cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limbic system seizures in the kitten.

Abstract Limbic after-discharges and behavioral concomitants were elicited in kittens, 1 week to 6 months of age. The characteristics of the electrical activity and behavior changes during the developmental period were studied. They appeared to undergo a major transition between 1 and 2 months of age.
Three-dimensional echocardiographic reconstruction: how does it stack up?☆

In conclusion, the data shows that in excellent quality studies such as those obtained in vitro, 3D echocardiography is as accurate in describing the volume of the left ventricle as is angiography. When excellent quality images are obtained, the endocardial wall motion, wall thickening and thinning are better described. This, in addition to echocardiography's promise of visualizing coronary perfusion regions using contrast agents and of detecting ultrasound tissue signatures of diseased myocardium give 3D echocardiography a very bright potential in research. Since ACCURACY is of utmost importance in defining the extent of wall motion defects for evaluation of therapeutic interventions, 3D reconstruction in the short term can only be beneficial in those patients who have excellent quality studies. In the evaluation of patients with valvular disease where changes in absolute volume may herald deterioration before change in ejection fraction, 3D echocardiography may find a more immediate role. In this situation, although there is still a degree of variability, predicted volumes are as good as those predicted from any other technique.
Information and Complementarity in a Proposed Which-path Experiment Using Photons

We propose a scheme to realize the famous two-slit gedanken experiment using photons. Measurements using optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) are proposed to infer the probabilities that the input photon has taken a particular path in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, without destroying the photon. Using information theory and Bayes' theorem, we find that the visibility of ensemble averaged interference fringes is inversely related to the which-path information that is made available by the OPAs. This is in agreement with the complementarity principle. A method is found to erase partially the which-path information before it is recorded; then by making conditional measurements the fringe visibility can be partially restored.
The Effects of Political Institutions on Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of 168 Countries from 1992 to 2010

Women’s political representation exhibits substantial cross-national variation. While mechanisms shaping these variations are well understood for Western democracies, there is little consensus on h...
An Architecture for Dynamic Reconfiguration in a Distributed Object-Based Programming Language

A distributed application ideally allows reconfiguration while the application is running, but changes are usually limited to adding new client and server processes and changing the bindings among processes. In application domains involving rapidly changing data, it is often necessary to support finer grained reconfiguration at the level of entities smaller than processes, even without operating system support for dynamic linking. We present a scheme for special cases of fine-grained dynamic reconfiguration sufficient for a range of application domains and show how it can be used for practical changes. We introduce new language concepts to apply this scheme in the context of an object-based programming language that supports shared data in a distributed environment.
H2 Guaranteed Cost Control Design and Implementation for Dual-Stage Hard Disk Drive Track-Following Servos

This paper discusses the design and implementation of H2 guaranteed cost control for dual-stage hard disk drive trackfollowing servo systems. The proposed approach is based on H2 guaranteed cost analysis, in which an upper bound on the worst-case H2 performance of a discrete-time system with gainbounded unstructured uncertainty is determined via several Riccati equations. Subsequently, the output feedback H2 guaranteed cost control synthesis algorithm is presented by exploiting Riccati equation structure to reduce the number and complexity of the semi-definite programs (SDPs) that need to be solved. The presented control synthesis methodology is then applied to a hard disk drive with a PZT-actuated suspension. Experimental results on the actual disk drive validate our control design.
TARGET: a new method for predicting protein subcellular localization in eukaryotes

Motivation: There is a scarcity of efficient computational methods for predicting protein subcellular localization in eukaryotes. Currently available methods are inadequate for genome-scale predictions with several limitations. Here, we present a new prediction method, pTARGET that can predict proteins targeted to nine different subcellular locations in the eukaryotic animal species. Results: The nine subcellular locations predicted by pTARGET include cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, extracellular/secretory, golgi, lysosomes, mitochondria, nucleus, plasma membrane and peroxisomes. Predictions are based on the location-specific protein functional domains and the amino acid compositional differences across different subcellular locations. Overall, this method can predict 68--87% of the true positives at accuracy rates of 96--99%. Comparison of the prediction performance against PSORT showed that pTARGET prediction rates are higher by 11--60% in 6 of the 8 locations tested. Besides, the pTARGET method is robust enough for genome-scale prediction of protein subcellular localizations since, it does not rely on the presence of signal or target peptides. Availability: A public web server based on the pTARGET method is accessible at the URL http://bioinformatics.albany.edu/~ptarget. Datasets used for developing pTARGET can be downloaded from this web server. Source code will be available on request from the corresponding author. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary data: Accessible as online-only from the publisher.
Haptic Interaction With Constrained Dynamic Systems

In this paper we are concerned with allowing the operator of a haptic display to interact with virtual systems having significant inertial dynamics and realistic constraints. We review the mathematical structure arising from the kinetic energy metric, required to create a virtual dynamics simulation consisting of rigid-body dynamics along with holonomic and/or nonholonomic motion constraints. We develop an admittance controller composed of feedforward and feedback terms, while preserving the integrity of the intended virtual dynamics simulation. This controller is implemented on the Cobotic Hand Controller, an admittance-type haptic display, and two examples are discussed.
The Colossal P. T. Barnum Reader: Nothing Else Like It in the Universe – Edited by James W. Cook

The title of this marvelous record of the career of the nineteenth century's most famous human is pure humbug. Judiciously edited and consistently compelling, it is nothing like the “heterogeneous ...
Sorptive polymeric materials and photopatterned films for gas phase chemical microsensors

The selective layer on a gas phase chemical microsensor plays a critical role in the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor's response. Polymers can rapidly and reversibly absorb vapor molecules. As sorptive layers on chemical sensors, polymers are useful for a variety of chemical microsensor types and transduction mechanisms, either as is or as composites with conductive particles or dyes. The performance requirements for polymers are described in terms of their chemical and physical properties. A versatile synthetic approach for preparing sensing polymers has been developed using hydrosilylation chemistry to prepare carbosiloxane polymers. Polymers with diverse chemical selectivities have been prepared by this method. Furthermore, sorptive polymer materials can be photopatterned into defined areas on surfaces using a photoactivated catalyst and hydrosilylation chemistry. Polymer films with diverse chemical selectivities have been patterned with this new method.
Immune Regulation of Cancer

Innate and adaptive immune system cells play a major role in regulating the growth of cancer. Although it is commonly thought that an immune response localized to the tumor will inhibit cancer growth, it is clear that some types of inflammation induced in a tumor may also lead to cancer proliferation, invasion, and dissemination. Recent evidence suggests, however, that some patients with cancer can mount an antitumor immune response that has the potential to control or eliminate cancer. Indeed, a so-called “immune response” signature has been described in malignancy that is associated with improved outcomes in several tumor types. Moreover, the presence of specific subsets of T cells, which have the capability to penetrate tumor stroma and infiltrate deep into the parenchyma, identifies patients with an improved prognosis. Immune-based therapies have the potential to modulate the tumor microenvironment by eliciting immune system cells that will initiate acute inflammation that leads to tissue destruction.
1,1,1,3,3,3‐Hexafluoro‐2‐propanol

[920-66-1] C3H2F6O (MW 168.04) InChI = 1S/C3H2F6O/c4-2(5,6)1(10)3(7,8)9/h1,10H InChIKey = BYEAHWXPCBROCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N (highly polar, thermally stable, UV transparent solvent that is miscible with water and many polar organic solvents; additive for catalysis applications)1 Alternative Names: 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-hydroxypropane; 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol; 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol; 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol; 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethanol; bis(trifluoromethyl)methanol; hexafluoroisopropanol; hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol; HFIP, HFIPA, HFP. Physical Data: bp 58.2 °C/760 mmHg; mp −3.3 °C; d 1.6047 g cm−3; pKa = 9.3.2 Analysis of Reagent Purity: generally used as supplied (>99% technical or >99.97 specialty grade). Form Supplied in: water-white liquid; commercially available. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: corrosive to eyes on contact and a strong skin and respiratory irritant. May contain traces of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroacetone, a potential reproductive hazard. Appropriate precautions should be taken to minimize exposure. Solubility: miscible with water and most organic solvents, with the exception of long-chain hydrocarbon solvents.
"Cooks are like gods": Hierarchies in methamphetamine-producing groups.

This article uses findings from a qualitative study of female methamphetamine users, dealers, and producers in Missouri and Arkansas. Using in-depth interviews with 31 incarcerated women, the study explores their experiences with methamphetamine, focusing on the experiences of 18 methamphetamine producers, or “cooks.” Through their experiences, this study provides an insight into the hierarchies that exist within methamphetamine-producing groups. The hierarchy moves from “simple users” at the bottom, to “dope ho's,” “shoppers,” “gas men/juicers,” and “cooks” at the top of the methamphetamine hierarchy. Understanding the hierarchy within methamphetamine-producing groups can aid us in understanding how new members are added to the group, existing members leave, and new groups form from the existing group. In-group mobility is also examined with regard to group solidarity and reintegration post confinement. Because all of the participants in this study were women the interaction between status and gender wit...
Methods for Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism

Evidence has suggested that some forms of plagiarism might result from students' inadequate knowledge of proper citation techniques (Roig, 1997). We taught students about plagiarism identification and proper paraphrasing skills. Undergraduates who received no treatment, feedback, plagiarism examples, or a combination of feedback and examples completed 2 versions of a plagiarism knowledge survey, paraphrased a literary passage, and rated their knowledge of plagiarism. Participants in all conditions except the control condition were better able to identify plagiarism. In the paraphrasing exercise, the example conditions showed a reduction in plagiarism. Thus, we identify an exercise that can help students identify and avoid plagiarism.
The dualistic role of vitamin D in vascular calcifications

Vitamin D is a multifunctional hormone that can affect many essential biological functions, ranging from the immune regulation to mineral ion metabolism. A close association between altered activity of vitamin D and vascular calcification has been reported in various human diseases, including in patients with atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Vascular calcification is a progressive disorder and is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality of the affected patients. Experimental studies have shown that excessive vitamin D activities can induce vascular calcification, and such vascular pathology can be reversed by reducing vitamin D activities. The human relevance of these experimental studies is not clear, as vitamin D toxicity is relatively rare in the general population. Contrary to the relationship between vitamin D and vascular calcification, in experimental uremic models, low levels of vitamin D were shown to be associated with extensive vascular calcification, a phenomenon that is very similar to the vascular pathology seen in patients with CKD. The current treatment approach of providing vitamin D analogs to patients with CKD often poses a dilemma, as studies linked vitamin D treatment to subsequent vascular calcification. Recent genetic studies, however, have shown that vascular calcification can be prevented by reducing serum phosphate levels, even in the presence of extremely high serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and calcium levels. This article will briefly summarize the dual effects of vitamin D in vascular calcification and will provide evidence of vitamin D-dependent and -independent vascular calcification.
Design Considerations of a Power Supply System for Fast Cycling Superconducting Accelerator Magnets of 2 Tesla B-Field Generated by a Conductor of 100 kA Current

Recently proposed fast cycling accelerators for proton drivers (SF-SPS, CERN and SF-MR, SF-BOOSTER, FNAL) neutrino sources require development of new magnet technology. In support of this magnet development a power supply system will need to be developed that can support the high current and high rate of power swing required by the new accelerators. This paper will outline a design concept for a 2 kV/100 kA power supply system to drive the Super Ferric Main Ring (SF-MR), which is a 6.44 km ring with an inductance of 20 mH, and which has rise and fall times of one second. The design description will include the layout and plan for extending the present FNAL Main Injector (MI) style ramping power supply to the higher currents needed for this operation. This will also include the design for a harmonic filter and power factor corrector that will be needed to control the large power swings caused by the fast cycle time. A conceptual design for the current regulation system and control will also be outlined. The power circuit design will include the bridge, filter and transformer plan based on existing designs.
Opposite effects of learning cause asymmetric mate preferences in hybridizing species

How do females decide which males to accept or reject as potential mates when the individuals encountered are unfamiliar and may be either heterospecifics or conspecifics? Learning often influences the development of mate preferences. Experience with particular phenotypes often positively biases preference for that phenotype. However, experience can also induce aversion. We studied the effect of short-term experience with unfamiliar conspecific, heterospecific, or hybrid males on mate preferences of females of 2 swordtail fish species with native habitats,which differ in both ecology and effective population size. After exposure to males for a week, we tested the females’ preferences for male olfactory cues. Both species shifted their mate preferences, but in opposite directions. Female Xiphophorus.birchmanni, living in larger populations, increased their preference for familiar phenotypes, whereas female X. malinche, from smaller, island-like populations, showed an inverse effect of familiarity, namely a decreased preference for newly familiarized males. The pattern of opposite effects of learning on mate choice mirrors with that seen in the evolution of reinforcement of genetic preferences in continental and island populations. Diametrically opposed shifts in preference can thus arise from the same social experience, causing asymmetry in the species’ conspecific mate prefer ences. Keywor ds: hybrid zone, mate choice, olfactory communication, reproductive isolation, Xiphophorus. [Behav Ecol]
Philip Corboy and the Construction of the Plaintiffs' Personal Injury Bar

Drawing on the career of Philip Corboy, this article examines the construction of the plaintiffs' personal injury bar in the second half of the 20th century. Through a relational biography based on Mr. Corboy's career, we look at the development of this subprofession in the context of the sociopolitical environment within which Mr. Corboy and his peers operated, the social capital they possessed, and the particular strategies they used as they worked to establish both a professional and market niche. This analysis shows how and why Mr. Corboy and his peers constructed a thriving subprofession that is characterized by a unique blend of working-class ideology, trial craft, professional bar leadership, Democratic politics, local philanthropy, and a market referral system—all of which reinforce the dominance and prestige of its own elite.
Importance of Ventricular Tachycardia Induction and Mapping for Patients Referred for Epicardial Ablation.

Background Many nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICMP) patients referred for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) undergo an initial epicardial approach under general anesthesia (GA). However, GA may suppress inducibility and decrease tolerance of induced VT, leaving substrate modification as the sole ablation method. Objectives Determine the utility of a strategy of initial programmed electrical stimulation (PES) under light sedation in patients referred for epicardial ablation of VT. Methods Of 68 NICMP patients referred for VT ablation, 25 were referred specifically for epicardial ablation. All patients underwent PES under conscious sedation, with conversion to GA and epicardial access only if VT morphology and/or endocardial mapping suggested an epicardial substrate. Results VT was induced with PES in 24 of 25 patients (mean age 52 years; 76% male; ejection fraction 38 ± 18%). VT was hemodynamically tolerated in 63% and unstable in 38% of patients. The noninducible/unstable VT patients underwent substrate modification based on voltage and pace mapping. Of the patients with stable VT, 73% were mapped and ablated endocardially (six right ventricle, three left ventricle, one left coronary cusp, one middle cardiac vein), and 33% were successfully ablated in areas of normal endocardial voltage. After ablation, the clinical VT was noninducible in all patients. After mean follow-up of 10 months, 80% were free of implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks or sustained VT. Conclusions An initial approach of PES and entrainment mapping under conscious sedation is critically important for patients with NICMP referred for epicardial ablation. Empiric ablation of endocardial/epicardial scar would have missed the clinical VT in 20% of patients.
Research Related to the Schoolwide Enrichment Triad Model

This article summarizes research on various aspects of the Schoolwide Enrichment Triad Model and research on eight categorical components of the model carried out over the past 20 years will be pre...
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Spot Assay Analysis of Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Reactivity to Donor HLA-DR Peptides: Potential Novel Assay for Prediction of Outcomes for Renal Transplant Recipients

ABSTRACT. Chronic allograft dysfunction, which is the most common cause of late allograft failure, is in part caused by an ongoing immune response orchestrated by T lymphocytes primed by the indirect pathway of allorecognition. The low frequencies of such T cells have made it difficult to study indirect alloreactivity by using currently available assays. The development of a sensitive, clinically useful method of measuring indirect alloreactivity among human renal transplant recipients was thus attempted. Furthermore, in a pilot immunologic study, the contribution of the indirect pathway was studied in two groups of renal transplant recipients, i.e. , patients with no prior acute rejection episodes and stable renal function (“stable” patients) and patients with at least one previous episode of biopsy-proven acute rejection, who were thus at risk for the development of chronic rejection (“high-risk” patients). The frequencies of type 1 T helper (interferon-γ-producing) and type 2 T helper (interleukin-5- and -10-producing) peripheral blood lymphocytes reactive with a panel of synthetic peptides (corresponding to sequences from donor HLA-DR molecules) were determined for renal transplant recipients and normal control subjects by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay (ELISPOT). Among recipients of DR-mismatched allografts, a cut-off value of 60 interferon-γ spots/10 6 cells significantly ( P = 0.02) separated stable patients (creatinine concentration, 1.1 ± 0.3 mg/dl) from high-risk patients (creatinine concentration, 2.3 ± 1.7 mg/dl). This is the first demonstration that the enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay can be used to monitor indirect alloreactivity to donor HLA-DR peptides among renal transplant recipients. These data provide the rationale for the prospective study of indirect alloreactivity among transplant recipients, to allow predictions of which patients would be at risk for the development of chronic rejection and thus allow appropriate planning of future interventions.
Predicting nursery growth and transplanting shock in rice

Seedling growth in the nursery and the magnitude of shock experienced by the seedlings after transplanting can affect subsequent growth and development of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa). These two processes have not been adequately represented by rice growth simulation models. In this study, seedling growth in the nursery was described with respect to endosperm mobilization, dry matter (DM) distribution and seed size. In addition, the transplanting shock process was represented describing the crop development and growth in relation to seedling age at transplanting. These relationships, as two sub-models, were incorporated into CERES-Rice, a rice growth model, and their performances compared with independent field data. The nursery growth sub-model was also evaluated with another model, RIBHAB. Results of the comparison showed that the nursery growth sub-model, either with CERES-Rice or RIBHAB, closely predicted observed seedling growth. On the other hand, CERES-Rice overestimated root and leaf DM and underestimated culm DM, while RIBHAB underestimated all the growth traits considered in the evaluation. Transplanting shock period predicted by the sub-model closely mimicked observation, whereas CERES-Rice highly overestimated it. It is concluded that the developed nursery growth and transplanting shock sub-models can be incorporated into CERES-Rice and other rice growth models for better simulation of those growth processes.
Transgenic elite Indica rice varieties, resistant to Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae

The agronomically important Indica (group 1) rice varieties IR64, IR72, hybrid restorer line Minghui 63, and BG90-2 were co-transformed by microbombardment of embryogenic suspensions with plasmids that contain the Xa21 gene which confers resistance to Xanthomonas oryzaepv. oryzae and the hph gene for resistance to hygromycin B. Six of the 55 transgenic R0 plant lines containing the Xa21 gene displayed high levels of resistance to the pathogen, and no partial resistance was observed. The trait was stably inherited in subsequent generations, and transgenic plants are currently in field tests. The ability to transfer agronomically important genes into elite Indica rice varieties demonstrates the applicability of genetic engineering for the agronomic improvement of rice.
Integrated IVUS-OCT Imaging for Atherosclerotic Plaque Characterization

For the diagnosis of atherosclerosis, biomedical imaging techniques such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been developed. The combined use of IVUS and OCT is hypothesized to remarkably increase diagnostic accuracy of vulnerable plaques. We have developed an integrated IVUS-OCT imaging apparatus, which includes the integrated catheter, motor drive unit, and imaging system. The dual-function imaging catheter has the same diameter of current clinical standard. The imaging system is capable for simultaneous IVUS and OCT imaging in real time. Ex vivo and in vivo experiments on rabbits with atherosclerosis were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of the integrated intravascular imaging modality.
Cancer Predisposition Syndromes of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Cancer predisposition syndromes affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract represent a small proportion of GI cancers and may arise in the background of a polyposis syndrome. The molecular mechanisms underlying these syndromes have been instrumental in our understanding of the molecular basis of development and progression of the more frequent counterpart sporadic neoplasms, sharing many common molecular features. Syndromic hereditary cancers can involve any segment of the GI tract but predominantly involve the colon, and the most common cancers are colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC). The most frequent inheritable GI cancer syndromes are those associated with germline mutations in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes, in which case cancers do not arise in a polyposis background, and those attributed to underlying germline mutations in the APC or MYH genes in patients who manifest an adenomatous polyposis phenotype in the intestine. In addition to the well-characterized cancer syndromes, there are families with clustering of colon cancer, including patients with colon cancers before age 50, for whom the susceptibility gene loci have not been identified.
Conodont biostratigraphy of the Little Cedar and Lower Coralville Formations of the Cedar Valley Group (Middle Devonian) of Iowa and significance of a new species of Polygnathus

The Little Cedar and lower Coralville formations of the Cedar Valley Group (Middle Devonian) of Iowa were deposited on a cratonic, shallow-water, carbonate and evaporite shelf during the Taghanic onlap. Four conodont subzones, zones, or cratonic biofacies faunas can be recognized in this sequence of strata. They are, in ascending order, the Middle varcus Subzone (recognized in the lower Little Cedar Formation), the hermanni zone (recognized in the middle Little Cedar Formation), the Lower subterminus Fauna (recognized in the upper Little Cedar Formation), and the Upper subterminus Fauna (recognized in the lower Coralville Formation). The Lower subterminus Fauna and the Upper subterminus Fauna represent a possible zonal span from the Lower hermanni Zone to the Upper disparilis Zone of the standard conodont zonation. In the Polygnathus - and Icriodus -dominated conodont faunas studied is a biostratigraphically useful new species. Polygnathus klugi new species is a Polygnathus dubius -like form that occurs sporadically and in small numbers in the Middle varcus Subzone, the hermanni Zone, and the Upper subterminus Fauna. However, it occurs consistently and in large numbers in the Lower subterminus Fauna, where it is the characterizing species. It has also been recovered from core samples both in central Alberta, Canada, and the Russian Platform. In both areas, it is associated with conodonts of the subterminus faunal interval.
Congruence modular varieties: commutator theory and its uses

We present the basic theory of commutators of congruences in congruence modular varieties (or equationally defined classes) of algebras. The theory we present was first introduced to the mathematical world in a 1976 monograph of J. D. H. Smith, devoted to varieties with permuting congruences. It was extended to congruence modular varieties in a 1979 paper by J. Hagemann and C. Herrmann, and has since been elaborated into an impressive machinery for attacking diverse problems in the domain of congruence modular varieties. Three notable applications of this commutator theory are presented in detail, and others are described.
What If You Build It and No One Comes? The Introduction of Mediation to Russia

Russia joined the community of countries where disputes can legally be diverted to mediation in early 2011. Russian court officials and judges were optimistic that mediation would alleviate the nagging problem of overloaded dockets. Initial experience has shown that Russian litigants are skeptical of mediation. The reasons are a complex mix of institutional disincentives and a lack of familiarity with alternative dispute resolution. The relatively low costs associated with going to court in Russia, measured in terms of money, time, and relational damage, have done little to encourage litigants to opt for mediation. The absence of a culture of negotiating and settling in advance of court judgments also contributes to the antipathy regarding mediation. Various proposals have been put forward in an effort to spur greater use of mediation.
On forced vibration of anisotropic cylinders

The dynamic response of a circular cylinder with thick walls of transverse curvilinear isotropy subjected to a uniformly distributed pressure varying periodically with time is analyzed by means of the Laplace transformation, and the exact solution is obtained in closed form. The previously obtained solutions for forced vibrations with isotropy, and free vibrations with transverse curvilinear isotropy are included as special cases of the general results reported here.
A Note on Good Practice of Objective Propensity Score Design for Premarket Nonrandomized Medical Device Studies with an Example

ABSTRACTIn this short note, we highlight some key elements of the process of submitting an investigational device exemption of a nonrandomized clinical study that involves the use of propensity score methodology. Focus is given to the assessment of balance for propensity score stratification.
The Biosynthesis of Thiamine

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biosynthesis of thiamine. Thiamine, also known as vitamin B 1 and aneurin, contains pyrimidine and thiazole moieties joined together by a methylene group. The pyrimidine and thiazole portions of thiamine are formed by independent biosynthetic pathways and then used for the biosynthesis of the vitamin. The chapter discusses the enzymatic synthesis of thiamine from its pyrimidine and thiazole moieties, the conversion of thiamine to thiamine pyrophosphate, the biogenesis of the pyrimidine portion of thiamine, and the biogenesis of the thiazole moiety. The possibility that pyrimidine-P might be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine-PP was suggested by the observations that extracts of yeast can catalyze the synthesis of pyrimidine-P from pyrimidine and ATP and the rate of thiamine-P synthesis is greater from pyrimidine-P than from pyrimidine. The dephosphorylation of thiamine-P to thiamine presumably is catalyzed by intracellular phosphatases. This reaction is a necessary step in the de novo biosynthesis of thiamine-PP. The chapter suggests that thiamine-P cannot be used directly for the formation of thiamine-PP.
Disclosure Management in the Nonprofit Sector: A Framework for Past and Future Research

This paper provides a review and synthesis of past research regarding financial disclosure management by nonprofit organizations, and suggests directions for future study. We begin by defining disclosure management in nonprofit organizations and exploring the motivations for why it might occur. We also review nonprofit financial reporting objectives, practices and the informational needs of the users of nonprofit financial reports. Research into the motives, methods, and consequences of disclosure management is summarized. The evidence suggests that nonprofit managers have a variety of incentives to manage reported numbers, and that they do in fact alter spending decisions, choose accounting methods, and design cost allocations to achieve certain performance benchmarks. However, many questions remain unanswered: just how serious is this problem and what can or should be done about it?
Creating Black Democrats: Mobilization as an Explanation for Shifting Black Partisanship in the 20th Century.

Much of the literature about electoral change in American politics describes Black voters’ transition into the Democratic Party as conversion. On these accounts, Black voters started leaving the Republican Party to become Democrats in response to the New Deal. Few works focus on migration as a critical source of party change in the Black electorate. However, from 1915-1970, the Great Migration occurred and 6.5 million Black Americans moved North from the South. Most of the migrants had never participated in politics, and would declare party affiliations for the first time when they arrived in the North. Because migrants were new to the political system, classifying Black voters’ change in party identification as mostly conversion is problematic. By examining census and voter registration data about the Black electorate in five states, this paper will show that expansion of the Black electorate contributed as much to the increase in the number of Black Democrats as conversion.
mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes and apoptosis genes in L02 cells treated with trichloroethylene

OBJECTIVE:To study mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes and apoptosis genes in L02 cells after treatment with trichloroethylene(TCE).METHODS:Liver cells(L02 cells) were cultured with various doses of TCE(0.25,0.5,1.0 and 2.0 mmol/L) for 24 h,or with a single dose of TCE(1.0 mmol/L) for different periods of time(3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h),the control was treated with DMSO.Real-time fluorescent PCR assay was applied for detection of mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes(CYP1A2,CYP3A4,CYP2E1) and apoptosis genes (BAX,BAD,Bcl-2).RESULTS:The relative levels of mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes and apoptosis genes markedly increased after TCE treatment at various doses for 24 h.The elevation of mRNA expression in TCE treatment groups was significant in comparison with control(P0.05,or P0.01).Additionally,when the cells were treated with a single dose of TCE(1.0 mmol/L) for different periods of time,the mRNA expression also increased significantly compared with control(P0.05,or P0.01).CONCLUSION:Trichloroethylene could induce changes in mRNA expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme genes and apoptosis genes.These genes might play important roles in cytotoxicity of trichloroethylene.
Clinical features and treatment of neonatal withdrawal syndrome

Objective:To explore the clinical features and treatment of neonatal withdrawal syndrome.Methods:7 cases of neonatal withdrawal syndrome in department of Pediatrics of Lianyungang Women and children's hospital were analysed.Results:In 7 cases of neonatal withdrawal syndrome, premature was found in 3 cases, full term in 4 cases,neonatal asphyxia 2 cases, uterine-incision delivery due to intrauterine distress 2 cases, congenital syphilis 1 case. Conclusion:Maternal drug abusing can do great harm to newborn. Whole society should pay close attention to the harm of drug abusing,and ensure women and children's health.
Theoretical analysis of intercellular communication between the vestibular type I hair cell and its calyx ending

1. The vestibular type I hair cell and its calyx ending can communicate in three ways. 1) In conventional synaptic transmission an excitatory neurotransmitter is released in multimolecular packets ...
The Dark Age

No contemporary Byzantine historian recorded the empire’s seventh-century crisis. The reason was not simply that Byzantine readers were few, because Byzantines wrote a number of sermons, saints’ lives, and theological works during this time.1 The reason was not even that a history of these years would have been unpleasant to read, because the empire’s surviving so many calamities was actually a remarkable achievement. Unresolved crises, however, have always caused problems for contemporary historians. As long as the Byzantines were unsure whether their empire would prosper or founder, they were unable to decide whether to celebrate its merits or to decry the sins for which God had punished it. As long as they harbored similar doubts about their current emperor’s ultimate success, they were unsure whether to praise or condemn him. If they wrote about the contemporary Church without knowing which of two rival doctrines would prevail, they feared that they might be unintentionally endorsing a heresy or denouncing saints. Most actual or potential historians therefore preferred to postpone writing about a war until it was over, about an emperor until he died, or about a disputed doctrine until an ecumenical council had taken a clear position on it.
Solo works of mixed music with live electronics: A qualitative enquiry in timbre and gesture from the performer’s perspective

The performance of mixed music with live electronics is challenging for performers. In this context, idiosyncratic sound processing and synthesis tools are developed specifically for each work, inc...
Assessment of endotracheal tube intubation. Review of existing scales

Due to the complications associated with endotracheal intubation, contraindications should be assessed prior to initiating the procedure when possible. Several scales have been created to assess the ease of intubation. These intubation scales use numerous scoring systems combined with subjective assessments to provide a quantifiable suggestion for the patients difficulty of tracheal intubation. While there is no formal definition of what comprises a difficult intubation, some parameters include effort, number of attempts and complications. Some of the most common scales to assess this difficulty include the Mallampati score, the Cormack Lehane scale, the intubation difficulty scale, the level of difficulty of intubation, as well as the simplified airway risk index. There have been several other proposed methods as well that are less frequently used contributing to even less cohesion in the evaluation of airways.
Synergetic role of integrating the departments of cancer registry and clinical research at an academic comprehensive cancer center.

Synergetic role of integrating the departments of cancer registry and clinical research at an academic comprehensive cancer center
How the dispersant Corexit impacts the formation of sinking marine oil snow

The vertical transport of sinking marine oil snow (MOS) and oil-sediment aggregations (OSA) during the Deepwater Horizon (DwH) spill contributed appreciably to the unexpected, and exceptional accumulation of oil on the seafloor. However, the role of the dispersant Corexit in mediating oil-sedimentation is still controversial. Here we demonstrate that the formation of diatom MOS is enhanced by chemically undispersed oil, but inhibited by Corexit-dispersed oil. Nevertheless, the sedimentation rate of oil may at times be enhanced by Corexit application, because of an elevated oil content per aggregate when Corexit is used. A conceptual framework explains the seemingly contradictory effects of Corexit application on the sedimentation of oil and marine particles. The redistribution of oil has central ecological implications, and future decisions on mediating measures or damage assessment will have to take the formation of sinking, oil-laden, marine snow into account.
Preablation assessment for the left atrium: comparison of ECG-gated cardiac CT with echocardiography.

Rationale and Objectives Evaluate the role of two-dimensional echocardiography and electrocardiographically (ECG)-gated contrast-enhanced multislice computed tomographic (MSCT) cardiac imaging to assess cardiac anatomy, specifically pulmonary venous anatomy and left atrial thrombus, in a selected group of patients before catheter-based atrial fibrillation ablation. Materials and Methods Left atrial anatomy and associated findings in 34 consecutive patients scheduled for electrophysiologic testing who underwent both echocardiography and ECG-gated 16-slice MSCT cardiac imaging were retrospectively compared. Results from two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), cardiac MSCT, electrophysiologic study (EPS), and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (when performed) were taken from the official medical record without prior knowledge of this study when interpretation was rendered for clinical use. Electronic record review included: presence of left atrial thrombus (defined as constant filling defect on at least two echocardiographic views or filling defect on computed tomography) and location, pulmonary venous anatomy, and other cardiac, mediastinal, or pulmonary abnormalities. Results Left atrial thrombus was identified by cardiac MSCT alone in five patients (15%). Pulmonary venous variants were identified with cardiac MSCT in two patients (6%). Both MSCT and echocardiography were normal in 17 subjects (79%). Echocardiography was better at identifying associated valvular abnormalities that were seen in 10 patients (29%). Cardiac MSCT angiography alone identified other cardiac and noncardiac abnormalities, including suspicious pulmonary malignancy, mediastinal adenopathy, and coronary stenosis in 15 patients (44%). Conclusions Echocardiography and cardiac MSCT angiography often provide complimentary findings during the preprocedural evaluation for patients with atrial fibrillation requiring ablation. Cardiac MSCT may provide significant additional information about the left atrium, mediastinum, coronary circulation, and visualized lung fields. Based on this study, we would advise that patients considered for radiofrequency ablation for uncontrolled right atrial fibrillation have both echocardiography and ECG-gated contrast-enhanced cardiac MSCT performed as part of the preprocedure evaluation.
Imazethapyr plus Propanil Mixtures in Imidazolinone-Resistant Rice

A study was conducted in three locations in Louisiana to evaluate interactions of imazethapyr at 0 and 70 g ai ha-1 mixed with propanil at 0, 1,120, 2,240, 3,360, and 4,480 g ha-1 for the control of red rice, barnyardgrass, and hemp sesbania. According to Blouin's modified Colby's, a synergistic response occurred for red rice treated with imazethapyr mixed with propanil at 4,480 g ha-1 for all evaluations. Observed control was 93% to 95% compared with expected control of 81% to 87%. An antagonistic response occurred for barnyardgrass control with imazethapyr mixed with propanil at 1,120 g ha-1 at 35 and 49 d after treatment (DAT), with control of 75% and 64%, respectively, compared with expected control of 89% and 78%. However, a neutral response occurred for barnyardgrass control when treated with all other imazethapyr plus propanil combinations. An antagonistic interaction occurred for hemp sesbania when treated with imazethapyr plus propanil at 3,360 and 4,480 g ha-1 at 21 DAT with an observed control of 89% compared with an expected control of 96%; however, a neutral response occurred at all other evaluation dates. An increase in rice yield was observed with an imazethapyr plus propanil at 4,480 g ha-1 mixture compared with a single application of imazethapyr or propanil at any rate evaluated.Nomenclature: Imazethapyr; propanil; barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.; hemp sesbania, Sesbania herbacea (P. Mill.) McVaugh; red rice/rice, Oryza sativa L.
Toxic stress and child refugees.

The purpose of this article was to describe the phenomenon of toxic stress and its impact on the physical and mental health of child refugees. Almost two decades ago, researchers found that recurring adverse childhood events (ACEs; e.g., physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction such as substance abuse, mental illness, and criminal behavior) were associated with a significant increase in serious illnesses during adulthood. Illnesses include heart, lung, and liver disease, cancer, and bone fractures. The scientists reported that experiencing four or more ACEs during childhood significantly increases the risk for toxic stress. Toxic stress is defined as the exposure to extreme, frequent, and persistent adverse events without the presence of a supportive caretaker. There is a paucity of literature related to toxic stress and child refugees. However, it has been clearly established that the prolonged brutal and traumatizing war in Syria is having a profound impact on the physical and mental health of child refugees at a distressing rate. Prevention of toxic stress should be a primary goal of all pediatric healthcare professionals working with child refugees. While this seems daunting given the population, and the seemingly insurmountable stressors they experience, some basic interventions should be considered. Providing basic anticipatory guidance to parents and caregivers of child refugees, to encourage positive parenting and strengthening support networks, will be highly effective in developing the requisite buffers that mitigate the effects of stress and avoid toxic stress. Efforts should also be focused on addressing caregiver stress and improving their ability to provide safe, reliable, and nurturing care that will help to mitigate any stress response experienced by a child. Practice implications It is critical that greater awareness be placed on the effects of toxic stress on child refugees who are exposed to significant adverse events early in life.
Port competition in Latin America and the Caribbean: the role of concessions and competition policy

Appropriate port regulation and competitive forces tend to be related to higher levels of operational and economic performance of ports. From a policy-making perspective, pursuing efficiency and se...
Peirce and Bolzano

Like Peirce, whom he preceded by roughly half a century, Bernard Bolzano (1781–1848), the brilliant mathematician, logician and semiotician who taught and wrote in Prague, was little recognized in his lifetime. Like Peirce, he endured persecution for his uncompromising attitudes, in his case both in science and political-religious life: also Bolzano’s teaching career, like Peirce’s, was cut short, in Bolzano’s case because of official displeasure of the Vatican and the Vienna court over his resolute and unwavering liberalism in religious, social and political matters and towards the relation of Czechs and Germans in the Bohemian crownlands of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Bolzano’s principal scientific contribution was, like Peirce’s, in the area of mathematics and logic; and Bolzano’s logic, like Peirce’s, contained major contributions to semiotics, which Bolzano called the theory of signs (Zeichenlehre) and Semiotik, though Bolzano’s Zeichenlehre was certainly not as comprehensive and systematic as Peirce’s semeiotic. Unlike Peirce, Bolzano is known primarily to logicians and to specialists in Catholic theology, while his semiotics has received relatively little attention.
ABNORMAL MYOCARDIAL BLOOD FLOW WITH NORMAL QUALITATIVE PERFUSION WITH POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING IN HEART TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is often used to evaluate for cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in heart transplant recipients, but the accuracy of qualitative perfusion for CAV is unclear. Quantitative myocardial blood flow measurement with positron emission tomography (PET) may offer
The design and manufacturing of fluidic oscillators for composite aircraft structures

Active flow control devices have been proven to reduce drag and delay stall on commercial aircraft. This leads to lower fuel usage and thus reduced flight costs. However, there is a large uncertain...