cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of sperm numbers and time of insemination relative to ovulation on sow fertility

Abstract We examined the effect of inseminating mixed parity sows ( n =231) once with fewer sperm at different times relative to ovulation. Lactation length was 19 days and sows received an IM injection of 600IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) 12h before weaning. At 80h after eCG injection, sows received an IM injection of 5mg porcine luteinizing hormone (pLH). Predicted time of ovulation (PTO) was 38h after pLH injection. Sows were assigned by parity to receive a single transcervical artificial insemination (AI) at either 6 or 24h before PTO with semen doses containing either 2.5 or 1.25×10 9 sperm. A positive control group of sows ( n =49) was subject to conventional AI 24 and 6h before PTO. Detection of estrus was performed in the presence of a boar and only sows exhibiting estrous behavior at the assigned time of AI were included in the study. Farrowing rate for sows receiving 2.5×10 9 sperm at 6h before PTO was greater than that for sows receiving 1.25×10 9 sperm at 24h before PTO (85% versus 61%, P
Patterns of Adrenal Secretion and Urinary Excretion of Aldosterone and Plasma Renin Activity in Normal and Hypertensive Subjects

In this report we present 302 measurements of either the adrenal secretion of aldosterone or the urinary excretion rate of the acid-labile conjugate of the hormone in 168 patients with various forms and stages of hypertensive disease. The measurements were compared with results obtained in normal subjects studied under similar circumstances of sodium balance. Studies of 73 consecutive patients with essential hypertension provided no indication that an abnormality in aldosterone secretion or metabolism participates in the pathogenesis of this condition. Furthermore, no instances of occult primary aldosteronism were discovered. These results give no support to the claims of other groups of a 20 to 44% incidence of aldosteronism in uncomplicated benign essential hypertension. Our total experience indicates that primary aldosteronism is a rare cause of hypertensive vascular disease. Increased aldosterone secretion was frequently observed in the more advanced forms and stages of hypertensive diseases. Oversecr...
Estimation of rational expectations models

Abstract This paper considers the estimation of linear rational expectations models when the objective function of the decision maker is quadratic. It presents methods for maximum likelihood estimation in the general case and in a special case when the decision maker's action is assumed to have no effect on the environment (as under perfect competition). It proposes a family of consistent estimators for the general case. It also comments on the assumptions of rational expectations models, and extends the above methods to estimating nonlinear models.
"What Happened at Work Today?": A Multistage Model of Gender, Employment, and Political Participation

This paper proposes a multistage, interactive model that takes into account selection processes into nonpolitical institutions, processes by which participatory factors are allocated within institutions, and the forward linkage to political activity to explain the small but persistent gender gap in political participation. Using OLS regression and simulation to analyze a large-scale survey containing detailed measures of both workplace experiences and political participation, we find that women are less likely than men to accumulate participatory factors on the job because they are less likely to be in the workforce at all, to be in the workforce full-time, or to be in high-level jobs. The net effect of these processes is that a substantial fraction of the gender gap in political activity can be explained by gender differences in workplace experiences.
Metabotropic glutamate receptors in superficial laminae of the rat dorsal horn.

Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry were employed here to show the distribution of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) mGluR2/3 and mGluR5 in laminae I and II of the dorsal horn, to identify their pre- and postsynaptic location, and to test colocalization with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). mGluR2/3 was mainly in the inner part of lamina II; mGluR5 was mainly in laminae I and II. Electron microscopy showed that both mGluR2/3 and mGluR5 were in perikarya, dendrites, and vesicle-containing profiles. Two main morphological types of primary afferent terminals can be distinguished in the superficial laminae: C1, likely to be endings of unmyelinated fibers, and C2, of small myelinated fibers. Quantitative data show that only a small fraction of C2s stained for either receptor; more common were immunopositive dendrites postsynaptic to these terminals, and most common were appositions between C2s and mGluR5 immunopositive dendrites. Vesicle-containing profiles were characteristically apposed to primary afferent terminals, mainly C2s. Immunopositivity for mGluRs, especially mGluR2/3, was present in vesicle-containing profiles apposed to C2, none to C1, and about half of the profiles immunostained for either receptor were also stained for GABA. The presence of presynaptic and postsynaptic mGluRs in both inhibitory and excitatory interneurons may contribute to complex processing of fast and slow responses to peripheral input in superficial laminae. As selective agonists of mGluRs may modulate GABA release, the present demonstration of mGluRs in GABAergic terminals of presumed interneurons suggests that facilitatory effects may involve a mechanism of disinhibition.
SU‐E‐T‐796: Assessment of Dose Distribution and Delivery Efficiency of Two Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Planning Techniques for Breast Cancer

Purpose: To assess the dose distribution and delivery efficiency on two different Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) planning techniques for breast cancer. The beam‐on time (BOT) was measured for the possibility of incorporating patient motion management system with VMAT. Methods: Three treatment scenarios were assessed: Whole Breast Irradiation (WBI), WBI plus supraclavicular lymph node (WBI+SC) and bi‐lateral WBI (BL‐WBI). Six partial arcs (P‐ARC) (50 degree per arc for WBI and WBI+SC; 80 degree per arc for BL‐WBI) and two full arcs (F‐ARC) planning techniques were compared. The targets and organs‐at‐risk (OAR) were contoured on the CTimages. All plans were optimized with the same objectives in Eclipse treatment planning system and were normalized to V95% equal to 95% on PTV in 50.4Gy prescription dose. Results: For all the plans, the PTVs received 55.44Gy were less than 1c.c.. P‐ARC technique has superior dose distribution to the F‐ARC in terms of V20Gy for lungs, V25Gy for hearts and mean doses for right breast. The volume received the low integral dose on the P‐ARC (V5Gy ∼50%) is approximately half in comparison to the F‐ARC (V5Gy =100%) on the ispli‐lateral lung and heart. The total BOT and the MU per plan was less in P‐ARC than in F‐ARC, especially the BL‐WBI. The BOT per arc is 13 seconds (P‐ARC) and 40 seconds (F‐ARC) respectively on the WBI and WBI+SC scenarios. For the BL‐WBI, average BOT per arc was 20 seconds (P‐ARC) and 85 seconds (F‐ARC). Conclusions: Our P‐ARC achieved excellent PTV coverage while maintaining extremely low doses to OARs in comparison to the F‐ARC. If the breathing holding technique is applied, the patient is able to achieve one breath holding per arc using the P‐ARC technique. The efficiency of the P‐ARC technique could provide the patient comfort and achieve precise treatment.
Noble-gas-induced broadening of transitions to Rydberg S and D states in atomic sodium

We have made comprehensive measurements of the noble-gas-induced (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) broadening cross sections of the Na 3S-nS (3S-nD) transitions, from n=5 to 38 (n=4 to 40). These measurements were made using the trilevel-echo technique and are an extension and refinement of our earlier work. We find that the cross sections increase as the geometric cross section at low values of n, and then, at a value of n which depends on the particular noble gas, begin to decrease and eventually reach an asymptotic value at high n. The broadening cross sections for the nearly degenerate D states are significantly larger than those for the S states and clearly show the effect of l-changing collisions. We also compare our measured S-state broadening cross sections with the cross sections calculated using the theory of Omont and find good qualitative agreement.
Prevention of diabetes and insulitis by neonatal intrathymic islet administration in NOD mice.

Abstract The murine model of human insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, develops a T cell-dependent destruction of pancreatic islet. While the target antigens are unknown, there is clearly a lack of tolerance to them. Neonatal intrathymic (i.t.) antigen injection has been successfully employed to prevent insulitis in BB rats but previous i.t. islet antigen studies in NOD mice were done on older mice. We have injected syngeneic islets into the thymus of NOD mice at birth and found that diabetes and insulitis can be completely prevented by this procedure. The effect is islet antigen-specific since other T cell responses, including autoimmune salivary infiltration, are unaffected. Furthermore, contrary to previous studies, cyclophosphamide administration was unable to induce diabetes in treated mice which suggests that deletion or anergy might be the mechanism by which neonatal intrathymic islet injection protects from disease. However, anti-islet antigen antibodies were still present in these mice which suggests that the mechanism of disease protection may be more complex.
MODIS-based spatiotemporal patterns of soil moisture and evapotranspiration interactions in Tampa Bay urban watershed

Soil moisture and evapotranspiration (ET) is affected by both water and energy balances in the soilvegetation- atmosphere system, it involves many complex processes in the nexus of water and thermal cycles at the surface of the Earth. These impacts may affect the recharge of the upper Floridian aquifer. The advent of urban hydrology and remote sensing technologies opens new and innovative means to undertake eventbased assessment of ecohydrological effects in urban regions. For assessing these landfalls, the multispectral Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) remote sensing images can be used for the estimation of such soil moisture change in connection with two other MODIS products - Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Land Surface Temperature (LST). Supervised classification for soil moisture retrieval was performed for Tampa Bay area on the 2 kmx2km grid with MODIS images. Machine learning with genetic programming model for soil moisture estimation shows advances in image processing, feature extraction, and change detection of soil moisture. ET data that were derived by Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) data and hydrologic models can be retrieved from the USGS web site directly. Overall, the derived soil moisture in comparison with ET time series changes on a seasonal basis shows that spatial and temporal variations of soil moisture and ET that are confined within a defined region for each type of surfaces, showing clustered patterns and featuring space scatter plot in association with the land use and cover map. These concomitant soil moisture patterns and ET fluctuations vary among patches, plant species, and, especially, location on the urban gradient. Time series plots of LST in association with ET, soil moisture and EVI reveals unique ecohydrological trends. Such ecohydrological assessment can be applied for supporting the urban landscape management in hurricane-stricken regions.
Effect of various 6-hydroxydopamine treatments during development on growth and ingestive behavior

Abstract Destruction of catecholamine-containing fibers in brain at 5 days of age with intracisternal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine reduced body growth, intake of a sucrose solution, and acquisition of an active avoidance response. Further characterization of behavioral deficits indicated that treated animals also showed reduced ingestion of saline solution when injected with desoxycorticosterone and a decreased eating response to insulin. In addition, all of these deficits produced by catecholamine depletion with 6-hydroxydopamine were observed in rats in which brain dopamine was preferentially reduced but not in rats having preferential destruction of noradrenergic fibers, suggesting that dopamine depletion accounts for the observed alterations in developing animals. Although animals treated with 6-hydroxydopamine at 14 days showed reduced intake of a sucrose solution, they did not have reduced growth. Since early malnourishment reduced growth, it seems possible that the reduced growth observed after destruction of dopaminergic fibers may be related to an acute reduction of food intake which is perpetuated by persistent deficits in ingestive behavior. Evidence implicating malnourishment in other deficits produced by 6-hydroxydopamine could not be obtained.
Straight from the Shoulder

The Food and Drug Administration has approved an implantable device that can store the medical identifier of a patient. Last December, one of these chips was placed in the right upper arm of the author, Dr. John Halamka.
One of us.

Picture a young man, beginning his career with high hopes of success, honor, and fame, but a little uncertain, perhaps, about how he will measure up. A crisis arises and in a moment of stress, he fails in his duty. Suddenly, his career is in ruins. Former friends and colleagues have abandoned him. He stands alone, accused by a court of inquiry with no one to help him in his ordeal. An older man, respected and secure, happens on the scene. He sees the young man's plight and reaches out to help. Later, the older man describes the situation to some friends and recounts it so: "... he was one of us. He stood there for all the parentage of his kind, for men and women by no means clever or amusing, but whose very existence is based upon honest faith, and upon the instinct of courage." So spoke Captain Marlowe
Cosmic X-rays

Searches for cosmic X-ray sources have led to a development of a new branch of astronomy. Dr Friedman talked about this subject at a meeting on cosmic X-ray astronomy held at the Royal Society on November 27.
Prevalence and age-specific incidence of burns in Ghanaian children.

Although burns are an important cause of child mortality in developing countries their incidence and prevalence are not known due to incomplete reporting and a lack of community-based studies. The present study sought to determine the prevalence of childhood burns in Ghanas Ashanti Region using burn scars as proxy from a community-based multi-site survey and to estimate age-specific incidence from the prevalence data. Maternal reports of childhood burns were confirmed by trained medical students who sketched the areas of scars and depigmentation on a burn assessment chart. 955 of the 15742 children 0-5 years of age in the study sample had a visible burn scar for a prevalence of 6%. The prevalence increased from 1% for children under 1 year of age to 10% for children 5 years old. Children from rural communities had a significantly higher burn prevalence (7%) than urban children (5%). The highest age-specific incidence was recorded among children 18-23 months (57.4/1000 person-years) followed by 37.45/1000 in the 6-11 month age group; incidence was lowest (0.0) among those 48-59 months of age. These findings confirm that childhood burns are a significant health problem in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. To facilitate the design of preventive interventions a case-control study of etiologic factors is recommended.
Effects of Triblock Copolymer Architecture and the Degree of Functionalization on the Organoclay Dispersion and Rheology of Nanocomposites

The effects of triblock copolymer architecture (ABA-type vs ABC-type) and the degree of functionalization on the organoclay dispersion in nanocomposites were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and linear dynamic viscoelasticity. For the study, a lamella-forming polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (SIS triblock) copolymer and a homogeneous polyisoprene-block-polystyrene-block-polybutadiene (ISB triblock) copolymer were synthesized via sequential anionic polymerization. Subsequently, the polyisoprene block of the SIS triblock copolymer was hydroxylated yielding an SIOHS triblock copolymer, and the polybutadiene block of the ISB triblock copolymer was hydroxylated yielding an ISBOH triblock copolymer. The degree of hydroxylation in both SIOHS and ISBOH triblock copolymers was varied. Both the unfunctionalized (SIS and ISB) and functionalized (SIOHS and ISBOH) triblock copolymers were used to prepare nanocomposites with two different types of organ...
External Pancreatic Fistula: Report of a Case With Physiologic Observations

A case of external pancreatic fistula in which cure was effected surgically has been reported. Certain physiologic observations were made.
A meta-analysis of cervical foraminotomy: open versus minimally-invasive techniques.

Abstract Background context The posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) may be performed using an open or minimally-invasive (MIS) approach using a tubular retractor. Although there are theoretical advantages such as less blood loss and shorter hospitalizations, there is no consensus in the literature regarding the best approach for treatment. Purpose To assess clinical outcomes of PCF treated with either an open or an MIS approach using a tubular retractor. Study design Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of English language studies for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy treated with foraminotomy. Patient sample Pooled patient results from Level I studies and Level IV retrospective studies. Outcome measures Meta-analysis for clinical success as determined by Odom and Prolo criteria, and visual analog scale scores for arm and neck pain. Methods A literature search of three databases was performed to identify investigations performed in the treatment of PCF with an open or MIS approach. The pooled results were performed by calculating the effect size based on the logit event rate. Studies were weighted by the inverse of the variance, which included both within and between-study errors. Confidence intervals (CIs) were reported at 95%. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q statistic and I-squared, where I-squared is the estimate of the percentage of error due to between-study variation. Results The initial literature search resulted in 195 articles, of which, 20 were determined as relevant on abstract review. An open foraminotomy approach was performed in six; similarly, an MIS approach was performed in three studies. The pooled clinical success rate was 92.7% (CI: 88.9, 95.3) for open foraminotomy and 94.9% (CI: 90.5, 97.4) for MIS foraminotomy, which was not statistically significant (p=.418). The open group demonstrated relative homogeneity with Q value of 7.6 and I2 value of 34.3%; similarly, the MIS group demonstrated moderate study heterogeneity with Q value of 4.44 and I2 value of 54.94%. Conclusions Patients with symptomatic cervical radiculopathy from foraminal stenosis can be effectively managed with either a traditional open or an MIS foraminotomy. There is no significant difference in the pooled outcomes between the two groups.
s-RNA synthesis V. Reconstitution of a biological property of phosphodiesterase-treated s-RNA

Brief treatment of soluble ribonucleic acid with snake venom phosphodiesterase results in the liveration of approximately 10% of the ribonucleotides by a process of random degradation. Phosphodiesterase-treated soluble ribonucleic acid shows a greatly enhanced capacity to incorporate cytidylic acid and uridylic acid but a decreased capacity to accept adenylic acid. The presence of the three complementary ribonucleoside 5′-triphosphates enhances the capacity of the degraded solbule ribonucleic acid to incorporate adenylic acid and cytidylic acid but inhibits the capacity of this material to accept uridylic acid. The latter effects are not observed with the untreated soluble ribonucleic acid. The capacity of soluble ribonucleic acid to accept threonine and valine is greatly reduced after the phosphodiesterase treatment. The threonine acceptor capacity of the treated soluble ribonucleic acid is almost completely restored by incubation with all 4 ribonucleoside triphosphates and the nucleotide incorporating enzyme system. Under similar conditions, only partial reconstitution of the ability of soluble ribonucleic acid to accept radioactuve valine occurs. The capacity of phosphodiesterase-treated soluble ribonucleic acid to accept a mixture of 5 amino acids is maximal after pre-incubation with adenosine triphosphate, cytidine triphosphate and uridine triphosphate and the nucleotide incorporating enzyme system.
Resistant hypertension: is renal denervation the current treatment of choice?

AbstractBackground: Resistant hypertension is simply defined as failure to control blood pressure <140/90 mmHg in an adherent non-diabetic patient with normal kidney function despite the use of optimal doses of three antihypertensive agents, including a diuretic. Also, control of blood pressure in any adherent patient with more than four antihypertensive agents defines resistant hypertension. In a patient with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, the goal blood pressure is <130/80 mmHg. One of the most important pathophysiological mechanisms of resistant hypertension is overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). In selected patients with resistant hypertension, renal denervation has been shown to control blood pressure by suppressing SNS overactivity. Summary: This review summarizes the results of the studies of renal denervation for resistant hypertension and suggests the use of this procedure in several other conditions that are associated with SNS overactivity. Key message: Renal denervation ...
An Energy-Scalable Margin Propagation-Based Analog VLSI Support Vector Machine

This paper presents a novel approach for designing energy-scalable analog VLSI recognizers. Unlike conventional designs that rely on the translinear response of MOS transistors biased in weak inversion, the proposed approach uses margin propagation, enabling system operation independent of MOS transistor biasing conditions. In this paper margin propagation has been used for designing energy-scalable support vector machines (SVM) whose power and speed requirements can be configured dynamically without any degradation in performance. A prototype SVM operating with 14 dimensional feature vectors and 28 support vectors has been designed and fabricated in a 0.5mum CMOS process. The chip integrates an array of floating gate transistors that serve as storage for SVM parameters. Circuit level simulations demonstrate near identical performance to an equivalent software-based SVM with power dissipation less than 1muW at a rate of 100 classifications per second.
Differences in photosynthetic characteristics among northern and southern C4 plants

Both responses to short-term changes of temperature and to chilling under high light were analyzed in populations of Echinochloa crus-galli var. crus-galli (L.) Beauv. from Quebec. North Carolina and Mississippi to improve the understanding of C4 photosynthesis at low temperature. Comparison also included plants of Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. from Mississippi to provide for differences among species and populations. Plants were grown at two thermoperiods (28/22°C, 21/15°C). After transfer from cool (21/15°C) to warm (28/22°C) growth conditions, Echinochloa from Mississippi achieved the highest photosynthetic rates. Plants from Quebec maintained the highest rates of CO2 uptake upon transfer to cool conditions. Exposure to 7°C for 3 days at a photon fluence rate of 1000 μmol m−2s−1 resulted in a reduction in the growth rates of all populations. This reduction was paralleled by a decrease in net photosynthesis and in stomatal conductance. Following chilling under hight light, the reduction in growth parameters was less important for plants from Quebec than for the other populations. It suggests that, among other characteristics, northern plants had developed a certain tolerance to chilling under light.
Prostatic Marker Needles to Define the Anterior Dissection Planes during APR for Rectal Cancers in Patients with Previous Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

IntroductionIn low rectal cancers for which the sphincter mechanismproves unsalvageable, the abdominoperineal resection(APR) is frequently used. The most critical portion ofAPR is the anterior dissection because of the proximity ofthe urethra. This requires a perineal dissection wherein theanterior dissection should proceed dorsally to the bulboca-vernosus muscle to avoid injury to the membranous urethra.In males, though the rectum and prostate curve away fromone another as two convex surfaces, approximately up tohalf of the posterior prostate surface is in close contact withanterior rectum.
Effects of crop acreage and aggregation level on price‐yield correlations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of data aggregation and farm‐level crop acreage on the level of natural hedge, i.e. the level of price‐yield correlations, which is an important issue in risk modeling and management.Design/methodology/approach – Swiss FADN data for five crops covering the period 2002‐2009 are used to estimate price‐yield correlations at the farm‐ as well as on an aggregated level. Tobit regressions are used to estimate empirical relationships between the level of natural hedge and the underlying crop acreage.Findings – Price‐yield correlations differ significantly between farm‐ and aggregated‐level. More specifically, the natural hedge observed at the farm‐level is much smaller, i.e. correlations are closer to zero. Taking correlations from aggregated levels thus leads to an underestimation of farm‐level revenue variability. Furthermore, it is found that larger farms have a stronger natural hedge. For instance, a 1 percent increase in area under maize and inte...
how r u??? Lesbian and bi-identified youth on MySpace.

For lesbian/bi youth, MySpace Groups have become virtual gathering places to flirt, joke, and occasionally engage one another on issues of identity and relationships. These Groups offer them opportunities to connect in ways unknown to previous generations of lesbian/bi women. This article identifies types of Topic Forums within Groups that members use to initiate ongoing exchanges as a form of virtual conversation. Four topic threads that emerged from these Forums were explored to gather information on the kinds of issues discussed by young lesbian/bi women online. The topics were “should frequent sex be relevant to a great relationship?”; “Random”; “r u out?? how did u come out?? how did ur parents take it?? when did u come out??”; and “bi or lesbian”). They provide the basis for a descriptive analysis of the ways in which young lesbian/bi women present themselves to others, react to one another, and share thoughts, experiences, and emotions in cyberspace.
Screening alternative antibiotics against oxytetracycline-susceptible and -resistant Paenibacillus larvae

Since resistance of the causative organism of American foulbrood, Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae, to oxytetracycline (OTC) is becoming widespread in the United States, we began a search for effective alternative antibiotics. We investigated the sensitivity of P. l. larvae to 27 antibiotics, which were primarily ones already registered with the US Food and Drug Administration for agricultural uses. Bacterial resistance to OTC also conferred resistance to other tetracyclines, although the level of resistance varied. The most active antibiotics screened that are currently used in agriculture were erythromycin, lincomycin, monensin, and tylosin. Rifampicin was by far the most active antibiotic tested, but since it is used against tuberculosis, registration of this material for agricultural use is unlikely. Apis mellifera / Paenibacillus larvae larvae / antibiotic / resistance / American foulbrood
Pertussis Toxin composite nanofibers as a non-invasive whooping cough vaccine

Global resurgence of whooping cough, a highly contagious disease caused by the fastidious gram negative coccobacillus, Bordetella pertussis, has raised questions of the current preventative and treatment technologies. A novel non-invasive vaccine has been developed by immobilization of Pertussis Toxin (PT) in electrospun polymer (Polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP) nanofibers. In vitro experiments were utilized to test the bioavailability of PT inside of electrospun fibers. The sensitive assay for PT employs Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. CHO cells, which form an attached monolayer in their native environment, undergo clumping in the presence of PT. The assay qualitatively measured clumping in the presence of native PT and dissolved PT-PVP electrospun coating for varied concentrations of CHO cells. Microscopic observation showed clumping with a sensitivity of 2.5 ng/ml of dissolved electrospun coating at 48 hours. The results of the in vitro assay confirm retention of biological activity of PT in electrospun nanofibers. This provides a means to develop a dermal pathway for a more effective long-term immunity against whooping cough. The application of electrospun coating can provide dermally-transferred immunity against other infectious diseases, thus overtaking oral or injectable vaccines.
Adaptive partitioned random search to global optimization

This paper considers global optimization (maximization) problems. For a generic function, it is inherently difficult to find the global optimum within a finite number of function evaluations; it is more realistic to talk about maximizing the expectation of the largest function value that can be obtained for a given number of function evaluations. Based on decision theoretic argument, we propose that the search region of the objective function be partitioned into certain number of subregions. Using the sampled function values from each subregion, estimators are derived to determine how "promising" each subregion is. The most promising subregion is further partitioned. The proposed adaptive partitioned random search (APRS) is a tree search type of algorithms like branch-and-bound algorithms. The APRS, however, abandons the idea of finding the subregion where the global maximum is likely located in the first place. Instead it seeks the subregion where the largest improvement of the performance is most likely to be obtained if more function evaluations are taken. The APRS in general can provide a much better-than-average solution within a modest number of function evaluations. In fact, our various numerical experiments have shown that in comparison with the crude random search (CRS) in terms of number of function evaluations, the APRS can be at least hundreds of times more efficient. The simplicity and robustness of the APRS in terms of easy implementation and minimum assumptions are also demonstrated. >
Terminally Ill Elders' Anticipation of Support in Dying and in Death

This study explored terminally ill elders' anticipation of future support, which may be particularly important due to their vulnerable state and resulting support needs. Qualitative data was gathered from face-to-face interviews with 100 elders receiving hospice care; 85 of whom discussed anticipating future support. Content analysis revealed that anticipating support was based on current experiences of received support and that the definition of future extended beyond death for some who anticipated surviving loved ones receiving grief support. Not all anticipation of support evoked positive feelings. Some respondents anticipated receiving unhelpful support or felt guilty about anticipating support from overburdened caregivers. Implications are discussed regarding the role of social workers in working with caregivers to insure that the terminally ill elders they care for can anticipate future support in their dying process and after death.
Effects of age and gene dose on skeletal muscle sodium channel gating in mice deficient in myotonic dystrophy protein kinase

Myotonic muscular dystrophy (DM) is characterized by abnormal skeletal muscle Na channel gating and reduced levels of myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK). Electrophysiological measurements show that mice deficient in Dmpk have reduced Na currents in muscle. We now find that the Na channel expression level is normal in mouse muscle partially or completely deficient in Dmpk. Reduced current amplitudes are not changed by age or gene dose, and the reduction is not due to changes in macroscopic or microscopic gating kinetics. The mechanism of abnormal membrane excitability in DM may in part be silencing of muscle Na channels due to Dmpk deficiency.
Maternally derived carotenoid pigments affect offspring survival, sex ratio, and sexual attractiveness in a colorful songbird

In egg-laying animals, mothers can influence the development of their offspring via the suite of biochemicals they incorporate into the nourishing yolk (e.g. lipids, hormones). However, the long-lasting fitness consequences of this early nutritional environment have often proved elusive. Here, we show that the colorful carotenoid pigments that female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) deposit into egg yolks influence embryonic and nestling survival, the sex ratio of fledged offspring, and the eventual ornamental coloration displayed by their offspring as adults. Mothers experimentally supplemented with dietary carotenoids prior to egg-laying incorporated more carotenoids into eggs, which, due to the antioxidant activity of carotenoids, rendered their embryos less susceptible to free-radical attack during development. These eggs were subsequently more likely to hatch, fledge offspring, produce more sons than daughters, and produce sons who exhibited more brightly colored carotenoid-based beak pigmentation. Provisioned mothers also acquired more colorful beaks, which directly predicted levels of carotenoids found in eggs, thus indicating that these pigments may function not only as physiological ‘damage-protectants’ in adults and offspring but also as morphological signals of maternal reproductive capabilities.
Control of HVDC Light System Using Conventional and Direct Current Vector Control Approaches

With the advance of power electronic technology, the application of HVdc light systems based on voltage-source insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) converters has increased rapidly in renewable, microgrid, and electric power systems. This paper proposes an optimal control strategy for an HVdc light system using a direct current vector control mechanism. The proposed approach is compared with the traditional vector control method for different HVdc control requirements, such as active power, reactive power, and grid voltage support control. A limitation of the conventional control mechanism is analyzed through a theoretical study and computer simulation. Closed-loop control evaluation demonstrates that the proposed approach works well for HVdc light system control both within and beyond the physical constraints of the system, such as rated power and saturation of pulse width modulation (PWM). The evaluation also shows that the conventional control technique could result in over voltage and system oscillation, especially when the controller operates beyond the PWM saturation limit.
Moral Vices as Artistic Virtues: Eugene Onegin and Alice

Moralists hold that art criticism can and should take stock of moral considerations. Though moralists disagree over the proper scope of ethical art criticism, they are unified in their acceptance of the consistency of valence thesis: when an artwork fares poorly from the moral point of view, and this fact is art critically relevant, then it is thereby worse qua artwork. In this paper, I argue that a commitment to moralism, however strong, is unattractive because it requires that we radically revise our art critical practices in contexts where revision seems ill advised. I will consider two such cases, Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin and Balthus’ Alice. When we further reflect on our actual art critical practices in cases like these, we find that we do not have an unfailing commitment to the consistency of valence thesis. That is, some artworks are (artistically) good because they are (morally) bad.
The difference between "open-ended projects" and "design projects"

There is a difference between "engineering design projects" and good "open-ended engineering projects". There is a lot of confusion about the difference between design and an engineering project. Both types of project will follow problem solving steps. However, the "engineering design project" must also have done some conceptual design, some embodiment design and some detail design (Pahl and Beitz, 1988) or it will not be a design project. This is not to say that a design project is better or worse than an open-ended project but they are different and require different skills. Engineers will do many of both kinds of projects during their careers. It is important that we, as faculty, recognize the difference when we structure the learning experiences for our students. This paper discusses some of the design structures and gives an example of both "design projects" and a good "open-ended" engineering project.
Airway Obstruction Arising From Blood Clot: Three Reports and a Review of the Literature

Airway obstruction due to presence of blood clot occurs in a variety of clinical settings; however, it is not always preceded by hemoptysis. The impact on respiratory function may be minimal or result in life-threatening ventilatory impairment. Three illustrative cases and a comprehensive literature review are presented. The presence of endobronchial blood clot is suggested by the clinical and radiographic findings of focal airway obstruction. The diagnosis is established by direct endoscopic evaluation. Initial efforts at removal of the airway clot, if warranted, involve lavage, suctioning, and forceps extraction through a flexible bronchoscope. If unsuccessful, further management options include rigid bronchoscopy, Fogarty catheter dislodgment of the clot, and topical thrombolytic agents.
Genotype by sex interaction in measures of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins.

Genotype by sex (GxS) interaction in a quantitative trait indicates that the sexual dimorphism exhibited in that trait is heritable. GxS interaction has implications for the modeling of traits in segregation analyses and for the assessment of disease risk in males and females. Thirteen quantitative measures of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins from 203 to 301 individuals in 25 to 27 kindreds were examined for evidence of GxS interaction. These measures included serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, apo B, and apo AI, and peak LDL particle diameter, small LDL mass, large LDL mass, IDL mass, VLDL mass, HDL 3 mass, and HDL 2 mass
Diagnostic simulation of a pneumatically controlled blowdown wind tunnel

The nonlinear differential equations required to correctly model the plenum pressure history of a pneumatically controlled blowdown wind tunnel are derived,and arguments in favor of digital simulation of the full nonlinear equations as opposed to conven tional linearized analysis are presented. Operation aZ data for a real system are then compared to com puter-simulated data to show by example how digital simulation can be employed as a most economical and effective diagnostic tool, in this case being used to uncover the source of undesired oscillations not predicted by conventional linear analyses.
Intercellular signaling as a cause of cell death in cyclically impacted cartilage explants

Abstract Recently, in vitro cartilage studies have shown that impact loading can produce structural damage and osteoarthritis-like changes, including tissue swelling, collagen denaturation, and cell death. Objective This study was to determine whether a signal for cell death moves through the cartilage matrix, resulting in the spread of cell death over time from impacted to unimpacted regions. Design Cyclic impacts were applied to the 2mm core of 4mm cartilage discs. Post-impact culturing extended for 3, 6 or 21 days and occurred in one of two ways. In one, discs were cultured intact. In the second, cores were removed immediately after cessation of impact and cores and rings cultured separately. Cells in apoptosis and later stage necrosis were monitored using the TUNEL assay. Results The extent of cell death in impacted samples increased with increased duration of post-impact culturing. At the early time, the majority of cell death was located in the regions of direct impact whereas after extended culture, the extent of cell death was similar in the surrounding unimpacted regions and in the impacted core region. However, the physical separation of the impacted core from the surrounding, non-impacted ring regions immediately after impact, and prior to independent culture, kept the level of cell death in the surrounding ring close to control levels, even after 21 days of incubation. Discussion These findings indicate that soluble intercellular signalling is involved in the spreading of cell death through the cartilage matrix, and that its effects can be prevented by physical isolation of the surrounding ring from the impacted core.
Dred Scott One Hundred Years After

SELDOM IN AMERICAN HISTORY has the name of a man as inconspicuous as Dred Scott became well known to millions, both in his own time and in future decades. Dred Scott was a Negro, a Negro slave, and from the scanty historical records it would appear that he was quite ordinary in that capacity. No record indicates outstanding intelligence or any burning desire to better his own position or the tragic position of his people or to take revenge on their masters. We have no evidence of fervor in the efforts he made to purchase the freedom of himself and his family or of more than amused interest in the stormy litigation carried on to determine his right to freedom. He was not the victim of martyrdom or even of ultimate frustration, achieving freedom through manumission after the attempt by litigation had failed. No, this inconspicuous old Negro laid down no claim to fame except for one fact. That fact was that he lent his name to litigation that became far more important than the fate merely of this one man and his similarly enslaved family. We know little of the origins even of the name which he lent. It is said that during his early years he was labeled not sonorously and in some undefined sense ominously as Dred Scott but by the ordinary name of Sam., We are tempted to wonder, indeed, whether the case name of Sam Scott v. Sandford would have stirred the American people as did the one we know so well. However that may be, what concerns us is that he gave name to a case that embodied all the boiling fury, the frustration, the rage, the indignation and the vibrant idealism that had long been building over the issues of slavery. Dred Scott as we have known him, then, was not so much a Negro or a man as the name of a case, of one of the most fateful cases in American history. That case is important to us one hundred years after its decision partly, of course, because it echoes the problems of race re.
A MICROSCOPIC HYPER-SPHERICAL MODEL: APPLICATION TO 6He

We have developed a microscopic cluster model for two-neutron halo nuclei with special attention paid to long distance correlations between the core and the valence neutrons. The emphasis put on a good treatment of the asymptotic region is necessary for nuclear reaction calculations involving these nuclei. In this contribution, we present the first results of our model applied to the ground state of 6He bound by an effective central Minnesota N-N interaction, and compare with experiment and other theoretical models.
The impact of environmental policy on international competitiveness in manufacturing

The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that environmental stringency adversely affects the international competitiveness (net exports) in manufacturing sectors. The model follows the standard factor endowment approach to explain the effects of environmental regulatory policy on net exports in different product-based industries. An econometric model is constructed, which includes factor endowments and environmental regulations to examine how strict environmental policies impact export competitiveness. A panel dataset of 10 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, over 17 years, 1987–2003, was constructed for the modelling effort. The study finds that environmental regulations can be a way to combat the flight of manufacturing out of developed countries if the output from these industries can be identified as environmentally friendly. A positive relationship between net exports and environmental regulations was found for paper products, wood products and textile prod...
De-Thawing Democracy: The Decline of Political Party Collaboration in Spain (1977 to 2004)

Do transitions by pact necessarily depress the level of competition or contestation (substantively and behaviorally) across political parties in the subsequent democracy? This article demonstrates—...
US Supreme Court's exoneration of the Affordable Care Act.

Survives second major constitutional challenge and may finally be here to stay Having survived its second major US Supreme Court challenge in three years, the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare,” is very likely to remain in effect after President Barack Obama leaves office in 2017 and may yet become a lasting and important part of the social safety net in the United States, like Medicare and Social Security. In a 6-3 decision issued on 25 June 2015, the Supreme Court ruled constitutional the federal government’s ability to subsidize eligible people on lower and middle incomes to buy health insurance on the federal marketplace.1 Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts bluntly stated: “Congress passed the Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them.” Abolishing the subsidies on the federal health insurance exchanges, which would have the effect of decreasing the number of people with health insurance, “could well push a State’s individual insurance market into a death spiral. It is implausible that Congress meant the Act to operate in this manner.”1 The Supreme Court rejected the first constitutional challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable …
Linkage of an ABCC transporter to a single QTL that controls Ostrinia nubilalis larval resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Fa toxin.

Abstract Field evolved resistance of insect populations to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystalline (Cry) toxins expressed by crop plants has resulted in reduced control of insect feeding damage to field crops, and threatens the sustainability of Bt transgenic technologies. A single quantitative trait locus (QTL) that determines resistance in Ostrinia nubilalis larvae capable of surviving on reproductive stage transgenic corn that express the Bt Cry1Fa toxin was previously mapped to linkage group 12 (LG12) in a backcross pedigree. Fine mapping with high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) anchor markers, a candidate ABC transporter (abcc2) marker, and de novo mutations predicted from a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data redefined a 268.8 cM LG12. The single QTL on LG12 spanned an approximate 46.1 cM region, in which marker 02302.286 and abcc2 were ≤2.81 cM, and the GBS marker 697 was an estimated 1.89 cM distant from the causal genetic factor. This positional mapping data showed that an O. nubilalis genome region encoding an abcc2 transporter is in proximity to a single QTL involved in the inheritance of Cry1F resistance, and will assist in the future identification the mutation(s) involved with this phenotype.
Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers (MERRF)

Myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disorder defined by: myoclonus, generalized epilepsy, ataxia, and ragged-red fibers in muscle biopsies. About 80% of MERRF patients harbor an m.8344A > G mutation in the tRNA-Lys gene.