cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lessons from Wolf Restoration in The Northwestern U.S.

Gray wolf (Canis lupus) populations were deliberately eliminated from nearly all of their historic range in the contiguous United States by 1930. Naturally dispersing wolves from Canada first denned in Montana in 1986. An intense period of scientific research, public outreach, and politics followed and resulted in wolves from western Canada being reintroduced to central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming in 1995 and 1996. The population grew rapidly and at least 1,600 wolves now live in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and parts of eastern Oregon and Washington (NRM). The population has been biologically recovered since December 2003 when at least 663 wolves were present but removal of federal protections was delayed for several years. Packs now occupy mountainous forested habitat in over 130,000 square miles of the NRM. Wolf restoration resulted in both benefits (public viewing, harvest opportunities, funding by tag sales, and restoration of ecological processes) and costs (agency funding, livestock and pet depredation, and competition with big game hunters). Federal, state, and tribal cooperators used a wide variety of deterrents, relocated wolves 117 times, and killed over 2,268 to reduce livestock conflicts. Wolves contributed to reducing some wild ungulate populations and harvest by hunters. Starting in 2009, states began to implement public harvest programs to provide hunter/trapper opportunity, reduce conflict, and meet other objectives. Up to one third of the minimum wolf population was legally killed by humans and as intended, it has helped stabilize the population and reduced conflicts. The NRM wolf population is now being managed similarly to other resident wildlife by the affected States (except Wyoming where litigation caused wolves to remain listed) and Native American Tribes. While the NRM wolf population is biologically healthy, controversy continues as legal, policy, political, and human value issues continue to be debated symbolically through wolves. I discuss the history, science, and politics behind restoring wolves to the NRM and possible implications to future wolf restoration efforts.
In the Shadow of Lady Liberty

This chapter highlights key events and court cases that set the legal stage for the stop-and-frisk as we know it today. Although this was a supplemental action, NYPD turned it into a proactive tool for constant use in the fight against crime in the 1990s New York City—which was riddled with crime. With the drop in crime by 2002, the aggressive tactics were still being applied on a large scale, but with meager results as seen in the Brownsville case which led to the question of the true reason for the continued stop-and-frisk tactic. Some believe it was racism, others believe it was quotas—but to what end?
Concentration and Temperature Effects on Soot Formation in Diffusion Flames

The effects of fuel dilution on soot formation in laminar diffusion flames is investigated. The lower soot formation rate observed is due to a combination of concentration, temperature and residence time effects. Based on local measurements of the temperature, temperature seems to be the most important effect. Modeling results show that concentration effects are mitigated by diffusional processes associated with the diffusion flame structure. Furthermore, dilution increases the time for soot particle inception to occur, resulting in a decreased residence time for soot growth. The observed effects are most important in the soot inception region and appear to decrease in importance as residence time and sooting propensity increase.
One State’s Use of Program Evaluation to Improve Correctional Practices:

Trends in criminal justice programming can sometimes lead one to question the direction the field is taking related to rehabilitation. This article presents one state’s attempt to evaluate the qual...
Trends in Online Biomonitoring

We are living in a digital world and Internet of Things is our last and still ongoing revolution [1]. In the last ten years, the number of devices which are connected to the internet increased ten times. This revolutionary is happening mainly in the industrial area, mainly from efficiency, time and cost reasons.
Semi-supervised Learning of a Markovian Metric.

The role of a distance metric in many supervised and semi-supervised learning applications is central in the success of clustering algorithms. Since existing metrics like Euclidean do not necessarily reflect the true structure (clusters or manifolds) in the data, it becomes imperative that an appropriate metric be somehow learned from training or labeled data. Metric learning has been a relatively new topic in data mining and machine learning, though most work that deals with this topic learns a suitable linear transformation of the original data. This transformation is usually learned using training data and has been shown to improve test data classification accuracy. In this paper we present a Markov random walk based semi-supervised method for metric learning. Our method differs from the aforementioned techniques in that we use minimal labeled data and we do not assume any Mahalanobis type metric structure on the data. We create a computationally efficient nearest neighbor graph representation of the data and pose a semidefinite program that learns the random walk on the associated graph. This is used to generate a distance measure between all unlabeled points and the performance is compared against other important metrics using the k-NN classification rule.
Biolized Material for Cardiac Prosthesis

It has been well documented that most artificial materials, whether hydrophilic, hydrophobic, made electroconductive by the dispersion of conductive particles in it, smooth, rough or heparinized, were covered with protein immediately following implantation into the cardiovascular system (1,2). Regardless of this protein coating, some of the materials had higher thromboresistance than others. Many theories have been proposed to explain these thromboresistant properties, but a definitive answer to these questions would be premature at this time. We have also found that not every protein surface shows thromboresistance; however, when the protein surface was treated with an aldehyde or heat, it resulted in a reproducibly improved thromboresistant surface.
The black box within a black box: Solitary confinement practices in a subset of U.S. immigrant detention facilities

In September 2013, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a directive regarding the use of solitary confinement for ICE detainees. Among other provisions, the directive mandated reporting on the rationale behind decisions to place a detainee into solitary confinement, with particular emphases on placements lasting more than 14 days and for reasons related to illness and other “special vulnerabilities.” This paper analyzes administrative data from ICE, gathered via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, on the use of solitary confinement per the 2013 ICE directive. The FOIA request covers 1193 incidents of solitary confinement from the beginning of the directive (September 2013) through the date of the FOIA request (September 2016), across six facilities under the jurisdiction of two California Field Offices (Los Angeles and San Francisco). Results reveal significant differences in the use of solitary confinement by gender, mental illness status, whether the confined individual had an attorney, Field Office jurisdiction, and individual facility. In addition, we document the extensive use of solitary confinement for “protective custody” and show that this category is potentially punitive in nature. Given the limited nature of access to information on ICE detainees, this is one of the only analyses of solitary confinement in immigrant detention facilities in the United States.
Perceived parental psychological control has indirect effects on aggression via need satisfaction and motivation for revenge

We examined the relationship of perceived parental psychological control (PPC) to aggression and whether this relationship could be accounted for by indirect effects through need satisfaction and m...
Tension pneumocephalus - A rare complication of cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Abstract Three months following a craniectomy and cranioplasty indicated for intraperenchymal hemorrhage, a 74-year-old male suffered a cerebrospinal fluid leak complicated by delayed tension pneumocephalus and declining neurologic status demonstrating a particularly rare complication of neurologic trauma and surgery. While with symptoms of a space occupying mass is the most common presentation, the patient presented cerebrospinal fluid leak prompting CT imaging and diagnosis. Urgent surgical decompression is necessary and was performed resulting in improved mental status.
Using Community-Based Participatory Research Principles to Develop More Understandable Recruitment and Informed Consent Documents in Genomic Research

Background Heart Healthy Lenoir is a transdisciplinary project aimed at creating long-term, sustainable approaches to reduce cardiovascular disease risk disparities in Lenoir County, North Carolina using a design spanning genomic analysis and clinical intervention. We hypothesized that residents of Lenoir County would be unfamiliar and mistrustful of genomic research, and therefore reluctant to participate; additionally, these feelings would be higher in African-Americans. Methodology To test our hypothesis, we conducted qualitative research using community-based participatory research principles to ensure our genomic research strategies addressed the needs, priorities, and concerns of the community. African-American (n = 19) and White (n = 16) adults in Lenoir County participated in four focus groups exploring perceptions about genomics and cardiovascular disease. Demographic surveys were administered and a semi-structured interview guide was used to facilitate discussions. The discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed in ATLAS.ti. Results and Significance From our analysis, key themes emerged: transparent communication, privacy, participation incentives and barriers, knowledge, and the impact of knowing. African-Americans were more concerned about privacy and community impact compared to Whites, however, African-Americans were still eager to participate in our genomic research project. The results from our formative study were used to improve the informed consent and recruitment processes by: 1) reducing misconceptions of genomic studies; and 2) helping to foster participant understanding and trust with the researchers. Our study demonstrates how community-based participatory research principles can be used to gain deeper insight into the community and increase participation in genomic research studies. Due in part to these efforts 80.3% of eligible African-American participants and 86.9% of eligible White participants enrolled in the Heart Healthy Lenoir Genomics study making our overall enrollment 57.8% African-American. Future research will investigate return of genomic results in the Lenoir community.
Theoretical and Numerical Study of Formation of Near-Electrode Layers in Ionic Conductor Liquids at High Voltages.

A novel approach is developed to predict the thickness of the equivalent one-dimensional Stern layer near conducting electrodes subjected to high voltage and carrying electric current. The nonspeci...
Metabolism of exogenous D-mannosamine.

The metabolism of exogenous d -mannosamine by Sarcoma 180 cells and by intact rats has been studied. 1-14C- d -Mannosamine enters the ascites cells rapidly and is phosphorylated to mannosamine 6-phosphate. No other radioactive, low molecular weight derivatives could be detected, and no radioactive carbon dioxide was produced. Incorporation of radioactivity into macromolecules did not occur. Mannosamine and mannosamine 6-phosphate accumulated in ascites cells exposed to high concentrations of mannosamine (5 to 100 m m ). However, very little N-acetylmannosamine entered the cells under these conditions. Radioactive mannosamine administered intraperitoneally to rats was rapidly excreted, and by 24 hours most of the mannosamine was recovered unaltered in the urine. Considerable radioactivity was observed in the trichloracetic acid-soluble fraction of liver and kidney within 30 min after intraperitoneal injection of 1-14C- d -mannosamine to rats. The radioactivity decreased with time in these tissues, and little remained after 24 hours. Essentially all the trichloracetic acid-soluble radioactivity in these tissues was free mannosamine, with less than 1% as mannosamine 6-phosphate. Little or no radioactivity was incorporated by rats into the trichloracetic acid-insoluble fraction, and no 14CO2 was expired.
A Single-Device Embodiment of XNOR Logic: TransiXNOR

In most digital circuits and systems, transistors are engineered only for simple switching. Much recent research has focused on developing novel transistors as efficient switches [1]. On the other hand, a single transistor can also be designed to achieve richer functionalities. By taking advantage of the ambipolar behavior of tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs), in this paper we propose a device concept, TransiXNOR, which is a dual-gate four-terminal transistor implementing XNOR logic within a single device.
Are Groundwater Level Data Collected by Citizen Scientists Trustworthy? A Cautionary Tale

Public participation in groundwater projects is increasing, however, the efficacy of the data collected in such studies, is not well-documented in the literature. In this study, the authors describe a citizen science project focused on measuring and recording groundwater levels in an aquifer and evaluate whether the groundwater data collected by the participants are trustworthy. A total of 31 participants were initially recruited to measure and record groundwater levels from 29 monitoring wells on a barrier island. Following recruitment, the authors provided training to the citizen scientists by introducing groundwater concepts, and showing the participants how to measure, record and report groundwater level data (over an 81-day period) with an electronic water level meter. The water level data recorded by the citizen scientists (i.e., 35 time series datasets with over 450 unique measurements) were then compared to high frequency data recorded by automated water level loggers that were already deployed in the groundwater monitoring wells to assess the trustworthiness of the data. Trustworthiness was evaluated using measures of reliability (i.e., consistency in measuring the same thing), validity (i.e., degree to which results are truthful), and other standard graphical and statistical techniques. The results suggest that with proper training, guidance, and motivation, citizen scientists can collect trustworthy groundwater level data that could be useful for monitoring the sustainability of aquifers and managing of groundwater levels. It is noted however, that such positive outcomes require significant investments of time and effort on the part of the project managers.
Task-specific Disruptions in Theta Oscillations during Working Memory for Temporal Order in People with Schizophrenia

Prior studies demonstrated that neural oscillations are enhanced during working memory (WM) maintenance and that this activity can predict behavioral performance in healthy individuals. However, it is unclear whether the relationship holds for people with WM deficits. People with schizophrenia have marked WM deficits, and such deficits are most prominent when patients are required to process relationships between items, such as temporal order. Here, we used EEG to compare the relationship between oscillatory activity and WM performance in patients and controls. EEG was recorded as participants performed tasks requiring maintenance of complex objects ("Item") or the temporal order of objects ("Order"). In addition to testing for group differences, we examined individual differences in EEG power and WM performance across groups. Behavioral results demonstrated that patients showed impaired performance on both Item and Order trials. EEG analyses revealed that patients showed an overall reduction in alpha power, but the relationship between alpha activity and performance was preserved. In contrast, patients showed a reduction in theta power specific to Order trials, and theta power could predict performance on Order trials in controls, but not in patients. These findings demonstrate that WM impairments in patients may reflect two different processes: a general deficit in alpha oscillations and a specific deficit in theta oscillations when temporal order information must be maintained. At a broader level, the results highlight the value of characterizing brain-behavior relationships, by demonstrating that the relationship between neural oscillations and WM performance can be fundamentally disrupted in those with WM deficits.
Variable data measurement systems analysis: advances in gage bias and linearity referencing and acceptability

Measurement systems analysis (MSA) is a set of requirements and procedures adopted by the automotive industry and other disciplines to evaluate the accuracy and precision of measurement systems through assessing and quantifying the random and systematic errors and assigning appropriate dispositions for tolerance and performance acceptance. The methodology of variable data MSA comprises studies of a system's stability, bias, linearity and gage repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R). This paper describes advances in referencing and criteria for estimation of uncertainty errors, dispositions, and acceptability of MSA bias and linearity, proposing an extension to the basic statistical zero null-hypothesis to include overlap between confidence intervals and uncertainty associated with the reference standards used in bias and linearity studies.
Kosovo's War Victims: Civil Compensation or Criminal Justice for Indentity Elimination?

This paper examines the likelihood that displaced war victims, who have essentially lost their identities as well as so much else, can recoup civil compensation for their losses through local Yugoslavian courts. It scrutinizes the basic international human rights doctrines and systems of enforcement to determine whether these may offer remedies for the victims of identity elimination. Finally, the article explores the likelihood that, through the International Tribunal in the Former Yugoslavia, those responsible for identity elimination may be held criminally liable for their actions in Kosovo.
Democracy, science and the state: Reflections on the disaster(s) of our times

The global Covid-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our social and political lives, such as the balance between work and family, the shrinking role of the public sphere and the growth of gover...
Modified MAX Phase Synthesis for Environmentally Stable and Highly Conductive Ti3C2 MXene.

One of the primary factors limiting further research and commercial use of the two-dimensional (2D) titanium carbide MXene Ti3C2, as well as MXenes in general, is the rate at which freshly made samples oxidize and degrade when stored as aqueous suspensions. Here, we show that including excess aluminum during synthesis of the Ti3AlC2 MAX phase precursor leads to Ti3AlC2 grains with improved crystallinity and carbon stoichiometry (termed Al-Ti3AlC2). MXene nanosheets (Al-Ti3C2) produced from this precursor are of higher quality, as evidenced by their increased resistance to oxidation and an increase in their electronic conductivity up to 20 000 S/cm. Aqueous suspensions of stoichiometric single- to few-layer Al-Ti3C2 flakes produced from the modified Al-Ti3AlC2 have a shelf life of over ten months, compared to 1 to 2 weeks for previously published Ti3C2, even when stored in ambient conditions. Freestanding films made from Al-Ti3C2 suspensions stored for ten months show minimal decreases in electrical conductivity and negligible oxidation. Furthermore, oxidation of the improved Al-Ti3C2 in air initiates at temperatures that are 100-150 °C higher than that of conventional Ti3C2. The observed improvements in both the shelf life and properties of Al-Ti3C2 will facilitate the widespread use of this material.
Iridium-silicide nanowires on Si(110) surface

Abstract We studied physical and electronic properties of iridium silicide nanowires grown on the Si(110) surface with the help of scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The nanowires grow along the [001] direction with an average length of about 100 nm. They have a band gap of ~ 0.5 eV and their electronic properties show similarities with the iridium silicide ring clusters formed on Ir modified Si(111) surface.
The atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance:malignant ratio: a proposed performance measure for reporting in The Bethesda System for thyroid cytopathology.

BACKGROUND: The Bethesda System (TBS) for reporting thyroid cytopathology introduced the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS) category, but did not provide adequate guidance for the appropriate use of this diagnosis. In the current study, the authors sought to identify an appropriate measure for AUS use based on experience to date with TBS. METHODS: The authors reviewed 8 series, including their own laboratory experiences, with a total of 30,466 thyroid aspirates classified within TBS. RESULTS: The median AUS rate was 9.9% with a range of 3.0% to 18.0%. Use of the individual diagnostic categories within TBS varied up to 12.7-fold. The ratio of “suspicious for follicular neoplasm” plus “suspicious for malignancy” to “malignant” (M) diagnoses varied the least (1.8-fold). The AUS:M ratio provided a suitable measure of assessing AUS use, with a median ratio of 2.0 and a range of 0.5 to 4.9. CONCLUSIONS: Based on available studies, an AUS:M ratio of 1.0 to 3.0 is recommended. AUS:M ratios > 3.0 are likely because of overdiagnosis of AUS or underdiagnosis of M. AUS:M ratios < 1.0 are mostly due to low AUS rates, at the likely expense of sensitivity. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
The Nature of Osteoporosis

The recent emergence of osteoporosis as a major focus of investigation in fields as diverse as mechanical engineering, pediatrics, and epidemiology has led to many important advances in the understanding of and therapeutics for this disease. Whereas the topic of osteoporosis formerly occupied just a few paragraphs in standard texts, it is now the primary focus of several journals and textbooks. This volume provides current information regarding skeletal health and itsdisruption. Attention is given to bone acquisition during growth years, mechanisms of adult bone loss, and new developments in osteoporosis diagnostics and therapeutics.
Biological fluidized bed reactor: hydrodynamics, biomass distribution and performance.

Performance of a pilot-scale denitrifying biological fluidized bed was analyzed with special consideration to the effects of mean cell residence time (MCRT) and biomass distribution in the reactor. An optimum MCRT exists at which volumetric removal rate is maximized. The decline of substrate removal rate at short MCRT is caused by small amount of biomass in the reactor. At long MCRT the decline of substrate removal rate was attributed to decreasing biofilm effectiveness and smaller solids holdup.
Location and function of vesicle clusters, active zones and Ca2+ channels in the lamprey presynaptic terminal.

Synaptic transmission requires spatial and temporal coordination of a specific sequence of events. The trigger for synaptic vesicle exocytosis is Ca2+ entry into presynaptic terminals, leading to neurotransmitter release at highly specialized sites known as active zones. Ca2+ channel proximity to exocytotic proteins and vesicle clusters at active zones have been inferred from biochemical, histological and ultrastructural data, but direct evidence about functional relationships between these elements in central synapses is absent. We have utilized the lamprey giant reticulospinal synapse to characterize functional colocalization of known synaptic markers in the presynaptic terminal, as well as their reliability during repeated activation. Recycling vesicle clusters, surrounding actin filaments, and physiologically relevant Ca2+ influx all show identical morphological distribution. Ca2+ influx is mediated by clusters of Ca2+ channels that colocalize with the vesicle clusters, defined by imaged sites of vesicle recycling and actin localization. Synaptic transmission is inhibited by block of actin depolymerization, but Ca2+ signalling is unaffected. Functional Ca2+ channels are localized to presynaptic clusters, and Ca2+ transients at these sites account for neurotransmitter release based on their spatial and temporal profiles. Ca2+ transients evoked by single axonal action potentials are mediated solely by voltage-operated Ca2+ channel activation, and slower Ca2+ rises observed throughout the axon result from Ca2+ diffusion from the synaptic regions. We conclude that at lamprey giant reticulospinal synapses, Ca2+ channels and release sites colocalize, creating a close spatial relationship between active zones and Ca2+ entry sites, which is necessary for site-specific, Ca2+-dependent secretion.
Proving loop termination: Beyond the traditional method

The traditional method for proving loop termination requires us to define a bound function of program variables. The criterion in this method is well-defined and can be easy to apply, as such functions are obvious for many loops. However in some cases, it can be very difficult to define a bound function. In this paper, we discuss how to prove loop termination by using alternative methods. First we show how to prove loop termination by solving a recursive relation that defines the number of iterations remaining in any execution state. Then we introduce a step-by-step approach for applying this recursive relation method. This new method can also be used to investigate preconditions that lead to loop termination in non-deterministic cases. Finally, we illustrate another method that uses a more general criterion for proving loop termination. The new criterion is a generalization of the classical one. This paper does not attempt to offer a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, it provides some alternative methods that make proving loop termination easier in some cases, where termination might otherwise be difficult if not impossible to prove.
No consistent small-scale native–exotic relationships

The perception that native and exotic species are negatively related to each other at small scales has proliferated in the ecological literature. Although mounting evidence shows that such a perception is not always reality, the degree to which the mismatch occurs and the causes are not clear. Here, I compile and synthesize data based on the smallest scales used in 75 case studies in plant communities around the world, and analyze detailed data from a study in early successional California chaparral. I show that (1) different metrics (community variables) yielded different results, (2) native biomass and cover had much stronger negative effects on exotic richness than native richness and density, (3) there is no consistent correlation between native and exotic richness, especially in natural and immature communities, and (4) proportionally more experimental studies revealed negative relations than field observations. Collectively, these results reveal and confirm a high degree of mismatch between perceptions and reality in small-scale patterns of biotic invasions which have management implications.
Electrostatic dependence of the thrombin-thrombomodulin interaction.

The rate constants for the binding interaction between thrombin and a fully active fragment of its anticoagulant cofactor, thrombomodulin, have been determined by surface plasmon resonance. At physiological ionic strength, the k(a) was 6.7x10(6) M(-1) s(-1 )and the dissociation rate constant was 0.033 s(-1). These extremely fast association and dissociation rates resulted in an overall binding equilibrium constant of 4.9 nM, which is similar to previously reported values. Changing the ionic strength from 100 mM to 250 mM NaCl caused a tenfold decrease in the association rate while the dissociation rate did not change significantly. A similar effect was observed with tetramethylammonium chloride. A Debye-Huckel plot of the data had a slope of -6 and an intercept at 0 ionic strength of 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). The same slope and intercept were obtained for data that was collected in the presence of glycerol to slow the association rates. These results show that the thrombin-TM456 interaction is extremely rapid and nearly completely electrostatically steered. An association model is presented in which TM456 approaches thrombin along the direction of the thrombin molecular dipole.
Condorcet efficiency of simple voting rules for large electorates

Abstract An exact representation is obtained for the Condorcet efficiency of the voting rule known as Borda Rule as the electorate becomes very large. With the assumption of impartial anonymous culture, the limiting Condorcet efficiency is 41 45 . Exact computation of Condorcet efficiency for small electorates shows very rapid convergence to this limiting value.
Analysis and simulation of urban activity patterns

Abstract This paper is a report on an on-going effort to use computers for simulating the out-of-the-home activity patterns of the resident households of a metropolitan area over a 24-hour day. The first section discusses the conceptual framework proposed for structuring the analysis and simulation of activity patterns and relates both person and household activity patterns to land use and transportation planning. The second part discusses some empirical results from preliminary analysis of these activity patterns.
Synaptic transmission at single visualized hippocampal boutons

We have used a focal stimulation method to study neurotransmission at synapses onto hippocampal pyramidal neurons in cultures derived from neonatal rats. Single functional boutons were visualized by activity-dependent preloading with the fluorescent dye FM1-43, then focally stimulated by localized application of elevated K+/Ca2+ solution via a puffer pipette, while postsynaptic currents were recorded under whole cell voltage clamp (Liu and Tsien, 1995). This paper gives a detailed description of the main properties of this experimental system and of information it has provided about fundamental properties of hippocampal synapses. Most of the experiments focused on excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), but preliminary recordings of inhibitory events (IPSCs) are also reported here. The unitary EPSCs at individual synapses varied greatly in amplitude, but were relatively uniform in their time course. The frequency of the synaptic events was greatly reduced by lowering the external Ca2+ concentration or by application of baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist. Frequent repetitive stimulation produced a decline in the incidence of EPSCs that was readily reversed upon rest. We attribute the decline to exhaustion of a pool of available vesicles; typically, recovery proceeded with a time constant of approximately 40 sec (23 degrees C), and involved a vesicular pool capable of generating approximately 90 EPSCs without recycling. While synaptic currents were broadly distributed in amplitude (Bekkers et al., 1990), this distribution was remarkably similar at multiple synapses on a given postsynaptic neuron. The median synaptic current amplitude varied 4-fold across different cells, decreasing markedly with increasingly dense synaptic innervation. The implications of these results for cellular signal processing and quantal analysis are discussed.
Generating an evolution system in a class of uniformly convex Banach spaces

Abstract Let E be a Banach space such that both E and its dual space are uniformly convex. In this paper we consider the problem of existence of solutions to the system u ′( t ) ϵ A ( t ) u ( t ) where A ( t ) is a dissipative subset of E × E for each t in [ a , b ]. It is also assumed that the family { A ( t ) : t ϵ [ a , b ]} satisfies a demiclosed condition and a directional growth condition. Using the technique developed here, we are able to characterize densely defined generators of strongly continuous nonlinear semigroups.
A survey of progress in coding theory in the Soviet Union

Described in this report are the results of a comprehensive technical survey of all published Soviet literature in coding theory and its applications--over 400 papers and books appearing before March 1967. The purpose of this report is to draw attention to this important collection of technical results, which are not well known in the West, and to summarize the significant contributions. Particular emphasis is placed upon those results that fill gaps in the body of knowledge about coding theory and practice as familiar to non-Soviet The most noteworthy Soviet contributions have occurred in those areas that deal with codes for the noiseless channel, codes that correct asymmetric errors, decoding for cyclic codes, randomcoding bounds on the amount of computation required, and various application criteria--that is, when to use which code, and how well it performs. Other important but isolated results have been reported on the construction of optimal low-rate codes, bounds on nonrandom codes, linear (continuous) coding, codes for checking arithmetic operations, properties of code polynomials, linear transformations of codes, multiple-burst-correcting codes, special synchronization codes, and certain broad generalizations of the conventional coding problem. Little or no significant work has been done on pseudorandom sequences, unit-distance codes (with one exception), the application of codes to the design of redundant computers and memories, the search for good cyclic codes, and the physical realization of sequential decoding algorithms. Section II of this report is directed to the nonspecialist, and describes the status of the field of coding theory in the Soviet Union, summarizes the major technical results, and compares these with corresponding work in the West. Section III discusses in detail for the coding specialist new theoretical results, details of coding procedures, and analytical tools described in the Soviet literature. A complete bibliography is included.
Onset Delay of Acoustic Second Harmonic Backscatter from Bubbles or Microspheres

A well-known method of enhancing blood detectability in ultrasound imaging of tissues detects the second harmonic of the incident radiation, which is generated by ultrasound contrast agents in the form of bubbles or microspheres that may have been injected into the blood. We report here a delay in the onset of the backscattered second harmonic with respect to the backscattered first harmonic for these agents. This effect, which should limit the axial resolution attainable with harmonic imaging, is investigated by simulation as well as experiment, and its dependence on the incident ultrasonic amplitude and microsphere parameters is established.
T-helper cell responses in liver transplant recipients: correlation with cytomegalovirus and other major infections

Mitogen concanavalin A (ConA) response and cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific memory response were assessed in 24 liver transplant recipients and compared with healthy subjects. Transplant recipients as compared to healthy subjects had a lower CMV memory response at 2 weeks (P = 0.023), and at 1 month (P = 0.06), but a comparable response at 3 months. CMV recipient + / donor + (R + /D + ) patients had the greatest increase in CMV-specific memory response at 2-3 months as compared to all other groups. Within this R + /D + group, CMV-specific memory response was significantly more robust in patients who never had CMV infection as compared to those who developed CMV infection (P = 0.035). ConA response at 2 weeks was significantly lower in patients with major infections as compared to those without them (SI 5.4 vs. 38.1, P = 0.039). Thus, reconstitution of CMV-specific T-helper cell response was distinct for subsets of liver transplant recipients based on the recipient and donor CMV serostatus. Impairment in proliferative response to ConA identified a subgroup of patients with major infections after liver transplantation.
Evaluation of four cell lines for assay of infectious adenoviruses in water samples

Human viral contamination in drinking and recreational waters poses health risks. The application of PCR-based molecular technology has advanced our knowledge of the occurrence and prevalence of human viruses in water; however, it has provided no information on viral viability and infectivity. Four human cell lines were compared for their sensitivity to different serotypes of human adenoviruses using the TCID50 test. The sensitivity of each cell line varied with different serotypes of adenovirus. Human embryonic kidney cell line 293A and human lung carcinoma cell line A549 were the most sensitive, especially to enteric adenovirus 40 and 41. Plaque assay of primary sewage samples showed 293A can detect viral plaques in 7 of 13 primary sewage samples tested. Adenoviruses were also isolated using 293A from environmental water concentrates. Cloning and sequencing of environmental adenoviral isolates indentified them to be aligned with adenoviruses serotype 40 and serotype 5. The result of this study suggests that plaque assay with 293A cell line is suitable for detection of adenovirus in the aquatic environment. Combining this cell culture with molecular methods for viral assay in the aquatic environment will provide critical information for risk assessment.
The USMLE, the NBME subject examinations, and assessment of individual academic achievement.

This second of the four-part set of articles published in this issue examines the appropriateness of using scores on the Step 1 and Step 2 examinations of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to make individual academic achievement decisions (e.g., for promotion or graduation) and
Outcomes of intravesical botulinum toxin for idiopathic overactive bladder symptoms: a systematic review of the literature

Purpose: We systematically reviewed the evidence for the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in the management of overactive bladder.Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify articles published between 1985 and March 2009 on intravesical botulinum toxin-A injections for the treatment of refractory idiopathic overactive bladder in men and women. Databases searched included MEDLINE®, CENTRAL and Embase®. Data were tabulated from case series and from randomized controlled trials, and data were pooled where appropriate.Results: Our literature search identified 432 titles and 23 full articles were included in the final review. Three randomized placebo controlled trials addressing the use of botulinum toxin-A were identified (99 patients total). The pooled random effects estimate of effect across all 3 studies was 3.88 (95% CI −6.15, −1.62), meaning that patients treated with botulinum toxin-A had 3.88 fewer incontinence episodes per day. Urogenital Distress Invent...
GROWTH OUTCOMES OF VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT (VLBW) CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY. 2280

Poor growth outcomes are common among VLBW children (<1.5 kgm). To examine the effect of cerebral palsy (CP) on growth to 20 months corrected age, we compared all 50 singleton VLBW children diagnosed with cerebral palsy(BW 1014 g, GA 27.7 wks) who were born at our center from 1983-1991 to the next inborn VLBW child, matched by birthweight (± 250 g), gestational age (± 2 wks), race and sex, who had no neurosensory impairment at 20 months (BW 1029 g, GA 27.6 wks). Social risk factors of the groups were similar.
Altered reactivity in mixed lymphocyte culture of lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied in one-way stimulation mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) and results compared with cultured pairs of rheumatoid and normal lymphocytes. In 14 of 22 experiments, no lymphocyte stimulation was noted when rheumatoid arthritis lymphocytes obtained from unrelated patients were studied in MLC. Normal lymphocytes produced stimulation of rheumatoid cells in 16 of 22 instances, and rheumatoid lymphocytes induced transformation of normal subjects' lymphocytes in 19 of 22 experiments. Marked alteration in mutual lymphocyte stimulation was thus recorded when cells from some patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied together.
High-fat diet consumption disrupts memory and primes elevations in hippocampal IL-1β, an effect that can be prevented with dietary reversal or IL-1 receptor antagonism

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is reaching worldwide proportions. In addition to causing obesity, HFDs also induce a variety of health disorders, which includes cognitive decline. Hippocampal function may be particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of HFD, and it is suspected that 'primed' neuroinflammatory processes may mediate this response. To examine the link between diet, hippocampal function and neuroinflammation, male Wistar rats were fed a medium or HFD. Hippocampal memory function was measured using contextual pre-exposure fear conditioning (CPE-FC). Rats fed a HFD demonstrated impaired memory, an effect that was augmented with longer duration of HFD consumption. HFD-induced memory impairments were linked to potentiated levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) protein in the hippocampus 2h after the foot-shock that occurs during CPE-FC. Central IL-1 receptor antagonism, with intracisterna magna (ICM) administration of hIL-1RA prior to the foot-shock prevented the diet-induced memory disruption, suggesting a critical role for IL-1β in this phenomenon. Additionally, obese animals whose diet regimen was reversed from HFD back to standard chow recovered memory function and did not demonstrate a foot-shock-induced hippocampal IL-1β increase. Interestingly, dietary reversal neutralized the negative impact of HFD on memory and IL-1β, yet animals maintained physiological evidence of obesity (increased body mass and serum leptin), indicating that dietary components, not body mass, may mediate the negative effects on memory.
Marketing and Product Liability: A Review and Update

Product liability developments have been widely discussed but often with differing views regarding their impact on companies. This article reviews this debate from a marketing perspective by analyzing relevant insurance industry data and case law decisions. Conclusions drawn from the analysis as well as their implications for marketing managers are presented.
Cervical cancer screening (Pap testing) behaviours and acceptability of human papillomavirus self-testing among lesbian and bisexual women aged 21–26 years in the USA

Objective Lesbian and bisexual women are at risk for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical disease. We examined cervical cancer screening (Pap testing) behaviours among these women and their acceptability of HPV self-testing at home, a potential cervical cancer screening strategy. Methods We analysed data from a national sample of lesbian and bisexual women aged 21–26 years ( n= 418) who completed our online survey in Autumn 2013. Logistic regression identified correlates of (1) having had a Pap test in the last 3 years and (2) willingness to use an HPV self-test at home. Results About 70% of women had undergone a Pap test in the last 3 years. Pap testing was more common among women who had disclosed their sexual orientation to their health care provider [odds ratio (OR)=2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–3.95] and less common among women who self-identified as lesbian (OR=0.48, 95% CI 0.25–0.93). Just over half the women (51%) were willing to use an HPV self-test at home. Women were more willing to use an HPV self-test at home if they were older (OR=1.16, 95% CI 1.03–1.30) or reported higher levels of worry about getting an HPV-related disease (OR=1.28, 95% CI 1.01–1.63). The most common concerns about HPV self-testing at home were using the test incorrectly (70%) and test accuracy (64%). Conclusions Many young lesbian and bisexual women have not had a recent Pap test. HPV self-testing at home may be a promising future strategy for reaching and screening these women. Findings highlight beliefs and concerns that could be addressed by self-test programmes.
COMPENSATORY EYE MOVEMENTS INDUCED BY VERTICAL SEMICIRCULAR CANAL STIMULATION

Abstract Electric stimulation of single anterior or posterior semicircular canal nerves induced disconjugate eye movements in monkey, cat, dog and rabbit. These movements were different but characteristic for each canal nerve stimulated in each species. This is in contrast to eye movements evoked by lateral canal nerve stimulation which were conjugate and horizontal in these species. We investigated the relationship of these disconjugate eye movements to acceleratory head rotations in the plane of the vertical canals. Ocular deviations were calculated which would oppose head rotations in several vertical planes. The axes for these rotations lay at 45°, 90° and 0° from the midsagittal plane of the head and were parallel to the plane of the lateral canals. These rotations corresponded to head movements which would have excited single anterior or posterior canals, bilateral anterior or posterior canals, or unilateral anterior and posterior canals respectively. The eye movements evoked by vertical semicircular canal nerve stimulation appeared to be the same as the eye movements which were predicted to oppose rotation in the planes of these semicircular canals. Eye movements from single anterior canal nerve stimulation which appeared disconjugate from the front of the animal were associated when viewed from the plane of rotation of the head. These data show that the degree of ocular dissociation and the direction of the eye movements can be mathematically approximated if the plane of the excited semicircular canal and the angle of the optic axis of the animal are known. The most important factor in determining the form of the induced eye movements from species to species is the lateral or frontal positioning of the eyes in the head. The results also show that the central neural organization which produces these movements must vary from species to species to provide the precise ocular compensation in direction which exists for acceleratory head rotation.
Congenital absence of a pulmonary artery. Report of a case, with special reference to the bronchial circulation and review of the literature.

Abstract A patient with congenital isolated absence of the left pulmonary artery is described. Hemodynamic and respiratory studies are reported, and the bronchial collateral circulation assessed from an anatomic and functional standpoint. The pertinent literature concerning this anomaly is reviewed, the features of this condition in infants and adults compared, and the obscure nature of the pulmonary hypertension in infants discussed.
Comparison between the dynamic moduli of fully non-linear and quasilinear viscoelastic materials

Abstract This paper deals with the non-linear viscoelastic model with multiple hereditary integrals (MHI) in the frequency domain and the conditions that it reduces to single hereditary integral or the quasilinear viscoelastic (QLV) model. It is shown that when the higher order complex moduli are related to the first-order modulus as E n ( ω 1 , … , ω n ) = α n q E 1 ( ω 1 + ⋯ + ω n ) the MHI model reduces to the QLV model. The coefficients of quasilinearity α n q should be real and independent of amplitude and frequency.
The mighty monolith

K evin Phillips has built an artful rationale for imposing direct political controls on national media and diminishing their corporate power. This may have a certain appeal to those who do not like bigness because it is big, though it will bring exasperation from liberals and civil libertarians. And there is not much here that will comfort libertarian conservatives either. But perhaps he has done us a service by pulling out all the stops and enlivening a controversy that has not been knocked around since Spiro Agnew went after the press during the first Nixon administration.