cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pairs Trading with Nonlinear and Non-Gaussian State Space Models

This paper studies pairs trading using a nonlinear and non-Gaussian state-space model framework. We model the spread between the prices of two assets as an unobservable state variable and assume that it follows a mean-reverting process. This new model has two distinctive features: (1) The innovations to the spread is non-Gaussianity and heteroskedastic. (2) The mean reversion of the spread is nonlinear. We show how to use the filtered spread as the trading indicator to carry out statistical arbitrage. We also propose a new trading strategy and present a Monte Carlo based approach to select the optimal trading rule. As the first empirical application, we apply the new model and the new trading strategy to two examples: PEP vs KO and EWT vs EWH. The results show that the new approach can achieve a 21.86% annualized return for the PEP/KO pair and a 31.84% annualized return for the EWT/EWH pair. As the second empirical application, we consider all the possible pairs among the largest and the smallest five US banks listed on the NYSE. For these pairs, we compare the performance of the proposed approach with that of the existing popular approaches, both in-sample and out-of-sample. Interestingly, we find that our approach can significantly improve the return and the Sharpe ratio in almost all the cases considered.
Evidence for pseudo–Jahn-Teller distortions in the charge density wave phase of 1 T − TiSe 2

The charge density wave (CDW) instability in $1T\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{TiSe}}_{2}$ is revisited to investigate its electronic and structural origins using angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), neutron diffraction, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The evidence for Jahn-Teller (JT)-like distortions in the CDW state is provided from the local structure analysis that shows splitting of the Ti-Se bonds into short and long. The magnitude of the split is inconsistent with the commonly accepted Di Salvo model for the structural distortions in the CDW phase. From the APRES data, it is deduced that a nontrivial temperature-dependent energy shift of the Se $4p$ valence bands occurs, but is absent for the Ti $3d$ conduction bands. Collectively, these observations suggest that a JT-like mechanism is most likely central to the CDW instability in $1T\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{TiSe}}_{2}$.
Does a Modified Math Emporium Work for All Students

Mathematics Emporia, or dedicated technology-supported learning environments designed to support large numbers of students in predominantly developmental mathematics courses, are a relatively recent phenomenon at community colleges and universities across the nation. While the size and number of these emporia has grown, empirical research into the impact of an emporium model on student learning and affect is only now emerging. This is especially true when looking at the impact of an emporium approach on students from diverse backgrounds. This study attempts to fill in the gaps in existing research related to how well emporium models address the needs of students based on gender, race/ethnicity, international status, and first- versus continuing-generation. Findings indicate that not all populations are served equally well by a modified mathematics emporium approach. The need for action to address inequities in student performance and implications for future research are discussed.
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy for Externalizing Problems: A Meta-analysis and Methodological Critique

Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is a parent-training program derived from the filial therapy traditional that has been previously described as an efficacious treatment for children with ex...
Outcomes of NFL Europa on community sport clubs

Community sport clubs (CSCs) often find themselves with limited resources and external agents can be resourceful facilitators of capacity building processes. This case study, however, analyzes the ...
Emerging Trends in Data Center Management Automation

New and emerging technologies have consolidated the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an era of cyber-physical systems, where the physical and digital worlds are closely connected. While most of the world is being impacted by a pandemic, data centers have managed to keep people connected and keep the economy afloat. As such, they are witnessing an unprecedented need for automation of their monitoring and management processes in order to minimize reliance on human interaction. A growing number of new technologies are transforming mission critical facilities into a highly connected, smart, and more efficient, productive and sustainable industry. Vast amounts of data are being collected in real-time, and processed to predict behavior, to produce actionable recommendations, and to improve decision-making. This paper summarizes the three main emerging technological trends, identified by the authors, which enable these processes in data center management automation: 1) intelligent monitoring and management systems using data science; 2) simulation tools incorporating artificial intelligence and digital twinning; and 3) robotics for process automation.
Adaptive Design, Female Mate Preferences, and Shifts across the Menstrual Cycle

This paper has two aims: first, to review work addressing the functional significance of variation in sexuality across the women's menstrual cycle and its implications for an understanding of human sexual nature; second, to illustrate the more general use of adaptationism in sex research. Adaptationism provides a method for recognizing adaptations, traits that evolved because they bestowed reproductive advantages upon their owners. The telltale sign of adaptation is its special design for a particular function. In recent years, evolutionary psychologists have explored changes in women's sexuality and standards of male attractiveness across the menstrual cycle. Evidence provisionally supports the idea that these changes constitute special design for the function of obtaining genetic benefits through mating with men other than primary partners.
Intimal growth and neovascularization in human stenotic vein grafts.

Abstract Background: Myointimal thickening and microvessel ingrowth are commonly observed in vein graft stenosis, which complicates a third of infrainguinal bypass procedures. But a direct correlation between these two features has not been established. Our purpose was to analyze the relationship between neovascularity and intimal thickness in human vein grafts. Study Design: Twenty-two explant stenotic vein grafts (STVG), 8 nonstenotic arterialized vein grafts (AVG), and 20 age-matched control greater saphenous veins (CGSV) were analyzed histologically and compared morphologically by light microscopy. Digitized computer image analysis was used to measure intimal thickness and quantitate microvessel ingrowth. Immunolocalization of endothelial cells around the lumen and in microvessels was determined using antibodies to factor VIII and to endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), respectively. Results: Focal areas of endothelial disruption and thrombus deposition were present in 23% (5 of 22) of stenotic vein grafts. The neointima of STVG grafts was two- and fourfold thicker than that of AVG and CGSV, respectively (p Conclusions: A fourfold increased neointimal thickness in critically stenotic vein grafts is associated with increased medial and adventitial neovascularization. Remodeling alone with doubling of the intimal thickness in nonstenotic arterialized vein grafts does not appear to be associated with enhancement of the graft microvasculature. More specific observations using an experimental model may allow us to further define the role of angiogenesis in vein graft stenosis and to determine the therapeutic implications of such observations.
Spatial and behavioral correlates of hippocampal neuronal activity

The firing rate of hippocampal neurons in rats was related both to spatial location and to multiple behavioral variables as rats performed 2 kinds of tasks that rely on hippocampal function: a spatial navigation task similar in performance demands to the radial-arm maze task and a simultaneous cue odor-discrimination task. In the place task, most cells had distinct single or multiple place fields, that is, neurons increased firing when the rat was in a particular location or locations. However, in most of these cells, firing rate also varied systematically in relation to behavioral variables, including the speed, direction, and turning angle of the rat as it moved through the place field. In addition, the activity of most cells was time-locked to task-relevant approach movements. In the odor task, most cells fired as the rat sampled discriminative cues or when it executed specific, task-relevant approach movements. Some cells fired selectively in relation to which odors were presented, the configuration of odor cues, the locus of the response, or a combination of these variables. Many cells with spatial correlates in the place task also had striking behavioral correlates when rats performed the odor task in the same environment, and the locus of the increased firing associated with behavior in the odor task was not the same as the place field in the place task. Thus, while the complex stimuli that compose spatial cues are reflected in hippocampal neuronal activity, hippocampal processing is not limited to the representation of spatial location. Rather, the domain of hippocampal representation includes both spatial and nonspatial relations among multiple cues and the actions directed in relation to these cues, across cue modalities, and across behavioral paradigms.
Genomic Analysis and Molecular Biology of Predatory Prokaryotes

Bdellovibrio and Bdellovibrio-like organisms (BALOs) are defined by their unique intraperiplasmic developmental cycle, which is an essential part of their predatory activity on other Gram-negative bacteria. The genome sequence of the type strain of the genus Bdellovibrio is the first of a predatory bacterium to be completed, and will serve as a good model for genomic analysis of predation. Many putative genes have already been identified that could encode products that play important roles in predation. Much work has been done in the past to elucidate the biochemistry and physiology of the BALO predatory life cycle, and the genomic information will permit this wealth of information to be connected with the genetic basis of predation in these unique organisms. As sequence data from other predatory bacteria becomes available, comparative genome analysis will provide important insights into the evolution of genes involved in predatory mechanisms. Clearly, we are on the threshold of a more complete understanding of the BALO developmental cycle, which can serve to increase our understanding of not only predation but also cell–cell interaction. Additionally, the knowledge provided through genome analysis could lead to the potential use of the BALOs as biocontrol, or even biotherapeutic, agents.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence from polymer-bound ortho-metallated iridium(III) systems.

Three ortho-metallated iridium complexes whose emission maxima fall in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum were bound in either Nafion or poly(9-vinylcarbazole) and their electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) reported. The reaction of F(Ir)pic [bis(3,5-difluoro-2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl-(2-carboxypyridyl)-iridium III] with the oxidative–reductive co-reactant tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) resulted in ECL when the iridium complex was bound in Nafion. No significant ECL was observed for (btp)2Ir(acac) (bis[2,(2′-benzothienyl)-pyridinato-N,C3′](acetylacetonate)Ir(III)), and Ir(ppy)3 (where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine) under these conditions. However, all three compounds displayed ECL with TPrA when bound in poly(9-vinylcarbazole). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cloning and expression of the gene for the active PPi-dependent phosphofructokinase of Entamoeba histolytica

Pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase (PPi-PFK) from Entamoeba histolytica (HM-1) was purified from trophozoites. Oligonucleotide probes based on partial amino acid sequence were used to clone and sequence the gene and the cDNA of the enzyme. The molecular mass of the subunit was greater than, and the derived sequence significantly different from, that of the product of the PPi-PFK gene previously cloned from E. histolytica [Huang, Albach, Chang, Tripathi and Kemp (1995) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1260, 215-217; Bruchhaus, Jacobs, Denart and Tannich (1996) Biochem. J. 316, 57-63]. The sequence identity between the two proteins was 17%. The sequence bore greater identity with the more phylogenetically advanced plant PPi-PFKs than with bacterial PPi-PFKs. The cloned cDNA was expressed and the protein purified. The kinetic properties were identical with those of the enzyme isolated from the organism. Furthermore, the specific activity was more than three orders of magnitude higher than that described for the product of the previously cloned E. histolytica PFK gene [Bruchhaus et al. (1996)]. The pH-dependence and apparent substrate affinities of the cloned enzyme were identical with those of the PPi-PFK in trophozoite extracts, indicating that the product of the cloned gene accounts for most if not all of the PFK activity in E. histolytica trophozoites.
Heads Up! A Calculation- & Jargon-Free Approach to Statistics

Evaluating the strength of evidence in noisy data is a critical step in scientific thinking that typically relies on statistics. Students without statistical training will benefit from heuristic models that highlight the logic of statistical analysis. The likelihood associated with various coin-tossing outcomes gives students such a model. There is a point at which a majority of students will doubt the underlying fairness of a coin-tossing game, and that student-generated cutoff can be used as a critical value in a nonparametric analysis of paired data. Following this approach, student lab reports come to more closely model scientific thinking.
Genetic interaction between non-MHC T- and B-cell alloantigens in response to Rous sarcomas in chickens.

Chickens of Regional Poultry Research Laboratory (RPRL) inbred line 63 regress sarcomas induced by Bryan high-titer Rous sarcoma virus to a greater extent than chickens of line RPRL 100, although these lines are identical for the major histocompatibility B complex. They differ, however, at three independent autosomal loci: Ly-4 and Th-1 determine the surface alloantigens of partly overlapping subsets of T lymphocytes, and Bu-1 determines a surface alloantigen of B lymphocytes. The association of genotypes at these loci with quantitative variation in their ability to regress Rous sarcomas was tested in segregating F4 generation progeny derived from crosses of lines 100 and 63. The Ly-4 and Bu-1 genotypes showed association with Rous sarcoma regression, but the Th-1 genotype did not. Chickens of the Ly-4a/Ly-4a, Bu-1b/Bu-1b and Ly-4b/Ly-4b, Bu-1a/Bu-1a genotypes had a significantly higher regressor ability than the other two double homozygous genotypes. These results indicate that higher regression is associated with (1) interaction between the Ly-4 and Bu-1 loci, and (2) complementation between either the line 6 Ly-4a allele and the line 100 Bu-1b allele, or the line 100 Ly-4b allele and the line 6 Bu-1a allele.
Energy Spectrum of an Incommensurate Charge‐Density Wave: Potassium and Sodium

The conduction-electron energy spectrum is calculated for K and Na taking into account the periodic potential $2\ensuremath{\alpha}cos(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ of the charge-density wave. Accordingly, the Schr\"odinger equation includes this term in addition to a pseudopotential $2\ensuremath{\beta}cos(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{G}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ caused by the ionic lattice. $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$ and $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{G}}$ are nearly parallel, and differ in magnitude by only a few percent. As a consequence three families of higher-order gaps in $E(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}})$ arise: "minigaps," characterized by wave vectors $(n+1)\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}\ensuremath{-}n\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{G}}$; "heterodyne gaps," with periodicities $n(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{G}}\ensuremath{-}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}})$; "second-zone minigaps," with periodicities $(n+1)\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{G}}\ensuremath{-}n\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$. The energy-gap surfaces of the first two families truncate the Fermi surface and cause the open orbits observed by Coulter and Datars in high-field magnetoresistance. They should also lead to new optical-absorption bands in the far infrared.
The Stationary-Phase Method for Exponential Sums with Multiplicative Characters

Let f(x) be a polynomial with p-adic coefficients, and defineS(f;χ;Z/pmZ)=∑x∈(Z/pmZ)×χ(x)e2πif(x)/pm, where χ is a character of (Z/pmZ)×. For example, f(x)=x leads to the Gauss sum of χ. An explicit formula for S(f;χ;Z:/pmZ) is given if f′(x) has distinct roots in Z/pmZ and m⩾2, or if f′(x) has distinct roots p-adically and m is sufficiently large. In either case, the formula involves one term for each root of f′(x). If the derivative does not have distinct roots, there is a less explicit formula, requiring one term for each approximate root. Analogous results are proved for sums involving several variables. As applications of these results, Mauclaire's evaluation of the Gauss sum is re-derived, and new results on n-variable Kloosterman sums are obtained.
Surface Active Betaines As Protective Agents against Denaturation of an Enzyme by Alkyl Sulfate Detergents

A homologous series of higher alkyl sulfate surfactants inactivate β-fructofuranosidase (invertase) at levels coinciding with their critical micelle concentrations. It was possible to renature the enzyme by passing it through an anion exchange column. This inactivation was prevented by surface active betaines present at equimolar or higher concentrations than those of the anionics. Effective surfactant betaines include those with carboxylate, sulfonate, or phosphate radicals in their zwitterions. Betaines lacking surface active properties did not prevent denaturation indicating that the effects are due to comicellization. Studies with enzymes may point to appropriate anionic/zwitterionic surfactant ratios in solubilization procedures or detergent applications where biological properties must be preserved and anionic surfactants are required as components.
Variable self-compatability inNeolloydia intertexta (Cactaceae)

Self and outcross pollination treatments were applied toNeolloydia intertexta. Two distinct patterns of seed production were found, and are correlated with self-pollinated outcrossed treatments. The outcrossed result resembles the field exposed crop. The untouched controls produce a similar pattern to the actively selfed group. The self treatments produce substantially less seed than the outcrosses; thus, self-compatability is incomplete.
BK Virus-Induced Tubulointerstitial Nephritis in a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

We report a case of BK virus-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Primary BK virus infection was exacerbated by chemotherapy-induced immunodeficiency. Careful administration of chemotherapy and anti-viral therapy prevented further damage. This diagnosis should be considered in children who experience renal dysfunction during cancer treatment.
Organizational uses of the crowd: developing a framework for the study of crowdsourcing

"Crowdsourcing" is commonly defined as the use of large groups of individuals by organizations to perform tasks traditionally performed by employees or designated agents. Currently, organizations are turning to the crowd to complete a wide variety of organization tasks. However, we know little about the types of tasks completed, the different crowds that participate, and the characteristics that manifest themselves in these initiatives. Preliminary findings from a grounded theory study designed to identify patterns and themes found in crowdsourced initiatives have revealed four common uses of the crowd (i.e., productivity, innovation, knowledge capture, and marketing/branding). Additionally, reoccurring themes related to the knowledge the crowd brings to the task, the location of the crowd, as well as organizational challenges and value capture have been identified. Emerging patterns and relationships among the four identified uses and these reoccurring themes are discussed.
Relation of obesity, high sodium intake, and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy to left ventricular exercise dysfunction in essential hypertension

Abstract purpose: To elucidate determinants of abnormal left ventricular functional responses to exercise in hypertensive patients. patients and methods: One hundred twenty-seven patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension were studied by rest and exercise radionuclide angiography and by echocardiography at rest. results: The 24 patients with subnormal left ventricular ejection fraction at peak exercise (less than 54%) were similar in age and rest and exercise blood pressures to the 103 with normal exercise ejection fraction, but were more obese (p p p p p p p p p conclusion: Among patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension, abnormal functional responses to exercise are strongly associated with eccentric ventricular hypertrophy, obesity, and high sodium intake.
Alterations in brain structure and function in breast cancer survivors: effect of post-chemotherapy interval and relation to oxidative DNA damage

Neuroimaging studies have begun to uncover the neural substrates of cancer and treatment-related cognitive dysfunction, but the time course of these changes in the years following chemotherapy is unclear. This study analyzed multimodality 3T MRI scans to examine the structural and functional effects of chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy interval (PCI) in a cohort of breast cancer survivors (BCS; n = 24; PCI mean 6, range 3-10 y) relative to age- and education-matched healthy controls (HC; n = 23). Assessments included voxel-based morphometry for gray matter density (GMD) and fMRI for activation profile during a 3-back working memory task. The relationships between brain regions associated with PCI and neuropsychological performance, self-reported cognition, and oxidative and direct DNA damage as measured in peripheral lymphocytes were assessed in secondary analyses. PCI was positively associated with GMD and activation on fMRI in the right anterior frontal region (Brodmann Areas 9 and 10) independent of participant age. GMD in this region was also positively correlated with global neuropsychological function. Memory dysfunction, cognitive complaints, and oxidative DNA damages were increased in BCS compared with HC. Imaging results indicated lower fMRI activation in several regions in the BCS group. BCS also had lower GMD than HC in several regions, and in these regions, GMD was inversely related to oxidative DNA damage and learning and memory neuropsychological domain scores. This is the first study to show structural and functional effects of PCI and to relate oxidative DNA damage to brain alterations in BCS. The relationship between neuroimaging and cognitive function indicates the potential clinical relevance of these findings. The relationship with oxidative DNA damage provides a mechanistic clue warranting further investigation.
Community membership identification from small seed sets

In many applications we have a social network of people and would like to identify the members of an interesting but unlabeled group or community. We start with a small number of exemplar group members -- they may be followers of a political ideology or fans of a music genre -- and need to use those examples to discover the additional members. This problem gives rise to the seed expansion problem in community detection: given example community members, how can the social graph be used to predict the identities of remaining, hidden community members? In contrast with global community detection (graph partitioning or covering), seed expansion is best suited for identifying communities locally concentrated around nodes of interest. A growing body of work has used seed expansion as a scalable means of detecting overlapping communities. Yet despite growing interest in seed expansion, there are divergent approaches in the literature and there still isn't a systematic understanding of which approaches work best in different domains. Here we evaluate several variants and uncover subtle trade-offs between different approaches. We explore which properties of the seed set can improve performance, focusing on heuristics that one can control in practice. As a consequence of this systematic understanding we have found several opportunities for performance gains. We also consider an adaptive version in which requests are made for additional membership labels of particular nodes, such as one finds in field studies of social communities. This leads to interesting connections and contrasts with active learning and the trade-offs of exploration and exploitation. Finally, we explore topological properties of communities and seed sets that correlate with algorithm performance, and explain these empirical observations with theoretical ones. We evaluate our methods across multiple domains, using publicly available datasets with labeled, ground-truth communities.
Kinetic of crystallization from the melt and chain folding in polyethylene fractions revisited: theory and experiment

Abstract The rate of growth of chain-folded lamellar crystals from the subcooled melt of polyethylene fractions is treated in terms of surface nucleation theory with the objective of illuminating the origin of the chain folding phenomenon and associated kinetic effects in molecular terms. An updated version of flux-based nucleation theory in readily usable form is outlined that deals with the nature of polymer chains in more detail than previous treatments. The subjects covered include: (i) the origin of regimes I, II, III, and III-A and the associated crystal growth rates, including the effect of forced steady-state reptation and reptation of ‘slack’ in the subcooled melt; (ii) the variation of the initial lamellar thickness with undercooling; (iii) the origin of the fold surface free energy σ e and the lateral surface free energy σ; (iv) the generation and effect of nonadjacent events (such as tie chains) on the crystallinity and growth rates; and (v) ‘quantized’ chain folding at low molecular weight. The topological limitation on nonadjacent re-entry and the value of the apportionment factor ψ are discussed. Key experimental data are analysed in terms of the theory and essential parameters determined, including the size of the substrate length L involved in regime I growth. The degree of adjacent and/or ‘tight’ folding that obtains in the kinetically-induced lamellar structures is treated as being a function of molecular weight and undercooling. New evidence based on the quantization effect indicates a high degree of adjacent re-entry in regime I for the lower molecular weight fractions. The quality of the chain folding at higher molecular weights in the various regimes is discussed in terms of kinetic, neutron scattering, i.r., and other evidence. Application of the theory to other polymers is discussed briefly.
Simulation of rarefied gas flows in atmospheric pressure interfaces for mass spectrometry systems.

The understanding of the gas dynamics of the atmospheric pressure interface is very important for the development of mass spectrometry systems with high sensitivity. While the gas flows at high pressure (>1 Torr) and low pressure (<10–3 Torr) stages are relatively well understood and could be modeled using continuum and molecular flows, respectively, the theoretical modeling or numeric simulation of gas flow through the transition pressure stage (1 to 10–3 Torr) remains challenging. In this study, we used the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DMSC) method to develop the gas dynamic simulations for the continuous and discontinuous atmospheric pressure interfaces (API), with different focuses on the ion transfer by gas flows through a skimmer or directly from the atmospheric pressure to a vacuum stage, respectively. The impacts by the skimmer location in the continuous API and the temporal evolvement of the gas flow with a discontinuous API were characterized, which provide a solid base for the instrument design and performance improvement.
A New Kind of Competition: How American Producers Respond to Incoming Foreign Direct Investment

Domestic producers in the U.S. have not lobbied for formal restrictions on incoming foreign direct investment in the same way that they have for import barriers, even though both types of foreign competition depress profits. At the same time, many U.S.-based multinational corporations, despite their global orientation, have put forth demands for government policies that favor American ownership. Domestically based producers have conflicting economic interests; they want protection against foreign competitors, against the possibility of retaliation, and against the perceived injuries sustained from investment restrictions abroad. Economic interests, then, lead to indeterminate predictions of how firms will respond to IFDI. Firms will only demand policies that they see as feasible (which depends on the presence of domestic institutions to channel demands and supply the policy output) and legitimate (which depends on how the policy accords with widely held norms regarding the proper role of the state). Understanding the domestic responses to globalization requires more research on the political, as well as economic, origins of policy demands.
A Comparison of Household and Provider Reports of Medical Conditions

Abstract Recognizing that household respondents have difficulty recalling past events, the National Medical Care Expenditure Survey incorporated a record check component. For 12,000 persons included in the Medical Provider Survey, two data sources exist for health care events: household survey responses and provider record abstractions. This investigation compared medical conditions associated with the 35,000 visits, to conclude that agreement between sources was weak. Households tended to report fewer conditions per visit and familiar conditions, whereas providers reported related but different diagnoses. Levels of provider agreement with household reports ranged from 1% for upper extremity and shoulder impairments to 86% for pregnancy care and delivery. Over all 63 categories, providers concurred with household condition reports 40% of the time. Broader categories created by collapsing conditions substantially increased agreement levels. Analyses of household-provider agreement suggest that questionnair...
Retinal and choroidal microangiopathies: Therapeutic opportunities

Pathological angiogenesis in the retina and underlying choroid is a major cause of visual impairment in all age groups. The last decade has seen an explosion in the clinical availability of antiangiogenic compounds. Emphasis has been placed on inhibitors of the VEGF signaling pathway and considerable success has been achieved with aptamers and antibodies that bind VEGF. However, regression of neovascularization is rarely permanent and the regrowth of new vessels, often within a few months, requires multiple applications of drug. A number of antiangiogenic factors such as IGFBP3, SDF-1 blockers, PEDF, gamma-secretase, Delta-like ligand 4, and integrin antagonists have been identified, which act either indirectly on the VEGF system or independent of it. The importance of other candidates such as HIF-1alpha and protein kinase CK2, which act as "master" regulators of angiogenesis, offer realistic alternative targets for pharmacological intervention. The concept of combination therapy is rapidly gaining interest in the eye field and co-administration of two angiogenic agents (e.g., a CK2 inhibitor with a somatostatin analog, octreotide) are often significantly more effective at inhibiting retinal angiogenesis than either drug alone. The following review will discuss the current therapies available for aberrant ocular angiogenesis, consider new candidate targets for development of antiangiogenic compounds and emphasize the importance of combinatorial pharmacological agents in the treatment of such a dynamic cellular event as angiogenesis.
Treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms with the pipeline embolization device

The pipeline embolization device (PED; ev3 Endovascular, Plymouth, MN, USA) is a flow-diverter used in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms, particularly those with unfavorable configurations. It causes progressive flow redirection leading to aneurysm thrombosis. This study aimed to present a systematic review of the published literature on the clinical outcomes of PED. A Medline search of the English language literature was performed using the keywords ‘‘intracranial aneurysms’’ and ‘‘pipeline embolization device’’ or ‘‘flow diverters’’. The inclusion criteria were: n > 10 patients; unruptured aneurysms; documentation of complications; and at least 3 months of follow-up. A total of 13 studies, with 905 patients and 1043 aneurysms, were included. The mean age was 53.8 years, with women comprising 76.3% of patients. The mean aneurysm diameter was 11.1 mm with 37% classed as large aneurysms and 10% classed as giant. The cumulative mortality rate was 2.3%. Seventeen patients had a stroke (1.9%), while 19 (2.0%) had a transient ischemic attack and 21 patients (2.3%) had an intracranial hemorrhage. The two outcome measures were the cumulative event rate (16.7%) and the 6 month aneurysm occlusion rate (79.7%). A funnel plot with study size plotted against the two outcome measures revealed publication bias. Data from recent studies suggest that complication and mortality rates associated with PED may be similar to other contemporary endovascular techniques, with a better 6 month aneurysm occlusion rate. More prospective clinical trials are warranted to further validate these results.
Getting on the same page: The neural basis for social coordination deficits in behavioral variant frontotemporal degeneration

Abstract For social interactions to be successful, individuals must establish shared mental representations that allow them to reach a common understanding and “get on the same page”. We refer to this process as social coordination. While examples of social coordination are ubiquitous in daily life, relatively little is known about the neuroanatomic basis of this complex behavior. This is particularly true in a language context, as previous studies have used overly complex paradigms to study this. Although traditional views of language processing and the recent interactive-alignment account of conversation focus on peri-Sylvian regions, our model of social coordination predicts prefrontal involvement. To test this hypothesis, we examine the neural basis of social coordination during conversational exchanges in non-aphasic patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal degeneration (bvFTD). bvFTD patients show impairments in executive function and social comportment due to disease in frontal and anterior temporal regions. To investigate social coordination in bvFTD, we developed a novel language-based task that assesses patients' ability to convey an object's description to a conversational partner. Experimental conditions manipulated the amount of information shared by the participant and the conversational partner, and the associated working memory demands. Our results indicate that, although patients did not have difficulty identifying the features of the objects, they did produce descriptions that included insufficient or inappropriate adjectives and thus struggled to communicate effectively. Impaired performance was related to gray matter atrophy particularly in medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices. Our findings suggest an important role for non-language brain areas that belong to a large-scale neurocognitive network for social coordination.
Med1 regulates meiotic progression during spermatogenesis in mice

Spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated process. Signaling from nuclear hormone receptors, like those for retinoic acid, is important for normal spermatogenesis. However, the mechanisms regulating these signals are poorly understood. Mediator complex subunit 1 (MED1) is a transcriptional enhancer that directly modulates transcription from nuclear hormone receptors. MED1 is present in male germ cells throughout mammalian development, but its function during spermatogenesis is unknown. To determine its role, we generated mice lacking Med1 specifically in their germ cells beginning just before birth. Conditional Med1 knockout males are fertile, exhibiting normal testis weights and siring ordinary numbers of offspring. Retinoic acid-responsive gene products Stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8) and Synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SYCP3) are first detected in knockout spermatogonia at the expected time points during the first wave of spermatogenesis and persist with normal patterns of cellular distribution in adult knockout testes. Meiotic progression, however, is altered in the absence of Med1. At postnatal day 7 (P7), zygotene-stage knockout spermatocytes are already detected, unlike in control testes, with fewer pre-leptotene-stage cells and more leptotene spermatocytes observed in the knockouts. At P9, Med1 knockout spermatocytes prematurely enter pachynema. Once formed, greater numbers of knockout spermatocytes remain in pachynema relative to the other stages of meiosis throughout testis development and its maintenance in the adult. Meiotic exit is not inhibited. We conclude that MED1 regulates the temporal progression of primary spermatocytes through meiosis, with its absence resulting in abbreviated pre-leptotene, leptotene and zygotene stages, and a prolonged pachytene stage.
Screening tools fail to accurately select menopausal women who need absorptiometry to detect osteoporosis

Screening tools fail to accurately select menopausal women who need absorptiometry to detect osteoporosis
Metastatic Malignant Melanoma Presenting Clinically as Obstruction of the Right Ventricular Inflow and Outflow Tracts: Characterization by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Metastatic disease involving the heart may present in a variety of fashions. A patient with melanoma metastatic to the right ventricle which was diagnosed clinically by evidence of recent onset of right ventricular inflow and outflow tract obstruction is described. Important information regarding the extent of the metastatic process and potential resectability of the tumor was gained by magnetic resonance imaging.
The effect of anterior cruciate ligament graft rotation on knee laxity and graft tension: An in vitro biomechanical analysis.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of rotating a bone–patellar tendon– bone allograft during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on anteroposterior (AP) knee laxity and forces developed within the graft. Type of Study: In vitro biomechanical study using human cadaveric knees. Methods: Thirteen fresh-frozen knee specimens received bone–patella tendon–bone allografts that were pretensioned at 30° of flexion to restore AP laxity to that of the intact knee. AP laxity was then measured at 0°, 30°, and 90° of knee flexion with the graft in neutral rotation and in 90° and 180° of internal and external rotation. Five specimens received allografts that were rotated to 90° internally and externally and then tensioned. Two knee specimens were used to measure the effects of graft rotation on graft force at full extension; 1 received 7 separate allografts and the other received 10 allografts. During testing, the potted end of the allograft that was connected to a tibial load cell was rotated. Results: In specimens tensioned and then rotated, AP laxity at 30° of knee flexion decreased an average of 0.9 mm with 90° of graft rotation in either direction. At 180° of external rotation, the mean decrease in laxity of 1.8 mm was significantly greater than that for 180° of internal rotation ( P P P Conclusions: Although minor, rotating the graft had significant effects on knee laxity and graft tension. In general, AP laxity decreased and graft tension increased with increasing rotation of the graft. The direction of rotation did not seem to be important. As a result, clinicians who choose to rotate their patellar tendon grafts can expect that the biomechanical changes in the graft with rotation will have little clinical importance.
Transient measurements of HV interaction with the ambient and perturbed space environment

Abstract Transient measurements of current collected by a rocket payload charged to several kilovolts negative with respect to the ambient plasma were made during the SPEAR-3 sounding rocket mission. The measurements were taken in short bursts at 1MHz, coincident with the application of the high voltage. The measured current is seen to rise approximately parabolically for approximately 15μs before rolling over into an exponential decay towards steady state current collection. The exponential time constant of 40 to 50μs is interpreted as the characteristic ion-collection sheath formation time for the SPEAR-3 payload.
Design of slotted grinding wheels

Advanced grinding processes require slotted grinding wheels that can rotate at exceptionally high speeds without distorting or failing catastrophically. These wheels are usually reinforced and the grinding medium is usually attached to the periphery of the wheel using a strong bonding agent such as an epoxy adhesive. The paper uses procedures that were developed for designing grinding wheels for creep feed grinding processes and the more modern process of high efficiency deep grinding (HEDG). The grinding wheel is normally attached to the machine tool spindle so that it does not become loose, which would otherwise cause harm to the operator and to the machine tool structure itself. Procedures for safe practice and good mechanical design safety at very high rotational speeds are discussed when applied to high speed grinding processes such as HEDG grinding and VIPER grinding.
In situ monitoring of atomic layer controlled pore reduction in alumina tubular membranes using sequential surface reactions

The pore diameter in alumina tubular membranes with an initial diameter of 50 A was systematically reduced using the atomic layer controlled deposition of Al2O3. The Al2O3 was deposited using sequential exposures of Al(CH3)3 (trimethylaluminum, TMA) and H2O in an ABAB... binary reaction sequence. The pore diameter reduction was monitored using in situ N2 and Ar conductance measurements. The conductance, C = Q/ΔP, was measured using a mass flow controller to define a constant gas throughput, Q, and a pair of capacitance manometers to monitor the transmembrane pressure drop, ΔP. Conductance measurements were periodically obtained at 298 K as a function of AB binary reaction cycles. These conductance measurements were consistent with a pore diameter reduction from 50 A to ∼5−10 A at a rate of ∼2.5 A for each AB cycle. Conductance measurements were also performed during the Al2O3 deposition at 500 K after each half-reaction in the binary reaction sequence. The TMA half-reaction leaves the pore surface covered...
Permeability of cornea, sclera, and conjunctiva: A literature analysis for drug delivery to the eye

The objective of this study was to collect a comprehensive database of ocular tissue permeability measurements found in a review of the literature to guide models for drug transport in the eye. Well over 300 permeability measurements of cornea, sclera, and conjunctiva, as well as corneal epithelium, stroma, and endothelium, were obtained for almost 150 different compounds from more than 40 different studies. In agreement with previous work, the corneal epithelium was shown generally to control transcorneal transport, where corneal stroma and endothelium contribute significantly only to the barrier for small, lipophilic compounds. In addition, other quantitative comparisons between ocular tissues are presented. This study provides an extensive database of ocular tissue permeabilities, which should be useful for future development and validation of models to predict rates of drug delivery to the eye.
Impaired in vivo adrenergic responses in diet-induced hypertensive rats.

This study was conducted to investigate whether altered vascular responsiveness to vasoactive compounds contributes to the development of hypertension in diet-induced hyperinsulinemic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive high fructose, high sucrose, or standard rat chow for 13-18wk. Blood pressure was monitored by indirect (tail-cuff) measurements at regular intervals during the diet treatment. Vascular responses to various vasoactive agents were studied both in vivo and in vitro. Blood pressure response, as assessed by direct (intra-arterial) measurement, to graded dose infusions of norepinephrine or angiotensin II or bolus infusion of acetylcholine were determined. In vitro vascular responses of the tail arteries to exogenous norepinephrine were also studied. The fructose- and the sucrose-fed rats had significantly higher blood pressure than controls. Serum insulin levels were also significantly higher in fructose- and sucrose-fed rats than in controls. The blood pressure responses to graded infusions of norepinephrine were significantly less in the fructose-fed rats than in controls. The blood pressure responses to angiotensin II and acetylcholine infusion were not significantly different among the three groups of rats. In vitro studies of vascular reactivity in the tail arteries revealed than the concentration of norepinephrine that produced half-maximal contraction (NE EC50) was significantly higher in the fructose group than control. Thus, impaired vascular responses to exogenous norepinephrine were observed in fructose-fed rats both in vivo and in vitro. This may be due to an adaptation to increased sympathetic nervous activity, or may be a compensatory response to other structural or functional changes that produce hypertension in this model. (Hypertens Res 1997; 20: 17-21)
Differentiation of Skeletal Muscle Cells in Culture

The current knowledge of skeletal muscle cultures and the molecular events taking place during muscle differentiation in vitro are re-viewed. Skeletal muscle cells differentiate in a unique sequence. Mononucleated precursor cells (myoblasts), which are obtained either from embryonic muscle tissues (primary muscle cultures) or from muscle cell lines, divide exponentially in culture. After cessation of division, myoblasts start to fuse forming multi-nucleate myotubes. Subsequently, the myotubes develop myofilaments and cross-striations. In this review the concept of fusion is discussed in relation
Rhetoric versus philosophy: The role of the universal audience in Chaim Perelman's The New Rhetoric

This paper is divided into three sections. The first describes how Perelman's general approach in The New Rhetoric, particularly his emphasis on the role of audience and the epistemological claims he makes for his treatise, cause him to become an uneasy participant in the age old debate between philosophy and rhetoric. Perelman's attempt to resolve this dilemma via the universal audience is described in the second section, which argues for the general failure of this construct to fulfill the role Perelman assigns it. Finally, the third section addresses the implications of this failure for the work as a whole, particularly the question of whether the problematic status of the universal audience invalidates Perelman's claims that The New Rhetoric articulates a truly audience‐based theory of argumentation.