cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Grade Animals in United States Department of Agriculture Programs

Use of records from both registered and grade animals in genetic improvement programs in the United States is summarized. To date, grade bulls have contributed little to genetic improvement in the United States. Grade bulls can contribute significantly only if they are sampled and returned to heavy artificial insemination service. In contrast, grade daughters of registered bulls have contributed extensively to genetic improvement by permitting more bulls to be sampled. Sixty-five percent of daughters with records used to calculate initial proofs of artificial insemination Holstein bulls are grades. Averages for other breeds ranged from 5 to 20%. Implementation of and active participation in provisional registry of grades can result in a moderate increase in genetic improvement in Holsteins. Active participation in provisional registry for other breeds will bring a smaller genetic increase because of fewer grades in those breeds. However, provisional registry programs still can lead to a number of long-range advantages through increasing the population base. There appears to be no scientific basis for not implementing such programs.
Oxidation of aminodinitrotoluenes with ozone: Products and pathways

An investigation of the products from the reaction of ozone with aminodinitrotoluenes (ADNTs) provides information about the oxidation pathway. Studies conducted at low conversions of 2- and 4-ADNT show 2:1 ozone/ADNT stoichiometries, prompt formation of glyoxylic and pyruvic acids, and NO2- and NO3- (NOx) ions. Reaction schemes to account for these results involve a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of ozone to selected double bonds of the aromatic ring, leading to ring cleavage. 15N-Labeling experiments indicate that the amino function is not involved in the initial ozone oxidation and eventually is incorporated into pyruvamide (2-ADNT) and oxamic acid (4-ADNT) before being oxidized to nitrate.
Influence of polymer type on adhesion performance of a blended cement mortar

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of various polymeric materials on the adhesion characteristics of a rapid setting, minimum defect mortar based upon a blend of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Four different polymer powders were added to the base mortar at a polymer/cement ratio ( p / c ) of 0.15. The water/cement ( w / c ) ratio remained constant for all mortars at 0.42. The polymeric materials consisted of an acrylic polymer powder with T g =−10 °C, a styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) polymer powder with T g =15 °C and two vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) polymer powders, one with T g =−7 °C and the other with T g =20 °C. Mortars were tested for direct tensile strength following ASTM C307 and pull-off strength following a variant of ASTM C1583 after curing for either 24 h or 13 days at ambient laboratory temperature of 23 °C. Mortars were cast over concrete, wood, metal and glass substrates. Pull-off tests over concrete substrate resulted in substrate failure for all polymer modified mortars. Pull-off tests cast over wood, glass and metal substrate materials highlighted the SBR polymer for demonstrating the poorest adhesion performance. Statistical analysis was performed with Minitab software.
Distribution of Trace Elements and Minerals in Human and Cow's Milk

The concentration of iron in cow's milk, 0.40-0.59 microgram/ml, was found to be very similar to that of human milk, 0.20-0.69 microgram/ml. The copper concentration of cow's milk (0.06-0.09 microgram/ml) is lower than in human milk (0.24-0.50 microgram/ml) whereas the concentration of zinc is higher in cow's milk (3.23-5.15 micrograms/ml) than in human milk (1.16-3.83 micrograms/ml). Cow's milk contains about 4-5 times more calcium and magnesium, 854-1430 micrograms/ml and 87-131 micrograms/ml, respectively, than human milk (220-252 micrograms/ml and 26-35 micrograms/ml). Cow's milk was fractionated and the trace element and mineral contents of the different fractions were compared to results from human milk. The casein fraction in cow's milk contains a large proportion of the total amounts of the elements cited above (Fe 24%, Cu 44%, Zn 84%, Ca 41%, Mg 25%) whereas human casein only binds minor amounts (Fe 9%, Cu 7%, Zn 8%, Ca 6%, Mg 6%). Whey proteins bind a major part of these elements in human milk, but not in cow's milk. Significant amounts of iron are bound to the lipid fraction in both cow's and human milk (14 and 33%, respectively), predominantly bound to the outer fat globule membrane. Low molecular weight compounds (ligands) bind significant proportions of all the elements investigated in both cow's and human milk, with the exception of zinc in cow's milk, of which only 2% is associated with this fraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nonstationary earthquake response of a sliding rigid structure

Abstract The transient and nonstationary responses of a rigid structure sliding on its randomly moving foundation are studied. Stationary and nonstationary, white noise and filtered white noise models for earthquake ground acceleration are considered. The method of nonstationary equivalent linearization in conjunction with the moments of the Fokker-Planck equation is used for the response analysis. The root-mean-square slip displacement and slip velocity responses of the structure are calculated for a range of values of parameters. Monte Carlo digital simulations are also performed and the root-mean-square responses are estimated. The predicted results are compared with those obtained from the simulation technique and exact asymptotic solutions and reasonable agreement is observed. For several values of friction coefficient the responses of the structure to the accelerogram of the North-South component of El Centro 1940 earthquake are also studied. The peak responses are evaluated and the results are compared with those obtained from the statistical analysis. It is shown that for a small coefficient of friction considerable slip could occur. A probabilistic risk analysis is also carried out.
Direct photopatterning of metal oxide materials using photosensitive organometallic precursor films

A novel class of photosensitive organometallic precursor materials is used to pattern thin film mixed-metal oxide structures. In this work a photosensitive organometallic precursor is coated onto a silicon substrate and exposed to ultraviolet light through a mask to form patterned oxide structures. This is a negative-tone process in which the unexposed areas can be washed away using a developer solvent. In this work, lithographic contrast curves were measured to characterize the sensitivity and contrast of thin films composed of a mixture of the organometallic precursors for the oxides barium, strontium and titanium. Experiments directed at finding methods to increase the photo-speed of these materials were also conducted. It was found that partial pre-exposure conversion of these films using thermal baking could be used to enhance the sensitivity of these materials. A pre-exposure bake performed at 150 degrees C for 15 seconds was found to decrease the required exposure dose by a factor of two. Dielectric properties were measured for photochemically converted oxide films via electrical measurements on parallel plate capacitor devices. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to quantify the relative amounts of carbon present in the finished films, and it was determined that thermally processes films had higher levels of carbon contamination.
Tolerating Malicious Gossip

A new class of gossip protocols to diffuse updates securely is presented. The protocols rely on annotating updates with the path along which they travel. To avoid a combinatorial explosion in the number of annotated updates, rules are employed to choose which updates to keep. Different sets of rules lead to different protocols. Results of simulated executions for a collection of such protocols are described-the protocols would appear to be practical, even in large networks.
Quantitative stability of dynamical systems

The stability of general dynamical systems is studied from a quantitative viewpoint (involving specific bounds on the system trajectories). Theorems yielding necessary and sufficient conditions for quantitative stability and asymptotic quantitative stability are proven.
Farmyard pox: parapox virus infection in man.

SUMMARY Inasmuch as orf, milker's nodules and bovine papular stomatitis pox are clinically identical in man and are induced by currently indistinguishable parapox viruses, we propose a new generic term ‘farmyard pox’ for these diseases. This affords the clinician a diagnosis based on a common set of clinical and electron microscopic findings rather than one based on an uncertain or even misleading history. A case in point is reported in which the history failed to reveal a specific animal source of the virus, but electron microscopy confirmed the presence of parapox infection.
Urinary Tract Infections in Older Women: A Clinical Review

Importance Asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older women are commonly encountered in outpatient practice. Objective To review management of asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic UTI and review prevention of recurrent UTIs in older community-dwelling women. Evidence Review A search of Ovid (Medline, PsycINFO, Embase) for English-language human studies conducted among adults aged 65 years and older and published in peer-reviewed journals from 1946 to November 20, 2013. Results The clinical spectrum of UTIs ranges from asymptomatic bacteriuria, to symptomatic and recurrent UTIs, to sepsis associated with UTI requiring hospitalization. Recent evidence helps differentiate asymptomatic bacteriuria from symptomatic UTI. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is transient in older women, often resolves without any treatment, and is not associated with morbidity or mortality. The diagnosis of symptomatic UTI is made when a patient has both clinical features and laboratory evidence of a urinary infection. Absent other causes, patients presenting with any 2 of the following meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for symptomatic UTI: fever, worsened urinary urgency or frequency, acute dysuria, suprapubic tenderness, or costovertebral angle pain or tenderness. A positive urine culture (≥10 5 CFU/mL) with no more than 2 uropathogens and pyuria confirms the diagnosis of UTI. Risk factors for recurrent symptomatic UTI include diabetes, functional disability, recent sexual intercourse, prior history of urogynecologic surgery, urinary retention, and urinary incontinence. Testing for UTI is easily performed in the clinic using dipstick tests. When there is a low pretest probability of UTI, a negative dipstick result for leukocyte esterase and nitrites excludes infection. Antibiotics are selected by identifying the uropathogen, knowing local resistance rates, and considering adverse effect profiles. Chronic suppressive antibiotics for 6 to 12 months and vaginal estrogen therapy effectively reduce symptomatic UTI episodes and should be considered in patients with recurrent UTIs. Conclusions and Relevance Establishing a diagnosis of symptomatic UTI in older women requires careful clinical evaluation with possible laboratory assessment using urinalysis and urine culture. Asymptomatic bacteriuria should be differentiated from symptomatic UTI. Asymptomatic bacteriuria in older women should not be treated.
Risk assessment of land-applied biosolids-borne triclocarban (TCC)

Abstract Triclocarban (TCC) is monitored under the USEPA High Production Volume (HPV) chemical program and is predominantly used as the active ingredient in select antibacterial bar soaps and other personal care products. The compound commonly occurs at parts-per-million concentrations in processed wastewater treatment residuals (i.e. biosolids), which are frequently land-applied as fertilizers and soil conditioners. Human and ecological risk assessment parameters measured by the authors in previous studies were integrated with existing data to perform a two-tiered human health and ecological risk assessment of land-applied biosolids-borne TCC. The 14 exposure pathways identified in the Part 503 Biosolids Rule were expanded, and conservative screening-level hazard quotients (HQ values) were first calculated to estimate risk to humans and a variety of terrestrial and aquatic organisms (Tier 1). The majority of biosolids-borne TCC exposure pathways resulted in no screening-level HQ values indicative of significant risks to exposed organisms (including humans), even under worst-case land application scenarios. The two pathways for which the conservative screening-level HQ values exceeded one (i.e. Pathway 10: biosolids ➔ soil ➔ soil organism ➔ predator, and Pathway 16: biosolids ➔ soil ➔ surface water ➔ aquatic organism) were then reexamined using modified parameters and scenarios (Tier 2). Adjusted HQ values remained greater than one for Exposure Pathway 10, with the exception of the final adjusted HQ values under a one-time 5 Mg ha− 1 (agronomic) biosolids loading rate scenario for the American woodcock (Scolopax minor) and short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda). Results were used to prioritize recommendations for future biosolids-borne TCC research, which include additional measurements of toxicological effects and TCC concentrations in environmental matrices at the field level.
Some Features of Angular-Momentum Branch Points

Arguments for the existence of angular-momentum branch points based on the necessity for the Gribov-Pomeranchuk singularities to be fixed poles rather than essential singularities are reviewed. Sum rules for scattering amplitudes on the second sheet are then deduced. Reasons are given for expecting two kinds of branch points to be present, namely, those described as "Regge pole plus Regge pole" and "Regge pole plus elementary particle" (called types 1 and 2, respectively). It is argued that the latter must be concealed by the former in the scattering region, and from the requirement that the branch points are suitably positioned in general, an inequality on derivatives of Regge-pole trajectories is derived. A model of the Amati-Fubini-Stanghellini type is examined to indicate why type-2 branch points may be expected to occur in a theory without elementary particles.
Video: WiFi-honk: smartphone-based beacon stuffed WiFi Car2X-communication system for vulnerable road user safety

As smartphones gain their popularity, vulnerable road users (VRUs) are increasingly distracted by activities with their devices such as listening to music, watching videos, texting or making calls while walking or bicycling on the road. In spite of the development of various high-tech Car-to-Car (C2C) and Car-to-Infrastructure (C2I) communications for enhancing the traffic safety, protecting such VRUs from vehicles still relies heavily on traditional sound warning methods. Furthermore, as smartphones continue to become highly ubiquitous, VRUs are increasingly oblivious to safety related warning sounds. A traffic accident study shows the number of headphone-wearing VRUs involved in roadside accidents has increased by 300% in the last 10 years. Although recently a few Car2Pedestrian-communication methods have been proposed by various car manufacturers, their practical usage is limited, as they mostly require special communication devices to cope with the wide range of mobility, and also assume VRUs' active attention to the communication while walking. We propose a smartphone-based Car2X-communication system, named WiFi-Honk, which can alert the potential collisions to both VRUs and vehicles in order to especially protect the distracted VRUs. WiFi-Honk provides a practical safety means for the distracted VRUs without requiring any special device using WiFi of smartphone. WiFi-Honk removes the WiFi association overhead using the beacon stuffed WiFi communication with the geographic location, speed, and direction information of the smartphone replacing its SSID while operating in WiFi Direct/Hotspot mode, and also provides an efficient collision estimation algorithm to issue appropriate warnings. Our experimental and simulation studies validate that WiFi-Honk can successfully alert VRUs within a sufficient reaction time frame, even in high mobility environments.
Why it doesn't matter whether the virtues are truth-conducive

A potential explanation of a fact is a hypothesis such that, if it were true, it would explain the fact in question. Let’s suppose that we become aware of a fact and some potential explanations thereof. Let’s also suppose that we would like to believe the truth. Given this aim, we can ask two questions. First, is it likely that one of these hypotheses is true? Second, given an affirmative answer to the first question, which one is it likely to be? Inference to the best explanation (IBE) offers answers to both questions. To the first, it says ‘Yes’—assuming that at least one of the hypotheses would, if true, provide a satisfactory explanation of the fact under consideration. To the second, it says that the hypothesis most likely to be true is the one that scores best on the explanatory virtues: conservatism, modesty, simplicity, generality, and predictive power. Many philosophers have argued against IBE’s answer to the first question. I am interested in an objection to its answer to the second. Many philosophers seem to think that it is unsustainable: they seem to think that even if we assume that one of the competing hypotheses is true, we should not think that IBE will help us to identify it. Or, more carefully, if these philosophers are doing what they appear to be doing—namely, offering critiques of IBE that don’t depend on assumptions about the field of competing hypotheses—then their claim is that IBE will not help us to identify the truth. I believe that this is mistaken: the argument for believing it assumes a model of IBE that we have no reason to accept.
Distance makes the types grow stronger: a calculus for differential privacy

We want assurances that sensitive information will not be disclosed when aggregate data derived from a database is published. Differential privacy offers a strong statistical guarantee that the effect of the presence of any individual in a database will be negligible, even when an adversary has auxiliary knowledge. Much of the prior work in this area consists of proving algorithms to be differentially private one at a time; we propose to streamline this process with a functional language whose type system automatically guarantees differential privacy, allowing the programmer to write complex privacy-safe query programs in a flexible and compositional way.The key novelty is the way our type system captures function sensitivity, a measure of how much a function can magnify the distance between similar inputs: well-typed programs not only can't go wrong, they can't go too far on nearby inputs. Moreover, by introducing a monad for random computations, we can show that the established definition of differential privacy falls out naturally as a special case of this soundness principle. We develop examples including known differentially private algorithms, privacy-aware variants of standard functional programming idioms, and compositionality principles for differential privacy.
Hierarchical classifier design in high-dimensional numerous class cases

In applying pattern recognition methods in remote sensing problems, an inherent limitation is that there is almost always only a small number of training samples with which to design the classifier. A hybrid decision tree classifier design procedure that produces efficient and accurate classifiers for this situation is proposed. In doing so, several key questions are addressed, among them the question of the feature extraction techniques to be used and the mathematical relationship between sample size, dimensionality, and risk value. Empirical tests comparing the hybrid design classifier with a conventional single layered one are presented. They suggest that the hybrid design produces higher accuracy with fewer features. The need for fewer features is an important advantage, because it reflects favorably on both the size of the training set needed and the amount of computation time that will be needed in analysis. >
Relationships among durum wheat accessions. II. A comparison of molecular and pedigree information.

The study of direct ancestry relationships provides information with which to determine essential derivation. SSR profiles were used to determine the pattern of relatedness among 134 durum wheat accessions, representing the most important modern durum wheat gene pools. Simple sequence repeat (SSR)- and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)-based genetic similarities among cultivars with accurate pedigrees were compared with pedigree-based coefficients of parentage. Sizeable departures of molecular similarities from the expected ones were observed, indicating the unreliability of inferring the pattern of genetic relatedness from the coefficient of parentage. Case studies consisting of parent–progeny cultivar trios and pairs, identified on the basis of their registered pedigree, were studied to evaluate the probability of ancestry of each progeny cultivar, compared with all the remaining accessions. Rare alleles and haplotype sharing were also explored. When the results did not agree with the regist...
The Psychology of Replication and Replication in Psychology

Like other scientists, psychologists believe experimental replication to be the final arbiter for determining the validity of an empirical finding. Reports in psychology journals often attempt to prove the validity of a hypothesis or theory with multiple experiments that replicate a finding. Unfortunately, these efforts are sometimes misguided because in a field like experimental psychology, ever more successful replication does not necessarily ensure the validity of an empirical finding. When psychological experiments are analyzed with statistics, the rules of probability dictate that random samples should sometimes be selected that do not reject the null hypothesis, even if an effect is real. As a result, it is possible for a set of experiments to have too many successful replications. When there are too many successful replications for a given set of experiments, a skeptical scientist should be suspicious that null or negative findings have been suppressed, the experiments were run improperly, or the experiments were analyzed improperly. This article describes the implications of this observation and demonstrates how to test for too much successful replication by using a set of experiments from a recent research paper.
Retinal Imaging and Image Analysis

Many important eye diseases as well as systemic diseases manifest themselves in the retina. While a number of other anatomical structures contribute to the process of vision, this review focuses on retinal imaging and image analysis. Following a brief overview of the most prevalent causes of blindness in the industrialized world that includes age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, the review is devoted to retinal imaging and image analysis methods and their clinical implications. Methods for 2-D fundus imaging and techniques for 3-D optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging are reviewed. Special attention is given to quantitative techniques for analysis of fundus photographs with a focus on clinically relevant assessment of retinal vasculature, identification of retinal lesions, assessment of optic nerve head (ONH) shape, building retinal atlases, and to automated methods for population screening for retinal diseases. A separate section is devoted to 3-D analysis of OCT images, describing methods for segmentation and analysis of retinal layers, retinal vasculature, and 2-D/3-D detection of symptomatic exudate-associated derangements, as well as to OCT-based analysis of ONH morphology and shape. Throughout the paper, aspects of image acquisition, image analysis, and clinical relevance are treated together considering their mutually interlinked relationships.
Food deprivation increases the rat's preference for a fatty flavor over a sweet taste.

Previous research indicates that food deprivation increases the rat's preference for high-fat over low-fat foods. Since these foods differ in their flavors and post-ingestive effects, both factors may be implicated. The present study investigated preferences in food deprived and non-deprived rats using non-nutritive mineral oil emulsion (MO) and saccharin solution (SAC), which have a fatty flavor and sweet taste, respectively. The deprived rats consumed more MO than SAC in one- and two-bottle tests, while the non-deprived rats ingested as much SAC as MO in one-bottle tests and preferred SAC in two-bottle tests. Several aspects of the data suggest that the deprivation-related shift in preference between MO and SAC was determined by changes in long-term energy balance. A follow-up conditioning experiment discarded the possibility that the observed preference shift was related to differential reinforcing effects of the two substances. In conclusion, long-term food restriction increases the preference for an oily flavor over a sweet taste via a mechanism that does not involve nutritive feedback. It remains to be determined to what extent this alteration in flavor preference influences food selection when post-ingestive nutritive feedback can influence food choice.
Signal and Receiver Design

In Chapter 6 we described several modulation techniques for both baseband and passband channels. The receiver designs given there were justified on an intuitive basis, with the goal of eliminating ISI at the slicer input and at the same time eliminating as much noise as possible.
The single-shot GnRH immunocontraceptive vaccine (GonaCon) in white-tailed deer: comparison of several GnRH preparations.

Problem An effective, single-injection, multi-year, GnRH contraceptive agent is needed to control reproduction in overabundant white-tailed deer populations. Method of study Two GnRH conjugates, GonaCon™ (GnRH–KLH) and GonaCon-B™ (GnRH–blue protein), were prepared in emulsion form as one-injection and two-injection immunocontraceptive vaccine formulations. In addition, the GnRH–KLH protein conjugate was lyophilized and suspended in AdjuVac™ adjuvant to produce a fifth vaccine formulation. Each formulation was administered to a group of five captive adult female white-tailed deer. Reproductive performance of treated female deer was monitored for 5 years to determine the comparative efficacy of the various treatments. Results The longevity of the contraceptive response (2–5 years) was strongly influenced by the design of the conjugate antigen, the adjuvant used, and the delivery form of the vaccine. Conclusion One-injection and two-injection formulations of GonaCon™ and GonaCon-B™ produced multi-year contraception in adult female white-tailed deer. GonaCon-B™ provided a longer lasting contraceptive effect.
Rapid Screening of Multiple β-Globin Gene Mutations by Real-Time PCR on the LightCycler: Application to Carrier Screening and Prenatal Diagnosis of Thalassemia Syndromes

Background: Hemoglobinopathies are priority genetic diseases for prevention programs. Rapid genotype characterization is fundamental in the diagnostic laboratory, especially when offering prenatal diagnosis for carrier couples. Methods: As a model, we designed a protocol based on the LightCycler TM technology to screen for a spectrum of -globin gene mutations in the Greek population. Design was facilitated by dual fluorochrome detection and close proximity of many mutations. Three probe sets were capable of screening 95% of -globin gene mutations in the Greek population, including IVSII745C3 G, HbS, Cd5-CT, Cd6-A, Cd8-AA, IVSI-1G3 A, IVSI-5G3 A, IVSI-6T3 C, IVSI-110G3 A, and Cd39 C3 T. Results: The protocol, standardized by analysis of 100 -thalassemia heterozygotes with known mutations, was 100% reliable in distinguishing wild-type from mutant alleles. Subsequent screening of 100 Greek -thalassemia heterozygotes with unknown mutations found 96 of 100 samples heterozygous for 1 of the 10 mutations, although melting curves were indistinguishable for mutations bS/Cd6 and IVSI-5/IVSI-1, indicating a need of alternative methods for definitive diagnosis. One sample demonstrating a unique melting curve was characterized by sequencing as Cd8/9G. Three samples carried mutations outside the gene region covered by the probes. The protocol was 100% accurate in 25 prenatal diagnosis samples, with 14 different genotype combinations diagnosed. The protocol was also flexible, detecting five -globin gene mutations from other population groups (IVSI-1G3 T, IVSI-5G3 C, IVSI-116T3 G, Cd37 TGG3 TGA, and Cd41/42 TCTT). Conclusions: The described LightCycler system protocol can rapidly screen for many -globin gene mutations. It is appropriate for use in many populations for directing definitive mutation diagnosis and is suited for rapid prenatal diagnosis with low cost per assay. © 2003 American Association for Clinical Chemistry
AGU Committee on Geomagnetic Reference Fields

One of the conclusions reached by the participants of the Zmuda Memorial Conference on Geomagnetic Field Models, which was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in March 1975 (EOS, 56 (8), 536, 1975) was that the present international geomagnetic reference field (IGRF) is not totally adequate for many users. Furthermore, the user community appeared dissatisfied with the decisions on updating the model reached at the 1973 International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) meeting in Kyoto, Japan.
Radiologist Characteristics Associated With Interpretive Performance of Diagnostic Mammography

model. Results The median sensitivity was 79% (range = 27% – 100%) and the median false-positive rate was 4.3% (range = 0% – 16%). Radiologists in academic medical centers, compared with other radiologists, had higher sensitivity (88%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 77% to 94%, versus 76%, 95% CI = 72% to 79%; odds ratio [OR] = 5.41, 95% Bayesian posterior credible interval [BPCI] = 1.55 to 21.51) with a smaller increase in their falsepositive rates (7.8%, 95% CI = 4.8% to 12.7%, versus 4.2%, 95% CI = 3.8% to 4.7%; OR = 1.73, 95% BPCI = 1.05 to 2.67) and a borderline statistically significant improvement in accuracy (OR = 3.01, 95% BPCI = 0.97 to 12.15). Radiologists spending 20% or more of their time on breast imaging had statistically significantly higher sensitivity than those spending less time on breast imaging (80%, 95% CI = 76% to 83%, versus 70%, 95% CI = 64% to 75%; OR = 1.60, 95% BPCI = 1.05 to 2.44) with non – statistically significant increased falsepositive rates (4.6%, 95% CI = 4.0% to 5.3%, versus 3.9%, 95% CI = 3.3% to 4.6%; OR = 1.17, 95% BPCI = 0.92 to 1.51). More recent training in mammography and more experience performing breast biopsy examinations were associated with a decreased threshold for recalling patients, resulting in similar statistically significant increases in both sensitivity and false-positive rates. Conclusions We found considerable variation in the interpretive performance of diagnostic mammography across radiologists that was not explained by the characteristics of the patients whose mammograms were interpreted. This variability is concerning and likely affects many women with and without breast cancer.
HANDLING THE "BIGGEST LOSERS": COMPENSATION IN ENTREPRENEURIAL POLITICS

Conventional theories about compensation to losers posit that assistance to groups adversely affected by entrepreneurial politics remains static within regimes and across sectors. In contrast, this paper hypothesizes that assistance to those adversely affected by policies depends on characteristics both of the loser group and the political regime. Rather than finding blanket redistribution, as many have argued, the strength of the affected group and its legitimacy with decision makers create variation in the amount of compensation. While some scholars have sought to predict outcomes at the national level, this paper draws on both ideational and interest-based methodologies to create a nuanced view from the sectoral and case level. Using cases of market-opening liberalization and the siting of often unwanted projects in India, France, and the United States, this paper sets forth a new approach to the political economy of compensation.
Blocking in multirate networks

A study is made of an extension of the classical methods used to evaluate blocking probability. This method is applicable to multirate circuit and fast packet/ATM switching systems. The analytical methods are presented and compared with simulation results for Benes networks. Extensive simulation has been performed examining blocking in Benes networks. These simulations focus on ways to reduce blocking to acceptable levels. It is found that the major factors affecting blocking are switching element size, speed advantage of the switch fabric, routing algorithms and connection bandwidth. >
Letter by Greyson regarding article, "High-dose folic acid pretreatment blunts cardiac dysfunction during ischemia coupled to maintenance of high-energy phosphates and reduces postreperfusion injury".

To the Editor: Moens et al1 reported that high-dose folic acid (FA) prevents myocardial infarction after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and reperfusion in open-chest rats; more surprisingly, FA preserved contractile function in the ischemic territory during 30 minutes of ischemia that was otherwise severe enough to induce large infarcts in untreated control rats. The authors hypothesized, and an accompanying editorial discussed, the possibility that FA promotes increased ATP synthesis during ischemia, thereby preserving contractile function and preventing infarction.1,2 A search for previously unknown effects of FA on ATP synthesis is necessary if one accepts the conclusion that ischemic territory …
APOBEC3B upregulation and genomic mutation patterns in serous ovarian carcinoma

Ovarian cancer is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous disease. The driving forces behind this variability are unknown. Here, we report wide variation in the expression of the DNA cytosine deaminase APOBEC3B, with elevated expression in the majority of ovarian cancer cell lines (three SDs above the mean of normal ovarian surface epithelial cells) and high-grade primary ovarian cancers. APOBEC3B is active in the nucleus of several ovarian cancer cell lines and elicits a biochemical preference for deamination of cytosines in 5'-TC dinucleotides. Importantly, examination of whole-genome sequence from 16 ovarian cancers reveals that APOBEC3B expression correlates with total mutation load as well as elevated levels of transversion mutations. In particular, high APOBEC3B expression correlates with C-to-A and C-to-G transversion mutations within 5'-TC dinucleotide motifs in early-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer genomes, suggesting that APOBEC3B-catalyzed genomic uracil lesions are further processed by downstream DNA "repair" enzymes including error-prone translesion polymerases. These data identify a potential role for APOBEC3B in serous ovarian cancer genomic instability.
A comparison of two camera configurations for optic-flow based navigation of a UAV through urban canyons

We present a comparison of two camera configurations for avoiding obstacles in 3D-space using optic flow. The two configurations were developed for use on an autonomous helicopter, with the aim of enabling it to fly in environments with tall obstacles (e.g. urban canyons). The comparison is made based on real data captured from two sideways-looking cameras and an omnidirectional camera mounted onboard an autonomous helicopter. Optic flow information from the images is used to determine the relative distance to obstacles on each side of the helicopter. We show that on average, both camera configurations are equally effective and that they can be used to tell which of the canyon walls is closer with an accuracy of 74%. It is noted that each configuration is however more effective under certain conditions, and so a suitable hybrid approach is suggested. We also show that there is a linear relationship between the optic flow ratios and the position of the helicopter with respect to the center of the canyon. We use this relationship to develop a proportional control strategy for flying the helicopter along the Voronoi line between buildings.
Russian Emotion Vocabulary in American Learners’ Narratives

This study compared the uses of emotion vocabulary in narratives elicited from monolingual speakers of Russian and English and advanced American learners of Russian. Monolingual speakers differed significantly in the distribution of emotion terms across morphosyntactic categories: English speakers favored an adjectival pattern of emotion description, and Russian speakers a verbal one. Advanced American learners of Russian shifted from the adjectival to the verbal pattern in Russian and thus began approximating the usage of native speakers of Russian. At the same time, the data revealed 6 areas where learner usage differed from the monolingual Russian corpus: morphosyntactic transfer from the first language (L1), semantic transfer from the L1, greater use of adverbial constructions, absence of a language-specific verb frequently used by native Russian speakers, violations of appropriateness of sociolinguistic register, and a significantly lower proportion of emotion word tokens.
Scattering of intermediate-energy positrons by C, N, O atoms and the corresponding diatomic molecules: elastic and total cross-sections

Elastic and total elastic plus absorption cross-sections for the scattering of positrons by carbon, nitrogen and oxygen . atoms and the corresponding diatomic molecules C , CN, CO, N , NO and O in the energy range from 100 to 5000 eV 22 2 are presented. Parameter-free interaction potentials along with the additivity rule are used in the calculations. Good agreement with the experimental data is obtained wherever such comparisons can be made. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
An Interactive Simulation Tool for Complex Multilayer Dielectric Devices

Novel devices incorporating multiple layers of new materials increase the complexity of device structures, particularly in field-effect transistors, capacitors, and nonvolatile memory (NVM). The mounting complexity of these devices increases the difficulty of generating energy band diagrams and performing device parameter calculations whether these calculations are done by hand, using spreadsheets, or via mathematical programs. Although finite-element Poisson-Schrodinger equation solvers are available to perform the calculations, the cost and time spent learning them can be a hindrance. A straightforward GUI interactive simulation tool is presented that quickly calculates and displays energy bands, electric fields, potentials, and charge distributions for 1-D metal-multilayered-dielectrics-semiconductor stacks. Fixed charge can be inserted into dielectric layers. The freeware program calculates device parameters, (e.g., effective oxide thickness, flat-band voltage (VFB), threshold voltage (Vt), stack capacitance) and layer parameters (e.g., capacitance, potential, electric field, tunneling distance). Calculated data can be exported. Using the simulation tool, trap-based flash NVM is examined. Device performance characteristics such as the Vt and VFB shifts of three different stacks are examined. Comparisons between the program and a finite-element Poisson-Schrodinger equation solver are performed to validate the program's accuracy.
Rapid Rewarming of Hypothermic Patient Using Arctic Sun Device

There are multiple commercially made devices currently available for inducing hypothermia in patients with postcardiac arrest, but whether these devices can be used successfully for rewarming patients suffering from accidental hypothermia remains largely unexplored. We describe a case in which a patient with severe accidental hypothermia secondary to environmental exposure was successfully, safely, and rapidly warmed using a temperature regulation device traditionally used for therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in patients with postcardiac arrest. Clinicians may wish to consider the use of these devices when attempting to warm patients suffering from severe environmental hypothermia.
Choosing an evaluation strategy.

Abstract Most people making their first attempt at program evaluation will ask the same general kinds of questions at the outset of their endeavor: Why evaluate? How much will it cost? Can I do it myself, or will consultants be required? How scientifically rigorous must it be? Should I have a control group? How big should the sample be? etc. All of these questions can be answered, but only after a set of important assumptions about the program being evaluated has been carefully specified. In most cases, all of these questions can be answered quite adequately by the person(s) asking them. Very little technical expertise is required. In this article we present an approach to the formulation of a general evaluation strategy, including a method for answering some of the questions that need to be answered first.
H(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in rat collecting duct segments

Previous studies have suggested the presence of an H(+)-K(+)-ATPase in rat cortical and medullary intercalated cells with similar properties to the gastric proton pump. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional contribution of an H(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase(ATPase) to total CO2 (tCO2) transport along the rat collecting duct. After baseline determination of tCO2 transport in isolated perfused collecting duct segments, Sch 28080 (10 microM) was added to either the perfusate or bath. When Sch 28080 was added to the perfusate, there was no effect in the cortical collecting duct (CCD, 20.8 +/- 6.7 vs. 25.3 + 3.0 pmol.mm-1.min-1), but a marked decrease in tCO2 absorption was effected in both the outer medullary (OMCD, 37.6 + 6.2 vs. 10.7 +/- 4.1 pmol.mm-1.min-1) and initial inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD1, 34.4 +/- 8.1 vs. 16.2 +/- 5.6 pmol.mm-1.min-1). In the CCD from rats with acute alkalosis in vivo, Sch 28080 added to the bath inhibited tCO2 secretion in the CCD (-17.1 +/- 4.4 vs 3.5 + 3.3 pmol.mm-1.min-1). These findings suggest that 1) H(+)-K(+)-ATPase is important in tCO2 absorption in the OMCD and IMCD1 and in tCO2 secretion in the CCD, 2) HCO3(-)-absorbing intercalated cells differ functionally in the cortex and medulla, 3) HCO3- secretion is not the reverse process of HCO3- absorption in the CCD, and 4) H(+)-K(+)-ATPase is important in distal acidification under normal and altered acid-base conditions.
Positive affect, depressive symptoms, and arthritis pain of elderly people over time.

Background: Older adults frequently experience physical symptoms of arthritis pain. We examined the dynamic change of arthritis pain and depressive symptoms over time. We also addressed the influence of time varying arthritis pain on depressive symptoms and positive affect among community dwelling older individuals. Methods: Analyses were based on data from 4 annual follow-ups in a sample of 299 elderly residents (M=83.78) of Florida retirement communities. We estimated a hierarchical growth curve model that related the effects of time varying pain and characteristics of participants such as age, gender, cognitive functioning, emotional support and health. Growth curve modeling was used to assess changes in emotional well-being as a function of arthritis pain over time. Results: We found that depressive symptoms increased over 4 years whereas positive affect declined over 4 years with significant between-person differences in levels and slopes. As predicted, changes in arthritis pain covaried with both depressive symptoms and positive affect over time. Gender, cognitive functioning, health conditions and emotional support from others were associated with between person differences in level of emotional well-being. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that conceptualization of emotional well-being of older adults as a dynamic, changing construct applies both depressive symptoms and positive affect. Findings also suggest that arthritis pain as well as emotional support contribute to depressive symptoms and to positive affect among older adults with arthritis.
A Molecular Orbital Analysis of Chemisorption Precursor States

In molecular adsorption two kinds of precursor states are thought to occur [1]. An intrinsic precursor state refers to a weakly bound state of a molecule over a “clean” surface, while an extrinsic precursor state refers to weak adsorption on top of other adsorbates. Both kinds of precursor states are more mobile than chemisorbed states, and both can give rise to complex adsorption and desorption behavior. In this report, we focus on the intrinsic precursor state, presenting a simple molecular orbital analysis of precursor state potential wells and the activation barrier to chemisorption (see Fig. 1). Results of semi-empirical calculations for carbon monoxide adsorbing on nickel and other first row transition metals are described [2].
Dynamic changes in age, stage distribution, and survival of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma over three decades in the United States.

4130 Background: Previous data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEERs) Registry has demonstrated a 4-fold increase in the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in the Un...
Book Review: What Connected Educators Do Differently

What Connected Educators Do Differently encourages educators to begin connecting via social media to further their own learning and success. Whitaker, Zoul and Casas support teachers pursuing digital connection through step-by-step suggestions and resources, arguing that educators will grow as learners and teachers, and develop their access to a “large collective brain trust consisting of diverse ideas and perspectives” (p. xxiii). DOI: 10.2458/azu_itet_v3i2_kirby
The effect of smartphone usage time on posture and respiratory function.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in posture and respiratory functions depending on the duration of smartphone usage. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: group 1 (subjects who used smartphones for 4 hours/day, n=25). The craniovertebral angles of all participants were measured and scapular indices were calculated to assess the change in posture and forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow were measured to assess changes in respiratory function. [Results] There were significant differences in the craniovertebral angle, scapular index, and peak expiratory flow depending on the duration of smartphone usage. [Conclusion] The result of this study showed that prolonged use of smartphones could negatively affect both, posture and respiratory function.
The Black Box Society: the secret algorithms that control money and information

Frank Pasquale's The Black Box Society, decodes and disinfects computer driven algorithms that use big data to shape our lives. Whether in the hands of private companies looking to better target cu...
Coating Condition Evaluation of Epoxy Coated Rebar

The initial results of ongoing research on the corrosion condition of epoxy coated steel reinforcement (ECR) from a low permeability concrete marine structure with thin preexisting structural cracks after ~20 years of service are presented. Coating autopsies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were conducted on ECR samples extracted from the field. No preferential coating deterioration was observed on ECR zones intersected by a crack compared to the rest of the ECR segment. Results from EIS measurements show a high frequency (hf) loop in disbonded ECR samples. Larger hf loops in cracked concrete samples are indicative of larger electrolyte conductance. The low frequency impedance response behavior is characteristic of current and interfacial capacitance distribution in a transmission line configuration. Further tests are in progress.