cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of search and replication in unstructured peer-to-peer networks

This paper investigates the effect of the number of file replicas on search performance in unstructured peer-to-peer networks. We observe that for a search network with a random graph topology where file replicas are uniformly distributed, the hop distance to a replica of a file is logarithmic in the number of replicas. Using this observation we show that flooding-based search is optimized when the number of replicas is proportional to the file request rates. This replica distribution is also optimal for download time and since flooding has logarithmically better search time than random walk under its optimal replica distribution, we investigate the query-processing load using this distribution.
An infinite family of 7-designs

Abstract We study designs in the binary affine space invariant under the affine group in its 3-transitive action. The main result is a family 7- (2 n ,8,45), n⩾6 of non-simple designs. We also obtain 5-(2n,6,3) for every n⩾3 and 5-(2n,7,7(2n−16)/2) for every even n⩾6.
Incidence and Prevalence of Uveitis in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers of the Pacific Northwest

Purpose To ascertain the frequency of uveitis in Veterans Affairs (VA) patients in the Pacific Northwest and to compare disease rates with those in previously published epidemiologic studies. Design Cross-sectional, population based-study. Methods The medical records of 152,267 patients seen at six VA Medical Centers in Oregon and Washington during fiscal year 2004 were searched for uveitis-related Internation Classification of Diseases 9th edition codes. Cases were reviewed and classified anatomically, by associated systemic disease, and as incident or prevalent. Only definite cases were used for disease rate calculations. Results This study found a crude incidence of 25.6 cases/100,000 person-years and a crude prevalence of 69 cases/100,000 persons. The most common anatomic location for uveitis was anterior. Approximately half of cases were idiopathic, with human leukocyte antigen-B27–related diseases being the most common identified cause. There was no statistical evidence of increased or decreased incidence with age, although uveitis seemed to be more prevalent in the younger age groups. Conclusions Our data are consistent with those of most published population-based studies on the epidemiologic features of uveitis, but we detected significantly lower incidence and prevalence than those reported in a recently published study from Kaiser Permanente. The significance of and possible explanations for the differences between our data and that published by the Kaiser group are discussed.
Are we overprescribing antireflux medications for infants with regurgitation

OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of infants with persistent regurgitation who were referred to a pediatric gastroenterology service. METHODS. The records of 64 infants with persistent regurgitation and without any neurodevelopmental abnormalities, underlying illness, or cigarette smoke exposure were evaluated for diagnostic workup and treatment. Forty-four infants underwent extended esophageal pH monitoring. RESULTS. Only 8 of 44 pH studies showed abnormal acid reflux. Forty-two of these 44 infants were already on antireflux medications. Other etiologies included hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (4) and renal tubular acidosis (1). Discontinuation of medication did not result in worsening of symptoms in most infants with normal pH studies. CONCLUSIONS. The majority of infants who were prescribed antireflux drugs did not meet diagnostic criteria for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Predictors of Advertising Avoidance in Print and Broadcast Media

Abstract The authors examine the predictors of ad avoidance in four media: magazines, newspapers, radio, and television. A national survey of 946 adults found that ad avoidance is most prevalent for television and magazines. The predictor variables were demographic characteristics, media-related variables, attitudes toward advertising in each medium, and communication problems related to advertising. Ad perceptions were the strongest predictors of ad avoidance and were best in differentiating print from broadcast media. The results indicate that age and income were the best demographic predictors across media. Breadth of media use was an important broadcast media predictor. Among the communication problems considered, search hinderance had the greatest effect on ad avoidance.
INHERITED STERILITY IN PROGENY OF IRRADIATED MALE CABBAGE LOOPERS.

When normal female cabbage loopers, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), were mated with adult males that had received 20 krad of gamma radiation, 15-20% of their eggs hatched. The progeny of this cross were sterile when they mated with normal moths of the opposite sex. Thus, the F1 progeny are more sterile than their irradiated male parents. Irradiation of the parental and F1 generations with 10 krad each did not cause more or less sterility in the F1 generation than 20 krad of irradiation to the P1 generation. Apparently the inherited sterility in the F1 generation is caused by the induction of large numbers of reciprocal chromosome trans locations. The abnormally high frequency of induced trans locations was probably the result of a unique chromosomal structural feature of Lepidoptera; namely, diffuse centromeres. The complete sterility obtained in the F1 generation when only a substerilizing dose of radiation was given to the male parent may prove of added value in using the sterile-male technique for eradication of Lepidoptera. Reducing the amount of radiation administered to an individual to effect sterility could well improve the competitiveness of the sterile male, a limiting factor thus far in the sterile-male release of Lepidoptera.
CREAM-MAC: An efficient Cognitive Radio-enAbled Multi-Channel MAC protocol for wireless networks

Cognitive radio technology has emerged as the novel and effective approach to improve the utilization of precious radio spectrum. Employing the cognitive radio technology, secondary (unlicensed) users can opportunistically utilize the unused licensed spectrum in a way that constrains the level of interference to the primary (licensed) users. However, there are many new challenges associated with cognitive radio based wireless networks, such as the multi-channel hidden terminal problem and the fact that the time-varying channel availability is different for different secondary users, in the medium access control (MAC) layer. To overcome these challenges, we propose an efficient cognitive radio-enabled multi-channel MAC (CREAM-MAC) protocol, which integrates the spectrum sensing at physical layer and packet scheduling at MAC layer, over the wireless networks. Under the proposed CREAM-MAC protocol, each secondary user is equipped with a cognitive radio-enabled transceiver and multiple channel sensors. The proposed CREAM-MAC enables the secondary users to best utilize the unused frequency spectrum while avoiding the collisions among secondary users and between secondary users and primary users. In addition, we develop the analytical models to quantitatively analyze our proposed CREAM-MAC protocol in the saturated network case. We also conduct simulation experiments to validate our developed analytical models.
Rounding rituximab dose to nearest vial size.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of dose-rounding rituximab by looking at the potential deviation from the prescribed dose to the dose rounded to the nearest vial size.Methods: This study is a...
Guiding the Immune Response against Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin toward the Conserved Stalk Domain by Hyperglycosylation of the Globular Head Domain

Influenza virus hemagglutinin consists of a highly variable and immunodominant head domain and a more conserved but immunosubdominant stalk domain. We introduced seven N-linked glycosylation sites in the hemagglutinin head domain to shield the immunodominant antigenic sites. The hyperglycosylated hemagglutinin enhanced stalk-directed seroreactivity while dampening the head response in immunized mice. Upon influenza virus challenge, mice vaccinated with the hyperglycosylated hemagglutinin were better protected against morbidity and mortality than mice receiving the wild-type hemagglutinin.
Diagnosis of dementia.

Abstract With the growing elderly population, dementia has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Identification of the exact disease causing the dementia has been demonstrated to be possible in almost every patient; and specific treatment is called for in many cases. Moreover, it is often the psychiatrist who is called upon to diagnose patients with dementia. This can usually be accomplished by means of a careful history and clinical examination augmented by a limited number of ancillary diagnostic procedures
Complementary and alternative medicine for gastrointestinal disorders

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a growing area of public interest. With increasing numbers of patients using these modalities, it is essential that Western medical practitioners become familiar with the available CAM literature to facilitate better patient care. While the volume of CAM research in gastrointestinal disorders has increased, there are still few modalities for which definitive conclusions can be made. This review will provide an overview of current knowledge of CAM therapies for functional gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease. An understanding of this evolving literature is useful in discussing these therapies with patients who use, or are considering using, them. As we learn more about these CAM modalities, integration of those shown to be effective into our conventional practice and avoidance of those shown to be risky or of little use will be of benefit both to patients and practitioners.
Nonlinear Knowledge-Based Classification

In this brief, prior knowledge over general nonlinear sets is incorporated into nonlinear kernel classification problems as linear constraints in a linear program. These linear constraints are imposed at arbitrary points, not necessarily where the prior knowledge is given. The key tool in this incorporation is a theorem of the alternative for convex functions that converts nonlinear prior knowledge implications into linear inequalities without the need to kernelize these implications. Effectiveness of the proposed formulation is demonstrated on publicly available classification data sets, including a cancer prognosis data set. Nonlinear kernel classifiers for these data sets exhibit marked improvements upon the introduction of nonlinear prior knowledge compared to nonlinear kernel classifiers that do not utilize such knowledge.
Type D Retrovirus Capsid Assembly and Release Are Active Events Requiring ATP

Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), the prototype type D retrovirus, differs from most other retroviruses by assembling its Gag polyproteins into procapsids in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Once assembled, the procapsids migrate to the plasma membrane, where they acquire their envelope during budding. Because the processes of M-PMV protein transport, procapsid assembly, and budding are temporally and spatially unlinked, we have been able to determine whether cellular proteins play an active role during the different stages of procapsid morphogenesis. We report here that at least two stages of morphogenesis require ATP. Both procapsid assembly and procapsid transport to the plasma membrane were reversibly blocked by treating infected cells with sodium azide and 2-deoxy-d-glucose, which we show rapidly and reversibly depletes cellular ATP pools. Assembly of procapsids in vitro in a cell-free translation/assembly system was inhibited by the addition of nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs, suggesting that ATP hydrolysis and not just ATP binding is required. Since retrovirus Gag polyproteins do not bind or hydrolyze ATP, these results demonstrate that cellular components must play an active role during retrovirus morphogenesis.
OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND INTO THE SPOTLIGHT: IMMIGRANTS AND ORGANIZED LABOR

Immigrant workers have always been forced to organize in the shadow of antilabor laws because they have been systematically excluded from their protection. This essay begins by examining the ways in which the labor laws (the National Labor Relations Act and others workplace laws) have systematically excluded immigrant workers. It then discusses a wide variety of pragmatic legal approaches (lawsuits, collective bargaining agreements and legislative enactments) used by organized labor, acting in solidarity with immigrant workers (on the national and international arenas) to protect immigrant workers. Finally, it suggests a moral framework, grounded in the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to support these approaches.
Refactoring for Parameterizing Java Classes

Type safety and expressiveness of many existing Java libraries and their client applications would improve, if the libraries were upgraded to define generic classes. Ef- ficient and accurate tools exist to assist client applications to use generic libraries, but so far the libraries themselves must be parameterized manually, which is a tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone task. We present a type-constraint- based algorithm for converting non-generic libraries to add type parameters. The algorithm handles the full Java language and preserves backward compatibility, thus making it safe for existing clients. Among other features, it is capable of inferring wildcard types and introducing type parameters for mutually-dependent classes. We have implemented the algorithm as a fully automatic refactoring in Eclipse. We evaluated our work in two ways. First, our tool parameterized code that was lacking type parameters. We contacted the developers of several of these applications, and in all cases they confirmed that the resulting parameterizations were correct and useful. Second, to better quantify its effectiveness, our tool parameterized classes from already-generic libraries, and we compared the results to those that were created by the libraries' authors. Our tool performed the refactoring accurately.in 87% of cases the results were as good as those created manually by a human expert, in 9% of cases the tool results were better, and in 4% of cases the tool results were worse.
A Method for Assimilating Lagrangian Data into a Shallow-Water-Equation Ocean Model

Lagrangian measurements provide a significant portion of the data collected in the ocean. Difficulties arise in their assimilation, however, since Lagrangian data are described in a moving frame of reference that does not correspond to the fixed grid locations used to forecast the prognostic flow variables. A new method is presented for assimilating Lagrangian data into models of the ocean that removes the need for any commonly used approximations. This is accomplished by augmenting the state vector of the prognostic variables with the Lagrangian drifter coordinates at assimilation. It is shown that this method is best formulated using the ensemble Kalman filter, resulting in an algorithm that is essentially transparent for assimilating Lagrangian data. The method is tested using a set of twin experiments on the shallow-water system of equations for an unsteady double-gyre flow configuration. Numerical simulations show that this method is capable of correcting the flow even if the assimilation time interval is of the order of the Lagrangian autocorrelation time scale (TL) of the flow. These results clearly demonstrate the benefits of this method over other techniques that require assimilation times of 20%–50% of TL, a direct consequence of the approximations introduced in assimilating their Lagrangian data. Detailed parametric studies show that this method is particularly effective if the classical ideas of localization developed for the ensemble Kalman filter are extended to the Lagrangian formulation used here. The method that has been developed, therefore, provides an approach that allows one to fully realize the potential of Lagrangian data for assimilation in more realistic ocean models.
Cross-Border Process Innovations: Improving the Fit Between Information Processing Needs and Capabilities

There is little guidance as to what general information processing capabilities are required to support organizations' cross-border business initiatives. We draw on the organizational information processing view to identify ways to enhance fit between information processing capabilities and needs, thereby reducing uncertainties. Using a multiple case study method, we examine four projects in an effort to uncover how organizations can innovate across borders to reduce these uncertainties.
Timing is Everything: Accurate, Minimum Overhead, Available Bandwidth Estimation in High-speed Wired Networks

Active end-to-end available bandwidth estimation is intrusive, expensive, inaccurate, and does not work well with bursty cross traffic or on high capacity links. Yet, it is important for designing high performant networked systems, improving network protocols, building distributed systems, and improving application performance. In this paper, we present minProbe which addresses unsolved issues that have plagued available bandwidth estimation. As a middlebox, minProbe measures and estimates available bandwidth with high-fidelity, minimal-cost, and in userspace; thus, enabling cheaper (virtually no overhead) and more accurate available bandwidth estimation. MinProbe performs accurately on high capacity networks up to 10 Gbps and with bursty cross traffic. We evaluated the performance and accuracy of minProbe over a wide-area network, the National Lambda Rail (NLR), and within our own network testbed. Results indicate that minProbe can estimate available bandwidth with error typically no more than 0.4 Gbps in a 10 Gbps network.
(M(H2O)2(15-crown-5))(NO3)2: A System Rich in Polymorphic and Modulated Phases †

The series of structurally related compounds (M(H2O)2(15-crown-5))(NO3)2 ,M ) Cu, Mg, Zn, and Co (four phases) has been extended to include three new phases for M ) Mn and two new phases for M ) Fe. Two new structure types have been discovered, so nine phases of two basic types (two- or three-dimensional H-bonding pattern) are now known. For the 2-D H-bonded (or layered) structure type, four variants having different modulation patterns have been observed. All phases have more than one crystallographically independent formula unit (Z' > 1) The cation conformations of all the independent units in all the structures are essentially identical. Reversible phase transitions during which crystallinity is preserved link the two layered structures of the Mn compound and of the Fe compound. A reason for the existence of so many related phases has been identified.
Nucleotide sequence of rous sarcoma virus

Abstract We present the 9312 nucleotide sequence of the Prague C (Pr-C) strain of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). A comparison of known protein sequences with the nucleotide sequence allows assignment of the coding regions for the gag, pol, env and src genes. The gag gene is terminated by an amber stop codon and is contained within a different reading frame than is the pol gene. The pol and env genes overlap. The sequences surrounding the src gene in the PrC and Schmidt-Ruppin (SR-A) strains of RSV have been compared, and they reveal that an element, E, of approximately 153 nucleotides is present on the 3′ side of the src gene in Pr-C, and on the 5′ side in SR-A. We hypothesize that E was part of a duplicated region of over 250 nucleotides flanking the src gene in an ancestral RSV, and that differential deletion of one copy of E led to its positional difference in Pr-C and SR-A.
Genetic and environmental structure of adjectives describing the domains of the Big Five Model of personality: A nationwide US twin study

We applied multivariate models specifying genetic and environmental influences on adjectives describing each of the five personality domains specified in the Big Five Model of personality (BFM; Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness). We selected the specific models to partition the observed covariance among the adjectives describing each domain into genetic and environmental components in order to assess the etiologic basis for each domain's phenotypic coherence. The sample on which our analyses were based was part of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). It consisted of 315 monozygotic and 275 same-sex dizygotic twin pairs. Results revealed both common and specific genetic and environmental influences for each domain, suggesting that all of the domains are etiologically complex. Models specifying the domains as latent phenotypic constructs fit more poorly than models suggesting more complex structures for all domains except Extraversion and Neuroticism. These results raise questions about the BFM as a coherent model of genetic and environmental influences on personality or, alternatively, about the etiological unity of latent phenotypic personality trait constructs beyond Extraversion and Neuroticism.
Über Wachstum und Epitaxie von CdSe durch Sublimation und chemische Transportreaktionen

Mit Hilfe chemischer Transportreaktionen und durch Kristallisation aus der Dampfphase wurden unter verschiedenen Bedingungen CdSe-Kristalle gezuchtet. Morphologische und rontgenographische Untersuchungen ergaben, das es sich ausschlieslich um die hexagonale Modifikation (Wurtzitstruktur) handelt. Polytype Strukturvarianten konnten nicht festgestellt werden. Mit Hilfe chemischer Transportreaktionen konnten ferner auf (111)-Flachen von CaF2 (Fluorit), BaF2, Si und auf (001) von NaF orientierte Aufwachsungen von CdSe erzielt werden. Eine orientierte Kristallisation durch Sublimation von CdSe konnte nur auf BaF2 — nicht dagegen auf CaF2 — erhalten werden. Auch bei allen Epitaxieversuchen bildeten sich ausschlieslich Kristalle der hexagonalen Modifikation. CdSe-crystals were grown under different conditions from the vapor phase and by chemical transport reactions. Morphological and x-ray analysis only revealed the hexagonal modification (wurtzite-structure). No evidence for polytypes was found. Furthermore oriented overgrowth was performed by means of chemical transport on (111)-faces of CaF2 (fluorite), BaF2, Si and on (001) of NaF. Epitaxy by sublimation was gained only on BaF2 but not on CaF2. Epitaxial growth also revealed the hexagonal modification only.
Mechanism of Block and Identification of the Verapamil Binding Domain to HERG Potassium Channels

Calcium channel antagonists have diverse effects on cardiac electrophysiology. We studied the effects of verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine on HERG K+ channels that encode IKr in native heart cells. In our experiments, verapamil caused high-affinity block of HERG current (IC50=143.0 nmol/L), a value close to those reported for verapamil block of L-type Ca2+ channels, whereas diltiazem weakly blocked HERG current (IC50=17.3 micromol/L), and nifedipine did not block HERG current. Verapamil block of HERG channels was use and frequency dependent, and verapamil unbound from HERG channels at voltages near the normal cardiac cell resting potential or with drug washout. Block of HERG current by verapamil was reduced by lowering pHO, which decreases the proportion of drug in the membrane-permeable neutral form. N-methyl-verapamil, a membrane-impermeable, permanently charged verapamil analogue, blocked HERG channels only when applied intracellularly. Verapamil antagonized dofetilide block of HERG channels, which suggests that they may share a common binding site. The C-type inactivation-deficient mutations, Ser620Thr and Ser631Ala, reduced verapamil block, which is consistent with a role for C-type inactivation in high-affinity drug block, although the Ser620Thr mutation decreased verapamil block 20-fold more than the Ser631Ala mutation. Our findings suggest that verapamil enters the cell membrane in the neutral form to act at a site within the pore accessible from the intracellular side of the cell membrane, possibly involving the serine at position 620. Thus, verapamil shares high-affinity HERG channel blocking properties with other class III antiarrhythmic drugs, and this may contribute to its antiarrhythmic mechanism.
Learner-centered environments: Creating effective strategies based on student attitudes and faculty reflection

Learner-centered environments effectively implement multiple teaching techniques to enhance students' higher education experience and provide them with greater control over their academic learning. This qualitative study involves an exploration of the eight reasons for learner-centered teaching found in Terry Doyle's 2008 book, Helping Students Learn in a Learner Centered Environment. Doyle's principles were investigated through the use of surveys, student focus group interviews, and faculty discussions to discover a deeper understanding of the effects a "learner-centered" teaching environment has on long term learning in comparison to a "teacher-centered" learning environment. These data revealed five primary themes pertaining to student resistance to learner-centered environments. The results assisted in the development of strategies educators can adopt for creating a successful learner-centered classroom.
A General Method for Nonlinear System Identification

A method to identify a large class of nonlinear system by a simple topology of parallel-cascaded structure is developed. This is an extension of the single branch model of the LNL(Linear-Nonlinear-Linear) structure as previously developed by the authors. Theorems are presented to prove its validity and the algorithm is developed for this general method of nonlinear system identification. A numerical example is presented to show the relative ease of this method.
In Vivo Testing of Renilla Luciferase Substrate Analogs in an Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Glioblastoma

In vivo bioluminescent imaging using cells expressing Renilla luciferase is becoming increasingly common. Hindrances to the more widespread use of Renilla luciferase are the high autoluminescence of its natural substrate, coelenterazine, in plasma, the relatively high absorbance by tissue of the light emitted by the enzyme-substrate reaction; rapid clearance of the substrate; and significant cost. These factors, save for the cost, which has its own limiting effect on use, can combine to reduce the sensitivity of in vivo assays utilizing this reporter system, and methods of increasing light output or decreasing autoluminescence could be of great benefit. A number of analogs of coelenterazine are being investigated may accomplish one or both of these goals. In this study that we report on the testing of two new substrate analogs, EnduRen and ViViren, manufactured by Promega Corporation, in an orthotopic murine model of human glioblastoma expressing Renilla luciferase. We have tested these analogs in this cell line both in vitro and in vivo, and find that the substrate viviren results in significantly greater light output than the natural substrate or the other analog EnduRen. This new substrate could be valuable for studies where greater sensitivity is important.
Sickle Cell Therapy and the Kinetics of Polymerization in the Presence of Ligands

Sickle cell disease results from a mutation of normal human hemoglobin that renders it capable of polymerization once oxygen is delivered. The process of deoxygenation involves quaternary as well as tertiary changes in Hb, and both changes appear to be involved in permitting HbS to assemble into the stiff polymers that distort cells and lead to the occlusion of the microvasculature. Kinetics are central to the disease, because if polymerization is slow enough to occur in the veinous return, the polymerization can be reversed upon reoxygention with minimal if any consequences. We have recently completed a detailed study of the polymerization kinetics of HbS in the presence of ligands. We have found that the kinetics are consistent with equilibrium measurements that show singly ligated HbS molecules will polymerize with only about 0.35 the probability of a deoxy HbS molecule. Given knowledge of these highly concentration sensitive rates, and a distribution of intracellular concentrations, we can calculate the likelihood of sickling at various points in the microcirculation. Because of the finite rate of oxygen delivery, we find sickling is most likely at the exit of the capillaries, which is where obstruction has been observed with intravital microscopy. When this is combined with the results for mixtures of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) or HbA, it becomes possible to determine therapeutic targets for the reduction of rates of sickling.
Innervation of the Rabbit Ductus Deferens after Vasectomy and Vasovasostomy

The urethralend of the ductus deferens in New Zealand white rabbitsbilaterallyvasecomized retained normal adrenergic innervation as evaluated by fibers identified with formalin-induced fluorescence. The testicular end of the ductus deferens and the caudal epididymal innervation were severely compromised. The site of the vasectomy may affect the degree of denervation in that inguinal vasectomies destroyed most, but not all, innervation, whereas vasectomies performed adjacent to the caudal epididymis (scrotal) caused total denervation. With vasovasostomy 30 days after vasectomy, significant reinnervation of the ductus deferens was observed by 28 days after the second operation. At the vasovasostomy site the nerve fibers were tortuously swirled and innervation was less than in the adjacent urethral and testicular sections of the ductus deferens. Such a zone may impede the flow of sperm during sexual excitement while not significantly affecting slow filling. Reinnervation of the caudal epididymis was slower and apparently less complete than that of the ductus deferens; by day 49 post vasovasostomy, only 20% of the normal innervationdensity was found.
Presentation and complications associated with cirrhosis of the liver

AbstractObjective:To provide an understanding of the detrimental impact of cirrhosis and its complications, strengths and weaknesses of current treatment options for the management of these complications, and new developments in this rapidly changing field.Research design and methods:Relevant publications were identified via PubMed and Cochrane databases, with additional references obtained by reviewing bibliographies from selected articles.Results:Cirrhosis, a progressive liver disease, is characterized by fibrosis caused by chronic liver injury. Liver fibrosis impairs hepatic function and causes structural changes that result in portal hypertension. Most patients with cirrhosis remain asymptomatic until they develop decompensated cirrhosis. At this stage, patients experience complications associated with portal hypertension (i.e., the abnormal increase in portal vein pressure), including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hepatorenal syndrome, portopulmonary h...
International Relationship Marketing: Intellectual Foundations and Avenues for Further Research

Abstract Relationship marketing is a central and important tenet in marketing thought, and considerable research effort in the discipline has been devoted to examining various facets of relationship marketing, resulting in a large body of knowledge. In this study, the authors specifically focus on the international dimension of the relationship marketing literature and use citation and cocitation data to identify and unfold its intellectual foundations. The goal is to provide new and meaningful avenues for further research using the knowledge structure on which international relationship marketing stands. The examination of the literature spans more than 40 years, divided into three time periods that permit detection of longitudinal trends as well as meaningful visual representations of the cocitation data. Overall, the authors survey 29 key publications and identify 3,509 articles that include 230,684 citations, examining the data for 1972–1993, 1994–2003, and 2004–2013 to unfold research possibilities. ...
Comparison of nxn grille CTF measurement for VESA standard and large-sample aperture methods

An alternative method for measuring the contrast transfer function (CTF) of a pixilated display is proposed that reduces the amount of time required to perform a high sample rate-small aperture luminance scan as outlined in the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) standard for measuring the contrast of an n X n grille. The alternative method proposed by the Night Vision Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) Displays group utilizes round sampling apertures and large step sizes to achieve comparable results to the VESA standard method. Theoretical predictions and experimental measurements demonstrated the equivalency between the proposed large aperture method and the VESA standard method with less than 8% maximum variation and an average of 2.4% variation between the two methods over two different input contrasts and 4 different grille frequencies. Experimental results also show a reduction in time to perform the profile scan by as much as 15:1 for the NVESD proposed test method over the VESA standard method.
Brown, Not Loving: Obergefell and the Unfinished Business of Formal Equality

There are numerous parallels between this Term’s same-sex marriage case of Obergefell v. Hodges and 1967’s Loving v. Virginia. In both instances, the Court’s taking up of marriage has followed decades of organizing and social movement evolution vis-a-vis a broader underlying civil rights project. In both instances, marriage has had special symbolic significance as an area of marked, sometimes visceral, opposition among the social movement’s opponents.But this Essay contends that — although the parallels between Obergefell and Loving are substantial — there is at least one key distinction between the two: their position vis-a-vis the institutionalization of a formal equality regime. Thus, while Loving arguably marked the end-point of the institutionalization of a regime of formal equality vis-a-vis race, Obergefell stands much closer to its beginning. Indeed, despite the accumulation of impressive legal and social gains, the L/G/B rights movement arguably remains far closer to Brown (and its unsettled posture vis-a-vis formal equality) than it is to Loving.This Essay argues that this lack of explicit formal equality guarantees matters. Most obviously, there are important arenas of L/G/B equality where L/G/B plaintiffs continue — due to the lack of a formal equality backdrop — to regularly lose their claims. More fundamentally, the absence of the type of moral messaging and coercive capacity that an explicit anti-discrimination regime provides poses substantial questions about whether the contemporary L/G/B legal regime can effectuate the important deterrence and culture change objectives of anti-discrimination law.
Parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone–related protein

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on current understanding of the physiology and mechanism of action of these polypeptides. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) are major factors that regulate skeletal physiology and mineral homeostasis. However, the major physiological function of PTHrP is to act as a local factor that controls the development, morphogenesis, and function of a variety of tissues, including those involved in skeletal and mineral homeostasis. They are also related structurally and produce their major physiological effects by activating a common receptor, the PTH/PTHrP (or PTH1) receptor. Studies on the PTH/PTHrP receptor demonstrated a prominent role for GTP and its analogues in regulating ligand–receptor affinity and signaling, suggesting that this receptor couples to GTP-binding (G) proteins. The cloning of the cDNA encoding the PTH/PTHrP receptor revealed a predicted protein sequence containing seven putative membrane-spanning domains, a topology characteristic of members of the GPCR superfamily. In the case of the PTH/PTHrP receptor, the major G-proteins that can be activated are Gs and Gq. Activation of Gs leads to increased adenylyl cyclase activity, resulting in increased cellular levels of cyclic AMP and activation of PK-A. Activation of Gq results in the stimulation of phospholipase C, resulting in the mobilization of intracellular calcium and activation of PK-C. A physiological role for PTHrP fragments is suggested by studies of placental calcium transport. The fetal parathyroid gland is required to maintain the normal positive maternal–fetal calcium gradient, at least in sheep. This gradient can be restored in parathyroidectomized fetuses by the administration of midregion fragments of PTHrP, but not by PTH or by amino-terminal PTHrP fragments. This effect must therefore be initiated by a receptor distinct from the classical PTH/PTHrP receptor.
Conversion of Aldehyde to Alkane by a Peroxoiron(III) Complex: A Functional Model for the Cyanobacterial Aldehyde-Deformylating Oxygenase

Cyanobacterial aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (cADO) converts long-chain fatty aldehydes to alkanes via a proposed diferric-peroxo intermediate that carries out the oxidative deformylation of the substrate. Herein, we report that the synthetic iron(III)-peroxo complex [FeIII(η2-O2)(TMC)]+ (TMC = tetramethylcyclam) causes a similar transformation in the presence of a suitable H atom donor, thus serving as a functional model for cADO. Mechanistic studies suggest that the H atom donor can intercept the incipient alkyl radical formed in the oxidative deformylation step in competition with the oxygen rebound step typically used by most oxygenases for forming C–O bonds.
Modeling Dam-Break Flows Using Finite Volume Method on Unstructured Grid

This study aims to develop a robust, accurate, and computationally efficient numerical model for dam-break flows. The model is based on the finite volume method on an unstructured triangular grid. The intercell flux is computed by the HLL approximate Riemann solver. The model employs the form of the shallow water equations in which the effects of pressure and gravity are included in one source term. Such a choice can simplify the computation and eliminate numerical imbalance between source and flux terms. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the newly developed model are demonstrated through several test problems, including oblique hydraulic jump, a laboratory partial dam-break case, and a real-life dam-break case. It is found that the model is robust and capable of accurately predicting dam-break flows that may occur over complicated terrain and involve subcritical flows, supercritical flows, and transcritical flows.
A semi-automatic framework of measuring pulmonary arterial metrics at anatomic airway locations using CT imaging

Pulmonary vascular dysfunction has been implicated in smoking-related susceptibility to emphysema. With the growing interest in characterizing arterial morphology for early evaluation of the vascular role in pulmonary diseases, there is an increasing need for the standardization of a framework for arterial morphological assessment at airway segmental levels. In this paper, we present an effective and robust semi-automatic framework to segment pulmonary arteries at different anatomic airway branches and measure their cross-sectional area (CSA). The method starts with user-specified endpoints of a target arterial segment through a custom-built graphical user interface. It then automatically detect the centerline joining the endpoints, determines the local structure orientation and computes the CSA along the centerline after filtering out the adjacent pulmonary structures, such as veins or airway walls. Several new techniques are presented, including collision-impact based cost function for centerline detection, radial sample-line based CSA computation, and outlier analysis of radial distance to subtract adjacent neighboring structures in the CSA measurement. The method was applied to repeat-scan pulmonary multirow detector CT (MDCT) images from ten healthy subjects (age: 21-48 Yrs, mean: 28.5 Yrs; 7 female) at functional residual capacity (FRC). The reproducibility of computed arterial CSA from four airway segmental regions in middle and lower lobes was analyzed. The overall repeat-scan intra-class correlation (ICC) of the computed CSA from all four airway regions in ten subjects was 96% with maximum ICC found at LB10 and RB4 regions.
THERMODYNAMIC MODELS FOR THE SOLUTE PARTITIONING IN Al-Cu-Zn TERNARY ALLOYS

Solute partitioning is one of the complicated but important phenomena, which con-trolls segregations and morphologic evolution during the solidification of multi-component alloy. Two thermodynamic models, activity method and concentration method, were developed to calculate the equilibrium solute partition ratios of multi-component alloy, and their application methods were analyzed. Based on these models, the equilibrium solute partition ratios of Al-Cu-Zn alloy were calculated. It is found that the results obtained by the two models are close each other, and the partition ratio is slightly dependent on the temperature. Increasing of Zn concentration leads to decrease of the equilibrium partition ratio of Cu. The effect of impurities on the equilibrium partition ratio of Cu in Al-Cu-M alloy was analyzed and compared with experimental results.
Solid Cinema: Claire Denis's Strange Solidarities

The Kingdom of Ranjit Singh was officially called Sarkar-e-Khalsa. It covered almost all of undivided Punjab as well as Kashmir, Gilgit, present day Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Multan. His forty year rule saw communal harmony and peace. This study focuses on the multiethnic and multi-religious policies adopted in bureaucratic recruitment. Not only were the upper administrative echelons filled without any discrimination among Sikh, Muslim and Hindu inhabitants, European civil and military personnel were also appointed on key positions. Ranjit Singh’s realm was under constant threat from British Indian territories, not to mention a hostile Afghanistan on the West. Therefore, domestic tranquility was an existential necessity. It could only be achieved if all communities were seen rather equally.
Path planning for deep sea mining robot based on ant colony algorithm

An improved ant colony algorithm(ACA) is proposed in order to resolve the path planning problem for seep sea mining robot.The environmental model is established with bitmap method,and robot movement is simplified into particle movement by using framework method.Furthermore,neighbor search and movement to midline strategies are added to ACA.Results of simulation experiments demonstrate that this method can satisfy the demand of robot mining work in deep sea.
Fetal blood studies. XIV. A comparative study of the oxygen dissociation curve of nonpregnant, pregnant, and fetal human blood.

Abstract The range of variation in the oxygen dissociation curves of blood of nonpregnant women and of pregnant women has been determined at the same pH—the latter falls within the range of normal nonpregnant individuals. The curves of fetal blood obtained at the end of gestation are to the left of the adult field. At 50 per cent saturation, the oxygen tension of maternal and fetal blood is of the order of 25.0 mm. and 19.0 mm. Hg, respectively—a difference of 6.0 mm. Hg.
Charybdotoxin block of Ca2+-activated K+ channels in colonic muscle depends on membrane potential dynamics

Charybdotoxin (ChTX) is a specific blocker of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. The voltage- and time-dependent dynamics of ChTX block were investigated using canine colonic myocytes and the whole cell patch-clamp technique with step and ramp depolarization protocols. During prolonged step depolarizations, K+ current slowly increased in the continued presence of ChTX (100 nM). The rate of increase depended on membrane potential with an e-fold change for every 60 mV. During ramp depolarizations, the effectiveness of ChTX block depended significantly on the rate of the ramp (50% at 0.01 V/s to 80% at 0.5 V/s). Results are consistent with a mechanism in which ChTX slowly "unbinds" in a voltage-dependent manner. A simple kinetic model was developed in which ChTX binds to both open and closed states. Slow unbinding is consistent with ChTX having little effect on electrical slow waves recorded from circular muscle while causing depolarization and contraction of longitudinal muscle, which displays more rapid "spikes." Resting membrane potential and membrane potential dynamics are important determinants of ChTX action.
Seminal prolactin concentration and sperm reproductive capacity.

Prolactin (PRL) levels in the seminal plasma were determined in 63 men, all partners from infertile marriages. For comparison of seminal PRL concentration and semen quality, a sperm concentration and motility were studied in all men. Also, for determination of the fertilizing capacity of the semen, a zona-free hamster ovum penetration test was done in 49 men, while 14 men were studied by determinination of the fertilization of human oocytes in vitro. Significantly higher levels of semen PRL were found in those individuals with low sperm concentration and motility as well as in those individuals that showed an abnormal hamster ovum penetration test. This suggests that high seminal PRL levels have a negative impact on sperm functional capacity.
Organized Crime and Kleptocracy

Gangster-states are defined here as chimeric, transitional political economies that temporarily formalize the extractive economic monopolies of racketeering over marked geographic territory. Once territorial boundaries become established, the racket resembles a rudimentary kleptocratic state, with the security forces repurposed beyond monopoly enforcement into activities more typically associated with government. These may include the organization of economic production, conflict resolution and territorial defense. Gangster-state territories are not fixed or static, as kleptocratic elites will seek to colonize surrounding territory if conditions are favorable. On the other hand, the extractive core of racketeering creates an impetus for conflict with neighboring groups as well as exhaustive depletion of resources that may ultimately lead to political-economic decline or collapse.
Factors Influencing Smolt Transformation: Effects of Seasonal Fluctuations in Hormone Levels on Transitions in Morphology, Physiology, and Behavior

Olfactory imprinting in salmonids occurs during a particular phase of development — the smolt stage — when juveniles undergo marked transitions in morphology, physiology, and behavior just prior to their seaward migration. The adults use this olfactory information as a cue for homing during the spawning migration. Evidence for this stems from studies in which coho salmon exposed to synthetic chemicals, either morpholine or phenethyl alcohol, during the smolt stage were attracted to rivers scented with the chemicals as adults (Scholz et al. 1976, reviewed by Hasler et al. 1978; see Chap. 2). The two stages of the salmon life history of particular interest in imprinting studies are (1) the smolt stage when olfactory imprinting to the home-stream odor (or synthetic chemical) occurs, and (2) the homing migration when adults “recall” the home-stream odor (or synthetic chemical) even though they had not been exposed to it during their period of residence in the ocean or lake.