cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microwave Irradiated Canine and Feline Tissues: Part 1. Morphologic Evaluation

Abstract A variety of canine and feline tissues collected during endoscopic/wedge biopsy procedures or during routine necropsies were microwave irradiated for 30 to 60 sec to a solution temperature 58–60°C, in either phosphate buffered saline (PBS), a 50/50 mix of PBS and ethanol, or Klotz solution. A duplicate set of tissues from each animal was collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) as a control. All tissues were routinely processed, paraffin embedded, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histologic comparisons were made between canine and feline tissues stabilized by microwave irradiation and tissues from the same animals routinely fixed in 10% NBF for 24 hr. Canine and feline tissues collected in physiologic buffered saline or Klotz solution and immediately irradiated demonstrated minimal artifactual changes in histologic appearance. Thus, microwave irradiation, with PBS or Klotz solution, can be a viable alternative to overnight techniques routinely used in most veterinary laboratories a...
Reply to "A Critical Review of Published Competency-to-Confess Measures"

Concerning the review by Rogers, Jordan, and Harrison (2004) regarding “Instruments for Assessing Understanding and Appreciation of Miranda Rights” (Grisso, 1998b; they called them “competency-to-confess measures”), a few of their points are well taken. These include the need for new norms and the instruments’ use of wording of the Miranda warnings that varies across police departments, as well as the absence of certain types of psychometric information for some of the instruments (about which more will be said later). These matters are being addressed in current research projects to update the instruments (Goldstein, Condie, Kalbeitzer, Osman, & Geier, 2003; Oberlander, Goldstein, & Goldstein, 2003), and the manual describes ways for clinicians to work with the problem of differences among police versions of the Miranda warnings. For the most part, however, the review’s concerns are unwarranted and its arguments misleading. They rest on a misinterpretation of the instruments’ purpose, as well as questionable (and sometimes inaccurate) application of standards for judging tests.
On narrowing of the resistive superconducting transition in applied magnetic fields and positive curvature in Hc2(T) in the (Gd1-xPrx)Ba2Cu3O7-δ system

Abstract The superconducting transition temperature Tc and the temperature dependence of the upper critical field Hc2 were measured resistively on polycrystalline samples in the (Gd1−xPrx)Ba2Cu3O7−δ system. The experimental results reveal that Tc decreases monotonically with increasing x and vanishes at x≈0.49. Whereas Hc2 of a sample with x=0.10 has an almost linear temperature dependence and the superconducting transition broadens with increasing magnetic field, a sample with x=0.45 shows strong positive curvature in the Hc2 versus temperature curve and narrowing of the superconducting transition width with increasing magnetic field. Both phenomena observed in the sample with x=0.45 can be explained qualitatively in terms of a negative exchange interaction between the superconducting charge carriers and the Pr 4f electrons.
Tamm-Horsfall protein-deficient thick ascending limbs promote injury to neighboring S3 segments in an MIP-2-dependent mechanism

Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) is a glycoprotein expressed exclusively in thick ascending limbs (TAL) of the kidney. We recently described a novel protective role of THP against acute kidney injury (A...
Did the Texas Closure Increase Brown Shrimp Catches off Texas

Abstract The annual catch of brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus off Texas is forecasted by the National Marine Fisheries Service using a model that relates spring (April–June) juvenile abundance in Galveston Bay to subsequent offshore catch (July to the following June). The model is not well documented, nor has it been used rigorously to examine the success of management actions in enhancing the fishery. State and federal agencies use an areal closure of Gulf of Mexico waters deeper than 4 fathoms from late May to early July to increase shrimp abundance, catch, and value by delaying the harvest of emigrating juvenile shrimp. This study reports a preclosure (1960–1980) regression that explained over 70% of the variation in offshore Texas catches as a function of the juvenile abundance index from Galveston Bay. Positive effects of the closure—in terms of increasing the catch for a given level of juvenile abundance in 1981–2007—were not found in this study. However, the utility of the relationship between ...
Fragile X protein controls the efficacy of mRNA transport in Drosophila neurons

Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation is caused by mutations in the FMR1 gene. FMR1 encodes an RNA-binding protein thought to control the transport and translation of target mRNAs. While the function of FMRP in translational control has been clearly demonstrated, its role in mRNA transport and localization in neurons remains elusive. Using a genetically encoded mRNA imaging system in Drosophila we provide the first demonstration that FMRP controls mRNA transport. Live imaging of FMRP associated mRNAs show that mRNA granules are less motile and exhibit decreased directional movement in dFmr1 mutant neurons. Furthermore, Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching experiments show that the mobile fraction of mRNA molecules within neurites is dependent on FMRP dosage. These data support a model whereby FMRP regulates transport efficacy, by regulating the association between mRNA cargo and microtubules and suggest a new mechanism for the disease.
Second-order algorithm for optimal model order reduction

A second-order algorithm is given for optimal model order reduction of continuous single-input/single-output systems. Given a transfer function of order n, it finds the transfer function of a model of order m<n that minimizes the integral-square difference between the impulse responses of the two systems. It is shown that this is exactly equivalent to two other problems: 1) minimizing the integral-square difference between the frequency responses of the two systems and 2) minimizing the mean-square difference between the statistical steady-state responses of the two systems to a white-noise input. The algorithm is based on the known explicit solution of the governing Lyapunov equation, which yields analytical expressions for the first and second derivatives of the performance index with respect to the residues and poles of the reduced-order model. These derivatives are then used in a Newton-Raphson algorithm. The algorithm is applied to find exact solutions for four examples, one of which has an unstable mode. The examples corroborate previous research indicating that Moore's truncated balanced realization is not always close to the optimal reduced order model. Matching step response instead of impulse response requires only a slight change in the algorithm.
Light distributions in front of a circular aperture, evaluated using vector diffraction theory

For a plane wave (having wavelength ?) incident on a circular aperture (radius a), the transverse distribution of light intensity beyond the aperture is expressed in terms of a dimensionless parameter, p1=a/?, for various distances close to the aperture, using the vector Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction theory.
Inhibition of infanticide after mating by wild male house mice

Abstract The effect of mating on the behavior of male house mice (Mus musculus) toward young has been examined in numerous domestic stocks of mice, and the somewhat contradictory results led us to examine the effects of mating on the behavior of wild male mice toward young. The wild mice were the F 1 -F 4 offspring of mice trapped in Missouri. Virtually all wild males exhibit infanticide prior to mating, but virrually all wild males were inhibited from exhibiting infanticide 3 weeks after mating whether they were placed into the cage of their former mate and her litter or into the cage of an unfamiliar female and her litter, similar to the effect of mating on the behavior of CF-1 male mice toward young. In contrast, wild males that had exhibited infanticide prior to mating were inhibited from exhibiting infanticide 3 weeks after mating when placed with their former mates and their 2-day-old young but not when placed with unfamiliar females and their 2-day-old young. When wild males were tested for their behavior toward young using the procedure of placing a single pup into each male's home cage, mating did not result in an inhibition of infanticide (about 90% of the males exhibited infanticide). Cohabitation with a female without mating also did not influence the behavior of wild males toward young. Wild males that exhibited infanticide when placed with a lactating female produced their own young more rapidly than did noninfanticidal males, thus providing further support for the hypothesis that under some conditions, infanticide can be an adaptive trait. But, virgin, infanticidal males took significantly longer to inseminate the females whose litters had been killed than did infanticidal males with prior sexual experience.
The zebrafish forkhead transcription factor Foxi1 specifies epibranchial placode-derived sensory neurons.

Vertebrate epibranchial placodes give rise to visceral sensory neurons that transmit vital information such as heart rate, blood pressure and visceral distension. Despite the pivotal roles they play, the molecular program underlying their development is not well understood. Here we report that the zebrafish mutation no soul , in which epibranchial placodes are defective, disrupts the fork headrelated, winged helix domain-containing protein Foxi1. Foxi1 is expressed in lateral placodal progenitor cells. In the absence of foxi1 activity, progenitor cells fail to express the basic helix-loop-helix gene neurogenin that is essential for the formation of neuronal precursors, and the paired homeodomain containing gene phox2a that is essential for neuronal differentiation and maintenance. Consequently, increased cell death is detected indicating that the placodal progenitor cells take on an apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, ectopic expression of foxi1 is sufficient to induce phox2a -positive and neurogenin -positive cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that Foxi1 is an important determination factor for epibranchial placodal progenitor cells to acquire both neuronal fate and subtype visceral sensory identity.
Megavoltage cone-beam computed tomography using a high-efficiency image receptor.

Abstract Purpose: To develop an image receptor capable of forming high-quality megavoltage CT images using modest radiation doses. Methods and Materials: A flat-panel imaging system consisting of a conventional flat-panel sensor attached to a thick CsI scintillator has been fabricated. The scintillator consists of individual CsI crystals 8 mm thick by 0.38 mm × 0.38-mm pitch. Five sides of each crystal are coated with a reflecting powder/epoxy mixture, and the sixth side is in contact with the flat-panel sensor. A timing interface coordinates acquisition by the imaging system and pulsing of the linear accelerator. With this interface, as little as one accelerator pulse (0.023 cGy at the isocenter) can be used to form projection images. Different CT phantoms irradiated by a 6-MV X-ray beam have been imaged to evaluate the performance of the imaging system. The phantoms have been mounted on a rotating stage and rotated while 360 projection images are acquired in 48 s. These projections have been reconstructed using the Feldkamp cone-beam CT reconstruction algorithm. Results and Discussion: Using an irradiation of 16 cGy (360 projections × 0.046 cGy/projection), the contrast resolution is ∼1% for large objects. High-contrast structures as small as 1.2 mm are clearly visible. The reconstructed CT values are linear ( R 2 = 0.98) for electron densities between 0.001 and 2.16 g/cm 3 , and the reconstruction time for a 512 × 512 × 512 data set is 6 min. Images of an anthropomorphic phantom show that soft-tissue structures such as the heart, lung, kidneys, and liver are visible in the reconstructed images (16 cGy, 5-mm-thick slices). Conclusions: The acquisition of megavoltage CT images with soft-tissue contrast is possible with irradiations as small as 16 cGy.
Trends in the management of adult moyamoya disease in the United States: results of a nationwide survey

Background Moyamoya disease is a rare, progressive, steno-occlusive disease of the distal branches of the carotid arteries associated with the development of a profuse basal collateral vascular network. In the United States, the disease occurs sporadically and literature on the topic in limited. With data lacking relative to moyamoya epidemiology and management, we report our survey results among a sample of neurovascular surgeons. Methods A 16-question survey was sent as a hyperlink by electronic mail to 46 vascular neurosurgery centers and physicians who have published on this topic. Data included patient demographics, referral patterns, treatment, and follow-up. Results Response rate was 70%. Of 32 respondents, 72% evaluated 10 or fewer adults per year, usually referred by a neurologist within their referral pattern. Fifteen (47%) respondents reported that the disease had a bilateral occurrence between 50% and 75% of the time. Most respondents (88%) reported that fewer than 25% of their patients had a previous surgery for the disease. Symptomatology (91%) was the criterion to recommend surgery. Nineteen (59%) respondents regularly assessed cerebrovascular reserve by the addition of acetazolamide challenge to their imaging method of choice, typically single photon emission computed tomography. Treatment was antiplatelets (55%) in asymptomatic adults and superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass for >75% of symptomatic patients, as assessed by 48% of respondents. Yearly follow-up included cerebral angiography for both superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass and indirect revascularization. Conclusions Our survey results quantify epidemiologic trends of moyamoya disease in the United States. Finding a lack of consensus in management strategies, we conclude that collaborative efforts may help to create guidelines for the management of this puzzling entity.
Effects of slow pathway ablation on fast pathway function in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia

Effects of Slow Pathway Ablation. Introduction: This study investigated whether fast pathway conduction properties are altered by slow pathway ablation in patients with AV nodal reentrant tacbycardia. Methods and Results: Forty consecutive patients who underwent successful ablation of the slow pathway were prospective subjects for the study. Isoproterenol was used to enhance conduction and to differentiate interactive mechanisms. Potential electrotonic interactions were assessed by comparing patients with and those without residual dual AV node pbysiology after slow pathway ablation. Paired and unpaired t-tests were used when appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In the entire study population, heart rates were not significantly different before and after slow pathway ablation (RR = 770 ± 114 msec before and 745 ± 99 msec after, P = 0.07). Anterograde fast pathway conduction properties were unchanged after slow pathway ablation (effective refractory period, 348 ± 84 msec before and 336 ± 86 msec after, P = 0.13; shortest 1:1 conduction, 410 ± 93 msec before and 400 ± 82 msec after, P = 0.39). Retrograde fast pathway characteristics also were similar before and after ablation. Neither anterograde nor retrograde last pathway conduction properties during isoproterenol infusion were changed by slow pathway ablation. When the study population was further divided into patients with (n= 13) or without (n = 27) residual dual AV node pbysiology, no significant change was detected in fast pathway function in either group after slow patbway ablation. Conclusions: Fast pathway conduction characteristics were not affected by slow pathway ablation. In patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, observations suggest that fast and slow pathways are functionally distinct.
Inhibition of compensatory renal growth by ureterocaval fistula

Abstract Compensatory renal growth is studied in dogs with an autotransplanted kidney and a ureterocaval fistula. The weight of the kidney at the time of transplantation is used to estimate the initial weight of the contralateral kidney. A significant decrease in compensatory renal growth is observed, judged by comparison of the renal weight change in the experimental group to that in a control group of dogs with unilateral nephrectomies. The roles of excretory work and total renal mass as stimuli for renal hypertrophy are discussed. The results of this experiment indicate that decreased total renal mass may be more important than increased excretory work in the control of renal growth. Evidence is cited showing that there may be a humoral renotropic substance or substances operating through a feedback system and accounting for compensatory renal growth.
Ultra-drawing of polystyrene by solid-state coextrusions: molecular weight dependence of properties and processing

Solid-state coextrusion within polyethylene at 130° C has been shown to produce ultra-drawn polystyrene (PS). Six molecular weights of atactic PS of narrow molecular weight range were ultra-drawn. A strong influence of molecular weight and extrusion draw radio (EDR) on the efficiency of coextrusion was observed. The highest EDR of 27 and orientation achieved exceed values so far reported in the literature for PS. Bi-refringence reached Δ n =−4.2×10−2, corresponding to 44% orientation, and the efficiency of chain extension as measured by elastic recovery was almost 100 %. The results are consistent with an entanglement deformation model for PS which facilitates molecular extension and concomitant orientation. Draw deformation of markers placed on the PS films prior to co-extrusion indicate the process is an effective elongational flow. The glass transition temperature and molecular weight did not change following draw.
Assessment of preferences for classification detail in medical information: is uniformity better?

The growing acceptance of evidence-based decision making in healthcare organizations has resulted in recognition of information classification and retrieval as a key area of both strategic and operational management. In the emerging information-intensive healthcare environment, healthcare managers are beginning to understand the increased need for formal, continuous information classification and coding in health services, creating a need for enhanced information retrieval, delivery of services and quality management. Variation in classification preferences across practice settings poses healthcare quality management problems for evidence-based medicine in such an environment. This paper reports results from a major national study into the perceived variation reported by health information managers related to the relevance-efficiency trade-offs of information classification across regions and practice settings. This study provides: (1) a benchmark of the degree of such variation, examining how classification preferences vary across organization types, regions, and management indicators, and (2) the extent to which managers prefer more descriptive classification systems, despite nationwide mandates to adopt greater nondescriptive categorization of information. Findings suggest that due to major regional variation, stringent national information standards may be counterproductive for some healthcare practice settings and geographic locations. Implications for healthcare information classification and retrieval are further examined and discussed.
Optimizing gold thickness of land grid array pads for cost, performance and reliability of connectors

Gold plated socket contact tips and substrate lands are commonly used in the electronics industry for optimum electrical properties. Increasing the gold thickness improves corrosion resistance and provides stable contact resistance at lower mechanical forces. However, with the ever increasing cost of gold it is critical to optimize the socket stack for cost, performance and reliability. To demonstrate this balance, a study on the stability of socket contact resistance was conducted at various gold thicknesses of substrate lands ranging from 60 to 400 nm using a single contact test setup. Contact forces were measured with a tri-axial force sensor that provided a means for extracting the coefficient of friction between the contact interface and substrate lands. An empirical model that relates the contact resistance to mechanical force and plating thickness was derived from the Force-Deflection-Resistance trends observed across various gold thicknesses. In this study, some of the plating options considered included a layer of Palladium (Pd) between the Nickel (Ni) and Gold (Au) layers to improve the corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance was quantified by exposing the substrates to temperature, humidity and mixed flowing gas (MFG) chambers. The experimental findings could be used for optimization of the Gold plating thickness for cost, performance and reliability.
The chicken genome contains two functional non-allellic b1, 4-galactosyltransferase genes: Chromosomal assignment to syntenic regions tracks fate of the two gene lineages in the human genome

Two distinct but related groups of cDNA clones, CKbeta4GT-I and CKbeta4GT-II, have been isolated by screening a chicken hepatoma cDNA library with a bovine beta1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta4GT) cDNA clone. CKbeta4GT-I is predicted to encode a type II transmembrane glycoprotein of 41 kDa with one consensus site for N-linked glycosylation. CKbeta4GT-II is predicted to encode a type II transmembrane glycoprotein of 43 kDa with five potential N-linked glycosylation sites. At the amino acid level, the coding regions of CKbeta4GT-I and CKbeta4GT-II are 52% identical to each other and 62 and 49% identical, respectively, to bovine beta4GT. Despite this divergence in amino acid sequence, high levels of expression of each cDNA in Trichoplusia ni insect cells demonstrate that both CKbeta4GT-I and CKbeta4GT-II encode an alpha-lactalbumin-responsive, UDP-galactose:N-acetylglucosamine beta4-galactosyltransferase. An analysis of CKbeta4GT-I and CKbeta4GT-II genomic clones established that the intron positions within the coding region are conserved when compared with each other, and these positions are identical to the mouse and human beta4GT genes. Thus CKbeta4GT-I and CKbeta4GT-II are the result of the duplication of an ancestral gene and subsequent divergence. CKbeta4GT-I maps to chicken chromosome Z in a region of conserved synteny with the centromeric region of mouse chromosome 4 and human chromosome 9p, where beta4-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.38) had previously been mapped. Consequently, during the evolution of mammals, it is the CKbeta4GT-I gene lineage that has been recruited for the biosynthesis of lactose. CKbeta4GT-II maps to a region of chicken chromosome 8 that exhibits conserved synteny with human chromosome 1p. An inspection of the current human gene map of expressed sequence tags reveals that there is a gene noted to be highly similar to beta4GT located in this syntenic region on human chromosome 1p. Because both the CKbeta4GT-I and CKbeta4GT-II gene lineages are detectable in mammals, duplication of the ancestral beta4-galactosyltransferase gene occurred over 250 million years ago in an ancestral species common to both mammals and birds.
Improving transition from pediatric to adult cystic fibrosis care: lessons from a national survey of current practices

OBJECTIVES. More than 500000 adolescents with special health care needs age into adulthood each year in the United States, and there is growing recognition of the need for support of their transition to adult-oriented health care. Because of improved survival, cystic fibrosis has experienced this increasing transition need, and cystic fibrosis policy leaders responded by mandating the transition of adults with cystic fibrosis to adult-focused cystic fibrosis care programs by 2000. The primary objective of this study was to characterize in detail recent transition practices at US cystic fibrosis programs, to identify areas for improvement and to serve as a model for other diseases. A secondary objective of this study was to develop and validate a survey for formal assessment of transition practices. METHODS. A 105-question survey on key aspects of transition was administered to cystic fibrosis care team members from all 195 US Cystic Fibrosis Care programs. Rates of adherence to recommended components of transition care were measured. RESULTS. A total of 448 surveys were obtained from 170 (87%) of 195 cystic fibrosis programs. Although transfer of care occurs at a median age of 19 years, initial discussion of transition does not occur until a median age of 17 years, limiting time to foster self-care skills. Only half of programs consistently perform a transition readiness assessment, 28% of centers offer visits focused on transition, and CONCLUSIONS. There is significant variability in transition support provided to young adults with cystic fibrosis, but there are simple steps that may lead to more consistent delivery of transition services. Methods of assessment and lessons learned from transitioning young adults at US cystic fibrosis programs may serve to improve transition for individuals with other childhood diseases.
Monopolistic Selling in a Changing Economy

I. The inadequacy of stationary analysis, 191.—Adjustment where sellers are few, 193.— Monopolistic restriction vs. competitive action, 193.— II. The influence of business cycles: general characteristics, 200; probability of a common policy, 201; of individual action, 204. III. The development of industries and the degree of competition: the typical pattern, 207; general comparisons between eariy and late stages, 207; probability of a common policy, 209; the influence of time, 212.
F-probability plot and its application to multivariate normality

We introduce the squared jackknife distance of a multivariate observation and derive its finite sampling distribution when a random sample is taken from a multivariate normal distribution. Based on the finite sampling distribution of the squared jackknife distance we recommend the use of an F-probability plot for checking multivariate normality and the F-probability plot correlation coefficient and the F-probability plot intercept as numerical measures of detecting deviation from normality. We report empirical percentiles of the F-probability plot correlation coefficient and the F-probability plot intercept. We compare the powers of tests for multivariate normality based on the F-probability plot and based on the “usual” chi-square probability plot and conduct extensive power studies of the proposed numerical measures.
Strain relaxation by directionally aligned precipitate nanoparticles in the growth of single-crystalline Gd-doped ceria thin films

Transmission electron microscopy has been used to investigate the microstructure and epitaxial behavior of gadolinium-doped ceria (Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ) thin films on single crystal (001) LaAlO3. The results show that the films have single-crystal cubic structure and a sharp interface with an interface relationship of (001)film∥(001)sub and [100]film∥[110]sub. Accompanying the high film crystallinity, a directionally aligned, precipitated nanoparticle structure has been observed. The precipitated particles have an average size of ∼4 nm, a Ga-rich composition of Ce0.7Gd0.3O2−δ, a rhombic shape with mainly {111} facets, and are uniformly distributed over the entire film area. The nanoparticles contribute a uniform tensile strain to the film that effectively compensates the compressive film strain induced by the substrate, and also leads to a uniform relaxation of the residual film strain by generating misfit dislocations at the film/particle interfaces. The high film crystallinity is believed to result from this ...
Inversion of body-wave delay times for mantle structure beneath the Hawaiian islands: results from the PELENET experiment

Abstract As an experiment to assess the nature of resolvable seismic velocity anomalies in the mantle surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, we operated a temporary network – known as PELENET – consisting of seven broadband portable seismometers on the islands of Kauai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii during 1995–1999. Here we report the inversion of body-wave delay times across the network, including arrivals at the Global Seismic Network station KIP on Oahu and the Ocean Seismic Network Pilot Experiment south of Oahu, to determine the three-dimensional seismic velocity structure of the upper mantle of the region. The consistent feature observed in both P- and S-wave inversions is a low-velocity anomaly beneath Maui and Molokai, which we suggest may reflect a zone of secondary melting in the asthenosphere downstream from the hotspot locus. The inversions do not resolve a cylindrical low-velocity plume in the upper mantle beneath the island of Hawaii, but resolution tests indicate that this outcome could be the result of the sparse and nearly linear distribution of stations combined with the incomplete azimuthal coverage of earthquake sources. A determination of the detailed three-dimensional structure of the upper mantle beneath the Hawaiian hotspot will require a simultaneous deployment of both ocean-bottom and land seismometers.
A novel method for analysis of explosives residue by simultaneous detection of anions and cations via capillary zone electrophoresis.

A novel electrolyte has been developed for the simultaneous separation of cations and anions in low explosive residue by capillary electrophoresis. This electrolyte contains 15 mM α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) as the buffer, 6 mM imidazole as the cation chromophore, 3 mM 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid (NTS) as the anion chromophore, 4 mM 18-crown-6 ether as a cation selectivity modifier, and 5% (v/v) acetonitrile as an organic modifier. The pH was adjusted to 6.5 using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH), an electroosmotic flow modifier. The method was optimized by varying the concentrations of α-HIBA, imidazole, and 1,3,6-NTS at three different pH values. The results provided a simultaneous indirect photometric analysis of both anions and cations with detection limits ranging from 0.5 to 5 ppm for anions and from 10 to 15 ppm for cations with a total run time of under 7 min. The method was then applied to the analysis of Pyrodex® RS and black powder, as well as several smokeless powders. The results obtained were consistent with previously reported results for separate anion and cation analysis and provide a faster, more complete analysis of each sample in a single chromatographic run.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector.

The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals on a farm, ranch, or from their natural habitats. About 2.1 million workers were employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing in the United States in 2004, making it one of the largest economic sectors in the nation. The workforce total consisted of about 1% in forestry, 5.9% in logging, 2.6% in fishing, hunting, and trapping, and 9% in support activities for agriculture and forestry. The balance, over 81% of the workforce, was engaged in crop or animal production. This sector is unusual in a number of respects; nearly half of its workforce, almost 1 million individuals, are self-employed, many as farmers and fishers. Over the last 50 years, crop and animal production, and forestry and fishing in the U.S. have all achieved dramatic increases in the mechanization of production and in production efficiency. With better technology, many firms have consolidated and increased the size of their operations and output per employee (United States Department of Labor, 2007). Individuals who work in these industries may feel strong ties to their job, as they often live in nearby rural communities close to the involved land, forest, or sea. However, they may pay a high price in terms of work-related risks of injury and disease. For example, an average of 700 individuals from the farming and ranching workforce lose their lives annually, and another 120,000 are temporarily or permanently disabled (National Safety Council, 2007). Among work-related injuries, tractors cause the most worker fatalities in agriculture, while other farm equipment and animals contribute to the most injuries overall. Hands are the part of the body most often injured and disabled. Small farms, and family farms with fewer than 11 employees, are exempt from enforcement of most federal workplace health and safety policies. Language: en
Object-oriented parallel programming tools for structural engineering applications

Abstract The principal objective of this work is to develop portable and extensible programming tools for the development of object-oriented parallel finite element codes for structural engineering applications. An object-oriented parallel portability interface for message-passing operations has been designed and implemented. An existing object-oriented matrix library is currently being extended to support the management of distributed matrix data and parallel solution of linear systems of algebraic equations. By taking advantage of C++ object-oriented programming, both the class libraries provide clean and consistent user interfaces, which not only help to improve the clarity and expressiveness of the client parallel codes, but also hide implementation details and complexity from the user to ease parallel programming tasks. In this paper, the object-oriented design and implementation of the class libraries are discussed. The libraries were first developed and tested using a network of Sun SPARC 10 workstations. Application examples were then studied on two commercial parallel computers: the IBM SP1 and the Intel Paragon XP/S 10, for evaluation of the portability and efficiency of the present class libraries.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Stroke in Young Patients

Objective: To determine the association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and stroke among young persons. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Setting: Large, inner-city public hospital. Participants: All patients aged 19 to 44 years with a diagnosis of stroke, whose HIV status was determined, admitted from January 1990 through June 1994. Controls matched for age and sex were selected from patients who were admitted during the same period for status asthmaticus whose HIV status was known. Main Outcome Measure: The associations of HIV infection with all strokes and with cerebral infarction, after adjustment for other cerebrovascular risk factors, were evaluated by Mantel-Haenszel stratified analyses. The subtypes and causes of stroke in HIV-infected patients were compared with HIV-seronegative patients. Results: The HIV infection was associated with stroke (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-5.3) and cerebral infarction (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1-8.9), after adjustment for other cerebrovascular risk factors. Among patients with stroke, cerebral infarction was more frequent in HIV-infected patients than in HIV-seronegative patients (20 [80%] of 25 vs 48 [56%] of 88,P=.04). The frequency of cerebral infarctions associated with meningitis (P Conclusions: Our study suggests that HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of stroke, particularly cerebral infarction in young patients. This risk is probably mediated by increased susceptibility of HIV-infected patients to meningitis and protein S deficiency.
Towards dynamic team formation for robot ensembles

We present an investigation of dynamic team formation strategies for robot ensembles performing a collection of single and two-robot tasks. Specifically, we consider the abstract “stick and pebble” problem, as a variation of the “stick pulling” problem discussed in the literature. We present a formulation of the dynamic team formation problem that is independent of ensemble size and develop a macroscopic analytical description of the ensemble dynamics. The macroscopic model is then used to determine the optimal teaming strategy for two different performance metrics. We present agent-based simulation results to support the validity of our macroscopic analysis.
Enthalpies of vaporization of oligomers of poly(hexamethylene sebacate) and esters of alkylcarboxylic acids

Enthalpies of vaporization for esters covering a molecular weight range of about 74–939 g/mol · [monocarboxylics; linear esters of sebacic series; branched esters of triglyceride series; and, oligomer esters of poly(hexamethylene sebacate)] and a temperature range of about 273.15–523.15 K have been empirically fitted to within about 5% to an equation of the following form: ΔHv(T,M) = S(T)f(M) + I0(T), where S(T) = C Ln(T) + K0, I0(T) = aT + b0, and f(M) = M/(1 + a0M), M is the molecular weight (molar mass); T is in degrees Kelvin; and, C, K0, a, b0, and a0 are constants. These results were used to determine the heat capacity difference, ΔCp = Cp(l) − Cp(g), and compared to calculated values from functional relationships of Cp(l) and Cp(g), l is liquid g is gas. The heat capacity difference results in conjunction with Cp(l) were used to empirically calculate the heat capacity of the gas, Cp(g), over the molecular weight and temperature ranges investigated and compared to a group contribution method. The functional forms for ΔHv(T,M), ΔCp(T,M), Cp(l), and Cp(g) were also found to be applicable for n-alkanes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 731–746, 1998
The infrared diagnostic of a dusty plasma with applications to supernova remnants

IRAS observations of infrared emission from supernova remnants constitute the first observational evidence of shock-heated dust in the interstellar medium. These observations can provide valuable information on the morphology of supernova remnants, and on their interaction with the ambient interstellar medium. In particular, they can be used to study the physical condition and the cooling rate of dusty astrophysical plasmas. In this paper, consideration is given to the possibilities and limitations of using the infrared observations as a diagnostic for the shocked gas, and as a means of determining remnant parameters. The paper presents improved calculations for the cooling rate of a dusty plasma by means of gas-grain collisions, and the equilibrium temperature of the dust for a variety of plasma conditions. These results are then used to define the density-temperature parameter space of the plasma, which, given its infrared spectrum, should be occupied by the observed remnant. This constraint can be used to estimate distances to supernova remnants and to set limits on various parameters that determine their evolution. The analysis is applied to the remnants Cas A and the Cygnus Loop.
Extending the indications for breast-conserving treatment to patients with locally advanced breast cancer

Abstract Purpose: Breast-conserving therapy (BCS) has generally been limited to T1 and T2 lesions because it has been thought impossible to achieve good local control with satisfactory cosmesis in patients with more advanced disease. However, many patients with T3 and T4 lesions will exhibit dramatic tumor downstaging with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It is our hypothesis that for these patients BCS can be performed with good local control and cosmesis. Methods and Materials: Between February 1991 and November 1995, 34 patients with T3/T4, N0–N2, M0 breast cancer completed treatment consisting of 90 mg/m 2 of doxorubicin every 212 weeks × 4, surgery (a local excision if sufficiently downstaged, or mastectomy if not), high dose cyclophosphamide (CMF) every 212 weeks × 4, and radiation therapy. Radionuclide ventriculograms were performed on all patients pre- and postdoxorubicin, and at 6–12 months post radiation therapy. Patients were evaluated for toxicity, local control, cosmesis, disease-free and overall survival. Results: Median follow-up is 30 months. 15/34 (44%) patients underwent BCS with only one local–regional failure and actuarial 3-year disease-free and overall survival of 77% and 88%. Cosmetic results were good to excellent in 80% of the patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction, which predictably declined following doxorubicin, did not further decline after radiation therapy. Conclusions: These results suggest that with this regimen a subset of patients with locally advanced breast cancer can preserve their breast with acceptable cosmesis without compromising local control or survival.
Isolation and characterization of the 5'-upstream and untranslated regions of the mouse type II iodothyronine deiodinase gene.

Abstract The type II iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) catalyzes the 5′-deiodination of thyroxine to yield the biologically active form, 3,3′,5,-tri-iodothyronine, and is a member of the selenoproteins. We isolated a 17.5 kb mouse genomic clone containing the entire coding and 5′-untranslated regions of the D2 gene (mdio2). We also isolated the entire 5′-UTR of the mouse D2 cDNA, which was 753 bp in length and contained five ATG codons. An additional 258 bp ORF from the fourth ATG codon was found in the same reading frame as the coding region reported previously, and this additional ORF contained a TGA codon, which could encode selenocysteine. The proximal promoter of mdio2 contained a TATA box and several potential transcription factor-binding sequences, including CRE, C/EBP and GATA binding sites. The 1.3 kb 5′-upstream region exhibited a promoter activity by reporter assay using Mm5MT and JAR cells, which have a D2 transcript, but not HepG2 cells that have no detectable level of D2 transcript.
Endoscopic therapy of NSAID-induced colonic diaphragm disease: two cases and a review of published reports☆

Since the introduction of acetylsalicylic acid in 1899 and the development of non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the 1960s, NSAIDs have become the most widely used medications in the world.1 It is estimated that 40 billion aspirin tablets are used every year around the world. More than 30 million people use NSAIDs each day worldwide.2,3 As with any medication, there are adverse as well as beneficial effects. NSAIDs are believed to injure the GI mucosa by inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis and through the uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Although the stomach and duodenum have been the main focus in published reports of NSAID-induced GI damage, more recently there has been greater recognition of the adverse effects of NSAIDs on the colon.
Severe Respiratory Muscle Weakness Related to Long-Term Colchicine Therapy

We report a case of colchicine-induced myopathy, in which the initial presenting and predominant clinical feature was respiratory muscle dysfunction; there was also chronic renal failure and electromyographically-measured myopathy. Discontinuation of colchicine led to marked improvement. Colchicine discontinuation was the only therapy performed (other medications were unchanged), and within 3 weeks the patient had regained motor function and resumed daily activities. Myopathy from primary biliary cirrhosis was ruled out. In contrast to acute colchicine intoxication, chronic colchicine toxicity is related to prolonged use rather than colchicine serum level, so colchicine serum level was not measured and did not affect the decision to discontinue colchicine. Although the diagnosis was not confirmed by muscle biopsy, we believe the typical presentation and the rapid improvement after withdrawing colchicine confirm the diagnosis. We conclude that long-term colchicine therapy, especially in the setting of chronic renal failure, can produce symptomatic respiratory muscle weakness.
Developing Regional Regimes: A Comparison of Two Metropolitan Areas

Abstract: The author relates tenets of urban regime theory to the major elements of new regionalism. He develops a framework of government and private sector structures and factors that facilitate the development of regional governing regimes. He categorizes these structures and elements as high, medium, or low according to the extent to which they facilitate or hinder the development of regional regimes. This framework is used in an analysis of new regionalism in the Pittsburgh and Chicago regions. The author concludes that the Pittsburgh region's private sector regime development capacity is in the high category while its government capacity is in the medium category. The Chicago region's private sector regime development capacity is placed in the medium category while its government sector capacity is judged to be in the low category.
Case Study Methods in International Political Economy

IPE scholars frequently use qualitative methods to contribute to theory-building, but we could get greater value from them. Single case studies are actually a family of research designs: the disciplined interpretive case study, the hypothesis-generating case study, the least-likely, most-likely, and deviant case studies. The method of difference employs comparison and attempts to eliminate rival interpretation by choosing two or more cases that match in important respects. These methods enjoy several inherent advantages relative to statistical methods, and they suffer from several disadvantages. Neither family of methods is sufficient. The two complement one another and ultimately must be combined.
Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing and Precision Neonatology

Traditionally, genetic testing has been too slow or perceived to be impractical to initial management of the critically ill neonate. Technological advances have led to the ability to sequence and interpret the entire genome of a neonate in as little as 26 h. As the cost and speed of testing decreases, the utility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) of neonates for acute and latent genetic illness increases. Analyzing the entire genome allows for concomitant evaluation of the currently identified 5588 single gene diseases. When applied to a select population of ill infants in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit, WGS yielded a diagnosis of a causative genetic disease in 57% of patients. These diagnoses may lead to clinical management changes ranging from transition to palliative care for uniformly lethal conditions for alteration or initiation of medical or surgical therapy to improve outcomes in others. Thus, institution of 2-day WGS at time of acute presentation opens the possibility of early implementation of precision medicine. This implementation may create opportunities for early interventional, frequently novel or off-label therapies that may alter disease trajectory in infants with what would otherwise be fatal disease. Widespread deployment of rapid WGS and precision medicine will raise ethical issues pertaining to interpretation of variants of unknown significance, discovery of incidental findings related to adult onset conditions and carrier status, and implementation of medical therapies for which little is known in terms of risks and benefits. Despite these challenges, precision neonatology has significant potential both to decrease infant mortality related to genetic diseases with onset in newborns and to facilitate parental decision making regarding transition to palliative care.
Activated macrophages inhibit enterocyte gap junctions via the release of nitric oxide

Enterocytes exist in close association with tissue macrophages, whose activation during inflammatory processes leads to the release of nitric oxide (NO). Repair from mucosal injury requires the mig...