cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of portal vein thrombosis detected by computed tomography angiography in dogs

Objective To evaluate dogs with computed tomography angiography of the abdomen for overall prevalence of portal vein thrombosis and prevalence of portal vein thrombosis based on different disease categories. To evaluate dogs with and without portal vein thrombosis for differences in outcome. To compare ultrasound to computed tomographic angiography for identification of portal vein thrombosis. Methods Abdominal computed tomography angiography of 223 client-owned animals was reviewed for evidence of portal vein thrombosis. Based on medical records, dogs were assigned to disease categories: (1) liver disease; (2) non-hepatic neoplasia; (3) pancreatitis; (4) infectious disease; (5) immune-mediated disease; (6) other; (7) multiple diseases. Different categories were compared for the prevalence of portal vein thrombosis. Outcome was evaluated in dogs with and without portal vein thrombosis. Ultrasound reports were reviewed to determine the detection of thrombosis on ultrasound. Results Twenty-eight dogs (13%) had portal vein thrombosis. The pancreatitis category contained the highest percentage of portal vein thrombosis among different categories (eight of 19; 42%). There was a similar outcome between dogs with and without portal vein thrombosis. Of 21 dogs with portal vein thrombosis that had ultrasound performed, ultrasound detected thrombosis in four of 21 (19%) cases. Clinical relevance In this study, portal vein thrombosis prevalence was higher in dogs with pancreatitis compared to dogs with liver disease, non-hepatic neoplasia and other abdominal or systemic disease. The portal system should be carefully evaluated with imaging in dogs with pancreatitis. As compared to ultrasound, CT angiography is the imaging method of choice for detection of portal vein thrombosis in dogs.
Regionalization of precipitation associated with tropical cyclones using spatial metrics and satellite precipitation

Precipitation associated with landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs) poses a significant flood risk to vast regions along and inland of the coasts. Quantifying spatial characteristics of tropical cycl...
Schiffermüller, Ignaz 1727–1806

Ignaz Schiffermuller was born on November 2, 1727 in Hellmonsodt near Linz in Austria and was educated in Linz. When 19 he joined the Jesuit order and studied theology in Wien, as well as botany, ornithology, and mineralogy. In 1759, he became a lecturer at the Theresianum Institute in Wien, a private boarding school founded in 1746, where he remained for 15 years.
Ordinariness in Disaster: Rereading Brion’s “Story” During the Covid-19 Pandemic

In contexts of broad structural strain, humanistic psychology points to the deeply embodied, relational, and spatiotemporal nature of literary encounters by agents in history. Through heuristic inquiry, this essay examines thematic transformations of Rofel G. Brion’s Story (1997), an autobiographical collection of poetry, when reread during the COVID-19 pandemic. I reflect on selected poems to reconsider and reclaim themes of intimacy amid solitude through narrative affection, home in exile through connections of care, and possibilities for living in ordinary time.
Current Standards and Advances in Diabetic Ulcer Prevention and Elderly Fall Prevention Using Wearable Technology

The deleterious effects of diabetes on the lower extremity are numerous, costly, and complicated to treat. Many patients who develop a diabetes-related ulceration will eventually require lower extremity amputation, an outcome with well-described morbidity and mortal complications. Foremost in the many deteriorating effects of aging on lower extremity health are the development of peripheral neuropathies, development of peripheral arterial disease, loss of proprioceptive feedback, and loss of adequate function leading to increased falls. Current healthcare practice guidelines substantially improve the long-term care of older adults; however, they are often limited to semi-regular screenings and patient-reported symptoms. Future implementation of wearable, constant-monitoring technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by early detection and “pre-habilitative” therapy before the patient even needs to visit the clinic. This article addresses the current and future trends of lower extremity risk prevention with an emphasis on the implications of wearable, transdermal, and implantable constant-monitoring devices and powered exoskeletons.
Exosomes released from Doxorubicin-treated breast tumor promote lung metastasis through miR126 mediated induction of MDSCs (TUM10P.1060)

Chemotherapy induces myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) which promote tumor metastasis. However, the molecular basis for chemotherapy induced MDSCs remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that Doxorubicin-derived MDSC promote cancer progression via their effect on angiogenesis and the formation of a premetastatic niche. miRNA-containing exosomes from doxorubicin-treated MDSC exert more potent proangiogenic effects. We also demonstrate high level of MiR-126 was detected in Doxorubicin-derived exosomes, and inhibition of miR126 encapsulated in exosomes impaired proangiogenic effects of Doxorubicin-derived MDSC. Furthermore, nanoparticle-mediated targeting delivery of anti-miR-126 to MDSCs improves Doxorubicin-based therapeutic responses, leading to inhibition of lung metastasis. Collectively, our finding provides a compelling rationale to develop therapeutic strategy for overcoming chemotherapy resistance.
A greedy smart path pruning strategy for geographical routing in wireless networks

Geographical routing is powerful in its ability to discover sub-optimal route to the destination without the help of global state. Among all geographical routing protocols, the greedy perimeter stateless routing (GPSR) protocol is famous due to its ability to find the route without the need of flooding and storing state information at each node. However, the detour found by perimeter mode face routing commonly contains a large number of hops. When multiple packets are generated for the same destination, such large number of hops tends to consume more energy. In this paper, a simple yet effective strategy is proposed to reduce the excessive number of hops caused by the perimeter mode face routing in GPSR. Based on this strategy, a new geographical routing protocol, namely the greedy smart geographical routing protocol (GSGR), is proposed. With the help of little state information passively maintained by a subset of nodes on the route, our protocol is capable of pruning the path to reduce a large portion of hops introduced by perimeter mode of GPSR
Covalent Attachment of Polyribonucleotides to Polydeoxyribonucleotides Catalyzed by Deoxyribonucleic Acid Ligase

Abstract DNA ligase isolated from Escherichia coli or phage T4-infected E. coli catalyzes the covalent joining of the 5'-phosphate termini of polydeoxyribonucleotides and 3'-hydroxyl termini of polyribonucleotides. This reaction occurs with poly(dA) and poly(A) in the presence of poly(dT). The 5'-phosphate terminus of poly[d(A-T)] can be linked by an intramolecular reaction to its 3'-hydroxyl terminus substituted with a ribonucleotide. Phage T4-induced DNA ligase also joins poly(dT) to poly(U) in the presence of poly(dA). The joining of 5'-phosphate termini of polyribonucleotides to 3'-hydroxyl termini of polydeoxyribonucleotides was detected only with phage T4-induced DNA ligase. This reaction, however, occurred to a limited extent with poly(dA) substrates containing AMP residues at the 5' terminus in the presence of poly(dT). These results suggest that although DNA ligase from E. coli is incapable of joining RNA to RNA, it is capable of joining 5'-phosphate terminus of a DNA to the 3'-hydroxyl terminus of RNA in addition to the well known joining reaction between DNA to DNA. The phage T4-induced DNA ligase on the other hand joins DNA to DNA, RNA to RNA, and RNA to DNA in all combinations.
Teaching as an Offensive Lineman

Abstract This essay seeks to establish a metaphor of the professional practice of teaching to the attributes and training of an offensive lineman in the game of American football. Effective classroom instruction does not rely exclusively on a rare set of talents but rather rests on the commitment to the work of teaching. Like the position of offensive lineman, the profession of teaching is one of service. And more, it is one in which the person's performance can blossom through intense determination. An invitation is offered to serve as an effective teacher.
Two-fluid model of the pseudogap of high-temperature cuprate superconductors based on charge-2e bosons

Starting from the effective low-energy theory of a doped Mott insulator, obtained by exactly integrating out the high-energy scale, we show that the effective carrier density in the underdoped regime agrees with a two-fluid description. Namely, it has distinct temperature-independent and thermally activated components. We identify the thermally activated component as the bound state of a hole and a charge-$2e$ boson, which occurs naturally in the effective theory. The thermally activated unbinding of this state leads to the strange metal and subsequent $T$-linear resistivity. We find that the doping dependence of the binding energy is in excellent agreement with the experimentally determined pseudogap energy scale in cuprate superconductors.
RMS-energy filter design for real-time oscillation detection

Real-time monitoring of power-system oscillations is a concern in the operation and control of synchronous power systems. A simple and powerful approach is to use an RMS energy filter. As defined in this paper, an RMS energy filter estimates the total RMS energy of a signal in a defined frequency band. This approach has been implemented in the operation control center at the Bonneville Power Administration for the past year, and it is being implemented in a DC modulation damping control monitoring system. This paper describes RMS energy filter design requirements, approaches, and alternatives. Simulation examples demonstrate the performance.
Xenopus spinal neurons express Kv2 potassium channel transcripts during embryonic development

Developmentally regulated delayed rectifier potassium currents determine the waveform of the action potential in all Xenopus embryonic primary spinal neurons. To examine this developmental program at the molecular level, we have isolated Xenopus Kv2 potassium channel genes Kv2.1 and Kv2.2. Both genes induce functional heterologous expression of delayed rectifier potassium currents. Transcripts from both Kv2 genes are present in developing embryos; however, only Kv2.2 mRNA is detectable in embryonic spinal neurons. Notably, Kv2.2 transcripts localize to ventral spinal neurons, whereas previously described Kv1.1 transcripts are found in dorsal spinal neurons. Thus, spinal neuron subtypes express distinct potassium channel genes, yet they temporally coordinate functional expression of delayed rectifier potassium currents.
Electrical Failure of an ICD Lead due to a Presumed Insulation Defect Only Diagnosed by a Maximum Output Shock

A 55-year-old male patient presented after a single shock caused by oversensing of isolated nonphysiologic signals on both the distal HV and pace-sense channels. No other abnormalities were found. He subsequently returned complaining of device "vibration" and his St. Jude implantable defibrillator (ICD; St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) was found to be in VVI backup mode and could not be interrogated. Direct testing in the electrophysiology lab showed normal lead impedances and thresholds with an inability to reproduce the abnormal signals. Detailed cine fluoroscopy of the leads found no abnormalities. A new ICD was connected and successfully delivered a 20-joule shock but failed to deliver a maximum output (39-joule) shock. The new ICD was again found to be in backup mode. A new Endotak Reliance G lead (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA) was implanted and a maximum-output shock was successful using a new Fortify DR ICD. This case likely represents a Durata lead insulation defect in the form of an inside-out abrasion under the distal HV coil. Increased awareness of this defect is warranted, particularly since routine interrogation and submaximum-output shocks may fail to detect the problem.
The generated regressor correction: Impacts upon inferences in hypothesis testing☆

Abstract The recent attention to the role of expectations in economic theory has increased the use of empirical models in which a regressor is generated by an “auxiliary” equation specifying the expectations formation rule. Pagan (1984) shows that the widely used two-step ordinary least squares (OLS) procedures for estimating such models produce biased estimates of the covariance matrix of parameter estimates and may lead to erroneous conclusions in hypothesis tests. This research examines the impacts upon test conclusions of a generalized least squares (GLS) correction proposed by Hoffman (1987) . The evaluation is based upon an economic model representative of the one used in many of the existing studies utilizing generated regressors. Test conclusions from uncorrected OLS and corrected GLS procedures are compared for four specifications of the auxiliary equation. Results indicate that the impact of the correction procedure is substantial when the specification of the auxiliary equation is relatively simple.
Synthesis of 5-Substituted Ethyl Pyrrole-2-carboxylates

Abstract A new synthesis of 5-substituted ethyl pyrrole-2-carboxylates from ethyl N,N-dibenzylglycinate and β-ketoacetals is described.
Observations on the physico-chemical properties of isolated nuclei.

Abstract Beef hemoglobin, sucrose, and gum arabic readily pass through the nuclear envelope of the germinal vesicles of the frog oocyte isolated in different media. The implications of these and other observations on the physicochemical properties of isolated nuclei are discussed with reference to the studies on the chemical composition of isolated nuclei from adult tissues.
Diffusive Compression Acceleration of Energetic Particles with an Application to Shock Acceleration near Injection Energies

The behavior of energetic charged particles accelerated by a continuous plasma compression profile is explored in the framework of diffusion. At high enough energies, the accelerated particles have a power-law spectrum with a slope generally steeper than a shock spectrum with the same compression ratio. The spectral slope depends on the ratio of the diffusion coefficient to the product of the upstream plasma speed and the thickness of the compression region. In the limit of large diffusion, the spectrum becomes identical to that of diffusive shock acceleration, and when diffusion is small enough, it is consistent with adiabatic acceleration by a single passage through the compression region. For particles with a diffusion coefficient that increases with energy, the spectral shape of the accelerated particles changes from an adiabatic compressional acceleration spectrum at low energies to a shock spectrum at high energies. The flux level of the high-energy asymptotic shock spectrum is generally lower than that from a calculation with diffusive shock acceleration. When this result is applied to particles accelerated to high energies by shocks, the particle injection energy and efficiency can be determined once the energy dependence of the diffusion coefficient and the spectrum of the source particles are known. A threshold criterion for particle injection to shock acceleration can be set from the injection efficiency calculation.
Lattice defect/grain boundary interactions related to IASCC

Abstract Radiation-induced segregation (RIS) of major alloying elements to grain boundaries in austenitic stainless steels has emerged as a critical aspect of irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC). Discriminating interactions between individual solute species and vacancy and interstitial defects as they migrate to grain boundaries result in redistribution of solute. Measurements of grain boundary Ni enrichment and Cr depletion indicate that RIS of major alloying elements is in reasonable agreement with the inverse-Kirkendall mechanism. The discriminating interactions for inverse-Kirkendal segregation are the relative rates of solute diffusion by vacancy exchange. Mechanistically, the ternary composition path, defined by change in Cr relative to Ni, depends on relative diffusivities. The absolute change in the composition, that is, extent along the composition path, depends on the kinetics of vacancy formation and migration. The composition path approach is used to quantify diffusional characteristics at low temperatures. Lastly, model predictions suggest a significant influence of grain boundary defect characteristics in addition to matrix defect characteristics. These grain-boundary sensitive characteristics may influence IASCC.
The pragmatic dimension of creativity in the other tongue

: Authors of literature in new Englishes reach out to a multi-national audience through the conscious choice of English as their medium of presentation. New-English authors exhibit a range of nativization in their English. They present new elements and structures within a matrix of internationally ‘standard’ English, allowing the reader to accept the presentation in a more or less readable way. Texts may be seen as possessing the qualities of intelligibility, comprehensibility and interpretability. Passages such as “During this time Okonkwo's fame had grown like a bushfire in the harmattan” [Achebe, Things Fall Apart (1958: 7)] are marked for the non-African reader, but attractive in part because of that. Structures such as “you are a know-God man be” [Okara, The Voice (1964: 30)] are at an extreme of the cline of acceptability for most readers, and such texts raise the question of what the limits of ‘Englishness’ are. This study explores various pragmatic dimensions of creativity in selected contexts of English in the Outer Circle.
Reaction of evaporated Ti films with large-grained Al substrates

We have studied the reaction kinetics of titanium films on large-grained aluminium substrates during furnace annealing in vacuum for temperatures between 450–550°C. Oxygen was profiled by elastic resonance16O(α, α)16O backscattering. A TiAl3 aluminide layer always forms at the Ti/Al interface. In addition, a second TiAl3 layer grows at the free Ti surface when the contamination of the annealing ambient by oxygen-carrying species is reduced during annealing. Otherwise, the nucleation of the second compound layer is inhibited by an oxygen-rich surface layer of the Ti.
Total wrist arthroplasty: A preliminary report

Evaluation of 26 Meuli total wrist arthroplasties in 22 patients 7 to 17 months after operation revealed that 92 percent (24 wrists) were relieved of pain. Postoperative motion averaged 32° of dorsiflexion, 27° of palmar flexion, 2° of radial deviation, and 23° of ulnar deviation. Failure of the prosthetic design to place the center of rotation properly in the capitate resulted in a tendency toward flexion and ulnar deviation deformities. Reoperation was required in nine (35 percent) of the 26 wrists. After reoperation on these nine wrists, 77 percent (20 wrists) of the total group had good or excellent results, 11.5 percent (three wrists) fair, and 11.5 percent (three wrists) poor.
Giant Dipole Resonance Built on Highly Excited States of 120 Sn Nuclei Populated by Inelastic α Scattering

High energy {gamma} rays from the decay of the giant resonance in hot {sup 120}Sn nuclei were measured in the excitation energy range of 30{endash}130 MeV. The excited nuclei were populated by inelastic scattering of {alpha} particles at 40 and 50 MeV/nucleon. The resonance width was observed to increase monotonically with increasing excitation energy, from 5 MeV at the ground state to {approximately}12 MeV at the largest excitation energy. Inelastic scattering predominantly populates low angular momentum states, and the observed width increase is thus attributed to fluctuations in the nuclear shape induced by temperature. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Successful 20-hour storage of the canine liver by continuous hypothermic perfusion.

Summary Fifteen canine livers were stored by means of continuous hypothermic (10°C) perfusion using homologous serum as the perfusate. The organs were transplanted as allografts. Succinate and glucose were added as substrates and other additives included hydrocortisone, heparin, insulin, and Keflin. Flow rate was adjusted to give a portal vein pressure of 6 to 8 cm of H 2 O and hepatic artery pressure of 80 mm Hg. Of the initial seven attempts to store the liver for 20 hrs only one organ sustained life for 1 week and it exhibited severe damage. The remaining six died within 12 to 48 hrs from a hemorrhagic diathesis. Two of two organs were held successfully for 7 brs using an identical storage procedure; one of these animals survived 8.5 months. Storage conditions were then altered. The perfusate pH was adjusted to 7.0 (37°C) instead of 7.25 (37°C) which was used in the initial nine attempts. Also, substrate level was supplemented after 6 to 10 hrs of perfusion. The six animals receiving these latter organs after 20-hr storage were walking 2 to 4 hrs after surgery and they exhibited no bleeding. Four of the six organs were considered successfully stored for the 20-hr period. A reusable all-Silastic perfusion system was developed for the above studies. The perfusion circuit consists of a series of Silastic tubings and incorporates a simple reusable membrane oxygenator.
Etching of recoil tracks in solids

Abstract Low-energy (keV/atomic mass) ions in solids displace atoms, producing damage sites that are often described as tracks. Common natural sources of such tracks are recoiling residual nuclei from natural alpha-particle decay. Different models of such tracks are noted and compared with existing experimental results. First, the drastically lower rates of etching along such tracks in muscovite mica, compared to those for continuous ionization-produced tracks (such as result from fission), imply that recoil tracks are discontinuous, with clumped damage that is interrupted by gaps that either are undamaged, or lightly damaged. Second, based on the size of recoil-tracks and the numbers that bring about total disorder in crystals such as zircon, the tracks are diffuse regions–containing only about 2% of misplaced atoms. A simple model describes the profound effect of the gaps in recoil tracks on etching efficiency, removal of recoil nuclei by leaching, track revelation, and their vastly different etching behavior from that of high-energy tracks.
Cooperative R&D with product market competition

Abstract A simple model RJV is presented to examine the private and social incentives for cooperative R&D in the presence of product market competition. The key assumption to our analysis was that the spillover rate increases with cooperation in R&D and total industry profit decreases as the spillover rate increases due to intensified post-innovation competition. This leads to a negative impact of cooperative R&D, introducing a trade-off in the model. It is shown that private firms prefer a cooperative R&D to non-cooperative R&D competition when spillover rates are high and that the private incentive for cooperative R&D is less than the social incentive.
Skin Graft Rejection After Allogeneic Tooth Transplants in Mice

Three strain combinations of in-bred mice representing strong and moderate histocompatibility barriers were used to determine if tooth allotransplants evoked strong or weak immunologic memory as measured by the second-set donor-strain skin graft technique. At issue was whether the anatomic site of engraftment could influence the outcome of these experiments. Recipients received either 5-mmdiameter skin grafts or one or four adult teeth. Experimental transplants were placed in subcutaneous pouches or in ear pouches. Control mice received only orthotopic skin grafts. Second-set orthotopic skin grafts were placed either one mo, six mo, or 11 mo after primary transplants. Skin grafts were observed daily until rejection occurred. We found that skin provoked strong memory in subcutaneous tissues, but that teeth generated very weak memory in subcutaneous tissues. Conversely, teeth placed in ear pouches were able to generate strong immunologic memory. This occurred whether donor and recipient shared H-2 allo-anti...
A programming system for analytical series expansions on a computer

A programming system is described for the manipulation of Poisson series on a computer. The general structure is described together with the most important individual subroutines. The system exists in two versions, one with 3 angular and 3 polynomial variables and the other with twice as many variables. The programming has been done first in FORTRAN IV, but the most crucial subroutines have been rewritten in machine language for more efficiency. The storage mechanism is such that obsolete series can be erased from the main memory in order to make room for new series to be created.
Trimming advanced fighters for STOL approaches

Recent low-speed wind-tunnel tests of two powered advanced fighter configurations with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability provided the opportunity to examine two different methods of generating the nose-up pitching moments required to maintain longitudinal trim during approach conditions. The pitching moments were generated by a small direct-lift nose jet on a supersonic cruise configuration and by a blown high-lift canard on an advanced multirole fighter configuration. Results of these investigations indicate that at nominal approach conditions (i.e., military power, main nozzle deflections about 40 deg and angle of attack about 15-16 deg) the nose jet and the blown high-lift canard provide sufficient nose-up pitching moment to allow the respective configurations to be trimmed. Neither configuration, could be trimmed at approach conditions without these devices.
Sphagna of the 1979 Projeto Flora Amazônica expedition

Within the great expanse of the Brazilian Amazon Basin,Sphagnum has been greatly overlooked, in part because of its scarcity and in part because of the paucity of trained bryological collectors in the area. During a Projeto Flora Amazonica expedition in 1979, seven specimens ofSphagnum were collected, representing six species, five of which are newly described:S. amazonicum, S. dimorphophyllum, andS. subsecundoides in sectionSphagnum;S. curicuriariense andS. ripense in sect.Subsecunda. Also discussed areS. negrense Mitt. andS. sanguinale Warnst.
Function of the homeodomain protein GHF1 in pituitary cell proliferation

Mutations that cause pituitary dwarfism in the mouse reside in the gene encoding the transcription factor growth hormone factor 1 (GHF1 or pit1). These dwarf mice (dw and dwJ) are deficient in growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) synthesis and exhibit pituitary hypoplasia, suggesting a stem cell defect. With antisense oligonucleotide technology, a cell culture model of this genetic defect was developed. Specific inhibition of GHF1 synthesis by complementary oligonucleotides led to a marked decrease in GH and PRL expression and to a marked decrease in proliferation of somatotrophic cell lines. These results provide direct evidence that the homeodomain protein GHF1 is required not only for the establishment and maintenance of the differentiated phenotype but for cell proliferation as well.
Public Perceptions of the Midwest’s Pavements: Policies and Tradeoffs in Pavement Improvement

This paper discusses findings from a tri-state pooled-fund research project that sought input from the driving public for improving state department of transportation (DOT) pavement policy and planning efforts. The three-phase study (focus groups, statewide surveys and targeted surveys) was started in 1999. The Phase II responses from statewide surveys in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin address perceptions of the state DOTs, pavement repair tradeoffs and pavement evaluation. The results disclose specific public perceptions of priorities for spending limited highway funds. The project specifically demonstrated that drivers strongly believe that the states can and should build longer lasting pavements and that the drivers would be willing to pay for such improvements. A majority of the surveyed drivers felt that the state DOT was capable of doing a good job in pavement repair, and that they trusted DOT judgment on pavement improvement. Most did not perceive that the state DOT considered driver input when they made decisions about pavement improvements. The implications of these and other findings on policy, planning and marketing efforts are discussed.
Estimating the s-t Reliability Function Using Importance and Stratified Sampling

This paper considers an undirected network G with a node set V and an arc set E = {1, ', n}. The nodes are perfect, but the arcs fail randomly and independently with known probabilities 1-p1, ', 1-pn. The system reliability gp is defined as the probability that two nodes, s and t ∈ V, are connected where p = p1, p2, p1 = p1, ', pn' and p2 = pn'+1, ', pn. This paper describes a highly efficient Monte Carlo sampling plan for estimating the sensitivity of gp as the component reliabilities in p1 vary over a set of values P in the n'-dimensional unit hypercube. Sensitivity analysis becomes an important consideration when contemplating component replacement and alternative system designs, and when accounting for the effect of using sample estimates, based on historical failure data, for the true component reliabilities. The sampling plan is a major advance over most other Monte Carlo proposals which only estimate gp at a single point p. The method combines importance and stratified sampling techniques to gain its advantage. In addition to unbiased point estimates, the paper derives individual confidence intervals as well as simultaneous confidence intervals for all the points. It also describes the steps for implementation and illustrates how the plan works in practice.
Lightning protection of 1000 kV AC power transmission lines and substations

First of all, in combination with characteristics of the lightning performance of UHV power transmission lines and on the basis of the analysis of experiences and lessons concerning excessively high lightning trip-out rate on 1000 kV transmission lines in Japan and the former Soviet Union, authors of this paper put forward that one of the critical points in the key technical research on 1000kV transmission lines in China should be the reduction of lightning fault rate, and definitely present the prevention of shielding failure flashover as the main orientation in the research on lightning protection. The paper presents that the reduction of ground wire shield angle and distance of the gap with an appropriate length is an important measure for reducing shielding failure trip-out rate of 1000kV transmission lines. Therefore, it is particularly necessary to pay attention to the shielding failure flashover of the lines in mountainous areas with bigger inclination of ground along the lines. In this paper, authors introduce the ground wire shield angles used for UHV transmission lines in plain and mountainous areas in China as well as the operation situation of UHV transmission lines in China in recent two and a half years. Lightning trip-out faults have never occurred up to the present time in China's UHV transmission lines, thus preliminarily showing a good lightning performance. The authors also introduce the method and principle used for calculating lightning inrush overvoltage to UHV substations in China and put forward that the concurrent adoption of measures of both reducing the maximum lightning current of shielding failure at the incoming line section and optimizing the arrangement of lightning arresters to restrict the lightning inrush overvoltage to substations, thus either meeting the demand of restricting overvoltage and reducing the quantity of MOAs used.
Percentiles of the product of uncertainty factors for establishing probabilistic reference doses.

Exposure guidelines for potentially toxic substances are often based on a reference dose (RfD) that is determined by dividing a no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL), lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level (LOAEL), or benchmark dose (BD) corresponding to a low level of risk, by a product of uncertainty factors. The uncertainty factors for animal to human extrapolation, variable sensitivities among humans, extrapolation from measured subchronic effects to unknown results for chronic exposures, and extrapolation from a LOAEL to a NOAEL can be thought of as random variables that vary from chemical to chemical. Selected databases are examined that provide distributions across chemicals of inter- and intraspecies effects, ratios of LOAELs to NOAELs, and differences in acute and chronic effects, to illustrate the determination of percentiles for uncertainty factors. The distributions of uncertainty factors tend to be approximately lognormally distributed. The logarithm of the product of independent uncertainty factors is approximately distributed as the sum of normally distributed variables, making it possible to estimate percentiles for the product. Hence, the size of the products of uncertainty factors can be selected to provide adequate safety for a large percentage (e.g., approximately 95%) of RfDs. For the databases used to describe the distributions of uncertainty factors, using values of 10 appear to be reasonable and conservative. For the databases examined the following simple "Rule of 3s" is suggested that exceeds the estimated 95th percentile of the product of uncertainty factors: If only a single uncertainty factor is required use 33, for any two uncertainty factors use 3 x 33 approximately 100, for any three uncertainty factors use a combined factor of 3 x 100 = 300, and if all four uncertainty factors are needed use a total factor of 3 x 300 = 900. If near the 99th percentile is desired use another factor of 3. An additional factor may be needed for inadequate data or a modifying factor for other uncertainties (e.g., different routes of exposure) not covered above.
Smooth approximation of singular perturbations

Abstract We consider a certain subclass of self-adjoint extensions of the symmetric operator −Δ|C 0 ∞ R −{S} , where S⊂ R , that correspond formally to perturbations of the Laplacian by potentials involving the δ-potential. We show that these extensions can be approximated in the strong resolvent sense by smooth perturbations of the Laplacian when S is both a finite and infinite subset of R . Also, we show that the operator in the finitely-many potential case approaches the operator in the infinitely-many potential case as the number of potentials approaches infinity. These results extend and unify what has previously been known about smooth approximations of point interactions in one dimension.
Capacity for Self-Control and Individuals' Interest in Exercising Self-Control

We identify and elaborate a conceptual distinction between capability for self-control and the desire to exercise it, and employ data from a city survey to explore the empirical viability of such a differentiation. Separate scales measuring ability and desire to exercise self-control both prove to be significant and moderately strong predictors of several measures of criminal/deviant behavior, showing independent, cumulative, and interactive relationships with each other. For some measures of crime/deviance, self-control capability is most effective when the individual's interest in exercising self-control is low but its effect is greatly reduced or eliminated when desire to exercise self-control desire is high. Combinations of capability for self-control and interest in exercising it prove to be particularly good predictors of the absolute level of misbehavior.
An Empirical Examination of the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Profitability

Although there has been considerable research into the relationship between corporate social responsibility and profitability, it has frequently reflected either an ideological bias or limited meth...
A note on james-stein and bayes empiricl bayes estimators

In an empirical Bayes decision problem, a simple class of estimators is constructed that dominate the James-Stein estimator, A prior distribution A is placed on a restricted (normal) class G of priors to produce a Bayes empirical Bayes estimator, The Bayes empirical Bayes estimator is smooth, admissible, and asymptotically optimal. For certain A rate of convergence to minimum Bayes risk is 0(n-1)uniformly on G. The results of a Monte Carlo study are presented to demonstrate the favorable risk bebhavior of the Bayes estimator In comparison with other competitors including the James-Stein estimator.
International Union v. Johnson Controls: Resolving the dilemma between fetal protection policies and equal employment opportunities

This article examines the implications that theJohnson Controls decision is likely to have for organizational policies governing fetal protection in the workplace. A brief history of the evolution of legal theory regarding fetal protection policies and Title VII is provided. Particular attention is devoted to examining the appropriate analytical framework for such policies, the changing requirements for the employer's burden of proof, and the likely consequences of applying disparate treatment theory of discrimination over disparate impact theory in analyzing the facts of such cases. Additionally, this article raises some of the social issues that will result from the employer's responsibility to protect the unborn children of its employees and the rights of those employees to equal employment opportunities.
Tolstoy's Integration Metaphor from War and Peace

(2005). Tolstoy's Integration Metaphor from War and Peace. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 112, No. 7, pp. 631-638.
Structural and Functional Changes in Proteins Induced by Free Radical-mediated Oxidative Stress and Protective Action of the Antioxidants N-tert-Butyl-α-phenylnitrone and Vitamin Ea

The free radical theory of aging proposes that reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative damage over the lifetime of the subject. It is the cumulative and potentially increasing amount of accumulated damage that accounts for the dysfunctions and pathologies seen in normal aging. We have previously demonstrated that both normal rodent brain aging and normal human brain aging are associated with an increase in oxidative modification of proteins and in changes in plasma membrane lipids. Several lines of investigation indicate that one of the likely sources of ROS is the mitochondria. There is an increase in oxidative damage to the mitochondrial genome in aging and a decreased expression of mitochondrial mRNA in aging. We have used a multidisciplinary approach to the characterization of the changes that occur in aging and in the modeling of brain aging, both in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of rodents to acute normobaric hyperoxia for up to 24 h results in oxidative modifications in cytosolic proteins and loss of activity for the oxidation-sensitive enzymes glutamine synthetase and creatine kinase. Cytoskeletal protein spin labeling also reveals synaptosomal membrane protein oxidation following hyperoxia. These changes are similar to the changes seen in senescent brains, compared to young adult controls. The antioxidant spin-trapping compound N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) was effective in preventing all of these changes. In a related study, we characterized the changes in brain protein spin labeling and cytosolic enzyme activity in a series of phenotypically selected senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP), compared to a resistant line (SAMR1) that was derived from the same original parents. In general, the SAM mice demonstrated greater oxidative changes in brain proteins. In a sequel study, a group of mice from the SAMP8-sensitive line were compared to the SAMR1-resistant mice following 14 days of daily PBN treatment at a dose of 30 mg/kg. PBN treatment resulted in an improvement in the cytoskeletal protein labeling toward that of the normal control line (SAMR1). The results of these and related studies indicate that the changes in brain function seen in several different studies may be related to the progressive oxidation of critical brain proteins and lipids. These components may be critical targets for the beneficial effects of gerontotherapeutics both in normal aging and in disease of aging.
Image-based biomimetic modeling and its application in computer-aided tissue engineering

High resolution SEM, light microscopy, and non-invasive CT/MRI imaging can produce 3D views of anatomy and generate computational tissue models for many biomedical and tissue engineering applications. Recently, the integration of image processing with computer-aided design (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM), and solid freeform fabrication technology has achieved a remarkable advance in the field of computer-aided tissue engineering (CATE). This paper presents an overview of CATE, including its application in computer-aided tissue modeling, computer-aided tissue informatics, and computer-aided tissue scaffold design and manufacturing. An image-based 3D reconstruction approach, along with a discussion of various enabling reverse engineering techniques for structural representation and CAD based modeling of tissue anatomy will be introduced. An example of biomimetic modeling and design of 3D heterogeneous bony tissue structures under anatomical, biological, and mechanical constraints will also be presented.
Circulating cellular and humoral elements of immune function following splenic arterial embolisation or splenectomy in trauma patients.

Abstract Background Splenectomy impairs the ability to combat infection, especially with encapsulated organisms. However, there is limited understanding of the impact of splenic arterial embolisation on immune function. Our hypothesis was that embolisation would not impair systemic immune function. This study examines elements of cellular and humoral immunity in patients undergoing splenic embolisation or splenectomy for trauma. Patients and methods Splenic embolisation (SE) and splenectomy patients (S) were compared to blunt trauma patients without splenic injury (NS). Lymphocyte counts, natural-killer cells, serum complement (C3, C4), and properdin levels were assayed. Results No significant differences in total, helper, or suppressor T-lymphocytes, complement (C3, C4), or properdin were found. B-lymphocyte counts were higher in S (602 ± 445 cells/mm3) than SE (238 ± 114 cells/mm3) or NS (293 ± 153 cells/mm3) (p = .003 for pairwise comparisons). S also had more natural killer T-cells than NS (325 ± 170 cells/mm3 vs. 174 ± 116 cells/mm3, p = .004). Conclusion Splenic embolisation does not alter the measured immunologic parameters. The absence of sensitive markers for splenic immune function limits the ability to assess the impact of embolisation for trauma.
Organization of the 5S RNA genes in macro- and micronuclei of Tetrahymena pyriformis.

The organization of the 5S genes in macro- and micronuclei of Tetrahymena pyriformis was studied using restriction endonucleases. After complete digestion of macronuclear DNA with BamH-I or Hpa I, 5S RNA hybridized to a DNA fragment of approximately 280 base pairs (bp). When macronuclear DNA was only partially digested with these enzymes, hybridization with 32P-5S RNA demonstrated an oligomeric series with a spacing of 280 bp. These results indicate that the 5S genes are tandemly repeated in macronuclei and that the repeating unit is 280 bp (or 180,000 daltons). Since 5S RNA is 120 nucleotides, we conclude that the 5S repeat units contain a 120 bp transcribed region and a 160 bp spacer region. When macronuclear DNA was digested with Eco RI, Bgl I, or Eco RI + Bgl I, 5S RNA hybridized to DNA of molecular weight 3–4×106, suggesting that these enzymes do not cleave within a 5S repeat. These 3–4×106 dalton fragments define the maximum size of an average cluster of 5S repeated units. Assuming the size of the 5S repeat to be 0.18×106 daltons, there are about 15–20 5S repeats per average tandem cluster, and since there are 350 5S-genes per haploid genome, there must be approximately 15–20 tandem arrays. Results obtained using micronuclear DNA suggest that organization of the 5S-genes is very similar in macro- and micronuclei. Macronuclear rRNA genes are extracnromosomal palindromic dimers. In contrast, 5S genes in Tetrahymena were found to be integrated within the genomes of both macro- and micronuclei and not linked to the rRNA genes. Moreover, it is unlikely that they are palindromes; rather they appear to be tandemly repeated in “head-to-tail” linkages. Thus, the organization of the 5S genes in Tetrahymena is similar to that of higher eukaryotes.
Increased mass transfer to microorganisms with fluid motion

The effect of fluid flow and laminar shear on bacterial uptake was examined under conditions representative of the fluid environment of unattached and attached cells in wastewater treatment bioreactors. Laminar shear rates below 50 s−1 did not increase leucine uptake by suspended cultures of Zoogloea ramigera. However, leucine uptake by cells fixed in a flow field of ∼ 1 mm s−1 was 55–65% greater than uptake by suspended cells. Enhanced microbial uptake with advective motion is consistent with mass transfer rates calculated using Sherwood number correlations. Advective flow increases microbial uptake by increasing collisions between substrate molecules and cells through compression of the concentration boundary layer surrounding a cell. The rate of leucine uptake suggests that binding proteins used to transport leucine into the cell can occupy approximately 1% of the cell surface area.
Characteristics of In 0.17 Al 0.83 N/AlN/GaN MOSHEMTs with steeper than 60 mV/decade sub-threshold slopes in the deep sub-threshold region

Realization of steep sub-threshold slope (SS) transistors requires exploiting carrier transport mechanisms such as tunneling [1], and also alternative gate barrier materials (i.e. ferroelectric materials) with internal voltage gain [2]. Theoretical studies on piezoelectric barriers indicate that it is possible to achieve internal voltage amplification and steep SS in GaN MOSHEMTs by utilizing electrostriction in conjunction with piezoelectricity in AlN and InAlN [3] [4]. Less than 60 mV/decade SS was experimentally observed in GaN MOSHEMTs with InAlN barriers, in which the steep transition was tentatively correlated with the inhomogeneous distribution of polarization in the barrier [5]. However, steep SS were only observed at drain current (I d ) near nA/mm regimes, which leads to difficulties in interpretation of experiment data. Understanding of the mechanism of the steep SS in these devices is still unclear and needs more characterization and modeling. In this work we demonstrate InAlN/AlN/GaN MOSHEMTs with less than 60 mV/decade SS in deep sub-threshold regions (1E-8 A/mm and below) at room temperature (RT). Drain voltage and temperature dependent characteristics are provided with analysis for advancing our understanding of this phenomenon.