cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Community Detection in a Large Real-World Social Network

Identifying meaningful community structure in social networks is a hard problem, and extreme network size or sparseness of the network compound the difficulty of the task.With a proliferation of real-world network datasets there has been an increasing demand for algorithms that work effectively and efficiently. Existing methods are limited by their computational requirements and rely heavily on the network topology, which fails in scale-free networks. Yet, in addition to the network connectivity, many datasets also include attributes of individual nodes, but current methods are unable to incorporate this data. Cognizant of these requirements we propose a simple approach that stirs away from complex algorithms, focusing instead on the edge weights; more specifically, we leverage the node attributes to compute better weights. Our experimental results on a real-world social network show that a simple thresholding method with edge weights based on node attributes is sufficient to identify a very strong community structure.
Sjogren's syndrome: Clinical aspects

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is the 2nd most common chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease and associated with a high burden of illness. Morbidity arises not only from untreated xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca but also from extra-glandular manifestations including the development of non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphomas. Proper diagnosis of SS requires objective evidence of dry eyes and/or objective evidence of dry mouth as well as proof of autoimmunity. The recent development of new international classification criteria and clinical practice guidelines for SS should not only enhance the existing standards of care but also facilitate further studies to improve future diagnosis and outcomes.
The origin of fast molecular outflows in quasars: Molecule formation in AGN-driven galactic winds

We explore the origin of fast molecular outflows that have been observed in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). Previous numerical studies have shown that it is difficult to create such an outflow by accelerating existing molecular clouds in the host galaxy, as the clouds will be destroyed before they can reach the high velocities that are observed. In this work, we consider an alternative scenario where molecules form in-situ within the AGN outflow. We present a series of hydro-chemical simulations of an isotropic AGN wind interacting with a uniform medium. We follow the time-dependent chemistry of 157 species, including 20 molecules, to determine whether molecules can form rapidly enough to produce the observed molecular outflows. We find H$_2$ outflow rates up to 140 M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$, which is sensitive to density, AGN luminosity, and metallicity. We compute emission and absorption lines of CO, OH and warm (a few hundred K) H$_2$ from the simulations in post-processing. The CO-derived outflow rates and OH absorption strengths at solar metallicity agree with observations, although the maximum line of sight velocities from the model CO spectra are a factor $\approx$2 lower than is observed. We derive a CO (1-0) to H$_2$ conversion factor of $\alpha_{\rm{CO} (1-0)}$ = 0.13 M$_\odot$ (K km s$^{-1}$ pc$^2$)$^{-1}$, 6 times lower than is commonly assumed in observations of such systems. We find strong emission from the mid-infrared lines of H$_2$. The mass of H$_2$ traced by this infrared emission is within a few per cent of the total H$_2$ mass. This H$_2$ emission may be observable by JWST.
Temperature of shocked plastic bonded explosive PBX 9502 measured with spontaneous Stokes/anti-Stokes Raman

Raman spectra and velocimetry of shocked PBX 9502 (plastic bonded explosive composed of 95% triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) and 5% 3M Company Kel F-800 polymer binder) are reported with the Stokes/anti-Stokes ratio used to determine temperature after the shock reflects from a lithium fluoride window. Final pressures up to 14.5 GPa were tested, but the pressure induced absorption of TATB caused the Raman signal to decrease exponentially with pressure. The reflected shock temperature could be determined to 7 GPa, with an average increase of 14.9 K/GPa. Suggestions to adapt the technique to permit thermometry at higher temperatures are discussed, as are comparisons to a recently proposed equation of state for PBX 9502.
Associations between parental broader autism phenotype and child autism spectrum disorder phenotype in the Study to Explore Early Development

The autism spectrum disorder phenotype varies by social and communication ability and co-occurring developmental, behavioral, and medical conditions. Etiology is also diverse, with myriad potential genetic origins and environmental risk factors. Examining the influence of parental broader autism phenotype—a set of sub-clinical characteristics of autism spectrum disorder—on child autism spectrum disorder phenotypes may help reduce heterogeneity in potential genetic predisposition for autism spectrum disorder. We assessed the associations between parental broader autism phenotype and child phenotype among children of age 30–68 months enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development (N = 707). Child autism spectrum disorder phenotype was defined by a replication of latent classes derived from multiple developmental and behavioral measures: Mild Language Delay with Cognitive Rigidity, Mild Language and Motor Delay with Dysregulation (e.g. anxiety/depression), General Developmental Delay, and Significant Dev...
Clients and Therapeutic Agents: Court Selection and Team Dynamics

This chapter illustrates the key principles of Mental Health Courts (MHCs) in the two case study sites detailing the selection process, treatment plans, conditions of probation, and the services offered to those opting-into the court. The chapter reveals how clients decide to opt-in or opt-out of the MHC and the ways in which some involuntarily get catch in the web of MHC. It details the MHC team members and specifically considers the role of the judge and other members of the team as therapeutic agents in dispensing therapeutic justice.
Creatures great and small: Real-world size of animals predicts visual cortex representations beyond taxonomic category.

Abstract Human occipitotemporal cortex contains neural representations for a variety of perceptual and conceptual features. We report a study examining neural representations of real-world size along the visual ventral stream, while carefully accounting for taxonomic categories that typically co-vary with size. We recorded brain activity during a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scan from eighteen participants as they were presented with images of twelve animal species. The animals were selected to vary on a number of dimensions, including taxonomic group, real-world size and prior familiarity. We apply multivariate analysis methods, including representational similarity analysis (RSA) and machine learning classifiers, to probe the distributed patterns of neural activity evoked by these presentations. We find that the real-world size of visually presented animate items is represented in posterior, but not anterior, regions of the ventral stream. A significant linear relationship is present for real-world size representation along the ventral stream. These representations remain after controlling for factors such as taxonomic category, familiarity and models of visual similarity, and even after restricting examinations to within-taxonomic category comparisons, suggesting that size information is found for within, as well as between, taxonomic categories. These findings are consistent with real-world size having an influence on activity patterns in early regions of the visual system.
Robotic radical prostatectomy after aborted prostatectomy: still feasible? The experience from a tertiary care center

To describe the surgical management of patients who had radical prostatectomy previously attempted but aborted due to diverse causes. Patients who underwent an “aborted prostatectomy” were extracted from the institutional prostatectomy database. A description of the tailored robotic approach was reported for each case. Tips and tricks for the accomplishment of robotic prostatectomy after aborted prostatectomy were reported. Six clinical cases were analyzed. Three patients had aborted prostatectomy due to complicated dissection hindered by pelvic mesh and bowel adhesions; one prostatectomy was aborted due to anesthesiology/respiratory matters; one for narrow pelvis; one due to abnormal pelvic vascular anatomy. All patients successfully underwent robotic prostatectomy at our institution. In five patients, standard transperitoneal robotic approach was performed. In one patient, robotic transperineal approach was mandatory. Median operative time was 282 min (86–460). Median estimated blood loss was 325 mL (50–1000). Two patients had positive surgical margins. One patient was found with nodal metastasis at final pathology. Neither perioperative nor postoperative complications were reported. At last follow-up, PSA was undetectable in 5/6 patients. Even after previous aborted prostatectomy, robot-assisted prostatectomy is feasible, with acceptable results. The case-by-case tailoring of the technique is the key for a successful intervention.
Developing oral communication in Spanish lower-level courses: The case of voice recording and videoconferencing activities

This study adds to the literature on computer-mediated communication (CMC) by examining the impact of online voice recording (VR) activities and peer-to-peer videoconferencing (VC) conversations on the development of beginning Spanish learners’ speaking performance. Specifically, this paper explores (1) whether VR and VC activities promote oral proficiency, and if so, whether those gains can be seen both in presentational and interpersonal modes of communication; and (2) whether VR and VC activities foster oral proficiency in similar ways to face-to-face (F2F) communication. A quasi-experimental, pre-/post-test design was used in the study. Three sections of a first semester Spanish course were assigned to one of the following conditions: F2F, VR, and VC. Complexity, accuracy, and fluency measures were used to analyze learners’ speaking performance in the two tasks. A mixed effects model analysis was used to investigate differences across time as well as among groups. Results show that both F2F communication and VR activities promote complexity and fluency in presentational tasks and fluency in interpersonal tasks, although F2F produces superior results regarding complexity in presentational tasks. VC activities promote complexity and fluency in presentational tasks and complexity, accuracy, and fluency in interpersonal tasks. Overall, this study shows that medium is not merely a delivery device but has important implications for learning outcomes. In this sense, these findings contribute to answering the wider question of how the use of technology in second language instruction plays a decisive role in current teaching practices.
Utilization of antineoplastic chemotherapy near the end of life in patients with solid tumors.

9524 Background: The American Society of Clinical Oncology considers cessation of cancer-directed therapy for patients with solid tumors who lack clinical benefit from further treatment as a key op...
Engaging Black and Latinx Students through Communal Learning Opportunities: A Relevance Intervention for Middle Schoolers in STEM Elective Classrooms

Abstract With the aim of bridging research in educational psychology and teacher education, we designed a research-practice partnership to unpack the concept of relevance from a race-reimaged perspective. Specifically, we employed a mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design to examine associations between the communal learning opportunities afforded to Black and Latinx students, and their engagement patterns during STEM activities. Within a nine-week instructional unit we provided students six opportunities to rate their scholastic activities. High levels of behavioral engagement were sustained over the course of the instructional unit. On weeks when students rated the activities as higher in communal affordances, they also reported more behavioral engagement. Classroom observations facilitated our efforts to create state space grids that show when and how teachers used emancipatory pedagogies to support students’ learning. We used these state space grids, along with teacher interviews and student focus groups, to develop contextualized illustrations of two teachers of color as they successfully provided communal forms of motivational support over the span of six observations per teacher. These strategies differed based on three key factors: where the lesson was placed within the larger instructional unit, the way teachers interpreted and responded to their students’ engagement patterns, and how the demands of the larger school environment impacted classroom dynamics.
[Application of AirQ+ software in air pollution acute health risk assessment in China].

Objective To promote the application of software AirQ +developed by WHO in the air pollution health risk assessment in China. Methods Introduced the calculation principle, scope of application, required data, results output and application examples of the model. Meta-analysis result of exposure-response relationship coefficients of acute health risks of air pollution in China are also provided in this paper. Results The air quality and other related parameters of the study area in China can be input into AirQ+ software to obtain the attributable risk value of the health outcome of the exposed population compared with the reference concentration. Conclusion The AirQ + software can be used for quantitative assessment of acute health risks of air pollution in China.
The American Board of Medical Specialties: Certification and the Need for Antitrust Enforcement

Certification functions as medicine’s gatekeeper. Certifying organizations ensure that their physicians meet the appropriate professional standards. Traditionally, numerous organizations have provided certification services, which often involve costly testing and exams. Competition among these organizations drove innovation and lowered healthcare costs. The domination of the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) over certification is dramatically raising certification costs and indirectly accreditation costs throughout medicine, decreasing access to physicians, increasing already exploding medical budgets, and reducing healthcare innovation. Leveraging its dominant market position in certification, ABMS and its member boards are now extracting even more revenue from physicians by requiring not simply periodic recertification exams to maintain board membership but continuous participation in maintenance of certification (MOC) programs. ABMS’ growing power is spreading beyond certification. Its influence has appeared to lead to hospitals only granting privileges to, and even insurance companies only reimbursing, ABMS-certified physicians. State boards of medicine, under ABMS’ sway, are adopting policies only favoring ABMS-certified physicians. Cementing the ABMS-monopoly will only drive up healthcare costs, as physicians pass on the cost of their certification testing to patients and the government. The number of physicians will also decline, exacerbating access problems particularly in rural America.
Estimated Latent Tuberculosis Infection Prevalence and Tuberculosis Reactivation Rates Among Non-U.S.-Born Residents in the United States, from the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Increased testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among US-residents who were born (or lived) in countries with high rates of TB can hasten progress toward TB elimination. We calculated LTBI prevalence using QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube results from the 2011 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). LTBI prevalence was highest for persons born in India (31.7%, 95% confidence interval [21.2, 44.5]). Non-Hispanic white persons had the lowest LTBI prevalence (6.3% [1.9, 18.9]). TB reactivation rate, defined as the number of TB cases not associated with recent transmission per 100 person-years of life with LTBI, was highest for persons born in Vietnam [0.183 (0.117, 0.303)]. Reactivation rates were lower among persons who had resided in the United States for ≥ 10 years than among those who had resided for < 10 years. Results among high risk populations can guide LTBI targeted testing and treatment among non-U.S.-born residents.
DeepPower: Non-intrusive and Deep Learning-based Detection of IoT Malware Using Power Side Channels

The vulnerability of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to malware attacks poses huge challenges to current Internet security. The IoT malware attacks are usually composed of three stages: intrusion, infection and monetization. Existing approaches for IoT malware detection cannot effectively identify the executed malicious activities at intrusion and infection stages, and thus cannot help stop potential attacks timely. In this paper, we present DeepPower, a non-intrusive approach to infer malicious activities of IoT malware via analyzing power side-channel signals using deep learning. DeepPower first filters raw power signals of IoT devices to obtain suspicious signals, and then performs a fine-grained analysis on these signals to infer corresponding executed activities inside the devices. DeepPower determines whether there exists an ongoing malware infection by conducting a correlation analysis on these identified activities. We implement a prototype of DeepPower leveraging low-cost sensors and devices and evaluate the effectiveness of DeepPower against real-world IoT malware using commodity IoT devices. Our experimental results demonstrate that DeepPower is able to detect infection activities of different IoT malware with a high accuracy without any changes to the monitored devices.
Targeting family functioning, acculturative stress, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption for obesity prevention: findings from the Hispanic community children's health study/study of Latino youth.

Maintaining a bond with one’s family as well coping with stress while acculturating to the US may protect Hispanic/Latino youth from increased sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption, which heightens the risk for overweight and obesity. This study aims to examine associations between acculturative stress, family functioning, and SSB consumption by acculturation status among U.S. Hispanic/Latino youth. With cross-sectional data on 1465 youth 8-16y (49.6% females) participating in the Hispanic Community Children’s Health Study/Study of Latino Youth, we classified youths into four acculturation groups – assimilated, integrated, marginalized/separated, and unclassified. SSB consumption was assessed through two 24-h diet recalls and defined as intake frequency of soda, fruit juice, sweetened soft and fruit drinks. Multi-group path regression models were used to test associations of Hispanic/Latino youth’ acculturative stress and family functioning with SSB consumption, as well as the moderating role of acculturation status. When controlling for age, sex, and study site, acculturative stress (β = − 0.13, p = 0.01) was inversely associated with SSB, and poor family functioning (β = 0.11, p = 0.07) was only marginally associated with SSB consumption among youth classified as assimilated but not among youth classified as integrated, marginalized/separated, or unclassified. A socio-ecological perspective that incorporates the role of key acculturation-related factors across multiple levels may aid efforts to identify mechanisms that influence the relationship between acculturation status and diet among Hispanic/Latino youth and their families.
Image fusion in remote sensing by multi-objective deep learning

This paper presents a multi-objective deep learning method for the purpose of achieving image fusion or pansharpening in remote sensing. This method uses a Denoising Autoencoder (DA). Two terms are...
Chemometrics, Comprehensive Two-Dimensional gas chromatography and “omics” sciences: Basic tools and recent applications

Abstract The advent of Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC × GC) as a practical and accessible analytical tool had a considerable impact on analytical procedures associated to the so-called “omics” sciences. Specially when GC × GC is hyphenated to mass spectrometers or other multichannel detectors, in a single run it is possible to separate, detect and identify up to thousands of metabolites. However, the resulting data sets are exceedingly complex, and retrieving proper biochemical information from them demands powerful statistical tools to deal effectively with the massive amount of information generated by GC × GC. Nevertheless, the obtention of results valid on a chemical and biological standpoint depends on a deep understanding by the analyst of the fundamentals both of GC × GC and chemometrics. This review focuses on the basics of contemporary, fundamental chemometric tools applied to proccessing of GC × GC obtained from metabolomic, petroleomic and foodomic analyses. Here, we described the fundamentals of pattern recognition methods applied to GC × GC. Also, we explore how different detectors affect data structure and approaches for better data handling. Limitations regarding data structure and deviations from linearity are stressed for each algorithm, as well as their typical applications and expected output.
Temporal Patterning Integrating Diet and Physical Activity Shows Stronger Links to Health Indicators Compared to Patterning of Either Diet or Physical Activity Alone

Objectives Daily temporal patterns of energy intake (temporal dietary patterns, TDPs) and physical activity (temporal PA patterns, TPAPs) have been independently and jointly (joint temporal dietary and PA patterns, TDPAPs) associated with health indicators. The strength of the association between clusters of each pattern and health indicators including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (A1c), triglyceride (TAG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (Total-C), blood pressure, type 2 diabetes (T2D), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and obesity, were compared.
A new class of serotonin 5-HT2A /5-HT2C receptor inverse agonists: Synthesis, molecular modeling, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of novel 2-aminotetralins.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The 5-HT receptor (5-HTR) subtypes 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C are important neurotherapeutic targets, though, obtaining selectivity over 5-HT2B and closely related histamine H1 Rs is challenging. Here, we delineated molecular determinants of selective binding to 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C Rs for novel 4-phenyl-2-dimethylaminotetralins (4-PATs). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We synthesized 42 novel 4-PATs with halogen or aryl moieties at the C(4)-phenyl meta position. Affinity, function, molecular modeling, and 5-HT2A R mutagenesis studies were undertaken to understand structure-activity relationships at 5-HT2 -type and H1 Rs. Lead 4-PAT-type selective 5-HT2A /5-HT2C R inverse agonists were compared to pimavanserin, a selective 5-HT2A /5-HT2C R inverse agonist approved to treat psychoses, in the mouse head twitch response, and locomotor activity assays, as models relevant to antipsychotic drug development. KEY RESULTS Most 4-PAT diastereomers in the (2S,4R)-configuration bound non-selectively to 5-HT2A , 5-HT2C, and H1 Rs, with >100-fold selectivity over 5-HT2B Rs, whereas, diastereomers in the (2R,4R)-configuration bound preferentially to 5-HT2A over 5-HT2C Rs and had >100-fold selectivity over 5-HT2B and H1 Rs. Results suggest that G2385.42 and V2355.39 in 5-HT2A Rs (conserved in 5-HT2C Rs) are important for high affinity binding, whereas, interactions with T1945.42 and W1584.56 determine H1 R affinity. The 4-PAT (2S,4R)-2k, a potent and selective 5-HT2A /5-HT2C R inverse agonist, had activity like pimavanserin in the mouse head-twitch response assay, but was distinct in not suppressing locomotor activity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We provide evidence that the novel 4-PAT chemotype can yield selective 5-HT2A /5-HT2C R inverse agonists for antipsychotic drug development by optimizing ligand-receptor interactions in transmembrane domain 5. We also show that chirality can be exploited to attain selectivity over H1 Rs which may circumvent sedative effects.
Brokering the Research-Practice Gap: A typology.

Despite widespread recognition of a research–practice gap in multiple service sectors, less is known about how pre-existing communication channels facilitate the flow of information between researchers and practitioners. In the current study, we applied an existing typology of brokerage developed by Gould and Fernandez (Sociol Methodol 19:89–126, 1989) to examine what types of brokerage facilitate information spread between researchers and educational practitioners. Specifically, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 school administrators and staff in two public school districts regarding their experiences searching for information about instructional, health, and social skills programs. Using deductive content analysis, we found evidence of all five types of brokerage identified by Gould and Fernandez (1989). However, only three types of brokerage—gatekeepers, representatives, and liaisons—were involved in the flow of information between school administrators and researchers. Moreover, information transfer often occurred in longer chains that involved multiple, distinct types of brokerage. We conclude with the broad implications of our findings for narrowing the research–practice gap by improving researchers’ dissemination efforts and practitioners’ search for information.
Recovery oriented computing: a new research agenda for a new century

Summary form only given, as follows. After 15 years of successfully improving cost-performance, it's time for new challenges for the systems research community. As a result of the focus on cost-performance, the fabled five 9s of availability (99.999% uptime) looks to be much easier to achieve in advertising than in computers, and the cost of managing systems can be five times the cost of the hardware. In a Post-PC Era of wireless gadgets using services on the Internet, one new challenge is building services that really are dependable and much less expensive to maintain. Traditional Fault-Tolerant Computing concentrates on tolerating hardware and operating system faults, ignoring faults by human operators and even applications. Recovery Oriented Computing (ROC) aims at improving Mean Time To Recover to both lower the cost of management and improve at the availability of whole system, including the people who operate it. We look to civil engineering and diplomacy to inspire principles for ROC design. This talk outlines motivation for and proposed principles of ROC design, plus some concrete results in the area of benchmarking of availability.
Hierarchical Bayesian Space-Time Analysis†‡

This article introduces the hierarchical Bayesian (HB) approach to modeling the spatial-temporal structure and dependence as well as the model uncertainty. Many problems in the environmental sciences involve inferences for space-time-varying physical processes, which can be summarized in three stages: Data model, process model and prior on parameters. The HB approach allows for combining observations with physical models.
THE INFLUENCE OF STUDENT AID ON WITHIN-YEAR PERSISTENCE BY TRADITIONAL COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS IN FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES

This paper uses the 1987 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study to compare five alternative approaches for assessing the influence of student aid on within-year persistence by traditional college-age students enrolled in four-year colleges. Three conclusions were drawn from the research. First, models that included tuition charges better predicted within-year persistence than models that did not include this independent variable. Second, the use of multiple approaches for measuring the influence of student aid provided more insight into the ways student aid policies influence persistence than any single approach. Third, tuition charges had a consistent negative influence on persistence.
In vivo kinetic evaluation of an adhesive capsulitis model in rats.

Background and Hypothesis We hypothesized that extra-articular, internal fixation of the shoulder in rats would result in a subsequent decrease in rotational range of motion (ROM) and an increase in joint stiffness. We further hypothesized that residual kinematic changes would still be present at 8 weeks after immobilization. Extra-articular, internal fixation of the shoulder has been used to induce adhesive capsulitis in rats; however, the effects on in vivo kinematics have not been assessed. Methods Baseline measurements of rotational torque and ROM were acquired (n = 10 rats), and the left forelimb of each animal was immobilized with sutures passed between the scapula and the humeral shaft. After 8 weeks, the sutures were removed, and changes in kinematics and kinetics were longitudinally quantified in the follow-up period. Changes in stiffness, defined as the area under the angle-torque curve, were also quantified. Results Immediately after suture removal, there was a 63% decrease in total ROM compared with baseline (51° ± 10° vs. 136° ± 0°; P P = .002). Residual total ROM restrictions and an increased torque in internal rotation were still evident at 8 weeks of follow-up (113° ± 8° vs. 137° ± 0°, P P = .036). Stiffness also increased after suture removal and at 8 weeks of follow-up compared with baseline. Conclusion This animal model of adhesive capsulitis rendered lasting effects on in vivo kinematics of the shoulder.
Are diminutive turtles miniaturized? The ontogeny of plastron shape in emydine turtles

Miniaturization, or the evolution of a dramatically reduced body size compared to related lineages, is an extraordinarily widespread phenomenon among metazoans. Evolutionary biologists have been fascinated by miniaturization because this transition has occurred numerous times, often among close relatives, providing a model system for studying convergent evolution and its underlying mechanisms. Much of the developmental work describing the ontogeny of miniature species suggests that paedomorphosis is the predominant avenue of miniaturization. Nevertheless, specific alterations to ontogeny appear highly variable, so that even related lineages with similar miniaturized traits produce those similarities via distinct ontogenetic paths. One major vertebrate group that has been overlooked in research on miniaturization is turtles. In the present study, we examined patterns of shape change in the plastron (the ventral part of the shell) over the course of ontogeny in a small clade of turtles (Emydinae) aiming to investigate whether two independently evolved diminutive members of the clade (Glyptemys muhlenbergii and Clemmys guttata) should be considered as miniaturized. We employ geometric morphometric methods to quantify the patterns of shape change these potentially miniaturized species and their relatives undergo during ontogeny, and use molecular phylogenetic trees to reconstruct ancestral conditions and provide information on the polarity of shape changes. We find that differing changes in ontogenetic parameters relative to ancestral conditions accompany the evolution of small size in emydines: G. muhlenbergii changes the duration of ontogeny and rate of shape change, whereas C. guttata changes growth rate. The observed ontogenetic repatterning of these species is reminiscent of changes in ontogeny and life history often found in miniaturized taxa. However, we conclude that C. guttata and G. muhlenbergii are not truly miniaturized because they still produce typical adult shell morphologies, and larger emydines display comparable ontogenetic flexibility. Because no emydines carry juvenile shell features forward into adulthood, we speculate that few, if any turtles, will show paedomorphic shell traits without corresponding changes in defensive strategy because such shells may offer insufficient protection. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London
From Enlightened Positivism to Cosmopolitan Justice: Obstacles and Opportunities

This paper explores the possibilities for linkages between various forms of positivism accepted by many international lawyers and various forms of cosmopolitanism advocated by scholars of global justice. Building on Bruno Simma's conception of "enlightened positivism," it identifies areas in which cosmopolitan trends have already seeped into the fabric of international law and the key gaps between positivist and cosmopolitan visions of international law and the international community. Emphasizing the contributions that philosophical inquiry can add to international legal scholarship, and vice-versa, it concludes with some thoughts on further integration of cosmopolitan thinking into positivist methodologies.
Precise Exception Semantics in Dynamic Compilation

Maintaining precise exceptions is an important aspect of achieving full compatibility with a legacy architecture. While asynchronous exceptions can be deferred to an appropriate boundary in the code, synchronous exceptions must be taken when they occur. This introduces uncertainty into liveness analysis since processor state that is otherwise dead may be exposed when an exception handler is invoked. Previous systems either had to sacrifice full compatibility to achieve more freedom to perform optimization, use less aggressive optimization or rely on hardware support.In this work, we demonstrate how aggressive optimization can be used in conjunction with dynamic compilation without the need for specialized hardware. The approach is based on maintaining enough state to recompute the processor state when an unpredicted event such as a synchronous exception may make otherwise dead processor state visible. The transformations necessary to preserve precise exception capability can be performed in linear time.
Cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor antagonism blunts the acute hypotensive response to endotoxin in cats

This study evaluated the effects of a cysteinyl-leukotriene-1 (cys-LT1) receptor antagonist, zarfirlukast, during feline endotoxemia. Six adult, sexually intact male cats received either placebo or zarfirlukast (10 mg, PO) and endotoxin (2 μg/kg/h q 6 h) in a cross-over design. Rectal temperature, heart rate, systolic arterial blood pressure, plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity, interleukin (IL)-6 concentration and urine cys-LT to creatinine ratio were evaluated. The rectal temperature, plasma TNF activity and IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher and systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate significantly lower after endotoxin infusion. Cats treated with zafirlukast had a significantly higher blood pressure at 4 h (P = 0.002) compared to placebo. Urine cys-LT to creatinine ratio was significantly greater in the cats treated with zafirlukast compared to placebo (P = 0.02). Zafirlukast administration ameliorated the acute hypotensive response to endotoxin in cats, but failed to significantly alter rectal temperature, heart rate or production of TNF and IL-6.
Effectiveness of two barriers at inhibiting post-radical pelvic surgery adhesions.

Abstract Objective: To compare the abilities of Gore-Tex Surgical Membrane (Gore-SM) and Interceed to inhibit post-radical pelvic surgery adhesion formation in a porcine model of radical hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, and resection of pelvic peritoneum. Methodology: Twenty-seven hogs were evaluated. After completion of the radical resection animals were randomized to no treatment or covering the peritoneal defect with a tailored sheet of Gore-SM or Interceed. The Gore-SM was secured in place using a continuous running 4-O Prolene suture while the Interceed was allowed to adhere without sutured attachment. Four weeks after the initial surgery, the animals were reexplored, adhesions quantified, and note was made of any segments of small bowel that were adherent into the pelvis. Results: One animal in each of the treatment groups died of respiratory compromise in the postoperational period. Adhesion scores for the Interceed covered pelvis ( n = 9; mean=0.04 ± 0.04) were significantly less than those treated with Gore-Sm ( n = 9, mean=0.18 ± 0.15, P = 0.02). Both treated groups had significantly fewer adhesions in the pelvis than did the controls ( n = 7, mean 1.33 ± .51; vs Interceed P = 0.0005, vs Gore SM, P = 0.0007). Conclusions: Interceed was a more effective barrier for postoperative adhesion prophylaxis than the Gore-SM. Interceed also offered a technical advantage at time of placement.
Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of Ustilago violacea.

Isolates of the two mating type strains of the basidiomycete phytopathogen Ustilago violacea (Pers.) Roussel [a.k.a Microbotryum violaceum (Pers.:Pers.) Deml and Oberw] are restricted in their host range to one or a few species of Caryophyllaceae (Pinks). Molecular genetics maps in this species are commonly constructed by analyzing the segregation of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) among the progeny of a sexual cross and more recently through electrophoretic karyotypes and chromosomal polymorphism using CHEF gel analysis. However, currently, polymorphisms in genomic fingerprints generated by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can distinguish between strains of almost any organism, which is useful in genetic mapping. The objective of this project was to use PCR technology, 40 Operon 10-mer primers, and 5 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers, designed on microsatellite sequences to determine their efficiency in detecting intraspecific differences between the genomic DNA of the two mating type strains of U. violacea (a1 and a2). Polymorphism in the banding patterns of the DNA samples was detected after PCR and electrophoresis in 1.4% agarose gels. This polymorphic intraspecific variation will be utilized to detect cryptic and trans-active transposable elements in U. violacea.
Rodent peritoneal macrophages as bone resorbing cells.

Because of the difficulty in obtaining large, relatively pure populations of osteoclasts, most studies of bone resorption are performed on intact animals or in cultures of embryonic bone rudiments. These experimental systems, however, do not permit detailed analysis of the cellular mechanisms of matrix degradation or of the means whereby resorbing cells attach to the bone surface.
Using bond graphs in nonlinear simulation problems

A unique feature of bond-graph techniques is that they provide the modeler with a graphical representa tion of the causality (i.e., the input-output rela tionships) in the underlying system. An understand ing of causality makes the modeler aware of algebraic loops and implicit differential equations at an early stage in the solution process. It also clarifies the effects of adding or deleting features of the model. The modeler can use causal information to create simulation programs for nonlinear systems even when some variables cannot readily be expressed in equation form. The resulting program is equivalent to a set of state equations but contains subroutines instead of algebraic expressions. For many complex systems, using vector bond graphs to represent causal interactions among large subsystems can help the modeler write programs using sets of variables rather than individual variables.
Comparison of schwinger and Kohn variational phase shift calculations

Abstract Numerical calculations of the l =0 phase shift for an attractive Yukawa potential are reported using Schwinger and Kohn (type) variational methods. Accurate values can be obtained from both procedures, but when the same basis set of short range functions is used, the Kohn procedure gives superior results.
Pyrolysis—mass spectrometry studies of atmospheric particles

Abstract Pyrolysis—mass spectrometry (Py—MS) as a taxonomic tool was applied to a series of atmospheric particulate samples. Seven pure and mixed source samples were individually pyrolyzed at 450°C directly into a mass spectrometer. The resulting spectra were summed and analyzed using an Euclidian Distance calculated from an n -dimensional array of peak intensity values weighted utilizing a Fisher ratioing procedure. The results of this study indicate that Py—MS can be used to distinguish various atmospheric particulate sources.
Stresses and Magnetostrictive Effects of Lamellae in the Titanomagnetite and Ilmenohematite Series

Differences in the lattice parameters of hematite, ilmenite and magnetite are responsible for lattice mismatch across the boundaries of magnetite-ilmenite and hematite-ilmenite lamellae. Most of this mismatch is relieved by periodic edge dislocations, the remainder by constant strain of the lattice. The periodic stress field produced by the dislocations and the constant stress due to crystal strain are calculated for both types of lamellae. A model based on magnetostrictive control of magnetization can account for the coercivities of hematite lamellae in ilmenite. The model predicts that the coercive force of such a lamella should be inversely proportional to the square root of the lamella thickness, and calculated coercivities agree well with observed values. High coercivities associated with magnetite-ilmenite lamellae are probably due to single domain effects, since they cannot be accounted for by magnetostrictive control of any type.
Imbedding methods for the integral equations for the optimal control of time-lag systems, I: Parameter dependence

The problem of the optimal control of systems with time lags can be reduced to a Fredholm integral equation. In this paper, it is shown that the Fredholm resolvent satisfies an initial-value problem in which a parameter serves as the independent variable. This reduction may be of computational utility.
Porcine dermis interposition graft for repair of high grade anterior compartment defects with or without concomitant pelvic organ prolapse procedures.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Recent literature suggests that graft interposition may decrease the incidence of cystocele recurrence. We describe our experience with porcine dermis interposition grafts for the repair of high grade cystoceles.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all women who underwent surgical repair of high grade cystocele. Prolapse was graded with the Baden-Walker and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantitation systems, and all patients were evaluated with multichannel videourodynamics. Concomitant stress urinary incontinence was corrected with a pubovaginal sling and vault prolapse was corrected with iliococcygeus vault suspension. Postoperatively patients were evaluated at 2 weeks, 2 months, 6 months and annually thereafter.Results: A total of 70 patients underwent cystocele repair with a porcine dermis interposition graft. Concomitant procedures included a pubovaginal sling in 65 patients and vaginal vault suspension in 50. Mean followup was 24 months. There were no intraoperat...
Retinoic acid prevents downregulation of ras recision gene/lysyl oxidase early in adipocyte differentiation

Adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells is a complex process which is inhibited by retinoic acid (RA). Since RA acts by nuclear receptors which directly regulate gene expression, we postulate that the primary targets of RA action in this system are genes which are regulated early in adipose conversion. In this study, we demonstrate the use of the differential display technique to search for early events in adipose commitment which are sensitive to RA. A mRNA was identified on the basis of its RA-dependent gene expression 24 h after initiation of a standard differentiation protocol. Molecular cloning of the cDNA revealed it to be identical to the ras recision gene (rrg), for lysyl oxidase. Indeed, two mRNAs identical to those recognized by lysyl oxidase probes were expressed in preadipocytes and tandemly repressed with 24 h of exposure to differentiation conditions. Lysyl oxidase activity was similarly reduced in the media of differentiated cells. RA completely blocked the differ-entiation-related reduction in rrg/lysyl oxidase gene expression, although RA had no independent stimulatory effect on rrg/lysyl oxidase expression in cells not exposed to differentiating conditions. Thus, differential display has been successfully used to identify rrg/lysyl oxidase as an early marker for adipose conversion that is responsive to RA.
Characterization of regional and age‐related variations in the growth of the rabbit distal femur

Fluorochrome labeling and microcomputed tomography were used to completely characterize the regional and age-related variations in bone growth in the distal femur of the young rabbit. Use of the microcomputed tomography system, in conjunction with the more routine fluorochrome labeling, allows the investigation of changes in shape that occur during development. The growth plate in the distal femur studied here is remarkable for several reasons. First, growth rates of as much as 700 microns/day were measured, a much higher rate than those typically measured in other species or in more mature animals. In addition, regional variations in bone growth rates of as much as 300 microns/day were identified in the 6-week-old rabbit. These variations resulted in the formation of a complex curvature in the growth plate, including four mammillary processes. Identifying the factors that regulate this type of regional variation may be especially useful in understanding the causes for angular deformities such as tibia vara or developmental dysplasias.
An experimentally justified confining potential for electrons in two-dimensional semiconductor quantum dots

We propose a confinement potential for electrons in a two-dimensional (2D) quantum dot that is more physically motivated and better experimentally justified than the commonly used infinite range parabolic potential or few other choices. Because of the specific experimental setup in a 2D quantum dot involving application of gate potentials, an area of electron depletion is created near the gate. The resulting positively charged region can be most simply modeled as a uniformly charged 2D disk of positive background charge. Within this experimental setup, the individual electrons in the dot feel a confinement potential originating from the uniformly positively charged 2D background disk. Differently from the infinitely high parabolic confinement potential, the resulting 2D charged disk potential has a finite depth. The resulting 2D charged disk potential has a form that can be reasonably approximated as a parabolic potential in the central region of the dot (for low energy states of the electrons) and as a Coulomb potential (that becomes zero at large distances). We study the electronic properties of the 2D charged disk confinement potential by means of the numerical diagonalization method and compare the results to the case of 2D quantum dots with a pure parabolic confinement potential.
Friction- and mountain-torque estimates from global atmospheric data

Seasonal, zonal surface torques between the atmosphere and the earth are estimated and compared, using data from a number of independent sources. The mountain torque is computed both from surface pressure data and from isobaric height data. The friction torque is estimated from the oceanic stress data of Hellerman and Rosenstein. Results for the total torque are inferred from atmospheric angular momentum data. Finally, the globally integrated total torque is compared with astronomical observations of the earth's rotation rate. These comparisons help us to assess the quality of the different results. Zonal torques are also computed using results from a GFDL general circulation model of the atmosphere. A comparison with the corresponding results inferred from real data is presented and interpreted in terms of model accuracy.