cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic Alcohol Feeding Impairs mTOR(Ser2448) Phosphorylation in Rat Hearts

Background: Chronic alcohol administration impairs protein synthesis ultimately causing a loss of proteins in cardiac muscle. Inhibition of protein synthesis resides in the process of mRNA translation. The present set of experiments were designed to examine the potential regulatory effect of chronic alcohol consumption on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine kinase important in controlling signaling cascades in the mRNA translation initiation pathway in rat hearts. Methods: Rats were fed a diet containing ethanol for 20 to 26 weeks. Pair-fed rats served as controls. Rates of protein synthesis were measured following intravenous infusion of [ 3 H]-L-phenylalanine (150 mM, 30 μCi/ml; 1 ml/100 g body weight). The phosphorylation state of mTOR, eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G), protein kinase B (PKB) and S6K1 in heart were measured using immunoblot techniques with phospho-specific antibodies. Results: Protein synthesis was reduced by 35% in animals consuming a diet containing ethanol. The fall in protein synthesis was accompanied by diminished S6K1(Thr 389 ) and eIF4G (Ser 1 108 ) phosphorylation, both downstream effectors of mTOR signaling. These changes in phosphorylation of S6K1 and eIF4G were not associated with differences in the distribution of mTOR between TORC1 and TORC2. Instead, phosphorylation of mTOR on Ser 2448 but not on Ser 2481 was significantly reduced following feeding rats an ethanol containing diet. Decreased phosphorylation of mTOR(Ser 2448 ) was not associated with a corresponding lessening of tumor suppressor complex 2 phosphorylation or expression of regulated in development and DNA damage 1, both upstream regulators of mTOR. Likewise, phosphorylation of PKB on either Ser 473 or Thr 308 was unaffected by long-term alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Chronic ethanol consumption does not alter the distribution of mTOR between TORC1 and TORC2, but instead diminishes mTOR phosphorylation on Ser 2448 independent of changes in tumor suppressor complex 2 and PKB phosphorylation. Furthermore, the data suggest that protein synthesis in rats fed a diet containing ethanol is limited by mTOR-dependent reduction in phosphorylation of S6K1(Thr 389 ) and eIF4G(Ser 1108 ) secondary to reduced phosphorylation of mTOR(Ser 2448 ).
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Buckling and Post-Buckling Phenomenon in the Yoshida Test

Simulation-based Design and Manufacturing has shown its great effectiveness in shortening the design cycle. The objective of this work was to further increase the robustness of numerical prediction in capturing subtle wrinkling in sheet metal forming process. A stress-based wrinkling predictor is further developed to predict the initiation and wave mode of potential wrinkling in forming of flat sheet. The predictor is linked to the LS-DYNA commercial FEM package. Stress prediction from LS-DYNA was compared to the implicit code ABAQUS and satisfactory results were obtained. Hence, stress, nodal coordinates and connectivity information of the LS-DYNA simulation are fed into the predictor via an automatic interface program. A set of Yoshida buckling tests was used as a verification tool for the wrinkling predictor. 0.78mm thick 180B steel and 1.012mm thick 6111-T4P aluminum are tested. Through the comparison of the experiments and simulations, it shows that the wrinkling predictor is able to predict the initiation point and wave mode for the wrinkling accurately. In addition, post-buckling behavior in numerical simulations was captured through including initial imperfections following the wrinkling mode predicted. It was found that such a method provides more reliable results in terms of the post-buckling behavior than random imperfection.Copyright © 2006 by General Motors Corporation
Vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women: contributions from human and nonhuman primate studies.

OBJECTIVE Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among American postmenopausal women and all adult Americans. The medical community and the lay community have recently become intrigued with vitamin D and its potential role in reducing the risk of CVD. Research findings from multiple retrospective studies, few prospective studies, and recent nonhuman primate studies have been inconsistent and conflicting. The objective of this study is to review what is known about the topic, what questions remain unanswered, and where the research community should be focusing. METHODS A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar up to August 1, 2014. One hundred six articles, including 18 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials, relevant to the study topic were identified. All studies were stratified based on study design and primary outcome. The effects of vitamin D on CVD were reviewed and summarized. RESULTS Although there is an abundance of observational studies suggesting an association with CVD protection, the most well-controlled randomized human trial data available show no benefit of vitamin D on CVD. However, highly controlled nonhuman primate studies indicate a beneficial relationship. CONCLUSIONS Well-designed research, with CVD as primary outcome, is needed to help bridge the gap in our knowledge on this topic. In the meantime, caution should be applied to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment of vitamin D deficiency.
Epidermal growth factor receptor function in early mammalian development

We review here the data indicating a role for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF receptor) signalling in early mouse development. Embryonic development of the metazoan embryo generally begins with the formation of a cystic structure and epithelial layers that subsequently form anlagen of the definitive body parts and organs. For the mammalian embryo, this cystic structure is a blastocyst whose wall consists of trophectoderm, the first epithelium to develop during mammalian embryogenesis. The onset of expression and function of EGF receptors is coincident with the onset of trophectoderm development. Modulating EGF receptor expression and function modulates trophectoderm differentiation, leading to the hypothesis that functional EGF receptors participate in the induction of trophectoderm development and perhaps of other embryonic epithelial derivatives such as nervous tissues.
A Semi-definite Positive Linear Discriminant Analysis and Its Applications

Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) is widely used for dimension reduction in classification tasks. However, standard LDA formulation is not semi definite positive (s.d.p), and thus it is difficult to obtain the global optimal solution when standard LDA formulation is combined with other loss functions or graph embedding. In this paper, we present an alternative approach to LDA. We rewrite the LDA criterion as a convex formulation (semi-definite positive LDA, i.e., sdpLDA) using the largest eigen-value of the generalized eigen-value problem of standard LDA. We give applications by incorporating sdpLDA as a regularization term into discriminant regression analysis. Another application is to incorporate sdpLDA into standard Laplacian embedding, which utilizes the supervised information to improve the Laplacian embedding performance. Proposed sdpLDA formulation can be used for both multi-class classification tasks. Extensive experiments results on 10 multi-class datasets indicate promising results of proposed method.
GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Thirty children ranging from 2 to 17 years of age have undergone 32 gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. A variety of flexible fiberoptic instruments were utilized. The recently available Olympus GIF-P (tip diameter 7.2 mm) appears to be a significant advancement for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Preparation and anesthesia for the cases varied with the age of the child and the nature of the procedure. A definitive diagnosis was made solely by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in 6 of 6 procedures performed for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 2 of 6 for ulcer-type pain, 0 of 2 for gastric outlet obstruction, 1 of 4 for possible esophagitis, and each procedure performed for single cases of dysphagia, pre-pyloric mass, possible esophageaI varices, and antral deformity in a patient with regional enteritis. A definitive diagnosis was made solely by colonoscopy in 1 of 5 patients with possible inflammatory bowel disease and 0 of 1 patient with lower gastrointestinal bleeding; 4 of 4 polypectomies were successful. Non-diagnostic or normal examinations almost invariably yielded valuable information. There were no significant complications. Our experience suggests that gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe and valuable procedure which offers promise as a sensitive diagnostic tool in infants and children.
Presumptive Baclofen Intoxication in a Dog

Summary A five year old mixed breed dog weighing 30 kg., presumptively ingested six to twelve 20 mg baclofen tablets four to six hours prior to admission. The dog had been ataxic and vocalizing at home but was stuporous on presentation. Toxic effects noted were hypothermia, hypertension and sedation, followed by prolonged agitation. Treatment consisted of administration of activated charcoal, fluid diuresis, sodium nitroprusside, and diazepam. Baclofen overdose has been reported frequently in humans, but this is the first report of it in a dog. (Vet Emerg & Crit Care, 1998; 8: 49–54)
Through-Air Drying of Unbacked Tufted Carpets

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a pilot-scale laboratory through-air dryer are used to study through-air drying of unbacked tufted nylon carpets. MRI is used to study the effect of the vacuum extraction procedure on local moisture distribution within the carpet and to measure local moisture profiles during through-air drying where airflow rate is held constant. The effects of several process and carpet construction parameters on drying are discussed.
Dextran production by a human oral strain of Lactobacillus casei.

Abstract The synthesis of an adherent, dextran-like, extracellular polysaccharide has been demonstrated in cell-free extracts, resting and growing cells of a strain of Lacto. casei (32-1+) isolated from the human gingival crevice. Confirmation of the dextran nature of the material was obtained by controlled periodate oxidation and borohydride reduction, chromatographic analysis and serologic criteria. Glucose units were the sole components of the polysaccharide and were joined by alpha -1,6 or alpha -1,2 linkages. The synthesizing enzyme, dextransucrase, was constitutive and was produced in growing cells from glucose as well as sucrose, although sucrose is the preferred reaction (“donor”) substrate. This dextran is distinct from the capsular heteropolysaccharide produced by some Lacto. casei strains but is identical to the dextrans of several cariogenic streptococci when examined by techniques of immunodiffusion. Chemical and physical confirmation of these serologic data were essential, however, since bands of identity were observed between these dextrans and several non-dextran polysaccharides produced by diverse oral bacteria.
Anesthetic management of a patient with a brain tumor for cardiac surgery.

CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS (CPB) is thought to result in cerebral edema and increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability.1,2 The cause of this CPB-associated BBB alteration is likely multifactorial. Microembolic events, changes in cerebral blood flow, global hypoperfusion, and a CPB-triggered whole-body inflammatory response represent possible mechanisms responsible for this increased cerebral water retention and increased BBB permeability.2,3 The stress of CPB results in an increased production of antidiuretic hormone, which decreases plasma osmolarity and may contribute to cerebral swelling.4-6 When brain tumors are encountered in cardiac surgical patients, the deleterious cerebral consequences of CPB, such as an impaired BBB and disturbed cerebral autoregulation, may magnify the disturbances produced in the tumor itself. The authors present the case of a patient with a meningioma who presented for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Helicobacter pylori stimulates pepsin secretion from isolated rabbit gastric glands.

Cave TR, Cave DR. Helicobacter pylori stimulates secretion of pepsin from isolated gastric gland. Scand J Gastroenterol 1991, 26(suppl 181), 9–14In man, type-B gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori has been associated with both increased serum pepsinogen in the presence of ccand increased levels of gastric pepsin. We investigated the effect of H. pylori on pepsinogen secretion in vitro and found that a cc preparation of H. pylori increased pepsinogen secretion from isolated rabbit gastric glands. This increase was significant after 5 min (p = 0.001), and maximum secretion was obtained after 30 min of incubation. The effect was additive to the secretion achieved by stimulation with carbachol at 10−-4 M plus 10−-4 isobutylmethylxanthine or 10−-8 M cholecystokinin. There was no detectable stimulation of pepsinogen synthesis by 2 h. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was assayed as an index of cell damage, and no significant LDH release was noted. The secretary factor in the H. pylori sonicate is inhibited...
The social consequences of honey bee polyandry: the effects of kinship on worker interactions within colonies

Abstract Honey bees, Apis mellifera L., are polyandrous and several males simultaneously father offspring within a single colony. The relatedness of female colony members therefore varies with their paternity: workers encounter both patrilineal full sister (r¯=0·75) and non-patrilineal half-sister (r¯=0·25) nestmates. The impact of this intra-colony genetic variation on social grooming and trophallaxis (liquid food exchange) among workers in colonies consisting of two phenotypically-distinct worker patrilines was examined. Workers in these colonies groomed and fed a disproportionately large number of full sisters despite a tendency to encounter a disproportionately large number of half-sisters. Thus, workers actively discriminated between full and half-sisters. This patrilineal discrimination occurred both in colonies with laying queens and in a queenless colony rearing replacement queens. These results suggest that intracolony genetic variation may have a major effect on colony social organization.
Behavioral Economics, Federalism, and the Triumph of Stakeholder Theory

As in the Cold War’s conclusion, when the Berlin Wall fell, stakeholder theory’s victory over financial agency theory occurred with a tumultuous event — the 2001 stock market crash. Financial agency theorists were left to concede that financial markets were less than perfect (Jensen, Murphy and Ruck, 2004; Jensen, 2002). Even Michael Jensen, agency theory’s most prominent apostle, proclaimed himself an ‘enlightened’ stakeholder advocate. This qualification permitted Jensen to distinguish himself from those managerial theorists who had for two decades resisted agency theory’s advance. Yet, his distance seems rather odd, given the recent widespread acceptance of behavioral economics and law. For, when these are incorporated into stakeholder theory, the contentious descriptive disagreements find a satisfactory resolution, leaving discord on that enduring ethical issue - a fair surplus divide.
Mechanical Characteristics of Asphaltic Mixtures Containing Titanium-Dioxide Photocatalyst

Photocatalysis pavements containing nano and ultrafine titanium dioxide (TiO2) can trap and degrade organic and inorganic particles in the air, removing harmful air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds in the presence of UV light (sunlight). To accommodate the rapid development and adoption of this technology, performance characterization of photocatalytic mixture is needed. The objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive laboratory evaluation of conventional HMA and WMA mixtures containing the nano TiO2 photocatalyst. To achieve this objective, two asphalt cement binder blends, consisting of an unmodified PG 64–22 and SBS polymer-modified PG 70–22, and a commercial crystallized anatase-based titanium-dioxide ultra-fine powder with an active surface area of 90 m2/g were prepared at a modification rate of 7 % by weight of the binder. The blends were used in 19-mm Superpave asphalt mixtures. The content of Evotherm J1 WMA additive was 1.0 % by weight of the binder. The mixture performance tests included modified Lottman test, SCB, LWT, and TSRST. Based on the results of the experimental program, the use of TiO2 as a modifier to HMA and WMA mixtures did not significantly alter the performance as compared to conventional mixes; therefore, TiO2 may be used to modify both HMA and WMA mixtures without damaging effects on performance.
The effect of background familiarity in visual search: An analysis of underlying factors

The speed and accuracy of visual target search are strongly dependent on the familiarity of the background through which the search proceeds. Search through unfamiliar elements is much more difficult than search through familiar ones. This effect of background familiarity is examined in a series of three experiments. Experiment 1 suggests that the effect is not attributable to an inherently slow classification of individually unfamiliar nontargets. Experiments 2 and 3 investigate three aspects of multicharacter processing potentially sensitive to background familiarity. The results suggest that the background familiarity effect is most parsimoniously viewed as the result of slow or inaccurate segmentation of features extracted from adjacent characters. Mechanisms linking the familiarity of the background with the efficiency of character segregation are discussed in closing.
Understandable learning machine system design for Transmembrane or Embedded Membrane segments prediction

We modified an existing association rule based classifier CPAR to improve traditional black box model based learning machine approaches on Transmembrane (TM) segment prediction. The modified classifier was improved further by combining with SVM. The experimental results indicate that this hybrid scheme offers biologically meaningful rules on TM/EM segment prediction while maintaining the performance almost as well as the SVM method. The evaluation of the sturdiness and the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis proved that this new scheme is robust and competent with SVM on TM/EM segment prediction. The prediction server is available at http:/ /bmcc2.cs.gsu.edu/∼haeh2/.
Demand Systems for Competing Commodities: An Application of the Uniform Substitute Hypothesis

The uniform substitute hypothesis is used to develop a conditional demand system for juice products. The hypothesis offers a means to improve upon the precision of the parameter estimates and save degrees of freedom, when closely related competing goods are included in a demand system. Uniform substitute restrictions are tested for alternative juke groupings using the likelihood ratio test. The results indicate that juices in a group must be quite similar to accept the restrictions.
High index of refraction nanosphere coatings for light trapping in crystalline silicon thin film solar cells

Abstract Dielectric nanospheres have emerged as a promising candidate for enhancing absorption in thin film photovoltaics. In this paper, we utilize numerical electrodynamic simulations to investigate the absorption enhancements achievable in crystalline Si (c-Si) thin films of thicknesses from 100 to 2000 nm from 2-dimensional close-packed silica (SiO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4), and titania (TiO2) nanosphere array coatings. We demonstrate that dielectric nanospheres can enhance the absorption in c-Si thin films by coupling incident light to transverse electric (TE) waveguide modes in the c-Si thin film. While SiO2 nanosphere arrays may achieve enhancements of less than 10% compared to ideal double pass c-Si thin films, higher index of refraction nanospheres confine light more strongly such that more nanosphere resonances may couple to waveguide modes in the c-Si. Si3N4 nanospheres may enhance ultimate efficiencies by over 40% for thicknesses ≤800 nm and TiO2 nanospheres by over 50% for thicknesses ≤700 nm compared to thin film structures with perfect anti-reflection coatings. This light trapping approach increases the absorption in the photoactive region without introducing additional surfaces or interfaces that increase surface recombination.
Environmental protection in space: a quantitative policy study

Abstract Survey data were collected in the USA from a national sample of chief executive officers. The first goal of the research was to identify national policies and strategies to control orbital debris, without imposing undue negative impacts on the US private and governmental space sectors. The second goal was to test a theoretical model, developed to predict the willingness of respondents to accept a national space environmental safety programme. National and International implications were drawn.
Effects of Housing, Milk Feeding Management, and Ration Formulation on Calf Growth and Feed Intake

Abstract Three housing systems for calves were compared in two experiments, 1) bedded pens in a closed barn, 2) outdoor movable pens, and 3) elevated, slatted floor pens with a semiautomated manure flushing system. No differences in growth rates due to housing system or interactions with rations or milk feeding systems were significant. In Experiment 1, 115 calves were fed a mixture of whole milk and colostrum either once or twice daily and weaned at 28 days of age. Growth and feed intake to 84 days did not differ. A basic corn-soybean meal plus supplement ration was compared to rations similar except for addition of 15% cottonseed hulls, 30% citrus pulp, or both. Addition of 15% cottonseed hulls resulted in greater weight gains, 30% citrus pulp less, and the other two intermediate. Experiments calves (62) were fed either whole milk and colostrum or mastitic milk. No differences in weight gains were significant. The ration of 15% cottonseed hulls fed in Experiment 1 was compared with 5 and 25% hulls. No differences in growth were detected, but intake increased with added hulls. Since housing system and feeding frequency had no detectable effects on growth or survival rates, other factors should enter into selection of the program. Further, when economically feasible, use of cottonseed hulls seems indicated.
Baroreflex sensitivity associated hypoalgesia in healthy states is altered by chronic pain.

Abstract While experimental baroreceptor stimulation is known to elicit hypoalgesia in healthy individuals, the impact of spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) on acute pain responses is not known. We tested for associations between BRS and pain responses in healthy individuals, whether these associations are altered in chronic low back pain (CLBP), and the role of alpha-2 adrenergic (ADRA2) mechanisms in these effects. Twenty-five healthy controls and 21 CLBP subjects completed three acute pain tasks after receiving placebo or an intravenous ADRA2 antagonist (yohimbine hydrochloride, 0.4 mg/kg) across two sessions in counterbalanced order. Resting pre-drug spontaneous BRS was assessed using the sequence method. CLBP subjects displayed lower resting BRS Down than controls ( p Down interactions indicated that significant BRS-related hypoalgesia on thermal pain threshold and tolerance was eliminated with yohimbine ( p ’s Up interactions on finger pressure (MPQ-Sensory) and ischemic tasks (MPQ-Sensory, pain threshold, intra-task numeric intensity ratings) indicated that inverse BRS/pain associations in controls ( p ’s Down interactions on finger pressure MPQ-Sensory and intra-task numeric intensity ratings ( p ’s
Binding of α-dihydrotetrabenazine to the vesicular monoamine transporter is stereospecific

The two enantiomers of alpha-dihydrotetrabenazine were separated using chiral high performance liquid chromatography. The (+)-isomer showed high affinity in vitro (Ki = 0.97 +/- 0.48 nM) for the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) in rat brain striatum, whereas the (-)-isomer was inactive (Ki = 2.2 +/- 0.3 microM). Each isomer was then synthesized in carbon-11 labeled form, and regional brain biodistributions in mice determined after intravenous injection. Only (+)-alpha-dihydrotetrabenazine showed selective and specific accumulations in regions of dense monoaminergic innervation (e.g., striatum, hypothalamus), which could be blocked by coinjection of unlabeled tetrabenazine. Binding of alpha-dihydrotetrabenazine to the vesicular monoamine transporter is thus stereospecific.
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Changes on Initiation of No-Till Cropping Systems

Previous research indicates that increased cropping intensity (crops/time) under no-till may increase soil organic C and N contents and reduce risk for NO₃-N leaching, compared with tilled and frequent-fallow systems. This study was conducted to determine the effect of cropping intensity on changes in soil organic C and N and NO₃-N after 4 yr (1985–1989) of no-till and perennial grassland management. The effects were examined over three toposequences in the west-central Great Plains that had been previously under tilled and frequent-fallow systems for >50 yr. Production systems included wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow (WF), wheat-corn (Zea mays L.) or sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench)-millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)-fallow (WCMF), and perennial grass (CG). Organic C and N accumulated, was maintained, and declined in 0- to 2.5-, 2.5- to 5-, and 5- to 10-cm soilayers, respectively, for all systems in the relatively short study period (4 yr). More intense systems (WCMF and CG) had greater contents of soil organic C and N in the aggregate 0- to 10-cm layer than WF after 4 yr. Smaller profile (0–180 cm) NO₃-N contents occurred under WCMF (60 kg ha⁻¹) and CG (10 kg ha⁻¹) than WF (120 kg ha⁻¹) systems, and showed promise for reducing NO₃-N leaching risk with increased cropping intensity. This study indicates that rapid changes in C and N occur with initiation of no-till in soils previously managed under tilled and frequent-fallow systems and that increased cropping intensity will promote higher equilibrium levels of organic C and N, but lower levels of NO₃-N. Contribution of the Colorado Agric. Exp. Stn.
Radiation protection of poly(vinyl chloride) by N‐methyl dithiocarbamate substitution

The effect of N,N-dialkyl dithiocarbamate substitution on the radiation stability of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) film was studied. PVC containing 6.5–15.7 mole-% N,N-dimethyl dithiocarbamate (PDM) and PVC containing 8.3–17.5 mole-% N,N-diethyl dithiocarbamate (PDE) was irradiated with γ-rays from a Co-60 source at room temperature under vacuum. The evolved gaseous products were measured and analyzed with a mass spectrometer. The apparent G values for gas evolution of PDM and PDE decreased remarkably. For example, a G value of 0.10 was obtained for a PDE which contains 17.5 mole-% diethyl dithiocarbamate group. The mass spectrum of the evolved gas from the same PDE sample with 10-Mrad irradiation showed no hydrogen chloride to be present. The external protection was studied using polymer-blended films of PVC and PDE or PDM. The stabilization coefficients for internal protection and external protection in polymer blends were calculated. Although the ESR spectrum of the irradiated PDM, PDE, and PVDE which is synthesized by polymerization of S-vinyl-N,N-diethyl dithiocarbamate (VDE) showed the same sulfur radicals, they were different from those of the irradiated cysteamine hydrochloride and PVC containing N-methyl dithiocarbamate (PMD). From these results, the protection of a polymer by a covalently bound dithiocarbamate was discussed.
The early development of stereotypy and self-injury: a review of research methods.

Background The origin and developmental course of stereotypic and self-injurious behaviour among individuals with developmental disabilities such as intellectual disability (ID) or pervasive development disorders such as autism is not well understood. Method Twelve studies designed to document the prevalence, nature, or development of stereotypic and/or self-injurious behaviour in children under 5 years of age and identified as at risk for developmental delay or disability were reviewed. Comparisons were made with similar studies with typically developing children. Results It appears that the onset of naturally occurring rhythmic motor stereotypies is delayed in young at-risk children, but that the sequencing may be similar. A very small database, differences in samples, measures, and designs limited the degree to which comparisons could be made across studies. Conclusion Future work is needed based on appropriately designed prospective comparison studies and uniform quantitative measures to provide an empirical basis for new knowledge about the early development of one of the most serious behaviour disorders afflicting children with ID and related problems of development.
Position Paper: Toward extended fuzzy logic---A first step

Fuzzy logic adds to bivalent logic an important capability-a capability to reason precisely with imperfect information. Imperfect information is information which in one or more respects is imprecise, uncertain, incomplete, unreliable, vague or partially true. In fuzzy logic, results of reasoning are expected to be provably valid, or p-valid for short. Extended fuzzy logic adds an equally important capability-a capability to reason imprecisely with imperfect information. This capability comes into play when precise reasoning is infeasible, excessively costly or unneeded. In extended fuzzy logic, p-validity of results is desirable but not required. What is admissible is a mode of reasoning which is fuzzily valid, or f-valid for short. Actually, much of everyday human reasoning is f-valid reasoning. f-Valid reasoning falls within the province of what may be called unprecisiated fuzzy logic, FLu. FLu is the logic which underlies what is referred to as f-geometry. In f-geometry, geometric figures are drawn by hand with a spray pen-a miniaturized spray can. In Euclidean geometry, a crisp concept, C, corresponds to a fuzzy concept, f-C, in f-geometry. f-C is referred to as an f-transform of C, with C serving as the prototype of f-C. f-C may be interpreted as the result of execution of the instructions: Draw C by hand with a spray pen. Thus, in f-geometry we have f-points, f-lines, f-triangles, f-circles, etc. In addition, we have f-transforms of higher-level concepts: f-parallel, f-similar, f-axiom, f-definition, f-theorem, etc. In f-geometry, p-valid reasoning does not apply. Basically, f-geometry may be viewed as an f-transform of Euclidean geometry. What is important to note is that f-valid reasoning based on a realistic model may be more useful than p-valid reasoning based on an unrealistic model.
In Vitro Evaluation of the 18 and 36 kg Securos Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System

Objective— To evaluate the mechanical properties of the 18 and 36 kg Securos Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System™. Study Design— In vitro mechanical evaluation. Sample Population— Loop constructs of 18, 27, and 36 kilogram test (kgt) nylon leader line (NLL) secured with Securos® crimp–clamps (SCC, n=40 per NLL test weight) or by a clamped square knot (CSK; n=40/NLL test weight). Methods— The 36 kg SCC were used for the 27 and 36 kgt NLL, and 18 kg SCC were used for the 18 kgt NLL. Loop constructs were mounted on a material testing machine, and distracted at 500 mm/min for static tests, and for cyclic tests at 500 mm/min to a distraction limit of 6 mm (18 kgt) or 7.5 mm (27 and 36 kgt) for 49 cycles, until failure. Constructs were tested at 20°C except for 1 group of 27 kgt CSK loops tested at 40°C. Load at failure, elongation, and stiffness was recorded and compared between groups under static or cyclic testing conditions. Results— All 27 and 36 kgt loops failed by disruption of NLL contained within the knot or crimp–clamp, whereas 18 kgt SCC loops failed by the NLL pulling through the crimp-clamp. The 18 kg SCC loops had considerable variability in ultimate load and elongation (coefficient of variation 29.6% and 18.3%, respectively). There was no significant difference in elongation between 27.3 kgt CSK loops tested at 20°C and 40°C. Generally, in both static and cyclic testing, SCC constructs formed with 27.3 or 36.4 kgt NLL performed as well or better than CSK constructs, resulting in loops that were strong, underwent minimal elongation, and had high stiffness. Conclusion— The results support use of the 36 kg Securos® system but not the 18 kg Securos® system (with the clamp and crimping device used). The significantly lower load required for failure, slippage through the clamp, and substantial variability suggested that the crimp tube diameter or the crimping device tested may be inappropriate for use with 18 kgt NLL. Clinical Relevance— Surgeons should be aware that crimp–clamp design is important in controlling suture slippage or breakage within the clamp, and that novel systems should undergo mechanical testing with the size suture material they are intended to secure before clinical use.
Computational studies of peripheral ring twisting in meso‐N‐methyl pyridyl‐substituted porphyrins

Semiempirical molecular orbital calculations for the porphyrins tetrakis(4-N-methyl pyridyl)porphine (H2TMpyP-4) and tetrakis(2-N-methyl pyridyl)porphine using the MNDO and AM-1 Hamiltonians suggest that twisting one or more of the pyridinium rings results, at considerable energy expense, in highly nonplanar macrocycle configurations as the exocyclic ring(s) approach coplanarity. The results imply that the mechanism of intercalation of H2TMpyP-4 into DNA cannot require twisting the exocyclic rings anywhere close to coplanarity with the central porphine core, but involves, instead, the inherent flexibility of DNA itself. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging protocol for endoscopic cranial base image-guided surgery.

Abstract Objective Despite the increasing utilization of image-guided surgery, no radiology protocols for obtaining magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of adequate quality are available in the current literature. At our institution, more than 300 endonasal cranial base procedures including pituitary, extended pituitary, and other anterior skullbase procedures have been performed in the past 3 years. To facilitate and optimize preoperative evaluation and assessment, there was a need to develop a magnetic resonance protocol. Methods Retrospective Technical Assessment was performed. Discussion Through a collaborative effort between the otolaryngology, neurosurgery, and neuroradiology departments at our institution, a skull base MR image–guided (IGS) protocol was developed with several ends in mind. First, it was necessary to generate diagnostic images useful for the more frequently seen pathologies to improve work flow and limit the expense and inefficiency of case specific MR studies. Second, it was necessary to generate sequences useful for IGS, preferably using sequences that best highlight that lesion. Currently, at our institution, all MR images used for IGS are obtained using this protocol as part of preoperative planning. The protocol that has been developed allows for thin cut precontrast and postcontrast axial cuts that can be used to plan intraoperative image guidance. It also obtains a thin cut T2 axial series that can be compiled separately for intraoperative imaging, or may be fused with computed tomographic images for combined modality. The outlined protocol obtains image sequences effective for diagnostic and operative purposes for image–guided surgery using both T1 and T2 sequences.
New method of measuring the noise parameters of an electron beam

The noise figure of a microwave beam amplifier has a lower limit that depends entirely upon the noise process in the electron gun near the potential minimum. This paper is chiefly concerned with the theory and experimental results of a new method of measuring the noise parameters of the electron beam, especially the correlation between its velocity and current fluctuations, by using a "selective beam coupler" that has properties similar to the conventional microwave directional coupler. An appreciable value for the real part of the correlation coefficient between the velocity and current fluctuations was found in the space-charge-limited region. This value went to zero, or slightly negative, in the temperature-limited region. The probable error in the noise measurements is discussed by taking account of the residual selectivity of the selective beam coupler, the effect of the pickup cavities upon the beam, the thermal noise from the pickup cavities, and the higher-order modes in the beam. Measurements of \Pi/S , the real part of the correlation coefficient between velocity and current fluctuations, have been made on a number of guns. Under space-charge-limited conditions, the observed values were approximately 0.2 to 0.3. Under temperature-limited conditions, \Pi/S \approx 0 .
The Use of Official Records to Measure Crime and Delinquency

What are "Official" RecordsThe term "official records" is broad and would include data taken from any set of administrative records in order to measure crime or features of criminal justice. In practice, it is usually taken to refer to police or court records. For present purposes, we will limit discussion to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. This includes the older "Summary Reporting System" with seven different data collections (Offenses Known to the Police also called Return A; Age, Sex and Race of Persons Arrested; Supplementary Homicide Report; Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted; Full-time Law Enforcement Employees; Arson Offenses Known to Law Enforcement; and Hate Crime), as well as the National Incident-Based Reporting System which is currently under development. The term "UCR" is ambiguous. When we refer to the whole organizational enterprise coordinated by the FBI, we use the term "UCR Program," otherwise we will refer to specific data collections. ... Language: en
Effect on morphine-induced catalepsy, lethality, and analgesia by a benzodiazepine receptor agonist midazolam in the rat

Previously we have shown that intrathecal administration of midazolam can increase or decrease morphine-induced antinociception, depending upon relative concentration of these drugs by modulating spinal opioid receptors, and it also can inhibit morphine-induced tolerance and dependence in the rat. Now we report that midazolam also influences catalepsy, lethality, and analgesia induced by morphine in the rat. In the acute treatment, animals were first treated with saline or midazolam (0.03 to 30.0 mg/kg, b.wt., IP), and 30 min later with a second injection of saline or morphine (1.0 to 100.0 mg/kg, b.wt., SC). The catalepsy was measured 60 min after the second injection and lethality was checked after 24 h. Midazolam injection increased the morphine-induced catalepsy and lethality. In the chronic treatment, animals were injected with two injections daily for 11 days. The first injection consisted of saline or midazolam (0.03 to 3.0 mg/kg, b.wt., IP), and 30 min later with a second injection of saline or morphine (10.0 mg/kg, b.wt., IP) was given. Lethality, antinociception, and body weight were measured. Chronic morphine treatment also increased lethality in a dose-dependent manner. Chronic treatment with midazolam and morphine increased the antinociception on day 11, as measured in the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. Midazolam administration also prevented the morphine-induced weight loss. These results suggest a strong interaction between midazolam and morphine in altering catalepsy, lethality, and analgesia in rat.
High-performance content-based phishing attack detection

Phishers continue to alter the source code of the web pages used in their attacks to mimic changes to legitimate websites of spoofed organizations and to avoid detection by phishing countermeasures. Manipulations can be as subtle as source code changes or as apparent as adding or removing significant content. To appropriately respond to these changes to phishing campaigns, a cadre of file matching algorithms is implemented to detect phishing websites based on their content, employing a custom data set consisting of 17,992 phishing attacks targeting 159 different brands. The results of the experiments using a variety of different content-based approaches demonstrate that some can achieve a detection rate of greater than 90% while maintaining a low false positive rate.
Preliminary damp-heat stability studies of encapsulated CIGS solar cells

We observed a large variation in the damp heat (DH) durability of many of the unencapsulated CIGS devices fabricated at NREL. Some devices failed within the first few hours of DH exposure; others failed within a few hundred hours while some lasted for 1000 h. The initial degradation often showed a 50% decrease in efficiency in the first few hundred hours; The premature device failures often correspond to the degradation of the ZnO window layer, the peeling of molybdenum (Mo) from the soda-lime glass (SLG), or both. Repeated J-V measurements lead to significant damage of the contact pads, which provide additional path for moisture ingress. To better understand the onset of degradation and the cause of initial decrease in performance and to minimize the damage caused to the contact pads, we designed an encapsulation scheme to control the moisture ingress by laminating the CIGS devices with a combination of different backsheets having different water vapor transmission rates. The encapsulation provided external contacts which solved the damage caused to the pads. This approach facilitates a way to slow down DH-induced degradation of the CIGS device for a more detailed study.
One-year results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for blunt thoracic aortic injury (RESCUE trial)

Objective One-year outcomes of the RESCUE trial (endovascular aortic repair using Valiant Captivia for blunt thoracic aortic injury) are reported. Methods RESCUE is a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter trial. Fifty patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury were enrolled between April 2010 and January 2012. One-year outcomes included secondary procedures, device-, procedure-, and/or aorta-related adverse events, and all-cause mortality. Results Mean patient age was 40.7 ± 17.4 years; 76% of patients were male. Fifty-two thoracic stent grafts were implanted within a median of 1 day of injury. Seventy percent (35 of 50) of aortic injuries were grade III or higher, including 1 free rupture. The mean Injury Severity Score was 37.6 ± 14.3. Vascular access, device delivery, and deployment were successful in all patients. The left subclavian artery was completely covered in 40% (20 of 50) and partially covered in 18% of patients (9 of 50). There were no strokes or spinal cord injuries. Median procedure time was 90.5 minutes; median hospital stay was 11 days. All-cause mortality within 1 year was 12%. There were no conversions to open repair. Four patients (8%) had subclavian artery revascularization; 1 preoperatively; 3 others postoperatively on days 8, 36, and 103. There were no device-related adverse events. During follow-up, 1 patient (2%) had aortic-related and 9 patients (18%) had procedure-related adverse events. Conclusions TEVAR has favorable early midterm outcomes in the treatment of blunt thoracic aortic injury, and remains the treatment modality of choice. Longevity of the stent grafts in this young patient population has yet to be established.
Agricultural-Nitrogen Contributions to Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico

Nitrate (NO 3 ) is the principal nutrient transported through the Mississippi River basin that is related to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Agriculture is a major contributor to the N load. Knowledge of the geographic distribution of NO 3 sources and losses within the basin is critical to understanding the problem and identifying potential solutions. This paper defines the geographic distribution, by hydrologic unit, of major agricultural sources and dominant losses of N in the basin. Sources include imported N such as inorganic fertilizer, manure, and atmospheric deposition, and in situ sources such as mineralized N from soil organic matter, N 2 fixed by legumes, and redeposition of locally derived ammonia (NH 3 ). The dominant N losses include crop harvests, losses to the atmosphere through volatilization of manure and inorganic fertilizer, plant senescence, and denitrification of soil NO 3 . National data bases used in the analysis include the State Soils Geographic Database, 1992 Census of Agriculture, and the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network. The hydrologic units with the largest residual N contributions available to streams are located in the Upper Mississippi River and the Ohio River basins. Mineralizable soil N, inorganic N fertilizer, legume fixation, and redeposition of locally derived NH 3 constitute the major sources in this part of the basin, although manure is a minor source. However, these northern hydrologic regions use a greater fraction of the sources to produce crop N than do the southern hydrologic regions. Residual contributions to the Tennessee, ArkansaslRed, and Lower Mississippi hydrologic regions are greatest when analyzed as a percentage of the total sources.
A weak majorization involving the matrices A ∘ B and AB

Abstract Let A and B be n × n positive definite matrices, and let the eigenvalues of A ∘ B and AB be arranged in decreasing order. Then for all r > 0, ∑ i=k n λ i −r (AB)⩾ ∑ i=k n λ i −r (A∘B) for k=1,...,n Furthermore it is shown that π i=k n λ i −r (A∘B)⩾ ∑ i=k n λ i −r (AB) for k=1,...,n is a limiting case of the weak majorization above which settles a conjecture of Bapat and Johnson.
Hoxa10 and Hoxd10 coordinately regulate lumbar motor neuron patterning.

The paralogous Hox genes Hoxa10 and Hoxd10 are expressed in overlapping domains in the developing lumbar spinal cord and surrounding mesoderm. Independent inactivation of these two genes alters the trajectory of spinal nerves and decreases the complement of motor neurons present in the lumbar spinal cord, whereas dual inactivation of these two genes has been shown to alter peripheral nerve growth and development in the mouse hindlimb. We have examined the organization and distribution of lumbar motor neurons in the spinal cords of Hoxa10/Hoxd10 double mutant animals. Double mutant animals have decreased numbers of lumbar motor neurons in both the medial and lateral motor columns. The anteroposterior position of the lumbar motor column is shifted caudally in double mutant animals, and the distribution of motor neurons is altered across individual spinal segments. Distinctions between classes of motor neurons based on positional specificity appear disrupted in double mutants. Double mutants also demonstrate abnormal spinal cord vasculature and altered kidney placement and size. Our observations suggest that Hoxa10 and Hoxd10 activity is required to specify the position of the lumbar motor column and to provide segmental specification and identity for the lumbar motor neurons.
On the Numerical Discretization in Space and Time: Part 2 - Total Energy Framework and Satisfaction of Conservation Properties of Discretized Equations of Motion for Linear Dynamics Problems

For the modeling and simulation of computational dynamics applications with particular reference to holonomic-sceleronomic systems towards which this paper is restricted, it is important to ensure that the space and time numerical discretizations enable proper designs such that the fully discretized system also inherits the same physical attributes (such as energy, linear, and angular momentum conservation properties) as in the continuous case for conservative dynamic systems. Of the various computational frameworks (Newtonian, Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, and Total Energy) that we presented in Part 1, here in Part 2 of the exposition we particularly describe and advocate the so-called Total Energy computational framework for elastodynamics applications. This is because it is a self-contained framework in a natural setting which is computationally attractive. Consequently, it naturally enables the design of structure preserving time integration algorithms, and also inherits the advantages of readily ensuring ...