cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPICE-compatible compact model for graphene field-effect transistors

This paper presents a compact device model for graphene field-effect transistors. This model extends prior iterative models (due to Meric et al. and Thiele et al.) in two ways. First, the model is given as a closed-form expression that is more computationally efficient. Second, it is valid for devices based upon either monolayer graphene or bilayer graphene. Simulations demonstrate that this model agrees closely with experimental data. Furthermore, the efficiency of this model enables the design and analysis of logic circuits composed of multiple graphene devices. Example simulation results are provided that demonstrate the potential for graphene-based circuit speeds five times that of circuits based upon 32-nm silicon technology.
Correlation of interleukin-6 production and disease activity in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.

Objective. To explore the role of proinflammatory cytokines in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), two clinically related syndromes characterized by an intense acute-phase reaction. In particular, to determine plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and to correlate changes in plasma IL-6 levels with clinical symptoms during corticosteroid therapy. Methods. IL-6 and TNFα concentrations were determined in plasma samples from patients with untreated PMR or GCA, and plasma IL-6 levels were monitored in patients receiving long-term therapy (14 months) with corticosteroids. To identify IL-6–producing cells, the polymerase chain reaction was used to detect IL-6 messenger RNA. In vitro production of IL-6 and IL-2 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from treated and untreated patients was quantified using IL-6– and IL-2–specific bioassay systems. Results. IL-6 concentrations were increased in PMR and GCA patients, whereas TNFα concentrations were similar to those in normal donors. Administration of corticosteroids rapidly reduced the levels of circulating IL-6 but did not correct the underlying mechanism inducing the increased IL-6 production. In individual patients, changes in plasma IL-6 levels and clinical manifestations during prolonged therapy were closely correlated. Short-term withdrawal of corticosteroids, even after several months of treatment, was followed by an immediate increase in plasma IL-6 concentrations. To identify the cellular source of plasma IL-6, PBMC from treated and untreated patients with PMR or GCA were analyzed for their ability to secrete IL-6 and the T cell–specific cytokine IL-2. Polyclonal T cell stimulation caused a rapid release of IL-6, which was shown to be derived exclusively from CD14+ cells. Conclusion. Increased production of IL-6, but not TNFα, is a characteristic finding in patients with PMR or GCA. Corticosteroids rapidly suppress IL-6 production but do not correct the underlying mechanism inducing the increased IL-6 production. The close correlation of plasma IL-6 concentrations with clinical symptoms suggests a direct contribution of this cytokine to the disease manifestations and presents the possibility that monitoring IL-6 levels would be useful in making decisions on adjustment of corticosteroid dosage in individual patients.
Small cell carcinoma of the lung

Summary The last decade has seen the development of moderately effective therapy for patients with SCAC. When combinations of the most active drugs are employed the majority of patients with both limited and extensive disease can be expected to respond to such therapy. Contemporary aggressive programs have substantially increased the median survival of treated groups; more importantly, a significant minority of patients with limited disease can now be expected to be alive and disease-free at 2 years, with a chance for long-term survival. Although only a few patients with extensive disease survive for 2 years, a response to treatment is generally associated with significant palliation and increased survival. Thus, the availability of the drugs active in this disease provides an opportunity for the majority of patients to derive some benefit from treatment. Clearly, the strides which have been made have been clinically and therapeutically significant; yet, the fact remains that only a minority of patients are cured of their disease. Continued research is therefore mandatory if the majority of patients are to be cured (18). On a clinical research level, the cornerstone to this research will be to use the most active drugs in the most effective manner while exploring different means of integrating such therapy into a reasoned, tailored strategy for specific groups of patients. In conjunction with this approach it will be necessary to explore for the activity of new agents which can be successfully combined with the most active existing drugs. The development of curative therapy for testis cancer resulted from such a strategy which combined new drug development research with research involving currently available agents. On a more basic level, the availability of new biological systems may provide a better understanding of growth control mechanisms critical for the sustenance of the malignant process. If specific growth factors are discovered, it may be possible to destroy SCAC cells in a highly specific manner. It is possible that the significant therapeutic advances which have been made in the last decade will be far surpassed by future research efforts which will combine clinical and basic knowledge in a comprehensive attack on small cell lung cancer.
Haptic interaction with volumetric datasets using surface-based haptic libraries

An algorithm to provide haptic feedback directly from volumetric datasets is introduced in this paper. The algorithm is able to reproduce and extend the functionality of surface-based haptics rendering methods. It can be easily implemented on top of existing haptic libraries, such as Sensable's OpenHaptics. In addition, our approach overcomes poor performance in OpenHaptics for models consisting of a large number of polygons (1Million+). The algorithm allows detecting collisions with multiple 3-dimensional shapes. After comparing alternative approaches, such as Depth Buffer and Feedback Buffer, as well as SenseGraphics' Volume Haptics ToolKit (ScalarSurfaceFriction mode), our algorithm delivers the highest performance in terms of rendering time.
Communicating drug risk to physicians: Challenges and opportunities

Improving drug risk communication is a public health priority outlined by The Institute of Medicine to ensure patient safety. Physicians are an important audience of drug risk communication and effective communication is essential for promoting their adoption of risk management behavior. In this study, the authors explored information sources physicians prefer for keeping their drug safety knowledge current (particularly regarding new warnings). In a sample of US physicians, the authors found multiple resources were used for drug safety information with no single source used by everyone. Respondents had created a customized set of preferred resources with built-in redundancy. Participants discussed the strengths and limitations of different information sources: scientific (e.g., highest credibility), third-party (e.g., fast and electronically-delivered, but patients have access to the same information) and the drug company (e.g., legally accurate, but biased). The findings highlight the challenge in delivering a consistent, timely, and persuasive drug risk message to physicians through varying layers of intermediary messengers. The authors propose a conceptual framework of the communication flow for drug safety warnings to inform future research to optimize risk communication delivery.
Psychiatric role conflicts in the neighborhood health setting

Abstract The current movement of psychiatrists toward the health care system, and away from community mental health, has led to increased psychiatric presence in neighborhood health centers. Neighborhood settings confront the traditionally trained psychiatrist with role and value conflicts, some of which parallel those experienced in community mental health. These conflicts include definition of professionalism, the nature of psychotherapy, and hierarchical power. Other conflicts are specific to the neighborhood health setting, including the place of conjidentiality, multidisciplinary relations, and the medical model and remedicalization in psychiatric practice. Residency training must be altered to adequately prepare psychiatrists for these new roles.
Effects of Protein Deficiency and Food Restriction on Lung Ascorbic Acid and Glutathione in Rats Exposed to Ozone

Weanling (52 Â±4 g) or adult (259 Â±16 g) male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed ad libitum casein-based diets containing 4 or 16% protein. A third group (food restricted) was fed daily the 16% protein diet, but at the food intake level of the 4% protein group. After 3 wk (weanling) or 5 wk (adults), half of the rats in each group were continuously exposed to 0.64 ppm ozone for 7 d. Ascorbic acid and re duced glutathione levels were then measured. In the heart and liver from weanling rats, ascorbic acid concentrations were lower in the protein-deficient group than in either control group. In the liver from weanling rats glutathione concentrations were also reduced in response to protein deficiency. Exposure to ozone produced no additional response. For adult rats the response for liver glutathione was similar to that of the weanlings. The liver ascorbate concentration, however, was consistently lower in adult rats compared to weanlings exposed to ozone. In lungs from adult rats, the ascorbic acid concentration was lower in the protein-deficient group than in either control group. On a whole-organ basis, both ascorbic acid and glutathione were usually higher in lungs from rats exposed to ozone than from those exposed to air. Interestingly, protein deficiency did not appear to compromise the lung's ability to maintain, in relative terms, the ascorbic acid or glutathione concentration in response to ozone. J. Nutr. 115: 1050-1056, 1985.
Markov Chain Random Fields for Estimation of Categorical Variables

Multi-dimensional Markov chain conditional simulation (or interpolation) models have potential for predicting and simulating categorical variables more accurately from sample data because they can incorporate interclass relationships. This paper introduces a Markov chain random field (MCRF) theory for building one to multi-dimensional Markov chain models for conditional simulation (or interpolation). A MCRF is defined as a single spatial Markov chain that moves (or jumps) in a space, with its conditional probability distribution at each location entirely depending on its nearest known neighbors in different directions. A general solution for conditional probability distribution of a random variable in a MCRF is derived explicitly based on the Bayes’ theorem and conditional independence assumption. One to multi-dimensional Markov chain models for prediction and conditional simulation of categorical variables can be drawn from the general solution and MCRF-based multi-dimensional Markov chain models are nonlinear.
Effects of copper on olfaction of colorado pikeminnow

Effects of copper on olfaction of Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) were investigated by exposing fish for 24 or 96 h, then evaluating olfactory ability using a behavioral assay and observing olfactory structures using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The behavioral assay measured a response known as fright reaction. Failure of exposed fish to demonstrate a fright reaction in the presence of skin homogenate assumed to contain fright pheromone was considered evidence of copper-induced loss of olfactory ability. Regression analysis was used to describe the response of fish as a function of copper concentration at each exposure duration. Olfactory ability declined with increasing copper concentration. For copper concentrations less than 66 microg/L, olfaction was more sensitive to exposure at 24 h than at 96 h. This result suggests that physiological adaptation and recovery of sensory ability occurred despite continuous exposure in the 96-h treatment. Protective mechanisms induced by exposure may have reduced sensitivity to copper by 96 h. Systematic surveys using SEM to detect presence or absence of olfactory receptors confirmed results of behavioral assays. Copper concentrations in one river inhabited by Colorado pikeminnow were compared with effective concentrations estimated by regression. Comparisons suggest that ambient copper concentrations may occasionally inhibit olfaction of wild fish.
Closed mixing and loading systems and pesticide containers

The use of closed systems has been advanced as a way of making the mixing and loading of pesticides a safer operation. An ideal closed system would transfer liquid pesticides from the original shipping container to the application equipment without any exposure of these chemicals to humans or the environment. The original shipping container would then be rinsed before being disconnected from the system, with the rinsate becoming part of the mixture to be applied. In the move from concept to practical application, closed system developers and users have encountered problems associated with the performance of the systems and the linkages between the systems and the shipping containers. This paper gives examples of these problems and proposes that solutions to them be sought through improved system designs, improved worker training, and the development of design standards for containers of products that are restricted to use in closed systems.
Children reason about shared preferences

Two-year-old children's reasoning about the relation between their own and others' preferences was investigated across two studies. In Experiment 1, children first observed 2 actors display their individual preferences for various toys. Children were then asked to make inferences about new, visually inaccessible toys and books that were described as being the favorite of each actor, unfamiliar to each actor, or disliked by each actor. Children tended to select the favorite toys and books from the actor who shared their own preference but chose randomly when the new items were unfamiliar to or disliked by the two actors. Experiment 2 extended these findings, showing that children do not generalize a shared preference across unrelated categories of items. Taken together, the results suggest that young children readily recognize when another person holds a preference similar to their own and use that knowledge appropriately to achieve desired outcomes.
Modeling HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in mice: new approaches in the changing face of HIV neuropathogenesis

It is well established that infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to immune suppression. Less well known is the fact that long-term, progressive HIV disease is associated with the development of cognitive deficits. Since the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), the clinical presentation of HIV infection has evolved into a chronic illness with very low levels of viral replication and chronic immune activation, with compliant affected individuals surviving for decades with a high quality of life. Despite these advances, many HIV-infected individuals develop some degree of neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not well understood, and there are no effective treatments. Thus, there is an unmet need for animal models that enable the study of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and the testing of new therapeutic approaches to combat them. Here, we review the pros and cons of existing mouse models of HIV infection for addressing these aims and propose a detailed strategy for developing a new mouse model of HIV infection.
Effect of folate on phenytoin hyperplasia.

Abstract There have been some reports that folic acid inhibits phenytoin-induced gingival hyperplasia. The purpose of this double-blind study was to quantify clinically the effects of both systemic and topical administration of folic acid on phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth in man. For a period of 6 months, one group of phenytoin patients received 2 daily topical applications of a folate solution. An additional group received 2 daily doses of systemic folate while a control group received placebo medication. Results indicate that throughout the 180-day period of the study, the topical folate significantly inhibited gingival hyperplasia to a greater extent than either systemic folate or placebo groups.
Proteolytic Processing and Ca2+-binding Activity of Dense-Core Vesicle Polypeptides in Tetrahymena

Formation and discharge of dense-core secretory vesicles depend on controlled rearrangement of the core proteins during their assembly and dispersal. The ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila offers a simple system in which the mechanisms may be studied. Here we show that most of the core consists of a set of polypeptides derived proteolytically from five precursors. These share little overall amino acid identity but are nonetheless predicted to have structural similarity. In addition, sites of proteolytic processing are notably conserved and suggest that specific endoproteases as well as carboxypeptidase are involved in core maturation. In vitro binding studies and sequence analysis suggest that the polypeptides bind calcium in vivo. Core assembly and postexocytic dispersal are compartment-specific events. Two likely regulatory factors are proteolytic processing and exposure to calcium. We asked whether these might directly influence the conformations of core proteins. Results using an in vitro chymotrypsin accessibility assay suggest that these factors can induce sequential structural rearrangements. Such progressive changes in polypeptide folding may underlie the mechanisms of assembly and of rapid postexocytic release. The parallels between dense-core vesicles in different systems suggest that similar mechanisms are widespread in this class of organelles.
The effects of developing a dual sensory loss on depression in older adults: a longitudinal study

Objectives: To determine the effect of developing a dual sensory loss (DSL) on depression over time and evaluate the impact of preexisting single sensory loss on this effect. Method: Multilevel mod...
Analysis of a large number of vias and differential signaling in multilayered structures

A method is presented for full-wave modeling of vertical vias in multilayered circuits. The analysis of the interior problem is based upon the cylindrical wave expansion of the magnetic field Green's function. The multiple interaction among vertical vias is modeled by the Foldy-Lax scattering formula. Multilayered effects are included by using cascaded network of the single-layer components. The exterior problem of the via and the transmission line is analyzed using the method of moments approach. The exterior and interior problems are combined into a system of equations to facilitate the solution of a large number of vias. Using this approach, the scattering matrix of problems of several thousand vias can be calculated with moderate CPU and memory requirement. Numerical results have been obtained for different via configurations and for a large range of frequency. Also illustrated are results for common and differential mode in differential signaling with surrounding idle and shorting vias.
Teaching software project management in industrial and academic environments

The author developed and taught a week-long software project management workshop in an industrial setting from 1995 through 1997. In 1999, he moved from industry to academia and began teaching a semester-long software project management course in Monmouth University's software engineering masters degree program. This paper describes the process that was used to develop the industrial workshop, its unique structure and the results that were achieved during the time that he was teaching it. The academic course is then described, and the similarities and differences between the industrial workshop and the academic course are outlined. One of the key factors in making the industrial workshop successful was matching the content and structure of the workshop to the current needs of the industrial organization in which it was developed and providing flexibility in the workshop design to modify its content to match the experience and prior project management education of workshop participants. In the academic environment, it was necessary to structure the course to fit a typical semester-long schedule with appropriate reading material, homework, exams and a class project.
Prevention of Acute and Chronic Liver Disease through Immunization: Hepatitis B and Beyond

Liver disease caused by hepatotrophic viruses imposes a substantial burden on health care resources. Persistent infections from hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis delta virus result in chronic liver disease, while hepatitis A virus and hepatitis E virus produce a self-limited disease. Effective hepatitis B vaccines that provide long-term protection against chronic HBV infection have been available for >10 years, while inactivated hepatitis A vaccines have recently been shown to prevent acute disease. To prevent transmission of HBV, scientifically and epidemiologically sound recommendations call for vaccination of all infants in successive birth cohorts worldwide
A note on estimating false alarm rates via importance sampling

When the statistics of the noise are non-Gaussian, analytic expressions for the probability of false alarms in detection systems are rarely available. Monte Carlo estimation techniques are therefore typically necessary. The author presents an importance sampling biasing distribution which renders exponential savings over standard Monte Carlo simulations. Two important features of this biasing strategy are that no importance sampling parameters need to be determined and no additional computations are required for implementation. >
Impact of Inorganic Pollutants Perchlorate and Hexavalent Chromium on Efficacy of Bacillus sphaericus and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis Against Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effects of two widespread environmental pollutants, perchlorate and hexavalent chromium, were assessed on the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bsph) against fourth instars of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) in 24-h laboratory bioassays. Although 250 mg/liter perchlorate, a level somewhat higher than would be considered ecologically relevant, did not affect the control provided by either larvicide, presence of 1.04 mg/liter hexavalent chromium, an ecologically relevant concentration, increased the efficacy of both Bti and Bsph by 21 and 80%, respectively. In the presence of hexavalent chromium, improved suppression could be expected from Bacillus applications at the current label rates. However, because hexavalent chromium has been shown to affect many taxa, we propose that the potential exists for increased susceptibility of nontarget organisms to Bacillus products in polluted habitats.
Physical Activity and Risk of Prostatic Cancer among College Alumni

Abstract Clinical observations and laboratory experiments have suggested a role for testosterone in the development of prostatic cancer. Since physical training may act to lower testosterone levels, men who are very active may have a reduced risk of this cancer. To test this hypothesis, the authors prospectively followed 17,719 Harvard alumni (aged 30-79 years) from 1965 or 1969 to 1977, and 1980 to 1988 for the occurrence of prostatic cancer (n = 419). Physical activity was assessed in either 1962 or 1966, and again in 1977, based on self-reported stair climbing, walking, and sports played. Alumni who expended greater than 4,000 kcal/week at both assessments were at reduced risk of developing prostatic cancer (age-adjusted rate ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.89) compared with their inactive counterparts who expended less than 1,000 kcal/week at both assessments. These results should be interpreted cautiously, since only one case of prostatic cancer was identified among alumni highly active at both assessments, who contributed 4% of total person-years to the analysis. Among alumni aged 70 years and older, those who extended greater than 4,000 kcal/week at either assessment had about half the risk of those who expended less than 1,000 kcal/week at either assessment (age-adjusted rate ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.95). The authors attribute these findings to the increased precision with which physical activity could be measured when combining two activity assessments. Alternatively, long-term maintenance of a high level of physical activity may be necessary for further reduction of risk. There was no evidence of a dose-response relation.
Annual and Interannual Variability of Tropical-Extratropical Interaction: An Empirical Study

Abstract In addition to regions of time-mean easterly winds, the tropical atmosphere contains substantial areas of men westerlies in both upper and lower troposphere. Their existence is thought to be related to the large-scale atmospheric response to regional convective heating and, ultimately, to the latent heating and sea surface temperature distribution in the tropics. It has been hypothesized that regions of upper tropospheric equatorial westerlies act as efficient ducts or corridors for transient and stationary extratropical modes deep into the tropics and even to the other hemisphere. Furthermore, it has been argued that the degree of efficiency depended upon the strength of the local equatorial westerlies, thus inducing a probable distinct seasonal and interannual variability in interactions between the hemispheres and between the extratropics and low latitudes. These hypotheses are tested in the present study using an 11-year National Meteorological Center (NMC) climate data set. Large positive pa...
Clinical pattern of seizures in hospitalized children.

one (37%) cases were of established epilepsy, 42 (30.4%) of febrile convulsions and 27 (19.6%) of hypocalcemic convulsions. The rest of the total includes first attack of nonfebrile seizure, neonatal seizures, encephalitis and drug toxicity. Conclusion: We observed and concluded that seizures due to epilepsy remain the most common cause, with febrile convulsion and hypocalcemic convulsion a second and third major causes. As observed, we also recommend further studies into the association of hypocalcemic seizures with underlying active rickets in the pediatric age group.
GANGRENE: exploring the mortality of flash memory

Flash memory is used for non-volatile storage in a vast array of devices that touch users at work, at home, and at play. Flash memory offers many desirable characteristics, but its key weakness is limited write endurance. Endurance limits continue to decrease as smaller integrated circuit architectures and greater storage densities are pursued. There is a significant body of published work demonstrating methods to extend flash endurance under normal use, but performance of these methods under malicious use has not been adequately researched. We introduce GANGRENE, an attack to accelerate wear of flash devices to induce premature failure. By testing a sampling of flash drives, we show that wear can be accelerated by an order of magnitude. Our results offer evidence that vendor-provided endurance ratings, based on normal use, ignore this underlying vulnerability. Because of the high penetration of flash memory, the threat of such attacks deserves attention by vendors and researchers in the community. We propose recommendations and mitigations for GANGRENE and suggest future work to address such vulnerabilities.
Earthquake Prediction: A Socioeconomic View

The advent of earthquake prediction technology spells opportunities and problems for engineers. Following a brief discussion of the technology of prediction, seven major issues are identified and reviewed. These chiefly relate to the role of engineers as assessors of the safety or vulnerability of various buildings and structures. Relevant issues deal with uncertainty, standards, fraud, liability, costs, priorities, and government regulations. A more in-depth look at the supply and demand for engineering services following a prediction is made. Finally several concrete recommendations on what the engineering community can presently do to prepare for a future prediction are presented.
Hydrogen Ion Equilibria in Native and Denatured Proteins

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the recent work on the acid-base dissociations of native proteins and unreactive prototropic groups in certain native proteins, with emphasis on conditions for their detection, and their relation to the protein denaturation and structural changes, which accompany it. The chapter discusses the theoretical analysis of titration curves and stoichiometry, both theoretical and practical, which are used to deduce from the titration data numbers and dissociation constants of prototropic groups, as well as other information bearing on the structure of individual proteins. The method used for the theoretical analysis of titration curves of soluble proteins accounts adequately, in most cases, for the shape of the curves in terms of the numbers and equilibrium constants of different kinds of dissociable groups and the electrostatic interaction of the protein with hydrogen ion and other ions. The prototropic groups of a number of native proteins, like their other functional groups, are less fully reactive than in the denatured protein, or than would be expected if all their side chains were freely available. Thus, in the hemoglobin of horse, pig, and human beings, large numbers of pairs of carboxyl and amino groups are hindered from dissociating or combining with hydrogen ion until after reaction of a smaller number of trigger groups initiates their liberation. The trigger groups in the heme proteins appear most likely to involve the propionate side chains of the prosthetic groups. The unmasking phenomenon is always accompanied by denaturation, as usually defined, although it is often fully reversible if the protein is not exposed for long periods to extremes of pH or temperature. More generally, denaturation (whether reversible or not) renders reactive to such prototropic groups as were not free to react in the native state.
Enhancing Consumers' Motivation, Ability and Opportunity to Process Brand Information from Ads

Considerable research suggests that advertising executional cues can influence communication effectiveness. Related research indicates that communication effectiveness is in part driven by consumers'motivation, opportunity, and ability (MOA) to process brand information from an ad. However, little research has explicitly linked executional cues to communication effectiveness via their impact on MOA and levels of processing. The authors present a framework that explicitly provides such a linkage. The framework highlights the mediational role of MOA in the relationships among executional cues and communication outcomes, it also provides a theoretical account that links apparently disparate cues to their common effects on motivation, opportunity, or ability. The framework is complemented by a critical review of current measures of MOA and proposed measures based on the review. Research issues raised by the framework and the proposed measures are discussed.
Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Subsequent Risk of Preeclampsia and Gestational Hypertension: A Case Control Study

Objective Physical activity (PA) is hypothesized to reduce the risk of preeclampsia, but few epidemiologic studies have simultaneously evaluated leisure time PA (LTPA), sedentary activity, occupational activity, and non-occupational, non-leisure time PA. Thus, we assessed the independent and combined effects of these different types of PA during pregnancy on preeclampsia and gestational hypertension risk.
Two Steps Forward and One Step Back: Conflict and Contradiction in Post-War Guatemala

What are the real prospects for lasting peace and greater prosperity in post-war Guatemala? This is the central question underlying Susanne Jonass Of Centaurs and Doves and Christopher Chase-Dunn, Susanne Jonas, and Nelson Amaros Globalization on the Ground. As events continue to unfold for Guatemalans, these scholars tackle the very current issues of democratization, development, justice, and peace in post-war Guatemalan society. The cruel irony is that the very urgency with which these issues must be addressed belies any concrete prediction or even re?ned characterization of the existing situation.
Antibiotic-resistance testing and PFGE typing analysis of Shigella strains isolated from Gansu province(2006-2009)

Objective To study the antibiotic-resistance and pulse-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE)type of Shigella strains isolated from Gansu province in 2006-2009.Methods 470 strains of Shigella isolated from Gansu province in 2006-2009 were identified by biochemistry and sero-typing methods,and antibiotic-resistance and molecular typing were tested using PFGE and K-B methods.Results Shigella flexneri was still the predominant serogroup in Gansu province;serotype Fxv isolates accounted for most of the Shigella flexneri strains(44.5%),followed by 2a serotype(33.1%).All the S.flexneri and S.sonnei strains were resistant to Ampicillin,Tetracycline and Rifampicin(90.3-100%).CN0200 was the predomiant PFGE pulsetype of Shigella flexneri;S.flexneri strains with the same serotype having the simillar PFGE pulsetypes,and could be classified to one group.Conclusions The serotype,antibiotic-resistance and PFGE character of Shigella strains isolated from Gansu province were demonstrated in this study.The results will play a key role in clinical treatment,especially in preventing and controlling bacterial dysentery in Gansu and China.
Evaluation model of teachers' capability of managing students:A study based on grey relational analysis

By using literature review,interview,questionnaire,and multi-dimension statistic analysis,the evaluation model of teachers' capability of managing students is discussed.The results show that the features of teachers' capability include cognition ability,communication ability,professional quality and other 17 factors.Meanwhile,the grey relational analysis is applied into establishing the evaluation model,which could offer the evidence to elect and assess the management-style teachers.
Isolation and characterization of alpha 1-protease inhibitor from canine plasma.

Objective To improve a previously described purification process by producing a higher yield and purity of alpha 1-protease inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) from canine plasma. Animals Plasma pool from 10 clinically normal male dogs. Procedure Canine alpha 1-PI was purified by use of ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, and 3 affinity chromatographic procedures: concanavalin A-Sepharose, thiol, and hemoglobin-Sepharose. Characterization was performed by gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and immunoblot analysis. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was obtained by use of the Edman degradation method and a gas amino acid sequencer. Results Canine alpha 1-PI was purified with a yield of approximately 7% and a 54-fold increase in specific inhibitory activity. The inhibitor had a molecular weight of 59,000 and had 2 major patterns after isoelectric focusing: fast and intermediate in homozygous and/or heterozygous forms. Edman degradation revealed glutamic acid as the starting amino acid from the N-terminal sequence. Homologies of the N-terminal sequence of canine alpha 1-PI with those of sheep, horse, and human alpha 1-protease inhibitors were 54, 46, and 41%, respectively. Conclusions Canine protease inhibitor is analogous to the alpha 1-protease inhibitors of sheep, human beings, and mice in terms of molecular weight, amino acid composition, and inhibitory activity against trypsin. Although the method described had a yield of 7%, the final product retained inhibitory activity and was pure. Clinical relevance The availability of pure canine alpha 1-PI, as well as the specific antibodies, will facilitate studies on the fecal excretion and structural heterogeneity of this protein in dogs with naturally acquired protein-losing enteropathy.
Biomaterials and the chemical environment of the body

Publisher Summary The chemical environment of the body that is in contact with implanted biomaterials can have a profound and deleterious effect on their performance as surgical devices. All classes of materials used in implants—polymers, ceramics, metals, and composites—would degrade to some extent owing to prolonged exposure to body fluids. The degradation both undercuts engineering performance of devices and undermines the biocompatibility of surgical implants. This chapter focuses on metallic biomaterials and their deterioration in the in vivo chemical environment due to corrosion. Many specific corrosion mechanisms have been found to be operative under in vivo conditions for artificial hip and other total joint replacements, as well as other sorts of orthopedic surgical implants. Some of these mechanisms involve interactions between electrochemical attack and applied mechanical stresses in load-bearing implant devices. Corrosion of bio-materials is a surface phenomenon occurring at the metal/electrolyte interface. Besides aspects of the chemical environment of the body, many features and characteristics of the surface of the implant alloy play dominant roles in the corrosion of the material. Though engineering failures per se can result from corrosion of implants, adverse reactions of the tissues and fluids that contact the implant to various released corrosion products are the most common causes for the need to remove implants from patients.
Sampling in Two Dimensions

This chapter focuses on sampling of 2-D continuous-space functions, and considers both rectangular and general regular sampling patterns, e.g., diamond and hexagonal sample patterns. In two- and higher-dimensional signal processing, sampling and the underlying continuous-space play a bigger role than in 1-D signal processing. This is due to the fact that some digital images, and many digital videos, are under sampled. When working with motion in video, half-pixel accuracy is often the minimal accuracy needed. There is a variety of sampling possible in space that does not exist in the case of the 1-D time axis. An example of a regular nonrectangular grid is the hexagonal array of light-receptive cones on the human retina. In spatio-temporal processing, diamond sampling is used in interlaced video formats, where one dimension is the vertical image axis and the second dimension is time. Two-dimensional continuous-space Fourier transform theory is often applied in the study of lens systems in optical devices (e.g., in cameras and projectors), wherein the optical intensity field at a distance of one focal length from the lens is approximated well by the Fourier transform. This study is called Fourier optics, a basic theory used in the design of lenses.
Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: Prognosis

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has a dismal prognosis, with a median overall survival of only 4.9 months and 1-year survival of 20 %. Stage IVA (intrathyroidal) tumors have the best prognosis, while IVC patients (distant metastases) have the worst. The most favorable prognosis is seen in patients with an incidental focus of ATC, but even these uncommon patients do not all survive, indicating that microscopic metastases are present early and aggressive therapy is required. Unfortunately, the median frequency of stage IVA lesions is only 10 %, compared to 40.1 % and 45.8 % for stages IVB and IVC, respectively. Predictors of survival in many but not all studies include completeness of surgical resection, delivery of higher doses of external radiation, smaller tumor size, and locoregionally confined disease. Younger age is more favorable in some studies, while gender does not affect survival. Historically, most studies using combination therapy have not prolonged survival, although several recent reports using multimodal therapy have shown some promise. In a few studies, elevated white blood cell counts, dyspnea, dysphagia, and higher intensity of uptake on FDG-PET imaging have been associated with a worse prognosis. What remains unexplained is why some patients present with stage IVA disease, while most are more advanced. A better understanding of the critical genetic abnormalities present in each stage is needed in order to design better therapies to improve survival.
Early angiographic signs of acute thrombus formation following cerebral aneurysm treatment with the Pipeline embolization device

Background and objective Acute thrombus formation following aneurysm treatment with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) is a potentially devastating complication that may result in significant thromboembolic sequelae if not promptly treated. We therefore evaluated PED cases complicated by acute thrombus formation at our institution, with an emphasis on identifying early angiographic signs that may portend this event. Materials and methods We retrospectively identified cases of acute thrombosis following PED placement in 100 consecutive procedures performed at our institution from a prospectively maintained clinical database. Angiographic findings were analyzed for early signs of acute thrombus formation. We also evaluated the efficacy of treatment of this complication with a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (abciximab), as well as the results of pre-procedure platelet inhibition testing. Results Acute thrombus formation was encountered in five patients following PED placement (5%). Early angiographic signs were present in all cases and included progressive stagnation of blood flow in covered side branches, occlusion of covered side branches, excessive stagnation of blood flow in the target aneurysm, as well as occlusion of the target aneurysm. These sequelae completely resolved following abciximab treatment in all five cases, with no permanent neurological morbidity or mortality. Four of the five patients had a pre-procedure P2Y12 value >200 (range 201–227). Conclusions Progressive stagnation or occlusion of covered side branches or target aneurysm are early angiographic signs of acute thrombus formation following PED placement and should prompt immediate treatment with a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Platelet inhibition testing may help identify those patients who are at an increased risk for this complication.
Fault simulation for analog test coverage

A practical fault simulation methodology for analog circuits in mixed-signal designs is presented. The methodology leverages the mixed-signal simulation environment of a product and performs mixed-signal fault simulation of embedded analog circuits. A set of open-circuit and short-circuit faults are extracted with guidance from layout parasitics, and automatically injected in to the net list. Fault coverage of manufacturing tests on faults in the transmitter of a high speed serial interface design are reported with two different observation criteria. Results indicate the amount of test reduction that can be achieved and the importance of appropriate observation in fault detection.
Association of Central Arterial Stiffness and Pressure Pulsatility with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study-Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS).

BACKGROUND The association of central arterial stiffness and pressure pulsatility with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia is not well characterized in the population-based setting. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to quantify the cross-sectional association of arterial stiffness and pressure pulsatility with MCI and dementia among 4,461 older white and black adults from the population-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study-Neurocognitive Study. METHODS We used race-stratified multinomial logistic regression to evaluate associations of percentile cut points of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, central systolic blood pressure, central pulse pressure, and pulse pressure amplification with MCI and dementia versus no cognitive impairment. RESULTS Among whites, those with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity or central systolic blood pressure ≥75th percentile had a higher prevalence of MCI compared to participants 25th percentile (OR 1.65; (95% CI: 1.01, 2.70). Weaker associations were seen among black participants. CONCLUSION Higher arterial stiffness and pulsatility were associated with MCI and dementia in white participants. Longitudinal characterization of the observed associations is warranted to assess whether arterial stiffness and pressure pulsatility predict MCI and dementia among older adults.
A Multi-dimensional Perspective of Network Ties in Organizations

Social network theories have increasingly found their application in examining individual, group and organizational level outcomes. However, we argue that in the absence of a clear typology of netw...
Ellen R. Grass Guest Lecture: Epileptic Syndromes: A Remarkable Contribution of EEG to Epileptology

ABSTRACT.Epileptic syndromes represent a new way of looking at epileptological diagnostic entities. These syndromes transcend the realm of seizure types and constitute special clinical conditions which depend largely on age and genetic predisposition (notwithstanding the frequent occurrence of associated structural lesions). Epileptic syndromes without structural pathology tend to be benign: primary generalized epilepsy, benign rolandic epilepsy, benign occipital lobe epilepsy, and others. West syndrome and especially the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome exemplify severe forms of epileptic seizure disorder.Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of epileptic syndromes depend heavily on the correct interpretation of the EEG findings. Thus, this modern segment of epileptology is not thinkable without solid EEG diagnosis. The differentiation of these syndromes is highly pragmatic (and by no means merely academic): these differentiations result in much better understanding of benign and severe seizure disorders and permi...
Detection of myocardial infarction and arrhythmia from single-lead ECG data using Bagging Trees classifier

Myocardial Infarction (MI) and Arrhythmia (AR) are serious heart diseases. Human identification of these diseases from raw electrocardiography (ECG) signals is tedious and expensive. In recent studies, these diseases have been identified and localized individually using multi-channel ECG data. We explored for the robust detection of both MI and AR from ECG signal using a minimalistic (single channel) ECG data. In this study, a total of 440 records from 12-lead ECG signals (79 Healthy Person, 346 MI, and 15 AR) have been used from “PTB Diagnostic ECG Database” of PhysioBank. The proposed algorithm automatically identifies P, Q, R, S, and T points of ECG signals, and then extracts 33 features: 15 interval type and 18 amplitude type. Bagging Tree, an ensemble method which is computationally efficient and at the same time can deal with the class imbalance problem within the data, is used for classification. During training, 10-fold cross validation is used to ensure generalization of the classifier and to remove over-fitting. Our study demonstrates that Bagging Tree is able to identify MI, AR and normal patients with the cross-validation accuracy of 99.7%, sensitivity of 99.4%, specificity of above 99.5%, precision of 99.32%, and F1 score of 99.36% from a single lead ECG data (Lead V4). The proposed algorithm uses a minimalistic single-channel ECG for robust detection of MI and AR that can be utilized in wearables for real-time patient monitoring.