cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The philosophical stakes of the Heidegger wars, part II: Ethical and political ramifications of the reading of Heidegger

L'A. propose une lecture dualiste de Heidegger qui souleve la question de la responsabilite a la fois morale et politique de son engagement dans le nazisme, revelant l'ambiguite -meme apres le guerre- de son silence en ce qui concerne l'Holocauste, qui laisse entier le probleme de la continuite ou de la rupture historique entre le projet humaniste des Lumieres et le nazisme, dont le processus d'extermination de masse peut etre considere comme une des possibilites que la modernite portait en elle
Three-Dimensional Confinement-Related Size Changes to Mixed-Surfactant Vesicles

The effect of three-dimensional confinement on the size and morphology of a vesicular surfactant mesophase obtained by mixing micellar solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid has been studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The confined spaces were generated by the random close packing of polystyrene beads of radius Rb=1.5, 0.25, and 0.1 microm, creating voids of characteristic dimensions R approximately 0.22 Rb=3300, 550, and 220 A, respectively. These void length scales were comparable to or less than the radii of vesicles formed in the system under conditions of no confinement. Vesicles, made by mixing 0.8 wt % micellar solutions of surfactant in a water/D2O mixture that is contrast-matched with the polystyrene beads, were added in a SANS scattering cell without beads, as well as three cells with the different sized beads. The SANS data from the sample without confinement was best fitted by a core-shell model and not by spheres or disks, confirming the presence of vesicles. The data from samples in the confined domains also showed vesicles as the dominant structure. The most important result is that the mean size of these vesicles decreases as the confinement length scale is reduced. A simple thermodynamic model accounting for the balance between increased enthalpy when vesicles with curvature higher than the preferred one are formed, and increased free volume entropy for smaller vesicles supports the experimental data. While these results are focused on a specific vesicle system, the broad principles behind changes in microstructure produced by confinement are applicable to other surfactant aggregates. The results of this study are potentially important for understanding the flow of drug delivery vehicles through microcapillaries, in the recovery of oil from fine pores in rocks using surfactant containing fluids, micellar enhanced ultrafiltration, or in other situations where the size of surfactant aggregate structures approach the length scales between confining walls.
Complementary molecular and elemental detection of speciated thioarsenicals using ESI-MS in combination with a xenon-based collision-cell ICP-MS with application to fortified NIST freeze-dried urine.

The simultaneous detection of arsenic and sulfur in thioarsenicals was achieved using xenon-based collision-cell inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography. In an attempt to minimize the 16O16O+ interference at m/z 32, both sample introduction and collision-cell experimental parameters were optimized. Low flow rates (0.25 mL/min) and a high methanol concentration (8%) in the mobile phase produced a fourfold decrease in the m/z 32 background. A plasma sampling depth change from 3 to 7 mm produced a twofold decrease in background at m/z 32, with a corresponding fourfold increase in the signal associated with a high ionization surrogate for sulfur. The quadrupole bias and the octopole bias were used as a kinetic energy discriminator between background and analyte ions, but a variety of tuning conditions produced similar (less than twofold change) detection limits for sulfur (32S). A 34-fold improvement in the 32S detection limit was achieved using xenon instead of helium as a collision gas. The optimized xenon-based collision cell ICP mass spectrometer was then used with electrospray ionization MS to provide elemental and molecular-based information for the analysis of a fortified sample of NIST freeze-dried urine. The 3σ detection limits, based on peak height for dimethylthioarsinic acid (DMTA) and trimethylarsine sulfide (TMAS), were 15 and 12 ng/g, respectively. Finally, the peak area reproducibilities (percentage relative standard deviation) of a 5-ppm fortified sample of NIST freeze dried urine for DMTA and TMAS were 7.4 and 5.4%, respectively.
Dictionaries of Paradoxes for Statistical Tests on k Samples

Abstract A relationship between the Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric statistical test on k samples and the Borda positional method for voting is established and then exploited to gain a complete analysis of the counterintuitive results and statistical orderings that arise when a set of data is restricted to various subsets of the k samples. This is done by introducing and examining the “dictionary” of possible orderings of the samples occurring with the Kruskal-Wallis procedure. It is shown that using ranks, as opposed to any other weights, minimizes the number and kinds of paradoxes that can arise from examining subsets of the data—projection paradoxes. The idea of a dictionary for a statistical procedure is discussed. The dictionaries for the Deshpande class ℒ of statistical procedures (including Bhapkar's V test and Deshpande's L test) are computed. An estimate for the relative sizes of the number of paradoxes for the Kruskal-Wallis test and any other such test—by comparing relative sizes of their dictiona...
Consumerism, consumption, and a critical consumer education for adults

This chapter explores the connection between consumerism, consumption, and adult education, arguing for a more critical form of consumer education for adults.
Effects of bulk and grain boundary recombination on the efficiency of columnar-grained crystalline silicon film solar cells

Columnar-grained polycrystalline silicon films deposited at low temperatures are promising materials for use in thin-film photovoltaics. We study the effects of recombination at grain boundaries, bulk intragranular recombination, grain size, and doping in such structures with two-dimensional device physics simulations, explicitly modeling the full statistics and electrostatics of traps at the grain boundary. We characterize the transition from grain-boundary-limited to bulk-lifetime-limited performance as a function of intergranular defect density and find that higher bulk lifetimes amplify grain boundary recombination effects in the intermediate regime of this transition. However, longer bulk lifetimes ultimately yield higher efficiencies. Additionally, heavier base doping is found to make performance less sensitive to grain boundary defect density.
Sapphire: copying GC without stopping the world

Many concurrent garbage collection (GC) algorithms have been devised, but few have been implemented and evaluated, particularly for the Java programming language. Sapphire is an algorithm we have devised for concurrent copying GC. Sapphire stresses minimizing the amount of time any given application thread may need to block to support the collector. In particular, Sapphire is intended to work well in the presence of a large number of application threads, on small- to medium-scale shared memory multiprocessors. A specific problem that Sapphire addresses is not stopping all threads while thread stacks are adjusted to account for copied objects (in GC parlance, the “flip” to the new copies).Sapphire extends previous algorithms, and is most closely related to replicating copying collection, a GC technique in which application threads observe and update primarily the old copies of objects [13]. The key innovations of Sapphire are: (1) the ability to “flip” one thread at a time (changing the thread's view from the old copies of objects to the new copies), as opposed to needing to stop all threads and flip them at the same time; and (2) avoiding a read barrier.
Relationship of wedge isodose angle to percent depth-dose curves

Purpose : An expression that relates the wedge isodose angle to the gradient of the percent depth-dose curves for photon beams has been formulated and verified experimentally. Methods and Materials : The expression that relates a wedge angle to another via the gradient of their corresponding percent depth-dose curves was derived. Because the field size affects the percent depth-dose curves, measurement of wedged isodose distributions were carried out for different field sizes to validate the expression. The 6 MV and 23 MV photon beams and a range of field sizes from 5 x 5 cm to 20 x 20 cm were used. For each field size, the wedge angle and percent depth-dose curve slope were measured at the depth of 10 cm. Measured and calculated wedge angles were compared. Results : The variation of the wedge angle caused by the change in field size is about 6 degrees. For field sizes larger than 10 x 10 cm, the variation of wedge angle is less than 3 degrees. The calculated wedge angles agree with the measured wedge angles to within 1 degree. The knowledge of the extent of wedge angle variation due to the change in field size and the availability of an expression to determine an accurate wedge angle would be helpful in the use of the universal wedge equation.
Speculum lumbar extraforaminal microdiscectomy

Abstract Background context: Public interest, monetary pressures and improving diagnostic techniques have placed an increasing emphasis on minimalism in lumbar disc excision. Current techniques include microlumbar discectomy and minimally invasive spinal surgery. Both are good techniques but may be painful, require a hospital stay and/or are not widely used because of difficulty acquiring the necessary skills. The author therefore developed a less invasive microscopic technique that may be performed on a consistent outpatient basis with easily acquired skills. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe a variant of minimally invasive lumbar disc excision, while assessing the effects on a small group of patients. Study design: The treatment protocol was a prospective community hospital–based case study designed to evaluate a less invasive method of excising herniated lumbar discs residing in the canal, foraminal or far lateral space. Patient sample: This study is comprised of 50 patients with all anatomic forms of lumbar disc herniations, inside or outside the canal, at all levels except the lumbosacral joint. Outcome measures: Clinical results were measured by return to work time, the criteria of MacNab and by Prolo et al.'s economic and functional criteria. Methods: Selection criteria included adult patients with intractable low back and leg pain, plus an imaging study revealing a lumbar disc herniation consistent with the patient's clinical presentation. Mean patient age was 48 years. The male:female ratio was approximately 2:1. All patients failed at least 3 weeks of conservative therapy. Herniations occurred from the L2–3 space through L4–5, with 30 herniations being within and 20 outside the spinal canal. Both contained and extruded/sequestered herniations were treated. Excluded from the study were patients with herniations inside the spinal canal at the L5–S1 level. Surgical approach was by microscopic speculum transforaminal route for discs residing both within and outside the lumbar canal. Results: The initial 50 consecutive patients had successful technical operations performed on an outpatient basis by this less invasive technique. By the criteria of MacNab (Table 3), 84% (42 of 50) had an excellent or good result, returning to work at a mean time of 3.5 weeks. Per Prolo et al.'s economic scale, 72% were disabled at levels I and II before surgery. Postoperatively, 92% had improved to levels IV and V. Similarly, on his functional scale, 94% functioned at levels I and II before surgery, whereas 88% achieved levels IV and V after surgery. Eighty percent required no pain medications 1 week after surgery. The only complication was an L3 minor nerve root injury as it exited the L3–4 foramen. Conclusion: The author has described a minimally invasive technique for excising herniated discs that is applicable to all types of lumbar herniations, except for those residing in the canal at L5–S1. Clinical outcomes are comparable to those of other forms of discectomy.
New Observations on the Pleistocene Evaporites of Montallegro, Sicily and a Modern Analog

ABSTRACT The Montallegro Formation (Pleistocene) of the southern part of Sicily, contains several gypsum-bearing zones. The gypsum deposition appears to be the result of reprecipitation of dissolved adjacent, Messinian (Late Miocene) deposits. The Montallegro gypsum occurs as laminar, crystalline gypsum, disseminated acicular gypsum in marls and also as gypsum 'trees.' Associated with the gypsum-bearing marls are nodular and laminar native sulfur deposits. These sulfur deposits have formed probably syndepositionally with the emplacement of the gypsiferous marls, as the result of biological activity. Analogies are drawn between many of the features described from the Montallegro Formation and some solar salt pan evaporites from California.
The Power Systems Engineering Research Center (PSERC)

PSERC is a multi-university research consortium that currently includes eleven universities and some forty companies from the electric power industry. The Center operates under a National Science Foundation grant and includes in its list of members the US Department of Energy (DoE) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). It is a collaboratory of university, industry and government people interested in solving current problems facing the electric power industry. PSERC is especially interested in technical problems associated with the new institutional arrangements that are occurring under a restructured industry. The Center is researching issues such as how to simulate power systems under bidding (offers), how to quantify planning and operational limits, how to operate a power system reliably and securely while increasing competitive interplay, how to implement and operate needed information networks, operation under an ISO, an RTO, or other possible scenarios. PSERC is a university-industry collaboration addressing challenges facing the new electric power industry as it restructures to a competitive business environment.
Element distributions at depth from an iterative analysis of RBS spectra

Abstract The depth to which Rutherford backscattering (RBS) profiling can be applied has previously been restricted by statistics and the kinematic loss factor of the elements involved. We have developed an iterative technique by which exact depth profiling may be extended much further. High resolution spectra are taken with the target and detector at two or more different angles to the beam. Computer analysis is then applied to obtain the depth distribution of the elements involved. For a target composed of two elements, two angles suffice for the analysis, but more spectra are required for a larger number of elementary target constituents. The limit of depth resolution arises primarily from counting statistics and detector resolution, although we shall show that apparently there may also be a theoretical limit since successive iterations employ smaller and smaller depths.
Effective size of a wild salmonid population is greatly reduced by hatchery supplementation.

Many declining and commercially important populations are supplemented with captive-born individuals that are intentionally released into the wild. These supplementation programs often create large numbers of offspring from relatively few breeding adults, which can have substantial population-level effects. We examined the genetic effects of supplementation on a wild population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from the Hood River, Oregon, by matching 12 run-years of hatchery steelhead back to their broodstock parents. We show that the effective number of breeders producing the hatchery fish (broodstock parents; Nb) was quite small (harmonic mean Nb=25 fish per brood-year vs 373 for wild fish), and was exacerbated by a high variance in broodstock reproductive success among individuals within years. The low Nb caused hatchery fish to have decreased allelic richness, increased average relatedness, more loci in linkage disequilibrium and substantial levels of genetic drift in comparison with their wild-born counterparts. We also documented a substantial Ryman–Laikre effect whereby the additional hatchery fish doubled the total number of adult fish on the spawning grounds each year, but cut the effective population size of the total population (wild and hatchery fish combined) by nearly two-thirds. We further demonstrate that the Ryman–Laikre effect is most severe in this population when (1) >10% of fish allowed onto spawning grounds are from hatcheries and (2) the hatchery fish have high reproductive success in the wild. These results emphasize the trade-offs that arise when supplementation programs attempt to balance disparate goals (increasing production while maintaining genetic diversity and fitness).
IS THERE AN OPTIMUM MOTION CUEING ALGORITHM

Research was conducted by the authors to develop the optimum Cueing algorithm for a synergistic six degrees of freedom platform motion system. Three types of Cueing algorithms, classical, adaptive and optimal, were investigated. The classical algorithm performed more poorly than the others. Some improvements were made to the adaptive algorithms such as reducing the magnitude of false cues. The optimal algorithm was found to have the potential to be improved and was redesigned subsequently. A design approach featuring Fortran/Matlab/Simulink interactive design was used, which made it possible to try hundreds of sets of parameters. Comparisons were made mainly between the improved adaptive algorithm and the new optimal algorithm. The evaluation was based on the implementation of a model of the human's vestibular system to calculate the perceptual error between the aircraft and the simulator. Results showed that the optimal algorithm has some advantages over the adaptive algorithm and might be the best among the algorithms involved in this study. At the same time the adaptive algorithm was shown to be also a well developed algorithm.
A win-win metric based software management approach

Managers have difficulty understanding and visualizing software systems. A metric-based management approach is introduced that helps managers plan, schedule and staff software system development. A knowledge-based system is described that helps managers measure and visualize software systems. Once managers are able to understand and visualize software systems, they can control software development. >
Some considerations for management of choledochal cysts

Abstract Background There are five types of choledochal cysts, which are anomalies that involve intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts, or both. These lesions are found most frequently in patients who are Asian, female, infants but are recognized with increasing frequency in adults. Methods We have managed 16 patients with this anomaly. One patient was Asian, and 1 was a child. There were 3 males and 13 females. The mean age was 29 years. There were 9 type I, 1 type II, 1 type III, 4 type IV, and 1 type V cysts. Resection of cysts and hepatico Roux-en-Y jejunostomy were performed in 9 patients for type I cysts. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed for a type I and a type IV cyst. The extrahepatic portion of a type IV cyst along with a segment of liver was resected in 1 patient. Operation was terminated on 1 patient with a type IV cyst because of extensive involvement of the intrahepatic ducts. She will undergo liver transplantation. The type II cyst was resected. No surgery was performed on a type III and type V cyst. Four of these patients were previously treated unsuccessfully by internal drainage procedures. Results There was no mortality. Morbidity was limited to a patient who previously underwent incomplete resection of a cyst and a cyst Roux-Y jejununostomy. No cholangiocarcinoma has been encountered in our patients after a mean follow-up of 5.5 years from the time of initial discovery of the choledochal cyst. Conclusions Management of choledochal cysts is successful after their complete removal. Partial cyst resection and internal drainage is less satisfactory because of occasional pancreatitis, cholangitis, and cholangiocarcinoma. Resection of the intrahepatic and intrapancreatic portions of the cysts reduces the risk of cancer even though this risk is low after incomplete cyst excision. Biliary continuity after cyst resection is best established by Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy.
The temporal prior in bioelectromagnetic source imaging problems

The multiplicity of temporal priors proposed for regularization of the bioelectromagnetic source imaging problems [e.g., the inverse electrocardiogram (ECG) and inverse electroencephalogram (EEG) problems], is discordant with the fact that fundamental statistical principles sharply limit the choice. Thus, our objective is to derive the form of the prior consistent with the general unavailability of temporal constraints. Writing linear formulations of the inverse ECG and inverse EEG problems as H=FG+N (where the ith columns of matrices H, G, and N, are data, signal, and noise vectors at time step i, and F is the transfer matrix), and using the noninformative principle that features of the spatiotemporal prior not supplied a posteriori should be invariant under temporal transformations, we show that the implied spatiotemporal signal autocovariance matrix (of the vector formed by the entries of G) is given in block matrix form as where C/sub g/ is a matrix of unit trace proportional to the autocovariance matrix of any column of G (representing supplied information regarding the spatial prior), /spl epsiv/[/spl middot/] denotes expectation, superscript ' indicates transpose, /spl ominus/ is the Kronecker product, /spl par//spl middot//spl par/ is Frobenius norm, and the "matrix scalar product" /spl odot/ indicates the inner product of the two vectors formed by the entries of the two adjacent matrices (i.e., A/sub /spl odot//B/spl equiv/trace[A'B]). This result eliminates some uncertainties and ambiguities that have characterized spatiotemporal regularization methods - including eight methods previously introduced in this transactions. Ultimately, the result derives from an implied symmetry principle under which the form of a nontrivial noninformative temporal component of the prior can be identified. Among other things, separability of the spatiotemporal prior in terms of the above Kronecker product can be thought of as the expression of the lack of "entanglement" of the spatial and temporal contributions (a consequence of noninformativity). The approach is generalized to the important cases of non-Gaussian spatial priors, and signal and noise that are not independent (transfer matrix noise). We also demonstrate a means for computational complexity reduction, related to the application of a particular orthogonal transformation, having features dependent on whether or not the transfer matrix represents a subjective mapping.
What is the General Form of the Explicit Equations of Motion for Constrained Mechanical Systems

This paper presents the general form of the explicit equations of motion for mechanical systems. The systems may have holonomic and/or nonholonomic constraints, and the constraint forces may or may not satisfy D'Alembert's principle at each instant of time. The explicit equations lead to new fundamental principles of analytical mechanics. ©2002 ASME
Drivers' en-route divergence behavior modeling using extended belief-desire-intention (E-BDI) framework

The goal of this paper is to analyze drivers' en-route divergence behaviors when a road way is blocked by a car incident. The Extended Belief-Desire-Intention (E-BDI) framework is adopted in this work to mimic real drivers' uncertain en-route planning behaviors based on the drivers' perceptions and experiences. The proposed approach is implemented in Java-based E-BDI modules and DynusT® traffic simulation software, where a traffic data of Phoenix in the U.S. is used to illustrate and demonstrate the proposed approach. For validation of the proposed approach, we compare the drivers' en-route divergence patterns obtained by E-BDI en-route planning with the divergence patterns provided by Time Dependent Shortest Path (TDSP) finding algorithm of DynusT®. The results have revealed that the proposed approach allows us to better understand various divergence patterns of drivers so that a reliable traffic system considering impacts of the sudden road way blocking events can be designed.
'Soft Law,' 'Hard Law,' and European Integration: Toward a Theory of Hybridity

This paper develops a conceptual framework for the analysis of hard and soft law that is drawn in part from recent work in the field of international relations. We examine the literature on the role of soft law, noting that scholars have approached this phenomenon in very different ways. We seek to unite insights from constructivist and rationalist theories of integration and apply them to the understanding of the role law and other normative orders and governance processes may play in European integration. We deploy this synthesis to analyze the two case studies, employment policy and fiscal policy coordination, exploring the roles that law plays and paying special attention to the operation of hybrid constellations where hard and soft operate in the same policy domain.
Turbidity and chlorine demand reduction using alum and moringa flocculation before household chlorination in developing countries

Over 1.1 billion people in the world lack access to improved drinking water. Diarrhoeal and other waterborne diseases cause an estimated 1.87 million deaths per year. The Safe Water System (SWS) is a household water treatment intervention that reduces diarrhoeal disease incidence among users in developing countries. Turbid waters pose a particular challenge to implementation of SWS programmes; although research shows that a 3.75mgl 21 sodium hypochlorite dose effectively treats turbid waters, users sometimes object to the strong chlorine taste and prefer to drink water that is more aesthetically pleasing. This study investigated the efficacy of two locally available chemical water treatments—alum and Moringa oleifera flocculation—to reduce turbidity and chlorine demand at turbidities of 10, 30, 70, 100 and 300NTU. Both treatments effectively reduced turbidity (alum flocculation 23.0‐91.4%; moringa flocculation 14.2‐96.2%). Alum flocculation effectively reduced chlorine demand compared with controls at 30, 70, 100 and 300NTU (p ¼ 0.01‐0.06). Moringa flocculation increased chlorine demand to the point where adequate free chlorine residual was not maintained for 24 hours after treatment. Alum pretreatment is recommended in waters $ 30NTU for optimum water disinfection. Moringa flocculation is not recommended before chlorination.
Optimal Use of Antennas in Interference Networks: A Tradeoff between Rate, Diversity and Interference Alignment

The tradeoff between diversity, interference alignment and rate for a K user multiple-antenna interference network is analyzed. It is assumed that the sources employ a space-time code in combination with linear precoding, while the receiving nodes use linear detectors. We show that interference alignment is needed if the system is operating at or close to the maximum achievable rate. For low rates the preferred strategy is to utilize all antennas in order to achieve high diversity gains, rather than using some of the antennas to align the interference. For the case of K = 3 users, an exact characterization of the tradeoff is provided. We also investigate the impact of channel estimation errors on the diversity of the system. It turns out that small channel estimation errors can be tolerated, while larger errors reduce the diversity gain significantly.
A scaled bilateral control system for experimental 1-D teleoperated nanomanipulation applications

In this work, teleoperated nanomanipulation with force feedback is demonstrated by using an atomic force microscope on the slave side and a haptic device on the master side. Three main topics are addressed that are especially relevant for teleoperation at these scales: transparency, impedance reflection according to human perception, and stability. The proposed passivity based bilateral control scheme provides a stable means of teleoperation with an adaptive force scaling factor according to impedance limits that can be set by the operator and as transparent as possible. As a result, a robust platform to perform teleoperated nanomanipulation on a broad range of materials is achieved. Performance of the resulting bilateral controller is demonstrated in experimental results for simple vertical nanomanipulation touching experiments on glass and polydimethylsiloxane substrates.
Palliative operative procedures for carcinoma of the gallbladder.

Gallbladder cancer afflicts predominantly women, the elderly, and persons with gallstones. Despite its producing symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, and anorexia, this disease remains difficult to detect. Even with contemporary imaging techniques, most gallbladder cancers escape diagnosis until the time of laparotomy. The aggressive character of this malignancy permits an overall 5-year survival rate of 3–5%. Although cures occur, the majority of operations performed for gallbladder cancer are for palliation. The objects of palliation include relief of pain, relief of jaundice, relief of intestinal obstruction, and the restoration of normal food intake. Resection of the tumor should be performed whenever possible; however, extensive operations including large liver resections and pancreaticoduodenectomy should be avoided in the presence of distant metastases. In the presence of large unresectable hilar masses, internal biliary bypass may relieve jaundice. Biliary-enteric anastomosis using the segment III duct exposed via the umbilical fissure may offer satisfactory relief of jaundice in selected cases.
Mislocalization-related disease gene discovery using gene expression based computational protein localization prediction

Protein sorting is an important mechanism for transporting proteins to their target subcellular locations after their synthesis. Mutations on genes may disrupt the well regulated protein sorting process, leading to a variety of mislocation related diseases. This paper proposes a methodology to discover such disease genes based on gene expression data and computational protein localization prediction. A kernel logistic regression based algorithm is used to successfully identify several candidate cancer genes which may cause cancers due to their mislocation within the cell. Our results also showed that compared to the gene co-expression network defined on Pearson correlation coefficients, the nonlinear Maximum Correlation Coefficients (MIC) based co-expression network give better results for subcellular localization prediction.
CERTAIN ARTHRITIC DISTURBANCES ASSOCIATED WITH PARATHYROIDISM

1. Arthritis is very common in parathyroid disease. 2. Parathyroid disease is frequent in arthritis, either as a primary cause or secondarily as the result of a common etiological factor. It may be recognized by symptoms of paroxysmal pain in the spine and abdomen, deformity of the spine, and x-ray evidence of demineralization. 3. The diagnosis may be substantiated by means of repeated blood and urine calcium determinations and chronaxia. 4. There is almost immediate relief of pain and a feeling of relaxation in the joints following parathyroidectomy. 5. In the milder cases, when it is not possible to make an absolute diagnosis and in poor surgical risks, treatment by means of cod-liver oil concentrate and calcium gluconate accompanied by conservative orthopaedic treatment may lead to improvement and arrest of the disease, at least temporarily. 6. The operations for the removal of the parathyroids, all of which have been performed by Dr. Ballin, have not been accompanied in any instance by tetany or shock, and can be considered sufficiently harmless to justify the procedure in even the milder cases.
Energetics for activity in the salamanderAmphiuma tridactylum

Various metabolic parameters were measured in relation to activity in the salamanderAmphiuma tridactylum. Cutaneous O2 consumption rate ( $$\dot V_{O_2 }$$ ) did not change with activity (Fig. 1B). Pulmonary $$\dot V_{O_2 }$$ did not increase during activity, but did increase after activity, repaying the O2 debt (Fig. 1). Changes in lactate, glycogen and glucose indicated that: 1) the energy for activity is primarily derived from oxidation of muscle glycogen to lactate; 2) gluconeogenesis reaches a peak at 5 h after activity; and 3) total replenishment of muscle lactate may not occur until after the animal feeds again (Figs. 2,3). The measured O2 debt of activity was 266.47 μl g−1 (Fig. 1B). The amount of excess lactate generated (1.52 mg g−1), estimates of O2 stores, and estimates of high energy phosphate stores were used to calculate an O2 debt (265.61 μl g−1) which agreed with the measured O2 debt (Fig. 4); 76% is a lactacid and 24% is an alactacid debt. The total energy cost of activity was calculated from similar estimates (Fig. 5). It is suggested thatAmphiuma can remain active longer than other amphibians which have similar anaerobic capacities because of the efficiency of swimming as a means of locomotion. The results are used in interpreting evolution of the lungs ofAmphiuma.
Euler Equations Flow Field Dependent Finite Element Method

The Flow Field Dependent Variation Method (FDV) uses built in parameters that arise from its formulation to control seamless transition from one flow regime to another. This method was originally developed by Dr T.J. Chung at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. This method does not require any added artificial viscosity and used local flow conditions to control the accuracy and stability of the solution. The FDV method can be used with either Finite Difference or Finite Element methods. In this paper the method is used in conjunction with FEM to solve the Euler equations.
Hepatic artery thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation ― a medical or surgical event?

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is one of the most serious complications after orthotopic liver transplantation, and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. This study retrospectively reviewed 66 liver transplants in children under the age of 10 years during a year-long period at a single
Down’s Syndrome Children

Down’s syndrome is generally believed to be the most common specific form of mental retardation. For a number of years, this syndrome has evoked great interest from researchers in a variety of fields—education, psychological, medical. Given that the physical stigmata typically associated with this syndrome are recognizable from birth, that medical complications often are present, and the finding that individuals with Down’s syndrome have benefited greatly from educational intervention, it is not surprising that this syndrome has been the target of many research efforts.
Overexpression of PRAS40T246A in the Proliferative Compartment Suppresses mTORC1 Signaling, Keratinocyte Migration, and Skin Tumor Development

The proline-rich Akt (v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1) substrate of 40 kDa (PRAS40), an inhibitory component of the mTORC1 complex, was identified as an Akt substrate through phosphorylation at Thr246. Phosphorylation at this site releases PRAS40 from the mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) complex allowing increased activity. Targeted expression of a mutant form of PRAS40 (PRAS40 T246A ) in basal keratinocytes of mouse epidermis (BK5.PRAS40 T246A mice) has allowed further examination of mTORC1-specific signaling in epithelial carcinogenesis. BK5.PRAS40 T246A mice were resistant to 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced epidermal hyperproliferation and skin tumor development. In transgenic mice, PRAS40 T246A remained bound to raptor in keratinocytes even after treatment with TPA, consistent with reduced mTORC1 signaling and altered levels of cell cycle proteins. BK5.PRAS40 T246A mice also displayed attenuated skin inflammation in response to TPA. Inhibition of mTORC1 in keratinocytes significantly inhibited their migration in vitro and, in addition, inhibited 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced proliferation and migration of bulge-region stem cells in vivo. Furthermore, targeted inhibition of mTORC1 in BK5.PRAS40 T246A mice resulted in delayed wound healing. Decreased keratinocyte migration and impaired wound healing correlated with altered expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and reduced smad signaling. Collectively, the current data using this unique mouse model provide further evidence that mTORC1 signaling in keratinocytes regulates key events in keratinocyte function and epithelial cancer development.
Readiness to Change Smoking Behavior in Different Social Environments

Although the political and economic situation in Russia has changed dramatically over the last several years, Russian society still has a long way to go before it reaches the present standard of living in the United States. In terms of social norms and readiness to eliminate smoking, Russia and the USA are very different. In 1964 the first Surgeon General’s Report on smoking and health was published in the USA has led to the development of a nationwide anti-smoking campaign resulting in a substantial reduction in smoking rates among the population. In Russia today the smoking situation is similar to that in the US 30 years ago (Kholmogorova & Prokhorov, 1994; Neatt, 1994). We have decided to compare smoking patterns and readiness to quit among vocational-technical students in the two countries because: (1) in both countries vocational students typically represent those of lower socioeconomic backgrounds; (2) they tend to be less interested in academic disciplines than their non-vocational high school counterparts; (3) they usually start to smoke earlier and more heavily than non-vocational high school students representing a special high-risk group for developing tobacco-related disease; (4) they appear to have an increased probability of being exposed to occupational hazard, greatly increasing their risk of chronic disease; and, (5) they represent the least studied group of young adults, and, to our knowledge, no health education or smoking control programs have been developed to meet the special needs of this group.
Development of a rapid stepping test to challenge rapid weight-shifting function in older adults

The ability to step rapidly, shift weight from side-to-side, and maintain temporal rhythmicity are important functional elements for walking independently and preventing falls in seniors. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically feasible test of rapid stepping performance that challenges the ability to step rapidly, shift weight from side-to-side, and maintain temporal rhythmicity. Participants were a volunteer sample of healthy, self-ambulating older adults aged 70–98 years. A Repeated Alternating Stair Touch Test was developed, which involved rapidly shifting weight in the medial–lateral direction by tapping each foot alternately onto a step. Performance on the test was assessed using trunk acceleration signals. Associations between the number of steps completed on the Repeated Alternating Stair Touch Test in 20 s and acceleration magnitude, variability, and stepping rhythmicity were assessed using Pearson correlations and linear regression. Repeatability was assessed during a 2-week follow-up period. The acceleration magnitude, variability, and stepping rhythmicity variables related moderately with the number of steps on the Repeated Alternating Stair Touch Test (r = 0.534–0.572, p < 0.05) and were independent predictors of the number of steps taken (R 2 adj. = 0.624, p < 0.001). Repeatability was mixed, though most acceleration variables and number of steps had moderate to high correlations between sessions (intraclass correlations: 0.486–0.828), but a learning effect was evident; performance improved between sessions. The Repeated Alternating Stair Touch Test has potential as a simple test of rapid, rhythmic weight-shifting function, but requires modification to improve repeatability.
Information Fusion Architecture for Variable-Load Scheduling in a Cloud-Assisted CPS

This paper addresses the problem of devising an effective information fusion architecture for a task scheduling algorithm which facilitates data processing of a Cyber Physical System (CPS) under bounded latency for bursty or lossy traffic. Task scheduling traditionally caters to real-time systems where a feedback loop does not exist allowing the serviced application to be independent of the inputs from the server. However, owing to the nature of a near real-time CPS, such liberties cannot be entertained. Additionally, the advent of big data in CPS has necessitated the use of Cloud Computing as a scalable and cost effective alternative. Task scheduling in such CPSs, where inputs from the Cloud complete the feedback loop is a major research issue. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a multi-layered information fusion architecture which integrates such a task scheduling mechanism by accommodating both traffic bursts and packet losses. Our scheduling algorithm ensures that the overall latency always remains under an acceptable upper bound as required by the CPS application.
Solving Phase-Field Models with Finite Difference Algorithms

Finite difference algorithms offer a more direct approach to the numerical solution of partial differential equations than any other method. Finite difference algorithms are based on the replacement of each derivative by a difference quotient. Finite difference algorithms are simple to code, economic to compute, and easy to parallelize for the distributed computing environments. However, they also have disadvantages in terms of accuracy and imposing complex boundary conditions. For better understanding of the method, the solution of one-dimensional transient heat conduction is given as an example together with the source code in this section.
Evaluation of a Telephone-Delivered, Community-Based Collaborative Care Management Program for Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia.

Objectives To evaluate whether a community-based, telephone-delivered, brief patient/caregiver-centered collaborative dementia care management intervention is associated with improved caregiver and care recipient (CR) outcomes. Design Longitudinal program evaluation of a clinical intervention; assessments at baseline and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Setting General community. Participants Caregivers (N = 440) of older, community-dwelling, low-income CRs prescribed a psychotropic medication by a primary care provider who met criteria for dementia and were enrolled in the SUpporting Seniors Receiving Treatment And INtervention (SUSTAIN) program for older adults. Intervention Dementia care management versus clinical evaluation only. Measurements Perceived caregiving burden and caregiver general health (primary outcomes); CR neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver distress in response to CRs' challenging dementia-related behaviors (secondary outcomes). Results Caregivers were, on average, 64.0 (SD: 11.8) years old and 62.6% provided care for the CR for 20 or more hours per week. The majority of the sample was female (73.2%), non-Hispanic White (90.2%), and spousal caregivers (72.5%). Adjusted longitudinal models of baseline and 3- and 6-month data suggest that compared with caregivers receiving clinical evaluation only, caregivers receiving care management reported greater reductions in burden over time. Subgroup analyses also showed statistically significant reductions in caregiver-reported frequency of CR dementia-related behaviors and caregiver distress in response to those symptoms at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions A community-based, telephone-delivered care management program for caregivers of individuals with dementia is associated with favorable caregiver and CR-related outcomes. Findings support replication and further research in the impact of tailored, collaborative dementia care management programs that address barriers to access and engagement.
Extractive metallurgy of rhenium: a review

A variety of processing technologies exist for recovery from both primary and secondary sources of rhenium. Currently, there are no known primary rhenium deposits; thus, the method in which primary rhenium is produced is dependent on the commodity of which it is a byproduct, e.g., copper, molybdenum, uranium, etc. In addition, focus on the recovery of rhenium from secondary sources, such as alloy scraps and catalysts, is continually growing. This paper presents a review of both primary and secondary processing technologies for the recovery of rhenium.
Construction cost estimation: A parametric approach for better estimates of expected cost and variation

Abstract As project planners continue to move towards frameworks such as probabilistic life-cycle cost analysis to evaluate competing transportation investments, there is a need to enhance the current cost-estimation approaches that underlie these models to enable improved project selection. This paper presents an approach for cost estimation that combines a maximum likelihood estimator for data transformations with least angle regression for dimensionality reduction. The authors apply the proposed method for 15 different pavement bid items across five states in the United States. The results from the study demonstrate that the proposed approach frequently leads to consistent parametric estimates that address the structural bias and heteroscedasticity that plague the current cost-estimation procedures. Both of these aspects are particularly important for large-scale construction projects, where traditional methods tend to systematically underestimate expected construction costs and overestimate the associated variance.
Validation of Gait Characteristics Extracted From Raw Accelerometry During Walking Against Measures of Physical Function, Mobility, Fatigability, and Fitness.

Background Data collected by wearable accelerometry devices can be used to identify periods of sustained harmonic walking. This report aims to establish whether the features of walking identified in the laboratory and free-living environments are associated with each other as well as measures of physical function, mobility, fatigability, and fitness. Methods Fifty-one older adults (mean age 78.31) enrolled in the Developmental Epidemiologic Cohort Study were included in the analyses. The study included an "in-the-lab" component as well as 7 days of monitoring "in-the-wild" (free living). Participants were equipped with hip-worn Actigraph GT3X+ activity monitors, which collect raw accelerometry data. We applied a walking identification algorithm and defined features of walking, including participant-specific walking acceleration and cadence. The association between these walking features and physical function, mobility, fatigability, and fitness was quantified using linear regression analysis. Results Acceleration and cadence estimated from "in-the-lab" and "in-the-wild" data were significantly associated with each other (p < .05). However, walking acceleration "in-the-lab" was on average 96% higher than "in-the-wild," whereas cadence "in-the-lab" was on average 20% higher than "in-the-wild." Acceleration and cadence were associated with measures of physical function, mobility, fatigability, and fitness (p < .05) in both "in-the-lab" and "in-the-wild" settings. In addition, "in-the-wild" daily walking time was associated with fitness (p < .05). Conclusions The quantitative difference in proposed walking features indicates that participants may overperform when observed "in-the-lab." Also, proposed features of walking were significantly associated with measures of physical function, mobility, fatigability, and fitness, which provides evidence of convergent validity.