experiences of shame and rejection in having a child with a disability. Instead, parents endorsed themes of pride, the need to not underestimate their children’s abilities, patience and persistence, and hope. The findings provide preliminary support of anecdotal local reports that efforts by the school to educate the community regarding the biological influences on disabilities may be reducing cultural and religious misperceptions and negative treatment of families in which a child has a disability.
Phage-Bacterial Dynamics with Spatial Structure: Self Organization around Phage Sinks Can Promote Increased Cell Densities

Bacteria growing on surfaces appear to be profoundly more resistant to control by lytic bacteriophages than do the same cells grown in liquid. Here, we use simulation models to investigate whether spatial structure per se can account for this increased cell density in the presence of phages. A measure is derived for comparing cell densities between growth in spatially structured environments versus well mixed environments (known as mass action). Maintenance of sensitive cells requires some form of phage death; we invoke death mechanisms that are spatially fixed, as if produced by cells. Spatially structured phage death provides cells with a means of protection that can boost cell densities an order of magnitude above that attained under mass action, although the effect is sometimes in the opposite direction. Phage and bacteria self organize into separate refuges, and spatial structure operates so that the phage progeny from a single burst do not have independent fates (as they do with mass action). Phage incur a high loss when invading protected areas that have high cell densities, resulting in greater protection for the cells. By the same metric, mass action dynamics either show no sustained bacterial elevation or oscillate between states of low and high cell densities and an elevated average. The elevated cell densities observed in models with spatial structure do not approach the empirically observed increased density of cells in structured environments with phages (which can be many orders of magnitude), so the empirical phenomenon likely requires additional mechanisms than those analyzed here.
Accessing the Vibrational Signatures of Amino Acid Ions Embedded in Water Clusters.

We present an infrared predissociation (IRPD) study of microsolvated GlyH+(H2O)n and GlyH+(D2O)n clusters, formed inside of a cryogenic ion trap via condensation of H2O or D2O onto the protonated glycine ions. The resulting IRPD spectra, showing characteristic O–H and O–D stretches, indicate that H/D exchange reactions are quenched when the ion trap is held at 80 K, minimizing the presence of isotopomers. Comparisons of GlyH+(H2O)n and GlyH+(D2O)n spectra clearly highlight and distinguish the vibrational signatures of the water solvent molecules from those of the core GlyH+ ion, allowing for quick assessment of solvation structures. Without the aid of calculations, we can already infer solvation motifs and the presence of multiple conformations. The use of a cryogenic ion trap to cluster solvent molecules around ions of interest and control H/D exchange reactions is broadly applicable and should be extendable to studies of more complex peptidic ions in large solvated clusters.