cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of adaptive syndromes interrelated with seed dormancy in weedy rice (Oryza sativa)

Seed dormancy in rice interrelates to the weedy characteristics shattering, awn, black hull color, and red pericarp color. A cross between the weedy strain SS18-2 and the breeding line EM93-1 was developed to investigate the genetic basis and adaptive significance of these interrelationships. These characteristics or their components differed in average degree of dominance from −0.8 to 1.5, in heritability from 0.5 to 0.96, and in their contribution to phenotypic or genotypic variation in dormancy by up to 25%. Five dormancy, four shattering, and three awn-length quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected in the BC1 population replicated in 2 years. Two QTLs for hull color were identified, and the SS18-2-derived and EM93-1-derived alleles increased the intensity of black, and red or yellow pigmentations, respectively. The only QTL for pericarp color co-located with the red pericarp gene Rc, with the SS18-2-derived allele increasing the intensity of black and red pigmentations. Four of the five dormancy QTLs were flanked or bracketed by one to four QTLs for the interrelated characteristics. The QTL organization pattern indicates the central role of seed dormancy in adaptive syndromes for non-domesticated plants, implies that the elimination of dormancy from cultivars could arise from the selections against multiple interrelated characteristics, and challenges the use of dormancy genes at these loci in breeding varieties for resistance to pre-harvest sprouting (PHS). However, another QTL (qSD12) provides candidate gene(s) for PHS resistance because it has a large effect in the population and it is independent of the loci for interrelated characteristics.
Apparatus to control motion parameters of two trapezoid illusions.

Ames (1951) was the first to demonstrate that a rotating trapezoidal target could be seen as oscillating through approximately 100" in the frontal plane. A rather detailed exposition of the parameters of the illusion, reported by Zegers and Murray (1962), indicated the importance of size, distance, tilt, target shape, pattern and speed of rotation, as well as subjective factors. Zenhausern ( 1968, 1969) discovered a reverse phenomenon: a trapezoid, oscillated through 120" with the smaller end in the frontal plane, was perceived as rotating. He found that the perspective cues inherent in the target design had a differential effect on the two illusions. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation of -.63 between the two phenomena, i.e., Ss who reported a large number of illusory experiences on one illusion tended to perceive a small number on the other illusion. Zenhausern, Hansen, and Sobrien (1970), working with the reverse illusion, found that decreasing the angle through which the target was oscillated resulted in fewer illusory experiences. The control of stimulus motion parameters has, for the most part, been achieved through the use of variable speed motors and mechanical transmissions. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how, through the use of a stepping motor and motor control, the parameters of speed of rotation and oscillation, direction of rotation, and angle of oscillation can be electronically controlled.
Dynamics of biochemical oscillators in a large number of interacting cells

6. Summary We investigated here minimal models for coupled metabolic oscillators in cell suspensions. They are based on a feedback-activation mechanism, proposed for the explanation of the glycolytic oscillations. Despite the simplicity of the models we found a wide variety of complex dynamical phenomena. Depending on the kinetic parameters interacting cells may oscillate synchronous or asynchronous. It was shown, that there are different possibilities for asynchronous oscillations. (a) Depending on the type of coupling regular asynchronous behaviour may occur near to the boundary of stability. This type of behaviour was only possible, if the coupling metabolite belongs to the pool of products of the autocatalytic reaction. (b) Leaving the near neighbourhood of the points of Hopf-bifurcations in both models nonregular asynchronous behaviour may arise by secondary symmetry breaking bifurcations, either from the branch of synchronous oscillations or from the branch of regular asynchronous oscillations. In model II the coupling opens the possibility of multiple steady states. The whole population may be within different stable steady states or different oscillatory modes. The results of our study may be helpful for the interpretation of experimental data in this field. The mechanism of interaction, which was investigated here, has been proposed for many biological systems. Especially for yeast cell suspensions the question of the coupling intermediates is studied intensively. In recent time acetaldehyde was reported to be the synchronizer of the oscillations [5], but this substance was shown to desynchronize the oscillations too [4]. Without discussing the problem, whether or not this substance mediates the coupling, we want to emphasize that any metabolite may play the role of a synchronizer as well as that of a desynchronizer. Moreover we have demonstrated that the regular asynchronous oscillations may lead to the phenomenon of hidden oscillations, where it may be difficult to observe cellular oscillations.
Patient safety incident capture resulting from incident reports: a comparative observational analysis

Patient safety incident (PSI) discovery is an essential component of quality improvement. When submitted, incident reports may provide valuable opportunities for PSI discovery. However, little objective information is available to date to quantify or demonstrate this value. The objective of this investigation was to assess how often Emergency Department (ED) incident reports submitted by different sources led to the discovery of PSIs. A standardized peer review process was implemented to evaluate all incident reports submitted to the ED. Findings of the peer review analysis were recorded prospectively in a quality improvement database. A retrospective analysis of the quality improvement database was performed to calculate the PSI capture rates for incident reports submitted by different source groups. 363 incident reports were analyzed over a period of 18 months; 211 were submitted by healthcare providers (HCPs) and 126 by non-HCPs. PSIs were identified in 108 resulting in an overall capture rate of 31%. HCP-generated reports resulted in a 44% capture rate compared to 10% for non-HCPs (p < 0.001). There was no difference in PSI capture between sub-groups of HCPs and non-HCPs. HCP-generated ED incident reports were much more likely to capture PSIs than reports submitted by non-HCPs. However, HCP reports still led to PSI discovery less than half the time. Further research is warranted to develop effective strategies to improve the utility of incident reports from both HCPs and non-HCPs.
Ureteric obstruction due to peri-aneurysmal fibrosis.

SUMMARY Ureterolysis in a patient with ureteric obstruction due to peri-aneurysmal fibrosis is described. The patient had previously undergone nephrectomy for a renal clear cell carcinoma. He has remained in good health for a year after ureterolysis. Six previously reported surgically treated cases are reviewed. Ureterolysis appears to be an effective form of treatment for this unusual form of peri-ureteric fibrosis.
Microwave circuits for future wireless systems

The objective of this paper is to provide an insight into the impact of microwave circuits in future wireless systems. Wireless systems are considered in general to incorporate a number of wireless paradigms.
mTOR signaling in protein homeostasis: Less is more?

A proper balance between synthesis, maturation and degradation of cellular proteins is crucial for cells to maintain physiological functions. The costly process of protein synthesis is tightly coupled to energy status and nutrient levels by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), whereas the quality of newly synthesized polypeptides is largely maintained by molecular chaperones and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. There is a wealth of evidence indicating close ties between the nutrient signaling pathway and the intracellular stress response. Dysregulation of both systems has been implicated in aging and age-associated pathologies. In this review, we describe molecular mechanisms underlying the connection between mTOR and the chaperone network and discuss the importance of their functional interaction in growth and aging.
Plasma convection in Neptune's magnetosphere

The magnetosphere of Neptune changes its magnetic configuration continuously as the planet rotates, leading to a strong modulation of the convection electric field. Even though the corotation speed is considerably larger, the modulation causes the small convection speed to have a cumulative effect, much like the acceleration of particles in a cyclotron. A model calculation shows that plasma on one side of the planet convects out of the magnetosphere in a few planetary rotations, while on the other side it convects slowly planetward. The observation of nitrogen ions from a Triton plasma torus may provide a test of the model.
Separation, Divorce, and Woman Abuse:

There has been far too little attention to the violence that women experience at the hands of male partners during and after separation from a marriage. In this article, I provide evidence for the seriousness of the problem of violence during separation and its consequences. I argue that (a) violence is a significant factor causing women to leave marriages and thus contributes to the high rate of divorce; and (b) violence continues to play a role in the divorce process as couples negotiate for assets after separation. The data presented in this article are from a study based on a random sample of divorced women with children from diverse backgrounds. The data make clear that many women experienced violence both during and after the ending of their marital relationships and that the violence caused some women to leave their marriages and caused others difficulty in negotiating for their share of marital resources. These women's experiences have implications both for how we conceptualize divorce and for soc...
LIFE HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF THE ARMORED SPIDER MONOBLEMMA MUCHMOREI (ARANEAE, TETRABLEMMIDAE)

The armored spider Monoblemma muchmorei Shear 1978 occurs in the wet subtropical forest of the Caribbean National Forest, Luquillo, Puerto Rico. It is found almost entirely in bamboo litter between 100 and 110 m in elevation and shares this habitat with a number of other species of spiders, ants and other small arthropods. The two sexes come together with no evidence of prior courtship, mate, and may remain in copula for many hours. A small decorated egg sac is produced with only one egg in each sac. The female tends the unusually large spiderling for a week or more and appears to offer some protection from other small invertebrates. For reasons not understood, second instar spiders suffered a high mortality rate, up to 70%. In captivity, the adults may live for eight months or more. Observations on the predator-prey interactions among M. muchmorei and other small invertebrates are reported. At least 30 species of spiders in 16 families are found associated with M. muchmorei in the bamboo litter.
On the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)

Recognizing the importance of rain in the tropics and the accompanying latent heat release, NASA for the U.S. and NASDA for Japan have partnered in the design, construction and flight of an Earth Probe satellite to measure tropical rainfall and calculate the associated heating. Primary mission goals are: 1) the understanding of crucial links in climate variability by the hydrological cycle, 2) improvement in the large-scale models of weather and climate, and 3) improvement in understanding cloud ensembles and their impacts on larger scale circulations. The linkage with the tropical oceans and landmasses are also emphasized. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite was launched in November 1997 with fuel enough to obtain a four to five year data set of rainfall over the global tropics from 37 deg N to 37 deg S. This paper reports progress from launch date through the spring of 1999. The data system and its products and their access is described, as are the algorithms used to obtain the data. Some exciting early results from TRMM are described. Some important algorithm improvements are shown. These will be used in the first total data reprocessing, scheduled to be complete in early 2000. The reader is given information on how to access and use the data.
Intercalary regeneration in legs of crayfish: Central segments

Each leg of a crayfish embodies two types of morphogenetic fields, a limb field and a sequence of segmental fields. These fields were manifest in grafting operations along the proximodistal axis of legs 3 and 4. The propodite was grafted into more proximal segments—carpopodite, meropodite, or basipodite—in one set of operations. In a second set the propodite was host for a graft from the propodite or carpopodite. After these operations intercalary regeneration yielded complete regenerates, which manifested the limb field, and incomplete regenerates, which showed the segmental field. Complete legs contained all structures present in a normal leg. After some operations complete legs also had supernumerary structures. Several types of incomplete legs regenerated—(1) legs with fusion of the host and graft segments; (2) legs with a joint girdling only part of the leg circumference; and (3) legs with one mosaic segment intercalated to replace two deleted segments. These results show that both limb and segmental fields control intercalation in the tested segments of crayfish legs, as in insect legs. We propose a “mode control hypothesis” to describe the way in which molt cycle phase and healing rate bias the type of field controlling regeneration. Our observations also provide clues about the operation of the fields to generate structures. Homologous parts of the segmental field do not necessarily generate analogous structures in different leg segments. Although intersegmental membrane often develops in conjunction with an apodeme (muscle tendon), in a mosaic joint intersegmental membrane can still develop in the absence of the corresponding apodeme. In a partial joint the length of the segments adjacent to the joint is subnormal, but greater than the length of the segments between which a joint is missing. The jointless region may limit the growth of the jointed region.
Geographical variation in Argentine ant aggression behaviour mediated by environmentally derived nestmate recognition cues

Social insects use a complex of recognition cues when discriminating nestmates from non-nestmate conspecifics. In the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, recognition cues can be derived from exogenous sources, and L. humile acquires prey-derived hydrocarbons that are used in nestmate discrimination. We studied Argentine ant population-level distinctions in response to external recognition cues. Ants belonging to a California population were strongly affected by the imposition of prey-derived hydrocarbons, with spatially isolated colony fragments that had been fed different cockroach prey (Blattella germanica or Supella longipalpa) showing high and injurious intracolony aggression when reunited. In contrast, colonies of Argentine ants from the southeastern U.S. showed only moderate and noninjurious aggression when subjected to the same treatment. Field-collected colonies of L. humile had hydrocarbons in the range of those provided by S. longipalpa, and colonies from the southeastern U.S. had significantly higher initial levels of Supella-shared hydrocarbons. When fed cockroaches, Argentine ants from both regions acquired additional amounts of Supella- and Blattella-specific hydrocarbons, with a significant increase in levels of Blattella-specific hydrocarbons. Therefore, diet partitioning produced a greater change in the proportion of prey hydrocarbons in the California than in the southeastern U.S. populations, which may be responsible for the altered behaviour observed in the California population. Identifying factors underlying geographical variation in cue expression and/or perception may bring us closer to elucidating the selective forces driving nestmate recognition systems.
Role of gamma interferon in the pathogenesis of severe schistosomiasis in interleukin-4-deficient mice.

In the absence of interleukin-4 (IL-4), infection with Schistosoma mansoni leads to a severe fatal disease rather than the chronic survivable condition that occurs in wild-type (WT) mice. Because the sustained production of NO most closely correlates to weight loss and fatality in infected IL-4−/− mice and because gamma interferon (IFN-γ) is an important inducer of inducible NO synthase, infected IL-4−/− mice were treated with anti-IFN-γ antibodies to determine the role of IFN-γ during schistosomiasis in WT and IL-4−/− animals. When IFN-γ was neutralized, Th2 responses were enhanced and NO production was reduced in both WT and IL-4−/− mice. The decreased NO production correlated with a rescue of proliferation in splenocytes from infected IL-4−/− mice. Furthermore, the neutralization of IFN-γ in vivo improved the gross appearance of the liver and led to a reduction in granuloma size in infected IL-4−/− but not WT mice. However, the neutralization of IFN-γ in vivo did not affect the development of severe disease in infected IL-4−/− mice. These results suggest that while the increased production of IFN-γ does lead to some of the pathology observed in infected IL-4−/− mice, it is not ultimately responsible for cachexia and death.
Exploring the effect of erythropoietin on mortality using USRDS data.

Purpose Erythropoietin (EPO) improves measures of quality of life and reduces transfusions. Clinical trials have reported higher mortality associated with higher hemoglobin targets in varied clinical settings, making difficult the selection of erythropoiesis stimulation strategies in end-stage kidney disease. Observational studies distinguishing an effect of EPO from underlying conditions are challenging, but promise insights relevant to real-world settings. Methods Using data from the United States Renal Data System, we performed a retrospective cohort study of hemodialysis patients treated between 2000 and 2004. 409 364 Medicare insured patients receiving hemodialysis therapy as of January 2000 or who began dialysis after January 2000 and survived >6 months were studied. We examined the association of EPO dose in any given month with death over subsequent follow-up. Results Within each hematocrit group ( 39%), the hazard ratios comparing the 80th percentile to the median EPO dose were 0.88 (95% CI: [0.87–0.90]), 0.94 ([0.93–0.94]), 0.98 ([0.98–0.99]), 1.06 ([1.05–1.06]) and 1.08 ([1.07–1.09]), respectively. Within the highest hematocrit group, the association of a high EPO dose with elevated mortality was attenuated over time. Among patients with malignancy or indications of EPO resistance, the association of higher EPO dose with lower mortality was attenuated when hematocrit was low, while its association with higher mortality was stronger when hematocrit was high. Conclusions These analyses demonstrate a complex relationship between EPO dosing and mortality, suggesting a possible beneficial effect among severely anemic hemodialysis patients, but possible harm when administered to individuals with higher hematocrit levels. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nephron sparing surgery for appropriately selected renal cell carcinoma between 4 and 7 cm results in outcome similar to radical nephrectomy

ABSTRACTPurpose: We compared outcomes between patients treated with nephron sparing surgery (NSS) without imperative indications for renal preservation and radical nephrectomy (RN) for 4 to 7 cm renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Materials and Methods: We identified 91 patients treated with NSS and 841 patients treated with RN for 4 to 7 cm RCC between 1970 and 2000. Cancer specific, distant metastases-free and recurrence-free survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results: Cancer specific survival rates at 5 years for patients treated with NSS and RN for 4 to 7 cm RCC were 98% and 86%, respectively. On univariate analysis patients treated with RN for 4 to 7 cm RCC were more likely to die of RCC compared to patients treated with NSS. However, after adjusting for features associated with death from RCC including stage, grade, histological tumor necrosis and histological subtype, this difference was no longer statistically significant (risk ratio 1.60, 95% CI 0.50–5.12, p = 0.430). Distant metastase...
On Dou-quantification

This paper examines the frequently discussed quantifierdou ‘all’ in Mandarin Chinese. I argue, following traditional grammarians as well as Lee (1986), thatdou ‘all’ is an adverb of quantification. I show that a floating quantifier analysis ofdou ‘all’ along the lines of Chiu (1990, 1993) falls short of accounting for the dual status ofdou, as a quantifier and a binder. As a quantifier,dou quantifies over regular NPs (plural). As a binder,dou provides quantificational force forwh-polarity items, which do not have inherent quantificational force. I argue that the locality restrictions associated withdou varies depending on the element it is associated with. With regular NPs, the locality is reflected by LF adjunction ofdou. Withwh-polarity items, the locality is restricted by licensing of polarity items as well as its ability as a binder.
J. Willard Gibbs' vector analysis in structural geology

A vector system is established in a hemisphere of a unit radius and certain pertinent relationships are derived for lines located in the same plane. Examples for the solution of field problems, commonly encountered in structural geology and the use of the vector system are given.
Strategic Alliances and Technology Licensing in Biotechnology

Introduction Why are Alliances and Licensing So Important in Biotechnology? How are Alliances Structured? What is the Evidence from Field Research? Where is Further Research Needed? Keywords: technology licensing
Efficacy of Tamsulosin with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Passage of Renal and Ureteral Calculi

Objective:To review the evidence for the safety and efficacy of adjunctive tamsulosin in enhancing the efficacy of renal and ureteral stone clearance when used with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).Data Sources:A search of MEDLINE (1950-January 2008), PubMed (1950-January 2008), and the Iowa Drug Information System (1966-January 2008) was performed using the search terms tamsulosin and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. MeSH headings included lithotripsy and adrenergic α-antagonists. Additional references were found by searching bibliographic references of resulting citations.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All studies utilizing tamsulosin therapy after a single session of ESWL or after the development of steinstrasse, an accumulation of stone fragments that obstructs the ureter, were included.Data Synthesis:To date, 5 prospective studies have evaluated the efficacy of tamsulosin combined with ESWL in enhancing the passage of renal and ureteral stones. in one trial, 12-week renal stone...
Clientelism Versus Ideology Problems of Party Development in Brazil

Although aggregate data on party competition in Brazil seem hopeful, unsettling trends appear in state-level party systems in the years of the consolidation of Brazilian democracy (the period this article examines extends through the 2002 elections), such as instability and fragmentation, which exceed the extent of problems apparent at the national level. These hamper the informational role parties can play for voters picking from a large number of candidates. While other possible explanations shed little light on these problems, a hypothesis about clientelistic party-building strategies may explain the patterns in party competition across states. Such strategies depend on the distribution of selective benefits, such as patronage or vote-buying, to attract candidates, elicit votes and gain office for the party. Clientelistic party-building strategies provide no extra-material incentive for party cohesion, and may stymie the development of a stable competitive system. Furthermore, it is through clientelism...
Association of Oral Calcitriol with Improved Survival in Nondialyzed CKD

Parenteral vitamin D is associated with improved survival among long-term hemodialysis patients. Among nondialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), oral activated vitamin D reduces parathyroid hormone levels, but the impact on clinical outcomes is unknown. We evaluated associations of oral calcitriol use with mortality and dialysis dependence in 1418 nondialysis patients with CKD and hyperparathyroidism in the Veterans' Affairs Consumer Health Information and Performance Sets database. Incident calcitriol users and nonusers were selected on the basis of stages 3 to 4 CKD, hyperparathyroidism, and the absence of hypercalcemia before calcitriol use and then were matched by age and estimated kidney function. During a median follow-up of 1.9 yr, 408 (29%) patients died and 217 (16%) initiated long-term dialysis. After adjustment for demographics; comorbidities; estimated kidney function; medications; and baseline levels of parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous, oral calcitriol use was associated with a 26% lower risk for death (95% confidence interval 5 to 42% lower; P = 0.016) and a 20% lower risk for death or dialysis (95% confidence interval 1 to 35% lower; P = 0.038). The association of calcitriol with improved survival was not statistically different across baseline parathyroid hormone levels. Calcitriol use was associated with a greater risk for hypercalcemia. In conclusion, oral calcitriol use is associated with lower mortality in nondialysis patients with CKD.
A subnanosecond clamped-bit-line sense amplifier for 1T dynamic RAMs

A clamped-bit-line sense amplifier (CBLSA) capable of subnanosecond response in 1T DRAM applications has been developed. Results from an experimental test chip demonstrate that the speed of the new circuit is insensitive to bit line capacitance. The CBLSA maintains a low impedance fixed potential on the bit lines, virtually eliminating sensitivity to inter-bit-line noise coupling and minimizing power supply bounce during sensing. >
Non-interaction between in vivo and cell free nuclear binding of estrogen receptor.

It is well established that rat uterine cytoplasm contains a receptor protein for 17β-estradiol and that the receptor-steroid complex is concentrated in the nucleus, but the nature of the nuclear binding sites is unclear. After injecting increasing doses of estradiol into mature ovariectomized rats, we find increasing levels of receptor bound estradiol (R-E) in the uterine nuclei. When purified nuclei from these uteri are incubated with a fixed amount of cytosol receptor labeled with 3H-estradiol (R-E*), the binding of R-E* is not affected by any amount of R-E bound previously in vivo. Thus competition by in vivo bound R-E for cell free R-E* binding sites does not occur. Since the available evidence supports the assumption that the receptor is bound to the same type of sites both in vivo and under cell free conditions, we conclude that there are a large number of nuclear acceptor sites for R-E, so that these sites are far from saturated in vivo even at hyperphysiological estradiol concentrations.
Image-based querying of urban knowledge databases

We extend recent automated computer vision algorithms to reconstruct the global three-dimensional structures for photos and videos shot at fixed points in outdoor city environments. Mosaics of digital stills and embedded videos are georegistered by matching a few of their 2D features with 3D counterparts in aerial ladar imagery. Once image planes are aligned with world maps, abstract urban knowledge can propagate from the latter into the former. We project geotagged annotations from a 3D map into a 2D video stream and demonstrate their tracking buildings and streets in a clip with significant panning motion. We also present an interactive tool which enables users to select city features of interest in video frames and retrieve their geocoordinates and ranges. Implications of this work for future augmented reality systems based upon mobile smart phones are discussed.
La Historia, las tradiciones y la literatura: Centralidad de la mitología en Historia moderna de El Salvador (1914) y en “La loba” (1904) de Francisco Gavidia

Tomando como punto de partida dos textos fundamentales dentro de la tradicion literaria salvadorena, Historia moderna de El Salvador y “La loba” de Francisco Gavidia, este ensayo destaca el uso instrumental de la mitologia indigena tanto en el discurso historico como en el literario. El analisis detallado de las obras referidas revela que tanto el desarrollo de la identidad cultural salvadorena como la fundacion de la nacion misma se funda a base de la identificacion con el legado indigena de la region (la mitologia), pero no necesariamente su aceptacion absoluta.
Relationship of growth and blood pressure in inbred rats

Blood pressure and body weight rise with age, and hypertension is hypothesized to result from an early disorder of growth. We used the statistical technique of spline fitting to examine patterns of growth and rising blood pressure in individual inbred rats of the Wistar-Kyoto, spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), and stroke-prone SHR strains. Our results indicate that growth is phasic and that a well-defined growth spurt peaks at approximately 50 days of age in each strain. In addition, the time of maximal weight gain corresponds to the onset of a blood pressure spurt. The timing of this blood pressure rise was similar in the three strains, but the maximal rate of blood pressure rise was significantly higher in the hypertensive strains. Our results suggest that growth and rising blood pressure are intimately linked. Blood pressure appears to rise in response to a growth spurt, suggesting that there are growth-related events that trigger the cardiovascular response.
Challenges in 3D Process Simulation for Advanced Technology Understanding

This paper describes advances and remaining challenges in unstructured 3D meshing techniques for both process and device simulations and parallelization of the process simulator FLOOPS. The meshing is performed using a point cloud manager to create points and an unstructured tetrahedral mesher. Distributed parallel techniques are used to parallelize the sparse matrix assembly and solution for 3D process diffusion simulations.
Blood Volume in Cobalt Polycythemia

ConclusionCobalt polycythemia in the dog is accompanied by an increase of blood volume which is due chiefly to an increased volume of cells.
Chesapeake and Shorewood Hostile Bids: A Tale of Two Boards (B)

The purpose of this case is to present a series of strategic issues faced by a $1/B company. The situation called for a major restructuring immediately followed by a hostile takeover bid. The company won a Delaware State Court decision in the case of the hostile offer.
Sperm granulomas: an adverse effect of vasectomy.

This study performed at The Johns Hopkins medical institutions in Baltimore was the first long-term research concerning the incidence and mechanism of formation of sperm granulomas in rats following vas ligation. Both prepubertal and adult male rats were used in the experiments. Observation of more than 100 vasectomized rats showed sperm granuloma formation invariably occurs after vasectomy. Experimental results tended to eliminate the possibilities that leakage of sperm at the operation or suture material was a predisposing factor in granuloma formation. 6 months following vasectomy the average weight of a granuloma was .3-.7 gm. A typical lesion at this time contained massive accumulations of intact spermatozoa; thus it is thought that after vasectomy sperm are incompletely reabsorbed by the epididymis. At 6 months a typical granuloma contained 20-200 times the number of sperm in a single ejaculate of the rat. It was noted that size of the granulomas could eventually decrease with time. The typical life of an area of granulomatous inflammation began with an accumulation of large masses of sperm bordered by a rim of epithelioid histiocytes which was rimmed by a perivascular accumulation of round cells. The whole lesion was limited by a fibrous capsule. Then the lesion seemed to progress to a pyogenic granuloma many polymorphonuclear neutrophils moving into the sperm mass. The central mass was destroyed and histiocytic response with active phagocytosis of sperm was more pronounced. A classical granuloma resulted a smaller lesion with large numbers of epithelioid histiocytes with Langhans giant cells. The reabsorption of sperm in granuloma formation may trigger alterations in the animals immunology. Sperm are known as strong autoantigens.
A new Genotype of Japanese Encephalitis Virus from Indonesia

Primer-extension sequencing of the RNA template of polio, dengue, Rift Valley fever, and Japanese encephalitis (JE) viruses has provided new information on their geographic distribution, origin, and evolution. In a previous study of 46 diverse JE virus strains, we demonstrated the existence of three distinct JE genotypes in Asia. We now report the occurrence of a fourth genotype. In the present study, 19 JE virus isolates, representing various geographic regions of Asia and a 50-year time span, were compared with each other and with Murray Valley encephalitis, West Nile, and Kunjin viruses. Twelve of the JE strains from the Indonesian Archipelago and the Philippines had not been previously examined; the remainder were representatives of the three previously identified genotypes. Two hundred forty nucleotides from the pre-M gene region of the virus were used in these comparisons. Using 12% divergence as a cut-off point, the 19 JE strains fell into four distinct genotypic groups; maximum divergence across the comparison region was 21%. The newly recognized fourth genotype was comprised of five Indonesian isolates that were 7% divergent from the rest of the JE viruses.
The Concept of Predetermination and Fate in the Han

A number of interesting anecdotes are recorded in the Shih-chi and the Han-shu, especially in the biographies of various renowned figures. Some of these anecdotes are related to the concept of predestination and fate. The most frequently mentioned cases are the stories of the births of emperors and founders of dynasties and legends related to the ancient sage kings. At the beginning of the “Annals of Liu Pang,” the founder of the Han dynasty, it is related that he was engendered by a dragon and from this acquired an unusual physiognomy resembling the face of a dragon. His unusual appearance impressed his prospective father-in-law, who decided to let him marry his daughter, the future Empress Lu. An old lady, Madame Hsu, who was noted for her ability to prophesize by physiognomy, was so impressed by the appearance of Liu Pang that she prophesized a good fortune for the whole family. The legend associated with Liu Pang, that his killing of a white snake was lamented by a mysterious old lady as the act of killing the “Son of the White Emperor” by the “Son of the Red Emperor”, is very familiar. It is further related that Liu's wife never failed to locate his hideout because there was always a colorful haze and mist over it.
Adult intussusception: Diagnosis and clinical relevance

Intussusception is relatively rare in the adult population and differs substantially from pediatric intussusception. Most adult intussusceptions identified at surgery are caused by a definable structural lesion, a substantial proportion of which are malignant, particularly in the colon. Small bowel intussusceptions, however, have a lower prevalence of malignancy. Diagnosis of adult intussusception can be made reliably with noninvasive imaging techniques. CT is now widely regarded as the modality of choice for diagnosing intussusception in adults, but ultrasound and MR imaging have also been used effectively. Determination of the presence of a malignant lead point remains problematic because an edematous or hemorrhagic intussuscipiens may mimic a mass on each modality. Markers for bowel viability have been described but are not precise. Treatment of the persistent symptomatic intussusception in which neoplasia is suspected is surgical, and preoperative reduction is contraindicated. Transient relatively asymptomatic enteric intussusceptions discovered by imaging may not require intervention.
Dynamic Modeling using Advanced Time-series Techniques: Energy-GNP and Energy-Employment Interactions

Using advanced time-series techniques, this chapter discusses the relationship between energy and two important macro-variables, gross national product (GNP) and employment. In assessing the interaction between gross energy consumption (GEC) and GNP, the regression technique of Sims is used, and the method of Box and Jenkins is applied in the analysis of causal relations between energy and employment. The advanced time-series methods yield univariate and bivariate models that are subjected to rigorous methodological procedures. The time-series models provide predictions that are more accurate than those of the large macroeconomic models. The procedure utilized is the following. First, each of the two time-series is separately treated to isolate the random shocks from the systematic behavior of the series. The random shocks or innovationsare those parts of series behavior that cannot be predicted from the variable's own past history. Second, the shocks in the two series are related through their cross-correlation function to determine the degree to which the shocks in the energy series explain those in the employment series, and vice versa. This information is used to determine the direction of causality between the original series, according to a criterion developed by Granger, and to model the lag structure of the relation. The estimated residuals from the model are then analyzed to check the adequacy of the causal order selected and the fit obtained.
SCATEAgent: Context-Aware Software Agents for Multi-Modal Travel

In this paper we describe our research on an agent-based intelligent, flexible, and context-aware multi-modal traveler information system, SCATEAgent1. The work targets the representation and manipulation of core user, preferences, and context models which facilitate highly-customized and adaptable agents playing key roles in an agent-based Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS). This ATIS finds and fuses information from multiple sources on routes, congestion, incidents, weather, alternative transit modes and schedules, provides proactive real-time updates and context-specific guidance as the user travels, and is vigilant about impacting events. A highly intelligent, personalized, and user-friendly assistant to the traveler, especially in case of transitions among different travel modes, SCATEAgent will promote effective individual traveling and also help to smooth the transportation load in general. The expected contributions include the design of user, preference, context and travel ontologies; user, context, task models based on these ontologies, a set of representations to drive agent behavior and communication, and a compatible integration of rules, machine learning, information retrieval, and semantic web. Currently, we have completed the first stage of our research, producing first pass ontologies and models, an initial prototype of a small-scale test-bed incorporating GPS-enabled cell-phones, and multiple mechanisms for agents to handle and adapt to such models and travel related events.
B Locus YAC Mice Carrying G Gene Promoter Mutations: Insights into the Mechanism of Action of the -175 HPFH Mutation.

Non-deletional HPFHs are g gene promoter mutations, which are associated with HbF elevation in heterozygous adult individuals. To investigate the mechanism whereby these mutations result in g gene activation, the −198 (T→C) and −175 (T→C) mutations were introduced into the promoter of the A g gene in the context of a 213 kb b-globin locus YAC. The mutated YAC DNA was then used to produce transgenic mice. Expression of the human g and b globin gene was examined by RNase protection assay in blood of the adult transgenic mice carrying either −198 or −175 mutations. The level of g gene expression ranged from 4.0 to 8.5% of the human b mRNA in the −198 mutant transgenic mice, and from 25 to 41% in the −175 mutant mice. In contrast, there was no detectable level of g gene expression in the blood of wild type transgenic mice. The ratios of g/b mRNA in the mutant transgenic mice correspond to the levels of Hb F in adult individuals carrying the corresponding mutations: Hb F in heterozygotes for HPFH −198 and −175 mutations ranges from 3.5 to 10% and from 36 to 41%, respectively. To delineate the mechanism of g gene reactivation by the HPFH mutations, the CACCC box in the g gene promoter was deleted in the context of the mutant YAC. In contrast to the −175 HPFH bYAC mice, in the doubly mutated −175 HPFH D A gCACCC bYAC mice, expression of the g gene in the adult blood of the transgenic mice was undetectable. These results provide strong evidence that an intact CACCC box is required for g gene activation in the −175 HPFH mutation. We conclude that YAC mice can faithfully reproduce the phenotypes of nondeletional HPFH mutations and be used for the investigation of the mechanisms by which these mutations activate the g gene.
Identification of At-Risk Patients and Comorbidities That Increase Risk

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of death in the United States and the world. Nonetheless, there has been huge success in cancer treatments leading to increasing number of cancer survivors. However, as cancer patients live longer, many of them are dying from cardiovascular diseases because of the intense oncologic treatments administered. Oftentimes, the diagnosis of heart disease could come later, after significant (and often irreversible) cardiovascular damage has occurred. Thus, knowledge of comorbidities that increase risk in this population is necessary, as is the identification of at-risk persons early and prior to development of cardiovascular problems. Our chapter discusses comorbidities secondary to oncologic treatments that increase cardiovascular risk, as well as identification and possible prediction of cardiovascular side effects/complications resulting from cancer therapy.
Status of Business Process Courses in AACSB-Accredited Undergraduate Programs of Business

A large number of corporations are improving business processes applying enablers such as information systems and workflows. This trend causes a strong demand for college graduates prepared with th...
A 71–86-GHz Phased Array Transceiver Using Wideband Injection-Locked Oscillator Phase Shifters

This paper presents the first phased array transceiver operating from 71 to 86 GHz using injection-locked oscillators (ILOs) for phase shifting. A folded-cascode ILO is proposed to extend the locking range of an array of oscillators. Frequency multiplication covers a 10-GHz tuning range with 23-dB power gain. Each ILO path covers more than ±300° and exhibits low amplitude variation with respect to phase shift range ( $3.4\times2.1$ mm2 area implementing in the 90-nm BiCMOS technology and consuming 386.4 mW in the TX mode and 286 mW in the RX mode per element.
Relationships between cerebral autoregulation and markers of kidney and liver injury in neonatal encephalopathy and therapeutic hypothermia.

Relationships between cerebral autoregulation and markers of kidney and liver injury in neonatal encephalopathy and therapeutic hypothermia
Letter by Ghimire Regarding Article, "Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection: The Current Management Strategies in a Pediatric Cohort of 768 Patients".

I came across an article by Shi et al1 with an impressive large database of total anomalous pulmonary venous return cases. However, I have few comments and questions about the study: 1. Shi et al1 mention that in their study, emergency surgeries and neonatal surgeries were associated with higher mortality. Delay in diagnosis often leads to unwanted intervention and causes delay in transfer to the centers with pediatric cardiac care and surgery, and …
Far from “Anything Goes”: Ethics as Communally Constructed

Constructivist and constructionist stances have long been critiqued for inviting “anything goes,” otherwise referred to as “rampant relativism.” As Raskin and Debany (this issue) argue, there could...
Reifying common sense: Writing the 6–12 Missouri social studies content standards

Abstract The construction of content standards has become one of the most politicized processes in K-12 public education as those who determine the value of knowledge(s) also shape who retains or gains political power (Placier, Walker, & Foster, 2002; Sleeter, 2002; Heilig, Brown, & Brown, 2012). In this study, authors examine the process of crafting secondary social studies standards in the state of Missouri. Findings indicate that common sense was deployed in three areas: committee selection, standards writing, and committee decorum. As a result, the standards generated through this process served to reify the neoconservative/neoliberal status quo and failed to include reference to content beyond the scope of traditional knowledge, values, and intentions of conservative social studies. Authors also call for the adoption of a critical common sense which insists that the status quo of old-fashioned common sense is challenged.
Shared genetic contribution to type 1 and type 2 diabetes risk

The role of shared genetic risk in the etiology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the mechanisms of these effects is unknown. In this study, we generated T1D association data of 15k samples imputed into the HRC reference panel which we compared to T2D association data of 159k samples imputed into 1000 Genomes. The effects of genetic variants on T1D and T2D risk at known loci and genome-wide were positively correlated, which we replicated using data from the UK Biobank and clinically-defined diabetes in the WTCCC. Increased risk of T1D and T2D was correlated with higher fasting insulin and fasting glucose level and decreased birth weight, among T1D- and T2D-specific correlations, and T1D and T2D associated variants were enriched in regulatory elements for pancreatic, insulin resistance (adipose, CD19+ B cell), and developmental (CD184+ endoderm) cell types. We fine-mapped causal variants at known T1D and T2D loci and found evidence for co-localization at five signals, four of which had same direction of effect, including CENPW and GLIS3. Shared risk variants at GLIS3 and other signals were associated with measures of islet function, while CENPW was associated with early growth, and we identified shared risk variants at GLIS3 in islet accessible chromatin with allelic effects on islet regulatory activity. Our findings support shared genetic risk involving variants affecting islet function as well as insulin resistance, growth and development in the etiology of T1D and T2D.
Photoactivation of Hematoporphyrin Derivative in Cat Brain: A Model of Ischemic Necrosis

Hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) is under investigation as a phototherapeutic agent for the treatment of cerebral neoplasia (McCulloch et al, 1983). When illuminated with red light (wavelength 631 nm) in the presence of oxygen, cytotoxic free radicals are produced. The phototherapeutic effect is thought to occur as a result of free radical damage to the microvasculature, leading to cerebrovascular thrombosis and ensuing ischemic necrosis of the tumor. The phototherapeutic effect on the tumor produces ischemic necrosis similar to that seen in occlusive cerebrovascular disease with brain infarct. Therefore, preliminary neuropathological and intracranial pressure (ICP) studies were initiated on photoactivation of HpD in normal cat brain in an effort to characterize the physiological and experimental parameters of the lesion.