cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IMMUNOLOGIC ASPECTS OF IUD ACTION

Abstract Embryo implantation has been demonstrated to depend on specific lymphocyte populations within the uterine cavity. Intrauterine devices (IUD) exert their contraceptive action by prevention of embryo implantation via presently still unknown mechanisms. Therefore, mononuclear cell populations from mice uteri which either contained silastic or copper (Cu) IUD fragments or were sham-operated were evaluated, utilizing monoclonal antibodies against specific cell markers. Uterine horns, bearing IUD fragments, were significantly heavier than sham-operated horns. In Cu-IUD animals this effect extended even into the non-treated contralateral horn. The total number of lymphoid cells in IUD-bearing horns was significantly higher than in shamoperated horns. This observation was also made in non-treated contralateral Cu-IUD horns but not in contralateral horns of silastic-IUD-treated animals. Significant differences in percentages as well as absolute number of various lymphoid cell populations were noted between IUD-treated and sham-operated animals. Again, the effect was more pronounced in Cu-IUD-treated animals and extended in those animals into the contralateral horn. IUD-containing horns also demonstrated a significantly increased number of mast cells, with Cu-IUDs again resulting in a significantly more pronounced effect in both treated and contralateral horns. Sham-operated mice achieved a 67% pregnancy rate in both uterine horns. In contrast, IUD-treated animals demonstrated a significantly reduced pregnancy rate with silastic IUD fragments (15% and 30% for treated and contralateral horn, respectively) and a 0% pregnancy rate for Cu-IUD-treated animals (in either horn).
Theoretical studies of the RSOO, ROSO, RSO2 and HOOS (R=H, CH3) radicals

Abstract The geometries of the radicals HSOO, HOSO, HSO 2 and HOOS have been optimized at the MP2=FULL/6-31G * level, and energies obtained with Gaussian-2 theory. Internal rotations and vibrational frequencies are analyzed. The results yield values of Δ H f,298 for the four doublet radicals of 111.5, −241.4, −141.4 and 58.9 kJ mol −1 , respectively. Implications for reactions of interest in combustion and atmospheric chemistry are discussed. The results are employed to derive Δ H f,0 for CH 3 SOO, CH 3 OSO and CH 3 SO 2 of 91.8, −222.6 and −199.4 kJ mol −1 , respectively. The calculated CH 3 SOO bond strength is in excellent accord with a recent measurement.
Homogeneity and Constitution of the Earth's Lower Mantle and Outer Core

The lower mantle and outer core of the recent “parametric earth model” (PEM), in which the velocity and density distributions in these regions are both smooth and consistent with the Adams-Williamson equation, are extrapolated to zero pressure using fourth-order finite-strain relations, and the results are compared with recent experimental data on relevant materials. The fourth-order term is found to significantly improve the fits to the model. The lower-mantle velocities are found to be significantly higher than those expected for mixtures of MgO, FeO and SiO2 of olivine or pyroxene compositions. It is concluded that a slightly denser phase assemblage, with a low FeO content (roughly 5 mole%) is required to explain these results. This Fe content is not significantly different from that in the upper mantle. These results imply that no compositional or thermal constraints on whole-mantle convection can be resolved. The extrapolation of the outer core is well-determined, and the results are consistent with a mixture of Fe and a small proportion of a lighter element.
A study on the effect of intraglottal vortical structures on vocal fold vibration

Recent investigations suggested possible formation of the vortical structures in the intraglottal region during the closing phase of the phonation cycle. Vortical regions in the flow field are locations of negative pressure, and it has been hypothesized that this negative pressure might facilitate the glottal closure and thus affects the vibration pattern and voice production for high subglottal pressures. However, it is unclear whether the vortex-induced negative pressure is large enough, compared with vocal fold inertia and elastic recoil, to have a noticeable effect on glottal closure. In addition, the intraglottal vortical structures generally exist only for a small fraction of the closing phase when the glottis becomes divergent enough to induce flow separation. In the current work, oscillation of the vocal folds and the flow field are modeled using a non-linear finite element solver and a reduced order flow solver, respectively. The effect of vortical structures is modeled as a sinusoidal negative pressure wave applied to vocal fold surface between the flow separation point and the superior edge of the vocal folds. The effects of this vortex-induced negative pressure are quantified at different conditions of vocal fold stiffness and subglottal pressures. [Work supported by NIH.]
Compensatory traits and the evolution of male ornaments

How ornaments that are used during mate choice and rival assessment remain reliable has been a source of contention for many years. Such signals are hypothesized to be costly (i.e., 'handicaps'), but empirical studies testing for costs of sexually selected ornaments are equivocal at best, contradictory at worst. We review recent studies finding compensation for sexually selected ornaments, in both intra- and inter-specific studies, suggesting that other traits evolve to mitigate costs of ornaments. We synthesize these studies to elucidate the role of compensatory traits in the evolution of reliable ornaments and explain how selection to reduce ornament costs may influence aspects of the phenotype that are not subjected to direct sexual selection and may obscure our ability to directly measure ornament costs. Both intraspecific studies and comparative studies in a phylogenetic framework are important for our understanding of how the costs of signals may be reduced by compensation, but each approach answers different questions about ornament evolution. We also elaborate on a general theoretical model that can be useful when testing for costs of ornaments in correlational and experimental studies. We recommend that future investigators should consider compensatory traits when testing for ornament costs, especially when manipulating ornamentation.
Parametrized Tiling: Accurate Approximations and Analysis of Global Dependences

Aspects of parametrized tiling as applied to algorithms whose computational domain can be represented as a convex polyhedron are studied. A method for constructing approximations to a set of tiles is developed, and necessary and sufficient conditions for their accuracy are stated. Formulas for determining intertile vectors are derived. A formal representation of iteration sets generating such vectors is obtained in the form of polyhedra with explicitly expressed boundaries.
Changes in free amino acid concentrations during osmotic response in the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus

Abstract 1. 1. The size of the free amino acid (FAA) pool of individual Tigriopus californicus was found to respond within 3 h of changes in environmental salinity. 2. 2. Proline, alanine, glycine, arginine and taurine are the dominant contributors to the FAA pool, but only the former three appear to respond to salinity changes within 10 days of osmotic stress. 3. 3. When responding to changes in salinity, proline, and to a lesser extent alanine and glycine, levels often overshoot or undershoot their final acclimated concentrations during hyper- and hypo-osmotic stress, respectively.
Ultra Low Vπ Mach-Zehnder Modulators using EIT

We proposed a novel ultra-compact Mach-Zehnder modulator using semiconductor quantum dot waveguides. The phase shift is induced by electromagnetically-induced transparency. Vπ < 0.4 is obtained at room temperature with a total absorption loss of 0.5dB.
A congenital, familial syndrome of adrenocortical insufficiency without hypoaldosteronism

Summary Congenital adrenocortical insufficiency is reported in a boy whose male sibling died shortly after birth with no identifiable adrenal tissue at postmortem examination. Evidence is presented to support the belief that this represents a syndrome of congenital, familial, selective hydrocortisone deficiency. Clinical and laboratory investigation of the surviving sibling indicated an apparently complete absence of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid production, even after prolonged ACTH administration, in spite of normal aldosterone excretion while on ad lib. sodium intake. Suggestions as to a possible etiology in this condition are discussed.
Pupils also use language to live: a defence of a linguistic approach to language study for the classroom

(1972). Pupils also use language to live: a defence of a linguistic approach to language study for the classroom. English in Education: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 18-28.
Nucleation behavior and solid-liquid interfacial energy of polytetrahedral phases

According to classical nucleation theory the nucleation- and phase-selection behavior of undercooled meltallic melts is strongly dependent on the solid-liquid interfacial energy. A structural approach to the modelling of the interfacial energy for simple melt-crystal interfaces (fcc, hcp, bcc) was developed a number of years ago [1–4]. This approach is extended to polytetrahedral phases using numerical simulation. Results of these calculations are presented for different polytetrahedral structures: the tetragonal σ-phase in Ni-V, the monoclinic phase λ-Al13Fe4 the orthorhombic phase μ-Al5Fe2 and the icosahedral quasicrystalline I-phase in Al-Pd-Mn. The numerically estimated values for the solid-liquid interfacial energy are compared with results from experiments on the undercooling- and phase-selection behavior.
Reliability Analysis in Therapeutic Research: Practice and Procedures

Twenty studies examining the reliability of assessment devices and outcome measures in therapeutic research were reviewed and analyzed. The 20 investigations contained 215 quantitative reliability values published in either the American Journal of Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy during the past 5 years. The reliability studies were classified as interrater, intrarater, test-retest, or internal consistency. Examination of interrater reliability accounted for 41% of all reported reliability values. Studies published in Physical Therapy were more likely to be concerned with test-retest reliability, whereas studies published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy more often focused on interrater reliability. Examination of the data revealed that the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was the most frequently reported estimate of reliability, accounting for 57% of all reported reliability coefficients. Further review of the results indicated that Pearson product-moment correlations and percentage of agreement indexes accounted for 22% of all reliability values reported in the studies examined. The Pearson product-moment correlation measures association or covariation among variables, but not agreement, and percentage agreement indexes do not correct for chance agreement. The argument is made that product-moment correlations and percentage agreement indexes are inadequate measures of interrater, intrarater or test-retest agreement. They should be used and interpreted with caution.
SoC&#8211;Fuelling the Hopes of the Mobile Industry

Status. Supply and Demand in the mobile operator seem almost decoupled -- New technologies and ever increasing bandwidths compete for the attention of CTO's. On higher network layers, IMS and VoIP are key technologies shaking up the mobile value chain. New contenders, WiMax, WiFi, jointly with independent VoIP based operators threaten the value proposition of mobile altogether. Mobile technology is still evolving and the rate of innovation is high.
Preparation, stability, and in vitro performance of vesicles made with diblock copolymers

Vesicles made completely from diblock copoly- mers—polymersomes—can be stably prepared by a wide range of techniques common to liposomes. Pro- cesses such as film rehydration, sonication, and ex- trusion can generate many-micron giants as well as monodisperse, ~100 nm vesicles of PEO-PEE (polyethyl- eneoxide-polyethylethylene) or PEO-PBD (polyethyl- eneoxide-polybutadiene). These thick-walled vesicles of polymer can encapsulate macromolecules just as lipo- somes can but, unlike many pure liposome systems, these polymersomes exhibit no in-surface thermal tran- sitions and a subpopulation even survive autoclaving. Suspension in blood plasma has no immediate ill-effect on vesicle stability, and neither adhesion nor stimulation of phagocytes are apparent when giant polymersomes are held in direct, protracted contact. Proliferating cells, in addition, are unaffected when cultured for an ex- tended time with an excess of polymersomes. The ef- fects are consistent with the steric stabilization that PEG-lipid can impart to liposomes, but the present single-component polymersomes are far more stable mechanically and are not limited by PEG-driven micell- ization. The results potentiate a broad new class of tech- nologically useful, polymer-based vesicles. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 73: 135-145, 2001.
An evaluation of pedagogical tutorial tactics for a natural language tutoring system: a reinforcement learning approach

Pedagogical strategies are policies for a tutor to decide the next action when there are multiple actions available. When the content is controlled to be the same across experimental conditions, there has been little evidence that tutorial decisions have an impact on students' learning. In this paper, we applied Reinforcement Learning (RL) to induce two sets of pedagogical policies from pre-existing human interaction data. The NormGain set was derived with the goal of enhancing tutorial decisions that contribute to learning while the InvNormGain set was derived with the goal of enhancing those decisions that contribute less or even nothing to learning. The two sets were then tested with human students. Our results show that when the content was controlled to be the same, different pedagogical policies did make a difference in learning and more specifically, the NormGain students outperformed their peers. Overall our results suggest that content exposure and practice opportunities can help students to learn even when tutors have poor pedagogical tutorial tactics. However, with effective tutorial tactics, students can learn even more.
Stable Isotope Analysis Challenges Wasp-Waist Food Web Assumptions in an Upwelling Pelagic Ecosystem

Eastern boundary currents are often described as ‘wasp-waist’ ecosystems in which one or few mid-level forage species support a high diversity of larger predators that are highly susceptible to fluctuations in prey biomass. The assumption of wasp-waist control has not been empirically tested in all such ecosystems. This study used stable isotope analysis to test the hypothesis of wasp-waist control in the southern California Current large marine ecosystem (CCLME). We analyzed prey and predator tissue for δ13C and δ15N and used Bayesian mixing models to provide estimates of CCLME trophic dynamics from 2007–2010. Our results show high omnivory, planktivory by some predators, and a higher degree of trophic connectivity than that suggested by the wasp-waist model. Based on this study period, wasp-waist models oversimplify trophic dynamics within the CCLME and potentially other upwelling, pelagic ecosystems. Higher trophic connectivity in the CCLME likely increases ecosystem stability and resilience to perturbations.
Bone mass is preserved in a critical-sized osteotomy by low energy pulsed electromagnetic fields as quantitated by in vivo micro-computed tomography

The effectiveness of non-invasive pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on stimulating bone formation in vivo to augment fracture healing is still controversial, largely because of technical ambiguities in data interpretation within several previous studies. To address this uncertainty, we implemented a rigorously controlled, blinded protocol using a bilateral, mid-diaphyseal fibular osteotomy model in aged rats that achieved a non-union status within 3-4 weeks post-surgery. Bilateral osteotomies allowed delivery of a PEMF treatment protocol on one hind limb, with the contralateral limb representing a within-animal sham-treatment. Bone volumes in both PEMF-treated and sham-treated fibulae were assessed simultaneously in vivo using highly sensitive, high-resolution micro-computed tomography (microCT) over the course of treatment. We found a significant reduction in the amount of time-dependent bone volume loss in PEMF-treated, distal fibular segments as compared to their contralateral sham-treated bones. Osteotomy gap size was significantly smaller in hind limbs exposed to PEMF over sham-treatment. Therefore, our data demonstrate measurable biological consequences of PEMF exposure on in vivo bone tissue.
Toward a synactive theory of development: Promise for the assessment and support of infant individuality

A theoretical model to understand and assess the individual infant is presented. Its focus is on the dynamic, continuous interplay of various subsystems within the organism: the autonomic system, the motor system, the state organizational system, the attentional-interactive system, and the self-regulatory system. The organism forges ahead negotiating emerging developmental agenda while simultaneously seeking to attain a new level of modulated, functional competence. Developmentally salient aspects of the environment are actively sought as fuel in this process. This synactive model of development promises to be helpful in identifying specific ingredients of the early developmental process and in structuring specific supports for preventive and ameliorative work when difficulties in differentiation and regulation are identified. An assessment procedure to systematically identify difficult areas of modulation integration is briefly described and examples of environmental structuring are given.
Modeling the Instability of Mortgage-Backed Prepayments

Prepayment plays a critical role in the valuation and performance of mortgage-backed securities. For this reason, market participants have devoted substantial resources to developing formal mathematical models of mortgage prepayment. The author demonstrates that the prepayment function is non-linear and heteroscedastic; prepayments are increasingly more volatile at higher interest rate spreads. The analysis suggests that these unusual properties of pool prepayments are the result of statistical aggregation.
Metabolic Profiling Based Quantitative Evaluation of Hepatocellular Metabolism in Presence of Adipocyte Derived Extracellular Matrix

The elucidation of the effect of extracellular matrices on hepatocellular metabolism is critical to understand the mechanism of functional upregulation. We have developed a system using natural extracellular matrices [Adipogel] for enhanced albumin synthesis of rat hepatocyte cultures for a period of 10 days as compared to collagen sandwich cultures. Primary rat hepatocytes isolated from livers of female Lewis rats recover within 4 days of culture from isolation induced injury while function is stabilized at 7 days post-isolation. Thus, the culture period can be classified into three distinct stages viz. recovery stage [day 0–4], pre-stable stage [day 5–7] and the stable stage [day 8–10]. A Metabolic Flux Analysis of primary rat hepatocytes cultured in Adipogel was performed to identify the key metabolic pathways modulated as compared to collagen sandwich cultures. In the recovery stage [day 4], the collagen-soluble Adipogel cultures shows an increase in TriCarboxylic Acid [TCA] cycle fluxes; in the pre-stable stage [day 7], there is an increase in PPP and TCA cycle fluxes while in the stable stage [day 10], there is a significant increase in TCA cycle, urea cycle fluxes and amino acid uptake rates concomitant with increased albumin synthesis rate as compared to collagen sandwich cultures throughout the culture period. Metabolic analysis of the collagen-soluble Adipogel condition reveals significantly higher transamination reaction fluxes, amino acid uptake and albumin synthesis rates for the stable vs. recovery stages of culture. The identification of metabolic pathways modulated for hepatocyte cultures in presence of Adipogel will be a useful step to develop an optimization algorithm to further improve hepatocyte function for Bioartificial Liver Devices. The development of this framework for upregulating hepatocyte function in Bioartificial Liver Devices will facilitate the utilization of an integrated experimental and computational approach for broader applications of Adipogel in tissue e engineering and regenerative medicine.
Persistent Newcastle disease virus infection in embryonic chicken tracheal organ cultures.

Abstract The persistent infection of embryonic chicken tracheal organ cultures with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is described. Tracheal explants remained morphologically intact and were able to support the replication of NDV for 6 months. Peak titers of released virus occurred at 1 week postinfection, whereas maximal immunofluorescence was not observed until 30 days postinfection. The inoculum titer was not critical, and viral persistence resulted with either of two strains of NDV tested. Serum was not required in the medium for explant viability or to maintain the persistent infection. The presence of a contaminating virus morphologically resembling a leukovirus neither altered the course of infection nor affected the survivability of explants. Although interferon was not detected in the culture medium, persistently infected explants were resistant to heterologous viral challenge, and a similar resistant state could be induced in uninfected explants with exogenous interferon or ultraviolet light-inactivated NDV. No evidence was found to implicate antibody as a regulatory factor in the establishment or maintenance of persistence. The results from electron microscopy and immunofluorescence suggest the cells of the subepithelial connective tissue as the site of NDV persistence.
Acute alcohol intoxication increases interleukin-18-mediated neutrophil infiltration and lung inflammation following burn injury in rats

In this study, we examined whether IL-18 plays a role in lung inflammation following alcohol (EtOH) and burn injury. Male rats (∼250 g) were gavaged with EtOH to achieve a blood EtOH level of ∼100 ...
RHODOSORUS MARINUS GEITLER: A NEW ADDITION TO THE MARINE ALGAL FLORA OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

Rhodosorus marinus Geitler, previously known only from the Old World, is reported from material collected in the Florida Keys, thus taking its place with Chroothece richteriana Hansgirg in Wittrock and Nordstedt and Porphyridium cruentum (S. F. Gray) Nageli as the third member of the Porphyridiales known for the marine algal flora of the Americas. Its apparent sensitivity to bright light, tolerance of high salinities, and possible confusion in identification, under certain conditions, with the red pigmented, coccoid, blue-green algae, are noted.
Value of Different Categories of Information in Estimating Freight Origin-Destination Tables

An analysis to assess the value of information when freight origin-destination (O-D) tables are estimated is developed. The theory of design of experiments is used as a framework to ascertain the value of three categories of information: link counts, O-D totals, and aggregate O-D totals. On the basis of these insights, a forecasting model is developed for estimating the table quality to be obtained given the type and quantity of information used. Finally, the effect of introducing errors into the information is explored.
Noninvasive diagnosis of gastroesophageal inflammation using dipyridamole thallium-201 tomography

Abstract Objective: Esophagitis, a complication of GERD, and gastric erosions are common findings in dyspeptic patients. Unfortunately, these findings cannot be predicted based on symptoms alone and require endoscopy for an accurate diagnosis. Noninvasive diagnosis of other gastrointestinal pathology by radiopharmaceuticals (GA 67, Tc 99m pertechnetate) has previously been studied. We hypothesized that endoscopically documented esophagitis and/or gastric erosions could also be detected by using dipyridamole thallium-201 imaging and, if they were of sufficient accuracy, could serve as a useful, noninvasive screening test for esophagitis and/or gastric erosions. Methods: A pilot study was undertaken in 12 patients undergoing endoscopy for symptoms of GERD or dyspepsia. Esophagitis was defined as the presence of either erosions or ulceration and gastric erosions were defined as discrete mucosal breaks measuring ≥1 mm. Dipyridamole thallium-201 imaging was performed the following day on all 12 patients. A standard dose of dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg) was infused over 4 min, followed by a 3-mCi dose of thallium-201. Initial stress tomographic images and reinjection (1 mCi) resting tomographic images 3–4 h later were obtained using a gamma camera. Tomographic images were read blinded to the endoscopy results. Thallium-201 uptake was graded on a 0–3+ scale using the liver uptake as the internal comparative standard (2+ = uptake equal to the liver). Abnormal thallium uptake was defined as ≥2+ in the area of the esophagus or stomach. Results: Seven women and five men (mean age 41 yr, range 25–60 yr) were studied. Eight patients were taking histamine-2 receptor antagonists and none were on proton pump inhibitors, or promotility agents. All five patients with endoscopic esophagitis had a positive thallium-201 tomographic image. Seven patients had no evidence of esophagitis, and three had positive thallium-201 tomograms. Dipyridamole thallium-201 imaging sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for esophagitis were 100%, 57%, 63%, and 100%, respectively. All three patients with gastric erosions had positive thallium-201 tomograms. Six of nine patients without gastric erosions had positive tomograms. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of DT 201 gastric erosions were 100%, 33%, 33%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: Dipyridamole thallium-201 tomographic imaging has good sensitivity (100%) in detecting esophagogastric mucosal erosions, but its poor specificity (33–57%) results in an unacceptable accuracy as a screening test. Additionally, the cost of radiopharmaceuticals requires that sensitivity and specificity be at least equal to that of endoscopy for this test to be clinically valuable as a screening test. However, a noninvasive test for these diseases is inherently appealing, and further research in this area seems to be warranted.
Second Language Research Forum Colloquia 2009

Presented at the Second Language Research Forum, Michigan State University, USA; 31 October 2009Focus on form, i.e. brief attention to language items within a larger meaning-focused context (Long 1991; Ellis 2001), occurs in a variety of L2 instructional contexts. Meta-analyses of the effectiveness of focus on form have found overall positive effects; however, these meta-analyses have commented on the small number of studies available for synthetic analyses, particularly when considering the effects of specific characteristics of focus on form (e.g. Norris & Ortega 2001; Russell & Spada 2006; Mackey & Goo 2007). Consequently, this colloquium continued the investigation of specific focus on form variables to further our understanding of why ‘sometimes focus on form works, and sometimes it does not’ (Williams 2005: 685).
The statistical geometry of voids in liquids

The characterization of the void region in amorphous packings is crucial to understanding the behavior of many physical systems. We describe some of the recent advances in quantifying, exactly, the volume and surface area of cavities in packings of hard spheres. We also discuss the extension of these methods for the calculation of a precise geometrical free-volume distribution in the hard-sphere fluid. Accurate information regarding the statistical geometry of the dense hard-sphere fluid is obtained. The role of the void space in novel simulations involving metastable liquids is also discussed.
Who and What Influences School Leaders’ Decisions: An Institutional Analysis of the Implementation of Universal Prekindergarten

School-community interactions facilitate connections between schools and their local surroundings; however, these relationships are subject not only to local political, economic, and social influences but also to broader political and institutional forces. Educational administrators’ decisions about programming and partnering can be considered in light of who influences these decisions and why, as well as why administrators make these decisions. Leaders make partnering decisions using either or both local input and institutional level beliefs (Arum, 2000). Why educational leaders make decisions, like with whom and why to partner, is often related to regulations, norms, or deep-seated beliefs in the school or local culture (Scott, 2001). Data from case studies of five rural school districts in New York State provides a window onto the decision-making process surrounding the implementation, maintenance, and partnering involved in the implementation of a new statewide Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program...
TESTING BAYESIAN UPDATING WITH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25

Most studies of Bayesian updating use experimental data. This article uses a non-experimental data source—the voter ballots of the Associated Press college football poll, a weekly subjective ranking of the top 25 teams—to test Bayes' rule as a descriptive model. I find that voters sometimes underreact to new information, sometimes overreact, and at other times their behavior is consistent with estimated Bayesian updating. A unifying explanation for the disparate results is that voters are more responsive to information that is more salient (i.e., noticeable). In particular, voters respond in a “more Bayesian” way to losses and wins over ranked teams, as compared to wins over unranked teams, and voters seem unaware of subtle variation in the precision of priors. (JEL D80, D83, D84)
Modeling Cortical Singularities During the Cognitive Cycle Using Random Graph Theory

Recent brain monitoring experiments indicate intermittent singularities in cognitive processing. We employ the biologically motivated Freeman K models to interpret these findings. In particular, we show that random graph theory provides a suitable mathematical framework to describe the experimentally-observed singularities as phase transitions across the cortical neuropil. We introduce the hypothesis that the rapid propagation of phase dispersion over the hemisphere is the manifestation of the cognitive broadcast as described in Baars’ global workspace theory. In addition, our exponentially expanding brain graph model using pioneer neuron sub-plates can be used for describing recent findings on the presence of rich club structures in brain networks.
Structural and spectroscopic characterization of porous silicon carbide formed by Pt-assisted electroless chemical etching

A novel electroless method of producing porous silicon carbide (PSiC) is presented. Unlike anodic methods of producing PSiC, the electroless process does not require electrical contact during etching. Rather, platinum metal deposited on the wafer before etching serves as a catalyst for the reduction of a chemical oxidant, which combined with UV illumination injects holes into the valence band, the holes subsequently participating in the oxidation and dissolution of the substrate. The etchant is composed of HF and K2S2O8 in water. Various porous morphologies are presented as a function of etchant concentration, time of etching, and SiC polytype. Wafer quality is of the utmost concern when utilizing the electroless wet etchant, since defects such as stacking faults, dislocations, and micropipes have a large impact on the resulting porous structure. Results of imaging and spectroscopic characterization indicate that the porous morphologies produced in this manner should be useful in producing sensors and porous substrates for overgrowth of low dislocation density epitaxial material.
Acute abdominal pain and diarrhoea in healthy adult.

An adult woman presented with 2 weeks of mild fatigue followed by 1 day of acute abdominal pain and explosive watery diarrhoea. Upon finding an object from her anus, slow extraction revealed a tape-like structure (see figure. 1). Although living in the mid-west USA, she has travelled throughout the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa as well as frequently consuming raw fish. The …
Fatal massive hemoptysis in a patient on low-dose oral prednisone: chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis.

We report a case of chronic necrotizing aspergillosis in a 74-year-old man with chronic lung disease, who was on low-dose oral prednisone. The patient was treated with various antibiotics but had no improvement. Samples obtained via bronchoscopy grew Aspergillus, and the patient was started on lipid formulation amphotericin B. Three days after admission the patient developed fatal massive hemoptysis, presumably secondary to acquired systemic-to-pulmonary vascular communication. This is an unusual presentation of a rare manifestation of pulmonary aspergillosis. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose this condition in susceptible patients.
Faith and LGBTQ Inclusion: Navigating the Complexities of the Campus Spiritual Climate in Christian Higher Education

ABSTRACTIn an era of rapid societal change, institutions of higher education are grappling with how to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals are safe and supported on campus. Many challenges remain as LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff are subject to continued acts of discrimination and subtle microaggressions on a regular basis, according to national assessments of campus climate. When religion and spirituality are salient on campus or in the lived experiences of LGBTQ people, the complexities of faith as it intersects with sexuality and gender identity become increasingly apparent. In this essay, we portray current issues concerning the campus climate in an effort to imagine how Christian higher education leaders might respond in light of institutional aims to promote the spiritual growth of all members of their campus communities.
B-spline, Po´lya curves, and duality

Abstract Local duality between B-splines and Polya curves is examined, mostly from the viewpoint of computer-aided geometric design. Certain known results for the two curve types are shown to be related. A few new results for Polya curves and a curve scheme related to B-splines also follow from these investigations.
Ionizing Radiation Perturbs Cell Cycle Progression of Neural Precursors in the Subventricular Zone Without Affecting Their Long-Term Self-Renewal.

Damage to normal human brain cells from exposure to ionizing radiation may occur during the course of radiotherapy or from accidental exposure. Delayed effects may complicate the immediate effects resulting in neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. We examined cellular and molecular changes associated with exposure of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPs) to 137Cs γ-ray doses in the range of 0 to 8 Gy. Subventricular zone NSPs isolated from newborn mouse pups were analyzed for proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation, shortly after irradiation. Strikingly, there was no apparent increase in the fraction of dying cells after irradiation, and the number of single cells that formed neurospheres showed no significant change from control. Upon differentiation, irradiated neural precursors did not differ in their ability to generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. By contrast, progression of NSPs through the cell cycle decreased dramatically after exposure to 8 Gy (p < .001). Mice at postnatal...
Incompletud y la posibilidad de hacer. ¿Hacia una ciudadanía desnacionalizada?

Este articulo traza la cambiante articulacion de la ciudadania en relacion tanto con lo nacional como con lo global. Al concebir la ciudadania como un contrato teorizado de manera incompleta entre el Estado y el ciudadano, y ubicando su indagacion en dicho punto de incompletud, la autora abre la discusion en torno a la construccion de lo politico. La tesis central es que lo inacabado de la institucion formal de la ciudadania posibilita que quienes resulten ajenos a esta, demanden una expansion de las inclusiones. Es quien queda fuera -ya se trate de un ciudadano forzado a pertenecer a las minorias, o de una persona inmigrante- quien ha continuado modificando la institucion a lo largo del tiempo y del espacio. Los momentos de inestabilidad vuelven a este fenomeno particularmente visible. El periodo actual de la globalizacion es de esta naturaleza, pese a que se trata de una desestabilizacion parcial. En este escenario se conforman nuevos tipos de actores politicos que modifican la relacion entre Estado e individuo al tiempo que reformulan lo politico.
A Proposed Restricting Of Lebanese Public Debt To Promote Economic Growth

The Lebanese economy is subjected to major constraints impeding its growth and its development. Public overborrowing constitutes the main obstacle against this growth. The Lebanese economic situation is briefly presented in this paper. Then, a measurement of the Lebanese public debt dangers is proposed through an econometric model illustrating the snowball effects. After an analysis, a simulation aiming at restructuring this debt, with a valuation of the foreign indebtedness limits, is presented.
Freshwater Fishes and Biogeography of Central America and the Antilles

Within ancient lineages of teleostean fishes are certain families that are almost completely intolerant of saltwater and have apparently been so throughout their history. These families are called "primary" freshwater fishes (Myers, 1938), and most biogeographers consider that their present distribution in the world must have been achieved by means of freshwater pathways. In almost all parts of the world to which they have been able to gain access, the primary ostariophysan fishes (a monophyletic group with a Weberian apparatus for sound transmission between the swim bladder and the inner ear) have become the dominant groups. They comprise a complex of 57 families with more than 5,000 species accounting for about 73% of the world's freshwater species (Nelson, 1976). In contrast, secondary freshwater fish families typically have a high salinity tolerance and their distribution patterns often indicate the ability to cross saltwater barriers (Myers, 1938).
Prevalence of Mild Cognitive impairment and Its Risk Factors among Elderly People in Canglang District of Suzhou City

[Objective]To understand the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and its risk factors among elderly people in Canglang District of Suzhou City. [Methods]The method of stratified cluster sampling was used to choose people over 60 years from 4 communities for Montreal cognitive function scale survey.[Results]The prevalence rate was significantly different in different age,sex,education levels,income levels and temperament.Sex(OR=1.853,95%CI∶1.360~2.460),age(OR=1.616,95%CI∶1.429~1.828),education levels(OR=1.940,95%CI∶1.669~2.256),living status(OR=1.301,95%CI∶1.115~1.517),physical exercise(OR=0.879,95% CI∶0.779~0.992) and neighbor relation(OR=1.380,95%CI∶1.026~1.855) were significantly related to mild cognitive impairment. [Conclusion]Female,senility,low educational level,less physical exercise and less neighbor communication were risk factors of mild cognitive impairment.
Propoxyphene: A Review

A critical analysis of information on propoxyphene that has been published since the drug's introduction is presented. Propoxyphene is discussed with regard to its chemistry, metabolism and pharmacokinetics, analgesic efficacy, analgesic efficacy of combination products, nonanalgesic uses, adverse effects, overdosage, and dependence and abuse. Both the hydrochloride and napsylate salts are covered. It is doubtful that propoxyphene hydrochloride 65 mg provides an analgesic effect equal to that of aspirin 650 mg. There is no conclusive evidence that combinations of propoxyphene with other analgesics are more effective than propoxyphene or other analgesics alone.
3. Exponent bounds

3.1 Self-conjugacy exponent bounds 3.1.1 Turyn’s exponent bound 3.1.2 The coset intersection lemma 3.1.3 McFarland difference sets 3.1.4 Semiregular relative difference sets 3.1.5 Two recent families of difference sets 3.1.6 Chen difference sets 3.1.7 Davis-Jedwab difference sets 3.2 Field descent exponent bounds 3.2.1 A general exponent bound for difference sets 3.2.2 Difference sets with \({\rm gcd}(v,n) > 1\) 3.2.3 Towards Ryser’s conjecture 3.2.4 Circulant Hadamard matrices and Barker sequences 3.2.5 Relative difference sets and planar functions 3.2.6 Group invariant weighing matrices
Who you could have known: divine hiddenness, epistemic counterfactuals, and the recalcitrant nature of natural theology

We argue there is a deep conflict in Paul Moser’s work on divine hiddenness (DH). Moser’s treatment of DH adopts a thesis we call SEEK: DH often results from failing to seek God on His terms. One way in which people err, according to Moser, is by trusting arguments of traditional natural theology to lead to filial knowledge of God. We argue that Moser’s SEEK thesis commits him to the counterfactual ACCESS: had the atheist sought after God in harmony with how God reveals himself, she would have had access to filial knowledge of God. By failing to incorporate arguments or propositional evidence for God’s existence, Moser’s account leaves the doubting seeker without any evidential reason to think that either SEEK or ACCESS is true. Without this rational motivation in place, the doubting seeker is unlikely to seek after God in the way ACCESS describes. We argue that natural theology provides an evidential epistemic aid to motivate persons to seek God the way ACCESS describes. Thus, Moser is mistaken. Such arguments can be evidentially helpful in coming to know God. In conclusion, we explain how our reply naturally fits how we form and maintain trusting interpersonal relationships with others.
Note on quantization for signals with bounded ( r + 1 )

Abstract We prove that signals with bounded (r + 1)st derivative can be quantized using a uniform c-level quantizer with the sample quantization error bounded by Bh r+1 (c + 1 − 2 r + 1 ) . Here B is the bound on ∥s(r+1)∥∞ and h is the sampling interval. Next, for this quantization we study the optimal choice of c that minimizes the worst case error in reconstructing s by a piecewise-polynomial function subject to a constraint that the number (log c)/h of bits per second used to represent the signal is held fixed. This optimal level is 2r+2 for initial values of r, and is 2r+3 for large r. Finally, we discuss a problem of representing a signal using a finite amount of memory. We prove that this quantization is almost optimal among all representations. (Here by optimal we mean a representation that allows one to reconstruct signals with the worst case error as small as possible.) This, in particular, provides an answer to the question of optimal trade-off between sampling and quantization in signal processing.
Ethical Consumer Action

Creating space for humane consumer action is difficult in an economy where the culture and institutions are so strongly oriented toward human consumption of other animals. Nevertheless, consumers play an important role in the market, and have real power to affect change, even if such actions are difficult and imperfect. Ethical consumer choices can be augmented, encouraged, and made more efficient, however, by complementary changes in the institutions that define the economy. Before examining institutional changes, it is worth considering in more depth, the options that consumers face.
Hamiltonian Methods for Evolution Equations

The equilibrium solutions of the equations of nondissipative continuum mechanics are usually found by minimizing an appropriate variational integral. Consequently, smooth solutions will satisfy the Euler-Lagrange equations for the relevant functional and one can employ the group-theoretic methods in the Lagrangian framework discussed in Chapters 4 and 5. However, when presented with the full dynamical problem, one encounters systems of evolution equations for which the Lagrangian viewpoint, even if applicable, no longer is appropriate or natural to the problem. In this case, the Hamiltonian formulation of systems of evolution equations assumes the natural variational role for the system.
FU Orionis outbursts, preferential recondensation of water ice, and the formation of giant planets

Ices, including water ice, prefer to recondense onto pre-existing nuclei rather than spontaneously forming grains from a cloud of vapor. Interestingly, different potential recondensation nuclei have very different propensities to actually nucleate water ice at the temperatures associated with freeze-out in protoplanetary discs. Therefore, if a region in a disc is warmed and then recooled, water vapor should not be expected to refreeze evenly onto all available grains. Instead it will preferentially recondense onto the most favorable grains. When the recooling is slow enough, only the most favorable grains will nucleate ice, allowing them to recondense thick ice mantles. We quantify the conditions for preferential recondensation to rapidly create pebble-sized grains in protoplanetary discs and show that FU Orionis type outbursts have the appropriate cooling rates to drive pebble creation in a band about 5 astronomical units wide outside of the quiescent frost line from approximately Jupiter's orbit to Saturn's (about 4 to 10 au). Those pebbles could be of the appropriate size to proceed to planetesimal formation via the Streaming Instability, or to contribute to the growth of planetesimals through pebble accretion. We suggest that this phenomenon contributed to the formation of the gas giants in our own Solar System.
Retrospective review of postoperative glycemic control in patients after distal pancreatectomy.

Abstract Background Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is carried out for resection of lesions in the body and tail of the pancreas. DP may lead to both insulin and glucagon deficiency, which may worsen diabetes mellitus and render patients more vulnerable to severe hypoglycemia. Maintaining glycemic control can be challenging after DP, and no guidelines have been established for clinicians. The objective of this study was to investigate postoperative glycemic control and insulin dose among patients after DP. Methods The medical records from 82 eligible adult patients after DP between 2013 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Results Twenty-one (25.6%) patients had pre-existing diabetes. The average length of stay was 5.8 ± 2.6 days. The average resected volume was 193 ± 313 cm 3 . Of 2124 blood glucose (BG) values, only 0.3% were 180 mg/dL. Postoperatively, insulin was the most common agent prescribed for glycemic control. Among those who received insulin, 86.8% used rapid-acting correction insulin, 4.4% prandial insulin, and 8.8% long-acting insulin. On postoperative day 1 through 6 and on the day before hospital discharge, Conclusion Postoperative BG levels were relatively well controlled. The majority of BG levels were in the optimal range, and the incidence of hypoglycemia or clinically significant hypoglycemia was minimal with our current regimen. Postoperative patients required small TDD of insulin for glycemic control. Our data suggested that 0.05–0.20 units/kg was an appropriate dose range for postoperative glycemic control among the vulnerable population. Our findings provide guidance for clinicians to dose insulin safely for postoperative patients with DP in a hospital setting.