cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aerial vehicle navigation over unknown terrain environments using inertial measurements and dual airborne laser scanners or flash ladar

A precise navigation system for uninhabited or inhabited aerial vehicles is discussed in this paper. The navigational capability of an aerial vehicle must be robust and not easily influenced by external factors. Nowadays, many navigation systems rely somehow on the Global Positioning System (GPS), wherein the GPS signals may be rendered unusable due to unintentional interference caused by atmospheric effects, interference from communication equipment, as well as intentional jamming. The navigation method discussed in this paper integrates measurements from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with measurements from either two airborne laser scanners (ALS) or an airborne Flash LADAR (AFL) to provide autonomous navigational capability and a reliable alternative to GPS. The proposed system has applications in unknown or partially known terrain environments or it may also be used for autonomous landing systems in Lunar or Martian environments. Two approaches are described in this paper, one approach uses Dual Airborne Laser Scanners (DALS) (one pointing forward, the other pointing aft) and the other approach uses an AFL. Advantages and disadvantages of both approaches are discussed. The proposed navigation system uses strapdown IMU measurements to estimate the aerial vehicle position and attitude and to geo-reference the laser sensor data. It then uses the maps created from both the fore and aftpointing scanning LADARS or the consecutive Flash LADAR range-images to estimate systematic IMU errors such as position and velocity drifts. The proposed navigation algorithm is evaluated using flight test data from Ohio University's DC3 aircraft and synthesized ALS and AFL measurements. Initial results are observed to achieve meter level accuracies in the system's position drift performance.
Sudden-Onset Paracentral Vision Loss

An 84-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and a transient ischemic attack 4 years earlier presented to the University of Illinois at Chicago emergency department for evaluation of 1 day of decreased vision in his left eye. He described it as a central “band” of absent vision just below center. On examination, visual acuity measured 20/40 OD and 20/60 OS, improving to 20/40 with pinhole. A complete blood cell count, results of a comprehensive metabolic panel, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and computed tomography of the head without contrast were all normal. Review of systems was negative. Ocular history included penetrating keratoplasty with intraocular lens exchange and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in the right eye. Four days later in the Retina Clinic, visual acuity was unchanged. Slitlamp examination of the anterior segment was normal. Ophthalmoscopy revealed no vitreous cells, a posterior vitreous separation, cup-disc ratio of 0.3, normal retinal vessels, and a superior parafoveal crescent of translucent retina without associated edema or hemorrhage. The peripheral retina was normal. Fundus autofluorescence and fluorescein angiogram showed abnormalities in the superior macula (Figure 1). Figure 1 A, Fundus autofluorescence shows a superior parafoveal and perifoveal dark crescent at presentation, corresponding to the hypofluorescent region in part B. B, Fluorescein angiography at presentation revealed delayed perfusion with hypofluorescence in ...
A Hydrophobic Patch on the Flap-tip Helix of E.coli RNA Polymerase Mediates σ70 Region 4 Function

The Escherichia coli RNA polymerase β subunit contains a flexible flap domain that interacts with region 4 of σ70 to position it for recognition of the −35 element of promoters. We report that this function depends on a hydrophobic patch on one face of the short stretch of α helix located at the tip of the flap domain, called the flap-tip helix. Disruption of the hydrophobic patch by the substitution of hydrophilic or charged amino acids resulted in a loss of the interaction between the flap and σ region 4, as determined by protease sensitivity assays, and impaired transcription from −35-dependent promoters. We suggest that contact of the flap-tip helix hydrophobic patch to the σ region 4 hydrophobic core is essential for stable interaction of the flap-tip helix with region 4. This contact allowed region 4.2 recognition of the −35 promoter element and appeared to stabilize region 4 interaction with the β′ Zn2+ binding domain. Our studies failed to detect any role for σ region 1.1 in establishing or maintaining the flap–σ region 4 interaction, consistent with recent reports placing σ region 1.1 in the downstream DNA channel.
Mechanical and wear properties of polymethylmethacrylate and polyvinylidene fluoride blends

There are several studies regarding the miscibility of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blends in the molten state along with the rheological properties; however, there is a lack of information regarding the glassy state. The mechanical and wear properties of this system were investigated using both steady and dynamic tests. The results do not follow a simple additive rule of mixtures, but they can be readily explained by the phase morphology of the system. The system is semi-compatible with both an amorphous domain and a crystalline domain. The results for increasing PMMA concentration are: glass transition temperature, Tg (− 34–130°C); storage modulus, E′ (1.1–2.6 GPa); flexural strength, σo (75–96 MPa); compressive strength, σc (60–120 MPa); and relative wear rate, RA (0.05–1.8 μm/rev). The amorphous blend had a saturation limit of about 40 wt% PVDF.
Predicting Schizophrenia Patients’ Real-World Behavior with Specific Neuropsychological and Functional Capacity Measures

Background Significant neuropsychological (NP) and functional deficits are found in most schizophrenia patients. Previous studies have left questions as to whether global NP impairment or discrete domains affect functional outcomes, and none have addressed distinctions within and between ability and performance domains. This study examined the different predictive relationships between NP domains, functional competence, social competence, symptoms, and real-world behavior in domains of work skills, interpersonal relationships, and community activities. Methods Two hundred twenty-two schizophrenic outpatients were tested with an NP battery and performance-based measures of functional and social competence and rated for positive, negative, and depressive symptoms. Case managers generated ratings of three functional disability domains. Results Four cognitive factors were derived from factor analysis. Path analyses revealed both direct and mediated effects of NP on real-world outcomes. All NP domains predicted functional competence, but only processing speed and attention/working memory predicted social competence. Both competence measures mediated the effects of NP on community activities and work skills, but only social competence predicted interpersonal behaviors. The attention/working memory domain was directly related to work skills, executive functions had a direct effect on interpersonal behaviors, and processing speed had direct effects on all three real-world behaviors. Symptoms were directly related to outcomes, with fewer relationships with competence. Conclusions Differential predictors of functional competence and performance were found from discrete NP domains. Separating competence and performance provides a more precise perspective on correlates of disability. Changes in specific NP or functional skills might improve specific outcomes, rather than promoting global functional improvement.
Methods for saving and restoring register values across function calls

The method used to save and restore the values of registers across function calls can affect performance and influence the design of specific instructions. This paper describes the results of an experiment that empirically evaluated six different schemes for saving and restoring registers on CISC machines. The methods do not require special hardware or interprocedural analysis to be performed. The six schemes were logically divided into two classes. Three of the techniques do not require the compiler to perform data-flow analysis, whereas the other three schemes do. Within each class one scheme delegates the responsibility of preserving the state of the registers to the calling function. The second scheme of each class delegates the responsibility of saving the registers to the function being called. In the third scheme of the two classes, the registers are partitioned into two disjoint sets. The calling function is responsible for preserving register values in one of the sets whereas the called function is responsible for the other set. For each class the third scheme is shown to produce the most effective code.
A basis set convergence study of conventional and HSF electron densities in the Li2 molecule

Abstract Calculations of nonnuclear, Hartree-Fock HSF and CHSF electron densities are reported for the first time. The positions of critical points in the conventional, HSF, and CHSF electron densities of the Li 2 molecule (including the nonnuclear maximum) and corresponding values of the electron density are computed for a sequence of systematically improved basis sets. The basis set convergence of these topological properties, as well as that of the densities at nuclei, are examined. Quantities derived from HSF and CHSF electron densities are found to converge more rapidly than their conventional counterparts.
Term limits and the tobacco industry

In the 1990s several American states passed term limits on legislators with the stated intention of reducing the influence of wealthy industries on career legislators. Although term limits in the United States do not have a direct relationship to public health, the tobacco industry anticipated that term limits could have indirect effects by either limiting or expanding industry influence. We detail the strategy of the tobacco industry in the wake of term limits using internal tobacco company documents and a database of campaign contributions made to legislators in term limited states between 1988 and 2002. Despite some expectations that term limits would limit tobacco industry access to state legislators, term limits appear to have had the opposite effect.
The Kogan Attitudes toward Old People Scale: Is it Time for a Revision?:

The Kogan Attitudes Toward Old People scale scale has been used in gerontological research for more than 35 years. Criticisms of the scale, including dated wording and response bias, have increased in the 1990s. Researchers must examine the scale and decide whether a revision is now necessary.
The reptation model with segmental stretch. I: Basic equations and general properties

The Doi-Edwards model with segmental stretch and a non-linear finitely extensible spring law is described and examined in simple flow situations where analytic results are derivable; namely oscillatory flow and steady state flow at high deformation rates. The model is shown to be consistent with the Bueche-Ferry hypothesis in fast large strain unidirectional flows but to violate this rule in small strain reversing flows. The discrepancy is identified with a preaveraging approximation used to describe the relative tube-chain velocity. Experimentally verifiable scaling rule for the birefringence as a universal function of a planar flow-type parameter and deformation rate are identified. Sensitivity to the extensional flow character, absent in the original tube model, manifests itself with the introduction of segmental stretch. Although the model generates a non-separable memory function kernel the deformation dependence of the memory function is quantitatively shown to have negligible impact on the predicted theological properties relative to the original Doi-Edwards model. With this simplification, relatively uncomplicated approximations to the segmental stretch model can be deduced.
3. Phenylenhrine Hydrochloride

Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a potent, effective, relatively safe drug with few ocular side effects. Side effects from topical instillation are uncommon but include severe systemic cardiovascular effects with elevated blood pressure and stroke. Ten percent phenylephrine should be used with caution in patients with known cardiac disease, hypertension, aneurysms, long-standing insulin-dependent diabetes, or advanced arteriosclerosis. A 2.5% concentration is generally indicated for ophthalmic examination as well as for use in infants and in the elderly. Phenylephrine should not be used in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, and it is also contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants.
Psychomotor seizures in childhood. A clinical study of 120 cases.

Summary One hundred and twenty cases of psychomotor epilepsy in children have been reviewed. 1. Eleven per cent of 1,054 pediatric patients with epilepsy had psychomotor attacks. In our experience psychomotor epilepsy is twice as common as the petit mal type. 2. Clinically, the cases could be divided broadly into 5 types of behavior: arrest of activity, masticatory, automatic, psychic, and vertiginous. 3. Fifty-five children had a family history of convulsions; parents or siblings were affected in 23. 4. Thirty per cent had an age at onset of 3 years or less. This is half the percentage of that seen in 1,054 cases of all types of epilepsy in childhood. 5. One third of the children had an obvious background of organicity. The etiological significance of previous convulsions, particularly febrile seizures, is emphasized. 6. The majority of cases were misdiagnosed as petit mal seizures. Hysteria, behavior disorder, nightmares, and fabrication must also be ruled out. 7. One fourth of those in the series were mentally deficient children as determined of those in the tested group exhibited behavior disorders. 8. Of 117 electroencephalograms, only 17 were normal or indeterminate. 9. About one third of the patients with psychomotor epilepsy were completely controlled, another third were not controlled, and one third were inadequately followed for proper evaluation. Acetazolamide as an adjuvant to previous therapy is recommended in intractable cases.
Stressed Out About Obesity: IRE1α-XBP1 in Metabolic Disorders

The global obesity epidemic is associated with a series of health-threatening diseases including type 2 diabetes. Accumulating evidence suggest that the physiology and homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is intimately involved in the underlying mechanisms linking obesity and diabetes. Specifically, recent studies indicate a crucial role for the inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α)/X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) pathway, the most conserved branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR), in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as in insulin function. Focusing on the IRE1α–XBP1 pathway, we review recent advances in our understanding of the role of UPR in obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders.
Research productivity patterns in the organizational behavior and human resource management literature

Closely following the analysis approach used for similar studies in the economics and finance literature, we present the first study to examine if there exists an empirical regularity in the bibliometric patterns of research productivity in the organizational behavior (OB) and human resource management (HRM) literature. Our results present strong evidence that there indeed exists a distinct empirical regularity. It is the so-called Generalized Lotka's Law of scientific productivity pattern: The number of authors publishing n papers is about 1/nc of those publishing one paper. The observed pattern in the OB and HRM area is interestingly very consistent with those in much older, related business disciplines.
DNA hydrolysis and oxidative cleavage by metal-binding peptides tethered to rhodium intercalators.

With the goal of developing artificial nucleases for DNA hydrolysis, metal-coordinating peptides have been tethered to a DNA-intercalating rhodium complex to deliver metal ions to the sugar−phosphate backbone. The intercalator, [Rh(phi)_2bpy‘]Cl_3 [phi = 9,10-phenanthrenequinone diimine; bpy‘ = 4-(butyric acid)-4‘-methyl-2,2‘-bipyridine], provides DNA binding affinity, and a metal-binding peptide contributes reactivity. This strategy for DNA hydrolysis is a general one, and zinc(II)-promoted cleavage has been demonstrated for two widely different tethered metallopeptides. An intercalator coupled with a de novo-designed α helix containing two histidine residues has been demonstrated to cleave both supercoiled plasmid and linear DNA substrates. Mutation of this peptide confirms that the two histidine residues are essential for Zn^(2+) binding and cleavage. Zinc(II)-promoted cleavage of supercoiled plasmid has also been demonstrated with an intercalator−peptide conjugate containing acidic residues and modeled after the active site of the BamHI endonuclease. Other redox-active metals, such as copper, have been delivered to DNA with our intercalator−peptide conjugates to effect oxidative chemistry. Copper cleavage experiments and photocleavage experiments with [Rh(phi)_2bpy‘]^(3+) complement the hydrolysis studies and provide structural information about the interactions between the tethered metallopeptides and DNA. Variation of the rhodium intercalator was also explored, but with a mismatch-specific intercalator, no site-specific hydrolysis was found. These experiments, in which the peptide, the metal cation, and the intercalator components of the conjugate are each varied, illustrate some of the issues involved in creating an artificial nuclease with DNA intercalators and metallopeptides.
Sexual arousal of the female hamster

Abstract Elicitation of the lordosis response, using a manual stimulation technique, was facilitated by contact with an anaesthetized male hamster. Exposure to an intact anaesthetized male decreased latency to lordosis and increased lordosis duration. Exposure to a gonadectomized anaesthetized hamster significantly reduced the latency to lordosis, but did not affect lordosis duration.
Meeting the 2020 American Graduation Initiative (AGI) Goal of Increasing Postsecondary Graduation Rates and Completions: A Macro Perspective of Community College Student Educational Attainment

The paper uses the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data system (IPEDS) data to simulate the 2020 American Graduation Initiative (AGI) goal introduced by President Obama in the summer of 2009. We estimate community college graduation rates and completion numbers under different scenarios that include the following sets of variables: (a) internal education variables; (b) external workforce development variables; and (c) state and national environmental factors. Our analysis suggests that the likelihood of success of meeting the AGI goal increases dramatically if community colleges are able to raise graduation rates and increase completion numbers by doing the following: (a) lowering the inherent risk factors that prevent students from graduating by implementing proactive retention and completion strategies; (b) operating in economic and workforce development environments of low unemployment levels and (c) taking into consideration the ever-growing globally competitive environment.
High temperature cyclic deformation of precipitation hardened alloy—II. Fully coherent precipitates

Abstract An experimental investigation into the cyclic stress-strain behavior of an Al-4% Cu alloy aged to contain θ′', as a function of temperature is reported. Tests are carried from room temperature up to the aging temperature of the alloy. At all temperatures this microstructure cyclically hardens to a peak and then continually softens. By analysing the hysteresis loops, it is shown that the component of the friction stress due to the precipitates goes through a peak. Structural observations on specimens cycled at room and higher temperatures are examined under various mechanisms suggested in the literature for cyclic softening in these alloys. Using the unidirectional hardening theories for ordered precipitates for cyclic straining conditions, it is shown that both hardening and softening are predicted by considering dislocation interactions with ordered precipitates.
Compartment syndrome in a child occurring after femoral artery cannulation

Summary Compartment syndromes have not been reported in association with femoral artery cannulation for invasive blood pressure monitoring in children. We report a case that presented atypically in a child admitted in extremis due to small bowel obstruction and who had a 20 G femoral arterial cannula sited during resuscitation. The compartment syndrome was diagnosed after repeated measurements of compartment pressures.
Some effects of the atmosphere and microphone placement on aircraft flyover noise measurements

The effects of varying atmospheric conditions on certification-type noise measurements were studied. Tests were made under various atmospheric conditions at two test sites, Fresno, California, and Yuma, Arizona, using the same test aircraft, noise, and weather measuring equipment, and operating personnel. Measurements were made to determine the effects of the atmosphere and of microphone placement on aircraft flyover noise. The measurements were obtained for characterization of not only the acoustic signature of the test aircraft, but also specific atmospheric characteristics. Data are presented in the form of charts and tables which indicate that for a wide range of weather conditions, at both site locations, noise data were repeatable for similar aircraft operating conditions. The placement of microphones at ground level and at 1.2 m over both spaded sand and concrete illustrate the effects of ground reflections and surface impedance on the noise measurements.
Immunogenicity of Diaspirin Cross-Linked Human Hemoglobin Solutions

To assess the potential immunogenicity of human diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) solution, repetitive doses of this material were given intravenously to rhesus monkeys at monthly intervals and the immune response to this challenge was assessed. Serum samples collected at multiple intervals throughout the study showed no evidence of DCLHb specific IgG or IgM production. Intradermal skin tests performed one month after the final DCLHb infusion were also negative. These data demonstrate that DCLHb is not antigenic when administered intravenously to rhesus monkeys. In addition, screening of a panel of normal human sera for pre-existing anti-DCLHb IgG antibodies was negative, suggesting that this modified hemoglobin is unlikely to be antigenic in humans.
The influence of pets on infants’ processing of cat and dog images ☆

Abstract We examined how experience at home with pets is related to infants’ processing of animal stimuli in a standard laboratory procedure. We presented 6-month-old infants with photographs of cats or dogs and found that infants with pets at home ( N = 40) responded differently to the pictures than infants without pets ( N = 40). These results suggest that infants’ experience in one context (at home) contributes to their processing of similar stimuli in a different context (the laboratory), and have implications for how infants’ early experience shapes basic cognitive processing.
Safety and Efficacy of Allogeneic Cell Therapy in Infarcted Rats Transplanted With Mismatched Cardiosphere-Derived Cells

Background—Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) are an attractive cell type for tissue regeneration, and autologous CDCs are being tested clinically. However, autologous therapy necessitates patient-specific tissue harvesting and cell processing, with delays to therapy and possible variations in cell potency. The use of allogeneic CDCs, if safe and effective, would obviate such limitations. We compared syngeneic and allogeneic CDC transplantation in rats from immunologically-mismatched inbred strains. Methods and Results—In vitro, CDCs expressed major histocompatibility complex class I but not class II antigens or B7 costimulatory molecules. In mixed-lymphocyte cocultures, allogeneic CDCs elicited negligible lymphocyte proliferation and inflammatory cytokine secretion. In vivo, syngeneic and allogeneic CDCs survived at similar levels in the infarcted rat heart 1 week after delivery, but few syngeneic (and even fewer allogeneic) CDCs remained at 3 weeks. Allogeneic CDCs induced a transient, mild, local immune...
The Forceful Peacemaker

Pivotal Deterrence: Third-Party Statecraft and the Pursuit of Peace. By Timothy W. Crawford. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2003. 288 pp., $39.95 (ISBN: 0-8014-4097-1). The end of the Cold War provoked a reexamination of the relevance of deterrence in security management, mostly reflecting a concern that it no longer fits contemporary threats (see, for example, Special Issue 2000; Manwaring 2001; Payne 2001; Morgan 2003). However, this renewed interest involved little new thinking about deterrence theory itself. In that light, Pivotal Deterrence: Third-Party Statecraft and the Pursuit of Peace by Timothy Crawford is a welcome extension of deterrence analysis in a direction that is relatively unexplored but highly relevant to contemporary international politics. Impressive in its scholarship and analysis, the book is tightly and effectively written in a clear and lively fashion. Crawford employs deductive analysis to establish concise theoretical expectations. With its appreciation of the logical underpinnings of some unavoidable uncertainties and intangibles in security policymaking, the theory helps illuminate the role of judgment in statesmanship. Methodologically, Crawford insightfully addresses the utility and the limitations of his case studies with respect to sampling on the dependent variable. Pivotal Deterrence focuses on the often delicate maneuvering by a third party to prevent hostile states from going to war—playing a pivotal role by using “deterrence” to prevent each hostile party from attacking the other. Crawford seeks to explain when this type of deterrence is most likely to be attempted and when it is most likely to succeed. The conditions under which the theory will presumably hold are straightforward. First, the hostile parties must fear each other more than they fear the “pivot” state. Second, the pivot sees the conflicting parties as “reciprocal revisionists,” inclined to use force to alter the status …
Recombination processes in semiconductors

Recombination of electrons and holes may take place in the host crystal or at impurity centres, the energy being removed by radiation of a light quantum, by multiphonon emission, or by an Auger process. The probabilities for each of these six processes are discussed. While the lifetime in semiconductors is usually determined by multiphonon recombination at impurity centres, Auger recombination in the host crystal can be expected to dominate in small-band-gap crystals containing large concentrations of free carriers. Radiative recombination in the host crystal may limit the lifetime in semiconductors where band-to-band transitions are direct, provided that the specimens are reasonably free of recombination centres.
Membrane interfaces for sample introduction in capillary zone electrophoresis

Small lengths of narrow-bore tubular membranes can be interposed in the separation capillary in capillary electrophoretic separation systems. These membrane segments can be used as sampling interfaces; a jacket is built outside the membrane, and the sample is introduced by diffusion/permeation through the membrane. Various examples are shown; the determination of gaseous samples through a porous membrane, the determination of ionizable/nonionic solutes by permeation through a silicone rubber membrane, and the separation of low MW constituents in blood plasma by transport through a dialysis membrane. In the first two cases, significant preconcentration is possible, thus permitting attractive detection limits. 23 refs., 10 figs., 2 tabs.
A distributed search and simulation method for job flow scheduling

Simulation serves as an effective decision support tool in flexible manufacturing systems for understanding and analyzing the effect of changes to the system environment. Due to the variety of situations that have to be evaluated, a generative scheduler for such a system must be more flexible than its realistic equal while still producing detailed and accurate schedules. This research presents a possible solution to this problem and is intended for use in a distributed, reactive, virtual environment. The solution exploits the advantages gained by using multiple processes in a distributed environment to create, simulate, and evaluate possible schedules. The system is designed on the premise that a distributed parallel search and simulation of competing schedules with accompanying heuristics and subgoaling will greatly reduce the search space and control the state space explosion. Moreover, the need for cycle and deadlock detection is eliminated, thereby decreasing the overall complexity and computational r...
A simplified procedure for in vitro immunization of dispersed spleen cell cultures

Abstract Dispersed spleen cell suspensions from normal mice were immunized with sheep erythrocytes in flat bottom vial tubes containing a relatively small amount of tissue culture medium fortified with a ‘nutrient cocktail’. The magnitude of the number of antibody plaque forming cells appearing in such tube cultures was equivalent or greater than that obtained in Marbrook vessels in the Mishell-Dutton system. Omission of the nutrient cocktail on the day of culture initiation, or the use of round bottom vials, resulted in much lower PFC responses.
Turbulent heat transfer to near-critical water in a heated curved pipe under the conditions of mixed convection

Abstract Numerical modeling was performed to investigate the developing turbulent flow and heat transfer characteristics of water near the critical point in a curved pipe. The renormalization group (RNG) κ – ϵ model was used to account for the turbulent flow and heat transfer in the curved pipe at a constant wall temperature with or without buoyancy force effect. A control volume finite element method (CVFEM) was used to solve the three-dimensional full elliptic governing equations for the problem numerically. Due to the great variation in physical properties of water near the critical point, the turbulent flow heat transfer can be significantly altered compared with the pure forced convection in the curved pipe. This study explored the influence of the near-critical pressure and wall temperature on the development of fluid flow and heat transfer along the pipe. The numerical results for forced convective flow and heat transfer were compared with experiments available in the literature. Based on the results of this research, the velocity, temperature, heat transfer coefficient, friction factor distribution, and effective viscosity are presented graphically and analyzed.
Seeking Justice for the Holocaust: Herbert C. Pell Versus the US State Department

Herbert C. Pell served his nation as an Ambassador and member of the US House of Representatives, as well as US Representative on the United Nations War Crimes Commission (UNWCC). This article presents his struggle with the US State department and the bureaucratic and legalistic dispute that developed over the UNWCC particularly with respect to policy considerations surrounding whether or not to prosecute crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis in Germany and satellite territories. The article traces Pell’s initial difficulty engaging with the work of the UNWCC due to the State Department’s delaying techniques and the absence of clear instructions from either the State Department or the President. Moreover, it is shown how Pell struggled to convince the State Department and his fellow UNWCC members to include the above-mentioned crimes. This debate and Pell’s role has remained largely unknown to a public that considers the post-war Nuremberg war crimes trials an achievement in the advancement of international law and justice. To whatever extent those trials were such, particularly in advancing international human rights law by adjudicating Axis war criminals for crimes against humanity, it is singularly noteworthy that Axis war criminals might not have been prosecuted at all for these crimes were it not for the efforts of Herbert Pell.
Regression analysis of sparse asynchronous longitudinal data

We consider estimation of regression models for sparse asynchronous longitudinal observations, where time-dependent responses and covariates are observed intermittently within subjects. Unlike with synchronous data, where the response and covariates are observed at the same time point, with asynchronous data, the observation times are mismatched. Simple kernel-weighted estimating equations are proposed for generalized linear models with either time invariant or time-dependent coefficients under smoothness assumptions for the covariate processes which are similar to those for synchronous data. For models with either time invariant or time-dependent coefficients, the estimators are consistent and asymptotically normal but converge at slower rates than those achieved with synchronous data. Simulation studies evidence that the methods perform well with realistic sample sizes and may be superior to a naive application of methods for synchronous data based on an ad hoc last value carried forward approach. The practical utility of the methods is illustrated on data from a study on human immunodeficiency virus.
Biogeographic Affinity Helps Explain Productivity‐Richness Relationships at Regional and Local Scales

The unresolved question of what causes the observed positive relationship between large-scale productivity and species richness has long interested ecologists and evolutionists. Here we examine a potential explanation that we call the biogeographic affinity hypothesis, which proposes that the productivity-richness relationship is a function of species' climatic tolerances that in turn are shaped by the earth's climatic history combined with evolutionary niche conservatism. Using botanical data from regions and sites across California, we find support for a key prediction of this hypothesis, namely, that the productivity-species richness relationship differs strongly and predictably among groups of higher taxa on the basis of their biogeographic affinities (i.e., between families or genera primarily associated with north-temperate, semiarid, or desert zones). We also show that a consideration of biogeographic affinity can yield new insights on how productivity-richness patterns at large geographic scales filter down to affect patterns of species richness and composition within local communities.
The Application of Steam for Heating and Sterilizing Dairy Equipment

Summary 1. Commercial applications of steam for sterilizing might be classified as first, steaming of cans over jets, second, steaming of cans in tank type containers, third, steaming by blowing a steam jet against the outside of the metal surface. 2. The most important properties of steam which affect its use as a sterilizing medium are as follows: a. Temperature of saturated steam increases with pressure. b. Temperature of steam at any given pressure may be raised by superheating. c. Superheated steam absorbs moisture. 3. Equations are developed which state that relationship between the factors involved in the thermal exchange which takes place when milk cans are steamed. 4. The heat absorbing capacity of a milk can is limited by the area of the surface, the coefficient of heat transfer, and the temperature difference between it and the heating medium. It is unnecessary to use any more steam than just enough to maintain the temperature of the heating medium inside the can, and to give the necessary turbulence, to insure a good coefficient of heat transfer. 5. Wet and saturated steam heated the cans at higher rates per degree difference in temperature between the can and the steam than did the superheated steam. Higher final temperatures of the can were obtained when superheated steam was used. 6. With a spreading type jet made by drilling a hole in a 1 2 inch pipe capacity, the temperature in the can metal varied about 14.6°F. after 15 seconds steaming, and varied about 5.7°F. at the end of a half minute steaming period. The hottest part of the can was near the junction of the sides and bottom. 7. Steaming with superheated steam left much less moisture in the can than when saturated or wet steam was used. 8. The use of superheated steam in the last steam jet of a continuous can washer assists in drying the cans. 9. The time-temperature curve showing the rate of temperature rise of milk cans when heated over steam jets, rises rapidly to a point where it flattens out sharply as the temperature is reached when there is equilibrium between heat supplied and heat radiated. 10. Milk cans when heated slowly in a steam heated tank type sterilizer, follow the sterilizer temperature closely. 11. Milk cans when heated slowly in a hot air heated tank type sterilizer, lag behind the temperature of the sterilizer to a considerable extent.
Will Imaging Assist in the Selection of Patients With Heart Failure for an ICD

Sudden cardiac death remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. A left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
Fontan Palliation in the Modern Era: Factors Impacting Mortality and Morbidity

Background Advances in management of the Fontan patient include interval superior cavopulmonary shunt, total cavopulmonary connection, either lateral tunnel or extracardiac conduit, and the use of a fenestration. Coincident with these improvements, Fontan palliation has been applied to a wider ranger of anatomic subgroups. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of 256 consecutive patients undergoing a total cavopulmonary connection Fontan after superior cavopulmonary shunt between January 1, 1994, and June 30, 2007 were studied. Fenestration was used selectively. Fontan failure was defined as death, transplant, or takedown. Event-free survival was defined as freedom from death, transplant, Fontan takedown, functional class III to IV, pacemaker, antiarrhythmic medication, protein-losing enteropathy, stroke, or thrombus. Results Survival was 97% ± 1%, 96% ± 1%, and 94% ± 2%, respectively, at 1, 5, and 10 years. Event-free survival was 96% ± 1%, 87% ± 3%, and 64% ± 6%, respectively, at 1, 5, and 10 years. Factors predicting worse event-free survival included longer cross-clamp time ( p = 0.003), fenestration ( p = 0.014), and longer hospital length of stay ( p = 0.016). Ventricular morphology did not predict outcome. Left ventricle (n = 113, 44%) versus right ventricle (n = 142, 56%) failure-free survival (death, transplant, or Fontan takedown) at 10 years was 92% ± 4% versus 91% ± 3%, respectively ( p = 0.19). Left ventricle versus right ventricle event-free survival at 10 years was 75% ± 7% versus 67% ± 9%, respectively ( p > 0.1). Conclusions Survival for patients undergoing a completion Fontan in the current era is excellent, but patients remain at risk for morbid events. In the intermediate follow-up period, we could not identify a difference in outcome between dominant left and right ventricle morphology.
Divergent actions of chronic insulin treatment in vivo versus acute treatment ex vivo on diabetic-induced endothelial dysfunction

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes is associated with hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. The role of insulin in diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction is unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of chronic insulin treatment in vivo versus acute insulin administration ex vivo on endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortic rings of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Relaxation to acetylcholine (but not A23187) was impaired in diabetic compared to control rings. This defect was prevented by chronic insulin treatment but was not reversed by acute insulin administration ex vivo. Thus, endothelial dysfunction in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat is specific for the chronic diabetic state and not to vascular toxicity of streptozotocin. Nevertheless, it is apparent that insulin at a physiological concentration does not cause an acute direct effect on facilitating endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetic blood vessels.
Primary payer status is associated with mortality and resource utilization for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background—Medicaid and uninsured populations are a significant focus of current healthcare reform. We hypothesized that outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the United States is dependent on primary payer status. Methods and Results—From 2003 to 2007, 1 250 619 isolated CABG operations were evaluated using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Patients were stratified by primary payer status: Medicare, Medicaid, uninsured, and private insurance. Hierarchical multiple regression models were applied to assess the effect of primary payer status on postoperative outcomes. Unadjusted mortality for Medicare (3.3%), Medicaid (2.4%), and uninsured (1.9%) patients were higher compared with private insurance patients (1.1%, P<0.001). Unadjusted length of stay was longest for Medicaid patients (10.9±0.04 days) and shortest for private insurance patients (8.0±0.01 days, P<0.001). Medicaid patients accrued the highest unadjusted total costs ($113 380±386, P<0.001). Importantly, after con...
Improved scaling of minirhizotron data using an empirically-derived depth of field and correcting for the underestimation of root diameters

Background and aims Accurate data on the standing crop, production, and turnover of fine roots is essential to our understanding of major terrestrial ecological processes. Minirhizotrons offer a unique opportunity to study the dynamic processes of root systems, but are susceptible to several measurement biases.
Nonlinear Growth Kinetics of Breast Cancer Stem Cells: Implications for Cancer Stem Cell Targeted Therapy

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in primary breast cancer tissues and cell lines. The CSC population varies widely among cancerous tissues and cell lines, and is often associated with aggressive breast cancers. Despite of intensive research, how the CSC population is regulated within a tumor is still not well understood so far. In this paper, we present a mathematical model to explore the growth kinetics of CSC population both in vitro and in vivo. Our mathematical models and supporting experiments suggest that there exist non-linear growth kinetics of CSCs and negative feedback mechanisms to control the balance between the population of CSCs and that of non-stem cancer cells. The model predictions can help us explain a few long-standing questions in the field of cancer stem cell research, and can be potentially used to predict the efficicacy of anti-cancer therapy.
Contemporary evaluation of operative parameters and complications related to open radical retropubic prostatectomy

Abstract Objectives To determine the impact of recent advances in surgical technique, management, and early detection on outcome after open radical retropubic prostatectomy. Methods Between October 2000 and August 2002, 500 men with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy by a single surgeon (H.L.). One of the unique aspects of this prospective outcomes analysis was that both data acquisition and entry were conducted totally independent of the primary surgeon. Results The mean operative and prostatectomy time was 142.9 and 65.2 minutes, respectively. A single ureteral injury was the only intraoperative complication. The overall incidence of pulmonary embolus and/or deep vein thrombosis was 0.4%. The overall risk of allogeneic transfusion was 4.6%. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.11 ± 0.04 days. Of the catheters, 83.6% were removed by postoperative day 8. The positive surgical margin rate was 8%. Conclusions In the hands of experienced surgeons, outcomes after open radical prostatectomy are excellent. Laparoscopic and robotic prostatectomy must be compared with concurrent experiences with open radical prostatectomy.
Dynamic ion-ion and water-ion interactions in ion channels

The dynamic interactions among ions and water molecules in ion channels are treated based on an assumption that ions at binding sites can be knocked off by both transient entering ions and local water molecules. The theory, when applied to a single-site model K+ channel, provides solutions for super- and subsaturations, flux-ratio exponent (n') greater than 1, osmotic streaming current, activity-dependent reversal potentials, and anomalous mole-fraction behavior. The analysis predicts that: (a) the saturation may but, in general, does not follow the Michaelis-Menten relation; (b) streaming current results from imbalanced water-ion knock-off interactions; (c) n' greater than 1 even for single-site channels, but it is unlikely to exceed 1.4 unless the pore is occupied by one or more ion(s); (d) in the calculation involving two permeant ion species with similar radii, the heavier ions show higher affinity; the ion-ion knock-off dissociation from the site is more effective when two interacting ions are identical. Therefore, the "multi-ion behaviors" found in most ion channels are the consequences of dynamic ion-ion and water-ion interactions. The presence of these interactions does not require two or more binding sites in channels.
Rhodium catalysts bound to functionalized mesoporous silica

Abstract Phosphine and amine functionalized mesoporous silica materials were metallated with Rh(CO) 2 ( i -Pr 2 NH)Cl or Rh 2 (CO) 4 Cl 2 , respectively, to yield catalysts containing the Rh(PPh 2 R) 2 (CO)Cl or Rh(CO) 2 (NH 2 R)Cl, where R is a propyl chain bonded to the silica surface, reactive centers. In order to ascertain the effect of pore size on rates of hydroformylation catalysis both 35 and 45 A pore size materials were used. Using the hydroformylation of octene as a reference reaction, the phosphine based, 45 A catalysts were 1.5–1.3 times faster than the amine based, 45 A catalysts, and the 45 A materials were 2.6–2.1 times faster than the 35 A materials. The orientation of the catalyst relative to the functionalized surface, and the steric environment around the catalyst active site appear to be significant in determining rate of reaction. The ability of the surface bound phosphine catalysts to affect hydroformylation was strongly influenced by the steric constraints of the substrate. Terminal alkenes were readily hydroformylated and norbornene was slowly hydroformylated, but pinene, trans -cyclododecene, cyclohexene and cholesterol were nonreactive to the catalytic center.
Successful Repair of Benign Left Atriogastric Fistula After Transhiatal Esophagectomy

Benign gastrocardiac fistula is a rare complication following esophagectomy that can occur when the gastric tube is placed in the retrosternal space. We describe a benign fistula between the left atrium and the gastric conduit following transhiatal esophagectomy. The surgical technique that was used for successfully repair is also discussed.
The Effects of Item Format and Reading Ability on Objective Test Performance: a Question of Validity

As achievement in basic reading skills declines, the content validity of tests in special subjects (e.g., science or social studies) may be reduced because examinees cannot read the test items. This empirical study was designed to investigate the influence of reading ability and item format on objective test performance. Subjects were ninth- and tenth-grade students in a basic health science course, randomly assigned to a true-false, multiple choice, or matching testing condition. Results indicated that both reading ability and item format significantly influenced test performance. Examinees performed best on items presented in a matching format. Implications were drawn for evaluating content validity.