cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Disc Sign in Sickling Hemoglobinopathies

• The disc sign is the presence of dark red spots on the optic disc of patients with a sickling hemoglobinopathy. The dark spots appear to be plugs of deoxygenated erythrocytes in small surface disc vessels. The occlusions, which are transient and do not produce clinically detectable visual impairment, were seen most often in patients with homozygous sickle cell anemia and may be the result of clogging of small vessels by irreversibly sickled erythrocytes.
Multielectron effects in capture of antiprotons and muons by helium and neon

Antiproton (p(bar sign)) and negative muon ({mu}{sup -}) captures by helium and neon atoms are treated using the fermion- molecular-dynamics method, yielding capture cross sections, initial quantum numbers, and ejected-electron energies. The calculated angular-momentum distributions tend to pile up at l=n-1 and are not well fitted by the form (2l+1)e{sup {alpha}}{sup l}, which is often assumed in experimental analyses. The residual electrons are generally left in a ''shake-up'' state. When capture is accompanied by multiple ionization, the second and later electrons escape with increasing kinetic energies, a process that is not well described as quasiadiabatic. In a 50:50 mixture of helium and neon, the calculated Ne:He capture ratios are 3.36 for p(bar sign) and 3.69 for {mu}{sup -}. The {mu}{sup -} per-atom capture probability is almost independent of the neon fraction and is in overall agreement with several {mu}{sup -} and {pi}{sup -} experiments; for p(bar sign) there is a rather strong dependence on neon fraction, but there are as yet no experiments. The possible experimental indication of a strong isotope effect on capture of {pi}{sup -} in mixtures of {sup 3}He and {sup 4}He is not supported by the present calculation. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Promoting Retention through the Implementation of Integrated Multicultural Instructional Design

This article introduces the guiding principles of integrated multicultural instructional design (IMID), a new pedagogical model created to promote retention by addressing multicultural perspectives...
Mapping Phytoplankton Community Physiology on a River Impacted Continental Shelf: Testing a Multifaceted Approach

Seasonal phosphorus limitation occurs on the Louisiana continental shelf as a result of high nitrogen loads in the spring and early summer. Prior studies have assessed such nutrient limitation by laborious and time-consuming nutrient analyses, enzyme assays, and nutrient addition bioassays. We undertook surface (0.5–1 m) mapping of fast repetition rate fluorescence (FRRF) parameters to assess nutrient limitation in real time on the Louisiana continental shelf and Mississippi River plume from 29 June to 08 July, 2002 in an effort to further understand phytoplankton productivity in this region, as well as to better inform effective nutrient management strategies. Surface nutrient concentrations (NO 3 − , NO 2 − , NH 4 + , PO 4 3− ), chlorophyll a biomass, alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, and four FRRF parameters: the maximum quantum yield of photochemistry (F v /F m ), the functional absorption cross section for PSII, the time constant for Q A reoxidation, and the connectivity factor, were measured during continuous underway mapping. Results from traditional methods to assess phytoplankton nutrient stress indicated widespread phosphorus limitation from the Mississippi River plume to the Atchafalaya River, manifested as high inorganic N/P ratios and elevated AP activities associated with phytoplankton biomass. The FRRF data indicated complex patterns of phytoplankton physiology that were likely driven by the rapidly changing conditions in local surface waters and heterogeneous phytoplankton community structure. Correlations of nutrient data and enzyme assays with FRRF parameters were significant but low, potentially due to differences in the manner and time scale with which nutrient limitation affects the different techniques used, indicating that further work is needed to interpret FRRF parameters in large, heterogeneous environments such as estuaries and continental shelves.
Detection of Trisomy 12 by FISH in Untreated B -Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Correlation with Stage and CD20 Antigen Expression Intensity

We studied cells from 30 controls and 85 cases of untreated B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with a fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) technique utilizing a probe to chromosome 12. By use of a threshold of > 2% for trisomy 12 for the CLL cases (the mean +3 SD for controls was 1.3%), 20% (17/85) were trisomy 12. The mean % cells positive was 32.6 (median, 39.4; range, 2.4-79.1). There was a trend toward an higher incidence of trisomy 12 in patients with Rai stages 1-4 vs Rai 0 (p = 0.16). Forty-seven % (8/17) of patients with trisomy 12 had strong intensity CD20 antigen expression compared to 21% (14/68) of patients without trisomy 12 (p = 0.03). Trisomy 12 associated with CLL is easily detected by FISH with an overall incidence of 20%. This technique should be applied to larger groups of patients to confirm the potential variation among Rai stages and immunophenotypic subgroups.
Calcium Content of RBCs From Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A lthough the cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains unknown, several studies indicate that aberrant calcium metabolism may play a pathogenetic role in some patients. 1-4 Theoretically, calcium could exert its deleterious effect on anterior horn cell enzymatic systems that are either deficient in quantity or abnormal in activity. Alternatively, anterior horn cell membrane structure and function may be altered, allowing increased calcium influx into neurons with subsequent cell death. Neuromuscular syndromes similar to, but not identical to, classic ALS have been described in association with hyperparathyroidism. 1,2 Presumably, abnormal calcium metabolism is integrated in the pathogenesis of these neuromuscular complications. Furthermore, Mallette and co-workers 3 have found abnormal calcium metabolism in ALS that was not associated with parathyroid disease. Bone disorders also have been noted in association with ALS, 3-6 possibly reflecting abnormal sequestration, storage, and release of calcium, as well as other heavy metals, since the major
Weight and the body mass index as predictors of pulmonary function in healthy black americans

Abstract Morbid obesity and underweight have been reported to have separate and negative effects on pulmonary function. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the varied weights of a healthy black population studied for the development of pulmonary function standards might have separate, negative effects on their pulmonary function indices. The study included 335 black male and 529 black female adults between 18 and 85 years of age, and 82 and 340 pounds of weight. The Body Mass Index (BMI-W/H 2 ) was calculated as a measure of adiposity. Multiple regression analysis of the variables of interest (sex, age, smoking status, height, weight, and the BMI) was carried out, with lung function as the independent variable. The effect on each pulmonary function index varied by sex. In women, weight and the BMI contributed significantly to the total variance of three variables (inspiratory capacity (IC), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), and functional residual capacity (FRC)). Weight contributed more to the IC (positive association), while the BMI contributed more to the ERV (negative association), and both weight and the BMI contributed equally to the FRC (negative association). In men, however, weight and the BMI did not contribute significantly to the total variance for any pulmonary function variable. The significance of these effects of weight, the BMI, and body fat on pulmonary function are discussed in relation to similar studies in other populations, and to possible mechanisms of action. Needs for future investigation are defined.
RETINOIC ACID PROMOTES NEURAL AND REPRESSES MESODERMAL GENE EXPRESSION IN MOUSE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS IN CULTURE

Mouse embryonic stem cells treated with retinoic acid are induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells (Bain et al. (1995) Dev. Biol. 168, 342-357). Here we have examined the expression of a set of neural- and mesoderm-specific genes during this in vitro differentiation process. mRNAs encoding the neural genes Wnt-1, MASH1, the light and medium isoforms of neurofilaments, and the neurotransmitter-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase are all strongly upregulated by retinoic acid treatment; expression of these genes occurs in a temporal pattern resembling that in the developing brain. In contrast, retinoic acid blocks the expression of the mesodermal genes Brachyury, cardiac actin, and zeta-globin. Thus, retinoic acid exerts both pro-neuronal and anti-mesodermal activities on mouse embryonic stem cells in culture.
Relation between Intimacy and the Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale

In a previous study a relationship was indicated between humor and intimacy; however, the Situational Humor Response Questionnaire, a narrow measure of humor, was given. In this study for 20 male and 40 female undergraduates high scores on intimacy were associated with high scores on the Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale, a broad and comprehensive measure, although the relationship was not as strong as that between scores on intimacy and on the Situational Humor Response Questionnaire. This discrepancy might be explained by the social nature of intimacy and differences in the two measures of humor.
Examining the robustness of fully synthetic data techniques for data with binary variables

There is a growing demand for public use data while at the same time there are increasing concerns about the privacy of personal information. One proposed method for accomplishing both goals is to release data sets that do not contain real values but yield the same inferences as the actual data. The idea is to view confidential data as missing and use multiple imputation techniques to create synthetic data sets. In this article, we compare techniques for creating synthetic data sets in simple scenarios with a binary variable.
Analysis of a random-access protocol under long-range-dependent traffic

ALOHA-type random-access protocols have been used as access-control protocols in wireline and wireless, fixed and mobile, multiple-access communications networks. They are frequently employed by the control and signaling subsystem of demand-assigned multiple-access protocols to regulate the sharing of a multi-access communications channel. The correct design and sizing of the random-access operated control/signaling channel is critical in determining the performance of these networks. Excessive delays in the transport of signaling messages (due to too many collisions and retransmissions) lead to unacceptable session-connection setup times. This is of particular concern when the message traffic is highly bursty. We investigate the performance behavior of a random-access protocol when loaded by bursty traffic processes. The latter often exhibit long-range dependence (LRD). We model the LRD traffic flows as multiplicative multifractal processes. The random-access protocol is modeled as an ALOHA channel with blocking. The burstiness of the traffic processes, rather than their LRD character, is the essential element determining the performance behavior of the protocol. When the loading-traffic process is not very bursty, the performance of the random-access channel can be even better than that exhibited under Poisson traffic loading; otherwise, performance degradation is noted. We demonstrate the impact of the selection of the protocol-operational parameters in determining the effective performance behavior of the random-access protocol.
Ab Initio Calculations of Pristine and Doped Zirconia Σ5 (310)/[001] Tilt Grain Boundaries

The structure of the cubic-ZrO2 symmetrical tilt Σ5 (310)/[001] grain boundary is examined using density functional theory within the local density and pseudopotential approximations. Several pristine stoichiometric grain-boundary structures are investigated and compared with Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy results. The lowest-energy grain-boundary structure is found to agree well with the experimental data. When Y3+ is substituted for Zr4+ at various sites in the lowest-energy grain-boundary structure, the calculations indicate that Y3+ segregation to the grain boundary is energetically preferred to bulk doping, in agreement with experimental results.
Exploring the Inequality-Mortality Relationship in the US with Bayesian Spatial Modeling

While there is evidence to suggest that socioeconomic inequality within places is associated with mortality rates among people living within them, the empirical connection between the two remains unsettled as potential confounders associated with racial and social structure are overlooked. This study seeks to test this relationship, to determine whether it is due to differential levels of deprivation and social capital, and does so with intrinsically conditional autoregressive Bayesian spatial modeling that effectively addresses the bias introduced by spatial dependence. We find that deprivation and social capital partly but do not completely account for why inequality is positively associated with mortality and that spatial modeling generates more accurate predictions than does the traditional approach. We advance the literature by unveiling the intervening roles of social capital and deprivation in the inequality-mortality relationship and offering new evidence that inequality matters in US county mortality rates.
Development and Evaluation of a Minicolumn Assay for the Detection of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk

Abstract A practical field method for the chemiselective immobilization and detection of aflatoxin M 1 in milk has been developed and is being marketed. In this new method, aflatoxin M 1 is selectively adsorbed at the interface of a layer of neutral sand and a band of magnesium silicate (Florisil) packed in a glass minicolumn. Aflatoxin M 1 , at ≥.5 ppb in contaminated milk, can be easily visualized as a band of bright blue fluorescence. Briefly, raw or homogenized and pasteurized milk is diluted with water (1:1, vol/vol) and passed through a C 18 cartridge. Aflatoxin M 1 is then partitioned by polarity, eluted with acetone-methylene chloride, and added to the minicolumn. The minicolumn is washed and viewed under long wave UV light. The limit of detection for this assay was .2 ppb, which was similar to the .3 ppb obtained using an immunoaffinity column, followed by minicolumn detection. The assay was accurate, rapid, easy to perform, and stable.
Circadian Rhythms and Agitation

In mammals, many aspects of physiology vary over the 24-hour day in a predictable, periodic manner. Hormones, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone and melatonin, as well as cardiovascular and autonomic measures such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature all have a predictable diurnal pattern. It is important to understand that such variation is generated internally; that is, such variation represents a fundamental, endogenous circadian variation. Circadian variability is typically distinguished from the numerous exogenous factors that can influence the physiologic parameters in question by its periodic pattern (Turek & Zee, 1999). For example, sleep lowers body temperature, and physical activity, upright posture, food intake, and the state of wakefulness increase body temperature. Such exogenous masking factors can affect body temperature at any point in the 24-hour day. Thus, the behavioral act of going to sleep lowers body temperature, but the fall in body temperature during wakefulness also heralds the onset of sleep and incipient sleepiness. Nonetheless, when all such factors are strictly controlled (by having volunteers confined to supine bed rest with restricted activity, sleep deprivation, hourly isocaloric food intake, and controlled lighting conditions), body temperature continues to oscillate in a highly predictable way, affected only by age, sex, and, perhaps, mental status.
Nondepressed Linear Skull Fractures in Children Younger Than 2 Years Is Computed Tomography Always Necessary

Background.Current recommendations are that young children with a skull fracture following head injury undergo computed tomography (CT) examination of their head to exclude significant intracranial injury. Recent reports, however, have raised concern that radiation exposure from CT scanning may cause malignancies.Objective.To estimate the proportion of children with nondisplaced linear skull fractures who have clinically significant intracranial injury.Methods.Retrospective review of patients younger than 2 years who presented to an emergency department and received a diagnosis of skull fracture.Results.Ninety-two patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study; all had a head CT scan performed. None suffered a clinically significant intracranial injury.Conclusion.Observation, rather than CT, may be a reasonable management option for head-injured children younger than 2 years who have a nondisplaced linear skull fracture on plain radiography but no clinical signs of intracranial injury.
Opportunities and challenges in optical generation and distribution of 60 GHz wireless signals

In this paper, the authors briefly discussed some of the main benefits and challenges for Radio over Fiber technology when applied to 60 GHz wireless communication. In general, the benefits that RoF technology offers to low-frequency picocellular systems also apply to 60 GHz RoF systems. However, the hardware requirements for 60 GHz RoF systems are more stringent. We have shown that channel uniformity is an issue for 60 GHz RoF systems due to the wide channel bandwidth. We have demonstrated that linear feed-forward equalization may be used to reduce the distortion induced by channel ripples. Finally, we have experimentally demonstrated an optical I/Q direct launch transmitter at 60 GHz, and used it to generate 7 Gbps data on a single carrier - representing three times higher efficiency than simple ASK modulation.
Real-time monitoring of blood using coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy

We demonstrate a real-time method of measuring the vibrational Raman spectrum of whole blood. Using a novel coherent Raman technique, we record the vibrational spectrum of the red blood cells from picoliters in blood in milliseconds. This method will allow real-time in vivo blood monitoring.
Estrogen Binding by Embryonic and Interembryonic Segments of the Rat Uterus Prior to Implantation

The capacity of embryonic and interembryonic segments of the uterus to bin#{224}� H-estradiol was compared during the early stages of nidation in estrogen-treated “delayed implanting” rats. At the start of nidation, embryonic and interembryonic uterine segments were equally capable of binding H-estradiol. As implantation proceeded, however, the capacity of the embryonic segments (relative to that of interembryonic tissue) to bind newly administered ‘ H-estradiol decreased progressively. This deficiency was observed within 4 h, and by 16 h after the initiation of implantation, embryonic segments bound only one-fourth as much newly administered ‘ H-estradiol as was bound by interembryonic segments. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that estrogen diffusing from the blastocyst partially saturates the hormone binding capacity of the adjacent endometrium. This study also demonstrates that the functional differences between embryonic and interembryonic regions of the rat uterus are associated with and preceded by, differences in estrogen binding. In this system, communication between embryo and uterus appears to commence within 4 h, i.e.,at least20 h before increased vascular permeability at the impending nidation site can be demonstrated.
Neural correlates of mentalizing-related computations during strategic interactions in humans

Competing successfully against an intelligent adversary requires the ability to mentalize an opponent's state of mind to anticipate his/her future behavior. Although much is known about what brain regions are activated during mentalizing, the question of how this function is implemented has received little attention to date. Here we formulated a computational model describing the capacity to mentalize in games. We scanned human subjects with functional MRI while they participated in a simple two-player strategy game and correlated our model against the functional MRI data. Different model components captured activity in distinct parts of the mentalizing network. While medial prefrontal cortex tracked an individual's expectations given the degree of model-predicted influence, posterior superior temporal sulcus was found to correspond to an influence update signal, capturing the difference between expected and actual influence exerted. These results suggest dissociable contributions of different parts of the mentalizing network to the computations underlying higher-order strategizing in humans.
Temperature-Dependent Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Silicon Nitride Films Used in Microelectromechanical Systems

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have potential application in high temperature environments such as in thermal processing of microelectronics. The MEMS designs require an accurate knowledge of the temperature dependent thermomechanical properties of the materials. Techniques used at room temperature often cannot be used for high-temperature property measurements. MEMS test structures have been developed in conjunction with a novel imaging apparatus designed to measure either the modulus of elasticity or thermal expansion coefficient of thin films at high temperatures. The MEMS test structure is the common bi-layered cantilever beam which undergoes thermally induced deflection at high temperatures. An individual cantilever beam on the order of 100 νm long can be viewed up to approximately 800°C. With image analysis, the curvature of the beam can be determined; and then the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between the two layers can be determined using numerical modeling. The results of studying silicon nitride films on silicon oxide are presented for a range of temperatures.
Phosphorylation of the Human Calcitonin Receptor by Multiple Kinases Is Localized to the C-Terminus

The calcitonin receptor is a seven-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor which is located on osteoclasts, in kidney, and in brain. The receptor signals through multiple pathways, including activation of adenylate cyclase, leading to inhibition of bone resorption. In the present study, we used antibodies raised against the C-terminus of the human calcitonin (CT) receptor to study receptor phosphorylation. In baby hamster kidney cells transfected with the human CT receptor, phosphorylation of the receptor increased approximately 2.5-fold after cells were treated with calcitonin, phorbol ester, forskolin, or calcitonin plus phorbol ester. Phosphorylation reached a maximum 20 minutes after treatment with sCT and half-maximal phosphorylation was observed at 0.1 nM sCT, a hormone concentration related to receptor occupancy. Digestion of the immunoprecipitated receptor with cyanogen bromide (CNBr) yielded a single32P-labeled fragment which migrates at Mr 14 kD on gel electrophoresis. This corresponds to the predicted size of the CNBr fragment containing the C-terminal domain of the receptor. No32P-labeled bands were observed for CNBr fragments predicted to contain the first, second, or third intracellular loops. An identical labeling pattern was seen with cells expressing an alternatively spliced isoform of the human receptor (insert-positive isoform). Phosphorylation of the receptor by phorbol ester and forskolin was further localized to a Mr 6 kD proteolytic fragment within the C-terminus. The protein kinase A and C inhibitors staurosporine, chelerythrine, and H-89 had little effect on CT-induced phosphorylation, suggesting that nonsecond messenger-activated kinases are involved in hormone-dependent CT receptor phosphorylation.
Numerically stable, single-pass, parallel statistics algorithms

Statistical analysis is widely used for countless scientific applications in order to analyze and infer meaning from data. A key challenge of any statistical analysis package aimed at large-scale, distributed data is to address the orthogonal issues of parallel scalability and numerical stability. In this paper we derive a series of formulas that allow for single-pass, yet numerically robust, pairwise parallel and incremental updates of both arbitrary-order centered statistical moments and co-moments. Using these formulas, we have built an open source parallel statistics framework that performs principal component analysis (PCA) in addition to computing descriptive, correlative, and multi-correlative statistics. The results of a scalability study demonstrate numerically stable, near-optimal scalability on up to 128 processes and results are presented in which the statistical framework is used to process large-scale turbulent combustion simulation data with 1500 processes.
Global Environment and International Inequality

This article suggests that three widely shared commonsense principles of fairness or equity converge upon the same general answer to the question of how the costs of dealing with a global environmental challenge like climate change could be distributed internationally. The first of these principles is that when a party has in the past taken an unfair advantage of others by imposing costs upon them without their consent, those who have been unilaterally put at a disadvantage are entitled to demand that in the future the offending party shoulder burdens that are unequal at least to the extent of the unfair advantage previously taken, in order to restore equality. The second is that, among a number of parties, all of whom are bound to contribute to some common endeavour, the parties who have the most resources normally should contribute the most to the endeavour. The third commonsense principle is that, when a) some people have less than enough for a decent human life, b) other people have more than enough, and c) the total resources available are so great that everyone could have at least enough without preventing some people from still retaining considerably more than others have, it is unfair not to guarantee everyone at least an adequate minimum.
Photon counting chirped AM ladar: Concept and simulation results

We present the concept and simulation results for ARLpsilas chirped AM ladar operating with a photon counting receiver. The simulation results predict significant improvements in receiver sensitivity.
Chronic stress-induced acceleration of electrophysiologic and morphometric biomarkers of hippocampal aging.

There is increasing evidence that experimental interventions that alter adrenal corticosteroid plasma concentrations can modulate aging changes in the rodent hippocampus. However, there still is very little evidence that elevation of endogenous corticosteroid levels within physiological ranges, such as occurs during chronic stress, can accelerate hippocampal aging-like changes. In addition, almost all prior intervention studies of corticosteroid effects on brain biomarkers of aging have utilized morphologic measures of aging, and it is not yet clear whether electrophysiologic biomarkers of hippocampal aging can also be accelerated by conditions that elevate corticosteroids. In the present studies, specific pathogen-free rats of three ages (4, 12, and 18 months at the start) were trained for 6 months (4 hr/d, 5 d/week) in a two-way shuttle escape task, using low intensity foot shock. This task induces “anxiety” stress, because animals receive little actual shock, but chronic training in the task has been shown to elevate plasma corticosteroids and to downregulate hippocampal corticosteroid receptors. At the end of 6 months, animals were allowed to recover for 3 weeks and were then assessed in acute, anesthetized preparations on a battery of hippocampal neurophysiological markers known to separate young from aged animals (frequency potentiation, synaptic excitability thresholds, EPSP amplitude). The brains were then fixed and sectioned for quantification of neuronal density in field CA1 (a highly consistent anatomic marker of hippocampal aging). The pattern of stress effects differed considerably across age groups. The two younger stress groups exhibited increased evidence of aging-like neurophysiologic change, but exhibited no indications of accelerated neuronal loss.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A sphere in shear flow at finite Reynolds number: effect of shear on particle lift, drag, and heat transfer

Three-dimensional numerical solutions have been obtained for steady, linear shear flow past a fixed, heated spherical particle over a wide range of Reynolds number (0.1 [les ] R [les ] 100) and dimensionless shear rates (0.005 [les ] α [les ] 0.4). The results indicate that at a fixed shear rate, the dimensionless lift coefficient is approximately constant over a wide range of intermediate Reynolds numbers, and the drag coefficient also remains constant when normalized by the known values of drag for a sphere in uniform flow. At lower values of the Reynolds number, the lift and drag coefficients increase sharply with decreasing R, with the lift coefficient being directly proportional to R−½. For the range of shear rates studied here, the rate of heat transfer to the particle surface was found to depend only on the Reynolds number, that is, it was insensitive to the shear rate. The dimensionless rate of heat transfer, the Nussel number Nu, was seen to increase monotonically with R.
NUMERICAL VARIATIONAL ANALYSIS FORMULATED UNDER THE CONSTRAINTS AS DETERMINED BY LONGWAVE EQUATIONS AND A LOW-PASS FILTER

Abstract The “timewise localized” variational formalism of the numerical variational analysis method is used (1) to filter and suppress unnecessary high-frequency noises contained in initial and forecast fields and (2) to obtain dynamically sound initial values in the areas lacking data. A set of nonlinear longwave equations and a low-pass filter minimizing local changes are used in this paper as dynamical constraints. Also proposed in this study is a technique to assure the convergence of a numerical solution of the nonlinear Euler equations by an iterative process. Three applications of the method are presented. The first two examples demonstrate that the initial guess in the iterative process influences significantly the speed of convergence. The last example is an application to the 500-mb analysis of hurricane Dora, 1964, and demonstrates a reasonable analysis in the data-sparse area where the hurricane was located at 1200 GMT on Sept. 8, 1964.
Price volatility in PV-critical material markets: Perspectives for solar firms, consumers, and policy makers

Price volatility in byproduct material markets, such as tellurium and indium, create economic uncertainty for technologies that use them, e.g. CdTe and CIGS solar PV. This uncertainty is of interest to multiple stakeholders since it can affect, for example, firm profitability and consumer rate of return on investment; however, this issue has not yet been addressed in the literature. The present work seeks to fill this gap by probing sensitivity of key decision metrics, namely profit margin for firms and payback time for consumers, to changes in input material price on par with recently observed volatility. The results of the previous two analyses are used to provide a broad perspective on potential insights for policy makers looking to most effectively promote clean energy adoption.
How Does the Investment Climate Affect Competition in Transition Economies

Recent studies have emphasize how important role competition is for enterprise productivity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This paper looks at the effectiveness of government policy in promoting competition in these countries. Improving enforcement of competition law and reducing barriers to trade increase competition. Firms are considerably less likely to say that they could increase prices without losing many customers when competition policy is better enforced and when tariffs are lower. Access to finance is also important - competition is greater in countries where access to finance is easier. In contrast, there is little evidence that privatization increases competition in of itself. State-owned enterprises face no less competition than other enterprises. Although privatization might have other benefits, there is little evidence that it will increase competition unless governments take complementary actions such as reducing trade barriers or enforcing competition laws.
Symmetry Breaking in Tetrahedral Chiral Plasmonic Nanoparticle Assemblies

Self-assembled plasmonic structures combine the specificity and tunability of chemical synthesis with collective plasmonic properties. Here we systematically explore the effects of symmetry breaking on the chiroptical response of an assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles using simulation. The design is based on a tetrahedral nanoparticle frame with two different types of nanoparticles, where chirality is induced by targeted stimuli that change the distance along one edge of the assembly. We show that the intensity, spectral position, and handedness of the CD response are tunable with small structural changes, making it usable as a nanoscale plasmonic ruler. We then build upon this initial design to show that the symmetry breaking principle may also be used to design a chiral pyramid using a mixture of different nanoparticle materials, which affords tunability over a broad spectral range, and retrieves nanoscale conformational changes over a range of length scales.
Use of permanganate to increase electron opacity of fungal walls.

11. Haskins, R. H. 1960. Freeze-drying of macrofungi for display. Mycologia 52: 161-164. 12. Hwang, S.-W., E. E. Davis, and M. T. Alexander. 1964. Freezing and viability of Tetrahymena pyriformis in dimethyl-sulfoxide. Science 144(3614): 64-65. 13. Kendrick, W. B. 1969. Preservation of fleshy fungi for taxonomy. Mycologia 61: 392-395. 14. Kramer, C. L., and A. J. Mix. 1957. Deep freeze storage of fungus cultures. Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci. 60: 58-64. 15. Raper, K. B., and D. F. Alexander. 1945. Preservation of molds by the lyophil process. Mycologia 37: 499-525. 16. Serf, A. F. 1943. A method for maintaining Phytomonas sepedonica in culture for long periods without transfer. Phytopathology 33: 330-332. 17. Weiss, F. A., and S.-W. Hwang. 1955. Comparison of some methods of dormant conservation of fungus cultures. Phytopathology 45: 466 (Abstract).
TECHNIQUES FOR MANIPULATING CHROMOSOMAL REARRANGEMENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. I. PERICENTRIC INVERSIONS

Techniques have been developed for manipulating pericentric inversions in Drosophila that are based on the lethality of grossly aneuploid zygotes and the existence of recombinationally interconvertible genotypes for any heterozygous inversion complex: males of some of these genotypes will produce only aneuploid sperm, which can be used to rescue complementary aneuploid ova and selectively recover recombinational derivatives of inversions. Markers can be recombined into inversions through a sequence of selected single exchanges, and a novel type of duplication can be synthesized from overlapping inversions that has the characteristics of both insertional and tandem duplications; there are also applications to half-tetrad analyses.——Two cytogenetic screens are developed: (1) the dominant lethality of a large insertional-tandem duplication can be reverted by deletional events that give rise to net deficiencies or duplications, and (2) deficiencies and tandem duplications in proximal regions can be selectively recovered as the results of unequal exchanges within an inversion loop. Recombinants have been recovered between breakpoints separated by distances of as little as fifty bands, arguing against the existence of some small number of sites necessary for the initiation of recombinational pairing. In several instances, hyperploids for four to six numbered divisions were observed to be fertile in both sexes.
Marriage and Child Wellbeing Revisited: Introducing the Issue.

Many unmarried parents are cohabiting when their child is born. Indeed, almost all of the increase in nonmarital childbearing during the past two decades has occurred to cohabiting rather than single mothers.1 But cohabiting unions are very unstable, leading us to use the term “fragile families” to describe them. About half of couples who are cohabiting at their child’s birth will split by the time the child is five. Many of these young parents will go on to form new relationships and to have additional children with new partners. The consequences of this instability for children are not good. Research increasingly shows that family instability undermines parents’ investments in their children, affecting the children’s cognitive and social-emotional development in ways that constrain their life chances.2
Reform Proposals: Part 2, Apply Civil Aviation Laws to Piracy and Use the International Criminal Court to Try Pirates

This chapter discusses two further reform proposals: first, to apply the principles embodied in international laws regarding ‘air-terrorism’ to the problem of piracy, and second, to use the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try pirates. As with the application of the SUA Convention, application of air-terrorism laws to piracy would substantially improve enforcement efforts compared to the Law of the Sea. Likewise, use of the ICC to try pirates, it is argued, would reduce the incentives of nations that apprehend pirates to release them in anticipation of the high cost of prosecuting them at home. The reason is that the cost of prosecuting pirates in the ICC could more easily be shared by all countries, thereby reducing the incentives for ‘capture and release.’
Inclusion of Comorbidity in a Staging System for Head and Neck Cancer

The widespread use of the TNM staging system has helped standardize the classification of cancers. Despite its excellence in describing a tumor's size and extent of anatomic spread, the TNM system does not account for the clinical biology of the cancer. Clinical factors, such as symptom severity, performance status, and comorbidity, which are important for classification, prognostication, and evaluation of treatment effectiveness, remain excluded from this system. In several studies of cancer prognosis, the presence of severe comorbidity was found to dramatically influence survival statistics and the evaluation of treatment effectiveness. A statistical technique known as conjunctive consolidation was used to incorporate comorbidity into the TNM staging system and maintain the four category system. Utilizing this technique, comorbidity was added to the TNM system for laryngeal cancer to create a composite staging system. Quantitative evaluation of the new system showed that the addition of comorbidity provides improved prognostic precision over TNM stage alone.
Examining Functional Resting-State Connectivity in Psychosis and Its Subgroups in the Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes Cohort

Abstract Background We sought to examine resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity measures in psychotic patients to both identify cumulative differences across psychosis and subsequently probe deficits across conventional DSM-IV diagnoses and a newly identified classification using cognitive/neurophysiological data (Biotypes). Methods We assessed 1125 subjects, including healthy control subjects, probands (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychotic bipolar disorder), and relatives of probands. Probands and relatives were also segregated into Biotype groups (B1–B3, B1R–B3R using a method reported previously). Empirical resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging networks were derived using independent component analysis. Global psychosis-related abnormalities were first identified. Subsequent post hoc t tests were performed across various diagnostic categories. Follow-up linear mixed model compared significance of within-proband differences across categories. Secondary analyses assessed correlations with biological profile scores. Results Voxelwise tests between proband and control subjects revealed nine abnormal networks. Post hoc analysis revealed lower connectivity in most networks for all proband subgroups (DSM and Biotypes). Within-proband effect sizes of discrimination were marginally better for Biotypes over DSM. Reduced connectivity was noted in relatives of patients with schizophrenia in two networks and relatives of patients with psychotic bipolar disorder in one network. Biotype relatives showed similar deficits in one network. Connectivity deficits across four networks were significantly associated with cognitive control profile scores. Conclusions Overall, we found psychosis-related connectivity deficits in nine large-scale networks. Deficits in these networks tracked more closely with cognitive control factors, suggesting potential implications for disease profiling and therapeutic intervention. Biotypes performed marginally better in terms of separating out psychosis subgroups compared with conventional DSM or psychiatric diagnoses.
Ketogenic Diet Decreases Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalizations Related to Epilepsy.

Background. Approximately, one-third of patients with epilepsy are refractory to pharmacological treatment which mandates extensive medical care and imposes significant economic burden on patients and their societies. This study intends to assess the impact of the treatment with ketogenic diet (KD) on reducing seizure-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations in children with refractory epilepsy. Methods. This is a retrospective review of children treated with the KD in one tertiary center. We compared a 12 months’ period prior to KD with 12 months after the diet was started in regard to the number of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and hospital days as well as their associated charges. Results. 37 patients (57% males) were included. Their ages at time of KD initiation were () years. Twelve months after the KD initiation, the total number of ED visits was reduced by 36% with a significant decrease of associated charges (). The number of hospital admissions was reduced by 40% and the number of hospital days was reduced by 39%. The cumulative charges showed net cost savings after 9 months when compared to the prediet baseline. Conclusion. In children with refractory epilepsy, treatment with the ketogenic diet reduces the number of ED visits and hospitalizations and their corresponding costs.
Vitamin K-Dependent Protein Activity and Incident Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Objective— Vitamin K–dependent proteins (VKDPs), which require post-translational modification to achieve biological activity, seem to contribute to thrombus formation, vascular calcification, and vessel stiffness. Whether VKDP activity is prospectively associated with incident cardiovascular disease has not been studied. Approach and Results— VKDP activity was determined by measuring circulating des-γ-carboxy prothrombin concentrations in a random sample of 709 multiethnic adults free of cardiovascular disease drawn from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Lower des-γ-carboxy prothrombin concentrations reflect greater VKDP activity. Subjects were followed up for the risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, stroke, and fatal cardiovascular disease) for 11.0 years of follow-up. A total of 75 first ischemic CVD events occurred during follow-up. The incidence of ischemic cardiovascular disease increased progressively across des-γ-carboxy prothrombin quartiles, with event rates of 5.9 and 11.7 per 1000 person-years in the lowest and highest quartiles. In analyses adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and measures of vitamin K intake, a doubling of des-γ-carboxy prothrombin concentration was associated with a 1.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.09–2.13; P =0.008) higher risk of incident ischemic cardiovascular disease. The association was consistent across strata of participants with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, renal impairment, and low vitamin K nutritional intake. Conclusions— In this sample of middle-aged and older adults, VKDP activity was associated with incident ischemic cardiovascular events. Further studies to understand the role of this large class of proteins in cardiovascular disease are warranted.
Hardware implementation of the Hirschman Optimal Transform

In this paper, we propose a hardware architecture to compute the Hirschman Optimal Transform (HOT). The HOT promises faster computation than the FFT with reduced area, yet can be used in similar ways. In fact, the HOT can potentially yield faster FIR convolution and superior spectral analysis methods. An N=K2 point HOT is composed of K, K-point DFTs. For our work, these K-point DFTs are computed using decimation-in-frequency. In this paper, we discuss the implementation details of the HOT. To evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation, we compare the HOT implementation with the FFT implementation for various sizes. We also consider various levels of precision within the implementation. The computational error, space requirements, and maximum throughput are used in the analysis of the implementations. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are used to implement the algorithms.
#BlackBodiesMatter: Cross-Cultural Examination of Black Women’s Motivation to Engage in Body Modification

The purpose of this study is to examine the willingness and motivation to engage in body modification to attain an ideal body image from a cross-cultural perspective of Black women in the United St...
Wisdom, Not Noise: The Law Professor as Policy Influencer

Few activities can be more rewarding than attempting to improve society. Regardless of the side that you’re on, legal academics can bring knowledge, respect for data and evidence, and logical rigor and debate to a political process that can lack such structure. This article offers some initial thoughts for legal academics considering how they can make free and open inquiry a policymaking norm, and in the process, advocate for what they deem fair and just. But beyond personal rewards, existing imbalances in our knowledge environment, especially in lobbying and policy advocacy, arguably create a duty for law professors to ensure that underfunded and diffuse public interests have a meaningful say in policy debate. It is among the moral obligations of academics — who have the privilege to be paid to read, think, and write for the sole purpose of advancing human knowledge — to offer clarity with regard to the likely outcomes of policy proposals, and to propose new initiatives. Thus, law professors can play a major part of the bulwark against captured policymaking and/or organized chaos, now and in the future. By applying your skills to the very core of our democracy, you will find that the benefits achieved were worth your time. Your children, your profession, and future generations may thank you — and even if they don’t, you will know that you made contributions at a critical time to the continued preservation and advancement of, and respect for, knowledge and evidence.
Precision measurement of the Ω− and Ξo masses

Abstract The mass of the Ω − hyperon was measured to be 1673.3 ± 1.0 MeV. The error includes the statistical as well as a detailed evaluation of the systematic uncertainties. A test was made of the equal mass spacing rule for the SU(3) baryon decuplet and found to be satisfied for a spacing 141.5 ± 2.5 MeV.