cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vascularity of the ankle joint after arthrodesis: a cadaveric study

Abstract A cadaveric study was designed to assess and compare the disruption of blood supply to the ankle after alternative methods of arthrodesis; performed via open arthrotomy with malleolar ostectomy, using enlarged arthroscopic portals to the ankle. The popliteal arteries of five paris of fresh cadaver legs were cannulated and infused with a radiopaque mixture. A tibiotalar arthrodesis was then performed on each leg, using an open technique for one leg and a miniarthrotomy technique for the contralateral leg. Pre- and postoperative fluoroscopically controlled radiographs were obtained for each leg and evaluated for arterial disruption. In two of the five ankles undergoing malleolar ostectomy there was damage to the peroneal artery. There was no damage to clinically relevant vessels in the five ankles managed with a miniarthrotomy approach. This study suggests that additional clinical studies are needed to determine why the rate and success of arthrodesis is significantly faster with minimally invasive techniques.
Properties of a phase-conjugate etalon mirror and its application to laser resonator spatial-mode control

The concept of a phase-conjugate etalon mirror consisting of one flat and one aspheric surface is introduced. This new element can be used as an end mirror of a conventional resonator to promote spatial-mode selection and mode shaping. A phase-conjugate etalon designed for the fundamental Gaussian mode is experimentally implemented and tested with a single-mode He-Ne laser.
Novel and Nontraditional Use of Stable Isotope Tracers To Study Metal Bioavailability from Natural Particles

We devised a novel tracing approach that involves enriching test organisms with a stable metal isotope of low natural abundance prior to characterizing metal bioavailability from natural inorganic particles. In addition to circumventing uncertainties associated with labeling natural particles and distinguishing background metals, the proposed “reverse labeling” technique overcomes many drawbacks inherent to using radioisotope tracers. Specifically, we chronically exposed freshwater snails (Lymnaea stagnalis) to synthetic water spiked with Cu that was 99.4% 65Cu to increase the relative abundance of 65Cu in the snail’s tissues from ∼32% to >80%. The isotopically enriched snails were then exposed to benthic algae mixed with Cu-bearing Fe–Al particles collected from the Animas River (Colorado), an acid mine drainage impacted river. We used 63Cu to trace Cu uptake from the natural particles and inferred their bioavailability from calculation of Cu assimilation into tissues. Cu assimilation from these particle...
Rationale for a natural products approach to herbicide discovery

Weeds continue to evolve resistance to all the known modes of herbicidal action, but no herbicide with a new target site has been commercialized in nearly 20 years. The so-called 'new chemistries' are simply molecules belonging to new chemical classes that have the same mechanisms of action as older herbicides (e.g. the protoporphyrinogen-oxidase-inhibiting pyrimidinedione saflufenacil or the very-long-chain fatty acid elongase targeting sulfonylisoxazoline herbicide pyroxasulfone). Therefore, the number of tools to manage weeds, and in particular those that can control herbicide-resistant weeds, is diminishing rapidly. There is an imminent need for truly innovative classes of herbicides that explore chemical spaces and interact with target sites not previously exploited by older active ingredients. This review proposes a rationale for a natural-products-centered approach to herbicide discovery that capitalizes on the structural diversity and ingenuity afforded by these biologically active compounds. The natural process of extended-throughput screening (high number of compounds tested on many potential target sites over long periods of times) that has shaped the evolution of natural products tends to generate molecules tailored to interact with specific target sites. As this review shows, there is generally little overlap between the mode of action of natural and synthetic phytotoxins, and more emphasis should be placed on applying methods that have proved beneficial to the pharmaceutical industry to solve problems in the agrochemical industry.
Sequence and structural elements that contribute to efficient encephalomyocarditis virus RNA translation.

Abstract The nucleotide sequence of the 5' nontranslated region of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV-Rueckert) was determined, and a consensus RNA structural model for this sequence (850 bases) and three other poly(C)-containing cardioviruses (mengovirus, EMCV-B, and EMCV-D) was created through reiterative use of a minimum-free-energy folding algorithm. The RNA elements within this region which contribute to translation of EMCV proteins were mapped in cell-free reactions programmed with cDNA-derived RNA transcripts. The data provide evidence that stem-loop motifs I, J and K, formed by viral bases 451 to 785, are important components of cap-independent translation. In contrast to other reports, a minimal role for stem-loop H (bases 406 to 444) in translational activity is indicated. Small 5' nontranslated region fragments (bases 667 to 797) containing the J and K motifs proved strong competitive inhibitors when added to cell-free reactions programmed with exogenous capped or uncapped mRNAs. The putative sequestering of required translational factors by this segment clearly contributes to translational activity, but also suggests a possible competitive mechanism for the down regulation of host protein synthesis during viral infection.
Time Delay Margin Computation via the Razumikhin Method for an Adaptive Control System

We present a time delay margin estimation technique for an adaptive controller with sigma modification of an unknown plant. The time delay is assumed to enter at the input to the plant. We use the Razumikhin method, a subset of the more general LyapunovKrasovskii method, in which we analyze the stability of the solution of the retarded functional differential equation. Using this technique, we are able to compute an estimate of the time delay margin in which we conclude that for all delays less than this margin, the system is guaranteed to be semi-globally uniformly bounded. We also derive time delay margin landscapes that describe regions in the parameter space (learning rates, gains, etc.) for which the system is guaranteed to be bounded. We present simulation examples that illustrate the method.
Characteristics of patients who accept and decline ED rapid HIV testing.

Abstract Purpose Understanding differences between patients who accept and decline HIV testing is important for developing methods to reduce decliner rates among patients at risk for undiagnosed HIV. The objectives of this study were to determine the rates of acceptance and reasons for declining, and to determine if differences exist in patient or visit characteristics between those who accept and decline testing. Basic procedures This was a retrospective medical record review of all patients offered an emergency department (ED) HIV test from 11/1/11 to 10/31/12. Patient demographic characteristics, health characteristics, and ED visit characteristics were compared to assess differences between those who accept and those who decline testing. Findings Of 4510 ED patients offered an HIV test, 3470 accepted for an acceptance rate of 77%. The most common reasons for declining were “no perceived risk” and “tested in the last 3 months.” Those who accepted testing were more likely to be unmarried, less than age 35, Hispanic or African American, Spanish speaking, foreign born, have no primary care provider, report no pain at triage, have a daytime ED visit, and be discharged from the ED compared to admitted. Sex, employment status, and ED length of stay did not affect whether patients accepted testing. Principal conclusions Acceptance of ED-based rapid HIV testing is not universal, and there are both patient and visit characteristics consistently associated with declining testing. This detracts from the goal of using the ED to screen a large number of at-risk patients who do not have access to testing elsewhere.
The Effect of Negotiation Practices on the Relationship between Suppliers and Customers

This article examines the effects of negotiation practices, such as coercion and contract formality, on how suppliers and customers perceived the resulting business relationship. We conducted a purchasing negotiation simulation with students in a classroom setting in which participants competed for resources in a mock supply-chain context. The participants were surveyed at key stages of the ongoing negotiation in order to measure their behaviors as a customer‐supplier relationship developed. The data were used to test several hypotheses developed from the marketing and purchasing literature. The hypotheses were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results demonstrated that the use of coercive techniques by negotiators during negotiation had a negative effect on satisfaction. In addition, the findings showed that, as expected, negotiators entering a negotiation with a cooperative orientation would tend to avoid the use of coercive practices during negotiation. The cooperative orientation also exhibited an unexpected positive effect on the formalization of the design of the contract between the parties. This study contributes to the current knowledge base focusing on the creation of agreements between companies and will, we hope, encourage the integration of suppliers and customers in an operating context within a supply-chain setting.
American Put Option Pricing for Stochastic-Volatility, Jump-Diffusion Models

The numerical treatment for the American put option pricing is discussed for a stochastic-volatility, jump- diffusion (SVJD) model with log-uniform jump amplitudes. Heston's (1993) mean reverting, square-root stochastic volatility model is used along with our uniform jump-amplitude model. However, computation is needed for nonlinear and multidimensional terms with dependence on the combined stock and volatility state space. A systematic finite difference formulation of the American put partial integro-differential complementary problem (PIDCP) is implemented using a successive over-relaxtion method projected on the maximum payoff function. Interpolation is used to construct the smooth transition to the payoff of the corresponding free boundary problem. Also, a fast, but less accurate, heuristic quadratic approximation, originally due to MacMillan (1986), is corrected and extended from pure diffusion models. The fast and simple quadratic approximation is compared with a more accurate PIDCP formulation. The simple quadratic approximation is briefly compared with market data.
Endothelium, coronary vasodilation, and organic nitrates

Abstract Recent investigations have suggested that the vascular endothelium is an active participant in the regulation of arterial tone and blood flow. In a state of health, the endothelium contributes to hemodynamic equilibrium; however, it rapidly becomes dysfunctional in hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus or with exposure to the stress of hypertension or long-term smoking. Among the deficits observed during endothelial dysfunction is a reduction in the synthesis and release or an excessive degradation of EDRF. This potent vasorelaxant is derived from the amino acid l-arginine and has been characterized as NO or a closely related substance. EDRF relaxes vascular smooth muscle by activating guanylate cyclase. A deficiency in the activity of EDRF may be the mechanism of diminished coronary vasodilation in patients with ischemic heart disease. Organic nitrates, which are metabolized to NO or S-nitrosothiol at the cellular level, are often used in the management of myocardial ischemia; they also induce vasodilation by activating guanylate cyclase. The similarities between organic nitrates and endogenous EDRF and their interactions are discussed in this review.
System science: the convergence of communication, computation and control

Discusses the need to pose control questions in an appropriate informational sense and to situate information theory in a dynamical framework. From the perspective of design, it is clear that sensing, computation, communication and control are all part of a closed loop and therefore the design process should involve all elements.
Impedance characteristics of an active antenna at whistler mode frequencies

[1] We use the radio plasma imager (RPI) on the IMAGE satellite to investigate the impedance characteristics of an active electric antenna in space plasma at whistler mode frequencies. A dedicated experiment was carried out on 21–22 September 2005 for two orbits in the plasmasphere. The input impedance characteristics of the dipole antenna submerged in plasma is determined at whistler frequencies. The results are consistent with a physical model in which the antenna is negatively charged to a large voltage and the plasma around each antenna element forms an ion sheath that varies with time in its radius. Within the plasmasphere, these sheaths are a part of the antenna-plasma system and represent a capacitive component of the tuned antenna circuit. It is shown that, inside the plasmasphere, the RPI antenna capacitance varied from 430 to 480 pF. The plasma sheath formed around the antenna in the plasmasphere increases its capacitance by 20%–30% with respect to the near–free space capacitance (364 pF). Comparison of these values to model calculations shows good agreement with a difference smaller than 5%. Measurements of the antenna input resistance showed that, inside the plasmasphere, its value was between 200 and 500 Ω, varying considerably with changes in the ambient electron density and cyclotron frequency. The measured antenna input resistance is compared to model calculations.
A time efficient context transfer method with selective reliability for seamless IP mobility

The context transfer proposal presented here is not only time efficient and flexible in choice of triggers, but also tightly integrated with fast handover mechanisms recently developed in IETF, allowing the flow of user's application data while handover signaling and context transfer is taking place. One of the main strengths of the proposal is that it provides a choice in the degree of transport reliability support while using a lightweight transport such as UDP (TCP is not capable of providing such flexibility). The paper also highlights some the security issues, providing suggestions to overcome those issues.
Erste Beobachtungen über die physiologischen Wirkungen der Röntgenstrahlen, insbesondere auf die Haut. Therapeutische Verwendung der Röntgenstrahlen

Als der Herausgeber der amerikanischen medizinischen Zeitschrift „Journal of the American Medical Association“ in seinem ersten Leitartikel uber die eben entdeckten X-Strahlen am 15. Februar 18964 schon auf die Moglichkeit wichtiger physiologischer Wirkungen dieser Strahlen hinwies, dachte er kaum, das sich diese Prophezeiung in so uberraschend kurzer Zeit erfullen sollte. Allerdings waren die ersten Beobachtungen physiologischer Effekte der X-Strahlen unerwunscht, und mit ihnen begann das lange und schmerzvolle Leidenskapitel vieler Rontgenpioniere.
Features and Challenges of Molten Oxide Electrolytes for Metal Extraction

Metals have been essential materials for mankind for more than 2 millennia, and they remain the most important materials in terms of market value. Because of their centrality in the structural framework of the modern world, some metals have developed a commodity status, much like water or food. In the last two decades, an unprecedented increase in the global demand for metals has occurred (Figure 1a). This trend is expected to continue with the world population predicted to reach 9 billion by 2020. Such growth does not come without challenges, particularly when it comes to the sustainability of primary metal production. Current extraction and processing routes are indeed characterized by large capital and environmental impacts. The former issue leads to difficulty in financing new facilities, particularly in developing countries that are poised to become significant consumers of primary metals. The existing technical paradigm necessitates multi-billion dollar investments that in turn require exceptional profits and short-term metal price stability in order to be supported by financing organizations. The environmental impact, illustrated in Figure 1b via the specific global warming and acidification potentials of key metals, can hinder the implementation of greenfield plants in countries with the most stringent environmental regulations. Additionally these emission potentials constitute a threat to the market in the eventuality of their taxation. The present perspective offers first to reconsider the existing paradigm for the extraction of metals from oxides, which accounts for the majority of metal resources in tonnage and value. In particular, this document focuses on the use of electricity for the direct decomposition of metal oxides. The first section discusses the metallurgical strategies to extract a metal (M) from its oxide (MO) and the characteristics of the direct electrolytic decomposition pathway. In the second section, an argument is made for the use of molten oxides as a possible supporting electrolyte by reviewing their thermodynamic and transport properties. Possible electrode materials are discussed as well. Finally, the third section reviews the technical advancements reported to date using such an electrolyte and highlights its application for iron, manganese, silicon and oxygen production.
Dichlorobis[2‐(dicyclohexylphosphino‐P)‐N,N,N‐trimethylethanaaminium](phenylmethylene) Ruthenium Chloride

[181864-83-5] C41H76Cl4N2P2Ru (MW 901.87) InChI = 1S/2C17H35NP.C7H6.4ClH.Ru/c2*1-18(2,3)14-15-19(16-10-6-4-7-11-16)17-12-8-5-9-13-17;1-7-5-3-2-4-6-7;;;;;/h2*16-17H,4-15H2,1-3H3;1-6H;4*1H;/q2*+1;;;;;;+2/p-4 InChIKey = LQTJJMWOKXQLEK-UHFFFAOYSA-J (reagent used as a metathesis catalyst in protic solvents) Solubility: soluble in water and polar protic organic solvents such as methanol. Insoluble in acetone, THF and benzene. Also insoluble in Lewis acidic, basic, and neutral chloroaluminate-imidazolium ionic liquid melts. Form Supplied in: purple solid; literature preparation (see below). Preparative Methods: alkylidene 1 was prepared via phosphine ligand exchange of (PPh3)2Ru(CHPh)(Cl2) (Grubb's catalyst) with a water soluble phosphine (eq 1).1, 2 (1) Purification: iterative precipitation from CH2Cl2/pentane and CH2Cl2. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: solid alkylidene 1 is unstable to air atmosphere and should be handled and stored under an inert atmosphere. In addition, alkylidene 1 is highly labile to oxygen in solution; therefore all solvents must be rigorously degassed and handled using standard Schlenk techniques in order to avoid oxidative decomposition of the catalyst. A methanol solution of alkylidene 1 is stable up to 3 weeks while an aqueous solution of alkylidene 1 shows signs of decomposition after 2 days.
Design sensitivity in observational studies

SUMMARY Outside the field of statistics, the literature on observational studies offers advice about research designs or strategies for judging whether or not an association is causal, such as multiple operationalism or a dose-response relationship. These useful suggestions are typically informal and qualitative. A quantitative measure, design sensitivity, is proposed for measuring the contribution such strategies make in distinguishing causal effects from hidden biases. Several common strategies are then evaluated in terms of their contribution to design sensitivity. A related method for computing the power of a sensitivity analysis is also developed.
Comparison of algorithms for selective use of nucleic-acid probes for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from BACTEC 12B bottles

We retrospectively compared the sensitivity of two approaches, a time-to-detection algorithm and the presence of serpentine cords of acid-fast bacilli, for discriminating between BACTEC 12B cultures containing either Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) or Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). From January 1996 through March 1997 a total of 217 of 2089 respiratory specimens received in our laboratory were positive in the BACTEC 12B radiometric culture system for either MTB (120 specimens) or MAC (97 specimens). Use of a previously published time-to-positivity algorithm would have resulted in the correct use of the MTB probe on 109 of 120 cultures (91% sensitivity), and the MAC probe on 52 of 97 cultures (54% sensitivity). The presence of serpentine cords was detected in 58 of 120 cultures containing MTB (48%), and in 3 of 97 (3%) cultures containing MAC. Using a combination of time to positivity and cord formation to determine initial probe selection would have resulted in first use of the MTB probe in 116 of 120 (97%) instances in which MTB was present in the culture. In only 49 of 97 (51%) cultures, however, from which MAC was recovered would the correct probe have been selected. These results indicate that limiting the initial use of the MTB probe to those cultures that are either identified by the time-to-detection algorithm or demonstrate serpentine cords on acid-fast smear would eliminate a considerable amount of unnecessary probe use without compromising the efficiency of identification of isolates of MTB.
THE GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR ION CHANNELS

The ionotropic glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate the vast majority of excitatory neurotransmission in the brain. The cloning of cDNAs encoding glutamate receptor subunits, which occurred mainly between 1989 and 1992 ([Hollmann and Heinemann, 1994][1]), stimulated this
Improved low frequency noise model for MOSFET operated in non-linear region

An improved LF noise model with correlated mobility fluctuations is proposed for MOSFET operated in non-linear region. This model well explains the decrease of the input gate voltage S"V"""g with drain voltage, unlike the standard carrier number fluctuations model.
Gas‐phase fragmentation of metal adducts of alkali‐metal oxalate salts

Upon collisional activation, gaseous metal adducts of lithium, sodium and potassium oxalate salts undergo an expulsion of CO2, followed by an ejection of CO to generate a product ion that retains all three metals atoms of the precursor. Spectra recorded even at very low collision energies (2 eV) showed peaks for a 44-Da neutral fragment loss. Density functional theory calculations predicted that the ejection of CO2 requires less energy than an expulsion of a Na(+) and that the [Na3CO2](+) product ion formed in this way bears a planar geometry. Furthermore, spectra of [Na3C2O4](+) and [(39)K3C2O4](+) recorded at higher collision energies showed additional peaks at m/z 90 and m/z 122 for the radical cations [Na2CO2](+•) and [K2CO2](+•), respectively, which represented a loss of an M(•) from the precursor ions. Moreover, [Na3CO2](+), [(39)K3CO2](+) and [Li3CO2](+) ions also undergo a CO loss to form [M3O](+). Furthermore, product-ion spectra for [Na3C2O4](+) and [(39)K3C2O4](+) recorded at low collision energies showed an unexpected peak at m/z 63 for [Na2OH](+) and m/z 95 for [(39)K2OH](+), respectively. An additional peak observed at m/z 65 for [Na2(18)OH](+) in the spectrum recorded for [Na3C2O4](+), after the addition of some H2(18)O to the collision gas, confirmed that the [Na2OH](+) ion is formed by an ion-molecule reaction with residual water in the collision cell.
Cannabinoid-induced apoptosis in immune cells as a pathway to immunosuppression

Cannabinoids are a group of compounds present in Cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.). They mediate their physiological and behavioral effects by activating specific cannabinoid receptors. With the recent discovery of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and the endocannabinoid system, research in this field has expanded exponentially. Cannabinoids have been shown to act as potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory agents and have been shown to mediate beneficial effects in a wide range of immune-mediated diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and allergic asthma. Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is mainly expressed on the cells of the central nervous system as well as in the periphery. In contrast, cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is predominantly expressed on immune cells. The precise mechanisms through which cannabinoids mediate immunosuppression is only now beginning to be understood and can be broadly categorized into four pathways: apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation, suppression of cytokine and chemokine production and induction of T regulatory cells (T regs). Studies from our laboratory have focused on mechanisms of apoptosis induction by natural and synthetic cannabinoids through activation of CB2 receptors. In this review, we will focus on apoptotic mechanisms of immunosuppression mediated by cannabinoids on different immune cell populations and discuss how activation of CB2 provides a novel therapeutic modality against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as malignancies of the immune system, without exerting the untoward psychotropic effects.
Exact Analytical Solution to the One-Dimensional Advective-Dispersive Equation with a Decaying Source Term

This paper presents an exact analytical solution of one-dimensional transport of a contaminant undergoing advection, dispersion, sorption, and first-order decay, subject to unique boundary conditions, a first-order decaying contaminant concentration in time at the source with a constant concentration at infinity. This exact solution provides a method to study a new area of physical processes and to evaluate approximate methods and models that have been developed to analyze these problems. Recently two fields have developed interest in modeling physical processes that are best conceptualized using a decaying source boundary condition. These two fields are long-term modeling of recalcitrant non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) spills and radioactive waste disposal. Both of which can be approximated using a decaying source term. This paper briefly introduces some general field transport problems that can conceptually be described using a decaying source boundary condition. The paper then describes the governing equations, boundary and initial conditions, and the solution techniques used to develop the analytical solution. Next the analytic solution is provided and discussed along with some example cases. The results of the exact analytical solution are compared to another similar solution from the literature.
The Role of Resources and Risks in Regulating Wild Bee Populations

Recent declines of bee species have led to great interest in preserving and promoting bee populations for agricultural and wild plant pollination. Many correlational studies have examined the indirect effects of factors such as landscape context and land management practices and found great variation in bee response. We focus here on the evidence for effects of direct factors (i.e., food resources, nesting resources, and incidental risks) regulating bee populations and then interpret varied responses to indirect factors through their species-specific and habitatspecific effects on direct factors. We find strong evidence for food resource availability regulating bee populations, but little clear evidence that other direct factors are commonly limiting. We recommend manipulative experiments to illuminate the effects of these different factors. We contend that much of the variation in impact from indirect factors, such as grazing, can be explained by the relationships between indirect factors and floral resource availability based on environmental circumstances.
Radiation Parameterization for Three-Dimensional Inhomogeneous Cirrus Clouds: Application to Climate Models

Abstract A three-dimensional (3D) radiative transfer model has been developed to simulate the transfer of solar and thermal infrared radiation in inhomogeneous cirrus clouds. The model utilizes a diffusion approximation approach (four-term expansion in the intensity) for application to inhomogeneous media, employing Cartesian coordinates. The extinction coefficient, single-scattering albedo, and asymmetry factor are functions of spatial position and wavelength and are parameterized in terms of the ice water content and mean effective ice crystal size. The correlated k-distribution method is employed for incorporation of gaseous absorption in multiple-scattering atmospheres. Delta-function adjustment is used to account for the strong forward-diffraction nature in the phase function of ice particles to enhance computational accuracy. Comparisons of the model results with those from plane-parallel (PP) and other 3D models show reasonable agreement for both broadband and monochromatic results. Three-dimension...
Perspective: Research Activity of Enteropancreatic and Brain/Central Nervous System Hormones Across Invertebrates and Vertebrates1

During the past two decades there have been rapid advances in our knowledge of the structure and function of the protein hormones in the brain and gastroenteropancreatic system (GEP). Many published articles have highlighted the superfamily of hormonal peptides, specifically, the mechanisms and control of peptide synthesis in neural and non-neural tissues, and gene structure. Here we present an analysis of the annual trends, between 1980 and 1997, of research emphasis on six protein/peptide hormones, as reflected by their individual frequency of publication per year. Although this symposium is focused on the GEP hormones, we provide herein a perspective on the level of research activity of the hormones insulin, glucagon, cholecystokinin, insulin-like growth factor-I and -II, neuropeptide Y and somatostatin in the brain/gut systems throughout the vertebrates and invertebrates. Many publications deal with the evolution of these peptides and their superfamilies, yet as noted in this review, there are relatively few references to these peptides in invertebrates and non-mammalian species. Typically in invertebrates, the number of citations is low and mostly focused on three phyla, the arthropods, mollusks and helminths. Generally, in the vertebrates the smallest number of citations is in the cyclostomes and elasmobranchs. Because most groups of invertebrates and vertebrates have received scant attention, phylogenetic comparisons are limited. Evolutionary information concerning important groups of animals, such as helminths, mollusks, protochordates and cyclostomes, is essential to establish the phylogenetic histories of the hormonal peptides. The challenge to comparative endocrinologists is to examine species in key evolutionary positions in order to gain an understanding of the diversity and function of the hormones and to determine the molecular features that form clues to their phyletic interrelationships and progression.
Severe calcific aortic stenosis left ventricular afterload and its quantification.

The physical forces that impede myocardial shortening (afterload) are highly relevant to pharmacologic, mechanical, and surgical treatments for left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The maintenance of a normal or near-normal afterload, matched appropriately to robust myocardial contractility and
Treatment of Intraocular Retinoblastoma

The extent of intraocular involvement, visual potential of the eye, tumor size, and status of the fellow eye are the principal considerations in devising a treatment strategy for patients with intraocular retinoblastoma. Preservation of life, the eye, and vision are what we hope to achieve. The potential risk of any treatment must be weighed against the possible benefit. The more advanced the disease, the greater the risk to the patient if there is to be any preservation of vision.
Using Rate of Divergence as an Objective Measure to Differentiate between Voice Signal Types Based on the Amount of Disorder in the Signal

Summary Objective/Hypothesis The purpose of this paper is to introduce the rate of divergence as an objective measure to differentiate between the four voice types based on the amount of disorder present in a signal. We hypothesized that rate of divergence would provide an objective measure that can quantify all four voice types. Study Design A total of 150 acoustic voice recordings were randomly selected and analyzed using traditional perturbation, nonlinear, and rate of divergence analysis methods. Methods We developed a new parameter, rate of divergence, which uses a modified version of Wolf's algorithm for calculating Lyapunov exponents of a system. The outcome of this calculation is not a Lyapunov exponent, but rather a description of the divergence of two nearby data points for the next three points in the time series, followed in three time-delayed embedding dimensions. This measure was compared to currently existing perturbation and nonlinear dynamic methods of distinguishing between voice signals. Results There was a direct relationship between voice type and rate of divergence. This calculation is especially effective at differentiating between type 3 and type 4 voices ( P Conclusion The rate of divergence calculation introduced is an objective measure that can be used to distinguish between all four voice types based on the amount of disorder present, leading to quicker and more accurate voice typing as well as an improved understanding of the nonlinear dynamics involved in phonation.
Streaming Lower Quality Video over LTE: How Much Energy Can You Save?

Streaming video content over cellular connectivity impacts the battery consumption of a client (e.g., a smartphone). The problem is exacerbated when the channel quality is poor because of a large number of retransmissions, moreover, streaming high quality video in such cases can negatively impact user experience (e.g., due to stalling). In this paper, we develop an analytical framework which can provide the user with an estimate of "how much" energy she can save by choosing to view a lower quality stream of the video she wishes to view. The framework takes as input the network conditions (in terms of packet error rate or PER) and a coarse characterization of the video to be viewed (slow versus fast motion, resolution), and yields as output the energy savings with different resolutions of the video to be viewed. Thus empowered, the user can then make a quick, educated decision on the version of the video to view. We validate that our framework is extremely accurate in estimating the energy consumption via both simulations, and experiments on smartphones (within ~ 5% of real measurements). We find that switching to a lower resolution video can potentially lead to ~ 418 mW (23.2%) decrease in the consumed power for slow motion video, and ~ 480 mW (26%) for fast motion video in bad channel conditions. This translates to an energy savings of 376.2 J and 432 J respectively, for video clips that are 15 minutes long.
Fukushima’s Forgotten Radionuclides: A Review of the Understudied Radioactive Emissions

In environmental monitoring campaigns for anthropogenic radionuclides released in the course of the Fukushima nuclear accident (2011), most focus had been on gamma-emitting radionuclides. More than 99% of the released activity was due to radionuclides of the elements Kr, Te, I, Xe, and Cs. However, little work had been done on the monitoring of radionuclides other than 131I, 132Te, 134Cs, 136Cs, and 137Cs. Radionuclides such as those of less volatile elements (e.g., 89Sr, 90Sr, 103Ru, 106Ru, plutonium), pure beta-emitters (3H, 14C, 35S), gaseous radionuclides (85Kr, 133Xe, 135Xe) or radionuclides with very long half-lives (e.g., 36Cl, 99Tc, 129I, some actinides such as 236U) have been understudied by comparison. In this review, we summarize previous monitoring work on these “orphan” radionuclides in various environmental media and outline further challenges for future monitoring campaigns. Some of the understudied radionuclides are of radiological concern, others are promising tracers for environmental, g...
Microfoundations of Firms’ Human Capital-Related Rents and Losses

Over the last two decades, human capital as a source of competitive advantage has been broadly discussed in the strategy literature. Much of this strategic human capital literature is focused aroun...
Are Community College Presidencies Wise Career Moves

This study surveyed executive administrators of community colleges that had experienced a presidential transition between 2006 and 2009. Its purpose was to determine their perceptions of career risk associated with the community college position of president. The study compared the perceptional changes to a prior study on the same subject by Johnson and Jones (2006). Of interest to the researchers was whether the role of president has become more risky in the past three years. Results of the recent study show an increase in the number of presidents leaving their jobs under pressure. Future comparable jobs seem to be available for most who want them. Consistent with these facts, the majority of executive officers surveyed believed the community college president position is indeed risky. They cited high expectations, evolving job responsibilities, lack of financial resources, board relations, and competing constituencies as reasons.
New concepts in the design of a clinical laboratory information system (LIS).

Grams, Ralph R., and Pastor, E. J.: New concepts in the design of a clinical laboratory information system (LIS). Laboratory computers have expanded in potential and are now capable of handling a communication system to support patient care. New technics and interactive software to expand this function are described and were developed because of serious deficiencies discovered in the hospital laboratory operation. New concepts in ordering of tests, collection and identification of samples, reporting of results, and retrieval of data are described.
Insulin-Signaling Mechanisms: Lessons From the Old Testament of Glycogen Metabolism and the New Testament of Molecular Biology

Les deux approches du mecanisme d'action de l'insuline: regulation de la glycemie (mediateur intracellulaire de l'insuline et diminution de la phosphorylation polypeptidique). Caracterisation du recepteur de l'insuline (site de liaison et thyrosine proteine kinase puis augmentation de la phosphorylation polypeptidique et effet sur la synthese des mARN nucleaires)
CRT-600.09 Clinical and Coronary Plaque Predictors for Plaque Rupture in Patients With Depressed Left Ventricle Function (LVEF) Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Depressed LV systolic function (LVEF) can carry a worse prognosis in the progression of atherosclerosis and increases the risk of unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and coronary plaque characteristics of patients with depressed and normal
Physical activity, health impairments, and disability in neuromuscular disease

Reduced physical activity is a consequence of progressive neuromuscular diseases, which negatively impacts quality of life and health outcomes. Reduced functional muscle mass is common to all neuromuscular diseases and results from both atrophy of disuse secondary to a sedentary lifestyle and muscle degeneration secondary to the disease itself. This review summarizes current concepts relating to the impact of reduced physical activity on health and fitness, potential determinants of physical activity levels in neuromuscular diseases, and new approaches to the quantitative measurement of physical activity in neuromuscular disease populations. The interrelationship of disease pathophysiology, impairment, functional limitation, disability, and societal limitation in the determination of physical activity in the community in neuromuscular diseases is discussed using Duchenne muscular dystrophy as an example. Future research pertaining to physical activity in neuromuscular disease will need to focus on the development of scientifically based recommendations concerning optimal exercise approaches with both disease-specific and general guidelines.
A logic-based approach to thesaurus modelling

This paper discusses a logic-based approach to thesaurus modelling. Thesauri are seen as semantic ressources for so-called semantic information retrieval systems which use conceptual descriptions in the matching component of a retrieval system. The relational model underlying traditional thesauri is discussed. The logic-based approach extends this model to a thesaural semantic network based on a relation type hierarchy, that supports inferential mechanisms both in definition and retrieval of thesaurus items. The logic-based approach is implemented in IBM's product Thesaurus Administrator/2, whose editing and display capabilities are explained.
Effect of Sowing Time and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate on Growth Period and Yield of Hybrid Glutinous Sorghum

The effects of different sowing time and nitrogen(N) fertilizer rate on growth period and yield’s related traits of hybrid waxy sorghum in South Sichuan were studied by setting different sowing time and N fertilizer rate and using randomized block experiment design of two factors.Results showed that with earlier sowing time in March,the heading stage and mature period was both advanced,while the whole growth period was prolonged.When N application rate was 70.0～122.5 kg / hm2,the whole growth period decreased with the increase of N fertilizer rate.The yield of hybrid glutinous sorghum was the highest when seeds were sowed on March 13,and N fertilizer rate at 105.0 kg / hm2;the ripe period was earlier.
Pten Cell Autonomously Modulates the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Response to Inflammatory Cytokines

Pten negatively regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and is required to maintain quiescent adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Pten has been proposed to regulate HSCs cell autonomously and non-cell autonomously, but the relative importance of each mechanism has not been directly tested. Furthermore, the cytokines that activate the PI3K pathway upstream of Pten are not well defined. We sought to clarify whether Pten cell autonomously or non-cell autonomously regulates HSC mobilization. We also tested whether Pten deficiency affects the HSC response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interferon-α (IFNα) since these cytokines induce HSC mobilization or proliferation, respectively. We show that Pten regulates HSC mobilization and expansion in the spleen primarily via cell-autonomous mechanisms. Pten-deficient HSCs do not require G-CSF to mobilize, although they are hyper-sensitized to even low doses of exogenous G-CSF. Pten-deficient HSCs are similarly sensitized to IFNα. Pten therefore modulates the HSC response to inflammatory cytokines.
Moore’s Paradox

Moore‘s Paradox is another important part of the debates over the norms of assertion.1 It is generally uncontroversial that assertions such as, “It‘s raining, but I don‘t believe that it‘s raining,” are, as Moore put it, “absurd.” Call such assertions, and their attendant absurdity, Moorean. When it comes to evaluating competing proposals regarding the norms of assertion, it is widely held that adequately explaining the absurdity of Moorean assertions is a virtue. It has also been alleged by advocates of various norms of assertion — in particular, by advocates of the Knowledge Norm — that their view is especially well-positioned to explain Moorean absurdity. In many cases, Moore‘s Paradox has been a central battleground between competing proposals for the central norm of assertion. In this chapter, I argue that several competing norms of assertion can well explain Moorean absurdity, in which case none gains a comparative advantage. Moreover, we don’t even need to appeal to any particular norm of assertion in order to explain the unassertibility of Moorean sentences. Consequently, the capacity of a norm to explain Moorean absurdity is better thought of as an adequacy condition for a proposed norm of assertion. That is, any candidate norm must be at least consistent with what explains the unassertibility of Moorean sentences.
Groundwater Uranium Concentrations—How High Is High?

Abstract Twelve groundwater samples collected from Platte River bottomlands contained from 22.1 to 257.7 μ/l U. Highest uranium levels occurred in the shallow wells downgradient from irrigated cropland, as did highest levels of TDS and NO3-N. Fourteen groundwater samples collected from the terrace contained 0.4 to 549 μg/l U. the highest uranium levels occurred in wells screened at the bottom of the Pleistocene sands and gravels. The opposite vertical trend was observed for TDS and NO3-N. In several of the wells α activity from U was considerably greater than the 15 pCi/l permissible level for total α activity.
Metformin: Candidate host-directed therapy for tuberculosis in diabetes and non-diabetes patients.

Despite major advances in tuberculosis (TB) control, TB continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. The discovery of new anti-TB treatment drugs and regimens that target drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB are being complemented with a search for adjunct host-directed therapies that synergize for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) elimination. The goal of host-directed therapies is to boost immune mechanisms that diminish excess inflammation to reduce lung tissue damage and limit Mtb growth. Metformin is the most commonly-used medication for type 2 diabetes, and a candidate for host-directed therapy for TB. Preliminary data suggests metformin may be beneficial for TB control by reducing the deleterious inflammation associated with immune pathology and enhancing the anti-mycobacterial activity of immune cells. In this review I summarize current findings, knowledge gaps and the potential benefits as well as points of caution for using metformin as adjunct therapy for TB in patients with and without type 2 diabetes.
Molecular Insight and Preclinical Perspective of Thymoquinone as Chemopreventive Agent and Therapeutic Adjunct in Cancer

Thymoquinone (TQ) is the predominant bioactive constituent present in black seed oil (Nigella sativa) and tested for its anecdotal efficacy against several diseases including their potent anticancer and adjunctive therapeutic potential. We present information from literature highlighting molecular insight for anti-tumor functions of TQ largely due to its pleiotropic mechanism of action and ability to prevent tumor growth in preclinical models. Thymoquinone has anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits tumor cell proliferation through modulation of apoptosis signaling, inhibition of angiogenesis, metastasis and exert cytostatic as well as cytotoxic effect on several cancer cell lines. Collectively the results, thus far, points to efficacy of this compound in enhancing therapeutic benefit against tumors that are resistant to therapy. TQ targets cellular niches considered as molecular determinants for chemo resistant phenotype and responsible for their survival and progression. Novel analogs of TQ directed towards better efficacy and sensitizing potential than parent TQ have been reported. Further in-depth studies are warranted including investigation on its bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. From clinical perspective, information on maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dosing schedule in human subjects are lacking in literature. Nevertheless, existing preclinical knowledge strongly support advancement of TQ to phase-I clinical trial for intervention strategies that prevent or slows down the disease process and contribute to reduced incidence of cancer.