cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of white-nose syndrome on regional population patterns of 3 hibernating bat species

Hibernating bats have undergone severe recent declines across the eastern United States, but the cause of these regional-scale declines has not been systematically evaluated. We assessed the influence of white-nose syndrome (an emerging bat disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, formerly Geomyces destructans) on large-scale, long-term population patterns in the little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus), the northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and the tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus). We modeled population trajectories for each species on the basis of an extensive data set of winter hibernacula counts of more than 1 million individual bats from a 4-state region over 13 years and with data on locations of hibernacula and first detections of white-nose syndrome at each hibernaculum. We used generalized additive mixed models to determine population change relative to expectations, that is, how population trajectories differed with a colony's infection status, how trajectories differed with distance from the point of introduction of white-nose syndrome, and whether declines were concordant with first local observation of the disease. Population trajectories in all species met at least one of the 3 expectations, but none met all 3. Our results suggest, therefore, that white-nose syndrome has affected regional populations differently than was previously understood and has not been the sole cause of declines. Specifically, our results suggest that in some areas and species, threats other than white-nose syndrome are also contributing to population declines, declines linked to white-nose syndrome have spread across large geographic areas with unexpected speed, and the disease or other threats led to declines in bat populations for years prior to disease detection. Effective conservation will require further research to mitigate impacts of white-nose syndrome, renewed attention to other threats to bats, and improved surveillance efforts to ensure early detection of white-nose syndrome.
Advocacy, True Threats, and the Constitution

Brandenburg v. Ohio is thought by many to offer very robust speech protections, but the true threat exception to the First Amendment can swallow up much of the protection that Brandenburg offers. Regrettably, the Court has failed to offer guidelines to help determine when Brandenburg rather than true threat analysis applies, which has caused lower courts to reach radically different results in relevantly similar cases. Unless the Court addresses the current inconsistencies in the jurisprudence, the interests in security and in robust debate will both continue to be sacrificed.
Magnetic circular dichroism and electronic structure of [Re2X4(PMe3)4]+ (X = Cl, Br).

Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and electronic absorption spectroscopies have been used to probe the electronic structure of the classical paramagnetic metal–metal-bonded complexes [Re2X4(PMe3)4]+ (X = Cl, Br). A violation of the MCD sum rule is observed that indicates the presence of ground-state contributions to the MCD intensity. The z-polarized δ → δ* band in the near-IR is formally forbidden in MCD but gains intensity through a combination of ground- and excited-state mechanisms to yield a positive C term.
Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacillus Species

Organisms of the genus Bacillus are aerobic, sporeforming, usually gram-positive rods which, with the exception of Bacillus anthracis, have been implicated infrequently in human disease. These organisms are ubiquitous and commonly occur as contaminants in cultures of clinical material. However, well-documented cases of disseminated infection with these organisms in man have been described [1-3]. Recently, we observed a fatal case of pneumonia and bacteremia due to Bacillus cereus in a patient with subacute lymphocytic leukemia. Lack of information on the susceptibility of Bacillus species to antimicrobial agents was a handicap in treating this patient. Patients with markedly impaired host resistance are now frequently encountered, and information on the antimicrobial susceptibility of "non-pathogenic" bacteria that may infect these patients is desirable. For this reason, the in-vitro susceptibilities to selected antibiotics of 49 strains representing six species of Bacillus were studied.
Tumor necrosis factor (cachectin) in the biology of septic shock syndrome.

Abstract The high mortality of septic shock syndrome has prompted extensive investigation into its pathogenesis. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a cytokine that is often over-produced during Gram-negative or Gram-positive infection, occupies a critical role in triggering this catastrophic illness. The net effects of TNF are dependent upon its concentration in certain vital tissues, and may be dissociated from the presence of the invading pathogens. Agents that inhibit TNF have been developed; these protect against shock and tissue injury and are currently being investigated in clinical trials of septic shock syndrome.
Evaluation and Simulation System of Regional House Seismic Vulnerability in China

Earthquake is now threatening human life and property mainly by breaking buildings.We collected data about house structure of China and then established the house structure database of China.Based on the house structure database,a regional earthquake frangibility evaluation and modeling system was built.There is a relationship between the earthquake intensity and the house damage seriousness.According to the relationship we estimated the house loss,population affected,used GIS techniques to count the losses for each intensity level and each region and realized corresponding visualization.The construction of this system helps to learn regional security of earthquake,gives a effective support to draw up policies for disaster prevention and reduction for post-disaster emergency.The system is based on B/S technique which would make it easy to use.The establishment of this system would provide a reference to realize the informatization of disaster management.
The Kinetics of Copper-62-PTSM in the Normal Human Heart

Copper-62-labeled pyruvaldehyde bis(N-4-methylthiosemicarbazone) copper(II) (PTSM) is a generator-produced myocardial perfusion tracer. Animal studies have shown high myocardial tissue extraction and prolonged retention. The aim of this study was to define myocardial kinetics of 62Cu-PTSM and to determine its suitability for evaluating myocardial perfusion at rest and during pharmacological vasodilation in human subjects. In six healthy volunteers, 62Cu-PTSM was administered at baseline and during a 6-min adenosine infusion (140 micrograms/kg/min). Dynamic PET imaging with high temporal resolution was performed over 20 min. Good image quality was observed at rest and following adenosine. Myocardial kinetics demonstrated prolonged tissue retention with a clearance half-life of 105 +/- 49 min at rest and 101 +/- 65 min following adenosine (p = ns). Copper-62-PTSM tissue retention was quantified and showed only a 1.97-fold increase from rest to adenosine studies. This suggests attenuation of tracer retention at high flow rates. Copper-62-PTSM represents a promising new radiopharmaceutical for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion in the human heart.
Tallinn Manual on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Warfare

The product of a three-year project by twenty renowned international law scholars and practitioners, the Tallinn Manual identifies the international law applicable to cyber warfare and sets out ninety-five 'black-letter rules' governing such conflicts. It addresses topics including sovereignty, State responsibility, the jus ad bellum, international humanitarian law, and the law of neutrality. An extensive commentary accompanies each rule, which sets forth the rule's basis in treaty and customary law, explains how the group of experts interpreted applicable norms in the cyber context, and outlines any disagreements within the group as to each rule's application.
Reply to Galvão-Moreira and da Cruz: Saliva biomarkers to complement the visualization-based oral cancer detection.

Galvao-Moreira and da Cruz summarize the current status of screening for oral cancer and state that “it would probably make sense if biomarkers… could be utilized as complementary tests, instead of … [↵][1]1Email: lee.hartwell{at}asu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Antiviral therapy for respiratory viral infections in immunocompromised patients

Respiratory viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, human metapneumovirus, and rhinovirus) represent the most common causes of respiratory viral infections in immunocompromised patients. Also, these infections may be more severe in immunocompromised patients than in the general population. Early diagnosis and treatment of viral infections continue to be of paramount importance in immunocompromised patients; because once viral replication and invasive infections are evident, prognosis can be grave. Areas covered: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the main antiviral agents used for the treatment of respiratory viral infections in immunocompromised patients and review of the new agents in the pipeline. Expert commentary: Over the past decade, important diagnostic advances, specifically, the use of rapid molecular testing has helped close the gap between clinical scenarios and pathogen identification and enhanced early diagnosis of viral infections and understanding of the role of prolonged shedding and viral loads. Advancements in novel antiviral therapeutics with high resistance thresholds and effective immunization for preventable infections in immunocompromised patients are needed.
Guide Pin Placement Technique for Total Ankle Replacement in Patients Who Had Ipsilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty.

We describe a simple technique for guide pin placement for total ankle replacement in patients who underwent previous ipsilateral total knee arthroplasty.Levels of Evidence: Level V
Effect of dexmedetomidine on the minimum infusion rate of propofol preventing movement in dogs

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of dexmedetomidine on induction dose and minimum infusion rate of propofol preventing movement (MIRNM). Study design Randomized crossover, unmasked, experimental design. Animals Three male and three female healthy Beagle dogs weighing 10.2 ± 2.8 kg. Methods Dogs were studied on three occasions at weekly intervals. Premedications were 0.9% saline (treatment P) or dexmedetomidine (1 μg kg−1, treatment PLD; 2 μg kg−1, treatment PHD) intravenously. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg kg−1 and then 1 mg kg−1 every 15 seconds) until intubation. Anesthesia was maintained for 90 minutes in P with propofol (0.5 mg kg−1 minute−1) and saline, in PLD with propofol (0.35 mg kg−1 minute−1) and dexmedetomidine (1 μg kg−1 hour−1), and in PHD with propofol (0.3 mg kg−1 minute−1) and dexmedetomidine (2 μg kg−1 hour−1). The stimulus (50 V, 50 Hz, 10 ms) was applied to the antebrachium, and propofol infusion was increased or decreased by 0.025 mg kg−1 minute−1 based on a positive or negative response, respectively. Data were analyzed using a mixed-model anova and presented as mean ± standard error. Results Propofol induction doses were 8.68 ± 0.57 (P), 6.13 ± 0.67 (PLD) and 4.78 ± 0.39 (PHD) mg kg−1 and differed among treatments (p Conclusions and clinical relevance Dexmedetomidine (1 and 2 μg kg−1) decreased propofol induction dose. Dexmedetomidine (2 μg kg−1 hour−1) resulted in a significant decrease in propofol MIRNM.
X-ray crystallographic, luminescence and NMR studies of phenacyldiphenylphosphine oxide with the Ln(iii) ions Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb and Dy.

We report here the characterization in solution (NMR, luminescence, MS) and the solid-state (X-ray crystallography, IR) of complexes between phenacyldiphenylphosphine oxide and five Ln(III) ions (Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy). Four single crystal X-ray structures are described here showing a 1 : 2 ratio between the Ln3+ ions Eu, Dy, Sm and Gd and the ligand, where the phosphine oxide ligands are bound in a monodentate manner to the metal center. A fifth structure is reported for the 1 : 2 Eu(NO3)3-ligand complex showing bidentate binding between the two ligands and the metal center. The solution coordination chemistry of these metal complexes was probed by 1H, 13C and 31P NMR, mass spectrometry, and luminescence experiments. The title ligand has the capability to sensitize Tb3+, Dy3+, Eu3+ and Sm3+ leading to metal-centered emission in solutions of acetonitrile and methanol and in the solid state.
Comparison of Malts for Nuclease and Nucleobase Potentials1

In evaluating malts as suppliers of nucleic acid precursors, 14 malting barleys and one feed barley were malted and analyzed for conventional malt characteristics. Activities of the enzymes deoxyri...
Abstract WMP71: Using Machine Learning to Classify Ischemic Stroke Subtype From Electronic Heath Records

Objective: The TOAST classification for ischemic stroke (IS) is critical to determining management and predicting outcome. The adjudication process is done manually by highly trained stroke clinici...
Project Teach Evolution: Preparing Biology Pre-service Teachers to Teach Evolution in Missouri, U.S.A.

We highlight our evolution education efforts in the state of Missouri, United States of America. Acceptance of evolution among Missourians is compared to results from a national survey; the religiousness, education, and age of Missourians help explain state and national differences. To further examine regional influences in the state, a brief history of the Ozarks region and its culture are included. Anti-evolution efforts in the state are examined through the frequency of anti-evolution legislative bills and the state science standards. The authors describe their evolution education efforts, focusing primarily on a hybrid evolution content and pedagogy undergraduate course for pre-service biology education students. Course curriculum, assignments, and assessments are described. Challenges teaching the hybrid course include differing science teaching orientations of the two instructors, as well as a tension between the emphases given to content versus pedagogy.
Contemporary Practice of the United States: International Economic Law: President Acts on Labor Claim of Market Disruption, Imposes Tariffs on Chinese Tires

This article briefly notes that President Obama announced on September 11, 2009 that the United States would impose extra taxes on certain rubber tires imported from the People’s Republic of China because the high volume of imports would adversely affect domestic production. The President had authority to make this determination under Section 421 of the Trade Act of 1974. A distinguishing feature of these tariffs is that they were imposed after a labor union complained about the potential damage to the industry’s workers, whereas historically such tariffs have been authorized when complainants also come from the “import-competing industry.”
Return Period for Mean Annual Hydrologic Event

Engineering hydrologists sometimes wish to assign a return period to the mean annual hydrologic event. The value of the mean annual event is usually the arithmetic average of annual series of data, such as annual flood flows, annual low flows, etc. This paper presents T x values for some commonly used PDs in a generalized fashion.
Application of Somatosensory Event Related Potentials to Experimental Pain and the Pharmacology of Analgesia

There is increasing evidence that many neurotransmitter systems may be involved in pain appreciation including cholinergic agents, endorphins, biogenic amines and others (Mayer and Price, 1976). This suggests that there are multiple mediators of pain appreciation, each involving a possibly distinct neural pathway. Event related potentials may offer a means of separating distinct pain modulation processes in phamacological experiments in man.
Distributed simulated annealing with mapreduce

Simulated annealing's high computational intensity has stimulated researchers to experiment with various parallel and distributed simulated annealing algorithms for shared memory, message-passing, and hybrid-parallel platforms. MapReduce is an emerging distributed computing framework for large-scale data processing on clusters of commodity servers; to our knowledge, MapReduce has not been used for simulated annealing yet. In this paper, we investigate the applicability of MapReduce to distributed simulated annealing in general, and to the TSP in particular. We (i) design six algorithmic patterns of distributed simulated annealing with MapReduce, (ii) instantiate the patterns into MR implementations to solve a sample TSP problem, and (iii) evaluate the solution quality and the speedup of the implementations on a cloud computing platform, Amazon's Elastic MapReduce. Some of our patterns integrate simulated annealing with genetic algorithms. The paper can be beneficial for those interested in the potential of MapReduce in computationally intensive nature-inspired methods in general and simulated annealing in particular.
Physiologic, Acoustic, and Perceptual Aspects of Coarticulation: Implications for the Remediation of Articulatory Disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses physiology, acoustic, and perceptual aspects of coarticulation. The concept of coarticulation is based on the postulation that canonical forms of sounds or phonemes are represented at a central level of the speech production process. These canonical forms are characterized by ideal or target features or properties. The nature of the features or properties presumably relates to the place, manner, and voicing characteristics of consonants and the lip rounding, tongue height, and tongue advancement characteristics of vowels. As speech sounds are usually preceded and followed by other sounds, the coarticulatory process occurs in both directions. Several terms have been used to describe effects of preceding and following sounds on the production of a target segment. Right to left coarticulation refers to the influence of the articulatory characteristics of one sound on the production of a preceding sound. In general, coarticulatory changes are explained in terms of the compatibility of the sounds in a sequence and the parallel production of features
Diasporic kinship hegemonies and transnational continuities in the Hmong diaspora

Although hegemony has been understood as the property of nation-states and the ruling classes, this paper explores cultural hegemonies among diasporic peoples by examining the pervasive compliance ...
Focused Ion Beam-Based Milling, Imaging and Analysis of 3D Tumor Spheroids

We investigate the structural cellular alterations in breast cancer spheroids at various growth stages using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), focused ion beam (FIB), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Samples sliced by FIB milling were studied for 3D analysis and construction. The imaging results of different spheroid ages were compared for a better understanding of cancer spheroid models. This study will serve as a pilot study and reference control for further studies with the 3D tumor model including nanoparticles interaction and mechanical characterization.
Towards Developing a Repository of Logical Errors Observed in Parallel Code for Teaching Code Correctness

Debugging parallel programs can be a challenging task, especially for the beginners. While the debuggers like DDT and TotalView can be extremely useful in tracking down the program statements that are connected to the bugs, often the onus is on the programmers to reason about the logic of the program statements in order to fix the bugs in them. These debuggers may neither be able to precisely indicate the logical errors in the parallel programs nor they may provide information on fixing those errors. Therefore, there is a need for developing tools and educational content on teaching the pitfalls in parallel programming and writing correct code. Such content can be useful to guide the beginners in avoiding commonly observed logical errors and in verifying the correctness of their parallel programs. In this paper, we 1) enumerate some of the logical errors that we have seen in the parallel programs (OpenMP, MPI, and CUDA) that were written by the beginners working with us, and 2) discuss the ways to fix those errors. The errors are mainly related to the data distribution, exiting distributed for-loops, and workload-imbalance. The documentation on these logical errors can contribute in enhancing the productivity of the beginners, and can potentially help them in their debugging efforts. We have added the code samples containing logical errors and their solutions in a Github repository so that the others in the community can reproduce the errors on their systems and learn from them. The content presented in this paper may also be useful for those developing high-level tools for detecting and removing logical errors in parallel programs.
High-speed FPGA Implementation of the NIST Round 1 Rainbow Signature Scheme

Round 1 of the the NIST post-quantum cryptogra- phy (PQC) standardization effort began on November 30th, 2017. The competition aims to select the most promising quantum- resistantalgorithms, which are currently secure against large scale quantum computers. Multivariate cryptosystems belong to a promising group of PQC schemes and are based on multivariate polynomials over finite fields. Among them are the Unbalanced Oil and Vinegar (UOV) and Rainbow signature schemes, which have been extensively studied since 1999 and 2005, respectively. The main advantage of UOV ishigh confidence in its security, and the disadvantages include large key and signature sizes. Rainbow is a multi-layer version of UOV that offers better performance, smaller keys, and smaller signatures. This paper presents a high-speed FPGA implementation for the NIST Round 1 PQC submission of Rainbow. We discuss a high-speed design that uses a parameterized system solver, which can solvean n-by-n system in n clock cycles. Compared to the previous state-of-the- art, we reduce the number of required multipliers by almost half, speed up execution, and implement Rainbow for higher security levels. Our design supports many parameter sets, which require operations in the fields GF(16) and GF(256). Additionally, in order tomake benchmarking easier and fairer, our design follows a universal PQC hardware API, which allowsfor fair comparison with other post-quantum signature schemes. This design is being made open-source to increase transparency and speed up further optimization.
The US mortality crisis: an examination of non-Hispanic white mortality and morbidity in Yavapai County, Arizona

Midlife non-Hispanic white mortality in the United States is rising, particularly in small metro and rural counties. This article responds to calls for county-level studies. We examine social determinants of morbidity and mortality among adult non-Hispanic whites in Yavapai County, Arizona, as part of an integrative study. We report overall mortality trends in Yavapai County using CDC Wonder data and then examine social determinants of reported physical health and mental distress in Yavapai County data using 6 years (2011–2016) of the Arizona Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The BRFSS includes 1,024 non-Hispanic white respondents aged 25–64. We also present data from the recently established Yavapai County Overdose Fatality Review Board (YCOFRB). Mortality trends indicate that suicide and drug and alcohol-related mortality have all increased since 1999. These increases affect all 5-year age groups from 25 to 64 and both men and women. BRFSS data show that low education and unemployment, but not number of children or home ownership, are significantly associated with worse reported health and frequent mental distress in multivariate analyses. The YCOFRB point to the importance of homelessness and mental health. The mortality crisis in Yavapai County is not restricted to midlife or to drug-related deaths. The unemployed and those with low levels of education are particularly at risk. There is a need for integrative approaches that use local data to elucidate social determinants of morbidity and mortality and to reveal structural determinants.
Words vs Violence: Democratic Debate and Civility in Political Discourse

How did Democratic debate replace violent fighting in politics? The transition from Kingly violence and personal duels to orderly debate and civil discourse is critical for the success or failure of democratic forms of government. And, because of our “animal side,” institutions to limit violence and separate powers are necessary, if democracy is to be maintained. We humans – Homo sapiens – can be either rational, using words to debate contentious policies, or, irrational, using violence and terror to win the political conflict. The Enlightenment Theorists in France, England, and the United States focused on this problem of human “passions” and human “inalienable rights.”
PyOCN: A Unified Framework for Modeling, Testing, and Evaluating On-Chip Networks

There is a growing interest in the open-source hardware movement to amortize non-recurring engineering costs by using plug-and-play system-on-chip (SoC) designs, where the communication among different components is provided by an on-chip interconnection network. Unfortunately, building an on-chip network (OCN) that is suitable for a specific SoC design requires the exploration of a large number of design options and involves diverse research methodologies to evaluate performance, area, energy, and timing. In this paper, we propose PyOCN, a unified framework that vertically integrates multiple research methodologies to enable productively exploring the OCN design space. PyOCN is the first comprehensive framework for modeling (e.g., functional-level, cycle-level, and register-transfer-level), testing (e.g., unit testing, integration testing, and property-based random testing), and evaluating (e.g., simulating, generating, and characterizing) on-chip interconnection networks. We use a case study based on a 64-terminal butterfly network to illustrate the key features of PyOCN and to demonstrate the framework's potential in productively modeling, testing, and evaluating OCNs.
The Dialogical Self: Elements of Life Writing in the Works of Hannah Arendt

The objective of this paper is to describe and specify dialogical elements of Hannah Arendt’s essay ‘We Refugees’, correspondence with Karl Jaspers, passages of Eichmann in Jerusalem and 1964 Zur P...
Design and analysis of concentrating solar power plants with fixed-bed reactors for thermochemical energy storage

Abstract Concentrating solar power (CSP) integrated with thermochemical energy storage (TCES) has the potential to deliver cost-effective and dispatchable renewable power. In this work, a system-level analysis of CSP with fixed-bed reactors for TCES is provided. First, we simulate fixed-bed reactors at various operating conditions and build effective surrogate models. Second, we develop an optimization model for the design and operation of CSP plants under seasonal solar variability. Using the proposed model, we compare the performance of three types (redox, hydroxide, and carbonate) of solid-gas TCES systems. Results show that, with careful design, TCES can potentially improve the plant performance over two-tank molten salt storage. Finally, the impacts of key process parameters and reaction properties are analyzed to provide guidance for future TCES development.
Predictors of prostate bed recurrence on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with rising prostate-specific antigen after radical prostatectomy.

Introduction: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is a standard treatment modality for localized prostate cancer. Biochemical failure after RP is usually evaluated with whole-body imaging to exclude distant metastatic disease, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect local recurrence in the prostatectomy bed. The goal of this study is to correlate disease characteristics and demographic data in patients with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after RP to determine association with MRI-detected cancer recurrence. Methods: Sixty-four patients who underwent pelvic MRI for rising PSA after RP and had complete clinical and pathological data available were included. Using Chi-squared testing, we analyzed PSA levels, pathological disease characteristics (prostate cancer risk group, Gleason score, extracapsular extension, positive surgical margin, seminal vesicle involvement, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and PSA level before MRI), time from surgery to biochemical failure, and patient demographic characteristics as potential predictors of MRI-detected local recurrence. Results: Definite MRI-detected local recurrence was observed in 17/64 patients (27%). Eleven (17%) patients had a suspicious lesion with the differential of scarring, retained seminal vesicle, or recurrent cancer. Thirty-six (56%) patients had no evidence of tumor in the prostate bed or pelvis on MRI. Patient race was associated with likelihood of detecting a prostate nodule on MRI (p=0.04), with African American patients having 82% lower odds of MRI-detected tumor recurrence compared with white patients (p=0.045). No other tumor or patient characteristic was significantly associated with MRI-detected recurrence. Conclusions: African American patients with biochemical failure after RP are less likely to have MRI-detectable recurrence in the prostate bed compared with white patients.
Molecular Chemistry for Dark Matter

Molecular cooling is essential for studying the formation of sub-structure of dissipative dark-matter halos that may host compact objects such as black holes. Here, we analyze the reaction rates relevant for the formation, dissociation, and transition of hydrogenic molecules while allowing for different values of the physical parameters: the coupling constant, the proton mass, and the electron mass. For all cases, we re-scale the reaction rates for the standard molecular hydrogen, so our results are valid as long as the dark matter is weakly coupled and one of the fermions is much heavier than the other. These results will allow a robust numerical treatment of cosmic structure, in particular for mini-halos for which molecular cooling is important, in a dissipative dark matter scenario.
The Authoritarian Personality and the Problematic Pathologization of Politics

Attempts to apply the methods and findings of The Authoritarian Personality to Chinese culture and politics reveal the limits of its cross-cultural reach. Additional qualms result from a considerat...
Low-complexity method for PAPR reduction in OFDM based on frame expansion parameter selection

This paper proposes a low-complexity scheme for PAPR reduction in OFDM based on the Erasure Pattern Selection (EPS) method. EPS has been recently proposed [10] for joint BER and PAPR reduction by using frame expansion in combination with erasures in the OFDM framework. In this paper we discuss the selection of parameters in the EPS method that makes the erasure patterns tight subframes. Based on this selection we develop a low-complexity implementation of the reconstruction algorithm. We compare both complexity and PAPR performance of the proposed scheme with other probabilistic schemes. A key result presented in this paper is that the low-complexity EPS scheme can be effectively combined with existing probabilistic methods to provide improved performance. The combinations have the same complexity of the existing probabilistic methods, but simulation results show a significant improvement in PAPR reduction.
The Purine Nucleotide Cycle: III. OSCILLATIONS IN METABOLITE CONCENTRATIONS DURING THE OPERATION OF THE CYCLE IN MUSCLE EXTRACTS

Oscillations occur during the operation of the purine nucleotide cycle in particle-free extracts of rat skeletal muscle when glucose is provided as an energy source. The period and amplitude of the oscillations are affected by the concentrations of hydrogen ions, orthophosphate, KCl, DPN, and hexokinase. The oscillations in the concentrations of adenine mononucleotide, adenylosuccinate, and IMP occur in synchrony with oscillations in the concentration of DPNH. The results show that the controls of the operation of the purine nucleotide cycle and of glycolysis are closely linked.
Approximation algorithms for erasure correcting Data Exchange

In the Cooperative Data Exchange (CDE) problem, a group of wireless clients need to exchange data over a shared broadcast channel, such that at the end of the transfer all clients have access to all packets held by other clients. In this paper, we focus on the robust version of the problem in which the clients must be able to complete the transfer even if one of the clients fails before the transfer is complete. The event of a client failure is referred to as an erasure. We show that, while the original CDE problem can be solved in polynomial time, the robust version of the problem is NP-hard, even in the special case when robustness to a single failure is required. Focusing on the practically important special case of a single failure, we establish an approximation algorithm for this problem that can find a solution within a constant factor of the optimum. Our simulation studies show that the algorithm is able to find solutions that are very close to the optimum.
Non-Euclidean Object Representations for Calibration-Free Video Overlay

We show that the overlay of 3D graphical objects onto live video taken by a mobile camera can be considerably simplified when the camera, the camera's environment and the graphical objects are represented in an affine frame of reference. The key feature of the approach is that it does not use any metric information about the calibration parameters of the camera, the position of the user interacting with the system, or the 3D locations and dimensions of the environment's objects. The only requirement is the ability to track across frames at least four features (points or lines) that are specified by the user at system initialization time and whose world coordinates are unknown. Our approach is based on the following observation: Given a set of four or more non-coplanar 3D points, the projection of all points in the set can be computed as a linear combination of the projections of just four of the points. We exploit this observation by (1) tracking lines and feature points at frame rate, and (2) representing graphical objects in an affine frame of reference that allows the projection of virtual objects to be computed as a linear combination of the projection of the feature points.
78-kilodalton glucose-regulated protein is induced in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells independently of glucose deprivation.

Abstract To identify mRNAs with altered expression in Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-transformed cells, we screened a chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cDNA library by differential hybridization. One clone, designated R1H, showed markedly elevated mRNA expression in RSV-transformed cells. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that R1H mRNA encodes 78-kilodalton glucose-regulated protein (GRP78). Chicken GRP78 was found to be very highly conserved in comparison with rat GRP78 (96% identity between chicken and rat amino acid sequences). In contrast to previous observations, we found that GRP78 was induced in RSV-transformed cells in the absence of glucose deprivation. When cells were grown in glucose-supplemented medium, the level of GRP78 mRNA was approximately fivefold higher in RSV-transformed CEF than in transformation-defective virus-infected or uninfected CEF. Similar changes in GRP78 protein content were also found. Using a temperature-sensitive mutant of RSV and supplemental glucose, we found a gradual increase in the level of GRP78 mRNA beginning at 4 h after shiftdown to permissive temperature. Uridine supplementation did not block the induction seen in CEF infected with a temperature-sensitive mutant. These results indicate that GRP78 is induced by p60v-src in the absence of glucose deprivation.
Joint loop end modeling improves covariance model based non-coding RNA gene search

The effect of more detailed modeling of the interface between stem and loop in non-coding RNA hairpin structures on efficacy of covariance-model-based non-coding RNA gene search is examined. Currently, the prior probabilities of the two stem nucleotides and two loop-end nucleotides at the interface are treated the same as any other stem and loop nucleotides respectively. Laboratory thermodynamic studies show that hairpin stability is dependent on the identities of these four nucleotides, but this is not taken into account in current covariance models. It is shown that separate estimation of emission priors for these nucleotides and joint treatment of substitution probabilities for the two loop-end nucleotides leads to improved noncoding RNA gene search.
Optimum insulation for rectangular basements

The general solution of soil temperature variation is developed for a rectangular basement with a known heat flux distribution along the walls and the floor. The Interzone Temperature Profile Estimation (or ITPE) technique is applied to determine the steady-state variation of temperature within the ground. A water table at constant temperature is assumed to exist at a given depth below the soil surface. As an application of the general solution, the optimum thermal insulation distribution is determined for various basement configurations. A parametric analysis is conducted to determine the effect of basement depth and amount of heat flux required on the optimum insulation distribution along the surfaces of a rectangular basement.
Cost-effectiveness of strategies that are intended to prevent kernicterus in newborn infants.

Objective. There is concern about an increasing incidence of kernicterus in healthy term neonates in the United States. Although the incidence of kernicterus is unknown, several potential strategies that are intended to prevent kernicterus have been proposed by experts. It is necessary to assess the costs, benefits, and risks of such strategies before widespread policy changes are made. The objective of this study was to determine the direct costs to prevent a case of kernicterus with the following 3 strategies: (1) universal follow-up in the office or at home within 1 to 2 days of early newborn discharge, (2) routine predischarge serum bilirubin with selective follow-up and laboratory testing, and (3) routine predischarge transcutaneous bilirubin with selective follow-up and laboratory testing. Methods. We performed an incremental cost-effectiveness analysis of the 3 strategies compared with current practice. We used a decision analytic model and a spreadsheet to estimate the direct costs and outcomes, including the savings resulting from prevented kernicterus, for an annual cohort of 2 800 000 healthy term newborns who are eligible for early discharge. We used a modified societal perspective and 2002 US dollars. With each strategy, the test and treatment thresholds for hyperbilirubinemia are lowered compared with current practice. Results. With the base-case assumptions (current incidence of kernicterus 1:100 000 and a relative risk reduction [RRR] of 0.7 with each strategy), the cost to prevent 1 case of kernicterus was $10 321 463, $5 743 905, and $9 191 352 respectively for strategies 1, 2, and 3 listed above. The total annual incremental costs for the cohort were, respectively, $202 300 671, $112 580 535, and $180 150 494. Sensitivity analyses showed that the cost per case is highly dependent on the population incidence of kernicterus and the RRR with each strategy, both of which are currently unknown. In our model, annual cost savings of $46 179 465 for the cohort would result with strategy 2, if the incidence of kernicterus is high (1:10 000 births or higher) and the RRR is high (≥0.7). If the incidence is lower or the RRR is lower, then the cost per case prevented ranged from $4 145 676 to as high as $77 650 240. Conclusions. Widespread implementation of these strategies is likely to increase health care costs significantly with uncertain benefits. It is premature to implement routine predischarge serum or transcutaneous bilirubin screening on a large scale. However, universal follow-up may have benefits beyond kernicterus prevention, which we did not include in our model. Research is required to determine the epidemiology, risk factors, and causes of kernicterus; to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies intended to prevent kernicterus; and to determine the cost per quality-adjusted life year with any proposed preventive strategy.
Comparison of depth cues for relative depth judgments

This paper reports on two experiments in which subjects judged the relative depth ordering and subjective quality of depth of simple, geometric figures (planar circle, square, and triangle). The 3-D images were presented on a Tektronix SGS 620 field-sequential stereoscopic CRT. Four sources of depth information (cue types) were combined factorially to construct exemplary 3-D images: Relative Size (angular subtense decreased with increasing depth); Disparity (binocular disparity varied from crossed to uncrossed with increasing depth); Interposition (closer figures overlapped ones farther away in depth); and Luminance (luminance decreased with increasing depth). Inclusion of each of the three monocular cues produced significantly faster depth judgments. However, there was a lack of significant response time effects associated with binocular disparity. Conversely, stereo presentations strongly improved ratings of subjective image quality. These data indicate that stereoscopic images may provide subjectively more compelling depth information than images containing only monocular cues. However, they also provide evidence for at least one limitation of stereoscopic display utility.
Contraceptive for obese women: considerations.

This article discusses the considerations that must be reflected upon when providing contraceptive methods to obese women. It examines the following issues in relation to contraceptives: venous thromboembolism cardiovascular disease diabetes the effectiveness of contraceptive methods challenges associated with insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) weight changes and pharmacologic and surgical treatments of obesity.
Deposition and interface structures of YBCO thin films via a non-fluorine sol–gel route

Abstract Previous work on YBa2Cu3Ox (YBCO) thin films deposited by fluorine-based sol–gel synthesis has been extensively reported. To further develop grain-textured YBCO thin films for conductor development, we deposited, via a fluorine-free sol–gel synthesis, YBCO thin films on single crystal substrates of yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and LaAlO3 (LAO). Sol–gel-derived films on the YSZ and LAO substrates exhibited epitaxial growth. This result was confirmed by both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). A transport Jc above 105 A/cm2 has been reached at 77 K and zero magnetic field. Experimental details are reported on the sol–gel synthesis, XRD and HRTEM characterization of the YBCO thin films. Also discussed is the underlying crystallization mechanism of the YBCO phase on these substrates.
Pragmatic methodology: a sketch, with applications to transaction cost economics

I address the topic of pragmatic methodology as a practitioner in applied microeconomics who has been working in the still nascent field of the ‘economics of organization’. My purpose is both to make explicit the methodology out of which transaction cost economics works and to suggest that other theories of economic organization do the same. Conceivably convergence will develop in the process, maybe even a consensus. At a minimum, it will be useful to have each implicit methodology made explicit. I begin with some contrasting views on methodology. Section 2 sets out the rudiments of pragmatic methodology. Section 3 examines how transaction cost economics responds to the four precepts of pragmatic methodology. Additional methodological considerations that are posed by transaction cost economics are discussed in section 4. Concluding remarks follow.
A periodic dosing model of fetal alcohol syndrome in the pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina).

A nonhuman primate on a periodic ethanol dosing schedule should provide a model of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) most relevant to the majority of pregnant women who are "social drinkers" and can exercise reasonable control over their ethanol intake. In this pilot study, four pregnant pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) received ethanol once a week from 40 days' gestation. Doses were 2.5 gm/kg for three moderate-dose animals (MDAs) and 4.1 gm/kg for one high-dose animal (HDA). Peak blood ethanol levels reached a mean of 240-256 mg/dl for the MDAs and averaged 379 mg/dl for the HDA. Peak acetaldehyde did not vary with dose. One MDA aborted after the first dose. The other three pregnancies were compared with eight to ten control pregnancies, and the infants' development over the first six months was compared with that of the control offspring. Nutritional status of the pregnant females was normal. The fetal heart rate response to maternal restraint was absent in the HDA. Gestational duration and simian Apgar scores were normal. All three infants were abnormally large, and two were also abnormally heavy, with body weight appropriate to skeletal size. Skeletal maturation, judged by ossification and tooth eruption, was not accelerated. The high-dose infant (HDI) was scaphocephalic, with an underdeveloped cranial base and midface, and its brain was small and dysplastic; its reflex, motor, and cognitive development were retarded. One moderate-dose infant (MDI) had some brain abnormalities; it was hyperkinetic and showed developmental retardation on several behavioral measures. The other MDI was normal. We conclude that the periodic model offers an effective means of investigating FAS in M. nemestrina. Furthermore, when nutrition is maintained, intermittent intake of ethanol by the pregnant primate does not necessarily reatard fetal growth.
New Perspectives on Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common rheumatologic disease, afflicting tens of millions of U.S. citizens. It is not an inevitable consequence of aging; rather, it is a degenerative process acquired because of metabolic, mechanical, genetic, and other influences. It is characterized by progressive loss of cartilage and bony overgrowth. Because cartilage is not innervated, the pain of OA arises from secondary effects, such as joint capsule distention, stretching of periosteal nerve endings, and, possibly, synovial inflammation. Psychologic factors, including stress and depression, may influence the perception of pain by OA patients. The risk of OA apparently is not increased by normal joint use, but persons who participate in competitive sports or who play with abnormal or injured joints are at increased risk. Obesity increases OA risk, and weight loss has been found to decrease it. Some forms of premature OA appear to be inherited. The objective diagnosis of OA is made on the basis of radiography. However, many individuals with radiographic evidence of OA are asymptomatic in the affected joint. It is essential to ensure that pain in the affected joint is attributable to OA and not another cause. The management of OA should include physical medicine measures such as heat or cold therapy and oftenneglected environmental measures, such as reducing chair height and using shoe orthotics. Therapeutic exercise is beneficial for many patients and includes an initial warmup with range of motion, muscle strengthening, and aerobic activity (such as swimming). A major question in the pharmacologic management of OA is whether nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are superior to analgesics in terms of symptomatic relief; studies indicate that they are not. The question is relevant because of the adverse effects of NSAID use, particularly in the elderly population.
Clothing and Bedding Practices and Hypothermia Awareness of Elders: A Comparative Study:

This study investigated the clothing and bedding habits and awareness of hypothermia of rural Vermont elders. It also compared the awareness of hypothermia and relevant clothing and bedding habits ...