cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circulating tumor DNA analysis for outcome prediction in localized esophageal cancer.

4055Background: Blood-based biomarkers are not used in routine clinical practice in patients with esophageal carcinomas (ECs). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is an attractive biomarker that could be...
Spinal Analgesia as an Adjunct to General Anaesthesia for Laparoscopic Major Abdominal Surgery

The use of spinal analgesia combined with general anaesthesia has several benefits. It reduces the stress response, but only for the duration of the local anaesthetic effect, however if opiates are added there is a marked reduction in opiate need post-operatively. Use of spinal anaesthesia is safe but attention must be paid to the volume of injectate and timing of injection prior to pneumoperitoneum and head down position to avoid significant hypotension or a high spinal. The advantages of using spinal anaesthesia compared with epidural anaesthesia is improved early mobilization and reduction for the need of vasopressors and prolonged intravenous fluids. When using opiates in the injectate mixture patients should be observed for respiratory depression for the first 24 h.
Relationship of Weight Outcomes, Co-Occurring Conditions, and Severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Study to Explore Early Development

Objective To assess contributing factors to increased obesity risk, by comparing children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays/disorders, and general population controls in weight status, and to examine associations between weight status and presence of co-occurring medical, behavioral, developmental, or psychiatric conditions across groups and ASD severity among children with ASD. Study design The Study to Explore Early Development is a multisite cross-sectional study of children, 2-5 years of age, classified as children with ASD (n = 668), children with developmental delays/disorders (n = 914), or general population controls (n = 884). Using an observational cohort design, we compared the 3 groups. Children's heights and weights were measured during a clinical visit. Co-occurring conditions (medical, behavioral, developmental/psychiatric) were derived from medical records, interviews, and questionnaires. ASD severity was measured by the Ohio State University Global Severity Scale for Autism. Results The odds of overweight/obesity were 1.57 times (95% CI 1.24-2.00) higher in children with ASD than general population controls and 1.38 times (95% CI 1.10-1.72) higher in children with developmental delays/disorders than general population controls. The aORs were elevated for children with ASD after controlling for child co-occurring conditions (ASD vs general population controls: aOR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.14-2.00). Among children with ASD, those with severe ASD symptoms were 1.7 times (95% CI 1.1-2.8) more likely to be classified as overweight/obese compared with children with mild ASD symptoms. Conclusions Prevention of excess weight gain in children with ASD, especially those with severe symptoms, and in children with developmental delays/disorders represents an important target for intervention.
Uterine Pathology in Transmasculine Persons on Testosterone: A Retrospective Multicenter Case Series

Background As part of transition, transmasculine persons often use testosterone gender-affirming hormone therapy; however, there is limited data on its long-term effects. The impact of exogenous testosterone on uterine pathology remains unclear. While testosterone achieves amenorrhea in the majority of this population, persistence of abnormal uterine bleeding can be difficult to manage. Excess androgens in cisgender females are associated with pathologic uterine processes such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometrial hyperplasia, or cancer. There are no guidelines for management of abnormal uterine bleeding or endometrial surveillance in this population. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of uterine pathology after the initiation of testosterone in transmasculine persons. Materials and Methods A retrospective, multicenter case series was performed. Uterine pathology reports of transmasculine persons who received testosterone and subsequently underwent hysterectomy were reviewed. The endometrial phase and endometrial thickness were recorded. Results A total of 94 subjects met search criteria. The mean age of participants was 30 ± 8.6 years, and the mean interval from initiation of testosterone to hysterectomy was 36.7 ± 36.6 months. Active endometrium was found in the majority of patients (n = 65; 69.1%). One patient had complex hyperplasia without atypia. There were no cases of endometrial cancer. Conclusion Despite amenorrhea in the majority of transmasculine persons on testosterone, endometrial activity persists with predominantly proliferative endometrium on histopathology. Individualized counseling for abnormal uterine bleeding is encouraged in this patient population.
Use of Anakinra in Hospitalized Patients with Crystal-associated Arthritis

Objective In this retrospective observational study, we assess the efficacy and safety of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist anakinra in medically complex, hospitalized patients with acute gout and calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis. Methods Adult inpatients patients treated with anakinra from 2014-2017 were identified for inclusion. Charts were reviewed for demographics, comorbidities, laboratory data, pain scores, joint involvement, prior treatment, dosing and response to anakinra, concurrent infections, and surgical interventions. Response to anakinra treatment was determined from review of provider documentation, as well as recorded pain scores on a numeric scale. Results We identified 100 individuals accounting for 115 episodes of arthritis. This population was 82% male, with an average age of 60 years. Comorbidities included renal disease (45%) and history of organ transplantation (14%). Twenty-nine episodes of arthritis occurred in the perioperative setting. Concurrent infection was present in 34 episodes. Eighty-four episodes of arthritis had partial or complete response to anakinra within four days of treatment initiation; 66 episodes had partial or complete response within one day of anakinra administration. Anakinra was well-tolerated. Conclusion This is the largest observational study of anakinra use in the inpatient setting for the acute treatment of crystal-associated arthritis. We observed a rapid response to anakinra, with 75% of episodes significantly improving or completely resolving within four days of the first dose. Our data also support the use of this biologic agent in individuals with infections, as well as perioperative individuals and immunosuppressed transplant recipients.
JAPANESE TRANSLATION OF THE PROSTHETIC LIMB USERS SURVEY OF MOBILITY

INTRODUCTION Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used by prosthetists to assess and communicate effectiveness of prosthetic interventions. The Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M) is a PROM developed to evaluate lower limb prosthetic mobility.1 Valid and reliable translations of prosthetics-specific PROMs, like PLUS-M, do not exist for Japanese-speaking patients. The purpose of this research was to translate PLUS-M to Japanese using rigorous translation guidelines in order to maintain the meaning and applicability of items across both languages. Abstract PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/32017/24436 How to cite: Balkman G, Samejima S, Aoki D, Hafner B.J. JAPANESE TRANSLATION OF THE PROSTHETIC LIMB USERS SURVEY OF MOBILITY. CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32017 Abstracts were Peer-reviewed by the American Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) 101st National Assembly Scientific Committee. http://www.aopanet.org/
The Insidious Cardiac Tumor: A Primary Left Atrium Intimal Cardiac Sarcoma in a Young Patient

This case presentation discusses a rare cardiac malignancy initially thought to be a benign tumor. A 36-year-old presented with syncope, dyspnea, Computed Tomography Pulmonary angiography study obtained was negative for pulmonary emboli but revealed a left atrial mass. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) confirmed a mass with multiple lobes and a broad base attached to the septum, encroaching into the right atrium, aortic root wall, base of the anterior mitral leaflet flowing to the mitral orifice in diastole also obstructing the right pulmonary vein. Despite a quick diagnosis and plan to begin treatment, the patient rapidly declined owing to the extent and aggressive nature of this cardiac malignancy. This case reports the insidious nature of these tumors as well as how challenging and life threatening they are at the time of their clinical manifestation.
Liquidity Coverage Ratio und Bankverhalten

Das vorliegende Kapitel analysiert, inwiefern die LCR als Regulierungsinstrument die Investitions- und Finanzierungsentscheidungen von Banken sowie deren Risikosensitivitat beeinflusst. Als Modellrahmen dient ein von Pausch (2012) modifizierter Ansatz in der Tradition von Klein (1971) und Monti (1972). Ein industrieokonomisches Zwei-Perioden-Modell untersucht zunachst die isolierte Wirkung der LCR auf das optimale Bankverhalten. Anschliesend betrachtet der Modellrahmen die Auswirkungen einer kombinierten Regulierung aus LCR und NSFR auf die Bankentscheidungen im Optimum.
Impact of Dielectric Variability on Site Specific Urban Propagation Loss Calculations

This paper investigates the effect of dielectric properties on radiowave propagation loss in site specific dense urban environments. The Variable Terrain Radiowave Parabolic Equation (VTRPE) model is used to calculate the forward propagating field for a 2-D vertical plane including the effects of diffraction and refraction. Emphasis is given to the geometry of a transmitter high above the average building height, with interest in the propagation loss near ground level several kilometers down range. The urban landscape, consisting of building profiles on a flat ground, is represented by a digital elevation model (DEM) derived from polygon data. Simulations using uniform dielectric values are shown for various materials. Calculations are done at 900MHz and 1800MHz for vertical and horizontal polarizations. Finally, an assessment of the sensitivity to varying permittivity values is provided.
Exosomes derived from alcohol-treated hepatocytes horizontally transfer liver specific miRNA-122 and sensitize monocytes to LPS

Hepatocyte damage and inflammation in monocytes/macrophages are central to the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis (AH). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate all of these processes. MiRNA-122 is abundantly expressed in hepatocytes while monocytes/macrophages have low levels. The role of exosomes in AH and possible cross talk between hepatocyte-derived exosomes and immune cells is not explored yet. Here, we show that the number of exosomes significantly increases in the sera of healthy individuals after alcohol binge drinking and in mice after binge or chronic alcohol consumption. Exosomes isolated from sera after alcohol consumption or from in vitro ethanol-treated hepatocytes contained miRNA-122. Exosomes derived from ethanol-treated Huh7.5 cells were taken up by the recipients THP1 monocytes and horizontally transferred a mature form of liver-specific miRNA-122. In vivo, liver mononuclear cells and Kupffer cells from alcohol-fed mice had increased miRNA-122 levels. In monocytes, miRNA-122 transferred via exosomes inhibited the HO-1 pathway and sensitized to LPS stimulation and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, inflammatory effects of exosomes from ethanol-treated hepatocytes were prevented by using RNA interference via exosome-mediated delivery of a miRNA-122 inhibitor. These results demonstrate that first, exosomes mediate communication between hepatocytes and monocytes/macrophages and second, hepatocyte-derived miRNA-122 can reprogram monocytes inducing sensitization to LPS.
Another Consequence of SFAS 123R: Equity Compensation to Retirement Eligible CEOs

ABSTRACT SFAS 123R, which mandates expensing the fair value of equity compensation over its vesting period, requires companies expense the entire fair value on the grant date when a retirement elig...
Kaiser Window Based Blind Beamformers for Radar Application

Blind beamforming algorithms are the first choice for radar applications as they won’t use any training signal. But the major downside of constant modulus algorithm (CMA) is very low convergence ra...
Developing Interpersonal Skills of Evaluators: A Service-Learning Approach:

The challenge and opportunity for the field of evaluation is to prepare evaluators with sophisticated interpersonal competence alongside technical research skills. This article shows that service-l...
CHAPTER 8 – A STUDY OF HOMOGRAPHS1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses homographs. As an isolated unit, the identical spelling and pronunciation of the word provides no clue as to which meaning is intended. Although interpretation of the isolated unit can be influenced by the relative frequency with which the word is used to denote one rather than the other, meaning that only the surrounding context makes clear the intended meaning. Such words that have the same form but more than one meaning are called homonyms. If the two meanings of the word are represented by the same spelling, the word is a homograph. If the two meanings of the word are represented by the same pronunciation, the word is a homophone. A word can be both a homograph and a homophone. Some words are homographs but not homophones. Because homonyms are heavily dependent on context for their interpretation, they provide useful material for studying the modification of verbal meaning as a function of experimental variations in context.
The Critical Role of Non-Normality in Partitioning Tropical and Extratropical Contributions to PNA Growth

AbstractThe Pacific-North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern has been linked both to tropical phenomena, including the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), an...
The association of area deprivation and state child health with respiratory outcomes of pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis in the United States.

BACKGROUND Differences in socioenvironmental exposures influence overall child health, but their association with pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) outcomes is less clear. This observational study investigated the relationship between area-level socioeconomic deprivation, state child health, and CF respiratory outcomes in a national cohort. METHODS We assessed relationships between the 2015 area deprivation index, a composite measure of socioeconomic disadvantage; the 2016 child health index, a state-specific measure of overall child health; and CF respiratory outcomes in the 2016 CF Foundation Patient Registry. RESULTS The sample included 9934 individuals with CF, aged 6-18 years. In multiple regression analysis adjusted for demographic and clinical covariates, those residing in the worst tertile for area deprivation had 2.8% lower percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV1 ; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -4.1 to -1.5), 1.2 more intravenous (IV) treatment nights (CI: 0.1-2.4), and 20% higher odds of ≥2 pulmonary exacerbations (odds ratio [OR]: 1.2, CI: 1.0-1.5) than best-tertile counterparts. Children with CF in states at the worst tertile for child health had 2.3% lower ppFEV1 (CI: -4.5 to -0.2), 2.2 more IV treatment nights (CI: 0.5-3.6), and 40% higher odds of ≥2 exacerbations (OR: 1.4, CI: 1.1-1.8) than best-tertile counterparts. State child health accounted for the association between area deprivation and multiple exacerbations and more IV treatment nights. CONCLUSIONS Both area socioeconomic characteristics and state child health play a role in pediatric CF outcomes. The residual association of the state child health with CF outcomes after controlling for area deprivation reflects the ability of state programs to mitigate the effect of poverty.
Analysis and Forecasting of Global RT-PCR Primers for SARS-CoV-2

Rapid tests for active SARS-CoV-2 infections rely on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR uses reverse transcription of RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA) and amplification of specific DNA (primer and probe) targets using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The technology makes rapid and specific identification of the virus possible based on sequence homology of nucleic acid sequence and is much faster than than tissue culture or animal cell models. However the technique can lose sensitivity over time as the virus evolves and the target sequences diverge from the selective primer sequences. As we rely on existing RT-PCR primers to track and manage the spread of the Coronavirus as public life re-opens, it is imperative to understand how SARS-CoV-2 mutations, over time and geographically, diverge from existing primers used today. In this study, we analyze the performance of the SARS-CoV-2 primers in use today by measuring the number of mismatches between primer sequence and genome targets over time and spatially. We find that there is a growing number of mismatches, an increase by 2% per month, as well as a high specificity of virus based on geographic location.
Crossing Borders: Young Entrepreneurs and the Lure of Major Cities

Cross-border entrepreneurship is a mechanism by which global cities may increase their stock of human capital and capabilities at the expense of the sending home region. Unlike the immigrant and returnee entrepreneurship studied in the past, cross-border entrepreneurship tends to be one-way, involving migration for entrepreneurship rather than migration followed by entrepreneurship. Further, with the focus on service rather than manufacturing industries, the old international and backward ties that once typified cross-border entrepreneurship may no longer apply, leading to increased rates of innovation in host country global cities and reduced rates in the home region. Using a study of Taiwanese entrepreneurship in Mainland China, this chapter shows how the magnetism of global cities attracts investment but the patterns of globalization today, including protectionism and technology fragmentation, yield highly unequal benefits from this type of entrepreneurship.
Cycloaliphatic polyester based high solids polyurethane coatings: I. The effect of difunctional alcohols

High-solids polyesters were synthesized with two cycloaliphatic diacids, 1,4- cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (1,4-CHDA) and 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (1,3-CHDA); and with five diols, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), neopentyl glycol (NPG), hydroxypivalyl hydroxypivalate (HPHP), 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1, 3-propanediol (BEPD), and 1,6-hexanediol (HD). The viscosity of the polyesters was dependent on the structures of diols. The viscosity of polyesters is lower with the diol HD, intermediate with BEPD and HPHP, and higher with the diols CHDM and NPG. The polyesters were crosslinked with hexamethylene diisocyanate isocyanurate (HDI isocyanurate) affording polyurethane coatings. The mechanical properties, tensile properties, fracture toughness, and viscoelastic properties were investigated for the polyurethane films with five different diols. The cyclohexyl structure of the CHDM provides the polyurethane with rigidity which is manifested in high tensile modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness. In contrast, the linear diol, 1,6-hexanediol provides polyurethane with very high flexibility, but these coatings suffer with respect to low hardness and tensile modulus.
Switched-Capacitor Circuits [Education]

The first publication of a switched-capacitor resistor occurred nearly 150 years ago in James Clark Maxwell’s pioneering book A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism [1] . He pointed out that the average current through a periodically inverted capacitor C remains the same when it is replaced by a resistor of value ${R} = {T}/{2}{C}$ , where ${T}$ is the period of inversions. He used this equivalence to give a method for measuring capacitance using a circuit employing a battery and galvanometer. The next publication came nearly a century later, when D. L. Fried proposed the idea of sampled-data analog filters [2] , containing only switches, capacitors and (if necessary) amplifiers. His paper showed how to realize the equivalent of a resistor using two switches and a capacitor. A motivation for using such circuits may be found from the history of analog filters. These were developed for telephony, and used initially resistors, capacitors and inductors. Inductors were bulky and lossy, and were replaced at the earliest opportunity by alternative circuits using amplifiers. The resulting active-RC filters were realized by discrete elements: capacitors, resistors and integrated-circuit amplifiers. With the development of integrated-circuit technology, there was strong motivation to put these filters on a single-substrate IC. However, the absolute values of resistors and capacitors could only poorly be controlled by the fabrication process: errors of 20-30% were common. Since the errors of resistors and capacitors were not tracking each other, the errors of time constants given by RC products were unacceptably high. This made their frequency responses unpredictable. Trimming could be used to tune such filters, but this was expensive. When the resistors were replaced by their switched-capacitor (SC) equivalents, the RC time constants were replaced by time constants of the form ${TC}_{1}/{C}_{2}$ . Since the switching period ${T}$ can be accurately controlled, as can the ratio of on-chip capacitors, the SC filters (SCFs) could be implemented with high accuracy. The design of such filters initially was based on those of active-RC ones, but it was soon recognized that they can be more effectively designed directly in the sampled-data domain, in terms of the ${z}$ variable, similarly to digital filters. Although other design techniques exist, the most popular one constructs higher-order filters as a cascade of lower-order sections, such as biquadratic filter or “biquad” shown in Figure 1 .
Credit for Physical Exercise

(1901). Credit for Physical Exercise. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 14-19.
Abundance and Satisfaction

are surfeit. We need just one flitter to apprehend correctly the will of aspen leaves, the lassitude of lupine petals, the sleep of a sleeping eyelid. To examine adequately one set of finely leaded, stained wings of violet translucence, one single sucking proboscis (sap and-sugar-licking thread), to study thoroughly just one powder scale, one gold speck from one dusted butterfly forewing would require at least a millenium of attention to all melody, phrase, gravity and horizon.
Epidemiology of restricting back pain in community-living older persons.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of back pain leading to restricted activity (restricting back pain) in community-living older persons and to characterize its descriptive epidemiology. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Greater New Haven, Connecticut. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred fifty nondisabled, community-living men and women aged 70 and older who did not report restricting back pain at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were interviewed monthly for over 10 years to ascertain the cumulative incidence, time to first episode, incidence rates (first and repeat episodes), and duration of restricting back pain. Cumulative incidence (proportions) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and incidence rates (per 1,000 person-months) were estimated using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS: During the more than 10 years of follow-up (median 107 months), the cumulative incidence of restricting back pain was 77.3% for men and 81.7% for women. The median time to the first episode was significantly shorter in women (25 months) than men (49 months) (P=.01). The incidence rates of restricting back pain per 1,000 person-months were 32.9 overall�24.4 for men and 37.5 for women (P<.001). There were no differences according to baseline age group. Of the 1,528 total episodes of restricting back pain, the median duration was 1.0 month, and only 6.4% lasted for 3 or more consecutive months. CONCLUSION: Restricting back pain in older persons is common, short-lived, and frequently episodic. The burden of restricting back pain is greater in older women than older men.
Catalyst deactivation by metals and coke during hydrodemetallation

The methods for the study of metals and coke poisoning of hydrotreatment catalysts normally require long and expensive tests in pilot plants. The Colombian Petroleum Institute. ICP, has developed a methodology to age catalyst samples in a commercial reactor for their subsequent analysis and study in short pilot plant testing. Because the conditions inside the reactor change spatially the study of this catalyst samples provides good information about the relationship between the different variables involved in catalyst design, the quality of the feedstock and the operating temperature.
Reaction of ribosome-bound peptidyl transfer ribonucleic acid with aminoacyl transfer ribonucleic acid or puromycin.

Abstract Polylysyl transfer ribonucleic acid, free of lysyl-tRNA, has been isolated and its characteristics in an Escherichia coli polypeptide-synthesizing system in vitro have been studied. Ribosomes obtained from frozen E. coli cells were washed in 0.5 m NH4Cl and assayed at MgCl2 concentrations of at least 0.01 m. Binding of this peptidyl-tRNA to ribosomes occurs in the presence of templates containing 3 or more adenylic acid residues. p-Chloromercuriphenylsulfonate or lysyl-tRNA prevents this attachment. Binding occurs most effectively when both 30 S and 50 S ribosomal subparticles are present. Unlike lysyl-tRNA, bound polylysyl-tRNA reacts with puromycin in the absence of added GTP and supernatant factors. The product of this reaction was shown to be polylysylpuromycin. Under analogous conditions, a limited incorporation of lysine into bound polylysyl-tRNA can be shown. In this limited addition reaction, a polyadenylate template longer than three nucleotides is required. Chlortetracycline is a strong inhibitor of the limited addition of lysine to polylysyl-tRNA, but is without effect on the cleavage of polylysyl-tRNA by puromycin. Chloramphenicol, on the other hand, inhibits the reaction between polylysyl-tRNA and puromycin, but has little influence on the limited addition reaction. Gougerotin, a puromycin-like antibiotic, inhibits the puromycin reaction. Phenylalanyl-tRNA reacts poorly with puromycin in the presence of ribosomes and oligouridylate, whereas N-acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA is cleaved extensively, forming N-acetylphenylalanylpuromycin. Phenyllactyl-tRNA, although capable of binding to ribosomes, displays no detectable reactivity with puromycin. Chloramphenicol completely inhibits the cleavage of N-acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA by puromycin.
Mus musculus x mus caroli hybrids: mouse mules.

Analysis of six enzymes using starch gel electrophoresis indicates that autosomal and X-linked genes of both parental species are expressed normally in M. musculus X M. caroli hybrids. There is no evidence for allelic repression for the four autosomally inherited enzymes. Banding patterns for G6PD and PGK-1 indicate that X-chromosome inactivation occurs and that the maternally derived M. musculus X-chromosome is preferentially expressed in the yolk sac. Despite normal genetic expression none of the four adult female hybrids was fertile and the male hybrids tended to be retarded during fetal development. The routine production of fetal M. musculus X M. caroli hybrids, heterozygous for three X-linked genes coding for G6PD, PGK-1, and HPRT, should provide an excellent system for the analysis of X-chromosome expression and an alternative to the mule for studies of hybrid reproduction and development.
Biomolecular Structure and Modeling: Historical Perspective

physics, chemistry, and biology have been connected by a web of causal explanation organized by induction-based theories that telescope into one another. … Thus, quantum theory underlies atomic physics, which is the foundation of reagent chemistry and its specialized offshoot biochemistry, which interlock with molecular biology — essentially, the chemistry of organic macromolecules — and hence, through successively higher levels of organization, cellular, organismic, and evolutionary biology. … Such is the unifying and highly productive understanding of the world that has evolved in the natural sciences.
Measuring Communist Priorities: Budgets, Investments, and the Problem of Equivalence

Research on communist systems has in the past decade come increasingly to focus on the making and impact of public policy, and to rely on fiscal data as one of the most abundant sources of information about communist priorities. Yet although government budgets and investments offer the advantages of quantification, and permit comparisons both within and across nations, they can be inconsistent and ambiguous measures of communist priorities. Labels for various items are consistent, but their meaning may vary from one country, one region, and one year to another, because of complex fiscal arrangements that are frequently recast. The data thus require careful analysis and in many cases adjustment in order to provide equivalent measurement of the policy choices that communist systems make. This article offers an analysis of the equivalence problem, reanalyzing the results of other studies to illustrate that communist fiscal arrangements and reforms can have a significant impact on the conclusions we draw abou...
Effect of acute endotoxin tolerance on NO production by isolated hepatic parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells and alveolar macrophages in rats

The changes in NO production induced by endotoxin (LPS) tolerance are controversial. The aim of this study was to explore modulation of NO production by LPS tolerance in different liver cell types and alveolar macrophages. Such cells were studied in three groups of male Sprague Dawley rats: non-tolerant rats (sal-LPS) received saline or no treatment 48 h before a 3 mg/kg LPS injection, tolerant rats received low dose LPS (0.5 mg/kg) 48 h before a second injection of saline (LPS-sal) or LPS 3 mg/kg (LPS-LPS). All injections were delivered i.v. Animals were studied 1 and 6 h after the second injection. NO production (assessed by nitrite release) by hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, endothelial cells and alveolar macrophages was simultaneously determined after 20 h of culture in the presence or in the absence of LPS, interferon-y (IFN) or both. Basal NO production by hepatocytes of tolerant and nontolerant LPS injected rats was high 1 h after the second injection, and was dramatically reduced 6 h after the second ...
Lower body stiffness and muscle activity differences between female dancers and basketball players during drop jumps.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often occur during landing, with female athletes at higher injury risk than male athletes. Interestingly, female dancers have lower ACL injury rates than do female athletes in general.Hypothesis: Female dancers will have earlier and greater lower extremity muscle activity and higher sagittal knee joint and leg stiffness than will female basketball players.Study Design: Cross-sectional group comparison.Methods: Fifty-five healthy female athletes (35 dancers, 20 basketball players) performed 5 double-leg drop jumps from a 45-cm box. Surface electromyography (onsets and amplitudes; prelanding and postlanding) was recorded from the lateral gastrocnemius, medial and lateral hamstrings, lateral quadriceps muscles with a 3-dimensional electromagnetic tracking system, and forceplates recording biomechanics (leg spring stiffness and knee joint stiffness).Results: Compared with basketball players, dancers had greater leg spring stiffness (P = 0.047) but similar knee joint stiffness (P = 0.44). Although no significant differences were observed in overall muscle onset times (P = 0.22) or activation amplitudes (prelanding, P = 0.60; postlanding, P = 0.78), small to moderate effect sizes (ESs) suggest trends in dancers toward earlier (ES = 0.53) and higher medial hamstrings activation pre- (ES = 0.55) and post- (ES = 0.41) landing and lower lateral quadriceps (ES = 0.30) and higher gastrocnemius (ES = 0.33) postlanding muscle activation.Conclusions: In dancers, the higher leg spring stiffness and trends toward higher hamstrings prelanding and postlanding, as well as lower quadriceps and higher gastrocnemius activation postlanding with similar knee joint stiffness, indicate lower extremity neuromechanical differences across other joints.Clinical Relevance: Female dancers may have lower extremity neuromechanics that are different from those of basketball players during drop jumps. If dancers use ACL-protective strategies during activity, then their training routines should be further investigated to improve ACL injury prevention programs.
A taxonomic revision of Schlotheimia subg. Stegotheca (Orthotrichaceae)

Schlotheimia consists of two subgenera in the Neotropics: subg. Schlotheimia with exserted capsules and long-campanulate calyptrae; and subg. Stegotheca with immersed capsules and short-conical calyptrae. A taxonomic revision of the 15 accepted names in subg. Stegotheca supports recognition of two species and a new variety. Schlotheimia appressifolia has lanceolate leaves, dentate upper margins, percurrent to subpercurrent costae and elliptical to isodiametric median cells. The names S. crumii, S. emergens, S. fasciculata, S. horridula, S. perserrata, S. puiggarii, S. serricalyx and S. uncialis are synonyms of S. appressifolia. Schlotheimia tecta has broader, oblong-lanceolate leaves, entire to serrulate and irregularly denticulate upper margins, percurrent or shortly excurrent costae and rounded, quadrate, or short-rectangular median cells. The names S. cuspidifera, S. furcata and S. robusticuspis are synonyms of S. tecta. Schlotheimia tecta var. jamaicensis var. nov. differs from S. tecta var. tecta in having linear-lanceolate leaves, consistently entire leaf margins and mostly larger, rhomboidal median cells.
Language attitudes toward Northeastern Mandarin and Putonghua (PTH) by young professionals

This study examines the language attitudes of young professionals in three cities in China towards Northeastern Mandarin (NEM) and Putonghua (PTH) (i.e., the standard language in China). It confirms that NEM has lower status as compared to PTH. However, the young professionals in Northeast China rated the NEM speaker higher than the PTH speaker in most qualities, attesting to the empathy and solidarity of native speakers toward their own variety of language. The northeastern professionals also rated the NEM speaker lower in some personal qualities, implying that the northeastern professionals’ awareness of the stereotypes associated with NEM and the prestige associated with PTH. The findings show that language attitude is directly linked to socio-economic status and that speakers of the low variety of a language may develop complicated language attitudes when negotiating their language use and identity in social interaction.
Performance evaluation of a commercial system for quantitative measurement of display resolution

One of the key metrics that carry information about image quality of medical displays is resolution. Until now, this property has been quantitatively assessed in laboratory settings. For the first time, a device consisting of a CCD camera and analysis software has been made commercially available for measuring the resolution of medical displays in a clinical setting. This study aimed to evaluate this new product in terms of accuracy and precision. In particular, attention was paid to determine whether the device is appropriate for clinical use. This work involved the measurement of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) of a medical Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) using the software/camera system. To check for accuracy, the results were compared with published values of the resolution for the same display. To assess the system's precision, measurements were made multiple times at the same setting. The performance of the system was also ascertained as a function of the focus setting of the camera. In terms of repeatability, the results indicate that when the camera is focused within ± 0.64 mm of the optimum focus setting, the MTF values lie within approximately 14% of the best focus MTF at the Nyquist frequency and 11% of the optimum total sharpness (∫MTF df). Similar results were obtained in the horizontal and vertical directions. Also, the MTF results track with luminance values as expected. In terms of accuracy, the device provides MTF figures within 10% to 20% of the previously measured values.
Ornithine utilization by the chick.

SummaryAssays employing a chemically defined diet were conducted to determine if the young chick could utilize dietary ornithine. A plasma assay and a tracer study clearly demonstrated that the chick can both absorb and metabolize ornithine. Moreover, a significant quantity of 14C from injected ornithine-U-14C was recovered in liver protein as proline and glutamic acid. Growth assays demonstrated that orally administered l-ornithine HCl was an effective source of nonspecific amino nitrogen but it was ineffective in eliminating the dietary requirement of the chick for proline.
Acute and subacute toxicity of apholate to the chick and Japanese quail.

Abstract The acute oral LD 50 of apholate was 246.2 (223.7–271.3) mg/kg to 11-day-old cockerels; 204.4 (176.0–237.3) mg/kg to 14-day-old male Coturnix ; and 179.0 (147.1–217.8) mg/kg to female quail. Single oral doses of apholate in both species resulted in body weight depression, testicular arrest, and leukocytopenia. Continuous administration of apholate in the feed of the chick resulted in a reduction in growth, depression of leukocyte level but no erythrocyte reduction, reduced testis and spleen size, but an essentially normal liver. Microscopic examination indicated increased numbers of immature erythrocytes in the femoral bone marrow, spermatogenic and maturation arrest and atrophy of testicular tissue, and a marked diminution of lymphoid cells in the splenic white pulp. Apholate at equivalent dosages was much more toxic in dry sugar-feed mixes than when added to the feed mix from a chloroform solution.
Divergent task-dependent functional connectivity of executive control and salience networks.

Abstract Background Previous studies have demonstrated task-dependent functional interactions of a frontal–parietal control system with the competing dorsal attention (DA) and default mode networks (DM). However, evidence suggests that the frontal–parietal control system is functionally heterogeneous, consisting of two distinct sub-networks that demonstrate dissociable intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) patterns: a frontal–parietal “executive control network” (CON) and a cingulo-opercular “salience network” (SAL). In this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that CON and SAL would show dissociable task-dependent changes in connectivity with regard to the competing DA and DM when switching from rest to external task performance. Methods Nineteen healthy adults underwent four functional MRI scans: two during rest and two while performing a global–local selective attention task. Seed-based FC defined the CON and SAL. Connectivity changes between task and rest states were assessed by analysis of variance. The relationship of task-dependent changes in connectivity for each of these networks with behavioral measures was also characterized. Results CON and SAL demonstrated distinct stable and task-dependent regional connectivity. Whereas CON primarily increased FC with visual cortex regions associated with the DA during task performance versus rest, the SAL increased coupling with regions belonging to the DM. Greater dissociation between CON and SAL and between regions with which they coupled during task was associated with better task accuracy. Conclusions The divergent task-dependent dynamics of CON and SAL connectivity with the anti-correlated DA and DM support distinct functional roles of these two “control” networks.
Rational Design, Fabrication, Characterization and in Vitro Testing of Biodegradable Microparticles That Generate Targeted and Sustained Transgene Expression in HepG2 Liver Cells

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles have significant potential for sustained delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA). However, unmodified PLGA microparticles have poor transfection efficiencies. In this study, we use several approaches to enhance the transfection efficiencies of PLGA microparticles in a HepG2 liver cell line. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is used to condense the pDNA prior to loading into the PLGA microparticles. This provides enhanced loading efficiencies and greater protection to the pDNA during the entrapment process. In addition, the pDNA used (ApoE) incorporates a hybrid liver-specific murine albumin enhancer/α1 antitrypsin promoter (AlbE/hAAT) to enhance transgene expression in human liver (HepG2) cells. The percentage of surfactant used in the preparation of the microparticles, the polymer composition of the PLGA, the ratio of the PEI to pDNA (N/P), the structure of the PEI and the potential utility of a galactose targeting ligand were then investigated to further optimize the efficac...
Low light level switching

Using coherence enhanced nonlinear optics we observe absorptive switching in hot Rubidium atoms. Electromagnetically induced transparency helps create a larger absorptive Kerr nonlinearity enabling strong absorptive switching with laser intensities of 10 microwatts per square centimeter. Switching is interpreted in terms of optical pumping into and out of the "dark" state.
Peripheral gangrene in a newborn infant associated with renal and adrenal vein thrombosis

continuous electrocardiographic display on an oscilloscope a n d / o r by intermittent recording to help nurses and physicians to detect the early development of pneumothorax, I t is essential, however, to note any changes in standardization of the electrocardiographic oscilloscope monitor or of position of the leads so as to avoid misdiagnosing pneumothorax from iatrogenic changes in voltage. Early recognition of pneumothorax by electrocardiographic monitoring permits rapid radiologic confirmation and should improve the chances for successful treatment. R E F E R E N C E S 1. Chernick, V., and Reed, M. H.: Pneumothorax and chylothorax in the neonatal period, J. PEe.'ATR. 76: 624, 1970. 2. Copeland, R. B., and Omenn, G. S.: Electrocardiogram changes suggestive of coronary artery disease in pneumothorax, Arch. Intern. Med. 125: 151, 1970. 3. Linder, E., and Katz, L. N.: The relative conductivity of the tissues in contact with the heart, Am. J. Physiol. 125: 625, 1939. 4. Arbeit, S. R., Rubin, I. L., and Gross, H.: Dangers in interpreting the electrocardiogram from the oscilloscope monitor, J. A. M. A. 211: 453, 1970.
An Experimental Study of the Influence of Pelage Pigmentation on Metabolic Rate and its Possible Relationship to Body Temperature Control and Ecological Distribution

In published studies of temperature regulation in homoiothermic animals little if any attention has been directed to pigmentation of the plumage or pelage other than as applied to protective coloration. Indeed, in arctic and tropical animals the adaptations to temperature are essentially those regulating heat conservation and loss through the fur, feathers and skin. In these animals the body-toair temperature gradient can be adapted only by behavioral adjustments (avoidance of direct sunshine, nest building, and hibernation in a few species) as concluded by Scholander et al. (1950). Doubtless, insulation and the animal's ability to withstand heat or cold are of prime importance. Arctic animals are usually so wellinsulated that they are protected against the extremes of cold to which they become exposed. Variability in keeping comfortable exists to some degree in the animal's posture which can affect heat loss or retention. In cases of adequate insulation by fur and fat, skin or fur color obviously would be of less importance than in those animals with only sparse pelage. In poikilotherms, which depend upon
More on Estimation of Distributions Using Orthogonal Expansions

Abstract Let f(x) be a continuous, strictly positive probability density function over an interval [a, b], and let F(x) be its associated cumulative distribution function. Suppose ϕ0(x), ϕ1(x), ϕ2(x), … form a complete orthonormal basis for L 2[a, b], the set of square-integrable functions on [a, b]. Suppose, further, that over [a, b] and that log f(x) has a similar expansion. Given a random sample X 1, X 2, …, Xn from the distribution, some aspects of the estimation of f(x) and F(x) are investigated.
Probabilistic Simulation Approach to Evaluate the Tooth-Root Strength of Spur Gears with FEM-Based Verification

Dependency on deterministic design techniques without attention to inherent process variations and uncertainties in gear design and manufacturing processes can lead to unreliable results and affect the performance of a gearing system. A better understanding of the impact of uncertainty associated with the system input on the system output can be achieved by including reliability techniques to accomplish a reliable design methodology. This emerged the need to consider the probabilistic behavior of the stress distribution on the gear tooth during the design phase. The present effort reports on the application of the SSI theory within the context of a “Design for Reliability” approach in support a detailed gear design methodology for the evaluation the tooth-root strength with FEM-based verification. The SSI theory is formulated to predict the effect of the root fillet generated by a rack or hob tool with and without protuberance on the gear system reliability. The results obtained from the probabilistic analysis strongly agreed with the FEM’ results across a range of different gear tooth fillet profiles. A quantitative assessment of the investigated gear sets showed the highest tooth-root stress was associated with the lowest tip radius of the generating tool. This approach helps with making the decision by quantifying the impact of stress and strength variations during the gear design stage.