cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and tolerability of high oral doses of levetiracetam in children with epilepsy.

Summary Background Despite the advent of new antiepileptic drugs, many children continue to have refractory seizures. We sought to determine whether oral LEV is helpful in seizure control and tolerable at doses higher than 60 mg/kg/day in the pediatric outpatient population. Methods A retrospective chart review over a 1.5-year period was performed at the Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center to identify children who were treated with levetiracetam doses titrated above the usual 40–60 mg/kg/day. Data was collected on seizure semiology, epilepsy type, seizure frequency, concomitant antiepileptic drugs, and adverse effects. Results Thirty-two children, ranging in age from 1 to 19 years, required high dose levetiracetam. The median dosage of levetiracetam was 146 mg/kg/day (range, 70–275 mg/kg/day), and the median maximum serum trough level was 43 mcg/ml (range, 20–121 mcg/ml). All but one patient were taking one or more other antiepileptic drugs. A more than 50% reduction in seizure frequency was observed in 14 children (44%), with 5 achieving seizure freedom (16%). No response to high dose levetiracetam was found in 14 children (44%), and worsening of seizure frequency occurred in 4 (12%). Adverse effects were observed in 4 patients (12%), and were behavioral. Conclusions Not only do some children tolerate high doses and serum levels of levetiracetam, but they may also benefit from them, suggesting that doses higher than 60 mg/kg/day may be considered in children who partially respond to the lower doses.
Nutrient loads to surface water from row crop production.

Goals, Scope and Background Eutrophication and hypoxia, which are already serious environmental issues in the Midwestern region of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico, could worsen with an increase emphasis on the use of corn and soybeans for biofuels. Eutrophication impacts from agriculture are difficult to integrate into an LCA due to annual variability in the nutrient loads as a factor of climatic conditions. This variability has not been included in many relevant energy or row crop LCAs. The objective of this research was to develop a relatively simple method to accurately quantify nutrient loadings from row crop production to surface water that reflects annual variations due to weather. A set of watersheds that comprise most of eastern Iowa was studied. Ample data describing corn-soybean agriculture in this region and nutrient loadings to the Mississippi River enabled the development, calibration and validation of the model for this particular region.
"There Is No Saturation Point in Education": Inside IBM's Sales School, 1970s-1980s

The author was both a student and an instructor in IBM's training program for newly hired salespeople in the 1970s and 1980s. He describes the training these new hires received, focusing on Sales School, IBM's longest running training program.
Nonlinear optical properties of textured strontium barium niobate thin films prepared by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Highly textured strontium barium niobate thin films were deposited in situ by low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. [001]‐oriented strontium barium niobate films on single crystal (100) magnesium oxide substrates were obtained at a growth temperature of 800 °C. Second‐harmonic generation of 1.064 μm incident light was measured on the thin films. The nonlinear optical susceptibility of the films was as high as 8.7 times that of quartz (∼3.0 pm/V), which is comparable to the bulk value.
Renormalization in conformal quantum mechanics

Abstract The singular behavior of conformal interactions is examined within a comparative analysis of renormalization frameworks. The effective approach—inspired by the effective-field theory program—and its connection with the core framework are highlighted. Applications include black-hole thermodynamics, molecular dipole-bound anions, the Efimov effect, and various regimes of QED.
ENCODE whole-genome data in the UCSC Genome Browser: update 2012

The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) Consortium is entering its 5th year of production-level effort generating high-quality whole-genome functional annotations of the human genome. The past year has brought the ENCODE compendium of functional elements to critical mass, with a diverse set of 27 biochemical assays now covering 200 distinct human cell types. Within the mouse genome, which has been under study by ENCODE groups for the past 2 years, 37 cell types have been assayed. Over 2000 individual experiments have been completed and submitted to the Data Coordination Center for public use. UCSC makes this data available on the quality-reviewed public Genome Browser (http://genome.ucsc.edu) and on an early-access Preview Browser (http://genome-preview.ucsc.edu). Visual browsing, data mining and download of raw and processed data files are all supported. An ENCODE portal (http://encodeproject.org) provides specialized tools and information about the ENCODE data sets.
Hybrid Multifluid Algorithms

Extensions of many successful single-component schemes to compute multicomponent gas dynamics suffer from oscillations and other computational inaccuracies near material interfaces that are caused by the failure of the schemes to maintain pressure equilibrium between the fluid components. A new algorithm based on the compressible Euler equations for multicomponent fluids augmented by the pressure evolution equation is presented. The extended set of equations offers two alternative ways to update the pressure field: (i) using the equation of state or (ii) using the pressure evolution equation. In a numerical implementation, these two procedures generally yield different answers. The former is a standard conservative update, but may produce oscillations near material interfaces; the latter is nonconservative, but becomes exact near interfaces and automatically maintains pressure equilibrium. A hybrid scheme which selects from the two pressure update procedures is presented. The scheme perfectly conserves total mass and momentum and conserves total energy everywhere except at a finite (very small) number of grid cells. Computed solutions exhibit oscillation-free interfaces and have {\em negligible} relative conservation errors in total energy even for very strong shocks. The proposed hybrid approach and switching strategies are independent of the numerical implementation and may provide a simple framework within which to extend one's favourite scheme to solve multifluid dynamics.
Condition monitoring of a thermally aged hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)/isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) elastomer by nuclear magnetic resonance cross-polarization recovery times

A hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)/isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) elastomer is commonly used as propellant binder material. The thermal degradation of the binder is believed to be an important parameter governing the performance of the propellant. The aging of these binders can be monitored by mechanical property measurements, such as modulus or tensile elongation. These techniques, however, are not easily adapted to binder agents that are dispersed throughout a propellant. In this paper we investigated solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation times as a means to predict the mechanical properties of the binder as a function of aging time. Proton (1H) spin–lattice and spin–spin relaxation times were insensitive to the degree of thermal degradation of the elastomer. Apparently, these relaxation times depend on localized motions that are only weakly correlated with mechanical properties. A strong correlation was found between the 13C cross-polarization (CP) NMR time constant, Tcp, and the tensile elongation at break of the elastomer as a function of aging time. A ramped-amplitude CP experiment was less sensitive to imperfections in setting critical instrumental parameters for this mobile material. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 453–459, 2001
Herpes simplex keratitis

This article reviews the current concepts for the diagnosis and treatment of Herpes simplex keratitis and its complications, discussing characteristics of the virus, the prevalence of the disease, chemical and clinical differentiation between Types I and II Herpesvirus hominis, and the many clinical presentations of Type I disease. The antiviral agents commonly in use are reviewed, covering the historical development of the drugs, indications for their use and the associated toxic and untoward reactions. An outline for the medical treatment of the different forms of Herpes simplex keratitis is given, as well as the indications for surgical intervention in the treatment of the disease. The surgical complications and results following keratoplasty are discussed.
Correlation Between Laser-Induced Surface Acoustic Waves and Nanoindentation on Elastic Modulus Measurement of a Nanoporous Zeolite Thin Film

Porous thin films are challenging for mechanical characterization due to their soft, thin, and delicate nature. In this study, a nanoporous zeolite thin film is characterized with both laser-induced surface acoustic wave technique (LiSAW) and nanoindentation. The LiSAW technique measured moduli of 38 GPa and 35 GPa for the non-calcined and calcined zeolite films respectively, whereas the respective nanoindentation results of 51 GPa and 47 GPa demonstrated significant substrate influence even at indentation depths within 10 % of film thickness. More accurate indentation results were achieved through an alternative indentation analysis scheme, but at the cost of significant computation time. The results show the distinctive advantage of the LiSAW technique on porous thin films while demonstrating the challenges and current adaptations of traditional nanoindentation.
Effects of Euro Devaluation on Eurozone Exports

The recent sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone, which still continues to grow, is presumed to be one of the most severe financial crisis in the world economy during the past decades. The crisis represents not only a real threat to the recovery of the Eurozone but also to the world economy. Indeed, one of the challenges many European countries are currently confronting with is a trade deficit, which stems from an overvalued Euro. Many empirical studies have shown that an overvalued Euro has led to a current account deficit in many European countries. The neighbor thy policy recently adopted by Japan and the manipulation of Renminbi by China to boost its economy has created more pressures on the Eurozone exports. In order to reverse this trend, adoption of real and financial sector reforms, including devaluation of Euro, seems inevitable. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the impact of devaluation of Euro on Eurozone exports using Keynesian approach, and implementing econometric models. The results of this study suggest that a trivial devaluation in Euro has statistically significant impact on the Eurozone exports, which could reverse the delayed recovery of many peripheral countries.
Pessary test: Simple prognostic test in women with stress urinary incontinence

To overcome urethral obstruction and other shortcomings associated with previously described tests such as the Bonney test and the Marshall test, the pessary test was employed during preoperative evaluation of women with stress urinary incontinence. The similarity of changes seen in the resting and stress urethral closure pressure profiles with the pessary test and post-incontinence surgery, provided an objective evaluation of the pessary test as a simple and reliable clinical tool to predict successful outcome of anticipated incontinence surgery.
Neuronal localization of glutamate receptor subunits in the basolateral amygdala.

ANTIBODIESs to the NMDAR1 glutamate receptor subunit and the GluR1 and GluR2/3 subunits of the AMPA glutamate receptor were used to localize these receptor components in the basolateral amygdala (ABL) of the rat and monkey. A similar localization pattern rvas observed in both species. Pyramidal neurons exhibited high levels of NMDARI and GluR2/3 immunoreactivity (ir), but low levels of GluR1-ir. Some non-pyramidal cells exhibited high levels of NMDAR1-ir or GluR1-ir, but none exhibited significant levels of G1uR2/3-ir. This differential localization of receptor subunits suggests that glutamate receptors will exhibit specific functional properties in distinct subpopulations of ABL neurons
Differential Origins of Neocortical Projection and Local Circuit Neurons: Role of Dlx Genes in Neocortical Interneuronogenesis

Herein we review the evidence that neocortical projection neurons and interneurons are derived from distinct regions within the telencephalon. While neocortical projection neurons are derived from the ventricular zone of the neocortex, neocortical interneurons appear to be derived from the germinal zone of the basal ganglia. These interneurons follow a tangential migratory pathway from the ganglionic eminences to the cortex. Interneurons of the olfactory bulb follow a distinct tangential migration from the basal ganglia. The Dlx homeobox genes, which are essential for basal ganglia differentiation, are also required for the development of neocortical and olfactory bulb interneurons. Furthermore, evidence is presented that retroviral-mediated expression of DLX2 in neocortical cells can induce GABAergic interneuron differentiation.
The Threat of Unionization, the Use of Debt, and the Preservation of Shareholder Wealth

This paper argues that firms use debt to protect the wealth of shareholders from the threat of unionization. Under U. S. labor law the firm cannot prohibit its workers from attempting to form a collective bargaining unit. Debt policy offers a method of reducing the impact of this monopoly right on shareholders. By issuing debt, the firm credibly reduces the funds that are available to a potential union. Empirical evidence that strongly supports this hypothesis is presented.
Effect of number of conceptuses on maternal mammary development during pregnancy in the pig

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine if manipulation of conceptus number could alter estrogen, progesterone or prolactin concentrations in gilts and thereby influence mammary development. Estradiol-valerate injections, oviduct ligation or no treatment were utilized to form three groups of gilts with zero (n=5), 4 to 7 (n=4), or 8 to 11 (n=4) conceptuses, respectively. Blood samples were taken throughout pregnancy, and at day 110 of gestation all gilts were slaughtered and total mastectomies were performed. Mammary glands were analyzed for wet weights, dry weights, RNA and DNA contents. Results indicated conceptuses stimulated mammary development since mammary glands from pseudopregnant gilts had only 22% as much DNA as mammae from pregnant gilts. However, mammary DNA was not different between gilts with 4 to 7 or 8 to 11 conceptuses. The relationship between conceptus number and mammary gland DNA in gilts was best described by the quadratic equation y = 577 + 583x − 38x 2 , where y = total mammary DNA (mg) and x = conceptus number. Significant positive among-animal and within-group correlations between estrogen-sulfate or estrone concentrations in blood and maternal mammary DNA content suggest that estrogens may be the primary conceptus-derived mammogenic hormone in gilts.
A mixed-signal 32-coefficient RX-FFE 100-coefficient DFE for an 8Gb/s 60GHz receiver in 65nm LP CMOS

The 60GHz band has opened the opportunity for multi-Gb/s wireless communications, and is being commercially supported by transceiver solutions utilizing the WirelessHD and/or WiGig standards. However, the hundreds of mWs of power consumption associated with today's digital basebands (e.g. [1]) poses a significant barrier to adoption in mobile devices. Mixed-signal basebands have therefore been proposed and demonstrated [2] as an energy efficient (~50mW) solution for sample rates of up to 5GS/s. However, such mixed-signal designs have so far been incapable of handling non-line-of-sight (NLOS) channels with pre-cursor inter-symbol interference (ISI) and extended channel delay spreads of >10ns. This work therefore presents the design of an efficient receive-side feedforward equalizer (Rx-FFE) for pre-cursor ISI cancelation and a long decision feedback equalizer (DFE) that can efficiently handle NLOS interference profiles.
Observations on social processes in psychiatric research. Definitions of knowledge, method, and science in psychiatry†

Some characteristics of the social structure of psychiatric research seem to influence the psychiatrist's definition of knowledge and how it is obtained in his field. Certain experiences tend to set up questions in his mind about the scientific respectability of the common psychiatric clinical operations. These challenge the psychiatrist's self-picture as researcher and turn his attention from problems of science and method in psychiatry to problems of his role acceptability within the social situation in which he does his research. The result may be definitions of psychiatric knowledge and research methods which are more appropriate to the demands of the social situation than to the requirements of a psychiatric science.
Experience with an anesthesiologist interventional model for endoscopy in a pediatric hospital

Background: Endoscopy is now a routine part of the work-up for many patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. Adults tolerate these procedures well, with either no sedation or a relatively light level. In contrast, children often require deep sedation or a general anesthetic to successfully perform these procedures. Therefore, pediatric endoscopies may require more time, personnel, and monitoring equipment to provide optimal conditions for the patient. The goals of this retrospective case series were to describe the anesthesia times and recovery duration of the different procedures, the types and amounts of medications commonly used, and the types and rates of complications experienced. Methods: Patients (2,306) who underwent endoscopy in the Arkansas Children's Hospital endoscopy suite during a 4-year period were identified. A random sample of 720 charts was reviewed retrospectively. Results: Patients ranged in age from younger than 1 year to 29 years. Patients most often had abdominal pain or multiple gastrointestinal symptoms. Sixty-eight percent of patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopies; 30% colonoscopy or a combination of the two. Ninety-five percent of patients received a propofol-based anesthetic. Midazolam, fentanyl, and alfentanil were frequently used as supplemental agents. Complications occurred infrequently and were airway related. All complications were easily treated, with no adverse sequelae. Conclusions: This model of anesthesiologist-provided sedation/anesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures has been extremely successful in the Arkansas Children's Hospital and has served to heighten awareness of many issues surrounding sedation and anesthesia outside of the operating room, while ensuring a high level of care is provided.
Commonly-defined and individually-defined posttraumatic growth in the US and Japan

Abstract Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is the experience of positive change resulting from the struggle with major life crises. Research on PTG has relied on instruments such as the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI: Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996 ), in which items that describe positive changes are assumed to represent personal growth equally for all people. However, some positive changes may indicate greater growth for some people. Individually-defined PTG may differ from commonly-defined PTG. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between these two definitions of PTG and how culture affects them. Participants from the US (n = 456) and Japan (n = 279) indicated the degree to which each change in the PTGI represented personal growth. Results from mixed-model analyses of variance revealed that there were main effects for defined growth as well as interaction effects for all PTGI factors. For example, US participants reported greater growth on the factors Relating to Others and New Possibilities for the commonly-defined level, but once individually-defined PTG was considered, growth scores for US participants decreased substantially, and more so than for Japanese participants. Discussion addresses cultural and individual differences in the subjective definitions of PTG and highlights several directions for future research.
Stability of an Area-Preserving Mapping

In many cases, the evolution of a Hamiltonian system can be represented by an area-preserving mapping of the plane onto itself. The stability or instability of the dynamical system is reflected in the derived mapping. The mappingT(x, y)=(x', y'): $$\begin{gathered} x\prime = x + a(y - y^3 ) \hfill \\ y\prime = y - a(x\prime - x\prime ^3 ) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ was studied in order to determine methods of readily compartmentalizing the plane into regions of stable and unstable behavior under many applications ofT, without resorting to costly and frequently inaccurate methods requiring computation of thousands of maps.
Symmetry of Superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7: s or d

The superconducting hole condensate of YBa2Cu3O7 resides in its BaO layers, and involves s-wave paired holes. This picture differs from the currently widespread opinion that the superconductivity at the surface and in the bulk is d-like, and resides in the CuO2 planes: it is the main reason why high-temperature superconductivity has been unsolved.
Atomistic mechanical testing of nanostructures - Seeing the invisible and bridging theory and experiments

Abstract Recently there has been a major thrust to develop novel nanomaterials exhibiting unique properties. These nanostructures are envisioned as building blocks for the next generation of electronic and energy harvesting systems. In this context, identification of their size-dependent properties is essential, but due to challenges in nanoscale experimentation, unambiguous characterization of mechanical and electromechanical behavior has been elusive. However, in the past few years, in-situ experimentation has emerged as a powerful technique to overcome these challenges. Furthermore, the coupling of such experimental findings to atomistic simulations has shown to have the potential to reveal mechanistic insights, essential for the deep understanding of nanoscale behavior. Here, we present a summary of a few significant results obtained by our group using this approach. Specifically, we discuss size effects that influence the mechanical and electromechanical properties of metallic and semiconducting nanowires.
Mutant-specific gene programs in the zebrafish

Hematopoiesis involves the production of stem cells, followed by the orchestrated differentiation of the blood lineages. Genetic screens in zebrafish have identified mutants with defects that disrupt specific stages of hematopoiesis and vasculogenesis, including the cloche, spadetail (tbx16), moonshine (tif1g), bloodless, and vlad tepes (gata1) mutants. To better characterize the blood program, gene expression profiling was carried out in these mutants and in scl-morphants (scl mo). Distinct gene clusters were demarcated by stage-specific and mutant-specific gene regulation. These were found to correlate with the transcriptional program of hematopoietic progenitor cells, as well as of the erythroid, myeloid, and vascular lineages. Among these, several novel hematopoietic and vascular genes were detected, for instance, the erythroid transcription factors znfl2 and ncoa4. A specific regulation was found for myeloid genes, as they were more strongly expressed in vlt mutants compared with other erythroid mutants. A unique gene expression pattern of up-regulated isoprenoid synthesis genes was found in cloche and sclmo, possibly in migrating cells. In conjunction with the high conservation of vertebrate hematopoiesis, the comparison of transcriptional profiles in zebrafish blood mutants represents a versatile and powerful tool to elucidate the genetic regulation of blood and blood vessel development.
A small angle light scattering device for planar connective tissue microstructural analysis

The planar fibrous connective tissues of the body are composed of a dense extracellular network of collagen and elastin fibers embedded in a ground matrix, and thus can be thought of as biocomposites. Thus, the quantification of fiber architecture is an important step in developing an understanding of the mechanics of planar tissues in health and disease. We have used small angle light scattering (SALS) to map the gross fiber orientation of several soft membrane connective tissues. However, the device and analysis methods used in these studies required extensive manual intervention and were unsuitable for largescale fiber architectural mapping studies. We have developed an improved SALS device that allows for rapid data acquisition, automated high spatial resolution specimen positioning, and new analysis methods suitable for large-scale mapping studies. Extensive validation experiments revealed that the SALS device can accurately measure fiber orientation for up to a tissue thickness of at least 500 μm to an angular resolution of∼1o and a spatial resolution of±254 μm. To demonstrate the new device’s capabilities, structural measurements from porcine aortic valve leaflets are presented. Results indicate that the new SALS device provides an accurate method for rapid quantification of the gross fiber structure of planar connective tissues.
A phase 2 study of pemetrexed plus gemcitabine every 2 weeks for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies suggest that additive or synergistic effects are achieved with the combination of pemetrexed plus gemcitabine. A phase 1 study of pemetrexed plus gemcitabine given every 2 weeks demonstrated encouraging preliminary efficacy against head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). METHODS: This was an open-label, single-institution, single-arm, phase 2 study for patients who had received no more than 2 cytotoxic regimens for recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC. All patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 intravenously plus gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 intravenously every 2 weeks with vitamin B12 and folate support. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST); secondary endpoints were to estimate overall survival and to evaluate safety and tolerability. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients received therapy. All patients had received prior radiotherapy, and half had received prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent and/or metastatic disease. Neutropenia (grade ≥3) occurred in 24% of patients. Four patients (16%) had a partial response (PR) according to RECIST, and 5 additional patients (20%) had objective tumor reductions of >20 but <30% did not meet RECIST criteria for a PR. The median overall survival for all treated patients was 8.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with pemetrexed plus gemcitabine every 2 weeks with vitamin support generally was well tolerated. The results of this study provided further evidence that pemetrexed may have significant palliative activity against advanced HNSCC. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Role of NMDA, nicotinic, and GABA receptors in the steady-state visual-evoked potential in rats

Abstract Agonists and antagonists at the NMDA, GABA, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were administered to adult male rats to evaluate the contribution of these pathways to the visual-evoked potential (VEP). Rats were presented with an onset/offset pattern at a temporal frequency (4.55 Hz) resulting in a steady-state VEP. Averaged VEPs were Fourier transformed and VEP amplitudes were calculated at 1× stimulus frequency (F1) and 2× stimulus frequency (F2). About 30 min after administration, NMDA (10 mg/kg, i.p.; n = 9) increased F1 amplitude by 350% and decreased F2 amplitude by 48%. Memantine (4.5 mg/kg, i.p.; n = 10) increased F1 amplitude by 50%, 10 min post-injection. Similarly, nicotine (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.; n = 9) increased F1 amplitude by 55%, 20 min after drug administration. Muscimol (1 mg/kg, i.p.; n = 10) increased F1 amplitude significantly from 20 to 45 min post-injection. Mecamylamine (6 mg/kg, i.p.; n = 10) decreased F2 amplitude by 70% during the 60-min testing session. Bicuculline (0–0.5 mg/kg, i.p.; n = 8–10 rats/dose) did not significantly alter either F1 or F2 amplitudes. Results indicate important roles for glutamate and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in both F1 and F2, while GABA receptors contribute to F1.
Study of dimethyl ether for limited streamer tubes

Position resolution and lifetime have been studied for one-atmosphere DME in half-inch diameter aluminum tube chambers operated in the limited streamer mode. The radial resolution was measured by timing to be σr = 73 μm. The longitudinal resolution was measured by charge division to be <0.3% of the wire length. No significant gain changes were seen after 12 C/cm.
Neurofeedback Therapy for ADHD and Related Neurological Disorders

This paper presents an overview of neurotherapy as a treatment for ADHD and related neurological disorders. Information was taken from personal interviews with healthcare professionals and from the currently available literature. The controversial nature of this form of treatment is highlighted. Case history information is included. It is concluded that neurotherapy is a viable alternative to other forms ofintervention.
Diabatic heating rate estimates from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts analyses

Vertically integrated diabatic heating rate estimates (H) calculated from 32 months of European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts daily analyses (May 1985-December 1987) are determined as residuals of the thermodynamic equation in pressure coordinates. Values for global, hemispheric, zonal, and grid point H are given as they vary over the time period examined. The distribution of H is compared with previous results and with outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) measurements. The most significant negative correlations between H and OLR occur for (1) tropical and Northern-Hemisphere mid-latitude oceanic areas and (2) zonal and hemispheric mean values for periods less than 90 days. Largest positive correlations are seen in periods greater than 90 days for the Northern Hemispheric mean and continental areas of North Africa, North America, northern Asia, and Antarctica. The physical basis for these relationships is discussed. An interyear comparison between 1986 and 1987 reveals the ENSO signal.
Effects of Applicant Pregnancy on Hiring Decisions and Interview Ratings

The effects of pregnancy on hiring decisions during employment interviews are examined in a United States sample of 210 undergraduate business school students at a Midwestern university. A pregnant applicant was compared to a non-pregnant applicant with identical credentials and interview performance to explore any differences in interviewer ratings of qualifications and hiring by having participants view videotaped interviews. Results show that in spite of being viewed as equally qualified and well-suited for the job, the pregnant applicant received significantly lower hiring recommendation ratings. The pregnant applicant was also rated as more likely to need time off, miss work and quit compared to the non-pregnant applicant, indicating a concern about absenteeism regarding the pregnant applicant.
Quantum sensitivity of rods in the toad retina

A dark-adapted toad rod can respond consistently to flashes of light which bleach an average of less than one pigment molecule in its outer segment. These responses are much less variable in amplitude than would be expected if rods were independent quantum detectors. Rods interact with one another by pooling their signals, so that at least 85 to 90 percent of the response recorded from a single rod is generated by pigment molecules bleached in other receptors.
Hybridization of two diploid Vaccinium section Cyanococcus species with diploid Vaccinium arboreum in section Batodendron

Several characteristics from sparkleberry (V. arboreum) would be useful if transferred to highbush blueberry cultivars, but to date all direct crosses have failed. The purpose of this research was to see whether crosses of diploid V. darrowii and diploid V. fuscatum (both section Cyanococcus) with diploid V. arboreum (section Batodendron) could be made and to assess the possibility of transferring traits from V. arboreum into cultivated blueberries of section Cyanococcus. Many crosses were successful and easy to make. Crosses were more productive when V. arboreum was the pollen parent, but some hybrids were also obtained with V. arboreum as seed parent. Pollen stainability of F1 (V. darrowii × V. arboreum) hybrids was low, ranging from 0.9 to 23.7%. Numerous meiotic abnormalities were found in the F1 hybrids. These led to a high percentage of incomplete and unstained tetrads and probably to the production of unreduced gametes.
Math Branding in a Community College Library.

As a strategy to promote the Arapahoe Community College Library's collections and services, the Library undertook to brand itself as a math resource center. In promoting one area of expertise, math was selected to help address the problem of a large portion of high school graduates’ inability to work at college-level math. A “Math Saturday” program at the college was organized, highlighted by a keynote presentation by a national authority on overcoming “math anxiety.” The effort was successful in terms of program attendance, and in establishing ties with other agencies and groups to provide additional math programs.
Features associated with suicide attempts in recurrent major depression

Sixty-seven individuals with recurrent major depression and a history of suicide attempts are compared with 163 individuals with recurrent major depression and no history of suicide attempts. The groups are contrasted on demographic features, clinical course, severity of depression, co-morbidity, and acute symptom profiles. Patients with a history of attempts are distinguished from non-attempters by suicidal ideation, marital isolation, neurovegetative signs, feelings of failure, and co-morbid alcoholism or bipolar II disorder. Logistic regression analysis using a model which included a portion of the significant variables correctly classified 77% of the cases. These findings are discussed with reference to prediction of suicide attempts in individuals with major affective disorder.
Improved prediction of octanol-water partition coefficients from liquid-solute water solubilities and molar volumes.

A volume-fraction-based solvent−water partition model for dilute solutes, in which the partition coefficient shows a dependence on solute molar volume ( ), is adapted to predict the octanol−water partition coefficient (Kow) from the liquid or supercooled-liquid solute water solubility (Sw), or vice versa. The established correlation is tested for a wide range of industrial compounds and pesticides (e.g., halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkylbenzenes, halogenated benzenes, ethers, esters, PAHs, PCBs, organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, and amides-ureas-triazines), which comprise a total of 215 test compounds spanning about 10 orders of magnitude in Sw and 8.5 orders of magnitude in Kow. Except for phenols and alcohols, which require special considerations of the Kow data, the correlation predicts the Kow within 0.1 log units for most compounds, much independent of the compound type or the magnitude in Kow. With reliable Sw and data for compounds of interest, the correlation provides an effec...
Apoptosis in astrocytic neoplasms.

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death characterized by specific morphologic and biochemical properties. Tumorgenesis is the consequence not only of cell proliferation but also the loss of the ability to undergo apoptosis [2]. Bcl-2 is a protooncogene which has the ability to block apoptosis in many cell types. Astrocytic neoplasms are very aggressive tumors which many times fail to respond to surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. They frequently overexpress wild-type p53 which is associated with the expression of bcl-2, and thus they may have evolved a mechanism to subvert apoptosis and allow continued growth. We examined the apoptotic index in fifty-nine astrocytic tumors of various histological grades (Oncor ApopTag PlusIn Situ Detection Kit) and compared this with the level of bcl-2 expression. Low grade astrocytomas (0.21 ±0.05; range 0.0–0.9) and anaplastic astrocytomas (0.27 ±0.13; range 0.0–2.6) had significantly less apoptosis than glioblastomas (0.70 ± 0.13; range 0.0–2.1; Kruskal-Wallis test, P ≤0.01). In contrast, bcl-2 expression was similar in all grades of astrocytic tumors and did not correlate with the apoptotic index. Cells of low grade and anaplastic astrocytomas are less likely to undergo apoptosis; however, this does not seem to be a direct consequence of the regulation of bcl-2 expression. The difference in growth potential despite differences in apoptotic index is likely to be attributed to differences in mitotic not apoptotic activity.
The Hunter Pulmonary Angiography Catheter for a Brachiocephalic Vein Approach

The purpose of this work was to describe our experience in performing pulmonary angiography using the Hunter pulmonary catheter, manufactured by Cook, Inc., which is a modified 6F pigtail catheter with a “C-shaped” curve, designed for a brachiocephalic vein approach. One hundred twenty-three patients underwent pulmonary angiograms using the Hunter catheter between August 1997 and January 2002. Operator comments were gathered in 86 (70%) of the cases. The operator was, if possible, the most junior resident on the service. Thirty-nine operators participated in the survey. Efficacy, safety, and ease of use of the catheter were determined by operators’ comments and ECG observations during the procedure. Corroborating clinical data were gathered from medical records. In 68 (79%) of the procedures that were commented upon, the operator described insertion into the pulmonary artery (PA) as easy; only 2 (2%) indicated difficulty in accessing the PA. In 41 (63%) of the bilateral angiograms that were commented upon, the operator described accessing the left PA from the right PA as easy; only 6 (9%) rated it as difficult and all were with an older technique in which the catheter was withdrawn to the pulmonary bifurcation without a wire or with only the soft tip of the wire in the pigtail and then rotated to the left main pulmonary artery. Thirty-one of the 41 patients who demonstrated premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) had a previous history of heart disease. Nineteen of the 39 patients who did not have PVCs had a history of heart disease (p = 0.018). The maneuverability and shape of the Hunter catheter make pulmonary angiography an easy procedure, even for operators with minimal experience and limited technical proficiency. PVCs demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with a positive patient history for cardiac disease, rather than being a universal risk.
Effective operators in the relativistic meson-nucleon system

Taking the meson-nucleon system below threshold as an example, it is shown that it can formally be described by nucleonic degrees of freedom alone. In the Fock space of nucleons one has eigenvalue equations with different optional versions of effective interactions. The Hermitian version explicitly exhibits full relativistic invariance. The non-Hermitian form can be decomposed into one, two, three,..., particle operators. The latter requires the solution of the vacuum, one, two,..., nucleon problems. The techniques proposed are known from coupled cluster many body theory and do not invoke perturbation theory.
JUSTICE EDUCATION AS A SCHOOLWIDE EFFORT: EFFECTIVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL

This essay describes and analyzes one successful justice education program flowing from community service, and demonstrates how such a program in Catholic school responds to several important “calls” to Catholic educators. These “calls” are issued by (a) the needs of the learners and the signs of the times, (b) official documents of the Church about the mission of the Catholic school and the faith growth of youth, and (c) a creative reading of history and contemporary expression of religious education that involves cooperation among all teachers and all subject areas in the school. The essay begins with a description of the justice education program at St. Pius XIII School, comprised of Grades 7 through 12. [The school is a fictional construct; it does not exist as one entity, but is the amalgam of the experiences of good practices in several schools.] Following the description is a treatment of each of the “calls” to which this effective justice education program responds.
DNA motif detection using particle swarm optimization and expectation-maximization

Motif discovery, the process of discovering a meaningful pattern of nucleotides or amino acids that is shared by two or more molecules, is an important part of the study of gene function. In this paper, we propose a hybrid motif discovery approach based upon a combination of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. In the proposed algorithm, we use PSO to generate a seed for the EM algorithm.
Contact neodymium:YAG laser surgery in gastroenterology: a preliminary report.

Fifty-four patients have been successfully endoscopically treated without complications using contact neodymium:YAG laser probes (endoprobes) for tumors and bleeding and, during open surgery (laser scalpel), for liver and pancreatic resections. The contact probes made from a synthetic sapphire crystal with its optical properties, geometric design, and thermal conductivity have proven to be more effective than the current conventional noncontact method of delivering laser energy through a quartz fiber. Advantages include greater precision, sterilizability, avoidance of the tip melting, and a requirement for lower neodymium: YAG laser energy with reduced tissue damage. The configuration of the probes allows coagulation, cutting, or vaporization, depending on the clinical condition being treated.
Genetics of leaf rust resistance in the soft red winter wheat 'Caldwell'.

The soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ‘Caldwell’ has effective resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina. To determine the genetic basis of this resistance, Caldwell was crossed with the leaf rust–susceptible spring wheat ‘Thatcher’, and the F 1 plants were backcrossed to Thatcher to obtain backcross (BC) F 2 (BC 1 F 2 ) families. In the seedlings, the BC 1 F 2 families segregated for a single gene to P. triticina race SBDG, which is likely Lr14a based on tests with BC 1 F 3 lines. In fi eld tests, the BC 1 F 2 families segregated for a single gene for adult plant resistance that was independent of the seedling resistance. BC 1 F 2 adult plants were inoculated in greenhouse tests with P. triticina races BBBD and THBJ, and resistant plants were selected and advanced by single-seed descent to produce BC 1 F 4 lines. In greenhouse tests, adult plants of some of the BC 1 F 4 lines had the same low and high infection type (IT) to different P. triticina races as the Thatcher isoline with Lr12. Other BC 1 F 4 plants had intermediate IT to the P. triticina race THBJ. The BC 1 F 4 plants with the intermediate ITs were selected and tested as BC 1 F 5 adult plants in greenhouse tests and as BC 1 F 4:6 lines in fi eld plot tests at two locations. Caldwell likely has the seedling resistance Lr14a, the adult plant gene Lr12, and an uncharacterized adult plant resistance gene that conditions an intermediate level of effective resistance in fi eld plots.
Bronchial epithelial compression regulates MAP kinase signaling and HB-EGF-like growth factor expression

Airway smooth muscle constriction leads to the development of compressive stress on bronchial epithelial cells. Normal human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to an apical-to-basal transcellular pressure difference equivalent to the computed stress in the airway during bronchoconstriction demonstrate enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). The response is pressure dependent and rapid, with phosphorylation increasing 14-fold in 30 min, and selective, since p38 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase phosphorylation remains unchanged after pressure application. Transcellular pressure also elicits a ninefold increase in expression of mRNA encoding heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) after 1 h, followed by prominent immunostaining for pro-HB-EGF after 6 h. Inhibition of the ERK pathway with PD-98059 results in a dose-dependent reduction in pressure-induced HB-EGF gene expression. The magnitude of the HB-EGF response to transcellular pressure and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (1 ng/ml) is similar, and the combined mechanical and inflammatory stimulus is more effective than either stimulus alone. These results demonstrate that compressive stress is a selective and potent activator of signal transduction and gene expression in bronchial epithelial cells.
The sign filter for seismic event detection

The theory of statistical hypothesis testing is used to develop and apply a seismic signal detection filter. The filter, herein named the sign filter, scans a stacked section and designates a linear segment as “signal” or “noise” based on the value of the sign test statistic evaluated over the amplitudes within the segment; only the signals are passed. The sign test statistic is nonparametric, so that probabilistic calculations related to the filtering process do not require rigid assumptions regarding the noise distribution. Consequently, it is possible to calculate both the probability that the filter will pass a segment containing only noise, and the expected number of noise‐only segments to be passed. These numbers may be adjusted by changing the tunable parameters of the filter. The detector was tested on both synthetic and field data. For synthetic data, all of the signals present in the data were identified, and the output did not contain any spurious signals, even for a signal‐to‐noise ratio small...
Inferior outcome after allogeneic transplant in first remission in high-risk AML patients who required more than two cycles of induction therapy.

While some patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) require one or two cycles of induction chemotherapy to achieve a complete remission (CR), others require more than two cycles. We examined the outcomes of patients with high-risk AML who received allogeneic HPC transplant in CR1. Forty five consecutive high-risk AML patients in CR1 were included. All 45 patients had adverse cytogenetics, FLT 3 mutations, or secondary AML. Group A patients (n = 33) received one or two cycles, and Group B (n = 12) three or more cycles of induction chemotherapy. The patients were comparable in age, sex, white cell count at presentation, and time from diagnosis and from last chemotherapy to transplant. The 100-day mortality rate was higher in Group B patients (50% vs. 9%, P = 0.006). They had a higher non-relapse mortality (33% vs. 6%, P = 0.035) and a longer length of hospital stay from the day of stem cell infusion (median 21 vs. 20, P = 0.02; third quartile 22 vs. 28, P = 0.02). There was also a trend toward inferior event-free survival and overall survival. High-risk AML patients undergoing allogeneic transplant in CR1 after three or more cycles of induction chemotherapy have an inferior outcome and higher mortality when compared to those who only needed one or two cycles of induction chemotherapy. Novel strategies are needed to reduce the transplant-related mortality in high-risk AML patients needing more than two cycles of induction chemotherapy prior to allogeneic transplant in CR1. Am. J. Hematol. 90:715–718, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.