cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functions and Relations

This chapter overviews the basic concepts of functions and relations including continuous functions and their differentiations in Euclidean space. We also introduce functions in discrete spaces, specifically graphs and grid spaces. This chapter contains three parts: continuous functions in Euclidean space, graphs and discrete spaces, and advanced topics including topological spaces. Philosophically, a space is a relation or a collection of relations over a set. A graph is a relation; an m-dimensional Euclidean Space is a collection of relations over points in R m . This chapter is written in a gradual progression to provide a simple and interesting review of the background knowledge. Some of the more profound issues will be presented in later chapters as needed. Those with a strong background in mathematics can skip some or all of this chapter. This chapter prepares the necessary basic knowledge for the rest of the book.
Time-frequency analysis of the electrogastrogram: evaluation of STFT, adaptive spectral analysis and exponential distribution

The aim of this paper is to compare the performance of the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), adaptive spectral analysis and exponential distribution (ED) methods in estimating the changes of both amplitude and frequency of the gastric slow wave with time, and detecting gastric dysrhythmic events from the electrogastrogram (EGG). Results from both computer simulations and real applications show that the adaptive spectral analysis method is more accurate in the detection of gastric dysrhythmia with brief duration, whereas STFT method is more appropriate for the estimation of signal amplitude. The performance of the ED method appears to be in between the STFT method and adaptive spectral analysis method.
Legitimacy Dilemmas in Global Governance

World Rule: Accountability, Legitimacy, and the Design of Global Governance. By Jonathan G.S. Koppell Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010. 359 pp., $36.00 paperback (ISBN 978-0-226-45099-5). When contemporary scholars address the challenges facing global governance, the central question is typically the capacity of post–World War II multilateral institutions to adapt to changes in the global environment, whether a shifting distribution of power (Zakaria 2008), the emergence of global networks (Slaughter 2004), or growing expectations of democratic legitimacy (Keohane and Nye 2000). In World Rule, Jonathan Koppell addresses each of these conditions—his particular emphasis is on legitimacy—but with less concern for what's new than for the age-old tension between legitimacy and authority. World Rule contributes an encyclopedic survey and systematic analysis of the legitimacy–authority tension that global governance organizations (GGOs) face, leaving no stone unturned in its quest. (Spoiler alert: Koppell's conclusion is that the tension can be mitigated, but not resolved.) World Rule is about the structural dilemmas of institutional design. The central dilemma is that GGOs’ sensitivity to leading powers’ interests can make them less effective in providing global collective goods, and vice versa —or, in Koppell's terms, GGOs face a trade-off between responsiveness (to the preferences of key constituents) and responsibility (to their formal mandates and informal norms). While prevailing international relations (IR) theories tend to make assumptions about the predominance of one over the other, realists (Drezner 2007) and to a lesser extent liberal institutionalists (Koremenos, …
Validation of a Self-Administered iPad®- and iPod®-Based Tool for Assessing Information Processing (P5.302)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and validity of quantifying information processing through simple (SRT) and choice reaction time (CRT) paradigms developed on tablet and mobile devices. BACKGROUND: Information processing and decision-making are common areas of cognitive-motor decline observed in patients with neurologic pathology, injury, and normal aging. Self-administered SRT and CRT tasks were internally developed on iPad and iPod and compared with the technician-administered Lafayette Visual Choice Reaction Time device. DESIGN/METHODS: Sixty healthy controls (age 18-24) completed two sessions separated by one hour, including SRT and CRT tasks on the technician-administered Lafayette device and either the iPad or iPod devices. For iPad and Lafayette devices, the participant lifted their index finger in response to stimulus presentation. For iPod, participants lifted their thumb. CRT tasks on iOS devices also involved a distractor stimulus. Test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the three devices were determined. RESULTS: SRT performance was not significantly different between the three devices. Lafayette CRT performance was significantly faster due to presence of distractor stimulus in iOS tasks. All device-task combinations showed no significant test-retest difference. SRT and CRT on iOS devices displayed moderate concurrent validity with the Lafayette Reaction Timer (r = 0.46-0.67), indicating that the iOS and Lafayette tasks assess comparable information processing capabilities. Test-retest reliability was strong for all three devices, with concordance ranging from 0.57 (iPad-CRT) to 0.84 (Lafayette-CRT). CONCLUSIONS: Information processing capabilities can be accurately and reliably quantified using tablet and mobile devices. These portable electronic modes of data collection displayed favorable psychometric properties when compared with similar tasks on a validated mechanical method of assessment. Mobile devices hold promise for the valid and reliable evaluation of information processing of neurological patients in clinical and non-clinical settings. We are currently using this approach to characterize information processing changes post-concussion (results will be presented). Study Supported by: The Lincy Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Russmanhas received personal compensation for activities with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Hirsch has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schindler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Burke has nothing to disclose. Dr. Linder has received research support from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Alberts has received personal compensation for activities with Boston Scientific Corporation, Juniper Health Systems, and I1 Biometrics. Dr. Alberts has received research support from the National Institutes of Health, and the National Football League Players Association.
Low morbidity and mortality of status epilepticus in children

In an ongoing study of status epilepticus, 193 children with status epilepticus of varying causes have been followed up for a mean period of 13.2 months. Of these, 97 patients were recruited prospectively. The patients' ages ranged from 1 month to 18 years (mean, 5.0 years). The cause of the status epilepticus was classified as idiopathic in 46 cases, remote symptomatic in 45, febrile in 46, acute symptomatic in 45, and progressive neurologic in 11. The mortality and incidence of sequelae following status epilepticus was low and primarily a function of etiology. Seven children died within 3 months of having the seizure. New neurologic deficits were found in 17 (9.1%) of the 186 survivors. All of the deaths and 15 of the 17 sequelae occurred in the 56 children with acute or progressive neurologic insults. Only two of the 137 children with other causes sustained any new deficits (P less than .001). Duration of the status epilepticus affected outcome only within the acute symptomatic group (P less than .05). Neurologic sequelae occurred in 29% of infants younger than 1 year of age, 11% of children 1 to 3 years of age, and 6% of children older than 3 years of age. However, this was a reflection of the greater incidence of acute neurologic disease in the younger age groups. Within each cause, age did not affect outcome. Of the 193 children, 61 (32%) had a history of prior unprovoked seizures. Of the 125 surviving children with no history of prior unprovoked seizures, 37 (30%) had subsequent unprovoked seizures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
On Tins and Tin-Openers

A class of broadly fictionalist and arealist objections (by Balaguer, Maddy, and others) to the indispensability argument for mathematical realism denies that indispensability entails realism. This paper argues that these objections fail against Putnam’s version of the argument: scientists indispensably use mathematics to draw conclusions about, explain, and understand the limits and reliability of the computational and modeling techniques they employ, and the very content of these conclusions and explanations appears to be unintelligible without a realistic understanding of the mathematics they presuppose.
The Pathomorphology of Malignant Catarrhal Fever II. Multisystemic Epithelial Lesions

Epithelia from 18 Holstein-Fresian calves with experimentally induced malignant catarrhal fever and two calves with naturally occurring disease had severe destructive inflammatory epithelial lesions. Calves were necropsied at early, mid and late clinical stages. Multifocal, degenerative and necrotic epithelial lesions were associated with lymphoid cells. Ultrastructurally, numerous lymphocytes, lymphoblasts and macrophages were accumulated between epithelial cells and in lamina propria, vessels and perivascular tissues. Epithelial cells in such lesions had variably severe degenerative changes or were necrotic but there was no proliferative response. Lesions were widespread in all calves and affected oral, ocular, gastrointestinal, ductal, urinary tract, choroid plexus and other epithelial tissues. Calves killed in late clinical stages had more severe lesions than those killed early. The predominantly lymphocytic, invasive-destructive pattern seen in tissues of cattle with malignant catarrhal fever was sim...
Explicit Strong Stability Preserving Multistage Two-Derivative Time-Stepping Schemes

High order strong stability preserving (SSP) time discretizations are advantageous for use with spatial discretizations with nonlinear stability properties for the solution of hyperbolic PDEs. The search for high order strong stability time-stepping methods with large allowable strong stability time-step has been an active area of research over the last two decades. Recently, multiderivative time-stepping methods have been implemented with hyperbolic PDEs. In this work we describe sufficient conditions for a two-derivative multistage method to be SSP, and find some optimal SSP multistage two-derivative methods. While explicit SSP Runge---Kutta methods exist only up to fourth order, we show that this order barrier is broken for explicit multi-stage two-derivative methods by designing a three stage fifth order SSP method. These methods are tested on simple scalar PDEs to verify the order of convergence, and demonstrate the need for the SSP condition and the sharpness of the SSP time-step in many cases.
Comparison of qualitative and quantitative imaging characteristics of [11C]PiB and [18F]flutemetamol in normal control and Alzheimer's subjects.

Introduction Neuritic amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the hallmark pathologic lesions of Alzheimer's disease, are thought to develop before the symptoms of brain failure are clinically detectable. Imaging methods capable of detecting the presence of neuritic amyloid plaques should improve a clinician's ability to identify Alzheimer's disease during the earliest symptomatic phase and to identify at-risk individuals presymptomatically. Currently the best studied amyloid imaging ligand is [11C]Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]PiB). However, the 20-minute half-life of this radiotracer limits its use. This study is designed to evaluate the performance characteristics of [18F]flutemetamol and to independently compare results to [11C]PiB in the same subjects.
Physicochemical properties of mucus gel in CF and healthy controls assessed by Raman spectroscopy and force-distance atomic force microscopy

Current models of the basic defect in CF propose a dehydration of mucosal surfaces affecting the properties of secretions. Most studies of CF secretions have utilized sputum, which is a mix of mucus and other components. We attempted to define the properties of secreted CF mucus by studying Sub-mandibular salivary gland secretions, which have similar mucin composition to bronchial glands. Saliva was collected in 2 CF patients (DF508 homozygotes) and 4 healthy controls (HC). Mucus gel was separated by centrifugation and its properties analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and force-distance atomic force microscopy (AFM) elasticity measurements. All experiments were conducted blinded to the sample identity. Raman spectra of CF mucus showed a sharp distinct peak at 2080 cm-1, which was absent in HC. No particular signatures were found in the 400-800 cm-1 region, where disulfide bonds occur. By AFM, when small clusters of the mucus gel were probed the CF specimens exhibited higher stiffness than the HC samples. We are conducting further experiments with sharper cantilevers in order to determine if larger differences in stiffness can be detected. In addition, AFM imaging of highly-dilute mucus revealed that HC samples separated in small clusters and separate chains, in contrast to CF samples where no separate chains were observed. In conclusion, significant abnormalities in the measurable properties of gland secreted mucus from CF patients have been detected. Current work is directed at fully characterizing the peak detected by Raman spectroscopy. The Raman signature of CF mucus can be potentially used as a biomarker of the basic defect of this disease.
Carbohydrate storage and use in an alpine population of the perennial herb, Oxytropis sericea

I tested hypotheses for ecological roles of storage carbohydrates in perennating organs (roots and branches) of alpine Oxytropis sericea, a leguminous herb. In naturally growing plants, total nonstructural carbohydrates achieved their maximal concentration in the fall, declined during winter, and reached minimal levels immediately after growth initiation in the spring. Experimental manipulation of carbon sink-source relations through shading of leaves of reproductive plants revealed that the normally unused portion of these carbohydrates is largely available for withdrawal. In another experiment, plants subjected to carbohydrate depletion through shading suffered decreased leaf growth after winter dormancy and had a lower probability of flowering and decreased inflorescence biomass. The dependence of reproductive growth on stored carbohydrates, however, was limited to its initial stages, because accumulation of storage carbohydrates occurred simultaneously with inflorescence expansion, flowering, and fruiting. Moreover, the whole-plant photosynthetic rate, estimated from gas exchange measurements also peaked at the time of inflorescence growth. To address whether stored reserves allow compensatory regrowth following defoliation, plants were subjected to experimental removal of leaves and inflorescences. Defoliated O. sericea partly regrew the lost leaves but withdrawal of stored carbohydrates was limited. Similarly, in a second defoliation experiment where infructescences were left intact, the plants used little stored carbohydrate and only partly compensated for fruit growth. However, carbohydrate accumulation was negatively affected by defoliation. While the ecological importance of stored nonstructural carbohydrates cannot be attributed to any function in isolation, winter respiration, leaf regrowth after winter, and early reproductive growth in O. sericea all depend to a significant extent on stored reserves. Maintaining a large storage pool may protect these functions in years when carbon status is less favorable than during this study.
Neuropathic pain: implications for the surgeon.

Pain management is the surgeon’s stock-in-trade, whether accomplished by operative intervention or pharmacologic management. Although more commonly confronted with problems that are related to somatic or visceral nociceptive pain (ie, pain that is generated by tissue injury and resultant activation of nociceptive sensory axons), surgeons frequently encounter situations in which neuropathic pain symptoms predominate. Although nociceptive pain typically is localized and diminishes with healing or elimination of the noxious stimulus, neuropathic pain may: (1) become chronic, even in the absence of a continuing stimulus; (2) serve no protective purpose in its chronicity; and (3) exact a significant toll on the patient’s quality of life. Unrelieved, maladaptive symptoms (eg, anxiety, depression, insomnia) may ensue or sociopathic behaviors (eg, substance abuse) may follow. Although complex case management dealing with these psychosocial issues is afforded the best opportunity for success when overseen by specialists in comprehensive pain management centers [1,2], many straightforward and postoperative neuropathic pain syndromes are seen by surgeons. Thus, it behooves every practitioner to be familiar with the tools used and the underlying principles of their use. This article provides a brief overview of neuropathic pain—its mechanisms and situations a surgeon might encounter—and presents principles and recommendations for its primary pharmacologic management. Understanding of neuropathic pain mechanisms led to the broad definition of it in 1994 by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) as ‘‘pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction
Absolute Rate Constants for alpha-Amide Radical Reactions.

The 1-(diethylcarbamoyl)-6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenyl radical (4a), the 1-(diethylcarbamoyl)-7,7-diphenyl-6-heptenyl radical (4b), and the 1-(diethylcarbamoyl)-1-methyl-6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenyl radical (4c...
Raising awareness among health educators and educational institutions of the need to overcome the language barrier among Non-Native English speaking students of Health Sciences in Qatar: A needs analysis and solutions

Background: Improving healthcare starts by providing the best education possible for medical students. In the Gulf region, a new movement known as “Arabization of Health Sciences” is at the root of many of the last educational reforms regarding the language in the teaching of sciences. Those reforms created a non-negligible gap among medical students in terms of scientific terminology. Research questions: This report aims to answer two questions: [1] What is the nature of the language barrier facing non-native English speaking students in their understanding of biological terminology? [2] How can non-native English speaking students overcome this language barrier and what learning tools can be used to do that? Method: Study participants were enrolled in a foundation and a premedical program at a U.S. medical university located in Qatar. A questionnaire was proposed to students asking for: 1- their need for translation of scientific terms, 2- the language of study of sciences in high school, 3- their shyne...
Interaction of Alfvén Waves and Spin Waves in a Ferromagnetic Metal

The interaction between spin waves and Alfv\'en waves is investigated in bulk ferromagnetic metals. It is shown that the Alfv\'en wave will interact strongly with the spin-wave system. In the presence of the interaction, the modes can no longer be identified as pure Alfv\'en- or spin-wave modes. The wave number at which resonance occurs can be varied by changing the strength of the external dc field. The results are applied to iron, in which it is expected that this interaction can occur.
Catholic Identity in Catholic Health-Care Institutions: Are We Doing Enough?

Amidst the current tumultuous climate of incessant debates and politicizing about health-care reform in the United States, in this issue of the Linacre, Doctor Guinan and colleagues provide information about pastoral-care practices in the Catholic hospitals within the Archdiocese of Chicago.1 Their premise, that pastoral care is an important component of Catholic health care, is correct; and their question about whether spiritual concerns may be overlooked in a changing health-care environment, especially as relates to cooperation in immoral acts and lack of protection for conscience rights of health-care workers seems to be well-founded. Although they report data based on a small sample, and a simple survey with seemingly meager methodology, it nonetheless has a potentially large and significant effect if it stimulates more thought and dialogue about Catholic identity in Catholic health-care institutions. I think it will, but I have a major question: Is enough being done?
Sickle cell disease in the United States: Looking back and forward at 100 years of progress in management and survival

The past 100 years since James Herrick's first description of sickle cell disease in the United States have been characterized by the gradual development of management strategies. We review the progress in sickle cell disease management in the United States over the past 100 years, with emphasis on the diverse forces surrounding advances in disease management. Mortality and survival data are presented chronologically, with an attempt to highlight improvements in survival associated with specific advancements for pediatric and adult care. Finally, the future course for sickle cell disease management is explored, given the continued work in advancing the field.
The impact of diuretic therapy on reported sexual function

Background. — Thiazide diuretics are the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive agent in the treatment of hypertension. No studies to date have isolated conclusively the effect of diuretic therapy on patient quality of life, and particularly on sexual dysfunction. Methods.—— We carried out a randomized placebocontrolled trial of the effect of thiazide diuretics on quality of life in mildly hypertensive men between the ages of 35 and 70 years. After a 1-month washout period off diuretic therapy, the men were randomized to a 2-month trial of a thiazide treatment or placebo. At the end of the trial, 176 men completed a confidential self-administered questionnaire assessing aspects of social performance, general wellbeing, and emotional and physiologic states. Results.— Patients taking diuretics reported significantly greater sexual dysfunction than control subjects, including decreased libido, difficulty in gaining and maintaining an erection, and difficulty with ejaculation. Multivariate analysis suggested that the findings were not mediated by low serum potassium levels or by low blood pressure. Sexual dysfunction was noted more often in the confidential selfreport questionnaire than in response to direct questions from clinicians. We found no differences between diuretic and placebo groups in measures of mood, general sense of well-being, ability to work, alertness, and social/ recreational activities. Conclusions.— — Thiazide diuretic use is associated with male sexual dysfunction but does not appear to adversely affect other aspects of quality of life. ( Arch Intern Med . 1991;151:2402-2408)
Preoperative Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in Cardiothoracic and Neurological Surgical Patients

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global cause of both hospital and community-acquired infection. This retrospective, observational study determined the prevalence of MRSA carriers in cardiothoracic and neurological surgical patients presenting to an outpatient preoperative assessment center in Columbus, OH. MRSA may cause aggressive skin and soft-tissue infection with potentially fatal complications, and cardiothoracic and neurological surgical patients are at high risk for surgical-site infection. Results indicated that 4.25% of the sample carried MRSA and 25.25% carried methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus.
Large Fluorescence Enhancements of Fluorophore Ensembles with Multilayer Plasmonic Substrates: Comparison of Theory and Experimental Results

Multilayer substrates consisting of a glass slide, silver mirror, silica layer, and silver nanoparticles were fabricated using magnetron sputtering. This new geometry of substrates with backplane mirror and dielectric photonic cavity produced large average fluorescence enhancements up to 190-fold. Fluorescence enhancements of five fluorescent probes were measured over the broad spectral range from 470 to 800 nm. Fluorescent probes were streptavidin conjugates attached to the substrate surface through a layer of biotinylated bovine serum albumin. The protein layers represent a common surface modification for surface-based bioassays such as immunoassays or molecular diagnostic assays. We found that optimal enhancement is dependent on the thickness of the dielectric layer separating the silver mirror and the silver nanoparticles and on the spectral range. We performed numerical calculations for enhancement in both the excitation and emission using finite element method (FEM) the results of which were in qualitative agreement with the experimental results. The described method for fabrication multilayered substrates and the results obtained with protein layers demonstrate great potential for the design of simple and ultrasensitive fluorometric bioassays with large optical amplifications compared to the standard approaches of enzyme-based bioassays with dielectric surfaces.
Autologous T-lymphocytes stimulate proliferation of orbital fibroblasts derived from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE. Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) affects 50% to 60% of patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism, resulting in exophthalmos, periorbital edema, pain, double vision, optic neuropathy, and loss of vision. Fibroblasts are a key autoimmune target in GO and have effector functions that contribute to GO-associated pathologic conditions, including proliferation, production of excess glycosaminoglycans, and fat deposition. GO is also characterized by autoimmune inflammation of orbital connective tissue with mononuclear cell infiltration, including T cells. METHODS. To determine whether autologous T cells can drive proliferation of orbital fibroblasts and thus contribute to GO, a novel reverse autologous mixed-cell reaction (rAMCR) was performed. Fibroblasts cultured from orbital tissue of patients with GO that was removed during orbital decompression surgery were mixed with autologous T cells, and fibroblast proliferation was determined. RESULTS. Autologous T cells stimulated proliferation of orbital fibroblasts. Fibroblasts derived from blepharoplasty fat of two different patients did not proliferate, demonstrating that the effect is specific to cells derived from deep orbital fat. Proliferation was dependent on cell contact and on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and CD40 –CD154 (CD40 ligand) signaling. CONCLUSIONS. The results suggest that T cells and orbital fibroblasts participate in an antigen-dependent positive feedback loop in which presentation of autoantigens by fibroblasts via MHC class II and CD40 –CD40L signaling results in T-cell activation. These activated T cells stimulate fibroblast proliferation, leading to fibroblast-associated diseases in GO. Thus, therapies that interfere with CD40 –CD40L signaling, antigen expression by fibroblasts, or T-cell function may be effective in preventing progression of GO symptoms. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46:3913–3921) DOI:10.1167/iovs.05-0605
Equipment-Free Incubation of Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Reactions Using Body Heat

The development of isothermal amplification platforms for nucleic acid detection has the potential to increase access to molecular diagnostics in low resource settings; however, simple, low-cost methods for heating samples are required to perform reactions. In this study, we demonstrated that human body heat may be harnessed to incubate recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) reactions for isothermal amplification of HIV-1 DNA. After measuring the temperature of mock reactions at 4 body locations, the axilla was chosen as the ideal site for comfortable, convenient incubation. Using commonly available materials, 3 methods for securing RPA reactions to the body were characterized. Finally, RPA reactions were incubated using body heat while control RPA reactions were incubated in a heat block. At room temperature, all reactions with 10 copies of HIV-1 DNA and 90% of reactions with 100 copies of HIV-1 DNA tested positive when incubated with body heat. In a cold room with an ambient temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, all reactions containing 10 copies or 100 copies of HIV-1 DNA tested positive when incubated with body heat. These results suggest that human body heat may provide an extremely low-cost solution for incubating RPA reactions in low resource settings.
Effect of 9-α-fluorocortisol on spontaneous NaCl intake by adrenalectomized rats☆

Abstract Administration of graded doses of 9-α-fluorocortisol to adrenalectomized rats given choice between water and 0.15 M NaCl solution to drink yielded a U-shaped dose-response relationship between percentage change in intake of NaCl solution and dose of hormone administered. Maximal reduction in NaCl intake occurred when 5 μg/100 g body weight/day was administered. Doses greater than this increased NaCl intake toward that of untreated controls. Percentage change in water intake following drug administration was an approximate mirror image of NaCl intake. The results provide further evidence that compounds containing mineralocorticoidlike activity influence the spontaneous NaCl intake of adrenalectomized rats.
Body size and the small branch niche: using marsupial ontogeny to model primate locomotor evolution.

Abstract Recently proposed ancestral locomotor and morphological ‘stages’ leading to the evolution of primates have emphasized small body size, and a transition from a clawed non-grasping stage, to a clawed, grasping stage with clawless opposable hallux, to a fully-nailed primate with grasping extremities. This evolutionary transition was presumably associated with frequent use of the small branch niche. To model elements of these evolutionary transitions, we investigate how body size, substrate size, substrate orientation and grasping morphology interact to influence quadrupedal kinematics within and between ontogenetic samples of two small-bodied marsupials, one arboreal ( Petaurus breviceps ) and the other mainly terrestrial ( Monodelphis domestica ). Longitudinal morphometric and kinematic data were collected from four juvenile P. breviceps (33–75 g) and two juvenile M. domestica (18–95 g) walking across poles of three diameters (2.5, 1.0, and 0.5 cm) and three orientations (horizontal, 30° incline, 30° decline). The two species responded similarly to some substrate conditions, but diverged in response to others. Kinematic divergence between the two species reflects Monodelphis ' relatively shorter digits, reduced grasping ability and greater need for stabilizing mechanisms on narrow substrates. At a given relative body size or pole orientation, Monodelphis used higher limb duty factors, more limbs in support per stride, lower limb phases, and in some conditions, faster speeds compared with Petaurus . Interspecific differences were the least distinct on declined poles, highlighting the particular challenge of this substrate condition, even for arboreally adapted species. Small-bodied, arboreal primate ancestors would likely have employed the kinematic mechanisms common to our model taxa, but those with enhanced grasping adaptations would most likely not have required the increased level of stabilizing mechanisms exhibited by Monodelphis . Thus, using these two species as locomotor models has underscored the functional importance of grasping extremities in primate origins, even if ancestral primates were very small in body size.
CMR of microvascular obstruction and hemorrhage in myocardial infarction

Microvascular obstruction (MO) or no-reflow phenomenon is an established complication of coronary reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction. It is increasingly recognized as a poor prognostic indicator and marker of subsequent adverse LV remodeling. Although MO can be assessed using various imaging modalities including electrocardiography, myocardial contrast echocardiography, nuclear scintigraphy, and coronary angiography, evaluation by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is particularly useful in enhancing its detection, diagnosis, and quantification, as well as following its subsequent effects on infarct evolution and healing. MO assessment has become a routine component of the CMR evaluation of acute myocardial infarction and will increasingly play a role in clinical trials of adjunctive reperfusion agents and strategies. This review will summarize the pathophysiology of MO, current CMR approaches to diagnosis, clinical implications, and future directions needed for improving our understanding of this common clinical problem.
Solute-Solvent Chiral Interactions: Non-Symmetrical Effects of Enantiomers and Conformers on Right- and Left-Handed Cholesterics

Abstract Effective helical twisting powers of a number of enantiomers and achiral conformers were measured in highly twisted cholesteric phases varying in both chemical composition and macroscopic chirality. In certain solute-solvent combinations, and particularly in steroidal solvents, pronounced non-symmetric effects of enantiomers and conformers were observed on right- and left-handed cholesterics. Achiral rod-like solutes, which can exist in different conformations, were found to behave as though they have a left-handed helical twisting power in both right- and left-handed short pitch steroidal cholesterics. All effects can be interpreted as being due to specific short range molecule-molecule interactions. No evidence was found that the macroscopic chirality of a cholesteric medium can influence the conformation of an achiral solute.
Historical materialism and functional explanation

This paper is a critical examination of one central theme in Jon Elster's Making Sense of Marx; Elster's defense of ‘methodological individualism’ in social science and his related critique of Marx's use of ‘functional explanation’. The paper does not quarrel with Elster's claim that the particular instances of functional explanation advanced by Marx are defective; what it criticizes is Elster's attempt to raise principled, philosophical objections to this type of explanation in the social sciences. It is argued that Elster's philosophical critique of functional explanation rests on a caricature of this kind of explanation, just as his critique of Marx's use of teleology in the philosophy of history rests on a caricature of the kinds of teleological claims Marx is concerned to make. The paper ends with a brief discussion of a recently published passage from Marx's notebooks of 1861–1863, where Elster claims to have found Marx explicitly criticizing capitalist exploitation as an injustice to the workers.
Tricuspid repair at pulmonary valve replacement does not alter outcomes in tetralogy of Fallot.

Background Chronic pulmonary regurgitation after tetralogy of Fallot repair often leads to progressive right ventricle dilation, dysfunction, and frequently, pulmonary valve replacement. For those with significant tricuspid regurgitation at the time of pulmonary valve replacement, it is unknown whether concomitant tricuspid valve repair improves postoperative outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective review of patients after tetralogy of Fallot repair who underwent pulmonary valve replacement between 1999 and 2012. Preoperative and postoperative echocardiograms were assessed for tricuspid regurgitation (vena contracta) and right ventricular size and function (Tomtec software). Results Sixty-two patients underwent pulmonary valve replacement. Thirty-six (58%) had greater than or equal to moderate tricuspid regurgitation on preoperative echocardiogram. Significant predictors were not identified. Of the 36, 18 (50%) underwent concomitant tricuspid valve repair at the time of pulmonary valve replacement. After surgery, there was a significant reduction in the degree of tricuspid regurgitation ( p p p = 0.47) or measures of right ventricular size ( p > 0.4) at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions Tricuspid regurgitation is a common finding in repaired tetralogy of Fallot, although risk factors for its development remain unclear. After pulmonary valve replacement with or without tricuspid valve repair there is significant improvement in the degree of tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular size. Finally, 6 months after pulmonary valve replacement there were no statistical differences between those patients undergoing concomitant tricuspid valve repair and those undergoing pulmonary valve replacements alone.
Contribution of TRPV1-TRPA1 Interaction to the Single Channel Properties of the TRPA1 Channel

Several lines of evidence suggest that TRPA1 and TRPV1 mutually control the transduction of inflammation-induced noxious stimuli in sensory neurons. It was recently shown that certain TRPA1 properties are modulated by TRPV1. However, direct interaction between TRPA1 and TRPV1 as well as regulation of TRPA1 intrinsic characteristics by the TRPV1 channel have not been examined. To address these questions, we have studied a complex formation between TRPA1 and TRPV1 and characterized the influence of TRPV1 on single channel TRPA1-mediated currents. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed direct interactions between TRPA1 and TRPV1 in an expression system as well as in sensory neurons. Data generated with total internal reflection fluorescence-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer indicate that a TRPA1-TRPV1 complex can be formed on the plasma membrane. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer interaction between TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels is as effective as for TRPV1 or TRPA1 homomers. Single channel analysis in a heterologous expression system and in sensory neurons of wild type and TRPV1 knock-out mice demonstrated that co-expression of TRPV1 with TRPA1 results in outward rectification of single channel mustard oil (IMO) current-voltage relationships (I-V) and substantial modulation of the open probability at negative holding potentials. TRPV1 also does not influence the characteristics of single channel IMO in Ca2+-free extracellular solution. However, association of TRPA1 with TRPV1 was not affected in Ca2+-free media. To assess a role of intracellular Ca2+ in TRPV1-dependent modulation of TRPA1 modulation, the TRPA1-mediated single channel WIN55,212-2-gated current (IWIN) was recorded in inside-out configuration. Our data indicate that single channel properties of TRPA1 are regulated by TRPV1 independently of intracellular Ca2+. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that TRPV1 and TRPA1 form a complex and that TRPV1 influences intrinsic characteristics of the TRPA1 channel.
Development and application of a radiation dose passport in interventional radiology

Purpose The purpose of this study was twofold 1)create a software application that could provide a patient radiation dose history (IR and CT exams)prior to any interventional procedure 2)measure the impact of this information on radiation dose. Materials and Methods A software application was built which could access all available radiation dose information from the EMR and RIS, then create a report including previous IR and CT exams. To minimize workflow interruption, this was launched via a web link that was placed on the desktop adjacent to every procedure room. The study included all potentially high dose IR cases. Prior to performing a case, the MD logged into the system and 50% of the time would be provided the radiation dose passport. If the MD received the dose passport, they were later sent an email questionnaire to determine the subjective value of the information. Comparison of case cohorts and patient radiation dose between instances when the IR MD received or did not receive the information provided objective value and impact of the IR radiation dose passport. Results Over 8 months there were 140 procedures performed as part of the study for which dose information was available. The most common was embolization (n=59). In 3% of cases, the MD changed their procedure based on receiving the dose passport. There was no statistically significant difference between the dose used for similar cases, whether the IR MD received or did not receive the IR radiation dose passport (mean without dose passport=951mGy, mean with dose passport=968mGy). Conclusion Providing IR MDs information about the amount of radiation dose a patient had previously received had little impact on the current procedure. This is most likely because the majority of patients undergoing complex interventional procedures who qualified for our study had advanced cancer. Given their prognosis, the risk/benefit is such that performing the procedure,regardless of the dose, was more important that the remote possibility of a skin injury or radiation induced neoplasm. However, the IR dose passport may provide more value in a practice with a different patient mix, perhaps where children or benign conditions (e.g. UAE) are more commonly treated.
Fiddler crab claw shape variation : a geometric morphometric analysis across the genus Uca (Crustacea : Brachyura : Ocypodidae)

For decades, the extreme asymmetric chelipeds of male fiddler crabs (genus Uca) have been used as a model system for the description and discussion of allometry. Almost all previous studies, however, have concentrated on intraspecific variation and have not examined claw variation among species. In this study, modern methods of describing shape and size, geometric morphometrics, are used to study claw variation across the genus. These analyses are also performed in a phylogenetic context using independent contrasts. Within and among species, major claws show allometric trends in both shape and size. Minor claw growth is isometric within species; across species, these claws are isometric with respect to size, but allometric with respect to shape. Although the variation is much greater in major claws, the allometric pattern of shape change for both majors and minors can be characterized by a general increase in the length of the pollex relative to the manus and the size of the propodus relative to the carpus. There is some phylogenetic clustering of claw shape and size, but there does not appear to be a significant level of phylogenetic dependence because no conclusions are changed when independent contrasts are used. Regenerated major claws have stronger allometric patterns than unregenerated claws, causing them to have shapes associated with relatively larger claws. Minor claw shape shows a strong correlation with habitat type. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 75, 147‐162. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: allometry ‐ regeneration.
Statistical Characterization and Computationally Efficient Modeling of a Class of Underwater Acoustic Communication Channels

Underwater acoustic channel models provide a tool for predicting the performance of communication systems before deployment, and are thus essential for system design. In this paper, we offer a statistical channel model which incorporates physical laws of acoustic propagation (frequency-dependent attenuation, bottom/surface reflections), as well as the effects of inevitable random local displacements. Specifically, we focus on random displacements on two scales: those that involve distances on the order of a few wavelengths, to which we refer as small-scale effects, and those that involve many wavelengths, to which we refer as large-scale effects. Small-scale effects include scattering and motion-induced Doppler shifting, and are responsible for fast variations of the instantaneous channel response, while large-scale effects describe the location uncertainty and changing environmental conditions, and affect the locally averaged received power. We model each propagation path by a large-scale gain and micromultipath components that cumulatively result in a complex Gaussian distortion. Time- and frequency-correlation properties of the path coefficients are assessed analytically, leading to a computationally efficient model for numerical channel simulation. Random motion of the surface and transmitter/receiver displacements introduce additional variation whose temporal correlation is described by Bessel-type functions. The total energy, or the gain contained in the channel, averaged over small scale, is modeled as log-normally distributed. The models are validated using real data obtained from four experiments. Specifically, experimental data are used to assess the distribution and the autocorrelation functions of the large-scale transmission loss and the short-term path gains. While the former indicates a log-normal distribution with an exponentially decaying autocorrelation, the latter indicates a conditional Ricean distribution with Bessel-type autocorrelation.
Quantum Theory and the Resurrection of Jesus

Abstract: Ever since the time of Hume it has been a truism that the worldview of empirical science, and Christian assertion of the resurrection of Jesus, are antithetical to each other. Yet post-Newtonian science, and especially quantum theory, suggests the need for a reappraisal of this truism. This reappraisal will first examine the implications of the indeterminism of the quantum world, to consider the physical possibility of Jesus’ resurrection. Second, an appraisal of the historical evidence will suggest the likelihood of Jesus’ resurrection. Finally, I will consider some implications of all this for contemporary Christian thought.
An improved introduction to computing emphasizing the development of algorithms and using the Apple Macintosh Pascal

Many colleges and universities offer an introductory computer science course based on a specific programming language. The Department of Computer Science at the University of Kansas has recently created a new environment in order to better teach such topics as problem solving, algorithmic design, elementary programming techniques, and elementary computer techniques. This paper will discuss the transition from a time-sharing environment to a modern microcomputer laboratory. It will also discuss the pedagogic techniques used in the new environment. It is hoped that others will benefit from our experiences.
Compact matrix formalism for phase space analysis of complex optical systems

Phase space analysis is a powerful approximate scheme for the analysis of complex optical systems. The matrix formalism introduced makes it possible to determine all important beam characteristics as a function of the distance from the source. An algebraic approach comprising matrix transformations and determinants was consistently employed rather than numerical phase space integrations. While the primary application is x-ray and neutron optics, the approach can be used more generally for characterizing finite-size beams near the optical axis.
Confidence Intervals for Quantiles When Applying Latin Hypercube Sampling

Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) is a variance-reduction technique (VRT) that can be thought of as an extension of stratified sampling in higher dimensions. It can also be considered a generalization of antithetic variates, another VRT. This paper develops asymptotically valid confidence intervals for quantiles that are estimated via simulation using LHS.
Indian Clothing Before Cortés.

Indian Clothing Before Cortes. PATRICIA RIEFF ANAWALT. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1990. 232 pages. $37.95 (cloth). ISBN 0-8061-2288-9.