cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Black holes with a massive dilaton.

The modification of dilaton black holes which result when the dilaton acquires a mass are investigated. We derive some general constraints on the number of horizons of the black hole and argue that if the product of the charge $Q$ of the black hole and the dilaton mass $m$ satisfies $\mathrm{Qm}\ensuremath{\lesssim}1$ then the black hole has only one horizon. We also argue that for $\mathrm{Qm}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1$ there may exist solutions with three horizons and we discuss the causal structure of such solutions. We also investigate the possible structures of extremal solutions and the related problem of two-dimensional dilaton gravity with a massive dilaton.
Tilting at windmills: health reform and the 2004 US presidential election.

Health reform is once again a front-page story in the United States. This is hardly a surprise: since 1970, US health policy has followed a predictable (and seemingly unending) cycle of discovering a crisis in the health system, identifying and debating policy solutions, ultimately doing little or
DIHYDROPTERIDINE REDUCTASE DEFICIENCY: CLONING OF THE DIHYDROPTERIDINE REDUCTASE GENE, ANALYSIS OF MUTANT CELLS, AND PROSPECTS FOR GENETIC THERAPY

Deficiency of the enzyme dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) causes a syndrome of hyperphenylalaninemia and mental retardation but is refactory to conventional dietary therapy. An antibody against sheep DHPR was used to identify clones for human DHPR from a human liver cDNA expression library. The full length cDNA clone comprises 1560 bases, codes for a protein of 244 amino acids and 25,774 daltons, and the predicted amino acid sequence matches an incomplete amino acid sequence of sheep DHPR. The cDNA was recombined in an eukaryotic expression vector and introduced into cultured cells by DNA mediated gene transfer. Cells transformed with the recombinant gene expressed DHPR protein and enzymatic activity at levels 50% of human liver. Analysis of fibroblasts from five unrelated individuals genetically deficient in DHPR by southern and northern blotting indicates that the DHPR gene is grossly in tact and that DHPR mRNA is transcribed. These results indicated that the mutations causing DHPR deficiency are not large deletions of the DHPR locus. These experiments also demonstrate the feasibility of reconstituting DHPR activity by gene transfer of the recombinant clone and introduces the possibility of exploring somatic gene replacement therapy of DHPR deficiency.
An approach-path independent framework for place recognition and mobile robot localization in interior hallways

Our work provides a fast approach-path-independent framework for the problem of place recognition and robot localization in indoor environments. The approach-path independence is achieved by using highly viewpoint-invariant 3D junction features extracted from stereo pairs of images; these are based on stereo reconstructions of the JUDOCA junctions extracted from the individual images of a stereo pair. The speed in place-recognition and robot-localization is achieved by using a novel cylindrical data structure - we refer to it as the Feature Cylinder - for representing either all of the 3D junction features found in a hallway system during the learning phase of the robot or a set of locale signatures derived from the data. For the case when all data is placed on the Feature Cylinder, we can use the 3D-POLY polynomial-time in a hypothesize-and-verify approach to place recognition. On the other hand, in the locale signature based approach, we can use the same data structure for constant-time place recognition.
US law enforcement strategies to combat organized crime threats to financial institutions

Purpose – This paper seeks to identify the internal threats posed to financial institutions by international organized crime (IOC) groups, and outline relevant law enforcement strategies.Design/methodology/approach – Case studies and historical data from several US law enforcement agencies were relied on to identify the IOC threats, and to provide a subjective description of a strategic framework.Findings – IOC has steadily expanded its presence, sophistication and influence, and today poses a substantial threat to financial institutions and markets throughout the world. IOC groups routinely utilize corrupt bank employees, attorneys, accountants and other gatekeepers, or “enemy insiders,” in a wide array of complex schemes involving money laundering, financial fraud, and high‐tech computer intrusions resulting in billions of dollars of losses each year to individual consumers and the global economy. A comprehensive law enforcement strategy to combat IOC must prioritize the threats, marshal intelligence, c...
New Physiological Concepts of the Renin-Angiotensin System From the Investigation of Precursors and Products of Angiotensin I Metabolism

Research on the regulatory actions of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) continues to provide a wealth of information on how cells maintain their internal homeostatic environment, regulate metabolic processes, and adapt or contribute to disease. Not that long ago, the active product of the system, angiotensin II (Ang II), was considered the single critical hormone product of an endocrine system involved in regulating blood volume and vascular tone. A revised concept emerged after the demonstration that renin and angiotensinogen (Aogen) are present in tissues. These findings suggested that the RAS is composed of dual, independently regulated, blood-borne and tissue systems. Today, a broader and more complex system is being revealed by advanced genetic and molecular tools, as well as by the outcome of clinical studies using medications selective for ≥1 of the proteins contributing to the generation of angiotensin peptides. Recognition that the RAS contains both a pressor and depressor arm in exerting regulatory functions on vascular tone and cellular signaling paved the way for the generation of an alternate hypothesis as to how an imbalance of their function contributes to cardiovascular disease.1 This review summarizes the data supporting the hypothesis of a counterregulatory arm that, within the RAS, opposes the actions of Ang II. We build on these earlier discoveries to provide a new insight into an additional pathway in which an extended form of angiotensin I (Ang I), proangiotensin-12 (Ang-[1-12]), may be an alternate substrate for the production of the biological active angiotensins. A comprehensive evaluation of this topic cannot be achieved within the assigned space; therefore, only the key elements of the topic will be addressed, asking for indulgence in not providing a detailed listing of all of the published studies. ### Angiotensin-(1-7): The Paradigm Shift The period from approximately 1970 to 1980 represented the beginning of a shift in the concept …
Tyrosine kinases as targets for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

As critical regulators of numerous cell signaling pathways, tyrosine kinases are implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the absence of disease, synoviocytes produce factors that provide nutrition and lubrication for the surrounding cartilage tissue; few cellular infiltrates are seen in the synovium. In RA, however, macrophages, neutrophils, T cells and B cells infiltrate the synovium and produce cytokines, chemokines and degradative enzymes that promote inflammation and joint destruction. In addition, the synovial lining expands owing to the proliferation of synoviocytes and infiltration of inflammatory cells to form a pannus, which invades the surrounding bone and cartilage. Many of these cell responses are regulated by tyrosine kinases that operate in specific signaling pathways, and inhibition of a number of these kinases might be expected to provide benefit in RA.
Computer Simulation and Optimization of a Planar Phased Array of Circular Waveguide Elements

Computer-aided optimization using a Ritz-Galerkin boundary value solution to a planar phased array of circular waveguide elements are presented. Wide angle impedance matching (WAIM) is sought, and mutual coupling and polarization effects are noted.
Collecting the Knot-Hole Moss (Anacamptodon splachnoides)

Abstract. The “knot-hole moss” [Anacamptodon splachnoides (Frohl. ex Brid.) Brid.] is seldom collected by bryologists, and is considered uncommon or even rare. However, 24 collections of A. splachnoides were made from trunks of red maple (Acer rubrum L.), sugar maple (Acer saccharumMarsh.), and chestnut oak (Quercus montana Willd.), as well as from the upper pilear surface of basidiomata (“conks”) of the “mossy-cap polypore” [Oxyporus populinus Fr. = Fomes connatus (Weinm.) Gillet]. Most collections were made in Pennsylvania. Of the 24 collections, 11 were from moist knotholes, seven from moist decayed hollows or crevices, three from limb/trunk crotches, and three from mossy-cap polypore conks. Twenty-three of the 24 collections were made during the summer of 2006. Anacamptodon splachnoides was found in both closed forests and open parks, and at both high and low elevations. These results indicate that A. splachnoides is not uncommon, but overlooked because of its specific habitat.
SAT05-4: Implementation of a Coded Modulation for Deep Space Optical Communications

We present an efficient implementation of a coded modulation for the deep space optical channel. NASA designed this so called serially concatenated pulse position modulation (SCPPM) code to provide an optical link that can operate within one dB signal energy of the Shannon capacity during a nominal mission condition from Mars. Here, we describe some of the challenges in realizing the SCPPM decoder on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Through various architectural optimizations, we achieve a 6 Mbps decoder on a single FPGA. Moreover, we demonstrate that it is possible to communicate reliably on an efficient bits-per-photon count in an end-to-end SCPPM coded system.
Behavior of immune players in the tumor microenvironment

Purpose of reviewTumors recruit various immune cells with seemingly contrasting functions. Yet, the precise role of these cells in situ remains vastly unknown. This review presents a new discovery effort that employs intravital imaging to study immune players directly in tissues.Recent findingsCytot
Atypical anorexia nervosa: separation from typical cases in course and outcome in a long-term prospective study.

Objective To assess differences in long-term course and outcome between typical and atypical cases of anorexia nervosa. Method A naturalistic, longitudinal prospective design was used to assess recovery, relapse, and onset of binge eating over 10 to 15 years in patients ascertained through a university- based specialty treatment program. Atypical anorexia nervosa was distinguished from the diagnostically prototypic form of the disorder based on the continuous absence of morbid fear of weight gain and body size distortion during the inpatient phase of treatment. Patients were assessed semiannually for 5 years then annually thereafter until the final visit. Results Compared to pure cases of anorexia nervosa, atypical cases were less likely to drop weight after discharge, recovered more rapidly, and had lower cumulative risk for developing binge eating. Conclusion It has been argued recently that weight phobia and body image disturbance should not be viewed as critical to the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. This study shows that the absence of these particular symptoms in patients presenting with malnutrition secondary to extreme dietary restriction predicts a less malignant course and outcome compared to typical cases of anorexia nervosa. These course differences suggest that the division of patients into typical versus atypical diagnostic subtypes may be nosologically valid and clinically useful. © 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 25: 135–142, 1999.
Differential Effects of Gentamicin on the Distribution of Cochlear Function in Albino and Pigmented Guinea Pigs

It has been suggested that the high affinity of melanin pigment for aminoglycoside antibiotics may cause these drugs to bind preferentially to the pigmented inner ear, producing greater otoxicity than in the amelanotic albino cochlea. However, evidence of greater ototoxicity in albinos has led to the hypothesis that melanin inhibits the toxicity of these drugs in the pigmented inner ear. On the other hand, ototoxicity in the pigmented animals may simply be delayed relative to the albinos, only to become equal or even more severe with time. The present study was conducted to determine whether a relatively low dose of gentamicin (68.5 mg/kg) would produce differential ototoxicity between albino and pigmented guinea pigs which would persist long after drug exposure had stopped. Nine pigmented and eight albino guinea pigs were given gentamicin sulfate for 14 consecutive days, and were then allowed a two-month recovery period before cochlear analysis; 11 pairs of saline-injected or untreated albino and pigment...
Circular-harmonic function, minimum average correlation energy filters

New distortion-invariant correlation filters for in-plane rotation invariance are considered. These use circular-harmonic functions combined with minimum-average correlation-plane filter techniques. Various circular-harmonic function shortcomings are quantified.
Continual emerging roles of HO-1: protection against airway inflammation.

the role of the heme oxygenase (HO) in pulmonary medicine is a rapidly emerging field. A regulatory role for HO has been identified in a variety of pulmonary diseases relating to vascular tone, cell growth, and apoptosis (reviewed in Refs. [1][1], [9][2], [15][3], and [21][4]). Although it is known
Individualized developmental care for a large sample of very preterm infants: health, neurobehaviour and neurophysiology

Aim To assess medical and neurodevelopmental effects of Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) for a large sample of very early-born infants.
Identification of two additional members of the membrane-bound dipeptidase family.

SPECIFIC AIMSMembrane-bound dipeptidase-1 (MBD-1) is known to catalyze the conversion of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) to leukotriene E4 (LTE4) and the cleavage of cystinyl-bis-glycine (cys-bis-gly); however, MBD-1-deficient mice retain the ability to catalyze both reactions, suggesting that additional dipeptidases can perform these functions. The aim of the present experiments was to identify and characterize additional members of the MBD family.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. Identification of two additional MBDs (MBD-2 and MBD-3) and determination of their DNA sequences and deduced amino acid sequencesMouse spleen cDNA from an MBD-1-deficient mouse was screened by PCR using primers based on sequence information from EST H10870 that had sequence similarity to the known MBD-1. The resultant cDNA (MBD-2) comprises a single open reading frame of 1734 bp, a 5′ untranslated region of 56 bp, a 9 bp 3′ untranslated region, and a poly(A) signal (GenBank acc. no. AF488552). The predicted open reading frame encodes a protein of 578...
The roles of intramembrane proteases in protozoan parasites.

Intramembrane proteolysis is widely conserved throughout different forms of life, with three major types of proteases being known for their ability to cleave peptide bonds directly within the transmembrane domains of their substrates. Although intramembrane proteases have been extensively studied in humans and model organisms, they have only more recently been investigated in protozoan parasites, where they turn out to play important and sometimes unexpected roles. Signal peptide peptidases are involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control and signal peptide degradation from exported proteins. Recent studies suggest that repurposing inhibitors developed for blocking presenilins may be useful for inhibiting the growth of Plasmodium, and possibly other protozoan parasites, by blocking signal peptide peptidases. Rhomboid proteases, originally described in the fly, are also widespread in parasites, and are especially expanded in apicomplexans. Their study in parasites has revealed novel roles that expand our understanding of how these proteases function. Within this diverse group of parasites, rhomboid proteases contribute to processing of adhesins involved in attachment, invasion, intracellular replication, phagocytosis, and immune evasion, placing them at the vertex of host–parasite interactions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Intramembrane Proteases.
Management of exstrophy/epispadias at the children's hospital of philadelphia

Purpose Exstrophy/epispadias remains a significant surgical challenge with the goal being daytime and night time continence, volitional voiding, normal renal function and a cosmetically acceptable penis. The complete anatomic primary repair (CPRE) has been advocated as a technique to achieve these goals as first described by Mitchell. Material and methods To date, 18 patients who were born with classic bladder exstrophy or epispadias have undergone the CPRE since 1998. Age range now are from 6 mo to 10.6 years. Follow up has included routine ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrography or video urodynamic evaluation. Dry intervals assessed are those greater than 3 hours, 1-3 hours, persistently wet and those still in diapers but with dry intervals. Results Four patients are dry for greater than 3 hours with 2 achieving night time continence. Nine patients are dry for 1-3 hour intervals, three have persistent incontinence and two have dry intervals while in diapers but are under 2 years of age. Conclusions Surgical repair of bladder exstrophy/epispadias remains one of our consummate surgical challenges. We have adopted a consistent surgical approach and team to try to improve outcome. We believe that iliac osteotomies facilitate the closure even in the newborn and may improve epispadias repair. We feel that early repair is optimal (
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Complicating Acute Hepatitis B: A Case With Detailed Electrophysiological and Immunological Studies

• A 61-year-old man was seen for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) complicating acute type B hepatitis. Results of detailed electrophysiological studies were characteristic of a severe peripheral neuropathy of the segmental demyelinating type. Immunological studies demonstrated cell-mediated sensitization to peripheral nerve basic protein. Twenty-six cases of GBS complicating viral hepatitis were analyzed for age, sex, temporal relationship of the onset of the hepatitis to that of the polyneuritis, and outcome.
Racial and Spatial Targeting: Segregation and Subprime Lending within and across Metropolitan Areas

Recent studies find that high levels of black-white segregation increased rates of foreclosures and subprime lending across US metropolitan areas during the housing crisis. These studies speculate that segregation created distinct geographic markets that enabled subprime lenders and brokers to leverage the spatial proximity of minorities to disproportionately target minority neighborhoods. Yet, the studies do not explicitly test whether the concentration of subprime loans in minority neighborhoods varied by segregation levels. We address this shortcoming by integrating neighborhood-level data and spatial measures of segregation to examine the relationship between segregation and subprime lending across the 100 largest US metropolitan areas. Controlling for alternative explanations of the housing crisis, we find that segregation is strongly associated with higher concentrations of subprime loans in clusters of minority census tracts but find no evidence of unequal lending patterns when we examine minority census tracts in an aspatial way. Moreover, residents of minority census tracts in segregated metropolitan areas had higher likelihoods of receiving subprime loans than their counterparts in less segregated metropolitan areas. Our findings demonstrate that segregation played a pivotal role in the housing crisis by creating relatively larger areas of concentrated minorities into which subprime loans could be efficiently and effectively channeled. These results are consistent with existing but untested theories on the relationship between segregation and the housing crisis in metropolitan areas.
Uncertainty management and adoptees’ ambiguous loss of their birth parents

According to the National Adoption Information Clearing House (2000; http://www.calib.com/naic/statistics.htm) 120,000 children each year are adopted in or into the US. Much has been written about the attachment and adjustment issues adoptees experience, yet there has been no comprehensive study on the loss felt by adoptees as they reach adulthood. This study of 54 adult adoptees extends the literature on uncertainty management and ambiguous loss by examining how these forces inform one another in the context of adoption. More specifically, it builds upon the uncertainty management literature by investigating the multiple ways in which adoptees experience uncertainty and loss and how these experiences, and the management responses that result from them, are shaped by the familial, perceptual, and situational factors that comprise them.
Force-Field Induced Bias in the Structure of Aβ21–30: A Comparison of OPLS, AMBER, CHARMM, and GROMOS Force Fields

In this work we examine the dynamics of an intrinsically disordered protein fragment of the amyloid β, the Aβ21–30, under seven commonly used molecular dynamics force fields (OPLS-AA, CHARMM27-CMAP, AMBER99, AMBER99SB, AMBER99SB-ILDN, AMBER03, and GROMOS53A6), and three water models (TIP3P, TIP4P, and SPC/E). We find that the tested force fields and water models have little effect on the measures of radii of gyration and solvent accessible surface area (SASA); however, secondary structure measures and intrapeptide hydrogen-bonding are significantly modified, with AMBER (99, 99SB, 99SB-ILDN, and 03) and CHARMM22/27 force-fields readily increasing helical content and the variety of intrapeptide hydrogen bonds. On the basis of a comparison between the population of helical and β structures found in experiments, our data suggest that force fields that suppress the formation of helical structure might be a better choice to model the Aβ21–30 peptide.
Quantitative Assessment of Biotic Mortality Factors of the European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Field Corn

Five treatments were used to exclude naturally occurring predators and parasitoids, based on body size and flight ability, to assess their effect on Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) populations on corn plants. Two initial O. nubilalis egg densities (one egg mass and three egg masses per plant) were assigned to each treatment. Egg predation was higher in uncaged treatments than in caged treatments. Flying insect predators, primarily Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), reduced egg densities by 50%. Thirty-five to 84% of O. nubilalis larvae were infected with Nosema pyrausta (Paillot) (Microspora: Nosematidae). The incidence of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes), ranged from 0 to 21%, whereas larval parasitism, mainly by Macrocentrus cingulum Reinhard (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) ranged from 0 to 31%. In contrast to previous studies, this 3-yr field study documents that egg predation and larval infections of O. nubilalis were significant and consistent biotic mortality factors.
Model-Prototype Study of a Plumbing Drainage System

How dimensionless groups of variables may be used to express performance of plumbing drainage system; data obtained from tests on scale model are correlated with those from prototype in terms of dimensionless parameters developed.
FRACTURE OF THE CENTRAL TARSAL BONE IN NONRACEHORSES: FOUR CASES

Fractures of the central tarsal bone are a rarely recognized cause of acute severe hind limb lameness in nonracehorses. Diagnosis of these fractures can be challenging and little is known about their configuration or outcome. The objectives of this retrospective case series study were to describe the clinical features, imaging findings, and outcomes of fractures of the central tarsal bone in a sample of nonracehorses. Medical records from 2001 to 2014 were searched for cases of central tarsal bone fractures in nonracehorses. All available imaging findings including radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and/or nuclear scintigraphy were reviewed. History, clinical presentation, and outcome were collected from the records. Four horses met the inclusion criteria. All had a similar configuration as a simple nondisplaced slab fracture in a dorsomedial to plantarolateral orientation. Initial radiographs failed to reveal the fracture in three of four cases. When additional plantarolateral-dorsomedial oblique radiographic views were obtained, the fracture could be identified in all cases. Fractures of the central tarsal bone seemed to occur in a consistent dorsomedial to plantarolateral orientation in this sample of nonracehorses, which is different from the configuration previously reported in racehorses. While CT can be used for detection and assessment of these fractures, authors propose that radiography can also identify these fractures with the appropriate view. Authors recommend the use of several plantarolateral to dorsomedial radiographic projections at varying degrees of obliquity for horses with a suspected central tarsal bone fracture.
Influence of Soil Types on Stabilization of the Savannah River

In order to compare soils in river reaches subject to stabilization problems with those in reaches with adequate depth, bottom samples were taken at six reaches where dikes have been constructed and from five reaches where there are no dikes. Gradation curves of river bottom samples from trouble-free reaches and troublesome reaches does not, in the view of the writer, show an appreciable difference in gradation. Prevailing velocities seem to be the controlling factor in determining the composition of the bottom material and its influence on the navigation channel. Resistance to movement at prevailing velocities of the residual course sand provides a relatively stable river bottom resulting in project conditions as follows: (1) Project width is maintained in relatively sharp bends; (2) savings through reduction of pile penetration and revetment widths required; (3) crossing bars are slow to erode when regulated flow is reduced; and (4) dredging is needed to assist corrective action of dikes.
Legend Airlines: American Airlines Worst Nightmare?

This case reviews the air battles American Airlines (AA) and Legend Airlines (LA) engaged in over the right to fly out of Love Field in Dallas, Texas, the home of American Airlines based at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.Legend Airlines was attacking the industry with a value proposition of quality flights and superior customer service with a laser focus on passengers who traveled frequently and paid top fares.The case is designed for classroom discussion and application to understand the economic consequences American Airlines faced with the up-scale entry of Legend Airlines into the heart of American Airlines market.
Separable potential approach in the folding model: (I). Formalism☆

Abstract The elastic scattering of a nucleon by a nucleus is studied as a two-body problem, via a folding model using separable potentials. The effective potential is generated by folding in an effective separable N N potential with the nucleonic distribution of the nucleus. Full advantage of the mathematical convenience of separable potentials is taken in both the folding procedure and the scattering solution. Separability can be retained throughout the calculations from the two-nucleon phenomenological potential all the way to the derived optical potential for the nucleon-nucleus system. The folding formalism involves coordinate transformations using an oscillator basis and the Talmi-Moshinsky method for unequal masses. A numerical method, based on the Bloch L -operator, the plane-wave expansion of the wave function by Robson and Koshel, and a matrix-inversion technique, has been developed to evaluate the phase shifts for the elastic scattering between a neutron and a spin-zero nucleus.
The Metal Analisis of the Premature Infant's Mothers and Nursing Countermeasurs

Objective Understand the mental health situation of the premature infant's mothers, andanalyze the influent factors in order to raise the relevant nursing countmeasures. Method We Choose131 premature infant's mothers during 2003.3～2005.9 who parturied in our hospital. We take SCL-90special table to investigate the mental health situation of premature infant's mothers ,and analyzethe invested results. Result Obove 50% of these mothers all have different levels mental disease.,and these bad factors gave them a lot of unhappiness.Conclusion The nurses should help them toimprove the mental reply ability of the premature mothers and it can ameliorate the life quality .
Simulation research of the diesel engine crank-connecting rod mechanism on drilling

The diesel engine of drilling is the power source of the petroleum drilling,which has the characteristics of the large power and high speed.The crank-connecting rod mechanism is the important part of the diesel engine.Through simulation by C language programming and analysis of characteristics of movement and force on the diesel engine crank-connecting rod mechanism which is used to be in shallow stratum,the paper which offers the important method for designing the high-performance diesel engine on drilling scientifically presents the simulative curve of movement and force of the major part in the mechanism.
Application of Intelligent Application Platform in City Integrated Emergency Response System

At present, the application research of city emergency response system becomes a hotspot. Through introducing the construction status of city integrated emergency response system both in China and overseas, this article analyzes the existing problems of domestic city integrated emergency response system. The author holds that the present bottleneck problem, i.e. information process in city integrated emergency response system, can be effectively solved by applying CORBA technology and the intelligent application platform which is developed based on ACE/TAO structure. Meanwhile, this article gives a relevant introduction to the application of this platform in other aspects.
Interludium: the geometry of Abelian varieties

For the convenience of the reader who wishes to go on reading the rest of the text we include here a chapter about Abelian varieties. There is nothing new in this chapter, our intention was to give a compact and coherent presentation of the theory of Abelian varieties in a form suitable for applications to integrable systems. Our exposition is partly algebraic partly analytic, we think that both approaches highlight different aspects of the theory of Abelian varieties, see for example the theorems of Abel, Jacobi and Riemann in Paragraph 4.3. The main references for the theory of Abelian varieties are [LB], [Kern] and [Mum2] and [Mum3]. However the relevant chapters in [ACGH], [GH] and [Mum4] are also highly recommended to learn this subject.
Speech-activated Myoclonus Mimicking Stuttering in a Patient with Myoclonus–Dystonia Syndrome

Background: Acquired neurogenic stuttering has been considered a fairly uncommon clinical occurrence; speech-activated myoclonus is a rare entity that can mimic stuttering and is caused by a wide array of etiologies. Case Report: Here we report a patient with myoclonus–dystonia syndrome (MDS), due to an identified disease-causing mutation, who displayed speech-activated myoclonus mimicking stuttering. Discussion: In MDS, myoclonus has only infrequently been reported to affect speech. This case further expands the spectrum of conditions causing the rare clinical phenomenon of speech-activated myoclonus.
Activation of sensory cortex by imagined genital stimulation: an fMRI analysis.

Background : During the course of a previous study, our laboratory made a serendipitous finding that just thinking about genital stimulation resulted in brain activations that overlapped with, and differed from, those generated by physical genital stimulation. Objective : This study extends our previous findings by further characterizing how the brain differentially processes physical ‘touch’ stimulation and ‘imagined’ stimulation. Design : Eleven healthy women (age range 29–74) participated in an fMRI study of the brain response to imagined or actual tactile stimulation of the nipple and clitoris. Two additional conditions – imagined dildo self-stimulation and imagined speculum stimulation – were included to characterize the effects of erotic versus non-erotic imagery. Results : Imagined and tactile self-stimulation of the nipple and clitoris each activated the paracentral lobule (the genital region of the primary sensory cortex) and the secondary somatosensory cortex. Imagined self-stimulation of the clitoris and nipple resulted in greater activation of the frontal pole and orbital frontal cortex compared to tactile self-stimulation of these two bodily regions. Tactile self-stimulation of the clitoris and nipple activated the cerebellum, primary somatosensory cortex (hand region), and premotor cortex more than the imagined stimulation of these body regions. Imagining dildo stimulation generated extensive brain activation in the genital sensory cortex, secondary somatosensory cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, insula, nucleus accumbens, and medial prefrontal cortex, whereas imagining speculum stimulation generated only minimal activation. Conclusion : The present findings provide evidence of the potency of imagined stimulation of the genitals and that the following brain regions may participate in erogenous experience: primary and secondary sensory cortices, sensory-motor integration areas, limbic structures, and components of the ‘reward system’. In addition, these results suggest a mechanism by which some individuals may be able to generate orgasm by imagery in the absence of physical stimulation. Keywords: human female; tactile imagery; clitoris; nipple; self-stimulation; homunculus; sexual arousal; genitalia; primary somatosensory cortex; secondary somatosensory cortex (Published: 25 October 2016) Citation: Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology 2016, 6 : 31481 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/snp.v6.31481 This paper is part of the Special Issue: Orgasm: Neurophysiological, psychological, and evolutionary perspectives. More papers from this issue can be found at www.socioaffectiveneuroscipsychol.net
Collective decision dynamics in group evacuation

Quantifying uncertainties in collective human behavior and decision making is crucial for ensuring public safety, enabling effective disaster response, informing the design of transportation networks, and guiding the development of new technologies. However, modeling and predicting such behavior is notoriously difficult due to the influence of a variety of complex factors, including risk, time pressure, and the interaction and influence of social groups. We develop a stochastic model of human decision making to describe the empirical behavior of subjects in a controlled experiment simulating a natural disaster scenario. In particular, we quantify the influence of key factors, such as the reported disaster threat level, on individual decision strategies, and use these results to simulate and predict population-level behavior. Additionally, we use model simulations to compare individual evacuation decisions to those that require a group consensus, capturing strategy changes and tradeoffs that arise when decisions are made in a group context.
Aortic valve replacement associated with survival in severe regurgitation and low ejection fraction

Objectives Although guidelines support aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) Methods A large institutional echocardiography database was queried to identify patients with severe AR and LVEF Results Initially, 2 54 614 echocardiograms were considered, representing 1 45 785 unique patients, of which 40 patients met inclusion criteria. Of those, 18 (45.0%) underwent AVR and 22 (55.0%) were managed medically. Absolute mortality was 27.8% in the AVR group and 91.2% in the medical management group. After multivariate adjustment, end-stage renal disease (HR=17.633, p=0.0335) and peripheral arterial disease (HR=6.050, p=0.0180) were associated with higher mortality. AVR was associated with lower mortality (HR=0.143, p=0.0490). Mean follow-up time of the study cohort was 6.58 years, and mean survival for patients undergoing AVR was 6.31 years. Conclusions Even after adjustment for clinical characteristics and patient age, AVR is associated with higher survival for patients with low LVEF and severe AR. Although treatment selection bias cannot be completely eliminated by this analysis, these results provide some evidence that surgery may be associated with prolonged survival in this high-risk patient group.
Who Do You Trust

The ability of patients to trust physicians to act in their best interests is a critical aspect of a welfare-maximizing relationship. This commentary discusses physician trustworthiness within the framework of the Affordable Care Act and considers steps to reinforce trustworthy behavior.
Stacking outbound barge containers in an automated deep-sea terminal

Abstract In this paper, we study the stacking problem of outbound containers in a deep-sea container terminal. In such a terminal, outbound containers -to be transported by barge to the hinterland or other terminals within the port area- are stacked in a container stack. Reshuffling which is the process of removing interfering containers to access a desired container is one of the main challenges of such container terminals. In order to avoid reshuffling, container terminals commonly use a stacking policy in which each pile (column) accommodates the containers of the same barge with the same weight class, destination, etc. However, due to a limited number of containers per barge per weight class and destination, this policy might result in a low stack utilization. To address this issue, this study proposes an alternative stacking policy allowing different container types to share the same pile. We aim to minimize the total retrieval time of a set of containers. We show that the problem is strongly N P -complete. Thus, we propose a heuristic to quickly solve the problem and we compare the results with a lower bound. The results show that the proposed stacking heuristic can provide solutions with a gap of less than 10% with the lower bound for real-sized instances with high utilization. In addition, the results show that the stacking heuristic can reduce the total retrieval time up to 30% compared to often-used in practice stacking policy. Furthermore, in order to investigate the performance of the proposed stacking policy under different settings, we perform a sensitivity analysis by varying block configuration, number of barges, barge size, and barge arrival time window.
Branding matters: Reimagine your library services

While attending ACRL 2017 in Baltimore, I came upon a poster titled “Cultivating Curiosity: Intersecting Century-Old Services for 21st Century Impact,” which suggested that a simple rebranding of traditional reference services could markedly increase student engagement. I was intrigued by these findings but somewhat skeptical. How could such a low-cost, low-tech strategy generate such high-impact results? Thankfully, presenters Jennifer Hunter and Christina Riehman-Murphy of the Penn State University Libraries-Abington College were on hand to answer all my questions. Hunter and Riehman-Murphy outlined their program and outcomes, and they convinced me: branding matters. I left the convention center inspired, ready to bring their marketing blueprint back to Queensborough Community College (QCC) of the City University of New York (CUNY).
The Role of Propagule Type, Resource Availability, and Seed Source in Phragmites Invasion in Chesapeake Bay Wetlands

The relative importance of sexual vs. asexual propagules in wetland plant invasions is poorly understood, particularly for their importance in increasingly disturbed, resource-rich environments. Using the invasive wetland grass Phragmites australis as a model, we evaluated the resource needs of its seeds and rhizome fragments. In a greenhouse experiment where we manipulated nitrogen and propagule type, we found that Phragmites seedlings, but not rhizome fragments, responded positively to nutrient enrichment. In a second experiment, where we focused on seedling resource needs and manipulated light, nitrogen, and seed source, we found that seedlings were inhibited by heavy shade with no additional benefit of nutrient additions. Different seed sources (wetlands surrounded by different dominant land-use types, a proxy for disturbance) had variable leaf production and stem height (biomass did not vary). Understanding the mechanisms of Phragmites recruitment via seeds and rhizomes is critical for informing how a clonal species—now understood to disperse largely by seeds—can invade increasingly disturbed, resource-rich habitats. Our study suggests that Phragmites invasion by seed is being fueled, in part, by the positive effects of increased nutrients and light on Phragmites seedling performance and potentially by varying performance of seedlings derived from different watersheds.
ERG and EOG in Diabetics Pre and Post Photocoagulation

Extensive electroretinographic studies of diabetic retinopathy have been made by several authors. Francois & de Rouck (1954), Karpe, Kornerup & Wulfing (1956), using flash stimulus techniques, found decreased ERG amplitude in cases with more advanced retinal disease and no particular changes in early cases. Similarly, a depression in the EOG L/D ratio in severe cases was noted by Arden, Barrada & Kelsey (1962). The analysis of the amplitudes of the wavelets superimposed on the b-wave as introduced by Yonemura, Aoki & Tsuzuki (1962) has proven slightly more applicable to the clinical study of diabetic retinopathy as shown by Simonsen (1968).
Genital nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis: A diagnostic challenge in a pediatric patient

Nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis (NLCS) is an idiopathic hamartomatous condition characterized by the presence of mature adipose tissue in the dermis. We report a case of NLCS initially misdiagnosed as condyloma acuminata in a 14-year-old boy. This case highlights classic clinical and histologic features of NLCS. The case presented here underscores the need for a high degree of clinical suspicion in diagnosing NLCS and in differentiating benign anogenital lesions from sexually transmitted conditions to avoid unnecessary work-up and undue emotional stress.
Total Synthesis of Indolizidine Alkaloids via Nickel-Catalyzed (4 + 2) Cyclization.

A Ni-catalyzed (4 + 2) cycloaddition of alkynes and azetidinones toward piperidinones was used as key reaction in the enantioselective synthesis of naturally occurring indolizidine alkaloids. The r...
Brand relevance and the effects of product proliferation across product categories

Product proliferation may not be an effective strategy for every brand in every product category. Rather, the success of product proliferation may be conditional on previously unconsidered differences across product categories. In particular, brand relevance in category (BRiC), which is closely associated with an array of category-level characteristics, offers a potentially influential contingency. We rely on a survey study (Study 1a) and a lab experiment (Study 1b) to examine individual consumer reactions to product proliferation. These studies show that product proliferation has a stronger impact on customer-based brand equity in high BRiC categories than in low BRiC categories. From a firm perspective, Study 2 explores the effect of product proliferation on brand sales performance using IRI scanner data; it indicates conversely that BRiC has an opposing moderating effect, such that product proliferation has a stronger impact on brand sales in low BRiC categories than in high BRiC categories. Together, these nuanced results have important implications for product line and brand management resource allocation decisions.
Tunable Metasurface Inverse Design for 80% Switching Efficiencies and 144° Angular Deflection

Tunable metasurfaces have demonstrated the potential for dramatically enhanced functionality for applications including sensing, ranging and imaging. Liquid crystals (LCs) have fast switching speed...
Einstein Radii from Binary-Source Lensing Events

We show that the Einstein ring radius and transverse speed of a lens projected on the source plane, E and , can be determined from the light curve of a binary-source event, followed by the spectroscopic determination of the orbital elements of the source stars. The determination makes use of the same principle that allows one to measure the Einstein ring radii from finite-source effects. For the case when the orbital period of the source stars is much longer than the Einstein timescale, P tE, there exists a single twofold degeneracy in determining E. However, when P tE the degeneracy can often be broken by making use of the binary-source system's orbital motion. For ~8% of all lensing events with sources V < 20 seen toward the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), one can unambiguously determine whether the lenses are Galactic or whether they lie in the LMC itself. In addition, we propose to include eclipsing binaries as sources for gravitational lensing experiments.
Oh Baby! There's a Pregger in My PACU…

Background Information With a trending increase in patient volume and acuity in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)s in a large academic medical center, it was noted that one of the demographics fostering this growth is the Obstetric (OB) population. It is important to note that the OB patients presenting to the PACUs required post-anesthesia care for non-OB procedures and interventions with the exception of OB procedures requiring general anesthesia. Hospital leadership and nursing staff noticed that caring for the OB patient in a non-OB PACU setting offered some distinct challenges related to the special considerations unique to the OB population. Instead of viewing OB patients in the PACU as a quagmire, the PACUs viewed this as an opportunity to collaborate with the OB department, promulgating maternal care in the PACU. Objectives of Project The objective was to create a program increasing knowledge related to the care of the OB patient in the PACU. Process of Implementation Collaborative gap analyses by the PACU and OB educators revealed that fundamental knowledge, skills, and adherences to professional organization recommendations regarding standards of care were opportunities for improvement. “Special Population Considerations: The OB Patient” was created and added to the existing PACU Residency/ Transition to Practice and PACU Preceptor curriculums which offer didactic and simulation activities to facilitate learning. Topics addressed included OB assessment, fetal monitoring (FM) expectations, postpartum hemorrhage care, and OB emergencies and equipment guided by professional practice guidelines and recommendations. Further, the OB department committed to collaborative care for FM and additional resources as needed, easing the anxiety of PACU nurses. Knowledge assessment was performed pre and post offering to measure changes in knowledge and program evaluation. Statement of Successful Practice After completion of the program by five cohorts, the average preassessment score of 30.6% increased to 85.6% post assessment showing an increase in knowledge and program success. Further, 100% of participants found the program beneficial. Implications for Advancing the Practice of Perianesthesia Nursing In addition to the new OB curriculum being offered, OB learning enrichment opportunities should be added to unit in-services, yearly skills and drills, and/ or unit-based competencies to ensure that PACU nurses are retaining knowledge regarding the care of the OB patient in the PACU.
Legitimating television, by Michael Z. Newman and Elana Levine

Review of Michael Z. Newman and Elana Levine, Legitimating television: Media convergence and cultural status. New York: Routledge, 2011, paperback, $36.95 (232p) ISBN 978-0415880268.