cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automatic motion detection in rhesus monkeys

Recordings of the gastric activity (electrogastrogram) of rhesus monkeys cannot be analyzed reliably during periods of rapid motion. In the past, intervals of motionlessness were manually determined by visually scoring motion activity from videotapes recorded during the study. In an attempt to automate computer analysis of the electrogastrogram, the authors have developed a microwave motion sensor technique that detects the movements of the monkey. The mean and standard deviation of the motion signal are used to segment the total study time into windows of motion and windows of motionlessness to quantitative motion activity during each type of window. >
The error components regression model: conditional relative efficiency comparisons

This paper considers a simple linear regression with two-way error component disturbances and derives the conditional relative efficiency ofany feasible GLS estimator with respect to OLS, true GLS, orany other feasible GLS estimator, conditional on the estimated variance components. This is done at two crucial choices of the x variable. The first choice is where OLS is least efficient with respect to GLS and the second choice is where an arbitrary feasible GLS estimator is least efficient with respect to GLS. Our findings indicate that a better guess of a certain ‘variance components ratio’ leads to better estimates of the regression coefficients.
Nuclear Roles in the Post‐Conjugant Development of the Ciliate Euplotes aediculatus. III. Roles of Old Macronuclear Fragments in Nuclear and Cortical Development1

Following conjugation of the hypotrichous ciliate Euplotes aediculatus, the posterior fragments of the old (prezygotic) macronucleus persist until after the first vegetative division. These fragments remain viable during exconjugant development as shown by their ability to regenerate should the cell's new macronucleus be damaged. It thus seemed possible that these parental nuclear fragments might participate in the development of the new macronucleus and/or the crucial post-conjugant cortical reorganization that restores the exconjugant cell's ability to feed. This idea was tested by damaging the posterior fragments with various doses of microbeam ultraviolet (UV) light and assessing the results of such treatment on subsequent cortical and nuclear development. When the posterior fragments of the macronucleus were irradiated at the beginning of cortical morphogenesis, the new macronucleus in 1/3 to 1/2 of the cells assumed a “folded” appearance but did not mature. These cells did not undergo cortical reorganization. Cells irradiated at earlier stages did not detectably develop an oral apparatus; their new macronucleus remained arrested at the spherical anlage stage. The results show that the posterior fragments of the parental macronucleus are necessary for normal nuclear and cortical development. These old nuclear fragments appear to influence the growing macronuclear anlage directly and probably the cortex as well. There also appears to be an information flow from the non-irradiated partner of a persistently joined exconjugant doublet to its irradiated counterpart, enabling normal anlage and cortex development in the irradiated cell.
Hyperentangled Photons for Communication and Metrology

Photons from spontaneous downconversion may be simultaneously entangled in multiple degrees of freedom (“hyperentangled”), enabling new capabilities in quantum communication and metrology. We present one example-remote preparation of entangled polarization/spatial-mode states-and discuss possible applications.
Effect of engine-based thermal aging on surface morphology and performance of Lean NOx Traps

Abstract A small single-cylinder diesel engine is used to thermally age model (Pt + Rh/Ba/γ-Al 2 O 3 ) lean NO x traps (LNTs) under lean/rich cycling at target temperatures of 600 °C, 700 °C, and 800 °C. During an aging cycle, fuel is injected into the exhaust to achieve reproducible exotherms under lean and rich conditions with the average temperature approximating the target temperature. Aging is performed until the cycle-average NO x conversion measured at 400 °C is approximately constant. Engine-based NO x conversion decreased by 42% after 60 cycles at 600 °C, 36% after 76 cycles at 700 °C and 57% after 46 cycles at 800 °C. The catalyst samples were removed and characterized by XRD and using a microreactor that allowed controlled measurements of surface area, precious metal size, NO x storage, and reaction rates. Three aging mechanisms responsible for the deactivation of LNTs have been identified: (i) loss of dispersion of the precious metals, (ii) phase transitions in the washcoat materials, and (iii) loss of surface area of the storage component and support. These three mechanisms are accelerated when the aging temperature exceeds 850 °C—the γ to δ transition temperature of Al 2 O 3 . Normalization of rates of NO reacted at 400 °C to total surface area demonstrates the biggest impact on performance stems from surface area losses rather than from precious metal sintering.
Unruptured cerebral aneurysm producing a thunderclap headache

A sudden and severe headache is the most common presentation of an acutely ruptured cerebral aneurysm. A similar headache in the absence of subarachnoid blood has rarely been ascribed to an unruptured cerebral aneurysm, but may result from acute aneurysm expansion and indicate a high risk of future rupture. We present a patient who developed a sudden, severe, "thunderclap" headache, with no associated neurological deficit. Computed tomogram and lumbar cerebral spinal fluid obtained 5.5 hours after headache onset were negative for subarachnoid hemorrhage. The patient underwent cerebral angiography which revealed a posterior communicating artery aneurysm with an associated daughter aneurysm. Craniotomy and clip obliteration of the aneurysm were performed. The aneurysm dome was very thin and there was no evidence of recent or old hemorrhage. A "thunderclap" headache without subarachnoid hemorrhage may be an important harbinger of a cerebral aneurysm with the potential for future rupture. Early recognition and neurovascular imaging of aneurysms presenting in this rare fashion are warranted.
Behavioral training in social work: An update and a program description

The growth of behavior therapy during the past two decades has had a significant impact upon the education and training of professional social workers. Behavioral approaches are now well represented in the practice of clinical social work, and this trend is seen as likely to continue to expand. A description is provided of the behavioral training and research opportunities found at the masters and doctoral level in the School of Social Work at The University of Michigan.
Adipogenic Cascade Can Be Induced Without Adipogenic Media by a Human Adenovirus

Several metabolic abnormalities are associated with relative excess or deficiency of adipose tissue. Identifying the regulators of adipogenic differentiation is critical for its successful manipulation. Ad36, a human adenovirus, is a novel factor that promotes adipogenesis. We exploited the adipogenic potential of Ad36 to reveal exogenous modifiers of adipogenesis in rodent preadipocyte cell line in presence or absence of differentiation inducers methyl-isobutyl-xanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (M, D, and I). A non-adipogenic human adenovirus Ad2 was used as a negative control for viral infection. First, we confirmed that, Ad36, but not Ad2, increases lipid accumulation in presence or absence of MDI. Time course studies for expression of key genes of adipogenic cascade showed that Ad36, but not Ad2 down regulated preadipocyte marker gene Wnt10b, and up regulated expression of early (C/EBPδ and C/EBPβ), intermediate (PPARγ2) and late genes (aP2 and G3PDH) of adipogenic cascade even in the absence of MDI. In presence of MDI, onset of expression of adipogenic genes coincided for Ad36 and control groups, but the expressions were significantly greater for the Ad36 group. Next, we observed that attenuation of Ad36 mRNA expression by an anti-adenoviral agent reduced 3T3-L1 differentiation, indicating that viral mRNA expression is required for the process. Furthermore, with or without MDI or its components, Ad36 significantly increased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Cell confluency at the time of Ad36 infection positively influenced lipid accumulation. The results reveal that Ad36 is an MDI-independent exogenous regulator of the adipogenic process. Elucidating the molecular pathways involved may reveal novel regulatory controls of adipogenesis.
The Split Control Method for MIMO Servo Design

A new servo design methodology for MIMO linear systems subject to unknown disturbances with output feedback which we the call `Split Control Method' is presented. In this method the control action is decomposed into two parts. One part is designed using Variable Structure Systems techniques and produces a rough motion around the desired state space trajectory. The other part is designed using the Model Based Compensator - Loop Transfer Recovery method, and acts as a fine tuner that brings the system output to the desired trajectory. Both designs are independent and stability of each design guarantees at least nominal stability of the combined system. Finally a switching disturbance is introduced to compensate for unknown external disturbances. For a nth order plant the resulting compensator is of order 2n. A 4th order, 2 input - 2 output example is shown. This servo design technique is restricted to minimum phase invertible plants and its extention to nonlinear systems is very promising.
Past, Present and Future: Urgency of Dealing with Climate Change

This paper gives an historic perspective on 10 critical phases and actions in advancing an understanding of climate change and taking appropriate domestic and international action. Credit goes to atmospheric scientists for their committed efforts to understand, model and measure the impacts of climate change. Today, greenhouse gases are at a record level and little doubt remains that greenhouse gases (GHG) warm the atmosphere and that human-made climate change is real. Recognizing the urgency of responding to climate change, the 2013 US Climate Action Plan aims to cut carbon emissions and prepare to deal effectively with the economic, social, and environmental impacts of climate change. Many US states, Tribes, and local communities have also begun to take action to reduce GHG emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change, especially on disadvantaged communities. While recognition of the urgency of action on climate change is growing in government and in large parts of the business and financial sector, it has taken over 40 years to get to this point. While an understanding of the reality and impact of climate change has grown, significant efforts to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and stabilize global warming have not occurred. The problem that society faces is not the absence of scientific knowledge, but rather the need to reduce GHG emissions and create resilient and adaptive responses to climate change. This paper concludes that future successes will need more effective collaboration between government, business, and society to address climate change and greater public understanding of the impacts of climate change on human health and economic well-being.
Potential role of oxidative and nitrosative stress in breast carcinogenesis in women with high body mass index

764 The by-products of oxidative, nitrosative stress and lipid peroxidation pathways are reported to play major roles in the carcinogenesis of chronic inflammation associated malignancies. Our previous work has shown that reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and products of lipid peroxidation have high tendencies to bind to cellular DNA forming adducts that induce structural mutations in p53 in colitis- and heavy metals associated-liver cancers. Breast cancer has been linked to high dietary fat intake and obesity, although the proposed pathogenesis of these risk factors in breast carcinogenesis is yet to be fully elucidated. We propose that obesity is a form of chronic inflammation and that specific by-products of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress may be responsible for the high risk of sporadic non-familial type of breast cancer ( SN-FBC ) in women with high dietary fat intake and obesity. Expression of two enzymes involved in the biogenesis of oxidative stress, nitric oxide synthase-2 ( NOS 2 ) and cyclooxygenase –2 (COX 2 ), and two major scavenger of peroxides and superoxides, superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and glutathione peroxidase ( GPX ), were studied by immunohistochemistry on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples from 20 postmenopausal women with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 18 to 42. A pathologist evaluated the intensity of the stain and a score of 0 to 4 (0 is lowest and 4 is highest) was assigned to each tissue component for each slide. GPX expression was found to be dramatically lower in the tumor lesion of women with high BMI. In non-obese women (BMI 2 ), GPX was expressed in hyperplasia as well as in the tumor (DCIS, LCIS and invasive cancer), while obese women (BMI >30kg/m 2 ) showed very little expression in the malignant component but comparable levels in the hyperplastic region. No difference in the expression of NOS 2 , and COX 2 was seen. SOD showed highest expression in hyperplasia for both populations. Of the four enzymes tested, COX 2 , NOS 2 , SOD and GPX, only GPX was found differently expressed in women with high and low BMI. GPX, a major peroxide-scavenging enzyme, was found expressed at very low levels only in tumors of women with high BMI. Although the study population is limited, confirmation of this observation on a larger population may suggest a role for oxidative stress in breast carcinogenesis of obese women. A relationship between sustained oxidative stress, as in the case of obesity, and breast cancer may be helpful in identifying patients at risk and enroll them in early detection and prevention programs.
A Statistical Approach to Nondestructive Testing of Laser Welds

A statistical analysis of the data obtained from a relatively new nondestructive technique for laser welding is presented. The technique is one in which information relating to the quality of the welded joint is extracted from the high intensity plume which is generated from the materials that are welded. The system is such that the detected plume is processed to give a numerical value associated with the material vaporization and consequently, the weld quality. Optimum thresholds for the region in which a weld can be considered as acceptable are determined based on the Neyman-Pearson criterion and Bayes rule.
Estimating the execution time distribution for a task graph in a heterogeneous computing system

The problem of statically estimating the execution time distribution for a task graph consisting of a collection of subtasks to be executed in a heterogeneous computing (HC) system is considered. Execution time distributions for the individual subtasks are assumed to be known. A mathematical model for the communication network: that interconnects the machines of the HC system is introduced and a probabilistic approach is developed to estimate the overall execution time distribution of the task graph. It is shown that, for a given matching and scheduling, computing the exact distribution of the overall execution time of a task graph is very difficult, and thus impractical. The proposed approach approximates the exact distribution and requires a relatively small amount of calculation time. The accuracy of the proposed approach is demonstrated mathematically through the derivation of bounds that quantify the difference between the exact distribution and that provided by the proposed approach. Numerical studies are also included to further validate the utility of the proposed methodology.
A Text Message Alcohol Intervention for Young Adult Emergency Department Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Study objective Opportunistic brief in-person emergency department (ED) interventions can be effective at reducing hazardous alcohol use in young adult drinkers, but require resources frequently unavailable. Mobile telephone text messaging (short message service [SMS]) could sustainably deliver behavioral support to young adult patients, but efficacy remains unknown. We report 3-month outcome data of a randomized controlled trial testing a novel SMS-delivered intervention in hazardous-drinking young adults. Methods We randomized 765 young adult ED patients who screened positive for past hazardous alcohol use to one of 3 groups: SMS assessments+feedback (SA+F) intervention who were asked to respond to drinking-related queries and received real-time feedback through SMS each Thursday and Sunday for 12 weeks (n=384), SMS assessments (SA) who were asked to respond to alcohol consumption queries each Sunday but did not receive any feedback (N=196), and a control group who did not participate in any SMS (n=185). Primary outcomes were self-reported number of binge drinking days and number of drinks per drinking day in the past 30 days, collected by Web-based timeline follow-back method and analyzed with regression models. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of participants with weekend binge episodes and most drinks consumed per drinking occasion during 12 weekends, collected by SMS. Results With Web-based data, there were decreases in the number of self-reported binge drinking days from baseline to 3 months in the SA+F group (–0.51 [95% confidence interval {CI} –0.10 to –0.95]), whereas there were increases in the SA group (0.90 [95% CI 0.23 to 1.6]) and the control group (0.41 [95% CI –0.20 to 1.0]). There were also decreases in the number of self-reported drinks per drinking day from baseline to 3 months in the SA+F group (–0.31 [95% CI –0.07 to –0.55]), whereas there were increases in the SA group (0.10 [95% CI –0.27 to 0.47]) and the control group (0.39 [95% CI 0.06 to 0.72]). With SMS data, there was a lower mean proportion of SA+F participants reporting a weekend binge during 12 weeks (30.5% [95% CI 25% to 36%) compared with the SA participants (47.7% [95% CI 40% to 56%]). There was also a lower mean drinks consumed per weekend during 12 weeks in the SA+F group (3.2 [95% CI 2.6 to 3.7]) compared to the SA group (4.8 [95% CI 4.0 to 5.6]). Conclusion A text message intervention can produce small reductions in self-reported binge drinking and the number of drinks consumed per drinking day in hazardous-drinking young adults after ED discharge.
Maternal alcohol use increases risk of infant mortality.

Commentary on: O'Leary CM, Jacoby PJ, Bartu A, et al. Maternal alcohol use and sudden infant death syndrome and infant mortality excluding SIDS. Pediatrics 2013;131:e770–8.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] Infant death rates are used as one component of a strategy to compare healthcare across countries. Maternal alcohol use was reported as a risk marker for infant mortality as early as 1899 using data from British women's prisons which detected a fourfold increase in risk of infant mortality.1 Sullivan had also identified increased rates of mortality recurrence among siblings. Prenatal alcohol exposure is now recognised as the leading identifiable cause of intellectual disability in the developed world. Recently, maternal alcohol abuse has been identified as a risk marker for … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPediatrics%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1542%252Fpeds.2012-1907%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23439895%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=pediatrics&resid=131/3/e770&atom=%2Febmed%2F19%2F1%2F27.atom
Reinforcement learning of full-body humanoid motor skills

Applying reinforcement learning to humanoid robots is challenging because humanoids have a large number of degrees of freedom and state and action spaces are continuous. Thus, most reinforcement learning algorithms would become computationally infeasible and require a prohibitive amount of trials to explore such high-dimensional spaces. In this paper, we present a probabilistic reinforcement learning approach, which is derived from the framework of stochastic optimal control and path integrals. The algorithm, called Policy Improvement with Path Integrals (PI2), has a surprisingly simple form, has no open tuning parameters besides the exploration noise, is model-free, and performs numerically robustly in high dimensional learning problems. We demonstrate how PI2 is able to learn full-body motor skills on a 34-DOF humanoid robot. To demonstrate the generality of our approach, we also apply PI2 in the context of variable impedance control, where both planned trajectories and gain schedules for each joint are optimized simultaneously.
Advances in therapy for osteoporosis.

The current status of detection and treatment of osteoporosis is reviewed. Despite substantial advances in the past ten years, most patients with osteoporotic fractures are still not being treated for the underlying bony cause of the fracture, and most people at risk for fracture are not being offered known protective regimens. The foundation of any therapeutic program is adequate nutrition - specifically protein, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Current anti-resorptive agents reduce vertebral fracture risk by 30% to 50% and teriparatide, a newly approved anabolic agent, reduces risk by up to 80+%. Effective treatments for chronic bony pain that occurs in some patients with spine fractures is affored by two minimally invasive procedures, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. Some of these chronically painful fractures represent instances of previously unrecognized non-union, and in them low-pressure vertebroplasty produces prompt and lasting relief. Fracture risk reductions with current anti-resorptive agents are at least twice as great as can be explained by drug effects on bone mass. Moreover, risk is reduced within a few months of starting therapy. These observations focus attention on bone remodeling and point to the need for improvement of biomarker technology, since it seems likely that reduction in remodeling activity underlies much of the fracture risk reduction and can therefore be used to monitor therapy.
Distinct Pathogenesis of Hong Kong-Origin H5N1 Viruses in Mice Compared to That of Other Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza Viruses

In 1997, an outbreak of virulent H5N1 avian influenza virus occurred in poultry in Hong Kong (HK) and was linked to a direct transmission to humans. The factors associated with transmission of avian influenza virus to mammals are not fully understood, and the potential risk of other highly virulent avian influenza A viruses infecting and causing disease in mammals is not known. In this study, two avian and one human HK-origin H5N1 virus along with four additional highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses were analyzed for their pathogenicity in 6- to 8-week-old BALB/c mice. Both the avian and human HK H5 influenza virus isolates caused severe disease in mice, characterized by induced hypothermia, clinical signs, rapid weight loss, and 75 to 100% mortality by 6 to 8 days postinfection. Three of the non-HK-origin isolates caused no detectable clinical signs. One isolate, A/tk/England/91 (H5N1), induced measurable disease, and all but one of the animals recovered. Infections resulted in mild to severe lesions in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Most consistently, the viruses caused necrosis in respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles with accompanying inflammation. The most severe and widespread lesions were observed in the lungs of HK avian influenza virus-infected mice, while no lesions or only mild lesions were evident with A/ck/Scotland/59 (H5N1) and A/ck/Queretaro/95 (H5N2). The A/ck/Italy/97 (H5N2) and the A/tk/England/91 (H5N1) viruses exhibited intermediate pathogenicity, producing mild to moderate respiratory tract lesions. In addition, infection by the different isolates could be further distinguished by the mouse immune response. The non-HK-origin isolates all induced production of increased levels of active transforming growth factor beta following infection, while the HK-origin isolates did not.
Antigen presentation by autoreactive proteolipid protein peptide-specific T cell clones from chronic progressive multiple sclerosis patients: roles of co-stimulatory B7 molecules and IL-12

Abstract To assess the role of T cell antigen (Ag) presentation in multiple sclerosis (MS), proteolipid protein (PLP) peptide reactive CD4 + T cell clones (TCCs) from MS patients and normal subjects were studied. TCCs derived from chronic progressive (CP) MS patients were able to proliferate and secret cytokines in response to PLP peptide stimulation in the absence of professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), suggesting that these T cells can simultaneously present and respond to Ags. However, they did not respond to total PLP protein, suggesting that PLP-peptide TCCs were unable to process and present the whole PLP molecule. The ability of the different TCCs to act as APCs in response to Ag stimulation did not correlate with expression of HLA-class II molecules. However, the degree of expression of B7-1 and B7-2 co-stimulatory molecules showed a significant correlation with APC capacity. Furthermore, a combination of anti-B7-1 and anti-B7-2 mAbs effectively inhibited proliferative responses as well as secretion of IL-10, IFN γ and TGF β induced by antigen presenting T cells. By contrast, IL-4 secretion was not affected. Finally, IL-12 significantly enhanced the efficiency of T cell Ag presentation by a pathway independent of Ag processing, suggesting that IL-12 might act as an additional co-stimulatory signal for T cell activation during T–T cell interactions. Together, these observations suggest that Ag presentation by T cells might amplify and perpetuate an autoimmune response previously initiated by professional APCs. These properties may account for progression of MS into a CP phase.
Composition, Dynamics, and Fate of Leached Dissolved Organic Matter in Terrestrial Ecosystems: Results from a Decomposition Experiment

Fluxes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) are an important vector for the movement of carbon (C) and nutrients both within and between ecosystems. However, although DOM fluxes from throughfall and through litterfall can be large, little is known about the fate of DOM leached from plant canopies, or from the litter layer into the soil horizon. In this study, our objectives were to determine the importance of plant-litter leachate as a vehicle for DOM movement, and to track DOM decomposition [including dissolve organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) fractions], as well as DOM chemical and isotopic dynamics, during a long-term laboratory incubation experiment using fresh leaves and litter from several ecosystem types. The water-extractable fraction of organic C was high for all five plant species, as was the biodegradable fraction; in most cases, more than 70% of the initial DOM was decomposed in the first 10 days of the experiment. The chemical composition of the DOM changed as decomposition proceeded, with humic (hydrophobic) fractions becoming relatively more abundant than nonhumic (hydrophilic) fractions over time. However, in spite of proportional changes in humic and nonhumic fractions over time, our data suggest that both fractions are readily decomposed in the absence of physicochemical reactions with soil surfaces. Our data also showed no changes in the 13 C signature of DOM during decomposition, suggesting that isotopic fractionation during DOM uptake is not a significant process. These results suggest that soil microorganisms preferentially decompose more labile organic molecules in the DOM pool, which also tend to be isotopically heavier than more recalcitrant DOM fractions. We believe that the interaction between DOM decomposition dynamics and soil sorption processes contribute to the 13 C enrichment of soil organic matter commonly observed with depth in soil profiles.
Variations in perceived parenting education preferences: a person-centred approach

Parenting education needs assessment surveys were collected from a large group of the parents or caregivers of 698 0–5-year-old children in southern Nevada. Survey questions addressed parenting education interests, family characteristics, and preferred delivery methods of parenting education. Cluster analysis was used to empirically determine if varying interest in parenting education topics would reflect distinct patterns of parents’ perception, and revealed a three-cluster solution that best fits the data. The three clusters differed on parents' or caregivers’ perception of interest in general child-centred topics, specific child-centred topics, and self-, family-, or environment-centred topics. Clusters also differentiated the parents or caregivers by family characteristics and preferred delivery methods of parenting education. The implications of these results for understanding various patterns of parents' perceived interests as well as their relation to family characteristics and preferred delivery m...
RAKE versus noisy-template based UWB receivers under timing and channel estimation errors

Two popular UWB receivers, the RAKE correlator and noisy-template (NT) auto-correlator, are evaluated and compared under realistic channel and timing estimation errors. A unified performance analysis framework is developed under the notion of receiver operating efficiency (ROE), which measures the effective received energy of a practical receiver against that of an ideal receiver. ROE expressions show that a RAKE receiver is limited by its energy capture capability, which is reflected not only in the number of RAKE fingers employed, but also in the timing offset estimator errors occurring at these fingers. An NT receiver is fairly robust to timing errors but is subject to noise enhancement effects, which can be alleviated by using transmissions with higher duty cycle and more training symbols. Through ROE, these critical system parameters are evaluated in terms of their contributions to overall detection accuracy. Such results are useful in identifying the preferred operating regimes of each receiver. Conversely, given practical operating conditions and system constraints, they help to select the more effective receiver structure and guide the design of key system parameters.
Intracellular calcium regulates nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway selectively eliminates aberrant transcripts containing premature translation termination codons and regulates the levels of a number of physiological mRNAs. NMD modulates the clinical outcome of a variety of human diseases, including cancer and many genetic disorders, and may represent a target for therapeutic intervention. Here, we have developed a new multicolored bioluminescence-based reporter system that can specifically and effectively assay NMD in live human cells. Using this reporter system, we conducted a robust high-throughput small-molecule screen in human cells and, unpredictably, identified a group of cardiac glycosides, including ouabain and digoxin, as potent inhibitors of NMD. Cardiac glycoside-mediated effects on NMD are dependent on binding and inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase on the plasma membrane and subsequent elevation of intracellular calcium levels. Induction of calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum also leads to inhibition of NMD. Thus, this study reveals intracellular calcium as a key regulator of NMD and has implications for exploiting NMD in the treatment of disease.
What Is The Most Effective Method Of Integrating Ethics Into The Accounting CurriculumIn The Post-Enron Environment?

Should ethics be taught as a separate accounting course or woven through the entire accounting curriculum? Research indicates that ethics has always been part of the accounting curriculum; unfortunately, AACSB does not require one separate course in ethics before graduating from undergraduate and MBA programs. In response to the overwhelming amount of recent accounting scandals, most accounting professors are simply applying the Enron case to illustrate audit failure. However, many professors question whether ethics can be taught, as ethical behavior is formed before students attend college. Empirical evidence supports this position.
The Effect of IMF Programs on Women’s Economic and Political Rights

ABSTRACTThough much research has been devoted to the socioeconomic and political consequences of International Monetary Fund (IMF) programs for recipient countries, little is known about the impacts of these programs on the level of respect for women’s rights. We postulate that IMF-induced policy reforms of privatization and public spending cuts, and the growing political repression and instability following the implementation of IMF programs, undermine the government’s ability and willingness to protect women’s economic and political rights. To substantiate the theoretical claims, we combine data on women’s political and economic rights with data on IMF programs for the years 1981–2004. Our findings suggest that IMF involvement is likely to deteriorate the level of respect for women’s economic rights while having no discernible effect on women’s political rights. The results further indicate that the effect of these programs is not conditioned by political regime type and economic wealth of recipient cou...
Initial Feasible Solution to the Transportation Problem: Composite Approximation Method

Transportation Problem (TP) is a special case of Linear Programming Problem (LPP), and the algorithm is primarily designed to solve the minimization problem. TP involves allotment of homogenous products (or activities) from sources (factories, warehouses, etc.) to Sinks (retail shops, warehouses, destinations, etc.). Although generically known as a ' Transportation Problem ' and considered as a problem solving method for transporting goods or for designing a schedule for shipping cargo, the model can also be used for solving problems of allocation of homogenous resources to activities, financial allocations, investment decisions, manpower allocation for various businesses, etc. Like the LPP, TP also aims at either maximization (of profits or benefits) or minimization (of costs or distance or some other quality) as a single objective, subject to the resource constraints. The TP has a special structure. The LPP solution methods like Simplex are unsuitable, complex or inefficient to solve problems mentioned above. The special algorithms of TP enable solving such problems with ease and in much less time. For any simplex or other optimization algorithm, Initial Feasible Solution (IFS) is needed as a starting point. Once IFS is obtained, optimization algorithms improve the solution step by step by maintaining the feasibility. The solution obtained is considered optimal when a state is reached where no further improvement is possible. This is an exercise to propose a simpler method to find an initial feasible solution. This simpler method depends on the principle of Matrix reduction. ' If a constant is added or subtracted from every element of a row or a column, the optimum solution remains the same .' If he transportation cost to all destinations is reduced by the same mount from a given source, the decision would not change. The optimum route would remain the same. Similarly, if cost to any destination from every source is reduced by the same amount, the best route would remain the same. The method explained in this article is named as ' Composite Approximation Method '.
Obstetric care in family practice residencies: a national survey.

Background: Supervision of obstetric care by family practice faculty increases the likelihood that family practice residents will choose to practice obstetrics. Methods: A survey instrument was developed to obtain information about practice faculty and the educational setting in which residents learn family physician obstetric care. Questionnaires were sent to all family medicine residency directors and all full-time family physician faculty. Results: Two hundred eighty-four program directors and 1396 faculty members responded. The mean percentage of recent graduates estimated to be practicing obstetrics was 30 percent. Factors independently associated with an increased likelihood of resident graduates practicing obstetrics included supervision of resident deliveries by family physicians, increasing number of family practice center deliveries, regional differences, and availability of training to perform Cesarean sections. Sixty-four percent of the responding family physician faculty were currently supervising deliveries, but only 5 percent had Cesarean section privileges. Seven percent of the faculty reported denial of obstetric privileges. Eighty-nine percent of all respondents supported the mandatory inclusion of obstetrics in family medicine residencies. Conclusions: Residency programs in family practice can increase the number of their graduates practicing obstetric care by focusing on the family physician supervision model, faculty development that supports this model, and clinical privileges of faculty.
Ecosocialwork and transformed consciousness: Reflections on eco-mindfulness engagement with the silence of the natural world

ABSTRACTSocial work has a long history of environmentally and ecologically informed practice. In recent years, the profession has begun to comprehend how environmental crises and global warming impact the clients we serve. What many social workers have come to refer to as ecosocialwork has emerged as a vital new area of social work practice. This article will review the evolution of ecosocialwork. It will suggest that one of the core priorities of ecosocialwork is to assist in the transformation of consciousness toward more earth-friendly actions and attitudes. It will also posit that mindful and purposeful engagement with the silence of the natural world is an important strategy assisting in this transformational process. Finally, it will describe exercises the authors’ utilize to assist social work students develop a more mindful engagement with the natural world and offer some implications of eco-mindfulness for social work practice and education.
Conformations of a dipolar solute in a Stockmayer solvent channel.

A wide range of molecules, from inorganic to biological, self-assemble on surfaces. Previous studies have elucidated many features of solute reorganization on surfaces using coarse-grained modeling, implicit solvents, and constraints such as chemically bonding the solute to the surface. Using molecular dynamics simulations under various combinations of interaction parameters, solute fractions, and solute dipole moment, we study the redistribution of freely-rotating dipolar solute molecules solvated by a water-like Stockmayer solvent initially adhered to a face-centered cubic substrate. The balance of attractive and repulsive forces is essential for acquiring a particular stable conformation. Here we show that the adsorbed molecules redistribute into different conformations—wetting film, nonwetting, partial wetting, and pseudopartial wetting drops—depending on the parameter values. We observe that the pseudopartial wetting drop is transient and its rate of spreading fluctuates, slowing to nearly zero as it...
A Direct Interpretation of Gandhi's Formula

(1974). A Direct Interpretation of Gandhi's Formula. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 81, No. 7, pp. 752-754.
Partisanship, Interest Groups, and Attack Advertising in the Post-White Era, or Why Nonpartisan Judicial Elections Really Do Stink

This Essay utilizes the results of several decades of empirical political science research on state supreme court elections to argue that the practice of electing justices on nonpartisan ballots should be abandoned. Relying on discussions of extant research as well as new evidence recently generated about the impact of televised attack advertising on justices seeking reelection, I suggest that the promise of nonpartisan elections has not been fulfilled. Instead, among other consequences, nonpartisan races in which justices are seeking reelection are more likely to involve derisive advertising than are partisan elections on a race-by-race basis, attract higher proportions of attack airings sponsored by interest groups, and facilitate the ability of televised campaign negativity to influence the election returns. The primary new evidence is drawn from my latest book, Attacking Judges: How Campaign Advertising Influences State Supreme Court Elections. Taken together, the sizable body of empirical scholarship on state supreme court elections shows that nonpartisan elections are not an effective device for staffing the state court bench.
Fundamentals of Similarity Search

This chapter presents various fundamental building blocks of a similarity search system from the ground up. We start by introducing the attribute-based object representation that is widely used for representing real-world entities on the web as well as in similarity search systems. We then describe the various attribute types as well as measures used to quantify similarity and dissimilarity for specific attribute types. We also touch upon the interchangeability between the notions of similarity and dissimilarity, and illustrate the various transformations that could be applied to transform a similarity measure to a measure of dissimilarity.
Topiramate-Induced Metabolic Acidosis in Epilepsy

Serum bicarbonate (HC03) levels were measured before, during, and after discontinuing topiramate (TPM) as adjunctive therapy for medically refractory epilepsy in 30 children treated at Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA.
Validation of service oriented computing DEVS simulation models

In the simulation based design and development of Service Based Software Systems (SBS), it is important to analyze the models for correctness and improve confidence in the validity of the model. Of particular interest is the SBS simulation where models are used towards evaluation of time dependent QoS metrics (e.g., service delay, throughput etc.). In this paper, an experiment based validation of Service Based Software Systems using SOC-DEVS (i.e. Service Oriented Computing DEVS) framework is presented. As formal basis towards validation, the real system under consideration is abstracted as a DEVS I/O System model and experiments are developed to observe its time-based I/O trajectories. An exemplar Voice Communication System is simulated and results are analyzed towards model validation w.r.t. a real system prototype.
Parenting styles and body mass index: a systematic review of prospective studies among children.

SummaryBackground Parenting style may be an important determinant of an individual's future weight status. However, reviews that evaluate the relationship between parenting style and weight-related outcomes have not focused on prospective studies. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and PsychInfo for studies published between 1995 and 2016 that evaluated the prospective relationship between parenting style experienced in childhood and subsequent weight outcomes. Results We identified 11 prospective cohort studies. Among the eight studies that categorized parenting style into distinct groups (i.e. authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and neglectful), five provided evidence that authoritative parenting was associated with lower body mass index gains. Among the six highest quality studies, four suggested a protective role of authoritative parenting style against adverse weight-related outcomes. However, only one study controlled for a comprehensive set of confounders, and the small number of studies conducted within certain age groups precluded our ability to ascertain critical periods when parenting style is most strongly related to child weight. Conclusions The present literature supports the idea that authoritative parenting may be protective against later overweight and obesity, although findings are mixed. More prospective cohort studies of longer durations, with more sophisticated methods that examine age-varying relationships, and that control for a comprehensive set of confounders, are needed.
Tales of Tibet: Representing Religion and Resistance in Contemporary Film and Fiction

(2009). Tales of Tibet: Representing Religion and Resistance in Contemporary Film and Fiction. South Asian Review: Vol. 30, 'Theorizing Religion in a Postmodern Context'. Guest Edited by John Hawley, pp. 302-318.
Leaders always mattered: The persistence of personality in Canadian elections

Abstract Did Canadian voters choose Justin Trudeau in 2015, or did they choose the Liberal Party? Did British voters choose David Cameron in 2014, or did they choose to be led by a Conservative? In parliamentary systems around the world, no direct link exists between voters and leadership candidates in the way they are connected in presidential systems, and yet, studies suggest that voters consider party leaders when casting their ballot (Bittner 2011), and that this connection between the vote and the leader of the party is becoming increasingly important (Mughan 2000; Poguntke & Webb 2005). Scholars of comparative party systems and institutions have pointed to declining partisanship, increased voter volatility, and the changing nature of media and campaigns as the key reasons for the “presidentialization” of politics and the increasing importance of leaders in the minds of voters. There is mixed evidence for this phenomenon, however, and while in some countries (such as Israel), the pattern of increasing personalization is clear (Rahat and Sheafer, 2007), in others (such as Germany), personalization does not appear to be there (Kaase, 1994; Kriesi, 2011). Most (although not all) studies of presidentialization focus their analyses on Europe, and yet there are plenty of non-European parliamentary systems we can (and should) assess as well, to determine whether presidentialization is a global phenomenon as some suggest. This paper turns to Canada. What is the relationship between voters and party leaders in the Canadian context? Do party leaders in Canada matter? How and why? And has this relationship changed over time? Are we seeing a presidentialization of Canadian elections? This paper assesses the role of leaders in Canadian elections over time, using Canadian Election Study Data from 1984 to 2015. The data suggest that party leaders matter, but that this has always been the case in Canada: elections are not becoming more personalized over time.
The Sounds of Silence: Neither Exit, Nor Loyalty, Nor Voice

This research briefly reviews the literature on student silence and argues the importance of its effects in the public affairs classroom. Using focus groups and an interpretive methodology, it inve...
Meiotic Gene Conversion in Yeast: Molecular and Experimental Perspectives

Overall, our understanding of the molecular events comprising gene conversion and genetic recombination is reasonably complete. Both phenomena can be accommodated within a unified theoretical framework based on the known structure and behavior of DNA molecules. Critical evidence drawn primarily from genetic investigations in fungi amenable to tetrad or octad analysis constitute the principal data bases. These are enhanced equally by structural analysis, at the electron microscope level, of recombination intermediates recovered from intact cells and the characterization of enzymes coded for by DNA sequences that are involved in bacterial and viral recombination.