cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Banaras to the West and Back

This chapter presents a biographical sketch of Jarava Lal Mehta. Beginning with a brief look at Mehta’s childhood, the majority of the chapter identifies the various developments in his philosophical journey, a journey that begins with his interests in psychoanalysis. His interest in psychological studies, however, proved fleeting. Mehta finds his true cui in Martin Heidegger. Through most of the 1950s and 1960s, Mehta’s interests were indeed oriented toward Continental philosophy. In addition to Heidegger, Mehta also found the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer and Jacques Derrida compelling. By the 1970s, however, Mehta’s thoughts were turning more and more toward cross-cultural encounter and the problems of comparative philosophy and comparative philosophy of religion. This work in the 1970s set the stage for Mehta’s final turn back to the Indian materials. Indeed, in the last decade of his life, Mehta trained his eye on various, classical texts of Hinduism, for example, the egveda, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Puraoa. His biography thus reveals a journey from India to the West and back again; a centrifugality particularly fitting for a hermeneut. The chapter closes with a consideration of Mehta’s exhortations for his fellow Indians to resuscitate the Hindu tradition in the light of a critique of Western metaphysics as well as a brief review of peer commendation.
Signal Transduction Inhibitors in Lymphoproliferative Diseases (LPD).

There are a wide variety of diseases characterized by abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes, with differing clinical manifestations and in a spectrum from benign to malignant. Underlying all of these disorders, however, are subversions of normal lymphocyte signaling pathways that contribute to the pathologic process, can be characterized, and can potentially be targeted. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer of childhood and an example of malignant LPD, while patients with nonmalignant LPD, such as autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), can be difficult to diagnose, suffer from chronic infections that can be life-threatening, have a decreased life expectancy, and often require long-term treatment with immunosuppressive agents, including steroids, which can result in long-term debilitating consequences. In order to improve outcome and potentially reduce side effects and long-term sequelae from current cytotoxic therapy, the development of novel, biologically relevant, molecular, and cellular targeted therapies is critical. Potential targeted therapies can be identified and tested using in vitro assays, in vitro bone marrow stromal cell culture systems, murine models of ALL and LPD, and xenografts of primary human ALL. These pre-clinical assays have indentified promising and clinically relevant targets in the mTOR, IL-7, and Notch pathways, some which are now being tested in clinical trials. These include 1. rapamycin, being tested in both ALL and ALPS; 2. temsirolimus, a second generation rapamycin analogue that shows promise in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy in ALL; 3. inhibitors of IL-7 signaling; and 4. DAPT, a gamma-secretase inhibitor that has shown pre-clinical activity against both lymphoproliferation and autoimmune manifestations including nephritis in ALPS.
Accounting for Product Wearout Cost

Maintenance agreements typically take effect when products have survived their warranty periods and begun to wear out. This paper proposes a stochastic model that both describes the breakdown phenomena that affect products and facilitates estimating repair costs during a maintenance agreement period. The model, thus, may be used for pricing decisions. The usefulness of the approach in estimating costs during an arbitrary accounting period is illustrated.
Rollo Beck's Collections of Birds in Northeast New Guinea

ABSTRACT In 1928–1929 Rollo Beck discovered in New Guinea a spectacular new species of bowerbird, Sericulus bakeri, which according to his specimen labels he collected near the previously well-studied lowland town and former colonial capital of Madang. That seemed so implausible that suspicions arose that Beck had intentionally falsified the locality—especially when it eventually turned out that the new bowerbird is instead confined to the nearby Adelbert Mountains. Beck made this discovery in the course of amassing large collections in northeast New Guinea that, in fact, have never been published as a whole, although Ernst Mayr (1941) in his List of New Guinea Birds included some of Beck's records. Much doubt has remained about Beck’s collecting localities. Hence we have now reconstructed Beck’s itinerary on the basis of his field diary and specimen register; the letter by his wife who accompanied him; a spreadsheet of his cataloged specimens in the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH); and correspo...
CYP3A inhibitors and adverse outcomes in patients treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.

2596 Background: Docetaxel (D) is an anti-mitotic drug metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 enzyme. While case reports have demonstrated a potential association of CYP3A inhibitor use with ...
Abstract 481: Disturbed Flow Arterial Intimal Hyperplasia Model in the Mouse Carotid Artery Induced by a Focal Stenosis

Objective: Murine models offer a power tool for the molecular dissection of remodeling and intimal hyperplasia mechanisms, though technical challenges limit their utility. While simple, complete carotid ligation lacks direct clinical relevance, and branch outflow ligations require advanced microsurgical skills. We thus developed a simple and clinically relevant mouse model based on the hypothesis that locally disturbed flow caused by a focal high grade stenosis would yield arterial intimal hyperplasia thickening, and that the standardized diet induced obesity (DIO) model would accentuate this response. Methods: A focal stenosis in 8 week old C57BL/6J mice (normal chow (NC, 10 kcal% fat) or DIO chow (60 kcal% fat) throughout study) was created by placing 9-0 nylon suture around the distal common carotid artery and an external 35-gauge needle (outer diameter=0.14mm), and then removing the needle to restore blood flow (∼78% reduction of lumen diameter; n=20). Tissues were perfusion fixed for morphology 4 weeks later. Results: Both NC and DIO groups developed intimal hyperplasia proximal to the stenosis, with approximately three-times more in the DIO animals (Figure 1). Conclusions: In the mouse, a surgically created focal stenosis yields an intimal hyperplastic wall response. DIO accentuates this response. This model offers a tool for investigating mechanisms of hemodynamically driven mechanisms governing intimal hyperplasia formation.
State Structures and Development

It is now common knowledge that a prerequisite for transforming a moribund economy to that of a functioning market is a complex set of underlying institutional arrangements in which the state plays a central role in national goal setting.
And Don't Forget Food Ethics

Lisa Lee's “A Bridge Back to the Future” (Lee 2017) is a noble effort to connect strands in public health and environmental ethics to mainstream bioethics, and one that is close to my heart. Yet sh...
Identification and Characterization of Fenofibrate-Induced Liver Injury

Fenofibrate is a commonly used hypolipidemic associated with rare instances of hepatotoxicity, and routine liver biochemistry monitoring is recommended. The aim of this study is to describe the presenting clinical features, liver histopathology, and outcomes of 7 cases of acute liver injury associated with fenofibrate. All cases of definite, very likely, and probable drug-induced liver injury (DILI) attributed to fenofibrate enrolled in the DILI Network study between 2004 and 2015 were reviewed. Among 1229 patients with confirmed DILI, 7 cases (0.6%) were attributed to fenofibrate. The median age was 43 (range 37–61) years, and latency to onset was short (5–8 weeks) in 4 patients but more prolonged (18–56 weeks) in the rest. Laboratory results at presentation showed hepatocellular, mixed, and cholestatic injury, but 6 cases presented with jaundice. No patient had undergone routine monitoring. Four patients required hospitalization and 2 in whom drug discontinuation was delayed had a severe outcome, 1 undergoing liver transplantation, and 1 developing chronic injury and death. Liver biopsy was available in 4 patients and showed diverse injury patterns. Genetic studies showed the presence of the rare HLA-A*33:01 in 3 patients (43 vs. 1% in control populations). The causality scores were highly likely in 5 and probable in 2. Liver injury after fenofibrate exposure occurs with variable latency, enzyme elevation, and histology. Although most cases are self-limited, severe injury and mortality can occur, particularly if drug withdrawal is delayed. Jaundice or abnormal laboratory tests during fenofibrate therapy should trigger prompt discontinuation.
Psychometric assessment of the marijuana adolescent problem inventory.

Abstract Cannabis is one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances among adolescents in the United States. Adolescent cannabis use has multiple consequences including academic, health, and psychiatric problems. The Marijuana Adolescent Problem Inventory (MAPI) is a 23-item scale adapted from the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index and used in the current literature to assess cannabis use problem severity. Psychometric testing for the MAPI has yet to be reported. The current investigation assessed the psychometric characteristics of the MAPI with cannabis-using adolescents (n = 727) from school and outpatient settings who enrolled in five separate randomized clinical trials focused on treatment of substance use. Findings suggested that the MAPI is internally consistent and reliable. Factor structure analyses suggested that the MAPI measures one latent construct, with no differences in factor structure between the outpatient and school settings, supporting a one-factor model. External validity of the MAPI was also demonstrated as evidenced by significant relations with concurrent diagnosis of cannabis dependence and abuse, longitudinal frequency of cannabis use, and mean times used per day. Overall, this initial test of the psychometric characteristics of the MAPI suggests that it can be considered a reliable and valid measure of problems associated with cannabis use among adolescents. Future work is now needed to replicate these findings by testing the psychometric properties of the MAPI in more diverse samples and developing a short version to be used as a brief assessment tool.
Therapy: rituximab and PML risk-informed decisions needed!

A rare but often fatal viral disease has been reported in a number of patients treated with rituximab, but how the risk of this complication should affect prescription practices demands consideration of several important factors.
Some Aspects of Classical Surface Thermodynamics

The special contribution of matter lying in and around phase boundaries to the total energy of heterogeneous systems is normally ignored in thermodynamic treatises. This neglect implies that the density of energy of a given phase remains uniform up to a mathematical surface separating it from contiguous phases. However, because of the finite, although short, range of action of atomic forces, the assumed sharp phase boundaries should actually be replaced by an interphasal region of finite thickness across which the density of energy or of any other thermodynamic property changes much less abruptly. It is reasonable to expect the normal thickness of this transition region to be of the order of a few molecular diameters; unless the system has a relatively high surface to volume ratio, as would be the case in colloidal systems, the additional contribution of the “surface” atoms to the total energy content may justifiably be ignored.
Newly recovered and delineated microbial species of the human genital tract

Several new genitourinaryBacteroides species and the newMobiluncus/Falcivibrio have been described since 1977. The normal vaginal flora consists mainly of lactobacilli and other “non-pathogenic” aerobes and anaerobes. Under unknown circumstances, organisms may increase in number, displacing the normal lactobacillus flora and raising the vaginal pH. This renders a more favourable biotope for organisms with a pH optimum in the neutral or alkaline range. Overgrowth ofGardnerella, Bacteroides, B-streptococci andMobilunscus/Falcivibrio is indicative of vaginosis, which is not a typical sexual disease, but may be sexually transmitted. Proper treatment includes the male partner. No overall-valid therapy exists, but metronidazole is the drug of choice ifBacteroides orGardnerella form the disturbed flora, and beta-lactams are the drugs of choice whenMobiluncus or aerobes are involved.
The Link between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Functionality among United States Military Service Members Psychiatrically Hospitalized Following a Suicide Crisis

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders in the United States and has been linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors, yet the role of a PTSD diagnosis on functional impairment among suicidal individuals remains unknown. This study examined the association between PTSD status and functional impairment among military psychiatric inpatients admitted for acute suicide risk (N = 166) with a lifetime history of at least one suicide attempt. Measures of functionality included: (1) alcohol use; (2) sleep quality; (3) social problem-solving; and (4) work and social adjustment. Thirty-eight percent of the sample met criteria for PTSD. Women were more likely than men to meet criteria for PTSD (p = 0.007), and participants who met PTSD criteria had significantly more psychiatric diagnoses (p < 0.001). Service members who met PTSD criteria reported more disturbed sleep (p = 0.003) and greater difficulties with work and social adjustment (p = 0.004) than those who did not meet PTSD criteria. However, functionality measures were not significantly associated with PTSD status after controlling for gender and psychiatric comorbidity. Gender and number of psychiatric comorbidities other than PTSD were significant predictors of PTSD in logistic regression models across four functionality measures. Future studies should assess the additive or mediating effect of psychiatric comorbidities in the association between impaired functioning and PTSD. Clinicians are encouraged to assess and address functionality during treatment with suicidal individuals, paying particular attention to individuals with multiple psychiatric diagnoses.
Stability of Critical p-Improper Interval Graphs

A $p$-improper interval graph is an interval graph that has an interval representation in which no interval contains more than $p$ other intervals. A critical $p$-improper interval graph is $p-1$ improper when any vertex is removed. In this paper we investigate the spectrum of impropriety of critical $p$-improper interval graphs upon the removal of a single vertex, which is informally known as the stability of the graph.
Augmented Cognition for Socio-Technical Systems

Research into situated and embodied cognition and related investigations have suggested that “cognition” takes place not only in the human brain, but also in externalities such as the environment (situated cognition) and the body (embodied and morphological computing). This article explores two propositions and their implications for “augmented cognition” resulting from these expanded, systemic views of cognition.
Human Position Detection & Tracking with On-robot Time-of-Flight Laser Ranging Sensors.

In this paper, we propose a simple methodology to detect the partial pose of a human occupying the manipulator work-space using only on-robot time--of--flight laser ranging sensors. The sensors are affixed on each link of the robot in a circular array fashion where each array possesses sixteen single unit laser ranging lidar(s). The detection is performed by leveraging an artificial neural network which takes a highly sparse 3-D point cloud input to produce an estimate of the partial pose which is the ground projection frame of the human footprint. We also present a particle filter based approach to the tracking problem when the input data is unreliable. Ultimately, the simulation results are presented and analyzed.
The blood–brain barrier and blood–tumour barrier in brain tumours and metastases

For a blood-borne cancer therapeutic agent to be effective, it must cross the blood vessel wall to reach cancer cells in adequate quantities, and it must overcome the resistance conferred by the local microenvironment around cancer cells. The brain microenvironment can thwart the effectiveness of drugs against primary brain tumours as well as brain metastases. In this Review, we highlight the cellular and molecular components of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), a specialized neurovascular unit evolved to maintain brain homeostasis. Tumours are known to compromise the integrity of the BBB, resulting in a vasculature known as the blood–tumour barrier (BTB), which is highly heterogeneous and characterized by numerous distinct features, including non-uniform permeability and active efflux of molecules. We discuss the challenges posed by the BBB and BTB for drug delivery, how multiple cell types dictate BBB function and the role of the BTB in disease progression and treatment. Finally, we highlight emerging molecular, cellular and physical strategies to improve drug delivery across the BBB and BTB and discuss their impact on improving conventional as well as emerging treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and engineered T cells. A deeper understanding of the BBB and BTB through the application of single-cell sequencing and imaging techniques, and the development of biomarkers of BBB integrity along with systems biology approaches, should enable new personalized treatment strategies for primary brain malignancies and brain metastases. This Review discusses the structure and function of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and how brain tumours and brain metastases compromise BBB integrity. It also discusses the challenges the BBB poses for cancer therapy and how these might be overcome.
Electrons and Exotic Ions in Superfluid Helium-4

We present a review of the properties of negative ions that are produced when electrons are inserted into superfluid helium-4. It is convenient to divide the ions into two groups. The first is the ion usually referred to as the “normal electron bubble,” or NEB. The structure of this ion is well understood; it is a small bubble containing a single electron and essentially no helium atoms. The second group is made up of a large number of different ions each with a mobility larger than that of the normal electron bubble. These have been named the “exotic ions,” and their structure is unknown.
Transparent Microporous Silica By The Sol-Gel Process

The sol-gel process is a chemical approach to making optical materials at low temperature. Through hydrolysis and condensation reactions, a metal alkoxide such as tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS) is converted largely to high surface area silica gel at room tempera-ture. After drying, the result is a rigid monolithic shape of bulk density about half that of conventional fused silica. The reduced weight of the shape is due to interconnected microporosity. The average pore size is generally smaller than 10 nm, and the material is transparent to visible light.
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Weight Loss: A Case Report.

Background A 55-year-old, post-menopausal, obese female with obesity-related symptoms seen by a nutritionist using motivational interviewing and self-determination theory assisted a client with an elimination diet and lifestyle modifications to lose weight. Case/intervention An elimination diet was the primary component of these recommendations, identifying food sensitivities associated with an inability to lose weight. Biomarkers identified abnormalities to help individualize and guide nutritional recommendations. Motivational interviewing and the self-determination theory were used in this functional nutrition approach. Conclusion Over a six-week period the client had an 18-pound reduction in weight, a loss of 22.5 inches of girth and decreased bloating.
Early Adoption of SFAS No. 159: Lessons from Games (Almost) Played

SYNOPSIS: This paper examines instances of firms that early adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, and then rescinded or revised their early adoption of the standard because apparently their implementation was not in keeping with the “intent and spirit” of the standard. These reversals imply opportunistic use of the implementation provisions in SFAS No. 159 and, as such, provide a useful blueprint for understanding the effects of the standard, which became effective for all firms in November 2007. An analysis of the disclosures by the rescinding firms indicates the importance of informal mechanisms in helping firms interpret and implement new accounting standards, which is particularly relevant given the lesser amounts of detailed guidance provided by standard setters in principles-based compared with rules-based standards.
Severe Inflammatory Response in a Patient on Oral Miltefosine for Acanthamoeba Keratitis.

A 29 year-old South Asian male presented with 4 months of fluctuating pain, photophobia, and decreased vision in his left eye. He had been treated with topical steroids intermittently and oral acyc...
Performance evaluation of the IBM RISC system/6000: comparison of an optimized scalar processor with two vector processors

The authors report the performance of the 6000-series computers as measured using a set of portable, standard-Fortran, computationally intensive benchmark codes that represent the scientific workload at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. On all but three of the benchmark codes, the 40-ns RISC (reduced instruction set computer) system was able to perform as well as a single Convex C-240 processor, a vector processor that also has a 40-ns clock cycle, and, on these same codes, it performed as well as the FPS-500, a vector processor with a 30-ns clock cycle.
Serial Excision for Treatment of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has become the predominant modality of excision for non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Patients are referred for MMS under the assumption that it is the most effective procedure for definitive removal of the cancer while also allowing for maximal tissue preservation to achieve optimal cosmesis. The objective of this study was to investigate outcomes of serial excision (SE) as an alternative excision modality for NMSC. Methods Patients undergoing SE for basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma by the senior author from 2009 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, lesion characteristics, and excision characteristics were recorded. The primary outcome was the number of excisions required to achieve negative margins. Results In total, 129 patients with 205 NMSC lesions were retrospectively reviewed. An estimated 69 lesions (33.7%) were located in high risk areas, as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Negative margins were achieved in 191 (93.2%) lesions. In 88.3% of lesions (n = 181/205), negative margins were achieved in 2 or less excisions. 12 lesions (5.9%) were referred for MMS. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that SE is an effective modality for definitive removal of NMSC. Recent research reveals that SE is much less expensive than MMS, and therefore places a smaller financial burden on the patient and the healthcare system as a whole. Relative to MMS, SE offers similar if not increased benefits for lower cost. Our findings highlight the need to critically reassess the select indications for MMS.
Sprache und Fach integriert vermitteln: Impulse von Angeboten der Berufsvorbereitung für Flüchtlinge für die duale Ausbildung

The recent immigration of refugees poses a major challenge for vocational education and training. In order to integrate refugees into the labour market, group-specific concepts with language training in German were developed in vocational orientation and preparation courses. In many of them, language and content learning is integrated. Depending on the learning structure of the courses, the implementation of language and content learning is very different. With the transition of refugees to dual training, concepts for the teaching of language skills are once again needed. Concepts and experiences from vocational orientation and preparation courses can provide impulses for vocational training.
Coenzyme Q and vitamin E interactions.

Publisher Summary Coenzyme Q or ubiquinone (CoQ) plays several functional roles in cellular processes, among which the most well-recognized is the translocation of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane and the transfer of electrons from oxidoreductases, such as NADH-Q-, succinate-Q-, α-glycerophosphate-Q-, and dihydroorotate-Q-oxidoreductase, to Q-cytochrome c oxidoreductase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. CoQ and vitamin E or α- tocopheral are lipoidal substances, present within the hydrophobic domain of the phospholipid bilayer of cellular membranes. CoQ exists in three alternate redox states—namely, fully oxidized or ubiquinone (Q); partially reduced, ubisemiquinone (·QH), which is a free radical; and fully reduced or ubiquinol (QH 2 ). In vivo interaction between CoQ and α- tocopherol is indicated by the increase in α-tocopherol content of mitochondria in response to CoQ intake; however, α-tocopherol intake has no effect on CoQ content. Mitochondrial augmentation with α-tocopherol in vivo and in vitro results in a decrease in the rate of O 2 · -generation by submitochondrial particles (SMPs). This relationship may be because of a “sparing/regeneration” effect of CoQ on α-tocopherol that is supported by (1) in vitro studies showing that CoQ can react with tocopheroxyl radicals to regenerate α-tocopherol, (2) the fact that loss of α-tocopherol in the mitochondrial membranes is progressively stemmed by elevation of the molar ratio of CoQ to α-tocopherol, (3) the fact that the reactivity of ubiquinol with peroxyl radicals is much lower than that of α-tocopherol, and (4) the fact that elevation in CoQ level in mitochondria by dietary supplementation is linked to a corresponding rise in α-tocopherol content.
Who Won Iraq

Bing West, The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq (New York: Random House, 2008), 464 pp. $28.00. Linda Robinson, Tell Me How This Ends: General David Petraeus and the Search f...
Analysis of linkers of regular secondary structures in proteins

Publisher Summary Currently, the studies of linkers of regular secondary structures seeks an understanding of the non-regular regions through a systematic classification scheme. The method, as any other earlier method, depends strongly upon an effective secondary structural assignment method. For this purpose, various secondary structural definitions, including DSSP, SSTRUC, and STRIDE have been studied on a standard data set. STRIDE that has slightly improved assignment over other methods have been chosen. Such analyses of linker regions should certainly pave the way for the improvement of present loop modeling procedures. The methods adapted in the chapter of clustering based on a-carbon distances and in turn backbone and side chain torsions has demonstrated the existence of possible structural motifs within well defined linker regions. The method is not quite exhaustive to account for data outside the clusters and its limitations arise because of non-standard way of defining limits of the clusters. Nevertheless, the method does seem to bring out the structural differences among various linkers. The analyses presented on mainly -α proteins from the CATH database has resulted in two major clusters of three residue linkers among helices (H–L3–H) and few of the helical proteins have same angle of orientation of helices within a cluster.
Experimental Observation of Diffraction Patterns from Micro-Specimens

In an earlier paper [1] we calculated the photon scattering cross-section of a small specimen, averaged over the elementary Shannon volumes in diffraction space, as ro 2 λ 3mZ2 for the Shannon volumes in the total Ewald sphere (case of multiple orientations of the specimen in the beam, and full 3-dimensional imaging), and a/λ times that for the Shannon volumes on a single Ewald sphere (case of a single orientation in the beam, and partial 3-dimensional imaging). Here ro is the classical electron radius, λ is the photon wavelength, m is the mean number of atoms per unit volume of the specimen, Z is the rms atomic number of the atoms of the specimen, and a is the specimen diameter. By a small specimen is here meant one for which a is less than an absorption length for the photons. The elementary Shannon volumes pick out the informationally distinct scattering directions for the general (i.e. non-periodic) small specimen considered here. In the soft x-ray region nearly all scattered photons are scattered without energy loss, and the scattered photon pattern is conveniently spoken of as a diffraction pattern.
Using infrared sensors and the Phong illumination model to measure distances

Currently, the viability of infrared (IR) as an accurate means of measuring distance depends on extensive prior knowledge of the surface. More specifically, the manner in which a surface scatters, reflects, and absorbs infrared energy is needed to interpret the sensor output as a distance measure. In order to use IR in an unknown environment, one must determine the surface properties during robot operation. The paper details a method of determining the properties of a surface, vis-a-vis infrared reflectance, and subsequently calculating the distance to the surface and the relative orientation of the surface using previously acquired sensory data. We present examples of IR distance measures for various surfaces using known environments as well as examples where the prior knowledge edge has been acquired using sonar sensing. Our results demonstrate that infrared sensors can provide accurate range measurements when used in conjunction with other sensing modalities to fit model parameters during robot operation (i.e. in real-time).
Anterior spinal artery syndrome in a girl with Down syndrome: case report and literature review.

Background/Objective: Anterior spinal artery syndrome is an extremely rare cause of acute ischemic cord infarction in children. It is caused by hypoperfusion of the anterior spinal artery, leading to ischemia in the anterior two thirds of the spinal cord. The presentation is usually with an acute and painful myelopathy with impaired bladder and bowel control. Pain and temperature sensation below the lesion are lost, whereas vibration and position sense is intact because of the preservation of the posterior columns.
Objects with prototype-based mechanisms

In this paper we consider using the popular scripting language JavaScript / ECMAScript to teach object-based and object-oriented programming to beginning or novice programmers. We explore JavaScript's use of constructors and prototypes as an alternative to class-definition based systems. We show that JavaScript's prototype-based mechanisms provide the four essential components of the object-oriented paradigm: abstraction, encapsulation, modularity, and hierarchy.We provide examples which conform to the ECMAScript standard, and which have been implemented and tested using the JavaScript interpreter incorporated into Netscape Communicator 4.7.
Interpretation of the 13C16O2 spectrum at 4.4 μm

Abstract The overlapping structure observed in the region of the ν 3 fundamental of 13 C 16 O 2 at 4.4 μm has been assigned to several transitions belonging to not only the 13-C variety of carbon dioxide ( 13 C 16 O 2 ) but also to 13 C 16 O 17 O and 13 C 16 O 18 O species occurring in the sample. Molecular constants have been evaluated for the assigned transitions.
The changing cyclical variability of economic activity in the United States: A sectoral investigation

Abstract Comparing the behavior of sectoral real output in the pre- and postwar periods of United States history is consistent with a larger response of this output to demand shocks for sectors that are subject to a higher degree of nominal wage rigidity in the postwar period. Contrary to the implications suggested by this evidence, sectoral and, in turn, aggregate output are more stable in the postwar period. This investigation suggests that the reduction in the variability of demand shocks and changes in sectoral shares of real GNP are the primary factors underlying the increased stability of the postwar economy.
Optimal Bayesian MMSE estimation of the coefficient of determination for discrete prediction

The coefficient of determination (CoD) has significant applications in genomics, for example, in the inference of gene regulatory networks. In previous publications, we have studied several nonparametric CoD estimators, based upon the resubstitution, leave-one-out, cross-validation, and bootstrap error estimators, and one parametric maximum-likelihood (ML) CoD estimator that allows the incorporation of available prior knowledge, from a frequentist perspective. However, none of these CoD estimators are rigorously optimized based on statistical inference across a family of possible distributions. Therefore, by following the idea of Bayesian error estimation for classification, we define a Bayesian CoD estimator that minimizes the mean-square error (MSE), based on a parametrized family of joint distributions between predictors and target as a function of random parameters characterized by assumed prior distributions. We derive an exact formulation of the sample-based Bayesian MMSE CoD estimator. Numerical experiments are carried out to estimate performance metrics of the Bayesian CoD estimator and compare them against those of resubstitution, leave-one-out, bootstrap and cross-validation CoD estimators over all the distributions, by employing the Monte Carlo sample method. Results show that the Bayesian CoD estimator has the best performance, displaying zero bias, small variance, and least root mean-square error (RMS).
Induction of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase by hypolipidemic drugs with hepatic peroxisome proliferative activity

The present investigation was conducted to determine (1) if hepatomegalic and mitogenic effects of selected hypolipidemic peroxisome proliferators are associated with an elevation of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) levels and (2) if induction of ODC is a specific event associated with the development of preneoplastic hepatocellular foci and the eventual formation of hepatomas. Following a single i.p. dose of Wy-14,643 (Wy), the hepatic ODC activity in rats rose sharply, reaching a peak at 8 h, and returned to the normal level by 24 h. Other peroxisome proliferators tested (methyl clofenapate, BR-931 and nafenopin) also increased the hepatic ODC activities significantly 8 h after i.p.. administration of a single dose. Continuous dietary administration of Wy, whether or not these animals were previously initiated with the carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN), resulted in a sustained elevation of hepatic ODC activity. Although Wy exerted an enhancing effect on DEN-initiated tumorigenesis, there was no additional increase of ODC activity. There was no correlation between the level of ODC induction and the presence or absence of altered liver cell foci. These results suggest that induction of ODC by peroxisome proliferators is not a specific event associated with the development of preneoplastic foci and hepatocarcinogenesis, but is an event associated with the sustained maintenance of hepatomegaly and and increased liver cell proliferation.
Finite Element Simulation of Deep Excavation Failures

Deep excavations play an increasingly greater role in the development of urban transportation infrastructure facilities such as subway systems and underground space. This paper presents the results of finite element simulations of two deep excavations in soft cohesive soils involving collapse. An enhanced bounding surface soil model characterizes the cohesive soils. The model is anisotropic and is formulated with a non-associative flow rule, but can be degenerated to an isotropic model with associative flow. The results of the excavation simulations give insight into the ground response in terms of lateral wall deflections, ground surface settlements, wall bending moments, and strut force developments. Anisotropic and isotropic versions of model showed differences in simulated results. The insignificant difference in results between the associative and non-associative versions of enhanced bounding surface model is illustrated, but it is expected that, in general, the use of non-associative flow rule will provide a more realistic simulation.
An Improved Workup for Samarium (II) Iodide Reactions

Abstract We describe a new workup for samarium (II) iodide reactions involving the use of a 10% aqueous potassium carbonate/Rochelle's salt solution. We recommend its use for a wide range of substrates, particularly those where the product is acid labile.
Group-Transfer Reactions of Nickel-Carbene and -Nitrene Complexes with Organoazides and Nitrous Oxide that Form New C=N, C=O, and N=N Bonds

1-Adamantyl- and mesitylazide react with (dtbpe)Ni═CPh2 (1; dtbpe = 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane) at ambient temperature to give the ketimines RN═CPh2 (2a, R = Mes; 2b, R = Ad) in high yield. Kinetic studies for the reaction of 1 with N3Ad yield activation parameters of ΔH‡ = +8(±1) kcal/mol and ΔS‡ = −44(±3) cal/(mol·K). Treatment of 1 with N2O at low temperature results in clean conversion to the benzophenone complex (dtbpe)Ni(η2-OCPh2) (5) upon elimination of N2. The nickel−imido complexes (dtbpe)Ni═NR (4a, R = Mes; 4b, R = Ad) react with N3Mes and N3Ad at ambient temperature to give the diazenes RN═NR (6a, R = Mes; 6b, R = Ad) in good yield. B3LYP/6-311+G(d) calculations support a mechanism for all three reactions that features 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to give five-membered ring (Huisgen) intermediates, followed by N2 elimination to give the products. Calculated activation parameters for the reaction of (dhpe)Ni═CH2 (dhpe = 1,2-bis(dihydridophosphino)ethane) with N3Me compare well with the e...
Production of monoclonal antibodies against Prox1.

Prox1 is a divergent homeodomain protein important for the development of the lens, retina, liver, pancreas, and lymphatic vasculature. Prox1 expression is highly upregulated in transformed hepatocytes and has been used as a marker to distinguish lymphatic from blood vasculature. We produced recombinant human Prox1 (amino acids 547–737) fused to glutathione S-transferase (GST) and used it to create two hybridomas, 5G10 and 4G10. Both of these hybridomas produced monoclonal antibodies able to detect Prox1 by immunofluorescence in lenses from diverse terrestrial vertebrates, including humans, rats, chickens, and lizards, although 5G10 was generally more sensitive in this application. Further, 4G10 was able to robustly detect endogenous and recombinant Prox1 in both cell and tissue extracts by Western blotting, while 5G10 was notably less sensitive for this purpose. These monoclonal antibodies will be useful for diverse studies on the role of Prox1 in both normal development and disease processes in terrestr...
Boll Weevil: Some New Concepts in Trap Design and Evaluation of Trap Efficiency

Traps that captured boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, alive were more effective than traps requiring an adhesive. A thixotropic adhesive was convenient to work with but did not weather satisfactorily. A trap that turns with a slight breeze did not capture more weevils than stationary traps. A latin square in time experimental design was effective in removing variation of mean weevil capture due to effects of season and trap location when trap designs were compared around a cotton field. A commercial trap based on the design of the Leggett trap was effective in capturing weevils. Pigmented adhesive sprayed on a cotton plant was ineffective in capturing boll weevils that responded to grandlure.
Of storytelling and the slippery medium of clay: Babette Wainwright's Image of the Women at the Diasporic Crossroads

Abstract The paper seeks to explore the art historical dimension of Babette Wainwright's artistic preoccupation as it intersects with the emerging field of African diaspora and visual culture studies. To those unfamiliar with the visual vocabulary of Babette Wainwright's artistic preoccupation, her evocative and visually compelling imagery can be alienating. It is a scopic event of phenomenal dimension. One is either drawn by its charming and intriguing nature or one is simply repelled by it. It is an experience that compels the viewer to participate in its ‘communal visuality’, thus involving a tripartite dialogue between the gallery space, the work and the viewer. Right there in the middle of gallery, Wainwright suspended three wrecked ceramic boats in mid air, attached with the aid of a fishing string to the ceiling of the exhibition space. And on the floor, she displayed remnants of lost humanity, severed limbs, wreckages of ship and cargo, amidst the detritus of wasted lives, the gripping evidence of...
Levels of computer systems

In building current computer systems, we tend to break them down into “levels” of control, command and communication; in using the system, we break our problems down correspondingly.The continued use of such a structure raises questions about its effects on the usefulness of future systems, particularly with regard to such trends as time sharing, parallel programming, and, eventually, systems which learn. In this essay some of these questions are posed, and the general attitude we must take in pursuing the problem further is discussed.
Fast response of actuators with self assembly nanoparticle electrodes and ionic liquids

In ionomeric polymers, the accumulation or depletion of excess charges (ions) at the electrodes under an applied voltage will generate strain in these regions. This can be made use of for electromechanical transduction devices such as actuators and sensors[1]. Figure 1 illustrates schematically an ionomeric polymer bending actuator in which the accumulation and depletion of cations at the cathode and anode, respectively, create bending of the ionomeric polymer sheet under an applied voltage. In order to increase the charge density and population at the electrodes so that a large strain and high force output can be realized, various ionomeric polymer/conductive network composites (CNC) electrodes (analogous to the porous electrodes in the supercapacitors) have been developed to form ionomeric polymer/CNC actuators (IPCNC) in the past 15 years[2–3]. A schematic of a typical bending actuator thus developed is shown in Figure 2, which in general has a three layer structure, i.e., two porous electrode layers in the form of the conductive network/ionomer composite separated by a neat ionomer layer. IPCNC actuators are attractive because it can be operated under a few volts. On the other hand, IPCNC actuators suffer a low actuation speed which is often in tens of seconds range, low efficiency (<3 %), and low elastic energy density, all of which should be improved in order to meet the demands of a broad range of polymer electromechanical applications.
Simulation model of Skeletonema costatum population dynamics in northern San Francisco Bay, California

A pseudo-two-dimensional model is developed to simulate population dynamics of one dominant phytoplankton species (Skeletonema costatum) in northern San Francisco Bay. The model is formulated around a conceptualization of this estuary as two distinct but coupled subsystems—a deep (10–20 m) central channel and lateral areas with shallow ( Model output is consistent with the hypothesis that, because planktonic algae are light-limited, shallow areas are the sites of active population growth. Seasonal variation in the location of the null zone (a response to variable river discharge) is responsible for maintaining the spring bloom of neritic diatoms in the seaward reaches of the estuary (San Pablo Bay) and the summer bloom upstream (Suisun Bay). Model output suggests that these spring and summer blooms result from the same general process—establishment of populations over the shoals, where growth rates are rapid, coupled with reduced particulate transport due to estuarine gravitational circulation. It also suggests, however, that the relative importance of physical and biological processes to phytoplankton dynamics is different in San Pablo and Suisun Bays. Finally, the model has helped us determine those processes having sufficient importance to merit further refinement in the next generation of models, and it has given new direction to field studies.
Macroeconomic adjustment and inconvertible currencies in the third world

In 1987, Zimbabwe experienced serious difficulties in expanding mineral production, notably gold, due to a shortage of foreign exchange for the importation of spare parts and mining equipment ["Zimbabwe Survey," 1987]. Since gold can easily be converted into foreign currency, this may seem rather startling and paradoxical on a superficial level. Foreign exchange production declined as a result of a foreign exchange shortage. Similarly, in 1979, a World Bank Program loan was used to fmance the foreign exchange requirements of Jamaica's export industries. In theory, the profitable production of exports should generate more foreign exchange than it requires. The World Bank loan should have been completely unnecessary ['Report and Recommendation, ~ 1979]. Throughout the Developing World, there are many more examples of such self-perpetuating foreign exchange shortages. Often such countries undergo what is known in the local press as a "foreign exchange crisis:" a catastrophic collapse of the economy's ability to maintain the flow of essential imports resulting in draconian trade and exchange controls. Although terms of trade fluctuations or disturbances in world markets may play a role, "foreign exchange crises" typically arise when governments allow their domestic currencies to become seriously overvalued but resist devaluation because they feel that it will fan the flames of inflation. For a period of time, external borrowing or reserve depletion can maintain import levels, but sooner or later these wells run dry. Then the government must resort to foreign exchange or import controls if the authorities still cannot accept a devaluation. This creates a new foreign exchange regime-one where quotas are used to reduce import levels to the available supply of foreign exchange. Because such regimes involve a fixed exchange rate at which the Central Bank buys foreign exchange and sells rationed amounts of foreign exchange, they can be confused with standard, fixed exchange rate regimes. But there is a vital difference between these two types of regimes. Under a standard, fixed rate regime, the Central Bank buys and sells foreign exchange to equilibrate the supply and demand for foreign exchange. By contrast, in an import control regime, the Central Bank does not have usable foreign exchange reserves to sell. It must ration imports in order to reduce the level of demand for foreign exchange. Many attempts to model the effects of import controls, such as Occampo [1987] are not as useful as they first appear because they treat import controls as exogenous, rather than determining the quotas as a result of foreign exchange availability. Consequently, they are not true general equilibrium models. Although they are common in the Third Wodd, there is little good general equilibrium literature on this topic. McKinnon [1979, p. 440], in a review of the multiple volume NBER study, Foreign Trade Regimes and Economic Development, headed by Bhagwati and Krueger, pointed out that "Devaluation in the presence of exchange controls and other QRs has not been well worked out in