cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early estimates of the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child mortality in low-income and middle-income countries: a modelling study.

Summary Background While the COVID-19 pandemic will increase mortality due to the virus, it is also likely to increase mortality indirectly. In this study, we estimate the additional maternal and under-5 child deaths resulting from the potential disruption of health systems and decreased access to food. Methods We modelled three scenarios in which the coverage of essential maternal and child health interventions is reduced by 9·8–51·9% and the prevalence of wasting is increased by 10–50%. Although our scenarios are hypothetical, we sought to reflect real-world possibilities, given emerging reports of the supply-side and demand-side effects of the pandemic. We used the Lives Saved Tool to estimate the additional maternal and under-5 child deaths under each scenario, in 118 low-income and middle-income countries. We estimated additional deaths for a single month and extrapolated for 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Findings Our least severe scenario (coverage reductions of 9·8–18·5% and wasting increase of 10%) over 6 months would result in 253 500 additional child deaths and 12 200 additional maternal deaths. Our most severe scenario (coverage reductions of 39·3–51·9% and wasting increase of 50%) over 6 months would result in 1 157 000 additional child deaths and 56 700 additional maternal deaths. These additional deaths would represent an increase of 9·8–44·7% in under-5 child deaths per month, and an 8·3–38·6% increase in maternal deaths per month, across the 118 countries. Across our three scenarios, the reduced coverage of four childbirth interventions (parenteral administration of uterotonics, antibiotics, and anticonvulsants, and clean birth environments) would account for approximately 60% of additional maternal deaths. The increase in wasting prevalence would account for 18–23% of additional child deaths and reduced coverage of antibiotics for pneumonia and neonatal sepsis and of oral rehydration solution for diarrhoea would together account for around 41% of additional child deaths. Interpretation Our estimates are based on tentative assumptions and represent a wide range of outcomes. Nonetheless, they show that, if routine health care is disrupted and access to food is decreased (as a result of unavoidable shocks, health system collapse, or intentional choices made in responding to the pandemic), the increase in child and maternal deaths will be devastating. We hope these numbers add context as policy makers establish guidelines and allocate resources in the days and months to come. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Affairs Canada.
A new history of Iberian feminisms: editado por Silvia Bermúdez y Roberta Johnson, Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2018, 544 pp., $107 (tapa dura), ISBN13 978-1487500146 / $34 (tapa blanda), ISBN13 978-1487520083

La evolucion del feminismo en Espana ha sido objeto de multiples estudios, publicados en su mayor parte a partir de los anos 70 y, muy especialmente, a partir de finales de los 80. Curiosamente, la...
Damage Control Thoracotomy: A Systematic Review of Techniques and Outcomes.

Abstract Background : Damage control surgery is the practice of delaying definitive management of traumatic injuries by controlling hemorrhage in the operating room and restoring normal physiology in the intensive care unit prior to definitive therapy. Presently, damage control or “abbreviated” laparotomy is used extensively for abdominal trauma in an unstable patient. The application of a damage control approach in thoracic trauma is less established and there is a paucity of literature supporting or refuting this practice. We aimed to systematically review the current data on damage control thoracotomy (DCT), to identify gaps in the literature and techniques in temporary closure. Methods : An electronic literature search of Pubmed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Database of Collected Reviews from 1972-2018 was performed using the keywords “thoracic,” “damage control,” and “thoracotomy.” Studies were included if they reported the use of DCT following thoracic trauma and included survival as an outcome. Results : Of 723 studies, seven met inclusion criteria for a total of a 130 DCT operations. Gauze packing with temporary closure of the skin with suture was the most frequently reported form of closure. The overall survival rate for the seven studies was 67%. Survival rates ranged from 42-77%. Average injury severity score was 30, and 64% of injuries were penetrating in nature. The most common complications included infections (57%; pneumonia, empyema, wound infection, bacteremia), respiratory failure (21%), ARDS (8%), and renal failure (18%). Conclusion : DCT may be associated with improved survival in the critically injured patient population. Delaying definitive operation by temporarily closing the thorax in order to allow time to restore normal physiology may be considered as a strategy in the unstable thoracic trauma patient population. The impact an open chest has on respiratory physiology remains inconclusive as well as best mechanisms of temporary closure. Multi-center studies are required to elucidate these important questions.
Predicting Deliberative Conversation: The Impact of Discussion Networks, Media Use, and Political Cognitions

This study explores the meaning and origins of deliberative political conversation, characterized by an openness to political conflict, the absence of conversational dominance, clear and reasonable argument, and mutual comprehension. Adapting McLeod, Scheufele, and Moy's (1999) model of democratic engagement, we posit a series of relationships among discussion networks, media use, political cognition, and public participation. Using two divergent samples — one consisting of 149 adult literacy students and another comprising 130 public forum participants — we test the model's utility as a predictor of deliberative conversation. Structural equation modeling indicates that network characteristics had mixed effects. Print media use and interpersonal discussion tended to enhance deliberative conversation, and television news viewing hindered both the reasonableness of one's arguments and the comprehension of others' views. Taken together, these results suggest that the deliberative quality of public talk has a complex relationship with common predictors of other political communication behavior.
Double-acting batch reverse osmosis configuration for best-in-class efficiency and low downtime

Abstract Energy consumption in reverse osmosis has decreased substantially over the last few decades thanks to the implementation of energy recovery devices, high efficiency pumps, and improved membranes. However, to further increase the adoption of the technology, its energy needs must still be reduced. Batch and semi-batch reverse osmosis configurations have shown potential to be the most energy efficient reverse osmosis variants, but have remaining inefficiencies from brine mixing and high downtime. In this study, we modeled in new detail a further improved double-acting batch reverse osmosis system that uses a high-pressure tank with a reciprocating piston. A high-pressure pump is used to fill the inactive side of the high pressure tank with feed that pressurizes the reverse osmosis system during the permeate production stage; the feed is then used as the working fluid for the next cycle of the system. Additionally, to account for the dynamic behavior of the system under different operational conditions, a hydraulic simulation model was developed to accurately predict the evolution of the pressure and other important parameters over time. A specific energy consumption of 1.88 kWh/m3 was calculated for seawater with a salinity of 35 g/kg, recovery of 50%, and a permeate flux of 15 LHM, and lower values SEC were obtained for lower permeate fluxes. Moreover, the downtime was found to be below 10% of the cycle time, without significantly increase the energy consumption of the system. This design also showed the potential to reduce the start-up time compared to previously proposed batch RO configurations.
U.S. healthcare spending attributable to cigarette smoking in 2014.

Abstract Introduction Cigarette smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S. Smoking also carries an economic burden, including smoking-attributable healthcare spending. This study assessed smoking-attributable fractions in healthcare spending between 2010 and 2014, overall and by insurance type (Medicaid, Medicare, private, out-of-pocket, other federal, other) and by medical service (inpatient, non-inpatient, prescriptions). Methods Data were obtained from the 2010–2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey linked to the 2008–2013 National Health Interview Survey. The final sample (n = 49,540) was restricted to non-pregnant adults aged 18 years or older. Estimates from two-part models (multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear models) and data from 2014 national health expenditures were combined to estimate the share of and total (in 2014 dollars) annual healthcare spending attributable to cigarette smoking among U.S. adults. All models controlled for socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and attitudes. Results During 2010–2014, an estimated 11.7% (95% CI = 11.6%, 11.8%) of U.S. annual healthcare spending could be attributed to adult cigarette smoking, translating to annual healthcare spending of more than $225 billion dollars based on total personal healthcare expenditures reported in 2014. More than 50% of this smoking-attributable spending was funded by Medicare or Medicaid. For Medicaid, the estimated healthcare spending attributable fraction increased more than 30% between 2010 and 2014. Conclusions Cigarette smoking exacts a substantial economic burden in the U.S. Continuing efforts to implement proven population-based interventions have been shown to reduce the health and economic burden of cigarette smoking nationally.
Massively Parallel and Dynamic Algorithms for Minimum Size Clustering.

In this paper, we study the $r$-gather problem, a natural formulation of minimum-size clustering in metric spaces. The goal of $r$-gather is to partition $n$ points into clusters such that each cluster has size at least $r$, and the maximum radius of the clusters is minimized. This additional constraint completely changes the algorithmic nature of the problem, and many clustering techniques fail. Also previous dynamic and parallel algorithms do not achieve desirable complexity. We propose algorithms both in the Massively Parallel Computation (MPC) model and in the dynamic setting. Our MPC algorithm handles input points from the Euclidean space $\mathbb{R}^d$. It computes an $O(1)$-approximate solution of $r$-gather in $O(\log^{\varepsilon} n)$ rounds using total space $O(n^{1+\gamma}\cdot d)$ for arbitrarily small constants $\varepsilon,\gamma > 0$. In addition our algorithm is fully scalable, i.e., there is no lower bound on the memory per machine. Our dynamic algorithm maintains an $O(1)$-approximate $r$-gather solution under insertions/deletions of points in a metric space with doubling dimension $d$. The update time is $r \cdot 2^{O(d)}\cdot \log^{O(1)}\Delta$ and the query time is $2^{O(d)}\cdot \log^{O(1)}\Delta$, where $\Delta$ is the ratio between the largest and the smallest distance.
Exercise-Induced Dyspnea in Collegiate Athletes: Are We Missing the Diagnosis?

Summary Objectives Exercise-induced dyspnea (EID) can disrupt an athlete's participation and performance in their given sport. Differential diagnosis of EID is often completed using subjective report and may be inaccurate, therefore increasing the frustration and stress of the athlete. This nonexperimental research study was used to determine prevalence of EID and related respiratory symptoms in athletes at a small, Division I university. Methods An anonymous survey was provided to athletes at Murray State University as they registered for participation in sports for the 2020-2021 school year. Data from this survey was analyzed as to reported physician-given diagnosis of a respiratory disorder as well as reported symptoms of EID. Results Results showed that athletes with a physician-given diagnosis often did not report symptoms or responses to medications that support that diagnosis. Additionally, athletes frequently reported symptoms of EID without a formal diagnosis of a respiratory disorder. Conclusions These findings provide preliminary insight and pilot data that may be used to understand the prevalence of EID in collegiate athletes and the need for improved methods of diagnosis for etiologies of EID.
Bridging the Gap Between Object Detection and User Intent via Query-Modulation.

When interacting with objects through cameras, or pictures, users often have a specific intent. For example, they may want to perform a visual search. However, most object detection models ignore the user intent, relying on image pixels as their only input. This often leads to incorrect results, such as lack of a high-confidence detection on the object of interest, or detection with a wrong class label. In this paper we investigate techniques to modulate standard object detectors to explicitly account for the user intent, expressed as an embedding of a simple query. Compared to standard object detectors, query-modulated detectors show superior performance at detecting objects for a given label of interest. Thanks to large-scale training data synthesized from standard object detection annotations, query-modulated detectors can also outperform specialized referring expression recognition systems. Furthermore, they can be simultaneously trained to solve for both query-modulated detection and standard object detection.
Turning Long-Term Monitoring into Policy – Using the National Park Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea as an Example

Environmental monitoring in its broadest sense aims at determining the quality and extent of human influence on the environment and to record long-term changes (Kellermann & Riethmuller, 1998). It can provide a basis for political actions; however, the influence of monitoring on political decisions has been controversial (see, e.g., de Jong, 2006).
Endless Future: A Persistent Thorn in the Kalām Cosmological Argument

AbstractWes Morriston contends that William Lane Craig's argument for the impossibility of a beginningless past results in an equally good argument for the impossibility of an endless future (or at least a pre-determined one). Craig disagrees. I show that Craig's reply reveals a commitment to an unmotivated position concerning the relationship between actuality and the actual infinite. I then assess alternative routes to the impossibility of a beginningless past that have been offered in the literature, and show that, contrary to initial appearances, these routes similarly seem to support the impossibility of an endless future.
Purchasing power parity and exchange rates

Abstract This paper examines some of the evidence on the relationship between prices and exchange rates, looking at data from the 1920s and the 1970s. Simple regression tests lead us to reject the hypothesis of purchasing power parity. These tests are, however, inappropriate when, as is usually the case, neither prices nor the exchange rate may be taken as exogenous. Tests which recognize the endogeneity of both prices and exchange rates give results considerably more favorable to purchasing power parity. Tests which recognize the endogeneity of both prices and exchange rates give results which, while not definitive, are more favorable to the purchasing power parity hypothesis.
Using the osteoporosis self-assessment tool for referring older men for bone densitometry: a decision analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare health benefits and costs associated with performing bone densitometry for all men with those of risk-stratifying using the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST) and performing bone densitometry only for a high-risk group. DESIGN: A decision analytical model was developed using a Markov process. Three strategies were compared: no bone densitometry, selective bone densitometry using the OST, and universal bone densitometry. Data sources were U.S. epidemiological studies and healthcare cost figures. SETTING: Hypothetical cohort. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling 70-year-old U.S. white men with no history of clinical osteoporotic fractures. INTERVENTION: Five years of alendronate therapy for those diagnosed with osteoporosis. MEASUREMENTS: Life years, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. RESULTS: Selective bone densitometry using the OST would cost $100,700 per additional life year gained compared to the no bone densitometry strategy. Universal bone densitometry would cost $483,500 for additional life year gained compared to selective bone densitometry. When quality of life was considered, both strategies became approximately 15% more cost-effective. Compared with the no bone densitometry strategy, selective bone densitometry would be cost saving for those aged 84 and older, with a reduction of alendronate price (≤$110 per year), or with a higher efficacy of alendronate (a relative risk reduction of nonvertebral fracture ≥82%). CONCLUSION: Universal bone densitometry for 70-year-old men is not a good investment for society. It is reasonably cost-effective to risk-stratify with the OST, perform bone densitometry only for high-risk group, and then give men diagnosed with osteoporosis generic alendronate.
Evolution with Pressure of a Heavy Mass Ground State in Chemically Expanded CeRu2Si2

In earlier studies1 of the Kondo lattice antiferromagnets CeT2Si2 (T = Ag, Au, Pd, Rh) we observed the interplay between Kondo and RKKY interactions as their relative strengths were modified by pressure. In those cases (Pd or Rh) in which TK > TN, pressure strongly depressed due to Kondo spin compensation of the cerium local moments. On the other hand, when was small relative to TN (Ag or Au), magnetic order was only weakly affected by pressure. These findings correlated qualitatively with Doniach’s model2 for the magnetic phase diagram of a Kondo “necklace,” provided the effect of unit cell volumes, i.e. chemical pressure, of the CeT2Si2 were considered.
The Range and Consistency of Individual Differences in Continuous Work

Two five-man teams were trained to asymptotic levels of synthetic-work performance on a multiple-task performance battery (MTPB) which required subjects to time share five individual-performance ta...
Integrating Inductive Learning and Simulation in Rule-based Scheduling

This paper proposes a framework for incorporating machine learning into the real time scheduling of a flexible manufacturing system, and extends it to scheduling in a flexible flow system. While the bulk of previous research on dynamic machine scheduling deals with the relative effectiveness of a single scheduling rule, the approach presented in this study provides a mechanism for the state-dependent selection of one from among several rules.
[Supplementary Material] Chartocerus sp. (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae) and Pachyneuron crassiculme (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Are Obligate Hyperparasitoids of Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Possibly Tamarixia radiata ...

Two species of suspected hyperparasitoids, Chartocerus sp. and Pachyneuron crassiculme , emerged from parasitized Diaphorina citri nymphs collected in Punjab Pakistan over 15-22 Apr 2013. Exposure tests conducted in quarantine on D. citri nymphs parasitized by Tamarixia radiata and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis , as well as unparasitized D. citri nymphs, confirmed that Chartocerus sp. and P. crassiculme are hyperparasitoids. Both Chartocerus sp . and P. crassiculme successfully reproduced on D. aligarhensis , with one instance of P. crassiculme reproducing on T. radiata . There was no emergence from unparasitized D. citri . Dos especies de hiperparasitoides sospechosos, Chartocerus sp. y Pachyneuron crassiculme , emergieron de ninfas parasitadas de Diaphorina citri recolectadas en Punjab Pakistan del 15 al 22 de abril del 2013. Las pruebas de la exposicion realizada en cuarentena sobre ninfas de D. citri parasitadas por Tamarixia radiata y Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis , asi como ninfas de D. citri no parasitadas confirmaron que Chartocerus sp. y P. crassiculme son hiperparasitoides. Tanto Chartocerus sp. y P. crassiculme se reprodujeron con exito sobre D. aligarhensis , con un caso de P. crassiculme reproducido sobre T. radiata . No hubo emergencia de parasitos de las ninfas de D. citri no parasitidas.
A study of esophageal pressures in normal persons and patients with cardiospasm.

Summary A miniature electromagnetic transducer was utilized to record accurately esophageal pressures after swallowing. The changes in pressure in normal persons followed a definite pattern, which consisted of an initial wave of negative pressure and three subsequent waves of positive pressure. Analysis indicated that the final positive wave was produced by a true peristaltic wave passing the transducer. Patients who had cardiospasm showed considerable spontaneous motility as well as extremely variable responses in pressure as the result of deglutition. Though waves of positive pressure were noted occasionally in these patients after swallowing, a co-ordinated, distally traveling wave of the peristaltic type could not be identified.
Accounting Scandals And Stock Performance: Life After Enron

This paper studies the effects of earnings restatements of selected ten U. S. companies by implementing the event study methodology. The effects are asymmetric across these companies as they are heterogenous in terms of industry classifications. The effects are also conditional upon the fraud and coming-out-clean perceptions about them. Additionally, the effects are dependent on the demand prospects for their products and services.
Incremental pattern-based coinduction for process algebra and its isabelle formalization

We present a coinductive proof system for bisimilarity in transition systems specifiable in the de Simone SOS format. Our coinduction is incremental, in that it allows building incrementally an a priori unknown bisimulation, and pattern-based, in that it works on equalities of process patterns (i.e., universally quantified equations of process terms containing process variables), thus taking advantage of equational reasoning in a “circular” manner, inside coinductive proof loops. The proof system has been formalized and proved sound in Isabelle/HOL.
Analysis of the significance of two single-base-pair differences in the SL3-3 and Akv virus long terminal repeats.

Two single-base-pair differences between the long terminal repeats (LTRs) of the T-lymphomagenic murine retrovirus SL3-3 and nonleukemogenic Akv virus were tested for effects on activity of the LTRs. Evidence was obtained from electrophoretic mobility shift assays for the presence of at least one factor in both T and non-T cells that bound to the region of the viral enhancers that contained the differences. However, no significant differences in activity in expression assays were detected when the two base-pair differences were exchanged between the two LTRs. Therefore, they do not contribute to the higher activity of the SL3-3 LTR in T-lymphoma cell lines. Images
Do Short Sellers Trade in Anticipation of Short Interest Announcements

In this study, we test the hypothesis that short-selling activity increases in the days leading up to scheduled short interest announcements. Consistent with the idea that short sellers can endogenously acquire information about the content in upcoming short interest announcements, we find evidence that short selling activity is abnormally high on the day before announcements, particularly for announcements with the largest short interest increases from the previous month. Using the common negative relation between current short selling and future returns as an approximation for the information contained in short sales, we find that short selling prior to short interest announcements contains greater levels of information than short selling during more-normal periods. Although short sellers are not trading on private information per se, our results indicate that they are trading on privileged information that is “less than public”. Better disclosure of short selling levels throughout the entire month may benefit traders without this privileged information.
Hot-spot variations of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latent nuclear antigen and application in genotyping by PCR–RFLP

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, human herpesvirus-8) is aetiologically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and several other lymphoproliferative disorders. The latent nuclear antigen (LNA) encoded by KSHV ORF73 has important functions in virus latent infection and shows molecular polymorphism. Sequence variations were identified in the internal repeat domain (IRD) of ORF73. DNA sequencing of ORF73 from one KSHV-infected cell line, PK-1, revealed that there were 558 bp (30.2%) deletions and 66 (3.6%) point mutations located mainly in repeat region 2, the glutamine-rich region of ORF73 IRD, compared with ORF73 of BC-1 KSHV. Similar sequence variations of ORF73 were also identified in two other isolates. None of the sequence variations caused any translational frame-shift in these four KSHV isolates examined, suggesting that LNA has a conservative function in virus latent infection. The frequent sequence variations in repeat region 2 of ORF73 IRD were also identified by PCR-RFLP genotyping in 26 KSHV isolates, suggesting that this region is a 'hot-spot' for genetic variations. Each Kaposi's sarcoma lesion sample contained one virus genotype with a unique RFLP pattern, indicating that in vivo KSHV infection was established with single predominate genotypes, which was further supported by the presence of invariable genotypes in multifocal lesions from individual KS patients. Four KSHV subtypes were classified based on the RFLP patterns that represent the patterns of DNA sequence variations in the ORF73 IRD. PCR-RFLP genotyping is capable of identifying LNA genetic variations and differentiating individual KSHV isolates, and thus may be useful for KSHV molecular epidemiology studies.
Evaluation of [1-14C]-medium-chain fatty acid oxidation by neonatal piglets using continuous-infusion radiotracer kinetic methodology.

In vivo oxidation rates of systemically infused medium-chain fatty acids were evaluated using neonatal pigs. Unanesthetized piglets (1.6 kg, n = 20) were housed in respiration chambers for total collection of expired CO2 and were continuously infused with [1-14C]-7:0, 8:0, 9:0 or 10:0 fatty acids via a central catheter. The fatty acids were administered at rates of 25, 50 or 100 mumol/min for 5 h and provided 74 kBq of 14C per h. Total expired CO2 was collected over consecutive 15-min intervals for determination of the amount and specific radioactivity of expired CO2. Portal blood samples were drawn from umbilical vein catheters for determination of 3-hydroxy-butyrate and plasma fatty acid concentrations. Infusion and oxidation rates (mmol/min) were multiplied by the molar ATP yield for each fatty acid (i.e., 52, 61, 69 and 78 mmol ATP/mmol fatty acid for 7:0 through 10:0, respectively) to adjust for differences in molar energy content of the various fatty acids. Expressed in this way, fatty acid oxidation rate was proportional to the rate of infusion and accounted for 63% of that infused. The various fatty acids were oxidized equally well, regardless of chain length, and satisfied up to 60 to 70% of the animals' energy requirements, depending on the rate of infusion. These data are discussed in relation to previous work from our laboratory that has shown significant effects of fatty acid chain length on utilization of orally administered medium-chain triglyceride supplements.
Nickel: Models of Protein Active Sites

During the past decade (2002–2012), the role of nickel (Ni) in biology has taken quite a turn. Prior to this period, the primary function for Ni in biology was limited to urea hydrolysis in the enzyme urease, methane production in methyl coenzyme M reductase, and the consumption of hydrogen in NiFe-hydrogenase. Owing to recent X-ray structures, Ni has now been shown to be an important cofactor in enzymes that interconvert CO2/CO (carbon monoxide dehydrogenases); enzymes that fix cell carbon in the form of acetate (acetyl coenzyme A synthases); and enzymes involved in oxygen metabolism/oxidative stress protection (nickel superoxide dismutase). In light of these new Ni-metalloenzyme structures and the need for new and cleaner energy sources, much Ni synthetic modeling work has been focused on constructing analogues of NiFe-hydrogenase, CO dehydrogenase, acetyl coenzyme A synthase, and Ni-superoxide dismutase. These synthetic biomimetics have provided new insight from structural, spectroscopic, and reactivity studies to elucidate aspects of the catalytic mechanism of the Ni sites in these enzymes. Keywords: nickel; hydrogenase; carbon monoxide dehydrogenase; acetyl coenzyme A synthase; nickel superoxide dismutase; nickel-containing metalloenzymes; model compounds; synthetic analogs; biomimetics
The Effect of Vaccination with Brucella Abortus Vaccine (Strain 19) on Certain Blood Constituents in Young Heifers

Summary These studies show that blood plasma vitamin C and A levels are reduced by vaccination with B. abortus vaccine (strain 19). The vitamin C levels do not return completely to normal after 1 wk. as do the vitamin A levels. Vitamin C or A in addition to the normal diet had no effect on the course of blood plasma levels, except to maintain them above that for calves not receiving the supplement. A rise in rectal temperatures followed closely the drop in blood plasma vitamin C and may suggest a relationship between the increase in body temperature and a lowering of blood plasma ascorbic acid. Leucocyte count increased the day following inoculation. Differential count showed that the neutrophiles increased, the lymphocytes decreased, and the mono-cytes and eosinophiles slightly increased and decreased, respectively, by this type of vaccination.
automata: a hybrid system for computational automata theory

We present a system that performs computations on finite state machines, syntactic semigroups, and one-dimensional cellular automata.
Single-dose tolerance to the behavioral effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP in mice

The behavioral effects of varying doses of intraperitoneally administered dibutyryl cyclic AMP, cyclic AMP, adenosine, 5′-AMP, and butyric acid were studied in male ICR mice. Behavioral parameters 25 min following treatment included measurement of spontaneous locomotor activity (SLMA) and rotarod performance, the latter providing an indication of neuromuscular coordination. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP produced a dose-related inhibition of SLMA with the largest dose, 75 mg/kg, decreasing activity by 89%. Adenosine and 5′-AMP produced maximal inhibition of approximately 50–80% of SLMA at doses ranging from 75–250 mg/kg, while cyclic AMP decreased SLMA by 58% at only the highest dose, 250 mg/kg. Butyric acid failed to produce alterations in SLMA at doses ranging from 25–250 mg/kg. No compound altered neuromuscular coordination. Single-dose tolerance to the inhibitory effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on SLMA developed within 3 h and lasted at least 7 days. Adenosine failed to produce tolerance while cyclic AMP and 5′-AMP exhibited only a slightly reduced effect following a second injection at intervals of 4 and 24 h. These results suggest that exogenous administration of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and its metabolites exert centrally mediated behavioral effects with selective development of single-dose tolerance to the dibutyryl derivative.
Poetology as Symptom in Friedrich Hölderlin

I argue that Friedrich Holderlin's theoretical texts are marked by a paradox: namely, Holderlin attempts to achieve in them the work of unification he assigns to poetry alone. This unification is his specifically post-Kantian response to a more general worry about the linking of mind and world. Holderlin understands that the desire for unification within and between human subjects and the external world is a fundamental anthropological tendency even as the desire remains unfulfillable. I draw out thematic and metatextual features of Holderlin's theoretical texts that show him making a strong distinction between poetic and theoretical language; engaging with problems of the connection between mind and world; and, finally, attempting to perform the unifications he denies discursive language in the theoretical texts themselves. I close the article with a reading of the late poem “Lebensalter” to show that, for Holderlin, poetry can effect unifications that theory cannot.
Estimates of the option values for water quality improvements

Abstract This paper presents estimates of the option values associated with increased oppurtunities for outdoor recreation resulting from improved water quality. The estimates are based on a 1981 survey of 301 households in the Pennsylvania Monongahela River Basin.
A game-theoretic framework for estimating a health purchaser's willingness-to-pay for health and for expansion.

A health purchaser’s willingness-to-pay (WTP) for health is defined as the amount of money the health purchaser (e.g. a health maximizing public agency or a profit maximizing health insurer) is willing to spend for an additional unit of health. In this paper, we propose a game-theoretic framework for estimating a health purchaser’s WTP for health in markets where the health purchaser offers a menu of medical interventions, and each individual in the population selects the intervention that maximizes her prospect. We discuss how the WTP for health can be employed to determine medical guidelines, and to price new medical technologies, such that the health purchaser is willing to implement them. The framework further introduces a measure for WTP for expansion, defined as the amount of money the health purchaser is willing to pay per person in the population served by the health provider to increase the consumption level of the intervention by one percent without changing the intervention price. This measure can be employed to find how much to invest in expanding a medical program through opening new facilities, advertising, etc. Applying the proposed framework to colorectal cancer screening tests, we estimate the WTP for health and the WTP for expansion of colorectal cancer screening tests for the 2005 US population.
Properties of photochemical reaction centers purified from Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa.

Abstract Reaction centers were isolated from a carotenoidless mutant of Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa by hydroxyapatite chromatography of purified chromatophores treated with lauryl dimethyl amine oxide. Absorption spectra and spectra of light-induced absorbance changes are similar to those of reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. The ratio of absorbance at 280 nm to that at 799 nm was 1.8 in the purest preparations. The extinction coefficient at the 799 nm absorption maximum was estimated to be 305 ± 20 mM−1 · cm−1. The molecular weight based on protein and chromophore assays was found to be 1.5 · 105; the reaction center protein accounted for 6% of the total membrane protein. These reaction centers contained no cytochrome and showed just two components of apparent molecular weights 33 000 and 25 000 in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The chromatophores contained 42 molecules of antenna bacteriochlorophyll for each reaction center.
Impacts of Increasing Low-Level Shear on Supercells during the Early Evening Transition*

AbstractThe dynamical response of simulated supercells to temporally increasing lower-tropospheric vertical wind shear is investigated using idealized simulations. These simulations are based upon observed soundings from two cases that underwent an early evening transition during the Second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2). Mature supercells were simulated in observed afternoon environments with moderate vertical wind shear and then compared to simulated supercells experiencing observed evening increases in lower-tropospheric shear. The primary effect of the increase in low-level shear is to establish larger values of vertical vorticity at lower altitudes in the storm’s updraft. In turn, this leads to a nonlinear increase in the updraft strength due to the enhanced dynamic pressure minimum associated with larger vorticity in the storm’s mesocyclone. This is particularly important at low levels, where it increases the storm's ability to lift cool surface air (includ...
Unequivocal evidence in support of the nonenzymatic redox coupling between glutathione/glutathione disulfide and ascorbic acid/dehydroascorbic acid

Experiments were performed to evaluate the nonenzymatic reaction between glutathione (GSH) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA). Though both ascorbic acid and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) are formed from this reaction, previous work has focused almost exclusively on measurements of ascorbic acid. In contrast, there is very little information about the formation of GSSG under the same conditions as those used to produce ascorbic acid. The emphasis on ascorbic acid stems from the fact that a spectrophotometric technique is available for its measurement, whereas 1H-NMR or an amino acid analyzer has been used to measure GSSG. The present experiments use a simple, rapid method for accurately and precisely measuring the concentrations of GSSG in a solution. The spectrophotometric (340 nm) procedure uses NADPH and glutathione reductase; analysis time is very short, many replicate samples can be tested and as little as 0.05-0.1 mM GSSG can be detected. Using this method, it is shown that there is an equimolar production of GSSG and ascorbic acid from GSH and DHA and that the decrease in GSH is stoichiometrically related to the increase in the concentration of GSSG. The present findings provide additional insight into the interaction between the GSH/GSSG redox couple and the ascorbic acid/DHA redox couple.
The brain-machine disanalogy revisited.

Michael Conrad was a pioneer in investigating biological information processing. He believed that there are fundamental lessons to be learned from the structure and behavior of biological brains that we are far from understanding or have implemented in our computers. Accumulation of advances in several fields have confirmed his views in broad outline but not necessarily in some of the strong forms he had tried to establish. For example, his assertion that programmable computers are intrinsically incapable of the brain's efficient and adaptive behavior has not received much examination. Yet, this is clearly a direction that could afford much insight into fundamental differences between brain and machine. In this paper, we pay tribute to Michael, by examining his pioneering thoughts on the brain-machine disanalogy in some depth and from the hindsight of a decade later. We argue that as long as we stay within the frame of reference of classical computation, it is not possible to confirm that programmability places a fundamental limitation on computing power, although the resources required to implement a programmable interface leave fewer resources for actual problem-solving work. However, if we abandon the classical computational frame and adopt one in which the user interacts with the system (artificial or natural) in real time, it becomes easier to examine the key attributes that Michael believed place biological brains on a higher plane of capability than artificial ones. While we then see some of these positive distinctions confirmed (e.g. the limitations of symbol manipulation systems in addressing real-world perception problems), we also see attributes in which the implementation in bioware constrains the behavior of real brains. We conclude by discussing how new insights are emerging, that look at the time-bound problem-solving constraints under which organisms have had to survive and how their so-called 'fast and frugal' faculties are tuned to the environments that coevolved with them. These directions open new paths for a multifaceted understanding of what biological brains do and what we can learn from them. We close by suggesting how the discrete event modeling and simulation paradigm offers a suitable medium for exploring these paths.
The Age of Wild Ghosts: Memory, Violence, and Place in Southwest China

The Age of Wild Ghosts: Memory, Violence, and Place in Southwest China. Erik Mueggler. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001. ix. 360 pp., illustrations, notes, references, index.
Optimum design for thermoelectric in a sub-cooled trans-critical CO 2 heat pump for data center cooling

We present an analysis and optimization of a thermoelectric (TE) assisted air-cooling vapor compression (VC) cycle heat pump chiller for datacenter cooling. The technology provides enhancement of cooling performance for a trans-critical R744 (CO2) VC cycle, especially in hot climates that have air temperatures of more than 30 °C, which exceeds the critical point of the refrigerant. Absorbing a larger enthalpy from the evaporator by subcooling with TE, the VC cycle's cooling capacity is enhanced. While a TE heat pump works effectively for a small temperature difference, the system coefficient-of-performance (COP) is significantly enhanced at a lower pressure operation condition in particular. Hence, this TE subcooling approach could provide pressure reduction while maintaining cooling capacity and COP. At the optimum in TE cooler design and operating conditions, a 12-13% improvement of maximum cooling performance is expected with the currently available TE material on the market (ZT~1.5). Since the power consumption of TE is small due to the low temperature heat pumping required, the maximum system COP also gains. The cost performance optimization of the thermoelectric subcooler is also considered. System energy performance is calculated based on an example data center for the mathematically high performance computation at Purdue University.
MRI Prediction of Islet Yield for Autologous Transplantation After Total Pancreatectomy for Chronic Pancreatitis

The relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histopathology, and islet yield was examined for chronic pancreatitis patients undergoing total pancreatectomy and autologous islet cell transplant (TP-AIT) to determine if the yield can be predicted by pre-operative MRI. MRI sequences and histopathology were scored and compared for patients from whom ≤2,500 islet equivalents/kg were obtained with those from whom >2,500 islet equivalents/kg were obtained. Twenty patients, 14 female, mean age 40.20 ± 12.5 years, (range 19–63) underwent MRI before TP-AIT; mean 3,724 ± 891 islet equivalents/kg body weight, median 2,970, (range 76–17,770) were procured. There was no correlation between islet cell numbers and pancreas weight, HgbA1c, or c-peptide. The most common MRI sequence abnormality was the delayed interstitial phase, 14/18 (78 %). The other common MRI sequence abnormalities were, precontrast T1W 3D GRE sequence, 13/19 (68 %), and the arterial perfusion phase, 11/18 (61 %). The pancreatic duct was dilated in 10/20 (50 %). Parenchymal atrophy was noted in 10/20 (50 %). Median scores for individual MRI sequences were greater in patients with an islet cell yield of ≤2,500 islet equivalents/kg; for the delayed interstitial phase the difference was significant (median 2.5, range 1–3 versus median 0.5, range 0–3, P = 0.034). Histologically the most common feature was fibrosis, (17/17, 100 %); the score for fibrosis was greater for patients with an islet cell yield of ≤2,500 islet equivalents/kg (median 6.0, range 5–7 versus median 4.0, range 3–7, P = 0.024). A diminished islet yield may be predicted on the basis of the delayed interstitial phase MRI sequence.
Surgery for Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Versus Thoracotomy Approaches to Lobectomy

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lobectomy has been touted to provide superior outcomes, compared with thoracotomy, for patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, supporting data are limited to case series and small observational studies. We hypothesized that a systematic review of the literature would enable a more objective evaluation of the evidence in order to determine the potential superiority of the VATS approach, compared with thoracotomy, in terms of short-term morbidity and long-term survival. To identify relevant articles for inclusion in our analysis, we performed a systematic review of the MEDLINE database. We looked for randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and case series that reported outcomes after VATS or thoracotomy lobectomy for NSCLC. For statistical testing, we used a two-sided approach (α = 0.05) under the hypothesis that VATS lobectomy is superior to thoracotomy lobectomy. We screened 17,923 studies. After independent review of the abstracts by 2 reviewers, we included 39 studies (only one randomized controlled trial) in our analysis. In aggregate, these 39 studies involved 3256 thoracotomy and 3114 VATS patients. The characteristics of the two groups were not significantly different. Compared with thoracotomy, VATS lobectomy was associated with shorter chest tube duration, shorter length of hospital stay, and improved survival (at 4 years after resection), all statistically significant. Compared with lobectomy performed by thoracotomy, VATS lobectomy for patients with early-stage NSCLC is appears to favor lower morbidity and improved survival rates.
Processing of Nanodiamond Loaded Poly(Lactic Acid) Co-Continuous Porous Structures

Porous poly(lactic acid) PLA materials are highly demanded as scaffolding templates in tissue engineering applications. In this study, a protocol for creating co-continuous porous PLA structures with nanodiamond (ND) as additive was investigated. First, a ternary blend of PLA/PS/ND was prepared with different mixing ratios under different mixing conditions. Next, a post annealing stage was applied to coarsen the phase structure. Finally, the PS phase was sacrificially extracted, leaving a porous matrix. The experimental results showed that ND can be an effective compatiblizer for increasing the miscibility between PS and PLA and reducing the phase size. It was further found that the post annealing conditions significantly affect the distribution of ND particles in the blend and finally in the porous PLA structure.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
A nitrosamide-specific detector for use with high-pressure liquid chromatography

Abstract A highly specific automated method for identification of nitrosamides has been developed for use in conjunction with reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The method is based on the well-known Griess reagent, and is capable of sensitivities of 0.5 nmoles of injected nitrosamide in most cases. The method may be used for analysis of nitrite, nitrosamides, nitrosocarbamates, and alkylnitrites.
Local atomic structure of PZT and PLZT studied by pulsed neutron scattering

Abstract The local atomic structure of antiferroelectric and rhombohedral ferroelectric phases of PLZT system has been examined using the atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of the pulsed neutron powder-diffraction data. Atoms were found to be locally displaced from the atomic sites of the average periodic structure by a significant amount, even in PZ. Doping PZ with ferroelectrically active Ti induces displacements of Zr atoms from the central positions resulting in the polarization of some of the ZrO6octahedra. Doping with La locally inhibits ( Zr Ti ) atoms from being displaced and disrupts ferroelectric order, resulting in relaxor behavior. It is demonstrated that the real atomic structure of PLZT is more complex than implied by crystallographic structure.
Numerical invariants of liaison classes

302 c. Huneke intersection, what properties are then enjoyed by V? For instance, Buchweitz was able to show that all such V are strongly nonobstructed. (See [5] for details.) The two questions above have been completely answered if X=Spec(R) with R a regular local ring, and if codim V--2. In this case