cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Target cells for dihydrotestosterone in the guinea pig, pituitary gland

Adult male guinea pigs were castrated and 24 h later injected with [3H]dihydrotestosterone. Their pituitary glands were then processed for autoradiographic and immunocytochemical analyses. Three percent of the parenchymal cells in the pars distalis were radiolabelled. These cells were primarily gonadotrophs; a small population of thyrotrophs were also found to retain the [3H]androgen. Labelling occurred in cells of the pars intermedia (3.2%) as well as in 9.6% of the pituicytes. These data indicate that in addition to gonadotrophs, the pars nervosa is a major target for dihydrotestosterone in the guinea pig pituitary gland.
Nonnarcotic Analgesics and Hypertension

In 2004, individuals in the United States spent >$2.5 billion on over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and filled >100 million NSAID prescriptions. The most commonly used OTC analgesics include aspirin, acetaminophen, and nonaspirin NSAIDs. Nonnarcotic analgesics are generally considered safe when used as directed but do have the potential to increase blood pressure in patients with hypertension treated with antihypertensives. This is important because hypertension alone has been correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke. Small increases in blood pressure in patients with hypertension also have been shown to increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, when nonnarcotic analgesics are taken by patients with hypertension, there may be important implications. This review explores the potential connection among analgesic agents, blood pressure, and hypertension, and discusses possible mechanisms by which analgesics might cause increases in blood pressure. This is followed by a summary of data on the relation between analgesics and blood pressure from both observational and randomized trials.
The Human Immune Response to Streptococcal Extracellular Antigens: Clinical, Diagnostic, and Potential Pathogenetic Implications

Background Determination of an immune response to group A Streptococcus (GAS) antigens, frequently anti-streptolysin O and anti-DNase B, is crucial for documentation of bona fide GAS infection. Although the importance of immunologic confirmation of infection is widely accepted, the immediate and long-term immunokinetics of the human antibody response are incompletely documented and poorly understood. Methods Pediatric study participants (n = 160) were followed during a 2-year study with monthly throat cultures (n = 3491) and blood samples (n = 1679) obtained every 13 weeks. Recovered GAS were characterized; serum anti-streptolysin O and anti-DNase B antibody titers were determined. Antibody titers and GAS culture results were temporally correlated and analyzed. Results The analyses clearly document, in some instances for the first time, that an increase in antibody titer more accurately defines infection than does an absolute titer (eg, "upper limit of normal"), that antibody titers can remain elevated for many months even without GAS, and that some individuals may harbor GAS continuously for months or years without symptoms of infection and without an associated immune response. Measuring 2 different antibodies is more accurate in defining infection. Conclusions Single time-point cultures and single antibody titers are often misleading. Sequential samples more accurately define infection, allowing correlation of titer increases with temporal confirmation of GAS acquisition. Understanding kinetics of the immune response(s) to GAS infection is necessary in formulating accurate clinical diagnostic conclusions, to appropriate design of clinical and epidemiological studies examining the association of GAS with subsequent sequelae, and to providing insight into pathogenetic mechanisms associated with this important human pathogen.
Presidential and Congressional Voters Compared

Turnout in midterm elections is about 18% lower than turnout in presidential contests. No scholars have explored in detail which types of people are most affected by this less salient electoral context. In this article we examine the similarities and differences between the 1972 and 1974 voters. We address this question with data from the Current Population Surveys conducted by the Bureau of the Census in November 1972 and November 1974. Because of the very large number of respondents, we are able to make unusually precise estimates of the effect of particular demographic variables on voting. The most prominent characteristic of a midterm election is its lower turnout; education, occupation, and income are equally strong predictors of turnout as in presidential contests. Contrary to the prevailing wisdom, the demographic composition of the midterm electorate (with the exception of age) is virtually the same as the larger presidential year electorate.
Early Detection of Poor Adherers to Statins: Applying Individualized Surveillance to Pay for Performance

Background Medication nonadherence costs $300 billion annually in the US. Medicare Advantage plans have a financial incentive to increase medication adherence among members because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now awards substantive bonus payments to such plans, based in part on population adherence to chronic medications. We sought to build an individualized surveillance model that detects early which beneficiaries will fall below the CMS adherence threshold. Methods This was a retrospective study of over 210,000 beneficiaries initiating statins, in a database of private insurance claims, from 2008-2011. A logistic regression model was constructed to use statin adherence from initiation to day 90 to predict beneficiaries who would not meet the CMS measure of proportion of days covered 0.8 or above, from day 91 to 365. The model controlled for 15 additional characteristics. In a sensitivity analysis, we varied the number of days of adherence data used for prediction. Results Lower adherence in the first 90 days was the strongest predictor of one-year nonadherence, with an odds ratio of 25.0 (95% confidence interval 23.7-26.5) for poor adherence at one year. The model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80. Sensitivity analysis revealed that predictions of comparable accuracy could be made only 40 days after statin initiation. When members with 30-day supplies for their first statin fill had predictions made at 40 days, and members with 90-day supplies for their first fill had predictions made at 100 days, poor adherence could be predicted with 86% positive predictive value. Conclusions To preserve their Medicare Star ratings, plan managers should identify or develop effective programs to improve adherence. An individualized surveillance approach can be used to target members who would most benefit, recognizing the tradeoff between improved model performance over time and the advantage of earlier detection.
Automatic Spacecraft Detumbling by Internal Mass Motion

In the operation of future manned space vehicles, there will always be a finite probability that an accident will occur which results in uncontrolled tumbling of a craft. Hard docking by a manned rescue vehicle is not acceptable because of the hazardous environment to which rescue crewmen would be exposed and excessive maneuvering accelerations during docking operations. A movable-mass control concept, which is activated upon initiation of tumbling and is autonomous, can convert tumbling motion into simple spin. The complete equations of motion for an asymmetric rigid spacecraft containing a movable mass are presented, and appropriate control law and system parameters are selected to minimize kinetic energy, resulting in simple spin about the major principal axis. Simulations indicate that for a large space station experiencing a collision, which results in tumbling, a 1% movable mass is capable of stabilizing motion in 2 hr.
Cross-Border M&As by Chinese Companies in Advanced Countries: Antecedents and Implications

Theoretically grounded in the ownership, location, and internalization (OLI) paradigm and institutional theory, this article investigates major macro-level factors that determine cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBMAs) by Chinese firms in developed markets. Using panel data of Chinese CBMA deals in developed markets from 1996 to 2012, we found that market size, natural resources, and strategic assets of host advanced economies positively affected the number of Chinese CBMAs in the developed markets. With regard to institutional variables, the overall economic freedom of host countries positively affected Chinese CBMAs, whereas the host government effectiveness negatively influenced the number of Chinese CBMAs. Furthermore, the above hypothesized effects were significantly strengthened by the home country's government involvement mainly through ownership. Finally, we found that significant factors to explain Chinese overall outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) are not necessarily applicable to explain Chinese CBMAs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study on optimal pattern recognition filters implementable on spatial light modulators with annular response regions

Studies on optical pattern recognition filters concern the use of spatial light modulators (SLMs) having unconstrained response regions or infinite contrast ratios. In this paper, constrained optimal saturated filters (SFs) are designed to accommodate two dimensional SLMs having annular response regions with finite contrast ratios. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is used as the performance criterion in evaluating the performance of these filters. A further study is made on optimal saturated filters (OSFs) with multiple response regions and suboptimal saturated filters (sub-OSFs). Simulation results are also given. >
The Supply of Environmentalism: Psychological Interventions and Economics

AbstractLong before behavioral economists began to combine economic theory with discoveries from psychology, environmentalists were nudging and framing and pushing their cause through psychological...
1024 X 1024 Format Pixel Co-Located Simultaneously Readable Dual-Band QWIP Focal Plane

Abstract This paper reports the first demonstration of the megapixel-simultaneously-readable and pixel-co-registered dual-band quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal plane array (FPA). The dual-band QWIP device was developed by stacking two multi-quantum-well stacks tuned to absorb two different infrared wavelengths. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) band extends from 4.4 to 5.1 μm and the FWHM of a long-wave infrared (LWIR) band extends from 7.8 to 8.8 μm. Dual-band QWIP detector arrays were hybridized with custom fabricated direct injection read out integrated circuits (ROICs) using the indium bump hybridization technique. The initial dual-band megapixel QWIP FPAs were cooled to 70 K operating temperature. The preliminary data taken from the first megapixel QWIP FPA has shown system NEΔT of 27 and 40 mK for MWIR and LWIR bands, respectively.
Scrotal calcinosis: Is the cause still unknown?

Abstract Scrotal calcinosis is a rare benign entity of calcified nodules within the scrotal skin. We describe a healthy 25-year-old man with multiple asymptomatic calcified nodules restricted to the scrotum. Histologic studies of multiple nodules showed calcium deposition, and basophilic material with sparse inflammation surrounded by a fibrous capsule. Because the intensive evaluation of our patient failed to reveal a cause, an analysis of all 123 cases found in the literature was conducted. Several plausible origins for scrotal calcinosis are disclosed; however, pathogenesis of this condition remains equivocal and controversial. The most common treatment option is excision of the affected nodules. Our report underscores the need for further investigation of this florid and bizarre disorder.
A contextualized project-based approach for improving student engagement and learning in AI courses

Project MLeXAI, Machine Learning Experiences in Artificial Intelligence, is a multi-institutional project that has been funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The goal is to develop a framework for teaching core Artificial Intelligence (AI) topics with a unifying theme of machine learning. The objectives are to enhance student learning experiences in the AI course by implementing a unifying theme of machine learning to tie together the diverse and seemingly disconnected topics in the AI course, to increase student interest and motivation to learn AI, and to introduce students to an increasingly important research area. To that end, a suite of hands-on term-long projects and associated curricular modules have been developed. Each project involves the design and implementation of a learning system which enhances a particular commonly-deployed AI application. In addition, the projects provide students with an opportunity to address not only core AI topics but also many of the issues central to computer science, including algorithmic complexity and scalability problems.Phase I of the project involved the development and testing of a prototype at three institutions: a small liberal arts college, a medium comprehensive university, and a state university. Phase II builds on phase I work and involves further development and testing of an adaptable framework for the presentation of core AI through a unifying theme of machine learning. The goal of phase II was to increase the number of modules and expand the implementation and testing to include a larger and more diverse set of colleges and universities.In this paper we present results of phase II assessment of the collaborative development, dissemination, and separate testing of the projects at the institutions of twenty participating faculty members. The institutions are geographically dispersed and represent a broad range of institutions and student body.
ETDs, NDLTD, and open access: a 5S perspective

Iniciativas internacionais para o suporte de teses e dissertacoes eletronicas (ETDs) atraves de bibliotecas digitais (DL), facilitadas pelo trabalho da Biblioteca Digital em Rede de Teses e Dissertacoes (NDLTD), sao um fato chave no caminho ao acesso aberto. Quando os alunos de pos-graduacao aprenderem a usar as ETDs disponiveis e tiverem experimentado a criacao e a submissao dos trabalhos resultantes de suas pesquisas, eles serao participantes ativos nos repositorios institucionais e no acesso aberto. Ao mesmo tempo, poderao se engajar nas discussoes e na criacao de infraestrutura que suporte o crescimento do acesso aberto. A compreensao do acesso aberto pode ser facilitada pela modelagem 5S aplicada aos aspectos fundamentais das bibliotecas digitais: Societies (Sociedades), Scenarios (Cenarios), Spaces (Espacos), Structures (Estruturas) e Streams (Correntes).
Diversification Benefits from Foreign Real Estate Investments

Executive Summary. Previous research has questioned the stability of international equity diversification. This study examines whether foreign real estate exists in a more segmented market and whet...
State and Local Government Finance: The New Fiscal Ice Age

The Great Recession that began in late 2007 had devastating consequences for the fiscal health of state and local governments, and many remain in a precarious financial position. Several cities have declared bankruptcy, and more will do so in coming years. The future, however, promises no long-term relief. Due primarily to the aging population of the United States, state and local governments are allocating large and increasing shares of their budgets to expenditures on Medicaid and on retirement benefits that they have promised to their past and current employees. As these expenditures consume more of their budgets, there is less to spend on transportation, parks and recreation, education, public safety, and all the other services that these governments provide. We are thus experiencing the onset of a New Fiscal Ice Age, a period in which a given level of tax revenue purchases a considerably lower level of current services.
Design of an experimental facility to study convection in liquid lithium

Liquid lithium has been proposed as a possible material for both the first wall and the divertor/limiter of a fusion device. Recent experiments on the CDX-U device show that lithium can absorb a surface heat flux of greater than 40(MW/m2) with negligible evaporation. Observation of a focused electron beam hitting solid lithium in the CDX-U lithium tray saw melting of a large section and induced flows. It is believed that these flows redistributed the incident power flux. This paper presents the design of an experiment which will diagnose the flows induced by an intense heat flux onto a lithium pool and measure the maximum heat flux lithium can absorb with applied magnetic fields. A simplified analytical treatment of the expected fluid flow magnitude with increasing magnetic field and surface thermal gradient is shown. Experimental results of the system electron beam source are also shown. These results are the first step in the creation of an experimental facility to study the heat transfer capabilities of free-surface liquid lithium at the University of Illinois.
Increased expression of hypothalamic leptin receptor and adiponectin accompany resistance to dietary-induced obesity and infertility in female C57BL/6J mice

Obesity is strongly associated with female infertility, but the mechanisms underlying this relationship are largely unknown. We investigated the effect of increasing dietary fat percentage upon body mass, hypothalamic neuropeptide gene expression, adipose hormone secretion and fertility in females of the inbred mouse strains C57BL/6J and DBA/2J. To assess the effect of obesity independent of dietary influence, we also compared these parameters in wild-type female C57BL/6J mice to those congenic for the obesogenic mutations ob/ob and Ay/a. After 24 weeks, rather than exhibiting an obese, leptin-resistant phenotype like their female DBA/2J counterparts, wild-type female C57BL/6J mice remained lean, fertile and manifested increased hypothalamic LEPR-B expression. Although both mutant genotypes were associated with obesity and subfertility, ob/ob mice demonstrated significantly increased hypothalamic LEPR-B expression, whereas Ay/a mice had a significant reduction. Interestingly, wild-type female C57BL/6J mice were noted to manifest significantly higher and lower levels of adiponectin and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (tPAI-1), respectively, than weight-matched wild-type female DBA/2J mice. We conclude that (1) resistance to the obese-infertile phenotype in female C57BL/6J mice is associated with increased hypothalamic leptin receptor expression and alterations in adipokine levels consistent with decreased adipose tissue inflammation and (2) that long-standing hyperleptinemic obesity in mice is associated with a downregulation of the hypothalamic leptin receptor.
Distributed Versus Co-Located Mimo Systems with Correlated Fading and Shadowing

MIMO communications has been a highly active research area recently due to its remarkable capacity potential. The predicted capacity gain is nonetheless greatly limited in realistic propagation scenarios, especially when the number of antennas becomes large. This motivates us to investigate a generalized paradigm for multiple-antenna communications, called distributed MIMO, which has the potential to address many of the problems inherent in conventional co-located MIMO systems. In this paper, we demonstrate the advantages of distributed MIMO versus co-located MIMO in correlated fading and shadowing scenarios through asymptotic analysis.
Comparative thermal analysis of Eri, Mori, Muga, and Tussar silk cocoons and fibroin fibers

Wild silks are often extremely durable and have many advantages over the domesticated silk. In this study, three kinds of wild silks—Indian Antheraea mylitta (Tussar), Antheraea assama (Muga), and Philosamia ricini (Eri) silkworm cocoons were successfully degummed and their thermal properties were studied comparatively with domesticated Chinese mulberry (Bombyx mori) silkworm cocoons and fibers. Advanced thermal analysis methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and temperature-modulated DSC were utilized to identify glass transition temperatures (Tg), heat capacity increments at Tg, and degradation temperatures of these silk materials. In addition, the bound water contents and the thermal degradation mechanisms of different silk systems were also quantified using thermogravimetric analysis. Compared with the mulberry silk materials, wild silk materials showed higher thermal stabilities, and variable degradation profiles. These comparative methods would offer a new pathway to understand the physical properties of silk-based biomaterials, such as their tunable thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical properties. And it could provide useful insights for the development of new silk-based medical devices and sutures with controllable biological functions in the future.
Quantitative evolutionary design

The field of quantitative evolutionary design uses evolutionary reasoning (in terms of natural selection and ultimate causation) to understand the magnitudes of biological reserve capacities, i.e. excesses of capacities over natural loads. Ratios of capacities to loads, defined as safety factors, fall in the range 1.2-10 for most engineered and biological components, even though engineered safety factors are specified intentionally by humans while biological safety factors arise through natural selection. Familiar examples of engineered safety factors include those of buildings, bridges and elevators (lifts), while biological examples include factors of bones and other structural elements, of enzymes and transporters, and of organ metabolic performances. Safety factors serve to minimize the overlap zone (resulting in performance failure) between the low tail of capacity distributions and the high tail of load distributions. Safety factors increase with coefficients of variation of load and capacity, with capacity deterioration with time, and with cost of failure, and decrease with costs of initial construction, maintenance, operation, and opportunity. Adaptive regulation of many biological systems involves capacity increases with increasing load; several quantitative examples suggest sublinear increases, such that safety factors decrease towards 1.0. Unsolved questions include safety factors of series systems, parallel or branched pathways, elements with multiple functions, enzyme reaction chains, and equilibrium enzymes. The modest sizes of safety factors imply the existence of costs that penalize excess capacities. Those costs are likely to involve wasted energy or space for large or expensive components, but opportunity costs of wasted space at the molecular level for minor components.
Proposition 13: An Equilibrium Analysis

There are many federal, state, and local laws that distort housing decisions and prices. However, it is often difficult to tease out the quantitative impact of such policies. In this paper, we examine the implications of one of the most significant tax changes initiated by voters in the United States on house prices, housing turnover, and household welfare. In 1978 California passed Proposition 13, which lowered property tax rates and restricted future property tax increases. We find that, the introduction of Proposition 13 leads to a 15% increase in house prices and a 3.3% decrease in the moving rates. The elimination of Proposition 13, however, leads to modest changes in house prices and mobility but sizable welfare gains.
Title VII's Midlife Crisis: The Case of Constructive Discharge

This article analyzes the claim of constructive discharge which arises when an employee alleges that he or she was forced to resign because of intolerable working conditions. Particularly since the Supreme Court's ruling in two important sexual harassment cases in 1998, the lower courts have grappled with the proper characterization of constructive discharge claims. Some have treated the claim like an actual discharge, imposing strict liability. Other courts treat the claim as if it were a claim for hostile environment and have refused to impose liability in the absence of negligence. The Supreme Court will resolve the split in the circuits this term when it decides Pa. State Police v. Suders, a constructive discharge case from the Third Circuit.
Dopachrome conversion and dopa oxidase activities in recessive yellow mice: Catalytic activities of extracts from pheomelanic and eumelanic tissues

The dopa oxidase activity of tyrosinase and the dopachrome conversion activity of dopachrome oxidoreductase (dopachrome conversion factor) are reduced in skin or hair follicle extracts of pheomelanic mice compared with eumelanic mice. In this study, pheomelanic tissues are compared with eumelanic tissues of the same mice and found to be reduced in their DO and DC activities. Implications are discussed.
Numerical simulations of high enthalpy flows around entry bodies

Abstract Ablation flows around entry bodies are at highly nonequilibrium states. This paper presents comprehensive computational fluid dynamics simulations of such hypersonic flow examples. The computational scheme adopted in this study is based on the Navier–Stokes equations, and it is capable of simulating multiple-dimensional, non-equilibrium, chemically reacting gas flows with multiple species. Finite rate chemical reactions, multiple temperature relaxation processes, and ionizations phenomena with electrons are modeled. Simulation results of several hypersonic gas flows over axisymmetric bodies are presented and compared with results in the literature. It confirms that some past treatment of adopting less species for hypersonic flows is acceptable, and the differences from more species and more chemical reactions are not significant.
Hiding in Plain Sight The Production of Heteronormativity in Medical Education

Mounting evidence that sexual minority status is linked to stigma, stress, and health disparities necessitates critical analysis of medical sex education. In this article, I use ethnographic data t...
Analysis of SEER Adenosquamous Carcinoma Data to Identify Cause Specific Survival Predictors and Socioeconomic Disparities.

Background: This study used receiver operating characteristic curve to analyze Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) adenosquamous carcinoma data to identify predictive models and potential disparities in outcome. Materials and Methods: This study analyzed socio-economic, staging and treatment factors available in the SEER database for adenosquamous carcinoma. For the risk modeling, each factor was fitted by a generalized linear model to predict the cause specific survival. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was computed. Similar strata were combined to construct the most parsimonious models. Results: A total of 20,712 patients diagnosed from 1973 to 2009 were included in this study. The mean follow up time (S.D.) was 54.2 (78.4) months. Some 2/3 of the patients were female. The mean (S.D.) age was 63 (13.8) years. SEER stage was the most predictive factor of outcome (ROC area of 0.71). 13.9% of the patients were un-staged and had risk of cause specific death of 61.3% that was higher than the 45.3% risk for the regional disease and lower than the 70.3% for metastatic disease. Sex, site, radiotherapy, and surgery had ROC areas of about 0.55-0.65. Rural residence and race contributed to socioeconomic disparity for treatment outcome. Radiotherapy was underused even with localized and regional stages when the intent was curative. This under use was most pronounced in older patients. Conclusions: Anatomic stage was predictive and useful in treatment selection. Under-staging may have contributed to poor outcome.
The evaluation of the timeliness of the direct network reporting system for infectious diseases in Xinyang city in 2008

Objective: Through the analysis of the timeliness of the direct network reporting of infectious diseases in different years,regions,and kinds in Xinyang City,we could find the questions.Methods:The target of the reporting timeliness.Analyze the reporting timeliness of the report cards of A,B and C infettious diseases from Information Management System for Disease Surveillance and Report by comparing 2008 with 2004.Carry on the comparative analysis from different regions and kinds of the reporting timeliness in 2008.Results:The rates of report timeliness were 79.45% and 83.45% in Xinyang City in 2004 and 2008.But the differences between the different regions,agencies and kinds of the direct network reporting of infectious diseases were great.Conclusion: Besides in the past,the quality of the timeliness of the direct network reporting of infectious diseases have greatly improved in Xinyang City.In order to improve the ratio of report timeliness in the whole city,need to strengthen supervision in the counties(districts) and agencies where the rates of report timeliness were low.
Effect of Paeonol on Proliferation in Fibroblast Cells

Objective: To study the effect of paeonol on the proliferation rate in fibroblast cells. Methods:Ten healthy Wistar rats were used to cultivate fibroblast cells. Cultured cells were divided into four groups,group 1 (RPMI-1640),group 2 (RPMI-1640+transforming growth factors-β,TGF-β),group 3 (RPMI-1640+paeonol ),group 4 (RPMI-1640+ TGF-β+paeonol). The proliferation rate was detected with MTT. Results: There was no change for proliferation rate in paeonol group. The fibroblast proliferation was motivated by TGF-β. The fibroblast proliferation was significantly reduced by paeonol and TGF-β. Conclusion: TGF-β can stimulate fibroblast cell proliferation,but paeonol inhibited the proliferation. It is suggested that paeonol might,in certain exrtent,reduce the impairment of fibroblast to human being under pathological state.
A Case Study of Traffic Impact Analysis Based on Multi-modal Assignment in TransCAD

Based on the application of TransCAD software in traffic volume forecast of traffic im-pact analysis,the operational steps and methods are elaborated in details.The combined network of urban road and transit lines is set up using muti-modal assignment(MMA) model,which bene-fits the new projects′ transportation impact on the surrounding traffic.
Poverty in Latin America: Back to the Abyss?

During the early 1990s, many Latin American countries enjoyed exceptionally strong economic growth, which has been credited with making possible substantial reductions in their rates of poverty. However, the collapse of capital flows to Latin America that began in 1995 portends a decline in the region's economic growth. If these countries now register growth rates that are only modestly positive (on the order of 1-3%), the question then arises as to whether this progress in overcoming poverty is bound to stall. Despite new rhetoric to the contrary, Latin Americans have relied on growth almost exclusively as the way to overcome poverty. The distribution of income has changed very little over the past decade and, where change did occur, in many cases it has been for the worse.
Regional mapping panels for human chromosomes 1, 2, and 7.

The NIGMS Human Genetic Cell Repository has assembled regional mapping panels for human chromosomes 1, 2, and 7 from human rodent somatic cell hybrids submitted to the collection by researchers from 14 different laboratories. All hybrids were characterized initially by the submitters and verified by the Repository. Each hybrid carries a stable defined human segment as a derivative or deletion chromosome. These panels define 8–10 intervals for each chromosome. The panel for chromosome 2 is a new resource. The panels for chromosomes 1 and 7 complement previously published panels. The Repository distributes these regional mapping panels as cell cultures or as DNA. Information about these panels as well as for panels for chromosomes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, and X may be viewed in the NIGMS Repository electronic catalog (http://locus.umdnj.edu/ptnigms).
Human Solutions for Locomotion

A volitional motor program for steady state locomotion is ascertained in normal human subjects as a function of an. array of operational or sub-behavioral input to output levels. The tactics and strategies employed during a structured series of protocols are revealed by describing certain features or phenomena of gait during each stride cycle.
Risk Tails and General Orthonormal Polynomials

In order to characterize a statistical probability distribution p(x) of a variable x, the moments of the distribution are used; the first two of which are the mean and standard deviation. The z-score is often used to characterize data points of x (e.g. outliers with large z-scores). Polynomials with respect to p(x) as the measure in the orthogonality relation for the polynomials can be constructed. These generalize the ubiquitous z-score. These polynomials (which we call GONPOMs) can be useful to refine the characterization of data. Specifically they can be used in a targeted way to characterize the change in shape of a distribution, e.g. for risk tails. It turns out that the GONPOMs are (non-standard) polynomials first described by Chebyshev. Our purpose here is to describe the theory and give a simple prototype numerical example.
Informationskapazität als Grundlage von Schemaevolution

Zum Zeitpunkt einer Schemaevolution sind zwei Randbedingungen zu berucksichtigen: 1. Die Datenbasis ist bereits mit einer potentiell sehr grosen Anzahl Objekte (Instanzen) bevolkert. Es stellt sich somit die Frage nach der Fortpflanzung der Schemaevolution auf Instanzen durch Reorganisation der Datenbasis. 2. Es existieren Anwendungsprogramme (Transaktionen) die unter Verwendung des aktuellen Schemas auf der Datenbank arbeiten. Nach einer Schemaevolution mussen diese Anwendungsprogramme auf die geanderte Datenbank migriert werden.
Image search system

We present a prototype system which enables users to explore the global structure for digital imagery archives as well as drill-down into individual pictures. Our search engine builds upon computer vision advances made over the past decade in low-level feature matching, large data handling and object recognition. We demonstrate hierarchical clustering among images semi-cooperatively shot around MIT, automatic linking of flickr photos and aerial frames from the Grand Canyon, and video segment identification for a TV broadcast. Moreover, our software tools incorporate visible vs infrared band selection, color content quantization and human face detection. Ongoing and future extensions of this image search system are discussed.
IRF-4/MUM-1 Expression Is a Critical Switch in the Generation of Plasma Cells Versus Memory B-Cells.

Most types of human B-cell lymphomas harbor somatically mutated Ig variable region genes, reflecting their origin from cells that have undergone the germinal center (GC) reaction of T-dependent immune responses. The lymphomas exhibit diverse phenotypes and clinical behaviors, likely as a consequence of differences both in the mechanisms of transformation and in the specific target cell. We have recently identified two distinct subsets of GC B-cells that may represent late stages of the GC-reaction and may be the precursors of plasma cells and memory B-cells. The corresponding subsets are characterized by downregulation of the GC-marker BCL6 and the alternative expression of IRF-4/MUM-1 or nuclear c-Rel. These two subsets seem to reflect distinct cellular programs which are altered during B-lymphomagenesis in various tumor subtypes which co-express BCL6, IRF-4 and nuclear c-Rel, an event never observed in normal B-cells. In order to gain insights into the physiologic role of IRF-4/MUM-1 and nuclear c-Rel in GC-development, we are ablating their expression specifically in mouse GC B-cells. Transgenic mice were generated that carry an IRF-4/MUM-1 null allele and a conditional IRF-4/MUM-1 allele which, following Cre-mediated deletion of the loxP-flanked promotor region and exons 1 and 2, expresses eGFP, thus allowing to track the development of the IRF-4/MUM-1 deficient cells at the single cell level. IRF-4/MUM-1 fl/- mice were crossed with transgenic mice that express the Cre-recombinase specifically in B-cells undergoing class-switch to IgG1, an event occurring in a large fraction of GC B-cells. Upon immunization with sheep red blood cells or nitrophenyl-(NP)-KLH, mice unable to express IRF-4/MUM-1 in late GC B-cells ( IRF-4/MUM-1 fl/- /Cγ 1 Cre/+ ), in contrast to control mice ( IRF-4/MUM-1 fl/+ /Cγ 1 Cre/+ ), did not develop plasma cells (IgG1 + CD138 + ) in the peripheral lymphoid organs, blood, and bone marrow. On the other hand, the generation of memory B-cells appears normal since antigen-specific B-cells were present in the spleen (eGFP + B220 + PNA - IgG1 + ) and blood (eGFP + B220 + CD38 + IgG1 + ). These results suggest that the IRF-4/MUM-1 gene product is required for the development of antigen-selected GC B-cells into plasma cells. We suggest that the expression of IRF-4/MUM-1 in a GC centrocyte is the critical event in the commitment of B-cells to differentiate into a plasma cell versus a memory B-cell, and are currently testing the role of nuclear c-Rel in the same process.
Modeling and sensorless optimal controller design for an electric power assist steering system

This paper considers the analysis and design of a double-pinion type electric power assist steering (EPAS) control system. A simplified model of the augmented steering assembly-electric motor system is arrived at using Lagrangian dynamics. In contrast to the state of the art, the paper presents three advances. First, a state-space approach is used rather than an input-output model. The state-space formulation for the system model is obtained with the motor column angular position and the steering column torque as outputs. Secondly, LQG techniques are employed to arrive at an optimal controller for the EPAS system. The selection of weighting coefficients for the LQR is discussed. Finally, the authors present a control strategy that eliminates the steering column torque sensor, a critical component in existing EPAS controller designs. The proposed control strategy presents an opportunity to improve EPAS system performance and also reduce system cost and complexity.
Development, construct validity, and reproducibility of a mimetic sealed jar measuring the dynamics of opening.

Measurement of the dynamic kinetics involved in opening a jar may enable health care professionals to understand and train individuals in optimal hand/grip mechanics. This technical note details th...
On the fine asymptotics of information theoretic privacy

The tradeoff between privacy and utility is studied for small datasets using tools from fixed error asymptotics in information theory. The problem is formulated as determining the privacy mechanism (random mapping) which minimizes the mutual information (a metric for privacy leakage) between the private features of the original dataset and a released version, subject to a distortion constraint between the public features and the released version. An excess probability bound is used to constrain the distortion, thus limiting the random variation in distortion due to the finite length. Bounds are derived for the following variants of the problem: (1) whether the mechanism is memoryless (local privacy) or not (global privacy), (2) whether the privacy mechanism has direct access to the private data or not. It is shown that these settings yield different performance in the first order: for global privacy, the first-order leakage decreases with the excess probability, whereas for local privacy it remains constant. The derived bounds also provide tight performance results up to second order for local privacy, as well as bounds on the second order term for global privacy.
X-ray detectors for macromolecular crystallography

Abstract Modern X-ray detectors are having a tremendous impact on the conduct of macromolecular crystallography. Whereas X-ray film and diffractometers were the X-ray detectors of choice for protein crystallography just a short while ago, data today are more typically being collected on a variety of storage phosphor or electronic detectors. The strengths and weaknesses of current detectors are discussed.
Tosio Kato’s work on non-relativistic quantum mechanics: part 1

We review the work of Tosio Kato on the mathematics of non-relativistic quantum mechanics and some of the research that was motivated by this. Topics in this first part include analytic and asymptotic eigenvalue perturbation theory, Temple–Kato inequality, self-adjointness results, and quadratic forms including monotone convergence theorems.
Colonial grammatology: the versatility and transformation of European letters in sixteenth-century Spanish America

This paper challenges Walter Mignolo’s influential view that the Renaissance grammarian Nebrija’s theory of writing had a role in justifying Spanish imperialism and that it contributed to the dimin...
Access to the Ischium: A Simple Extension of the Posterior Approach in Revision Hip Arthroplasty

Reconstruction of acetabular defects in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) requires excellent exposure. Most extensile approaches to the acetabulum were described in the trauma literature and are not beneficial for revision THA. This article describes a modification of the standard posterior surgical approach to improve visualization of the ischium as required for acetabular defect reconstruction, insertion of standard and custom triflange cages as well as posterior column plating. The current surgical technique utilizes an intermuscular plane between the gemellus inferior muscle and the obturator externus muscle. This intermuscular plane leads the surgeon directly to the ischium and facilitates easy extension toward the insertion of the hamstring muscles without compromising the insertion of the external rotator muscles along the ischium. This article describes a novel surgical approach to the posterior column and ischium under special consideration of the sciatic nerve, superior gluteal vessels, and medial femoral circumflex artery. This simple extension of the standard posterior approach optimizes exposure of the posterior column during revision THA using a posterior approach.
Temporal and Spatial Effects of Blast Overpressure on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a “signature wound” in soldiers during training and in combat and has also become a major cause of morbidity in civilians due to increased insurgency. This work examines the role of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption as a result of both primary biomechanical and secondary biochemical injury mechanisms in bTBI. Extravasation of sodium fluorescein (NaF) and Evans blue (EB) tracers were used to demonstrate that compromise of the BBB occurs immediately following shock loading, increases in intensity up to 4 hours and returns back to normal in 24 hours. This BBB compromise occurs in multiple regions of the brain in the anterior-posterior direction of the shock wave, with maximum extravasation seen in the frontal cortex. Compromise of the BBB is confirmed by (a) extravasation of tracers into the brain, (b) quantification of tight-junction proteins (TJPs) in the brain and the blood, and (c) tracking specific blood-borne molecules into the brain and brain-specific proteins into the blood. Taken together, this work demonstrates that the BBB compromise occurs as a part of initial biomechanical loading and is a function of increasing blast overpressures.
High-dose lidocaine does not affect defibrillation efficacy : implications for defibrillation mechanisms

This study assessed the effect of low (10 mg ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ h−1) and very high (18 mg ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ h−1) doses of lidocaine on defibrillation energy requirements (DER) to relate changes in indexes of sodium-c...
Contemporary Family Patterns and Relationships

When Americans refer to traditional family values and dynamics, they commonly extol the virtues of lifelong marriage with children. Tradition in our culture holds that (1) being married is better than being single; (2) being married is better than living together; (3) having children is better than not having children; (4) two parents are better than one; (5) blood is thicker than water (i.e., especially when applied to distinctions between biological parents and stepparents); and (6) a mother at home is better than a mother at work, which is father’s domain.
Steroidal and nonsteroidal "add-back" therapy: extending safety and efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in the gynecologic patient

Objective To assess the efficacy of various steroidal and nonsteroidal add-back regimes in ameliorating hypoestrogenic side effects of long-term GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) therapy in gynecologic patients. Design English language literature review. Patients Gynecologic patients administered GnRH-a as therapy for ovarian hyperandrogenism, premenstrual syndrome, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, uterine leiomyomata, and symptomatic endometriosis. Interventions Steroidal and nonsteroidal add-back regimes including estrogens with progestins, progestins alone, and progestins with organic bisphosphonates in combination with various GnRH-a for ≥6months of therapy. Main Outcome Measures Vasomotor symptoms, bone density changes, lipid profiles, alterations in presenting symptoms, and disease state. Results Estrogens in combination with progestins were efficacious as add-back in the management of ovarian hyperandrogenic states, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, and leiomyomata. Medroxyprogesterone acetate alone is ineffective as add-back for treatment of endometriosis or leiomyomata. Norethindrone is effective as add-back in the management of endometriosis but not leiomyomata, although high doses alter lipid profiles in an undesirable fashion. Organic bisphosphonates show great promise in preserving bone density without other untoward effects. Conclusions No single add-back regime is appropriate for all gynecologic indications for GnRH-a. Ideal protocols preserve the efficacy of agonists while suppressing associated vasomotor symptoms and bone density loss.
An alternative miniaturized chromatography system to evaluate the radiochemical purity of technetium-99m oxidronate

1550 Objectives Radiochemical purity (RCP) of radiopharmaceuticals is essential. The current miniaturized chromatography system (MCS) for assessing RCP of technetium-99m oxidronate consists of ITLC-SG. Because ITLC-SG has been discontinued recently, our facility evaluated a MCS system using Whatman 31ET (W-31) chromatograph paper. Methods Tc-99m oxidronate kits were prepared according to package insert (TechneScan® HDP). 99mTcO2/99mTc-Sn colloid was prepared by the stannous chloride method and was added to the Tc-99m oxidronate preparations to simulate lower RCP kits. Radiochromatogram patterns for 99mTc-oxidronate, 99mTcO2/99mTc-Sn colloid, and 99mTcO4- were obtained with the standard method (1cm x 6cm ITLC-SG with H2O or acetone) and the alternative method (0.8cm x 6cm W-31 with H2O or acetone). Following strip development, strips were scanned using a bioscan detector. Rf value for each component was calculated. Ten preparations of Tc-99m oxidronate (with RCPs ranging from 5% to 99%) were assessed using the standard ITLC-SG and the alternative W-31 methods simultaneously. For each evaluation, triplicate samples were analyzed and the data statistically summarized. Results Using W-31 with H20, separation between 99mTcO2/99mTc-Sn colloid (Rf = 0) and 99mTc-oxidronate (Rf = 0.4-1) was achieved, establishing a cut line at Rf of 0.25. A strong correlation was found between the RCP values obtained by the standard ITLC-SG and the alternative W-31 method (R =0.99). Conclusions The alternative MCS using W-31 allows a consistent pattern and maximum separation of radiochemical species. The RCPs obtained using the W-31 method were comparable to those obtained using the ITLC-SG method