cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A simple IM test for exponential distributions

We construct a simple information matrix misspecification test for exponential distributions that can be applied in duration models. We evaluate the test performance using Monte Carlo simulation experiments. We found good empirical size properties and good power against Weibull and Gamma distributions.
New theoretical and experimental results in fresnel optics with applications to matter-wave and X-ray interferometry

We present new methods and formulae for calculating the image amplitude and image spatial power spectral density produced by monochromatic point-source illumination of a finite (and/or infinite) periodic complex transmission grating. At specific finite-width resonances the image amplitude is seen to display periodic complex amplitude self-imaging of the grating, with interlaced alias images. The finite width grating resonances (as a function of spatial frequency) are broadened (from zero width) and displaced in frequency relative to those produced by an infinite grating, although the finite resonance width relative to illumination wavelength variation persists with infinite gratings. In the Fresnel domain the self images are generalizations of the Talbot and von Lau effects, while in the Fraunhofer to Fresnel transition domain, our formulae demonstrate the formation of these structures from Fraunhofer diffraction order side-lobes. Using these results, design criteria are provided for constructing lens-free three-grating interferometers with spatially diffuse illumination and detection. Such interferometers have a wide variety of applications for both X-rays and matter-waves, including a phase sensitive imaging device and/or narrow-band interference filter. For wavelengths in the Angstrom to sub-Angstrom range they feature high throughput and ease of fabrication. Experimental results using light with such an interferometer are presented. Our results conclusively demonstrate interference and image aliasing in such a device with spatially diffuse illumination and detection. The experiment is readily reproducible in any undergraduate physics laboratory.
Depression and clinical inertia in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

Depression is a known risk factor for poor prognosis among patients with cardiovascular disease1. Numerous biological and behavioral mechanisms have been proposed2. However, few studies have investigated the association between depression and ‘clinical inertia’, or lack of treatment intensification in individuals not at evidence-based goals for care3. To address this gap, we assessed whether a diagnosis of depression is associated with clinical inertia in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Ventrolateral medullary functional connectivity and the respiratory and central chemoreceptor-evoked modulation of retrotrapezoid-parafacial neurons

The medullary ventral respiratory column (VRC) of neurons is essential for respiratory motor pattern generation; however, the functional connections among these cells are not well understood. A ros...
Quick intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay: surgical adjunct to allow limited parathyroidectomy, improve success rate, and predict outcome.

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay (QPTH) has made possible less invasive operative approaches in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism with stated advantages. When compared to the traditional bilateral neck exploration (BNE), only the targeted, hypersecreting gland is excised, leaving in situ non-visualized but normally functioning parathyroids. The QPTH-guided limited parathyroidectomy (LPX) must be able to identify multiglandular disease (MGD), predict a successful outcome, and have a low recurrence rate. In our series, 421 patients who underwent LPX were compared to 340 undergoing BNE; all operative failures and patients followed for 6 months or longer were included. Operative failure occurred if serum calcium and PTH levels were elevated within 6 months of parathyroidectomy. Multiglandular disease was defined in the LPX group as more than one gland excision guided by QPTH or operative failure after removal of a single abnormal gland; in the BNE group it was defined as excision of more than one enlarged gland. Recurrence was defined as elevated calcium and PTH after 6 months of eucalcemia. Operative failure and MGD rates were compared using chi-squared analysis. The method of Kaplan-Meier and the log-rank test were used to compare recurrence rates. Operative success was seen in 97% of LPX patients and in 94% of the BNE group (p = 0.02). Multiglandular disease was identified in 3% of LPX patients and 10% of BNE patients (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in the overall recurrence rates (p = 0.23). The QPTH-guided parathyroidectomy identifies MGD and allows an improved success rate with the same low recurrence rate when compared to the results of BNE.
Intralesional interferon-alpha-2b for the treatment of Peyronie's disease.

Peyronie's disease can best be described as a localized connective tissue disorder that primarily affects the tunica albuginea of the penis. The disease may be attributed to repetitive vascular trauma that initiates an inflammatory process and ultimately leads to the formation of a fibrous penile plaque. The plaque consists mainly of collagen and can significantly alter penile anatomy and function. Patients with Peyronie's disease will most often present with penile curvature, pain on erection, a palpable nodule most commonly located on the dorsal shaft of the penis, and erectile dysfunction. There is no definitive treatment for Peyronie's disease and the treating physician has many options. They may wait for spontaneous resolution of the plaque, choose medical therapy (which includes both oral and intralesional regimens), or opt for surgical management. The main purpose of this article is to discuss the advances in medical therapy for Peyronie's disease, in particular intralesional injection of interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-α-2b). Several studies have concluded that IFN-α-2b can be an effective modality of treatment and that many patients placed on a regimen of IFN-α-2b experienced a significant reduction in penile curvature, diminished pain with erection, and decreased size of the plaque. Further clinical studies are currently being undertaken to determine the precise quantity and frequency of administration of IFN-α-2b that is most effective with the least amount of side effects.
The Characterization of Various ZnO Nanostructures Using Field-Emission SEM

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a unique material that has prompted a vast amount of research. Various morphologies and sizes of ZnO materials have led to a wide range of promising applications. Although research related to the applications of ZnO is progressing rapidly, it has been an enormous challenge to produce uniform ZnO materials. A unique synthesis method to produce ZnO materials with various morphologies has been studied and is presented in this paper. Field-emission scanningelectron microscopy has been utilized to characterize ZnO materials in this study to show how the synthesis conditions control the morphologies of ZnO.
Using Content Analysis as an Interface Design Tool

As a precursor to functional analysis, a content analysis was done to guide improvements for the interface design of a printed circuit board design system. Content analysis, as a design tool, requires users to judge the usefulness of task information and then prioritize it based on one or more specified attributes. For this application, content analysis was completed using 11 judges experienced in printed circuit board layout. All judges were asked to work within the context of a particular printed circuit board example. Two attributes, task relevance and order, were considered by judges as they sorted tasks. An inter-rater reliability check was performed and one judge was eliminated from further analysis. From the remaining pool of 10 judges, 32 tasks central to the activity of board layout were discovered. A model was built using cluster analysis and MDS algorithms which was based on relevant tasks, task order and task concurrence. The model was then compared to the current menu structure of a mature de...
Computing Interior Eigenvalues of Large Matrices

Computing eigenvalues from the interior of the spectrum of a large matrix is a difficult problem. The Rayleigh-Ritz procedure is a standard way of reducing it to a smaller problem, but it is not optimal for interior eigenvalues. Here a method is given that does a better job. In contrast with standard Rayleigh-Ritz, a priori bounds can be given for the accuracy of interior eigenvalue and eigenvector approximations. When applied to the Lanczos algorithm, this method yields better approximations at early stages. Applied to preconditioning methods, the convergence rate is improved.
The Impact of GEAR UP on College Readiness for Students in Low Income Schools

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) on college readiness outcomes using a quasi-experimental design. GEAR UP is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education by providing 6-year grants to states and district partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. Specifically, this study sought to evaluate whether 173 schools that participated in GEAR UP showed increases in the percentages of students who were prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education, as compared to students from similar, non-GEAR UP schools. Seven years (2003–2009) of matched cohort data were compiled to include all regular (e.g., nonspecial education) high schools with grade 12 enrollment as documented by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Participation in and performance on three College Board assessments that measure co...
A combination light-pipe, soft-tipped suction, and infusion cannula instrument for macular translocation

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe a combination light-pipe, soft-tipped suction needle, and infusion cannula instrument for use in macular translocation surgery. METHODS: Macular translocation surgery was performed in human cadaver and live rabbit eyes with a combination light-pipe, soft-tipped suction needle, and infusion cannula instrument. RESULTS: A combination light-pipe, soft-tipped suction needle, and infusion cannula can be used for macular translocation. This instrument is useful for relocating the retina after a 360 peripheral retinotomy is created. It can also be used for macular translocation with the scleral imbrication technique when superior movement of the fovea is required. When used in combination with another soft-tipped suction needle instrument, this surgical instrument allows precise bimanual placement of the retina with simultaneous infusion of liquid perfluorocarbon for fixating the macula to its new location. CONCLUSION: A combination light-pipe, soft-tipped suction needle, and infusion cannula instrument may be a useful tool for macular translocation surgery.
Three-dimensional digital mouse atlas using high-resolution MRI.

We present an archetypal digital atlas of the mouse embryo based on microscopic magnetic resonance imaging. The atlas is composed of three modules: (1) images of fixed embryos 6 to 15.5 days postconception (dpc) [Theiler Stages (TS) 8 to 24]; (2) an annotated atlas of the anterior portion of a 13.5 dpc (TS 22) mouse with anatomical structures delineated and linked to explanatory files; and (3) three-dimensional renderings of the entire 13.5 dpc embryo and specific organ systems. The explanatory files include brief descriptions of the structure at each volume element in the image and links to 3D reconstructions, allowing visualization of the shape of the isolated structures. These files can also contain or be linked to other types of information and data including detailed anatomical and physiological information about structures with pointers to online references, relationships between structures, temporal characteristics (cell lineage patterns, size, and shape changes), and gene expression patterns (both spatial and temporal). As an example, we have “painted” in the expression pattern of Dlx5/Dlx6 genes. This digital atlas provides a means to put specific data within the context of normal specimen anatomy, to analyze the information in 3D, and to examine relationships between different types of information.
CUL4A Abrogation Augments DNA Damage Response and Protection against Skin Carcinogenesis

It is intuitively obvious that the ability of a cell to repair DNA damage is saturable, either by limitation of enzymatic activities, the time allotted to achieve their function, or both. However, very little is known regarding the mechanisms that establish such a threshold. Here we demonstrate that the CUL4A ubiquitin ligase restricts the cellular repair capacity by orchestrating the concerted actions of nucleotide excision repair (NER) and the DNA damage-responsive G1/S checkpoint through selective degradation of the DDB2 and XPC DNA damage sensors and the p21/CIP1/WAF1 checkpoint effector. We generated Cul4a conditional knockout mice and observed that skin-specific Cul4a ablation dramatically increased resistance to UV-induced skin carcinogenesis. Our findings reveal that wild-type cells do not operate at their full DNA repair potential, underscore the critical role of CUL4A in establishing the cellular DNA repair threshold, and highlight the potential augmentation of cellular repair proficiency by pharmacological CUL4A inhibition.
Differential performance of learning disabled and non-learning disabled children on the McCarthy scales, WISC-R, and WRAT

Individually administered the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities, WISC-R, and WRAT to 30 learning disabled and 30 non-learning disabled second-grade students. The McCarthy General Cognitive Index and the WISC-R Full Scale IQ scores were compared for both groups. In addition, correlations between the General Cognitive Index, WISC-R IQ, and mean WRAT achievement were reported. There was marginal support for previous studies that suggested that the McCarthy Scales are more consistent with the academic functioning of learning disable students. Implications and directions for future research were discussed.
Stochastic duels with bursts

In this analysis we extend the theory of stochastic duels to include the situation where one of the contestants fires a single infinitely long burst at a fixed rate of fire and secondly where he fires fixed-length, fixed-rate of fire bursts randomly spaced. In both cases the opponent fires single rounds randomly spaced. Special cases and parameter effects are considered.
Macrofaunal succession and community structure in Salicornia marshes of southern California

Lack of basic understanding of ecosystem structure and function forms a major impediment to successful conservation of coastal ecosystems. This paper provides a description of the fauna and examines faunal succession inSalicornia -vegetated sediments of southern California. Environmental attributes (vegetation and sediment properties) and macrofaunal (animals ≥0·3 mm) community structure were examined in sediments of five natural, southern CaliforniaSalicornia spp. marshes (Tijuana Estuary, San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, Upper Newport Bay and Anaheim Bay) and in createdSalicornia marshes 16 months to 10 years in age, located within four of the bays. Oligochaetes and insects were the dominant taxa in both natural (71 to 98% of total fauna) and created (91 to 97%) marshes. In San Diego, Newport and Anaheim Bays, macrofaunal densities were generally higher in the created marshes (88 000 to 290 000 ind m−2) than in their natural counterparts (26 000 to 50 000 ind m−2). In the youngest system, Mission Bay, the reverse was true (natural: 113 000 vs created: 28 000 ind m−2). Similar species numbers were recorded from the created and adjacent natural marshes. Insects, especially chironomids, dolichopodids, and heleids, as well as the naidid oligochaete, Paranais litoralis, characterize early successional stages. Enchytraeid and tubificid oligochaetes reflect later succession evident in natural and older created marshes. Sediment organic matter (both combustible and below-ground plant biomass) was the environmental variable most commonly associated with densities of various macrofaunal taxa. These relationships were generally negative in the natural marshes and positive in the created marshes. Within-bay comparisons of macrofauna from natural Salicornia- vs Spartina -vegetated habitat in San Diego and Mission Bays revealed lower macrofaunal density (San Diego Bay only), proportionally fewer oligochaetes and more insects, and no differences in species richness in the Salicornia habitat. The oldest created Salicornia marsh (San Diego Bay) exhibited an assemblage intermediate in composition between those of the natural Salicornia- and Spartina- vegetated marshes. These results suggest: (a) faunal recovery following Salicornia marsh creation can require 10 or more years, (b) high macrofaunal variability among bays requires marsh creation reference site selection from within the same bay, and (c)Spartina -based research should not be used for Salicornia marsh management decisions.
Fluorescence changes reveal kinetic steps of muscarinic receptor-mediated modulation of phosphoinositides and Kv7.2/7.3 K+ channels.

G protein–coupled receptors initiate signaling cascades. M1 muscarinic receptor (M1R) activation couples through Gαq to stimulate phospholipase C (PLC), which cleaves phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Depletion of PIP2 closes PIP2-requiring Kv7.2/7.3 potassium channels (M current), thereby increasing neuronal excitability. This modulation of M current is relatively slow (6.4 s to reach within 1/e of the steady-state value). To identify the rate-limiting steps, we investigated the kinetics of each step using pairwise optical interactions likely to represent fluorescence resonance energy transfer for M1R activation, M1R/Gβ interaction, Gαq/Gβ separation, Gαq/PLC interaction, and PIP2 hydrolysis. Electrophysiology was used to monitor channel closure. Time constants for M1R activation (<100 ms) and M1R/Gβ interaction (200 ms) are both fast, suggesting that neither of them is rate limiting during muscarinic suppression of M current. Gαq/Gβ separation and Gαq/PLC interaction have intermediate 1/e times (2.9 and 1.7 s, respectively), and PIP2 hydrolysis (6.7 s) occurs on the timescale of M current suppression. Overexpression of PLC accelerates the rate of M current suppression threefold (to 2.0 s) to become nearly contemporaneous with Gαq/PLC interaction. Evidently, channel release of PIP2 and closure are rapid, and the availability of active PLC limits the rate of M current suppression.
Identification of glaucoma-related visual field abnormality with the screening protocol of frequency doubling technology.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the predictive power of frequency doubling technology to distinguish glaucoma suspects from persons with glaucoma visual field loss. Methods: A consecutive series of 76 subjects referred to a glaucoma service underwent perimetry in one eye with frequency doubling technology in a screening mode and Humphrey 24-2 threshold testing in random order, and had optic disk and clinical nerve fiber layer grading. Results: All subjects performed perimetry with both instruments satisfactorily, with an average test time of 1.8 ± 0.7 minutes per eye for the frequency doubling technology (instrument time). Of 33 eyes classified as abnormal by glaucoma hemifield test, 91% (30/33) were abnormal on frequency doubling technology (two or more abnormal locations of 17), whereas 94% (31/33) of glaucoma suspects with normal Humphrey fields had normal results with frequency doubling technology. Frequency doubling technology results were highly correlated with Humphrey mean deviation by linear regression ( r 2 = .74, P = .047) and with corrected pattern standard deviation probability value. A frequency doubling technology error score for each quadrant of the field was highly correlated with the number of severely abnormal points per quadrant in Humphrey threshold tests ( r 2 = .63, P = .034). There was close agreement between clinical examination of the optic disk and nerve fiber layer and frequency doubling technology results. Three-level quantification of abnormality in frequency doubling technology results did not add to diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: Frequency doubling technology testing shows promise as a screening method in glaucoma.
What Really Goes on in Silicon Valley? Spatial Clustering and Dispersal in Modular Production Networks

Is the geographic trajectory of capitalism toward spatial clustering or dispersal? Recent theoretical work in the stream of ‘relational’ economic geography includes several dynamic elements that increase the importance of spatial clustering over time. This paper develops the concept of ‘modular production networks’ to show that spatial clustering and dispersal can be compatible, mutually reinforcing trends. Modular production networks encompass nodes of tacit activity linked through the exchange of codified information to create global-scale production systems. In places like Silicon Valley, industry participants rely on the benefits of proximity to help build and manage global-scale production networks.
The occurrence of short-duration cosmic noise absorption events inside the southern auroral zone

Abstract By means of riometer observations, the occurrence of short-duration absorption events at Mirnyy, Antarctica has been investigated. The diurnal distribution of the events is found to change with the season, the majority occurring by night in winter but by day in summer. Most of these events appeared simultaneously at Mirnyy and at its magnetically conjugate region in the Arctic.
Making Hearing Impairment Functionally Relevant: Linkages with Hearing Disability and Handicap

(1991). Making hearing impairment functionally relevant: Linkages with hearing disability and handicap. Acta Oto-Laryngologica: Vol. 111, No. sup476, pp. 226-231.
Walking Toward the Problem: A Case Study on Connection and Culture

In this case study, I describe the course of therapy with a homeless Vietnamese client diagnosed with depression and suffering from traumatic memories of the Vietnam War. I discuss my relational, therapeutic assumptions and present reflections on my 6 months of therapy with him. I also identify important cultural lessons I learned and their potential applicability for other therapists. The purpose of this article is to offer a relational approach that attends to culture and language. Clinical implications are provided for therapists and therapists-in-training.
Intraoperative Sonography Opens New Doors for Patient Care

Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) is rapidly changing as advancements in technology provide surgeons with more options for the treatment of their patients. Despite the introduction of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), advancements in IOUS technology and its low cost have kept this a viable modality. The improved image resolution that is available provides neurosurgeons, for example, with the information necessary to adequately resect cancer in the brain, including superficial and deep-set tumors, whether they are primary brain cancers or brain metastases. Strain sonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) are advancements being used to help better visualize residual tumor cells after resection. IOUS is the only modality that provides the neurosurgeon with the ability to obtain real-time imaging while a resection is taking place. All of this information helps to make the complete resection of brain cancer with the least amount of neurological dama...
Reversal of charge selectivity in cation or anion-selective epithelial lines by expression of different claudins

Tight junctions (TJ) regulate paracellular ionic charge selectivity and conductance across epithelial tissues and cell lines. These properties vary among epithelia, and recent evidence implicates t...
The spectrum of infection-related morbidity in hospitalized haemodialysis patients.

Background. Infection is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in haemodialysis patients. Few prospective studies have examined the clinical consequences of infection-related hospitalizations in haemodialysis patients or the risk factors predictive of clinical outcomes. Methods. The outcomes of all first infection-related hospitalizations of patients enrolled in the HEMO Study were categorized in terms of mortality, requirement for intensive care unit (ICU) stay and length of hospitalization. In addition, the association of hospitalization outcomes with clinical and laboratory parameters was evaluated. Results. Among the 783 first infection-related hospitalizations, 57.7% had a severe outcome (death, ICU stay or hospitalization � 7 days). The likelihood of a severe outcome increased with patient age (P<0.0001) and with decreased serum albumin (P<0.001). The frequency of a severe outcome varied greatly by infectious disease category (P<0.001), being highest for cardiac infections (95.6%) and infection of unknown source (68.4%), and lowest for urinary tract infections (35.5%) and access-related infections (43.8%). On multivariate analysis, hospitalization outcome was independently associated with patient age, serum albumin and disease category, but not with the randomized Kt/V or flux, gender, race or diabetic status. Conclusion. In summary, infection-related hospitalizations are associated with substantial morbidity. Patient age, serum albumin and infectious disease category are independently correlated with the hospitalization outcome, and can be used to estimate the likelihood of serious outcomes at the time of hospital admission.
Right Lower Quadrant Pain in a Young Female: Ultrasound Diagnosis of Rectus Abdominis Tear.

Abstract Background Right lower quadrant pain in young females presents a frequent diagnostic challenge for emergency physicians, with a broad differential and several important diagnoses. Using an “ultrasound first” imaging strategy can help decrease the use of computed tomography scans, with associated savings in radiation exposure, cost, and other resource use. Case Report We report a case of right lower quadrant pain in a young woman. After her initial history and physical examination, appendicitis was the leading differential. A bedside ultrasound was performed, leading to the uncommon diagnosis of rectus abdominis muscle tear. The sonographic findings of a muscle tear include increase in size, loss of linear, homogeneous architecture, and decreased echogenicity. Making this diagnosis at the bedside using ultrasound obviated the need for further imaging, avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure, and decreasing emergency department length of stay and overall cost, while leading to a tailored treatment plan. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Rectus abdominis tear is a cause of right lower quadrant pain that may mimic appendicitis and should be considered in patients with this complaint. The ability to make this diagnosis with bedside ultrasound may assist in several important patient-oriented outcomes.
A Partisan Divide On The Uninsured

The partisan split in Congress over health reform may reflect a broader divide among the public in attitudes toward the uninsured. Despite expert consensus over the harms suffered by the uninsured as a group, Americans disagree over whether the uninsured get the care they need and whether reform legislation providing universal coverage is necessary. We examined public perceptions of health care access and quality for the uninsured over time, and we found that Democrats are far more likely than Republicans to believe that the uninsured have difficulty gaining access to care. Senior citizens are less aware than others of the problems faced by the uninsured. Even among those Americans who perceive that the uninsured have poor access to care, Republicans are significantly less likely than Democrats to support reform. Thus, our findings indicate that even if political obstacles are overcome and health reform is enacted, future political support for ongoing financing to cover the uninsured could be uncertain.
The Limits of Coercive Airpower: NATO's “Victory” in Kosovo Revisited

Many studies of the 1999 Kosovo crisis argue that although airpower played an important role in forcing President Slobodan Milosevic's capitulation, NATO's threat of a ground invasion was critical. Other studies claim that no such threat existed or that it was irrelevant to ending the crisis. Instead, they attribute NATO's success solely to the strategic use of coercive airpower. There is, however, another explanation: the rising dissatisfaction with Milosevic's rule among his supporters as the crisis dragged on. Despite NATO's overwhelming strategic superiority, Milosevic was able to reject his adversary's terms of surrender until his political position became untenable. This suggests that airpower may have greater limitations as a tool of statecraft than its supporters maintain.
Calculation of bond dissociation energies of diatomic molecules using bond function basis sets with counterpoise corrections

Bond function basis sets combined with the counterpoise procedure are used to calculate the molecular dissociation energies D{sub e} of 24 diatomic molecules and ions. The calculated values of D{sub e} are compared to those without bond functions and/or counterpoise corrections. The equilibrium bond lengths r{sub e}, and harmonic frequencies w{sub e} are also calculated for a few selected molecules. The calculations at the fourth-order-Moller-Plesset approximation (MP4) have consistently recovered about 95-99% of the experimental values for D{sub e}, compared to as low as 75% without use of bond functions. The calculated values of r{sub 3} are typically 0.01 {Angstrom} larger than the experimental values, and the calculated values of w{sub e} are over 95% of the experimental values. 37 refs., 2 tabs.
System design choices in personal communications

The authors outline techniques for dealing with variable propagation conditions for single user channels. They perform comparisons of interference averaging and avoidance multiple access strategies for cellular systems, with capacity as a function of minimum acceptable signal to interference ratio. They discuss some interference suppression methods. Multiple base stations are presented as a means of further increasing capacity. Throughout all of the above, the discussion is centered on connection-oriented traffic such as voice and video, with communication mediated by a network of base stations. The authors then discuss three different personal communication systems being developed at UCLA, illustrating some of the design trade-offs available in achieving low power consumption, high spectral efficiency, and flexible network topology. They conclude with a summary of their perception of the system design choices available at the physical layer. >
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase is localized in extrinsic nerves regulating perireceptor processes in the chemosensory nasal mucosae of rats and humans.

Nitric oxide synthase is the enzyme responsible for the production of the free radical gas nitric oxide, which has been implicated as an intercellular messenger in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Immunoreactivity for nitric oxide synthase is often coincident with the histochemical demonstration of NADPH-diaphorase activity. Using an antibody to the neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase and a histochemical technique for NADPH-diaphorase, we have compared the localization of immunoreactivity and histochemical reaction product in the nasal mucosae of rats and humans. Immunoreactivity for neuronal nitric oxide synthase was localized in the extrinsic perivascular innervation of the olfactory and vomeronasal mucosae of rats and in the olfactory mucosa of humans. In the rat nasal mucosa, specific groups of glands were also innervated; the density of nitrinergic innervation varied among them, with vomeronasal glands and posterior glands of the nasal septum being the most densely innervated. In contrast, NADPH-diaphorase activity was present in olfactory, vomeronasal, and septal organ receptor neurons in rats and in olfactory receptor neurons in humans as well as in numerous nerve fibers, glands, and surface epithelial cells. The localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in extrinsic perivascular and periglandular nerve fibers suggests that nitric oxide may modulate the perireceptor processes of local blood flow and mucus secretion that influence the access to and clearance of chemical stimuli from rat and human chemosensory mucosae. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Identification of Novel Peptide Safety Markers for Exocrine Pancreatic Toxicity Induced by Cyanohydroxybutene

Historically, serum amylase and lipase levels have been used to indicate pancreas injury; however, these enzyme levels are often not predictive of pathology. In an effort to discover novel biomarkers of pancreatic acinar cell injury, we analyzed serum and pancreas tissue from cyanohydroxybutene (CHB)-treated male IGS rats using proteomics methods. CHB produces an "edematous pancreatitis," characterized by depletion of zymogen granules, acinar cell apoptosis, and mild to moderate inflammation. Secondary necrosis occurs at higher doses. Rats were treated with 150 mg/kg of CHB and samples were collected at 4, 8, and 24 h. Analyses of serum tryptic digests by surface-enhanced laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry revealed two novel peptide biomarkers (RA1609 and RT2864) that were predictive of pancreatic damage. Levels of RA1609 decreased, while levels of RT2864 increased by 8 h following CHB treatment. The changes in RA1609 and RT2864 were detected in media from CHB-treated primary rat acini, demonstrating that these peptides are either of pancreatic cell origin or are produced by proteases released from acinar cells. Sequencing revealed that RA1609 is a fragment of rat albumin (accession number P02770, residues 348-360) and RT2864 is a portion of either rat trypsin III (accession number P08426, residues 39-65) or bovine trypsin (accession number P00760, residues 35-61). These two peptides, and possibly other fragments of serum proteins that are digested by pancreatic proteases, may be useful as safety markers for exocrine pancreatic toxicity during drug development or as biomarkers for the diagnosis and/or grading of severity of pancreatic disease.
Parallel Kinematic Machine Research at NIST: Past, Present, and Future

Unchained from the confines of controller limitations, the industrial application of parallel kinematic machines in manufacturing is beginning to emerge. The launch of commercially available hexapod machine tools at the 1994 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago represented the first radical departure in machine tool design since the introduction of numerical controls. The parallel actuator technology promises to offer manufacturers a number of advantages relative to conventional machine tools, such as a higher stiffness-to- mass ratio, higher speeds, higher accuracy, reduced installation requirements, and mechanical simplicity. Several machine tool makers in the U.S. and around the world are pursuing parallel actuator technology, while their prospective customers — manufacturers — are beginning to contemplate what the novel multi-axis machining technology might mean for their operations.
Combining Experiments and Modeling to Characterize New Compositions of Relaxor Ferroelectric Single Crystals

Field induced phase transformations in relaxor ferroelectric single crystals with compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary can be induced by electrical or mechanical loading above a certain threshold. Concurrent electrical and mechanical loading of [011]C cut and poled crystals drives the ferroelectric rhombohedral to ferroelectric orthorhombic phase transformation at lower threshold levels than either load alone. Likewise, electrical loading of [001]C cut and poled crystals hinders the mechanically driven ferroelectric rhombohedral to ferroelectric orthorhombic phase transformation. The current experimental technique for characterization of the large field behavior including the phase transformation requires an extensive set of measurements performed under electric field cycling at different stress preloads and stress cycling at different bias electric fields, repeated at multiple temperatures. This procedure requires specialized equipment and training, and is very time-consuming. In this work a mechanism based model is combined with a more limited set of experiments to obtain the same results. The model utilizes a work-energy criterion that calculates the work required to induce the transformation by overcoming an energy barrier. This approach reduces the number of required experiments while potentially eliminating the need of a load frame for mechanical loading of [011]C crystals. This decreases the time and resources required for characterization of new compositions. The results of the combined experiment / modeling approach are compared to the fully experimental approach and error is discussed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Sovereignty and International Law: Hobbes and Grotius

The fundamental principles underlying sovereignty and international law are apparently antagonistic. The notion behind sovereignty is that a State should be able to govern itself; the notion behind international law is that external rules govern state behaviour. In the real world, neither sovereignty nor international law could be absolutely victorious without vanquishing the other. However, the lesson of history is that neither sovereignty nor international law ever completely bests its opponent. Rather, there is always a balance struck between sovereignty and international law, accommodation that makes up an essential aspect of the constitution of international politics at any given point in time. Now that the East-West confrontation that defined the Cold War chapter of history, 1945-1989, has given way, we might revisit the balance between sovereignty and international law. It is too early to say what the history books will come to use as a chapter heading to describe our post-1989 era, but both sovereignty and international law are strong contenders for increased importance in what is, without doubt, a new world order.
Robustness of 5qx estimators under nonstationarity.

When age-specific death rates are available for single year ages any of several formulas may be used to estimate the probability of dying in an age interval nqx. For 5-year age intervals however the simplest formulas are usually not as precise as some that are more complex. If in addition the population is stable but nonstationary or is subject to fairly regular birth cycles a formula due to Keyfitz and Frauenthal performs markedly better than others. Tests on real populations also support Keyfitz-Frauenthal and suggest that actual differences between other competing formulas may be small. (authors)
Head Start's impact on socio-emotional outcomes for children who have experienced violence or neighborhood crime

Using Head Start Impact Study Data, this study examines Head Start’s impact on socio-emotional outcomes for children who have experienced violence or crime. The children were divided into two groups: children who had ever experienced violence or crime and those who had not. The baseline characteristics for children, effects of violence on children, and the moderation effects of Head Start were examined. Child and family risk factors were associated with more experience of violence or crime, which negatively affected their socio-emotional outcomes. This was more prevalent for children living in rural areas and for White children. Enrollment in Head Start was positively associated with children’s socio-emotional outcomes, with greater impact on those who had ever experienced violence or crime.
Assessing cost savings when unnecessary utilization of laboratory tests can be abolished.

The authors report on the theoretic cost savings that would be realized if presumed overutilization of selected laboratory tests could be eliminated. They limit the scope of this study to inpatients at the University Hospital and on a preselected subset of assays ordered in their institution. A baseline audit including the requests for 19 commonly ordered clinical chemistry tests made for all inpatients during three weekdays was performed at our 400-bed hospital. Eight of the 19 tests (the LYTES-Plus), were done on the ASTRA-8® selective multitest analyzer (Beckman Instruments Inc., Brea, CA 92621), while remaining 11 tests (MTA-11) were performed on the RA-1000® selective multitest system (Technicon Instruments Corp., Tarrytown, NY 10591). The average tests ordered per patient-day were 4.38 of the 19, and the average venipunctures were 0.67. The corresponding numbers for the intensive care patients were 16.6 tests and 2.45 venipunctures per patient-day. Although the intensive care units contributed approximately 8% of the patient days in the hospital, they represented more than 25% of the tests ordered. The authors noted that 5.89 of the eight possible LYTES-Plus assays were ordered per ASTRA-8 sample. The equivalent figure for MTA-11 was 4.55 of 11 possible tests. Using list prices of reagents and disposables, the savings in direct material costs resulting from implementing a number of rather conservative recommendations for decreasing overutilization was estimated to be $45,000 per annum or 31% of the total direct material costs.
BARBAROUS BRAHMINS, CONQUEST, AND ITALIAN IDENTITY IN PETRARCH'S DE VITA SOLITARIA

This essay analyzes Petrarch's views of the Indian Brahmins, elaborated by the author in De vita solitaria. In spite of the lack of previous critical attention to the subject, Petrarch's image of the Hindu sages as barbarous savages is an extremely significant repudiation of a centuries-old tradition of Christian authors, who mostly elevated the Brahmins to a model of asceticism, as opposed to the laxity of people of their own faith. Omitting the similarity between ideals of Christian and Hindu asceticism implicit in the writings of his Christian predecessors, Petrarch is able to fashion a less stern model of solitary life compatible with the dignity he attributed to earthly human existence and the scholarly persona without openly disparaging the severe ideals of renunciation circulating within Christianity since antiquity. In De vita solitaria, Petrarch's Brahmins, and India in general, lose the transcendental aura attributed to them by centuries of Orientalist discourse and are ultimately presented as a...
Letter to the Editor: David, H. A. (2011), “Euler’s Contributions to Mathematics Useful in Statistics,” The American Statistician, 65, 37–42.

H.A. David presents a selection of mathematical contributions by Leonhard Euler (1707–1783) that are useful in statistics. I would like to point out another contribution that was not covered in Dav...
The New Panama Canal in a Global Context (Presentation Slides)

A presentation of the new Panama Canal (opening in 2016) in the context of global economic change, containerized shipping technologies and a worldwide multi-modal shipping system. Five determinants are identified to assess the prospects of Panamanian centrality in global shipping over the coming decades.
The DNABII family of proteins: Diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets of bacterial biofilms

B are organized bacterial communities adhered to a surface. These communities are embedded in extracellular matrix also known as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), the bulk of which is often comprised of abundant extracellular DNA (eDNA). Although biofilms are pervasive in the environment, they present specialized problems when they reside within the human body, contributing significantly to the pathogenesis, chronicity and recurrence of many infectious diseases. The EPS is so recalcitrant to the actions of the host’s immune system that biofilms act as impenetrable reservoirs of bacteria that occasionally slough off, thereby eliciting further acute infections and inducing additional remote sequelae. Even more problematic, as the host immune system mounts an attack on the biofilm, are the bystander effects to surrounding healthy tissue. We have identified that the DNABII family of proteins commonly expressed by virtually all Eubacteria is essential for EPS integrity. These proteins appear to function through the stabilization of eDNA at unusual structural motifs which have properties shared with DNA repair intermediates. Furthermore, treatment with antisera directed against members of the DNABII family is highly effective in debulking all biofilms tested in vitro to date. Data will be provided to show the mechanism of action of this protein and the failure of the immune system to mount a sufficient neutralizing response under normal disease conditions. Finally, various insights will be described to show the utility of using this family of proteins as a diagnostic marker for biofilm infections. Steven D. Goodman, J Bacteriol Parasitol 2013, 4:4 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9597.S1.002
Preserving Location Privacy in Radio Networks Using a Stackelberg Game Framework

Radio network information is leaked well beyond the perimeter in which the radio network is deployed. We investigate attacks where person location can be inferred using the radio characteristics of wireless links (e.g., the received signal strength). An attacker can deploy a network of receivers which measure the received signal strength of the radio signals transmitted by the legitimate wireless devices inside a perimeter, allowing the attacker to learn the locations of people moving in the vicinity of the devices inside the perimeter. In this paper, we develop the first solution to this location privacy problem where neither the attacker nodes nor the tracked moving object transmit any RF signals. We first model the radio network leakage attack using a Stackelberg game. Next, we define utility and cost functions related to the defender and attacker actions. Last, using our utility and cost functions, we find the optimal strategy for the defender by applying a greedy method. We evaluate our game theoretic framework using experiments and find that our approach significantly reduces the chance of an attacker determining the location of people inside a perimeter.
Seafood intake, polyunsaturated fatty acids, blood mercury, and serum C-reactive protein in US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2006)

AbstractWe examined the association between seafood consumption, mercury concentration, polyunsaturated fatty acids, selenium, and Vitamin D in relation to C-reactive protein using the cross-sectional US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006. We hypothesized that seafood consumption and fatty acids will be negatively associated, and mercury will be positively associated with C-reactive protein, and that statistical adjustment for these factors will alleviate confounding thereby making these associations more apparent. The study sample included 1217 participants (706 males, 511 females) aged 16–49. Sex-stratified sample weighted multiple linear regression models revealed no associations of mercury, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fish intake, selenium, or vitamin D with serum C-reactive protein. However, when all variables were included together in one model, fish intake was associated with lower levels of CRP in females suggesting confounding in models that do not mutually adjust for sea...