cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The rotational barrier in dimethyl acetylene and related molecules

Abstract The rotational barriers in dimethyl acetylene (CH 3 CCCH 3 ), diamino acetylene (H 2 NCCNH 2 ), dihydroxy acetylene (HOCCOH), methyl trifluoro methyl acetylene (CF 3 CCCH 3 ), silyl methyl acetylene (SiH 3 CCH 3 ), propene, cis and trans 2-butene and ethane were studied by ab initio molecular orbital methods using various basis sets. The eclipsed structure for dimethyl acetylene and its CF 3 and SiH 3 analogs was found to be the most stable, as has been inferred from experimental work, and the barrier height for these compounds has been predicted. The barriers in the OH and NH 2 substituted acetylenes, propene, butene and ethane were studied in order to more clearly understand the important influences in determining the barrier mechanism; specifically, the delocalized molecular orbital and Pauling VB model have been compared.
Frequency-dependent changes in neuromuscular responses to cyclic lumbar flexion

Repetitive lifting in the workplace has been identified to be a cause of low back disorders. Epidemiologic data further supports an hypothesis that higher repetition rate (i.e. frequency) is an added risk factor. The objective of this study was to provide experimental data testing the above hypothesis. An in vivo feline model was subjected to 20-min of cyclic lumbar loading at frequencies of 0.1 Hz and 0.5 Hz while monitoring the EMG from the L-3/4-L-5/6 multifidus muscles and the creep at the L-4/5 level. Seven hours of rest were allowed after the cyclic flexion/extension was terminated. During this rest period, a single test cycle was performed every hour to assess recovery of EMG and lumbar creep. The results demonstrate that cyclic lumbar flexion elicits a transient neuromuscular disorder consisting of EMG spasms during the cyclic loading and initial and delayed muscular hyperexcitabilities during the rest period. Cyclic loading at 0.5 Hz resulted in significant (p<0.05) increase in the hyperexcitability magnitude and duration during the recovery period. It was concluded that repetitive lumbar loading at fast rates is indeed a risk factor as it induces larger creep in the lumbar viscoelastic tissues which in turn intensify the resulting neuromuscular disorder.
Windows of Opportunity: When and How Can the Policy Analyst Influence the Policymaker During the Policy Process

Building on a variety of conceptualizations about the policymaker, the policy analyst, and the policy process, this essay seeks to understand how these three aspects mesh together. Consequently, this paper attempts to examine four questions that are germane to the analysis of policy: What roles can the policy analyst play? What are the personality types of policymakers? What is the role of the policymaker's personality in the policy process? What are the windows of opportunity for the policy analyst in one's attempt to influence the policymaker during the policy process? This paper argues that the policy analyst has the opportunity to influence policymakers at various stages of the policy process. However, the influence strategies that are effective are different depending upon the type of policymaker. This understanding is vital if a policy analyst desires to have an impact. Furthermore, the role the analyst performs has a significant impact on the how and the extent to which the analyst may have leverage.
In vivo ZW800-microbead imaging of retinal and choroidal vascular leakage in mice.

The eye is an attractive organ for non-invasive discovery and monitoring of disease progression. Traditionally, fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) have been used for dynamic evaluation of the retina and its vasculature. However, both fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) possess considerable disadvantages. FA is limited to assessing superficial retinal blood flow and often results in an unclear view due to fluorescein leakage. This obscures important pathologies such as neovascularization, ischemia and inflammation. ICG, a near-infrared fluorophore (NIRF), has nonspecific binding, high uptake and retention in tissues, as well as detrimental effects on the hepatobiliary tract. Here, we present a potential contrast agent for imaging ocular vascular permeability with ZW800, a heptamethine indocyanine NIRF, conjugated to polystyrene latex beads (ZW800m). ZW800 is an excellent alternative for near-infrared imaging, as it has excellent contrast, superior clearance, and is amendable to conjugation. ZW800m conjugation is an easy, attractive method of in vivo imaging and real-time tracking of ocular vascular pathologies. ZW800m is readily imaged via commercially available laser ophthalmoscope (SLO, HRA OCT, Spectralis) to assess vascular permeability in the mouse retina and choroid. In Type 1 diabetic Ins2Akita mice, ZW800m was observed in mouse retina but not in wild-type mice. After laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV), ZW800m was observed in mouse choroid but not in control. In both CNV and diabetic mice, ZW800 imaging showed increased hyperfluorescence on ICG modality (ICGA) not seen on FA. Presence of ZW800m in respective tissues was confirmed ex vivo with flatmounts visualized with EVOS 800 nm light cube. ZW800 imaging may be easily employed in the research laboratory.
Oral mucosal diseases

S Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Q. Desquamative gingivitis is not a disease sui generis but is a reaction pattern. The cause must be ascertained by tissue study. Desquamative gingivitis may be an early presentation of mucous membrane pemphigoid or of other blistering diseases such as pemphigus. Over time, about one half of patients with desquamative gingivitis will develop extragingivaI disease. R. Benign mucous membrane pemphigoid is neither benign (it may cause blindness) nor limited to the mucosa (it may involve the skin). Some prefer to call the disease cicatricial pemphig·oid. Cicatricial pemphigoid responds nicely to dapsone and/or sulfapyridine therapy in the majority of patients. Ketoconazole metamorphosis: An antimicrobial becomes an endocrine drug Stevens DA: Arch Intern Med 145:813-815, 1985 In addition to its antifungal activity, ketoconazole reduces androgen and adrenocorticoid synthesis. The drug has been found useful in treatment of prostatic carcinoma and hyperadrenalism and is under study in breast cancer. Italso reduces serum cholesterol. J. G. S. The effects of a shampoo containing zinc pyrithione on the control of dandruff Marks R, Pearse AD, Walker AP: Br J Dermatol 112:415-422, 1985 In a comparison study of zinc pyrithione shampoo with its base in the same patient, forty-eight patients were studied. Despite the progressive reduction in dandruff on the sides of the head treated with the zinc pyrithione shampoo, there were no significant differences in the labeling index and mean epidermal thickness on the two sides, whereas there was a significant reduction in the number of periodic acid-Schiff staining organisms but not in the number of gram-positive staining organisms. The authors suggest that the improvement in clinical dandruff correlates better with the reduction in numbers of yeast microorganisms in the· scalp area. J. G. S. Steroid sulphatase deficiency in patients initially diagnosed as ichthyosis vulgaris or recessive Xlinked ichthyosis Yoshiike T, Matsui T, Ogawa H: Br J Dermatol 112:431-433, 1985 Steroid sulphatase assay of plantar callus and peripheral leukocytes was carried out on five patients with ichthyosis vulgaris and sixteen cases of recessive X-linked ichthyosis. When deficiency of steroid sulphatase was used as a pathognomonic feature of recessive X-linked ichthyosis, it was found that some cases initially resembling ichthyosis vulgaris were actually recessive X-linked ichthyosis, although it was unlikely that a case initially diagnosed as recessive X-linked ichthyosis will prove to be ichthyosis vulgaris by steroid sulphatase assay. J. G. S.
Increasing input information and realistically measuring potential diversification gains from international portfolio investments

Abstract This study extends the study of international portfolio diversification benefits in two dimensions. First, it is based on iShares, assets actually available for investment, rather than on national indices, and, second, it incorporates long-term measures into the decision-making process. Basic findings include the following: (1) evaluating diversification gains based on indices overstates actual attainable benefits, (2) including consideration of long-term relationships can improve diversification gains, and (3) investing in emerging and developing markets does not provide benefits of the magnitude found in earlier studies covering earlier time periods.
The Geriatrician's Lab (Yellow)

Every man has 5 dogs—so said Saul Bellow. Jenna was my fourth. In middle age, Jenna showed her first sign of future decay. Geriatricians speak of a life-space diary, which defines the geographic di...
Pharmacy Review: Lifestyle Management of Obesity: Considerations for Pharmacists

The pharmacists' medication knowledge adds a unique perspective to obesity management. When counseling individuals interested in weight loss, the pharmacist should perform a review of current medications. The pharmacist may identify medication-related causes for weight gain. Also, pharmacists can play a supportive role in helping consumers choose safe and appropriate weight-loss supplements. The Food and Drug Administration's final ruling on dietary supplements requires that companies adhere to strict guidelines for manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and storing of products, as well as identification of all ingredients, plus purity, strength, and composition. In addition, the pharmacist may refer patients to their physicians for diagnosis of an underlying medical disorder responsible for weight gain. As members of the health care team, pharmacists should embrace, participate in, and support lifestyle measures such as a healthy diet, portion control, and exercise for personal maintenance of a healthy weight.
The puzzle of regional brain activity in depression and anxiety: The importance of subtypes and comorbidity.

The literature on brain activity in depression and anxiety is reviewed with an on highlighting discrepancies and inconsistencies. In particular, and posterior asymmetries have been reported for both depression anxiety, but the magnitude and direction of these asymmetries has been We propose that by identifying subtypes of depression and anxiety of these inconsistencies can be explained. In addition, we review suggesting that issues of comorbidity are important to consider in to account for regional brain activity in depression and anxiety.
Overexpression of microRNA miR-30a or miR-191 in A549 lung cancer or BEAS-2B normal lung cell lines does not alter phenotype.

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs (ribonucleic acids) that regulate translation. Several miRNAs have been shown to be altered in whole cancer tissue compared to normal tissue when quantified by microarray. Based on previous such evidence of differential expression, we chose to study the functional significance of miRNAs miR-30a and -191 alterations in human lung cancer. Methodology/Principal Findings The functional significance of miRNAs miR-30a and -191 was studied by creating stable transfectants of the lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and the immortalized bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B with modest overexpression of miR-30a or -191 using a lentiviral system. When compared to the corresponding controls, both cell lines overexpressing miR-30a or -191 do not demonstrate any significant changes in cell cycle distribution, cell proliferation, adherent colony formation, soft agar colony formation, xenograft formation in a subcutaneous SCID mouse model, and drug sensitivity to doxorubicin and cisplatin. There is a modest increase in cell migration in cell lines overexpressing miR-30a compared to their controls. Conclusions/Significance Overexpression of miR-30a or -191 does not lead to an alteration in cell cycle, proliferation, xenograft formation, and chemosensitivity of A549 and BEAS-2B cell lines. Using microarray data from whole tumors to select specific miRNAs for functional study may be a suboptimal strategy.
Fractures of the distal phalanx

Fractures of the distal phalanx, except for those of the articular surface, are sustained in crushing injuries and as such require care for the surrounding soft tissues and rarely need specific treatment for the fracture itself. Displaced articular fractures on the palmar side, however, are associated with avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon and will need careful replacement by surgical means. While there is some disagreement among authorities, it is believed here that the dorsal articular fracture, the mallet fracture, can and should be treated by nonoperative means.
Primary pulmonary plasmacytoma

Background. A patient was diagnosed with an extramedullary plasmacytoma of the lung after complete resection of the mass at thoracotomy. Immunoperoxidase staining of the mass revealed monoclonal lambda chains. Screening for multiple myeloma identified a small amount of M-protein in the blood, but no other evidence of multiple myeloma was found. Methods. A literature search was conducted to determine the prognosis and the best way to manage the patient. Results. Nineteen cases of primary pulmonary plasmacytoma were found in the literature. The age range was 3–79 years. Most of these cases were diagnosed at thoracotomy and treated by surgical excision. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the lesion is essential for diagnosis but was done in only three cases. Conclusions. Surgery and radiation therapy seem to be equally effective forms of treatment. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is unknown. Local recurrences are rare. Follow-up data were inadequate to determine disease-free survival, progression to multiple myeloma, and overall survival in primary pulmonary plasmacytoma. Close follow-up is needed to detect progression.
Systematics of Kα x-ray satellite structure

Spectra of $K$ x rays emitted from a variety of solid targets (atomic number ${Z}_{2}=17\char21{}32$) under bombardment by fast heavy ions (atomic number ${Z}_{1}=6\char21{}83$) at $2.5\char21{}25\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}∕\mathrm{amu}$ were measured in high resolution using a curved crystal spectrometer. The spectra were analyzed in order to examine the dependence of $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ x-ray satellite structure on the Geometrical Model's universal variable ${X}_{n}$. Scaling rules were established for the apparent average $L$-shell spectator vacancy fraction at the time of $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ x-ray emission, the satellite peak centroids, and the satellite peak widths.
Measures of classroom quality in prekindergarten and children's development of academic, language, and social skills.

This study examined development of academic, language, and social skills among 4-year-olds in publicly supported prekindergarten (pre-K) programs in relation to 3 methods of measuring pre-K quality, which are as follows: (a) adherence to 9 standards of quality related to program infrastructure and design, (b) observations of the overall quality of classroom environments, and (c) observations of teachers’ emotional and instructional interactions with children in classrooms. Participants were 2,439 children enrolled in 671 pre-K classrooms in 11 states. Adjusting for prior skill levels, child and family characteristics, program characteristics, and state, teachers’ instructional interactions predicted academic and language skills and teachers’ emotional interactions predicted teacher-reported social skills. Findings suggest that policies, program development, and professional development efforts that improve teacher–child interactions can facilitate children’s school readiness.
Adult circumcision outcomes study: Effect on erectile function, penile sensitivity, sexual activity and satisfaction

Purpose: Evidence concerning the effect of circumcision on sexual function is lacking. Men circumcised as adults are potentially in a unique position to comment on the effect of a prepuce on sexual intercourse. We examine sexual function outcomes in men who have experienced sexual intercourse in the uncircumcised and circumcised states.Materials and Methods: Men 18 years old or older when circumcised were identified by billing records during a 5-year period at an academic medical center. Medical charts were reviewed for confirmation of the procedure and to identify the indication(s). These men were surveyed to assess erectile function, penile sensitivity, sexual activity and overall satisfaction. Data were analyzed using paired t tests to compare category scores before and after circumcision.Results: A total of 123 men were circumcised as adults. Indications for circumcision included phimosis in 64% of cases, balanitis in 17%, condyloma in 10%, redundant foreskin in 9% and elective in 7%. The response rat...
Promotoras Across the Border: A Pilot Study Addressing Depression in Mexican Women Impacted by Migration

The migration of working-aged men from Mexico to the United States fractures the family-centered support structures typical of Latin America and contributes to high levels of depression in women left behind in migratory sending communities in Mexico. Mujeres en Solidaridad Apoyandose (MESA) was developed to improve depression in women through social support in a resource poor setting. MESA is a promotora intervention that trains women in the community to lead social support groups over a five-week period. The MESA curriculum uses a combination of cognitive behavioral theory techniques, psychoeducation, and social support activities aimed at alleviating or preventing depression in women. Results from this pilot efficacy study (n = 39) show that depressed participants at baseline experienced declines in depression as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale at follow-up. Other findings demonstrate the complexity behind addressing social support and depression for women impacted by migration in different ways.
The duodenal progenitor population. I. Age related increase in the duration of the cryptal progenitor cycle

The duodenal progenitor population has been investigated in four age groups of male Swiss albino mice, utilizing tritiated thymidine and autoradiography following sequential sacrifice of the experimental animals. Parameters evaluated in the different age groups included: (1) duration of the progenitor cycle and its component phases; (2) DNA-synthetic index; and (3) mitotic index. Analysis of the kinetics of metaphase labeling revealed that the mean duration of the entire cycle lengthens with age, whereas the mean duration of the DNA-synthetic phase is constant (ca. 7.4 hours) irrespective of age. Estimates of the cycle duration based upon calculations from the DNA-synthetic index also demonstrate an increase with age, although the absolute values derived in this manner do not agree with those based on metaphase labeling. Determination of the cryptal DNA-synthetic and mitotic indices disclosed a decrease in the percentage of labeled and/or mitotic cells with increasing age. Thus, the prolongation with age in mean progenitor cycle duration involves an increase in the average time which a duodenal progenitor cell spends in the interphase (G1) portion of the cycle.
The hippocampus in experimental chronic epilepsy: A morphometric analysis

The effect of intermittent seizures on the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus is largely unknown. To determine whether recurrent seizures centered in the hippocampus can produce neuronal loss in this region, a morphometric analysis was performed from standardized sections of hippocampus using 5 groups of animals: (1) surgical control subjects, (2) rats kindled by the rapidly recurring hippocampal seizure (RRHS) paradigm, (3) kindled rats with a few additional limbic seizures (528 +/- 66 seizures), (4) kindled rats with many limbic seizures (1,523 +/- 130 seizures), and (5) rats experiencing limbic status epilepticus (SE) induced by "continuous" hippocampal stimulation. The RRHS and SE protocols induced significant neuronal loss in the CA1 region, but no evidence was found for additional cell loss with increasing numbers of intermittent seizures. These intermittent seizures were, however, associated with a significant thickening of the basal and apical dendritic fields of the CA1 region. These findings indicate that intermittent seizures produce no significant hippocampal neuronal loss and may result in a hypertrophy of CA1 dendritic fields.
Corporate Taxation in Pursuit of Growth

Popular demand for greater equity in the tax code is credited for the enactment of the Tax Reform of 1986. An exclusive focus on fairness, however, obscures the importance of growth as a causal factor. It is argued here that the radical transformation of the corporate code was based on a vastly different strategy for economic growth and productive investment. Conventional wisdom also has it that the reform effort represented the triumph of ideas over special interests. But this article suggests that a new industrial coalition of business supporters was critical to the enactment of this alternative growth strategy.
Atom-Probe Field-Ion Microscopy Investigation of CMSX-4 Ni-Base Superalloy Laser Beam Welds

CMSX-4 superalloy laser beam welds were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and atom probe field-ion microscopy (APFIM). The weld microstructure consisted of fine (10- to 50-nm) irregularly shaped {gamma}' precipitates (0.65 to 0.75 volume fraction) within the {gamma} matrix. APFIM compositions of the {gamma} and {gamma}' phases were found to be different from those in the base metal. Concentration profiles across the {gamma} and {gamma}' phases showed extensive variations of Cr, Co and Al concentrations as a function of distance within the {gamma} phase. Calculated lattice misfits near the {gamma}/{gamma}' interface in the welds are positive values compared to the negative values for base metal.
The Potential Role of Selected Endocrine Systems in Aging Processes

The sections in this article are: 1 Hormones and Aging: An Overview 2 Hormonal Alterations During Aging 2.1 Gonadal Steroids 2.2 Adrenal Steroids 2.3 Growth Hormone 3 Summary
The gain profile and time-delay effects in external-cavity-controlled GaAs lasers

An external dispersive cavity is used to map out the gain profile of single-heterostructure (SH), double-heterostructure (DH), and large-optical-cavity (LOC) lasers. The variations in gain profile with dopant and device operating conditions are reported. With certain cavity arrangements, long time delays in DH devices are observed; this shows that saturable absorption can be present in these as well as in all other types of GaAs diodes. A model combining saturable absorption with a breakdown in optical guiding makes it possible to consistently interpret all reported time-delay data for GaAs diffused-junction (DJ) and SH diode lasers, including Q -switching and abnormal-delay effects. Finally, experiments where two gratings are used to oscillate a diode simultaneously at two different, independently variable frequencies are described.
Complications of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction in Young Patients

Background:The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has been recognized as the primary restraint to lateral subluxation of the patella. Reconstruction of the MPFL for patellar instability has demonstrated early clinical success, but postoperative complications have rarely been reported, especially in young patients.Purpose:To assess early complications (<3 years) of MPFL reconstruction in young patients.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:The charts and radiographs of all patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction between 2005 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed to identify postoperative complications. A complication was considered major if the patient required hospitalization or further surgery. Each complication was analyzed to identify the technical factors related to it.Results:A total of 179 knees underwent MPFL reconstruction during the study period. There were 38 complications in 29 knees (16.2%), with 34 major and 4 minor. Major complications included recurrent lateral patel...
Back to direct style

While a great deal of attention has been devoted to transforming direct-style (DS) functional programs into continuation-passing style (CPS), to the best of our knowledge, the transformation of CPS programs into direct style has not been investigated. This paper describes the mapping of continuation-passing λ-terms to their applicative-order direct style counterpart. We set up foundations and outline applications of the direct style transformation.
Parameterized trajectories for target localization using small and micro unmanned aerial vehicles

This paper presents an approach to near-optimal target localization for small and micro uninhabited aerial vehicles using a family of pre-computed parameterized trajectories. These trajectories are pre-computed for a set of nominal target locations uniformly distributed over the sensor field of view and stored offline as a sequence of non-dimensional waypoints. Upon target detection, a trajectory corresponding to the nearest nominal target location is selected and dimensionalized. An onboard waypoint-navigating controller follows the waypoints. Thus, trajectory generation occurs in near-constant time, which allows for fast adaptation as the target state estimate is refined. Parameterization of the trajectories with respect to relative vehicle speed, sensor range, and sensor update rate allows the same table to be used for various combinations of sensor package and vehicle or vehicle operating conditions.
Ancestral Alleles and Population Origins: Inferences Depend on Mutation Rate

Previous studies have found that at most human loci, ancestral alleles are "African," in the sense that they reach their highest frequency there. Conventional wisdom holds that this reflects a recent African origin of modern humans. This paper challenges that view by showing that the empirical pattern (of elevated allele frequencies within Africa) is not as pervasive as has been thought. We confirm this African bias in a set of mainly protein-coding loci, but find a smaller bias in Alu insertion polymorphisms, and an even smaller bias in noncoding loci. Thus, the strong bias that was originally observed must reflect some factor that varies among data sets--something other than population history. This factor may be the per-locus mutation rate: the African bias is most pronounced in loci where this rate is high. The distribution of ancestral alleles among populations has been studied using 2 methods. One of these involves comparing the fractions of loci that reach maximal frequency in each population. The other compares the average frequencies of ancestral alleles. The first of these methods reflects history in a manner that depends on the mutation rate. When that rate is high, ancestral alleles at most loci reach their highest frequency in the ancestral population. When that rate is low, the reverse is true. The other method--comparing averages--is unresponsive. Average ancestral allele frequencies are affected neither by mutation rate nor by the history of population size and migration. In the absence of selection and ascertainment bias, they should be the same everywhere. This is true of one data set, but not of 2 others. This also suggests the action of some factor, such as selection or ascertainment bias, that varies among data sets.
CO2 breakthrough and leak-sealing - Experiments on shale and cement

a b s t r a c t The long-term storage of CO2 in deep geological formations would lose effectiveness if CO2 leaks through the cap rock, joints, and improperly grouted wells. Plug tests conducted on shale and cement specimens highlight the importance of hairline cracks in otherwise intact small-pore materials. Crack sealing is attempted under pressure by injecting suspensions of bentonite and kaolin; the sub-micron particles successfully fill cracks, and the CO2-breakthrough pressure increases significantly above initial values. The sealing strategy can be optimally engineered for field applications during or after CO2 injection in order to prevent CO2 leakage. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis: A re-examination

Summary Re-examination of flexible fiberoptic videotaped laryngeal images of 39 patients with unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (URLNP) by four observer-judges revealed consistent findings of a unilaterally appearing shorter vocal fold with asymmetry of the arytenoid complex on the involved side. No previous similar experience in otolaryngological training or practice has been encountered. Multiple discrepancies between and among observer-judges regarding vocal fold positions during phonation were encountered. Possible explanations are discussed. The need for further investigation to determine the mechanics causing these differences is stressed. It is suggested that for the present, such terms as median, paramedian, and intermediate be used in teaching and in practice as generalities only.
Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve root for the treatment of chronic facial pain

Between March 1990 and December 1992, 23 patients with chronic intractable facial pain due to various forms of injury to the trigeminal nerve or nerve root underwent implantation of an electrical stimulating system to treat their pain. All patients had failed previous extensive pain treatment efforts. A monopolar platinum-iridium electrode was implanted on the trigeminal nerve root via percutaneous puncture of the foramen ovale. All patients experienced at least 50% reduction in pain intensity during a period of trial stimulation and underwent internalization of the electrode and connection to a completely implanted pulse generator. Independent assessment of the effect of stimulation was obtained by a specially trained nurse practitioner. Over a mean follow-up period of 24 months, six patients reported nearly complete relief of pain and six others reported at least a 50% reduction in pain intensity using a visual analog scale. Thus, 12 (52%) of the 23 patients achieved 50% or greater reduction in pain intensity. Although changes in the patterns of analgesic medication usage were few, six patients (26%) now experience a normal life style. Only one complication was seen, namely a dislocated electrode, which was easily replaced. Chronic electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve root appears to be an easy and safe technique for providing relief of chronic facial pain related to injury to the trigeminal nerve in a significant number of patients.
Conceptual Boundaries and Distances: Students' and Experts' Concepts of the Scale of Scientific Phenomena

To reduce curricular fragmentation in science education, reform recommendations include using common, unifying themes such as scaling to enhance curricular coherence. This study involved 215 participants from five groups (grades 5, 7, 9, and 12, and doctoral students), who completed written assessments and card sort tasks related to their conceptions of size and scale, and then completed individual interviews. Results triangulated from the data sources revealed the boundaries between and characteristics of scale size ranges that are well distinguished from each other for each group. Results indicate that relative size information was more readily understood than exact size, and significant size landmarks were used to anchor this relational web of scales. The nature of past experiences situated along two dimensions—from visual to kinesthetic in one dimension, and wholistic to sequential in the other—were shown to be key to scale cognition development. Commonalities and differences between the groups are highlighted and discussed. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 282-319, 2006
Response behaviour of hot wires and films to flows of different gases

Measurements of the voltage output for hot-wire and film anemometers placed in flows of nine different gases have been made as a function of flow velocity. It has been possible to correlate the measurements quite accurately by treating the data in terms of suitably defined Reynolds and Nusselt numbers. In order to obtain these correlations it has been necessary to consider and correct for the effects of probe-end conduction losses, temperature dependencies of gas molecular properties, flow slip at the probe surfaces, and gas accommodation. With the exception of the results for helium (for which accommodation effects are strong), the most important correction is shown to be that for the different temperature dependencies of the gas molecular properties. This finding is contrasted with previous studies which have assumed that the largest effect among different gases was due to variations in the Prandtl number. The importance of the nature of the flow over the cylindrical devices to the heat transfer behaviour is described. A previously unreported hysteresis in the heat transfer behaviour for Re ≈ 44 has been characterized and attributed to the presence or absence of eddy shedding from the heated cylinder.
Bi-criteria analysis of ambulance diversion policies

Overcrowding episodes in the Emergency Departments (EDs) of the United States and their consequences have received considerable attention by the media and the medical community. One of these consequences is ambulance diversion (AD), which is adopted as a solution to relieve congestion. Current practices on AD decisions are largely dependent on human expertise, thus they tend to be subjective. This paper develops a simulation model for ED to study the impact of AD policies based on one of the following main ED state variables: the number of patients waiting, the number of patients boarding and the number of available beds in the inpatient unit. The objective is to analyze the impact of AD on the ED performance considering two criteria: patient average waiting time and percentage of time spent on diversion. Results show that there exist significant differences based on the variables chosen to design the policy and the criterion to reevaluate the AD status. This insight can be used to assist ED managers in making AD decisions to achieve better quality of healthcare service.
Checking Emptiness of Non-Deterministic Regular Types with Set Operators

An algorithm to decide the emptiness of a regular type expression with set operators given a set of parameterized type definitions is presented. The algorithm generalizes previous work in that tuple distributivity is not assumed and set operators are permitted in type expressions.
A comparison of the Glasgow Coma Scale score to simplified alternative scores for the prediction of traumatic brain injury outcomes.

Study objective The 15-point Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is extensively used in the initial evaluation of traumatic brain injury in emergency department (ED) settings. We hypothesized that the GCS might be unnecessarily complex and that a simpler scoring system might demonstrate similar accuracy in the prediction of traumatic brain injury outcomes. Methods We analyzed a prospectively maintained trauma registry of patients evaluated at our Level I trauma center from 1990 to 2002. We calculated the test performance of ED GCS scores relative to 4 clinically relevant traumatic brain injury outcomes (emergency intubation, neurosurgical intervention, brain injury, and mortality) using areas under their receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. We performed similar analyses for each of the 3 GCS components and for 2 simplified 3-point scores (simplified verbal score: oriented=2, confused conversation=1, inappropriate words or less=0; simplified motor score: obeys commands=2, localizes pain=1, withdrawal to pain or less=0). We then compared the test performance of each of these 5 to the total GCS score using a priori thresholds for clinically important differences. Results Each of the 3 GCS components alone and the 2 simplified 3-point scores demonstrated ROC areas within 9% of that of the GCS score for the 4 outcomes, with a median difference of 3.0% (interquartile range 1.6% to 4.5%). These differences were all below our a priori definitions of clinical importance. Conclusion The 3 individual GCS components alone and two 3-point simplified scores demonstrated test performance similar to the total GCS score for the prediction of 4 clinically relevant traumatic brain injury outcomes. Despite the widespread use of the GCS for the initial evaluation of traumatic brain injury, this score may be unnecessarily complex for this indication.
Evaluation of osteoarthritis progression using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent medical condition that presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to physicians today because of the inability to assess the integrity of the articular cartilage early in the disease. Polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is a high resolution, non-contact imaging modality that provides cross-sectional images with additional information regarding the integrity of the collagen matrix. Using PS-OCT to image provides information regarding thickness of the articular cartilage and gives an index of biochemical changes based on alterations in optical properties (i.e. birefringence) of the tissue. We demonstrate initial experiments performed on specimens collected following total knee replacement surgery. Articular cartilage was imaged using a 1310 nm PS-OCT system where both intensity and phase images were acquired. PS-OCT images were compared with histology, and the changes in tissue optical properties were characterized. Analysis of the intensity images demonstrates differences between healthy and diseased cartilage surface and thickness. Phase maps of the tissue demonstrated distinct differences between healthy and diseased tissue. PS-OCT was able to image a gradual loss of birefringence as the tissue became more diseased. In this way, determining the rate of change of the phase provides a quantitative measure of pathology. Thus, imaging and evaluation of osteoarthritis using PS-OCT can be a useful means of quantitative assessment of the disease.
Evaluating requirements for spatial resolution of fMRI for neurosurgical planning.

The unambiguous localization of eloquent functional areas is necessary to decrease the neuro- logical morbidity of neurosurgical procedures. We explored the minimum spatial resolution requirements for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquisition when brain mapping is used in neurosurgical planning and navigation. Using a 1.5 Tesla clinical MRI scanner, eight patients with brain tumors underwent fMRI scans using spatial resolution of approximately 4 4 4m m 3 to map the eloquent motor and language areas during the performance of cognitive/sensorimotor tasks. The fMRI results were then used intra-operatively in an open MRI system to delineate eloquent areas. Retrospec- tively, activation patterns were visually inspected by a neurosurgeon to determine qualitatively whether ambiguity with respect to the activation boundaries, due to low spatial resolution, could be of potential significance for surgical guidance. A significant degree of ambiguity in both the extent and shape of activation was judged to be present in data from six of the eight patients. Analysis of fMRI data at multiple resolutions from a normal volunteer showed that at 3 mm isotropic resolution, eloquent areas were better localized within the gray matter although there was still some potential for ambiguity caused by activations appearing to cross a sulcus. The data acquired with 2-mm isotropic voxels significantly enhanced the spatial localization of activation to within the gray matter. Thus, isotropic spatial resolution on the order of 2 2 2m m 3 , which is much higher than the resolutions used in typical fMRI examinations, may be needed for the unambiguous identification of cortical activation with respect to tumors and important anatomical landmarks. Hum. Brain Mapp. 21:34 - 43, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Novel biological functions of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

In addition to its role in reverse cholesterol transport, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has direct action on numerous cell types that influence cardiovascular and metabolic health. Cellular responses to HDL entail its capacity to invoke cholesterol efflux that causes signal initiation via scavenger receptor class B, type I, and plasma membrane receptor activation by HDL cargo molecules. In endothelial cells and their progenitors, HDL attenuates apoptosis and stimulates proliferation and migration. HDL also has diverse anti-inflammatory actions in both endothelial cells and leukocytes. In vascular smooth muscles, HDL tempers proinflammatory, promigratory, and degradative processes, and through actions on endothelium and platelets HDL is antithrombotic. There are additional actions of HDL of potential cardiovascular consequence that are indirect, including the capacities to promote pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion, to protect pancreatic β cells from apoptosis, and to enhance glucose uptake by skeletal muscle myocytes. Furthermore, HDL decreases white adipose tissue mass, increases energy expenditure, and promotes the production of adipose-derived cytokine adiponectin that has its own vascular-protective properties. Many of these numerous actions of HDL have been observed not only in cell culture and animal models but also in human studies, and assessments of these functions are now being applied to patient populations to better-elucidate which actions of HDL may contribute to its cardioprotective potential and how they can be quantified and targeted. Further work on the many mechanisms of HDL action promises to reveal new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to optimize both cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Canine Model and Genomic Structural Organization of Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSD Ia)

A canine model of glycogen storage disease Ia (GSD Ia), similar clinically, biochemically, and pathologically to the human disease, was established by crossbreeding Maltese and Beagle dogs carrying a mutated, defective glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) gene. Ten puppies were born in three litters from these crossbreedings. Six were homozygous for the previously described M121I GSD Ia mutation. Of these six affecteds, two were stillborn, and one died at 2, 32, and 60 days of life, respectively (puppies A, B, C, D, E), while one is alive at age 15 months (puppy F). Affected puppies exhibited tremors, weakness, and neurologic signs when hypoglycemic. They had postnatal growth retardation and progressive hepatomegaly. Biochemical abnormalities included fasting hypoglycemia, hyperlactacidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia. Microscopic examination of tissues from affected puppies showed diffuse, marked hepatocellular vacuolation, with distended clear hepatocytes and central to marginally located rounded nuclei. In the kidneys of puppies D and E, there was segmental glomerular sclerosis and vacuolation of proximal convoluted tubular epithelium. Biochemical analysis revealed increased liver glycogen content and isolated markedly reduced G-6-Pase enzyme activity in liver and kidney. The canine G-6-Pase gene was characterized by screening a canine genomic library. It spans approximately 11.8 kb and consists of five exons with >90% amino acid sequence homology to the derived human sequence. The first 1.5 kb of the 5' region was sequenced and contains several putative response element motifs homologous to the human 5' region. Establishment of this canine colony of GSD Ia that closely resembles human disease and isolation of the canine genomic gene provides an excellent model for studying pathophysiology and long-term complications and an opportunity to develop novel therapeutic approaches such as drug and gene therapy.
The Imposition and Effects of Restitution in Four Pennsylvania Counties: Effects of Size of County and Specialized Collection Units:

This study examined court records, probation records, and collection office records in four counties in Pennsylvania, which were chosen because they varied along two dimensions: (a) population size and (b) the use of specialized units for the collection of monetary sanctions. From each county, restitution-eligible cases were sampled from both 1994 and 1996 to test the effect of a 1995 statutory change mandating restitution. Multivariate models indicated that restitution was significantly more likely to be ordered for property crimes, for offenses that were more easily quantified, for offenses against businesses, and for offenses after the statutory change. Moreover, restitution was more likely to be imposed and a higher percentage was likely to be paid in counties with smaller populations and in counties in which probation officers handled the collection of economic sanctions than in counties in which they were handled by specialized collection units.
Man, Morals and the State

Men live in states. This quite obvious, trite, and seemingly trivial remark has weighty implications for our discussion. Men make their moral decisions within the confines of state organizations. The state, in other words, is one locus of such decisions. Living in a state in which one tries to make moral decisions, a person finds himself confronted with conditions, demands, and situations which have direct bearing on his decisions yet are of a different kind from the circumstances we have so far been compelled to take into account.
ANALYSIS OF REDUCTION EFFICIENCY IN SOFT REDUCTION FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING SLAB

Based on the analysis of continuous casting slab soft reduction process,an expression to calculate soft reduction efficiency was deduced,and the effects of soft reduction amount and liquid core thickness on reduction efficiency were investigated.The results show that the reduction efficiency increases linearly with the increase of liquid core thickness as reduction amout is the same,and as the reduction amount is bigger than 2.3 mm,the relationship of reduction efficiencyηand thickness of liquid core h can be expressed byη=0.00902+0.01155h.For the same thickness of liquid core,the increase of reduction amount will induce the increase of reduction efficiency as reduction amount is less than 2.3 mm,while the reduction amount has little effect on reduction efficiency as reduction amount is bigger than 2.3mm.
La expropiación de YPF a Repsol en la prensa argentina: análisis del framing en las piezas de opinión mediante la crítica retórica

This article examines how opinion articles in the Argentine press framed the government’s expropriation of Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales (YPF) from Repsol in 2012. By understanding frames as narratives composed by the interrelation of the functions of frame, and adopting Kuyper’s proposal to analyze framing from the perspective of rhetorical criticism, this study focuses on two newspapers with opposing editorial lines (La Nacion and Pagina 12) and identifies two different narratives shaping the reporting of this story. The results also reveal two different views of the role of the market and the state in the economy and in the management of energy resources.
How Does FDI Affect Economic Growth in China

How does inward foreign direct investment (FDI) affect a transitional economy? This study attempts to analyze the role of FDI in China's income growth and market-oriented transition. We first identify possible channels through which FDI may have positive or negative effects on the Chinese economy. Using a reasonable growth model and cross-section and panel data in the period of 1984-98, we provide an empirical assessment, which suggests that FDI seems to help China's transition and promote income growth, and that this positive growth-effect seems to rise over time and to be stronger in the coastal than the inland regions.