cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of interspinous process distraction device (X-STOP) in a representative patient cohort.

Objective To test the hypothesis that the level of clinical efficacy reported in the investigational device exemption (IDE) study of the X-STOP device that led to its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could also be achieved in patients who are representative of the population approved for treatment, irrespective of whether they met all the stringent requirements of the IDE study. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of a consecutive series of 31 patients who received the X-STOP interspinous process distraction device as treatment for neurogenic intermittent claudication. Outcome was assessed at an average of 2 years after surgery by use of the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), which used the definition of clinical success used in the IDE study. Results On the basis of the ZCQ, clinically significant improvement occurred in 38% of the evaluable patients (21 patients), compared with 48.4% in the IDE study; at the sites other than those of the device’s inventors, the improvement level was 37%. Four patients needed additional surgery, which was a rate comparable with that reported in the IDE study. Conclusions The success level in the controlled IDE study that established the safety and efficacy of the X-STOP device was achieved in a representative patient cohort that did not necessarily meet all the strict requirements of the IDE plan. Nevertheless, the overall results were not good, suggesting that the ZCQ definition of success might not have captured the true outcome of surgical treatment with the X-STOP device.
Navigation path planning for autonomous aircraft - Voronoi diagram approach

The present technique for generating a search graph depicting topologically unique paths around mountain boundaries at constant altitudes involves a description of mountain boundaries as polygons; the search graph is then generated on the basis of a geometric construct. All nodes and arcs of the search graph are guaranteed to lie in free space, thereby ensuring an autonomous aircraft's avoidance of mountain obstacles. The solution path is generated by searching the graph for the optimal path from a start location to a finish location.
Virtually supportive: A feasibility pilot study of an online support group for dementia caregivers in a 3D virtual environment

Abstract Introduction Caregiver support groups effectively reduce stress from caring for someone with dementia. These same demands can prevent participation in a group. The present feasibility study investigated a virtual online caregiver support group to bring the support group into the home. While online groups have been shown to be helpful, submissions to a message board (vs. live conversation) can feel impersonal. Method By using avatars, participants interacted via real-time chat in a virtual environment in an 8-week support group. Result Data indicated lower levels of perceived stress, depression and loneliness across participants. Importantly, satisfaction reports also indicate that caregivers overcame the barriers to participation, and had a strong sense of the group's presence. Discussion This study provides the framework for an accessible and low cost online support group for a dementia caregiver. The study demonstrates the feasibility of interactive group in a virtual environment for engaging members in meaningful interaction.
Acetylcholine receptor extracellular domain determines sensitivity to nicotine-induced inactivation.

Abstract We have shown previously that chronic exposure to submicromolar concentrations of nicotine permanently inactivates α4β2 and α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors while α3β2 acetylcholine receptors are resistant to inactivation. Phosphorylation of the large cytoplasmic domain has been proposed to mediate functional inactivation. Chimeric subunits consisting of human α4 sequence from their N-terminus to either the beginning of the first transmembrane domain or the large cytoplasmic domain and α3 sequences thereafter formed acetylcholine receptors with β2 subunits which were as susceptible to nicotine-induced inactivation as wild-type α4 acetylcholine receptors. The converse chimeras, containing the N-terminal parts of the α3 subunit and the C-terminal parts of the α4 subunit, formed acetylcholine receptors with β2 subunits which were as resistant to nicotine-induced inactivation as wild-type α3β2 acetylcholine receptors. Thus, inactivation of acetylcholine receptors produced by chronic exposure to nicotine results primarily from effects of the agonist on the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the α subunit.
A specific, high-affinity, limited-capacity estrogen binding component in the cytosol of human fetal pituitary and brain tissues.

A macromolecular component which binds 3H-estradiol with high affinity and limited capacity is present in the 150,000x g supernatant fractions of pituitary, hypothalamus, cortex, and limbic system of both male and female human fetuses. 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol effectively compete with 3H-estradiol for binding sites while testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and cortisol do not. The binding component is different from sexhormone-binding-globulin. It is present in these tissues in relatively large amounts and is tentatively identified as an estrogen receptor.
Using the General Behavior Inventory to Screen for Mood Disorders Among Patients With Psychoactive Substance Dependence

The General Behavior Inventory (GBI), a self-report instrument that measures mood disorders, was completed by 224 drug-dependent subjects, who also completed other psychometric tests, underwent clinical psychiatric evaluation blind to GBI results, and provided urine toxicology specimens during outpatient treatment. The GBI found unipolar and bipolar disorders in 10.7% and 15.6% of subjects, respectively. Less than optimal concordance occurred between clinical diagnoses and GBI findings. GBI unipolar patients and bipolar patients appeared globally significantly more disturbed than subjects without GBI mood disorders on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory- 68 and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory. GBI bipolar patients tended to have greater frequency of cocaine use prior to and during treatment than the other two groups. The GBI delineates subgroups of addicts with distinctive psychopathology, who in some cases escape clinical detection. Cocaine use shows an association with GBI bipolar d...
Communication about behavioral health risks: a study of videotaped encounters in 2 internal medicine practices.

BACKGROUND: As behavioral health risks account for the major causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, national guidelines recommend that physicians routinely screen patients for risk factors, and counsel as appropriate. OBJECTIVES: To assess the scope of health risk screening and characterize the communication content of counseling for health behavior change in 2 general internal medicine practices. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We studied videotapes of 125 new patient visits to General Internists affiliated with academic medical centers in Chicago, IL (70%) and Burlington, VT (30%). All videotapes were content analyzed to examine (1) the incidence and outcome of screening for diet, exercise, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, sex, seatbelt use, helmet use, firearms, smoke detectors, and sun exposure; (2) the content of counseling for at-risk behaviors, with a focus on 11 counseling tasks associated with health behavior change. RESULTS: Patient age in these 125 initial visits ranged from 22 to 85 years. Within the 91 visits that included at least 1 screening attempt, there were a total of 361 distinct screening discussions (mean=3.9, SD=2.2, range=1 to 9). Seventy-four (20.5%) of the 361 screening discussions revealed an at-risk behavior. On average, 2.4 of the 11 counseling tasks were accomplished for each of the 74 behavioral health risks (SD=2.2, range 0 to 9); only education about the problem (56.8%) and general advice about the solution (62.2%) were evident in more than half of the counseling attempts. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study reveals that communication tasks associated with successful counseling were relatively infrequent occurrences during initial visits in 2 primary care practices.
Characterization of a non-tissue-specific, 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element in the proximal region of the rat prolactin gene.

The nature of a DNA element located in the -100 to -85 region of the rat PRL gene has been characterized. Previous studies demonstrated that this region may contribute to basal and hormonally regulated expression of the PRL gene. As this region contains a sequence with similarity to a consensus cAMP-responsive element (CRE), a possible role for the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) has been explored. A point mutation which made the PRL CRE-like sequence less like a consensus CRE had little effect on basal or cAMP-stimulated expression of a PRL-luciferase reporter gene. DNase footprint studies demonstrated that the proximal region of the PRL gene does not contain a high affinity CREB binding site. Mobility shift experiments demonstrated that the major GH3 nuclear protein which interacts with the -100 to -85 region of the PRL gene in vitro is not CREB. Transfection of a dominant inhibitor of CREB action had little or no effect on expression of an indicator gene containing the PRL proximal region....
Behavior and Adaptive Functioning in Adolescents with Down Syndrome: Specifying Targets for Intervention.

Adolescents with Down syndrome can demonstrate increased behavior problems as compared with typical peers. Few studies have explored whether behavior impacts adaptive functioning. Caregiver report from the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, 2nd Edition (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004) and the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach, 2001) was collected for 52 adolescents (24 males). Participants were most frequently rated as having problems with inattention and social withdrawal. Attention problems accounted for a significant proportion of variance in Activities of Daily Living (R2Adj = 0.30), Leadership (R2Adj = 0.30), Functional Communication (R2Adj = 0.28), Adaptability (R2Adj = 0.29), and Social Skills (R2Adj = 0.17) on the BASC-2. Convergent validity between the CBCL and BASC-2 was limited. Findings inform the clinical utility of the BASC-2 and CBCL in this population. Improved specification of behavior will facilitate targeted intervention, thus improving outcomes for individuals with...
1653 AN EXTENDED MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX (MHC) HAPLOTYPE ASSOCIATED WITH MEMBRANOPROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS TYPES I AND III

The (MHC) includes the alleles for HLA-A, B, DR; the complement components C2, Bf, and C4; and glyoxylase I (GLO I). C4 synthesis is controlled by two loci (A and B) and unexpressed (“null”) alleles are fairly common (C4AQO, C4BQO). Study of 26 patients affected by MPGN I or III and their families allowed unambiguous determination of 52 “disease associated” MHC haplotypes. The extended haplotype HLA-A1, B8, DR3, SC01 (BfS, C2C, C4AQO, C4B1), GLO I 2 comprised 8 (15%) of these haplotypes, and was present in 31% of patients. This pattern, however, was found in only 1/102 normal (i.e. not occurring in MPGN patients) haplotypes (p <.001). Family members who did not share haplotypes with the patients did not differ from the normal population in haplotype frequencies. The presence of C4AQO on this haplotype accounts for our earlier finding of a high frequency of C4 nulls in MPGN. The identical extended haplotype has been reported by others to occur with increased frequency in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Without data on the GLO I variant, it has also been reported in SLE. Although A1B8DR3SC01 is a common Caucasian haplotype (8% of our normal haplotypes), the disease associated haplotype always bears the GLO I 2 variant. These data suggest that a “disease susceptibility” gene(s) may be located between the DR/complotype loci and GLO I, and may be more closely linked to them than to HLA A and B.
Survivorship and prognosis in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia

Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM) is currently defined by a set of bone marrow histological and cytogenetic criteria that are fulfilled either de novo (agnogenic myeloid metaplasia; AMM) ...
An ion beam technique for real-time measurement of two-dimensional islands during epitaxial growth

Abstract In this paper, we describe a technique for real-time measurement of two-dimensional (2D) islands during molecular beam epitaxy, using GaAs(001) growth as the test case. In this technique, an ion beam impinges at a glancing angle relative to the sample surface, and the specularly scattered ion current is measured. The current is a quantitative probe of surface defects, e.g., adatoms and step edges, which interrupt the locally flat surface needed for a specular reflection. Nucleation is detected during the early stages of GaAs growth when the measured adatom density drops below the expected value, because of adatom self-shadowing in 2D nuclei. After deposition, there is a relatively fast current recovery – related to adatom diffusion – combined with a much slower recovery – explained by a decrease in step-edge density as the 2D island density decreases. Good fits to the recovery data were obtained by assuming power-law island coarsening.
Spectroelectrochemical sensing: planar waveguides☆

Abstract The spectroelectrochemical sensor combines in a single device electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and selective partitioning into a film, giving improved selectivity for applications that involve complex samples. Sensing is based on the change in optical signal that accompanies electrochemical modulation of analyte that has partitioned into the film. Two classes of optical quality chemically-selective films based on two different host materials, namely, sol–gel processed silica and cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) have been developed. Films are typically 400–700 nm thick. Three types of sensor platforms are discussed: a multiple internal reflection (MIR) optic consisting of a bilayer of an indium tin oxide (ITO) optically transparent electrode deposited on a 1-mm thick glass substrate, a planar waveguide in which a potassium ion-exchanged BK7 glass waveguide (5–9 μm thick) was over-coated with a thin film of ITO, and a planar waveguide in which a potassium ion-exchanged BK7 glass waveguide channel was formed and a pair of electrodes deposited along side the channel. These sensors were evaluated with ferrocyanide and a selective film of PDMDAAC–SiO2, where PDMDAAC=poly(dimethyl diallylammonium chloride).
Some theorems on conditional Pasta: A stochastic integral approach

In this note, the 'conditional pasta theorem' of van Doorn and Regterschot is proved under more general conditions and via a stochastic integral approach of independent interest. The limit theorems here require less restrictive assumptions and are shown for a wider class of arrival processes. Applications are also presented for particular cases of continuous and discrete-time arrivals.
Radiation damage monitoring in the ATLAS pixel detector

Abstract We describe the implementation of radiation damage monitoring using measurement of leakage current in the ATLAS silicon pixel sensors. The dependence of the leakage current upon the integrated luminosity is presented. The measurement of the radiation damage corresponding to an integrated luminosity 5.6 fb −1 is presented along with a comparison to a model.
Electronic structure of LaN: Prediction of a small band overlap semi-metal☆

Abstract Results of a detailed theoretical investigation are reported which appear to resolve whether LaN is a semiconductor or a semi-metal. It is found that LaN has a band overlap of approximately 40 mRy making it a semimetal. A detailed analysis of the physical approximations and of the numerical precision indicate that this result has an uncertainty of ∼ 15 mRy which is too small to alter the conclusion.
Optical third harmonic generation study of the hydration of DNA films

Optical third harmonic generation (THG) has been observed for the first time from DNA films. The THG signal is observed from NaDNA films exposed to relative humidities (RHs) between 0% and 98%. A strong enhancement (approximately 5x) of the THG signal from NaDNA is observed at 84% RH; no enhancement is observed for RbDNA. The most likely mechanism for such an enhancement is an increased coherence length. A model calculation using estimates of the refractive indices at both the fundamental and third harmonic frequencies supports this interpretation. The observed THG signal has the same polarization as the incident (fundamental) light. For the A conformation, the THG signal polarized perpendicular to the helical axis is approximately twice as strong as the signal polarized parallel to the helical axis. No such anisotropy is observed for either the disordered conformation (below about 50% RH) or the B conformation (above 92% RH).
Occurrence, molecular characterization and antibiogram of water quality indicator bacteria in river water serving a water treatment plant.

Water pollution by microorganisms of fecal origin is a current world-wide public health concern. Total coliforms, fecal coliforms (Escherichia coli) and enterococci are indicators commonly used to assess the microbiological safety of water resources. In this study, influent water samples and treated water were collected seasonally from a water treatment plant and two major water wells in a Black Belt county of Alabama and evaluated for water quality indicator bacteria. Influent river water samples serving the treatment plant were positive for total coliforms, fecal coliforms (E. coli), and enterococci. The highest number of total coliform most probable number (MPN) was observed in the winter (847.5 MPN/100 mL) and the lowest number in the summer (385.6 MPN/100 mL). Similarly E. coli MPN was substantially higher in the winter (62.25 MPN/100 mL). Seasonal variation of E. coli MPN in influent river water samples was strongly correlated with color (R2 = 0.998) and turbidity (R2 = 0.992). Neither E. coli nor other coliform type bacteria were detected in effluent potable water from the treatment plant. The MPN of enterococci was the highest in the fall and the lowest in the winter. Approximately 99.7 and 51.5 enterococci MPN/100 mL were recorded in fall and winter seasons respectively. One-way ANOVA tests revealed significant differences in seasonal variation of total coliforms (P < 0.05), fecal coliforms (P < 0.01) and enterococci (P < 0.01). Treated effluent river water samples and well water samples revealed no enterococci contamination. Representative coliform bacteria selected by differential screening on Coliscan Easygel were identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis. E. coli isolates were sensitive to gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethazole, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, cefixime, and nitrofurantoin. Nonetheless, isolate BO-54 displayed decreased sensitivity compared to other E. coli isolates. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern can be employed in microbial source tracking.
A framework for choosing a database query language

This paper presents a systematic approach to matching categories of query language interfaces with the requirements of certain user types. The method is based on a trend model of query language development on the dimensions of functional capabilities and usability. From the trend model the following are derived: a classification scheme for query languages, a criterion hierarchy for query language evaluation, a comprehensive classification scheme of query language users and their requirements, and preliminary recommendations for allocating language classes to user types.The method integrates the results of existing human factors studies and provides a structured framework for future research in this area. Current and expected developments are exemplified by the description of "new generation" database query languages. In a practical query language selection problem, the results of this paper can be used for preselecting suitable query language types; the final selection decision will also depend on organization-specific factors, such as the available database management system, hardware and software strategies, and financial system costs.
Usability assessment of a mobile app for art therapy

Abstract Art therapists recently assembled a list of desirable features for an art therapy app. The Art Therapy Draw! app includes two of them in its design: a portfolio option, and stronger security. Five art therapists evaluated the app through a System Usability Scale (SUS). The evaluation revealed both positive qualities of the program and areas requiring improvement. Overall, the layout of the app proved easy to navigate and required little knowledge to operate. It offered more security measures than other apps. In addition, the expert users commented that the app would likely be suitable for use with disabled persons or those allergic to conventional art materials. This study marks a step toward instituting design considerations for emerging mobile art therapy.
A Knowledge-Based Approach to Intrusion Detection Modeling

Current state of the art intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) are signature-based systems that detect threats and vulnerabilities by cross-referencing the threat or vulnerability signatures in their databases. These systems are incapable of taking advantage of heterogeneous data sources for analysis of system activities for threat detection. This work presents a situation-aware intrusion detection model that integrates these heterogeneous data sources and build a semantically rich knowledge-base to detect cyber threats/vulnerabilities.
Type-II antimonide-based superlattices for the third generation infrared focal plane arrays

In recent years, the type-II superlattice (T2SL) material platform has seen incredible growth in the understanding of its material properties which has lead to unprecedented development in the arena of device design. Its versatility in band-structure engineering is perhaps one of the greatest hallmarks of the T2SL that other material platforms are lacking. In this paper, we discuss advantages of the T2SL, specifically the M-structure T2SL, which incorporates AlSb in the traditional InAs/GaSb superlattice. Using the M-structure, we present a new unipolar minority electron detector coined as the P-M-P, the letters which describe the composition of the device. Demonstration of this device structure with a 14μm cutoff attained a detectivity of 4x10 10 Jones (-50mV) at 77K. As device performance improves year after year with novel design contributions from the many researchers in this field, the natural progression in further enabling the ubiquitous use of this technology is to reduce cost and support the fabrication of large infrared imagers. In this paper, we also discuss the use of GaAs substrates as an enabling technology for third generation imaging on T2SLs. Despite the 7.8% lattice mismatch between the native GaSb and alternative GaAs substrates, T2SL photodiodes grown on GaAs at the MWIR and LWIR have been demonstrated at an operating temperature of 77K.
Use Of Picosecond Lasers For Studying Photosynthesis

We review the recent application of picosecond laser techniques to the study of photosynthesis. Two techniques are emphasized. In the first a streak camera is used in conjunction with a mode locked laser to determine the 'exciton' migration time to the photosynthetic reaction center. In the second a novel nonlinear optical technique is described which enables certain deductions to be made about the topology of the photosynthetic unit. Bacteria and higher plant data are presented.
Kinetic Study of the Phthalimide N-Oxyl (PINO) Radical in Acetic Acid. Hydrogen Abstraction from C−H Bonds and Evaluation of O−H Bond Dissociation Energy of N-Hydroxyphthalimide

The reactions of the phthalimide N-oxyl (PINO) radical with several hydrocarbons having different C−H bond dissociation energies (BDEs) were investigated in HOAc at 25 °C. The slope of the Evans−Polanyi plot is 0.38, which indicates that the reactions are mildly exothermic or almost thermoneutral. This finding is supported by the O−H BDE of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI), 375 ± 10 kJ mol-1, obtained by means of a thermodynamic cycle. The observed kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) are related to the reaction free-energy changes, which can be explained by a Marcus-type equation. The comparison of the PINO radical reactions with analogous hydrogen atom abstraction reactions of the dibromide radical implies that HBr2• reactions are more exothermic than the PINO radical reactions. This factor is put forth to explain the different KIEs.
Derivation of the Continuous-Time Random-Walk Equation

The transport of electrons or excitations on a lattice randomly occupied by guests is considered. The equation governing the transport in any configuration is assumed to be the master equation. A projection operator technique is used to derive the exact equation governing the transport averaged over all configurations, which can be written as either a generalized master equation or the continuous-time random-walk equations (CTRW), establishing the correctness of the CTRW for these problems.
Reexamination of the interaction between ferredoxin:NADP reductase and NADP

Abstract A comparison was made of graphical and subtractive methods for the determination of the dissociation constant of a complex between ferredoxin:NADP reductase and NADP. The subtractive method gave K d values near 10 μ m which are consistent with recently determined values for K m ,NADP in assays of NADP photoreduction by chloroplast membranes. The graphical method gave values which were considerably higher. The difference between the two methods is due to the failure of the graphical method to correct for the amount of each component present in the complex at the low NADP/ flavoprotein ratios necessary for binding studies. A second NADP binding site of much lower affinity ( K d approx 1 m m ) was also detected.
Simultaneous reconstruction of maxillary and nasal deformity in a patient with Binder's syndrome (maxillonasal dysplasia).

Maxillonasal dysplasia, or Binder’s syndrome, a malformation characterized by midface hypoplasia and a flattened nasal profile, is one of the many facial deformities the oral and maxillofacial surgeon may encounter. Orthognathic surgical evaluation integrated with nasal reconstruction can enhance function and esthetics in such patients. Maxillonasal dysplasia was first described by Binder in 1962’ and further detailed by Gorlin2 and Holmstrom.3 The syndrome’s etiology, although unknown, has been postulated to be a congenital malformation3 or occur secondary to midface trauma.4 A hereditary association has been reported, but remains undefined.3 Hypoplastic nasomaxillary growth with degrees of severity may occur. The extent of reconstruction is tailored to the individual degree of deformity. The syndrome results in hypoplasia of the maxilla and nose while sparing the malar region. The flattened nasal profile is characteristic of the deformity. Associated with the nasal hypoplasia is an excessively obtuse or absent nasofrontal angle and a very acute nasolabial angle. The nasal alae are flattened, the nostrils are crescent shaped, and the columella is shortened. The upper lip is convex with a poorly developed, shallow philtrum. The anterior nasal spine (ANS) is hypoplastic or absent and the nostril sills are hypoplastic. The associated maxillary retrusion results in a class III deformity with relative mandibular prognathism. The sense of olfaction remains normal.2.3 A surgical-orthodontic coordinated treatment plan must assess the specific needs and extent of the defor
Sol-gel processing of NASICON thin-film precursors

Abstract Metal-alkoxides have been used to produce Nasicon solid electrolyte thin-film precursors via sol-gel processing route. The influence of various processing parameters e.g., solvent type, temperature, acid or base catalysts, pH, chelating agents, etc., on the hydrolysis-polycondensation (gelation) behaviour of the metal-alkoxides is discussed.
Regional carbon footprint analysis of dairy feeds for milk production in the USA

Purpose A greenhouse gas emissions analysis (carbon footprint) was conducted for cultivation, harvesting, and production of common dairy feeds used for the production of dairy milk in the USA. The goal was to determine the carbon footprint (grams CO2 equivalents (gCO2e)/kg of dry feed) in the USA on a regional basis, identify key inputs, and make recommendations for emissions reduction.
Health Care Reform Requires Rethinking on the IT Strategy

True Health Care Organization THC was a national leading health care organization. Its CEO and the management team were concerned with the implications of multiple laws, aimed at improving health care in the United States, passed that impacted the health care insurance industry including the THC Company. The CEO and the management felt that the company faced many challenges as it looked for solutions to the requirements of the new laws. Their industry was going through an unprecedented change due to the new laws and a general consensus that health care should be improved. They had concluded that the solution to the new challenges faced by their company laid in implementing the new Information Technology systems. The CEO and management were acutely aware that it was not easy to implement these changes by implementing Information Technology systems. The challenges that they were concerned about included skillsets of their work force, the disjointed nature of their current information technology infrastructure and the urgency of implementing all the changes within a short period.
Composition of Irrigation Water Salinity Affects Growth Characteristics and Uptake of Selenium and Salt Ions by Soybean

Abstract A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of irrigation waters differing in salt composition on growth characteristics, salt ion and selenium (Se) accumulation, and distribution in plant components of the soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivar “Manokin.” Plants were grown in sand cultures and irrigated with isoosmotic solutions containing (1) Cl− as the dominant anion, or (2) a mixture of salts containing equal molar amounts of SO4 2 − and Cl−. Six treatments of each salinity type were imposed. Electrical conductivities of the irrigation waters ranged from 2.1 to 13.0 dSm− 1. Selenium (1 mg · L− 1, 12.7 μ M) was added to all irrigation waters as Na2SeO4. Regardless of salinity type, soybean plants were generally taller under the low-salinity treatments in early vegetative stages of growth. Towards the end of vegetative stages and until final harvest, higher values of plant height, leaf area, and shoot dry weight were found at the intermediate salinity levels (5.0 and 9.2 dS m− 1)...
Infantile onset Vanishing White Matter disease associated with a novel EIF2B5 variant, remarkably long life span, severe epilepsy, and hypopituitarism

Vanishing White Matter disease (VWM) is an inherited progressive leukoencephalopathy caused by mutations in the genes EIF2B1-5, which encode for the 5 subunits of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B), a regulator of protein synthesis. VWM typically presents with acute neurological decline following febrile infections or minor head trauma, and subsequent progressive neurological and cognitive regression. There is a varied clinical spectrum of VWM, with earlier onset associated with more severe phenotypes. Brain magnetic resonance imaging is usually diagnostic with diffusely abnormal white matter, progressing over time to cystic degeneration. We are reporting on a patient with infantile onset VWM associated with three heterozygous missense variants in EIF2B5, including a novel missense variant on exon 6 of EIF2B5 (D262N), as well as an interstitial duplication at 7q21.12. In addition, our case is unusual because of a severe epilepsy course, a novel clinical finding of hypopituitarism manifested by hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency, and a prolonged life span with current age of survival of 4 years and 11 months.
Measuring the distribution of material well-being: U.S. trends ☆

Abstract Economists with a few exceptions have automatically assumed that the important measure of well-being is income. In contrast, economic historians have broadened the measure of well-being with particular interest in mortality, morbidity, nutrition, education and leisure. When one takes this broader view of the standard of living, there appears to be a strong trend toward more equality in the distribution of well-being since the industrial revolution. Gini coefficients calculated for the distributions of lifespan and educational attainment have declined dramatically since the mid-nineteenth century for the United States. Mortality and educational differentials have also declined. Inequality of leisure time and consumption, though not as consistently measured, also show trends toward equality over the twentieth century. These trends toward equality in well-being as measured by indicators other than income and wealth seem to be generated by provision of public goods, natural boundaries to lifespan, educational attainment and leisure, and by the growth in mean per capita income. The divergent trends in the distributions of income and the other measures of well-being caution against reliance on the distribution of income to interpret trends in inequality.
The Influence of Television Viewing on Family Interactions A Contextualist Framework

A contextual framework for studying the influence of television viewing on family interactions was described. Family interactions in this context are hypothesized to vary as a function of program salience for each family member. Salience is determined by a combination of person and context variables. The person variables are information-processing skills, role expectations, state and emotional factors, and the interest of the viewer in the program content. The context variables are competing activities, arrangement of physical milieu, persons present, and perceptual program features. Salience of the television program is hypothesized to have an impact on amount of family interactions in the spouse, sibling, and parent-child family subsystems. To the extent that a program is judged to be salient, lower levels of contingent responsiveness are expected between family members within and between subsystems. Low levels of contingent responsiveness are expected to depress amounts of family interaction.
Usefulness of Mussen's Tat Scoring System: I. Differences among Guatemalan Indians, Ladinos, and Mengalas on a Modified Tat; II. Attitudes toward the Physically Disabled as Related to Nurturance and Deference

Two studies demonstrate use of Mussen's (1953) TAT scoring system. In Study I a modified TAT, designed to fit the culture of Guatemala, was administered to 57 Guatemalans, including 34 Indians, 17 Ladinos, and 6 Mengalas. It was hypothesized that, comparing Indians and Ladinos, Ladinos would have higher need achievement and higher need autonomy, while Indians would have higher need affiliation. Press lack and press physical danger were predicted to be frequent themes, consistent with the difficulties in living experienced by all 3 groups. Also, based on a recent conceptualization, minimal differences were expected on other scoring categories utilized. Data were consistent with hypotheses. In Study II, 20 college students scoring high on need nurturance 2 and 20 other college students scoring high on need deference 2 verbalized their feelings about the physically disabled. Both groups were significantly likely to verbalize positive attitudes, but the need deference 2 Ss were also significantly likely to ve...
Production control of manufacturing systems with production rate-dependent failure rates

It is known that for single-part-type production systems with homogeneous Markovian machine failure rates, special single threshold feedback policies, called hedging point policies, are optimal, and the stationary probability distribution of the part-type surplus, for given tentative hedging point values, can be obtained analytically. This approach is extended to multiple threshold policies with production rate-dependent machine failure rates. It is shown that the stationary distribution of the part-type surplus can be obtained under the extended policy and in the presence of production rate-dependent failure rates. The advantage of multiple threshold policies is that they can provide a piecewise constant (step function) approximation of any feedback policy. It is observed that hedging point policies are not always optimal and, in fact, feedback policies are not always optimal either. >
Alder ene reaction

The Alder ene reaction, also known as the hydro-allyl addition, is addition of an enophile to an alkene (ene) via allylic transposition. The four-electron system including an alkene π-bond and an allylic C–H σ-bond can participate in a pericyclic reaction in which the double bond shifts and new C–H and C–C σ-bonds are formed.
Perioperative strategies and technical modifications to the Nuss repair for pectus excavatum in pediatric patients: a large volume, single institution experience.

Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) has become the treatment of choice in many centers in the recent years due to the successful surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the results of MIRPE at our institute. Two hundred and fifty cases who had had MIRPE between August 2005 and February 2012 were included in the study and they were evaluated retrospectively according to the demographics, form of the deformity, number of retrosternal bars, operation duration, perioperative and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, reoperations, bar removal and patient satisfaction. Two hundred and three of the patients were male, 47 were female and the median age was 16.5 (range: 6-36). The deformity was symmetric in 180 and asymmetric in 70 cases. One pectus bar was used in 157 cases, two in 87, three in 6 cases for the correction of the deformity. The median operation duration was 60 minutes (range: 20-180) and the median duration of hospital stay was 5 days (range: 2-10). Thirteen patients were reoperated due to inefficient correction of the deformity. Bars of the 30 patients have been removed on planned date without any recurrence in all but one patient. According to the evaluation of the quality-of-life questionnaires 95% of the patients were satisfied with surgical outcome. Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is a successful surgical technique and can be preferred for the short operating time, low morbidity and high levels of patient satisfaction.
Path Planning for Variable Resolution Minimal-Energy Curves of Constant Length

We present a new approach to path planning for flexible wires. We introduce a method for computing stable configurations of a wire subject to manipulation constraints. These configurations correspond to minimal-energy curves. The representation is adaptive in the sense that the number of parameters automatically varies with the complexity of the underlying curve. We introduce a planner that computes paths from one minimal-energy curve to another such that all intermediate curves are also minimal-energy curves. Using a simplified model for obstacles, we can find minimal-energy curves of fixed length that pass through specified tangents at given control points. Our work has applications in motion planning for surgical suturing and snake-like robots.
Feline Systemic Hypertension Diagnosis and Management

Practical relevance The clinical importance of feline hypertension has been recognised for many years and most feline practitioners are quite familiar with this syndrome. Once systemic hypertension is identified, long-term management of the patient is needed to avoid catastrophic (eg, blindness due to retinal detachment) or subtle (eg, accelerated renal damage) target organ damage. Patient group Feline systemic hypertension is most commonly a complication of renal disease and hyperthyroidism, both diseases of older feline patients. By 15 years of age, the probability of having at least one of these two diseases is high. As well cared for cats are living longer, optimal long-term management of feline hypertension in patients with concurrent diseases is an issue of clinical importance. Clinical challenges Obtaining accurate blood pressure measurements in patients that are anxious, fractious or just plain uncooperative remains a significant issue in feline medicine, as does confident analysis of results from these patients. Diagnostics Careful measurement of systolic blood pressure using Doppler or oscillometric techniques in conjunction with evaluation for evidence of hypertensive choroidopathy (funduscopic examination) and hypertensive cardiac changes (thoracic auscultation) are essential to the diagnosis of systemic hypertension in cats. Other diagnostic techniques, including evaluation of renal and thyroid function, are needed to detect the underlying disease condition. Evidence base Numerous well-designed clinical studies have greatly advanced our understanding of the most appropriate methods of diagnosis and therapy of feline hypertension.
Robust output feedback stabilization of a class of nonminimum phase nonlinear systems

The paper presents an output feedback approach to globally and robustly stabilize a class of nonminimum phase nonlinear systems with bounded nonlinear uncertainties. A robust observer and the standard backstepping design procedure are integrated to synthesize output feedback robust controllers that achieve global regulation of system output with bounded internal states while being robust to bounded modeling uncertainties. Furthermore, in the absence of modeling uncertainties, asymptotic global stabilization is achieved. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the proposed robust output feedback controller scheme.
Development and initial validation of an outcome measure for home visitation: The healthy families parenting inventory

The Healthy Families Parenting Inventory (HFPI) is a 63-item outcome measure that was designed to examine change in nine parenting-related domains. The HFPI was developed to respond to the need for an outcome measure for home visitation programs that is relevant to the intervention, sensitive to change, and appropriate with a diverse participant base, and would produce data that are immediately useful in practice. The authors detail the steps in the development and initial validation of the HFPI. The pattern of inter-item and item-to-subscale correlations as well as an exploratory factor analysis and sensitivity to change analysis support the nine-factor model of the HFPI.
Improving link layer performance on satellite channels with shadowing via delayed two-copy selective repeat ARQ

This paper focuses on improving performance of land mobile satellite channels (LMSCs) at high band (Ka-band or EHF band), where shadowing is the primary impediment to reliable data transmission. Compared with multipath fading, shadowing exists on a longer time scale; hence, interleaving to combat shadowing introduces unacceptably large decoding delay. We use Lutz's model to investigate bit-error rate/packet-error rate (BER/PER) performance of interleaving with various forward error correction (FEC) coding as a function of different channel parameters to demonstrate its limited effectiveness for combatting burst errors whose mean duration significantly exceed a link layer (LL) packet. We propose a delayed two-copy selective repeat ARQ (DTC-SR-ARQ) scheme, whereby two copies of a packet are sent-the second with a delay relative to the first-in every transmission or retransmission. Closed-form expressions for mean transmission time, success probability, and residual loss probability are provided and simulations used to validate the analysis. Furthermore, the issue of optimum delay is addressed as well, and a simple yet effective strategy is suggested to support transmission control protocol (TCP) traffic over this data link layer. DTC-SR-ARQ is shown to achieve much shorter additional delay than interleaving and compared with normal SR-ARQ, reduces mean transmission time at expense of a small increase in residual packet loss probability. Furthermore, ns2 simulation results show that for TCP traffic, DTC-SR-ARQ acquires higher end-to-end throughput than normal SR-ARQ.
Effects of acoustic reflection on the performance of a cladding-etched all-fiber acoustooptic variable optical attenuator

We analyzed the effects of acoustic reflection on the performance of an acoustooptic variable optical attenuator on a cladding-etched single-mode fiber. It is shown that the acoustic reflection will generate time-dependent modulation on the output optical signal and reduce the maximum achievable attenuation of the device. By employing a tapered fiber structure and using vacuum grease as the acoustic absorber, we showed that the acoustic reflectance can be reduced by two orders and the maximum attenuation of the device is increased from -10 to -29 dB.
Micro-to macro-scale foraminiferal distributions: the contributions of Martin A. Buzas

The research that Martin A. Buzas has published over the past more than 40 years has influenced us greatly. That research has many strands that cannot be dealt with in this short review. However, the theme of micro- to macroscale foraminiferal distributions is interwoven throughout Buzas's research career. Distributions are something that Buzas is very fond of. He was trained in statistics as well as foraminifera and so it was inevitable that he would combine his knowledge of statistical distributions with foraminiferal distributions at several different scales. He has studied the distribution of foraminifera at microscales, horizontally within a 10 cmÂ² area of the sea floor or vertically, cm by cm within a 20 cm core. He has also worked at the mesoscale, quantifying, through the pioneering use of the General Linear Model, the relationship of foraminiferal distributions and environmental variables in space and time. This research led to the hypothesis of pulsating patches. He has worked at the macroscale with S. J. Culver, defining the distribution of benthic foraminiferal provinces, showing that all foraminiferal distributions, particularly around the coasts of North and Central America, belong to the same statistical distribution. Their work has documented the assembly and disassembly of communities and the latitudinal patterns of deep-sea benthic foraminiferal diversity in the Atlantic basin. Most recently, with his coauthor, mathematical statistician L. C. Hayek, Buzas has delved deep into the intricacies of species diversity and solved a 50 year-old supposedly intractable problem of mathematically relating species richness with species evenness. This work led to the introduction of new approaches to understanding community structure and recognizing boundaries between adjacent communities (SHE analysis). Many of us work long hours and publish many papers over our careers but few of us truly influence the fundamentals of our science. Marty Buzas is one micropaleontologist whose work will be of lasting significance.