cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Long-Horned African Buffalo (Pelorovis antiquus) is an Extinct Species

Abstract The African long-horned buffalo, Pelorovis antiquus , was once widespread in the savannas and grasslands of southern, eastern, and northern Africa. It apparently disappeared from southern and eastern Africa about 12,000 years ago and from northern Africa about 4000 years ago. Its extinction has been variously attributed to human predation, climatic change, or some combination of the two. Recently, Peters et al. (Late Quaternary extinction of ungulates in Sub-Saharan Africa: a reductionist's approach, Journal of Archaeological Science 21, 17-28, 1994) argued that its demise has been exaggerated and that its postcranial anatomy indicates it was simply a long-horned morph of the extant African buffalo, Syncerus caffer. Both cranial and postcranial similarities to Syncerus can be used to suggest that P. antiquus should be removed from Pelorovis and reassigned to Syncerus , as Syncerus antiquus. However, its status as a distinct (and now extinct) buffalo species is demonstrated by its singular horns, by some dental differences from S. caffer , and above all, by its geographic overlap with S. caffer through much of the middle and late Quaternary, with no evidence for intermediate forms.
Development of New Semiconducting Polymers for High Performance Solar Cells

A new low band gap semiconducting polymer, PTB1, was synthesized and found promising for solar energy harvesting. Simple polymer solar cells based on PTB1 and methanofullerene [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl esters (PC71BM) exhibit a solar conversion efficiency of 5.6%. An external quantum efficiency of 67% and fill-factor of 65% are achieved, both of which are among the highest values reported for a solar cell system based on a low band gap polymer.
Antibodies against oligosaccharides coupled to proteins: characterization of carbohydrate specificity by radioimmune assay.

Abstract Glycoconjugates prepared by diazotizing β-( p -aminophenyl)ethylamine derivatives of oligosaccharides to the hemp seed protein, edestin, are effective immunogens. Rabbits immunized with the conjugates produce antibodies that bind radiolabeled oligosaccharides. Specificity of binding was determined by comparing inhibitory activities of structurally related oligosaccharides in radioimmunoassay. All of three rabbits immunized with a mannotetraose (Manα1-3Manα1-2Manα1-2Man) conjugate, two of five rabbits immunized with a lacto- N -fucopentaose III (Galβ1-4 [Fucα1-3]GlcN Acβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc) conjugate, and four of five rabbits immunized with a lacto- N -tetraose (Galβ1-3GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc) conjugate developed useful antibodies (i.e., antibodies with K a ⪖ 10 4 liters mol −1 for the corresponding oligosaccharide). These antibodies can be used to detect specific sugar sequences in complex carbohydrates.
Bethanechol-induced increase in hypothalamic estrogen receptor binding in female rats is related to capacity for estrogen-dependent reproductive behavior.

Abstract Neuroactive agents associated with different neurotransmitter systems can modulate the number of hypothalamic estrogen binding sites. It has been demonstrated previously that the muscarinic cholinergic agonist, bethanecol, administered 30 min prior to in vitro estrogen receptor assays increases the concentration of hypothalamic estrogen binding sites by 30–35% in female rats. Bethanechol was without effect on male hypothalamic preparations. In order to investigate further this sex difference and in an attempt to determine a relationship between the modulation of estrogen binding sites and a sexually differentiated function, bethanechol was given to female rats rendered either anovulatory and capable of displaying lordosis or anovulatory and behaviorally insensitive to estrogen. The results showed that bethanechol significantly increased the number of estrogen binding sites in females capable of displaying lordosis but not in females which did not show this estrogen-dependent behavior. It is possible that the capacity for drug-induced modulation of estrogen binding sites could be related functionally to the ability to display lordosis behavior.
Polyarteritis nodosa causing severe intestinal bleeding.

Rupture of an aneurysm of the mesenteric artery caused severe intestinal hemorrhage in a 50-year-old woman with polyarteritis nodosa. Abdominal angiography not only established diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa by demonstrating multiple visceral aneurysms but also localized the site of bleeding.
A predictive index for the flypaper effect

Abstract It is well established that lump-sum public grants boost local government spending more than an equivalent increase in private income, the flypaper effect. One shortcoming of the related literature is that it presumes all communities have an identical propensity to consume from an intergovernmental grant. This paper is one attempt to allow for a heterogeneous response. The working conjecture is that government expenditure on administrative overhead is a gauge of voter control over fiscal decisions. High overhead spending implies a lower provision of public services and a stronger role for revenue-maximizing forces in the budget-setting process. As such, the flypaper effect should be more marked in high overhead communities. An overhead index is applied to a sample of Pennsylvania communities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. It is difficult to understand these governments' spending propensities from various windfall revenues without the help of the overhead index, supportive evidence for this approach. Because overhead data is widely available, the technique here can be used to address important policy questions such as predicting variations in state government responses to the recently created lump-sum welfare grants.
The Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Based on the New DSM-IV Criteria.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental disorder in children. Despite an extensive amount of research, it remains a controversial diagnosis with changing diagnostic criteria. Descriptions of children with ADHD can be traced back as early as 1848 when a German physician, Heinrich Hoffmann, described a hyperactive child, "Fidgety Phil," and an inattentive child, "Harry Look in the Air," in a book he wrote for his children. In 1902, George Still presented a lecture series in England about 20 children who were aggressive, defiant, excessively emotional, and lacking inhibitory volition who were also noted to have impaired attention and overactivity. After World War I, similar behaviors were considered to be the result of brain damage associated with encephalitis. However, the disorder as it is now characterized first started to take shape in the 1960s and was known as minimal brain damage or dysfunction
Windspeed distribution in and near an isolated, narrow forest clearing

Abstract Windspeeds were measured on a three-dimensional array in and near a 10 m by 50 m clearing cut in a 10 m high lodgepole pine stand. Measurements made while the wind direction above the canopy was perpendicular to the long axis of the clearing are used in a continuity calculation to establish the velocity field for the flow in and downwind of the clearing. The ratio of the local speed to the estimated above-canopy friction velocity is approximately independent both of the latter and of the above-canopy stability. Minimum speeds occur at the clearing center and at the midcrown region on the lee edge of the clearing. Speed maxima occur at sub canopy levels on either edge and above the lee edge. Clearing effects extend behind the clearing to at least 25 m, but are only slightly apparent upwind of the clearing. The continuity calculation indicates a separation of the flow beginning at the mid-clearing floor and extending to the upper surface of the lee canopy. Reattachment occurs 4 or 5 m behind the lee clearing edge, with strong reverse flow apparent upwind from that point. A very approximate analysis of the flow is made in terms of a penetrating inviscid jet model presented by previous authors, and an adaptation of a solution for an inviscid jet impinging on a screen. Agreement with the observed flow pattern is fair.
Bronchoscopic and transthoracic cytology and biopsy for pulmonary nonsmall cell carcinomas: performance characteristics by procedure and tumor type.

Recent advances have increased the demand for the accurate diagnosis of pulmonary nonsmall cell carcinoma (NSCLC) rendered by biopsy or cytology. However, precise classification is not possible in all cases. In this study, we investigated the performance characteristics of preresection bronchoscopic and transthoracic procedures for the diagnosis of NSCLC. The pathology files were searched for resected NSCLCs and carcinoid tumors with corresponding preresection cytology and/or biopsy cases. The preresection diagnoses were correlated with the resection diagnosis and the type of bronchoscopic or transthoracic procedure. Among the bronchoscopic procedures, endobronchial/transbronchial biopsy (ETBX) had the highest yield for obtaining a positive (malignant) diagnosis and was the best procedure for obtaining precise classification. For transthoracic procedures, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and needle core biopsy (NCB) were similar in providing a positive (malignant) diagnosis; however, NCB was better than FNA in obtaining precise classification. From the perspective of the neoplasms, carcinoid tumors yielded a positive (malignant) specimen with accurate classification most often (e.g., 100% by ETBX). This was followed by squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. In contrast, precise classification was not possible for adenosquamous carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Bronchoscopic and transthoracic procedures have different performance characteristics. Furthermore, the diagnostic yield is dependent on the histologic type of the neoplasm. While carcinoid tumors are accurately classified in most cases, some other neoplasms are difficult to diagnose and subclassify due to histologic complexity, poor differentiation, or sampling limitations. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Initial Study on Modeling the United States Thermal Fuel Cycle Mass Flow Using Vensim

According to current forecasts, nuclear power plant construction and nuclear-generated electricity production is projected to increase in the next half-century. This is likely due to the fact that nuclear energy is an ‘environmental alternative’ to fossil fuel plants that emit greenhouse gases (GHG). Nuclear power also has a much higher energy density output than other alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass energies. There is also growing consensus that processing of low- and high-level waste, LLW and HLW respectively, is a political issue rather than a technical challenge. Prudent implementation of a closed fuel cycle not only curbs build-up of GHGs, but can equally mitigate the need to store nuclear used fuel. The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) is promoting gradual integration of fuel reprocessing, and deployment of fast reactors (FRs) into the global fleet for long-term uranium resource usage. The use of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel burning Light Water Reactors (LWR) has also been suggested by fuel cycle researchers. This study concentrated on modeling the construction and decommissioning rates of six major facilities comprising the nuclear fuel cycle, as follows: (1) current LWRs decommissioned at 60-years service life, (2) new LWRs burning MOX fuel, (3) new (Gen’ III+) LWRs to replace units and/or be added to the fleet, (4) new FRs to be added to the fleet, (5) new reprocessing and MOX fuel fabrication facilities and (6) new LWR fuel fabrication facilities. Our initial work [1] focused on modeling the construction and decommissioning rates of reactors to be deployed. This is being followed with a ‘mass flow model’, starting from uranium ore and following it to spent forms. The visual dynamic modeling program Vensim was used to create a system of equations and variables to track the mass flows from enrichment, fabrication, burn-up, and the back-end of the fuel cycle. Sensible construction and deployment rates were benchmarked against recent reports and then plausible scenarios considered parametrically. The timeline starts in 2007 and extends in a preliminary model to 2057; a further mass flow model scenario continues until 2107. The scenarios considered provide estimates of the uranium ore requirements, quantities of LLW and HLW production, and waste storage volume needs. The results of this study suggest the number of reprocessing facilities necessary to stabilize and/or reduce recently reported levels of spent fuel inventory. Preliminary results indicate that the entire national spent fuel inventory produced over the next ∼50 years can be reprocessed by a reprocessing plant construction rate of less than 0.07 plants/year (small capacity) or less than 0.05 plants /year (large capacity). Any larger construction rate could reduce the spent fuel inventory destined for storage. These and additional results will be presented.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Relating microarray component testing and reported food allergy and food-triggered atopic dermatitis: a real-world analysis.

Abstract Background High epitope diversity has been associated with increased IgE-mediated food allergy severity. Objective To characterize associations between results from an automated microarray system and self-reported food allergy and food-triggered atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods Families with food allergic children were identified from a Jewish community in Lakewood, New Jersey, with immediate family members without food allergy or food-triggered AD serving as controls for the identified children. Sets of microarray components analyzed were to milk (Bos d 4, Bos d 5, Bos d 8, Bos d lactoferrin), egg (Gal d 1, Gal d 2, Gal d 3, Gal d 5), and peanut (Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3, Ara h 6). Results Seventy-three patients from 23 families were recruited. Culprit foods included milk (n = 20), egg (n = 10), and peanut (n = 6) for food allergy and milk (n = 10) and egg (n = 7) for food-triggered AD. Odds of having had a self-reported related food allergy or food-triggered AD reaction significantly increased with a higher number of detectable microarray components to that food. Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 6 were individually associated with reported peanut allergy, and Bos d 4 was individually associated with reported milk allergy. The number of egg components significantly increased the odds of having related food-triggered AD. Conclusion High diversity of food allergen components relates well to self-reported history of food allergy and food-associated AD.
Registered Nurses’ Perspectives on the New Graduate Working in the Emergency Department or Critical Care Unit

Background This qualitative study describes registered nurses' perspectives on work relationships with new graduates in emergency and critical care settings. Methods Six focus groups of registered nurses (N = 31) were interviewed in open and informal discussions lasting approximately 45 to 90 minutes. Results Two themes extracted from the data were lacking confidence and gaining acceptance into the unit's culture. Registered nurses were disillusioned by the lack of confidence, organization, and skill performance of the new graduate. They agreed that nurses "eat their young." Conclusion Suggestions are offered for preceptors, mentors, and staff. Recommendations for supporting the new graduate in an uncivil environment are also given.
Disassembly knowledge representation via XML

Extensible markup language (XML) is a new powerful technique for Web and Internet development. It is a method of defining structured data in a text file. XML is expected to do for data what HTML has done for Web pages. XML's stiength lies in its simplicity to represent data and knowledge. It can maintain hierarchical structures encountered in many systems including assemblies and disassemblies. It can also be well integrated with Java, and its Java beans. Its strength lies in its flexibility to adapt to any knowledge domain because it is a metalanguage. It is used to develop modeling languages that are tailored to specific knowledge, and specific data structures and hierarchies. This paper presents an overview of XML, followed by a proposal of an XML-based knowledge representation model for disassembly planning. An example is used to demonstrate the capabilities ofthe proposed XML model.
The Hood Mysticism Scale: Does the Presence of a Neutral Response-Item Affect Response Style:

The widely used Hood Mysticism Scale (1975) was administered to one of two groups of college students in its original version and a modified version without the option of responding with “?” to an ...
Isolation of Two Streptothricin-like Antibiotics, Nos. 6241-A and B, as Inhibitors of de novo Starch Synthesis and Their Herbicidal Activity

Two streptothricin-like antibiotics, Nos. 6241-A and B, were obtained as inhibitors of de novo starch synthesis in excised leaf segments of barnyard millet (Panicum crus-galli). No. 6241-B was identified as SF-701, and No. 6241-A was a new antibiotic, in which N,N-dimethylglycine was substituted for the N-methylglycine of No. 6241-B (SF-701). Both antibiotics also inhibited plant growth. The inhibitory activity of No. 6241-B (SF-701) was approximately ten times that of No. 6241-A. By foliar treatment, No. 6241-B (SF-701) showed remarkable herbicidal activity against barnyard millet at a concentration of more than 500 ppm with little phytotoxicity for the rice plant (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nihonbare).
The Impact of Racial Diversity in the Classroom Activating the Sociological Imagination

Diverse college campuses have been conclusively associated with a variety of positive outcomes for all students. However, we still know very little empirically about how student diversity directly ...
Dynamic Bilingualism as the Norm: Envisioning a Heteroglossic Approach to Standards-Based Reform.

Standards-based reforms in many Anglophone nations have been informed by monoglossic language ideologies that marginalize the dynamic bilingualism of emergent bilinguals. Recent developments in applied linguistics that advocate for heteroglossic language ideologies offer an alternative for standards-based reform. This article argues that standards-based reform initiatives will not be able to address the needs of emergent bilingual students unless they create ideological spaces that move away from monoglossic language ideologies toward heteroglossic language ideologies and implementational spaces that provide concrete tools for enacting this vision in the classroom. With a particular focus on the Common Core State Standards in the U.S. context, the article develops a vision for standards-based reform that begins to affirm and build on the dynamic bilingualism of emergent bilingual students. Specifically, the article explores two classrooms and the New York State Bilingual Common Core Initiative as starting points for theorizing how to develop ideological and implementational spaces that infuse heteroglossic language ideologies into standards-based reform initiatives while also emphasizing the role of monoglossic approaches to assessments in ultimately undermining the attempts that are currently being made.
Genetic Variants Related to Height and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation The Cardiovascular Health Study

Increased height is a known independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, whether genetic determinants of height influence risk is uncertain. In this candidate gene study, we examined the association of 209 height-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with incident AF in 3,309 persons of European descent from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a prospective cohort study of older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) enrolled in 1989-1990. After a median follow-up period of 13.2 years, 879 participants developed incident AF. The height-associated SNPs together explained approximately 10% of the variation in height (P = 6.0 × 10(-8)). Using an unweighted genetic height score, we found a nonsignificant association with risk of AF (per allele, hazard ratio = 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 1.02; P = 0.06). In weighted analyses, we found that genetically predicted height was strongly associated with AF risk (per 10 cm, hazard ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.64; P = 0.03). Importantly, for all models, the inclusion of actual height completely attenuated the genetic height effect. Finally, we identified 1 nonsynonymous SNP (rs1046934) that was independently associated with AF and may warrant future study. In conclusion, we found that genetic determinants of height appear to increase the risk of AF, primarily via height itself. This approach of examining SNPs associated with an intermediate phenotype should be considered as a method for identifying novel genetic targets.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Detection of Choline Kinase Inhibition in the Treatment of Brain Tumors

Abnormal choline metabolism is a hallmark of cancer and is associated with oncogenesis and tumor progression. Increased choline is consistently observed in both pre-clinical tumor models and in human brain tumors by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Thus, inhibition of choline metabolism using specific choline kinase inhibitors such as MN58b may be a promising new strategy for treatment of brain tumors. We demonstrate the efficacy of MN58b in suppressing phosphocholine production in three brain tumor cell lines. In vivo MRS studies of rats with intra-cranial F98-derived brain tumors showed a significant decrease in tumor total choline concentration after treatment with MN58b. High resolution MRS of tissue extracts confirmed that this decrease was due to a significant reduction in phosphocholine. Concomitantly, a significant increase in poly-unsaturated lipid resonances was also observed in treated tumors, indicating apoptotic cell death. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based volume measurements demonstrated a significant growth arrest in the MN58b-treated tumors in comparison to saline-treated controls. Histologically, MN58b-treated tumors showed decreased cell density, as well as increased apoptotic cells. These results suggest that inhibition of choline kinase can be used as an adjuvant to chemotherapy in the treatment of brain tumors and that decreases in total choline observed by MRS can be used as an effective phamacodynamic biomarker of treatment response.
Signal generation for extended hyperbolic congruential frequency hop codes

Frequency hop codes represent a class of codes in which the signal is transmitted as a sine wave whose frequency, at any time, is one of a set of possible discrete values. This paper describes a new method for the efficient generation of a family of hop code signals, defined upon extended hyperbolic congruences, enabling them to be of practical importance. The extended hyperbolic congruential (EHC) coding scheme is implemented with minimal hardware by optimizing the two processes needed in the synthesis of the code words, i.e., generation of the constituent sine waves, and evaluation of the sequence in which they follow each other/spl minus/which is defined by a function called the placement operator. The constituent sine waves are generated by characterizing them as phase increments. This enables a simplified hardware implementation with an adder and an accumulator. Since all frequency hop codes require a set of sine waves, this method can be utilized in other frequency-hopping schemes. The placement operator is calculated by showing that module addition can replace the module multiplication required in the process. This result can also be applied to conventional hyperbolic congruential codes. These design innovations significantly reduce the complexity of the design and are illustrated in a VLSI extended hyperbolic congruential hop code transmitter implemented in 2.0 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. >
Corneal Transplantation and Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss post-keratoplasty and an important cause of graft failure. With newer techniques, such as lamellar, endothelial, and laser-assisted keratoplasty as well as keratoprosthesis gaining popularity, clinicians will need to consider the incidence, risks, evaluation, and management of glaucoma for each type of keratoplasty when determining which type of transplant may be most appropriate. A comprehensive literature search of glaucoma in the setting of corneal transplantation was performed and serves as the basis for this review. Preexisting glaucoma and aphakia are notable risk factors. Patients that are candidates for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty may benefit from reduced rates of post-keratoplasty glaucoma. Although glaucoma also complicates eyes with Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty, the severity is less and the intraocular pressure is more easily controlled when compared to penetrating keratoplasty. Endothelial keratoplasty creates unique perioperative issues mostly related to management of anterior chamber air bubbles.
Warning Information in a Preconvection Environment from the Geostationary Advanced Infrared Sounding System—A Simulation Study Using the IHOP Case

In this paper, a convective initiation event from the International H2O Project (IHOP) field experiment is used to demonstrate the potential utility of a future geostationary advanced infrared (IR) sounder for severe storm nowcasting applications. An advanced IR sounder would provide detailed stability information (e.g., lifted index and other parameters) with high temporal resolution useful for determining favorable locations for convective initiation. Atmospheric data from a high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting model simulation was used to generate simulated Hyperspectral Environmental Suite (HES) and Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) stability products. Comparison of these products shows that the ABI [or the current Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Sounder] provides limited stability information before the storm development as a result of the limited spectral IR information for temperature and moisture profiling. The high spatial and temporal geostationary advanced IR sounder, however, can provide critical information about the destabilization much earlier than the current GOES Sounder or ABI.
Sphenopalatine artery ligation: a cadaver anatomic study.

Objective. To clarify endoscopic anatomy of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) in relation to intranasal endoscopic landmarks using a human cadaver model and to simplify the surgical approach to SPA l...
The Two ATP Binding Sites of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Play Distinct Roles in Gating Kinetics and Energetics

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a member of the ABC (ATP binding cassette) transporter family, is a chloride channel whose activity is controlled by protein kinase-dependent phosphorylation. Opening and closing (gating) of the phosphorylated CFTR is coupled to ATP binding and hydrolysis at CFTR's two nucleotide binding domains (NBD1 and NBD2). Recent studies present evidence that the open channel conformation reflects a head-to-tail dimerization of CFTR's two NBDs as seen in the NBDs of other ABC transporters (Vergani et al., 2005). Whether these two ATP binding sites play an equivalent role in the dynamics of NBD dimerization, and thus in gating CFTR channels, remains unsettled. Based on the crystal structures of NBDs, sequence alignment, and homology modeling, we have identified two critical aromatic amino acids (W401 in NBD1 and Y1219 in NBD2) that coordinate the adenine ring of the bound ATP. Conversion of the W401 residue to glycine (W401G) has little effect on the sensitivity of the opening rate to [ATP], but the same mutation at the Y1219 residue dramatically lowers the apparent affinity for ATP by >50-fold, suggesting distinct roles of these two ATP binding sites in channel opening. The W401G mutation, however, shortens the open time constant. Energetic analysis of our data suggests that the free energy of ATP binding at NBD1, but not at NBD2, contributes significantly to the energetics of the open state. This kinetic and energetic asymmetry of CFTR's two NBDs suggests an asymmetric motion of the NBDs during channel gating. Opening of the channel is initiated by ATP binding at the NBD2 site, whereas separation of the NBD dimer at the NBD1 site constitutes the rate-limiting step in channel closing.
Reactor Safety Channel System with on-Line Testing Capability

The LPTR (Livermore Pool Type Reactor) safety system had several undesirable features in the original equipment design (vintage 1956). A single trip bus, electron tube construction, and trip failure in the event of a shorted actuator magnet, are but some of the original equipment problems. The continued use of this equipment resulted in high maintenance costs, excessive actuator magnet replacement, difficult set-up procedures for the operations staff, and the requirement that the reactor be shut down to make safety level trip tests. The design approach used to solve these problems was to float the actuator power sources, use optical isolators for system interconnections, make use of multiple trip buses, and to provide simple test procedures. The resulting system incorporating the above techniques achieves a high level of channel integrity and reliability.
Scalable Object Classification Using Range Images

We present a novel scalable framework for free-form object classification in range images. The framework includes an automatic 3D object recognition system in range images and a scalable database structure to learn new instances and new categories efficiently. We adopt the TAX model, previously proposed for un-supervised object modeling in 2D images, to construct our hierarchical model of object classes from unlabelled range images. The hierarchical model embodies unorganized shape patterns of 3D objects in various classes in a tree structure with probabilistic distributions. A new visual vocabulary is introduced to represent a range image as a set of visual words for the process of hierarchical model inference, classification and online learning. We also propose an online learning algorithm that updates the hierarchical model efficiently thanks to the tree structure, when a new object should be learned into the model. Extensive experiments demonstrate average classification rates of 94% on a large synthetic dataset (1,350 training images and 450 test images for 9 object classes) and 88.4% on 1,433 depth images captured from real-time range sensors. We also show that our approach outperforms the original TAX method in terms of recall rate and stability.
Unsexing the Brain

Using a comprehensive survey of existing research, Eliot counters the overemphasis on sex differences that characterizes most popular comparisons of the development of girls and boys.
A model of equilibrium with differentiated commodities

The equilibrium theory associated with the names of Arrow and Debreu [see Debreu (1959), Arrow and Hahn (1971)] contemplates a world with a finite number of homogeneous and perfectly divisible commodities where traders interact (exclusively) through a price system taken by each one of them as given. This perfectly competitive hypothesis has been justified by the ‘core equivalence theorem’ of Debreu and Scarf (1963) and Aumann (1964) [for a thorough account see Hildenbrand (1974)] : if no trader arrives to the market with a substantial amount, i.e., a ‘corner’, of any commodity, then unrestricted bargaining (in the cooperative sense of core theory) leads to perfect competition. In contrast, imperfect competition theory [in either Chamberlin (1956) or Robinson (1933) version] starts with a very different perception of the economic realm; commodities are not homogeneous but subject to differentiation and, consequently, traders enjoy a certain degree of monopoly with respect to the commodities they control. Still, the monopoly power of every single trader is limited by the existence of substitutability relations among commodities; it is a common contention of imperfect competition theory that in a large economy with a large number of mutually substitutive commodities and no ‘big’ trader, every commodity will be substitutable in the market with infinite elasticity and a perfectly competitive outcome will prevail [see, for an account, Samuelson (1969, p. 135)]. The analogy between the statements of the two previous paragraphs is clear.
Teflon Vocal Fold Augmentation: Failures and Management in 28 Cases

Although vocal fold augmentation by Teflon injection has been the mainstay of treatment for glottic insufficiency for three decades, the success and safety of this treatment have been overstated. Twenty-eight patients who manifested poor or complicated Teflon results between 1984 and 1991 were evaluated using acoustic, aerodynamic, videostroboscopic, perceptual, and subjective patient self-evaluation of voice, both before and after our management of these complications. Most of these had Teflon granulomas; subglottic overfilling was the most common condition. In most instances such management included microsurgical removal of the Teflon granuloma. Voice measures that were abnormal before correction tended to improve and move into the normal range, although the resultant voices were not totally normal. Degree of improvement varied depending on the Teflon-induced tissue changes and the methods of correction subsequently used. The worst results were in patients with scarring, atrophy, and bilaterally mobile vocal folds, for whom Teflon should never have been injected. Teflon injection should be reserved for those instances in which it is clearly indicated and the surgeon is skilled in the technique of intrafold injection.
A co-evolutionary approach to strategy design for decision makers in complex negotiation situations

The literature on automated techniques suggests that such techniques might be useful for complex decision-making where other approaches have proven limited. We present a genetic technique that assists decision makers in developing strategies for decision-making in complex, multi-objective and multi-person negotiation situations. Strategies are evolved with significant input from decision makers to enhance the acceptability of solutions in real-world applications. The preferences of all decision makers are integrated into the search so that solutions are consistent with the needs of all participants in the negotiation situation and further ensure the implementability of solutions in practice. The results show that the outcomes achieved by all parties involved in the negotiation are improved significantly when the genetic search is used to help devise strategies for the negotiation participants.
Lyapunov-based state-feedback distributed control of systems on lattices

We investigate the properties of systems on lattices with spatially distributed sensors and actuators. These systems arise in a variety of applications such as the control of vehicular platoons, formation of unmanned aerial vehicles, arrays of microcantilevers, and satellites in synchronous orbit. We use a Lyapunov-based frame-work as a tool for stabilization/regulation/asymptotic tracking. We first present results for nominal design and then describe the design of adaptive controllers in the presence of parametric uncertainties. These uncertainties are assumed to be temporally constant, but are allowed to be spatially varying. We show that the design yields decentralized distributed controllers with the passage of information determined by the interactions between different plant units. We also provide several examples and validate derived results using computer simulations of systems containing a large number of units.
Neuroendocrine homeostasis after vagus nerve stimulation in rats

Summary Background The vagus nerve is important in maintaining HPA axis and sympatho-adrenal system (SAS) homeostasis, however little is known about the effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), as used therapeutically, on these functions. Accordingly, the effect of VNS on plasma indices of HPA axis (ACTH, corticosterone), and SAS (norepinephrine, epinephrine) function were evaluated in rats. Methods Male rats, on day-0 (D0), underwent surgeries for implantation of catheters into the right jugular vein and programmable (VNP) or non-programmable (VND) neurocybernetic devices encircling the left cervical vagus. On D7, after a blood sample, the device in VNP rats was programmed to deliver 500 μs width, 0.25 mA current pulses at 20 Hz (‘on’ 30 s, ‘off’ 5 min) followed by timed blood samples during the next 90 min. In acute studies, VNS was stopped at 60 min and the rats were perfused at 90 min to evaluate neuronal Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-IR). In chronic studies, the probe remained active. In these rats, the HPA axis response to airpuff-startle stressor (D17) and anterior pituitary CRF-receptor binding (D26) were evaluated. Results During acute VNS, plasma indices of HPA axis and SAS activity, as well as Fos-IR activation pattern in brain regions known to increase after stress, were not different between VND and VNP rats. During chronic VNS, stress-induced HPA axis responses exhibited a tendency toward faster recovery to baseline in VNP rats. Conclusions Therapeutic VNS is not a stressor and does not compromise HPA axis or SAS homeostasis. Chronic VNS may facilitate development of efficient feedback mechanisms.
Abstract 167: MicroRNA Profiles of Non--ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Significance: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, stable, noncoding translational regulators used as early biomarkers for numerous disease processes. Although specific miRNA patterns are associated with STEMI, the profile and timecourse of miRNA release in NSTEMI is currently unknown but of potential clinical significance.Materials and Methods: With IRB approval, patients identified with chest pain were identified at the UMass Medical Center. Upon ED arrival (T0), a K2EDTA tube of whole blood was obtained with simultaneous troponin cTnI levels. After a 6 hour (T6) observation period, another additional K2EDTA tube was drawn, again contemporaneous with cTnI levels. Patients were selected based on an elevated cTnI level (greater then or equal to ≥ 0.04 ng/ml) at T6 as compared to a negative cTnI levels ( Results: Of the 94 miRNAs examined, 11 demonstrated greater than 2-fold change as compared to baseline (Figure 1). A subset of this cohort, namely miRNAs 208a, 483-5p, and 601 revealed statistically significant fold difference (p Conclusion: This investigation reveals a novel 11 member miRNA profile, including miRNA 208a, 483-5p, and 601, which is associated with NSTEMI. Our findings suggest this miRNA profile by be used as a potential biomarker of myocardial injury.
Aansteeklike mastitis : langs die drukgang : tegnologie

In die vorige uitgawe het ons kortliks verwys na algemene aspekte, asook die patologie en diagnose van Staphylococcus aureus mastitis.
TRACTION FRACTURE OF THE LESSER TROCHANTER

The outstanding points of interest elicited from both the literature and cases herein reported are: The presence of the lesion in boys between the ages of ten and twenty; the diagnostic sign, that of loss of flexion and the rapidity of cure as a result of conservative therapy. Cases No. 1 and 2 were presented before the Alumni Association of the Hospital for Ruptured and Crippled on November 26, 1923. The author wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to those who have assisted him in the collection of the cases herein presented.
Whom Do They Serve? A National Examination of Veterans Treatment Court Participants and Their Challenges:

The veterans treatment court (VTC) is a recently developed specialized court that targets the growing population of veterans in contact with the criminal justice system. Using data collected from t...
Split Isobaric Analog State in Ni 55 : Case of Strong Isospin Mixing

Study of ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{+}$ decay of the exotic ${T}_{z}=\ensuremath{-}3/2$ nucleus $^{55}\mathrm{Cu}$, via delayed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays, has revealed a strongly isospin mixed doublet (4599--4579 keV) in $^{55}\mathrm{Ni}$, which represents the fragmented and previously unknown isobaric analog of the ground state of $^{55}\mathrm{Cu}$. The observed small $\mathrm{log}\text{ }ft$ values to both states in the doublet confirm the superallowed Fermi $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay. The near degeneracy of a pair of $3/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ levels in $^{55}\mathrm{Ni}$ results in the strong isospin mixing. The isospin mixing matrix element between the $T=3/2$ and $T=1/2$ levels is inferred from the experiment to be 9(1) keV, which agrees well with the matrix element of the charge symmetry breaking shell model Hamiltonian of Ormand and Brown. A precise value of the half-life of $^{55}\mathrm{Cu}$ at 57(3) ms was also obtained.
Acid–Base Metabolism in Chronic Kidney Disease

The kidney plays an integral role in controlling acid–base balance. Kidney dysfunction generally results in the development of metabolic acidosis. This typically begins as a hyperchloremic acidosis and then evolves into an anion gap acidosis. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate reduction in S[HCO3] when the GFR is less than 20 mL/min/1.73 m2. The acidosis develops because despite increased acid excretion by each nephron unit, this increase cannot offset the overall fall in renal acid excretion. The fall is mostly due to lower rates of urine ammonium excretion. Systemic acid production generally does not fall. S[HCO3] does not fall inexorably but rather stabilizes at a level of 15–18 mEq/L. It is generally believed that acid excretion always lags behind systemic acid production and patients are in a state of persistent positive acid balance. The positive acid load is mostly buffered by the skeleton that has very large alkaline stores. However, there is debate about the magnitude of this acid retention. Past estimates of 10–20 mEq/day are no longer accepted but a positive balance of 1–2 mEq/day is generally considered to be correct. Metabolic acidosis of renal failure has many adverse effects on skeletal, muscular, endocrine, and nutritional status. It may also contribute to the progressive deterioration that typifies CKD. Therefore, most experts recommend treatment with HCO3 precursors to raise S[HCO3] concentration toward normal. However, S[HCO3] treatment goals have not yet been defined.
Evaluating Blood Loss and the Effect of Antiplatelet Treatment in Foot and Ankle Amputations

The interrelationship between diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease is well-documented, and, secondary to the latter, is the use of antiplatelet therapy. Although diabetes and the associated vascular manifestations are driving forces behind lower extremity amputations, few data are available on the risks of perioperative antiplatelet therapy with foot and ankle amputations. The goal of the present study was to address the surgical effect of continuing or discontinuing antiplatelet therapy before foot and/or ankle amputation. The following data were retrospectively collected: blood loss, pre- and postoperative hematocrit and hemoglobin, operative time, amputation type, age, diabetic status, antiplatelet treatment, and number of transfusions during the perioperative period. Perioperative antiplatelet therapy was defined as exposure to aspirin or clopidogrel within 3 days before surgery. To compare the outcomes between groups, the following factors were analyzed using bivariate analyses and then multivariate regression models: (1) the need for transfusions, (2) high blood loss (>20 mL), (3) volume of blood loss, and (4) operative time. The noninferiority of continued antiplatelet use was assessed in terms of operative time and blood loss, using a noninferiority margin of 10 minutes or 10 mL, respectively. Antiplatelet therapy was not a statistically significant risk factor for any of the studied outcomes on multivariate analysis. Equivalence testing revealed that continuing antiplatelet therapy is not inferior to discontinuing perioperative therapy in terms of blood loss and operative time. Multivariate analysis of the data suggested that antiplatelet therapy has no statistically significant impact on blood loss, transfusion rate, or operative time.
Computational intelligence in cyber security

This keynote speech will be devoted to the application of the state-of-the-art CI (computational intelligence)-based technologies - fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation, genetic programming, neural networks and artificial immune systems, and highlight how CI-based technologies play critical roles in various computer and information security problems
Combining Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy: Emerging Preclinical Observations of Lymphocyte Costimulatory and Inhibitory Receptor Modulation

A greater understanding of immune system biology has translated into more effective cancer immunotherapeutics. This has prompted exploration of the combination of these agents with other cancer treatments such as radiotherapy, which has also been shown to promote antitumor immunity independently. This review will present data from reports of immune modulators and radiotherapy and will discuss common themes and observations. Costimulatory molecules including CD40 and CD134/OX40; glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related gene (GITR), CD137/4-1BB; and inhibitory molecules CD152/cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4), lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) will be discussed. Observations regarding radiotherapy sequencing, dose, and fractionation will also be addressed. We conclude that a strategy combining immune modulation and radiotherapy is rational and holds promise for future successful translation in clinical trials.
Enriched student guidance and engagement in lower level engineering gatekeeper courses

In many engineering programs, students are usually provided support and guidance to proactively engage and overcome challenges to discover ways to succeed in lower level gatekeeper and subsequent courses. In various instances, these early interventions point to needs of addressing issues about effective student academic engagement (i.e. helping students to work smart) to promote long lasting effects. The main goal of this study is to enrich current early interventions by providing students with guidelines to develop skills and study habits and to implement study practices to promote academic and professional success. The early intervention with enriched student guidance, described in this paper, is organized around key gatekeeper courses with failure rates (i.e. D, F, or withdrawal) that often exceed 30%. The early intervention includes the identification of at-risk students and the implementation of a student support program. In order to develop successful independent learners, the intervention has been enriched with the promotion of best study practices. Students are informed about expectations and guidelines to become engaged in the course, to understand its support structure (e.g, office hours, peer-led mentoring, homework format, note taking, time management, online assessments, building communities, and others), and to take responsibility for their own educational success. As part of the course grade, students are accountable to implement best study practices by maintaining a well-organized course binder and using services such as peer mentoring and office hours, and to follow guidelines to keep up in the course. An online survey to determine students' judgment about the importance and impact of the guidelines, expectations, and engagement activities in the gatekeepers was implemented and the results are presented in this paper. It is also expected that the results of this study could help instructors to determine the best structure of gatekeeper courses to guide students to develop the skills required in Engineering.