cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical Outcome and Safety of Multilevel Vertebroplasty: Clinical Experience and Results

To compare safety and efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) when treating up to three vertebrae or more than three vertebrae per session. We prospectively compared two groups of patients with symptomatic vertebral fractures who had no significant response to conservative therapy. Pathologic substrate included osteoporosis (n = 77), metastasis (n = 24), multiple myeloma (n = 13), hemangioma (n = 15), and lymphoma (n = 1). Group A patients (n = 94) underwent PVP of up to three treated vertebrae (n = 188). Group B patients (n = 36) underwent PVP with more than three treated vertebrae per session (n = 220). Decreased pain and improved mobility were recorded the day after surgery and at 12 and 24 months after surgery per clinical evaluation and the use of numeric visual scales (NVS): the Greek Brief Pain Inventory, a linear analogue self-assessment questionnaire, and a World Health Organization questionnaire. Group A presented with a mean pain score of 7.9 ± 1.1 NVS units before PVP, which decreased to 2.1 ± 1.6, 2.0 ± 1.5 and 2.0 ± 1.5 NVS units the day after surgery and at 12 and 24 months after surgery, respectively. Group B presented with a mean pain score of 8.1 ± 1.3 NVS units before PVP, which decreased to 2.2 ± 1.3, 2.0 ± 1.5, and 2.1 ± 1.6 NVS units the day after surgery and at 12 and 24 months after surgery, respectively. Overall pain decrease and mobility improvement throughout the follow-up period presented no statistical significance neither between the two groups nor between different underlying aetiology. Reported cement leakages presented no statistical significance between the two groups (p = 0.365). PVP is an efficient and safe technique for symptomatic vertebral fractures independently of the vertebrae number treated per session.
Stable Nonspherical Fluorine-Containing Colloidal Dispersions: Synthesis and Film Formation

A simple synthetic method for preparing stable colloidal dispersions that form polymeric films containing fluorinated acrylates is presented. The simultaneous presence of the dual tail anionic fluorosurfactant phosphoric acid bis(tridecafluorooctyl) ester ammonium salt (FSP) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactants facilitates a suitable environment for the aqueous polymerization of methyl methacrylate/n-butyl acrylate/heptadecafluorodecyl methacrylate (MMA/nBA/FMA) colloidal particles. Polyermerization is achieved by a low-sheer monomer-starved emulsion polymerization process in which the FSP/SDS surfactant mixture significantly reduces the surface tension of the aqueous phase, thus facilitating mobility and subsequent polymerization of FMA along with MMA and nBA momomers. Using this approach, it is possible to obtain stable nonspherical MMA/nBA/FMA colloidal dispersions containing up to a 8.5% (w/w) copolymer content of FMA. These studies illustrate that the incorporation of FMA into MMA/nBA particl...
What are the diagnostic criteria for intestinal neuronal dysplasia

The incidence of isolated intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND) has varied from 0.3% to 62% of all suction rectal biopsies in different centres. The uncertainty regarding the incidence has resulted from the considerable confusion regarding the essential diagnostic criteria. In an attempt to clarify the diagnostic criteria for IND, we examined biopsy material from the following three groups using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry: (1) full-thickness normal colon from 23 controls; (2) suction rectal biopsies from 9 patients who had isolated IND; and (3) full-thickness biopsies from 10 patients with Hirschsprung's disease (HD) who demonstrated IND in the proximal margin of the resected segment. Our data show that hyperganglionosis is the most consistent finding in both IND associated with HD and isolated IND. Other histochemical criteria of IND were dependent upon whether the biopsy was full-thickness or a suction rectal biopsy. Where full-thickness biopsies were available, giant ganglia and ectopic ganglion cells were seen in all cases. Increases in AChE-positive nerve fibres in the mucosa was a frequent finding in patients with IND diagnosed by suction rectal biopsies. We recommend that patients suspected to have IND on suction rectal biopsy should have a full-thickness biopsy for detailed examination of the submucous and myenteric plexuses.
Widespread distribution of antisense transcripts in the Plasmodium falciparum genome

Abstract The availability of the complete genome sequence of Plasmodium falciparum has facilitated high-throughput profiling of its complex life cycle, following the application of micro-array, proteomic, and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) technologies in this system. These, in turn, have yielded unprecedented insight into global gene expression, including the foremost demonstration of antisense transcription in the parasite. For example, owing to its inherent ability to sample novel ORFs and to predict transcript orientation, SAGE analysis in asexual forms led to the initial discovery of highly abundant antisense RNAs. To determine the extent of this phenomenon in P. falciparum, we have surveyed the distribution of both sense and antisense transcripts across the asexual transcriptome for the first time. To this end, a relational database integrating SAGE expression data with genome annotation information was constructed. This allowed the comprehensive annotation of a total of 17 245 SAGE tags, extending over a 350-fold expression range. Transcripts from approximately 30% of the estimated 3D7 gene loci were present at detectable levels in mixed asexual stages, where loci involved in invasion and immune evasion; and carbohydrate metabolism were highly represented in the sense transcriptome. Approximately 12% of SAGE tags, however, were derived from the non-coding strand of nuclear-encoded ORFs, indicating that endogenous antisense RNAs are widespread in this system. Notably, these antisense transcripts were absent from the mitochondrial genome. Interestingly, we note that sense and antisense tag counts from single loci across the transcriptome were inversely related. Taken together, this data may provide first hints as to the possible function of antisense transcription in this system.
Diversity of Hydrothermal Systems on Slow Spreading Ocean Ridges

[1] In the past 3 decades, hydrothermal vents on the deep seafloor have captivated our imagination. The otherworldly vistas of vent ecosystems with chemosynthetic bacteria, animals new to science, billowing black smokers, and brightly colored polymetallic sulphide mineral deposits have changed our perception of the ocean's depths. In the new AGU monograph Diversity of Hydrothermal Systems on Slow Spreading Ocean Ridges, editors Peter A. Rona, Colin W. Devey, Jerome Dyment, and Bramley J. Murton and participating authors take readers to the exciting exploration frontier of seafloor hydrothermal research on the slow spreading half of the 55,000-kilometer-long ocean ridge that spans the Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic oceans. In this interview, Eos talks with Peter Rona.
Characterization of methods for determining sterilization efficacy and reuse efficiency of oxygen biosensor multiwell plates

Abstract High-throughput screening (HTS) assays based upon fluorometric detection of oxygen consumption in microtiter plates were primarily developed for applications in drug discovery and ecotoxicology but have recently been adopted for use in microbial community-level physiological profiling assays (CLPP). The widespread use of oxygen biosensor systems for CLPP applications has, however, been hindered by the relatively high cost of oxygen biosensor reagent systems and limited access to microplate fluorometer instrumentation platforms. The ability to recycle and reuse oxygen biosensor system plates would expand their utilization for CLPP assays and other research applications in microbial ecology. Here, the efficacy and cost effectiveness of multiple procedures for sterilization of Oxygen Biosensor System™ (OBS; BD Biosciences) plates for reuse was evaluated. OBS plates were sterilized using ethylene oxide, ultraviolet radiation, and bleach treatments, then evaluated for biosensor response and plate life-cycle performance. Of the sterilization methods tested, ethylene oxide sterilization was most effective based on its low cost, high sterilization efficacy, and minimal impact upon OBS plate response.
Broadening the “Ports of Entry” for Speech-Language Pathologists: A Relational and Reflective Model for Clinical Supervision

Purpose To offer a framework for clinical supervision in speech-language pathology that embeds a mental health perspective within the study of communication sciences and disorders. Method Key menta...
TUGS—a tool for teaching computer graphics

One of the best methods of teaching students about the principles underlying computer graphics systems is to have them develop an implementation of a "graphics pipeline" supporting modeling, viewing, and rendering operations. When completed, such an implementation represents a sophisticated package capable of producing complex images. However, these complex images typically cannot be generated until at or very near the completion of the project. We describe a tool called TUGS which has been developed to support the incremental development of a complex graphics system and which provides the ability to produce complex images early in the development process.TUGS is a complete graphics modeling and rendering system built from a highly-modularized set of primitive operations. Students can replace individual pieces of the TUGS system with their own implementations, while retaining use of the remaining TUGS routines. This allows incremental development of a complete system, while at the same time providing the ability to generate complete images. It also provides a vehicle for selective consideration of the many issues involved in modeling and rendering systems; those areas deemed most important can be assigned to students for implementation, while TUGS can be relied on to provide compatible implementations for the others. TUGS also includes a substantial collection of support routines to help reduce the "overhead" incurred in implementation efforts. These include command input parsing, 3D transformations, vector and matrix algebra operations, metafile storage, and support for device-independent low-level graphics, as well as many others.
PART-WHOLE QUESTION ORDER EFFECTS VIEWS OF RURALITY

A split-ballot design was used to assess part-whole question order effects in a mail survey. A general question asked for the respondent's perceptions of the overall life quality in rural areas relative to other areas; a series of 19 similar questions asked for the relative quality of specific aspects of rural life. When the general question was asked after the specific items, subjects were more likely to answer the general question, less likely to respond that rural areas were "the same" as other areas, and more posi- tive in their opinions about rural places. The addition of a pream- ble-instructing subjects to read both the general and the list of specific items before answering either-failed to alter these findings. The order effects on responses to the general question did not appear to represent either a simple assimilation (carry- over) effect or a contrast (backfire) effect, both of which have been found by other researchers. Possible reasons for the con- flicting findings are discussed. When related specific and general questions appear together, re- sponses to the general question may differ, depending upon the order in which the questions are asked. In some cases, the general question responses are contrasted with the specific answers. Thus, Schuman and Presser (1981) found that respondents reported lower overall hap- piness when the general item followed a specific question on marital happiness than when the questions were reversed. Since most subjects reported high levels of marital happiness, they apparently responded to the subsequent general question by subtracting their marital feelings as if the general item had asked, "Apart from your marriage, how happy are you with your life situation?" Congruent with a contrast
Determination of plasma non-esterified fatty acids and triglyceride fatty acids by gas chromatography of their methyl esters after isolation by column chromatography on silica gel.

Abstract Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and triglycerides were isolated from human plasma by column chromatography on silica gel. Eight principal fatty acids of each of these lipid classes were determined by gas chromatography of their methyl ester derivatives and quantified relative to multipoint standard curves. Within-day relative standard deviations for plasma non-esterified fatty acid and triglyceride fatty acid determinations were 2.4 and 3.2%, respectively. Day-to-day relative standard deviations for plasma non-esterified fatty acid and triglyceride fatty acid determinations were 1.4 and 1.1%, respectively. The total plasma concentration and the relative proportions of the eight non-esterified fatty acids determined by this method were significantly different from results obtained according to two generally accepted methods for direct plasma non-esterified fatty acid determination without a specific isolation step. These comparisons suggested that considerable fatty acid ester lipid hydrolysis occurred during these direct determination proceduresm and that this hydrolysis resulted in 3-fold overestimation of plasma NEFA content by those methods. Measured levels of arachidonic acid are substantially overestimated by these direct determination methods in which non-esterified fatty acids are not isolated before derivatization.
Understanding Unimolecular Dissociations with Loose Transition States: Photofragmentation Dynamics of Ketene at the Singlet Threshold

Photofragment excitation (PHOFEX) spectra of ketene (CH2CO) were taken by probing rovibronic transitions of the singlet methylene fragment while scanning the photolysis laser frequency. CH2(a1A1) was detected by laser-induced fluorescence in a supersonic free jet. The dissociation threshold of the reaction, CH2CO 1CH2 + CO was determined to be 30116.2 ± 0.4 cm1. The nuclear spin is conserved during the dissociation. Sharp rises in the 1CH2 PHOFEX spectra are observed whenever a new CO rotational state becomes energetically accessible. Phase Space Theory (PST) is in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The Statistical Adiabatic Channel Model (SACM) and the related SACM-PST theory fail to fit the experimental PHOFEX curves except in the limit where they become indistinguishable from PST (i.e. α/β > 0.7). The data show that there are no barriers to dissociation and that essentially every accessible product quantum state is equally likely to be formed. The implications of these findings for the theory of unimolecular dissociation are discussed.
Immunity to MCA‐induced rat sarcomas: Analysis of in vivo and in vitro results

Three in vivo techniques were used to establish the specificity of tumor immunity induced after sensitization of F344 rats to syngeneic MCA-induced sarcomas: (1) post-excision resistance to tumor challenge, (2) passive tumor neutralization (the Winn test), and (3) concomitant immunity. In general, these assays revealed unique non-cross-reactive antigens associated with each of three sarcomas, FMF1, FMM2, and FMM3. However, spleen cells from tumor-sensitized rats did not demonstrate cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro corresponding to the specificity of tumor resistance in vivo. In the (3H)-proline cytotoxicity assay, spleen cells from FMM3 tumor-bearing rats or from FMM3 tumor-immune rats were not selectively cytotoxic for cultured FMM3 target cells. Parallel analysis of spleen cells from normal or FMM3-sensitized rats using the Winn assay and the (3H)-proline assay revealed that (1) spleen cell cytotoxicity in vitro did not correlate with effective tumor protection in vivo; and (2) normal spleen cells were cytotoxic against cultured sarcoma target cells in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Thus, passive tumor protection by normal spleen cells in vivo corresponded with the demonstration of natural cytotoxicity in vitro, but induced specific anti-tumor reactivity was observed only in vivo.
Implications of changes in the atmospheric circulation on the detection of regional surface air temperature trends

[1] Previous studies have shown that observed significant warming trends in surface air temperature (SAT) consistent with the response to anthropogenic forcing are detected at scales on the order of 500 km in many regions of the globe. However, regional SAT trends project strongly on the dominant natural atmospheric circulation modes, such as the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the hemispheric Pacific-North America (PNA)-like patterns. The warming associated with the changes of atmospheric circulation is not well simulated in current coupled climate models. In this study, we explore the influence of the exclusion of warming related to changes of the atmospheric circulation on the detection of a regional response to combined anthropogenic and natural forcings. We compare observed SAT trends over the second half of the 20th century with those simulated in response to natural and anthropogenic climate forcings in a suite of six current coupled general circulation models. Control runs from these models are used to provide estimates of the internal variability of trends. We find that the detection of the regional response to combined anthropogenic and natural forcing is robust to the exclusion of warming related to changes of the atmospheric circulation considered here.
Albuminuria and the permselective properties of the glomerulus in cardiac failure

Fractional dextran clearances (theta D) were used to ascertain whether the albuminuria accompanying cardiac failure (CF) has a hemodynamic basis. In 17 patients with grade-IV CF in whom GFR and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were depressed to 58 +/- 7 and 215 +/- 20 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively, theta D was elevated relative to normal control subjects over the Stokes-Einstein radius (r) interval of 28 to 46 Angstrom. For dextran of equivalent size to albumin (r = 36 Angstrom), the rate of urinary excretion (UD36V) was not increased because elevated theta D36 was offset by the depressed GFR. In contrast, urinary albumin excretion (UalbV) was increased to 82 +/- 35 microgram/min. Thus, for albuminuria in CF to have the hemodynamic basis suggested by elevation of theta D requires that (I) the fractional clearance for anionic albumin be disproportionately enhanced relative to uncharged dextran by reduced glomerular plasma flow and/or (2) that glomerular electrostatic barrier function be impaired in CF. In seven patients with minimal change nephropathy, UD36V was similar to that in CF, but UalbV was 40 times greater than that in CF. Thus, if glomerular electrostatic barrier function is impaired in CF, such dysfunction is trivial by comparison with minimal change nephropathy.
H-Y antigen negative patients with testicular tissue and 46,XY karyotype

H-Y antigen could not be detected on lymphocytes from two male pseudohermaphrodites with 46,XY karyotypes and testicular tissue. One of the patients had additional assays performed on fibroblasts grown from the skin, and the gonadal ridge—these were also negative. The H-Y antiserum was raised in rats, with Raji cells the target of cytotoxicity tests. In these patients, the substance that promoted testicular differentiation does not have serologic H-Y antigen detectable by the assay used. It appears that H-Y antigen that is commonly measured in neutralization reactions may not be the only form of testicular organizing factor present.
The mechanisms and temperature dependence of superlattice stacking fault formation in the single-crystal superalloy PWA 1480

Deformation microstructures in PWA 1480 nickel-base superalloy single crystals were studied in the range of 20 °C to 1100 °C. Similar to previous investigations, superlattice stacking faults were observed after slow strain rate deformation at temperatures between 700 °C and 950 °C. Unlike previous studies, a high density of superlattice stacking faults was observed after deformation at 200 °C and below. The mechanisms of fault formation in the two temperature regimes were different. In the range of 700 °C to 950 °C, single isolated superlattice-intrinsic stacking faults (SISFs) were produced by the decomposition of an a/2(110) matrix dislocation in the γ/γ′ interface. The a/3(112) partial shears the particle, while the a/6(112) Shockley remains in the interface. At 200 °C and below, a high density of faults was produced on closely spaced parallel planes. The most common feature after deformation in this range is the faulted loop, which is most often observed to be a superlattice-extrinsic stacking fault (SESF). These low-temperature faults, along with their temperature dependence, were quite similar to those observed in single-phase Ll22 materials. The available evidence suggests that the low-temperature faults were produced by the dissociation of an a unit superdislocation into a pair of a/3 partials. The temperature dependence of the faulting (at low temperatures) was modeled by linear isotropic elasticity, and the results suggest that the SISF energy increases significantly from 20 °C to 400 °C. Multiplanar, overlapping superlattice faults were analyzed with respect to bond violations. This analysis suggested that an antiphase boundary (APB) on top of an SISF has a very high fault energy, similar to that of the complex stacking fault. Therefore, the presence of SISF loops on glide planes promotes further dissociation by the SISF scheme instead of the APB scheme and explains the high density of SESFs and microtwins observed in the deformation structures.
Ten Things to Know about Applying for Non-US Patents

Although US patent protection ends at the border, knowing the key factors to consider for non-US patents can help inventors extend the scope of protection. The Web extra at http://youtu.be/B6PIyXcs7H8 is an audio recording of the Computing and the Law column, in which the authors discuss how knowing the key factors to consider for non-US patents can help inventors extend the scope of protection.
The Forces Between a Hydrogen Molecule and a Hydrogen Atom

The paper contains the results of calculations of (1) repulsive exchange forces, (2) attractive van der Waals forces between ${\mathrm{H}}^{2}$ and H atoms. The method used is that developed in an earlier communication. Results for small distances of separation differ considerably from published data on interaction energies deduced from collision cross sections. Reasons for the discrepancy are discussed. Figures 1 and 2 represent potential energy curves for the region around the van der Waals minimum; they exhibit the asymmetry of the interaction.
A comparison of parent-reported fear for autistic and nonhandicapped age-matched children and youth

Fourteen autistic children and youth matched with nonhandicapped same age, same sex peers ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 17 years of age were rated by their parents on the Revised Fear Survey Schedule for Children. Percent of autistic children rated as having specific common fears (i.e., “fears of the unknown”) was higher for autistic than the non-handicapped children. Further, some fears were quite different. Thunderstorms, getting punished by father, dark places, being in a big crowd, going to bed in the dark, closed places, and going to the dentist were in the top 10 fears for autistic children but not for the non-handicapped persons. Such differences suggest either qualitative variations or developmental differences between these groups. Similar in scope to the fears of younger normal children, loud sounds, dark places and strangers were rated as producing more fear in autistic persons. The implications of these data are discussed.
Robust slab-coupled buried-rib semiconductor laser with high fibre coupling efficiency

A robust, single transverse mode slab-coupled buried-rib waveguide laser by combining the concept of slab-coupled waveguide and the technique of diluted waveguide is demonstrated. The large mode size and near-circular mode profile result in high fibre coupling efficiency and improved alignment tolerance.
Why do richer democracies survive?—The non-effect of unconventional political participation

Abstract Since Seymour Lipset's (1959) seminal article on the social prerequisites of democracy, many scholars have found a strong empirical correlation between increases in per capita income and democracy. Given this strong connection however, an important gap in the literature remains—what are the pathways linking wealth and democracy? This paper attempts to establish the validity of one of the possible paths by testing the three-fold relationship between per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unconventional political participation and democratic consolidation. Despite finding a strong positive correlation between per capita GDP and the consolidation of democracy, this research reveals that unconventional political participation is not mediating this effect.
Platelet heterogeneity based on lactic dehydrogenase activity

Mean lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of human platelets is about 5 nU/platelet; expressed on a cell volume basis, it is 0.5 nU/fl. Platelet separation by means of centrifugation on a Percoll discontinuous gradient gives different subpopulations with a clear-cut change of LDH at a mean platelet volume (MPV) of about 6 fl. The LDH content of platelets with a MPV >6 fl is constant (about 0.5 nU/fl), while that of small platelets (3<MPV<6 fl) is inversely correlated with the MPV and reaches a value of 1.5–2.0 nU/fl. Because small platelets are granule-depleted, we suggest that platelet LDH activity be considered as an in vivo activation index.
Pervious and impervious pavement reduce production and decrease lifespan of fine roots of mature Sweetgum trees.

Root zones of mature Sweetgum paved with either pervious or impervious concrete after 15–18 years of tree growth exhibited much reduced standing fine root length compared to unpaved plots 3 years after pavement installation. The objective of this paper was to determine whether these observed reductions in standing root length were due to reduced root production rates or due to enhanced root mortality rates in response to the presence of either pavement. We measured both fine root production and root death over a 15-month period using biweekly nondestructive observations of the root zones at four depths. In addition, we used proportional hazards analysis to determine how the presence of pavement affected chances of root mortality. We found that new root production was more negatively affected by the presence of either pavement than root mortality while chances of root mortality were increased by the presence of pavement, leading to much reduced standing net root length in paved plots at any given time. Surprisingly, even though root production and mortality were strongly altered by pavement, there was no significant effect on tree diameter growth. These results suggest that while Sweetgum root dynamics are negatively affected by pavement, there is enough plasticity within this species to adapt to altered root zone dynamics without affecting aboveground growth.
Studies on the intestinal surface acid microclimate: developmental aspects.

ABSTRACT. The existence and general characteristics of the intestinal surface acid microclimate (ISAM) in the developing intestine of suckling and weanling rats were examined. ISAM pH measurements were performed in vitro using a sensitive glass pH-microelectrode. The results showed that the ISAM does exist in both suckling and weanling rat intestine. In both suckling and weanling rats, ISAM pH was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in the jejunum than in the ileum, an observation similar to that previously reported in the small intestine of adult rats. In the colon, however, ISAM pH of suckling rats was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that of weanling and adult rats. Studies on the relationship between jejunal ISAM pH of weanling rats and incubation buffer pH showed that the two are not in equilibrium. Jejunal ISAM pH of weanling rats was significantly inhibited by: 1) the mucolytic agent N-acetyl- L-cysteine, 2) stirring of the incubation medium, 3) Na+ removal, 4) glucose removal (or substitution by the unmetabolizable galactose), and 5) metabolic inhibitors (iodoacetate and dinitrophenol). These results demonstrate the existence of the ISAM in the developing intestine of suckling and weanling rats and shows the dependence of the ISAM on Na+, metabolizable substrate(s) and normal intracellular metabolism. Furthermore, surface mucus appears to play a role in maintaining the ISAM, most probably through retaining the H+ at the intestinal surface.
Effects of desoxycorticosterone and adrenocorticotrophic hormone on mercurial diuresis.

ConclusionsPretreatment of unanesthetized or anesthetized dogs with desoxycorticosterone acetate or desoxycorticosterone glycoside did not appreciably affect the diuresis induced by the mercurial mersalyl. In a similar manner ACTH in relatively large doses did not inhibit the mercurial diuresis. Our results indicate that a large dose of mersalyl actually produced a greater effect on tubular sodium reabsorption in the dogs receiving the ACTH. This increased excretion of sodium in the ACTH pretreated dogs is probably due to their initially lower urinary sodium concentration. The average values of the urinary sodium concentration at the time of the mersalyl injection was about 105 ± 12 for the control and 48 ± 6 milliequivalents per liter for the ACTH pretreated dogs. The peak increase in urinary sodium concentration following the mercurial was about 130 ± 4 and 135 ± 6 for the control and ACTH pretreated dogs respectively. It is of interest that the ACTH or DOCA induced reduction in urinary sodium concentra...
Effects of Analysis and Evaluation Questions on Various Levels of Achievement.

This study investigated whether a dominant use of analysis and evaluation questions in social studies text-type materials would improve various levels of sixth grader’s social studies achievement. ...
Studies on trimetaphosphate metabolism in yeast.

Abstract An enzymic assay for cyclic phosphate compounds has been described. The method is used to estimate the metaphosphate content of yeast of varying nutritional states. A reaction involving the cyclic phosphate compound, trimetaphosphate, which requires inorganic phosphate, has been described for yeast. Evidence is presented which indicates that phosphate adds to the cyclic compound to form a linear compound.
Bioengineered factor Xa as a potential new strategy for hemophilia therapy.

Vascular damage triggers the hemostatic process producing a localized clot to prevent significant loss of blood. A failure of the system to respond appropriately leads to bleeding complications. Th...
Transnasal endoscopic surgery of the pituitary gland: technical note.

OBJECTIVE : An approach to transnasal transsphenoidal debulking of pituitary tumors using endoscopic guidance is presented. METHODS : Technical details of this approach using an endoscope inserted through one nostril and operating instruments inserted through a submucosal tunnel created via the other nostril are discussed. RESULTS : Ten patients who had operations are tabulated. Illustrative cases are presented. CONCLUSION : Endoscopic debulking of pituitary tumors can provide good results with minimal operative morbidity.
Optical Disk Radiation Hardening Considerations

Optical disk memories are assessed in simulated space radiation ionizing environments using cobalt-60 gamma rays and linear accelerator electrons. Total dose and dose rate testing of media including write-once and magneto-optic erasable technologies finds the media to be hard to over 1 Mrad (Si) of total dose over a range of dose rates. Optics, optoelectronics, and other critical technologies are considered, and hardening considerations are presented for total dose, displacement, and heavy particle radiation effects.
Multi-level ray tracing algorithm

We propose new approaches to ray tracing that greatly reduce the required number of operations while strictly preserving the geometrical correctness of the solution. A hierarchical "beam" structure serves as a proxy for a collection of rays. It is tested against a kd-tree representing the overall scene in order to discard from consideration the sub-set of the kd-tree (and hence the scene) that is guaranteed not to intersect with any possible ray inside the beam. This allows for all the rays inside the beam to start traversing the tree from some node deep inside thus eliminating unnecessary operations. The original beam can be further sub-divided, and we can either continue looking for new optimal entry points for the sub-beams, or we can decompose the beam into individual rays. This is a hierarchical process that can be adapted to the geometrical complexity of a particular view direction allowing for efficient geometric anti-aliasing. By amortizing the cost of partially traversing the tree for all the rays in a beam, up to an order of magnitude performance improvement can be achieved enabling interactivity for complex scenes on ordinary desktop machines.
Feeling the Parts: A Developmental Study of Separable Perception with Tactile Dimensions

A tetrad classification task was used to determine perceptual sensitivity to the tactile dimensions of texture, hardness, and shape in 5- and 11-year-old children who classified objects by touch, unaided by vision. Both age groups reliably used separate dimensions to group the objects. Both age-related and individual differences in dimensional salience were observed. Five-year-olds predominantly grouped objects that were identical in hardness; 11-year-olds most often grouped objects identical in hardness or shape. Overall (integral) similarity was not used reliably by any participant. Results support the differential-sensitivity view of cognitive development and are consistent with Garner's (1970) distinction between integral and separable stimulus structure, but they do not support the hypothesized developmental trend from integral to separable perception.
l-changing depopulation of Na s and p Rydberg states by ion impact.

${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ ion beams bombarding Na ns and np Rydberg-state targets at impact velocities near the Bohr-orbital velocity of the target atoms (i.e., v\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}\ensuremath{\approxeq}1) induce transitions to (n-1)l states (l\ensuremath{\ge}2) with larger-than-geometric cross sections. Depopulation of ns states proceeds directly into the full n-1, l\ensuremath{\ge}2 manifold rather than populating the np or (n-1)p states as the first of a sequence of dipole-allowed steps. Depopulation of np states leads to a distribution of final states that is dominated by the nearer or high-l part of the n-1 manifold. n dependences of the cross section for ns depopulation are given at several energies for n=32\char21{}41 and at a single energy for np, n=26\char21{}32. The absolute cross section for Na(36s) depopulation falls gradually but steadily for reduced velocities v\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{} increasing from 0.3 to 1.35. Bombardment of Na 39s and 39p states in applied fields 0\char21{}18.5 V/cm reveals that the final-state distributions become narrower as manifold states are Stark shifted close to the initial states. No theoretical results are available for direct comparison with these experiments, but the method of coupled channels seems to be the most suitable candidate.
Pattern recognition in hyperspectral imagery using one-dimensional maximum average correlation height filter and Mahalanobis distance

Pattern recognition in hyperspectral imagery is a challenging task as the objects occupy only a few pixels or less. The presence of noise can make detection more complicated as spectral signature of pixels can change due to noise. In this paper a technique is proposed for detection in hyperspectral imagery using one dimensional maximum average correlation height (MACH) filter. MACH filter is a type of matched spatial training filter which is widely used for spatial aperture radar (SAR), laser radar (LADAR), forward looking infrared (FLIR) and other class of two-dimensional imageries to train and detect objects. For hyperspectral case a modified one-dimensional MACH filter is proposed which uses likely variations of a given ideal spectral signature for training. Each pixel vector of the data cube is then compared with the detection filter using Mahalanobis distance. Based on Mahalanobis distance between the trained filter and the pixels of the imagery, two classes are formed called the background class which does not contain a desired object and the object class which does contain the desired object. By applying threshold boundary, a decision is then made whether a given pixel belongs to the background class or object class. The simulation results using real life hyperspectral imagery show that the proposed technique can detect and classify the desired objects with a higher rate of efficiency even for very small and scattered objects.
The rise and fall of the conservatives' ‘grand design for housing’, 1951–64

When they returned to power in 1951 the Conservatives aimed to restore the dominance of the market in housing and property and by early 1953 Harold Macmillan, the Minister of Housing, had put forth...
Human sapoviruses: genetic diversity, recombination, and classification

The family Caliciviridae contains four genera Sapovirus, Norovirus, Lagovirus and Vesivirus, which include Sapporo virus (SaV), Norwalk virus (NoV), Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and Feline calicivirus (FCV), respectively. SaV is a causative agent of gastroenteritis in children and adults. SaV can be divided into five genogroups (GI-GV), among which GI, GII, GIV and GV are known to infect humans, whereas SaV GIII infects porcine species. Detection methods include ELISA, RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR. Since few SaV studies have been conducted, it is difficult to draw correlations between or conclusions about rates of incidence, detection and overall prevalence. Nevertheless, most studies agree that SaV infection is more frequent in young children than adults and that infection in children almost always occurs by 5 years of age. In addition, children at day-care centres and institutions are at greatest risk of SaV-associated infection and transmission. Recently, a number of important findings concerning human SaV were discovered. SaV strains were detected in water samples, which included untreated wastewater specimens, treated wastewater samples and river samples. SaV strains were also detected in shellfish samples destined for human consumption, and recombinant SaV strains were identified in a number of different countries. The purpose of this review was to highlight the current knowledge of human SaV, which appears to be an increasingly important virus causing gastroenteritis in humans.
Serologic evidence of Anaplasma marginale infection in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Missouri.

Sera obtained from 616 (1.16%) of the 53,310 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested in Missouri in the fall of 1979 were analyzed by the modified rapid card agglutination (MRCA) test for antibodies against Anaplasma marginale. The results indicated a low prevalence (1.14%) of MRCA reactors in the white-tailed deer population sampled.
Viscosity and Density of Lactulose Solutions

The density and viscosity of solutions of lactulose and solutions of lactulose and boric acid were determined using calibrated viscometers and a nominal 10-ml pycnometer, respectively. These data were necessary for the development of the recovery section of a continuous pilot plant process to produce lactulose, a valuable pharmaceutical, from lactose.
Women's experience with severe overactive bladder symptoms and treatment: Insight revealed from patient focus groups

Aims Research has focused on treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in women with the goal of cure. The objective of this study was to assess women's perceptions of their OAB symptoms, treatment experience, and outcomes by conducting patient focus groups. Methods Women seen in our academic center female urology referral clinics were identified by ICD-9 codes for OAB symptoms and recruited to participate in one of five focus groups, totaling 33 patients. Non-clinician moderators conducted the focus group sessions incorporating topics related to patients' perceptions of OAB symptoms, treatments, and outcomes. Data analysis was performed using grounded theory methodology. Results Qualitative analysis yielded several preliminary themes: impact of OAB on quality of life, strategies to control wetness, medications and side effects, and triggers. The majority of focus group participants reported only a partial response to medication and other physician-recommended treatments for OAB. Therefore, they developed self-reliant personalized strategies to improve their quality of life. These strategies included fluid restriction, preventive toileting, and, most importantly, the use of incontinence pads. Conclusions The majority of the women who participated in the focus groups reported only a partial response to medical and other treatments for OAB. As a result, they developed personalized self-management strategies to improve their quality of life. Although most studies addressing the treatment of OAB aim at curing the condition, such a strategy may be unrealistic. Applying a chronic care model that uses a patient-centered symptom-management approach to OAB may optimize patient outcomes and improve quality of life. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:1295–1299, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Later recurrence and longer survival among obese patients with renal cell carcinoma

To investigate the effect of obesity at diagnosis on prognosis of renal cell carcinoma, 360 renal cell carcinoma patients newly diagnosed at 29 hospitals in Oklahoma between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1984 were followed through December 31, 1987. The Cox proportional-hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratio, adjusting for other potentially prognostic factors. Both the disease-free interval and the overall survival were longer in patients who were obese (greater than or equal to 120% standard body mass index) at diagnosis. The adjusted-hazard ratio for disease recurrence between obese and nonobese patients was 0.43 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19 to 0.98). The obese patients had an adjusted death hazard rate 0.68 times that of the nonobese patients (95% CI, 0.38 to 1.22). Although obesity was reported to increase the risk for renal cell carcinoma, prognosis was no worse and may be better among obese patients with the disease.
Size and Power Assessments of Tests of Hypotheses on Survival Parameters

Abstract Assuming the time-dependent component of Cox's form of the hazard function to be specified by the constant, Weibull, and Gompertz, produces three failure density models. Using simulation techniques, size and power comparisons between tests of hypotheses (concerning the regression parameters) arising from Cox's nonparametric method and tests arising from the three parametric models are made. The test statistics arise from the likelihood ratio criterion and the asymptotic normality property of maximum likelihood estimators.
A general Farkas lemma

An abstract version of the classical Farkas lemma for locally convex spaces is given. The abstract Farkas lemma is shown to imply Farkas-type results which have been obtained by Shimizu-Aiyoshi-Katayama, Schecter, Eisenberg, Zalinescu, and Smiley.
Effect of yeast cultures on performance of lactating dairy cows: a field study

Three hundred six lactating Holstein cows in the first 120 d of lactation from seven farms in Pennsylvania were used to evaluate supplementation of two Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cultures containing about 10(8) cfu/g viable yeast cells on milk production and composition. Cows were fed individually and grouped into three blocks based on lactation numbers 1, 2, and 3 or greater, and, within block, randomly assigned to one of three treatments for a 14-wk study. The three treatments were 1) control, 2) yeast culture fermented on ground cornmeal and corn gluten meal (5.3 x 10(10) cfu/d per cow), and 3) yeast culture fermented on cornmeal and soybean meal (5.1 x 10(10) cfu/d per cow). The three treatments were mixed with cornmeal and 114 g per cow was fed daily as a top-dressing. Milk production, milk fat and protein percentage, milk fat and protein production, and 3.5% FCM were not affected by either yeast treatment. There were no significant interactions of farm by treatment, lactation number by treatment, or week by treatment. No differences in performance were significant for early lactation cows that calved during the trial, but FCM tended to be higher for treatment than for the control cows. Daily DMI measured on 39 cows at one location did not differ among treatments. Yeast supplementation was not beneficial for any production parameters under the nutritional management programs of these seven dairy farms.
A clinical and experimental investigation of the effects of tizanidine in trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract Experiments in cats anesthetized with α-chloralose showed that tizanidine (TZD: 5-chloro-4-(2-imidazolin-2-yl-amino)-2,1,3-benzothiodiazole) partly resembled carbamazepine (CBZ) and baclofen (BCF) in that it depressed excitatory transmission and facilitated segmental inhibition of neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus oralis which responded to tapping but did not affect the response of neurons which responded to light stroking of the skin or bending the whiskers. In a double-blind crossover study of TZD in refractory trigeminal neuralgia, 8 of 10 patients had fewer painful paroxysms while on TZD. However, the 6 patients who elected to continue taking TZD experienced a recurrence of their attacks of trigeminal neuralgia within 1–3 months. The limited efficacy of TZD in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia may be related to the fact that it has no effect on neuronal responses to low-threshold mechanoceptive stimuli, suggesting that low-threshold mechanoceptive neurons play an important role in the pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia.
Development of poly-3-hexylthiophene based ISFET sensors for biomedical applications

Ion-sensitive Field-Effect Transistors (ISFETs) have been applied for in vitro and online detection for clinical purposes such as concentration of urea, penicillin-G and potassium ion (K+). They have proven to be highly sensitive, shown less response time, reproducible and smaller than the piecewise assembled conventional biosensors. Materials like p3HT, Tantalum Oxide and PVA-SbQ have show their merit as components of various FETs fabricated on silicon substrate. This paper discusses the feasibility of using them together along with design enhancements such as zigzag inter-digitated electrode. The results hitherto obtained have been analyzed and conclusions are drawn to set future course of experimentation to develop the ISFET for sensor applications.