cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Markov-Gibbs Random Field Model for Improved Full-Cardiac Cycle Strain Estimation from Tagged CMR

Background Due to the ability of MR to index systolic and diastolic non-transmural function, by strain and strain rates, with full 3-D geometric concordance, this area is of ongoing interest for regional ischemic conditions, and for conditions such as heart failure and diabetes that result in global dysfunction. Quantitative tag analysis is often hampered by noisy images, and the tag spatial profile, especially when combined with the very efficient algorithms that are based on frequency or spectral domain analysis. We herein propose a new energy minimization approach, using a 3-variable function (x-direction, ydirection, and time) based on a rotation-invariant, Markov-Gibbs Random Field (MGRF) spatial interaction model. This is intended to reduce noise within a tag line, and un-sharpen the tag edges in the spatial domain (which improves the power spectral density), and thus emphasizes the first symmetric lobes of the Fourier Transform of the images in the frequency domain, for optimized analysis by algorithms such as the Harmonic Phase (HARP) method. Methods The tag-to-background contrast is optimized by modeling the marginal distribution of MR signals for the tag grids and for the anatomic background, by a linear combination of discrete Gaussians (LCDG). The 3-variable MGRF then uses the derived parameters as inputs. This approach requires no user specification, and unique parameters are empirically calculated from the given image. The result is a processed image that is optimized for the frequency domain. We have validated our approach using commercially available HARP analysis software (Diagnosoft Inc.) on synthetic phantoms, and on full cardiac-cycle real data. Results We tested the approach on two synthetic phantoms. We corrupted the phantom images by adding noise. We then calculated the absolute strain error using the HARP technique. In the first phantom the absolute strain error was 94%, and in the second phantom the absolute error was 80%. After processing the images using our approach, the absolute strain error was reduced to 36%, and 16%, respectively. We also observed an average improvement of 230% in the power of the spectral main lobe. We have also generated strain function curves, and parametric strain maps, in patients with ischemic damage from heart attacks who are undergoing experimental myoregeneration therapy, and have documented an improvement in visualization and display of treatment effects, in initial patient data. Conclusions Our results document that Markov-Gibbs Random Field modeling of the spatial domain, for tagged MR images, leads to an improved representation in the spectral domain. This results in more efficient and robust estimation of functional parameters, using spectral domain techniques, such as HARP. Funding None.
Waveform stability on a nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation

The eigenfunction expansion technique recently introduced by Parmentier is used to discuss the stability of dynamic steady-state waves on a nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation. More precise statements concerning stability can be made than was possible with the "averaged Lagrangian" technique of Whitham.
From the margin to the mainstream: Campus Compact's Project on Integrating Service with Academic Study

This article offers an introduction to service learning and a brief review of the research on the effects of service learning on academic and values development. It outlines in detail the history of Campus Compact, an organization of 517 college and university presidents founded in 1985, and its Project on Integrating Service with Academic Study. Lessons learned about institutionalizing service learning and information about resources for doing so are also summarized. The findings are based on a three-year, national project supported by the Ford Foundation and an anonymous donor, and two service-learning case studies.
Relaxant effects of nitric oxide and cyclic GMP on pregnant rat uterine longitudinal smooth muscle

Abstract The purpose of our study was to examine the relaxant effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and cyclic guanosine 3′-5′-monophosphate (cGMP) on pregnant rat myometrium. Using very thin muscle strips, which allows rapid diffusional access of applied drugs (in a few seconds), contractile properties were examined. This technique facilitates study of SNP's effects on uterine contractility as nitric oxide is rapidly inactivated to NO2. SNP did not decrease the amplitudes of 45 mmol/l KCl contractions but decreased spontaneous contractions and 1 μmol/l carbachol contractions. The relaxation of carbachol contractions by SNP were antagonized by methylene blue. In addition, 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8-bromo-cGMP) also inhibited KCl-, carbachol- and oxytocin-induced contractions, however, the relaxant effect of 8-bromo-cGMP was much greater on carbachol and oxytocin contractions than on KCl contractions. Cyclic GMP (1μM) decreased contractions evoked by various concentrations of Ca2+ and carbachol with 1 μmol/l GTPγS in skinned (membrane-permeable) strips. These results demonstrate that SNP stimulates guanylate cyclase to produce cGMP and that the relaxant effect of cGMP was predominant on pharmaco-mechanical coupling. The cyclic-GMP system may help in maintaining pregnancy and preventing uterine contractions during exposure to stimulating agonists.
Ultra-high Rayleigh number convection in cryogenic helium gas

Abstract Normalized heat transfer and temperature power spectra of turbulent Rayleigh–Benard convection in cryogenic helium gas are studied over an unprecedented range of Rayleigh number (Ra) from 106 up to 2×1015, the highest Ra ever achieved in a controlled laboratory experiment.
The confined space. A review of a recently discerned medical entity.

This paper presents an extensive review of the literature relating to the industrial confined space. It defines the various types of confined spaces, classifies their associated noxious atmospheres, and identifies the potential hazards of each. A newly recognized confined space, the environment of the surgical amphitheater in which the surgical patient undergoes general anesthesia, has been added. Pathological alterations bearing upon these hazards and the forensic principles of confined space injuries are examined in depth. In addition, recent methods are described for prevention and control of the perils of the confined space. Language: en
Concentration and pH dependent steady-state volume of distribution of methotrexate estimated by a simple physiologically based method

The effects of plasma concentration and pH on the steady-state volume of distribution, Vss, of methotrexate (MTX) were studied in five conditioned male beagle-mongrel dogs. Steady-state plasma MTX concentrations of approximately 1, 20, and 100 micrograms/ml were targeted for by i.v. bolus doses followed by i.v. infusions. An isotonic solution of sodium bicarbonate or ammonium chloride was simultaneously infused for the purpose of inducing plasma pH change, while the infusion of an isotonic solution of sodium chloride served as a control. Plasma and urine concentrations of MTX were quantitated by a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method, and the Vss of MTX was estimated by a recently reported physiologically based method of Chiou and Lam. Statistically significant (p less than 0.05) concentration and plasma pH dependent Vss of MTX were observed. Concentration dependence of Vss was noted in sodium chloride and ammonium chloride infused dogs, but not in bicarbonate treated dogs. There was an average 50.0 and 44.8% increase in Vss at 1 microgram/ml relative to the two higher concentrations (20 and 100 micrograms/ml) for dogs treated with ammonium and sodium chloride, respectively. However, Vss of MTX at the targeted concentrations of 20 and 100 micrograms/ml was relatively constant. Plasma pH dependence of Vss was observed only at the plasma concentration of 1 microgram/ml, and on the average, ammonium chloride and sodium chloride treatments resulted in 50.0 and 31.3% higher Vss, respectively, when compared with the bicarbonate treatment. These phenomena appear to be adequately explained by the reported tissue uptake kinetics of MTX.
Characterization of a cDNA encoding a manganese peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium: genomic organization of lignin and manganese peroxidase-encoding genes

Two heme proteins, manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP), play key roles in the fungal depolymerization of lignin. Many cDNA and genomic clones encoding these peroxidases have been published. We report here on the cDNA lambda MP-2 encoding the MnP isozyme H3 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain BKM-F-1767. We also demonstrate that the MnP-encoding gene, lambda MP-1, encoding isozyme H4, and lambda MP-2 reside on separate chromosomes from each other and from the LiP-encoding genes. From these results, it is apparent that lambda MP-2 is not linked to lambda MP-1 or other genes believed to be involved in lignin depolymerization, such as the LiP and glyoxal oxidase.
Using the years-of-healthy-life measure to calculate QALYs.

Abstract Background: The quality-adjusted life year (QALY) is an attractive outcome measure because it captures both health-related quality of life (HRQL) and life expectancy in a single metric. We present a method for calculating QALYs that is simple, utilizes data that are free of charge, and may improve consistency in burden-of-disease investigations. Methods: For purposes of illustration, we calculated the burden of disease due to stroke using two abridged life tables, each adjusted for HRQL. The first life table was generated using all-cause mortality and morbidity data (a reference cohort) and the second was generated using all diseases except stroke (a stroke-free cohort). The difference in total QALYs and in quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) was determined by subtraction. Results: Approximately 61,328 (95% CI=60,272, 62,383) QALYs were lost to stroke in the life-table cohort. Stroke is responsible for a decrement of 0.03 years of life expectancy and 0.61 years of QALE in the United States. Conclusions: The “years of health life”measure affords a rapid, inexpensive, and sensitive means for estimating the burden of disease for local health priorities and may assist research efforts in including QALYs as an outcome measure.
Cassini at Saturn: Huygens results: by David M. Harland

Book Review: Cassini at Saturn: Huygens Results, David M. Harland. Chichester, U.K.: Springer-Praxis (2007).
Measurements of the viscosity of compressed gaseous and liquid nitrogen

Abstract The shear viscosity coefficients of compressed gaseous and liquid nitrogen have been measured with a torsional piezoelectric quartz crystal viscometer at temperatures between 90 and 300 K and at pressures up to 30 MPa (4350 psia). The estimated imprecision and experimental error of the measurements are less than one percent and two percent respectively. The measurements have been compared with other measurements; with a correlating equation, previously proposed for calculating the viscosities of pure compressed gaseous and liquid nitrogen; and with an extended corresponding states model, previously proposed for calculating the viscosities of fluid mixtures. Differences between our measurements, other experimental data, the correlating equation and the extended corresponding states model are discussed.
Nonuniform variation of the radiative lifetimes of bound excited states along the Mg isoelectronic sequence.

We present the result of a simple nonvariational configuration-interaction calculation for the energy levels and the radiative lifetimes of the Mg isoelectronic sequence. Emphasis is placed on the nonuniform variation of the radiative lifetimes for a series of singly excited states along the isoelectronic sequence due to the strong configuration mixing between the singly excited series and the doubly excited perturbers. The energy contributions from the bound-continuum type of configurations corresponding to the combination of negative- and positive-energy orbitals for the two valence electrons in a divalent atom are examined in detail within the frozen-core Hartree-Fock approximation. Comparisons with existing theoretical and experimental data are also presented.
Disagreement as Evidence: The Epistemology of Controversy

How much should your confidence in your beliefs be shaken when you learn that others – perhaps ‘epistemic peers’ who seem as well-qualified as you are – hold beliefs contrary to yours? This article describes motivations that push different philosophers towards opposite answers to this question. It identifies a key theoretical principle that divides current writers on the epistemology of disagreement. It then examines arguments bearing on that principle, and on the wider issue. It ends by describing some outstanding questions that thinking about this issue raises.
Comparative study of carbon monoxide adsorption and oxidation of the chemisorbed species at smooth and platinized platinum electrodes

Abstract The adsorption of carbon monoxide and the anodic oxidation of the chemisorbed species were investigated at room temperature under the same experimental conditions on foils of smooth and platinized platinum for which hydrogen adsorption is very similar. Both the weakly and strongly bonded species (type II and type I species) were formed to the same extent on the two electrodes in acidic electrolytes. While the freshly platinized platinum electrode behaved like the smooth electrode with predominance of the one-site adsorption of CO, the aging of the platinized electrode led to an increase of the two-site adsorption. The oxidation rate of strongly bonded species at constant potential decreased when the extent of two-site adsorption increased. The electrochemical results are discussed in the light of recent work in the gas phase.
Epidermal growth factor in synaptosomal fractions of mouse cerebral cortex.

: Using a specific and sensitive epidermal growth factor radioimmunoassay (EGF-RIA) we measured EGF concentrations in whole brain, cerebral cortex, and cerebral cortical synaptosomal (pinched-off presynaptic nerve terminals) fractions of 26-day-old mouse brain. The relative EGF concentration in synaptosomal fractions was significantly greater than the growth factor concentrations in whole brain or cerebral cortex. Intracerebral injection, in an amount of EGF, several-fold greater than whole brain EGF content, did not appreciably increase synaptosomal EGF concentration, suggesting that no artifact was involved. The high synaptosomal EGF content suggests a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator role for EGF in the CNS.
Development of binding assays in microfabricated picoliter vials: an assay for biotin.

A homogeneous binding assay for the detection of biotin in picoliter vials was developed using the photoprotein aequorin as the label. The binding assay was based on the competition of free biotin with biotinylated aequorin (AEQ-biotin) for avidin. A sequential protocol was used, and modification of the assay to reduce the number of steps was examined. Results showed that detection limits on the order of 10-14 mol of biotin were possible. Reducing the number of steps provided similar detection limits but only if the amount of avidin used was decreased. These binding assays based on picoliter volumes have potential applications in a variety of fields, including microanalysis and single-cell analysis, where the amount of sample is limited. In addition, these assays are suitable for the high-throughput screening of biopharmaceuticals.
On the noise variance of a digital mammography system

A recent paper by Cooper et al. [Med. Phys. 30, 2614–2621 (2003)] contains some apparently anomalous results concerning the relationship between pixel variance and x-ray exposure for a digital mammography system. They found an unexpected peak in a display domain pixel variance plot as a function of 1/mAs (their Fig. 5) with a decrease in the range corresponding to high display data values, corresponding to low x-ray exposures. As they pointed out, if the detector response is linear in exposure and the transformation from raw to display data scales is logarithmic, then pixel variance should be a monotonically increasing function in the figure. They concluded that the total system transfer curve, between input exposure and display image data values, is not logarithmic over the full exposure range. They separated data analysis into two regions and plotted the logarithm of display image pixel variance as a function of the logarithm of the mAs used to produce the phantom images. They found a slope of minus one for high mAs values and concluded that the transfer function is logarithmic in this region. They found a slope of 0.6 for the low mAs region and concluded that the transfer curve was neither linear nor logarithmic for low exposure values. It is known that the digital mammography system investigated by Cooper et al. has a linear relationship between exposure and raw data values [Vedantham et al., Med. Phys. 27, 558–567 (2000)]. The purpose of this paper is to show that the variance effect found by Cooper et al. (their Fig. 5) arises because the transformation from the raw data scale (14 bits) to the display scale (12 bits), for the digital mammography system they investigated, is not logarithmic for raw data values less than about 300 (display data values greater than about 3300). At low raw data values the transformation is linear and prevents over-ranging of the display data scale. Parametric models for the two transformations will be presented. Results of pixel variance measurements made on raw data images will be presented. The experimental data are in good agreement with those of Cooper et al. It will be shown that the slope of 0.6 found by Cooper et al. for the log-log plot at low exposure is not due to transfer function nonlinearity, it occurs because of an additive variance term—possibly due to electronic noise. It will also be shown, using population statistics from clinical images, that raw data values below 300 are rare in tissue areas. Those tissue areas with very low raw data values are within about a millimeter of the chest wall or in very dense muscle at corners of images.
The accessibility of the chloroplast cytochromes f and b-559 to ferricyanide.

Abstract (1) (a) A concentration range of ferricyanide (∼ 0.125–0.5 mM) can be found which in the dark causes oxidation of cytochrome ƒ with two distinct kinetic components of comparable amplitude. The slow oxidation has a half time of 1–2 min. (b) The oxidation of cytochrome ƒ by ferricyanide is rapid and monophasic after the chloroplasts are frozen and thawed. (c) The oxidation of cytochrome b-559 by ferricyanide in the dark is mostly monophasic with a time course similar to that of the fast component in the cytochrome ƒ oxidation. (d) Ascorbate reduction of cytochromes ƒ and b-559 appears monophasic. Reduction of cytochrome b-559 by ascorbate is somewhat faster, and that by hydroquinone somewhat slower, than the corresponding reduction of cytochrome ƒ. (2) (a) The kinetics of dark ferricyanide oxidation of cytochrome ƒ after actinic preillumination in the presence of an electron acceptor are approximately monophasic with a half time of about 30 s and do not show the presence of the slowly oxidized component observed after prolonged dark incubation. (b) The effect of actinic preillumination in altering the time course of ferricyanide oxidation appears to persist for several minutes in the dark. (c) Preillumination causes an increase in the extent of cytochrome b-559 oxidation by low concentrations of ferricyanide. The increase is inhibited if 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea is present during the preillumination. (d) The presence of 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea during preillumination does not inhibit the amplitude or rate of ferricyanide oxidation of cytochrome ƒ, although the presence of the inhibitor KCN does cause such inhibition. (3) It is proposed that a significant fraction of the cytochrome ƒ population resides at a position in the membrane relatively inaccessible to the aqueous interface compared to high potential cytochrome b-559. Actinic illumination would cause a structural or conformational change in the cytochrome ƒ and/or the membrane resulting in an increase in accessibility to this fraction of the cytochrome ƒ population.
An Exploration of the Specialization Concept within the Context of Heritage Tourism

Americans’ interest in traveling to historic sites has increased recently and is expected to continue. Despite this trend, however, very little is known about individuals who visit heritage or cultural sites. Evidence suggests that there may be types of tourists who progress from general travelers to focused or specialized tourists. The objective of this study was to document whether types of heritage tourists exist and, if so, whether they differ based on sociodemographic characteristics, visitation behavior, motivations, and/or perceptions. Using a 10-item specialization index composed of items representing three subdimensions theorized to represent the multidimensional nature of specialization, three types of heritage specialists were identified. All differed with respect to education, visitation behavior, motivations, and overall satisfaction.
Physical- and network-topology control for systems of mobile robots

Systems of networked mobile robots, such as unmanned aerial or ground vehicles, will play increasing roles in future military operations. Such systems can be configured for many different tasks, and the topology of the system may need to be changed depending on the task. In this paper, we consider the problem of how to transition the system from one topology to another topology with a different network configuration while maintaining the network connectivity. We propose algorithms that solve this problem when the final network topology is a tree by using the concepts of prefix labeling and routing. We evaluate the performance in terms of the amount of movement and time required to achieve the desired network configuration. The algorithms we develop can be used to generate navigation functions that can be used by control systems to achieve a desired physical topology.
Electrical Spin Injection from an Organic-Based Ferrimagnet in a Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Heterostructure

We report the successful extraction of spin-polarized current from the organic-based room temperature ferrimagnetic semiconductor V[TCNE](x) (x∼2, TCNE: tetracyanoethylene; T(C)∼400 K, E(G)∼0.5 eV, σ(300 K)∼10(-2) S/cm) and its subsequent injection into a GaAs/AlGaAs light-emitting diode. The spin current tracks the magnetization of V[TCNE](x∼2), is weakly temperature dependent, and exhibits heavy-hole-light-hole asymmetry. This result has implications for room temperature spintronics and the use of inorganic materials to probe spin physics in organic and molecular systems.
Functionalization of Monodisperse Magnetic Nanoparticles

We report a new strategy for the preparation of monodisperse, water-soluble magnetic nanoparticles. Oleic acid-stabilized magnetic nanocrystals were prepared by the organic synthesis route proposed by Sun et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 273.), with size control obtained via seeded-mediated growth. The oleic groups initially present on the nanoparticle surfaces were replaced via ligand exchange reactions with various capping agents bearing reactive hydroxyl moieties. These hydroxyl groups were (i) exploited to initiate ring opening polymerization (ROP) of polylactic acid from the nanoparticle surfaces and (ii) esterified by acylation to permit the addition of alkyl halide moieties to transform the nanoparticle surfaces into macroinitiators for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). By appropriate selection of the ligand properties, the nanoparticle surfaces can be polymerized in various solvents, providing an opportunity for the growth of a wide variety of water-soluble polymers and polylectrolyte brushes (both cationic and anionic) from the nanoparticle surfaces. The nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electron microscopy, and light scattering. Light scattering measurements indicate that the nanoparticles are mostly present as individual nonclustered units in water. With pH-responsive polymers grown on the nanoparticle surfaces, reversible aggregation of nanoparticles could be induced by suitable swings in the pH between the stable and unstable regions.
Simplified Feeder Modeling for Loadflow Calculations

Three models of a distribution system are developed in this paper. Included are descriptions of simulation models of the diverse components of a typical distribution system. The three system models are illustrated by examples. They are applied to an actual feeder and the results are analyzed to show the advantages and disadvantages of each model. A unique method is developed for combining the discrete distributed load voltage drop solution with the discrete distributed load losses solution. The development of this combined method is in the form of a tutorial , as are the developments of the components of this method. The conclusion is reached that it is possible to reduce many complex feeders to simple models in the study of feeder voltage profiles and losses with negligible error.
Accounting for informatively missing data in logistic regression by means of reassessment sampling.

We explore the “reassessment” design in a logistic regression setting, where a second wave of sampling is applied to recover a portion of the missing data on a binary exposure and/or outcome variable. We construct a joint likelihood function based on the original model of interest and a model for the missing data mechanism, with emphasis on non-ignorable missingness. The estimation is carried out by numerical maximization of the joint likelihood function with close approximation of the accompanying Hessian matrix, using sharable programs that take advantage of general optimization routines in standard software. We show how likelihood ratio tests can be used for model selection, and how they facilitate direct hypothesis testing for whether missingness is at random. Examples and simulations are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Technology Readiness, Learning Goals, and eLearning: Searching for Synergy

More and more business schools are offering classes online or classes using a mix of face-to-face and online elements. In this article, we focus on how technology readiness and learning-goal orientation influence students' preference toward these mixed classes. We conducted a large-scale survey to determine whether students who are technology ready would place higher utility on enrolling in mixed classes and/or whether there exists a participation bias such that students with low learning-goal orientation place higher utility on enrolling in mixed classes. We found that overall students who are more technology ready do place higher utility on enrolling in mixed classes, but that learning-goal orientation does not influence this decision. We conclude with implications and recommendations for business schools that are interested in offering mixed classes.
A fluctuating salinity regime mitigates the negative effects of reduced salinity on the estuarine macroalga, Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) link.

We tested the response of Enteromorpha intestinalis to fluctuating reduced salinity regimes which may occur in coastal estuaries due to both natural and anthropogenic influences. In a fully crossed two factor experiment, we subjected E. intestinalis to 0, 5, 15 and 25 psu water enriched with nutrients for 1-, 5-, 11- and 23-day periods. Each period was followed by 24 h of exposure to 25 psu (ambient) water that was not nutrient enriched. Following 24 h in ambient salinity water, algae were returned to reduced salinity conditions for the appropriate period and the cycle continued over the 24 days for which all treatments were maintained. Exposure to 0 psu for 5 days or longer resulted in loss of pigmentation, decreased wet and dry biomass, increased wet wt:dry wt ratios, decreased removal of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from the water column and an accumulation of NH in the water column. More frequent exposure to ambient salinity in the 4 1-day treatment mitigated these effects. Across all salinity levels tested, biomass increased as frequency of exposure to ambient salinity increased. At all durations of exposure to low salinity tested, biomass increased as salinity level increased. We conclude that growth of E. intestinalis is decreased by reduced salinity. E. intestinalis is able to withstand exposure to 0 psu but there is a temporal limit to this tolerance that is somewhere between 1 and 5 days. Populations of E. intestinalis in coastal estuaries may suffer from freshwater inputs if salinity conditions are persistently reduced. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Diagnosis and surgical management of nasopalatine duct cysts.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasopalatine duct cysts are the most common cystic lesion of nonodontogenic origin of the maxilla. The purposes of the study were to review the epidemiology and clinical presentation, to describe the radiographic and pathological findings, and to discuss surgical management of this entity. Study Design: Case presentations of two patients with nasopalatine duct cysts at a tertiary care institution with a review of the English medical literature from January 1960 to the present. Methods: A 69-year-old man presented with an asymptomatic swelling of the premaxilla, and a 17-year-old woman presented with a painful swelling of the hard palate. A computed tomography scan, fine-needle aspiration, and preoperative workup were obtained in both cases. Literature was reviewed with respect to epidemiology, etiology, presentation, diagnostic studies, operative management, and recurrence rates. Results: Computed tomography scan demonstrated midline ovoid cystic lesions in both cases. Fine-needle aspiration of both lesions revealed no evidence of malignancy. Surgical treatment consisted of enucleation in the first case and marsupialization in the second case. Both patients did well with no evidence of recurrence. Nasopalatine duct cyst presents in the fourth to sixth decades of life with a male predilection. Recurrence rates range from 0% to 11%. Conclusion: Nasopalatine duct cyst occurs in approximately 1% of the population. Presentation may be asymptomatic or include swelling, pain, and drainage from the hard palate. A well-circumscribed, round, ovoid, or heart-shaped radiolucency is seen on computed tomography. Pathological findings reveal squamous or respiratory cell types, or a combination of these, infiltrated by inflammatory cells. Enucleation is the preferred treatment with low recurrence rates.
Resiliency as a component importance measure in network reliability

This paper seeks to define the concept of resiliency as a component importance measure related to network reliability. Resiliency can be defined as a composite of: (1) the ability of a network to provide service despite external failures and (2) the time to restore service when in the presence of such failures. Although, Resiliency has been extensively studied in different research areas, this paper will study the specific aspects of quantifiable network resiliency when the network is experiencing potential catastrophic failures from external events and/or influences, and when it is not known a priori which specific components within the network will fail. A formal definition for Category I resiliency is proposed and a step-by-step approach based on Monte-Carlo simulation to calculate it is defined. To illustrate the approach, two-terminal networks with varying degrees of redundancy, have been considered. The results obtained for test networks show that this new quantifiable concept of resiliency provides insight into the performance and topology of the network. Future use for this work could include methods for safeguarding critical network components and optimizing the use of redundancy as a technique to improve network resiliency.
Assessing Wolf Motor Function Test as Outcome Measure for Research in Patients After Stroke

Background and Purpose—The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) is a new time-based method to evaluate upper extremity performance while providing insight into joint-specific and total limb movements. T...
Changes and differences in preschoolers' understanding of gender scripts.

Abstract Accuracy in sequencing gender scripts, use of the gender-role and temporal components of gender scripts, and taxonomic gender-role knowledge were assessed in 3- to 6-year-old children. Older children exhibited significantly more accurate sequencing of masculine and feminine gender-scripts than younger children. Boys demonstrated significantly more accurate sequencing of own-sex than other-sex gender scripts. With the effect of gender-script understanding controlled for statistically, younger children based significantly more script follow-up judgments on the gender-role component of gender scripts than older children. Taxonomic gender-role knowledge by children was not significantly associated with their accuracy at sequencing gender scripts. Results substantiate and expand our understanding of early social cognitive development.
Relative bonding capabilities of molecules to metals as measured by gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract The gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy of compounds of the general form CpM(CO) 2 L (Cp = η 5 -C 5 H 5 ; M = Cr, Mn, or Fe; L = ligand of interest) provides a direct experimental measure of the relative bonding capabilities of ligands to metals. The metal-based ionization energies of the formal d 6 metal centers of these compounds are sensitive to the electron donation/acceptance of the ligands, and the splitting patterns of these ionizations are sensitive to the relative π-donation/acceptance properties of the ligands. This is the only experimental technique that can separate the ligand π-bonding effects from the σ-bonding and charge potential effects. A general formula is described by which the π-bonding capabilities of ligands can be compared.
International cooperation to improve traffic incident management and congestion management

The paper focuses on a number of examples where government transportation agencies in the United States and Europe, including UK, have collaborated in knowledge exchange programmes to promote the benefits of a wider understanding of approaches, innovative technologies and practices in highway transportation systems. (6 pages)
On the inheritance of intracranial aneurysms.

The familial occurrence of intracranial aneurysms suggests the presence of a genetically determined underlying arteriopathy. The pattern of inheritance in these families usually is not known.A family with seven members with intracranial aneurysms is described and, from the literature before 1994, a total of 238 families with 560 affected members (56% female and 44% male) with intracranial aneurysms not associated with a known heritable disease are reviewed. A segregation analysis was performed on 73 of these families.Two members were affected in the great majority of families (79%); five or more members were reported in only eight families (3%). The most common affected kinship was among siblings. Angiographic screening in 12 families detected an intracranial aneurysm in 29% of 51 asymptomatic relatives. Segregation analysis revealed several patterns of inheritance that were consistent with the compiled pedigrees, but no single mendelian model was the overall best fitting, suggesting that genetic heteroge...
Pentamidine inhibits Coxiella burnetii growth and 23S rRNA intron splicing in vitro

Abstract Coxiella burnetii is the bacterial agent of Q fever in humans. Acute Q fever generally manifests as a flu-like illness and is typically self-resolving. In contrast, chronic Q fever usually presents with endocarditis and is often life-threatening without appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Unfortunately, available options for the successful treatment of chronic Q fever are both limited and protracted (>18 months). Pentamidine, an RNA splice inhibitor used to treat fungal and protozoal infections, was shown to reduce intracellular growth of Coxiella by ca. 73% at a concentration of 1 μM (ca. 0.6 μg/mL) compared with untreated controls, with no detectable toxic effects on host cells. Bacterial targets of pentamidine include Cbu.L1917 and Cbu.L1951, two group I introns that disrupt the 23S rRNA gene of Coxiella , as demonstrated by the drug's ability to inhibit intron RNA splicing in vitro. Since both introns are highly conserved amongst all eight genotypes of the pathogen, pentamidine is predicted to be efficacious against numerous strains of C. burnetii . To our knowledge, this is the first report describing antibacterial activity for this antifungal/antiprotozoal agent.
Learning Algorithms for Markov Decision Processes with Average Cost

This paper gives the first rigorous convergence analysis of analogues of Watkins's Q-learning algorithm, applied to average cost control of finite-state Markov chains. We discuss two algorithms which may be viewed as stochastic approximation counterparts of two existing algorithms for recursively computing the value function of the average cost problem---the traditional relative value iteration (RVI) algorithm and a recent algorithm of Bertsekas based on the stochastic shortest path (SSP) formulation of the problem. Both synchronous and asynchronous implementations are considered and analyzed using the ODE method. This involves establishing asymptotic stability of associated ODE limits. The SSP algorithm also uses ideas from two-time-scale stochastic approximation.
Novel Version of the Double-Y Balun: Microstrip to Coplanar Strip Transition

A novel version of the double-Y balun, transitioning from a microstrip to a coplanar strip (CPS) line, is designed to feed a complementary spiral antenna. Attractive features of the new version of the double-Y balun presented in this work include: 1) little metal content, 2) broadband performance, and 3) improved junction performance when compared to various previous versions of the double-Y balun. Performance of the new balun is evaluated via VSWR and insertion loss measurements.
The role of children's future expectations in self-system functioning and adjustment to life stress: A prospective study of urban at-risk children

Study I examined relationships between an interview measure of children's future expectations and variables reflecting self-system functioning with 136 9–11-year-old urban children exposed to high psychosocial stress. As expected, future expectations related to affect regulation, self-representations, and school adjustment. Study II, done with a subsample of the original group, showed that early positive future expectations predicted enhanced socioemotional adjustment in school and a more internal locus of control 2½–3½ years later and acted as a protective factor in reducing the negative effects of high stress on self-rated competence. These findings: (a) are consistent with prior data showing positive expectations to be characteristic of resilient children; (b) suggest that early positive future expectations influence later adjustment; and (c) underscore the role children have in actively structuring their environments and, thus, influencing their development. The heuristic value of the construct of self for future studies of resilience is suggested, and implications for preventive interventions are considered.
Tracking multiple ants in a colony

The automated tracking of social insects, such as ants, could dramatically increase the fidelity and amount of analyzed data for studying complex group behaviors. Recently, data association based multiple object tracking methods have shown promise in improving handling of occlusions. However, the tracking of ants in a colony is still challenging as (1) their motion is often sporadic and irregular and (2) they are mostly present the entire duration of video. In this paper, we propose to improve the data association based tracking of multiple ants. First, we model the ant's motion using a set of irregular motion features including random walk model. Second, we use the convergence of particle filter based tracking to match tracklets with a long temporal gap. Testing results of two-fold cross validation on a 10,000 frame video shows that our proposed method was able to reduce the number of fragments by 61% and ID switches by 57%.
HIV-Testing Rates and Testing Locations Among Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence Data From the Centers for Disease Control Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2006

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed to report the HIV-testing rates and locations of women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Of the 18,917 women in the sample, 19.8% reported experiencing IPV. Over half of the women who experienced IPV reported testing rates of 52.4%, compared with 35.5% of the overall sample. Testing rates and locations significantly differed by race/ethnicity. Findings and their implications are explored, with an emphasis on increasing access to HIV testing and treatment for women who have experienced IPV and providing sexual safety planning for women accessing HIV-testing services.
From the Jungle to the Matrix: The Future of Consumer Protection in Light of its Past

This chapter scheduled to appear in a forthcoming book traces the history of consumer protection law in twentieth-century America, to address whether the Internet and electronic opportunities for commerce in recent years have diminished or increased the necessity for traditional approaches to consumer protection, particularly topical federal protective statutes and expansive agency authority. During earlier periods a variety of literature, journalism and social science study by authors including Wesley Claire Mitchell, Walter Lippman, Upton Sinclair, and Arthur Kallet, among others illuminated relational imbalances between buyers and sellers and illustrated ways in which the growth of specialized manufacturing and selling operations was not accompanied by parallel specialization or sophistication in family purchasing. Consumer protection laws in great variety in terms of effectiveness and legitimacy were enacted. The paper considers the extent to which the imbalance may or may not have been addressed by increased opportunities to shop on the Internet and concludes that the cultural and political responses to modern conditions of consumption resemble earlier responses in significant ways.
Epigenetically mediated spontaneous reduction of NFAT1 expression causes imbalanced metabolic activities of articular chondrocytes in aged mice

Summary Objective Abnormal metabolic activities of chondrocytes may cause articular cartilage (AC) degradation, but key transcription factors regulating metabolic activities in AC of aging individuals remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of transcription factor NFAT1 in regulating the expression of anabolic and catabolic molecules in AC of aged mice. Methods The hip, knee, and shoulder joints of BALB/c mice were harvested at 6, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months of age for histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. Total RNA was isolated from AC for gene expression. Genomic DNA and chromatin were prepared from AC for methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Results NFAT1 expression in AC of mice was significantly decreased after 12 months of age, which was associated with reduced proteoglycan staining, decreased expression of chondrocyte markers, and increased expression of interleukin-1β. Forced Nfat1 expression in chondrocytes from aged mice significantly reversed the abnormal metabolic activities. ChIP assays confirmed that NFAT1 bound to the promoter of the Acan , Col2a1 , Col9a1 , Col11a1 , Il1b , Mmp13 and Tnfa genes in articular chondrocytes of aged mice. ChIP and MeDIP assays revealed that reduced NFAT1 expression in AC of aged mice was regulated by epigenetic histone methylation at the promoter region and was correlated with increased DNA methylation at introns 1 and 10 of the Nfat1 gene. Conclusion NFAT1 is a transcriptional regulator of multiple anabolic and catabolic genes in AC of aged mice. Epigenetically mediated reduction of NFAT1 expression causes imbalanced metabolic activities of articular chondrocytes in aged mice.
Integrating latent-factor and knowledge-tracing models to predict individual differences in learning

An eective tutor|human or digital|must determine what a student does and does not know. Inferring a student’s knowledge state is challenging because behavioral observations (e.g., correct vs. incorrect problem solution) provide only weak evidence. Two classes of models have been proposed to address the challenge. Latent-factor models employ a collaborative ltering approach in which data from a population of students solving a population of problems is used to predict the performance of an individual student on a specic problem. Knowledge-tracing models exploit a student’s sequence of problem-solving attempts to determine the point at which a skill is mastered. Although these two approaches are complementary, only preliminary, informal steps have been taken to integrate them. We propose a principled synthesis of the two approaches in a hierarchical Bayesian model that predicts student performance by integrating a theory of the temporal dynamics of learning with a theory of individual dierences among students and problems. We present results from three data sets from the DataShop repository indicating that the integrated architecture outperforms either alone. We nd signicant predictive value in considering the diculty of specic problems (within a skill), a source of information that has rarely been exploited.
Minimum-Latency Broadcast and Data Aggregation Scheduling in Secure Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have a wide range of applications such as emergency disaster relief and environmental monitoring. Most of these applications for WSNs are not only time-critical, but also dependent on the secure operations of a sensor network, and have serious consequences if the network is compromised. WSNs are often deployed in hostile environments where communication is monitored. Sensor nodes are subject to be compromised and manipulated by an adversary. On such WSNs, it is vital to provide secure communications among the sensor nodes. Based on the m-composite key pre-distribution schemes in [4], two nodes within each other’s transmission range have a secure link if their key rings have at least m common keys. In this paper, we develop short communication schedules for broadcast and data aggregation in secure WSNs. Our broadcast scheduling algorithm for secure WSNs outperforms the best known scheduling algorithm for broadcasting in general graphs.