cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Almost Tight Approximation Algorithms for Explainable Clustering.

Recently, due to an increasing interest for transparency in artificial intelligence, several methods of explainable machine learning have been developed with the simultaneous goal of accuracy and interpretability by humans. In this paper, we study a recent framework of explainable clustering first suggested by Dasgupta et al.~\cite{dasgupta2020explainable}. Specifically, we focus on the $k$-means and $k$-medians problems and provide nearly tight upper and lower bounds. First, we provide an $O(\log k \log \log k)$-approximation algorithm for explainable $k$-medians, improving on the best known algorithm of $O(k)$~\cite{dasgupta2020explainable} and nearly matching the known $\Omega(\log k)$ lower bound~\cite{dasgupta2020explainable}. In addition, in low-dimensional spaces $d \ll \log k$, we show that our algorithm also provides an $O(d \log^2 d)$-approximate solution for explainable $k$-medians. This improves over the best known bound of $O(d \log k)$ for low dimensions~\cite{laber2021explainable}, and is a constant for constant dimensional spaces. To complement this, we show a nearly matching $\Omega(d)$ lower bound. Next, we study the $k$-means problem in this context and provide an $O(k \log k)$-approximation algorithm for explainable $k$-means, improving over the $O(k^2)$ bound of Dasgupta et al. and the $O(d k \log k)$ bound of \cite{laber2021explainable}. To complement this we provide an almost tight $\Omega(k)$ lower bound, improving over the $\Omega(\log k)$ lower bound of Dasgupta et al. Given an approximate solution to the classic $k$-means and $k$-medians, our algorithm for $k$-medians runs in time $O(kd \log^2 k )$ and our algorithm for $k$-means runs in time $ O(k^2 d)$.
Abstract 3077: Meta-analysis & Simulation Models For Cost Effectiveness and Sustainability of Telestroke

Introduction: Telestroke networks can readily address the challenges of stroke care in rural/isolated health care settings. Method: A PubMed search for all studies on “Telestroke” networks was conducted. Only English language studies from the developed world were included. A meta-analysis comparing the cost savings offered by a Telestroke networks to traditional care models for treating acute ischemic stroke patients was performed. Revenue generation from Telestroke consultations was simulated and compared to reported costs of initiation of Telestroke networks to conduct a break-even probability analysis. A sensitivity analysis was done to investigate the robustness of this model to changing variable costs of Telestroke mediated care. All costs were in 2010 US$. Results: A total of 15 Telestroke networks and 23,952 consultations were analyzed. Nearly 10.8% received IV-tPA therapy. From prior studies it was estimated that total cost savings per patient treated with IV rt-tPA was $6000 (1996 US$) after taking into account the increased hospitalization cost ($1,700 per patient), decreased average in-patient length of stay (1.5 days), decreased rehabilitation cost ($1400) and decreased nursing cost per patient ($4,800). Application of this cost saving to the Telestroke studies resulted into a total cost savings of $90,000 per 100 consultations. The average duration of consultation reported by these networks was 28.25 minutes (SD 18.86 minutes) generating average potential revenue of $48.7 per consultation as per Medicare reimbursement guidelines. The total approximate fixed costs of setup was $33,400/year/spoke site. Simulation analysis revealed that 283 patients per "spoke site" were needed to break-even upon investment costs of Telestroke, with just reimbursement of consultation costs accounting for revenue. After introducing uncertainties, the model generated a probability of 80.1% that the network would break-even on its costs within the first year of operation. Taking into account the increasing variable costs of operations and network maintenance, if the spoke-unit saw at least 283 patients annually, and if variable costs were kept below $35/patients, the Telestroke model would prove to be sustainable and cost effective. Conclusion: Telestroke appears to be a cost effective strategy with a potentially sustainable business model in delivery of health care to ischemic stroke patients.
Density Gradient Analysis of Single Polyester Fibers

The densities of single poly(ethylene terephthalate)-based commercial fibers from 14 different yarn bobbins were measured to five significant figures. The densities of three of these fibers were also measured after each of three treatments representing two different laundering methods and one outdoor exposure. The density gradient method was found to be a sensitive tool for discrimination among the yarn types when new as well as after each of the three treatments. In addition, the method was able to discriminate among fibers from the same yarn bobbin but which were in each of the four states examined. Density gradient analysis demonstrated little ability to identify the fiber type of an unknown sample. Consequently, the main value of density gradient analysis of fibers clearly lies in its ability to discriminate among fibers of similar origin.
Is the Attorney-Client Privilege Under Attack?

This short article discusses the Textron case and attorney-client privilege in foreign jurisdictions.
Time-of-flight PET with BaF/sub 2/

The available TOFPET (time-of-flight positron-emission tomography) scanners with BaF/sub 2/ have a TOF resolution of about 500 ps. The possible reasons for this can be several, including spread in the time of arrival of photons to the photocathode, transit time spread in the photomultiplier, jitter in the timing from the discriminator and the time-to-digital converters, and systematic channel-to-channel shifts. The authors have developed a Monte Carlo program to study the contribution of each of these effects to the TOF results. They simulate the interactions of 511 KeV gammas with the detector (Compton and photoelectric absorption), the emission and propagation of UV light in the crystal, and the pulse formation in the photomultiplier. The time spread due to each effect is calculated, as well as the time spread due to all these effects combined. Experimental evidence indicates that the length of the crystal has a strong effect on the light collection time spread, both due to reflections and to the exponential distribution of interaction points inside the crystal. To quantify the length effect, the authors calculated the FWHM (full-width half maximum) of the time of production of the first photoelectron on the photocathode. >
Multiparty spatial competition with probabilistic voting

I develop a general model of multiparty competition in which parties model voters' choices by means of probabilistic choice rules. The model is specified in terms of an issue salience coefficient which varies with the importance voters attach to issues, as opposed to unmeasured nonissue motivations. I show that when the policy salience coefficient is sufficiently low, then both vote-maximizing and rank-maximizing parties have a dominant strategy: to adopt the “most popular platform,” which maximizes voter utilities over the entire electorate. This most popular platform therefore represents a convergent equilibrium when all parties are vote- or rank-maximizing. Numerical estimates suggest that this equilibrium result holds for degrees of issue voting which exceed the parameters behavioral researchers have estimated for various historical elections.
THE QUESTION OF EDUCATION SCIENCE: EXPERIMENTISM VERSUS EXPERIMENTALISM

The ascendant view in the current debate about education science —experimentism— is a reassertion of the randomized experiment as the methodological gold standard. Advocates of this view have ignored, not answered, long-standing criticisms of the randomized experiment: its frequent impracticality, its lack of external validity, its confinement to a regularity conception of causality, and its externalization of politics. This article rehearses these criticisms and then adumbrates the alternative of experimentalism. In contrast to experimentism, experimentalism is expansive and variegated in its conception of scientific method, seeing methodology as itself an object of experimentation. Experimentalism also includes a central role for intentional causation and self-consciously incorporates progressive political values.
Dynamic Microtubule Ends Are Required for Growth Cone Turning to Avoid an Inhibitory Guidance Cue

Growth cone turning is an important mechanism for changing the direction of neurite elongation during development of the nervous system. Our previous study indicated that actin filament bundles at the leading margin direct the distal microtubular cytoskeleton as growth cones turn to avoid substratum-bound chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. Here, we investigated the role of microtubule dynamics in growth cone turning by using low doses of vinblastine and taxol, treatments that reduce dynamic growth and shrinkage of microtubule ends. We used time-lapse phase-contrast videomicroscopy to observe embryonic chick dorsal root ganglion neuronal growth cones as they encountered a border between fibronectin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in the presence and absence of 4 nm vinblastine or 7 nm taxol. Growth cones were fixed and immunocytochemically labeled to identify actin filaments and microtubules containing tyrosinated and detyrosinated α-tubulin. Our results show that after contact with substratum-bound chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, vinblastine- and taxol-treated growth cones did not turn, as did controls; instead, they stopped or sidestepped. Even before drug-treated growth cones contacted a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan border, they were narrower than controls, and the distal tyrosinated microtubules were less splayed and were closer to the leading edges of the growth cones. We conclude that the splayed dynamic distal ends of microtubules play a key role in the actin filament-mediated steering of growth cone microtubules to produce growth cone turning.
Fathers’ and mothers’ parenting predicting and responding to adolescent sexual risk behaviors.

Transactional models of problem behavior argue that less effective parenting and adolescent problem behaviors coevolve, exerting bidirectional influences. This article extends such models by analyzing growth trajectories of sexual risk behaviors and parenting processes among 3,206 adolescents (aged 13–18) and their residential parents. Within individuals, increases in regular family activities prospectively predicted declines in adolescents’ risky sexual activities. In contrast, increases in risky sexual activities predicted heightened father knowledge. Between-individual comparisons revealed bidirectional links between more involved parenting, particularly family activities and father knowledge, and lower adolescent risky sexual activity. Results highlight the importance of family activities as a protective force for adolescents and suggest that fathers may react differently than mothers in the face of youth problem behaviors.
Inhibition of Aspergillus fumigatus elastase with monoclonal antibodies produced by using denatured elastase as an immunogen.

In preparing monoclonal antibodies to the elastase from Aspergillus fumigatus, we found that the enzyme was weakly immunogenic in BALB/c mice. Antiserum titers were only 1:1,000 to 1:5,000, and hybridomas secreted nonspecific immunoglobulin M (IgM). Denaturing the elastase in 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate at 80 degrees C for 10 min prior to injection increased titers of antiserum against the nondenatured (native) enzyme 10-fold. Of eight hybridomas selected following immunization with the denatured enzyme, seven produced IgG reactive with the native enzyme and one produced nonspecific IgM. The nondenatured immunogen tested again yielded mainly IgM producers. Immunoblots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the IgG monoclonal antibodies were reactive with both the denatured and nondenatured fungal elastases; none cross-reacted with human neutrophil elastase, porcine pancreatic elastase, or Pseudomonas elastase. Elastase-specific polyclonal antibody produced in mice inhibited elastase activity beginning at a molar ratio (antibody to elastase) of 4:1, and activity was completely inhibited at 14.5:1. Some individual monoclonal antibodies partially inhibited elastase, but certain pairs, at a molar ratio of each antibody to elastase of 5.4:1, acted synergistically to inhibit the activity completely. Images
Cystectomy for superficial bladder cancer.

Abstract One hundred nine patients with Stage O or A bladder cancer unmanageable transurethrally underwent radical cystectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion without lymphadenectomy. Fifty-six were also given planned preoperative radiation therapy. Five-year survival rate was 76 per cent for the entire group. Irradiation eradicated all of the tumor (P o ) in 36 per cent of patients, no patient P 0 after irradiation had recurrent disease, and local recurrence was noted in only 3.5 per cent of the irradiated patients compared with 9.4 per cent of those not irradiated. Urethral cancer was present in 9 per cent of our patients, a finding that does not support our previous impression that patients with multifocal bladder cancer or tumors involving the prostatic urethra had a higher than average incidence of urethral carcinoma.
Using the Perioperative Nursing Data Set in Performance Improvement

The Perioperative Nursing Data Set (PNDS), the standardized language designed for perioperative nurses, provides the consistency of terminology, clarity of definitions, and validity and reliability of data required for benchmarking and illustrating the value-added benefits that the perioperative registered nurse brings to the patient care continuum. A case study illustrates one institution's attempt to improve postoperative pain management and decrease patients' length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit, and demonstrates the advantages of using the PNDS not only for improved documentation, but also as a valuable tool in performance improvement. Application of the PNDS to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Quality and Performance Improvement Standards is presented in detail.
Characterization and phosphorylation of CREB-like proteins in Aplysia central nervous system

Abstract Studies in Aplysia californica indicate that cAMP-mediated gene expression is necessary for long-term facilitation, a correlate of long-term memory. It has been shown that blocking the expression of cAMP-inducible genes in sensory neurons impedes long-term facilitation without any effect on short-term facilitation. Specifically, blocking the binding of CREB-like proteins or inhibiting the expression of a cAMP-inducible gene, C / EBP, impairs long-term facilitation. In this report, we show the presence of a family of CREB-like proteins in Aplysia CNS that specially bind to the CRE sequence and cross-react with rat CREB antibodies. Similar to mammalian CREB proteins, Aplysia homologues interact with each other via leucine zipper domains. This interaction can be disrupted by peptides containing the CREB leucine zipper sequence. We demonstrate that a 43 kDa CREB-like protein present in CNS extracts can be phosphorylated in vitro by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A. Moreover, exposure of ganglia to serotonin (5-HT), a transmitter involved in long-term facilitation, increases the phosphorylation of this protein. This biochemical data further supports the involvement of CREB-like proteins in memory storage.
The change in Gibbs free energy for hydrophobic association. Derivation and evaluation by means of inverse temperature transitions

Abstract The change in Gibbs free energy resulting from changes in the temperature ( T t ) and heat (Δ H t ) of an inverse temperature transition (ITT) of hydrophobic association is derived and utilized to develop a hydrophobicity scale for amino acid residues within an elastic model protein, (GVGVP) n . On raising the temperature, hydrophobic residues go from water to hydrophobic association. Using T t and Δ H t of the ITT, the change in Gibbs free energy for hydrophobic association, Δ G HA 0 , in kcal/mol-(GXGVP) where X is the guest amino acid residue, was calculated for the naturally occurring amino acid residues in PBS. Δ G HA 0 varies by more than 10 kcal/mol-(GXGVP) from the most hydrophobic tryptophan residue to the most hydrophilic glutamate residue.
Effects of hydration on the molecular structure of divalent metal ion-fulvic acid complexes: a MOPAC (PM3) study

Abstract A semi-empirical model of Suwannee River fulvic acid, based on spectroscopic and electrochemical evidence, has been used as a basis for determining the structural characteristics and computed enthalpies and entropies of both anhydrous and hydrated metal ion-fulvic acid complexes containing either magnesium, zinc, lead or cadmium. Anhydrous and hydrated versions of metal ion-phthalic acid complexes are used to model the phthalate binding site in fulvic acid. The hydrated metal ion-phthalic acid complexes with the lowest enthalpies of formation are those with carbonyl carbons pointing in the same direction relative to the benzene ring ( cis ). This result is also observed for the phthalate binding site in hydrated metal ion-fulvic acid complexes. The entropies of complex formation for both the anhydrous and hydrated metal ion-fulvic acid complexes are similar within each type of di-substituted metal ion-fulvic acid complex. Standard enthalpies of formation are an indicator of the relative strength of metal ion binding for both metal ion-phthalic acid and metal ion-fulvic acid complexes.
Skeletal muscle myofilament adaptations to aging, disease, and disuse and their effects on whole muscle performance in older adult humans.

Skeletal muscle contractile function declines with aging, disease and disuse. In vivo muscle contractile function depends on a variety of factors, but force, contractile velocity and power generating capacity ultimately derive from the summed contribution of single muscle fibers. The contractile performance of these fibers are, in turn, dependent upon the isoform and function of myofilament proteins they express, with myosin protein expression and its mechanical and kinetic characteristics playing a predominant role. Alterations in myofilament protein biology, therefore, may contribute to the development of functional limitations and disability in these conditions. Recent studies suggest that these conditions are associated with altered single fiber performance due to decreased expression of myofilament proteins and/or changes in myosin-actin cross-bridge interactions. Furthermore, cellular and myofilament-level adaptations are related to diminished whole muscle and whole body performance. Notably, the effect of these various conditions on myofilament and single fiber function tends to be larger in older women compared to older men, which may partially contribute to their higher rates of disability. To maintain functionality and provide the most appropriate and effective countermeasures to aging, disease and disuse in both sexes, a more thorough understanding is needed of the contribution of myofilament adaptations to functional disability in older men and women and their contribution to tissue level function and mobility impairment.
Plasmonic superlattices: Hierarchical subwavelength hole arrays

This Letter describes the dispersion properties of plasmonic lattices consisting of near-infinite arrays and superlattices (patches) of nanoholes in thin gold films. Zero-order, optical transmission spectra of the plasmonic lattices revealed that compared to the near-infinite arrays, the superlattices showed new resonances that depended on the separation between patches. Theoretical calculations were in good agreement with the measurements and identified the origins of the additional transmission peaks. Surface plasmon dispersion diagrams were also measured, and the superlattices were found to exhibit satellite-bands around the primary (intra-patch) surface plasmon polariton modes that were not present in the near-infinite nanohole arrays.
The Turbulent Boundary Layer at a Plane of Symmetry in a Three-Dimensional Flow

Methods for treating a turbulent three-dimensional boundary layer at a plane of symmetry are presented. Reasonable agreement with experiment was achieved by the use of momentum integral techniques in the prediction of momentum thickness, shape factor, wall shear stress, and the location of separation.
Gendered Realities: Exploring Property Ownership and Tenancy Relationships in Urban India

Summary Gender is emerging as a central analytical construct in exploring landed property ownership and tenancy relationships in India. This article explores the nature of land tenure and landed property rights in slums in India from a gender perspective. The author raises key issues that need consideration in developing a gendered vision of urban land rights, tenure, and reform by documenting some of the central findings of her field research conducted in slums in Ahmedabad, India, in collaboration with the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). In each case, the author also draws out policy recommendations for redressing discrepancies in women’s ownership of urban land and housing.
Towards Optimal Indexing for Relevance Feedback in Large Image Databases

Motivated by the need to efficiently leverage user relevance feedback in content-based retrieval from image databases, we propose a fast, clustering-based indexing technique for exact nearest-neighbor search that adapts to the Mahalanobis distance with a varying weight matrix. We derive a basic property of point-to-hyperplane Mahalanobis distance, which enables efficient recalculation of such distances as the Mahalanobis weight matrix is varied. This property is exploited to recalculate bounds on query-cluster distances via projection on known separating hyperplanes (available from the underlying clustering procedure), to effectively eliminate noncompetitive clusters from the search and to retrieve clusters in increasing order of (the appropriate) distance from the query. We compare performance with an existing variant of VA-File indexing designed for relevance feedback, and observe considerable gains.
Abstract C23: MicroRNA-106b targets caspase-7 and is associated with recurrence in human prostate cancer

Previously, we found several microRNA (miR) of the polycistronic miR-106b-25 cluster to be elevated in prostate cancer. This cluster is a homolog to the prototypical oncomiR-1 (miR-17-92) and is thought to act as a super-oncogene when co-amplified with its host gene minichromosome complex maintenance component 7 (MCM7). In this study we validated our previous findings in an independent prostate cancer dataset and further found that miR-106b is elevated in metastatic tissues and associated with disease recurrence. Genome-wide analysis of miR-106b-25 correlated transcripts revealed enrichment of focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction genes. Further, we found miR-106b target enrichment in transcripts that were protective against recurrence, suggesting that miR-106b targets collectively have a functionally protective role in the recurrence of prostate cancer. In cell based assays, overexpression of miR-106b increased proliferation, adhesion-free survival, soft agar survival, and adhesion to ECM components (laminin, and collagen type I and IV). In addition, microarray analysis showed that miR-106b down-regulated transcripts were enriched for miR-106b targets sites and cell death pathways genes. When we compared genes that were related to recurrence, altered by miR-106b, and predicted to have miR-106b 3′UTR target sites we identified CASP7, a central executioner of apoptosis. Corroborating these findings we found that the expression of CASP7 was consistently reduced in primary human prostate tumors and metastatic lesions across multiple prostate cancer datasets, and is by itself a candidate predictor of disease recurrence. Western blot analysis in RWPE-1, 22Rv1, and LNCaP prostate cells showed that miR-106b was capable of reducing CASP7 protein levels. Direct targeting of the CASP7 3′UTR by miR-106b was confirmed using wild-type and mutant 3′UTR luciferase reporter assays. This research reveals a novel oncogenic role for the miR-106b-25 cluster in prostate cancer and, for the first time, indentifies CASP7 as a direct target of miR-106b. Future work is aimed at understanding the role of miR-106b-dependent regulation of CASP7 and the possible utility of targeting miR-106b as novel therapy for prostate cancer. Citation Format: Robert S. Hudson, Tiffany H. Dorsey, Ming Yi, Dominic Esposito, Robert M. Stephens, Carlo M. Croce, Stefan Ambs. MicroRNA-106b targets caspase-7 and is associated with recurrence in human prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr C23.
On the equality of norm groups of global fields

Abstract Let k be a global field. In an earlier work we proved that K ⊆ L iff N L k L ∗ ⊆ N K k K ∗ for any finite Galois extensions K , L of k . In this paper we investigate the equality of norm groups corresponding to finite separable extensions of k . Let K , L be extensions of k contained in a finite Galois extension E of k . We prove that N K k K ∗ is almost contained in N L k L ∗ (i.e., the intersection of the norm groups is a subgroup of finite index in N K k K ∗ ) iff every element of G( E K ) of prime power order is a conjugate of an element of G( E L ) in G( E k ) . This criterion yields a number of interesting corollaries; some of these are the following. Every norm group is a subgroup of infinite index in k ∗ . If N K k K ∗ ⊆ N L k L ∗ , then the normal core of L k is contained in the normal core of K k . Furthermore, if K , L are contained in a finite nilpotent extension of k , then N K k K ∗ = N L k L ∗ implies that K , L have the same normal closure over k . We also show that for any cubic Galois extension L k there exist an infinite number of quadratic extensions K of L with N K k K ∗ = N L k L ∗ . In an earlier paper we proved that two norm forms associated with two Galois extensions of k are equivalent (over k ) iff they have the same value set. In this paper we prove that this result is true for any pair of norm forms f , g with deg f = deg g ≤ 5. We also show that there exists a pair of nonequivalent norm forms of degree 6 with equal value sets.
Allocation of Generation Ramping to Reduce Transmission Line Overloads

Determining the appropriate response to multiple transmission line overloads is considered from the viewpoint of allocating the generation ramping. The formulation, called the rate allocation problem, has the objective of maximizing a weighted sum of the rates at which the individual overloads are reduced. The weight coefficients are chosen to reflect the relative urgency of alleviating the overloads. An algorithm is proposed for solving the problem, some properties useful for on-line applications are discussed, and the concepts are illustrated with an example.
Two-dimensional multi-criterion segmentation of pulmonary nodules on helical CT images.

A multi-criterion algorithm for automatic delineation of small pulmonary nodules on helical CTimages has been developed. In a slice-by-slice manner, the algorithm uses density, gradient strength, and a shape constraint of the nodule to automatically control segmentation process. The multiple criteria applied to separation of the nodule from its surrounding structures in lung are based on the fact that typical small pulmonary nodules on CTimages have high densities, show a distinct difference in density at the boundary, and tend to be compact in shape. Prior to the segmentation, a region-of-interest containing the nodule is manually selected on the CTimages. Then the segmentation process begins with a high density threshold that is decreased stepwise, resulting in expansion of the area of nodule candidates. This progressive region growing approach is terminated when subsequent thresholds provide either a diminished gradient strength of the nodule contour or significant changes of nodule shape from the compact form. The shape criterion added to the algorithm can effectively prevent the high density surrounding structures (e.g., blood vessels) from being falsely segmented as nodule, which occurs frequently when only the gradient strength criterion is applied. This has been demonstrated by examples given in the Results section. The algorithm’s accuracy has been compared with that of radiologist’s manual segmentation, and no statistically significant difference has been found between the nodule areas delineated by radiologist and those obtained by the multi-criterion algorithm. The improved nodule boundary allows for more accurate assessment of nodule size and hence nodule growth over a short time period, and for better characterization of nodule edges. This information is useful in determining malignancy status of a nodule at an early stage and thus provides significant guidance for further clinical management.
Crack Growth Resistance of Textured Alumina

The crack growth resistance of a textured, extruded alumina body was compared with that of anisotropic, isopressed body of similar grain size, density, and chemistry. R-curve levels reflected the preferred orientation; however, R-curve slopes were the same in all instances, implying a similar crack growth-resistive mechanism. Three orthogonal orientations of crack growth in the two structures exhibited similar forms of K(IR) versus Delta-a curves, for which a schematic diagram for polycrystalline ceramics is proposed.
Secondary Stroke Prevention in the Era of Carotid Stenting: Update on Recent Trials

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional therapy for extracranial carotid artery occlusive disease, a significant risk factor for stroke, consists of optimal medical management and selective surgical treatment with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for stroke risk reduction. Buoyed by the widespread application of percutaneous interventions for the treatment of coronary artery disease, carotid artery stenting (CAS) has steadily developed during the past decade as an alternative to CEA for patients who might benefit from surgical treatment. With greater operator experience have come advances in CAS techniques and patient selection criteria, and several single-center studies and industry-sponsored stent registries have demonstrated excellent results for CAS, especially compared with the landmark randomized CEA trials of the 1980s. Nevertheless, CAS has emerged as one of the most controversial procedures in the era of modern medicine, and recently published randomized trials from Europe have only stoked the fires of controversy. This study reviews the best available data for CAS as an alternative therapy to CEA for stroke risk reduction and gives an overview of eagerly anticipated large randomized trials.
Professor Age Affects Student Ratings: Halo Effect for Younger Teachers

Student evaluations of teaching provide valued information about teaching effectiveness, and studies support the reliability and validity of such measures. However, research also illustrates potential moderation of student perceptions based on teacher gender, attractiveness, and even age, although the latter receives little research attention. In the present study, we examined the potential effects of professor age and gender on student perceptions of the teacher as well as their anticipated rapport in the classroom. We also asked students to rate each instructor's attractiveness based on societal beliefs about age and beauty. We expected students to rate a picture of a middle-aged female professor more negatively (and less attractive) than the younger version of the same woman. For the young versus old man offered in a photograph, we expected no age effects. Although age served as a detriment for both genders, evaluations suffered more based on aging for female than male professors.
The role of the macrophage scavenger receptor in immune stimulation by bacterial DNA and synthetic oligonucleotides.

Summary To assess the role of the macrophage scavenger receptor type A (SRA) in immune activation by CpG DNA, cytokine induction and DNA uptake were tested in vitro and in vivo using SRA knockout (SRA−/−) and wild type (WT) mice. As a source of CpG DNA, Escherichia coli DNA (EC DNA) and a 20-mer phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide with two CpG motifs (CpG ODN) were used. In vitro, both EC DNA and the CpG ODN induced dose-dependent increases of interleukin (IL)-12 production by spleen cells and bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMMΦ) from both SRA−/− and WT mice. The levels of cytokines produced by SRA−/− spleen cells and BMMΦ were similar to those of WT spleen cells and BMMΦ. When injected intravenously with CpG ODN and EC DNA, both SRA−/− and WT mice showed elevated serum levels of IL-12. To investigate further the role of the SRA, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy were performed to examine the uptake of fluorescently labelled oligonucleotides. SRA−/− and WT BMMΦ showed similarity in the extent of uptake and distribution of oligonucleotides as assessed by these two techniques. Together, these findings indicate that, while the SRA may bind DNA, this receptor is not essential for the uptake of CpG DNA or its immunostimulatory activity.
Sex Differences in the Structure of Intelligence: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Abstract The LISREL model of Joreskog and Sorbom was used to perform a comparative factor analysis on intelligence data from four sex by generation groups. The covariance matrices for 10 psychometric ability measures were used to isolate Spatial and Verbal Intelligence factors. Results from a series of factor analysis models indicated substantial invariance in the factor pattern and factor covariance matrices, although the hypothesis of complete invariance in factor pattern was rejected. The groups did differ in observed and unique variances. The results were basically consistent with the hypothesis that males and females have similar intellectual structure, which would have been obscured had standardized factor analysis been employed. There were also sex and generation differences in the Spatial and Verbal factor means.
Active Vibration Control With Modified Positive Position Feedback

A novel active vibration control technique based on positive position feedback method is developed. This method, which is a modified version of positive position feedback, employs a first-order compensator that provides damping control and a second-order compensator for vibration suppression. In contrast, conventional positive position feedback uses a single second-order compensator. The technique is useful for strain-based sensors and can be applied to piezoelectrically controlled systems. After introducing the concept of modified positive position feedback, this paper investigates the stability of the new method for locating gain limits. Stability conditions are global and independent of the dynamical characteristics of the open-loop system. Using root locus plots, proper compensator frequency is identified and damping of the closed-loop system is studied. The performance of the modified positive position feedback for both steady-state and transient dynamic control is studied. The experimental and numerical results show that the proposed method is significantly more effective in controlling steady-state response and slightly advantageous for transient dynamics control, as compared with conventional positive position feedback.
Analysis of glycopeptides as borate complexes by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract A new method using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in a Tris-borate buffer to analyze Pronase-derived glycopeptides is described. Examination of immunoglobulin, Sindbis virus, and ovalbumin-radiolabeled glycopeptides by this system demonstrates a pattern similar to that seen after Bio-Gel-P-6 chromatography and, in addition, exposes a heterogeneity in the immunoglobulin and Sindbis virus glycopeptides not apparent after gel filtration. The resolution of glycopeptides by gel electrophoresis depends on the inclusion of borate ions in the sample, the gel, and the electrophoresis buffer. The borate ions react with neutral sugars, converting them to charged complexes which migrate during electrophoresis. The number of borate ions bound to a glycopeptide is a function of the composition, sequence, and linkages of the carbohydrates. Gel electrophoresis of glycopeptides in a borate buffer has several advantages: (1) The method requires no new equipment or special skills beyond those necessary for conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; (2) when performed on a slab gel, up to 24 samples can be analyzed simultaneously; and (3) since detection is by radio-autography, small amounts of radiolabeled glycopeptides can be visualized by prolonging the exposure time. These characteristics are advantageous for studies of glycopeptides based on digestion products resulting from incubations with specific exo- and endo-glycosidases. Untreated glycopeptides have been compared on the same gel with glycopeptides sequentially treated with different glycosidases to gain structural information.
Comparative Anatomy of 16-S-like Ribosomal RNA

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the range of the variation of secondary structure among the 16-S-like rRNAs. This brings into a larger structural context a recent detailed analysis of the individual helical elements and provides a basis for an accurate alignment of the corresponding regions of different primary structures. Computer-assisted comparative is used in the analysis of aligned sequences to describe the pattern of phylogenetic conservation for each nucleotide position in 16-S rRNA. A search for matching patterns among unpaired positions in the RNA chain then produces a list of candidates for potential base–base tertiary interactions. The completion of nucleotide sequences for 34 16-S-like rRNAs includes 4 eubacteria, 4 chloroplasts, 12 mitochondria, 4 archaebacteria, and 10 eukaryotes. Secondary structure models for these molecules have been developed in the course of refinement of the E. coli model, and have been used to arrive at improved sequence alignments for the 16-S-like rRNAs. Schematic drawings of (1) eubacterial, (2) archaebacterial, (3) eukaryotic cytoplasmic, (4) plant mitochondrial, (5) fungal mitochondrial, and (6) mammalian mitochondrial structures are shown in the chapter.
Polymorphic Blocks: Formalism-Inspired UI for Structured Connectors

We present a novel block-based UI called Polymorphic Blocks, in which a connector's shape visually represents the structure of the data being passed through the connector. We use Polymorphic Blocks to add visual type information to block-based programming environments like Blockly or Scratch. We also use Polymorphic Blocks to represent logical proofs. In this context, if we erase all symbols, our UI becomes a puzzle game, where solving the puzzle amounts to building a proof. We show through a user study that our Logical Puzzle Game is faster, more fun, and more engaging than an equivalent pen-and-paper interface.
An approach to the automatic construction of global thesauri

Abstract The benefits of a well constructed thesaurus to an information retrieval system have long been recognized by both researchers and practitioners in the field. Previous experiments have investigated the construction of thesauri by manual, semiautomatic, and automatic means. Automatic thesaurus generation in particular has proven to be an especially difficult problem. This paper examines both early and current approaches to automatic thesaurus construction and describes an approach to the automatic generation of global thesauri based on the term discrimination value model of Salton, Yang, and Yu and on an appropriate clustering algorithm. This method has been implemented and applied to two document collections. Preliminary results indicate that this method, which produces improvements in retrieval performance in excess of 10 and 15 percent in the test collections, is viable and worthy of continued investigation.
Interfacial Tension and Fiber Lifetime of Ionomer‐Compatibilized Blends Investigated by Embedded Fiber Retraction

Embedded fiber retraction was used to investigate the interfacial tension and fiber lifetime of an immiscible polyester/polyamide system, with and without ionic functionality incorporated onto the ...
Certain aspects of renal function in myxedema

Abstract The patient with myxedema may have several abnormalities in renal func- tion. Glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow may be reduced. Maximum tubular capacity for the excretion of Diodrast or para-aminohippurate may be reduced. The ability to excrete administered water is limited in patients with myxedema although not to the same extent as it is in patients with hypopitui- tarism. The difference in the ability to excrete water in these two conditions may be employed as a test to differentiate one from the other. Although the mecha- nisms for impaired diuretic response to administered water in patients with pri- mary myxedema are not entirely known, the defect may be attributed to a re- duction in glomerular filtration rate. While there is evidence that the patient with primary myxedema accumulates excess sodium in the body, relatively little is known about the mechanism whereby this is accomplished. In particular, relatively little is known about the role of the kidney in this regard.
Infrared: A New Approach for Higher Reliability

This paper contains some of the essential data of the oral presentation, which in turn summarizes the results of three years of work performed by the author in this field.
Coordinate Expression of the Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter and Choline Acetyltransferase Following Septohippocampal Pathway Lesions

The gene for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) was recently cloned and found to be located within a 5' noncoding intron of the gene for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). There appear to be several shared and unique promoters for each gene, suggesting that control of expression of these two genes can be either coordinated or independent. Two lesions, axotomy and immunotoxin, directed at the well defined septohippocampal cholinergic pathway were used to determine VAChT and ChAT protein expression in the degenerating terminal fields in the hippocampus and the cell bodies of the medial septum nucleus after injury. Two weeks after lesioning, decreases of up to 90% in VAChT were found in the affected hippocampus by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry, similar to ChAT activity. The number of VAChT- and ChAT-immunopositive neurons in the medial septum decreased by up to 95%. Eight weeks following axotomy, the number of VAChT- and ChAT-immunopositive neurons had increased to almost 50% in fimbria-fornix-lesioned animals, indicating coordinate reexpression of both cholinergic markers in recovered neurons. There was no recovery of either VAChT or ChAT immunoreactivity after the irreversible immunotoxin lesions. Thus, with use of immunological techniques, there appears to be coordinate expression of VAChT and ChAT in the septohippocampal pathway following either unilateral fimbria-fornix or bilateral immunotoxin lesion.
PGE2-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase of a murine macrophage-like cell line (P388D1)

Abstract The mode of PGE 2 -induced desensitization of the adenylate cyclase of a murine macrophage-like cell line, P388D 1 was investigated. The exposure of cells to PGE 2 for 60 min induced PGE 2 -specific desensitization of the adenylate cyclase system which still responded normally to other specific ligand such as isoproterenol, 5′-guanylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), or forskolin. The exposure of the cells to PGE 2 for 6 hr induced heterologous desensitization, as the responses of adenylate cyclase to PGE 2 as well as to isoproterenol or Gpp(NH)p were significantly reduced. The lowest concentration of PGE 2 to induce both early homologous and late heterologous desensitization was found to be about two-fold over the K D of the low affinity PGE 2 -binding sites of P388D 1 cells. The early homologous desensitization appeared to be due in part to the reduction in number of PGE 2 receptors from the cell surface. The late heterologous desensitization may involve functional and/or structural alteration of Gs proteins, in addition to the reduction of PGE 2 receptors from the cell surface.
A note on Soviet foreign trade statistics

(1959). A note on Soviet foreign trade statistics. Soviet Studies: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 360-369.
Prandtl number effects on the stability of natural convection between spherical shells

Abstract An analysis of the effect of the Prandtl number on the linear stability of axisymmetric ( m = 0) disturbances on steady natural convection contained between two concentric spherical shells when the gap is narrow are presented. The disturbance equations are solved using a truncated spectral series. Convergence of the series is examined. Prandtl numbers range from 0 to 100 while the relative gap-width is either 0.100, 0.075, or 0.050. Results confirm the hypothesis that experimentally observed changes in the basic motion for certain flow parameters are due to its instability and indicate that for any Prandtl number larger than a transition value, the unstable flows evolve to a steady pattern while for smaller Prandtl numbers the bifurcated flows are time periodic.