cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Status at Presentation and Outcomes among Pregnant Women with COVID-19.

Objective This study was aimed to compare maternal and pregnancy outcomes of symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women with COVID-19. Pregnant women were divided into two groups based on status at admission, symptomatic or asymptomatic. All testing was done by nasopharyngeal swab using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Initially, nasopharyngeal testing was performed only on women with a positive screen (symptoms or exposure) but subsequently, testing was universally performed on all women admitted to labor and delivery. Chi-square and Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests were used to compare outcomes between groups. Results Eighty-one patients were tested because of a positive screen (symptoms [n = 60] or exposure only [n = 21]) and 75 patients were universally tested (all asymptomatic). In total, there were 46 symptomatic women and 22 asymptomatic women (tested based on exposure only [n = 12] or as part of universal screening [n = 10]) with confirmed COVID-19. Of symptomatic women (n = 46), 27.3% had preterm delivery and 26.1% needed respiratory support while none of the asymptomatic women (n = 22) had preterm delivery or need of respiratory support (p = 0.007 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion Pregnant women who presented with COVID19-related symptoms and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 have a higher rate of preterm delivery and need for respiratory support than asymptomatic pregnant women. It is important to be particularly rigorous in caring for COVID-19 infected pregnant women who present with symptoms. Key Points
A unified information perceptron using deep reservoir computing

Abstract The delay feedback reservoir, as a branch of reservoir computing, has attracted a wide range of research interests because of its training efficiency and its simplicity for hardware implementation. However, its potential for processing various kinds of data, like sequential and matrix data, has not been fully explored. In this paper, we present a unified information processing structure by fusing the convolutional or fully connected neural network with the delay feedback reservoir into a hybrid neural network model to accomplish the comprehensive information processing goal. Our experimental results show that our methodology achieves high accuracy in both image classification and speech recognition, yielding 99.03% testing accuracy on the handwritten digits dataset (MNIST) and 97.3% on Spoken Digits Command Dataset (SDCD).
Female Rogues and Gender Outlaws in the Neo-Victorian Novel

This chapter argues that contemporary versions of female rogues and gender outlaws are found in Emma Donoghue’s Slammerkin and Frog Music, Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace, and Sarah Waters’s Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet, all of which write back to earlier versions of the female rogue and the gender outlaw. Contemporary versions of rogues and gender outlaws attempt to defy their fates in fiction. They seek to be their own mistresses, often using their creative eros to attempt to fashion themselves, both literally and figuratively, as they “perform gender.” Like the artists and writers envisioned by female neo-Victorian writers, the female rogues and gender outlaws also exercise sexual eros as they defy their fates in fiction.
An Evidence-Based Algorithm for Determining Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Degenerative Spinal Surgery

ABSTRACT Background Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially serious and life-threatening complication, there is no widely accepted protocol to guide VTE prophylaxis in adult degenerative spinal surgery, and pharmacologic overtreatment may result in hemorrhagic complications. Previously, we published the VTE Prophylaxis Risk/Benefit Score, an evidence-based algorithm that balances the risk and consequences of thrombotic versus hemorrhagic complications by taking consideration of patient-related risks, procedure-related risks, and the risk of neurological compromise to guide VTE prophylaxis. To objective of this study was to validate the VTE Prophylaxis Risk/Benefit Score. Methods From January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017, VTE Prophylaxis Risk/Benefit Scores and corresponding prophylaxes were prospectively assigned. When indicated, chemoprophylaxis was dosed 24 to 36 hours postoperatively to allow for adequate surgical hemostasis. Patients were retrospectively evaluated for immediate and short-term complications. The Fisher exact test compared incidence of complications by VTE prophylaxis. Multinomial logistic regression modeled the probability of complication by prophylaxis type, demographics, and comorbidities. Significance was set at P Results Of the 266 patients who met inclusion criteria, 79.3% were given mechanical prophylaxis alone and 20.7% were given combined mechanical and chemical prophylaxis. Complications including VTE (0.38%), delayed wound healing or infection (2.26%), and hematoma (0.75%) were observed at rates similar to or lower than previously published studies with increased utilization of chemoprophylaxis. Use of chemoprophylaxis and continuation of perioperative aspirin were significantly associated with the development of a hemorrhagic complication. No patient developed persistent neurologic deficit from hematoma or pulmonary embolism. Conclusions The VTE Prophylaxis Risk/Benefit Score comprehensively considers the risk of thrombotic, wound, and bleeding complications and is an effective tool for determining appropriate thromboprophylaxis in adult degenerative spinal surgery. Level of Evidence 3.
The Oil Futures and Options Markets in 2020: The

This paper considers the response of the equity and oil markets to the onset of crisis conditions after Feb. 15, 2020. Based on derivative markets for equities and WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude-oil futures contracts, implied equity and oil volatilities quantify the depth of the crisis and contrast it with previous ones. The estimated Black (1976) vol skew and Merton (1976) option model parameters are able to discern between demand- and supply-side facets. The time when the futures curve is in contango identifies the beginning and, to date, conclusion of the crisis. Using the CAPM, co-movement of oil and equity prices permits computing forecasts of spot oil prices. In considering these events, we recognize the essential role of prices in financial markets: They are conveyors of information, the "Message from Markets," in which financial theory proves useful, practical and applicable.
Indian Schools and Kinship Communities: Louise Erdrich, LaRose

The colonized subjects of an exceptionalist state, Native Americans recognize their condition “after the wreck.” In LaRose, Erdrich represents the theft of Native children, placed in government-run Indian schools designed to estrange them from a kinship culture based on collective sharing. The kinship collective appears in an extended family linked across generations; it demonstrates power when the fifth and latest LaRose, a shared child, averts both suicide and murder and heals two families. The chapter analyzes Erdrich’s use of historical sources to represent the Ojibwa clan and boarding school trauma. It explores the powerful practices of the novel’s kinship collective and argues that Erdrich’s perspective, a multiple inward-looking omniscience, places characters in relationship and represents a collective rather than an individual.
Callous-Unemotional Traits Moderate the Relationship Between Irritability and Threatening Responding

Background: Irritability and callous-unemotional (CU; reduced guilt/empathy) traits vary dimensionsally in the typically developing population but may be particularly marked in youth with conduct disorder (CD). While these dimensional traits are positively correlated, they have been associated with divergent forms of dysfunction, particularly with respect to threat processing (i.e., irritability with increased, and CU traits with decreased, threat responsiveness). This suggests that interactions between these two dimensions may be complex at the neurobiological level. However, this issue has received minimal empirical attention. Methods: The study included 105 adolescents (typically developing and cases with CD; N = 59). They were scanned with fMRI during a looming threat task that involved images of threatening and neutral human faces or animals that appeared to be either looming or receding. Results: Significiant irritability-by-CU traits-by-Direction-by-Emotion interactions were seen within right thalamus/PAG, left lingual gyrus and right fusiform gyrus; irritability was positively associated with the BOLD response for Looming Threatening versus Receding Threatening trials, particularly for youth with low CU traits. In contrast, CU traits were negatively associated with the same differential BOLD response but particularly for youth showing higher levels of irritability. Similar findings were seen within left ventral anterior and posterior cingulate cortices, though the addition of the interaction with CU traits was only seen at slightly more lenient thresholds. Conclusions: The results support previous work linking irritability to increased, and CU traits to reduced, threat responsiveness. However, for adolescents with high irritability, if CU traits are also high, the underlying neuropathology appears to relate to reduced, rather than increased, threat responsiveness.
Leveraging Commercially Issued Multi-Factor Identification Credentials

This slide presentation reviews the Identity, Credential and Access Management (ICAM) system. This system is a complete system of identity management, access to desktops and applications, use of smartcards, and building access throughout NASA.
Macrotheories and Microtheories

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses macrotheories and microtheories. There are numerous examples of theories of these two types. In geometrical optics light travels in straight lines, that it is reflected by a surface between two media in such a way that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, and that it is refracted in accordance with Snell's law. Many facts about images can be explained using these assumptions of geometrical optics without invoking a theory regarding the physical composition of light, for example, without answering the question of whether light is composed of particles or whether it consists of a wave motion in some sort of matter. The chapter discusses physical requirement for microtheories and macrotheories.
Driving parents cuckoo

Do nestling birds signal their food needs honestly to their parents? A study of begging reed warblers shows that they do, but that parental sensitivites to vocal and visual cues can be exploited by an invading cuckoo chick.
Preservation Theorems in Finite Model Theory

We develop various aspects of the finite model theory of Lk(∃) and L αω k (∃). We establish the optimality of normal forms for L αω k (∃) over the class of finite structures and demonstrate separations among descriptive complexity classes within L αω k (∃). We establish negative results concerning preservation theorems for Lk(∃) and L αω k (∃). We introduce a generalized notion of preservation theorem and establish some positive results concerning “generalized preservation theorems” for first-order definable classes of finite structures which are closed under extensions.
GB virus type C envelope protein E2 elicits antibodies that react with a cellular antigen on HIV-1 particles and neutralize diverse HIV-1 isolates.

Broadly neutralizing Abs to HIV-1 are well described; however, identification of Ags that elicit these Abs has proven difficult. Persistent infection with GB virus type C (GBV-C) is associated with prolonged survival in HIV-1–infected individuals, and among those without HIV-1 viremia, the presence of Ab to GBV-C glycoprotein E2 is also associated with survival. GBV-C E2 protein inhibits HIV-1 entry, and an antigenic peptide within E2 interferes with gp41-induced membrane perturbations in vitro, suggesting the possibility of structural mimicry between GBV-C E2 protein and HIV-1 particles. Naturally occurring human and experimentally induced GBV-C E2 Abs were examined for their ability to neutralize infectious HIV-1 particles and HIV-1–enveloped pseudovirus particles. All GBV-C E2 Abs neutralized diverse isolates of HIV-1 with the exception of rabbit anti-peptide Abs raised against a synthetic GBV-C E2 peptide. Rabbit anti–GBV-C E2 Abs neutralized HIV-1–pseudotyped retrovirus particles but not HIV-1–pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus particles, and E2 Abs immune-precipitated HIV-1 gag particles containing the vesicular stomatitis virus type G envelope, HIV-1 envelope, GBV-C envelope, or no viral envelope. The Abs did not neutralize or immune-precipitate mumps or yellow fever viruses. Rabbit GBV-C E2 Abs inhibited HIV attachment to cells but did not inhibit entry following attachment. Taken together, these data indicate that the GBV-C E2 protein has a structural motif that elicits Abs that cross-react with a cellular Ag present on retrovirus particles, independent of HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins. The data provide evidence that a heterologous viral protein can induce HIV-1–neutralizing Abs.
Effects of Furnace Moisture on Enamel Quality and Recommended Levels

The atmosphere of enameling furnaces has a significant impact on the quality of the final enameled product. Means of assessing the moisture levels and how to manage them is discussed.
Empirical Study of the Meaning of the Hedge VERY

In an empirical study designed to test the meaning of the linguistic hedge VERY, and using statistical techniques, the concentration operator is shown to model the human perception in the context of load heaviness better than the shift operator and the fuzzy normalization operator.
Fitness: Philosophical Problems

Fitness plays many roles throughout evolutionary theory, from a measure of populations in the wild to a central element in abstract theoretical presentations of natural selection. It has thus been the subject of an extensive philosophical literature, which has primarily centered on the way to understand the relationship between fitness values and reproductive outcomes. If fitness is a probabilistic or statistical quantity, how is it to be defined in general theoretical contexts? How can it be measured? Can a single conceptual model for fitness be offered that applies in all biological cases, or must fitness measures be case-specific? Philosophers have explored these questions over the last several decades, largely in the context of an influential definition of fitness proposed in the late 1970s: the propensity interpretation. This interpretation as first described undeniably suffers from significant difficulties, and debate regarding the tenability of amendments and alternatives to it remains unsettled.
Ventral posterior visual area of the macaque: Visual topography and areal boundaries

Using both physiological and anatomical techniques, we have studied the topographic organization of extrastriate visual cortex on the ventral surface of the occipital lobe in macaque monkeys. Our results show that a topographically organized representation of the superior contralateral quadrant of the visual field lies immediately anterior to the ventral half of V2. This area is organized in a mirror symmetric fashion to ventral V2: it shares a horizontal meridian representation with V2 and a representation of the superior vertical meridian forms its anterior border. A well-defined strip of callosal inputs runs along the vertical meridian representation, thereby providing a reliable anatomical marker for areal boundaries in ventral extrastriate cortex. We refer to this area as the ventral posterior area (VP) because it is, in all these respects, notably similar to VP in the owl monkey. Ventral V2 has strong reciprocal connections with VP, and the topography of the V2 projection agrees closely with the topography revealed in our physiological mapping experiments. The visual field representation in VP is strikingly anisotropic, with linear magnification factor being much larger along contours of constant polar angle than along contours of constant eccentricity.
The computer medium in writing for discovery

This study explores the possibility that writing on a computer can become unmediated thought, a kind of Vygotskian inner speech important to thought formation. Twenty-two college students were asked to respond to a set of heuristic questions regarding their choice of plays assigned in class, once using paper and pencil and once using a simplified word-processing facility. The two groups reversed the order of writing medium with the same assignments. Responses were longer and were judged more developed with the computer regardless of which medium students used first. A more in-depth study of a stratified sample showed: (a) that some students now feel profoundly disadvantaged writing by hand; (b) that even a student who felt uncomfortable on the computer wrote a longer, better developed response in that medium; and (c) that on an emotionally charged topic one student's text seemed to show thought in process, like what Bakhtin called “internally persuasive discourse.” Students' texts suggest that a computer-assisted tutorial may act like Vygotsky's “zone of proximal development,” which increases a student's ability to do intellectual work. Writing to discover on screen may create the kind of teaching movement in which students are particularly available for learning.
Independent Student Inquiry: Unlocking the Resources of the World Wide Web

When something old and something new come together, great things can happen. Such is the case with a traditional mainstay of instruction, student inquiry, and the most dynamic technological phenomenon in recent years, the World Wide Web.
Information resources for chemical toxicology and regulation

Abstract During the last three decades, there has been an overwhelming increase in scientific and technical information. This information increase has heralded an age of unprecedented advancements in our knowledge about the toxicological sciences and the agents, particularly chemicals, that have been evaluated for the induction of untoward biological activity. Much of the information published is stored in computers in various forms for subsequent use and analysis. This information base, although an invaluable resource, presents an enormous challenge to those individuals requiring access to specific toxicology information for use in association with regulatory decision making. With large amounts of government funds being devoted to health and environmental research programs, the rate of growth for toxicology literature is expected to increase every year. To organize this growing literature and to make it easily accessible to users, different types of information systems have been developed. This paper focuses on those information systems that in the authors' opinions provide the best opportunity for accessing the toxicology literature for application in assessing potential human health hazards and chemical regulation.
Sclerdderma Kidney Disease: A Therapeutic Approach with Nephrectomy and Hemodialysis

A 49 year old black female patient with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), multiple organ system involvement, uremia and malignant hypertension, was treated with maintenance hemodialysis and bilateral nephrectomy. Bilateral nephrectomy controlled refractory hypertension and appeared to alter the natural course of systemic sclerosis.
Chromosomes and causation of human cancer and leukemia. XXXVII. Nucleolus organizers on the Ph1 chromosome in chronic myelocytic leukemia

Abstract In the light of reported evidence that Ag staining of nucleolar organizers (NOR) may reflect the transcriptionally active state of rDNA during the preceding interphase period, the present study addressed the question as to what kind of Ag-staining profiles are displayed by the secondary constrictions on Philadelphia (Ph 1 ) chromosomes in chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). The average number of Ag-stained NOR regions (Ag-NOR) in bone marrow cells was 5.10±0.89 per cell for CML patients and 4.84±0.30 per cell for controls, indicating that the active NOR in normal and CML bone marrow cells are equal in number. The distribution of Ag-NOR in the Ph 1 chromosomes in CML was significantly lower ( P 1 chromosome showed a higher incidence of Ag-NOR than expected. The results indicate that the NOR (or rDNA) on the Ph 1 chromosomes may undergo transcriptionally inactive states. This phenomenon is further discussed in relation to other genetic mechanisms based on chromosome changes.
Early and Late Results in Patients with Carotid Disease Undergoing Myocardial Revascularization

A ten-year review of 1,360 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by the same surgeon was undertaken. Sixty-two patients with symptoms of coronary artery insufficiency underwent carotid endarterectomy prior to or at the time of CABG (Group I). Ninety-seven patients had asymptomatic carotid bruits but did not undergo carotid endarterectomy (Group II). Sixty of these patients were studied by ultrasonic duplex scanning or ocular pneumoplethysmography or both, and hemodynamically significant stenosis was detected in 50 (Group IIa). Group III included 80 patients without carotid artery disease matched with Group II for sex, age, and clinical status. Group IV consisted of 200 patients without carotid artery disease randomly selected from our series. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 120 months (median, 41 months). In patients with proven carotid artery disease (Groups I and IIa), operative mortality was greater than in the patients randomly selected (Group IV) (p less than 0.05) but similar to that in the matched Group III. Late neurological deficits were greater in patients with carotid disease not undergoing carotid endarterectomy (p less than 0.01). Patients with carotid artery disease had lower survival than Group IV patients (p less than 0.01) but similar survival to that in the matched Group III. This study suggests that (1) asymptomatic patients with carotid artery disease who undergo CABG are not at increased risk of perioperative stroke; (2) these same patients are at increased risk of late neurological deficit; and (3) carotid artery disease is an indirect sign of severe associated disease and therefore is associated with increased operative mortality and decreased life expectancy.
Conformational mimicry: synthesis and solution conformation of a cyclic somatostatin hexapeptide containing a tetrazole cis amide bond surrogate.

Potent, cyclic hexapeptide analogues of somatostatin are generally believed to adopt some common secondary structural features: a II′ β turn at one end of the cycle, and a type VI turn with a cis amide bond at the other. A proposed cis amide surrogate, the 1,5-disubstituted tetrazole, has been placed into a cyclic hexapeptide analog of somatostatin in order to constrain the putative cis amide bond. The final cyclization was done by either chemical or enzymatic means. The product, cyclo(Ala6-Tyr7-D-Trp8-Lys9-Val10-Phe11-Ψ[CN4]), was found to have 83% of the activity of somatostatin. Solution nmr analysis in DMSO/water revealed that the backbone as well as side chain χ1 and χ2 were well ordered. Relaxation matrix methods were used to extract distance restraints from the nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy data set, and these were used in a systematic search of torsional space to identify structures consistent with the nmr data. Restrained minimizations of these structures using a number of different force fields produced structures having the expected βII′ turn at D-Trp8-Lys9 and αβVIa turn in the Phe11-Ψ[CN4]-Ala6 portion of the molecule. The similarity of the minimized structures to those previously reported for cyclic hexapeptide analogues of somatostatin confirms the similarity of the tetrazole geometry to that of the cis amide in solution. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
STRUCTURE OF $sup 44$Ti AND THE ROLE OF SINGLE-PARTICLE ENERGIES AND THE T = O TWO-BODY INTERACTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROTATIONAL PROPERTIES IN NUCLEI.

The structure of low-lying states in $^{44}\mathrm{Ti}$ is studied in terms of a conventional shell model. The calculated spectrum is in reasonable agreement with available experimental information. The results of the "exact" shell-model calculation are compared with calculations of the $^{44}\mathrm{Ti}$ spectrum in terms of the stretch scheme and the deformed Hartree-Fock with projection scheme. We find that these two approximations are not in good agreement with the exact calculation. We study the effects on the calculated spectrum of varying the single-particle energy spectrum. We find that the "rotational" character of the calculated spectrum is sensitive to the single-particle energies. The sensitivity can be accounted for by assuming that the wave functions of the members of a rotational band are projections from an intrinsic state with a strong quadrupole deformation. The effect of the $T=0$ part of the residual interaction, and of the Pauli principle, on the rotational character of the calculated spectrum of low-lying states is discussed.
Formalism and reuse in NoC design

This paper presents a formal approach to assist designers in the early stages of QoS-aware NoC design. Reuse of validated topologies and communication mechanism specifications are listed as a proposal benefit, which can potentially minimize risks and costs in the next steps of the process design, e.g. code generation and simulations. Additionally, qualitative analysis of essential project properties, mainly communication issues like latency and throughput, can be also achieved from formal specifications. Z notation was used as a formal description technique.
Ballistic-Failure Mechanisms in Gas Metal Arc Welds of Mil A46100 Armor-Grade Steel: A Computational Investigation

In our recent work, a multi-physics computational model for the conventional gas metal arc welding (GMAW) joining process was introduced. The model is of a modular type and comprises five modules, each designed to handle a specific aspect of the GMAW process, i.e.: (i) electro-dynamics of the welding-gun; (ii) radiation-/convection-controlled heat transfer from the electric-arc to the workpiece and mass transfer from the filler-metal consumable electrode to the weld; (iii) prediction of the temporal evolution and the spatial distribution of thermal and mechanical fields within the weld region during the GMAW joining process; (iv) the resulting temporal evolution and spatial distribution of the material microstructure throughout the weld region; and (v) spatial distribution of the as-welded material mechanical properties. In the present work, the GMAW process model has been upgraded with respect to its predictive capabilities regarding the spatial distribution of the mechanical properties controlling the ballistic-limit (i.e., penetration-resistance) of the weld. The model is upgraded through the introduction of the sixth module in the present work in recognition of the fact that in thick steel GMAW weldments, the overall ballistic performance of the armor may become controlled by the (often inferior) ballistic limits of its weld (fusion and heat-affected) zones. To demonstrate the utility of the upgraded GMAW process model, it is next applied to the case of butt-welding of a prototypical high-hardness armor-grade martensitic steel, MIL A46100. The model predictions concerning the spatial distribution of the material microstructure and ballistic-limit-controlling mechanical properties within the MIL A46100 butt-weld are found to be consistent with prior observations and general expectations.
Some characteristic functions of unimodal distributions

Abstract A sufficient condition of Polya type is given for a function to be the Fourier transform of a unimodal distribution. This condition is used to show that exp (− ¦ x ¦ 3 − 3 ¦ x ¦) is the Fourier transform of a unimodal distribution.
Remerging Feigenbaum trees in dynamical systems

Abstract Finite sequences of remerging period-doubling bifurcations have been recently observed in a variety of physically interesting dynamical systems. We show here that such remerging Feigenbaum trees are quite common in models with more than one parameter and discuss a number of criteria under which they are generally observed. These criteria are applied to simple mappings as well as the conservative Duffing's equation where the formation of a primary “bubble” is seen to lead to higher-order bubbles and hence to remerging Feigenbaum sequences. In the case of Duffing's equation, we follow the development of one such sequence, with the aid of the variation of the winding number along a symmetry axis of the problem.
Teaching People to Manage Constraints: Effects on Creative Problem-Solving

Constraints often inhibit creative problem-solving. This study examined the impact of training strategies for managing constraints on creative problem-solving. Undergraduates, 218 in all, were asked to work through 1 to 4 self-paced instructional programs focused on constraint management strategies. The quality, originality, and elegance of solutions to social innovation problems were assessed. It was found that providing training in managing resource constraints was generally valuable. For talented individuals, providing training in managing user skill constraints also proved valuable. The implications of these findings for training intended to improve creative thinking are discussed.
On the state complexity of partial word DFAs

Recently, Dassow et al. connected partial words and regular languages. Partial words are sequences in which some positions may be undefined, represented with a "hole" symbol ?. If we restrict what the symbol ? can represent, we can use partial words to compress the representation of regular languages. Doing so allows the creation of so-called ?-DFAs, smaller than the DFAs recognizing the original language L, which recognize the compressed language. However, the ?-DFAs may be larger than the NFAs recognizing L. In this paper, we investigate a question of Dassow et al. as to how these sizes are related.
THE INTRADAY INTERDEPENDENCE STRUCTURE BETWEEN U.S. AND JAPANESE EQUITY MARKETS

Contrary to the efficient market hypothesis, previous research documents a significant correlation between lagged U.S. close-to-close stock market returns and current open-to-close Japanese equity market returns. We find that the significant correlation is limited to the first hour of Japanese trading, with subsequent hourly returns independent of lagged U.S. returns. This evidence suggests that the documented significant correlation is attributable to a sticky Japanese opening value associated with the use of nonsynchronous index data.
The effect of fluid loading on acoustic pressure measurements near structures

Abstract Some of the difficulties encountered in underwater sound pressure measurements near structures are discussed. A computation is made of the sound field generated by a monopole acoustic source in the vicinity of an infinite thin elastic plate. To demonstrate the effect of fluid loading on pressure measurements, results are given for the upper half-space above the plate filled, alternately, with air and water, while a vacuum fills the lower half-space. Computed results for this model indicate that no energy bearing acoustic field can be propagated near an elastic plate when fluid loading is heavy. In such circumstances, sound pressure measurements near structures in air are not analogous to measurements that would obtain in water.
Use of Clay Fabric to Distinguish Turbiditic and Hemipelagic Siltstones and Silts

Pliocene and Holocene siltstones and silts in outcrops from the Boso Peninsula, Japan and in cores from the East China were studied to determine distinctive characteristics of the turbiditic (Bouma E-Division) and hemipelagic siltstones and silts. Weathering characteristics, colour, grain size, and organic carbon-organic nitrogen ratio, plus clay fabric proved valuable in characterizing each unit. Clay and non-clay mineral content was uniform throughout. Clay fabric differences are pronounced. Random clay flake orientation prevails in the turbiditic interval while the hemipelagic unit has more preferred orientation. The fabric reflects different conditions of sedimentation. The turbiditic clay was deposited more rapidly in the flocculated state while the interturbidite hemipelagic clay may have formed from more slowly sedimented dominantly dispersed clay. Results suggest that clay fabric may be useful in combination with other sedimentary features in the study of mud-turbidite sedimentation.
Generation of FM signals with quasi-chirp behavior using three- dimensional chaotic flows

In previous work, we constructed wideband FM signals for high range resolution applications using the non-linear Lorenz system, which has a set of three state variables and three control parameters. The FM signals were generated using any one of the three state variables as the instantaneous frequency which was then controlled by adjusting the values of the parameters in the chaotic regime. We now determine the spectral characteristics of the Lorenz FM signal and compare the spectral characteristics to those of a similar FM signal based on the Lang-Kobayashi system. We show that for either chaotic system, the local linearity of the attractor yields an FM signal with a distinct chirp behavior. Irrespective of the statistical independence of the chaotic flow samples, we show that the chaotic FM signal follows Woodward's theorem in the sense that the spectrum of the FM signal follows the shape of the probability density function of the state variable. The chirp rate of the FM signal can be controlled through a time-scale parameter that compresses or expands the chaotic flow. As the chaotic flow evolves in time, so does the spectrum of the corresponding FM signal, which experiences changes in center frequency and bandwidth. We show that segments of the signal with a high chirp rate can be significantly compressed to achieve high range-Doppler resolution. The ability to change the center frequency and the shape of the spectrum is interpreted as added frequency agility.
Uses and Gratifications of Television Home Shopping

The purpose of this study was to understand television shopping through examining media use motives. Based on the uses-and-gratifications (U&G) perspective, we examined how social/psychological antecedents (i.e., parasocial interaction and compulsive buying) and buying outcomes (i.e., buying frequency and impulse buying) relate to television-shopping viewing motives. Findings suggest that viewers watch television shopping because they want a convenient, time- and cost-effective way to shop and learn about products and want to be entertained. Factor analysis revealed two motive factors: TV Viewing Motives are associated with traditional U&G motive statements similar to those found in past studies, and Shopping Motives are those that reference motives associated with shopping. The host appeal dimension of parasocial interaction predicted both factors. Compulsive buying was a significant predictor of only the TV Viewing Motives factor. Those who purchased more items were motivated to watch by the shopping as...
Research Methods Jeopardy: A Tool for Involving Students and Organizing the Study Session

A game based on the popular TV show Jeopardy is described. The game involves students in study sessions and helps them organize the course material. Students say that the format is educational und entertaining.
Modeling Particle Exposure in U.S. Trucking Terminals

Multi-tiered sampling approaches are common in environmental and occupational exposure assessment, where exposures for a given individual are often modeled based on simultaneous measurements taken at multiple indoor and outdoor sites. The monitoring data from such studies is hierarchical by design, imposing a complex covariance structure that must be accounted for in order to obtain unbiased estimates of exposure. Statistical methods such as structural equation modeling (SEM) represent a useful alternative to simple linear regression in these cases, providing simultaneous and unbiased predictions of each level of exposure based on a set of covariates specific to the exposure setting. We test the SEM approach using data from a large exposure assessment of diesel and combustion particles in the US trucking industry. The exposure assessment includes data from 36 different trucking terminals across the United States sampled between 2001 and 2005, measuring PM2.5 and its elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC) components, by personal monitoring, and sampling at two indoor work locations and an outdoor “background” location. Using the SEM method, we predict: 1) personal exposures as a function of work related exposure and smoking status; 2) work related exposure as a function of terminal characteristics, indoor ventilation, job location, and background exposure conditions; and 3) background exposure conditions as a function of weather, nearby source pollution, and other regional differences across terminal sites. The primary advantage of SEMs in this setting is the ability to simultaneously predict exposures at each of the sampling locations, while accounting for the complex covariance structure among the measurements and descriptive variables. The statistically significant results and high R 2 values observed from the trucking industry application supports the broader use of this approach in exposure assessment modeling.
An Overview of Image-Guided Percutaneous Ablation of Renal Tumors

Although nephron-sparing surgery remains the gold standard treatment for small renal tumors, minimally invasive image-guided percutaneous ablation is becoming a viable alternative to operative resection. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation show high technical success rates, a relatively low incidence of residual or recurrent tumor, and competitive rates of patient survival. In this review, an overview of the current status of image-guided percutaneous ablation of renal tumors is presented, with a focus on procedure indications and patient selection, technical aspects of ablation procedures, and treatment outcomes and patient follow-up.
Examining The Feasibility Of Laser Collimated Transillumination

The feasibility of using visible and/or near-infrared radiation for screening for breast cancer has been examined. Results are presented of measurements of the total attenuation coefficient of pig adipose at wavelengths of 633nm and 1.15μm, and of experiments which attempt to discover how transillumination image resolution might be improved by collimating the scattered radiation.
Antagonism of oxytocin prevents suckling- and estradiol-induced, but not progesterone-induced, secretion of prolactin.

In female rats, estradiol (E2) and suckling induce prolactin (PRL) secretion. This involves inhibition of hypothalamic dopaminergic tone and stimulation by a PRL-releasing hormone, possibly oxytocin (OT). Infusing an OT antagonist (OTA) iv, we evaluated the role of OT on suckling- and E2-induced PRL secretion. Three days after parturition at 0900 h, lactating dams were fitted with 24-h osmotic minipumps filled with saline or OTA. On d 5 of lactation, pups were separated from their dams for 6 h. Immediately or 20 min after the resumption of suckling, dam trunk blood was collected. Also, ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with E2 (OVE) and OTA at 1000 h on d 1. Blood samples were obtained from 1300 to 2100 h on d 2 for PRL measurements. Additionally, OVX rats were evaluated on d 2 after receiving progesterone (P4). OTA blocked suckling and E2-induced release of PRL but not that induced by E2+P4. Pups from treated dams failed to gain weight when allowed to nurse for 20 min on d 5 but gained more than 7 g...
The Endangered Phoenix — Lessons from the Firepit

(1988). The Endangered Phoenix — Lessons from the Firepit. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 3-9.
Management of subdiaphragmatic early-stage Hodgkin's disease☆

Twenty-six patients with Stage IA-IIB Hodgkin's disease confined below the diaphragm were treated at the Mayo Clinic over a 9-year period (1974-1982). Ten of the twenty-six patients presented with intra-abdominal disease alone, and the remaining 16 patients presented with palpable inguinal-femoral adenopathy. One hundred thirty patients with pathologically staged supradiaphragmatic disease were treated over the same period and serve as a comparison group. The median age of 52 years among patients with subdiaphragmatic disease was significantly higher than the median age of 27 years in supradiaphragmatic group. There was no difference in sex distribution between the two groups. One-fifth of the subdiaphragmatic patients presented with B symptoms compared to one-tenth in the supradiaphragmatic group. No significant histological differences were seen. The majority of patients were treated with radiation therapy alone. The overall failure rate was 42% in the subdiaphragmatic group versus 22% in patients with supradiaphragmatic disease. All of the failures occurred in patients treated with radiotherapy alone. Stage and the presence of B symptoms were the most important prognostic factors. The type of subdiaphragmatic presentation (intra-abdominal versus inguinal-femoral) did not influence the outcome. Despite decreased 5-year recurrence-free survival (57% subdiaphragmatic vs. 79% supradiaphragmatic, p = 0.03), the overall 5-year survival rate of 85% is comparable to that of patients with supradiaphragmatic disease. It appears that inverted Y irradiation alone is sufficient for patients with Stage IA disease, but that patients with B symptoms or Stage II disease require more aggressive initial therapy if recurrence-free survival is to be improved.
Comparative field performance of potatoes from microculture

The growth and yield in the field of two cultivars of potatoes originating from three different propagation sources — tubers, microcultured shoots (microcuttings) and small tubers produced in culture (microtubers) — were analyzed. Plants originating from microculture produced only single stems emerging from the soil surface whereas tubers formed multistemmed plants. Due to vigorous branching on microcultured plants, however, vine growth appeared similar. Although the total tuber yields were the same for plants from all three propagation sources, in general microcultured plants produced smaller-sized but a greater number of tubers. Microculture is a promising method of producing high quality, certified propagules for potato production.
Eating style and symptoms of eating disorders: further explorations

Abstract Based on earlier efforts to document relationships between eating styles involving hunger, deprivation, and restraint and symptoms of eating disorders, three scales — Eating Style, Feeling Deprived, and Dieting Style — were created and administered to 259 University females, 118 males, and 50 nonstudent females. Of interest were psychometric properties of the scales, their relationships to each other and with symptoms, beliefs about weight control, and body weight. One year later, findings based on Eating Style were replicated and extended in smaller groups of the original University subjects. Appreciable relationships occurred almost uniformly between Eating Style (addressing hunger, deprivation, and restraint) and proposed correlates. Feeling Deprived (a measure of avowed deprivation) correlated consistently with beliefs about weight control and weight variables, but not symptoms. Measurement of Dieting Style was hampered by small ns.
Easy language extension with meta-aspectJ

Domain-specific languages hold the potential of automating the software development process. Nevertheless, the adoption of a domain-specific language is hindered by the difficulty of transitioning to different language syntax and employing a separate translator in the software build process. We present a methodology that simplifies the development and deployment of small language extensions, in the context of Java. The main language design principle is that of language extension through unobtrusive annotations. The main language implementation idea is to express the language as a generator of customized AspectJ aspects, using our Meta-AspectJ tool. The advantages of the approach are twofold. First, the tool integrates into an existing software application much as a regular API or library, instead of as a language extension. This means that the programmer can remove the language extension at any point and choose to implement the required functionality by hand without needing to rewrite the client code. Second, a mature language implementation is easy to achieve with little effort since AspectJ takes care of the low-level issues of interfacing with the base Java language.
RNAi-Mediated Targeting of Heterochromatin by the RITS Complex

RNA interference (RNAi) is a widespread silencing mechanism that acts at both the posttranscriptional and transcriptional levels. Here, we describe the purification of an RNAi effector complex termed RITS (RNA-induced initiation of transcriptional gene silencing) that is required for heterochromatin assembly in fission yeast. The RITS complex contains Ago1 (the fission yeast Argonaute homolog), Chp1 (a heterochromatin-associated chromodomain protein), and Tas3 (a novel protein). In addition, the complex contains small RNAs that require the Dicer ribonuclease for their production. These small RNAs are homologous to centromeric repeats and are required for the localization of RITS to heterochromatic domains. The results suggest a mechanism for the role of the RNAi machinery and small RNAs in targeting of heterochromatin complexes and epigenetic gene silencing at specific chromosomal loci.
Beta blockade in the primary prevention of hypertensive cardiovascular events with focus on sudden cardiac death.

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents are useful drugs in the treatment of hypertension. In multiple clinical trials, β blockers have been found to decrease the incidence of stroke and overall cardiovascular mortality. To provide maximal benefit, in particular, to blunt the early-morning surge in blood pressure associated with the increased circadian incidence of sudden cardiac death, the more cardioselective and longer-acting agents of this drug class are preferred.
Perception of body ownership is driven by Bayesian sensory inference.

Recent studies have shown that human perception of body ownership is highly malleable. A well-known example is the rubber hand illusion (RHI) wherein ownership over a dummy hand is experienced, and is generally believed to require synchronized stroking of real and dummy hands. Our goal was to elucidate the computational principles governing this phenomenon. We adopted the Bayesian causal inference model of multisensory perception and applied it to visual, proprioceptive, and tactile stimuli. The model reproduced the RHI, predicted that it can occur without tactile stimulation, and that synchronous stroking would enhance it. Various measures of ownership across two experiments confirmed the predictions: a large percentage of individuals experienced the illusion in the absence of any tactile stimulation, and synchronous stroking strengthened the illusion. Altogether, these findings suggest that perception of body ownership is governed by Bayesian causal inference—i.e., the same rule that appears to govern the perception of outside world.