cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On hierarchical Bayesian estimation and selection for multivariate hypergeometric distributions

In this paper, we deal with the problem of simultaneous estimation for n independent multivariate hypergeometric distributions π(M i ,m i ,s i ), i = 1,…,n, and simultaneous selection of the most probable event for each of the n π(M i , m i , s i ). In order to model the uncertainty of the unknown parameters s i , i = 1,…,n, and to incorporate information from the n π(M i , m i , s i ), a two-stage prior distribution on the parameters s i , i = 1,…,n, is introduced. With this hierarchical structure of prior distributions, we derive simultaneous hierarchical Bayesian estimators for s i , i = 1,…,n, and simultaneous selection rule for selecting the most probable event for each of the n π(M i , m i , s i ). We compare the performance of the hierarchical Bayesian procedures to those of the “pure” Bayesian procedures. The relative regret Bayes risks of the hierarchical Bayesian procedures are used as measures of the optimality of the procedures. It is shown that, for the estimation problem, the relative regret Bayes risk of the hierarchical Bayesian estimator converges to zero at a rate of order 0(n -1); and for the selection problem, the relative regret Bayes risk of the hierarchical Bayesian selection rule converges to zero at a rate of order 0(e -nβ ) for some positive constant β
Software Quality Attributes

Much of a software architect’s life is spent designing software systems to meet a set of quality attribute requirements. General software quality attributes include scalability, security, performance and reliability. These are often informally called an application’s “-ilities” (though of course some, like performance, don’t quite fit this lexical specification).
Cervical Plexus Block

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the historical and current clinical use of the cervical plexus block (CPB). Historical interest in CPB dates to the 1840s, when reports described various topical therapies for cervical neuralgia arising from the cervical plexus. Needle-based techniques were introduced in the early 1900s, and large case series describing CPB for open neck surgery soon followed. Numerous indications for CPB have been described for both acute and chronic pain.
Postprandial effects on arterial stiffness parameters in healthy young adults

Postprandial lipemia has been associated with acute endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction, in turn, is associated with increased arterial stiffness. However, the relationship between postprandial lipemia and acute changes in arterial stiffness has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study on the effects of postprandial lipemia on arterial stiffness in 19 healthy young adults before and after consumption of a high-fat mixed meal. Arterial stiffness was assessed locally with echo-tracking carotid arterial strain (CAS) and globally with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). As assessed by these two benchmark parameters, arterial stiffness did not differ significantly postprandially. However, the arterial distension period (ADP) was significantly lower 2 hours after mixed meal ingestion. In addition, slopes of carotid artery area (CAA) curves were significantly steeper postprandially. Therefore, we concluded that ADP may be a more sensitive marker of arterial stiffness in healthy young adults when compared to PWV and CAS.
Structure Activity Relationship of Antiproliferative Agents using Multiple Linear Regression

With cancer-related fatalities being the second leading cause of death in the USA, understanding the activity of effective chemotherapeutic agents is critical to addressing prostate and other cancers. Celecoxib, an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of colon tumors, has been used successfully as a lead compound in the development of antiproliferative agents. The ability of celecoxib to inhibit the development and progression of tumors has been connected to a number of mechanisms of actions that are both dependent on and independent of its cyclooxygenase-2 activity. A structure-based approach has been employed to develop a model that underscores the structural significance of celecoxib as an antiproliferative agent. By evaluating the structure activity of this library of molecules, we were able to create a QSAR model for predicting the antiproliferative activity of structurally similar molecules. The development of the model will be presented in this paper.
The effect of oral pyridostigmine bromide on the recovery of whole blood cholinesterase activity following ex vivo exposure to soman

Background RBC acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition are considered good biomarkers for protection against exposure to nerve agents. These enzymes may be sequestered (reversibly bound) by pyridostigmine bromide (PB) to protect against the lethal, irreversible binding to organophosphates such as soman (GD). Methods Twenty-four human subjects were given either 30 mg PB orally (n=19) or nothing (n=5). Blood samples were obtained pre- and 2.5, 5, 8, and 24 hours post-dosing. The samples were analyzed for AChE and BChE activity and for PB concentration, using validated spectrophotometric and HPLC/MS methods, respectively. Additionally, the recovery of AChE activity over time following ex vivo exposure of the samples to GD was quantified. Results Maximal inhibition of AChE (29.9%) and concentration of PB (17.1 ng/mL) was noted at 2.5h. AChE activity returned to 95% of pre-dose values at 24h. A linear correlation was found between the amount of PB measured in the blood and the inhibition of AChE. Following GD exposure, recovered AChE activity was similar to levels that were reversibly protected by the PB administration. Conclusion Preliminary data analysis confirms previous findings that PB is an effective pre-treatment drug against soman nerve agent exposure, and that RBC-AChEI is a marker of protection. Complete data and analysis will be presented. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P87–P87; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.332
Inhibition of cell growth by K+ channel modulators is due to interference with agonist-induced Ca2+ release

The effects of K+ channel modulators, tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine and diazoxide, and high extracellular K+ on cell growth and agonist-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization were investigated. Two human brain tumour cell lines, U-373 MG astrocytoma and SK-N-MC neuroblastoma, were used as model cellular systems. K+ channel modulators and increased extracellular K+ concentration inhibited tumour cell growth in a dose-related fashion in both cell lines. In addition, agonist (carbachol or serum)-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization was also blocked by the pretreatment of growth-inhibitory concentrations of K+ channel modulators and high extracellular K+. Thus, these results suggest that K+ channel modulators are effective inhibitors of brain tumour cell growth and that their growth regulation may be due to the interference with the intracellular Ca2+ signalling mechanisms.
Resolution- versus sensitivity-effective diameter in pinhole collimation: experimental verification

To account for photon penetration, the formulae used to calculate the geometric resolution of a pinhole collimator use an effective diameter d(e) rather than the physical diameter of the aperture. The expressions commonly used for d(e), however, were originally derived to include penetration in sensitivity calculations. To predict the full width at half maximum (FWHM) resolution of the point-spread function (PSF) of a knife-edge pinhole collimator, we have previously proposed simple expressions for a resolution-effective diameter d(re). Unlike those for d(e), expressions for d(re) predict both a dependence on the polar angle of the source (theta) and a non-isotropic PSF. In this paper, the new theory was tested by measuring experimentally the FWHM of the PSF. Results confirm the theoretical predictions that (a) d(re) provides the best estimates of the experimental FWHM as a function of theta and of the direction in the plane of the pinhole, (b) Paix's expression for d(e) tends to overestimate the FWHM, (c) Anger's is a better approximation, but still cannot predict the dependence on theta, and (d) the FWHM decreases with decreasing theta, i.e. resolution improves for sources at the edge of the field-of-view.
Morbidity and mortality after extent II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Background. Surgical repair of Crawford extent II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) carries substantial risk for morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of a large consecutive series of extent II TAAA repairs and identify factors that influence morbidity and survival. Methods. Of 1,415 consecutive patients who underwent TAAA operations over a 13-year period, 442 (31.2%) had extent II repairs. Data from a prospectively maintained database were analyzed to determine which factors were associated with death and major complications. Results. The operative mortality was 10.0% (44 patients). Postoperative complications included paraplegia/ paraparesis in 33 patients (7.5%), pulmonary complications in 158 (35.7%), and renal failure in 69 (15.9%). Multivariable analysis revealed that renal insufficiency (odds ratio [OR] 2.6), increasing age (OR 1.1/year), and increasing red blood cell transfusion requirements (OR 1.1/U) were predictors for mortality; renal insufficiency (OR 2.8) and peptic ulcer disease (OR 9.3) were predictors of renal failure; and rupture (OR 6.3) was a predictor of paraplegia. Left heart bypass was an independent protective factor against paraplegia (OR 0.4). Conclusions. This contemporary experience demonstrates acceptable levels of morbidity and mortality in this high-risk group. Left heart bypass was found to provide protection against paraplegia in these patients.
Detecting research topics via the correlation between graphs and texts

In this paper we address the problem of detecting topics in large-scale linked document collections. Recently, topic detection has become a very active area of research due to its utility for information navigation, trend analysis, and high-level description of data. We present a unique approach that uses the correlation between the distribution of a term that represents a topic and the link distribution in the citation graph where the nodes are limited to the documents containing the term. This tight coupling between term and graph analysis is distinguished from other approaches such as those that focus on language models. We develop a topic score measure for each term, using the likelihood ratio of binary hypotheses based on a probabilistic description of graph connectivity. Our approach is based on the intuition that if a term is relevant to a topic, the documents containing the term have denser connectivity than a random selection of documents. We extend our algorithm to detect a topic represented by a set of terms, using the intuition that if the co-occurrence of terms represents a new topic, the citation pattern should exhibit the synergistic effect. We test our algorithm on two electronic research literature collections,arXiv and Citeseer.Our evaluation shows that the approach is effective and reveals some novel aspects of topic detection.
Ability of clinical grade to predict final pathologic stage in upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma: implications for therapy.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether the clinical grade predicts the final pathologic stage in upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 184 consecutive patients undergoing nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma at our institution from 1986 to 2004. Their clinical, surgical, and pathologic data were reviewed to determine the positive and negative predictive values of the clinical biopsy grade with respect to the final pathologic disease stage. RESULTS Of the 184 patients, 119 (64.7%) had information available regarding the clinical grade of disease from the preoperative endoscopic biopsy. The distribution was grade 1 in 2 (1.6%), grade 2 in 46 (38.7%), and grade 3 in 71 (59.7%) patients. Of the 71 patients with grade 3 disease, 47 had Stage pT2 disease or higher (66% positive predictive value). Of the 48 patients with less than grade 3 disease, 35 had less than pT2 disease (72% negative predictive value). Of the 71 patients with grade 3 disease, 30 had pT3 disease or greater (42% positive predictive value), and of the 48 patients with less than grade 3 disease, 44 had less than pT3 disease (92% negative predictive value). CONCLUSIONS The histologic grade obtained from the diagnostic biopsy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma can be used to predict the pathologic disease stage. This information can be used to counsel patients before surgery and to identify patients for whom neoadjuvant chemotherapy would be most beneficial.
Self-Esteem and Children's Reactions to Youth Sport Coaching Behaviors: A Field Study of Self-Enhancement Processes.

Self-enhancement models posit a general motive to enhance self-regard that is believed to be particularly strong in people with low self-esteem. We extended previous laboratory research with college students to a field setting and studied the attraction responses of child athletes to coaches who differed in their observed behavior patterns during the sport season.
Semiquantitative Bacterial Observations With Group B Streptococcal Vulvovaginitis

OBJECTIVE: Group B streptococcal (GBS) vulvovaginitis is a poorly-delineated clinical entity. The purpose of this study is to report semiquantitative data from four cases of GBS vulvovaginitis and to comment on their significance in terms of the in vitro inhibitory capabilities of GBS. METHODOLOGY: Four patients whose clinical presentations were consistent with GBS vulvovaginitis, from whom GBS was isolated and for whom semi-quantitative as well as qualitative microbiologic data existed, were identified. RESULTS: To produce vulvovaginitis, GBS must be at a high multiplicity (10(8) CFU/g of vaginal fluid). Single coisolates were identified in three of the four cases (two cases of Escherichia coli and one case of Staphylococcus aureus). Group B streptococcus does not inhibit either of these bacteria in vitro. CONCLUSION: When the growth requirements for the demonstration of in vitro inhibition for GBS or lack thereof are met in vivo, the in vivo observations are consistent with those projected from the in vitro data.
Recent applications of regenerative medicine to urologic structures and related tissues

Purpose of reviewA severe shortage of donor tissues and organs exists, which is worsening yearly given the aging population. Currently, patients suffering from diseased and injured organs are treated with transplanted organs or cells. This paper reviews recent advances that have occurred in regenera
Continuous intravenous therapy in infants

Summary 1. Continuous intravenous therapy is applicable to many conditions encountered in pediatrics. 2. Our use of this procedure in 511 cases convinces us of its value in indicated cases. 3. We present a method using the smallest scalp veins; the method is easily employed, without discomfort, pain, or danger to the infant. 4. If continuous intravenous drip is not desired, blood transfusions and all other intravenous injections may be given by way of the veins of the scalp.
Learning in infinite-horizon inventory competition with total demand observations

We consider single-period and infinite-horizon inventory competition between two firms that replenish their inventories as in the well-known newsvendor model. Normally customers have a preference for shopping in one firm or the other. A fixed percentage of them who encounter a stockout in the firm of their first choice, though, visits the other firm. This substitution behavior makes the firm's replenishment decisions strategically related. Our main contribution is to introduce a simple learning algorithm to inventory competition. The learning algorithm requires each firm (a) to have the knowledge of its own critical fractile, which the firm can calculate using the values of its own per unit revenue, order cost, and holding cost; and (b) to observe its own total demand realizations. They do not necessarily know their true demand distributions. The firms need not even have any information about each other, beyond the implicit information encoded in their own total demand realizations affected by their competitors' inventory decisions. In fact, the firms need not even be aware that they are engaged in inventory competition. We prove that the inventory decisions generated by the learning algorithm converge, with probability one, to certain threshold values that constitute an equilibrium in pure Markov strategies for an infinite-horizon discounted-reward inventory competition game.
Partial carbonization of aramid fibers

Heat treatment of aramid fiber was conducted in the temperature range 300-710°C nominally for 10 and 30 s in both static air and flowing nitrogen atmosphere. Crystallinity, crystal orientation, and crystallite size were determined using XRD. Fibers with a skin-core structure were produced at intermediate temperatures, as revealed by SEM of fibers after partial dissolution of the fiber in 95-98% sulfuric acid. The skin, which forms in both nitrogen and air, is amorphous and brittle. It is insoluble in sulfuric acid, suggesting it is a cross-linked polymer. Formation of the skin may be facilitated by the removal of an aggressive chemical species that forms during heat treatment
Observation of the LIF spectra of C2(a 3Πu) and C2(A 1Πu) from the photolysis of C2H2 at 193 nm

Abstract The laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra of the C2(d 3Πg)←C2(a 3Πu), Swan and C2(C 1Πg)←C2(A 1Πu), Deslandresd'Azambuja systems produced in the multiphoton photodissociation of C2H2 have been observed. Preliminary analysis of the spectra shows that the nascent fragments are rotationally excited with J ⩽ 43 and J ⩽ 48 for the a 3Πu and A 1Πu states respectively. Time-dependent intensity measurements of the direct and the laser-induced emissions are used to estimate a lower limit for the nascent radical concentration ratios, [C2(a 3Πu)]/[C2(d 3Πg)] and [C2(A 1Πu)]/[C2(C 1Πg)]. The radiative lifetime of the C2 (d 3Πg) state is τ(ν′=1) = 97.1±4.4 ns, in good agreement with a recently published result.
Using Visual Basic to Teach Programming for Geographers

Abstract We describe a course in which the programming language Visual Basic was used to teach programming for geographers. Although the functionality present in commercial off-the-shelf applications has led to the demise of computer programming instruction in geography, we feel there are several reasons why programming should be taught: 1) experience attained may be applied when using macro (scripting) languages in commercial GIS packages and when manipulating sophisticated visualization software, 2) students develop a deeper understanding of general hardware and software capabilities, 3) experience with programming makes students appreciative of the difficulty and time that good programming requires, and 4) resulting applications will function precisely as desired. Fortunately, modern programming languages, such as Visual Basic, ease the burden of programming and still provide these advantages. Distinct advantages of Visual Basic include its low cost, ease of developing interfaces, and links with standa...
Establishing best-practice modeling approaches for understanding single-event transients in Gb/s SiGe digital logic

Single-event transient (SET) simulations of a Gb/s SiGe BiCMOS master/slave D flip-flop circuit are performed, employing both a decoupled current-injection SET modeling technique and a fully-coupled mixed-mode TCAD technique to model heavy-ion strikes to the storage and input cells. New insights are provided into the physical mechanisms underlying the single-event upset (SEU) sensitivity of high-speed SiGe digital latches and shift registers. A close analysis of the transient circuit behavior identifies the limitations of the current-injection approach in predicting SEU in fast SiGe digital logic. Furthermore, the physical ion track linear energy transfer (LET) is varied to establish the threshold LET for SEU using each simulation technique, further highlighting the SEU prediction error inherent to conventional decoupled modeling approaches. Finally, clocked mixed-mode circuit simulations are used to explain the fundamental SEU mechanisms and relate them to corresponding regions of the device-level SET.
Nitric oxide enhances paracellular permeability of opossum kidney cells

Nitric oxide enhances paracellular permeability of opossum kidney cells. Background Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be a paracrine/autocrine regulator of proximal tubular transport. In this study, we investigated the effect of NO on the paracellular permeability of opossum kidney (OK) cells, a proximal tubule cell line that possesses a leaky paracellular pathway resembling that of the in vivo proximal tubule. Methods Paracellular permeability of OK cells cultured on permeable supports was measured as the apparent paracellular permeability coefficient (P app ) for 3 [H]-D-mannitol. Changes in cell viability, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, cGMP levels, and lipid peroxidation were assessed. Results Incubation with 2 m m sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, for 24 hours significantly enhanced the P app of OK cell sheets by 30.6 ± 7.0% ( N = 8, P app caused by SNP. A soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor did not affect the effect of SNP on the P app . Conclusions NO enhances the paracellular permeability of OK cells possibly via mechanisms involving decreases in cellular ATP content.
Determinants of shoulder and elbow flexion range : Results from the San Antonio longitudinal study of aging

Objective To gain a knowledge of factors associated with impaired upper extremity range of motion (ROM) in order to understand pathways that lead to disability. Methods Shoulder and elbow flexion range was measured in a cohort of 695 community-dwelling subjects aged 65 to 74 years. Associations between subjects' shoulder and elbow flexion ranges and their demographic and anthropometric characteristics, as well as the presence of diabetes mellitus or self-reported physician-diagnosed arthritis, were examined using multivariate regression models. The relationship between shoulder or elbow flexion range and subjects' functional reach was examined to explore the functional significance of ROM in these joints. Results The flexion range for the 4 joints studied was at least 120° in nearly all subjects (≥99% of the subjects for each of the 4 joints). Multivariate models revealed significant associations between male sex, Mexican American ethnic background, the use of oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin to treat diabetes mellitus, and a lower shoulder flexion range. A lower elbow flexion range was associated with male sex, increasing body mass index, and the use of oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin. A higher shoulder or elbow flexion range was associated with a lower likelihood of having a short functional reach. Conclusions The great majority of community-dwelling elderly have a flexion range of shoulder and elbow joints that can be considered functional. Diabetes mellitus and obesity are two potentially treatable factors associated with reduced flexion range of these two functionally important joints.
A Bayesian multiple-hypothesis approach to edge grouping and contour segmentation

A contour segmentation algorithm is presented that takes an edge map and extracts continuous curves of arbitrary smoothness, correctly handling curve intersections and capable of extrapolating over significant measurement gaps. The algorithm incorporates noise models of the edge-detection process and limited scene statistics. It is based on an explicit contour model and employs a statistical distance measure to quantify the likelihood of each segmentation hypothesis. A Bayesian multiple-hypothesis tree organizes possible segementations, making it possible to postpone grouping decisions until a sufficient amount of information is available. We have demonstrated its performance on real and synthetic images.
On the Factors Controlling the Eddy-Induced Transport in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

AbstractThis study examines eddy-driven material transport by analyzing trajectories of Lagrangian particles in an idealized model of the Southern Ocean. The main focus is on the direction of the transport in the latitude–depth plane, as well as on the magnitudes of the vertical and meridional particle dispersion. In particular, this transport is along the mean isopycnals in the control simulation, but changes its direction and intensity in a series of sensitivity experiments with artificially modified currents. The main new conclusion is that the direction of the transport is determined by the three-dimensional interplay between the zonal background flow and the transient eddies; the stationary meanders play a secondary role. The key parameter here is the strength of the zonal advection relative to the eddy magnitudes, whereas the mean vertical shear in the zonal velocity is of secondary importance. In particular, stronger mean zonal advection leads to steeper orientation of the eddy fluxes and deeper pe...
A Pragmatic Approach to Robust Gain Scheduling

Abstract An input-output approach to gain scheduling is proposed using a structure that is motivated by the Youla-Kucera parameterization of stabilizing controllers. We present the design in terms of a tradeoff between model uncertainty and aggressiveness of the controller. This approach enables a constructive technique that allows practitioners to design globally stabilizing gain scheduled controllers for a broad class of nonlinear multivariable plants using linear control structures and design techniques that are common in industrial practice.
Complexes between two GAA Repeats within DNA introduced into Cos-1 cells

We have recently shown that GAA repeats severely impede replication elongation during the first replication cycle of transfected DNA wherein the chromatin is still at the formation stage.1 Here we extend this study by showing that two GAA repeats located within the same plasmid in the direct orientation can form complexes upon transient transfection of mammalian Cos-1 cells. However, these complexes do not form in DNA that went through several replication rounds in mammalian cells. We suggest that formation of such complexes in mammalian genomes can contribute to genomic instability.
Mullerian agenesis associated with in-utero thalidomide exposure: A case report

Abstract Thalidomide is a well-known teratogen, which is experiencing resurgence as new uses are identified. Exposure is classically associated with limb deformities, such as: dysmelia, phocomelia, preaxial hypoplasia and polydactyly, in addition to visceral anomalies that have been documented as well. We report a case of a 38 year-old nulligravid female, who was previously evaluated for primary amenorrhea, and given the presumptive false diagnosis of an imperforate hymen. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam, she was noted to have uterovaginal agenesis. The implications of thalidomide on women’s health extend beyond external birth defects. Although, most commonly associated with limb deformities, there may also be gynecologic implications of in utero exposure. As this medication is increasingly used for various medical conditions, obstetricians/gynecologists need to remain aware of this potential mullerian teratogenic effect.
C 1, α Interior Regularity for Nonlinear Nonlocal Elliptic Equations with Rough Kernels

We prove a C 1, α interior regularity theorem for fully nonlinear uniformly elliptic integro-differential equations without assuming any regularity of the kernel. We then give some applications to linear theory and higher regularity of a special class of nonlinear operators.
Evaluation of the global association between cholesterol-associated polymorphisms and Alzheimer's disease suggests a role for rs3846662 and HMGCR splicing in disease risk

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)s that are essentially unequivocally associated with peripheral cholesterol. Since the alleles of the APOE gene, which modulate peripheral cholesterol metabolism, and midlife plasma cholesterol are both associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk, we have evaluated the hypothesis that SNPs associated with plasma cholesterol are also associated with AD. Seventeen non-APOE SNPs reproducibly associated with cholesterol per GWAS were tested for association with AD in ~2,000 AD and ~4,000 non-AD subjects. As a group, these SNPs are associated with AD. Two SNPs in particular, rs3846662 and rs1532085, are associated with AD risk and age-of-onset. Additionally, rs3846662 was associated with HMGCR exon 13 splicing in human liver but not brain, possibly obscured by CNS cell-type heterogeneity. However, rs3846662 was associated with HMGCR exon 13 splicing in liver- and brain-derived cell lines. Cholesterol-associated SNPs outside of APOE confer a global risk for AD. Rs3846662 and rs1532085 are associated with both AD risk and age-of-onset. Rs3846662 is associated with HMGCR exon 13 inclusion. Since rs3846662 affects AD risk and age-of-onset as well as statin responsiveness, this SNP may confound clinical trials evaluating the protective effects of statins on AD.
A more efficient method to generate null mutants using Hprt-Cre with floxed alleles

Abstract Purpose The generation of nonviable homozygous null mouse embryos from heterozygote null/+ breedings can be highly resource consuming, with only 25% of the embryos in the litter being null mutants. We hypothesized that (1) we could double the number of homozygous null mouse embryos in a litter without reducing litter size using Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase-Cre (Hprt)-Cre (which is active in the female germ line at the time of fertilization), and (2) these homozygous null mutants would be identical to mutants generated through traditional null/+ breedings. Methods To test this hypothesis, we used a conditional allele Fgfr2IIIb flox . This allele when recombined is identical to the Fgfr2IIIb null allele. An F1 generation of Fgfr2IIIb rec/+ ; Hprt Cre/+ females was created by mating Fgfr2IIIb +/+ ; Hprt cre /cre females to a Fgfr2IIIb flox/flox male. The F1 females were then mated to a Fgfr2IIIb flox/flox male. F2 embryos were genotyped, and the morphology and histology of the lungs, intestine, limbs, and brain were analyzed. Results The Hprt-Cre mating strategy results in 51% of pups being genotypic homozygous null embryos (85/166) vs 23% for the standard null/+ approach (38/167). These embryos did not express the Fgfr2IIIb transcript and were phenotypically identical to null embryos generated through standard null/+ breedings. Conclusions The Hprt-Cre mating strategy increases the number of homozygous mutant embryos in a litter without decreasing litter size. Embryos generated through this approach are phenotypically identical to those from standard heterozygous breedings. We recommend this approach to investigators using a model system that relies on the generation of homozygous null embryos.
The "breaking-in" of lubricated surfaces

Abstract Steel cylinders were slid against flat steel surfaces, which were prepared to various surface roughness values, in order to determine the mechanisms of “break-in” of lubricated surfaces. It was found that proper break-in of a surface is effected when a film of Fe 3 O 4 about 400 A thick forms. The formation of Fe 2 O 3 is to be avoided. In addition, it was found in laboratory experiments that proper breaking-in by sliding requires a specific initial surface roughness of about 0.1 μm center-line average. Smoother and rougher surfaces failed quickly. It appears that the optimum surface roughness was one in which the asperities plastically deformed at a rate that was too slow for fast progression to low cycle fatigue failure but at a rate sufficient to accelerate the formation of oxides.
Twelve tips for a successful clerkship

There have been many formal calls for change in medical education during this century, from Flexner's report in 1910 to the Association of American Medical Colleges' 1992 paper entitled “Assessing Change in Medical Education—The Road to Implementation” (Swanson, 1992). Most of these calls have fallen on deaf ears. However, recently many North American medical schools, primarily as a result of external forces, have introduced changes in the way they educate their students. Some of the more common changes have been to: decrease time devoted to lectures while increasing time in small group conferences; teach cognitive skills and self-directed learning skills; present medical education in a more humane environment; and introduce clinical experiences, especially in generalist settings, earlier in the curriculum.The goal of this article is to discuss suggestions for change by outlining 12 tips for a successful clinical clerkship for medical students. These suggestions are primarily intended for clerkship direct...
Factorizations and induced homomorphisms

Introduction . . . . . . . . 1. The Main Formulas . . . . . . . 2. Definitions of Obstructions and Induced Homomorphisms 3. Fundamental Classes and Hurewicz Isomorphism Theorem 4. Elementary Properties and Applications . 5. Fibrations, Transgressions, and Thorn Classes . . 6. Classifying Spaces and Characteristic Classes . . 7. Proofs of Statements in Section 1 . . References . . . . . 72 74 78 81 83 86 91 95 100
Nanoindentation and morphological analysis of novel green quasi-ceramic nanocoating materials

Abstract The eco-friendly (green) silicone nanocoating compositions containing titanium nanoparticles were developed and tested for the changes in nanomechanical properties using the nanoindentation technique. Titanium-based nanoparticles were incorporated by two different methods. The nanocoating compositions were studied with the Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The surface morphology of the nanocoatings was studied with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The nanomechanical properties of the nanocoatings were studied using the standard nanoindentation test method and the new substrate independent nanoindentation test method. The results obtained from the two test methods confirm the validity of the model used to develop the substrate independent nanoindentation test method. In brief, this study discusses the development of silicone based nanocoating materials and nanomechanical properties of green nanocoatings containing two different types of nanoparticles, evaluated using two different test methods.
Challenges and outcomes of parallel care for patients with co-occurring psychiatric disorder in methadone maintenance treatment

Objective: Most opioid users seeking treatment in community-based substance abuse treatment programs have at least one co-occurring psychiatric disorder, and the presence of psychiatric comorbidity in this population is associated with increased psychological distress, poorer quality of life, and reduced response to substance abuse treatment. This observational study describes clinical outcomes of referring patients receiving methadone maintenance with at least one co-occurring psychiatric disorder to a community psychiatry program located on the same hospital campus. Methods: Participants (n = 156) were offered priority referrals to a community psychiatry program that included regularly scheduled psychiatrist appointments, individual and group therapy, and enhanced access to psychiatric medications for 1 year. Psychiatric distress was measured with the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), which participants completed monthly. Results: While about 80% of the sample (n = 124) initiated psychiatric care, the avera...
Using high resolution satellite imagery to estimate cropped area in Guatemala and Haiti

Abstract Guatemala and Haiti are two of the most food insecure nations in the Western Hemisphere. Measurements of food availability and access are instrumental in developing targeted hunger reduction strategies yet no estimates of cropped area (a critical input in the calculation of food production) at either a national or sub-national-level exist. The purpose of this research is to produce estimates of cropped area for Guatemala and Haiti using an area frame sampling approach and very high resolution (∼1 m) satellite imagery. Related research has combined livelihood data with topographic information to construct cropped area estimates in other settings using generalized additive models. We expand this approach with the inclusion of specific population variables in place of the livelihood data. We produce estimates of cropped area for the two countries and sub-national units and our results highlight the significance and complexity of incorporating explicit population characteristics into models of cropped area.
Chemokines: Key Players in Innate and Adaptive Immunity

Healthy individuals initiate an immediate immune response to microbes by using a set of germline-encoded receptors that recognize common molecular patterns found on the surface of pathogens that are distinct from self-antigens. This innate immune response is the first line of defense against microorganisms in vertebrates, and constitutes the only immune response in plants and invertebrates. The innate immune system includes cellular components, as well as a host of soluble products (antimicrobial peptides, complement fragments, cytokines, and chemokines). The adaptive immune response, which provides long-lasting protection, takes days to develop and requires somatic mutations leading to the development of antigen-specific T cell receptors (cell-mediated immunity) and immunoglobulins (humoral immunity). Members of the chemokine superfamily are crucially involved in both innate and adaptive responses. We review the biological actions of the chemokine superfamily, focusing on several functions that are relevant for both immune responses, such as cell recruitment, microbicidal activity, cell activation, polarization of CD4+ T cells, and effects on structural cells. In particular, we will illustrate the central role that chemokines play in host defense, best demonstrated by the tremendous number of chemokine and chemokine receptor homologs found in microbial genomes, which deflect the immune response of the host.
On the origin of noble gas anomalies in canyon diablo graphite

Abstract Activation analyses on Canyon Diablo graphite show an iodine and uranium content of 337 ± 35 ppb and 108 ± 21 ppb, respectively. The 129 I- 129 Xe formation interval for the graphite is calculated and found to agree with the formation intervals reported for stone meteorites. During exposure to cosmic rays the Abee enstatite chondrite is shown to be ≈ 50 times more effective than Canyon Diablo in producing epithermal neutrons. The 86 Kr anomaly in Canyon Diablo graphite and other meteorites is compared to an unexplained 86 Kr excess reported in pile-irradiated chondrites.
Collagen Fibrillogenesis in Tissues, in Solution and from Modeling: A Synthesis

Collagen fibril formation has been studied in tissues by light and electron microscopy; in solution by light scattering and microscopy; and from modeling based on the amino acid sequence of type I collagen. Taken together these studies indicate that collagen fibril assembly involves a stepwise formation of intermediate aggregates in which each intermediate is formed from earlier aggregates. In this sequence, monomeric collagen contributes only to the formation of early aggregates; and fibrils grow in length by the addition of intermediate aggregates to the end of a subfibril and in width by lateral wrapping of subfibrils. Modeling based on amino acid sequence data of possible intermolecular charge-charge interactions indicate 2 different kinds, one which promotes linear aggregation and the other which promotes lateral aggregation. The effects of different colla-gens and coprecipitants such as glycoproteins and proteoglycans can begin to be explained by their influence on the character of intermediate subassemblies. Ultrastructural data from 2 tissues, embryonic cornea and tendon, indicate that the site of fibril growth and assembly is at the cell surface.
Variation of a photonic crystal color with the Miller indices of the exposed surface

The optical reflectance of photonic-crystal films is revisited, while focussing on the variety of coloration produced by different surface orientations. The needed tools for this analysis are first described. These include a number of simple rules that help locating the useful spectral features of the photonic-crystal reflectance with a minimal knowledge of the structure, and make explicit a full multiple-scattering algorithm (often cited, but not explicitly described so far) for the precise computation of reflectance spectra. It is seen that a face-centered cubic structure of low refractive index can span a wide region of the chromaticity diagram with just a few high-symmetry surfaces.
Multi-pose multi-target tracking for activity understanding

We evaluate the performance of a widely used tracking-by-detection and data association multi-target tracking pipeline applied to an activity-rich video dataset. In contrast to traditional work on multi-target pedestrian tracking where people are largely assumed to be upright, we use an activity-rich dataset that includes a wide range of body poses derived from actions such as picking up an object, riding a bike, digging with a shovel, and sitting down. For each step of the tracking pipeline, we identify key limitations and offer practical modifications that enable robust multi-target tracking over a range of activities. We show that the use of multiple posture-specific detectors and an appearance-based data association post-processing step can generate non-fragmented trajectories essential for holistic activity understanding.
Type selection of robot and gripper kinematic topology using expert systems

Robots are used for many different applications including underwater recovery, welding, inspection, pick-and-place operations, space exploration, and assembly. Each task im parts different functional demands on the robot topology including the gripper. An improper choice of the basic kine matic chain may demand sophisticated control algorithms to undo poor type selection.This paper suggests techniques of type synthesis based on graph theory and expert systems that will aid in proper kine matic topology. This new area of kinematic research has high potential for aiding the robot designer.
Overview of motorcycling in the United States: A national telephone survey

Abstract Objectives Motorcycle registrations have risen in recent years. Although motorcyclist crash fatalities in 2009 were 16% lower than in 2008, they were double the number of deaths in 1997. The present study examined current motorcyclists’ travel patterns and views of motorcycle helmets and other safety topics. Methods Motorcycle drivers were interviewed in a national telephone survey conducted in 2009. A weighted sample of 1,606 motorcyclists resulted from adjusting for the oversampling of those younger than 40 and those in the three states without a motorcycle helmet use law (Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire). All analyses were based on the weighted sample, which was intended to result in a nationally representative sample of motorcyclists. Results About one-quarter of respondents said they did not always wear helmets. Of these respondents, 57% said a law requiring helmet use would persuade them to do so, and 27% said nothing would. Ninety-four percent of respondents in states with universal helmet laws said they always ride helmeted, compared with about half of respondents in other states. About half of all respondents favored these laws. About three-quarters said they believe helmets keep riders safer, including two-thirds of respondents who oppose universal laws and almost half of drivers who rarely/never wear helmets. Drivers ages 18–29 and drivers of sport/unclad sport, sport touring, and super sport motorcycles were more likely to always wear helmets, support universal helmet laws, and believe helmets keep riders safer. About half of respondents said antilock braking systems (ABS) enhance safety and that they would get ABS on their next motorcycle. Less than one-quarter thought an airbag would protect a motorcyclist in a crash, and even fewer would consider getting one on their next motorcycle. Forty-three percent of motorcyclists said they had crashed at least once; 62% of the most recent crashes involved no vehicles besides the motorcycle. Respondents reported riding their motorcycles about 5,400 miles, on average, during the past year. Drivers ages 18–29 reported riding fewer miles, on average, than older drivers and more often rode at night and to/from work or school. Drivers of touring and sport touring motorcycles traveled more miles and took more long trips. Conclusions Motorcyclists’ travel patterns and views vary widely, but there are distinct patterns by driver age and motorcycle type. Drivers who believe helmets keep riders safer are more likely to always wear them, but this belief appears insufficient to motivate some drivers to wear them. However, universal helmet laws appear effective in increasing helmet use. Many drivers are receptive to purchasing ABS on their next motorcycle. Impact on industry States should be encouraged to enact universal helmet laws, and motorcycle manufacturers should be encouraged to offer ABS.
The Wind-Driven Ocean Circulation with an Isopycnal-Thickness Mixing Parameterization

Abstract Numerical solutions are examined for the nearly adiabatic, large-scale ocean circulation in a midlatitude, rectangular domain with steady wind driving. The model used is the balance equations and its various subsets; hence, dynamical effects at finite Rossby number are included. The solutions are steady ones, and the necessary transports by the missing mesoscale eddies are parameterized, in part, using the authors’ previous proposal for isopycnally oriented mixing of tracers and isopycnal thickness or static stability. This yields qualitatively credible, quasi-adiabatic solutions for realistic magnitudes for the subgrid-scale transport coefficients. Among these solutions are ones with nearly homogeneous fields of potential vorticity on upper-thermocline isopycnal surfaces, even though the parameterized eddy mixing does not act directly to this end.
Innovation: The Living Laboratory Perspective

Innovation research is highly interdisciplinary and has attracted numerous science and practice communities. Though innovation results are broadly applicable, this paper focuses on engineering and service domains. The two are tightly interrelated, as the benefits of product innovation are realized through the business activities, and certain business undertakings may impact the product design innovation. A requirements-driven approach to innovation is proposed. It is a natural extension of the system of customer requirements in terms of their number and type and the expanded ways of collecting and processing them. The proposed approach is implemented as the Living Innovation Laboratory.