cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Safe compositional network sketches: formal framework

NetSketch is a tool for the specification of constrained-flow applications and the certification of desirable safety properties imposed thereon. NetSketch assists system integrators in two types of activities: modeling and design. As a modeling tool, it enables the abstraction of an existing system while retaining sufficient information about it to carry out future analysis of safety properties. As a design tool, NetSketch enables the exploration of alternative safe designs as well as the identification of minimal requirements for outsourced subsystems. NetSketch embodies a lightweight formal verification philosophy, whereby the power (but not the heavy machinery) of a rigorous formalism is made accessible to users via a friendly interface. NetSketch does so by exposing tradeoffs between exactness of analysis and scalability, and by combining traditional whole-system analysis with a more flexible compositional analysis. The compositional analysis is based on a strongly-typed Domain-Specific Language (DSL) for describing and reasoning about constrained-flow networks at various levels of sketchiness along with invariants that need to be enforced thereupon. In this paper, we define the formal system underlying the operation of NetSketch, in particular the DSL behind NetSketch's user-interface when used in "sketch mode", and prove its soundness relative to appropriately-defined notions of validity. In a companion paper [7], we overview NetSketch, highlight its salient features, and illustrate how it could be used in applications that include: the management/shaping of traffic flows in a vehicular network (as a proxy for cyber-physical systems (CPS) applications) and a streaming media network (as a proxy for Internet applications).
A neural network approach to cloud detection in AVHRR images

The problem of identifying clouds and fog areas from advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) images using a neural network approach is used. The backpropagation paradigm was used to train many different architectural configurations of the neural network to classify the cloud content of an 8*8-pixel window in an image into five categories (ranging from 100% cloudy to 0% cloudy). The results indicate a large range in the performance of the different architectures. The most successful architectural configuration was used to create cloud masks for a series of AVHRR images. The cloud masks generated compared favorably with a trained analyst and other automated techniques. >
Top Pay and Performance: International and Strategic Approach

The article reviews the book “Top Pay and Performance: International and Strategic Approach,” edited by Shaun Tyson and Frank Bournois.
On real-time software testing and debugging

Testing and debugging of real-time software systems are difficult because of timing constraints imposed on them and because of their nondeterministic behavior. Conventional static analysis is not adequate to deal with the violation of timing constraints which are inherent in real-time software systems. The authors present a dynamic analysis method which uses the recorded run-time information to test and debug this kind of timing error. Based on the proposed approach, a noninterference monitoring system architecture has been developed to collect the process-level and function-level program execution data of a target real-time software system without affecting its execution. Different-leveled logical views are then reconstructed from this collected run-time information. A dynamic analysis method is then presented to analyze the timing behavior of real-time software systems. >
Introduction to the Special Issue: Moving Beyond Traditional Psychometric Approaches:

Researchers frequently employ outdated statistical procedures to evaluate their measure’s psychometric properties or simply fail to capture the full potential of the data. This special issue reviews the utility of several statistical approaches researchers can apply to uncover the factor structure, test for measurement equivalence across groups, and evaluate internal consistency reliability. Specifically, these manuscripts review and demonstrate the following: (a) statistical and methodological decisions when evaluating measures; (b) how to best model the latent constructs and factor structure; (c) methods to assess measurement equivalence across groups; and (d) procedures to assessing instrument reliability. This special issue also encourages researchers to take a deeper exploration into their measure’s psychometric properties and carefully consider their modeling framework and statistical assumptions.
Environmental Correlates of Breeding in the Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)

ABSTRACT. We evaluated the influence of weather on reproduction of the Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) in an agricultural landscape in south-central Florida. We used a mixed logistic-regression modeling approach within an information-theoretic framework to examine the influence of total rainfall, rainfall frequency, and temperature on the number of breeding pairs, timing of breeding, nest success, and productivity of Crested Caracaras during 1994–2000. The best models indicated an influence of rainfall frequency and laying period on reproduction. More individuals nested and more pairs nested earlier during years with more frequent rainfall in late summer and early fall. Pairs that nested later in each breeding season had smaller clutches, lower nest success and productivity, and higher probability of nest failure. More frequent rainfall during early spring months that are usually characterized by water deficit (March–May), more frequent rainfall during the fall drawdown period (September–November), a...
Performance optimization of multi-core processors using core hopping - thermal and structural

As the work load on the single core processor increases, its power density and the die temperature increases as well. The increase in the die temperature results in decreased performance, reliability and increased leakage currents and cooling cost. Also, the non-uniform power distribution across the die results in hot spots. In order to decrease the work load and the cooling cost on the single core processor, multi-core processors have been implemented. Multicore Processors also known as Chip Multi Processors (CMP's). CMPs are processors which contain two or more independent cores on a chip. In CMPs, if one core reaches its critical temperature, the workload is transferred to the other. This phenomenon is termed as core hopping. Core hopping facilitates uniform distribution of the work load among the many cores and leads to improvements in the performance and reliability. The demand for greater performance in applications involving high levels of computing has resulted in many cores being put on a single chip. Every succeeding processor is predicted to hold double the number of cores than the previous one. In this study, core hopping for CMPs is analyzed and the thermal analysis of the chip with core hopping is performed using ANSYS Fluent. The hop sequence is analyzed as a function of chip temperature distribution and a numerical methodology to analyze the coupled thermal and structural integrity of the CMPs is demonstrated.
Aortic Valve: Mechanical Environment and Mechanobiology

The aortic valve (AV) experiences a complex mechanical environment, which includes tension, flexure, pressure, and shear stress forces due to blood flow during each cardiac cycle. This mechanical environment regulates AV tissue structure by constantly renewing and remodeling the phenotype. In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies have shown that pathological states such as hypertension and congenital defect like bicuspid AV (BAV) can potentially alter the AV’s mechanical environment, triggering a cascade of remodeling, inflammation, and calcification activities in AV tissue. Alteration in mechanical environment is first sensed by the endothelium, which in turn induces changes in the extracellular matrix, and triggers cell differentiation and activation. However, the molecular mechanism of this process is not understood very well. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for advancing the development of effective medical based therapies. Recently, there have been some interesting studies on characterizing the hemodynamics associated with AV, especially in pathologies like BAV, using different experimental and numerical methods. Here, we review the current knowledge of the local AV mechanical environment and its effect on valve biology, focusing on in vitro and ex vivo approaches.
ANTIANDROGEN TREATMENT OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Although polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted condition, the symptoms of hyperandrogenism frequently bring the patient to medical attention. These include hirsutism, androgenetic alopecia, and acne. This review focuses on the treatment of hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. Although acne usually improves with antiandrogens, moderate-to-severe acne is better treated with medications such as retinoids, and antiandrogens are best used as adjunctive therapy in patients with acne who do not respond to dermatologic agents alone.
Teaching Paragraph Composition to Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Using the Simultaneous Prompting Procedure.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the simultaneous prompting procedure in teaching paragraph composition to 4, 5th grade students identified with emotional behavioral disorder (EBD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The instructor taught students how to construct and proofread a 5-sentence paragraph using the simultaneous prompting procedure with embedded non-targeted information related to the writing process. A multiple probe design across participants assessed effectiveness of the procedure. Results indicated that all students learned to compose a paragraph, acquired the non-targeted information, maintained the skills up to 6 weeks later, and generalized the skills to other writing tasks.
Many Libraries Have Gone to Federated Searching to Win Users Back from Google. Is It Working

In the last issue, we asked a question on many librarians' minds, and we were pleased with the depth and variety of responses. As suggested by JERL editorial board member Oliver Pesch, we asked, “M...
The eye in neurological disease.

Summary Neurological disease can involve the eye in many ways. Every structure—the conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber, iris, lens, vitreous humour, retina, choroid, and optic nerve—can be affected. In many cases, ocular involvement is the first manifestation of the underlying disease. In such cases, the ability of the physician to recognise the nature and significance of the ocular abnormality can lead to early diagnosis and successful treatment of the underlying condition. In other cases, recognition of the ocular abnormality can prevent permanent visual dysfunction.
Elastic constants of Ultrasonic Additive Manufactured Al 3003-H18.

Abstract Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM), also known as Ultrasonic Consolidation (UC), is a layered manufacturing process in which thin metal foils are ultrasonically bonded to a previously bonded foil substrate to create a net part. Optimization of process variables (amplitude, normal load and velocity) is done to minimize voids along the bonded interfaces. This work pertains to the evaluation of bonds in UAM builds through ultrasonic testing of a build’s elastic constants. Results from ultrasonic testing on UAM parts indicate orthotropic material symmetry and a reduction of up to 48% in elastic constant values compared to a control sample. The reduction in elastic constant values is attributed to interfacial voids. In addition, the elastic constants in the plane of the Al foils have nearly the same value, while the constants normal to the foil direction have much different values. In contrast, measurements from builds made with Very High Power Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (VHP UAM) show a drastic improvement in elastic properties, approaching values similar to that of bulk aluminum.
Toxicology of nutmeg abuse.

Background: Unpleasant and frightening side effects associated with the abuse of nutmeg occasionally generate emergency department referrals. We report a young patient's first-time experience with ...
The Secret of Her Success: Oprah Winfrey and the Seductions of Self-Transformation

This essay considers Oprah Winfrey’s rise from mere TV talk show host to global cultural icon in relationship to the rise in the 1980s and triumph in the 1990s of the neoliberal political-economic project. It argues that the expansion of Winfrey’s media enterprise and her ascent to iconic status are a product of the complex historical relationship between capitalism and the distinctly American fusion of psychology and religion captured by the term “mind cure.” Drawing on Raymond Williams’s sociology of culture approach, which looks for the “indissoluble connections between material production, political and cultural institutions and activity, and consciousness” (1977, 80) and Douglas Kellner’s (2003) method of “diagnostic critique,” the essay argues that situating Winfrey’s enterprise in relation to major currents in American political, economic and cultural history provides a means to critically examine the intersection of American politics and culture over the past quarter century. The essay explores te...
Problems Modeling Web Sites and User Behavior

As the world wide web has grown in size and scope, so too has the demand for analysis tools that can help web site providers determine how their sites are being used. Early analysis approaches focused primarily on accesses to web documents as recorded in web server logs. More recent techniques create a model of a site, and the natural modeling approach is to use a directed graph, where pages are denoted by nodes and links are modeled by edges. The process of creating the model and then analyzing the corresponding visitor traffic, however, is fraught with difficulties. The contribution of this paper is a catalog of problems gathered from extensive experience modeling web sites to determine site structure and analyze user behavior.
Asynchronous learning dynamics in massively parallel recurrent neural networks

Summary form only given. A mathematical basis of the concurrent asynchronous relaxation method for the parallel learning of recurrent neural networks has been proposed. The condition for the asynchronous relaxation learning method of recurrent networks to converge in multiprocessor systems was developed based on partially asynchronous gradient descent optimization theory. The parallel learning of recurrent neural networks was successfully implemented on a CRAY X-MP using Macrotasking and an iPSC/2 using asynchronous communication. The recurrent neural network is trained to learn the behavior of a class of aperiodic or chaotic nonlinear differential-delay equations by Mackey and Glass. >
Void Growth and Coalescence in Aluminum Alloy

This paper investigates the mechanism of void evolution and the anisotropy of the material failure in high strength rolled aluminum alloy 7075-T7351. The mechanical properties of the aluminum specimens were characterized in three principal directions, i.e. rolling (R), transverse (T), and short transverse (S). The grain microstructure of the virgin material was examined using an optical microscope. In-situ X-Ray tomography was performed at incremental loading steps during tensile loading of the specimens. These acquired radiographs were reconstructed to generate tomograms, which were then rendered in different planes to study void distribution, as well as void evolution mechanism for specimens loaded in different orientations.
Synthesis of 1,1-Diphenylethylene (DPE): The Marriage of a Grignard Reaction and a Column Chromatography Experiment

The synthesis of 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) via a Grignard reaction, followed by an acid-catalyzed dehydration reaction, yields a mixture of compounds. DPE is a high boiling liquid that cannot be purified using simple distillation. However, it is easily separated from the more polar starting material and intermediate alcohol using both thin layer and column chromatography. Second-semester organic chemistry laboratory students learn the techniques of running reactions under anhydrous conditions and of column chromatography. In addition, the experiment demonstrates clearly the relationship between thin layer and column chromatography.
The pediatric inguinal hernia

(1) Think "little" when approaching the pediatric hernia. (2) The landmarks, incision, and operative technique are different from the approach in adults. (3) Do not operate unnecessarily. Delay correction of noncommunicating hydroceles in neonates for 3 to 4 months, and do not routinely explore the contralateral side unless there is suspicion of hernia. (4) For the usual hernia with minimal damage to the floor of the canal, high ligation of the sac and anatomic closure is all that is necessary. (5) For moderate enlargement of the internal ring and consequent weakening of the floor, imbrication techniques to reinforce the floor as well as high ligation of the sac will suffice. (6) Finally, with very large hernias and complete destruction of the floor of the inguinal canal, a major procedure such as the McVay herniorrhaphy will be necessary.
Using Latent Space Models to Study International Legal Precedent: An Application to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body

How do international courts and litigants use precedent? While most international judicial bodies are primarily meant to resolve disputes and rarely have any formal guidance as to the application of precedent, courts frequently consider prior decisions when issuing judgments. However, scholars know little about the structure of this ad-hoc system of precedent. This paper examines the structural attributes of the network of citations to Panel and Appellate Body Reports issued by the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body. It proposes a new statistical model for uncovering similarities in the citation patterns of the panel/AB reports and the arguments of state litigants. It models the presence of citations between cases and between litigants and cases as a function of their similarity in a latent position space. Applying this model to the two citation networks, I find that the DSB tends to tailor its use of precedent in more controversial issue areas such as safeguards, subsidies and anti-dumping - citing topically similar cases more often and "core" jurisprudence less extensively. Additionally, I find that large economies tend to be infrequent users of precedent in their arguments before the panel, but appear to strategically cite favorable cases in which they participated as third parties and which affect issue areas where they face frequent litigation.
ceRNAs and ceRNA Networks in Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis and Their Therapeutic Implications

Abstract We will discuss exciting new data regarding the role of pseudogenes, long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) and miRNAs in the pathogenesis of leukemia and lymphoma, as also studied in vivo in the mouse, and their therapeutic implications. We will also focus on competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), circular(circ)-ceRNAs and pseudo-ceRNAs and give important attention to how understanding their cross-talk and the ceRNA language will facilitate efforts to deconvolute ceRNA networks and their role in the pathogenesis of hematopoietic malignancies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Transient Two-Photon Coherent Effects

Due to the availability of high power, single-mode laser sources, it is now possible to study coherent interactions of light with atoms and molecules via multi-photon processes. Here, we will describe the first experimental observation of transient two-photon coherent precession — one of the many possible two-photon analogs of well known one-photon coherent effects which have been predicted by the two-photon vector model of Grischkowsky, Loy and Liao. In terms of this vector model, the process can be visualized in a way similar to its familiar one-photon analog: the two-photon polarization vector precesses about the effective field and, depending on their relative phases, induces alternating absorption and emission of light. There are, in addition, features unique to the two-photon case, for example, the optical Stark effects and the Doppler width reduction from counter-propagating beams are shown to be of crucial importance in the experiment.
Optimizing ZnS/ 6 LiF scintillators for wavelength-shifting-fiber neutron detectors

In this paper we compare the performance of grooved and flat ZnS/6LiF scintillators in a wavelength-shifting-fiber (WLSF) detector. Flat ZnS/6LiF scintillators with the thickness L=0.2−0.8 mm were characterized using photon counting and pulse-height analysis and compared to a grooved scintillator of approximately 0.8 mm thick. While a grooved scintillator considerably increases the apparent thickness of the scintillator to neutrons for a given coating thickness, we find that the flat scintillators perform better than the grooved scintillators in terms of both light yield and neutron detection efficiency. The flat 0.8-mm-thick scintillator has the highest light output, and it is 52% higher compared with a grooved scintillator of same thickness. The lower light output of the grooved scintillator as compared to the flat scintillator is consistent with the greater scintillator-WLSF separation and the much larger average emission angle of the grooved scintillator. We also find that the average light cone width, or photon travel-length as measured using time-of-flight powder diffraction of diamond and vanadium, decreases with increasing L in the range of L=0.6−0.8 mm. This result contrasts with the traditional Swank diffusion model for micro-composite scintillators, and could be explained by a decrease in photon diffusion-coefficient or an increase in micro-particle content in the flat scintillator matrix for the thicker scintillators.
Quality of life after paediatric ischaemic stroke.

Aim Paediatric arterial ischaemic stroke can lead to reduced quality of life (QoL). It is important to identify predictors of QoL to support recovery. We examined long-term QoL after arterial ischaemic stroke concerning different variables. Method Children registered in the Swiss Neuropediatric Stroke Registry and suffering from arterial ischaemic stroke between 2000 and 2008 were included. Two years post-stroke, assessments included intelligence quotient tests for cognitive impairment and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for neurological impairment; 5 years post-stroke, the Kidscreen-27 was used for QoL, DSM-IV criteria screening was used for attention deficits, and the ABILHAND-Kids was used for manual motor skills. Age at stroke, sex, socioeconomic status, lesion characteristics, neuropsychological and motor outcome, and mRS were correlated with QoL measures. Results Seventy children were examined (49 males, 21 females; mean age 7y 2wks). Age at stroke, sex, socioeconomic status, and lesion characteristics did not influence QoL; IQ below average and attention deficits partially influenced QoL. The highest predictive value for QoL was found for manual motor impairment (p=0.002) and mRS scores (p=0.013). Combined motor, cognitive, and attention impairment negatively affected QoL (p=0.001). Interpretation Neurological and cognitive impairments after paediatric arterial ischaemic stroke negatively influence QoL. Children with motor and neurological problems, as well as those with combined motor, cognitive, and attention problems, are at higher risk for low QoL.
Chronic care, integrated care, and mental health: Moving the needle now

ABSTRACTHealthcare reform is currently a hot topic in the United States, and the Chronic Care Model has frequently been cited as the foundation of recent attempts to integrate mental health and physical health care. However, challenges exist to fully integrated care that have delayed adequately meeting the multiple needs of mental health service recipients. This article highlights multiple changes that can be incorporated into mental health care now, derived from the Chronic Care Model, to better meet clients’ physical and mental health needs. These changes include focusing on population-level data and incorporating technology and multidisciplinary teams in treatment and prevention efforts.
Blepharospasm as a masquerade of glaucomatous visual field defects.

Purpose To present blepharospasm as a cause of glaucomatous-like visual field defects. Methods We report a 72 year-old male with low-tension glaucoma who developed intermittent superior arcuate defects on Humphrey visual fields in one eye. Careful questioning and examination led to a diagnosis of blepharospasm (as part of hemifacial spasm), with secondary visual field changes. Results MRI examination revealed no brainstem pathology or compression of the left 7th cranial nerve. The patient was referred to an oculoplastics specialist and received botox therapy in the upper and lower orbicularis oculi. Following treatment, there was stable resolution of superior arcuate changes on visual field testing. Conclusions Blepharospasm, whether in primary form as a central dystonia or secondary form from ocular surface irritation, may often go unnoticed by practitioners. Although a connection between essential blepharospasm and glaucoma development and progression has yet to be established, blepharospasm may yield glaucomatous-like changes on automated perimetry and should be considered in the same vein as other causes of spurious defects.
Chemopreventive Properties of Fenugreek Seeds against Prostate Cancer Cells

A111 Extensive research in recent years has identified various dietary components that contain biologically active compounds that can potentially be used not only for the prevention of different cancer types but also for their respective treatment. In this study, we present data that shows that extract (FE) from the seeds of the plant Trigonella foenum graecum, commonly called fenugreek inhibits the growth of a panel of cancer cells in vitro. The IC50 for growth inhibition for the prostate cancer cell lines, DU145, PC3 and LNCaP as determined by an MTT after 72h treatment with FE, is 10-15 ug/mL. When tested at higher doses (25-50 ug/mL), FE was still growth inhibitory to prostate cancer cell lines but not to either primary prostate cells or hTert-immortalized prostate cells. This result is not surprising as fenugreek is consumed as part of the daily diet by humans in some regions of the world. At least part of the growth inhibitory effect is due to induction of apoptosis, as seen by the DNA laddering pattern of cancer cells exposed to FE. FE did not inhibit the activity of exogenously transfected NFkB, at doses that are growth inhibitory to the cancer cells. In vivo work is on-going and involves the long-term administration of Fenugreek seed powder mixed with regular diet and FE dissolved in drinking water, on the inhibition of prostate cancer progression in a mouse model of prostate cancer. This is made possible by the availability of a mouse model of prostate cancer (the high-myc mouse) that recapitulates the stages of progression of human prostate cancer. The metabonomic pattern resulting as a consequence of systemic exposure to fenugreek or FE in the mouse model of prostate cancer can also be evaluated as a means of deciphering the progress of exposure to fenugreek. These studies will add another biologically active agent to our armamentarium of naturally occurring biologically active agents.
Dual endothelin-1/VEGFsp receptor (DEspR): Common target on tumor vascular endothelial cells (TVECs), tumor cells (TCs), and cancer stem cells (CSCs) in glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer.

e13574 Background: New therapies are needed for glioblastoma (GBM) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PCa), given their low survival rates. To address this mandate, we tested the hypothesis that inhibi...
Aura and Other Neurologic Dysfunction in or with Migraine

Premise Migraine can present with a wide range of neurological symptoms. Problem Based on currently available data, the symptoms of typical migraine aura are most likely related to cortical spreading depression (CSD), and evidence supports that CSD can lead to trigeminovascular activation resulting in the headache phase of migraine. Potential Solution An alternative diagnosis to migraine aura should be considered if migrainous headaches present with transient neurological symptoms that have features inconsistent with aura.
Phonon scattering mechanisms dictating the thermal conductivity of lead zirconate titanate (PbZr1−xTixO3) thin films across the compositional phase diagram

This work represents a thorough investigation of the thermal conductivity (κ) in both thin film and bulk PbZr1–xTixO3 (PZT) across the compositional phase diagram. Given the technological importance of PZT as a superb piezoelectric and ferroelectric material in devices and systems impacting a wide array of industries, this research serves to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the thermal properties. The thermal conductivities of both thin film and bulk PZT are found to vary by a considerable margin as a function of composition x. Additionally, we observe a discontinuity in κ in the vicinity of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB, x = 0.48) where there is a 20%–25% decrease in κ in our thin film data, similar to that found in literature data for bulk PZT. The comparison between bulk and thin film materials highlights the sensitivity of κ to size effects such as film thickness and grain size even in disordered alloy/solid-solution materials. A model for the thermal conductivity of PZT as a function of com...
Communication as Paramount: Schutz’s Developing Understanding of Multiple Realities

Schutz’s earlier writings (meaning up until 1945) tend to convey an opposition between the non-pragmatic finite provinces of meaning and pragmatic everyday life, as can be shown by considering the modifications literature and scientific theory introduce into one’s everyday relevances, typifications, and relationships. But as his writings on multiple realities developed, Schutz recognized more and more the importance of communication, based on working acts, until communication rather than working became for him the paramount reality. Such communication provides a less antagonistic counterpart to non-pragmatic finite provinces of meaning, which must often make use of it, and the cooperative, social nature of communication de-emphasizes the motivation of pragmatic mastery, thereby opening the door to a more cooperative relationship between the pragmatic and non-pragmatic finite provinces of meaning. Schutz, however, never retracted his idea that the non-pragmatic provinces could bring emancipation to the pragmatic world of everyday life.
Who's the Target: Mother or Baby?

Abstract Maternal immunization for prevention of morbidity and mortality of pregnant women and their neonates due to infectious diseases is ongoing worldwide. The complexity of vaccine research and development in this population is challenging. Not only do vaccines for pregnant women require evidence of immunogenicity, potency, stability, and limited reactogenicity, they must also provide efficacy in decreasing morbidity for the pregnant woman, her fetus, and the neonate, demonstrate safety or lack of evidence of harm, and offer benefit or potential benefit of vaccination during pregnancy. Since the 19th century, evidence of protective effects of vaccination during pregnancy has been documented. Pandemic influenza and pertussis outbreaks in recent years have affected a paradigm shift in vaccine research and development as well as current policy regarding immunization in pregnancy. Studies of the immune system in pregnant women and neonates have shown that immune changes associated with pregnancy in women ...
Glucagon and Glucagon-Like Peptide Receptor Localization and Characterization in Rat Brain and Pituitary

The peptide hormone glucagon, widely known for its activation of adenylate cyclase through its interaction with receptors on hepatocytes and other peripheral cells is coenco-ded on its genome with a leader sequence, glicentin-related peptide (GRPP), and two carboxyl terminal glucagon-like peptides (GLP-I and GLP-II) in mammals [1]. Anglerfish preproglu-cagon molecules appear to have a similar arrangement except for the lack of GLP-II• With growth hormone releasing factor (GRF), secretin, VIP, and PHI, glucagon and the glucagon-like peptides form a family of evolutionarily-related peptide hormones. Some cross-reaction between these hormones with their individual peripheral receptors is known. Immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) and glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI) have been immunohisto-chemically demonstrated in discrete areas of mammalian brains by several laboratories. Also, glucagon and glucagon-containing peptides have been identified in brain extracts [2].
On the Relation between the Persistence and Predictability of Dividend Growth Rates

All variations in price-dividend ratios result from either movements in expected returns or expected dividend growth rates. If growth rates contain a persistent component, even small changes in expected near-term dividends can cause large movements in prices. I derive closed-form solutions for the relation between the persistency of dividend growth rates and the ability of price-dividend ratios to forecast future dividends. For a constant risk premium, it is possible to match the low predictability of near-term dividends by choosing a sufficiently long half-life of news, however, this long half-life implies a counterfactual high degree of predictability for long-term dividend growth rates.
Honor, ritual and violence in ice hockey*

This paper examines the symbolic or expressive dimension to illegal assaults among players in ice hockey. Based upon the author's qualitative field research in Toronto and Indianapolis, a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate violence is proposed to account for the fact that players distinguish the fist-fight in ice hockey from other violent acts. The fist-fight is formulated as a social ritual involving respect and honor among players to explain this fact, qualities which are absent in other types of assaults. Some of what has been labeled by previous researchers as hockey violence, it is suggested, should be viewed as an informal mode of social con- trol among players that has a moderating effect upon the commission of more serious assaults be- tween players. R6sum6. Cette 6tude cherche a d6montrer la valeur symbolique ou expressive des actes d'agression illegaux entre joueurs de hockey. La recherche qualitative de cet auteur, faite a Toronto et a Indianapolis, mene a l'ftablissement d'une distinction entre un acte de violence legitime et un acte de violence ill6gitime, ce qui justifierait la distinction que les joueurs eux-memes font entre les coups de poing lors d'un match de hockey et d'autres actes de violence. Selon ce chercheur, les coups de poing seraient un rite social comprenant le respect et l'honneur, qualit6s absentes dans d'autres actes d'agression. Ce que d'autres chercheurs ont appele auparavant la violence dans le hockey devrait etre considere, en grande partie, comme un genre non officiel de controle social qui sert a mod6rer la perpetration d'actes d'agression plus graves les joueurs.
Seeking a Richer Harvest

In current times, intensification is most often discussed in terms of feeding the world’s poor, counteracting globalization, or improving the balance of trade, issues earnestly debated by economists, geographers, development experts, and agricultural soil scientists, chemists, and the like (i.e. Bashaasha et al. 2001, Bebbington 1997, Byerlee et al., 1997, FitzSimmons 1986, Pingali 1989, Smith et al., 1994). When one speaks to current farmers, the voices are more immediate, if sometimes ambivalent (Bennett and Warrington 2003a). Some praise intensification and the coming of the “new” while others damn it, still others point out both successes and failures with the introduction of ‘scientific’ farming.
DYNAMICS OF UNSTABLE INTERFACES

When a solidification front advances into a supercooled melt, its velocity is usually determined by the rate at which the latent heat diffuses away from the front.1 In this so-called diffusion-limited regime, the interface between the solid and the molten liquid is not simply planar, but instead, it is found to adopt a complex time-dependent shape, known as a dendrite. Under carefully controlled conditions, dendrites exhibit a smooth, approximately parabolic tip, which propagates without apparent change of shape, followed by a train of oscillatory sidebranches.2 In the laboratory frame, the tip propagates at a steady velocity vtip, while the sidebranches grow away from the main body of the dendrite. As the tip advances, it generates new sidebranches behind it, so that the tip size remains constant. Thus, in the moving frame of the tip, the sidebranches are oscillatory wave-like structures, propagating down the body of the dendrite with a speed ~ vtip
Contraceptive Steroid Effects on Serum Lipoproteins and Lipoprotein Subclasses

This report describes the application of methods recently developed in our laboratory to study changes in human serum lipoproteins and lipoprotein subclasses associated with use of contraceptive steroids.
Gene Recruitment for a Subunit of Isopropylmalate Isomerase

The leucine Operon in Salmonella typhimurium consists of four structural genes, leuABCD (Burns et al., 1966; Margolin, 1963), and a control region located adjacent to the leuA gene. The major regulation of the expression of the leucine Operon occurs via modulation of the transcription attenuation of a leader region that responds to the intracellular level of leucyl-tRNAleu (Gemmill et al., 1979; Wessler and Calvo, 1981). In addition, mutations at a locus flr unlinked to the leucine operon result in constitutive expression of the leucine genes as well the isoleucine/valine gene (Fried-berg et al., 1974). The relationship of the leucine genes to the enzymes in the leucine biosynthetic pathway is shown in Fig. 1. The enzymes α-isopropylmalate synthetase (leuA gene product) and β-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (leuB gene product) have been purified from S. typhimurium and characterized (Kohlhaw et al., 1969; Parson and Burns, 1970). The work described here is particularly concerned with the second leucine biosynthetic enzyme, isopropylmalate isomerase.
Quantum Random Number Generator with Programmable Probability Distributions

We present a method of generating quantum random numbers with arbitrarily defined probability distributions featuring high dimensionality and post-processing free, for significantly improved Monte-Carlo simulations and data analyses.
Rational design of plasma-enhanced catalysis at microscale dimensions for the dissociation of CO2

Abstract In this work, we consider the rational design of a plasma catalysis system for the splitting of carbon dioxide (CO2) via one-dimensional PIC/MCC simulations. We show that field emission-driven microdischarges (also called microplasmas) can selectively excite the asymmetric stretch mode, which is known to be more favorable to the dissociation of CO2, relative to the symmetric stretch mode. These results suggest that field emission-driven microdischarges could form the basis for intentionally coupling the plasma state with a catalyst for improving the performance of CO2 reforming.
Behavioral and cardiovascular consequences of disrupted oxytocin communication in cohabitating pairs of male and female prairie voles

Negative social experiences may influence psychological and physiological health via altered central oxytocin communication. The prairie vole is valuable for investigating the potential influence of oxytocin on responses to social experiences. Prairie voles are socially monogamous, live in pairs or family groups, and respond negatively to changes in the social environment. This study investigated the hypothesis that disruptions of oxytocin in one prairie vole of a cohabitating male-female pair would alter social behavior in that specific animal; and these behavioral changes in turn would influence the untreated partner's behavior and physiology. Pharmacological antagonism of oxytocin with the receptor antagonist L-368,899 in the male prairie vole disrupted social behaviors between the male and his untreated female partner. This manipulation also negatively influenced the behavior and cardiovascular function in the untreated female partner, including increased: (a) depression-relevant behaviors in two behavioral stressors, (b) basal mean arterial pressure and heart rate, and (c) cardiovascular reactivity to the behavioral stressors. These results suggest that disruptions of oxytocin and social behavior in one animal may produce indicators of social stress in an untreated social partner. This preliminary research provides a foundation for future studies to investigate mechanisms underlying responses to social experiences in humans.
TU-B-211-02: Patient Radiation Exposure Tracking

In the US, increases in average radiation dose to the population have been recognized as being primarily due to increased use of medical radiation. The FDA, Joint Commission and State regulatory bodies have issued guidelines and rules that mandate attention be given to monitoring radiation use particularly when prescribing uses of radioactive material, computed tomography, and fluoroscopically guided procedures. One method that can provide monitoring of a patient or a group of patients is to organize a database that leverages the radiation dose information provided with DICOM imaging studies, series and images. Such a database has been created and automatically accepts a copy of image data that is retrievable from PACs, or an imaging modality. The image data are discarded but the radiation dose related information is archived in an intelligent fashion so that automatic Alerts or user initiated web reports are generated to monitor an individual, a modality, a group of patients for Quality Assurance purposes. Importantly, this endeavour has revealed two important actionable realizations; the tools needed by medical physicists include informatics based systems and secondly, a strong need exists for further standardization in the USimaging community for naming descriptions for acquisition protocols, metrics of radiation dose, operators identification.
Analysis of the Recursive Least Squares Lattice Algorithm

We address some numerical issues regarding the numerical behavior of a specific type of lattice-based algorithm. Our interest is centered around the relationship between the propagation of numerical errors and the choice for design parameters such as single or double precision or the thresholds for adaptively expanding and contracting the filter order.
The Quality of the Data

There are serious obstacles to systematic studies of dream content. First, as noted in the first chapter, it is not possible to introduce stimuli that regularly produce predictable variability in dream content, so an experimental approach is not very useful. Second, not all subjects are willing or able to report dreams, raising questions about the representativeness of those subjects who do report dreams. Third, even high dream recallers do not report dreams every morning at home or every time they are awakened in a laboratory setting, raising questions about the representativeness of the dreams recalled by subjects. Fourth, variability in how dreams are collected may affect the content of the reports. Finally, there are no independent checks on the accuracy of the reports provided by subjects; elements of the dream could be omitted or changed, or the entire “dream” could be a made-up story. Given these problems, it is not surprising that many psychologists raise questions about the quality of the data used in studies of dream content.
Career Changes of Physicians From General Practice to Psychiatry

The supply and distribution of physicians has been an important concern in the medical field over the past two decades. Retention of physicians within a specialty is a facet of the supply and distribution dilemma that warrants our research attention. This study examined the phenomena of specialty change of physicians from general practice to psychiatry. Of the 641 respondents to a nationwide survey of psychiatrists, 112 had practiced general medicine anywhere from one to 30 years before embarking on careers in psychiatry. The study found that the specialty change decision was as much related to a dissatisfaction with general practice as it was to a preference for psychiatry. The study also discovered that physicians who had once practiced general medicine before selecting careers in psychiatry were more likely to locate their psychiatry practices in nonmetropolitan areas than were psychiatrists who had never been in a general practice. The implications of these findings on the supply and distribution of both general practitioners and psychiatrists are discussed.
Survival and Early FDG PET Response to BRAF and MEK Inhibition in Patients with BRAF-mutant Melanoma

1463 Objectives Metabolic response to treatment measured by FDG PET has prognostic implications in many cancers. This study investigated the association between survival and early changes on FDG PET-CT for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma receiving combined BRAF and MEK inhibition therapy. Methods 24 patients with advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma were included. Patients were treated with a BRAF inhibitor (vemurafenib or dabrafenib) and a MEK inhibitor (GDC-0973 or trametinib), and were imaged at baseline and shortly thereafter with FDG PET-CT. Each scan yielded two values of SUVmax: one for the most metabolically active focus and one for the least responsive focus. Short-term treatment response was assessed by evaluating the target lesions using EORTC criteria. Associations between overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and changes in SUVmax were examined. Results Mean time to follow-up FDG PET-CT was 26 days. At follow-up, 2 patients had a complete response. For the most metabolically active focus, 22 patients had a partial response. For the least responsive focus, 18 patients had a partial response, 2 had stable disease and 2 had progressive disease. For the most metabolically active tumor, no association was observed between change in SUVmax and OS (p=0.73) or PFS (p=0.17). For the least responsive tumor, change in SUVmax was associated with PFS (HR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.71, p=0.01), but not OS (p=0.52). ECOG score was associated with OS (HR=11.81, 95% CI: 1.42 to 97.60, p=0.02) and PFS (HR=24.72, 95% CI: 3.23 to 189.42, p=0.002). Conclusions Change in SUVmax for the least responsive tumor and baseline functional performance may be useful prognostic indicators for progression-free survival in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma.
Emerging technologies in the health-care supply chain

Abstract In this chapter, the background and organization of the health-care supply chain are reviewed, and the impact of emerging technologies is described. Maturing technologies, including optimization software, sensors/telematics, cloud computing, data warehouse systems, and automated storage and retrieval, are examined. Growth technologies, including mobility, wearable devices, data analytics, and social media, are examined as they potentially relate to the health-care supply chain. Emerging technologies, including 3D printing, drone delivery, and autonomous vehicles, are presented and examples provided on their use in the health-care supply chain. Exponential technologies, including blockchain, the Internet of Things, virtual/augmented reality, and artificial intelligence, are described with respect to potential applications in the health-care supply chain. Future changes in the external environment of health care, including decentralization, new competitors, and the increased use of telemedicine, are described with respect to impacts on the health-care supply chain.