cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of maternal investment by communal prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster

Communal rearing enhances the quality of offspring weaned by some social vertebrates. Previously, we observed that prairie vole pups reared in groups containing two or more breeding females (plurally breeding groups) gained significantly more body mass than did pups reared by solitary mothers, but not more than pups reared in groups containing only one breeding female (singularly breeding groups). In this study, we tested three hypotheses that might explain these differences. We tested the enhanced thermoregulation hypothesis by determining the nest temperatures experienced by pups and the time that pups were left unattended during 6-h observations, and the core body temperature of pups. To test the enhanced tactile stimulation hypothesis, we determined the time that pups were licked or groomed by adults during 20-min observations. To test the milk quality hypothesis, we determined the total solids found in milk collected from mothers with 3- and 9-day-old pups. To test the increased milk volume hypothesis, we determined an index of milk intake for 4-, 8- and 13-day-old pups. Pups reared in plurally breeding groups were left alone less by caregivers and ingested more, but not higher-quality, milk than did pups reared by solitary mothers. Pups reared in singularly breeding groups experienced greater tactile stimulation and were left unattended less, but did not ingest more or higher-quality milk than did pups reared by solitary mothers. Pups reared in plurally breeding groups experienced slightly less tactile stimulation and similar thermal conditions, but ingested more milk than did pups reared in singularly breeding groups. Our results suggest that plural breeding enhances two forms of parental investment, thermoregulation and milk volume, that contribute to the enhanced weight gain of pups in plurally breeding groups.
Double-pomeron decoupling and the relation of exclusive to inclusive experiments with the dual resonance model

Abstract The double-pomeron coupling strength in the dual resonance model is found in both the inclusive and exclusive regions by comparison with experiments. Double-pomeron coupling occurs in inclusive experiments in the Mueller diagram for the central plateau region. Its strength can also be bounded from its non-observation in the two-particle to four-particle exclusive experiments. The dual resonance model is used to perform the analytic continuation of a six-point amplitude between these regions. The results show that the coupling strength for two forward pomerons in the exclusive region must be less than 1 300 of that in the inclusive region. This is experimental evidence for substantial forward double-pomeron decoupling in exclusive processes.
A 60 GHz monopole antenna with slot defected ground structure for wigig applications

A 60 GHz millimeter-wave (mmW) monopole antenna with slot defected ground structure is presented in this paper. After designing a simple monopole antenna, the slot defected ground structure is applied for wider and deeper bandwidth of the antenna. The center frequency of the proposed antenna can be controlled by the movable partial suspended patch for diverse millimeter-wave (mmW) applications. A movable partial patch is suspended on the monopole antenna using a supporting post. The proposed antenna provides a return loss of 10 dB from 59.5 GHz to 60.5 GHz at a center frequency of 60.1 GHz with the deepest return loss of 29.9 dB.
Thermal shock in a circumferentially cracked hollow cylinder with cladding

An theoretical analysis is presented which demonstrates the effect of cladding on the thermal resistance of a circumferentially cracked hollow cylinder. The cladding is assumed to be bonded to the inner wall of the hollow cylinder. The axisymmetric circumferential crack may be either embedded in the cylinder wall or may be an edge crack which passes through the clad and opens into the inner wall of the hollow cylinder. The problem is formulated mathematically and a solution is found which is in the form of a single integral equation. The integral equation is solved numerically and yields estimates of transient temperature distributions, thermal stresses in the uncracked cylinder, and stress intensity factors as a function of time for various cladding thickness to cylinder wall thickness ratios. It is shown that yielding of the clad under certain conditions can result in a reduction in the magnitude of the stress intensity factor for the crack tip in the elastic base material.
Reducing sensitivity to nuisance parameters in semiparametric models: a quasi-score method

SUMMARY This paper proposes a semiparametric extension of the projected score method of Waterman & Lindsay (1996) for the elimination of nuisance parameters. The procedure addresses cases where only the mean and the variance of the response variable are specified and where the mean function involves both parameters of interest and nuisance parameters. Important applications of the semiparametric model include quasilikelihood models for matched designs and for measurement error models (Carroll & Stefanski, 1990). As a result of the optimality and information-unbiasedness of the quasi-score function, a second-order quasi-score basis of estimating functions for the nuisance parameter is derived. Second-order locally ancillary estimating functions (Small & McLeish, 1994, pp. 81-4) are then obtained by solving a simple linear system that corresponds to a true projection for canonical exponential family distributions. Asymptotic arguments and simulation work show that the impact of nuisance parameters is considerably reduced when adopting the proposed approach.
The incidence of rheumatic stigmas in hearts which are usually considered nonrheumatic

Abstract 1. 1. Of 124 hearts studied, 112 were free of valvular lesions as commonly understood. The remaining 12 specimens presented gross lesions of chronic rheumatic endocarditis or subacute bacterial endocarditis, or both. This smaller group constituted our controls. 2. 2. Among the larger group of 112 hearts, minimal thickening of the mitral valve leaflets was observed 74 times (66.0 per cent). Slight thickening of aortic cusps and tricuspid leaflets was present much less often. The chordae of the mitral valve were thickened in 42 cases, or 37.5 per cent. 3. 3. The various microscopic rheumatic stigmas were studied in blocks from the papillary muscles of the left ventricle and in some cases from blocks passing through each of the valves. All of the stigmas (arteritis, fibrinoid changes, elastic tissue alterations, Aschoff bodies, and infiltration with histiosytes) were abundantly present. 4. 4. Aschoff bodies were found in thirty-three (29.5 per cent) instances and Aschoff-like collections in an additional 34 hearts (30.3 per cent). 5. 5. “Positive”, healed, minimal rheumatic infection was diagnosed 68 times (60.7 per cent), “probable”, healed, minimal rheumatic infection, 36 times (32.1 per cent), and 8 specimens were called doubtful. 6. 6. There was a history of rheumatic fever or chorea in 9 of the 12 patients in the control group. The rheumatic stigmas were abundant in all but one case. This patient had syphilitic aortitis, in addition to chronic rheumatic valvular disease and bacterial endocarditis.
Interaction mechanisms between ceramic particles and atomized metallic droplets

The present study was undertaken to provide insight into the dynamic interactions that occur when ceramic particles are placed in intimate contact with a metallic matrix undergoing a phase change. To that effect, Al-4 wt pct Si/SiCp composite droplets were synthesized using a spray atomization and coinjection approach, and their solidification microstructures were studied both qualitatively and quantitatively. The present results show that SiC particles (SiCp) were incor- porated into the matrix and that the extent of incorporation depends on the solidification con- dition of the droplets at the moment of SiC particle injection. Two factors were found to affect the distribution and volume fraction of SiC particles in droplets: the penetration of particles into droplets and the entrapment and/or rejection of particles by the solidification front. First, during coinjection, particles collide with the atomized droplets with three possible results: they may penetrate the droplets, adhere to the droplet surface, or bounce back after impact. The extent of penetration of SiC particles into droplets was noted to depend on the kinetic energy of the particles and the magnitude of the surface energy change in the droplets that occurs upon impact. In liquid droplets, the extent of penetration of SiC particles was shown to depend on the changes in surface energy, ΔEs, experienced by the droplets. Accordingly, large SiC particles encoun- tered more resistance to penetration relative to small ones. In solid droplets, the penetration of SiC particles was correlated with the dynamic pressure exerted by the SiC particles on the droplets during impact and the depth of the ensuing crater. The results showed that no pene- tration was possible in such droplets. Second, once SiC particles have penetrated droplets, their final location in the microstructure is governed by their interactions with the solidification front. As a result of these interactions, both entrapment and rejection of SiC particles occurred during droplet solidification. A comparison of the present results to those anticipated from well-established kinetic and thermodynamic models led to some interesting findings. First, the models proposed by Boiling and Cisse[24] and Chernovet al.[58] predict relative low critical interface velocities necessary for entrapment, inconsistent with the present experimental findings. Second, although the observed correlation between the critical front velocity and droplet diameter was generally consistent with that predicted by Stefanescuet a/.’s model,[27] the dependence on the size of SiC particles was not. In view of this discrepancy, three possible mechanisms were proposed to account for the experimental findings: nucleation of α-Al on SiC particles, entrapment of SiC particles between primary dendrite arms, and entrapment of SiC particles between secondary dendrite arms.
Tunable synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet ionization, time-of-flight investigation of the photodissociation of trans-crotonaldehyde at 193 nm

Photodissociation of the unsaturated trans-crotonaldehyde (CH 3 CHCHCHO) molecule at 193 nm is studied using photofragment translational spectroscopy (PTS) and detected by ionization with tunable synchrotron ultraviolet radiation. The photofragment time-of-flight (TOF) spectra at mle = 68(C 4 H 4 O + ), 55(C 3 H 3 O + ), 41(C 3 H 5 + ), 40(C 3 H 4 + ), 39(C 3 H 3 + ), 29(?), 28(CO + ), 27(C 2 H 3 + ), 26(C 2 H 2 + ), and 15(CH 3 + ) are measured. Mass 29 could not be unambiguously assigned. Analysis of these experimental results reveals three dissociation channels: H + C 4 H 5 O, CH 3 + C 3 H 3 O, and CO + C 3 H 6 . A fourth channel associated with mass 29 could reflect either formation of HCO or C 2 H 5 . The measurements also indicate that C 3 H 6 undergoes strong secondary dissociation. The center of mass (CM) translational energy distributions obtained by fitting the TOF mass spectra of the fragments yield values 42, 23, and 43 kJ/mol average CM kinetic energies for the H + C 4 H 5 O, CH 3 + C 3 H 3 O and CO + C 3 H 6 channels, respectively. The photoionization yield curve of the CHCHCHO radical is measured for the first time with an onset ≤7.6 eV. The photodissociation mechanism of crotonaldehyde is compared with the photodissociation dynamics of acrolein (CH 2 CHCHO).
Messenger RNAs encoding glutamate-decar☐ylases are differentially affected by nigrostriatal lesions in subpopulations of striatal neurons

Abstract Dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons constitute one of the major inputs to the striatum, and play a role in the regulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid decar☐ylase (GAD), the GABA-synthesizing enzyme, in striatal neurons. The effect of nigrostriatal lesions on the level of expression of messenger RNAs encoding two distinct isoforms of glutamate decar☐ylase was examined at the single cell level with in situ hybridization histochemistry. Rats receive a unilateral injection of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine in the substantia nigra and were sacrificed 2 or 3 weeks later. Sections of the striatum were processed for in situ hybridization histochemistry with radiolabeled RNA probes selective for mRNAs encoding glutamate decar☐ylase with molecular weights of 65,000 and 67,000, respectively. In addition, immunohistochemistry with a monospecific antibody for the latter glutamate decar☐ylase isoform was performed. In agreement with previous reports, we observed increased labeling for the messenger RNA encoding glutamate decar☐ylase (Mr 67,000) in a population of medium-sized striatal efferent neurons normally expressing low levels of this messenger RNA. We now show that this effect occurred in two striatal compartments, the striosomes and the extrastriosomal matrix, and was accompanied by increased immunostaining for the corresponding protein with a monospecific antibody. In contrast, labeling for messenger RNA encoding GAD (Mr 67,000) was decreased in a population of medium-sized neurons normally expressing high levels of this messenger RNA encoding to GABAergic interneurons. Labeling for messenger RNA encoding glutamate decar☐ylase (Mr 65,000) was not modified in the dopamine-depleted striatum. The results show that dopamine depletion differentially affects gene expression for different isoforms of glutamate decar☐ylase in distinct subpopulations of striatal neurons in rat.
A truncation of 2B subfamily cytochromes P450 yields increased expression levels, increased solubility, and decreased aggregation while retaining function.

The hydrophobic membrane-spanning domain in four cytochromes P450 2B was removed (Delta3-21) and several positive charges were substituted at the N-terminus to increase expression and solubility. Histidine residues were appended to the C-terminus to simplify purification. The truncated proteins were highly expressed in Escherichia coli, could be released from the membrane using high salt conditions, and were purified from this fraction to specific contents up to 19 nmol P450/mg protein using a single Ni(2+)-agarose column. Gel filtration revealed that truncated P450 2B1 forms a monodisperse solution of hexamers in the absence of detergent and >95% monomers in 0.25% sodium cholate. All truncated proteins, including human 2B6, were active with 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin, and truncated 2B1 was shown to retain the native regio- and stereospecificity of testosterone hydroxylation. These data demonstrate that modification of the N-terminus yields high levels of properly folded P450s 2B with increased solubility, which are suitable for functional and structural analysis.
Q values for proton- and deuteron-induced reactions on selenium targets

$Q$ values were measured for nine reactions on targets of $^{78,80,82}\mathrm{Se}$ with uncertainties of 2.3 to 4.3 keV. Uncertainties for six of these measurements are smaller than those calculated from the 1976 mass excesses. The present $Q$-value measurements, when combined with previous measurements, result in decreases of the masses of $^{82}\mathrm{Se}$, $^{83}\mathrm{Se}$, and $^{83}\mathrm{Br}$ by 11, 67, and 16 keV, respectively.
Management of sepsis in the elderly

Mortality due to serious infections is significantly higher among elderly patients than among younger patients. This differential is particularly striking in some subsets of patients; for example, the mortality rate among older patients with afebrile bacteremia is 65 percent, compared with 25 to 35 percent in younger patients. Although serious underlying disease is an important reason for older patients' difficulties with infection, other problems of these patients include a tendency to deny the presence of disease and some obstacles to interaction with the health care system. Older patients with infection are less likely to present with typical symptoms, which makes early recognition difficult for physicians. For example, typical findings of sepsis (mental obtundation, tachycardia, and fever) may be absent in an elderly patient; the only clue may be the patient's failure to eat. Once sepsis is recognized, its source must be identified. Urinary tract infection is the most common cause of sepsis in the elderly and responds best to antibiotic therapy. Pneumonia is the next most common cause and leads to the highest mortality in this age group; rapid (sometimes invasive) methods must be utilized to identify the etiologic agent. In this life-threatening infection, initial antibiotic therapy should include an aminoglycoside, such as amikacin, to ensure the broadest coverage against the common pathogens. Supportive measures should be instituted for patients with sepsis, including careful monitoring of fluid intake and output and special attention to adequate oxygenation. Fluid volume replacement must be carried out in patients with septic shock, and hemodynamic monitoring with a Swan-Ganz catheter should be performed frequently. Careful consideration should be given to the use of corticosteroids and inotropic agents. After appropriate cultures have been obtained, antibiotics should be started; the time from initial presentation to the administration of the first dose of antibiotic should not exceed one hour. Important considerations in antibiotic selection include the patient's history and environment (community, nursing home, or hospital), anatomic location of the infection, and the pathogen. In our institution, initial empiric antibiotic therapy consists of a combination of amikacin and cefotaxime. When older patients are treated, adjustments in dosing should be based on estimates of kidney function.
ANALYZING A TWO-FACTOR WITHIN-SUBJECTS DESIGN USING MYSTAT '

Szrmrnary.-MYSTAT is used to analyze a two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures on both factors without running out of memory. The simple solution is executing the analysis in successive batches versus a simultaneous block. MYSTAT (SYSTAT, 1991) is an inexpensive statistical software package used by undergraduate and graduate students in introductory applied statistics courses. While MYSTAT is not designed for repeated-measures analysis of variance, Walsh (1991) found it possible to use MYSTAT for a two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures on one factor. His success stemmed from coding subjects as a factor with one subject per cell in a treatment by treatment by subjects design. Thus, the data file contained one score for every combination of factors with between-subjects Factor A having two levels, within-subjects Factor B having four levels, and Factor S having three subjects. However, MYSTAT can also be used to analyze two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures on both factors. Data from a hypothetical experiment presented in Keppel (1771, p. 478) were initially used to confirm the MYSTAT calculations. The design was a 2 x 4 factorial with repeated measures on both Factor A (two levels) and Factor B (four levels) and five subjects (S). Coding was A:1-2, B:1-4, and S:1-5. If asked to calculate d sources of variance simultaneously, MYSTAT will either display an error message indicating it is out of memory and call for a reduction in the size of problem or simply not complete the analysis. Consequently, the analysis must be done in successive batches with only a portion of the design analyzed at any one time. With five subjects, MYSTAT has enough memory to compute the three main effects plus the A x B interaction on the first run. The other interactions are simply completed with a second model command. Table 1 contains the MYSTAT commands necessary for this problem. MYSTAT will, however, produce new error terms for each batch; these error terms must be ignored and appropriate error terms substituted when computing the F statistics. The sources of variance for a two-factor within-subjects design are A, B, S, A x B, A x S, B x S, and A x B x S. According
Quantum dot site-selection using in situ prepared nano-templates

Abstract InAs/InP self-assembled quantum dots are deposited by chemical beam epitaxy on InP templates generated in situ during the growth process itself. By careful choice of nano-template geometry we produce linear arrays of site-selected, self-assembled quantum dots. The quantum dot density can be varied by nearly two orders of magnitude by choice of the nano-template dimensions. Preliminary optical measurements on these site-selected quantum dot structures are consistent with the evolution of the dot density with template dimension observed by electron microscopy.
Likelihood-based spectrum sensing of OFDM signals in the presence of Tx/Rx I/Q imbalance

We consider the spectrum sensing problem in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing-based cognitive radio networks under I/Q imbalance. We derive the likelihood ratio test in the presence of colored noise and I/Q imbalance at the analog front-ends of both of the primary and secondary users. Furthermore, we derive the probabilities of detection and false alarm and develop the receiver operating characteristics. We also examine the impacts of both transmit and receive I/Q imbalance on the performance of the likelihood ratio test. We compare the performance of our likelihood ratio test with that of the energy detector through extensive simulations and show the superiority of the former over a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios.
The effects of coupled and paired ventricular stimulation following acute myocardial infarction in dogs.

Abstract Circulatory depression was produced in 10 anesthetized dogs following left coronary embolization with mercury. Marked decreases in cardiac output and LV dp/dt and significant increases in systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were observed. Systemic arterial pressure decreased only moderately. Coupled and paired ventricular stimulation both resulted in significant increases in LV dp/dt, stroke volume, and stroke work, but cardiac output, LV end-diastolic pressure, and systemic vascular resistance remained unchanged. Ventricular fibrillation occurred in one instance during coupled ventricular stimulation and in 6 instances during paired ventricular stimulation. It is concluded that neither coupled nor paired ventricular stimulation provides significant hemodynamic benefit to the depressed circulatory state following coronary embolization in the dog. Furthermore, the high incidence of ventricular fibrillation contraindicates the use of paired ventricular stimulation during acute myocardial ischemia. Coupled ventricular stimulation may have a beneficial effect when disproportionate tachycardia is present.
Propagation of thermal light through a dispersive medium

Although an electromagnetic pulse traveling through a dispersive medium gradually spreads out, it is shown that for a stationary thermal field all multipoint correlation functions of any order remain unchanged as the field propagates, provided that the refractive index is real.
Driver performance while text messaging using handheld and in-vehicle systems

This study presents an evaluation of driver performance while text messaging via handheld mobile phones and an in-vehicle texting system. Participants sent and received text messages while driving with an experimenter on a closed-road course, using their personal mobile phones and the vehicle's system. The test vehicle was an instrumented 2010 Mercury Mariner equipped with an OEM in-vehicle system that supports text messaging and voice control of mobile devices via Bluetooth, which was modified to allow text message sending during driving. Twenty participants were tested, 11 younger (19-34) and 9 older (39-51). All participants were regular users of the in-vehicle system, although none had experience with the texting functions. Results indicated that handheld text message sending and receiving resulted in higher mental demand, more frequent and longer glances away from the roadway, and degraded steering measures compared to baseline. Using the in-vehicle system to send messages showed less performance degradation, but still had more task-related interior glance time and higher mental demand than baseline; using the system's text-to-speech functionality for incoming messages showed no differences from baseline. These findings suggest that using handheld phones to send and receive text messages may interfere with drivers' visual and steering behaviors; the in-vehicle system showed improvement, but performance was not at baseline levels during message sending.
Analytical solutions for some defect problems in 1D hexagonal and 2D octagonal quasicrystals

We study some typical defect problems in one-dimensional (1D) hexagonal and two-dimensional (2D) octagonal quasicrystals. The first part of this investigation addresses in detail a uniformly moving screw dislocation in a 1D hexagonal piezoelectric quasicrystal with point group 6mm. A general solution is derived in terms of two functions φ 1, φ 2, which satisfy wave equations, and another harmonic function φ 3. Elementary expressions for the phonon and phason displacements, strains, stresses, electric potential, electric fields and electric displacements induced by the moving screw dislocation are then arrived at by employing the obtained general solution. The derived solution is verified by comparison with existing solutions. Also obtained in this part of the investigation is the total energy of the moving screw dislocation. The second part of this investigation is devoted to the study of the interaction of a straight dislocation with a semi-infinite crack in an octagonal quasicrystal. Here the crack penetrates through the solid along the period direction and the dislocation line is parallel to the period direction. We first derive a general solution in terms of four analytic functions for plane strain problem in octagonal quasicrystals by means of differential operator theory and the complex variable method. All the phonon and phason displacements and stresses can be expressed in terms of the four analytic functions. Then we derive the exact solution for a straight dislocation near a semi-infinite crack in an octagonal quasicrystal, and also present the phonon and phason stress intensity factors induced by the straight dislocation and remote loads.
Medical contraindications in women seeking combined hormonal contraception

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of medical contraindications in a large group of women seeking combined hormonal contraception (CHC). Study Design The Contraceptive CHOICE Project is a prospective cohort study designed to promote the use of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods to reduce unintended pregnancies in the St Louis region. During baseline enrollment, participants were asked about their desired methods of contraception and medical history. Potential medical contraindications were defined as self-reported history of hypertension, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accidents, migraines with aura, any migraine and age 35 years or older, smoking in women older than 35 years, venous thromboembolism, or liver disease. We reviewed all research charts of women with self-reported medical contraindications to verify all conditions. Binomial 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated around percentages. Results Between August 2007 and December 2009, 5087 women who enrolled in the CHOICE Project provided information about their medical history and 1010 women (19.9%) desired CHC at baseline. Seventy women (6.93%; 95% CI, 5.44–8.68%) were defined as having a potential medical contraindication to CHC at baseline. After chart review, only 24 of 1010 participants desiring CHC (2.38%; 95% CI, 1.53–3.52%) were found to have true medical contraindications to CHC including 17 with hypertension, 2 with migraines with aura, 2 with a history of venous thromboembolism, and 3 smokers aged 35 years or older. Conclusion The prevalence of medical contraindications to CHC was very low in this large sample of reproductive-aged women. This low prevalence supports provision of CHC without a prescription.
Hydration Shell Exchange Dynamics during Ion Transfer Across the Liquid/Liquid Interface

We examine using molecular dynamics simulations the rate and mechanism of water molecules exchange around the Li(+) and Na(+) ions during ion transfer across the interface between water and nitrobenzene. As the ions are transferred from the water to the organic phase, they keep their first hydration shell and an incomplete second shell. The rate of water exchange between the first shell and the rest of the interfacial water molecule decreases during the transfer, which is consistent with an increase in the barrier along the ion-water potential of mean force. While in bulk water the exchange of water molecules around the Li(+) follows an associative (A) or associative interchange (I(a)) type mechanism, the fraction of exchange events of type A increases at the interface. In contrast, while in bulk water the exchange of water molecules around the six coordinated Na(+) hydrated species mainly follows a dissociative mechanism, the situation at the interface involves an equilibrium interchange between the four- and five-coordinated hydrated ion. Simulation of the reversed process, in which the hydrated Li(+) ion is transferred to the aqueous phase, shows the same general behavior as a function of location from the interface.
A retrospective review of the progression of pediatric vocal fold nodules.

Importance To our knowledge, the rate of change in the size of pediatric vocal fold nodules (VFNs) has not been investigated. Improved understanding of the factors that affect change in VFN size may help to better guide treatment decisions and counselling of families. Objective To characterize the rate of change in the size of pediatric VFNs over time and to identify which factors affect increased rates of improvement. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of 67 children evaluated in a voice clinic between 2002 and 2011 with a primary diagnosis of VFNs. Exposure No treatment or behavioral modification only (n = 19) vs targeted voice therapy with or without the treatment of associated conditions (gastroesophageal reflux and allergic rhinitis) (n = 45) vs surgical intervention (n = 3). Main Outcomes and Measures Change in VFN grade (graded according to a previously validated scale based on size) over time. Results Sixty-seven patients with a median (range) age of 6.0 (3.8-20.6) years were analyzed. Median (range) follow-up was 25 (1-119) months. The rate of change in VFN grade over time was significantly associated with large baseline VFN size ( P P = .01); the association with postpubescent age was not significant ( P = .09). The rate of change in VFN grade was not significantly different at 1 and 3 years postbaseline ( P = .33). Conclusions and Relevance Baseline VFN size, treatment, and patient age are important in predicting the rate of improvement in nodule size over time. Rate of change in VFN size is a gradual decrease that is steady over time. This information can be used to help guide treatment decisions and counsel families of children with VFNs regarding expectations for improvement. Additional study is needed to evaluate whether the same factors that influence nodule size similarly influence parental perception of voice and expert perceptual voice analysis.
Dopamine Receptor Excess and Mouse Madness

The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia is based on evidence that the major antipsychotic drugs act by blocking dopamine D2 receptors and that dopamine-releasing drugs worsen symptoms. In this issue of Neuron, Kellendonk et al. report an elegant conditional transgenic mouse overexpressing dopamine D2 receptors selectively in the striatum. Strikingly, these animals display selective cognitive impairment typically associated with frontal cortical defects and abnormal dopamine markers in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting that striatal dopamine receptors can influence cortical dopamine function.
Implementing Visual Phonics With Hearing Kindergarteners At Risk for Reading Failure

This study assessed the effects of See the Sound/Visual Phonics (STS/VP) on the phonemic awareness and letter-sound skills of Kindergarten students who were at risk for reading failure and who were not experiencing success in their general education classroom reading instruction. Participants were instructed in small groups (2–4 students) on specific unlearned prereading skills (i.e., letter-sound relations) previously instructed in their classroom. The authors used a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants and sounds to demonstrate the effectiveness of STS/VP in teaching letter-sound relations to participants. Data indicate that STS/VP can be used to effectively instruct at-risk Kindergarteners in letter-sound relations and that these skills can be maintained once instructed.
A Numerical Study of Turbulent Flow in Helical Static Mixers

Many processing applications call for the addition of small quantities of chemicals to working fluid. Hence, fluid mixing plays a critical role in the success or failure of these processes. An optimal combination of turbulent dispersion down to eddies of the Kolmogoroff scale and molecular diffusion would yield fast mixing on a molecular scale which in turn favors the desired reactions. Helical static mixers can be used for those applications. The range of practical flow Reynolds numbers for these mixers in industry is usually from very small (Re ∼ 0) to moderate values (Re ∼ 5000). In this study, a helical static mixer is investigated numerically using Lagrangian methods to characterize mixer performance under turbulent flow regime conditions. A numerical simulation of turbulent flows in helical static mixers is employed. The model solves the three-dimensional, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, closed with the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model, using a second-order-accurate finite-volume numerical method. Numerical simulations are carried out for a six-element mixer, and the computed results are analyzed to elucidate the complex, three-dimensional features of the flow. Using a variety of predictive tools, mixing results are obtained and the performance of static mixer under turbulent flow condition is studied.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Combined detection of coronary artery disease and lung cancer

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and lung cancer have several important features in common. First, their dramatic increases are in large part attributable to societal ills, including worsening dietary patterns, obesity, and tobacco use. Secondly, as these behaviours permeate the world, the diseases are disproportionately increasing in the poorer societies with limited resources for healthcare. Consequently, it is necessary to develop cost-effective strategies. Both disease states may be amenable to early detection by a single low radiation dose CT scan. ### Early detection of coronary artery disease: guidelines and general considerations Gated multidetector computed tomographic imaging of coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a robust strategy for the early detection of CAD in asymptomatic patients that has performed superior to risk factor-based paradigms such as the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and the European Society of Cardiology Score.1 Notwithstanding these data, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2009 concluded that the current evidence was insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of using non-traditional risk factors, including CAC scans, to screen asymptomatic men and women with no history of CAD to prevent coronary events.2 However, in 2010, CAC assessment was incorporated into ACC/AHA Guidelines with a Class IIa status (recommendation in favour of treatment or procedure being useful/effective). Measurement of CAC was considered reasonable for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic adults at intermediate risk, and all diabetic patients 40 years or older.3 The ACCF/SCCT/ACR/AHA/ASE/ASNC/NASCI/SCAI/SCMR 2010 appropriate use criteria deemed CAC appropriate for intermediate-risk patients as well as for low-risk individuals with a family history of premature disease.4 In 2012, the European Society of Cardiology awarded a similar Class IIa recommendation, and suggested CAC for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic adults at moderate risk.5 In an attempt to simplify cholesterol treatment, the 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk …
Changing the inhibitory specificity and function of cucurbita maxima trypsin inhibitor-V by site-directed mutagenesis

Abstract Cucurbita maxima trypsin inhibitor-V (CMTI-V) is also a specific inhibitor of human blood coagulation factor β-factor XIIa. A recombinant version of CMTI-V has allowed probing of roles of individual amino acid residues including the reactive site residue, lysine (P1), by site-directed mutagenesis. The K44R showed at least a 5-fold increase in inhibitory activity toward human β-factor XIIa, while there was no change toward bovine trypsin. This result demonstrates that β-factor-XIIa prefers an arginine residue over lysine residue, while trypsin is non-specific to lysine or arginine in its binding pocket. On the other hand, the specificity of CMTI-V could be changed from trypsin to chymotrypsin inhibition by mutation of the P1 residue to either leucine or methionine (K44L or K44M).
Synthesis and polymerization behavior of tetrahydro-2-methylbenzindenyltitanium and zirconium compounds

In order to further our study of the bis(2-methylbenz[e]indenyl)zirconium dichloride catalyst system, we have synthesized the analogous tetrahydro-2-methylbenz[e]indene ligand (4). In the process of synthesizing 4, we have found that the structural isomer tetrahydro-2-methylbenz[f]indene (5) is also formed. This has been confirmed by the synthesis of a series of dimethyl (6 and 7), methyl-phenyl (8), and titanium trichloride derivatives (11 and 12) of the parent indenes 4 and 5. The new ligand systems 4, 6, 7, and 8 were converted to the analogous unbridged zirconocene dichloride complexes 13, 14, 15, and 16. The precursors were then activated with either methylaluminoxane (MAO) or triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate (trityl) and used as catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene and propylene. All zirconocene complexes were highly active for the polymerization of ethylene, and in some cases produced crystalline polypropylene at lower polymerization temperatures.
Unmanned vicarious calibration for large-footprint sensors

The Remote Sensing Group (RSG) at the University of Arizona is currently developing inexpensive, unmanned radiometers based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This work describes these radiometers, which are now used as part of the extensive vicarious calibration research that has been conducted since the mid-1980s and presently includes such sensors as MODIS, ASTER, AVHRR, Landsat-7 ETM+, Ikonos, and Quickbird. RSG performs a typical vicarious calibration with on-site personnel measuring atmospheric and surface conditions at a test site during actual sensor overpass. A radiative-transfer code is used to calculate a top-of-atmosphere radiance, which is then compared to that reported by the sensor under test. Data collection can be limited by poor weather conditions, and in addition, it is generally difficult to collect data during every sensor overpass due to the large travel distances to the test sites. The LED radiometers are being developed as a solution to the temporal sampling limitations seen in the past. They are used in a nadir-viewing configuration to measure the surface reflectance in three spectral bands, while the atmospheric conditions are measured using a Cimel sun photometer. The data from these two instruments are used to produce a top-of-atmosphere radiance during overpass when no personnel are present. Results of laboratory calibration measurements of the radiometers are described, and include the spectral responsivity, temperature dependence of the spectral responsivity, and calibration coefficient. Finally, the top-of-atmosphere radiances produced by the unmanned vicarious instrumentation are compared to those reported by Aqua MODIS for three days in March 2005.
Measuring environmental performance in Asia

Abstract This paper synthesizes the results of a collaborative study conducted by ADB and Harvard University under ADB’s Regional Technical Assistance 5542 (RETA 5542)—Environmental Indicators and Indices. The three methodological tools (cost of remediation (COR), environmental elasticity (EE) and environmental diamonds (ED)) used in the study are described and tested using new data from 16 countries. The study formulates the three methods that can be used to arrive at approximate costs to remediate environmental damage to the air, water, land and the ecosystems; makes an assessment of the state of environment vis-a-vis economic change; and provides a graphical representation of the state of the environment. It also gives an initial validation of the utility of environmental indices for assessing/reassessing on a micro-level the eco-environmental impacts of ADB’s past investments.
The Stages of Growth

In the past few years, a number of firms have moved into venture capital investing and growing their own internal ventures. These efforts have met with mixed results. One of the reasons for failure is the difficulty of growing a new organization from scratch. These start‐up ventures must pass through a number of stages in building this new organization. Problems are encountered because managers do not think stagewise. In working with these managers, a model was developed to describe the stages through which high‐technology ventures will progress. These stages can be used in guiding organizing decisions for each stage.
Impact of universal Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination starting at 2 months of age in the United States: an economic analysis.

Objective To evaluate the economic impact of universal Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination starting at 2 months of age. Methods Decision-tree-based analysis was conducted of a hypothetical US birth cohort of 3 815 469 infants using population-based vaccination coverage and disease incidence data. All costs were estimated from both the direct cost (medical and nonmedical) and societal perspectives. Net present value, cost-effectiveness ratios, and benefit-cost ratios of the US Hib vaccination program were evaluated. Results The results of these analyses showed that the universal vaccination program using the Hib conjugate vaccines in the United States in 2000 was cost-saving from both the direct and societal perspectives, with the benefit of the Hib vaccination program (net present value) from the direct cost and societal perspectives of $0.95 billion and $2.09 billion, respectively. Without a Hib vaccination program, the direct and societal costs of Hib invasive cases would be $1.35 billion and $2.58 billion, respectively. The direct and societal costs of the Hib vaccination program were estimated at $0.39 billion and $0.48 billion, respectively. The direct and societal benefit-cost ratios for the Hib vaccination program were 3.4 and 5.4, respectively. Varying the proportion of vaccines purchased and administered in the public versus the private sector and the proportion of combination vaccine versus monovalent vaccine administered did not have much effect on the results. Conclusions Regardless of the perspective (direct cost or societal) and the assumptions used, the benefit-cost ratios of the US vaccination program are >1.0. Potential changes in the program, including use of more or less Hib combination vaccines, would not significantly alter the benefit-cost ratio. The national Hib vaccination program is highly cost beneficial and results in substantial cost savings.
Linking Temporal and Spatial Scales in the Study of an Argentine Ant Invasion

Our long-term study of an invasion of Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) in a 481-ha biological preserve in Northern California links multiple spatial and temporal scales. We have investigated, at local spatial scales of tens of meters, how nests spread and contract seasonally and from year to year. Microsatellite analysis shows population genetic structure on the scale of about 100 m. At the landscape scale, we have surveyed the spread and impact of Argentine ants in the biological preserve since 1993, and have found high variability both seasonally and from year to year. Here, we describe how seasonal patterns in nesting behavior at the local scale help to explain how the location of the invasion edge changes. Thus, the growth and spread of nests on the scale of tens of meters, from season to season, produce the dynamics of the invasion from year to year at the scale of hundreds of meters.
Transsphenoidal microsurgery in the treatment of acromegaly and gigantism.

Twenty-five patients with acromegaly and 3 patients with gigantism underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery in an attempt to remove the tumor and preserve normal pituitary function whenever possible. An adenoma was identified and removed in 27 of 28 patients. Evaluation 3–6 months postoperatively revealed a GH level less than 5 ng/ml in 20 patients, 5–10 ng/ml in 4 patients and 11–29 ng/ml in 4 other patients. Dynamics of GH secretion were normal in 11 patients who had normal pituitary function and are considered cured. Two patients with low or undetectable GH levels are also considered cured at the expense of being hypopituitary. Three of 7 patients with normal basal GH levels but abnormal dynamics of GH secretion relapsed within 1 yr. Eleven of the 13 patients considered cured did not have extrasellar extension, while 14 of the 15 patients not cured had extrasellar extension. Five patients who were not cured with surgery received radiation therapy. Three patients were treated with an ergot derivative, Ler...
Time use profiles and program strategy

With the proliferation of broadcasting stations has come a growing realization of the artificiality that results from each station programing for everyone in their service area at the same time. Many stations recognize the various specialized or minority audiences when planning their program schedules. What is not well‐known, however, is the degree to which members of a single specialized audience (in this example, housewives) vary in the amount of attention they have available for the broadcast media at different times during the day. The research reported in the following article affords a glimpse at the type of study that may be necessary for successful broadcast programing operations in years to come.
Ghostbusting Discussion: Reply to Commentaries

There is much texture one can bring to the subject of ghosts in middle childhood. Dr. Coates and Dr. Schlesinger elucidate aspects of the intergenerational relational struggles that inform child and adult therapists alike. Dissociated past trauma transmitted between parents and children implicitly creates secondary disorganizing interferences to the relationship and the child's development. The play therapist is in a unique position to create collaborative dialogues for the purposes of bringing systemic change.
PEWs: a decentralized dynamic scheduler for ILP processing

This paper presents a new execution model called PEWs (Parallel Execution Windows). It performs decentralized dynamic scheduling by splitting the instruction window among multiple hardware execution windows that can all execute code in parallel. While splitting the instruction stream, dependent instructions are generally allocated to the same execution window. Speculative execution is carried out with the help of branch prediction; speedy recovery from incorrect speculative execution is effected with the help of decentralized recovery actions. Other novel features of the execution model include register file queues to enforce register dependencies. The paper also presents the simulation results, to date, of our attempts to study the PEWs execution model. The results indicate goal potential for this execution model.