cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stabbing parallel segments with a convex polygon

We present an algorithm that, given a set of n parallel line segments in the plane, finds a convex polygon whose boundary intersects each segment at least once, or determines that none exists. Our algorithm runs in O(n log n) steps and linear space, which is optimal. Our solution involves a reduction to a bipartite stabbing problem, using a “point-sweeping” or “chain-unwrapping” technique. We use geometric duality to solve bipartite stabbing.
Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature.

About one-third of patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus have ocular manifestations. The most common manifestation is keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The most vision threatening are retinal vasculitis and optic neuritis/neuropathy. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of eye disease is paramount as they are often associated with high levels of systemic inflammation and end-organ damage. Initial management with high-dose oral or IV corticosteroids is often necessary. Multiple “steroid-sparing” treatment options exist with the most recently studied being biologic agents.
Assessment of splanchnic blood flow in alcohol and drug abuse using radionuclide angiography

Computerized radionuclide angiography (RA) is a noninvasive, quantitative, reproducible, and cost-effective method for measuring the portal venous fraction of total hepatic blood flow (represented by the Hepatic Perfusion Index, HPI), and also can be utilized to detect hemodynamic abnormalities in the spleen. A group of 105 men (aged 20-56) were evaluated at the time of admission to the Substance Abuse Program at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. These patients were classified into three groups: (a) alcohol dependence or abuse (Group A, n = 54); (b) polysubstance abuse without alcohol (Group B, n = 9); and (c) polysubstance abuse with alcohol (Group C, n = 42). Of the respective groups, 69%, 100%, and 79% had abnormal splanchnic flow (liver and/or spleen), whereas only 43%, 78%, and 48% had abnormal liver function tests. This method may be a sensitive, noninvasive detector of early pathophysiological changes in the splanchnic organs of alcohol and drug abusers.
A review of methods for labeling and tracking marine invertebrate larvae

Abstract Methods for marking invertebrate larvae for use in dispersal studies include staining, tagging with calcium replacements, radiotracers and rare elements, and use of genetic, morphological, and parasite markers. The mark, release and recapture method provides a valuable approach to the study of larval movements but has been attempted only rarely, in part because of difficulties with larval recovery. Methodological and instrumentational advances may improve the feasibility of release and recovery efforts. Additional approaches to tracking larvae include visual tracking, use of isolated or point sources, Lagrangian and Eulerian methods, energetic calculations, hydro-graphic modeling and simulations. Recent emphases on physical transport mechanisms, and on the interrelationship of behavior and passive transport can be considered in the context of tracking methods. Newly-developed and recently-conceived techniques offer promise of considerable advance in our understanding of larval dispersal phenomena.
Integr-ating IL-1 alpha in antiviral host defenses

Adenoviral vectors used in gene therapy induce inflammation, although the underlying mechanisms are currently unknown. In this issue of Immunity, Di Paolo et al. (2009) implicate interleukin-1 alpha (IL- 1 alpha) in virus-induced inflammation and identify the beta 3 integrin as the key receptor regulating IL-1 alpha activity.
Interaction of two fractions of heart lipoprotein lipase with natural and synthetic substrates.

Triglyceride moieties of circulating chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) are natural substrates for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) (EC 3.1 .1.34), an enzyme functional at the vascular endothelial surface [ 1,2]. A synthetic substrate, triolein emulsified in glycerol [3], has gained widespread use. We had employed this latter substrate to compare heparinreleasable LPL with the remaining, non-releasable LPL in the perfused rat heart [4]. The 2 fractions (releasable and non-releasable LPL) displayed a major difference in their app. Km-values. We associated the high affinity nature of the ‘releasable’ fraction with the functional, endothelial-bound lipase. The low affinity nature of the ‘non-releasable’ fraction was compatible with its presumed role as precursor of the functional lipase and its suggested location in the parenchymal cells of the tissue [ 1,5,6]. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (Hilltop Lab), 200300 g, were fasted overnight. The preparation of the lipase fractions from perfusate and residual heart tissue has been described [4]. The natural substrate used was chyle, collected from the thoracic duct of rats pre-fed with 1-2 ml evaporated milk containing 100 PCi [ 1 -14C] palmitate (Rose Chemical Co.). More than 96% of the radioactivity was incorporated into the chylomicron fraction as revealed by isolation of the latter by centrifugation at 30 000 X g for 45 min at 16’C [ll]. The triglyceride content was determined enzymatically [ 121. Synthetic substrate was prepared by emulsifying triolein in glycerol with lecithin as detergent [3,4].
Prediction of abstract prosodic labels for speech synthesis

Abstract Higher quality speech synthesis is required to make text-to-speech technologies useful in more applications, and prosody is one component of synthesis technology with the greatest need for improvement. This paper describes computational models for the prediction of abstract prosodic labels for synthesis—accent location, symbolic tones and relative prominence level—from text that is tagged with part-of-speech labels and marked for prosodic constituent structure. Specifically, the model uses multiple levels of a prosodic hierarchy and at each level combines decision tree probability functions with Markov sequence assumptions. An advantage of decision trees is the ability to incorporate linguistic knowledge in an automatic training framework, which is needed for building systems that reflect particular speaking styles. Studies of accent and tone variability across speakers are reported and used to motivate new evaluation metrics. Prediction experiments show an improvement in accuracy of prominence location prediction over simple decision trees, with accuracy similar to the level of variability observed across speakers.
Subnanosecond Spectroscopy Using Stripline Microchannel Plates And Reticon 1024SF Linear Arrays

A new approach to subnanosecond spectroscopy using a stripline microchannel plate as an optical gate for a stack of seven linear arrays is discussed. This new technique allows seven subnanosecond time slices of the spectrum to be read out on a single cable with a frame time of 1 ms. Each of the seven time slices is capable of 500 channels of spectral data, with each channel having a dynamic range of 1000/1.
Application of invisible image watermarks to previously half-toned images

The ability to detect the presence of invisible watermarks in a printed copy is generally useful to help establish ownership and authenticity, and to establish the origin of an unauthorized disclosure. Heretofore watermarking methods have been concerned with inserting a watermark into a digitized image of an entire composed page prior to its being halftoned for printing. However, this may not be feasible if elements of the page being composed are available only as blocks of text and sub-images, where each unmarked sub-image has previously been halftoned, perhaps even using different halftoning methods. Earlier, we presented a highly robust invisible watermarking method having a payload of one bit -- indicating the presence or absence of the watermark. Using that method, it will be shown that it is a straightforward process to place one or more watermarks into a printed page composed of unmarked and previously halftoned sub-images, and to successfully detect the inserted watermark from a scan of the printed page. The method presented applies to a variety of invisible watermarking methods, not just the one used in the example.
Effect of carvedilol, lisinopril and their combination on vascular and cardiac health in patients with borderline blood pressure: the DETECT Study

Antihypertensive therapy is aimed at improving vascular and cardiac health, as well as lowering blood pressure (BP). The benefit of such drugs in untreated patients with borderline BP has not been demonstrated. Subjects with BPs ≥130 mm Hg systolic or ≥85 mm Hg diastolic and at least one additional risk factor were randomly assigned to treatment with carvedilol, lisinopril, their combination or placebo. Cardiovascular health was assessed by a disease score (DS), which combines the following tests of cardiovascular function and structure: resting BP, large- and small-artery elasticity (SAE), BP response to exercise, retinal vasculature analysis, electrocardiogram, carotid intima-medial thickness, left ventricular mass, microalbuminuria and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide. DS was assessed at baseline, after 3 and 9 months of therapy and 1 month after discontinuation of therapy. All active treatment groups displayed a sustained reduction in BP during 9 months of treatment, with the greatest reduction in the cardvedilol+lisinopril group. DS and SAE improved in all the treatment groups but the changes were of borderline significance and exhibited no evidence for progressive improvement from 3 months (functional) to 9 months (structural). All changes were reversed within 1 month after discontinuation of therapy. We conclude that 9 months of treatment with carvedilol, lisinopril or their combination produce a sustained and well-tolerated functional improvement but not a structural improvement, perhaps because of a lack of the nitric oxide-enhancing effects of other agents that inhibit structural changes in the vasculature.
Computer-aided instruction for VLSI design using the NeXT workstation

A CAI (computer-aided-instruction) environment for teaching the Mead-Conway approach to VLSI design is presented. The NeXT workstation was used as the CAI platform because of its ease in integrating text, graphics, images, and sound to provide an interactive environment. The resulting system is a Hypercard-like video/audio system which teaches the fundamentals of VLSI design. The student interacts with the NeXT machine on a self-paced regimen. Problem areas are indicated and there is the option of going into more detail. All sessions are interactive and provide the student with audio and visual interaction. The NeXT CAI VLSI system is described. Future research directions are discussed. >
Distributed virtual computers (DVC): simplifying the development of high performance Grid applications

The distributed virtual computer (DVC) is a computing environment, which simplifies the development and execution of distributed applications on computational Grids. DVC provides a simple set of abstractions to simplify application management of naming, security, communication, and resource, easing use of highly dynamic and heterogeneous resource environments. These abstractions enable complex collections of Grid resources to be used in a fashion similar to private user or workgroup resources. The DVC model is attractive for lambda-Grids with circuit-switched optical networks, providing a structure for exploiting unique communication and security properties. Examples of DVC include virtual clusters and virtual heterogeneous resource collections. We introduce the concept of a DVC, its system structure and mechanisms. We discuss the potential benefits of DVC for application programmers.
Suppression of hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression by daily melatonin supplementation in aging rats

Both plasma melatonin levels and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) (biosynthetic precursor to the endogenous opioid ss-endorphin and other opiomelanocortins) mRNA content decrease with aging. To test whether the decline in melatonin is responsible for the decline in POMC mRNA, we investigated the effects of daily melatonin treatment on hypothalamic POMC mRNA content in middle-aged and older Sprague-Dawley rats. Daily nocturnal melatonin treatment (50 microg kg bw(-1) night(-1), in the night-time drinking water) for 7 months, starting at 13 months of age, did not significantly alter female arcuate nucleus POMC mRNA content determined at the end of the light period (i.e., before nightly melatonin administration), but suppressed (24%, P < 0.05) POMC mRNA content at the end of the dark period (i.e., following melatonin administration). Likewise, nocturnal administration of 50 or 500 microg melatonin kg bw(-1) night(-1) to male rats for 7 months suppressed (31 or 28%, respectively; P < 0.05) POMC mRNA content at the middle of the dark period at 20 months of age. Finally, 10 wk administration of 30 microg melatonin kg bw(-1) day(-1) suppressed (31%, P < 0.01) POMC mRNA content in middle-aged male rats killed at the end of the dark period. Melatonin treatments did not significantly alter estradiol or testosterone levels. Thus, moderate-dosage nocturnal melatonin supplementation suppressed nocturnal hypothalamic POMC gene expression in both middle-aged males and females, suggesting that melatonin supplementation during aging decreases, rather than increases, forebrain opiomelanocortinergic activity. These POMC responses were apparently not dependent on gonadal steroid responses and did not become refractory to melatonin treatment maintained until old age.
Evidence of urban-induced precipitation variability in arid climate regimes

Water is essential to life in the Earth system. The water cycle components that sustain life are becoming more scarce and polluted. The most recent (1999-2004) drought experienced in the southwestern United States is the seventh worst in the approximately 500-year proxy tree-ring record. As a result, many regions contemplated drought emergencies in which severe water restrictions are implemented. Though larger weather and climate processes likely control drought processes, there is increasing evidence that anthropogenic or human-related activities can significantly alter precipitation processes. Urbanization is an example of anthropogenic forcing. Recent studies continue to provide evidence that urban environments can modify or induce precipitation under a specific set of conditions. Arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and other parts of the world are rapidly developing and placing greater demands on the environmental system. In the past fifty years, Phoenix has expanded from a predominantly agricultural center to an urbanized region with extent 700 percent larger than its size in the middle of the twentieth century. Riyadh's population grew from about a half million people in 1972 to almost two million by 2000. Saudi Arabia experienced urbanization later than many other countries; in the early 1970s its urban-rural ratio was still about 1:3. By 1990 the ratio had reversed to about 3:l. In the mid-1970s Riyadh's population was increasing by about 10 percent a year. Irrigation also significantly increased between 1972 and 1990 southeast of Riyadh. The study employs a 108-year precipitation historical data record, global climate observing network observations and satellite data to identify possible anomalies in rainfall in and around two major arid urban areas, Phoenix, Arizona and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It provides statistically sound evidence that rainfall distribution and magnitude is statistically different in post-urban than in pre-urban (1900-1950) Phoenix. The study hypothesis that a complex interaction between the city landscape, irrigated lands, and nearby mountains have created preferred regions for rainfall development. The study also provides early evidence that rapidly urbanizing parts of the arid Middle East may also be experiencing different precipitation regimes in response to urbanization and irrigation.
A method to estimate critical volumes

Methods for estimating the volume of the critical temperature used for the estimation of thermodynamic properties of substances are described. The possibility to estimate the critical temperature by using a combination of only eighteen atomic and structural contributions is shown. These contributions are listed and the critical temperature is given by a linear expression. By comparing the Vetere (1976) and Lydersen (1955) methods with the method discussed it is noted that while all three methods yield about the same average error (about 3%), the new method is superior in that it requires a smaller number of increments to fit data points.
The Impact of Intellectual Capital on the Performance of U.S. Property-CasualtyInsurance Companies

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between intellectual capital and organizational performance. Intellectual capital is measured using Pulic’s VAIC™ model consisting of combined measures from human capital, structural capital, and capital employed, and firm performance is measured as return on assets. Data are drawn from 11 publicly traded U.S. property-casualty insurance companies trading on the NYSE. The findings of the analyses do not support a significant relationship between intellectual capital and performance. However, there was evidence to support a strong highly significant association between structural capital as one of the three individual components of VAIC™ and organizational performance. The regression results confirmed each of the models was a strong predictor of explaining the change in the performance of the organizations. This research will aid the property-casualty industry in using metrics to evaluate the optimal use of human capital in conjunction with economic resources to innovate and create greater value for the organization and its stakeholders.
Investigation of Surface Tension Effects of a Water-Hexadecane Interface on Silicon Microparts

Assembly at sub-millimeter dimensions is a challenging process that is often not economically feasible. This limits many systems to in-situ fabrication from compatible materials. If freed from these limitations on processes and materials, it might be possible to improve microsystem performance. One critical application of recent interest is in the assembly of small crystalline photovoltaic cells onto low-cost and possibly flexible modules [1].Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The Dialectics of Transformation in Africa Elias K. Bongmba

Elias K. Bongmba takes on in this book a problem raised by Mahmood Mamdani through a critique raised by Achille Mbembe, namely, that it is an affront to African people to treat their leadership as ...
Elisheva Carlebach. Divided Souls: Converts from Judaism in Germany, 1500–1750 . New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001. xii, 324 pp.

Unlike the Sephardim, who accepted the concept of taqiyya and the practice of marranism to cope with forced conversions under Islam, the Ashkenazim, especially the Jewish communities of Germanophone Central Europe, developed an uncompromising rejection of Christian baptism. Instead of marranism and deception under Islam, the Ashkenazim, in the persecutions of the Crusades and after, developed a strong sense of martyrdom and detested baptism, whether forced or voluntary, as ritual and spiritual defilement and pollution. The small number of Jewish converts to Christianity were not so much sinners but apostates ( meshummadim or the vertilgten ). Given this Ashkenazi tradition, it is not surprising that converts were marginalized in Jewish historiography and scholarship. Nevertheless, as Carlebach argues persuasively in this book, they played a significant role in Jewish–Christian relations in early modern Germany; and given the fact that conversions rose rapidly in the late eighteenth century, it is all the more important to understand the prehistory of Jewish conversion and integration in Germany after Emancipation.
Five nucleotide changes in the large intervening sequence of a β globin gene in a β + thalassemia patient

A beta globin gene from a patient with homozygous beta+ thalassemia has been cloned and completely sequenced. No changes from normal are found in the 200 nucleotides 5' to the cap site, in the 3' untranslated region up to the poly A addition site, in the small intervening sequence (IVS 1), or in the coding sequence except for a third base change in codon 2. The only other differences are in the large intervening sequence (IVS 2). One of these, at a position 16 nucleotides from the 5' end of IVS 2, has been reported previously in normal individuals, and is probably a polymorphism. Four other changes, at positions 74, 81, 666, and 705 are also seen in IVS 2. Abnormal beta globin mRNA precursors detected in the bone marrow cells of this patient, and abnormal beta globin RNA splicing observed when this gene is transcribed in a tissue culture system taken together with these IVS 2 changes, suggest that the beta+ thalassemia phenotype is produced by a decrease in normal beta globin mRNA processing.
A Study of Turbulence Models for Prediction of Transitional Boundary Layers

Calculations of two-dimensional transitional boundary layer flows in zero and favorable pressure gradients are presented. The major focus is on the evaluation of current turbulence models to predict quantities such as skin-friction and heat transfer coefficients. Three turbulence models using the mixing length concept along with a one-equation model are considered. These models are tested by comparison with the experiments of Blair and Werle, who investigated flows over a heated flat plate for various levels of free-stream turbulence.
The Effects of Salicylic Acid and Tobacco Mosaic Virus Infection on the Alternative Oxidase of Tobacco

Salicylic acid (SA) is a signal in systemic acquired resistance and an inducer of the alternative oxidase protein in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi nc) cell suspensions and during thermogenesis in aroid spadices. The effects of SA on the levels of alternative oxidase protein and the pathogenesis-related 1a mRNA (a marker for systemic acquired resistance), and on the partitioning of electrons between the Cyt and alternative pathways were investigated in tobacco. Leaves were treated with 1.0 mM SA and mitochondria isolated at times between 1 h and 3 d after treatment. Alternative oxidase protein increased 2.5-fold within 5 h, reached a maximum (9-fold) after 12 h, and remained at twice the level of control plants after 3 d. Measurements of isotope fractionation of 18O by intact leaf tissue gave a value of 23% at all times, identical to that of control plants, indicating a constant 27 to 30% of electron-flow partitioning to the alternative oxidase independent of treatment with SA. Transgenic NahG tobacco plants that express bacterial salicylate hydroxylase and possess very low levels of SA gave a fractionation of 23% and showed control levels of alternative oxidase protein, suggesting that steady-state alternative oxidase accumulates in an SA-independent manner. Infection of plants with tobacco mosaic virus resulted in an increase in alternative oxidase protein in both infected and systemic leaves, but no increase was observed in comparably infected NahG plants. Total respiration rate and partitioning of electrons to the alternative pathway in virus-infected plants was comparable to that in uninfected controls.
An Image Analysis Approach for Detecting Malignant Cells in Digitized H&E-stained Histology Images of Follicular Lymphoma

The gold standard in follicular lymphoma (FL) diagnosis and prognosis is histopathological examination of tumor tissue samples. However, the qualitative manual evaluation is tedious and subject to considerable inter- and intra-reader variations. In this study, we propose an image analysis system for quantitative evaluation of digitized FL tissue slides. The developed system uses a robust feature space analysis method, namely the mean shift algorithm followed by a hierarchical grouping to segment a given tissue image into basic cytological components. We then apply further morphological operations to achieve the segmentation of individual cells. Finally, we generate a likelihood measure to detect candidate cancer cells using a set of clinically driven features. The proposed approach has been evaluated on a dataset consisting of 100 region of interest (ROI) images and achieves a promising 89% average accuracy in detecting target malignant cells.
A matrix product algorithm and its comparative performance on hypercubes

A matrix product algorithm is studied in which one matrix operand is transposed prior to the computation. This algorithm is compared with the Fox-Hey-Otto algorithm on hypercube architectures. The Transpose algorithm simplifies communication for nonsquare matrices and for computations where the number of processors is not a perfect square. The results indicate superior performance for the Transpose algorithm. >
Beating Ischemia A New Feat of EETs

See related article, pages 506–514 It is well-known that myocardial ischemia results in the hydrolysis of phospholipids and the generation of arachidonic acid. Free arachidonic acid also could accumulate as a result of hormonal activation or the failure of fatty acid oxidation in the ischemic heart. What happens next to arachidonic acid and how its many metabolites (see the Figure) affect myocardial function is not entirely clear, but questions related to these issues are turning out some of the most fascinating and provocative answers in cardiovascular physiology. Much of the current evidence, however, is conflicting. Increased arachidonic acid metabolism via cyclooxygenases mediates the cardioprotective effects of the late phase of ischemic preconditioning1 and provides long-term protection to the heart against ischemic injury.2 However, treatment with cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitors3 or inhibition of mitochondrial calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (which liberates arachidonic acid from phospholipid stores) reduces infarct size,4 suggesting that increased generation of arachidonic acid and its metabolites could be detrimental to the ischemic heart. Adding new fuel to this debate is the elegant study by Seubert et al,5 published in the current issue of Circulation Research , which shows that increased CYP-dependent epoxidation of arachidonic acid to cis -epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) could decrease myocardial ischemic injury. Using transgenic mice overexpressing human CYP2J2 in the heart, these investigators demonstrate improved postischemic recovery of the heart and suggest that this protection is attributable to the activation of the mitochondrial KATP channel (mitoKATP) and the stimulation of the p42/p44 MAP kinase pathway. Their convincing demonstration of a novel anti-ischemic role of CYP2J2 opens up a new area of research into the role of EETs in cardioprotection and points toward new avenues for understanding and assessing the involvement of arachidonic acid and its metabolites in regulating myocardial …
Beyond Ideal Types of Municipal Structure Adapted Cities in Michigan

Increasingly, scholars of local governments are calling attention to a new era of municipal reform and to the convergence of the mayor-council and council-manager forms of governments. A major conclusion of this literature is that these two familiar ideal types no longer adequately describe the structure of most American cities. This article contributes to this question by examining the charters of 263 Michigan cities. We use the adapted cities framework advanced by H. George Frederickson, Gary Johnson, and Curtis Wood to examine the patterns of adaptation to Michigan's mayor-council and council-manager cities. We find that the governance structure in most Michigan cities is not accurately described by either of the ideal types. Mayor-council cities are especially likely to use charter provisions that deviate significantly from conventional depictions of the form.
A Fragment of First Order Logic Adequate for Observation Equivalence

We present a logical characterization of the Milner's notion of observation equivalence of processes (“at most one observable action at a time” variant) by using a restricted class of first order formulas. We use the game technique due to Ehrenfeucht as a means to achieve this characterization. First we extend the Ehrenfeucht game by introducing a pair of compatibility relations as a parameter to the game so that we can restrict the moves of the players on the basis of the previous moves. We then define the logic which corresponds to the extended game. Second we characterize the observation equivalence on a restricted class of labelled transition systems (with τ moves), called trace-unique labelled transition systems (t-τlts's), as the equivalence induced by the games played on certain rcducts of the given t-τlts's where the compatibility relations are defined in terms of bounded reachability in the t-τlts's. Combining these two characterizations we get our main result.
Asymptotic Sampling Distribution for Polynomial Chaos Representation of Data: A Maximum Entropy and Fisher information approach

A procedure is presented for characterizing the asymptotic sampling distribution of the estimators of the polynomial chaos (PC) coefficients of physical process modeled as non-stationary, non-Gaussian second-order random process by using a collection of observations. These observations made over a denumerable subset of the indexing set of the process are considered to form a set of realizations of a random vector, Y, representing a finite-dimensional model of the random process. The estimators of the PC coefficients of Y are next deduced by relying on its reduced order representation obtained by employing Karhunen-Loeve decomposition and subsequent use of the maximum-entropy principle, Metropolis-Hastings Markov chain Monte carlo algorithm and the Rosenblatt transformation. These estimators are found to be maximum likelihood estimators as well as consistent and asymptotically efficient estimators. The computation of the covariance matrix of the associated asymptotic normal distribution of the estimators of these PC coefficients requires evaluation of Fisher information matrix that is evaluated analytically and also estimated by using a sampling technique for the accompanied numerical illustration.
Pitfalls of Multisite Randomized Clinical Trials of Efficacy and Effectiveness

This article discusses common pitfalls of multisite randomized clinical trials of efficacy and effectiveness. Issues considered include (1) premature initiation, (2) ineffective study structure, (3) too much or too little communication among researchers, (4) neglect of site differences, (5) use of "naked" p values, (6) premature closure, and (7) overreliance on the interpretation and memory of individual researchers. If future researchers are aware of these common pitfalls, they may be able to avoid them.
Amygdala reactivity to sad faces in preschool children: An early neural marker of persistent negative affect.

Abstract Background Elevated negative affect is a highly salient risk factor for later internalizing disorders. Very little is known about the early neurobiological correlates of negative affect and whether they associate with developmental changes in negative emotion. Such information may prove critical for identifying children deviating from normative developmental trajectories of negative affect and at increased risk for later internalizing disorders. The current study examined the relationship between amygdala activity and negative affect measured concurrently and approximately 12 months later in preschool-age children. Method Amygdala activity was assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging in 31 medication-naive preschool age children. Negative affect was measured using parent report both at the time of scan and 12 months later. Results Negative affect at baseline was positively correlated with right amygdala activity to sad faces, right amygdala activity to happy faces, and left amygdala activity to happy faces. Right amygdala activity to sad faces also positively predicted parent-reported negative affect 12 months later even when negative affect reported at baseline was controlled. Conclusions The current findings provide preliminary evidence for amygdala activity as a potential biomarker of persistent negative affect during early childhood and suggest future work examining the origins and long-term implications of this relationship is necessary.
Financial Reporting of Derivatives: An Analysis of the Issues, Evaluation of Proposals, and A Suggested Solution

The current financial accounting rules for derivatives are internally inconsistent, not uniform across various types of derivatives, and incomplete. A survey of derivatives users and our analysis of financial statements indicates that these rules have significantly constrained firms from using derivatives optimally. This research leads us to conclude that the rule changes considered by Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) would exacerbate this situation. We propose an alternative that is consistent with the long held "matching" concept of accounting, wherein losses and gains on derivatives are reported in the same periods as gains and losses on the associated assets and liabilities.
Living Wage Ordinances and Small Business

As an attempt to assist low-income families in the U.S., over 100 governmental units (i.e., cities, counties, universities) have implemented living wage ordinances.A living wage is enacted by legislation requiring employers to pay a certain wage above the federal or state minimum wage; living wages are tied to meeting some standard of living and only apply to businesses funded by the government. A history of the living wage is provided, including a description of some of the drivers influencing the creation of a living wage (i.e., greater economic disparity between the classes).Oppositional views to the living wage (i.e., unconstitutional) are also presented and discussed.The current utilization of the living wage is explored, as are the benefits covered by many living wage ordinances and the penalties for businesses in violation of living wage ordinances. Finally, the implications of living wage ordinances on small businesses, which are more likely than large businesses to pay the minimum wage, are discussed, and a list of questions are provided for small firm owners to consider should they be affected by living wage legislation.(AKP)
Microstructural analysis of Wark-Lovering rims in the Allende and Axtell CV3 chondrites: Implications for high-temperature nebular processes

A coordinated, electron-backscatter-diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) study was undertaken to obtain information on the origin of rims on refractory inclusions in the Allende and Axtell CV3 chondrites. These measurements were supported by theoretical modeling using density functional theory. Crystal-orientation analysis of Wark-Lovering rims via EBSD revealed pyroxene grains with similar crystallographic orientations to one another in both inclusions. An epitaxial relationship between grains within the diopside and anorthite rim layers was observed in Allende. TEM examination of the rims of both samples also revealed oriented crystals at depth. The microstructural data on the rims suggest that grain clusters grew in the form of three-dimensional islands. Density functional theory calculations confirm that formation of oriented grain islands is the result of energy minimization at high temperature. The results point toward condensation as the mode of origin for the rims studied here.
First-principles studies of phase stability and crystal structures in Li-Zn mixed-metal borohydrides

We address the problem of finding mixed-metal borohydrides with favorable thermodynamics and illustrate the approach using the example of ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}$. Using density functional theory (DFT), along with the grand-canonical linear programming method (GCLP), we examine the experimentally and computationally proposed crystal structures and the finite-temperature thermodynamics of dehydrogenation for the quaternary hydride ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}$. We find the following: (i) For ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}$, DFT calculations of the experimental crystal structures reveal that the structure from the neutron diffraction experiments of Ravnsb\ae{}k et al. is more stable [by 24 kJ/(mol f.u.)] than that based on a previous x-ray study. (ii) Our DFT calculations show that when using the neutron-diffraction structure of ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}$, the recently theoretically predicted $\mathrm{LiZn}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{3}$ compound is unstable with respect to the decomposition into ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}+{\mathrm{LiBH}}_{4}$. (iii) GCLP calculations show that even though ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}$ is a combination of weakly [$\mathrm{Zn}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{2}$] and strongly (${\mathrm{LiBH}}_{4}$) bound borohydrides, its decomposition is not intermediate between the two individual borohydrides. Rather, we find that the decomposition of ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}$ is divided into a weakly exothermic step [${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\mathrm{Zn}+\frac{1}{5}{\mathrm{LiBH}}_{4}+\frac{2}{5}{\mathrm{Li}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{12}{\mathrm{H}}_{12}+\frac{36}{5}{\mathrm{H}}_{2}$] and three strong endothermic steps ($12{\mathrm{LiBH}}_{4}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}10\mathrm{LiH}+{\mathrm{Li}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{12}{\mathrm{H}}_{12}+13{\mathrm{H}}_{2}$; $\mathrm{Zn}+\mathrm{LiH}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{LiZn}+\frac{1}{2}{\mathrm{H}}_{2}$; $2\mathrm{Zn}+{\mathrm{Li}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{12}{\mathrm{H}}_{12}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\mathrm{LiZn}+12\mathrm{B}+6{\mathrm{H}}_{2}$). DFT-calculated $\ensuremath{\Delta}{H}_{\text{ZPE}}^{T=0\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\text{K}}$ values for the first three ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}$ decomposition steps are $\ensuremath{-}19$, $+$37, $+$74 kJ/(mol ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$), respectively. The behavior of ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{({\mathrm{BH}}_{4})}_{5}$ shows that mixed-metal borohydrides formed by mixing borohydrides of high and low thermodynamics stabilities do not necessarily have an intermediate decomposition tendency. Our results suggest the correct strategy to find intermediate decomposition in mixed-metal borohydrides is to search for stable mixed-metal products such as ternary metal borides.
Elucidating the decomposition mechanism of energetic materials with geminal dinitro groups using 2-bromo-2-nitropropane photodissociation.

These experiments photolytically generate two key intermediates in the decomposition mechanisms of energetic materials with nitro substituents, 2-nitropropene, and 2-nitro-2-propyl radicals. These intermediates are produced at high internal energies and access a number of competing unimolecular dissociation channels investigated herein. We use a combination of crossed laser-molecular beam scattering and velocity map imaging to study the photodissociation of 2-bromo-2-nitropropane at 193 nm and the subsequent unimolecular dissociation of the intermediates above. Our results demonstrate that 2-bromo-2-nitropropane has four primary photodissociation pathways: C–Br bond fission yielding the 2-nitro-2-propyl radical, HBr elimination yielding 2-nitropropene, C–N bond fission yielding the 2-bromo-2-propyl radical, and HONO elimination yielding 2-bromopropene. The photofragments are formed with significant internal energy and undergo many secondary dissociation events, including the exothermic dissociation of 2-n...
Net acid balance (NAB) in metabolic acidosis

In previous studies from this laboratory the principles for the determination of the balance (intake minus output) of non-carbonic, non-metabolizable, non-metabolized acid (net acid) have been validated and applied to healthy, growing infants. To determine NAB requires the independent measurement of all components of net acid intake (sulfuric and organic acid production plus net acid generated by skeletal mineralization minus net base intake) and net acid output (renal net acid excretion). In the present study NAB was determined over 3–8 day balance periods in 11 infants developing (n = 3) or recovering from (n = 8) diarrhea, ileostomy, renal or late metabolic acidosis. Four studies on infants having no significant change in acid-base status over the period of study served as controls. MAB was significantly positive during the development of acidosis and negative during recovery. A close (r > 0.9) linear relationship was found between NAB (mEq/kg) and the measured change in blood base excess (Δ BE, mEq/l) over the period of study such that the virtual volume of retained net base or acid approximated 50% of the body weight suggesting considerable involvement of non-ECF buffers. To our knowledge this study represents the first complete quantitative measurement of the total magnitude and the separate components of net base retained (during recovery) or net acid retained (during development) in metabolic acidosis.
Repellent Sprays for Flies Attacking Dairy Cattle

The protection of dairy cows from attack by blood-sucking flies, especially the horn fly, Haematobia irritans and the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a live problem. The use of repellent sprays appears thus far to offer the only feasible means of control in the majority of cases. The practice of using some kind of repellent cattle fly spray is more prevalent than might be supposed, but the choice of a spray has heretofore been governed largely by the chance availability of some particular brand of proprietary material rather than of considerations based on comparative cost, effectiveness and practicableness. Two seasons' tests conducted under practical farm conditions have resulted in clarifying knowledge concerning the general feasibility and value of spraying on the average dairy farm as well as the comparative effectiveness, cost and practicableness of various fly spray formulae. The more promising commercial and home-mixed materials were tested. Of all these a new, exceedingly inexpensive spray composed of used crank case oil and oil of tar in proportions of one gallon to one pint, has offered the most promising results in terms of effectiveness, cost, and practicableness from every standpoint.
Heterakis vesicularis Frölich 1791: A vector of an infectious disease.

Several parasites, a flagellate of the genus Giardia and also microsporidia have been reported in intestinal round worms, but up to the present time the latter have not been shown to be concerned in the transmission of disease.Blackhead, an infectious disease of turkeys and other poultry, is caused by a flagellate, Histomonas meleagridis. It is transmitted experimentally and to some extent in nature by the direct ingestion of material contaminated with freshly passed discharges containing the protozoon. It appears, however, to be much more frequently transmitted indirectly by some phase distributed on the soil, evidently in association with the eggs of the caecal worm, H. vesicularis.The presence of the protozoon in the egg of Heterakis is indicated by experimental evidence of various sorts.1. Heterakis eggs kept in 1.5 per cent nitric acid until embryonated produce blackhead when fed to young birds isolated from all other sources of infection, although this treatment renders the material bacteriologicall...
Realization of a Way of Bit Synchronization based on FPGA

Synchronization is a very important practical aspect in the communication system,it is also the technical support to guarantee the whole communication system working orderly and dependably.Except carrier wave synchronization,it also needs bit synchronization in digital communication system.The method of realizing bit synchronization mainly includes filtering idea and phase-locked,the principle of phase-locked bit synchronous is similar to the principle of carrier wave synchronization.This paper designed one kind of digital phase-locked bit synchronous extraction project,introduced the principle of bit synchronization,the paper described the project and modules based on FPGA,and compiled and simulated with Maxplus Ⅱ.The simulation has shown that the design is well in reliability,and can meet the request.
Research Development in Meshing Theory of Toroidal Worm Drive

Research development in meshing theory of toroidal worm drive,involving the Hindley worm drive,the plane double-enveloping toroidal worm drive(the TP worm drive),the conical and double-cone double-enveloping toroidal worm drive,and so on,are discussed in this paper.The formation principle of the helicoid of toroidal worm,the meshing theory,the modification approach and the mismatch theory are all sketched.Some compendious comments are made on the significant achievements and progresses in meshing theory development of the toroidal worm drives.
A Fuzzy Multi-Objective Optimization Based Evaluation Model of Wind Power Accommodation Capability

Along with the increasing rising of wind power penetration level, the growing problem of wind power curtailment occurs in partial power grids in China. The evaluation on wind power accommodation capability(WPAC)of power grid from the perspective to day-ahead time is favorable for the optimization of scheduling and operation of power grid to improve the utilization rate of wind power. A multi-objective model to evaluate the day-ahead WPAC, in which the maximized wind power accommodation and optimized economic power generation are taken as objectives,is constructed. To coordinate the two contradictory optimization objectives, by means of defining two objective membership functions the deterministic problems are fuzzified and the maximized satisfaction index method is utilized to turn the constructed multi-objective optimization problem into single-objective optimization problem. Taking IEEE 118-bus54-machine testing system as the case, the constructed model is solved by General Algebraic Modeling System(GAMS) based simulation platform, and the solution shows that above-mentioned model can consider both the optimization of WPAC and the economy of power grid generation simultaneously, and the computation results are available for reference to the dispatchers in the drafting of the day-ahead scheduling plan, and it is favorable to improve wind power utilization rate and reduce generation cost.
Walking Program for Persons with Peripheral Artery Disease and Intermittent Claudication: The Patient Perspective

4 VTE Prophylaxis: Implementing EBP to Enhance Knowledge and Compliance with Core Measures and Reduction in PSI 12 Pamela Mahaffey, DNP, ACNS-BC, RN, Capital University and Ohio Health, Circleville, OH Every hospitalized patient has increased risk for the development of vascular related complications; indeed, patents that have surgical interventions, trauma or prolonged bedrest have additional risk. This presentation will review the process of care and implementation of evidenced based strategies that were executed to decrease deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE) and subsequently improve patient outcomes at a level 1 trauma center urban hospital. In addition, the core measures for VTE prophylaxis will be reviewed as well as the patient safety indicator (PSI) 12 which is post-surgical DVT/ PE. A hospital wide inter-disciplinary team formed to identify contributing factors and ultimately implement strategies to decrease the number of post-surgical DVT/PE cases. A preassessment with staff nurses was conducted and strategies comprising: journal club, management rounding and bedside report to review daily VTE prophylaxis were incorporated. A data collection tool was developed and the unit educator, evidence based practice (EBP) mentor and management team began weekly random assessments regarding VTE prophylaxis measures. Case studies will be presented to review the strategies and the vascular nurse’s role to assure good patient outcomes and a reduction in preventable DVT/PE. The sustainability of strategies include the importance of knowledge and enculturation among interdisciplinary staff. The steps taken to achieve this will be shared.