cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clustering and indexing of experience sequences for popularity-driven recommendations

As part of our iCare efforts, we are developing mechanisms that provide guidance to individuals who are blind in diverse contexts. A fundamental challenge in this context is to represent and index experiences that can be used to provide recommendations. In this paper, we address the challenge of indexing experiences in order to retrieve them based on their popularities. In particular, we model experiences as sequences of propositional statements from a particular domain (daily life, web browsing, etc.). We then show that knowledge about domain constraints (such as commutativity between possible statements) need to be used for clustering and indexing experiences for popularity-search. We also highlight that don't cares (propositional statements not relevant to the user's query) make the task of popularity indexing challenging. Thus, we develop a canonical-sequence based approach that significantly reduces the experience sequence retrieval time in the presence of commutations. We introduce rule-compression, which helps achieve further reductions in the retrieval cost. We propose a novel two-level index structure, EXPdex, to efficiently answer wildcard (don't care) queries. We compare the proposed approach analytically and experimentally to a don't care-unaware solution, which does not take into account wildcards in queries while constructing the popularity index. Experiments show that the proposed approach provides large savings in retrieval time when commutations between the elements of sequences are allowed.
The Performance of Optical Systems with Quasi-Monochromatic Partially Coherent Illumination

The design and the prediction of the imagery of an optical system that is used with partially coherent illumination are complicated by the nonlinearities of this operation. The performance of the optical system is affected by both the nature of the illumination and the characteristics of the object, as well as by the aberrations of the system. A program for computing the energy distribution in the images of a class of standard objects as a function of the illumination and the pupil function of the optical system has been written. The theoretical approach is similar to that described by H. H. Hopkins in 1957.
Preparation of ultrafine platinum dispersed carbon having high specific surface area using potassium hydroxide

In order to simply prepare metal dispersed activated carbon, a soluble anisotropic pitch containing 1Owt% of platinum acetylacetonate complex as a precursor for metal particles was heat-treated in the presence of a large excess of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The heat treatment with KOH at 700-900°C enabled us to obtain highly activated carbon having more than 2000m2/g of BET specific surface area. The platinum particles pyrolytically appeared from the complex finely dispersed in activated carbon matrix. Besides their particle size was less than 1Onm in diameter, which means that the particles somewhat aggregated compared with those obtained after regular heat treatment without KOH at the corresponding temperature. To prevent the particles from aggregation, rapidly heating such as 50°C/min was effective, thereby, the particle size was able to controlled less than 3nm in diameter.
First-principles pseudopotential in the local-density-functional formalism

Abstract A first principles approach to the pseudopotential method is developed in the local density formalism (LDF). As an example, tests on the carbon and tungsten atom potentials are given. Comparison of the energy eigenvalues and total energy differences obtained in accurate self-consistent numerical solutions of the all-electron problem with those of the pseudopotential problem reveals an error smaller than 10 −3 au for a very wide range of electronic configuration and excitation states. Charge density observables such as moments of r and X-ray scattering factors are also accurately obtained. Apllications to large-scale electronic structure calculations as well as comparison of the results with the empirical pseudopotential scheme are discussed.
The endangered Sonoran topminnow: Examination of species and ESUs using three mtDNA genes

There has been controversy over the species status of Sonoran topminnows and debate about the presence of ESUs in the Gila topminnow. From examination of sequence variation at 2626 base pairs over three mtDNA genes, we found a 29 (1.1%) nucleotide genetic difference between Gila and Yaqui topminnows. This provides strong support that these two taxa are separate species, Poeciliopsis occidentalis (Gila topminnow) and P. sonoriensis (Yaqui topminnow) and have been separated for approximately one million years. All the Gila topminnows within Arizona have the same sequence for the three mtDNA genes, that is, there is not reciprocal monophyly for mtDNA sequence data for the two previously designated ESUs. However, evidence of the unique habitat for Monkey Spring, its long-term isolation from other Gila topminnow habitats, and the presence of unique fish and invertebrate taxa in Monkey Spring support the designation of the Monkey Spring topminnows as an ESU. Finally, theoretical considerations using molecular data and estimates of heterozygosity and genetic distance for nuclear genes between populations of the Gila topminnow show that the lack of mtDNA variation is not inconsistent with the level and pattern of nuclear genetic variation observed.
The Browning Produced on Heating Fresh Pork II. The Natwre of the Reaction

SUMMARY Studies are reported on the mechanism of browning occurring in model and meat systems. When model systems were heated, brownness appeared to be due largely to the amino-sugar reaction, although some brown color development apparently occurred from caramelization of the sugars. This was shown by blocking the amino group with acylation or the carbonyl group of sugars by addition of bisulfite or hydroxylamine. The same procedures were used for studying the development of brownness in meat systems, except that in some instances the free sugars naturally present in meat were removed by yeast fermentation or by the addition of glucose oxidase. Although the data with the meat systems were not clear-cut, evidence suggested that most of the browning occurred as a result of the amino-sugar reaction. However, a small but significant amount of browning seemed to be due to pyrolysis of the natural meat sugars.
Structural cell number and regeneration in Chlorohydra viridissima

Representative Chlorohydra viridissima were cut so that head-end pieces had different structural cell numbers and tentacle numbers. Structural cell number was calculated from cell counts on macerated preparations. The number of tentacles regenerating on these pieces changed significantly as a function of the structural cell number, but not the tentacle number on the original pieces. The interaction term for the original tentacle number and structural cell number on tentacle regeneration was also significant. Foot regeneration on the head-end pieces was a function of the length of pieces and mutually exclusive with the formation of tentaclelike basal spikes and the repolarization of pieces whereby an original tentacle became a basal structure. The number of tentacles regenerating on the basal stump peaked at one-quarter the length of the gastric region in violation of expectations based on gradient models of morphogenesis. Structural cell number appears to be a major morphogenic determinant in regenerating Hydra.
Periodic trajectories in right-triangle billiards

Billiard problems are simple examples of Hamiltonian dynamical systems. These problems have been used as model systems to study the link betwen classical and quantum chaos. The heart of this linkage is provided by the periodic orbits in the classical system. In this article we will show that for an arbitrary right triangle, almost all trajectories that begin perpendicular to a side are periodic, that is, the set of points on the sides of a right triangle from which nonperiodic (perpendicular) trajectories begin is a set of measure zero. Our proof incorporates the previous result for rational right triangles (where the angles are rational multiples of \ensuremath{\pi}), while extending the result to nonrational right triangles.
Sex Offender Community Notification and Its Impact on Neighborhood Life

This paper is based on research that both quantitatively and qualitatively examines the effects of sex offender community notification on neighborhood life—specifically on fear of crime, community morale, and the ability of residents and business owners to preserve and restore their neighborhood. The literature hypothesizes that neighborhoods are stable social entities that react to destabilizing events by finding ways to resist unwanted change and bounce back to a semblance of their former selves. This resiliency factor may be problematic in those neighborhoods beset by a variety of social problems. Data for this paper were derived from an in-person interview survey with households and businesses located within an area officially notified about a convicted sex offender living there. The findings suggest that the state practice of targeting an already fragile neighborhood for sex offender placement, while a blow to the neighborhood, may not be of such magnitude as to weaken its ability to recover.
On presupposition and speaker‐beliefs: Empirical investigation of the theoretical distinction between “plugs”; and “holes”;

Abstract This paper reports the findings of a study designed to test Karttunen's (1973) theoretical linguistic distinction between “plugs”; and “holes.”; A basic assumption was that if this distinction is psychologically real for members of the English speech community, it ought to be empirically verifiable. The investigators were also interested in the question of how non‐native speakers of English, as compared with native speakers, behave with respect to the plug‐hole distinction. Two groups of subjects were tested—adult native speakers of English and adults acquiring English as a second language. Subjects were presented with a questionnaire which consisted of three sentences containing holes. The subjects’ task was to judge for each sentence what the speaker of the sentence necessarily had to believe with respect to the presupposed information contained in the sentence. Results indicate that, for both groups of subjects, the theoretical distinction between plugs and holes was not real; both groups trea...
Notes on Labidus praedator (Fr. Smith) in Paraguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae: Ecitonini)

Summary Labidus praedator was found throughout Paraguay in both forest and grassland habitats. Bivouac sites are described, and long-term bivouacs are confirmed. Estimates of brood production and colony size are given. Raids are described, and the environmental effects on the raiding pattern is analysed, both long-term and short-term.
The effect of butyric acid and retinoic acid on invasion and experimental metastasis of murine melanoma cells.

The effect of butyric acid (BA) and all trans-retinoic acid (RA) on murine melanoma cells was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro assays included 3H-IdUR incorporation, adhesion, migration and invasion experiments. Butyric acid decreased 3H-IdUR cellular incorporation within 24h and increased adhesion as measured by trypsin release of 3H-IdUR labelled cells from either polycarbonate (p.c.) or Matrigel-coated p.c. membranes. Migration and invasion rates after 72h were quantified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The invasion barrier consisted of Matrigel-coated p.c. membranes. Butyric acid significantly enhanced migration and invasion of B16a cells, while RA significantly decreased migration and invasion of B1 6a and K-1735 cells. Subcutaneous administration of either BA or RA pellets significantly decreased the number of lung nodules in the experimental metastatic assay. The experimental metastatic assay is defined as a tail vein inoculation protocol followed by subsequent lung evaluation.
Extending the EBM: the effect of deep ocean temperature on climate with applications to the cretaceous

Three types of models are frequently applied to problems of present or past climates: (1) the energy balance model (EBM), which can be solved for the mean thermal state of the climate system based only on thermodynamical considerations, (2) the statistical dynamical model (SDM), which includes momentum considerations from which one can solve for climate statistics on a monthly or seasonal time scale including mean poloidal motions and the hydrologic cycle, and (3) the general circulation model (GCM), which can be solved for the evolving daily weather patterns that are then post-processed to yield all the climate statistics in much the same manner as synoptic data are processed. One major drawback of nearly all these models is that they typically do not consider the subsurface vertical heat fluxes (e.g., the effect of deep ocean temperatures and circulation). We present results from an SDM developed in the late 1960's that includes the parameterized effects of subsurface heat fluxes, and then use these results to demonstrate the importance that deep ocean temperatures can have in determining the climatic state. In this SDM, the ratio of the surface short wave absorption to the surface conductive capacity emerges as a quantity that competes with the subsurface (e.g., deep ocean) temperature in determining surface temperatures. For land, the conductive capacity is small and short wave absorption plays an important role; however, for the ocean the conductive capacity is large and the subsurface (deep ocean) temperature is the dominant influence on the surface temperature for the time scale over which the model is valid. This SDM also includes several of the most important features absent in an EBM, namely, an explicit dependence on the intrinsic physical nature of the earth's surface, the mean poloidal motions in the atmosphere that lead to the climate zonation, and a representation of the hydrologic cycle. When deep ocean temperatures in the model are increased to levels suggested by geologic data for the Cretaceous, surface temperatures at mid to high latitudes become much warmer and the circulation of the atmosphere becomes much subdued, especially as indicated by eddy statistics. These results hold for both present-day and Cretaceous land-ocean distributions, indicating that deep ocean temperature, not geography, is the key model boundary condition. The results also agree with interpretations of geologic data, but disagree in part with earlier interpretations of GCM studies of the Cretaceous. Removal of sea ice (with resultant change from a land-like to an ocean surface) accounts for much of the high latitude warming.
Elective transfer of two embryos: reduction of multiple gestations while maintaining high pregnancy rates

Purpose: To determine if the elective transfer of two embryos reduced the incidence of multiple gestations while maintaining high pregnancy rates. Methods: IVF patients and recipients of oocyte donation with an elective day-3 transfer of 2 or 3 embryos were studied. Result(s): In IVF, the elective transfer of 2 embryos resulted in similar pregnancy rate but significantly reduced the overall incidence of multiple gestations (20% versus 39%) when compared to the elective transfer of 3 embryos. Twin gestations decreased from 28% to 19%, and triplets significantly decreased from 9% to 1%. In oocyte donation, the elective transfer of 2 embryos resulted in similar pregnancy rate but also significantly reduced the overall incidence of multiple gestations (26% versus 48%), with twins decreasing from 34% to 24%, and with a significant reduction of triplets (13% versus 2%). Conclusions: In IVF and oocyte donation, the elective transfer of 2 embryos resulted in similar pregnancy rates and significantly reduced multiple gestation rates when compared to the elective transfer of 3 embryos.
Clinical appraisal of current nuclear and other noninvasive cardiac diagnostic techniques

At a time of rapid increases in the cost of medical care and the application of complex invasive procedures to cardiovascular diagnosis, the use of noninvasive methods has aroused interest. This report discusses the usefulness and limitations of various noninvasive diagnostic methods including nuclear medicine techniques, echocardiography, exercise electrocardiography and determination of systolic time intervals. Emphasis is placed on the applicability of these methods to specific disease processes (such as ischemic heart disease, cardiac valve disease, pulmonary embolic disease), their relative merits, future potential and present shortcomings.
High‐voltage switching for in‐flight capture of keV antiprotons in a Penning trap

The recently observed in‐flight capture of keV antiprotons and protons in a Penning trap requires that the −3‐kV potentials on electrodes of a Penning trap near 4.2 K be switched on and off with switching times less than 20 ns. These rapidly switched potentials are applied via transmission lines which are not terminated at the trap, thereby avoiding unacceptable heat load on the helium Dewar. Simple high‐voltage switching circuits are constructed using krytrons and reed relays. A krytron provides the rapid switching and stays on just long enough for a reed relay to kick in and maintain the switched state indefinitely.
The Positive Strain-Rate Dependence of Ductility in a 50Mo-50Re Alloy

This paper is a review of the recent studies of deformation and fracture behaviors, especially the anomalous strain-rate effect on plasticity of a 50Mo-50Re alloy. The ductility of this alloy was found to increase with increase in strain rate within the range of 10−6 s−1 to 1 s−1 at room temperature in air. The fracture surfaces in the alloy changed from brittle to ductile in nature with increasing strain rate. A damage-toughening phenomenon was also observed in this alloy.
Advances in understanding knowledge work: an experience report

Extending our ongoing investigation into the communicative practices of knowledge work, we have made recent advances on three different fronts: methodological framing, investigation of work practices and potential support tools, and application development. Each of these advances is considered in this experience report, which concludes with a brief discussion of where such research might most productively advance next.
A highly sensitive single-cell assay detects T-helper cell responses missed by conventional interleukin-2-based methods.

Abstract One of the most widely used methods for the study of T-helper (T h ) cell activity is the interleukin 2 (IL-2) assay. Typically, this assay is a two-step process involving (a) the activation of T h cells in vitro and (b) the testing of IL-2-dependent indicator cells for growth in the presence of T h cell supernatants. The assay has served to quantify and characterize T h responses to a variety of unique pathogens and immunization regimens. A one-step, single-cell assay is also available for the testing of mouse T h cell hybridomas. In this assay, cells fused with the BWZ.36 parent line are scored for positive responses based on their expression of a β-galactosidase gene linked to an IL-2 enhancer element. The experiments described in this report were designed to examine the conventional and single-cell assays in a side-by-side comparison. Results revealed a striking difference between the two assays. The single-cell assay proved to be extremely sensitive and identified T h responses that were altogether missed by the conventional test. Based on these results, we suggest that (i) the conventional and single-cell assays should not be used interchangeably, and (ii) negative results in the conventional IL-2 assay should be considered preliminary until the more sensitive, single-cell assay can be performed.
A conserved MST1/2–YAP axis mediates Hippo signaling during lung growth

Abstract Hippo signaling is a critical player in controlling the growth of several tissues and organs in diverse species. The current model of Hippo signaling postulates a cascade of kinase activity initiated by the MST1/2 kinases in response to external stimuli. This leads to inactivation of the transcriptional coactivators, YAP/TAZ, due to their cytoplasmic retention and degradation that is correlated with YAP/TAZ phosphorylation. In most tissues examined, YAP plays a more dominant role than TAZ. Whether a conserved Hippo pathway is utilized during lung growth and development is unclear. In particular, the regulatory relationship between MST1/2 and YAP/TAZ in the lung remains controversial. By employing the Shh-Cre mouse line to efficiently inactivate genes in the lung epithelium, we show that loss of MST1/2 kinases in the epithelium can lead to neonatal lethality caused by lung defects. This is manifested by perturbation of lung epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. These phenotypes are more severe than those produced by Nkx2.1-Cre, highlighting the effects of differential Cre activity on phenotypic outcomes. Importantly, expression of YAP targets is upregulated and the ratio of phospho-YAP to total YAP protein levels is reduced in Mst1/2-deficient lungs, all of which are consistent with a negative role of MST1/2 in controlling YAP function. This model gains further support from both in vivo and in vitro studies. Genetic removal of one allele of Yap or one copy of both Yap and Taz rescues neonatal lethality and lung phenotypes due to loss of Mst1/2. Moreover, knockdown of Yap in lung epithelial cell lines restores diminished alveolar marker expression caused by Mst1/2 inactivation. These results demonstrate that MST1/2 inhibit YAP/TAZ activity and establish a conserved MST1/2–YAP axis in coordinating lung growth during development.
1995 MSSA plenary address: The crude and the refined: Sociology, obscurity, language, and oil

Sociology is too obscure—both in terms of its linguistic clarity and in terms of its societal influence. The reasons for the linguistic obscurity are numerous, but they can be boiled down to two sets of factors. The first involves the fact that clear writing requires hard work. Bad writing, however, can also require hard work—and hard work doesn't necessarily prevent clear writing in other disciplines. The second and more specific set of factors involves fear: the fear of being dismissed as “obvious.” Yet, far from being obvious or widely understood, “socio‐logical” insights are often the opposite of the usual, individualistic assumptions. One way to lessen the risk of merely stating the obvious, accordingly, may be to spend more time questioning the obvious—particulary those assumptions that also happen to provide convenient justifications for power. This could create other risks, specifically the risk of attack or vilification that seldom afflicts those who remain truly obscure. Where sociological insig...
Antioxidant Content of Whole Grain Breakfast Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables

Background: Considerable scientific evidence suggests that whole grains, as commonly consumed in the United States and Europe, reduce risk for chronic disease including cancer and heart disease. Whole grains provide a wide range of nutrients and phytochemicals that may work synergistically to optimize human health. Fruits and vegetables provide protection against age related diseases. It is believed their high content of antioxidant compounds is key to such protection.Objective: This research compares the antioxidant activity of whole grain, ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast cereals to that of fruits and vegetables.Method: Antioxidant activity was determined by dispersing finely ground samples in a 50% aqueous methanol solution of the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). DPPH, which forms a deep purple solution, reacts with antioxidants and color loss at 515 nm correlates to antioxidant content, which is expressed as Trolox equivalents/100 grams (TE).Results: Whole grain breakfast cereals ...
Wnt/β-Catenin Expression Does Not Correlate with Serum Alkaline Phosphatase Concentration in Canine Osteosarcoma Patients

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive malignancy of the bone and an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase concentration has clinical prognostic value in both humans and canines. Increased serum alkaline phosphatase concentration at the time of diagnosis has been associated with poorer outcomes for osteosarcoma patients. The biology underlying this negative prognostic factor is poorly understood. Given that activation of the Wnt signaling pathway has been associated with alkaline phosphatase expression in osteoblasts, we hypothesized that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway would be differentially activated in osteosarcoma tissue based on serum ALP status. Archived canine osteosarcoma samples and primary canine osteosarcoma cell lines were used to evaluate the status of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activity through immunohistochemical staining, western immunoblot analyses, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and a Wnt-responsive promoter activity assay. We found no significant difference in β-catenin expression or activation between OSA populations differing in serum ALP concentration. Pathway activity was mildly increased in the primary OSA cell line generated from a patient with increased serum ALP compared to the normal serum ALP OSA cell line. Further investigation into the mechanisms underlying differences in serum ALP concentration is necessary to improve our understanding of the biological implications of this negative prognostic indicator.
Physician-assisted suicide and health services delivery.

(2000). Nexus: Physician-Assisted Suicide and Health Services Delivery. Hospital Topics: Vol. 78, No. 2, pp. 28-32.
Analysis of rectangular plate resting on an elastic half space using an energy approach

Abstract An analytical formulation using the principle of minimum potential energy is presented to predict the flexural behavior of a rectangular plate resting in smooth contact with an elastic half space (soil medium) and subjected to a uniformly distributed load. The procedure accounts for interaction between the plate and the soil medium. Compatibility at the interface of the plate and soil medium is satisfied by integrating the Boussinesq's formula, which relates the contact stress and the soil surface deformation. Analytical formulations for the following two approximations used to model the contact stress distributions are presented: a power series expansion and use of Chebychev polynomials. In both the formulations the integrations over the plate domain are analytically derived by dividing the plate surface area into eight triangular zones and evaluating explicitly the integrals over each zone and summing the results. First, the boundary conditions at the free edges of the plate are satisfied by expressing some of the selected generalized coordinates appearing in the assumed function in terms of the other, and then the total energy of the system is minimized to evaluate the unknown independent generalized coordinates. The process of selecting these generalized coordinates to satisfy the boundary conditions is automated. Results obtained for a square plate are compared with similar results reported in the literature and with those obtained form three-dimensional finite element analyses. Results of a parametric study investigating the effect of the relative stiffness of the plate with respect to the elastic half space are also presented.
Camel No. 9 Cigarette-Marketing Campaign Targeted Young Teenage Girls

CONTEXT: The 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) restricted tobacco industry advertising practices that targeted teens. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether cigarette-advertising campaigns conducted after the MSA continue to influence smoking among adolescents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants were a national longitudinal cohort of 1036 adolescents (baseline age: 10–13 years) enrolled in a parenting study. Between 2003 and 2008, 5 sequential telephone interviews were conducted, including the participant9s report of brand of “favorite” cigarette advertisement. The fifth interview was conducted after the start of RJ Reynolds9 innovative “Camel No. 9” advertising campaign in 2007. Smoking outcome reported from the fifth survey. RESULTS: The response rate through the fifth survey was 71.8%. Teenagers who reported any favorite cigarette ad at baseline (mean age: 11.7 years) were 50% more likely to have smoked by the fifth interview (adjusted odds ratio: 1.5 [95% confidence interval: 1.0–2.3]). For boys, the proportion with a favorite ad was stable across all 5 surveys, as it was for girls across the first 4 surveys. However, after the start of the Camel No. 9 advertising campaign, the proportion of girls who reported a favorite ad increased by 10 percentage points, to 44%. The Camel brand accounted almost entirely for this increase, and the proportion of each gender that nominated the Marlboro brand remained relatively stable. CONCLUSIONS: After the MSA, adolescents continued to be responsive to cigarette advertising, and those who were responsive were more likely to start smoking. Recent RJ Reynolds advertising may be effectively targeting adolescent girls.
Inhibition of cyclic AMP efflux by insect pheromones and fatty acids

Abstract Avian erythrocytes export cyclic AMP by a means that prostaglandins A 1 and A 2 , but not other eicosanoids, inhibit (EC 50 ≈ 45 nM). Several insect pheromones and the fatty acyl components of common membrane phospholipids also inhibit cyclic AMP efflux (EC 50 ≈ 3O μM). The presence of at least one double bond in the acyl chain enhances the effect. Unlike PGA, fatty acids probably do not act via formation of a glutathione adduct but very likely by altering membrane fluidity. Inhibition of cyclic AMP export provides a mechanism by which products of phospholipid metabolism can influence the cyclic AMP signaling pathway.
ACM SIGCOMM: Analysing communication latency using the Nectar communication processor

For multicomputer applications, the most important performance parameter of a network is the latency for short messages. In this paper, we present an analysis of communication latency using measurement of the Nectar system. Nectar is a high performance multicomputer built around a high bandwidth crosspoint network. Nodes are connected to the Nectar network using network coprocessors that are primarily responsible for the protocol processing, but which can also execute application code. This architecture allows us to analyse message latency both between workstations with an outboard protocol engine and between lightweight nodes with a minimal runtime system and a fast, simple network interface (the coprocessors). We study how much context switching, buffer management and protocol processing contribute to the communication latency, and discuss how the latency is influenced by the protocol's implementation. We also discuss and analyse two other network performance measures: communication overhead and throughput.
Preoperative radiographic factors and surgeon experience are associated with cortical breach of C2 pedicle screws.

Study design A retrospective review study. Objective In this study, we attempt to identify radiographic variables associated with likelihood of intraoperative breach during C2 pedicle screw placement. In addition, we attempt to correlate surgeon experience with breach rate. Summary of background data Pedicle screws have emerged as an effective approach for obtaining fixation of the axis, yet placement of C2 pedicle screws is technically demanding and poses the risk of injury to the vertebral artery. Given the evidence for substantial variation in C2 anatomy, preoperative assessment of computed tomography (CT) scans may indicate, which patients are at increased risk for cortical breach during the pedicle screw placement. Materials and methods A retrospective review of all patients undergoing C2 pedicle screw fixation at a single institution over the last 6 years was conducted. Radiographic cortical breaches were defined on postoperative CT scans as visualization of the screw beyond the cortical edge. Radiographic measurements were determined from preoperative CT scans and were then correlated with breaches via Student t test. The association of breach rate with surgeon experience was evaluated using univariate linear regression. Results Ninety-three patients underwent placement of 170 screws. Cortical breach was detected on postoperative CT scans in 43 screws (25.3%). One clinically significant breach occurred with damage to the left vertebral artery intraoperatively. On axial CT sections, mean pedicle isthmus diameter was significantly smaller in patients with breach than in patients without breach for both left and right sides, P=0.006 and P=0.010, respectively. Specifically, a diameter of less than 6 mm was associated with a nearly 2-fold increase in risk of cortical breach (37% vs. 21%). Surgeons with greater experience in placing C2 pedicle screws were noted to have a lower breach incidence (P=0.004). Conclusions During placement of C2 pedicle screws, likelihood of cortical breach may be associated with size of pedicle and surgeon experience. Extensive preoperative evaluation of CT scans and consideration of technical demands of procedure may help avoid complications with such internal fixation.
Reducing the risk of falls among older adults: The Fallproof Balance and Mobility Program

Fall-related deaths among the older adult segment of the population constitute a growing public health concern that is largely preventable. A growing body of research has identified a number of effective intervention strategies that can lower the incidence of falls and/or risk factors that contribute to heightened fall risk. One particularly effective intervention strategy that has been identified is exercise, whether individually prescribed or conducted in group-based settings. The Fallproof Balance and Mobility Program was developed in response to the need for effective community-based programs that target the important intrinsic risk factors (e.g., impaired balance and gait, muscle weakness) associated with increased fall risk. This theory-driven program adopts a multidimensional approach to balance and mobility that has proven to be effective in reducing fall risk among older adults identified as moderate-to-high risk for falls. The fidelity of the program also has been maintained by implementing an instructor certification program and standardizing program content and delivery.
Degranulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes is induced by multivalent cross-linking of wheat germ agglutinin binding site(s) on cell membrane.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) surface membrane glycoproteins very likely are involved in the phenomenon of stimulus-response coupling. Previously, we have shown that subagglutinating concentrations of the plant lectin, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) specifically and irreversibly inhibitedN-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine (FMLP)-mediated PMN chemotaxis. WGA did not affect the binding of [3H]FMLP to its receptor on the PMN plasma membrane. We have examined the possibility that cross-linking of WGA binding sites may elicit PMN degranulation. We have found that multivalent, but not bivalent, cross-linking of WGA bound to PMNs elicits release of lysosomal constituents. This phenomenon was specific for WGA since it did not occur when concanavalin A (Con A), instead of WGA, was used. It is intriguing to speculate that WGA may attach to a “physiologic” receptor for FMLP on the PMN membrane and that redistribution (cross-iinking) of this receptor might be an early event in the activation of PMNs by FMLP.
What's in a Name? Global, International, and Regional Studies

In our hard times, humanity is grappling with how to adapt to the destruction of the environment and neoliberalism's dire impact on ways of life, such as the effects of the lingering global crisis ...
Stability of the upwind discrete energy approximation to the Spencer-Lewis equation of electron transport

Abstract Under suitable physically reasonable assumptions, stability and convergence results are obtained for the upwind finite-difference approximation in energy to the Spencer-Lewis equation of electron transport.
Optimal control of quantum-mechanical systems: Existence, numerical approximation, and applications

The optimal control of the path to a specified final state of a quantum-mechanical system is investigated. The problem is formulated as a minimization problem over appropriate function spaces, and the well-posedness of this problem is is established by proving the existence of an optimal solution. A Lagrange-multiplier technique is used to reduce the problem to an equivalent optimization problem and to derive necessary conditions for a minimum. These necessary conditions form the basis for a gradient iterative procedure to search for a minimum. A numerical scheme based on finite differences is used to reduce the infinite-dimensional minimization problem to an approximate finite-dimensional problem. Numerical examples are provided for final-state control of a diatomic molecule represented by a Morse potential. Within the context of this optimal control formulation, numerical results are given for the optimal pulsing strategy to demonstrate the feasibility of wave-packet control and finally to achieve a specified dissociative wave packet at a given time. The optimal external optical fields generally have a high degree of structure, including an early time period of wave-packet phase adjustment followed by a period of extensive energy deposition to achieve the imposed objective. Constraints on the form of the molecular dipole (e.g., a linear dipole) are shown to limit the accessibility (i.e., controllability) of certain types of molecular wave-packet objectives. The nontrivial structure of the optimal pulse strategies emphasizes the ultimate usefulness of an optimal-control approach to the steering of quantum systems to desired objectives.
Perceptions of Attitude Similarity Effect of Anchored Versus Unanchored Positions

Undergraduates read anecdotes that described four target persons. The descriptions manipulated targets' level of favorability on each of four evaluative dimensions. When information about a target's standing was provided on dimensions on which subjects' own positions were on the average middling, but not securely anchored in the external environment (common sense, likability), their subsequent perceptions of attitude similarity to the target increased monotonically as a function of the favorability of the initial information about the target. When initial information about the target was provided, instead, on dimensions on which subjects' own positions were securely anchored near the midpoint (educational attainment, annual income), they perceived greatest attitude similarity to that target closest to their own objective position and perceived least similarity to targets who occupied either a more or a less favorable position than self. These findings, and those of a separate questionnaire study, suggest that people do not uniformly attribute culturally desirable positions to themselves or see themselves as most similar to desirable others. Instead, they do so only on dimensions on which their own positions are not securely anchored in external reality.
Failure of adrenalectomy immediately following stress to prevent eosinopenia in rats.

Conclusions1. In rats, an eosinopenia follows stress even though adrenalectomy is completed within 10 minutes. 2. The progressive fall in circulating eosinophiles over a 4 hour period occurs even without the continued secretion of the adrenal cortex.
The isolation of an endogenous retrovirus from the New World rodent Dasyprocta punctata (agouti).

Abstract An endogenous type C virus from the New World rodent, agouti ( Dasyprocta punctata ) has been isolated by cocultivating agouti tissue with the human lung tumor cell line, A549. The virus isolate, designated DPC-1, possesses the morphologic properties of a typical type C virus and contains viral polymerase and structural (p30) protein antigenically related to but distinct from known type C viral proteins. Nucleic acid hybridization studies demonstrate that DPC-1 is an endogenous virus of the agouti and is present in multiple copies (75–100 per haploid genome) in agouti cellular DNA. Low stringency hybridization by hydroxyapatite detected distantly related viral sequences in the DNA of other New World rodent species, such as the guinea pig, as well as Old World rodent species, such as mice and hamsters. DPC-1 is therefore distantly related to the type C viruses of Old World rodents and, has probably evolved from a common ancestral rodent virus. DPC-1 has been successfully transmitted in vitro to both human and cat cells; it is therefore the first transmissible type C virus isolated from a New World rodent species and should provide a useful perspective with which to study the numerous type C isolates from laboratory rodents.
Christianity’s shift from the Global North to the Global South

The most significant trend within global Christianity over the last century has been its profound demographic shift from the Global North to the Global South. Although the percentage of Christians ...
Low-Energy Behavior of the Phase Shifts in Pion-Proton Scattering

A best fit has been made to all pion-proton scattering phase-shift information under 80 Mev assuming the energy dependence of the phase shifts is momentum to the power ($2l+1$) which would be the case for strong short-range interactions. The values obtained for the Fermi-type solutions are ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{33}=0.235{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{3}$, ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{3}=\ensuremath{-}0.11\ensuremath{\eta}$, and ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}=0.16\ensuremath{\eta}$. These phase shifts, along with Coulomb forces, fit all scattering experiment data quite closely including the 5-Mev cloud chamber results at Columbia. However, at zero energy they predict $({\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{3})=0.27\ensuremath{\eta}$, while recent photoproduction results and the Panofsky effect as evaluated here predict $({\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{3})=0.21\ensuremath{\eta}$ with rather large uncertainties.
Weakness, Daytime Somnolence, Cough, and Respiratory Distress in a 77-Year-Old Man With a History of Childhood Polio

A 77-year-old man presented with slowly progressive fatigue, muscle weakness, daytime somnolence, hoarseness, and wheezing. He noted also a chronic cough especially with the ingestion of food and liquid. These symptoms had accelerated over the last several years. Poliomyelitis was diagnosed at 11 years of age, but he never had required ventilatory support. The patient maintained an active business career up until the time of his most recent hospital admission. He was a current one-half pack per day cigarette smoker with a total of 50 pack-years.
Integrating dynamic voltage/frequency scaling and adaptive body biasing using test-time voltage selection

Adaptive body biasing is a promising technique for addressing increasing process variability, but it also provides new opportunities for reducing power when combined with dynamic voltage/frequency scaling. Limitations of existing ABB/DVFS proposals are explored, and a new scheme, test-time voltage selection (TTVS), is presented. By delaying the mapping between frequency and supply voltage until test, variability information can be incorporated into the VDD selection process. For a 16-core chip-multiprocessor implemented in a high-performance predictive 22 nm technology, TTVS results in 18% power savings over independent ABB/DVFS and 11% power savings over the best of several previously proposed ABB/DVFS schemes.
An experimental study of the temperature profiles and heat transfer coefficients in a heat pipe for a heat exchanger

Abstract This paper describes an experimental study of a heat pipe to be used as a component in an air-to-air heat recovery heat exchanger. The two fluids used are water and Refrigerant 22, over a temperature range of 20–100°C. Temperature profiles and heat transfer coefficients are given for heat fluxes from 500 to 1100W showing the effect of the fluid quantity used. Results were obtained for a smooth surface and for a surface with a circumferential capillary groove. The heat pipe was inclined at 5° to the horizontal.
Explanatory Models for Psychiatric Illness

How can we best develop explanatory models for psychiatric disorders? Because causal factors have an impact on psychiatric illness both at micro levels and macro levels, both within and outside of the individual, and involving processes best understood from biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives, traditional models of science that strive for single broadly applicable explanatory laws are ill suited for our field. Such models are based on the incorrect assumption that psychiatric illnesses can be understood from a single perspective. A more appropriate scientific model for psychiatry emphasizes the understanding of mechanisms, an approach that fits naturally with a multicausal framework and provides a realistic paradigm for scientific progress, that is, understanding mechanisms through decomposition and reassembly. Simple subunits of complicated mechanisms can be usefully studied in isolation. Reassembling these constituent parts into a functioning whole, which is straightforward for simple additive mechanisms, will be far more challenging in psychiatry where causal networks contain multiple nonlinear interactions and causal loops. Our field has long struggled with the interrelationship between biological and psychological explanatory perspectives. Building from the seminal work of the neuronal modeler and philosopher David Marr, the author suggests that biology will implement but not replace psychology within our explanatory systems. The iterative process of interactions between biology and psychology needed to achieve this implementation will deepen our understanding of both classes of processes.