cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel approaches to the treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The modification of traditional cardiovascular risk factors has resulted in better morbidity and mortality outcomes, so the treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia is explored for a similar benefit. Vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate, co-factors in the metabolism of homocysteine, are used in the treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia. Betaine, a methyl-donor in a separate homocysteine metabolism pathway, is also used to treat hyperhomocysteinaemia. These supplements have been used in various doses and combinations for different periods of time, with favourable outcomes. There is still no concensus whether hyperhomocysteinaemia should be treated with folic acid alone or in combination with vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. The dose of the supplements required to normalise fasting homocysteine remains to be determined, especially in diabetic nephropathy, haemodialysis and renal transplant patients. The benefits from lowering homocysteine level...
DRYING OF POROUS MATERIALS AT LOW MOISTURE CONTENT

ABSTRACT Drying experiments were conducted using packed beds of glass beads with initial moisture content near or slightly above the irreducible moisture content. The objective was to validate the vapor phase diffusion coefficient determined in earlier experiments and to quantify the effect of temperature gradient on vapor phase diffusion in the presence of irreducible saturation. The resulls indicate that for isothermal drying the enhancement factor, β, which is the ratio of the diffusion coefficient in the packed bed to that in free space, is slightly less than unity. This is consistent with previous results. However, the results for non-isothermal drying show little effect of temperature gradient for temperature gradients either assisting the concentration gradient or opposing the concentration gradient. This is contrary to the traditional thinking about enhanced vapor diffusion originally proposed by Philip and deVries (1957).
FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR A COMPLEX LIMB STRUCTURE IN THE SOLAR RADIAL BRIGHTNESS DISTRIBUTION AT mm WAVELENGTHS

A computer program to convolve numerically any azimuthally symmetric, solar radial brightness distribution with standard antenna patterns of small half power beamwidths has been used to find a solar brightness distribution which is a good fit to the eclipse curve obtained during the 7 March 1970 partial solar eclipse with the NRAO 36-ft antenna at 3.5 mm. This brightness distribution is compared with the brightness distribution at 3.2 mm determined by the Pennsylvania State University Radio Astronomy Observatory group during the same eclipse but observed from Mexico where totality occurred. The two brightness distributions are very similar in shape, showing a double peak near the limb, but differing slightly in the positions of the peaks.
Caudate stimulation and retrograde amnesia: amnesia threshold and gradient.

This experiment determined the threshold stimulation intensity needed for production of retrograde amnesia with 60 Hz caudate stimulation. With the stimulation parameters used, the necessary intensity is between 1 and 1.5 mA. This stimulation is an effective amnesic agent when administered 15 min, but not 60 min, after training. The possibility that these results relate to brain seizure thresholds, and only secondarily to retrograde amnesia thresholds, is considered.
Theory of Grain Boundary Motion

The mobility of grain boundaries in metals is considered from a point of view similar to that used by Mott in his theory of viscosity of grain boundaries. By introducing a factor dependent on surface tension of the grain boundary and inserting the experimental activation energy, one obtains satisfactory agreement with experiment.
Spontaneous breaking of a metastable string

We consider the phase transition of a string with tension ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}$ to a string with a smaller tension ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$. The transition proceeds through quantum tunneling, and we calculate in arbitrary number of dimensions the preexponential factor multiplying the leading semiclassical exponential expression for the rate of the process. At ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}=0$ the found formula for the decay rate also describes a breakup of a metastable string into two pieces.
Rupture distribution of the 1977 western Argentina earthquake.

Abstract Teleseismic P and SH body waves are used in a finite-fault, waveform inversion for the rupture history of the 23 November 1977 western Argentina earthquake. This double event consists of a smaller foreshock (Mo = 5.3 × 1026 dyn-cm) followed about 20 s later by a larger main shock (Mo = 1.5 × 1027 dyn-cm). Our analysis indicates that these two events occurred on different fault segments: with the foreshock having a strike, dip, and average rake of 345°, 45°E, and 50°, and the main shock 10°, 45°E, and 80°, respectively. The foreshock initiated at a depth of 17 km and propagated updip and to the north. The main shock initiated at the southern end of the foreshock zone at a depth of 25 to 30 km, and propagated updip and unilaterally to the south. The north-south separation of the centroids of the moment release for the foreshock and main shock is about 60 km. The apparent triggering of the main shock by the foreshock is similar to other earthquakes that have involved the failure of multiple fault segments, such as the 1992 Landers, California, earthquake. Such occurrences argue against the use of individual, mapped, surface fault or fault-segment lengths in the determination of the size and frequency of future earthquakes.
Expectations of the 1988 Seoul Olympics: A Korean Perspective

Recently, Korea has been preparing herself, on a scale unprecedented in her history, for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. The Olympics, more than just a sporting extravaganza, will offer-Korea a chance to foster tourism growth and showcase recent economic achievements. This study was concerned with assessing the impacts of a mega-event. To assess perceived impacts, a group of high level Korean tourism professionals, members of the academic community, and mass media editors were surveyed in June 1987. Results from the survey, indicate that primary expectations for hosting the Olympics are an increase in international awareness of Korea as a tourism destination, a modification of Korea's present distorted image, and a strengthening of cultural values through the projection of a distinct Korean cultural image during the Seoul Olympics.
SDS gel electrophoresis of rapidly transported proteins in garfish olfactory nerve.

— Proteins undergoing rapid axonal transport in the garfish olfactory nerve were examined by sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis. The distribution of polypeptides and the extent of their labeling by transported molecules was determined in several nerve subfractions including: total particulate, total membrane, mitochondrial and two membrane subfractions rich in axolemma. The polypeptide composition of the various fractions was found to be relatively similar, with each showing a major protein with an estimated MW of 58,000. Specific differences in the concentrations of certain proteins were noted between fractions, including differences between the lower and higher density axolemma rich subfractions. Axonally transported radioactivity was predominantly localized among high molecular weight proteins, with all fractions, except mitochondrial pellet, displaying a major peak of radioactivity centered at 126,000-MW. Several major proteins including the 58,000-MW band were labeled by rapid transport to a much smaller extent. Certain labeled peaks were found to be concentrated in individual fractions, particularly a polypeptide (MW 35,000) more predominantly found in the lower density axolemma rich fraction. Systemic labeling of the nerve is found to give a general distribution of radioactivity on gels, which is clearly different from the pattern obtained after axonal transport labeling.
A MULTIPLE CHAMBER EXPOSURE UNIT DESIGNED FOR CHRONIC INHALATION STUDIES

To expose larger numbers of animals, primarily dogs and monkeys, in a five-year long inhalation study of uranium dioxide (UO/sub 2/), four separate chambers of the hexagonal type were combined in such a way that a common air intake and dust feed system can be used. The new multiple unit is described in detail and such engineering aspects as chamber design, selection of exposure equipment, and operational characteristics are discussed. (C.H.)
Efficient Degradation of Trichloroethylene by a Recombinant Escherichia Coli

We have identified a strain of Pseudomonas mendocina that oxidizes trichloroethylene (TCE) after growth in the presence of toluene. A DNA fragment from this organism, when introduced into the appropriate expression vector system, conferred upon Escherichia coli the ability to oxidize both toluene and TCE. The recombinant E. coli rapidly degrades TCE to carbon dioxide, chloride ion and simple water soluble metabolites and reduces the concentration of TCE in water as much as 1000–fold. The extensive degradation of TCE by the recombinant E. coli is due to genetic manipulations that uncouple the regulation of TCE degrading enzymes from growth and co metabolism of toluene.
Exploring the Influence of the Attachment Organizations of Novice Therapists on their Delivery of Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples

Clinicians’ own internal resources for understanding relationships—that is, their attachment organizations—have been found to influence the process and outcome of treatment. The current study addressed whether the attachment organizations of novice couple and family therapists were associated with couples’ experiences of their therapists, therapeutic alliance, session impact, and emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) fidelity (i.e., especially as related to targeting and working with attachment needs and overt and underlying emotions). Novice couple and family therapists delivered EFT, an attachment-based approach, to couples in a simulated session and an embedded multicase study design guided a cross-case analysis. Findings indicated that secure therapists, when compared to their insecure peers, were more competent at working with attachment needs, as well as the overt and underlying emotions of their clients. Secure therapists perceived themselves as being more skilled in emotion regulation, which may have contributed to their abilities to remain attuned to their clients’ attachment needs and emotional expression, even in the face of emotional arousal in session. Couples of insecure therapists also reported greater alliance splits. Future research is needed to further explore the dyadic influences of both therapists’ and clients’ attachment organizations, as well as the training and supervision practices these findings implicate. Bowlby (1988) contended that therapists, like caregivers, are tasked with being sensitive and appropriately responsive to clients. For an emotionally focused couple therapist (EFT; Johnson, 2004), this is particularly relevant. Emotionally focused couple therapists must provide a context in which clients can safely engage and move into corrective emotional experiences. In EFT, change occurs in the presence of emotional arousal within session and therapists must be competent in attuning to clients’ implicit and explicit emotional experiences and responding appropriately. In essence, therapists are using their knowledge of secure base behavior and effectively regulating their own affect during emotionally intense interactions in session to respond quickly and precisely to guide clients towards secure base behavior in their relationships. It makes sense then that therapists’ own understanding of relationships, or attachment organizations in particular, would be reflected in the treatment process. Consider a case, for example of, a couple in which a female partner had a background of previous trauma in her family-of-origin and who had often received inconsistent and insensitive responses from her parents. These dynamics were also visible in the couple relationship, and she often expressed feeling rejected by her partner. When her bids for validation from her therapist were not responded to in session, she then believed her therapist was also sending the
Distributed Hierarchical Processing in the Primate Cerebral Cortex

In recent years, many new cortical areas have been identified in the macaque monkey. The number of identified connections between areas has increased even more dramatically. We report here on (1) a summary of the layout of cortical areas associated with vision and with other modalities, (2) a computerized database for storing and representing large amounts of information on connectivity patterns, and (3) the application of these data to the analysis of hierarchical organization of the cerebral cortex. Our analysis concentrates on the visual system, which includes 25 neocortical areas that are predominantly or exclusively visual in function, plus an additional 7 areas that we regard as visual-association areas on the basis of their extensive visual inputs. A total of 305 connections among these 32 visual and visual-association areas have been reported. This represents 31% of the possible number of pathways if each area were connected with all others. The actual degree of connectivity is likely to be closer to 40%. The great majority of pathways involve reciprocal connections between areas. There are also extensive connections with cortical areas outside the visual system proper, including the somatosensory cortex, as well as neocortical, transitional, and archicortical regions in the temporal and frontal lobes. In the somatosensory/motor system, there are 62 identified pathways linking 13 cortical areas, suggesting an overall connectivity of about 40%. Based on the laminar patterns of connections between areas, we propose a hierarchy of visual areas and of somatosensory/motor areas that is more comprehensive than those suggested in other recent studies. The current version of the visual hierarchy includes 10 levels of cortical processing. Altogether, it contains 14 levels if one includes the retina and lateral geniculate nucleus at the bottom as well as the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus at the top. Within this hierarchy, there are multiple, intertwined processing streams, which, at a low level, are related to the compartmental organization of areas V1 and V2 and, at a high level, are related to the distinction between processing centers in the temporal and parietal lobes. However, there are some pathways and relationships (about 10% of the total) whose descriptions do not fit cleanly into this hierarchical scheme for one reason or another. In most instances, though, it is unclear whether these represent genuine exceptions to a strict hierarchy rather than inaccuracies or uncertainities in the reported assignment.
Modification of Sexual Behaviors Is Important for the Prevention of Human Papillomavirus Infection

There is currently no effective HPV vaccine or curative treatment for HPV infection. Therefore, any comprehensive approach toward the prevention of HPV infection must include efforts to reduce high-risk sexual behavior. Since condom use has not been proven to be effective for the prevention of HPV infection [4], encouraging young people to delay the onset of sexual activity and promoting the health benefits of long-term monogamy, both of which are evidence-based strategies, seem most likely to be effective. In fact, the recent national emphasis on promoting abstinence may already be having a positive effect, as evidenced by the significant decline, between 1991 and 2001, in levels of sexual activity among high-school students [5].
Origin–destination table disaggregation using biproportional least squares estimation

This paper describes a group of techniques for disaggregating origin–destination tables for travel forecasting that makes explicit use of observed traffic on a network. Five models within the group are presented, each of which uses nonlinear least-squares estimation to obtain row and column factors for splitting trip totals from and to larger geographical areas into smaller ones. The techniques are philosophically similar to Fratar factoring, although the solution method is quite different. The techniques are tested on a full-sized network for Northfield, MN and are found to work effectively.
Technique For Precise Alignment Of Small Diameter Lasers

This report describes one technique used to obtain orecise alignment of small diameter lasers. This procedure may be useful in the alignment of other lasers, but is especially valuable when aligning lasers that have a small diameter active medium and/or a curved mirror at one end of the laser cavity. The technique described in this report uses a He-ATP laser at one end of the laser being aligned and an autocollimator at the opposite end. These instruments are used to generate and observe the diffraction pattern and interference fringes caused by the limiting aperture of the lasing medium and the end mirrors of the cavity, respectively. These Patterns and fringes are used both to establish a common optical axis between the active volume of the laser being aligned and the aligning instruments, and to set the end mirrors of the cavity normal to this axis.
High accuracy verification of a correlated-photon- based method for determining photoncounting detection efficiency.

We have characterized an independent primary standard method to calibrate detection efficiency of photon-counting detectors based on two-photon correlations. We have verified this method and its uncertainty by comparing it to a substitution method using a conventionally calibrated transfer detector tied to a national primary standard detector scale. We obtained a relative standard uncertainty for the correlated-photon method of 0.18 % (k=1) and for the substitution method of 0.17 % (k=1). From a series of measurements we found that the two independent calibration techniques differ by 0.14(14) %, which is within the established uncertainty of comparison. We believe this is the highest accuracy characterization and independent verification of the correlated-photon method yet achieved.
The social/sexual environment of gay men residing in a rural frontier state: implications for the development of HIV prevention programs.

Context—The incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS is increasing among rural men who have sex with men (MSM). Yet little is known about the social/sexual environment of rural frontier areas. Purpose—The purpose of this study was to assess the social/sexual environment of gay men living in rural areas and how this environment contributes to the development of HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Methods—A qualitative study was conducted in Wyoming. In-depth guided interviews were conducted with 39 self-identified gay men. Data were analyzed for emergent themes using constant comparative analysis. Findings—Four broadly related themes emerged. Participants perceive that they live in a hostile social environment in which the potential for becoming a target of violence is present. In order to cope with this social reality, men adopt strategies to assimilate into the predominant heterosexual culture and to look for sex partners. These, in turn, are related to their attitudes about HIV/AIDS and prevention activities. Notably, the Internet was discussed by participants as a means for men to connect to a larger gay society and look for sex partners and as a potential venue to HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Conclusions—Data provided a number of implications for developing HIV/AIDS prevention programs targeting rural MSM. Especially apparent was the need for programs to be mindful of the desire to keep one's sexual preferences shielded from public knowledge and the effect this may have on recruiting rural MSM to participate in prevention activities. The Internet, because men can access it privately, might provide a venue for prevention projects. HIV / AIDS continues to be a pressing public health problem in the United States. 1 Although the majority of persons who are infected with HIV or who have been diagnosed with AIDS reside in urban centers, the prevalence of AIDS in rural areas is increasing at 3 or more times rates in urban centers. 2-6 While the epidemic may be shifting to rural areas, little is known about who is HIV positive or who might be at risk of infection in rural areas. A notable study by Lansky et al 7 surveyed HIV-positive persons living in small cities or in rural areas in 4 southern states. They found that the majority was male, African American, and infected through sexual contact. A quarter of the sample had been infected in a rural area, almost half through male-to-male sex. These data suggest that rural gay men, even if they never visit an urban AIDS
Immunology: from books and bench to bedside

The time has passed when immunology was just another basic science discipline in the first years of medical school that students needed to memorize enough to pass examinations and not to worry much thereafter depending on the specialty pursued. Nowadays, the understanding of immunological mechanisms is increasingly essential in many disciplines because most diseases have a component of inflammatory response along side the inciting agent as part of the pathogenesis of their clinical manifestations and also as part of tissue repair from damage. Besides the involvement of the immune system in diseases of other organ systems, many new immunological diseases have been recognized from deficient, exaggerated and misdirected immunological responses. The detailed knowledge of immunological mechanism of disease pathogenesis down to molecular mechanisms has been possible because of the tremendous advances in basic immunology and application of that knowledge and tools to patients. Immunology-based therapies account for major advances in medicine (Table 1). Over a century ago when immunology was in its birth, scientists were already using killed microbes as vaccines and heterologous antibodies as antidotes. Despite rudimentary knowledge of the mechanisms of those treatments, physicians had remarkable successes and many of those treatments are still used today in refined forms. Killed microbes or parts of them are used in vaccines, which are highly successful to prevent infectious. Indeed, vaccines are the most important advance in medicine for its role in markedly preventing morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in children, caused by infectious diseases including poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, varicella, influenza, hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, rabies and invasive bacterial infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae, meningococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Still, enormous challenges lie ahead such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV infection. Since 1911, vaccines have also been successful in secondary prevention of symptoms in already established disease as in the case of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity respiratory allergies, and later, insect anaphylaxis. Vaccines prime the immune system to respond to infectious agents so that when an infection occurs, it elicits a fast and intense memory immune response that clears the infection. In the case of allergic diseases, vaccines modify the exaggerated hypersensitivity immune response to an attenuated and less damaging response.
Sensor noise in low-level flux-gate magnetometers

The noise mechanism in a well-designed magnetometer is shown to be due to small-scale magnetic moments which are probably small volumes of the core material that are not oriented by the drive field. Design developments include the sense coil radius and the development of a drive waveform which yields considerably improved performance over the commonly used sine wave drive.
Governing the global commons: Linking carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation in tropical forests

Biodiversity loss will be among the major impacts from climate change. Separate international political processes address climate change and biodiversity, yet the scientific evidence strongly links the two. For conservation groups, addressing climate change is increasingly necessary to protect biodiversity. Protecting tropical forests as biodiversity habitat is important as well to mitigating climate change, as deforestation and forest degradation represent a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, discussions currently underway on the political and technical feasibility of rewarding countries and their inhabitants financially for protecting their standing forests as carbon sinks are of vital interest to conservation groups.
A survey of treatments for post-concussion syndrome

A survey of the members of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the International Neuropsychological Society was conducted on current treatment approaches for post-concussion syndrome. The interventions that were found useful most frequently included education about the effects of head injury, reassurance that the symptoms are part of the normal recovery process, and support in coping with reactions to the symptoms. Graded resumption of activity, antidepressant medication, and cognitive restructuring were also regarded as useful. The relationships between type of treatment, factors contributing to the syndrome, ratings of treatment effectiveness, and duration of treatment were discussed.
A Restriction of Factoring in Binary Resolution

Since the unconstrained use of factoring can lead to a growing number of irrelevant and redundant clauses, it is important to consider the strategies restricting the factoring in binary resolution. We propose in this paper FE-resolution — a strategy restricting factoring in binary resolution to the literals that are equivalent in the sense that each of them is the result of renaming the variables in any other. We show that FE-resolution is complete.
Turbine Rotor with Various Tip Configurations Flow and Heat Transfer Prediction

A numerical study is performed to simulate the leakage flow and heat transfer on a flat tip, a double squealer tip, and a single suction-side squealer tip of a scaled up General Electric-E 3 blade. The simulations for a nonrotating blade at a pressure ratio of 1.2 are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data on the blade tip and suction side, but the heat transfer coefficients were overpredicted on the pressure side. Numerical simulations were then performed for nonrotating and rotating blades under high-temperature, high-pressure ratio, and high Mach number conditions to investigate the blade tip leakage flow and heat transfer characteristics under more realistic engine operating conditions
Racial segregation and longevity among African Americans: an individual-level analysis.

Objective. To test the relationship between racial segregation and mortality using a multidimensional questionnaire-based measure of exposure to segregation. Data Sources. Data for this analysis come from the National Survey of Black Americans (NSBA), a national multistage probability sample of 2,107 African Americans (aged 18–101). The NSBA was conducted as a household survey. The NSBA was matched with the National Death Index (NDI). Study Design. Prospective cohort study, where Cox regression analysis was used to examine the effect of baseline variables on time to death over a 13-year period. Principal Findings. Respondents who were exposed to racial segregation were significantly less likely to survive the study period after controls for age, health status, and other predictors of mortality. Conclusion. The results support previous studies linking segregation with health outcomes.
Safety and efficacy of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis for hospitalized patients with cirrhosis: a single-center retrospective cohort study

SummaryBackground Hospitalized patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The benefits and risks of pharmacological thromboprohylaxis in these patients have not been well studied. Objectives To examine the safety and efficacy of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis in hospitalized cirrhotic patients. Patients/Methods Retrospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis hospitalized at an academic tertiary care referral center over a 5-year period. Results Six hundred hospital admissions accounting for 402 patients were included. VTE prophylaxis was administered during 296 (49%) admissions. Patients receiving VTE prophylaxis were older (59 years vs. 55 years, P < 0.001), had longer lengths of stay (9.6 days vs. 6.8 days, P = 0.002), and lower Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (13.2 vs. 16.1, P < 0.001). In-hospital bleeding events (8.1% vs. 5.5%, P = 0.258), gastrointestinal bleeding events (3.0% vs. 3.2% P = 0.52), new VTE events (2.37% vs. 1.65%, P = 0.537), and mortality (8.4% vs. 7.3%, P = 0.599) were similar in the two groups. VTE prophylaxis did not reduce the risk of VTE (odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.23–3.71), and patients receiving unfractionated heparin, but not low molecular weight heparin, were at increased risk for in-hospital bleeding events (odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.15–4.94 vs. 0.87, 0.37–2.05, respectively). Conclusion The rate of VTE in this cohort of hospitalized cirrhotic patients was low and was unaffected by pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. Unfractionated heparin was associated with an increased risk for in-hospital bleeding, suggesting that if thromboprophylaxis is indicated, low molecular weight heparin may be favored.
X-Configuration Stent-Assisted Coiling

Background Proximal basilar artery aneurysms are rare and when they occur they are often found in association with a fenestrated basilar artery. These lesions are often amenable to treatment by endovascular techniques Case Description A 48-year-old woman with a proximal basilar artery aneurysm was treated by reconstructing the fenestrated basilar artery, placing two stents in an X-configuration, and subsequent coiling of the wide-necked aneurysm. The lesion was successfully coiled without new neurological deficit and there was no recanalization at 15 month follow-up. Conclusions Reconstructing the fenestrated basilar artery with two stents in an X-configuration allows coiling of wide-necked aneurysms and is preferable to sacrificing a limb of the fenestrated basilar artery due to possibility of a physiologic significant branch off of the sacrificed limb.
Gene expression comparison of biopsies from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and normal skeletal muscle

The primary cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a mutation in the dystrophin gene leading to the absence of the corresponding RNA transcript and protein. Absence of dystrophin leads to disruption of the dystrophin-associated protein complex and substantial changes in skeletal muscle pathology. Although the histological pathology of dystrophic tissue has been well documented, the underlying molecular pathways remain poorly understood. To examine the pathogenic pathways and identify new or modifying factors involved in muscular dystrophy, expression microarrays were used to compare individual gene expression profiles of skeletal muscle biopsies from 12 DMD patients and 12 unaffected control patients. Two separate statistical analysis methods were used to interpret the resulting data: t test analysis to determine the statistical significance of differential expression and geometric fold change analysis to determine the extent of differential expression. These analyses identified 105 genes that differ significantly in expression level between unaffected and DMD muscle. Many of the differentially expressed genes reflect changes in histological pathology. For instance, immune response signals and extracellular matrix genes are overexpressed in DMD muscle, an indication of the infiltration of inflammatory cells and connective tissue. Significantly more genes are overexpressed than are underexpressed in dystrophic muscle, with dystrophin underexpressed, whereas other genes encoding muscle structure and regeneration processes are overexpressed, reflecting the regenerative nature of the disease.
College Students’ Motivation Toward Weight Training: An Application of Expectancy-Value Model

Guided by an expectancy-value model of achievement choice (Eccles et al., 1983; Wigfield & Eccles, 2000), the relationships among expectancy-related beliefs, subjective task values (importance, interest, and usefulness), and achievement outcomes (intention, engagement, and performance) were examined in a college-level beginning weight training class. A total of 156 students (73 males, 83 females) completed questionnaires assessing their expectancy-related beliefs, subjective task values, and intention for future participation. Their engagement was measured via self-recorded workout log entries in class, and their performance was determined by two skill tests. Results of the study supported the application of the expectancy-value model in the context of a college weight training class. Importance and interest were significant predictors of intention and engagement, whereas expectancy-related beliefs emerged as the only predictor of performance. Males reported higher scores on expectancy-related beliefs and performed better than females.
Real Time, In Situ Curvature Measurements of Epitaxial YBCO Films on MgO

We have implemented coherent gradient sensing (CGS) to measurein situ, curvature and changes in curvature induced by temperature and O2 flow on thin film YBCO on MgO (001) substrates. CGS is a novel, real-time, full-field optical technique that provides a direct map of the components of the curvature tensor across the entire surface of the wafer. We have examined a well-characterized,700 nm thick YBCO film on a square 1”× 0.5mm MgO substrate with increasing temperature from 25 to 760°C and find the curvature increasing with temperature, although not always spatially uniform. By Stoney’s equation, we relate the observed curvature to the thermal mismatch of the film and substrate where the maximum observed stress in orthogonal sample orientations is 1.2 and 1.4 GPa. For wafers under varying oxygen partial pressures, we observe dramatic local changes in the CGS interferograms, which we relate to the tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transformation YBCO exhibits as it cools in oxygen.
A new architecture for low cost Power Hardware in the Loop testing of power electronics equipments

The paper presents a critical analysis of the current status in the field of power hardware in the loop testing. The authors first summarize their experience in the development of a platform for an industrial application. Starting from the results obtained in this previous project, the authors then illustrate the path towards a more standardized and user-friendly platform. The new platform architecture presented in this paper is supposed to achieve significant improvement both in the bandwidth of the hardware/software interface and in the quality of the user interface.
Integrating gene flow, crop biology, and farm management in on-farm conservation of avocado (Persea americana, Lauraceae).

Maintaining crop diversity on farms where cultivars can evolve is a conservation goal, but few tools are available to assess the long-term maintenance of genetic diversity on farms. One important issue for on-farm conservation is gene flow from crops with a narrow genetic base into related populations that are genetically diverse. In a case study of avocado (Persea americana var. americana) in one of its centers of diversity (San Jeronimo, Costa Rica), we used 10 DNA microsatellite markers in a parentage analysis to estimate gene flow from commercialized varieties into a traditional crop population. Five commercialized genotypes comprised nearly 40% of orchard trees, but they contributed only about 14.5% of the gametes to the youngest cohort of trees. Although commercialized varieties and the diverse population were often planted on the same farm, planting patterns appeared to keep the two types of trees separated on small scales, possibly explaining the limited gene flow. In a simulation that combined gene flow estimates, crop biology, and graft tree management, loss of allelic diversity was less than 10% over 150 yr, and selection was effective in retaining desirable alleles in the diverse subpopulation. Simulations also showed that, in addition to gene flow, managing the genetic makeup and life history traits of the invasive commercialized varieties could have a significant impact on genetic diversity in the target population. The results support the feasibility of on-farm crop conservation, but simulations also showed that higher levels of gene flow could lead to severe losses of genetic diversity even if farmers continue to plant diverse varieties.
Perceived appetite and clinical outcomes in children with chronic kidney disease

Background Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may have impaired caloric intake through a variety of mechanisms, with decreased appetite as a putative contributor. In adult CKD, decreased appetite has been associated with poor clinical outcomes. There is limited information about this relationship in pediatric CKD.
Synthesis and characterization of nanoporous polyethersulfone membrane as support for composite membrane in CO2 separation: From lab to pilot scale

Nanoporous polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were prepared from PES/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)/2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) casting solutions with water as coagulant by both vapor- and non-solvent-induced phase inversion steps successively under various preparation parameters. 2-ME was incorporated into the casting solution as a pore-forming additive because of its high affinity with water, leading to more open membrane morphology. A detailed study of the effects of different parameters, including polymer concentration, 2-ME/NMP ratio, relative humidity, water vapor exposure time, and water coagulation bath temperature, was conducted in lab-scale experiments to determine the operation guidelines for pilot-scale fabrication. 14-in. wide PES membranes were fabricated successfully by using a continuous casting machine. Parametric studies in pilot-scale fabrication were also carried out. Surface morphologies of PES membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphological differences between both scales by the same preparation conditions were compared. Based on the guidelines established from lab-scale experiments, the casting solution composition and coagulation bath temperature were optimized in a pilot-scale continuous casting machine to fabricate the 14-in. wide PES membrane with a desired morphology suitable for use as the substrate of composite membranes in CO2 separation. The studied fabrication process also showed the potential for the commercial production of the PES membrane in a larger scale by the vapor- and non-solvent-induced phase inversion technique.
Internet-Based Parent-Implemented Intervention for Young Children with Autism: A Pilot Study.

Both naturalistic communication and parent-implemented interventions are evidence-based practices for young children with disabilities, but demonstrations of effective methods for teaching parents ...
Pediatric cerebral resuscitation.

Twenty-one pediatric patients suffered cerebral anoxic-ischemic insults and were considered candidates for cerebral resuscitation measures. Fifteen were randomly assigned to treatment protocols of either hypothermia to 30-31 °C, barbiturate coma using thiopental, or a combination of hypothermia and thiopental barbiturate coma. Six patients were not assigned to treatment protocols. One patient had an isoelectric electroencephalogram and absent brainstem auditory evoked potentials and was pronounced brain dead. The other 5 patients were showing signs of rapid neurologic recovery and did not require cerebral resuscitation measures. To date there is no significant difference in outcome between the treatment categories.
Applying the Buchdahl dispersion model to infrared hybrid refractive-diffractive achromats

The Buchdahl dispersion model provides a rapidly converging polynomial form for describing the dispersion of refractive materials. Via this model, the dispersion of a material over the waveband of concern can be accurately characterized by a simple polynomial form, often out to only the second order. In this paper, the Buchdahl model is applied to hybrid refractive-diffractive achromats for both 3-5μm (MWIR) band and 8-12μm (LWIR) band. For each waveband, Buchdahl dispersion coefficients of IR materials and the diffractive optical element (DOE) are defined by optimally choosing the Buchdahl chromatic coordinate and best-fitting the Buchdahl model to the dispersion of materials and the DOE. The principles for selecting 1 to 2 IR materials combined with a DOE to produce hybrids achromatized at 3 and 4 wavelengths are discussed. A series of thin lens predesign examples are presented.
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN MICRO AND MEGA SPOROGENESIS'S DEVELOPMENT AND MORPHOLOGY OF FLOWER ORGAN OF TETRAPLOID BLACK LOCUST

The results of observing the morphology flower organ development and cytological development period of both microspore and megaspore of tetraploid black locust(Robinia psendoacacia) show that the outside shapes,size,color of flower organ are highly related to the development period of micro and mega sporogenesis.So the micro and mega sporogenesis's development period can be judged by the outside observation of flower.The judgments may be applied to choose suitable explants while flower-organ-tissue-cultures are done.
Endothelin receptor mRNA expression in renal medulla identified by in situ RT-PCR

Three subtypes of endothelin (ET) receptors have been identified by cDNA cloning, namely ET-RA, ET-RB, and ET-RC. In the current study the precise cellular distribution of the ET receptor subtypes ...
The Scoop on Health: How Native American Newspapers Frame and Report Health News.

ABSTRACTThe health status of Native Americans is known to be lower than that of other Americans. One way to get relevant health information to this population is through Native-produced media. Tribal newspapers are the most popular form of Native media, consumed more often than their mainstream counterparts. As such, these community-based newspapers are meaningful tools for relevant health information gathering. This study content analyzes a census of health-related newspaper articles (N = 644) over a 1-year period from 20 Tribal newspapers across 10 regions designated by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Findings profile the nature of health topics reported in Native news publications. Health news stories were shown to use episodic frames significantly more than thematic frames. Inclusion of supplementary information (e.g., causes/symptoms, treatment, and prevention) and inclusion of mobilizing information (i.e., provides readers resources for further action) were both shown to significantly differ by h...
Utilization of Segmental Analysis and Performance Measures

A mail survey of manufacturers’ marketing managers is used to examine the utilization of various segmental bases in marketing control and to examine the performance bases used to evaluate the segments. Respondents were found to rely most heavily on sales volume measures as opposed to profitability measures of performance.
Evidence-Based Treatment of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenail is a common condition affecting toenails causing inflammation and pain. It is caused by the edge of the nail growing into the surrounding soft tissue. In this chapter we appraised the evidence that underpin the current approaches and we concluded that surgical treatments are superior to non surgical ones in term of recurrence rates (grade B). The use of chemical ablation reduces the recurrences rates regardless of the surgical interventions (grade B). Wedge excision is the first line of surgical treatment (grade C). Phenol chemical ablation has been the most widely used ablating agent and it should be compared to other agents in more robust studies.
Carbohydrate Storage Cycles in Two Californian Mediterranean-Climate Trees

Summary The annual carbohydrate economy of two trees in the mediterranean climate of California was studied. One, a drought-deciduous tree, Aesculus californica, stores large quantities of carbohydrate during the spring and early summer photosynthetic period which is subsequently used for massive fruit production in fall and for at least a portion of regrowth in February. In contrast, the evergreen oak, Quercus agrifolia, has little annual change in the carbohydrate status of its tissues and presumably channels photosynthate directly into fruits during this long development period. However, some reserves may be involved.
Development and pilot of brief surveys to evaluate the quality of patient-centered cancer care.

202Background: Oncology practices have increasingly engaged in patient-centered systematic quality improvement efforts. One test of their effectiveness is patient feedback, yet many existing instruments are unwieldy or insensitive to change. Here we describe the development and pilot testing of short patient surveys used to assess change in patient experience of the key domains of access, communication, and coordination. Methods: Domains and corresponding questions of patient-centered care were informed by existing literature and tools available online, with a focus on domains relevant to cancer patients. Questions were modified from validated or semi-validated instruments to have a consistent 4 or 5-category Likert response scale, put into four unique short instruments that included at most ten questions each and piloted in cancer clinic waiting rooms. Input from patients was sought to assess: 1) relevance and clarity of questions; 2) whether important concepts were missing; 3) acceptability to patients ...
An Evaluation of Gamified Training: Using Narrative to Improve Reactions and Learning:

Background and Aim.Gamification is growing in popularity in education and workplace training, but it is unclear which game elements are conducive to learning. The theory of gamified learning suggests that one type of gamification, the addition of game fiction/narrative, can be used to improve learning outcomes, and the Technology-Enhanced Training Effectiveness Model (TETEM) suggests individual differences impact the strength of this effect. From this theoretical basis, this study gamified a training module with game fiction in order to improve outcomes over the original training.Results and Conclusion. In a study of 273 learners, trainees were significantly more satisfied with training enhanced with game fiction over the control text (d = 0.65) but did not differ in declarative knowledge scores by condition. Further, trainees in the control condition scored higher on procedural knowledge than trainees in the game fiction condition, although the effect was smaller (d = −0.40). Thus, the use of narrative i...
Genome-wide analysis suggests a differential microRNA signature associated with normal and diabetic human corneal limbus

Small non-coding RNAs, in particular microRNAs (miRNAs), regulate fine-tuning of gene expression and can impact a wide range of biological processes. However, their roles in normal and diseased limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) remain unknown. Using deep sequencing analysis, we investigated miRNA expression profiles in central and limbal regions of normal and diabetic human corneas. We identified differentially expressed miRNAs in limbus vs. central cornea in normal and diabetic (DM) corneas including both type 1 (T1DM/IDDM) and type 2 (T2DM/NIDDM) diabetes. Some miRNAs such as miR-10b that was upregulated in limbus vs. central cornea and in diabetic vs. normal limbus also showed significant increase in T1DM vs. T2DM limbus. Overexpression of miR-10b increased Ki-67 staining in human organ-cultured corneas and proliferation rate in cultured corneal epithelial cells. MiR-10b transfected human organ-cultured corneas showed downregulation of PAX6 and DKK1 and upregulation of keratin 17 protein expression levels. In summary, we report for the first time differential miRNA signatures of T1DM and T2DM corneal limbus harboring LESC and show that miR-10b could be involved in the LESC maintenance and/or their early differentiation. Furthermore, miR-10b upregulation may be an important mechanism of corneal diabetic alterations especially in the T1DM patients.