cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytidine Deaminase APOBEC3A Regulates PD-L1 Expression in Cancer Cells in a JNK/c-JUN-Dependent Manner.

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) promotes tumor immune evasion by engaging the PD-1 receptor and inhibiting T-cell activity. While the regulation of PD-L1 expression is not fully understood, its expression is associated with tumor mutational burden and response to immune checkpoint therapy. Here, we report that Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3A (APOBEC3A) is an important regulator of PD-L1 expression. Using an APOBEC3A inducible expression system as well as siRNA against endogenous APOBEC3A, we found that APOBEC3A regulates PD-L1 mRNA and protein levels as well as PD-L1 cell surface expression in cancer. Mechanistically, APOBEC3A-induced PD-L1 expression was dependent on APOBEC3A catalytic activity as catalytically dead APOBEC3A mutant (E72A) failed to induce PD-L1 expression. Furthermore, APOBEC3A-induced PD-L1 expression was dependent on replication-associated DNA damage and JNK/c-JUN signaling but not interferon signaling. In addition, we confirmed the relevance of these finding in patient tumors as APOBEC3A expression and mutational signature correlated with PD-L1 expression in multiple patient cancer types. These data provide a novel link between APOBEC3A, its DNA mutagenic activity and PD-L1-mediated antitumoral immunity. This work nominates APOBEC3A as a mechanism of immune evasion and a potential biomarker for the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. Implications: APOBEC3A catalytic activity induces replication-associated DNA damage to promote PD-L1 expression implying that APOBEC3A-driven mutagenesis represents both a mechanism of tumor immune evasion and a therapeutically targetable vulnerability in cancer cells.
FTNet: Feature Transverse Network for Thermal Image Semantic Segmentation

Thermal imaging is a process of using infrared radiation and thermal energy to collect information about objects. It is superior to visible imaging for its ability to operate in darkness and tolerate illumination variations. In addition, it has potential to penetrate smoke, aerosol, dust, and mist, which are critical inhibitors for visible imaging applications, including semantic segmentation. Unfortunately, current state-of-the-art image semantic segmentation methods (i) mainly concentrate on visible spectrum images, which do not adequately capture the context of corresponding pixels, particularly edge details in thermal images, and (ii) accept a trade-off between higher accuracy and lower speed, or vice-versa. Here, a novel end-to-end trainable convolutional neural network architecture, feature transverse network (FTNet), has been proposed to solve the aforementioned problems. FTNet captures and optimizes feature representation at the multi-scale resolution, thereby improving the capability to process high-resolution images and producing quality output with a lower computational cost. Extensive computer experimentations were conducted on publicly available benchmarking thermal datasets, including SODA, MFNet, and SCUT-Seg, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed FTNet compared to state-of-the-art methods. This comparison includes multiple aspects, including the quantitative accuracy and speed of the various approaches. The source code is available at https://github.com/shreyaskamathkm/FTNet .
Sodium Variability and Probability of Vasospasm in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES Vasospasm is a well-known complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) that generally occurs 4-14 days post-hemorrhage. Based on American Heart Association guidelines, the current understanding is that hyponatremic episodes may lead to vasospasm. Therefore, we sought to determine the association between repeated serum sodium levels of aSAH patients and its relationship to radiographic vasospasm. MATERIALS AND METHODS A single-center retrospective analysis from 2007-2016 was conducted of aSAH patients. Daily serum sodium levels were recorded up to day 14 post-admission. Hyponatremia was defined as a serum sodium value of < 135 mEq/L. We evaluated the relationship to radiologic vasospasm, neurologic deterioration, functional status at discharge, and mortality. A repeated measures analysis using a mixed-effect regression model was performed to assess the interindividual relationship between serum sodium trends and outcomes. RESULTS A total of 296 aSAH patients were included. There were no significant differences in interindividual serum sodium values over time and occurrence of radiographic vasospasm, neurologic deterioration, functional, or mortality outcomes (p = .59, p = .42, p = .94, p = .99, respectively) using the mixed-effect regression model. However, overall mean serum sodium levels were significantly higher in patients who had neurologic deterioration, poor functional outcome (mRS 3-6), and mortality. CONCLUSIONS Serum sodium level variations are not associated with subsequent development of cerebral vasospasm in aSAH patients. These findings indicate that serum sodium may not have an impact on vasospasm, and avoiding hypernatremia may provide a neurologic, functional and survival benefit.
Proposals Concerning the Current Financial Crisis

A basic cause of the current financial crisis was the mandate from the U.S. Congress to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) to increase its support of low-income housing. This mandate led to a lowering of lending standards, which encouraged home buyers to spend beyond their means. The problem was aggravated by novel, obscure, highly leveraged financial instruments that were not well understood by either lenders or borrowers. At least two steps are required for the solution to this crisis: (1) Congress should instruct Fannie Mae that the safety of the financial system must take priority over the objective of providing low-income housing, and (2) this article's modest proposal for bringing transparency to the tangle of financial instruments should be implemented.
Multiplicative Algorithm for Correntropy-Based Nonnegative Matrix Factorization

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) is a popular dimension reduction technique used for clustering by extracting latent features from highdimensional data and is widely used for text mining. Several optimization algorithms have been developed for NMF with different cost functions. In this paper we evaluate the correntropy similarity cost function. Correntropy is a nonlinear localized similarity measure which measures the similarity between two random variables using entropy-based criterion, and is especially robust to outliers. Some algorithms based on gradient descent have been used for correntropy cost function, but their convergence is highly dependent on proper initialization and step size and other parameter selection. The proposed general multiplicative factorization algorithm uses the gradient descent algorithm with adaptive step size to maximize the correntropy similarity between the data matrix and its factorization. After devising the algorithm, its performance has been evaluated for document clustering. Results were compared with constrained gradient descent method using steepest descent and L-BFGS methods. The simulations show that the performance of steepest descent and L-BFGS convergence are highly dependent on gradient descent step size which depends on σ parameter of correntropy cost function. However, the multiplicative algorithm is shown to be less sensitive to σ parameter and yields better clustering results than other algorithms. The results demonstrate that clustering performance measured by entropy and purity improve the clustering. The multiplicative correntropy-based algorithm also shows less variation in accuracy of document clusters for variable number of clusters. The convergence of each algorithm is also investigated, and the experiments have shown that the multiplicative algorithm converges faster than L-BFGS and steepest descent method.
Activity-dependent plasticity in desecending synaptic inputs to spinal motoneurons in an in vitro turtle brainstem-spinal cord preparation

Long-term (>1 h) and short-term (sec-to-min) activity-dependent synaptic plasticity have been proposed to contribute to the patterning of rhythmic network activity. There is, however, very little experimental evidence to support this hypothesis. Previously, we demonstrated that electrically-evoked descending synaptic inputs to respiratory-related spinal motoneurons express long-term depression (LTD) or long-term potentiation (LTP) following spinal stimulation at different frequencies in an in vitro turtle brainstem-spinal cord preparation [1]. For example, evoked potentials in pectoralis (expiratory) nerves express LTD following 1 and 10 Hz spinal stimulation (900 pulses), while potentials in serratus (inspiratory) nerves express LTP following 100 Hz spinal stimulation (900 pulses). In this study, we hypothesized that activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is expressed in identified synaptic connections within the respiratory control system of adult turtles (Pseudemys), and that LTD is expressed in respiratory descending synaptic inputs to pectoralis motoneurons following 10 Hz spinal stimulation. Using in vitro turtle brainstem-spinal cord preparations (n = 6), the lateral funiculus at spinal segment C5 (rostral to pectoralis and serratus motoneurons) was electrically stimulated (10 Hz, 900 pulses, 400 μA) while the preparation spontaneously produced rhythmic respiratory motor output. One application of spinal stimulation immediately decreased respiratory burst amplitude by ~75% on both pectoralis and serratus (P 0.05). Closer examination showed that serratus burst amplitudes at 50 min post-stim were depressed by ~20% in 3/5 preparations, and potentiated by 100–150% in 2/5 preparations. Spinal stimulation did not change hypoglossal burst amplitude. In conclusion, 10 Hz spinal stimulation did not exclusively elicit LTD in spontaneous expiratory activity in pectoralis nerves, suggesting that LTD is expressed in nonrespiratory-related descending synaptic inputs to pectoralis motoneurons, or that spontaneous respiratory activity in pectoralis motoneurons overrides the expression of LTD. We hypothesize that the activity-dependent plasticity observed with spinal stimulation is due to spinal mechanisms because hypoglossal respiratory activity was unaltered.
David Hoffman's Law School Lectures, 1822-1833.

The Baltimore lawyer and teacher David Hoffman (1784-1854), the father of American legal ethics, was also the first of the systematic American legal educators. He held one of the first appointments in this country as a university law professor (at the University of Maryland, 1814-43) and wrote the first American outline of the study of law.1 Joseph Story, in a contemporary review of the 1817 Course, called Hoffman's work "an honour to our country [,] ... by far the most perfect system for the study of the law that has ever been offered to the public."2 Chancellor James Kent said, "whoever follows its directions will be a well read and accomplished lawyer."3
Abstract T P230: Multiple Applications of Dodecafluropentane emulsion (DDFPe) Prevents Death in a Rabbit Stroke Model of Permanent Ischemia

Background: Stroke remains the 4th leading cause of death in the US with stroke related deaths occurring every 4 minutes. Perfluorocarbons (PFC) have been used to circulate oxygen and rescue ischemic tissue. Intravenous Dodecafluoropentane emulsion (DDFPe), a PFC, has shown great promise as a neuroprotective agent in embolic ischemic stroke models. Our recent experience in rabbit stroke models normally compares stroke size and neurological effect outcomes, but here we review the overall death rates in the permanent ischemic model in control and DDFPe treated groups. These deaths are sometimes associated with occlusions of posterior branches of the Circle of Willis or angiographic difficulties in the embolization procedure. Methods: Previous data collected on 195 New Zealand White male or female rabbits (3.8 to 6.6 kg bw) with permanent occlusion of the cerebral arteries with two to three 700-900 micron diameter spheres was further reviewed to determine incidence of mortality in all controls and DDFPe trea...
Assessing the costs and outcomes together: Cost effectiveness of two systems of acute psychiatric care☆

This paper describes the research findings and methodology used to evaluate the relative cost effectiveness of two systems of acute psychiatric care: system I when only a general hospital unit was available and system 2 when a psychiatric health facility was added to the general hospital service system. The cost analysis methodology is described in detail. Theta, cost-outcome matrices, and data analytic techniques useful in making cost effectiveness judgments and program policy decisions are demonstrated. Problems associated with conducting this type of research in a service delivery system are described and discussed. Clinical outcome in system 1, when only the general hospital unit was available, was consistently better. Per diem costs for system 2, consisting of the general hospital unit and a nonhospital psychiatric health facility, were significantly less. However, the increased length of stay for system 2 patients made episode cost comparisons nearly equal between the two systems of health care. Results suggested the need for modifications in the new service system and the importance of assessing the cost and outcome of treatment simultaneously in making program policy decisions.
Physicochemical studies of fractionated bovine heparin

Abstract Graded self-hydrolysis of commercial bovine heparin produced samples of varying anticoagulant activity. The hydrolysis results in desulfation, which is accompanied by decrease in (a) sedimentation coefficient, (b) intrinsic viscosity when measured in water, and (c) axial ratios, a b , if a prolate ellipsoid model is assumed. Intrinsic viscosities obtained in 0.5 m NaCl were relatively unchanged for the hydrolyzed samples. The drop in molecular weight during inactivation is due to desulfation and not to depolymerization. Hydrolysis results in both O- and N-desulfation, the latter to a greater extent than the former. The data suggest that degree of sulfation and size and/or shape confer on heparin its biological activity.
Paternal cell immunization raises autoantibodies and improves pregnancy success in mice.

Problem Autoimmunity and alloimmunity are thought to be the bases of some recurrent miscarriages. Paternal cell immunization was used with varying success as the treatment of allo-immune-mediated recurrent miscarriages. Method of study Female mice immunized with paternal cells were assessed for development of male-specific antibodies and autoantibodies. Pregnancy success rates were compared between immunized and control mice. Results The immunization with male cells resulted in an increase in the number of successful pregnancies without affecting the size of the litter. Surprisingly, paternal cell injections before the pregnancy induced mostly autoantibodies, rather than male-specific antibodies. Conclusion These findings suggest that autoantibodies may have a protective, rather than damaging role in promoting pregnancy.
Optical information processing and waveform shaping with femtosecond pulses

Summary form only given, as follows. The field of femtosecond pulse shaping, in which Fourier synthesis methods are used to generate nearly arbitrarily shaped ultrafast optical waveforms according to user specification, is reviewed. An emphasis is placed on programmable Fourier transform pulse shaping methods based on the use of spatial light modulators. After the fundamental principles of pulse shaping are outlined, examples of pulse shaping using several different types of spatial fight modulators are described. Applications of pulse shaping are illustrated by drawing on experimental results in fields ranging from quantum control to optical communications. Finally, some new research directions in pulse shaping and in ultrafast optical signal processing are described. One example is the direct space-to-time (DST) pulse shaper, in which the generated output waveform is a directly scaled version of the input spatial beam profile. The DST pulse shaper is well suited to generation of ultrafast optical data packets for OTDM and in addition to its bulk optics implementation, may also be implemented in part using modified arrayed waveguide grating technology. As a second example, I illustrate nonlinear extensions of pulse shaping known as spectral holography and spectral nonlinear optics. These techniques make possible storage, recall, correlation, and time-to-space conversion of femtosecond optical signals.
Challenges, benefits, and factors to enhance recruitment and inclusion of children in pediatric dental research

Background Historically, children have been excluded from clinical research. Many drugs and procedures have not been tested on children. The International Conference on Harmonization and the Food and Drug Administration guidance now stress that children should be included in research unless there is a reason for exclusion. Compared to adults, recruitment of children at different life stages requires different considerations. Objective To review published studies and gray literature to identify pediatric recruitment strategies and develop recommendations. Results There is limited clinical research literature available to recommend recruitment strategies and methods for pediatric trials. Formal guidelines for reporting recruitment activities in publications are scant. Recommendations are made based on current practices regarding protocol design, obtaining consent and engaging child, parent and caregiver in research. Conclusions A scientific approach is needed to determine the best design for recruitment of pediatric clinical studies. Investigators should report and publish recruitment and retention strategies that facilitate this important aspect of the research process to increase transparency, efficiency, and identification of the most effective methods for dental researchers.
Transient creep of olivine: Point-defect relaxation times

Abstract The time taken for San Carlos olivine specimens to reach a new steady-state creep rate after a change in either po2 or oxide activity has been used to calculate a diffusivity for the defect species which rate-limits the re-equilibration process. For temperatures between 1200 and 1400°C, the calculated diffusivities are approximately equal to reported values for the chemical diffusion coefficient for metal vacancies (Nakamura and Schmalzried 1984). These experimental results are consistent with a model in which dislocation glide or cross-slip rate-limits the high-temperature deformation of olivine, since changes in creep rate need only involve the motion of majority defects (metal vacancies and electron holes). However, if dislocation climb rate-limits the high-temperature deformation of olivine, and if local equilibtium is attained on the experimental timescale, these experimental results demonstrate that the minority defects that control diffusion on the silicon and oxygen sublattices re-equilib...
The supervision of teaching within a formal teacher appraisal system

Abstract The focus of this paper is on the supervision of teaching within the formal teacher appraisal system of the State of Texas. This system known as the Texas Teacher Appraisal System (TTAS) permits formal formative evaluation in which teaching observable behaviors data are used for self‐renewal by the teacher and summative evaluation in which administrative action for promotion purposes may be pursued. A brief description of the appraisal system is presented and the experience, using case study data, of the formative uses of the system is explained. It addresses the main components of the evaluation system and it describes the process of providing instructional support to teachers, emphasising the need for a collaborative approach to meet the teachers’ instructional needs.
Transfer of alkaloids from Delphinium to Castilleja via root parasitism. Norditerpenoid alkaloid analysis by electrospray mass spectrometry

Abstract Norditerpenoid alkaloids which are present in the roots of Delphinium occidentale are assimilated into its root parasite, Castilleja sulphurea. The alkaloids are found in all plant parts of the Castilleja (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, seeds) and in the flower nectar. The major root alkaloids (browniine, delcosine, deltaline and dictyocarpine; analyzed by positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry, ESMSH+) were transmitted into the Castilleja. Little or none of the highly mammalian toxic alkaloids (such as methyllycaconitine) were found in D. occidentale. ESMSH+ also was used to identify alkaloids of D. barbeyi, where browniine, delcosine and a small amount of methyllycaconitine (roots only) were found. ESMSH+ provided a useful method for analysis of norditerpenoid alkaloids. Their presence as assimilates in a root parasite plant could provide a defense against herbivory.
Role of FDA in establishing tolerable levels for dioxin and PCBs in aquatic organisms.

When fishery products shipped in interstate commerce contain an environmental contaminant that presents a potential threat to public health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) undertakes appropriate regulatory steps to minimize exposure. These efforts range from seizure of the affected product to formal rule‐making to establish a limit. The basic provision of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act by which the agency deals with environmental contaminants in the food supply is section 402(a)(1), which deals with poisonous and deleterious substances. Poisonous and deleterious components are deemed to be “added,” even if they are natural constituents of food, if any amount is present through the artifice of man. Furthermore, when the level of a naturally occurring toxin is increased in the food through handling and/or processing, the sum of all of the contaminant is deemed to be “added.” Unavoidable environmental contaminants may be controlled and/or regulated under this section by the “may render injur...
Reduced transfusion requirements during major hepatic resection with use of intraoperative isovolemic hemodilution

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic blood transfusion during liver resection for malignancies has been associated with an increased incidence of tumor recurrence and decreased survival in some series. Isovolemic hemodilution (IH) has been utilized in cardiac, orthopedic, and major general surgery procedures to reduce the use of banked blood products. We therefore sought to determine the safety and efficacy of IH during major hepatic resection in an adult population. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients undergoing major hepatic resection with IH were compared with 13 age- and disease-matched controls. The diseases included metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma (8 versus 9), hepatoma (2 in each group) and other (3 versus 2); and the procedures included total (right or left) hepatic lobectomy (8 versus 11), partial lobectomy (3 versus 1) and trisegmentectomy (2 versus 1). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in operating time, estimated blood loss, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, amount of crystalloid or colloid infused between the two groups. There was no perioperative morbidity related to IH. The use of IH resulted in a 60% reduction in mean packed red blood cells transfusion during major hepatic resection. Only 38% of patients undergoing IH required packed red cells transfusion, whereas 77% of historical control patients required allogenic transfusion. CONCLUSION: The use of IH reduces the need for homologous transfusion during major hepatic resection. IH is a safe technique during hepatic resection and is not associated with perioperative morbidity.
Optical protection ring architectures and applications

This paper surveys recent progress in optical protection rings with the focus on transparent optical protection rings. Generic requirements and attributes for optical protection rings, different optical protection ring architectures such as dedicated and shared protection rings in both the optical channel layer and the optical multiplex section layer are described. In particular, optical channel shared protection rings are discussed in detail including node architecture designs, ring protocols, triggers and messaging channels. Feasibility studies and experimental results from Corning Incorporated and other companies are reviewed. The paper also discusses how protection switching times scale with number of nodes and number of wavelengths, and shows examples of applications using the scaling rules for practical optical networks such as metro, regional and long haul ring network. Finally, the paper discusses remaining issues and future developments in the optical protection ring area.
Torsion of a Laminar Composite Debonded Over a Penny-shaped Area

Abstract The effect of an imperfectly bonded laminar composite is examined in terms of the intensification of the torsional stresses operative near the imperfection which is assumed to be a circular shaped area. The laminar composite is modelled by four layers of different materials with the two outer layers being infinite in height and debonding occurs at the interface of the two inner layers. The analysis based on the application of Hankel transforms and the solution of a pair of dual integral equations can be easily extended to a multilayered system. Depending on the size of the layer thickness relative to the radius of the debonded area, delamination may take place either in a stable or unstable fashion. The analytical results also indicate that the influence of lamination tends to lower the stress intensity around an interface imperfection as compared to the stress state in a homogeneous solid containing the same imperfection. Numerical results are obtained for two special laminate geometries and discussed with reference to the pertinent parameters used in the current theory of fracture mechanics.
The Existence of a Two-class Economy in the Kaldor and Pasinetti Models of Growth and Distribution

By making these savings assumptions, Pasinetti ([2], p. 270) asserted he was remedying a " logical slip " in Kaldor's model. The latter postulates simple proportional savings functions Sw = sW Wand Sp = spP applying to wages and profits, regardless of the ownership of the profits. The implication of this, according to Pasinetti, is that even though workers save, they do not receive a share of the profits accrueing from their accumulated capital. It was subsequently maintained that Kaldor's model is not, in fact, logically defective, but is based on the assumption that different savings propensities apply to distinct classes of income (profits and wages) rather than to distinct socio-economic classes (capitalists and workers).3 To examine the implications of this assumption, this note first generalizes both the Kaldor and Pasinetti models by allowing the workers' propensity to save out of profits, spw, to differ both from their propensity to save out of wages, sww, and from the capitalists' propensity to save out of profits, spc(spc > Spw). It goes on to show that, if Sww> 0, Kaldor's implicit assumption that spw = Spc has the paradoxical result of making impossible the long-run coexistence of capitalist and worker classes, the validity of which is crucial for his model. If KC and KW are the capital stocks belonging to capitalists and workers, steady growth at the rate n implies that nKc = SC
Gainsharing and Organizational Learning: An Analysis of Employee Suggestions Over Time

The authors propose a model of gainsharing as an organizational learning system. Analyzing employee suggestions submitted over the first four years of a gainsharing plan at one plant, the authors f...
Orientation dependence on electromechanical coupling behavior of ferroelectrics under compression

When a compression is applied to a fully poled ferroelectric polycrystal at an angle θ to the original poling direction, its nonlinear electromechanical response is dependent on such an angle. Here we report our investigation on such an orientation dependence on the electromechanical behavior of lead zirconium titanate (PZT) under compression. The measured stress-electric displacement and stress-strain curves exhibit strong angle dependence and nonlinear behavior under compression. The experimental results indicate that as the loading direction changes from 0°, to 30°, 45°, 60°, and finally 90° to the initial poling direction, the magnitude of the electric displacement and mechanical strain all decrease. Then a micromechanics theory based on irreversible thermodynamics and physics of domain switch was applied to study this orientation effect on the electromechanical coupling behavior under compression. The comparisons between our experimental data and theoretical prediction are found to be in reasonable agreement.
Hecke Theory over Arbitrary Number Fields

In 1954, Hermann [6] developed an explicit Hecke theory over totally real fields by using ideal numbers. For a field of class number h, he introduced modular forms which were actually vectors of h different functions. Recently, persons have studied modular forms over totally complex fields (Goldfeld et al. [2]) or over arbitrary number fields (Stark [8]) with h = 1. When h > 1, however, complications arise. This paper will develop the tools of Hecke theory for study of modular forms over arbitrary number fields when h> 1. Section 2 introduces ideal numbers following Hecke [S]. Section 3 defines the appropriate upper half space and the action of matrix operators. In Section 4, we define the notion of a vector modular form, with the crucial point being the introduction of h-length vectors, with h-length vectors of matrix operators. These ideas follow Hermann [6]. Section 5 describes Hecke operators, and their effect on the Fourier expansion. Section 6 outlines the theory of Dirichlet series, their Euler products, and functional equations. In Section 7, we describe the Petersson inner product and prove the self adjointness of the Hecke operators. Section 8 contains the main theorem. Intuitively, one might suspect that ideal numbers are unnecessary-the principal elements should suffice. In Section 8, we show the principal component of a vector modular form and its action under “principal” Hecke operators do determine the entire form. Throughout the paper, we illustrate the general theory with examples of Eisenstein series over Q(a). These concrete examples demonstrate the value of this approach to obtain results analogous to the classical Eisenstein series. It is well known that an adelic version of Hecke theory exists over any number field. For instance, Weil outlines an adelic approach, saying “technical difficulties arose when the number of ideal classes is greater than
Diplomatic Interventions and Civil War: A New Dataset:

Recent research in the civil war literature has focused on how and when external actors intervene. However, to date, systematic data have not existed on diplomatic efforts in conflict management. T...
Analytical expressions of the bifurcation boundaries for symmetric spread mooring systems

Abstract For a general symmetric Spread Mooring System .(SMS), the five necessary and sufficient conditions for stability are derived analytically. It is shown that only two conditions are dominant in symmetric ship moorings. The equations derived in this paper provide analytical means for determining static and dynamic loss of stability, as well as elementary singularities and roots to chaos, of symmetric SMS configurations, such as those recommended by the American Petroleum Institute. Thus, first it becomes easy to identify the morphogenesis occurring when a bifurcation boundary is crossed; and second, it is possible to determine the dependence of a symmetric SMS on any design parameter—such as mooring line length, orientation, pretension, etc. Theoretical results are verified by comparison to numerical results generated with nonlinear dynamics and codimension one and two bifurcation theory. The mathematical model of the SMS consists of the nonlinear third order manoeuvring equations without memory of the horizontal plane slow motion dynamics—surge, sway, and yaw—of a vessel moored to several terminals. Mooring lines are modeled as synthetic nylon ropes, chains, or steel cables. External excitation consists of time independent current, wind, and mean wave drift forces.
Suprathermal electron energy deposition in plasmas with the Fokker-Planck method

Abstract A one-dimensional, multigroup, discrete-ordinates technique for computing electron energy deposition in plasmas is detailed. The Fokker-Planck collision operator is employed in the continuous approximation and electric fields (considered external) are included in the equation. Bremsstrahlung processes are not treated. Comparisons with analytic and Monte Carlo results are given. Fits to deposition profiles and energy scaling are proposed and discussed for monoenergetic and Maxwellian sources in the range 0–150 keV, with and without uniform fields.
Untangling the Web--the impact of Internet use on health care and the physician-patient relationship.

Abstract Objective The use of Web (i.e. Internet)-derived health information within the health care encounter is rapidly increasing. In this article, an extensive review of the complex effects and sometimes contradictory roles of the Web in regard to health care delivery and the physician–patient relationship is presented. Methods A review of relevant literature was conducted, with key points integrated into a physician guide for effective interaction with Web-activated patients. Results An emerging consumerist model with “triangulation” of patient–Web–physician can be expected to significantly impact dynamics of the physician–patient relationship. Potential advantages of Web-acquired information include helping patients make informed health care choices (with potential to decrease health care disparities), shared decision-making with a collaborative, teamwork approach, more efficient use of clinical time, augmenting of physician-provided information, online support groups, and/or access to patients’ own health information. Alternatively, factors such as misinformation due to highly variable quality of Web information, possible exacerbation of socioeconomic health disparities, and shifting of conventional notions of the physician–patient relationship (“traditional” medical authority) present their own set of challenges for the health care provider. Conclusion A tangible guide to the integration of patients’ use of the Web within a medical practice is thus offered with recommended communication skills. Practice implications The “net-friendly” clinician can be effective by engendering a genuine partnership with patients, thus contributing to quality health care.
Individual differences in non-verbal number acuity correlate with maths achievement

Human mathematical competence emerges from two representational systems. Competence in some domains of mathematics, such as calculus, relies on symbolic representations that are unique to humans who have undergone explicit teaching. More basic numerical intuitions are supported by an evolutionarily ancient approximate number system that is shared by adults, infants and non-human animals-these groups can all represent the approximate number of items in visual or auditory arrays without verbally counting, and use this capacity to guide everyday behaviour such as foraging. Despite the widespread nature of the approximate number system both across species and across development, it is not known whether some individuals have a more precise non-verbal 'number sense' than others. Furthermore, the extent to which this system interfaces with the formal, symbolic maths abilities that humans acquire by explicit instruction remains unknown. Here we show that there are large individual differences in the non-verbal approximation abilities of 14-year-old children, and that these individual differences in the present correlate with children's past scores on standardized maths achievement tests, extending all the way back to kindergarten. Moreover, this correlation remains significant when controlling for individual differences in other cognitive and performance factors. Our results show that individual differences in achievement in school mathematics are related to individual differences in the acuity of an evolutionarily ancient, unlearned approximate number sense. Further research will determine whether early differences in number sense acuity affect later maths learning, whether maths education enhances number sense acuity, and the extent to which tertiary factors can affect both.
Effects of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia on the thyrocalcitonin content of rat thyroid glands.

Systemic hypercalcemia induced in intact rats by ip injection of CaCk, gavage feeding of Ca lactate, or a very high calcium diet, consistently reduced the thyrocalcitonin (TC) content of the thyroid gland measured by biological assay. Maximal reduction to 35 ±5% of the content in normocalcemic controls was noted as early as 2 hr after the induction of hypercalcemia. Large doses of vit. D or prolongation of dietary hypercalcemia to 23 days did not decrease the content further. Recovery to a normal content was noted 16 hr after the end of a hypercalcemia of 2 hr. The chronic hypocalcemia of parathyroidectomized rats kept on normal diet was associated with a progressive accumulation of TC in the thyroid gland. A 12-fold increase in the content was present after 14 weeks, the longest interval studied. Restoration of normocalcemia with 4 parathyroid homografts or the delayed induction of chronic dietary hypercalcemia bothsignificantly reduced but did not eliminate the TC accumulation in such rats. The absence ...
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF MAMMALIAN CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

The cellular theory of heart muscle is supported by a detailed description of the intercalary discs. The discs are adjacent plasma membranes separated by an interspace while the sarcolemma appears as plasma membrane, interspace plus basement membrane of the interstitium. The nucleus of the cell is closely associated with the entire cell by way of the endoplasmic reticulum. Transversely it connects the outer nuclear membrane at the level of the Z and M bands with the contractile material and the sarcolemma. Longitudinally it connects the outer nuclear membrane with the plasmalemma at the intercalated discs. The description of the spiral attachment of the endoplasmic reticulum on the outer nuclear membrane supplements earlier observations on the helicoidal structure of the heart muscle cell. Plasma membranes and endoplasmic reticulum are considered to be carriers of membrane potentials and to conduct excitation.
EFFECT OF INSTRUCTION FOR CREATIVITY ON LEARNING DISABLED STUDENTS' DRAWINGS

50 pupils from self-contained classrooms for learning disabled students in Grades 5 and 6 were subjects. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking were used as pretests and posttests to measure the effect of instruction for creativity on drawings by these subjects. For 14 wk. the Purdue Creative Thinking Program was used to stimulate the learning disabled group. These children made significantly higher scores than a control group on the figural subtests of drawing of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking.
Aerothermodynamic Flight Simulation Capabilities for Aerospace Vehicles

Aerothermodynamics, encompassing aerodynamics, aeroheating, and fluid dynamics and physical processes, is the genesis for the design and development of advanced space transportation vehicles and provides crucial information to other disciplines such as structures, materials, propulsion, avionics, and guidance, navigation and control. Sources of aerothermodynamic information are ground-based facilities, Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) and engineering computer codes, and flight experiments. Utilization of this aerothermodynamic triad provides the optimum aerothermodynamic design to safely satisfy mission requiremetnts while reducing design conservatism, risk and cost. The iterative aerothermodynamic process for initial screening/assessment of aerospace vehicle concepts, optimization of aerolines to achieve/exceed mission requirements, and benchmark studies for final design and establishment of the flight data book are reviewed. Aerothermodynamic methodology centered on synergism between ground-based testing and CFD predictions is discussed for various flow regimes encountered by a vehicle entering the Earth''s atmosphere from low Earth orbit. An overview of the resources/infrastructure required to provide accurate/ creditable aerothermodynamic information in a timely manner is presented. Impacts on Langley''s aerothermodynamic capbilities due to recent programmatic changes such as Center reorganization, downsizing, outsourcing, industry (as opposed to NASA) led programs, and so forth are discussed. Sample applications of these capabilities to high Agency priority, fast-paced programs such as Reusable Launch Vehicle (RVL)/X-33 Phases I and II, X-34, Hyper-X and X-38 are presented and lessons learned discussed. Lastly, enhancements in ground-based testing/CFD capabilities necessary to partially/fully satify future requirements are addressed.
Cognitive Adaptation Training: Establishing Environmental Supports to Bypass Cognitive Deficits and Improve Functional Outcomes

Several approaches to the treatment of cognitive impairments and their functional consequences for persons diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder have been developed in recent years. This article focuses on the use of Cognitive adaptation training (CAT), a psychosocial intervention that seeks to bypass cognitive impairments in schizophrenia in an effort to improve functional outcomes. CAT relies on the use of environmental supports, such as signs, calendars, hygiene supplies, and pill containers, to cue and sequence adaptive behavior in the client's home environment. This article outlines the specific components of CAT, reviews the results from several previous studies utilizing CAT, and discusses the feasibility and recommendations for the use of CAT in everyday community care.
Declaration of interdependence: the need for mosaic mentoring in palliative care.

1048 ACADEMIC MEDICINE is an exacting mistress with high and often unreasonable expectations from faculty. For career advancement in academia, faculty has to be expert clinicians, educators, teachers, and administrators working in an increasingly regulated and fiscally incentivised environment. Furthermore, faculty has to belong and show allegiance to a variety of entities like the employing organization, affiliated university, and various professional societies. Each entity has its own complex organizational culture. The successful academician has to delve into these various cultures and subcultures and align themselves closely with a network of intra-institutional and inter-institutional collaborators and mentors. Thus the ability to identify, engage, and sustain an ongoing relationship with a group of mentors and collaborators from a variety of settings has become a core survival skill in modern academic medicine.1
Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis: Sorting through a Diagnosis of Exclusion

Excerpt Since the development of diagnostic tests for hepatitis B virus and its elimination as the major cause of transfusion-associated hepatitis, non-A, non-B hepatitis has been recognized by a d...
Young-elderly differences in bone density, geometry and strength indices depend on proximal femur sub-region: A cross sectional study in Caucasian-American women

Fragility fractures at the trochanter (TR) and the femoral neck (FN) have distinct etiologies, but the underlying age-related structural changes at these proximal femoral sub-regions are poorly understood. 28 young (41 ± 3 years) and 124 elderly (74 ± 3 years) healthy Caucasian women underwent volumetric quantitative computed tomography at the hip. Integral (i), cortical (c) and trabecular (t) bone mineral density and content (BMD, BMC) were measured. Geometric parameters included cross sectional area (CSA), and volumes of the integral, cortical and trabecular regions (VOL). Structural measures included indices of compressive (Compstr) and bending (BSI) strength. After adjusting for height and weight, an F-test was used to compare the TR and the FN mean values between young and elderly and to test for interaction to compare logarithmic difference of young and elderly (log(Young)-log(Elderly), Y/Ed) between the FN and the TR in an ANOCOVA model. All BMC, iBMD and tBMD values were significantly lower in elderly than in young women, with the largest Y/Edin the FN tBMC and tBMD (P < 0.0011 and P < 0.0001). cBMD in young and elderly groups was not significantly different at the TR while at the FN it was greater (P = 0.0075) in elderly than young women, showing significant Y/Ed(P = 0.0003) dependence on skeletal site. Elderly women had significantly larger iVOL and CSA values (0.0001 < P < 0.0051), except for the FN iVOL. cVOL values were smaller in elderly than young women (P < 0.0001). Y/Edin bone geometry differed by sub-region only for cVOL measures (P = 0.0267). Despite larger CSA and iVOL measures in elderly, the younger women had greater Compstr (P < 0.0001) and BSI (P = 0.0051). Thus, although both the TR and the FN appear to increase in size with age, this enlargement is insufficient to protect against loss of bone strength.
Symmetry via spherical reflection

In 1955 Alexandrov [2, 7, p. 147] introduced the method of planar reflection as a procedure for proving symmetry of closed surfaces of constant mean curvature. In subsequent years, a number of refinements were given, and the method was applied successfully to other problems in differential geometry and partial differential equations, cf. [10, 5, 12, 9, 3, 12]. In the present paper, we introduce a new procedure for obtaining symmetry which may be considered an extension of the planar reflection method to reflection about spheres.
Preschool risk factors as predictors of early school performance.

ABSTRACTThe relative importance of selected developmental, medical, and social factors in assessing a child's early academic potential was evaluated prospectively in a rural southern school district. Two hundred and ten (210) preschoolers were given the Sprigle School Readiness Screening Test (SSRST
Ischemia-induced alterations in oxidative "recovery" metabolism after spreading cortical depression in situ.

Abstract Surface electrical stimulation was used to provoke direct cortical responses, spreading cortical depression, and concomitant increases in oxidative metabolic activity in cat neocortex in situ during and after short periods of incomplete and complete ischemia. These metabolic changes were recorded continuously in the intact tissue by monitoring the fluorescence of NADH (as NAD + does not fluoresce under these optical conditions). Ischemic effects were unidirectional and progressive with the degree of perfusion decrease. Incomplete ischemia was accompanied by decreased excitability and amplitude of metabolic responses to stimulation. During incomplete ischemia when the NADH:NAD + ratio was increased, the brain continued to respond to spreading cortical depression with oxidation of NADH indicating that the capability for increased respiration still resided within the tissue. In cats that survived complete ischemia, these reaction rates became unchanged from control. In other cats, the rate of NAD + re-reduction after spreading depression continued to decrease and death inevitably followed. These findings confirm that short ischemic periods produce alterations in oxidative metabolic capabilities indicative of respiratory uncoupling, resulting in decreased excitability and decreased capacity to respond to increased metabolic demand.