cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are We Fighting the Wrong Health Care Battle

Although the United States Supreme Court may have finally put to rest any constitutional disagreements over the Affordable Care Act, the debate over health care is far from settled. It comes as no surprise that the aftereffects of the Court's 5-4 split have already trickled down through nearly every aspect of federal and state government, providing scores of pages of partisan fodder that will ensure both sides have ample stock of rhetoric to flame this debate for years to come. For this reason, now is the time to ask ourselves if the nation's focus is on the wrong questions.
Modeling the Glass Transition and Glassy Dynamics of Random Copolymers Using the TS2 Mean-Field Approach

Understanding the glass transition and glassy dynamics in random copolymers and miscible polymer blends is crucial for both fundamental and applied polymer science. While there are multiple models describing the dependence of the glass transition temperature on the copolymer or blend composition (Fox, Gordon-Taylor, Kwei, and others), it is still not easy to describe or predict the broader temperature dependence of relaxation times in these systems. Here, we expand our TS2 (two states, two (time)scales) mean-field model to random copolymers and formulate simple and intuitive mixing rules for the model parameters as a function of composition. We obtain a new equation for the characteristic transition temperature, T*, that can serve as an approximate predictor for the glass transition temperature, Tg. The model then allows us to refine the prediction and calculate Tg based on the standard criterion (τα(Tg) = 10² s). We can also calculate the temperature-dependent α- and β-relaxation times for different copolymer compositions. To test the theory, we computed the glass transition temperatures and relaxation times for random styrene-methylmethacrylate (PS-r-PMMA) and statistical styrene-butylmethacrylate (PS-stat-PnBMA) copolymers and found good qualitative and semi-quantitative agreement with published literature data. The described approach can be easily extended to blends and copolymers with multiple components.
The ‘practice’ of close reading and writing in social work education

While social work educators have explored strategies to improve literacy development among their students, many educators continue to strive for a better integration of effective reading and writing skills. This article presents the findings of a survey that used qualitative research methods to assess the outcomes of a doctorate in social work program that employed a specialist in composition. Doctorate in social work students reported on the skill of ‘close reading’ as it related to their own writing, practice, university teaching, and field supervision. Data analysis reveals that these students had not previously learned the close reading skills necessary for strong writing skills. This article extends support for a full integration of close reading as a way to improve writing, clinical mental health practice, and critical thinking skills.
Plight at the End of the Tunnel

IPv6 automatic transition mechanisms such as 6to4 and ISATAP endure on a surprising number of Internet hosts. These mechanisms lie in hibernation awaiting someone or something to rouse them awake. In this paper we measure the prevalence and persistence of legacy IPv6 automatic transition mechanisms, together with an evaluation of the potential threat they pose. We begin with a series of DNS-based experiments and analyses including the registration of available domain names, and demonstrate how attackers can conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against all IPv6 traffic for a significant number of end systems. To validate another form of traffic hijacking we then announce a control set of special-purpose IPv6 prefixes that cannot be protected by the RPKI to see these routes go undetected, accepted, and installed in the BGP tables of over 30 other upstream networks. Finally, we survey the Internet IPv4 address space to discover over 1.5 million addresses are open IPv6 tunnel relays in the wild that can be abused to facilitate a variety of unwanted activity such as IPv6 address spoofing attacks. We demonstrate how many attacks can be conducted remotely, anonymously, and without warning by adversaries. Behind the scenes our responsible disclosure has spearheaded network vendor software updates, ISP remediation efforts, and the deployment of new security threat monitoring services.
Effects of Message Framing on Public Responses to Using Genetic Engineering to Restore American Chestnut Trees

Data from two studies examined the: (a) attitudes and behavioral intentions of the public regarding the use of genetic engineering (GE) for addressing chestnut blight and helping to restore America...
Kidney tubule health, mineral metabolism, and adverse events in persons with CKD in SPRINT.

Background Measures of kidney tubule health are risk markers for acute kidney injury (AKI) in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD) during hypertension treatment, but their associations with other adverse events (AEs) are unknown. Methods Among 2,377 Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) participants with CKD, we measured at baseline eight urine biomarkers of kidney tubule health and two serum biomarkers of mineral metabolism pathways that act on the kidney tubules. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate biomarker associations with risk of a composite of pre-specified serious AEs (hypotension, syncope, electrolyte abnormalities, AKI, bradycardia, and injurious falls) and outpatient AEs (hyperkalemia and hypokalemia). Results At baseline, the mean age was 73 ±9 years and mean eGFR was 46 ±11 ml/min/1.73m2. During a median follow-up of 3.8 years, 716 (30%) participants experienced the composite AE. Higher urine interleukin-18, kidney injury molecule-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), lower urine uromodulin (UMOD), and higher serum fibroblast growth factor-23 were individually associated with higher risk of the composite AE outcome in multivariable-adjusted models including eGFR and albuminuria. When modeling biomarkers in combination, higher NGAL (HR: 1.08 per 2-fold higher biomarker level, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.13), higher MCP-1 (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.19), and lower UMOD (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.97) were each associated with higher composite AE risk. Biomarker associations did not vary by intervention arm (P >0.10 for all interactions). Conclusions Among persons with CKD, several kidney tubule biomarkers are associated with higher risk of AEs during hypertension treatment, independent of eGFR and albuminuria.
Democratizing social studies teacher education through mediated field experiences and practice-based teacher education

Abstract This dual methods study explored one social studies teacher education program as it attempted to incorporate a cycle of practice-based teacher education into a methods course for the purpose of democratizing the teacher education experience. In addition to detailing the pedagogical decisions of the course instructor, researchers followed two social studies teacher candidates into their student teaching experience. Findings suggested that promoting social studies practice through a pedagogy of enactment is not enough. Rather, mentor teachers, course instructors, and teacher candidates need to be aligned pedagogically as to the purposes and practices of social studies education.
Pan-cancer imaging of TERT expression using deuterium magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based assessment of pyruvate metabolism

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression is indispensable for tumor immortality. Non-invasive methods of imaging TERT can, therefore, report on tumor proliferation and response to therapy. Here, we show that TERT expression is associated with elevated levels of the redox metabolite NADH in multiple cancers, including glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Mechanistically, TERT acts via the metabolic regulator FOXO1 to upregulate nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase, which is the key enzyme for NADH biosynthesis. Importantly, deuterium magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2H-MRS), which is a novel, clinically translatable metabolic imaging modality, can be leveraged for imaging TERT-linked NADH in preclinical tumor models in vivo. Since NADH is essential for pyruvate flux to lactate, 2H-MRS following administration of 2H-labeled pyruvate non-invasively visualizes TERT expression and reports on early response to therapy. Collectively, our study provides insights into the mechanisms of TERT-linked metabolic reprogramming and, importantly, establishes 2H-MRS as a pan-cancer strategy for imaging tumor immortality.
Untranslated element in neurofilament mRNA has neuropathic effect on motor neurons of transgenic mice.

Studies of experimental motor neuron degeneration attributable to expression of neurofilament light chain (NF-L) transgenes have raised the possibility that the neuropathic effects result from overexpression of NF-L mRNA, independent of NF-L protein effects (Canete-Soler et al., 1999). The present study was undertaken to test for an RNA-mediated pathogenesis. Transgenic mice were derived using either an enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter construct or modified chimeric constructs that differ only in their 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). Motor function and spinal cord histology were normal in mice expressing the unmodified reporter transgene. In mice expressing a chimeric transgene in which sequence of NF-L 3′ UTR was inserted into the 3′ UTR of the reporter transgene, we observed growth retardation and reduced kinetic activity during postnatal development. Older mice developed impairment of motor function and atrophy of nerve fibers in the ventral roots. A similar but more severe phenotype was observed when the chimeric transgene contained a 36 bp c-myc insert in an mRNA destabilizing element of the NF-L sequence. Our results suggest that neuropathic effects of overexpressing NF-L can occur at the level of transgene RNA and are mediated by sequences in the NF-L 3′ UTR.
Research on the problem of high-precision deployment for large-aperture space-based science instruments

The present paper summarizes results from an ongoing research program conducted jointly by the University of Colorado and NASA Langley Research Center since 1994. This program has resulted in general guidelines for the design of high-precision deployment mechanisms, and tests of prototype deployable structures incorporating these mechanisms have shown microdynamically stable behavior (i.e., dimensional stability to parts per million). These advancements have resulted from the identification of numerous heretofore unknown microdynamic and micromechanical response phenomena, and the development of new test techniques and instrumentation systems to interrogate these phenomena. In addition, recent tests have begun to interrogate nanomechanical response of materials and joints and have been used to develop an understanding of nonlinear nanodynamic behavior in microdynamically stable structures. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to enable nano-precision active control of micro-precision deployable structures (i.e., active control to a resolution of parts per billion).
Social learning theory : An empirically-based approach to understanding human behavior in the social environment

Abstract The conceptual foundations of social learning theory (SLT), respondent conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning, are empirically-supported approaches to understanding normative human development and the etiology of psychosocial problems. The principles of SLT are completely consistent with the currently popular eco-systems framework within social work practice. A thorough integration of SLT within the eco-systems model will substantially reduce the shortcomings of the latter, namely its lack of a testable theoretical framework, and lack of prescriptive guidelines for social work assessment and intervention.
Research in the delivery of female health care: Manpower development—expanded roles for nursing and the nonprofessional in family planning

Abstract The preparation for and mechanics of female health clinics are described whereby the entire operation is performed by 2 public health nurses and 5 outreach workers. After 11 months, these personnel have achieved a patient population which totals 2,825 women. The delivery of female health care whereby the primary provider is a nonphysician is described relative to patient acceptance and quality of service. Further, its expanding role is discussed.
Real time three-dimensional echocardiography for the evaluation of cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy refers to a set of diseases that are characterized by myocardial dysfunction. Classically, two-dimensional echocardiography has been used in the diagnosis of these disorders and to help guide their management. Three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography is now increasingly being used in the diagnosis, management, and prognostication of intrinsic cardiomyopathies. In this article, we summarize the available data on the use of three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in various forms of intrinsic cardiomyopathy as well as some of its advantages over traditional two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. (Echocardiography 2012;29:76-87)
‘Porosome’ discovered nearly 20 years ago provides molecular insights into the kiss-and-run mechanism of cell secretion

Secretion is a fundamental cellular process in living organisms, from yeast to cells in humans. Since the 1950s, it was believed that secretory vesicles completely merged with the cell plasma membrane during secretion. While this may occur, the observation of partially empty vesicles in cells following secretion suggests the presence of an additional mechanism that allows partial discharge of intra-vesicular contents during secretion. This proposed mechanism requires the involvement of a plasma membrane structure called ‘porosome’, which serves to prevent the collapse of secretory vesicles, and to transiently fuse with the plasma membrane (Kiss-and-run), expel a portion of its contents and disengage. Porosomes are cup-shaped supramolecular lipoprotein structures at the cell plasma membrane ranging in size from 15 nm in neurons and astrocytes to 100–180 nm in endocrine and exocrine cells. Neuronal porosomes are composed of nearly 40 proteins. In comparison, the 120 nm nuclear pore complex is composed of >500 protein molecules. Elucidation of the porosome structure, its chemical composition and functional reconstitution into artificial lipid membrane, and the molecular assembly of membrane-associated t-SNARE and v-SNARE proteins in a ring or rosette complex resulting in the establishment of membrane continuity to form a fusion pore at the porosome base, has been demonstrated. Additionally, the molecular mechanism of secretory vesicle swelling, and its requirement for intra-vesicular content release during cell secretion has also been elucidated. Collectively, these observations provide a molecular understanding of cell secretion, resulting in a paradigm shift in our understanding of the secretory process.
Unusual endoscopic presentation of eosinophilic gastroenteropathy.

An 11-year-old boy with extensive food and environmental allergies, and poorly controlled eosinophilic gastroenteropathy (EG) over an 8-year period was evaluated as a referral patient. At presentation, he was hypogammaglobulinemic and was being managed with allergy test-directed food avoidance, oral proton pump inhibitors therapy, iron supplementation, second generation antihistaminic and subcutaneous immunotherapy. His history was significant for severe anemia requiring transfusion on two occasions, hematemesis, and hypoalbuminemia. Capsule endoscopy revealed scattered focal erythematous flat, erosive lesions in the duodenum and jejunum. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed multiple pseudopolyps in the antrum (Fig. 1A), and numerous prominent linear furrows were observed in the body and the lesser curvature (Fig. 1B). The pseudopolyps in antrum were arranged symmetrically and appeared to track towards the antroduodenal opening. Histopathological examination of biopsies obtained from the body, antrum and pseudopolyp revealed markedly increased eosinophils (63, 121 and 57 eosinophils/high power field, respectively) without mucosal erosion or ulceration, increased chronic inflammatory cells, lymphoid aggregates, or features of inflammatory bowel disease (Fig. 2). No Helicobacter-like organisms or viral inclusions were seen. The endoscopic appearance and histopathological evaluation of the esophagus, duodenum and colon were unremarkable. This patient was initiated on 6-mercaptopurine with follow-up endoscopy planned. EG is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by diffuse eosinophilic infiltration in the mucosa of the stomach and/or small intestine, as seen with the present case [1]. While EG presenting as erythema, friable mucosa with or without ulceration and gastric/duodenal pseudopolyps have been previously reported [2], the unusual presentation of multiple gastric pseudopolyps with furrowing is being reported for the first time, and this could be a feature of long-standing EG.
Beyond Promissory Estoppel: Contract Law and the 'Invisible Handshake'

As every law student knows, promissory estoppel is based on detrimental reliance. Law students share this idea with the American Law Institute and with treatise writers. Indeed, promissory estoppel is one of the few points of agreement between the critical legal scholars on the left and the law and economics writers on the right. Both agree that reliance has been the foundation of promissory estoppel, and both accuse the courts of incoherence in applying the doctrine. We have recently surveyed over two hundred promissory estoppel cases decided in the last ten years. Our conclusion is that reliance is no longer the key to promissory estoppel. Although courts still feel constrained to speak the language of reliance, their holdings can best be understood and harmonized on other grounds. Part I of this article reports the results of our survey. It documents the declining role of reliance in establishing liability and determining remedies. It also suggests that most cases denying recovery, purportedly for lack of reasonable reliance, can be readily explained on other grounds. Part II explores the implications of these findings. We believe that a new rule of promissory liability is emerging from the courts' encounters with an economy in which Okun's "invisible handshake" is increasingly important. The rule is quite simple: any promise made in furtherance of an economic activity is enforceable. Our proposed rule unifies promissory estoppel and other exceptions to the consideration requirement with consideration doctrine itself. In each instance, the underlying legal policy is to protect the ability of individuals to trust promises in circumstances in which that trust is socially beneficial. Traditional consideration doctrine allows trust to function in contexts such as sales, leases, insurance, and loans – key economic arrangements that could not function effectively without legal enforceability. Promises involving firm offers, sureties, and options are enforceable without consideration because some economically useful transactions would otherwise be difficult to structure. Promissory estoppel fills a similar function by enforcing promises in other settings not amenable to traditional bargaining transactions, in which reliance is beneficial both to the promisor and to society as a whole. In our view, the expansion of promissory estoppel is not, as some have argued, proof that contract is in the process of being swallowed up by tort. Rather, promissory estoppel is being transformed into a new theory of distinctly contractual obligation. We also think, for reasons that will appear more fully in Part II, that our proposed rule not only harmonizes many otherwise inconsistent cases, but also furthers the often divergent values proclaimed by the law and economics writers and the critical legal scholars. Besides serving the interest of economic efficiency, our proposed rule also furthers the important moral value of mutual trust.
Wavelet transform with spectral post-processing for enhanced feature extraction [machine condition monitoring]

The quality of machine condition monitoring techniques and their applicability in the industry are determined by the effectiveness and efficiency, with which characteristic signal features are extracted and identified. Because of the weak amplitude and short duration of structural defect signals at the incipient stage, it is generally difficult to extract hidden features from the data measured using conventional spectral techniques. A new approach, based on a combined wavelet and Fourier transformation, is presented in this paper. Experimental studies on a rolling bearing with a localized point defect of 0.25 mm diameter have shown that this new technique provides significantly improved feature extraction capability over the spectral technique.
Iris Heterochromia and Unilateral Eyelash Hypertrichosis

An 87-year-old female with a history of open-angle glaucoma presented with longer, thicker eyelashes on the right side compared to the left. Her irides were also different colors, as the right iris was brown and the left was hazel (green-brown). The patient had noticed a gradual darkening of her right iris and lengthening of her eyelashes over the last year, but denied visual changes or foreign-body sensation. Past medical history included a remote history of breast cancer treated by lumpectomy and radiation therapy, cerebrovascular accident, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. Her medications included bimatoprost, atenolol, atorvastatin, and clopidogrel.
Mdm2: A regulator of cell growth and death

Abstract The interplay between Mdm2 and p53 represents one of the better-known paradigms of the relationship between an oncogene and a tumor suppressor gene. The Mdm2 protein is a key regulator of cell growth and death and plays a pivotal role in the transformation of normal cells into tumor cells, the hallmark of an oncogene. The primary role of Mdm2 under nonstressed conditions is to target the degradation of the tumor suppressor protein p53. In response to stress, however, p53 is not affected by Mdm2 and functions as a transcription factor that induces the transcription of Mdm2 as well as of genes involved in growth control or apoptosis. The effect of Mdm2 on the regulation of cell growth and death depends on p53 but also on a growing number of p53-independent targets. This overview summarizes our current understanding of Mdm2 and p53 regulation, function, and interaction in normal and tumor states.
PCAIM joint inversion of InSAR and ground-based geodetic time series: Application to monitoring magmatic inflation beneath the Long Valley Caldera

This study demonstrates the interest of using a Principal Component Analysis-based Inversion Method (PCAIM) to analyze jointly InSAR and ground-based geodetic time series of crustal deformation. A major advantage of this approach is that the InSAR tropospheric biases are naturally filtered out provided they do not introduce correlated or high amplitude noise in the input times series. This approach yields source models which are well-constrained both in time and space due to the temporal resolution of the ground-based geodetic data and the spatial resolution of the InSAR data. The technique is computationally inexpensive allowing for the inversion of large datasets. To demonstrate the performance of this approach, we apply it to the 1997–98 magmatic inflation event in the Long Valley Caldera, California.
Mass isotopomer distribution analysis: a technique for measuring biosynthesis and turnover of polymers.

Mass isotopomer distribution analysis (MIDA) is a technique for measuring biosynthesis and turnover of polymers in vivo. A stable isotopically enriched precursor is administered, and the relative a...
Businesses and the internet: Implications for firm location and clustering

Abstract This article discusses the economic and geographical implications of the growing use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in the production process. In short, ICTs make internal and external communications more efficient and allow faster and more flexible interaction among different agents. These improvements correlate with changes in the internal organization of the business and in its strategic behavior. Those changes have implications for regional economic development. The four sections of the article include a typology of information and communications technologies and a discussion of how they diffuse; an elaboration of the concept of economic clusters and economic space in the context of ICTs; and a review of the methodological issues surrounding the development of virtual (rather than physical) clusters of economic activity. The article's, major insights include the following. Information‐based, younger, and smaller businesses, and the service sector, benefit most from the ...
Reducing energy inputs to a simulated dairy farm

Abstract Mixed-integer linear programming was used to simulate the energy requirements of a 50-ha and 50 cow dairy farm. The farm could be configured for 24 combinations of: diesel fuel or on-farm ethanol fuel production; surface applied or injected manure management alternatives; continuous corn, corn-soybeans or corn-alfalfa crop sequences; or conventional tillage or no-tillage corn production. The model analyzed the flow of total energy (the sum of direct and indirect) produced and/or consumed inside the farm boundaries and the energy crossing the farm boundaries as inputs or outputs. Substituting on-farm produced fuel ethanol for diesel fuel reduced the external fossil energy inputs to the farm for all configurations by 15–19%. In contrast, the total energy consumption of these configurations was 12–38% greater than the diesel-based configurations. Manure injection and surface application alternatives affected total energy utilization by
Experimental Design in the Complex World

The design of an experiment involves much more than deciding on a matrix of experimental points. This is demonstrated by six recent experiments, dealing with such diverse subjects as evaluating the reaction of birds to different noises, comparing computer programming methods, and optimizing a chemical reaction. These experiences and others are generalized in some basic guidelines for designing experiments. Some technical challenges and educational programs are also discussed.
Third party voting and the rational voter model: Empirical evidence from recent presidential elections*

This paper attempted to demonstrate that a rational voter model as derived by Barzel and Silberberg (1973) can be used (with modifications) to explain third party voting in presidential elections. The empirical findings strongly suggest that the rational voter model is applicable in explaining third party voting. This conclusion likewise suggests that people who vote for third parties do so under similar motivations as people who vote for the major parties. Thus, people do not appear to regard votes for third parties as wasted votes or engage in the voting process in an irrational fashion. Lastly, votes for third parties represent the transmission of individual preferences by people who believe that their vote is important and that in the aggregate their signal may be interpreted as a signal to alter the direction of current policies as run by the major parties. Therefore, it does not appear from the evidence presented here that we should distinguish between or treat differently voting participation for the major parties versus the minor or third parties in presidential elections.
Influence of Aboveground Vegetation on Seed Bank Composition and Distribution in a Great Basin Desert Sagebrush Community

Abstract The quantity, composition, and spatial dispersion of seed banks can greatly affect community dynamics. While seed banks of hot deserts have been studied extensively, little is known about seed banks in cold deserts, in particular the relationship between the seed bank and the aboveground vegetation. We investigated the relationship between the seed bank and aboveground vegetation and the effect of microhabitat (shrub interspace or beneath shrub) and aboveground community phase (high or low perennial bunchgrass cover) on the seed bank of a Great Basin Desert sagebrush community. The seed bank and aboveground vegetation differed in their most dominant species, resulting in moderately dissimilar species compositions as determined by Sorensen's similarity index and Bray–Curtis distance. In contrast, comparing the seed bank species composition to the aboveground vegetation structure (functional groups) using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed a correspondence between the two communities. Shrub seed densities were higher beneath shrubs. Neither microhabitat nor community phase explained variation in total seed density or species richness. Therefore, our measures of the aboveground vegetation did not influence seed density across functional groups or species richness, and the similarity between the seed bank and aboveground vegetation varied depending on the aboveground organizational level used in comparisons.
The central nucleus of the amygdala modulates gut-related neurons in the dorsal vagal complex in rats

Using retrograde tract-tracing and electrophysiological methods, we characterized the anatomical and functional relationship between the central nucleus of the amygdala and the dorsal vagal complex. Retrograde tract-tracing techniques revealed that the central nucleus of the amygdala projects to the dorsal vagal complex with a topographic distribution. Following injection of retrograde tracer into the vagal complex, retrogradely labelled neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala were clustered in the central portion at the rostral level and in the medial part at the middle level of the nucleus. Few labelled neurons were seen at the caudal level. Electrical stimulation of the central nucleus of the amygdala altered the basal firing rates of 65 % of gut-related neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract and in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Eighty-one percent of the neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract and 47 % of the neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus were inhibited. Electrical stimulation of the central nucleus of the amygdala also modulated the response of neurons in the dorsal vagal complex to gastrointestinal stimuli. The predominant effect on the neurons of the nucleus of the solitary tract was inhibition. These results suggest that the central nucleus of the amygdala influences gut-related neurons in the dorsal vagal complex and provides a neuronal circuitry that explains the regulation of gastrointestinal activity by the amygdala.
Depolarization criterion for incoherent scattering.

We consider the problem of establishing conditions on a given Mueller matrix that ensure that the scattered light is purely polarized independently of the incident light polarization. It is shown that physically realizable Mueller matrices can be decomposed into a nondepolarizing part and an input-independent additive depolarizing part. The nondepolarizing part, however, is not always derivable from a Jones matrix. Applications to polarimetric optimal transmission and reception are also discussed.
GRAPHICAL CONFLICT I: A NEW CLASS OF EXTREMAL PROBLEMS

Summary Inspired by the analogy with the three traditional types of conflict in psychology (approach/approach, approach/avoid, and avoid/avoid), we consider corresponding types of extremal problems in graph theory. These are translated into the determination of extremal values of the product or quotient of two graphical parameters, subject to given constraints. For purposes of exemplification, we study and determine both the exact solution and the extremal graphs for several products and quotients which include confrontations of (a) point- and line-independence and covering, (b) connectivity and coloring, (c) covering and connectivity. We conclude with an indication of several unsolved problems for future research.
Products with a compact factor

Abstract In this paper we consider spaces X X Y , where Y is a compact Hausdorff space. Most of this paper is devoted to giving new, simplified proofs to some recent results concerning normality and map extension properties in some products. The theorems are of two types. First, we assume that the product X X Y is normal and deduce separation and covering properties for X , for example, that X must be v ( Y )-collectionwise normal. Second, we assume that X has some special separation properties (namely, w ( Y )-collectionwise normality) and deduce some map extension properties for X X Y . For example, if A and B are closed subsets of X and Y , respectively, then maps from A X B into the real line R can be extended to all of X X Y regardless of whether X X Y is normal or not. The proofs of all the theorems take advantage of the natural one-to-one correspondence between maps ⨍: X X Y → R and maps ⨍ : X → C ( Y ).
Collapsible Backward Continuation and Numerical Approximations in a Functional Differential Equation

Abstract The phenomenon of a wild kind of oscillatory behavior found in solutions of the scalar differential equation with scaling on time,x(t)=−ax(t)+ax(pt),is investigated in this paper. It is shown that this phenomenon does not, in general, reflect a similar behavior in this equation's numerical solutions. The results obtained here may be extended, under appropriate assumptions, to other types of nonlinear multidimensional retarded functional differential equations with vanishing delays.
Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Assessment of the integrity of the articular cartilage is considered key for the early diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA). Diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging have potential as biomarkers for cartilage composition and structure. The value of diffusion to detect compositional and structural changes in the cartilage matrix has been shown in ex vivo experiments for several years. However, it was not until recently that the first clinical studies have been performed. These clinical studies demonstrated the potential of diffusion to detect cartilage damage after injury, to early diagnose OA, and to measure cartilage remodeling after cartilage repair surgery. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on diffusion measurements on cartilage from ex vivo validation to its most recent clinical applications.
Electron degradation and yields of initial products. VI. Energy spectra of subexcitation electrons in argon and molecular hydrogen

Energy spectra of subexcitation electrons for Ar and H{sub 2} are studied by using rigorous theory based on the Spencer-Fano equation. The origins of the structure in the energy spectrum and the differences between the two spectra are discussed.
Thermodynamic characterization of the ZrNiH system by reaction calorimetry and p-c-t measurements

Abstract In this research we have characterized the thermodynamics of hydrogen absorption in the range H ZrNi = n = 0 to n ≈ 1.0; this region has been previously neglected because the equilibrium hydrogen pressures are outside the ranges of the gauges which are usually employed for metal-hydrogen research, e.g. about 10−5 Pa at 323 K. With the aid of reaction calorimetry and X-ray diffraction there is shown to be a two-solid phase plateau region from n ≈ 0.2 to n = 0.65 (323 K). A technique consisting of heat treating the hydrogen-containing sample in order to attain internal equilibrium was employed between each calorimetric determination in this region of low hydrogen content. For the hydride formation reaction corresponding to this low pressure plateau ΔHf = −47.5 ± 1 kJ (mol H)−1. For larger hydrogen contents, i.e. the two solid phase plateau region, which extends from n ≈ 1.0 to n = 2.3, the enthalpy for hydride formation for samples which had been hydrided and then evacuated and annealed at 623 K prior to the run was determined calorimetrically to be −35.0 kJ (mol H)−1. Enthalpies for this plateau for both hydride formation and decomposition have also been determined from van't Hoff plots of pf and pd. The pressures for this plateau exhibit a relatively large hysteresis and the enthalpy values determined from the van't Hoff plots reflect this.
An Empirical Test of Ross's Cash Flow Beta Theory of Capital Structure

This paper empirically investigates Ross's cash flow beta theory of capital structure. Ross hypothesizes that, for firms of similar cash flow variance, there will be an inverse relationship between financial leverage and cash flow beta. This paper provides empirical support for Ross's theory, though the extent of the support depends upon the sample period and the leverage specification.
Initial studies of electromagnetic shower energy deposition in small-bore superconducting undulator structures in linac environments

Abstract One of the more promising technologies for developing minimal-length insertion devices for linac-driven, single-pass free electron lasers (FELs) operating in the X-ray range is based on the use of superconducting (SC) materials. Despite its advantage of minimal length, however, SC technology can present difficulties for insertion device design and operation. One critical problem, as observed, e.g., by Madey and co-workers in their initial (25 MeV) FEL experiments, was the frequent quenching induced by scattered electrons upstream of their (bifilar helical) SC device. In view of the short-term stability required of undulators for user facilities, we have initiated a systematic investigation of these earlier results to determine whether quenching could become similarly probable in SLACs (10–15 GeV) linac coherent light source (LCLS), a 1.5 A FEL. Postulating that the onset and spread of normal zones are precipitated by directly-scattered or bremsstrahlung-propagated particle energy deposited into the SC material or into material contiguous with it, we have used the EGS4 particle-tracking code developed at SLAC to perform studies of scattered-particle energy deposition into SC structures with geometries comparable to a small-bore bifilar helical undulator. Preliminary numerical results for both the Madey and SLAC LCLS cases have been obtained.
Association of Recurrent Chlamydial Infection with Gonorrhea

To determine whether concurrent gonorrhea reactivates latent chlamydial infection, we studied 74 recurrent chlamydial infections and the effect of concurrent gonorrhea at the recurrent episode on the chlamydial serovar identified. Serotyping of 74 recurrent pairs of chlamydial isolates from patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic indicated that 47.1% (16 of 34) with gonorrhea at the time of recurrence harbored chlamydiae of the same serovar as at the initial infection, while only 22.5% (9 of 40) without gonorrhea had the same serovar (P = .03). The proportion of recurrences by the same serovar in the group without gonorrhea did not differ from the proportion predicted by a random exposure model (22.2% vs. 18.4%, P = .46), while the proportion in the gonorrhea group did (47.1% vs. 19.8%, P less than .0001). The possibility of reinfection did not appear more likely in the group with gonorrhea than in the group without. These observations support the hypothesis that concurrent gonorrhea can reactivate latent chlamydial infection.
Motion Planning in Dynamic Environments Using Velocity Obstacles

This paper presents a method for robot motion planning in dynamic environments. It consists of selecting avoidance maneuvers to avoid static and moving obstacles in the velocity space, based on the cur rent positions and velocities of the robot and obstacles. It is a first- order method, since it does not integrate velocities to yield positions as functions of time.The avoidance maneuvers are generated by selecting robot ve locities outside of the velocity obstacles, which represent the set of robot velocities that would result in a collision with a given obstacle that moves at a given velocity, at some future time. To ensure that the avoidance maneuver is dynamically feasible, the set of avoidance velocities is intersected with the set of admissible velocities, defined by the robot's acceleration constraints. Computing new avoidance maneuvers at regular time intervals accounts for general obstacle trajectories.The trajectory from start to goal is computed by searching a tree of feasible avoidance maneuve...
Encapsulation of germanium detectors for space flight

A hermetic enclosure for a high-purity germanium detector was developed as part of the detector assembly for the Transient Gamma-Ray Spectrometer flown on the WIND satellite. High G forces during launch (/spl sim/100 G), long term stability (lifetime of at least 5 years), passive cooling and low energy photon detection were critical parameters addressed. These design parameters dictated rigid containment of the detector and the selection of enclosure materials, hermetic high voltage and signal feedthroughs, electrical contacts to the detector and enclosure seals. Sealing of the germanium detector within a valveless hermetic enclosure was achieved with a custom vacuum bell-jar press equipped with a vacuum isolated hydraulic ram. Both vacuum and nitrogen gas filled encapsulations (pressurized to 2 atmospheres) were examined; nitrogen gas filled encapsulations were more rugged.
Superconductivity: a selective bibliography

The phenomenon of superconductivity has been studied for 90 years, with the latest surge in popularity occurring in the late 1980s, when high‐temperature superconductors were first created. In this time much progress has been made to create commercially viable applications of the technology and understand the theory behind the phenomenon. Furthermore, at a time when national science policy was undergoing close scrutiny, the high‐temperature superconductor boom served as a high‐profile case study of the role of government in spurring the acceptance of new technologies. This bibliography provides resources that chronicle the technological and scientific developments in the field since its discovery and the policy decisions and issues that governments and society made when faced with a possible scientific revolution.
BRIEF REPORT: Use of the Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise in Internal Medicine Core Clerkships

INTRODUCTION: Direct observation of medical students’ clinical skills is important, but occurs infrequently. The mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mCEX) is a tool developed for use with internal medicine (IM) residents that can be used to promote direct observation of medical students’ clinical skills. It is unknown how many IM core clerkships in the United States use the mCEX or how it has been implemented.
Model-based SAR ATR system

Recognizing a target in SAR images is an important, yet challenging application of model-based vision. This paper describes a model-based SAR recognition system based on invariant histograms and deformable template matching techniques. An invariant histogram is a histogram of invariant values defined by geometric features such as points and lines in SAR images. Although a few invariances are sufficient to recognize a target, we histogram all invariant values given by all possible target feature pairs. This redundant representation enables robust recognition under severe occlusions typical of SAR recognition scenarios. Multi-step deformable template matching examines the existence of an object by superimposing templates over potential energy field generated from images or primitive features. It determines the template configuration which has the minimum deformation and the best alignment of the template with features. The deformability of the template absorbs the instability of SAR features. We have implemented the system and evaluated the system performance using hybrid SAR images, generated from synthetic model signatures and real SAR background signatures.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Eosinophilic esophagitis in adults and children: evidence for a food allergy component in many patients.

Purpose of review Eosinophilic esophagitis is a recently recognized disorder receiving increasing attention. Patients present with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and are not responsive to standard or aggressive reflux medications. This article reviews all literature published in English from December 2005 to November 2006 from PubMed on the topic of eosinophilic esophagitis. Recent findings Three articles have confirmed that food allergies are causative in more than 90% of patients. Three different diet strategies were used: elemental, elimination diet based on the prick-skin test, and the atopy patch test or removal of the six most common foods. The elemental diet had the highest success rate (> 95%), whereas the testing-based elimination diet (> 75%) and six-food elimination diet (> 70%) had lower success rates. There are no organized dietary trials in adults. Summary Recent literature on pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis confirms that nearly all patients respond to an elemental diet with resolution of symptoms and normalization of biopsies. Although diets based on testing or removal of the most common allergens showed success, they were less successful than a complete elimination diet. Unfortunately, there are very limited studies in adults that address this issue.
The Role of Genealogy and Clinical Family Histories in Documenting Possible Inheritance Patterns for Diabetes Mellitus in the Pre-Insulin Era: Part 1. The Clinical Case of Josephine Imperato

Establishing the role of heredity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) is challenging. While type 2 DM frequently displays a pattern of familial aggregation, many other risk factors are responsible for the clinical expression of the disease. This paper reviews a number of the early twentieth-century studies of inheritance patterns for type 2 DM and presents in detail the history of Josephine Foniciello Imperato (Maria Giuseppa Foniciello) who died from the disease in New York City at the age of 52 years on 14 November 1921, ten months before commercial insulin became available.
Lessons from experimental Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the cause of enormous human morbidity and mortality each year. Although this bacterium can infect and cause disease in many animals, humans are the natural host. For the purposes of studying the pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis, as well as the protective and immunopathologic host responses against this pathogen, suitable animal models must be used. However, modeling the human infection and disease in animals can be difficult, and interpreting the data from animal models must be done carefully. In this paper, the animal models of tuberculosis are discussed, as well as the limitations and advantages of various models. In particular, the lessons we have learned about tuberculosis from the mouse models are highlighted. The careful and thoughtful use of animal models is essential to furthering our understanding of M. tuberculosis, and this knowledge will enhance the discovery of improved treatment and prevention strategies.