cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reply to Healy et al.: Value of ex ante predictions and independent tests for assessing false-positive results

In our study (1), we conclude that a published result that college football games influence elections (2) is most likely a false-positive. In a letter to the editor (3), Healy et al., the authors of the original study (2), raise several objections. Healy et al.’s letter (3) suggests that they have partly misread our paper (1) as a criticism of their research design. We grant that their research design and identifying assumptions are sound but worry that their result is a chance false-positive, which can arise even with a perfect research design. We test several additional, independent hypotheses that should hold if college football games do indeed influence elections. We find no support for any of these independent hypotheses, leading us to conclude that the original result is most likely a false-positive.
Quantification of F2-isoprostanes by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry as a measure of oxidant stress.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in a wide variety of disease processes. One method to quantify oxidative injury is to measure lipid peroxidation. Most methods to do this are fraught with problems particularly when utilized to assess oxidative stress in vivo. On the other hand, quantification of a group of prostaglandin F2-like compounds, termed the F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) provides an accurate assessment of oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo and has come to be regarded as the gold standard to quantify lipid peroxidation. This unit describes methods to assess lipid peroxidation associated with oxidant injury in vivo by quantifying concentrations of either esterified or free F2-IsoPs in biological fluids and tissues. The techniques employed for the analysis of these compounds from biological sources that are detailed herein utilize mass spectrometric approaches. Measurement of F2-IsoPs represents an important advance in the ability to assess the role of oxidative stress in human disease. Keywords: isoprostane; oxidative stress; lipid peroxidation; eicosanoid
THE EARLIEST CHRISTIAN WAR: Second‐ and Third‐Century Martyrdom and the Creation of Cosmic Warriors

Many Christian historians and theologians hold the opinion that the early church condemned wholesale an active involvement in bloodshed. However, in light of evidence drawn from early Christian texts, most notably literature dealing with martyrdom, one finds that stance overly simplified. In fact, forms of early Christianity not only glorified war and violence in certain contexts but actively sought it out. This article enters into this conversation by applying a theory championed by Mark Juergensmeyer's Terror in the Mind of God. While this theory deals with modern examples of religious cultures of violence, his “stages of symbolic empowerment” apply surprisingly well to certain communities within the early orthodox church. The cosmic war complex that leads to nefarious figures such as the fanatic suicide bomber can be seen at work within the nascent matrix of the Church, which produced victims and warriors in the form of the voluntary martyrs.
A low-latency programming interface and a prototype switch for scalable high-performance distributed computing

This paper discusses the architecture and performance of a prototype switch for interconnecting IBM RISC System/6000 workstations. The paper describes the interconnection architecture and performance on a cluster of four IBM RISC System 6000 model 340 workstations. It also describes the driver level software interface to the switch and the features incorporated to minimize communication overhead. The performance measurements cover communication latency and bandwidth. In addition, performance measurements of Express, a popular parallel-programming interface, are provided. >
Failure of Excess Dietary Lysine to Antagonize Arginine in Young Pigs

Experiments were conducted with young pigs to evaluate the effects of excess lysine when added to diets marginal in arginine. The basal diet was formulated to contain 1.15% lysine and 0.53% arginine. Lysine levels above this were achieved by incremental additions of L-lysine.HCl (experiment 1) or L-lysine acetate (experiment 2). Neither weight gain nor gain-feed ratio was lowered in pigs fed twice the recommended level of lysine (i.e., 2.30%). Lysine levels three or four times the basal level, however, lowered both weight gain and feed intake with no commensurate reduction in feed efficiency. Therefore, lysine appeared to reduce growth via amino acid imbalance rather than antagonism. In pigs equally fed isonitrogenous diets, urea N excretion in the urine was lower in those fed 3.45% supplemental lysine (4.6% total lysine) than in those fed the basal diet. This was offset by a dramatic elevation in urinary excretion of basic amino acids. Urinary excretion of lysine accounted for 26.2% of the lysine consumed by pigs fed 3.45% supplemental lysine. Free lysine levels as well as alpha-aminoadipic acid levels were markedly higher in plasma, liver, kidney and muscle of pigs fed excess lysine than in those fed the basal diet. Tissue levels of arginase and ornithine transcarbamoylase were uninfluenced by the level of lysine ingested.
THE ELECTROLYTIC DEPOSITION OF CARBON FROM FUSED CARBONATES.

Abstract : The cathodic deposition of carbon from fused carbonates is reported. The yield is quantitative under favorable conditions (600 C, Ar atmosphere) but diminishes in the presence of CO2 and with rise in temperature. If the melt does not contain Li(+) ions, alkali metal is the only cathodic product. The distinctive feature of the electrolytic carbon is an enhanced electrochemical activity; thus the rest potential is 0.8V negative with respect to commercial carbons. A thermodynamic treatment correlates this activity with the occlusion of oxide ions in the highly porous carbon deposit. The marked solvent effect is shown to arise in the same way. (Author)
Expression of cytochrome P-45017α, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5 → 4-isomerase, and steroid 5α-reductase in rat H540 Leydig tumor cells

The rat H540 Leydig tumor cell is established as a model for acute lutropin action on the initial step of steroidogenesis, namely the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone. Herein, we demonstrate that H540 cells express high levels of three steroid-metabolizing enzymes which are involved in the further processing of pregnenolone in the endoplasmic reticulum of the steroidogenic cell. In particular, in addition to expressing 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-450(17) alpha) and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5----4-isomerase (3 beta-HSD), H540 cells also showed high levels of steroid 5 alpha-reductase mRNA and activity. The H540 cells therefore exhibit similarity to Leydig cells from sexually immature animals which also demonstrate high 5 alpha-reductase activity. Thus, after 3 beta-HSD-catalyzed formation from pregnenolone, progesterone was efficiently converted to 5 alpha-pregnan-3,20-dione (5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone) and subsequent metabolism to the corresponding 17 alpha-hydroxylated derivative and 5 alpha-androstan-3,17-dione in a reaction catalyzed by P-450(17) alpha. H540 cells have apparently very low 17-ketosteroid reductase activity and, therefore, a principal end-product of the steroidogenic pathway in these cells was 5 alpha-androstan-3,17-dione. H540 cells maintained in primary culture under serum-free conditions accumulated demonstrable levels of mRNA species for P-540 17 alpha (1.7 kb), 3 beta-HSD (1.6 kb) and 5 alpha-reductase (2.7 kb). This finding suggests that the H540 tumor cell model will not only be of utility in the study of acute lutropin action but also in the elucidation of mechanisms involved in the regulation of expression of various families of microsomal steroid-metabolizing enzymes.
A class of tests for exponentiality against decreasing mean residual life alternatives

A class of tests is proposed for testing Exponentiality against the Decreasing Mean Residual Life (DMRL) class of non-exponential probability distributions. These tests are consistent and asymptotically unbiased against all continuous DMRL alternatives. They are U - statistics and hence asymptotically normally distributed. The asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) with respect to other tests for DMRL are quite high. Small sample powers are also comparable with small sample powers of the competitors.
High-Pulsed-Power (49W) Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser with Five Quantum Wells by Uniform Current Injection into Large Emitting Area

We report on the high-power lasing characteristics of a large area bottom-emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). There have been difficulties in uniform current injection for large area VCSELs, which are caused by the band discontinuity at the interface between AlAs and GaAs of the n-type Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR). We have reported the n-type DBR using a graded composition interface of 20nm thick suppresses the crowding of current to the edge of emitting area and improves external efficiency [1]. The highest peak pulsed power of over 49W was achieved by a five-quantum-well VCSEL with a current aperture diameter of 200µm.
Is dysplasia visible during surveillance colonoscopy in patients with ulcerative colitis

Objective. Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. It was widely believed that dysplastic lesions are invisible on colonoscopy and can only be detected by random biopsies, as 95% of dysplastic lesions occur in flat colonic mucosa indistinct from surrounding tissue. The aim of this study was to determine whether dysplasia is visible during routine surveillance colonoscopy by evaluating only patients who had dysplasia without overt carcinoma. Material and methods. The medical records, endoscopy and pathology databases were systematically reviewed between 1997 and 2004 at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and dysplasia were identified and their medical charts reviewed. Results. Of the 113 patients with colonic dysplasia confirmed by pathology at our center, 102 (90%) had UC. Forty-nine of the 102 (48%) patients with UC underwent colonoscopic evaluation prior to dysplasia detection. This group was select...
The cAMP pathway and pain: potential targets for drug development

Activation of the cAMP pathway in the central nervous system produces hyperalgesia and inhibition of this pathway reduces hyperalgesia in inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and neuropathic pain models. There are increases in phosphorylation of the transcription factor, CREB, which might initiate gene transcription of “pain genes”. There are also increases in the phosphorylation of glutamate receptor subunit proteins that probably increase insertion of receptors into the membrane and increase channel conductance.
Flapping and flexible wings for biological and micro air vehicles

Abstract Micro air vehicles (MAVs) with wing spans of 15 cm or less, and flight speed of 30–60 kph are of interest for military and civilian applications. There are two prominent features of MAV flight: (i) low Reynolds number (10 4 –10 5 ), resulting in unfavorable aerodynamic conditions to support controlled flight, and (ii) small physical dimensions, resulting in certain favorable scaling characteristics including structural strength, reduced stall speed, and low inertia. Based on observations of biological flight vehicles, it appears that wing motion and flexible airfoils are two key attributes for flight at low Reynolds number. The small size of MAVs corresponds in nature to small birds, which do not glide like large birds, but instead flap with considerable change of wing shape during a single flapping cycle. With flapping and flexible wings, birds overcome the deteriorating aerodynamic performance under steady flow conditions by employing unsteady mechanisms. In this article, we review both biological and aeronautical literatures to present salient features relevant to MAVs. We first summarize scaling laws of biological and micro air vehicles involving wing span, wing loading, vehicle mass, cruising speed, flapping frequency, and power. Next we discuss kinematics of flapping wings and aerodynamic models for analyzing lift, drag and power. Then we present issues related to low Reynolds number flows and airfoil shape selection. Recent work on flexible structures capable of adjusting the airfoil shape in response to freestream variations is also discussed.
A synthesis of (±)myo-inositol 1-phosphate

Abstract An uncomplicated synthesis of (±)- myo -inositol 1-phosphate ( 7 ) is described. Phosphorylation of (±)-3,4,5,6-tetra- O -benzyl- myo -inositol ( 2 ) with phosphorus oxychloride gave the corresponding 1- and 2- phosphates, isolated as a mixture of their bis(cyclohexylamine) salts. Fractional crystallization of the regenerated free phosphates gave (±)-3,4,5,6-tetra- O -benzyl- myo -inositol 1-phosphate ( 5 ), which afforded (±)- myo -inositol 1-phosphate ( 7 ) after removal of the benzyl groups by catalytic hydrogenolysis.
Structure of Preschool Phonological Sensitivity: Overlapping Sensitivity to Rhyme, Words, Syllables, and Phonemes☆

Phonological sensitivity is an important causal variable in reading acquisition; however, there is controversy concerning its nature. One view holds that sensitivity to various linguistic units reflects independent abilities, whereas another holds sensitivity to these units reflects one ability. We examined relations among sensitivity to words, syllables, rhymes, and phonemes in 149 older preschool children (4- and 5-year-olds) and 109 younger preschool children (2- and 3-year-olds) who completed eight measures of phonological sensitivity and measures of print knowledge. Confirmatory factor analyses of all combinations of word, syllable, rhyme, and phoneme factors found that a one-factor model best explained the data from both groups of children (CFIs >.98). Only variance common to all phonological sensitivity skills was related to print knowledge and rudimentary decoding. Findings support a developmental conceptualization of phonological sensitivity.
Diffusion of Zr, Ru, Ce, Y, La, Sr and Ba fission products in UO 2

Abstract The diffusivity of the solid fission products (FP) Zr (Zr4+), Ru (Ru4+, Ru3+), Ce (Ce4+), Y (Y3+), La (La3+), Sr (Sr2+) and Ba (Ba2+) by a vacancy mechanism has been calculated, using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and empirical potential (EP) calculations. The activation energies for the solid fission products are compared to the activation energy for Xe fission gas atoms calculated previously. Apart from Ru, the solid fission products all exhibit higher activation energy than Xe. For all solid FPs except Y3+, the migration of the FP has lower barrier than the migration of a neighboring U atom, making the latter the rate limiting step for direct migration. An indirect mechanism, consisting of two successive migrations around the FP, is also investigated. The calculated diffusivities show that most solid fission products diffuse with rates similar to U self-diffusion. However, Ru, Ba and Sr exhibit faster diffusion than the other solid FPs, with Ru3+ and Ru4+ diffusing even faster than Xe for T
Design of a Social Mobile Robot Using Emotion-Based Decision Mechanisms

In this paper, we describe a robot that interacts with humans in a crowded conference environment. The robot detects faces, determines the shirt color of onlooking conference attendants, and reacts with a combination of speech, musical, and movement responses. It continuously updates an internal emotional state, modeled realistically after human psychology research. Using empirically-determined mapping functions, the robot's state in the emotion space is translated to a particular set of sound and movement responses. We successfully demonstrate this system at the AAAI '05 Open Interaction Event, showing the potential for emotional modeling to improve human-robot interaction.
Organization of tectospinal neurons in the cat and rat superior colliculus

Abstract Neurons in the superior colliculus which send axons to the spinal cord wereidentified by the retrograde axonal transport method. Injections of the retrograde axonal tracer, horseradish peroxidase, made into different levels of the cervical spinal cord indicate that the spinally projecting neurons in the superior colliculus are topographically organized. Tectospinal neurons projecting to the rostral segments of the cervical spinal cord are found over a larger extent of the contralateral superior colliculus than those terminating in the cervical enlargement. The tectospinal projection to the cervical enlargement in both rats and cats arises almost exclusively from the caudolateral quadrant of the contralateral superior colliculus, whereas the tectal projection to the rostral (upper) cervical spinal cord originates, in cats, from almost the entire extent of the colliculus and, in rats, from its greater part. No evidence for tectospinal projections to the thoracic or lumbar levels of the spinal cord was found. In the context of the hypothesis that, in these species, head and body movements which orient the animal toward stimuli in its environment may be mediated by the superior colliculus, these data are consistent with the view that direct tectospinal connections may play a role in such movements.
Microparticle surface modifications targeting dendritic cells for non-activating applications

Microparticulate systems for delivery of therapeutics to DCs for immunotherapy have gained attention recently. However, reports addressing the optimization of DC-targeting microparticle delivery systems are limited, particularly for cases where the goal is to deliver payload to DCs in a non-activating fashion. Here, we investigate targeting DCs using poly (d lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles (MPs) in a non-stimulatory manner and assess efficacy in vitro and in vivo. We modified MPs by surface immobilizing DC receptor targeting molecules - antibodies (anti-CD11c, anti-DEC-205) or peptides (P-D2, RGD), where anti-CD11c antibody, P-D2 and RGD peptides target integrins and anti-DEC-205 antibody targets the c-type lectin receptor DEC-205. Our results demonstrate the modified MPs are neither toxic nor activating, and DC uptake of MPs in vitro is improved by the anti-DEC-205 antibody, the anti-CD11c antibody and the P-D2 peptide modifications. The P-D2 peptide MP modification significantly improved DC antigen presentation in vitro both at immediate and delayed time points. Notably, MP functionalization with P-D2 peptide and anti-CD11c antibody increased the rate and extent of MP translocation in vivo by DCs and MΦs, with the P-D2 peptide modified MPs demonstrating the highest translocation. This work informs the design of non-activating polymeric microparticulate applications such as vaccines for autoimmune diseases.
Temperature-assisted on-column solute focusing: a general method to reduce pre-column dispersion in capillary high performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract Solvent-based on-column focusing is a powerful and well known approach for reducing the impact of pre-column dispersion in liquid chromatography. Here we describe an orthogonal temperature-based approach to focusing called temperature-assisted on-column solute focusing (TASF). TASF is founded on the same principles as the more commonly used solvent-based method wherein transient conditions are created that lead to high solute retention at the column inlet. Combining the low thermal mass of capillary columns and the temperature dependence of solute retention TASF is used effectively to compress injection bands at the head of the column through the transient reduction in column temperature to 5 °C for a defined 7 mm segment of a 6 cm long 150 μm I.D. column. Following the 30 s focusing time, the column temperature is increased rapidly to the separation temperature of 60 °C releasing the focused band of analytes. We developed a model to simulate TASF separations based on solute retention enthalpies, focusing temperature, focusing time, and column parameters. This model guides the systematic study of the influence of sample injection volume on column performance. All samples have solvent compositions matching the mobile phase. Over the 45–1050 nL injection volume range evaluated, TASF reduces the peak width for all solutes with k ′ greater than or equal to 2.5, relative to controls. Peak widths resulting from injection volumes up to 1.3 times the column fluid volume with TASF are less than 5% larger than peak widths from a 45 nL injection without TASF (0.07 times the column liquid volume). The TASF approach reduced concentration detection limits by a factor of 12.5 relative to a small volume injection for low concentration samples. TASF is orthogonal to the solvent focusing method. Thus, it can be used where on-column focusing is required, but where implementation of solvent-based focusing is difficult.
Lessons from Bayh–Dole

Developing countries wanting to boost commercialization of their academic research should learn from the mistakes of US patenting legislation, says Bhaven N. Sampat.
Clinical outcomes in hybrid repair procedures for pathologies involving the aortic arch.

ObjectiveFifty patients with complex aortic disease, who received hybrid treatment of the aortic arch with supra-aortic debranching and endovascular stent-graft repair, were evaluated in regard to events of primary (survival and technical success) and secondary (procedure-related complications) interest.MethodsThe single-center study was conducted over an eight-year period from December 2004 to December 2012. Treated medical conditions included 23 aortic aneurysms (46%), 21 aortic dissections (42%), and six penetrating aortic ulcers (12%). Procedures were divided into groups of elective, urgent, and emergent.ResultsTwenty-eight (56%) patients were operated electively, 15 (30%) urgently, and seven (14%) emergently. Sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest were required in 12 (24%) patients. The primary technical success rate was 86% and raised to 92% (n = 46) of secondary technical success rate after therapy of three type I endoleaks. The 30-day mortality added up to 16.0...
THE CONTROL CHART FOR INDIVIDUAL OBSERVATIONS FROM A MULTIVARIATE NON-NORMAL DISTRIBUTION

The Hotelling's T2statistic has been used in constructing a multivariate control chart for individual observations. In Phase II operations, the distribution of the T2statistic is related to the F distribution provided the underlying population is multivariate normal. Thus, the upper control limit (UCL) is proportional to a percentile of the F distribution. However, if the process data show sufficient evidence of a marked departure from multivariate normality, the UCL based on the F distribution may be very inaccurate. In such situations, it will usually be helpful to determine the UCL based on the percentile of the estimated distribution for T2. In this paper, we use a kernel smoothing technique to estimate the distribution of the T2statistic as well as of the UCL of the T2chart, when the process data are taken from a multivariate non-normal distribution. Through simulations, we examine the sample size requirement and the in-control average run length of the T2control chart for sample observations taken f...
An Exploratory Study Comparing Attitudes and Practices of Police Officers and Social Service Providers in Elder Abuse and Neglect Cases

This study identifies patterns of police and social service providers' res onses to victims of elder abuse and neglect. Under Indiana Public e aw 299, police departments have been delegated the responsibility for acceptin reports of elder abuse and neglect. The police represent a critical ink to community services and social service providers for victims. Questionnaires were completed by police and social service providers in two rnidwestern localities. The data reveal differences in the attitudes and practices of both groups regarding elder abuse and neglect.
Sorption of yttrium and rare earth elements by amorphous ferric hydroxide: influence of temperature.

The sorption of yttrium and the rare earth elements (YREEs) by amorphous ferric hydroxide was investigated between 10 and 40 °C over a range of pH (4.7−7.1) in the absence of solution complexation. Distribution coefficients, defined as iKFe = [MSi]T/([M]T[Fe3+]S), where [MSi]T is the concentration of sorbed YREEs, [M]T is the total dissolved YREE concentration, and [Fe3+]S is the concentration of precipitated iron, increased with increasing temperature over the entire investigated pH range. The observed increase in iKFe was largest for the heavy REEs, indicating that relative log iKFe values (i.e., YREE patterns) vary somewhat with temperature. The pH dependence of YREE sorption was described by a surface complexation model of the form iKFe = (Sβ1[H+]-1 + Sβ2[H+]-2)/(SK1[H+] + 1), where Sβn are stability constants for sorption of free YREE ions (M3+) and SK1 is a surface protonation constant for amorphous ferric hydroxide. The influence of temperature on the YREE surface stability constants (Sβ1 and Sβ2) ...
Oophorectomy promotes islet amyloid formation in a transgenic mouse model of Type II diabetes

Aims/hypothesis. In Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, amyloid depletes islet mass. We previously found that 81 % of male human islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) transgenic mice but only 11 % of female mice developed islet amyloid, suggesting that either testosterone promotes or ovarian products protect against amyloid deposition.¶Methods. We did a bilateral oophorectomy or sham procedure in female human IAPP transgenic mice (n = 11 and n = 8, respectively) and in female non-transgenic mice (n = 7 and n = 9, respectively) at 6–8 weeks of age. Animals were followed for 1 year on a 9 % fat (w/w) diet. Before we killed them we measured, fasting plasma human IAPP and did an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Pancreatic content of IAPP and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) were estimated and pancreata were analysed for islet amyloid.¶Results. No amyloid was detected in either the sham-operated transgenic mice or, as expected, in both groups of non-transgenic mice. In strong contrast, 7 of 11 (64 %) oophorectomized mice developed islet amyloid (p < 0.05). Amyloid deposition in the oophorectomized transgenic mice was not associated with any differences in incremental body weight, fasting human IAPP concentrations or glucose tolerance between the groups. Furthermore, pancreatic content of mouse IAPP, human IAPP and immunoreactive insulin did not differ between groups.¶Conclusion/interpretation. Oophorectomy is associated with an enhancement of islet amyloid formation in the absence of changes in glucose tolerance, circulating IAPP or pancreatic content of IRI, mouse or human IAPP. Thus, the early stages of islet amyloidogenesis seem to be independent of glucose tolerance, with ovarian products having a protective role. [Diabetologia (2000) 43: 1309–1312]
Enzymatic removal of the cell walls from zygotes of Fucus distichus (L.) Powell (Phaeophyta)

The Fucus zygote is one of the best-known natural systems in which to study wall deposition, because the egg is wall-less and wall assembly begins almost immediately after fertilization. During the initial eighteen hours of zygote development, the overall composition of the wall changes as does the localization of specific wall polymers (Quatrano, 1982). Hence, it is also a very convenient model for studying localization of unique wall polymers and their relationship to the establishment of cell polarity (Quatrano et al., 1985)
Simulating normalizing constants: from importance sampling to bridge sampling to path sampling

Computing (ratios of) normalizing constants of probability models is a fundamental computational problem for many statistical and scientific studies. Monte Carlo simulation is an effective technique, es- pecially with complex and high-dimensional models. This paper aims to bring to the attention of general statistical audiences of some effective methods originating from theoretical physics and at the same time to ex- plore these methods from a more statistical perspective, through estab- lishing theoretical connections and illustrating their uses with statistical problems. We show that the acceptance ratio method and thermodynamic integration are natural generalizations of importance sampling, which is most familiar to statistical audiences. The former generalizes importance sampling through the use of a single "bridge" density and is thus a case of bridge sampling in the sense of Meng and Wong. Thermodynamic integration, which is also known in the numerical analysis literature as Ogata's method for high-dimensional integration, corresponds to the use of infinitely many and continuously connected bridges (and thus a "path"). Our path sampling formulation offers more flexibility and thus potential efficiency to thermodynamic integration, and the search of op- timal paths turns out to have close connections with the Jeffreys prior density and the Rao and Hellinger distances between two densities. We provide an informative theoretical example as well as two empirical ex- amples (involving 17- to 70-dimensional integrations) to illustrate the potential and implementation of path sampling. We also discuss some open problems.
Dysregulation of calcium homeostasis after severe burn injury in children: Possible role of magnesium depletion

Objective: To determine the cause and extent of hypocalcemia observed in children after severe burns. Design: We studied 10 children with burns covering 57% ± 17% (SD) body surface area, ages 9.6 ± 4.7 years, who were admitted consecutively during a 6-month period. Diet supplied a minimum of 2.7 gm/m 2 of calcium, 0.3 gm/m 2 of magnesium, and 2.2 gm/m 2 phosphate. Blood specimens were obtained daily for 10 ± 5 days for the following tests: (1) simultaneous analysis for ionized calcium, magnesium, and intact parathyroid hormone (group A); (2) two of these children, randomly selected, had serial 2-hour determinations on a single day (group B); (3) a modified Ellsworth-Howard test, consisting of a 10-minute infusion of synthetic parathyroid hormone 18 ± 10 days postburn and associated changes in urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate excretion and renal threshold phosphate concentration (group C). Three of these children, when normomagnesemic, also received a standard magnesium infusion to determine magnesium retention (group D). Data were analyzed with chi-square, regression analysis, and nonparametric testing as appropriate. Results: All patients showed sustained hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia; intact parathyroid hormone response was inappropriately low and response to synthetic parathyroid hormone infusion was blunted. Lowest ionized calcium levels were associated with hypomagnesemia. Conclusion: Hypoparathyroidism and blunted renal response to parathyroid hormone suggest that magnesium depletion may contribute to their pathogenesis. Magnesium repletion and monitoring are recommended. (J Pediatr 1997;131:246-51)
Helping Parents Tutor Their Children: A Success Story

Home tutoring taught to parents improved children's attitudes toward and parents' regard for school.
Hepatic resections in normothermic ischemia

Background Reduction of operative blood transfusions is a primary goal in resective surgery of the liver. Temporary vascular inflow occlusion is an effective method to decrease hemorrhage during hepatic resection. This study was performed to assess the impact of normothermic ischemia on intraoperative bleeding and outcome after hepatic resection. Methods. Sixty-one hepatic resections were performed by using pedicle clamping alone or associated with total vascular exclusion of the liver. The mean duration of normothermic ischemia was 40±18 minutes (range, 7 to 98 minutes). Major resections were performed in 32 cases (52.5%). Results. Operative mortality was nil. Major complications occurred in 11.5% of cases. Twenty-five patients (41%) received intraoperative blood transfusions; mean ± SD of transfused blood units was 2.4±1.3. Twelve major resections (37.5%) did not require any transfusion. Postoperative changes in liver function test results were moderate and transient. Conclusions. The results of this study confirm the benefit of vascular occlusion techniques in reducing intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications. The routine use of these techniques during hepatic resections, if applied properly and with the necessary precautions, is not associated with severe adverse effects on liver function.
Hierarchical poly tree computer architectures defined by computational multidisciplinary mechanics

This paper will develop an alternative computer architecture called the Poly Tree. Based on the requirements of computational mechanics and the concept of hierarchical substructuring, the paper will explore the development of problem-dependent parallel networks of processors which will enable significant, often superlinear, speed enhancements; provide a logical/efficient framework for linear/nonlinear and transient structural mechanics problems; and provide a logical framework from which to apply model reduction procedures. In addition, the paper will explore optimal processor arrangements which define the overall system granularity. Consideration will also be given to system I/O requirements.
Single crystal Ce doped scintillator material with garnet structure sensitive to gamma ray and neutron radiation

Abstract A mixed garnet scintillator host material is obtained from the melt—Yttrium Gadolinium Gallium Aluminum Garnet (YGGAG). In addition to the high thermal and chemical stability and radiation hardness found in garnet crystals, it offers sensitivity to neutrons due to the presence of Gd atoms, has lower melting temperature than yttrium aluminum garnet, and similar crystallization behavior suitable for growth of large volume crystals. Crystals of YGGAG doped with Ce of 10×10×10 mm 3 have already demonstrated energy resolution of 10% at 662 keV.
Hemolymph chemistry of the spiders, Heteropoda venatoria (Sparassidae), Pisaurina mira (Pisauridae) and Amaurobius bennetti (Amaurobiidae)

1. 1. The chemical composition of the hemolymph of the spiders, Amaurobius bennetti (Amaurobiidae), Heteropoda venatoria (Sparassidae) and Pisaurina mira (Pisauridae) was analyzed and compared with that of other arthropods. 2. 2. Total hemolymph osmolarity ranged from 395 to 523 rnOsm/1. 3. 3. Sodium and chloride concentrations constituted between 33 and 41% of the hemolymph osmolytes. Potassium, calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphate were detected in relatively low concentrations. 4. 4. Proteins, carbohydrates, free fatty acids and total lipids were found at concentrations higher than those reported for other arachnids and comparable to those reported for many insects. 5. 5. Amino acids accounted for 6.2–12.4% of the osmotically active substances. Free amino acid concentrations ranged from 24.3 to 64.7 mg/100 ml. The most abundant amino acids were proline, alanine and isoleucine. 6. 6. The results are discussed with respect to phylogenetic relationships of arthropod groups as reflected by patterns of hemolymph chemistry.
Ultramicrotome-induced deformation artifacts in densely calcified material.

Comparison of replica techniques and ultramicrotomy on the nacreous layer of specimens of the pelecypod Elliptio complanatus reveals marked differences in morphology. The ultrastructural differences can be induced by simple rotation of the chuck (with specimen) in the microtome and can be explained by the crystallography of the aragonite nacre. Interpretation of fine structure in ultramicrotomed densely calcified material without corroborative replica work is therefore considered extremely hazardous.
Kinematic Modeling of Separation Compression for Paired Approaches to Closely-Spaced Parallel Runways

In a simultaneous paired approach to closely-spaced parallel runways, a pair of aircraft flies in close proximity on parallel approach paths. The longitudinal separation between the aircraft must be maintained within a range that avoids wake encounters and, if one of the aircraft blunders, avoids collision. To increase operational availability, the approach procedure must accommodate a mixture of aircraft sizes and, consequently, approach speeds. In these procedures, the slower aircraft is placed in the lead position. The faster aircraft maintains separation from the slow aircraft in a dependent operation until final approach and flies independently afterward. Due to the higher approach speed of the fast aircraft, longitudinal separation will decrease during final approach. Therefore, the fast aircraft must position itself before the final approach so that it will remain within the safe range of separation as separation decreases. Given the approach geometry and speed schedule for each aircraft, one can use kinematics to estimate the separation loss between a pair of aircraft. A kinematic model can complement fast-time Monte-Carlo simulations of the approach by enabling a tailored reduction in the variation of starting position for the fast aircraft. One could also implement the kinematic model in ground-based or on-board decision support tools to compute the optimal initial separation for a given pair of aircraft. To better match the auto-coupled flight of real aircraft, the paper derives a kinematic model where the speed schedule is flown using equivalent airspeed. The predicted time of flight using the equivalent airspeed kinematic model compares well against a high-fidelity aircraft simulation performing the same approach. This model also demonstrates a modest increase in the predicted loss of separation when contrasted against a kinematic model that assumes the scheduled speed is true airspeed.
Short and Long Interpregnancy Intervals: Correlates And Variations by Pregnancy Timing Among U.S. Women

CONTEXT Short and long interpregnancy intervals are associated with adverse health outcomes. Little is known about the correlates of short and long interpregnancy intervals in the general population, and whether correlates vary by pregnancy intention. METHODS Data on 10,236 pregnancies following a live birth were drawn from the 1995, 2002 and 2006–2010 waves of the National Survey of Family Growth. Logistic regression was used to assess characteristics associated with women's reporting short interpregnancy intervals (less than 12 months) and long intervals (greater than 60 months). Analyses were stratified by whether women considered their pregnancies well timed or mistimed. RESULTS Thirty-one percent of pregnancies following short intervals and 47% following long intervals were well timed. Among well-timed pregnancies only, the odds of short intervals were elevated if women had been 35 or older, rather than aged 20–29, at last pregnancy (odds ratio, 2.3); if their prior infant had died (10.6); or if they had wanted their prior pregnancy sooner than it had occurred (2.2). Overall, the odds of long intervals were higher among minority groups than among whites (1.4–1.6) and were lower among women who had been 30 or older at prior pregnancy than among those who had been in their 20s (0.1–0.5); they increased with level of family income. Correlates of long intervals generally varied little by intention. CONCLUSIONS Although the majority of pregnancies at short intervals are unintended, specific subsets of women have elevated odds of intending short interpregnancy intervals.
Milk Energy Yield and the Correlation between Fat Percentage and Milk Yield

Summary The theory that milk yield, so far as affected by fat percentage (or milk composition), is inversely proportional to milk energy per unit of milk (or milk-energy yield is independent of milk composition) is used to develop the expected coefficient of correlation between fat percentage and milk yield, r Mf . On this theory it develops that − r Mf = Vf VM f ¯ 2 2 3 + f ¯ , where V is variability and f ¯ is mean fat percentage. For V f /V M =.4 (the usual value as r Mf has been generally derived) and f ¯ = 4 the formula gives r Mf =−24. The low value of r Mf found in practice is in keeping with the constant energy theory, and does not detract from its biological significance or warrant its neglect in a practical breeding philosophy.
A Pedunculated Giant Esophageal Liposarcoma: a Case Report and Literature Review

The majority of esophageal tumors arise from the mucosal layer; only 5 % are of mesenchymal origins. Of the latter, barely 0.5 % are liposarcomas. We present a case of an esophageal liposarcoma with a review of the literature. A 64-year-old male was referred with 5 years of progressive dysphagia. Preoperative evaluation initially suggested a leiomyoma. The polypoid lesion was then resected through a cervical esophagotomy, once endoscopic resection proved to be not feasible. The definitive pathologic diagnosis confirmed a well-differentiated liposarcoma. Esophageal liposarcomas are very rare and only 40 such cases have been reported in the literature. Most patients were male (80 %), the median age was 62 years (range 38–83 years), and the most common symptom was dysphagia (85 %). Only in two cases was a liposarcoma detected on preoperative biopsy. The most common histological subtype was well-differentiated liposarcoma. Overall, 77.5 % of the patients were successfully treated with surgery, 20 % endoscopically, and 2.5 % were ablated with CO2 laser. Esophageal liposarcoma is an extremely rare tumor. The majority of patients are males; dysphagia is the most common initial symptom, and preoperative biopsy is unreliable. Because these tumors are pedunculated, well-circumscribed, and well-differentiated, they can be safely resected locally. All patients need long-term follow-up as this disease can recur many decades after treatment.
An overview of current stopping power phenomena, measurements, and related topics

Abstract A survey of the literature has been made to determine current trends in stopping power measurements and related phenomena. A comparison is made of the different methods including advantages and disadvantages, relative popularity, and geographical location of the experiments themselves. The method of interposition of target foil between accelerator and detector is found to produce different results in at least two instances that employ the time-of-flight method and the inverted Doppler shift attenuation method as an alternative. Systematic attempts to measure stopping powers by several different methods at the same laboratory have proved beneficial. Various shortcomings in the existing literature are noted, along with some unsolved problems that remain. Suggestions will be given for the best approaches to use.
Visualization of significant differences in somatotopic maps: a distributed t-test.

In order to test for differences in the properties of two populations of cells within a somatotopic map, we need to be able to compare data sets in which sampled cells are randomly scattered throughout the map, and the variable being compared varies with location in the map. We can describe cell properties as exponentially smoothed surfaces fitted to data in the plane of the map, where all data contribute to the computation of the value of each grid point on the surface, with weights which decline exponentially with distance from the grid point. Means, variances and Student's t values can be computed at all grid points, keeping in mind the fact that grid points' t values are not independent of each other. We used Monte Carlo methods to demonstrate that two random samples of 500 values from two populations of 100 000 values at 4000 grid can provide a very useful picture of regions with significant differences. We recommend this procedure, or analogous approaches using other statistical tests, for any analysis where it is necessary to compare values of dependent variables when matched locations on the independent axis or plane cannot be sampled in the two populations.
Effect of damping and stiffness on the random vibration of non-linear periodic plates

Abstract Sonic fatigue analysis of large complex structures requires accurate prediction of the response of plates and shells. Life predictions based on linear plate theory have been shown to deviate significantly from experimental data when the structure is subjected to high acoustic loading. The accuracy of the analysis can be improved by considering the non-linearities of the structure. It is well known that the geometrical non-linearities of the plate yield a stiffness which increases non-linearly with the amplitude of vibration. The effect of this non-linearity becomes significant as the deflections approach the thickness of the plate. In addition to the non-linear stiffness it has been argued that non-linear damping also could play an important role in the vibration of plates. The argument is based on the observation that during random excitation of plates the power spectra resonance peaks broaden as the excitation level is increased. In this paper we present an investigation of this broadening phenomenon. For generality, both unstiffened and orthogonally stiffened plates are considered. It is shown that widening of the resonance peaks, can occur simply by the existence of the non-linear stiffness and without the introduction of non-linear damping. It is also shown that the method of equivalent linearization is not suitable for the study of the power spectra of the response of non-linear plates.
A model for after-effects of seen movement.

Abstract Electrophysiological studies of the visual system have demonstrated the existence of cells which are sensitive to the direction in which a contour moves through the visual field. A research model, incorporating elements (analyzers) analagous to motion sensitive cells, is developed in an attempt to elucidate the processes underlying the perception of movement. Differential adaptation of selected motion analyzers can be produced and the consequences studied using the motion after-effect as an index of adaptation. Data from these psychophysical experiments are used to delimit the characteristics of the analyzer mechanisms responsible for generating such data.
Introduction to Commentaries

The following commentaries concern the murder of Dr. George Tiller. They are reflections of a prominent leader in the genetic counseling profession and a world renowned bioethicist. Both commentaries remind us what it means to be advocates for our patients even if we personally would not choose to walk the same path. We know that there are multiple paths and not every path is right for everyone. That is what choice means, right? I very much want to recognize and honor those genetic counselors who personally struggle with the abortion issue. It is a choice that many could not see themselves making. However, many counselors who, although personally disagreeing with the choice to end a pregnancy, still find it within themselves to support patients who make that choice. This is true empathy—the ability to enter another’s world of pain and walk in their shoes for awhile. It is so difficult to enter someone else’s world to understand life from their perspective and that is the challenge we take on with each and every patient. What an incredible skill to have and what an honor to be allowed into the lives of others. Genetic counseling is a really amazing career. I have no doubt we all agree Dr. Tiller’s murder was horrible. I wanted to acknowledge that. Although we don’t necessarily personally agree with the option of abortion, these commentaries remind us there are personal views and professional views, and we must not lose sight of our professional views. This is what we do to best serve our patients. REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM: The NSGC, as an organization, publicly supports a woman’s right to reproductive freedom, including her right to prenatal diagnosis and access to safe and legal abortion (Adopted 1987).
Distribution of inorganic constituents in soil following land treatment of refinery wastes

To assess the impact of long term land treatment, soil profile samples were collected from treated and untreated sites at five refinery land treatment facilities. All samples were analyzed for texture, cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific conductance (EC), Na saturation (ESP), Na absorption ratio (SAR), pH, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Ni, and V.