cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mathematical Modeling of the Steady-State Processes of Convective Diffusion in Regular Structures Under Mixed Boundary Conditions

We study steady-state processes of the mass transfer of admixtures in two-phase regular structures with regard for the periodic character of convective phenomena under mixed boundary conditions. To construct the exact analytic solutions of contact boundary-value problems of this kind, we adapt the method based on the use of different integral transformations in different contacting domains. A relation between these integral transformations is established by using the conditions of imperfect contact. We obtain the analytic solution of the diffusion problem for a two-phase layer of regular structure with regard for convective transfer in one of the phases with preservation of a constant concentration on the surface of this phase and a constant diffusion flow on the boundary of the other phase. The mass flows through the internal interface contact surface are investigated and numerical analysis of the concentration of migrating particles in structural elements of the body is performed.
Polyglot aphasics and language mixing: A comment on Perecman (1984)

Abstract Perecman (1984) Brain and Language , 23, 43–63 , proposes that language mixing (and especially utterance level mixing) in polyglot aphasics reflects a linguistic deficit and that spontaneous translation indicates a prelinguistic processing deficit. It is argued in this comment that both language mixing (including utterance-level mixing) and spontaneous translation are also found in normal polyglots, and that they may not therefore always be reflecting language deficit in aphasics. Only a good assessment of the patient's language and speech before and after the injury will determine if these behaviors do indeed reflect deficits.
Reciprocal Feedback Regulation of PI3K and Androgen Receptor Signaling in PTEN-Deficient Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is characterized by its dependence on androgen receptor (AR) and frequent activation of PI3K signaling. We find that AR transcriptional output is decreased in human and murine tumors with PTEN deletion and that PI3K pathway inhibition activates AR signaling by relieving feedback inhibition of HER kinases. Similarly, AR inhibition activates AKT signaling by reducing levels of the AKT phosphatase PHLPP. Thus, these two oncogenic pathways cross-regulate each other by reciprocal feedback. Inhibition of one activates the other, thereby maintaining tumor cell survival. However, combined pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K and AR signaling caused near-complete prostate cancer regressions in a Pten-deficient murine prostate cancer model and in human prostate cancer xenografts, indicating that both pathways coordinately support survival.
The distribution and daily movement of stone crabs (menippe mercenaria) in an intertidal oyster habitat on the northwest coast of Florida

The distribution and daily movement of stone crabs inhabiting a semi‐artificial, intertidal, oyster habitat was monitored from May to December, 1983, on the northwest coast of Florida. The population structure was characterized by an abundance of adult males and juveniles of both sexes in the summer followed by an influx of adult females during the early fall mating season. Adult heterosexual pairs were sighted exclusively in September and October. Adult males in heterosexual pairs were significantly larger than unpaired adult males. Paired and unpaired females did not differ in size nor were the sizes of paired individuals correlated. Nearest neighbor analyses indicated adult males were distributed randomly during the pre‐mating, mating and post‐mating seasons. Tag‐recapture data indicated there were no differences in frequency or distance of movement between the sexes or size classes. The higher frequency of pairing for large males suggests non‐random mating occurred; however, a behavioral mechanism exp...
Strategic use of nickel(0)-catalyzed enyne-epoxide reductive coupling towards the synthesis of (-)-cyatha-3,12-diene.

Various situations are explored in which the nickel(0)-catalyzed enyne-epoxide reductive coupling was utilized to access key intermediates towards the total synthesis of (−)-cyatha-3,12-diene (1). Enantioenriched 3,5-dien-1-ols with a variety of functionality were obtained in a straightforward manner from easily accessible 1,3-enynes and terminal epoxides.
Piscivorous Feeding Behavior of Largemouth Bass: An Experimental Analysis

Abstract Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides are the dominant top carnivores of many North American lakes and reservoirs and are very popular sport fish, but the actual behavioral mechanisms of their feeding are still poorly known. In laboratory experiments we broke predation into its component parts: Location, pursuit, attack, and handling of prey. The distance at which largemouth bass can locate forage fish increases with prey size, with prey motion (when prey are small), and with light intensity. In the pursuit phase of the predation cycle, largemouth bass are more likely to choose prey with large apparent size, closer proximity, or greater motion. When bluegills Lepomis macrochirus were the experimental prey, the number of attempted attacks by largemouth bass before the prey was ingested increased with bluegill size, within broad limits. At high light intensities bluegills can locate modest-size largemouth bass (29 cm total length) long before the predators locate them, but at low light intensities,...
Chromatographic Determination of Benzoic Acid Derivatives for Application to Metabolism Studies

Thin-layer and gas chromatographic systems were developed in support of metabolism studies to detect 4-hydroxybenzoic, 2-hydroxyanisic, and 3-hydroxyanisic acids in the presence of benzoic acid. Chromatographic systems were also developed for the detection of 4-chlorobenzoic acid in the presence of benzoic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids. Quantitative results were obtained by gas chromatography and by reverse TLC fluorimetry of the quenching of a fluorescent background.
OPTIMISTIC BIAS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH HEMOPHILIA

A general view of adolescents holds that they perceive themselves as invulnerable to harm, being at less risk than peers for a negative outcome from a designated behavior. This study investigated factors which may be associated with this bias in an adolescent hemophiliac population. It was hypothesized that adolescents would demonstrate an optimistic bias, which would vary depending upon the comparative reference group and the relevance of the health risk items to their disease. Subjects were 56 adolescent hemophiliacs from 10-19 yrs. (X=13.75 yrs, S.D=2.17) who were at camp. The protocol asked them to make comparative risk judgments (i.e., the likelihood of a negative outcome) on a list of health related items using 2 different reference groups (other boys in same grade [A], other boys with hemophilia [B]). Items were either DISEASE-RELEVANT (REL=car accident, fistfight, hiking, sports, bike/skateboard, ankle/knee, swinming) or GENERIC (GEN=marijuana, alcohol, flu, caries). Results demonstrate a bias. The optimistic bias differed depending upon the comparative reference group (bias [B], p<.0001; bias [A], nonsignificant) and varied with respect to the relevance of items to hemophilia (GEN [A]&[B], p's<.001; REL [B], p<.001; REL [A], nonsignificant). These adolescent hemophiliacs acknowledged that their risk for negative outcomes was greater when comparing themselves to others [A] on only 3 of the REL items, yet when they compared themselves to other hemophiliacs [B] they were optimistically biased on 8 of 11 items (i.e., “it won't happen to me”). The concept of the invulnerable adolescent may be disease and reference group specific.
Geophysics job market

According to data released by the College Placement Council for the report year ending July, 1983, the job market for graduates in geophysics, engineering, and science reflects the reality of economic recovery. The number of job offers was down sharply, but this did not reflect the number of positions filled. At the bachelor's level, for example, there were 33,604 offers this spring, compared with 51,290 a year ago. The number of acceptances was estimated to have been about the same.
A cyclo -tetraphosphoxane cage complex of molybdenum(0) and palladium(II)

Abstract The molecular structure of the cage complex Mo(CO)4[iPr2NPO]4PdBr2 has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray analysis. An adamantanoid cage structure featuring a distorted octahedral Mo(0) and a square-planar Pd(II) both chelated by an exo-ditopic P4O4 heterocycle was found.
Thrombocytopenia in the Intensive Care Unit Setting

Thrombocytopenia is a commonly encountered labora tory abnormality in the intensive care unit setting. Al though moderate degrees of thrombocytopenia may be dismissed as clinically trivial, severe thrombocytopenia can have catastrophic consequences. This review di vides the potential pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia into three pathophysiological categories: (1) produc tive, (2) consumptive, and (3) distributional. The im portant etiologies and appropriate therapies for throm bocytopenia in each of these categories are discussed. We have attempted to emphasize the underlying patho genic mechanisms as well as highlight the diagnostic dilemmas likely to be faced by intensive care unit physi cians. Although this review stresses those thrombocyto penic disorders most likely to be encountered in the intensive care unit, chronic etiologies of thrombocy topenia are also discussed because preexistent throm bocytopenia will further complicate the care of any acutely ill intensive care unit patient.
View through ice

Field investigations of the Malaspina Glacier, Alaska (Figure 1), were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in late September 1988, to examine areas of the glacier's surface which had produced unusual backscatter responses (see cover and Figure 2) on X-band side-looking airborne radar (SLAR). SLAR imagery of the Malaspina Glacier was collected for the USGS by INTERATechnologies, Inc., in November 1986, as part of a systematic program to produce radar image mosaics of the Yakutat, Mt. Fairweather, Mt. Saint Elias, Icy Bay, and Bering Glacier 1° × 2° quadrangles. These data are the first digitally acquired, X-band, high-resolution, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) of coastal, south central Alaska and the Malaspina Glacier. The Xband SLAR operates at a frequency of 9.6 GHz with a wavelength of 3.2 cm. The only other previously available, nonproprietary, SAR imagery of the Malaspina Glacier is much lower-resolution, L-band, SEASAT SAR, obtained in 1978. SEASAT operated at a frequency of 1.3 GHz with a wavelength of 23.5 cm. The resolution of SEASAT is about 25 m, while the SLAR data have a resolution of about 10 m. The backscatter features observed on the X-band SLAR imagery are only poorly discernible on SEASAT data.
Real time speech enhancement for the noisy MRI environment

Performance of two Adaptive (nLMS and Normalized Sign-error LMS) and a single channel (LogMMSE) speech enhancement algorithms are tested on a floating point DSP to reveal their effectiveness in enhancing speech corrupted in noisy MRI environment with very low SNR. The purpose of experiments is to reduce the fatigue of the listener by eliminating the strong MRI noise. The experiments use actual data set collected from a 3-Tesla MRI machine. Results of the experiments and performance of the speech enhancement system are presented in this paper. The speech enhancement system is automated. Our experiments reveal that after enhancement of the speech signal using Sign-Error LMS, the residual noise shows characteristics of white noise in contrast to the residual noise of the other algorithms which is more structured. It is also shown that the Sign-Error LMS offers fast convergence in comparison to the other two methods.
Intravenous Lacosamide in refractory nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

Abstract Background Many patients present with refractory Status epilepticus (SE) despite multiple anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Lacosamide (LCM) was recently approved as an adjunct AED for partial-onset seizures. It has unique mechanism of modulating voltage-gated sodium channels by enhancing their slow inactivation. LCM has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of pharmacoresistant seizures. To date, there are isolated anecdotal reports of LCM use in SE. Objective To report a single center experience with IV Lacosamide in patients with NCSE. Methods Pharmacy records were reviewed to identify patients with SE who received IV LCM in our institution. Data on demographics, response to therapy and adverse effects/outcomes were analyzed. All patients had continuous EEG monitoring. Results 10 patients (4 men, 6 women), age 16–90 years with refractory SE were given LCM. Eight patients were in focal non-convulsive SE (NCSE), 2 were in generalized non-convulsive SE. The etiologies included anoxic brain injury, idiopathic, encephalitis, tumor, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), stroke, and AVM. IV LCM was added after traditional AEDs, including drug-induced coma in some, failed to control the SE. NCSE resolved in 7/10 patients whereas 1/10 patient showed partial response with cessation of NCSE but still frequent electrographic seizures and 2/10 patients were resistant to therapy. Conclusions LCM is a useful adjunct in refractory NCSE. The IV formulation allows prompt administration in the intensive care unit setting. Response was seen especially in focal SE. Similar to other AEDs, response was poor in patients with postanoxic injury. Our data is limited by the small number of patients. Larger controlled studies are necessary to assess accurately the efficacy of IV LCM as an early treatment of SE.
Onchocerciasis in a Nonendemic Population: Clinical and Immunologic Assessment before Treatment and at the Time of Presumed Cure

Although suppressive therapy for onchocerciasis with intermittent ivermectin prevents the development of pathology in endemic populations, the clinical and immunologic effects of therapy in the absence of continued exposure are unknown. To address this question, 14 patients treated with ivermectin for onchocerciasis acquired >10 years ago during temporary residence in Africa were reevaluated. None had evidence of continued infection or pathology at follow-up. Although eosinophilia, serum IgE, and antifilarial antibody levels decreased after ivermectin therapy, none of these parameters was useful in predicting the resolution of symptoms in infected patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from patients at follow-up were more responsive to parasite antigen in vitro, which is as assessed by proliferation and production of interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-5. In contrast, antigen-induced levels of IL-10 were significantly decreased at follow-up, consistent with diminished down-regulatory factors rather than a switch from type 2 to type 1 immune responses.
Flood Fatalities in the United States

Abstract This study compiles a nationwide database of flood fatalities for the contiguous United States from 1959 to 2005. Assembled data include the location of fatalities, age and gender of victims, activity and/or setting of fatalities, and the type of flood events responsible for each fatality report. Because of uncertainties in the number of flood deaths in Louisiana from Hurricane Katrina, these data are not included in the study. Analysis of these data reveals that a majority of fatalities are caused by flash floods. People between the ages of 10 and 29 and >60 yr of age are found to be more vulnerable to floods. Findings reveal that human behavior contributes to flood fatality occurrences. These results also suggest that future structural modifications of flood control designs (e.g., culverts and bridges) may not reduce the number of fatalities nationwide. Spatially, flood fatalities are distributed across the United States, with high-fatality regions observed along the northeast Interstate-95 cor...
Parenting Strains, Distress, and Family Paid Labor A Modification of the Cost-of-Caring Hypothesis

Parenting strains are an important dimension of the parenting experience with significant implications for well-being. The cost-of-caring hypothesis suggests that mothers will be more adversely affected by parenting strains. In light of mixed support for the cost-of-caring hypothesis, the author argues that other social contexts may play a role in modifying the effect of parenting strains on men and women. To test this proposal, the author examines whether family labor configurations modify the relationship between parenting strains and depression among parents. Results indicate that the association between parenting strains and depression is similar among dual-earner mothers and father, whereas among mothers working part-time, the association between depression and parenting strains is significantly greater in comparison to fathers in comparable families. These results reinforce the importance of the organization of family and paid labor for understandinghowparenting stressors influence the well-being of...
Readmission for Infective Endocarditis After Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Background and Purpose:Providers vary in their thresholds for obtaining blood cultures in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). We assessed the rate of missed diagnoses of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients discharged with stroke or TIA before blood culture results could have been available.Methods:Using administrative claims data, we performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients discharged from nonfederal California emergency departments or acute care hospitals from 2005 through 2011 with stroke (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] codes 433.x1, 434.x1, or 436 in any position) or TIA (ICD-9-CM code 435 in the primary diagnosis position). We excluded patients with a length of stay >2 days to focus on those discharged before conclusive blood culture results could have been available. Our outcome was hospitalization within 14 days with a new diagnosis of IE (ICD-9-CM codes 391.1 or 421.x in any position).Results...
Randomized coordination in an autonomous decentralized system

The performance of a randomized coordination mechanism for resource access in an autonomous decentralized system is investigated. Given n users and r resources, each user decides to access a resource with probability alpha , and each resource is selected with equal likelihood. The goal is to select alpha so that mutually conflicting decisions, where multiple users try to access the same resource, are minimized. Results are presented on the optimal number of users given some number of resources, and the limiting performance as the number of users approaches infinity. It is shown that given n = kr users and r resources, it is better to partition users and resources so that each resource is accessed by a separate group of k users rather than to allow all n users to compete for all r resources. >
An Analysis of the Imaginary Audience Scale

Tests of reliability and construct validity of the Imaginary Audience Scale (IAS) and its two sub-scales, the Abiding Self (AS) and the Transient Self (TS), were carried out with a sample of 185 adolescents. Results were compared with those of Elkind and Bowen who developed the IAS, TS and AS Scales. Alpha coefficients and item-total correlations were similar to those reported by Elkind and Bowen. In addition, two factors were found for the AS corresponding to the AS and TS sub-scales identified by Elkind and Bowen.
Continuous-time implementation of optimal-aim controls

A modified optimal-aim control strategy for special classes of nonlinear systems is presented, and a theorem leading to an explicit, continuous-time implementation of the strategy is given.
A locally most powerful detector for mode perturbation signatures

A new method to enable vehicle mode detection in a cooperative environment while minimizing communication is proposed. The behavior of a vehicle is described using a finite number of operating modes. Each mode is defined by a model which describes the vehicle?s dynamics as well as a perturbation signature based on gold codes. To accomplish mode detection a locally most powerful detector is derived in which the test statistic is evaluated using the Kalman filter innovations. The performance of the locally most powerful detector is tested via Monte Carlo simulations of a linear and a nonlinear system.
Thermodynamic investigation of trichloroethylene adsorption in water‐saturated microporous adsorbents

Adsorption of trichloroethylene (TCE) in adsorbents containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic micropores was investigated in order to determine the mechanisms responsible for TCE adsorption on mineral solids. A high-pressure liquid chromatography method was used to measure TCE adsorption isotherms on three microporous adsorbents. Silica gel and zeolite type NaX were used as hydrophilic model adsorbents, and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)-treated silica gel was used as a model hydrophobic adsorbent. Batch uptake and desorption isotherms were also measured on the hydrophilic silica gel. Uptake of TCE by all three adsorbents was linear over the concentration range investigated. However, the silica gel desorption isotherm was highly nonlinear, as indicated by its Freundlich isotherm exponent of 0.58. Capillary phase separation into hydrophobic micropores was postulated as being responsible for the isotherm hysteresis. Supporting this hypothesis was the conformance of the TCE adsorption isotherm to Dubinin-Radushkevitch volume filling of micropores theory. The enthalpies for TCE adsorption on all three solids were determined by van't Hoff analysis of distribution coefficients measured over a temperature range from 5 to 90 C. The TCE adsorption enthalpies on the silica gel and HMDS silica gel were exothermic, but on the zeolite adsorption was endothermic. High exothermic adsorption enthalpies on the silicamore » gel adsorbents indicated that TCE adsorption was occurring in hydrophobic micropores, and that adsorption on surfaces with large radii of curvature contributed only minimally to the total uptake. This indicates that the predominant mechanism for TCE adsorption on these mineral solids is not partitioning into the vicinal water layer.« less
Behavioral effects of corticosteroids in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

Objectives. The objective of this study was to define the frequency and severity of steroid-related behavioral side effects in children with steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) during treatment for relapse. Study Design. We conducted a prospective, repeated- measures study in which 10 children with SSNS underwent behavioral assessment using the Child Behavior Checklist at baseline and during high dose prednisone therapy for relapse. Results. Of the 10 children, 8 had normal behavior at baseline. Of these 8 children, 5 had Child Behavior Checklist scores above the 95th percentile for anxious/depressive behavior and/or aggressive behavior during relapse. Such scores are in the range normally considered appropriate for referral to a mental health provider. The 2 children who had abnormal behavior at baseline also experienced a worsening of their behavior during relapse. The behavioral changes occurred almost exclusively at prednisone doses of 1 mg/kg every 48 hours or more. Regression analysis showed that prednisone dose was a strong predictor of abnormal behavior, especially increased aggression. Conclusion. Children with SSNS often experience serious problems with anxiety, depression, and increased aggression during high-dose prednisone therapy for relapse.
Treating High-Risk Offenders in the Community: The Potential of Drug Courts

The drug court model, which integrates drug treatment with community supervision and uses the authority of the court to facilitate compliance and behavioral change, provides an innovative alternative to processing as usual. While drug courts have enjoyed considerable empirical support, research suggests that they could increase their effectiveness through further refining their target population. In particular, it is hypothesized that drug courts are particularly well suited to treat drug offenders who have a high risk for recidivism. The purpose of the current study is to compare recidivism rates of high-risk drug court participants and high-risk probationers. Using new charges as a measure of recidivism, the results indicate drug court participants had significantly better outcomes than probationers. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Environmental adversity and increasing genetic risk for externalizing disorders.

Context: Studies of gene-environment interplay in the development of psychiatric and substance use disorders are rapidly accumulating. However, few attempts have been made to integrate findings and to articulate general mechanisms of gene-environment influence in the emergence of psychopathology. Objective: To identify patterns of gene-environment interplay between externalizing disorders (antisocial behavior and substance use) and several environmental risk factors.
Modeling and control of distributed asynchronous computations

A stochastic model for a class of distributed asynchronous fixed point algorithms is presented and a methodology for optimizing the rate of convergence is introduced. An important parameter in the authors model, called the degree of synchronization, quantifies the average amount of time each processor is willing to wait for information from other processors (before beginning computation of its update variable based on the available estimates of variables from other processors). The authors analyze the relationship between the convergence rate and the degree of synchronization for a class of iterative fixed point algorithms. Preliminary analysis indicates that significant improvements in convergence rates can be achieved by proper control of the parameters in the authors model. >
Structured Modeling and Model Management

We discuss Geoffrion’s contribution to model management and the practice of modeling through his structured modeling formalism. We review the trajectory of structured model management research, enumerating the contributions and limitations of both structured modeling and model management in general. We summarize by suggesting how Geoffrion’s work could be leveraged to contribute to a next generation of model management.
Dollar General Corporation (B)

This case follows the A case (UVA-BP-0253) by three years, chronicling the indigestion Dollar General suffers after the acquisition of the Eagle Store chain. The Dollar General organization, originally held together by a strong sense of "rural American" values, deteriorates because of (1) dramatically different cultures (Dollar General vs. Eagle); (2) massive internal theft, which spreads from Eagle throughout the Dollar General organization; and (3) an irreparable rift between Cal Turner, Jr., the president, and his brother Steve, the chief operating officer. The stock price has plummeted from 29 to 12. How can Cal regain control of his company and turn it around?
An Overview of U.S. Initiatives and Technologies to Secure Shipping Containers at Overseas Ports

ABSTRACT In the year 2005, over 100 million shipping containers moved through the maritime transport system and about 11 million of them were offloaded at United States seaports (U.S. CPB 2006). Therefore, the focus of this paper is about the security vulnerabilities that maritime shipping containers and their associated supply chain management system flaws pose to the United States with respect to weapons of mass destruction. This article describes what is currently being done as part of United States initiatives and the application of technology to prevent shipping containers from being used as vehicles for WMD. The whole world would reverberate from consequences never before witnessed in modern times, if a nuclear device were to arrive at one of the United States, busiest ports from overseas in a shipping container and then detonate. A scenario has been provided in this paper describing that very event and its frightening consequences.
Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

The viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT) is essential for viral replication. The enzyme RT is unique for retroviruses and transcribes the viral genomic RNA into a complementary DNA (cDNA) copy. Reverse transcription is a very complex process and depends on two distinct enzymatic activities of RT; a DNA polymerase that can use either RNA or DNA as template and a nuclease (Ribonuclease H or RNase H) specifi c for the RNA strand of RNA:DNA duplexes (1–3). HIV-1 RT is a stable heterodimer consisting of two subunits of 66 (p66) and 51 kDa (p51) (4–6). The p51 subunit is generated by proteolytic cleavage of the p66 subunit by viral protease and lacks the C-terminal RNase H domain. Although the overall folding of the two subunits is similar, the spatial arrangement of the two subunits is completely different. The p51 subdomain adopts a closed formation and only plays a structural role, whereas the p66 subunit is organized to form a cleft into which the primer template binds and represents the polymerase active site. Crystallographic studies show that the p66 subunit resembles a right hand grasping the primer-template complex (7, 8). On the basis of this 3D structure, the enzyme has been divided into fi ve distinct domains. These are the fi ngers (residues 1–90, 110–160), palm (90–110, 160–240), thumb (240–310), connection domain (310–430) and the RNAse H subdomain (430–565) at the carboxy terminus. The latter subdomain cleaves the template RNA strand and degrades the transcribed RNA. The palm domain harbors the polymerase active site, located in a cleft formed by the fl anking fi ngers and thumb subdomain, which play a role in positioning the template. The active site of RT contains three aspartic acids at amino acids 110, 185 and 186, which are involved in metal-ion ligation and interact with the phosphates of the DNA primer and the incorporated nucleotides. These aspartates are highly conserved and required for the proper function of reverse transcription. The connection subdomain, as the name already implies, connects the polymerase and the RNAse H domain (1, 4, 9, 10). Interestingly, unlike most polymerases, RT lacks a 3′-5′ exonuclease activity, which means that it is not able to identify and excise inappropriate nucleotides once they are incorporated in the growing DNA chain. As a consequence, RT is able to incorporate dNTP analogues in addition to the natural substrates (11, 12). In 1987, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the fi rst anti-HIV drug, Zidovudine (AZT), that was directed against RT. On the basis of their site of binding and mode of action, RT inhibitors can be subdivided into two classes: nucleoside and non-nucleoside inhibitors. This chapter will focus on nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs) and the mechanisms of resistance to these drugs.
Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Surgical Closure of Atrial Septal Defects: A Safe Approach

Objective:To compare the safety and effectiveness of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) versus conventional median sternotomy (open) in the repair of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) or patent foramen ovale (PFO).Design:Among 415 consecutive patients undergoing open or VATS ASD/PFO closure between 1993 and October 2012, 153 patients were compared using 2:1 frequency matching (n = 102 open vs 51 VATS). Matching variables include age, gender, body surface area, past medical history of neurologic events, and need of patch closure. Median age was 43 years (3-71 years), and 67% were female.Results:There were no early deaths in either group. There were no conversions to open sternotomy. Although mean cross-clamp time (14.5 ± 7.6 vs 26.3 ± 13.2 minutes, P < .001) and bypass time (31.7 ± 13.8 vs 60.9 ± 20.9 minutes, P < .001) were longer in the VATS group, patients who underwent VATS had shorter postoperative ventilation time (7.5 ± 6.4 vs 4.4 ± 2.8 hours, P = .03) with 62.7% extubated in the operating roo...
Social Status and Sex Ratio Effects on Mating Frequency of Cockerels

Abstract Cockerels of 3 early- and 3 late-maturing strains of White Leghorns were observed for agonistic and mating behavior while housed with pullets in floor pens. All male strains were equally represented in each of 6 flocks; replicated flocks contained 6, 12, or 18 males with male:female ratios of 1:24, 1:12, or 1:8, respectively. Differences associated with selection for early or late sexual maturity were not detected for either social status or mating frequency. Contrary to expectation, social status of cockerels had little effect on frequency of mating. Flocks with fewer males had lower fertility, but sex ratios (in the range used) had no effect on frequency of mating of individual males. Implications of these results are discussed.
A Study on the Quantative Attributes of Lateral Buds on Rhizomes of Fargesia robusta, Giant Panda′s Staple Food Bamboo

The quantative attributes of lateral buds on rhizomes of Fargesia robusta were studied in pandas′ habitat of Wolong Natural Reserve.The results showed that there were three types of lateral buds,i.e.robust,weak and dead buds,on the rhizomes of Fargesia robusta.The lateral buds usually distributed on the stem base of 1-15-year-old rhizomes,and there developed 1-4(6)lateral buds on each stem base,of which 1-2(3) robust buds may develop into bamboo′s aboveground and underground systems.The number of lateral buds is normally distributed on rhizomes of different age and most of them were concentrated on 5-7-year-old rhizomes.The robust buds usually distributed on 1-7-year-old stem base of rhizomes,there were fewer or no robust buds on other stem base of rhizomes.The weak buds distributed on 1-15-year-old stem bases,dead buds on ≥3-year-old stem bases.It is prognosticated that the next round large scale blossoming of Fargesia robusta probably will happen in 2014,and the giant pandas may encounter food crisis at that time.
Cruise Missile C~3I System Architecture Analysis based on AUML

Agent-oriented method is up-and-coming for C~3I system architecture analysis.This paper provides an elementary method for C~3I system architecture analysis based on three levels,which are Agent organization,Agent and Agent interior.By using AUML(Agent Unified Modeling Language) and extending it,Agent organization oriented analysis modeling for cruise missile C~3I system has been made.Using use-case model to describe the system requirements.Using Agent organization class diagram to describe the system's static structure.Using sequence diagram or collaboration diagram to describe the interaction among Agent organizations.Using activity diagram to describe the work flow within Agent organization and the coinstantaneous actions among Agent organizations.
Self-rated health and health care utilization after military deployments.

ABSTRACT Self-rated general health is one element of the standard health assessment required of U.S. military service members upon completion of major deployments. A cohort study of 22,229 male U.S. Army and Air Force personnel returning from Europe or Southwest Asia in 2000 used survival analysis methods and Cox proportional hazard models to examine postdeployment self-rated health (SRH) status and subsequent hospitalization, separation, and ambulatory care visits. Self-rated health was fair/poor for 1.5% and good for 20.4%; 11% documented at least one health concern. During 30,433 person-years of follow-up (median, 1.5 person-years), there were 22.8 hospitalizations per 1,000 person-years and 4.0 ambulatory care visits per person-years. After adjustment, deployers with fair/poor SRH had an increased risk for hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0,2.7); the risk was lower for those with good SRH (HR, 1.3; 95% CI,1.1,1.5). Deployers with fair/poor SRH health had an incr...
Compliance with primary prevention in private practice: creating a tobacco-free environment.

A sample of private orthodontic practices (n = 40) from a controlled trial for clinician-initiated tobacco-use prevention was used to test the effectiveness of preventive medicine representative (PMR) visits in creating and maintaining an anti-tobacco office environment. Clinical staff of 20 offices, randomly assigned to the experimental group, were trained by a PMR on the use of anti-tobacco materials (no-smoking signs, posters, and print materials). Twenty control-group offices did not receive any training or special treatment. Subsequently, experimental-group offices were visited by a PMR once every three months and were telephoned six weeks after each visit over a 12-month period. During visits and phone calls, PMRs prompted offices to order anti-tobacco materials. Visits served to introduce offices to new materials and to encourage their continued use. Data from direct observations and self-report measures showed significant differences between experimental and control offices for display of anti-tobacco materials at 1.5 months and 12 months (P < .001). Results suggest that PMR visits may serve as an effective method of introducing and maintaining preventive medicine procedures in clinical environments.
Ethnic disparities trump other risk factors in determining delay to emergency department arrival in acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Historically, Blacks receive treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) less frequently than Whites, even after considering contraindications to treatment and socioeconomic status. Blacks also experience a longer delay between symptom onset and Emergency Department (ED) arrival for unclear reasons. The purpose of our study was to determine if these disparities exist within our biracial patient population and why. METHODS: All patients who presented to our center with AIS between July, 2008 and December 2010 were identified from a prospective registry. The relationship between patient demographics and delay to ED arrival was investigated, excluding patients with unknown time of last seen normal (LSN), race other than Black or White, in-hospital strokes, and patients who bypassed the ED. RESULTS: Of the 596 patients screened, 368 met inclusion criteria (median age 65 years, 39.8% female, 67.8% Black). Blacks were more likely to have a longer delay from LSN to ED arrival compared to Whites (median delay of 339 min vs 151 min, P = .0028). Black race remained an independent predictor for delayed ED arrival even after adjusting for age, sex, stroke severity, and home medication use. The same proportion of Whites and Blacks who presented within the 3-hour window received thrombolytic treatment (P = .9763). CONCLUSION: Black race appeared to be the driving force in a multivariate analysis evaluating predictors of ED arrival >3 hours after LSN. Despite the increased delay to ED arrival Blacks were just as likely to receive IV tPA as Whites. Improving stroke awareness and symptom recognition may reduce delays in seeking hospitalization. ( Ethn Dis. 2013;23[1]:29–34)
Ligand Competition Binding Assay for the Androgen Receptor

Evaluating endocrine activities of environmental chemicals or screening for new small molecule modulators of the androgen receptor (AR) transcription activity requires standardized and reliable assay procedures. Scintillation proximity assays (SPA) are sensitive and reliable techniques that are suitable for ligand competition binding assays. We have utilized a radiolabeled ligand competition binding assay for the androgen receptor (AR) that can be carried out in a 384-well format. This standardized, highly reproducible and low-cost assay has been automated for high-throughput screening (HTS) purposes.
Zielsetzung und Aufbau der Untersuchung

Die Zielsetzung der vorliegenden Arbeit resultiert aus der zentralen Bedeutung von Erfolgs• :fitktoren internationaler Marktbearbeitungsstrategien. Im Zuge dessen sind die fortschreitende IDternationalisierung der Mirkte und die Hemusforderung, wic dieser mithilfe der Ausgestal• tung von Wertsch.Opfungskonfiguration und -koordination zu begegnen ist, der Zielsetzung hinzuzufiigen.
Aviation-attributable ozone as a driver for changes in mortality related to air quality and skin cancer

Abstract Aviation is a significant source of tropospheric ozone, which is a critical UV blocking agent, an indirect precursor to the formation of particulate matter, and a respiratory health hazard. To date, investigations of human health impacts related to aviation emissions have focused on particulate matter, and no global estimate yet exists of the combined health impact of aviation due to ozone, particulate matter and UV exposure changes. We use a coupled tropospheric-stratospheric chemical-transport model with a global aviation emissions inventory to estimate the total impact of aviation on all three risk factors. We find that surface ozone due to aviation emissions is maximized during hemispheric winter due to the greater wintertime chemical lifetime of ozone, but that a smaller enhancement of 0.5 ppbv occurs during summertime. This summertime increase results in an estimated 6,800 premature mortalities per year due to ozone exposure, over three times greater than previous estimates. During the winter maximum, interaction with high background NO x concentrations results in enhanced production of nitrate aerosol and increased annual average exposure to particulate matter. This ozone perturbation is shown to be the driving mechanism behind an additional 9,200 premature mortalities due to exposure to particulate matter. However, the increase in tropospheric ozone is also found to result in 400 fewer mortalities due to melanoma skin cancer in 2006. This is the first estimate of global melanoma mortality due to aviation, and the first estimate of skin cancer mortality impacts due to aviation using a global chemical transport model.
Elevations on select Conners' CPT-II scales indicate noncredible responding in adults with traumatic brain injury.

ABSTRACTElevations on certain Conners’ CPT-II scales are known to be associated with invalid responding. However, scales and cutoffs vary across studies. In addition, the methodology behind developing performance validity tests (PVTs) has been challenged for mistaking true impairment for noncredible presentation. Using ability-based tests as a PVT makes clinicians especially vulnerable to this criticism. The present study examined the ability of CPT-II to dissociate effort from impairment in 47 adults clinically referred for neuropsychological assessment. CPT-II scales previously identified as PVTs (Omissions, Commissions, Hit Reaction Time SE, Variability, and Perseverations) produced classification accuracies hovering around .50 sensitivity at .90 specificity. The subsample that failed these PVTs performed within normal range on other tests of working memory, processing speed, visual attention, and executive function. Results suggest that the select CPT-II based PVTs are sensitive to invalid responding,...
Data Structure Basics

Prior to jumping into the data structures, it’s beneficial to understand two components of data structures - the structure and attributes.
Average ranges, cross sections and isomer ratios for the 134Ba(α, n) 137m, gCe reaction

Abstract Excitation functions, isomer ratios and average recoil ranges have been determined for the 134Ba(α, n) reaction over the energy range from 15 to 28 MeV. The average ranges are compared with values predicted by Lindhard, Scharff and Schiott on the assumption of compound nucleus formation and the experimental isomer ratios and excitation functions with the results of a spin-dependent statistical model calculation. These comparisons suggest that both compound nuclear and direct processes contribute in the above energy range.
Long-Term Outcomes of Myeloablative Conditioning and Matched-Related Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Patients with High-Risk and Advanced-Stage Hematolymphoid Malignancies

Abstract Patients with high-risk hematolymphoid malignancies who relapse or who do not achieve a complete remission to induction chemotherapy generally do not achieve long-term survival when treated with the best available non-transplant therapies. The benefit of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has been well described for patients in first complete remission, but less so for patients with advanced disease. We report the long-term follow-up of 131 patients with leukemia or lymphoma who received an HLA-matched related donor transplant following myeloablative conditioning with fractionated total body irradiation (1320cGy), etoposide (60mg/kg), and cyclophosphamide (60mg/kg). Eligibility for transplantation under this protocol included induction failure or high-risk disease that was beyond first remission. All patients were treated at a single institution. Diagnosis at the time of transplantation included ALL (n=57), AML (n=38), NHL (n=20), CML (n=10), MDS (4), JMML (n=2). Of the 95 patients with acute leukemia, 62 (65%) were not in remission at the commencement of the conditioning regimen. The median age at transplantation was 29 years (range 2–55). Seventy-four (56%) patients received unmanipulated bone marrow and the remainder received filgrastim-mobilized peripheral blood. Median follow-up of surviving patients was 8 years (range 0.3–17). The estimated five-year overall survival and event-free survival were 34% (95% confidence interval: 22–42%) and 32% (95% confidence interval: 24–39%), respectively. Leading causes of death included relapse (n=43), infection (n=11), acute graft-versus-host disease (n=8), respiratory failure (n=5) and hepatic veno-occlusive disease (n=4). Grade II–IV acute graft-versus-host disease occurred in 26% of patients. The cumulative incidence of extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease among those patients who survived beyond day 100 was 32%. These results indicate that patients with high-risk or advanced disease can experience long-term disease-free survival following an aggressive conditioning regimen that combines radiotherapy, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide. Relapse remains the most significant cause of mortality, and future efforts should focus on augmenting the graft-versus-malignancy effect.
Cultural Explanations for Men’s Dominance of National Leadership Worldwide

Women’s election to national executive leadership is a rare occurrence. The overwhelming majority of presidents and prime ministers have been—and still are—men. One way to make sense of men’s dominance of executive political office is to look at the role of culture. Our beliefs about how men and women should behave, and how they are the same or different, benefit men politically in myriad ways. And yet, men’s privilege is not entirely automatic; men candidates and politicians also deploy masculinity, embodying the cultural practices and expressions of manhood. Various forms of instability, including political transitions toward democracy, can disrupt these dynamics and create spaces for women to rise. Stereotypically feminine traits, including the perceptions that women are less corrupt, can mean that women candidates for president or prime minister are taken more seriously. Still, more often than not, even in these contexts, men are ultimately elected to lead.
Extinction of Covert Impulse Responses Through Elimination of Consummatory Events

Covert impulse responses were extinguished by elimination of the contingent consummatory behaviors hypothesized to reinforce them. Data from 4 individuals revealed that when Ss were able to eliminate the consummatory behaviors (smoking or soda pop drinking), the reported frequencies of smoking or soda pop urges showed a routine extinction curve. Where Ss were unable to eliminate the relevant consummatory behaviors, urge frequencies continued at stable rates. Data from one S revealed evidence that urge responses are susceptible to discriminative stimulus control as well as shaping procedures calling for increasing impulse intensities.