cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of 3D compression for ultrasonic nondestructive testing applications

Ultrasonic imaging and nondestructive testing applications require large volumes of data. Therefore, it is essential to compress data for storage and transmission without degrading the signal quality or inadvertently damaging desirable signal features. In this study, the ultrasonic signal compression and signal reconstruction is implemented using discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and direct signal decimation and reconstruction by interpolation when sampling rate exceeds several folds above the Nyquist rate. The objective of this study is to design 1D and 3D compressions and evaluate the degree of compression of ultrasonic data as a function of data integrity. The compression performance is evaluated by calculating the PSNR (peak SNR) and the correlation between the original and reconstructed signals with respect to compression ratio. The performance of the 3D compression algorithm used in this study offers an overall 3D compression ratio of 95% with a PSNR of 27dB indicating high signal fidelity.
Reaction of MeO2C(H)C=C=C(H)CO2Me with Ru3(CO)12. New diruthenium complexes with bridging carboxylate-substituted allene ligands

The reaction of Ru3(CO)12 with MeO2C(H)C=C=C(H)CO2 Me has yielded two isomeric productsanti-Ru2(CO)6[μ-η3-η1-MeO2C(H)CCC(H)CO2Me],1 in 70% yield andsyn-Ru2(CO)6[μ-η3-η1-MeO2C(H)CCC(H)CO2Me],2 in 5% yield. Both compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Both products are diruthenium complexes with bridging di(carboxylate)allene ligands in which the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group of one of the carboxylate groupings is coordinated to one of the metal atoms. Compound1 isomerizes partially to2 at 68°C. Crystal Data for1: space group=P21/n,a=11.131(1) A,b=10.228(2) A,c=15.978(2) A,β=102.01(1)°,Z=4, 1653 reflections,R=0.025; for2: space group=P\(\bar 1\),a=9.340(1) A,b=14.925(4) A,c=6.778(2) A,α=99-02(2)°,β=104 62(2)°,γ=94.58(2)°,Z=2, 1857 reflections,R=0.027.
Spinal reflex excitability changes after cervical and lumbar spinal manipulation: a comparative study

Abstract Background context: Spinal manipulation (SM) is a commonly employed nonoperative treatment modality in the management of patients with neck, low back or pelvic pain. One basic physiologic response to SM is a transient decrease in motoneuron activity as assessed using the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) technique. Previous research from our laboratory indicates that both SM with a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust and mobilization without thrust produced a profound but transient attenuation of motoneuronal activity of the lumbosacral spine in asymptomatic subjects. To date, effects of cervical SM procedures on the excitability cervical motoneuron pools are unknown. Purpose: The objective of this research was to a gain a more complete understanding of the physiologic effects of SM procedures on motoneuron activity, by comparing the effects of regional SM on cervical and lumbar motoneuron pool excitability. Study design/setting: Maximal H-reflex amplitudes were recorded before and after SM in both the cervical and lumbar regions of asymptomatic subjects in two successive experimental sessions. Patient sample: Asymptomatic, young healthy volunteers were used in this study. Outcome measures: Changes in flexor carpi radialis and gastrocnemius H-reflex amplitudes before and after SM procedures. Methods: H-reflexes recorded form the tibial and median nerves were evaluated before and after lumbar and cervical SM, respectively. Results: Both Lumbar and cervical SM produced a transient but significant attenuation of motoneuron excitability. The attenuation of the tibial nerve H-reflex amplitude was proportionately greater than that of the median nerve, which occurred after cervical SM. Conclusions: SM procedures lead to transient suppression of motoneuron excitability, as assessed by the H-reflex technique. Lumbar spine SM appears to lead to greater attenuation of motoneuron activity compared with that of the cervical region. Thus, these two distinct regions of the spine may possess different responsiveness levels to spinal manipulative therapy.
Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century Falconry Manuals: Technical Writing with a Classical Rhetorical Influence:

This study traces Renaissance and post-Renaissance technical writers' use of classical rhetoric in English instruction manuals on the sport of falconry. A study of the period's five prominent falconry manuals written by four authors—George Turberville, Simon Latham, Edmund Bert, and Richard Blome—reveals these technical writers' conscious use of classical rhetoric as an important technique to persuade readers to accept these authors' authority and trust the information they were disseminating. These manuals employed several classical rhetorical techniques: invention by using ethos and several classical topics, classical arrangement, the plain style, and adaptation of the orator's duties. The explanation for this classical influence rests in the authors' own knowledge of classical rhetoric derived from sources such as Thomas Wilson, as well as the sources from whom these authors obtained their knowledge of falconry. The article ends by suggesting the origins through which these classical rhetorical techniq...
Ethical considerations of study participants in dental caries clinical trials

During the past 30 years there has been increasing concern for ethical considerations that pertain to the conduct of human biomedical research. Consequently, many national and international medical and dental organizations and agencies have developed regulations, policies or ethical guidelines for the protection of human subjects who take part in clinical investigations. In the United States, more than 500 research institutions have established permanent committees to review research in humans conducted by their institutions. Members of these committees must represent a broad range of backgrounds, interests, and concerns. Prospective study subjects must be able to make an informed decision on whether to participate in any study, without any element of force, deceit, duress, or other form of constraint or coercion. Obtaining informed consent for studies of children, the mentally infirm, and persons with restricted civil freedom presents special problems. Ethical considerations also raise questions on appropriate designs for clinical studies, e.g. use of untreated controls. Dental studies, particularly those testing caries-preventive agents, raise special questions of design, informed consent, ethical procedures and the use of diagnostic radiographs. The director of a clinical study is responsible for the conduct of all personnel connected with the investigation.
Housing, Race, and Recovery from Hurricane Katrina

The destruction of private and public housing in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina was greatest among African Americans due to historic settlement patterns. Data for 13 planning districts within Orleans Parish (the city of New Orleans proper) that document the extent of housing destruction, the distribution of population by race, and the share of returned population at 2 and 5 year points across these planning districts are evaluated using correlation analysis. The finding is that the return of African Americans to New Orleans is significantly less than that of other groups and is associated with the greater housing destruction in neighborhoods with the highest percentages of African Americans. An analysis of the structure and impact of the Road Home program for private housing and of the initiatives of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Housing Authority of New Orleans provides evidence of racial discriminatory policies and practices that contributed to the racial disparity in the African American return to New Orleans. It is suggested that political leaders paid more attention to the interests of developers and big businesses in the restoration of New Orleans than to the interests of the predominantly black working class in the city.
Health education for adults.

Abstract Primary prevention of cancer—taking steps to avoid the disease before it starts—is the most sensible way to deal with the influence cancer may have on all of our lives. While it is true that much about the nature and causes of cancer is not yet known, ample scientific evidence has been established on certain sites of cancer, making it possible to take steps to reduce our chances of getting this disease. This paper briefly reviews current adult education programs for primary prevention of cancer and offers suggestions for more effective programming in the future. Programs now underway include those sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the American Health Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, trade unions, and industries. It is estimated that anticigarette-smoking programs account for 90% of the present programs in primary cancer prevention, while the remaining programs concern overexposure to the sun and skin cancer, and cancers caused by occupational hazards and other chemicals. Recommendations for the future include the need for a definitive statement separating cancer causes firmly established by research from those suspected cancer causes calling for additional research.
Effects of vacuum pressure, inlet pressure, and mold temperature on the void content, volume fraction of polyester/e-glass fiber composites manufactured with VARTM process

Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process is one of the liquid composite molding (LCM) processes aimed at producing high-quality composite parts. The void content and fiber volume frac...
Vitamin C deficiency in the brain impairs cognition, increases amyloid accumulation and deposition, and oxidative stress in APP/PSEN1 and normally aging mice

Subclinical vitamin C deficiency is widespread in many populations, but its role in both Alzheimer's disease and normal aging is understudied. In the present study, we decreased brain vitamin C in the APPSWE/PSEN1deltaE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by crossing APP/PSEN1(+) bigenic mice with SVCT2(+/-) heterozygous knockout mice, which have lower numbers of the sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter required for neuronal vitamin C transport. SVCT2(+/-) mice performed less well on the rotarod task at both 5 and 12 months of age compared to littermates. SVCT2(+/-) and APP/PSEN1(+) mice and the combination genotype SVCT2(+/-)APP/PSEN1(+) were also impaired on multiple tests of cognitive ability (olfactory memory task, Y-maze alternation, conditioned fear, Morris water maze). In younger mice, both low vitamin C (SVCT2(+/-)) and APP/PSEN1 mutations increased brain cortex oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, F2-isoprostanes) and decreased total glutathione compared to wild-type controls. SVCT2(+/-) mice also had increased amounts of both soluble and insoluble Aβ1-42 and a higher Aβ1-42/1-40 ratio. By 14 months of age, oxidative stress levels were similar among groups, but there were more amyloid-β plaque deposits in both hippocampus and cortex of SVCT2(+/-)APP/PSEN1(+) mice compared to APP/PSEN1(+) mice with normal brain vitamin C. These data suggest that even moderate intracellular vitamin C deficiency plays an important role in accelerating amyloid pathogenesis, particularly during early stages of disease development, and that these effects are likely modulated by oxidative stress pathways.
Effect of Peripheral Vasoconstriction on Pulse Oximetry

Objective. We tested the hypothesis that peripheral vasodilation has an effect on arterial oxygen saturation measurements by pulse oximetry, independent of temperature. Methods. Study 1 compared finger arterial oxygen saturation values (SpO2), before and after peripheral vasoconstriction while temperature was kept constant. This was achieved by administering dexmedetomidine (peripheral vasoconstrictor) to 16 volunteers given general anesthesia. Study 2 compared SpO2 before and after peripheral vasodilation (brachial plexus block) in a neurally denervated left hand and a neurally innervated right hand in ten awake volunteers. In both studies measurements were also made of finger blood volume (an indicator of vasoconstriction) by photoplethysmographic determination of light transmission through a finger (LTF), finger temperature and of hemodynamic variables. Results. In Study 1, systolic blood pressure, SpO2 and LTF values increased (vasoconstriction) during dexmedetomidine infusion, (P<0.0001 for all) while there were no changes in finger temperature. In Study 2, in the left hand (axillary block), temperature increased by 1.9 ± 1.6 °C (P=0.004), SpO2 decreased by 2.5 ± 1.0 % (P<0.0001) and LTF values decreased (vasodilation) by 42 ± 8 % (P<0.0001) after axillary block. Simultaneously, the axillary block did not induce any changes in temperature, SpO2 or LTF values in the neurally innervated right hand. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that finger pulse oximeter SpO2 measurements can be affected by peripheral vascular tone independent of temperature. The mechanism for this effect remains speculative and unproven.
Blood pressure responses of mild hypertensive caucasian males to a metabolic diet with moderate sodium and two levels of dietary calcium

Abstract This study compared blood pressure (BP) responses of hypertensive males to two moderate (3300mg/d) sodium (Na) metabolic diets differing in calcium (Ca). Ten mild hypertensive Caucasian males were fed a 6-week high Ca diet (1400mg/d Ca) and 5 hypertensive males were fed a low Ca diet (400mg/d Ca). BP was measured twice/week and serum and urine were analyzed for Ca, Na, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25(OH) 2 vitamin D, red cell Mg, and plasma renin activity (PRA). Systolic and diastolic BP decreased (9% and 8%, respectively) in the high Ca group (p
The use of gait analysis and dynamic EMG in the assessment of the child with cerebral palsy

Abstract The use of clinical gait analysis has had its greatest impact in the area of cerebral palsy. Within the last 10 years the surgical treatment of the child with cerebral palsy has progressed from staged, single joint procedures, to simultaneous bony and soft tissue corrections. This current scheme of treating multiple joint levels and planes of dysfunction is possible only when scientific evaluation can separate primary deformities from secondary compensations. Currently, preoperative and postoperative gait analyses provide the orthopaedic surgeon with data from which neurologic patterns can be determined and various surgical protocols be designed and assessed.
Oligomeric Assembly of HIV-1 Rev on the Rev Response Element: Role of Cellular Cofactors

Rev, a key regulatory protein of HIV-1, activates nuclear export of unspliced and partially spliced viral mRNAs, which encode the viral genome and the genes encoding viral structural proteins, respectively. Initially, a single Rev monomer binds to a highly conserved region, stem IIB located on the Rev Response Element (RRE) of viral mRNA. Following this nucleation step, additional Rev monomers are recruited to the RRE through a combination of RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions, resulting in the formation of a functional nuclear export complex. In addition, several cellular proteins, such as the DEAD box helicases DDX1 and DDX3 are known to be required for efficient Rev function in vivo, although their precise role is unknown. In this study, single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence (smTIRF) microscopy was used to visualize oligomeric assembly of Rev on the RRE with single monomer resolution. Binding of up to eight fluorescently labeled Rev monomers to a single immobilized RRE molecule was observed in real-time as discrete jumps in fluorescence intensity, and the event frequencies and corresponding binding and dissociation rates for the different Rev-RRE stoichiometries were determined. The smTIRF assay was used to study Rev-RRE assembly in the presence of DDX1, DDX3 and other cellular proteins. The presence of DDX1 promotes oligomeric assembly by accelerating the first few Rev monomer binding steps, suggesting that DDX1 acts as a chaperone of Rev. The smTIRF measurements are being extended to a multi-color format, in order to directly visualize the colocalization of Rev and selected cellular proteins on the same immobilized RRE molecules. These measurements are revealing the precise timing of various protein binding events during ribonucleoprotein assembly. Supported by NIH grant P50 GM082545.
Design optimization of a robust sleeve antenna for hepatic microwave ablation.

We describe the application of a Bayesian variable-number sample-path (VNSP) optimization algorithm to yield a robust design for a floating sleeve antenna for hepatic microwave ablation. Finite element models are used to generate the electromagnetic (EM) field and thermal distribution in liver given a particular design. Dielectric properties of the tissue are assumed to vary within ± 10% of average properties to simulate the variation among individuals. The Bayesian VNSP algorithm yields an optimal design that is a 14.3% improvement over the original design and is more robust in terms of lesion size, shape and efficiency. Moreover, the Bayesian VNSP algorithm finds an optimal solution saving 68.2% simulation of the evaluations compared to the standard sample-path optimization method.
Characterizing Subgroups of Type 1 Diabetes

The prevailing model of type 1 diabetes (T1D) evolution is based on a now classic 1986 article by the late George Eisenbarth (1). A recent review noted that although the model still holds to a large extent, there are subtleties that suggest it is not as simple as originally proposed (2). The 1997 American Diabetes Association Expert Committee divided T1D into type 1A (immune mediated) and type 1B (idiopathic) (3), although this classification is not commonly used. Earlier, in 1977, Irvine (4) divided the disease into three subtypes: severe autoimmune/nonviral, moderate autoimmune/moderate viral, and severe viral/nonautoimmune. The severe viral subgroup appears to be rare and may have an explosive onset with a fatal outcome (5,6). The Japan Diabetes Society divides T1D into three categories depending on the manner of onset and progression—namely fulminant, acute-onset, or slowly progressive type 1 diabetes (SPID) (7). It is likely that the severe viral subgroup noted by Irvine and the Japanese fulminant subgroup are the same. It is clear that the rate of decline of β-cell function differs by age (8). It also has been noted that incidence rates of T1D have been increasing, particularly in children under the age of 5 years (9,10). Thus, the progressive linear decline originally outlined by Eisenbarth (1) cannot be simply applied. If nothing else, the T1D disease process evolves at different rates. The number of …
Impacts of Gravel Mining on Gravel Bed Streams

Abstract The impacts of gravel mining on physical habitat, fine-sediment dynamics, biofilm, invertebrates, and fish were studied in three Ozark Plateaus gravel bed streams. Intense studies were performed upstream, on site, and downstream from one large mine on each stream. Invertebrates and fish were also sampled in disturbed and reference riffles at 10 small mines. Gravel mining significantly altered the geomorphology, fine-particle dynamics, turbidity, and biotic communities. Stream channel form was altered by increased bank-full widths, lengthened pools, and decreased riffles in affected reaches. Fine particulate organic matter transported from riffles to pools was decreased. Biofilm organic content was decreased on flats and increased on remaining riffles. Density and biomass of large invertebrates and density of small invertebrates were reduced at the small, more frequently mined sites. Total densities of fish in pools and game fish in pools and riffles were reduced by the large mines. Silt-sensitive...
A separate compilation extension to standard ML

We present an extension to Standard ML, called SMLSC, to support separate compilation. The system gives meaning to individual program fragments, called units. Units may depend on one another in a way specified by the programmer. A dependency may be mediated by an interface (the type of a unit); if so, the units can be compiled separately. Otherwise, they must be compiled in sequence. We also propose a methodology for programming in SMLSC that reflects code development practice and avoids syntactic repetition of interfaces. The language is given a formal semantics, and we argue that this semantics is implementable in a variety of compilers.
Application of a Neural Network to Improve Nodal Staging Accuracy with 18F-FDG PET in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

We proposed to train a back-propagation artificial neural network (aNN) on a cohort of surgically proven non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and compare its accuracy with that of a trained 18F-FDG PET reader. We plan to show that an aNN trained on 18F-FDG PET- and CT-derived data is more accurate in predicting the true surgicopathologic nodal stage than a human reader. Methods: One hundred thirty-three NSCLC patients with surgically proven N status treated at the University of Washington Medical Center or the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System between February 1998 and September 2002 were used as inputs for the creation of an aNN. From CT of the thorax and 18F-FDG PET (neck to pelvis) performed before surgery, we extracted the primary tumor size and uptake (maximum pixel SUV [maxSUV]), normal lung and mediastinal uptake, and nodal uptake (maxSUV). Using the same 133 cases, the same output (surgical N status, N0 to N3), and the same software configuration settings, scenarios were created to assess which input parameters were most influential in creating an optimal aNN. To compute this optimal aNN, cases were split randomly 100 times into a training subset of 103 cases and a testing subset of 30 cases having the same proportion of N0, N1, N2, and N3 cases. N status predicted by the aNN was compared with the proven surgical N status to calculate the aNN accuracy. The N status readings from 18F-FDG PET were also compared with the surgical N status for the same cases to determine 18F-FDG PET accuracy. Results: Statistical tests demonstrate that the best aNN accuracy is achieved by using N1-N2- N3 nodal maxSUV divided by background uptake, the primary tumor size, and primary tumor maxSUV as inputs. The aNN correctly predicted the N stage in 87.3% of the testing cases compared with 73.5% for the 18F-FDG PET expert reader. Accuracy of the aNN increased to 94.8% (PET, 89.4%) when comparing N0 + N1 with N2 or N3 status and to 94.9% (PET, 91.9%) when comparing N0 + N1 with N2 + N3 status. Conclusion: A back-propagation aNN can be trained to predict hilar and mediastinal nodal involvement with greater accuracy than an expert 18F-FDG PET reader. Such a tool could be used to improve clinical interpretations and for clinical training.
Non-invasive mechanical ventilation and mortality in elderly immunocompromised patients hospitalized with pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study

Mortality after pneumonia in immunocompromised patients is higher than for immunocompetent patients. The use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation for patients with severe pneumonia may provide beneficial outcomes while circumventing potential complications associated with invasive mechanical ventilation. The aim of our study was to determine if the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in elderly immunocompromised patients with pneumonia is associated with higher all-cause mortality. In this retrospective cohort study, data were obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs administrative databases. We included veterans age ≥65 years who were immunocompromised and hospitalized due to pneumonia. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the use of invasive versus non-invasive mechanical ventilation and 30-day and 90-day mortality. Of 1,946 patients in our cohort, 717 received non-invasive mechanical ventilation and 1,229 received invasive mechanical ventilation. There was no significant association between all-cause 30-day mortality and non-invasive versus invasive mechanical ventilation in our adjusted model (odds ratio (OR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-1.10). However, those patients who received non-invasive mechanical ventilation had decreased 90-day mortality (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.52-0.84). Additionally, receipt of guideline-concordant antibiotics in our immunocompromised cohort was significantly associated with decreased odds of 30-day mortality (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.24-0.39) and 90-day mortality (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.31-0.53). Our findings suggest that physicians should consider the use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation, when appropriate, for elderly immunocompromised patients hospitalized with pneumonia.
An optimal exposure strategy for cryoprotected virus crystals with lattice constants greater than 1000 A.

Studies of icosahedral virus capsids provide insights into the function of supramolecular machines. Virus capsid crystals have exceptionally large unit cells; as a result, they diffract weakly compared with protein crystals. HK97 is a dsDNA lambda-like bacteriophage whose 13 MDa capsid expands from 550 A to 650 A with large subunit conformational changes during virus maturation. The HK97 penultimate maturation intermediate was crystallized in a tetragonal unit cell that has lattice constants of 1010 A × 1010 A × 730 A. The crystals could be cryoprotected, but diffracted to a modest resolution of 5 A at a bending-magnet beamline. When these crystals were optimally exposed with two orders-of-magnitude more photons from a new insertion-device beamline, data extending to better than 3.8 A resolution were obtained. Here, the strategies to collect and process such data are described. These strategies can be adapted for other crystals with large unit cells and for microcrystals.
MMPI two-point code-type frequencies of drug abusers in a therapeutic community.

Two-point MMPI code-types of drug abusers in a psychiatric, residential, drug-free therapeutic community were obtained to identify the most frequent two-point codes of drug abusers and see if a large proportion of the protocols could be classified into a small number of two-point codes. Responses indicated that the 48/84 and 49/94 codes were most frequent, and 80.6% of the MMPI protocols could be classified into only seven two-point codes, 48/84, 49/94, 24/42, 89/98, 46/64, 78/87 and 28/82.
Über die Desaminierung von Brückenkopf‐Aminen. 9‐Amino‐9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐äthano‐anthracen

Durch Anlagerung von Athylen an 9-Amino-anthracen wurde 9-Amino-9,l0-dihydro-9,10-athano-anthracen (III) hergestellt. Die Desaminierung dieses Bruckenkopf-Amins mit Nitrosylchlorid in Diathylather bei −70° gab in rasch verlaufender Reaktion 9-Chlor-9,10-dihydro-9,10-athano-anthracen (VIII) und 9-Athoxy-9,l0-dihydro-9,10-athano-anthracen (IX). Fur den Zerfall des intermediar entstehenden 9,10-Dihydro-9,10-athano-9-anthryl-diazoniumchlorids (XIII) liess sich eine minimale Geschwindigkeitskonstante von 10−2 sec−1 abschatzen. Dieser Wert wurde mit den Geschwindigkeitskonstanten verwandter Reaktionen verglichen.
Presence of functional neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in brainstem motoneurons of the rat

In mammals, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a crucial role in motor control. Muscle-type nAChRs mediate synaptic excitation of skeletal muscle by motoneurons, and nAChRs are present on Renshaw cells, where they produce recurrent inhibition of spinal motoneurons. We asked whether nAChRs are also present in motoneurons. Whole-cell recordings were performed on various motor nuclei in brainstem slices of young rats. Neurons were visualized using infrared (IR) videomicroscopy. Acetylcholine (ACh) or the nicotinic agonist, epibatidine, were delivered by pressure microinjection. Facial (VII), hypoglossal (XII) and vagal (X) motoneurons responded to ACh by generating a fast inward current. In VII motoneurons, the ACh effect was mimicked by epibatidine, and nicotine induced a slow inward current and desensitized the ACh-evoked current. In VII and XII motoneurons, the ACh-evoked current was blocked by the nicotinic antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine (DHbetaE), but was unaffected by methyllycaconitine (MLA), an alpha7-specific antagonist. By contrast, the ACh-induced current in X motoneurons was sensitive to MLA. Current-voltage relationships indicated that the currents mediated by either alpha7-containing (X) or non-alpha7-containing (VII, XII) nAChRs displayed inward rectification. In accordance with the electrophysiological data, autoradiography revealed that VII, X and XII nuclei of young rats contained binding sites for [3H]epibatidine; binding sites for [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin, a selective ligand of alpha7-containing nAChRs, were present in X nucleus but were almost undetectable in VII and XII nuclei. Thus, brainstem motoneurons of young rats possess functional nAChRs. They could promote fast synaptic coupling between motoneurons, and thus play a role in somatic and visceral motor functions.
Electric Field Methods

A brief survey of the uses of high electric fields for kinetic measurements is presented. New experimental techniques are also discussed.
The structure of dolichols isolated from Manduca sexta larvae

We isolated and analyzed dolichols from fifth stadium larvae of Manduca sexta, in an effort to determine if M. sexta produces ethyl-branched dolichols. Like other lepidopterans, this animal is known to produce the ethyl-branched, homoisoprenoid juvenile hormones. However, we were unable to detect any ethyl-branched dolichol homologues. Manduca sexta larvae at this stage do contain the common eukaryotic dolichols, principally dolichols 17, 18, 19 and 20 in an ~ 3: 7: 5: 2 ratio. Analysis of the yeast-containing artificial diet showed the presence of dolichols 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 in an .,~ 2:6:8:6:3 ratio. We attempted to determine whether M. sexta synthesized dolichols de novo; preliminary experiments using [5-3H]mevalonate incubated with two M. sexta tissues in vitro were unsuccessful. In light of earlier studies on dolichol identity in two fly species, we conclude that insects can synthesize dolichols, even though they are known to be incapable to synthesizing sterols from acetate.
EFFECTS OF AUTHORITATIVE PARENTAL CONTROL ON CHILD BEHAVIOR

Three models of parental control-permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative-are described and contrasted. Pertinent findings concerning the effects on child behavior of component disciplinary practices are reviewed. With these and other findings as the basis for discussion, several propositions concerning the effects on child behavior of parental control variables are critically examined. Finally, the relation between freedom and control is examined and the position defended that authoritative control may effectively generate in the child, behavior which while well socialized is also wilful and independent.
Singular perturbation analysis of cheap control problems

A linear quadratic regulator problem where a small parameter µ2 multiplies the control cost is considered. As µ?0, it exhibits a dynamic behavior with multiple time-scales, whereas for µ=0, it is a singular control problem. At first a multiparameter singularly perturbed model of the given problem is constructed by transferring the singularity that exists in the performance index to the dynamic equations. Then the problem is decomposed into several subproblems of minimal order each pertaining to only one time-scale. The method developed permits under a single framework the characterization of asymptotic behavior of optimal closed-loop poles, state and control trajectories, performance index and optimal transfer function as µ?0. Moreover, the asymptotic solution brings into focus (a) the nature of singular control and its connection to transmission zeros and (b) the presence of various types of impulses and other higher order distributions in both state and control. The approach unifies and extends significantly several ideas previously somewhat disjoint.
Organizing for computer integrated manufacturing

Good organizational structure design is increasingly important in Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) environments. It can reduce problems due to the changing roles of organizational units and information technologies. This paper presents observations about organizational structures for CIM and discusses the basic approaches. An initial framework for evaluating CIM organizational structures is proposed and is used to evaluate the basic structures.
High School Dropouts in the United States

One of the major educational challenges in virtually all industrialised nations is raising the education level of the workforce. This includes getting more students to complete upper secondary school or what is referred to as ‘high school’ in the United States. Completing high school is increasingly viewed as a minimal requirement for entry into the labour market and for further, post-secondary education. In fact, with the economy generating an increasing number of jobs that require at least some post-secondary schooling, students who earn no more than a high school diploma will most likely have diminishing economic prospects in the future economy.
The Prevalence of Adult Criminality

The first issue that properly concerns us in our analysis is to establish the proportion of the 1958 cohort population that occupy the status of adult criminal, that is, the proportion that had at least one official arrest in Philadelphia after the age of 17 (i.e., adult criminality). In keeping with prior work with the 1958 cohort, and with the majority of the extant literature, this measure of the proportion of a group that is officially recorded as criminal will be referred to as prevalence. The prevalence data reported here are a necessary first step in our analysis of continuity and discontinuity in the 1958 birth cohort.
Financial Statement Management as a Prisoners' Dilemma Game

Some aspects of a firm's financial well-being depend on how it compares to similar firms. This suggests that accounting, financing and production choices that alter a firm's comparisons through their effects on the firm's financial statements will depend on the choices of similar firms: that is, these choices arise from competition between firms. We model these choices as choices made in a (quasi) prisoners' dilemma game. One feature of such games is that when firms make individually optimal choices, all firms in the game end up worse off. We examine revenue enhancement through trade loading, off-balance-sheet financing and segmental reporting decisions and show that our model's predictions are generally consistent with actual firm choices.
Quantitative description of pore patterns in radiolarians

The arrangement of pores in the lattice-shells of radiolarians can be an important descriptor of the skeletons, if the pattern can be characterized quantitatively. An image analysis system integrated with a personal computer provides a convenient means of measuring distances between pores, and their angular relations, together with the variability of those measures. Both regular and irregular patterns can be quantified. The procedure is adaptable to a wide spectrum of patterns in the organic world. f-~ /~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Identification of the methylator (Serrated) colorectal cancer phenotype through precursor serrated polyps

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancers arise via cumulative genetic and molecular changes that cause mucosal instability, premalignant polyps, and malignant transformation. Distinct neoplastic pathways characterized by chromosomal instability, genetic mutation, and epigenetic methylation have been described, but their associated precursor polyps have not. This study analyzes characteristics of precursor polyps occurring within different molecular subtypes of sporadic colorectal cancer. METHODS: Colorectal cancers from a prospectively maintained frozen tissue bank were analyzed for microsatellite stability and promoter methylation, defined by the CpG island methylator phenotype. Patients with tumors meeting the following criteria were included: microsatellite stable and methylator-negative; microsatellite stable and methylator-positive; and microsatellite unstable and methylator-positive. Hereditary cancers were excluded. Patient demographics, colonoscopic and histologic polyp characteristics, operative reports, and pathology reports were reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred seven patients were included: 65, 20, and 22 patients in each group, respectively. The proportion of patients with synchronous polyps and polyp number, size, and location were similar. However, associated polyp histology varied according to tumor classification. Microsatellite stable tumors, regardless of methylator status, had a greater proportion of adenomas than microsatellite unstable tumors, which had an increased proportion of serrated polyps (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with microsatellite unstable colorectal cancers demonstrate an increased serrated polyp-to-adenoma ratio compared with microsatellite stable cancers regardless of methylator status. Loss of microsatellite stability appears to be a key event in serrated polyp and cancer formation. An increased proportion of serrated polyps to adenomas discovered in patients on colonoscopy should arouse suspicion that cancers arising in these patients are probably microsatellite unstable.
Agenesis of Corpus Callosum and Associated Malformations: From Aicardi to Zellweger Syndromes

Agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is one of the more common brain malformations encountered by neonatologists and pediatricians. It may occur in isolation but more often is associated with other brain malformations. ACC also is a feature in >100 genetic syndromes. Fetal neuroimaging advances have allowed prenatal detection of callosal agenesis and associated anomalies in the brain and other organs. The outcome in ACC is varied and depends largely on the related anomalies and underlying etiology. This review discusses the etiologies and diagnosis of ACC and provides strategies for a more specific prenatal diagnosis, such as Aicardi and Zellweger syndromes.
Analysis of Occupational Health Examination Results of 4441 employees in 15 coal mines of Shouyang County

[Objective]To provide a scientific basis for the protection of workers health and its relevant rights and interests,and for the development of preventive measures for workers health. [Methods]The investigation was based on the " Occupational Health Surveillance Management Measures" and " GBZ188-2007 Occupational Health Surveillance Norms" issued by Ministry of Health. [Results]Of 4441 employees,1371( 30. 87%) were detected various diseases and abnormal individual indicators; 12 ( 0. 27%) were detected suspected silicosis; 519 ( 11. 69% ) had pulmonary disfunction; 9 had ( 0. 20% ) pulmonary disease; 343 ( 7. 23) had hypertension; ECG abnormalities were detected on 151 cases ( 3. 40% ) ; HBsAg positive were detected on 93 cases ( 2. 09% ) ; abnormal urine were detected on 37 cases ( 0. 83% ) ; 24 were detected abnormal B ultrasonic examination; 183 ( 4. 12% ) had other diseases. The detection rate of various diseases and abnormal individual indicators increased with age and the length of service. [Conclusion]Physical conditions of coal miners is not optimistic in this county. The employers and employees should improve the legal awareness of occupational health,form good occupational hygiene practices,and do well in occupational health inspection.
Mycophenolic acid therapy in animal model of chronic lung disease

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of mycophenolic acid on chronic lung disease(CLD)in the albino rats. Methods The albino rat model of chronic lung disease was established. Thirty-two albino rats with CLD were divided into CellCept-treated group (n=16) and dexamethasone-treated (n=16) group. Thirty-two albino rats were divided into non-CLD group (n=16) and model group (n=16). Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),malondialdehyde(MDA) and hydroxyproline(HYP) levels of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were determined at days 7 and 29, and the pathological lung tissue was detected. Lung fibroblast cells in non-CLD group and model group were cultured. Results There was periodic respiratory symptom in model group at day 3, but not in the other groups. Lung pathological results showed that there were severe alveolitis at day 7 and pulmonary fibrosis at day 29 in the model group,but pathological changes obviously lightened in two treated groups. The contents of TNF-α in BALF and MDA in lung obviously increased at day 7 in model group,while the content of HYP in lung obviously increased at day 29. And the contents of TNF-α in BALF, MDA and HYP were higher in model group than that in two treated groups. There was significant difference between treated groups and model group (P0.05),but not between the two treated groups(P0.05). The proliferation rate of lung fibroblast in model group was higher than that in normal control(P0.05). Conclusion CellCept has protective effect in the albino rat model of CLD,and has the same therapeutic effect as dexamethasone. So CellCept could be used to prevent and cure CLD on trial in clinic.
Captivating Westerns: The Middle East in the American West. Postwestern Horizons Series. By Susan Kollin

Captivating Westerns: The Middle East in the American West . Postwestern Horizons Series. By Susan Kollin. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2015. xv + 277 pp. Illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $55.00, CAN$72.50, £39.00.) The cowboy boot, the horse, and even the tumbleweed, among other illustrious symbols of the American West, demonstrate how complicated and transnational the history of the American West really is. While the western landscape dramatically changed after the arrival of the Europeans, some western traditions possibly originated in Moorish Spain or were borrowed from the Muslim horse cultures. In her interesting and valuable study, Susan Kollin points to the many connections between two geographically distant and seemingly unrelated regions: the American West and the … pawelg{at}uta.edu
Subtle changes in daily functioning predict conversion from normal to mild cognitive impairment or dementia: an analysis of the NACC database.

Background: There are relatively small but observable changes in functional ability in those without Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. The present study seeks to understand whether these individuals go on to develop MCI or dementia by assessing the association between baseline Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) and conversion independent and after adjustment for cognitive tests. Methods: The NACC database was used to conduct the analysis of which 7,625 participants were initially identified as having more than one visit and who were cognitively normal at their first visit. Cox proportional hazards were used to fit three models that controlled for executive and non-executive cognitive domains. A similar model was used to assess the effect of FAQ subcategories on conversion. Results: Of these individuals, 1,328 converted to either MCI or dementia by visit 10. Converters had a total visit 1 FAQ score significantly higher than non-converters indicating more functional impairment at baseline. After adjustment for cognitive tests, the association between visit 1 FAQ and subsequent conversion was not attenuated. Doing taxes, remembering dates, and traveling were individually identified as significant predictors of conversion. Conclusions: The FAQ can be used as an indirect measure of functional ability and is associated with conversion to MCI or dementia. There is a selective and significant association between changes in financial ability and conversion that is in accordance with other research of financial capacity.
Comparing Preoperative Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) to Postoperative Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy (WBRT) for Resectable Brain Metastases: A Multi-Institutional Analysis.

Pre-operative stereotactic radiosurgery (pre-SRS) has been shown as a viable treatment option for resectable brain metastases (BM). The aim of this study is to compare oncologic outcomes and toxicities for pre-SRS and post-operative WBRT (post-WBRT) for resectable BM. We reviewed records of consecutive patients who underwent resection of BM and either pre-SRS or post-WBRT between 2005 and 2013 at two institutions. Overall survival (OS) was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cumulative incidence was used for intracranial outcomes. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was performed using the Cox and Fine and Gray models, respectively. Overall, 102 patients underwent surgical resection of BM; 66 patients with 71 lesions received pre-SRS while 36 patients with 42 cavities received post-WBRT. Baseline characteristics were similar except for the pre-SRS cohort having more single lesions (65.2% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.001) and smaller median lesion volume (8.3 cc vs. 15.3 cc, p = 0.006). 1-year OS was similar between cohorts (58% vs. 56%, respectively) (p = 0.43). Intracranial outcomes were also similar (2-year outcomes, pre-SRS vs. post-WBRT): local recurrence: 24.5% vs. 25% (p = 0.81), distant brain failure (DBF): 53.2% vs. 45% (p = 0.66), and leptomeningeal disease (LMD) recurrence: 3.5% vs. 9.0% (p = 0.66). On MVA, radiation cohort was not independently associated with OS or any intracranial outcome. Crude rates of symptomatic radiation necrosis were 5.6 and 0%, respectively. OS and intracranial outcomes were similar for patients treated with pre-SRS or post-WBRT for resected BM. Pre-SRS is a viable alternative to post-WBRT for resected BM. Further confirmatory studies with neuro-cognitive outcomes comparing these two treatment paradigms are needed.
Sums of Independent Discrete Random Variables

This chapter presents an algorithm for computing the PDF of the sum of two independent discrete random variables, along with an implementation of the algorithm in APPL. Some examples illustrate the utility of this algorithm.
Hepatitis C: Down but Not Out.

Several oral direct-acting antiviral drugs have been approved for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The editorialists, however, note several caveats.
On Auxiliary Entity Allocation Problem in Multi-layered Interdependent Critical Infrastructures

Operation of critical infrastructures are highly interdependent on each other. Such dependencies causes failure in these infrastructures to cascade on an initial failure event. Owing to this vulnerability it is imperative to incorporate efficient strategies for their protection. Modifying dependencies by adding additional dependency implications using entities (termed as auxiliary entities) is shown to mitigate this issue to a certain extent. With this finding, in this article we introduce the Auxiliary Entity Allocation problem. The objective is to maximize protection in Power and Communication infrastructures using a budget in number of dependency modifications using the auxiliary entities. The problem is proved to be NP-complete in general case. We provide an optimal solution using Integer Linear program and a heuristic for a restricted case. The efficacy of heuristic with respect to the optimal is judged through experimentation using real world data sets with heuristic deviating \(6.75 \%\) from optimal on average.