cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Freeze Preservation of Isolated Populations of Highly Motile Human Spermatozoa

Contemporary procedures for the freeze preservation of human and other mammalian spermatozoa involve dilution of the whole semen with a cryoprotective agent alone, such as glycerol, or a semen extender(e.g. glycerol-egg yolk-citrate). After suitable equilibration has occurred, the semen suspension is frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. Various quantitative protocols have been applied for the rates of cooling of the semen suspension before freezing, and the rates of rewarming during and after thawing. In the human, the great majority of results have indicated that approximately 30%–70% of spermatozoa that were motile prior to freezing regained their motility initially after thawing.1-11 This range of values seems to be at least as much an indication of the variability of human semen quality as a result of different freeze-thaw protocols. Indeed, human semen of very good quality(high percentage motility, vigorous, progressive sperm swimming) appears to be more resistant to the stresses of freezing and thawing than human semen of less than optimal quality.5 This distinction represents a practical limitation of contemporary human semen freeze preservation: It is difficult to anticipate a priovi what the post-thaw motility recovery of a human sample will be.
Feeding Mechanisms in Sharks and Other Elasmobranchs

Earliest vertebrates were fish-like forms, but lacked definitive jaws and paired appendages (of the sort possessed by gnathostomes), and were represented in the fossil record as long ago as the later Cambrian (Carroll 1988). Gnathostomes — fishes with a fully formed jaw apparatus, and an appendicular skeleton comparable to that of all other jawed groups — appear suddenly in the Silurian. These first gnathostomes, the Acanthodii (Moy Thomas and Miles 1971; Carroll 1988) are interpreted variously, as being related to either, both, or neither of the two major classes of fish, the Chondrichthyes and the Osteichthyes (Romer 1966; Moy Thomas and Miles 1971; Schaeffer and Williams 1977; Jarvik 1980; Carroll 1988). Another gnathostome group, the Placodermi, is known at or near the Silurian-Devonian boundary. The placoderms include many shark-shaped forms, but have a skeleton containing extensive dermal bone (see Stensio 1963; Romer 1966; Jarvik 1980; Carroll 1988) as well as endochondrial ossification. The relationships of placoderms to acanthodians and or to chondrichthyians (if to either) are still debated.
Resection of Sarcomatous Pulmonary Metastases

Sarcomatous tumors preferentially metastasize to the lungs. Complete resection of pulmonary metastases is associated with prolonged survival. Prognostic indicators may allow the surgeon to better select patients for resection of their sarcomatosis metastases.
Evaluating the performance of the staircase and quick Change Detection methods in measuring perceptual learning

The staircase method has been widely used in measuring perceptual learning. Recently, Zhao, Lesmes, and Lu (2017, 2019) developed the quick Change Detection (qCD) method and applied it to measure the trial-by-trial time course of dark adaptation. In the current study, we conducted two simulations to evaluate the performance of the 3-down/1-up staircase and qCD methods in measuring perceptual learning in a two-alternative forced-choice task. In Study 1, three observers with different time constants (40, 80, and 160 trials) of an exponential learning curve were simulated. Each simulated observer completed staircases with six step sizes (1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 60%) and a qCD procedure, each starting at five levels (+50%, +25%, 0, -25%, and -50% different from the true threshold in the first trial). We found the following results: Staircases with 1% and 5% step sizes failed to generate more than five reversals half of the time; and the bias and standard deviations of thresholds estimated from the post hoc segment-by-segment qCD analysis were much smaller than those from the staircase method with the other four step sizes. In Study 2, we simulated thresholds in the transfer phases with the same time constants and 50% transfer for each observer in Study 1. We found that the estimated transfer indexes from qCD showed smaller biases and standard deviations than those from the staircase method. In addition, rescoring the simulated data from the staircase method using the Bayesian estimation component of the qCD method resulted in much-improved estimates. We conclude that the qCD method characterizes the time course of perceptual learning and transfer more accurately, precisely, and efficiently than the staircase method, even with the optimal 10% step size.
$H$ -Plane Narrow-Wall Double-Ridge Waveguide Coupler in $V$ - and $W$ -Bands

A design of a double-ridge waveguide narrow-wall multiple-aperture coupler suitable for conventional machining is demonstrated. Different options for coupling levels up to 3 dB, all working over V-band (45–75 GHz) and W-band (75–110 GHz), are given. The narrow-wall coupler is designed in a custom-made transmission line, double-ridge waveguide, denoted by WRD45110. To experimentally validate the proposed design method and the performance of a selected component, a 15 ± 3 dB narrow-wall coupler is fabricated using computer numerical control machining in three individual pieces; the top section, the middle wall, and the bottom section. Two different H-plane cut assembly techniques utilizing male–female parts and pin walls are examined. The obtained results show a good agreement between simulations and measurements for both methods, therefore proving these components are now feasible.
Cyclophosphamide treatment for hypertension and renal injury in an experimental model of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality among patients with the autoimmune disorder systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our laboratory previously reported that immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil, a common therapy in patients with SLE, attenuates the development of hypertension in an experimental model of SLE. Cyclophosphamide (CYC) is another common therapy for patients with SLE that has contributed to improved disease management; however, its impact on the development of hypertension associated with SLE is not clear. We tested whether treatment with CYC (25 mg/kg, once/week, IP injection) for 4 weeks would attenuate hypertension in an established female mouse model of SLE with hypertension (30-week-old NZBWF1 females). Plasma anti-dsDNA IgG levels, pathogenic for the disease, were lower in CYC-treated SLE mice compared to vehicle-treated SLE mice, suggesting efficacy of the therapy to suppress aberrant immune system function. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was assessed by carotid artery catheters in conscious mice. Treatment did not attenuate the development of hypertension when compared to vehicle-treated SLE mice; however, urinary albumin excretion was lower in CYC-treated animals. Corresponding with the reduction in autoantibodies, data suggest that CYC treatment lowered circulating CD45R+ B cells. Paradoxically, circulating CD11b+ Ly6G+ neutrophils were increased in CYC-treated SLE mice compared to vehicle treated. Estrus cycling data also suggest that CYC treatment had an impact on ovarian function that may be consistent with reduced circulating estrogen levels. Taken together, these data suggest that CYC treatment attenuates autoantibody production and renal disease during SLE, but that the potential to affect MAP may be blunted by the increase in circulating neutrophils and CYC's impact on ovarian function.
John E. Fetzer and the Quest for the New Age

Perhaps one of the clearest purposes of biography is to represent, in the life and activities of one person, the ideas, events, and even the mood of an historical period. At times that story is fra...
A new genus and species of wasp (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea: Praeaulacidae) associated with an angiosperm flower in Burmese amber

A new genus and species of small wasp (body length, 4.3 mm, exclusive of antennae) of the extinct family Praeaulacidae (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) is described in Burmese amber. Placement in the Praeaulacidae is based on the hind wing venation with RS, cu-a and apparent r-m present and a 10-celled forewing. Special forewing features are a large CuA cell and very narrow 3rm cell that is not aligned with 2r-m. The narrow hind wings have a unique venation with RS, M, Cu and A reaching the lower wing margin. The metasoma is attached to the propodium by a 1-segmented petiole. The ovipositor is long, exceeding the length of the metasoma. An angiosperm flower is adjacent to the wasp and the presence of herbivorous insect larvae on the flower may have attracted the female wasp.
Purtscher-like retinopathy in adult-onset Still's disease, complicated by treatment-related central serous chorioretinopathy.

Abstract Purpose We describe a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy associated with adult-onset Still's disease, complicated by the development of central serous chorioretinopathy secondary to high dose corticosteroids. Observations A 53 year old female diagnosed with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) presented to us with findings consistent with Purtscher-like retinopathy in both eyes, with 20/70 visual acuity in the right eye and 20/20 visual acuity in the left eye. She was initiated on high dose corticosteroids by her rheumatologists for her AOSD. A month later, her vision worsened significantly to counting fingers at 3 feet in the right eye and 20/60 visual acuity in the left. Her examination revealed serous macular detachments involving her fovea consistent with central serous chorioretinopathy secondary to exogenous steroids. After discussion with her rheumatologists, she was tapered off her steroids quickly and bridged to steroid sparing agents, with subsequent resolution of her serous macular detachments and improvement of vision back to baseline. Conclusion and Importance The association of Purtscher-like retinopathy and AOSD is important from a multidisciplinary standpoint due to the possibility of life-threatening systemic thrombotic microangiopathy. In addition, patients undergoing treatment for AOSD with exogenous corticosteroids may develop central serous retinopathy with vision loss, and may require quick transitioning to steroid-sparing agents if focal laser is not feasible.
Evaluating the invasive potential of an exotic scale insect associated with annual Christmas tree harvest and distribution in the southeastern U.S.

Abstract The movement of invasive species is a global threat to ecosystems and economies. Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) are particularly well-suited to avoid detection, invade new habitats, and escape control efforts. In countries that celebrate Christmas, the annual movement of Christmas trees has in at least one instance been associated with the invasion of a scale insect pest and subsequent devastation of indigenous forest species. In the eastern United States, except for Florida, Fiorinia externa is a well-established exotic scale insect pest of keystone hemlock species and Fraser fir Christmas trees. Annually, several hundred thousand Fraser firs are harvested and shipped into Florida, USA for sale to homeowners and businesses. There is concern that this insect may disperse from Christmas trees and establish on Florida conifers of economic and conservation interest. Here, we investigate the invasive potential of F. externa on sixteen conifer species by quantifying the reproductive potential of this insect pest and its ability to establish, reproduce, and damage these plants. We find that small amounts of heavily infested Fraser fir plant material can release several hundred juvenile F. externa for over a month. Similar to other case studies, we find evidence that host susceptibility may in part be linked to phylogenetic relatedness. Encouragingly, only six of sixteen species evaluated were susceptible to attack. Our results provide new insights into methodology for evaluating scale insect dispersal and host susceptibility. We also provide guidance for future studies investigating scale insect reproduction, dispersal, and risk for plant species of unknown susceptibility to other exotic insect pests.
Abstract P194: Compliance With 2017 AAP Guidelines For Childhood Hypertension: Diagnosis And Management Of Pediatric Hypertension

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease that is becoming more prevalent in children. HTN in children is historically under-diagnosed (23-26%...
Incoherent Magnetic Switching of L1₀ FePt Grains

In this article, we present a novel micromagnetic model for L10 ordered FePt grains based on their atomic structure. In this model, each monolayer of Fe atoms is represented by a magnetic moment vector and the entire grain consists of a stack of magnetic moments coupled by magnetostatic and nearest-neighbor exchange fields. The grain model enables simulation of incoherent magnetization switching, especially near the Curie temperature. The model is applied to simulate the heat-assisted recording process in granular L10 FePt thin-film media. One of the unique findings is that grains at transition centers could have a domain wall trapped within, provided sufficient grain height. The existence of these grains, whose magnetic moments could be fractional at transition centers, resulting in significant reduction of medium noise. The noise reduction is effectively equivalent to an increase of the number of grains across the read track width. Enhancing and controlling this mechanism by material engineering could lead to significant increase of area density capability, specifically, increase of track density, without decreasing grain size.
Derechos humanos de niños, niñas, adolescentes y mujeres migrantes en los instrumentos internacionales

From the International Relations and the constructivist perspectives, the international instruments that advocate for the human rights of migrant children, adolescents and women are analyzed throughout the migration process. The relationship between the instruments and their implementation is examined in the case of the 2013 and 2014 humanitarian crisis in the United States. Likewise, current migration policies between Mexico and the United States are addressed, in such a way as to explain why Mexico is functioning as a containment wall for Central Americans, Africans, and South Americans. We expose the migration proposals addressed by the 2030 Agenda and the Global Compact on Migration. They seek to regulate and order migration flows in the world, ensuring the protection of human rights in mobility processes, which becomes a challenge before the end of Donald Trump’s administration in the United States and other countries members of the Pact. We also build a typology of returned migrants distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary return.
Do Women Engage Differently in Entrepreneurship

Assumptions of homogeneity about women entrepreneurs and grouping them together mask differences from the intersections of other minority group membership, including but not limited to race and ethnicity. This chapter addresses the question, ‘do women engage differently in entrepreneurship?’ The chapter presents a framework for the entrepreneurial process, then explores the narratives that highlight differences between men and women entrepreneurs, both those evident in stereotypes and those that represent reality. The chapter concludes that it is important to recognise differences between men and women and among groups of women, to understand what they are and how differences might contribute to a better entrepreneurial model for all. Suggestions and implications for practice, training, education, policy and research are included.
Fifth Circuit Survey of the Law: Administrative Law

This survey discusses the significant administrative law cases decided by the Fifth Circuit June 1990 and May 1991.
Nucleoside analogue inhibitors for Zika virus infection

Abstract While substantial progress been made in the past few years toward antiviral therapeutics against Zika virus infection, no clinically approved drugs or vaccines yet exist. Nucleoside analogue inhibitors, which mimic the natural nucleotide substrates of Zika virus nonstructural protein 5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and arrest viral genome replication when incorporated by the viral enzyme into nascent nucleic acid, are among the most promising agents as evidenced by their potency in cell-based assays and the success of compounds of this class in the clinical treatment of related diseases, such as hepatitis C virus. Here, we present and discuss recent efforts to develop selective inhibitors and prodrugs of this class against Zika virus. Aspects relating to chemistry, enzymology, virology, and animal models in the drug development pipeline for nucleoside analogue inhibitors against Zika virus are presented.
Existing Research on HRIS in Public Organizations

The utility of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) in the public sector remains very much at the functional level; it is beginning to see its use in strategic decision-making. There is a consensus among researchers that HRIS use and its adoption in public and nonprofit organizations is limited. Past studies focused on the adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in public sector (Troshani et al., 2011). There is an increasing reliance on HRIS to fulfill even the most basic tasks (Hendrickson, 2003; Lengnick-Hall & Moritz, 2003) based on the degree of sophistication (Ball, 2001). Payroll management and benefit administration are often considered basic and unsophisticated tasks, while HR planning, recruitment and selection, training and development are considered sophisticated tasks that aid in strategic decision-making (Ball, 2001; Martinsons, 1994). According to Troshani et al. (2011), HRIS adoption in the public sector depends on Technological, Organizational and Environmental (TOE) factors.
Nitrification is a minor source of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) in an agricultural landscape and declines with increasing management intensity

The long-term contribution of nitrification to nitrous oxide (N2 O) emissions from terrestrial ecosystems is poorly known and thus poorly constrained in biogeochemical models. Here, using Bayesian inference to couple 25 years of in situ N2 O flux measurements with site-specific Michaelis-Menten kinetics of nitrification-derived N2 O, we test the relative importance of nitrification-derived N2 O across six cropped and unmanaged ecosystems along a management intensity gradient in the U.S. Midwest. We found that the maximum potential contribution from nitrification to in situ N2 O fluxes was 13%-17% in a conventionally fertilized annual cropping system, 27%-42% in a low-input cover-cropped annual cropping system, and 52%-63% in perennial systems including a late successional deciduous forest. Actual values are likely to be <10% of these values because of low N2 O yields in cultured nitrifiers (typically 0.04%-8% of NH3 oxidized) and competing sinks for available NH4+ in situ. Most nitrification-derived N2 O was produced by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria rather than archaea, who appeared responsible for no more than 30% of nitrification-derived N2 O production in all but one ecosystem. Although the proportion of nitrification-derived N2 O production was lowest in annual cropping systems, these ecosystems nevertheless produced more nitrification-derived N2 O (higher Vmax ) than perennial and successional ecosystems. We conclude that nitrification is minor relative to other sources of N2 O in all ecosystems examined.
Construction of 4D Simplex Space-Time Meshes for Local Bisection Schemes.

Adaptive mesh refinement is a key component of efficient unstructured space-time finite element methods. Underlying any adaptive mesh refinement scheme is, of course, a method for local refinement of simplices. However, simplex bisection algorithms in dimension greater than three have strict mesh preconditions which can be hard to satisfy. We prove that certain four-dimensional simplex space-time meshes can be handled with a relaxed precondition. Namely, we prove that if a tetrahedral mesh is 4-colorable, then we can produce a 4D simplex mesh which always satisfies the bisection precondition. We also briefly discuss strategies to handle tetrahedral meshes which are not 4-colorable.
Breaking through: understanding sovereignty and security in the circumpolar arctic: edited by Wilfrid Greaves and P.Whitney Lackenbauer, Toronto, Canada, University of Toronto Press, 2021, 278 pp., $32.95 (eBook) $65.00 (hardback), ISBN 978 1 48753 105 8 (eBook); ISBN 978 1 48750 486 1 (hardback)

In the introductory chapter of Breaking Through: Understanding Sovereignty and Security in the Circumpolar Arctic editors Wilfred Greaves and P. Whitney Lackenbauer claim that ‘Neither security nor...
Twist drill craniostomy vs burr hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is a clinical equipoise between burr hole drainage (BHD) or twist drill craniotomy (TDC) as initial surgical intervention in patients with chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). Moreover, the impact of type of postoperative drainage is not well elucidated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes following BHD and TDC for initial surgical management in cSDH and to understand the impact of negative suction drainage with TDC. A literature search was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for studies that directly compared TDC and BHD. The following outcomes were compared between TDC and BHD: mortality, recurrence, reoperations, complications, and cure rates. Subgroup analysis was performed to determine impact of negative suction drainage with TDC. Sixteen articles (n = 1,235; TDC: 663; BHD: 591) met inclusion criteria. Although complications (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.38–1.23, p = 0.21; I2 = 31%), recurrence (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.84–1.62, p = 0.37; I2 = 28%), cure (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.72–1.72, p = 0.64, I2 = 34%), and mortality rates (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.60–2.41; p = 0.61; I2 = 0%) were not significantly different between the two groups, TDC was associated with a higher reoperations than BHD (OR: 1.48, 95% CI:1.01–2.16, p = 0.04; I2 = 41%). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that TDC with negative suction drainage conferred equivalent reoperation rates as BHD (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.24–2.35; p = 0.62; I2 = 65%); however, TDC without negative suction was associated with higher reoperations (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.08–2.42; p = 0.02; I2 = 40%). A systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature directly comparing TDC and BHD for primary evacuation of cSDH did not demonstrate clear superiority of either technique, although reoperations may be higher following TDC. Use of negative suction drainage with TDC may lead to similar rates of reoperation as BHD.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: AVOIDING THE DIFFICULTY OF PROVING DISCRIMINATORY INTENT IN HAZARDOUS WASTE SITING DECISIONS

Contrary to general public perception that environmental hazards are borne equally, the risks and accompanying burdens of exposure to environmental contaminants are distributed disproportionately along racial and class lines. The environmental justice movement has received much recent attention as being an extension of the civil rights movement, where advocates have demanded fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. This paper focuses on the difficulty that plaintiffs wishing to challenge hazardous waste siting in their communities have in proving that the siting decision was based on racial factors. Part 1 examines a North Carolina case that illustrates the potential that substantive and procedural requirements have in protecting communities from environmental injustice. Part 2 focuses on the emergence of the concept of environmental racism and early research studies that examined the phenomenon. Part 3 discusses the distinction between environmental racism and environmental justice. Part 4 examines the difficulties that surround the use of the Equal Protection Clause by plaintiffs who challenge hazardous waste siting in their communities. Part 5 examines Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as it has been used in environmental justice cases. Part 6 discusses Chester Concerned for Quality Living v. Seif, a Third Circuit Court environmental justice case in which plaintiffs challenged the siting of a hazardous waste facility in their community under Title VI. Part 7 focuses on post-Chester environmental justice developments. Finally, Part 8 explores substantive and procedural requirements designed to encourage community involvement in siting decisions.
Sna3 Is an Rsp5 Adaptor Protein that Relies on Ubiquitination for Its MVB Sorting

The process in which ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation is required for trafficking of integral membrane proteins into multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and eventual degradation in the lumen of lysosomes/vacuoles is well-defined. However, Ub-independent pathways into MVBs are less understood. To better understand this process, we have further characterized the membrane protein Sna3, the prototypical Ub-independent cargo protein sorted through the MVB pathway in yeast. We show that Sna3 trafficking to the vacuole is critically dependent on Rsp5 ligase activity and ubiquitination. We find Sna3 undergoes Ub-dependent MVB sorting either by becoming ubiquitinated itself or associating with other ubiquitinated membrane protein substrates. In addition, our functional studies support a role for Sna3 as an adaptor protein that recruits Rsp5 to cargo such as the methionine transporter Mup1, resulting in efficient Mup1 delivery to the vacuole.
Psychology and Economics: Evidence from the Field. Part III. Nonstandard Decision Making and Market Response

This third, and the last, part of a larger work devoted to the modern behavioral economics considers nonstandard decision making that is influenced by inattention of economic agents, their preference toward familiar schemes of action, biases and confusion in the choice situations, outside (in particular, social) pressure. Besides, market response to nonstandard behavior in various economic contexts (industrial organization, labor market, financial market, voting) is analyzed. The author also speculates on the future of behavioral economics as a separate discipline.
Editorial: Methods in Functional Genomics

In June 2000, leaders of the Human Genome Project, Craig Venter of CeleraGenomics, and U.S. President Clinton announced the completion of a “working draft”of the human genome: the genetic blueprint of a human being. Today, the legacy of thatannouncement is the challenge to annotate this map, by understanding the roles and func-tions of genes—and their interplay with proteins and the environment—to create complex,dynamic living systems. This understanding is the goal of functional genomics.Functionalgenomicshasrecentlybecomeamajorfocusofmachinelearningapplicationsthanks to the development of the new technology of DNA or expression microarray (Schenaetal.,1995;Lockhartetal.,1996).Microarraysenableinvestigatorstoobservethegenomeofentire organisms in action by simultaneously measuring the level of activation of thousandsof genes under the same experimental conditions. This technology provides today unprece-denteddiscoveryopportunitiesandisreshapingbiomedicalsciencesbyshiftingitsparadigmfromahypothesisdriventoadatadrivenapproach(Lander,1999).Notsurprisingly,paralleltothesetechnologicaladvanceshasbeenthedevelopmentofmachinelearningmethodsableto integrate and understand the data generated by this new kind of experiments. However,most of this research has been conducted outside the traditional machine learning researchcommunity.Theaimofthisspecialissueistobridgethisdividebyreportingmethodologicaladvances in automated learning from functional genomic data to the core machine learningcommunity.
Causes of death in infants with hemolytic disease of the newborn (erythroblastosis fetalis).

In a series of 882 infants with hemolytic disease, there were 82 fatalities, for which 74 necropsies were performed. In general, death resulted from severity of hemolytic disease in 59%, from delay in treatment leading to kernicterus in 18%, from profound late anemia in 3%, and from conditions unrelated to hemolytic disease in 20% of the cases in which necropsy was performed. Significant clinical and pathologic findings in the 74 infants were: anemia in 70%; aspiration of amniotic sac content in 55%; pulmonary hemorrhage in 54%; heart failure in 51%; with anascarca in 42%; death during or soon after the exchange transfusion in 32%; pneumonia in 19%; kernicterus in 18%; pulmonary hyaline membranes in 12%; rupture of the spleen in 5%; and cerebral intraventricular hemorrhage in 4%. The risk of death during or soon after the exchange transfusion was 2% per patient and per procedure, if infants with hydrops or fatal lesions are excluded. The total risk was 4% per patient and 3% per exchange transfusion. Approximately one-third of all fatalities occurred during or soon following exchange transfusion. In approximately one-third of infants who died at this time, no adequate cause of death was found pathologically. Pulmonary hemorrhage did not differ significantly in incidence or in degree between kernicteric infants, nonkernicteric infants with hemolytic disease, and a control series. Rupture of the spleen occurred significantly more frequently in infants with severe hemolytic disease than in the control series. The important problems of death during or soon following exchange transfusion, and of hemorrhage in infants with hemolytic disease, merit further study.
Implications of a Data Structure Consistency Checking System

We present a framework for verifying that programs correctly preserve important data structure consistency properties. Results from our implemented system indicate that our system can effectively enable the scalable verification of very precise data structure consistency properties within complete programs. Our system treats both internalproperties, which deal with a single data structure implementation, and externalproperties, which deal with properties that involve multiple data structures. A key aspect of our system is that it enables multiple analysis and verification packages to productively interoperate to analyze a single program. In particular, it supports the targeted use of very precise, unscalable analyses in the context of a larger analysis and verification system. The integration of different analyses in our system is based on a common set-based specification language: precise analyses verify that data structures conform to set specifications, whereas scalable analyses verify relationships between data structures and preconditions of data structure operations. There are several reasons why our system may be of interest in a broader program analysis and verification effort. First, it can ensure that the program satisfies important data structure consistency properties, which is an important goal in and of itself. Second, it can provide information that insulates other analysis and verification tools from having to deal directly with pointers and data structure implementations, thereby enabling these tools to focus on the key properties that they are designed to analyze. Finally, we expect other developers to be able to leverage its basic structuring concepts to enable the scalable verification of other program safety and correctness properties.
An SVM Based Approach for Cardiac View Planning.

We consider the problem of automatically prescribing oblique planes (short axis, 4 chamber and 2 chamber views) in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A concern with technologist-driven acquisitions of these planes is the quality and time taken for the total examination. We propose an automated solution incorporating anatomical features external to the cardiac region. The solution uses support vector machine regression models wherein complexity and feature selection are optimized using multi-objective genetic algorithms. Additionally, we examine the robustness of our approach by training our models on images with additive Rician-Gaussian mixtures at varying Signal to Noise (SNR) levels. Our approach has shown promising results, with an angular deviation of less than 15 degrees on 90% cases across oblique planes, measured in terms of average 6-fold cross validation performance -- this is generally within acceptable bounds of variation as specified by clinicians.
Genetic evaluation of the initiation of a captive population: the general approach and a case study in the endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)

Because of recent environmental changes, a number of species have become critically endangered in the wild. To prevent extinction of these species, captive populations have been established and generally maintained in a manner that attempts to avoid detrimental genetic changes. In particular, wild founders should be unrelated and not inbred. The subsequent generations in captivity should make the effective population size as large as possible to retain the initial genetic variation. Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) from the upper Missouri River USA have not successfully recruited in decades. Perpetuation of this stock is now accomplished through captive spawning of wild-caught fish with subsequent release of their offspring. In addition to the fish released into the wild, more than 2,000 offspring of the wild fish from 11 year-classes are captively housed. We examined the genetic risks associated with using these fish as a captive population for the future propagation of pallid sturgeon and concluded that the wild individuals are unrelated, non-inbred remnants of a formerly larger population. Further, there is a sufficiently large effective population size (Ne) present in the captive broodstock for propagation provided that the effective population size can be increased in subsequent generations. This study shows how genetic and evolutionary principles and applications can be used to evaluate the potential founders of a captive population and make recommendations for the long-term evolutionary success of an endangered species.
Air pollution and pulmonary function

Abstract Rationale Recent studies have attempted to demonstrate a correlation between pollutants in the air and pulmonary function. Some studies have reported ozone and particulate matter to induce airway inflammation, but others suggest that known pollutants such as ozone do not affect spirometric measurements. Methods In the summers of 2002 and 2003, the Galveston Beach Patrol lifeguards were recruited to have their pulmonary functions recorded at three different times during the day. We obtained data on temperature, ozone, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter from regulated sites in Galveston. The participants were required to complete daily surveys pertaining to their health, cigarette smoke exposure, and medication use. Results In 2002, 45 participants between ages 16 and 27 completed the study. 13% reported a history of asthma, 39% reported smoke exposure, 44% reported having a recent respiratory illness, and less than 1% reported using asthma medications at any time during the study. We found a statistically significant reduction in FEV1 and FVC with increasing 2.5 micron particulate matter, but not with other pollution measurements. The FEV1/FVC ratio was not affected by particulate matter. Our 2003 data includes 54 subjects and shows similar results. Conclusions We conclude that elevated levels of 2.5 micron particulate matter adversely affects lung function in healthy individuals. Our data is consistent with previous studies. While our studies did not show that ozone affected pulmonary function, we experienced few days of high ozone.
Bone damage associated with orthodontic placement of miniscrew implants in an animal model

Introduction The purposes of this study were to quantify bone damage associated with insertion of 2 types of miniscrew implants and to relate the amount of bone damage to monocortical plate thickness. Methods Nondrilling (n = 28) and self-drilling (n = 28) miniscrew implants (6 × 1.6 mm, Dentaurum, Newtown, Pa), and pilot holes (n = 26) were placed bilaterally in the maxillae and the mandibles of 5 adult dogs immediately after death. Bone blocks were cut, bulk stained with 1% basic fuchsin, embedded in methyl methacrylate, sectioned, and mounted. Monocortical plate thickness was measured adjacent to the miniscrew implant insertion site. Damage amounts were quantified at distances of 0 to 0.5 mm (adjacent region) and 0.5 to 1 mm (distant region) from the bone-implant interface. Total fractional damaged area (%), fractional microcracked area (%), and fractional diffuse damaged area (%) were quantified by using standard histomorphometric methods. Results The mean monocortical plate thickness of the specimens from the mandible (2.2 mm) was significantly (P Conclusions Bone damage accumulation is related to the type of miniscrew implant and the thickness of the bone.
The Politics of Economic Growth in the Industrial Democracies, 1974-80: Leftist Strength or North Sea Oil?

A recent empirical analysis by Lange and Garrett of economic growth in the advanced industrial democracies concluded that the political and organizational power of the left has had a sustained impact on growth since 1974. This paper shows that such a conclusion is unwarranted. First, the Lange-Garrett estimates are not robust, and hinge critically on the presence of Norway in their analysis. Second, the evidence indicates that any association between leftist strength and growth in the 1974-80 period is spurious. Finally, the argument that leftist strength should influence growth is predicated on a series of dubious assumptions about the nature of electoral competition.
Analysis of the meiotic role of the mitochondrial ribosomal proteins Mrps17 and Mrpl37 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Sporulation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a complex and tightly regulated pathway that involves the induction of a large number of genes. We have identified MRPS17 in a cDNA library enriched for sporulation-specific genes. Homology searches show that the first one-third of Mrps17 has strong sequence similarity to bacterial S17 proteins, suggesting that Mrps17 is a potential mitochondrial ribosomal protein. This is further supported by the fact that mrps17Delta cells are respiratory-deficient and that a Mrps17-GFP fusion localizes to the mitochondria. We have confirmed by Northern blot analysis that both MRPS17 and MRPL37 are strongly induced during the middle stages of sporulation and that this induction is dependent on the presence of a middle sporulation element (MSE) in the promoters of these genes. Interestingly, we found that Mrps17 and Mrpl37, but not other mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, accumulate during the middle stages of sporulation. These results suggest that Mrps17 and Mrpl37 may have additional meiosis-specific roles.
Role of intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation in high risk coronary rotational atherectomy

Objectives. This study sought to evaluate the role of intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation in preventing hemodynamic instability and promoting a successful outcome during percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational atherectomy in high risk patients. Background. The application of rotational atherectomy has widened to include patients with complex lesions and left ventricular dysfunction. Although intraaortic balloon pumping has been successfully used to provide hemodynamic support during balloon angioplasty, its role in high risk rotational atherectomy has not yet been defined. Methods. In a retrospective review of 159 consecutive high risk patients who underwent rotational atherectomy, 28 had an intraaortic balloon pump placed electively before the procedure (Group 1) whereas 131 did not (Group 2). Results. Group 1 was older and more likely to have multivessel disease and left ventricular dysfunction. Augmented diastolic pressure was maintained > 90 mm Hg in all Group 1 patients, and significant procedure-related hypotension was encountered in nine Group 2 patients, requiring an emergency intraaortic balloon pump in five. Procedural success was achieved in all 28 patients in Group 1 and in 118 in Group 2 (p = 0.07). Slow flow occurred in 18% and 17% of Group 1 and 2 patients, respectively. Among patients with slow flow, non-Q wave myocardial infarction occurred only in Group 2 (0% vs. 27%). On multivariate analysis, elective intraaortic balloon pump placement was the only variable to correlate with a successful procedure uncomplicated by hypotension (p Conclusions. Elective placement of an intraaortic balloon pump before coronary rotational atherectomy in selected high risk patients promotes both procedural hemodynamic stability and a successful outcome.
Logical problem determination in an SNA network

Until recently, problem determination on a systems network architecture (SNA) network has dealt mostly with error detection on physical network components. Logical-error detection mechanisms associated with logical-network (software-related) errors were not adequately provided until the recent announcement of a new on-line interactive package called the network logical data manager (NLDM). This paper will discuss the physical and logical network environments, logical network problems, and functions provided by NLDM for logical problem determination.
Development and Evaluation of Alternate Testing Procedures for Official Records

Abstract In one trial, electronic recording devices were installed on farms to monitor starting and ending times of milking. Operators also were requested to record starting and ending time for each milking. Milking intervals from these two procedures frequently (17% of the observations on one farm) deviated by an hour or more. However, deviations of milking interval were longer than 1h on only one farm. In a second trial, milk and fat yield measured separately for morning and evening milking on six farms were used to examine differences between yield estimated from single milking and from the total of two consecutive milkings (test day). Deviations of test day yield estimated from single milkings were within 2kg of the test day total in 80% of the milkings. However, a small percentage of the deviations were greater than 5kg. Deviations other than cow or interval length appeared to be mainly random variation. Cumulative yields based on alternating morning-evening or evening-morning samples and on morning only or evening only samples were computed and deviated from cumulative yield based on test day totals. Deviations of records initiated with a morning milking or from only morning records from test day records were consistently negative. The mean difference in cumulative yield estimated from single milkings and from test day yields for lengths of cumulative production ranged from −11 to −154kg. Standard deviations of the difference for records based on more than four tests were between 100 and 235kg.
Characterization Summary for a Radiation Hardened 16KX1 SRAM

A radiation-hard 16kx1 SRAM with a typical access time of less than 100 ns and total dose hardness to 1E6 rads(SiO2) has been developed. Extensive radiation characterization has been performed with the aid of a test system developed to support testing in various radiation environments including total dose, dose rate upset, dose rate survival, dose rate photocurrent, and single event upset. Total dose testing of the 16kx1 included characterization of critical ac timing parameters as a function of dose as well as observation of standby current behavior as a function of array pattern. Dose rate tests were designed to explore the SRAM's sensitivities to Vdd, temperature, memory cell resistor value, dose rate pulse width, operational mode, and array pattern. Single event upset testing was also performed under a matrix of test conditions, including variations in supply voltage, temperature, memory cell resistor value, and particle angle of incidence. This paper describes 16kx1 SRAM radiation test procedures and characterization test results.
Metabolic dysfunction and depletion of mitochondria in hearts of septic rats

Our previous studies indicate that hearts from septic rats have decreased work with oxygen wasting. The present studies test if there is energy deficit, changes in cardiac mitochondrial content and caspase activation during sepsis. Anesthetized, male Sprague-Dawley rats received no surgical treatment (control), laparotomy (sham), or laparotomy with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce polymicrobial septic shock. Hearts were isolated 12-14 h later. Cardiac work, oxygen consumption, substrate oxidation and energy stores were measured in perfused hearts. Normalized density of mitochondria was determined in ventricles without perfusion by morphometric analysis with electron microscopy. Citrate synthase activity was assessed in homogenates and isolated mitochondria. Cardiac work decreased significantly in CLP (47%), while oxygen consumption and glucose oxidation were unchanged compared with control or sham hearts (oxygen and substrate wasting). Tissue adenosine triphosphate, creatine phosphate and glycogen were lower in CLP hearts (energy deficit). Mitochondrial grid intersects decreased significantly from 151 +/- 8 sham to 130 +/- 4 CLP out of 361 possible intersects and autophagy was observed in CLP hearts. Total activity of citrate synthase decreased in homogenates (99 +/- 8 micromol/min/g wet weight sham vs. 62 +/- 7 CLP, P < 0.05) and in the mitochondrial fraction (27 +/- 1 micromol/min/g wet weight sham to 22 +/- 1 CLP, P < 0.05). Calculated mitochondrial content decreased from 63 +/- 4 mg protein/g wet weight sham to 46 +/- 5 CLP, P < 0.05 (mitochondrial depletion). Caspase-3 activity doubled and tumor necrosis factor alpha content tripled in CLP hearts. CONCLUSIONS. - Oxygen and substrate wasting in CLP occurs with fewer mitochondria and energy deficit, processes that are coincident with caspase-3 activation.
Effect of low-friction guideways and lead-screw flexibility on dynamics of high-speed machines

Abstract Rolling type as well as hydrostatic guideways generate very little damping in the direction of the feed motion. The ballscrew/nut flexibility driving a mass of a table, as a spring-mass system attached to the servodrive spoils both the transient response to the NC command and the response of the driven mass to the cutting force. The improvements obtainable by various measures including feedforward, accelerometric feedback and tuned damper are discussed.
Plastic deformation of single crystal ice

Abstract Single crystal ice was deformed in tension at constant strain rates at temperatures between − 42°C and 0°C. For shear stresses below 100 psi and nominal strains less than 25 per cent (starting with asgrown crystals), basal slip was the primary mechanism of deformation. No preferred crystallographic slip direction or work hardening were observed. The rate of basal glide in the direction of maximum shear stress is given by γ = (2.25 ± 1.5) × 10 7 γτ n(γ) exp (−14.3 ± 1.5 × 10 3 RT ) min −1 , where γ is the resolved shear strain, τ is the resolved shear stress (psi) and n equals 2.5 for low strains and decreases with strain, with an average value of about 2.0 for nominal strains less than 25 per cent. Annealing after deformation has no effect on subsequent deformation behavior of ice. Etch pit evidence indicates the existence and activity of secondary slip systems during deformation. It is proposed that the observed plastic deformation of ice results from glide of dislocations whose velocity is limited by a temperature activated process.