cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Models of aftershock occurrence

Summary. The Omori formula for aftershock activity can be shown to be a consequence of each of two models of a complex earthquake. In the first case. aftershocks are assumed to be caused by subsequent slip on asperities of a fault which are locked during the fracture in the main shock. In the second, aftershocks are caused by catastrophic coalescence of nearby small fractures with the fracture surface of the main shock. Hence, the first source model describes aftershock activity in the interior of a main-shock rupture zone, while the second describes aftershock activity near the outer boundary of a main-shock rupture zone. Stress corrosion cracking is assumed to be the physical cause of the quasistatic growth of the main fracture zone at the expense of the area of the locked patches in the first model and is also the cause of the growth of the small satellite fractures in the second.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Presenting As Recurrent Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) may present with acute anemia, thrombocytopenia and, if hemoglobin nephropathy or dehydration is present, azotemia. Thus PNH may be confused with the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Recurrent episodes, though common in PNH, are unusual in HUS. A positive acid hemolysis test can be used to differentiate between the two diseases.
Talent Developed: Conversations with Masters of the Arts and Sciences.

This interview was conducted in March of 1993, in Philip Scheffler's office at the Columbia Broadcasting System's (CBS) administrative and studio headquarters in New York City. It is part of a continuing series of reflections on talent development by prominent individuals outside the field of professional education. Mr. Scheffler's perspectives on the birth and transformation of network news have sweeping implications for nurturing of future talent in broadcast journalism and related fields.
Mood disorder in women professionals.

Abstract The lifetime prevalence of affective disorder in women with M.D.'s and Ph.D.'s was assessed by personal interview. The two groups were matched by age, race, and marital status. Thirty-nine percent of 111 white, women physicians and 30% of 103 white, women Ph.D.'s were found to have primary affective disorder. There was no excess of depression in women psychiatrists or psychologists. Eleven percent of the first degree relatives of the depressed M.D.'s and 7% of similar relatives of depressed Ph.D.'s had affective disorder by family history compared to only 2% of the well M.D.'s and 2% of the well Ph.D.'s relatives. The study confirms that depression is an extremely common problem for professional women. By emphasizing its heritability, it raises the question of the self-selection for professional careers of women with affective disorder.
DRC-hubo walking on rough terrains

Up to now humanoid robots have been designed primarily for walking on flat surfaces. In the future, humanoid robots are required to replace human beings to operate in natural or damaged man-engineered environments. In the 2013 DARPA Robotics Challenge, the robots are required to walk through several type of rough terrains. In this scenario, the robot will be challenged to keep balance and fulfill the tasks while walking. We have developed several balance gaits and associated controllers. The latter collaborate with a computer vision system to enable our humanoid robot DRC-Hubo to walk over rough terrains. Both theoretical and experimental results are presented to verify the approach.
Restructurable VLSI-a demonstrated wafer-scale technology

Restructurable VLSI (RVLSI) is an approach to wafer-scale integration which has been demonstrated by building six different monolithic silicon, wafer-scale chips for signal processing applications. It is based on the implementation of redundancy by laser microwelding on a finished, tested, packaged wafer. The concept of RVLSI is discussed, the chips built to data are reviewed, and some of the major issues are introduced. Three other papers describe in more detail the laser technology, the software created to design, test, and restructure these systems, some of the knowledge acquired in designing and building the first six circuit types, and the current application of the techniques to new, much more complex designs. >
The newest mania: seeing disease mongering everywhere.

I feel compelled to comment on your article on bipolar disorder by my friend and colleague David Healy [ 1]. I respect Dr. Healy both as a historian of psychopharmacology and psychiatry and as a psychopharmacology researcher. I have been impressed by his historical scholarship over the years in bringing out the economic and social aspects of the rise of psychopharmacology. I think his specific critiques about the likely overuse of antidepressants in the West in recent years, as well as the influence of the pharmaceutical industry, have been valid in many respects. I also find the PLoS Medicine's April 2006 series of articles on disease mongering not unconvincing, especially as it relates to new potential diagnoses like adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Yet I must take exception to the inclusion of bipolar disorder with such newfangled entities. Mania and melancholia have been well described since antiquity, and the current notions about the diagnosis of bipolar disorder (even the broader notions of the “bipolar spectrum”) are fully present in the writings of Esquirol and Kraepelin. It seems highly unlikely that they were markedly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry. To accept the drift of this collection of articles, one would have to suppose that Arataeus of Cappadocia was heavily influenced by pharmaceutical marketing in the 1st century a.d. Of course, the possibility of overdiagnosis of bipolar disorder exists, often influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, but this in no way means that the diagnosis itself is invalid, nor does it counteract the much larger empirical evidence that bipolar disorder has been highly underdiagnosed (rather than the minimal empirical evidence that it is overdiagnosed) in the antidepressant era [ 2]. Dr. Healy seems to emphasize the issue in children, where indeed more uncertainty exists, but the overall impression of the article does not do justice to the reality that this illness has a long history of description and much more evidence of nosological validity (based on description, genetics, course, and biological data) [ 3] than such newcomers as adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and restless legs syndrome. Perhaps we should be on the lookout for the newest mania: seeing disease mongering everywhere.
Reactions of benzene and alkylbenzenes with deuterium over molybdena-alumina and alumina catalysts

The reactions of D2 with aromatic systems were studied. Benzene did not hydrogenate at atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, exchange between benzene-do and D2 was facile at 70 ° and 1 atm over reduced (eMo ≈ 1.7) and at 200 ° over sulfided (eMo≈ 3.0) catalysts. The exchange reaction also occurred over the alumina support at an intermediate rate. Over alumina the exchange at 70 ° was stepwise (M = koko≈1.0), but as the temperature and hence k0 increased, multiple exchange (M ≥ 2.0) set in. The usual tests showed that this was not a result of a pore diffusion limitation. The rate of exchange of C6D6 with the alumina hydroxyl groups increased sharply as the temperature was increased to near 200 ° in a way which mimicked the increase in M. Thus, the increase in multiplicity may be ascribed to the opening of new pathways for exchange. The much faster rates and higher values of M obtained over the reduced catalysts than over the sulfided ones, coupled with the results of poisoning experiments using NO and CO2 (both of which drastically reduced the rates and returned the exchange process to M ≈ 1.0), demonstrated that with the reduced catalyst both portions of the surface act synergistically. The results may be rationalized by the supposition that exchange occurs on the alumina support and that hydrogen may spill-over on reduced catalysts, but not on sulfided ones. In the exchange reactions, alkylaromatics were found to have higher rates for ring than for side chain hydrogens.
Eradication strategy for persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in individuals with cystic fibrosis—the PMEP trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) respiratory infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) has increased dramatically over the last decade, and is now affecting approximately 25% of patients. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that persistent infection with MRSA results in an increased rate of decline in FEV1 and shortened survival. Currently, there are no conclusive studies demonstrating an effective and safe treatment protocol for persistent MRSA respiratory infection in CF. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 28-day course of vancomycin for inhalation in combination with oral antibiotics in eliminating MRSA from the respiratory tract of individuals with CF and persistent MRSA infection. This is a two-center, randomized, double-blind, comparator-controlled, parallel-group study with 1:1 assignment to either vancomycin for inhalation (250 mg twice a day) or taste-matched placebo for 28 days in individuals with cystic fibrosis. In addition, both groups will receive oral rifampin, a second oral antibiotic – trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) or doxycycline, protocol determined – mupirocin intranasal cream, and chlorhexidine body washes. Forty patients with persistent respiratory tract MRSA infection will be enrolled: 20 will be randomized to vancomycin for inhalation and 20 to a taste-matched placebo. The primary outcome will be the presence of MRSA in sputum respiratory tract cultures 1 month after the conclusion of treatment. Secondary outcomes include the efficacy of the intervention on: FEV1% predicted, patient reported outcomes, pulmonary exacerbations, and MRSA colony-forming units found in respiratory tract sample culture. Results of this study will provide guidance to clinicians regarding the safety and effectiveness of a targeted eradication strategy for persistent MRSA infection in CF. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01594827 , received 05/07/2012) and is funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Grants: PMEP10K1 and PMEP11K1).
Modularity of select riboswitch expression platforms enables facile engineering of novel genetic regulatory devices

RNA-based biosensors and regulatory devices have received significant attention for their potential in a broad array of synthetic biology applications. One of the primary difficulties in engineering these molecules is the lack of facile methods to link sensory modules, or aptamers, to readout domains. Such efforts typically require extensive screening or selection of sequences that facilitate interdomain communication. Bacteria have evolved a widespread form of gene regulation known as riboswitches that perform this task with sufficient fidelity to control expression of biosynthetic and transport proteins essential for normal cellular homeostasis. In this work, we demonstrate that select riboswitch readout domains, called expression platforms, are modular in that they can host a variety of natural and synthetic aptamers to create novel chimeric RNAs that regulate transcription both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, this technique does not require selection of device-specific "communication modules" required to transmit ligand binding to the regulatory domain, enabling rapid engineering of novel functional RNAs.
A fast implementation of the distributed arithmetic discrete Fourier transform

A new DFT implementation incorporating distributed arithmetic with the DFT is reported. This method proves to be faster and to require less area than the direct implementation of the FFT. >
Effect of reabsorbed recombination radiation on the diffusion length of minority carriers in wide-band-gap semiconductors

The integrodifferential equation governing the diffusion of minority carriers under the influence of both recombination by flaws and multiple photon absorption and emission via band‐band transitions recently developed by the author is solved by means of a variational principle. It is shown that for bulk material the effect of the reabsorbed recombination radiation (RRR) on carrier diffusion is negligible when the average mean free path of photons is larger than the diffusion length of the carriers. In the opposite case, this is not true and the results previously obtained by a different method are recovered. Applied to GaAs, these findings signify that if the diffusion length L due to flaws or recombination centers possesses a magnitude less than 1 μm, the effect of the RRR may safely be ignored. But, on the other hand, if L is greater than 1 μm, there exists an effective diffusion length Leff always larger than L, which is engendered by the RRR and which enhances carrier transport. This enhancement becom...
The Instability of the Work Hardened State. I. Slip in Extraneously Deformed Crystals

Copper single crystals were strained in tension after being extraneously deformed either by twisting or spark damaging. In both cases a transient region of low hardening was observed after extraneous deformation. Slip line studies showed that this low hardening region was associated with slip band formation and inhomogeneous deformation along the gauge length. The dislocation distributions in strained crystals were studied by an etch pit technique. It was found that slip band formation is accompanied by dislocation multiplication on the main glide plane but not on other planes. It is proposed that dislocation distributions are in general unstable to slip on a single system unless they have been formed by slip on that system. Kupfer-Einkristalle wurden verspannt, nachdem sie entweder durch Drehen oder durch Abfunken auserlich verformt wurden. In beiden Fallen wird ein Ubergangsgebiet von geringer Verfestigung nach der auseren Deformation beobachtet. Untersuchungen der Gleitlinien zeigen, das derartige Gebiete geringer Verfestigung mit der Ausbildung von Gleitbandern und inhomogenen Deformationen entlang der Eichlange verknupft sind. Die Ausbildung der Gleitbander ist mit einer Vervielfachung von Versetzungen auf den Hauptgleitebenen, jedoch nicht auf anderen Ebenen, verknupft. Es wird vermutet, das die Verteilung der Versetzungen im allgemeinen unstabil gegenuber dem Abgleiten auf einem einzelnen System ist, vorausgesetzt, das sie nicht durch ein Abgleiten auf diesem System erzeugt worden ist.
Computing access relevance to support path-method generation in interoperable multi-OODB

To access distant information from an interoperable multi object-oriented database (IM-OODB), a user needs to construct retrieval path-methods through one or several OODB schemas. The path-method generator (PMG) system supports the generation of such path-methods for a single OODB, using precomputed access relevance between pairs of classes. Efficient algorithms to compute access relevance in an autonomous OODB exist. The authors use a novel approach for deriving efficient online algorithms for the computation of access relevance in an IM-OODB, which will be used in generating path-methods between classes of different OODBs in an IM-OODB. >
Adjusting technical efficiency to reflect discarding : The case of the U.S. Georges Bank multi-species otter trawl fishery

Abstract Discarding undesirable catch is recognized as a major problem confronting fishery managers. It is widely perceived by managers, however, that reductions in discards can only be accomplished via reductions in good or desirable outputs and technical efficiency. Yet there appear to be few studies which actually examine the relationship between discard reduction and technical efficiency. In this paper, we present an alternative concept of technical efficiency, which explicitly recognizes that measures of technical efficiency should be adjusted for discard levels. This is because traditional measures of efficiency do not consider the resources used in order to discard. We also offer a framework based on data envelopment analysis for assessing efficiency in the presence of undesirable outputs. We examine the relationship between vessel efficiency and regulatory discards in the U.S. Georges Bank multi-species otter trawl fishery on a tow-level basis. We then examine differences between efficient and inefficient tows, and extend our results to the trip level. Further examination of trip-level results then yield insights into the potential impact of trip-limit regulations. Results show that in order to reduce discards, vessels are limited in the amount they can increase their total output, and that trip-limit regulations may have unintended consequences.
Nitrogen Transformations in the Oxic Layer of Permanent Anoxic Basins: The Black Sea and the Cariaco Trench

Transformations of inorganic nitrogen (nitrification and nitrate reduction) are considered in the context of small scale nutrient distributions in the oxic and oxygen deficient zones of two permanently anoxic basins. The distribution of nitrification rates apparently was bounded by light inhibition in surface waters and by anoxic waters below. Nitrite concentration maxima in the oxic/anoxic transition region are suggested to result from uncoupled rates of nitrite production and consumption by nitrification and nitrate reduction/denitrification.
Investigation of solvable (120, 35, 10) difference sets

Abelian difference sets with parameters (120, 35, 10) were ruled out by Turyn in 1965. Turyn's techniques do not apply to nonabelian groups. We attempt to determine the existence of (120, 35, 10) difference sets in the 44 nonabelian groups of order 120. We prove that if a solvable group admits a (120, 35, 10) difference set, then it admits a quotient group isomorphic to the cyclic group of order 24 or to U24 ≅ 〈x,y : x8 = y3 = 1, xyx−1 = y−1〉. We describe a computer search, which rules out solutions with a ℤ24 quotient. The existence question remains undecided in the three solvable groups admitting a U24 quotient. The question also remains undecided for the three nonsolvable groups of order 120. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A 0.7-V 100-dB 870-μW digital audio ΣΔ modulator

A high-precision, low-voltage, low-power SigmaDelta modulator has been designed using a delayed input feedforward architecture and a tracking multi-bit quantizer employing a single comparator. A 0.18-mum CMOS experimental prototype achieves 100 dB of dynamic range, 100-dB peak SNR and 95-dB peak SNDR for a signal bandwidth of 25 kHz, while consuming only 870 muW of total power from a 0.7-V supply at a 5-MHz sampling rate.
Select human milk oligosaccharides directly modulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from 10-d-old pigs

Infant formulas lack the complex mixture of oligosaccharides found in human milk. These human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) may be pivotal to the development of the neonatal immune system. Few comprehensive analyses of the effects of HMO on immune cells from neonates have been undertaken. Herein, the direct effects of HMO on immune cells were analysed ex vivo. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from 10-d-old sow-reared (SR) or colostrum-deprived formula-fed (FF) pigs were stimulated for 72 h with single HMO, mixtures of single HMO or a complex mixture of HMO isolated from human milk (iHMO). T-cell phenotype, cytokine production and proliferation were measured by flow cytometry, immunoassay and [³H]thymidine incorporation, respectively. Stimulation with HMO had direct effects on PBMC. For instance, cells stimulated with iHMO produced more IL-10 than unstimulated cells, and cells stimulated with fucosylated HMO tended to proliferate less than unstimulated cells. Additionally, co-stimulation with HMO mixtures or single HMO altered PBMC responses to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Compared with PBMC stimulated with PHA alone, cells co-stimulated with iHMO and PHA proliferated more and had fewer detectable CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells. Compared with PBMC stimulated by LPS alone, cells co-stimulated with a mixture of sialylated HMO and LPS proliferated more and tended to have fewer detectable CD4⁺ T cells. Differences in the baseline responses of PBMC isolated from the SR or FF pigs were observed. In summary, HMO directly affected PBMC populations and functions. Additionally, ex vivo measurements of PBMC phenotype, cytokine production and proliferation were influenced by the neonate's diet.
Homeostasis and Inflammation in the Intestine

The gut is home to our largest collection of microbes. The ability of the immune system to coevolve with the microbiota during postnatal life allows the host and microbiota to coexist in a mutually beneficial relationship. Failure to achieve or maintain equilibrium between a host and its microbiota has negative consequences for both intestinal and systemic health. In this Review, we consider the many cellular and molecular methods by which inflammatory responses are regulated to maintain intestinal homeostasis and the disease states that can ensue when this balance is lost.
On the mechanism of polymerization retardation by aromatic nitro compounds

In vinyl polymerization retarded by aromatic nitro compounds, the growing chain reacts with the retarder to form stabilized products. The locus of radical attack has been reported as taking place at an aromatic carbon or at a nitro-group oxygen. A direct experimental test has been devised to permit a choice between these alternatives. Rates of racemization of optically active nitrobiphenyl derivatives used as retarders in polymerizing systems have been compared with rates in nonpolymerizing monomer. These compounds were found to racemize more rapidly in the presence of polymerizing methyl methacrylate or vinyl acetate. Benzoyl peroxide initiator was not responsible for the considerable difference in racemization rate. The results support the view that primary attack of the growing chain is upon the nitro group and not at an aromatic carbon atom.
ABCLOVE: Voice therapy outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer

Background Dysphonia related to head and neck cancer is unique, and demands treatment tailored to its unique pathology. Activate exercises, breathing, counseling, laryngeal manipulation, oral resonance, vocal exercises, and elimination of habits (ABCLOVE) is an 8-week multimodality voice therapy program addressing vocal rehabilitation specifically for patients with head and neck cancer. Methods Twenty-nine patients with a history of head and neck cancer were enrolled in the ABCLOVE program and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Relative average pertubation, maximum phonation time (MPT), pitch range, Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V), and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) were assessed. Results The pretreatment and posttreatment improvements in the relative average pertubation (1.86 vs 0.92), MPT (10.53 seconds vs 15.17 seconds), VHI (51.7 vs 29.9), and pitch range (168 Hz vs 244 Hz) were statistically significant (p < .0001). The subjective CAPE-V ratings improved in all but 2 patients. Conclusion The ABCLOVE voice program provides clinicians with an effective and reproducible method for voice rehabilitation in patients with head and neck cancer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2015
Carcinoma of the vulva: HPV and p53 mutations

Recent evidence suggests that squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva may have more than one etiology, with only some tumors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Cells infected with HPV produce a viral protein (E6) which binds to and causes rapid degradation of p53, possibly contributing to cellular transformation. In several human malignancies, point mutations of p53 alter activity of the p53 protein contributing to cellular transformation. We tested, for the first time, the possibility that HPV-negative tumors of the vulva may have a high incidence of inactivating mutations of p53; while HPV-containing vulvar tumors rarely would have p53 mutations. Twenty-one tumors of the vulva were evaluated for the presence of HPV sequences by amplication with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blotting. These were evaluated for p53 mutations by single strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing of PCR products. HPV DNA sequences were found in 12 of 21 (57%) cancers of the vulva; only one of these 12 (8%) HPV-positive samples had a missense mutation of p53. In contrast, four of nine (44%) HPV-negative vulvar tumors had point mutations of p53. The p53 mutations were found in only metastatic lesion and the only recurrent tumor samples suggesting that the acquisition of p53 mutations may be associated with neoplastic progression. In conclusion, alterations in p53 activity appear to be important in the development of carcinoma of the vulva.
PACS workflow analysis and optimization using a modeling and simulation methodology

Purpose - A majority of distributed applications in Radiology are being developed and deployed without serious regard to their impact on currently deployed networks or how various network configurations impact end-user response-time. Typically the blame for these delays are directed unthinkingly at the existing network bandwidth. A more thoughtful planning process would consist of analyzing the latency in the various components of the transmission process: the network, computer hardware and computer software processes. We have developed a methodology for the analysis of imaging network workflow, which has been applied to the ultrasound component of the PACS at the University of Washington. Methods - One need not model everything in detail. Precision in simulation modeling is very expensive (time and resources) to obtain, requiring a huge amount of parameters and traffic data. Networks are also inherently chaotic: no two are alike and traffic patterns never repeat themselves exactly, so that even a perfect model will never be precise. The good news is that network capacity is implemented in large quanta (for example, 10, 100 and 1000 Mbps LANs). The important concept for these tools is that time-to-insight is more critical for simulation modeling than aiming for a high degree of precision. The methodology for image network flow analysis consists of: (I) self-discovery of the existing network topology, (2) network traffic profiling with network monitors, (3) automatic model creation from the discovered topology and traffic, and (4) event-driven simulation execution using the generated model from which data for throughput, utilization and latency is obtained. This information is then used to provide estimation of end-user response time for distributed network applications. In addition, as the model definition process is modular and flexible, what if questions such as architecture optimization are evaluated. Results - It was determined from the simulation throughput and utilization results for the ultrasound PACS that the network required reconfiguration of the shared and switched ports as well as reallocation of file transfer pathways. Conclusions - The modeling methodology is not only highly automated, but reduces the time to insight, that time from which one can derive useful decision support information from the modeling process, to a few hours. This methodology has provided valuable information for the reconfiguration of the ultrasound PACS.
Viscoelastic Simulation of Flow of Rubber Compounds

Abstract A hybrid scheme has been developed for numerical simulation of a nonisothermal viscoelastic flow in an arbitrary planar geometry of uniform thickness during extrusion and injection molding. This formulation is based on the control-volume finite-element method for solution of the continuity and momentum equations and finite difference method for solution of the energy equation. Application of this numerical technique for simulation of an extrusion and injection molding process was performed in a slit die and a quarter of a circular disk cavity, respectively. Development of pressures, shear and normal stresses, velocities, and temperature fields were calculated during nonisothermal flow of the rubber compound. Furthermore, the relaxation of stresses was calculated after cessation of the flow. The location of the meltfront was predicted during the cavity filling process. The contribution of normal stresses was studied by comparing results following from the viscoelastic and inelastic simulations.
Combustion Synthesis of Cu-based Composites in the Cu-Ti-BN System

The Cu-based composites are excellent candidates for applications that require a high strength and a good electrical conductivity. Recently, combustion synthesis or self propagating, high-temperature synthesis (SHS) using powder compacts has been developed to produce intermetallics or ceramics. It is also possible to form metal-intermetal li c or metal-ceramic composites from combustion reactions between corresponding elemental constituents. It has the advantage of an in-situ forming technique compared with conventional artificial comosite production approaches.In the present study, combustion reaction was carried out to form Cu-based composites in the Cu-Ti-BN system. The compacts of Cu and Ti powders with BN powder reacted exothermically, and formed a mixture product which had a fine distribution of the TiB2 and TiN particles in the Cu matrix. The processing technique, therefore, is of interest as a combustion reaction synthesis to make in-situ metal-based composite materials.
FAILURE OF THYMECTOMY TO ALTER THE SUBSEQUENT COURSE OF HUMAN ACUTE LEUKEMIA IN DRUG-INDUCED REMISSION.

Thymectomy was performed during the period of drug-induced remission of acute leukemia in 3 patients aged 16, 4, and 3 years. One case was characterized as acute erythromyeloid and 2 as acute lymphocytic leukemia. In each instance thymectomy apparently failed to influence the subsequent course of the disease. From these limited data, it does not appear that further experience with this procedure is warranted at the present time.
Role of contractile protein activation in the length-dependent modulation of tracheal smooth muscle force

The active isometric force developed by a muscle decreases at muscle lengths below an optimal length (Lo). However, when the length of an actively contracting muscle is abruptly decreased, a lower ...
Responses to various selection protocols for lamb production in Rambouillet, Targhee, Columbia, and Polypay sheep.

To investigate the effectiveness of four selection protocols for improving reproduction in sheep, we evaluated nine selection lines and two random-bred control lines for lamb and wool production. Results were based on 25,026 dam and 30,628 lamb records from Rambouillet (R), Targhee (T), Columbia (C), and Polypay (P) sheep collected from 1976 through 1988. Phenotypic trends over years were positive (P < .01) for most reproductive traits, body weight, wool grade (coarser grades), and lamb weaning weight in nearly all selected lines. Small positive trends for both random-bred control lines indicated there were improvements in management and(or) environment during the period. Small but significant phenotypic declines in fleece weights occurred in most lines, including controls. Substantial genetic gains (P < .01) in litter weight weaned (120 d), net reproductive rate (lambs weaned divided by ewes mated), prolificacy, body weight, and weaning weight were made in nearly all selected lines. There were also small but significant improvements in milk score in most lines. There were significant genetic declines and improvements in fleece weights; however, the average genetic change in fleece weight for lines selected for litter weight weaned was negligible. Genetic improvement in litter weight weaned was attributed approximately 37% to prolificacy, 27% to percentage of lambs weaned, 17% to lamb weaning weight, 12% to fertility, and 7% to ewe viability from breeding to lambing. On average, selection based on independent culling levels (litter weight weaned plus yearling body weight), yearling body weight, or early puberty was only 85, 67, or 59%, respectively, as effective as that based solely on litter weight weaned for improving litter weight weaned. The net value of the average (over all breeds) annual increase in production per ewe resulting from selection for litter weight weaned accumulated over 12 yr to an estimated $11.40 and $21.51 annually for genetic and phenotypic increases, respectively.
Idiotypic Immune Targeting of Multiple Myeloma

Immunotherapy of malignant diseases remains a major therapeutic challenge. In multiple myeloma, interests have been focussed primarily on the targeting of the idiotypic protein since it represents one of the few tumor specific antigens. Various vaccination strategies have been employed, including the use of naked protein, protein conjugated to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin and, most recently, vaccine delivered via dendritic cells. Studies so far indicate the feasibility of inducing potentially beneficial idiotype-specific immune responses in the autologous hosts. However, the antitumor responses produced by the vaccines have been generally modest and sup-optimal. Further work is therefore ongoing to optimize the antitumor responses by including cytokines in the vaccination schedule. In addition, the development of a polyvalent vaccine is also being explored. The next few years should prove interesting and crucial in bringing effective and reliable immunotherapeutic strategies to the clinics.
Preference and Urgency

Arguments in moral philosophy frequently turn on appeals to some standard on the basis of which the benefits and sacrifices of different people can be compared. In applying principles of distributive justice, for example, we must appeal to some standard of this kind as a ground for measuring the equality or inequality of shares, and similar appeals must be made in defending systems of rights, and institutionally defined prerogatives and protections. Such appeals to the comparison of benefits and burdens will of course be most direct in those theories which are, broadly speaking, utilitarian, but they also play a crucial role in theories that diverge from utilitarianism. Comparisons of this kind are, for example, crucial to the argument from Rawls's Original Position, and, in general, criteria of relative well-being and relative sacrifice will have a central place in any moral theory that does not start with a system of rights taken as standing in need of no defense. In this paper I want to describe and discuss some problems concerning the way in which criteria of well-being are to be formulated and defended and the ways in which they enter into moral arguments. Let me begin by stating some properties which it seems that criteria of well-being should have if they are to play the role commonly assigned to them in moral argument.
A real-time CNC interpolator algorithm for trimming and filling planar offset curves

Tool paths for CNC machines must be offset from the desired part shape, in order to compensate for the tool radius. To avoid gouging the part geometry and to ensure continuous paths, the offset construction employs trimming and filling operations at tangent discontinuities and regions of high concave curvature on the part shape. Typically, offset paths are constructed offline in a CAM system the resulting paths are inherently approximate, and must be re-generated when a different tool size is selected. To circumvent these shortcomings, an interpolator algorithm for real-time offset curve trimming and filling is developed and verified herein. Since the algorithm uses the exact part geometry, offset path approximation errors are completely eliminated. Circular fill arcs of the appropriate angular extent are automatically executed at convex tangent-discontinuous junctures of adjacent part boundary segments, and offset trimming operations are triggered by real-time point/curve distance computations, which determine footpoints of the instantaneous tool position on the part boundary. The algorithm also accommodates feedrates that correspond to a constant speed of either the tool/part contact point, or the tool center. The practical feasibility of the method is demonstrated by an implementation on a 3-axis CNC mill governed by an open-architecture software controller. Automatic tool radius compensation in CNC machining is achieved by an algorithm for real-time offset curve trimming and filling.The algorithm employs the exact analytic part geometry, avoiding the need for offset curve approximations.Feedrates corresponding to a constant speed of the tool center, and of the tool/part contact point, are accommodated.The feasibility of the method is demonstrated by implementation on a 3-axis CNC mill with an open-architecture controller.
Deactivation of a Cobalt Catalyst for Water Reduction through Valence Tautomerism.

The activity of the water reduction catalyst [CoIII (L1 )(pyr)2 ]PF6 (1), where (L1 )2- is a bis-amido pyridine ligand and pyr is pyrrolidine, is investigated. Catalyst 1 has an overpotential of 0.54 V and a high observed TOF of 23 min-1 , albeit for a relatively short time. Considering the significant activity of 1 and aiming to improve catalyst design, a detailed structural and electronic study is performed to understand the mechanisms of deactivation. Experimental and theoretical evidence support that the metal-reduced [CoI (L1 )]- is in tautomeric equilibrium with the ligand-reduced [CoII (L1. )]- species. While [CoI (L1 )]- favors formation of a CoIII -H- relevant for catalysis, the [CoII (L1. )]- species leads to ligand protonation, structural distortions, and, ultimatley, catalyst deactivation.
Retail adoption of Internet of Things: Applying TAM model

the purpose of this paper is to identify variables important to the acceptance and use of Internet of things by retail employees and to recommend management strategies for effective IoT integration in the retail stores. This study aims to extend the basic technology acceptance model (TAM) by analyzing the impact of trust, perceived behavior control and subjective norm on employee's attitude and behavioral intention towards adopting IoT in retail environments. Responses from retail employees were used to measure their perception of IoT in terms of usefulness, Ease of Use, trust, attitude towards IoT adoption, perceived behavior control and subjective norm and behavioral intention.
Mycophenolate mofetil-related leukopenia in children and young adults following kidney transplantation: Influence of genes and drugs.

MMF is commonly prescribed following kidney transplantation, yet its use is complicated by leukopenia. Understanding the genetics mediating this risk will help clinicians administer MMF safely. We evaluated 284 patients under 21 years of age for incidence and time course of MMF-related leukopenia and performed a candidate gene association study comparing the frequency of 26 SNPs between cases with MMF-related leukopenia and controls. We matched cases by induction, steroid duration, race, center, and age. We also evaluated the impact of induction and SNPs on time to leukopenia in all cases. Sixty-eight (24%) patients had MMF-related leukopenia, of which 59 consented for genotyping and 38 were matched with controls. Among matched pairs, no SNPs were associated with leukopenia. With non-depleting induction, UGT2B7-900A>G (rs7438135) was associated with increased risk of MMF-related leukopenia (P = .038). Time to leukopenia did not differ between patients by induction agent, but 2 SNPs (rs2228075, rs2278294) in IMPDH1 were associated with increased time to leukopenia. MMF-related leukopenia is common after transplantation. UGT2B7 may influence leukopenia risk especially in patients without lymphocyte-depleting induction. IMPDH1 may influence time course of leukopenia after transplant.
Age-Varying Associations Between Cigarette Smoking, Sensation Seeking, and Impulse Control Through Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Sensation seeking (SS) and impulse control (IC) are constructs at the core of dual systems models of adolescent risk taking. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, age-varying associations between SS and IC (predictors) and both any smoking in the previous 30 days and daily smoking (outcomes) were examined. The association between SS and both any smoking in the previous 30 days and daily smoking was strongest during adolescence. IC was consistently associated with any smoking in the previous 30 days and daily smoking, with the strongest association emerging during the mid-20s to early 30s. The results provide a nuanced perspective on when the components of dual systems models may be most related to smoking.
Graph Scan Statistics With Uncertainty.

Scan statistics is one of the most popular approaches for anomaly detection in spatial and network data. In practice, there are numerous sources of uncertainty in the observed data. However, most prior works have overlooked such uncertainty, which can affect the accuracy and inferences of such methods. In this paper, we develop the first systematic approach to incorporating uncertainty in scan statistics. We study two formulations for robust scan statistics, one based on the sample average approximation and the other using a max-min objective. We show that uncertainty significantly increases the computational complexity of these problems. Rigorous algorithms and efficient heuristics for both formulations are developed with justification of theoretical bounds. We evaluate our proposed methods on synthetic and real datasets, and we observe that our methods give significant improvement in the detection power as well as optimization objective, relative to a baseline.
Staging Laparoscopy Not Only Saves Patients an Incision, But May Also Help Them Live Longer

Approximately 20–40% of patients with “resectable” pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by imaging criteria have metastatic disease on exploration. Our aim was to assess the potential impact of staging laparoscopy versus upfront laparotomy in “resectable” patients found to have metastatic PDAC. Clinicopathologic data was retrospectively collected for all patients with PDAC undergoing an operation with curative intent between 2001–2015 at a single institution. Of the 1001 patients undergoing surgical evaluation, 151 had unsuspected metastatic PDAC. Staging laparoscopy was performed in 59% (89/151) of patients, while 41% (62/151) underwent an exploratory laparotomy with or without prophylactic bypass. There were no differences in patient demographics and preoperative CA 19-9 levels between the staging laparoscopy and exploratory laparotomy groups. However, staging laparoscopy was more often performed for pancreatic body/tail lesions (85% vs 60% for pancreatic head lesions, p < 0.001). Patients who only underwent laparoscopy started palliative chemotherapy more quickly (17.9 days vs 39.9 days in the laparotomy group, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the 30 day or lifetime incidence of postoperative cholangitis, gastric outlet obstruction, or biliary stent placement between groups. The median overall survival for the staging laparoscopy group (11.4 months) was significantly longer than the laparotomy group (8.3 months, p < 0.001). In a cox regression analysis adjusting for clinicopathologic variables, staging laparoscopy was associated with significantly improved overall survival when compared to the laparotomy group (HR 0.53, 95% C.I. 0.34–0.82, p = 0.005). For patients diagnosed with metastatic PDAC at the time of surgical exploration, staging laparoscopy was associated with a shorter time to chemotherapy and improved overall survival when compared to those explored without laparoscopy.
The Evolution of Vibrio cholerae as a Pathogen

Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, a severe gastrointestinal infection that is a major public health problem in developing countries where water quality and sanitation are poor. Not all strains of V. cholerae are highly pathogenic for humans and genetic analysis has shown that the difference between pathogen and nonpathogenic strains resides in their virulence gene content. In this chapter, I will review the field’s knowledge of the major virulence factors of V. cholerae, the genetic elements that encode them, and the evolutionary process that leads to the emergence of toxigenic V. cholerae. Ecological factors (e.g., lytic phage sensitivity, chitin utilization, and quiescent environmental states) will not be discussed in this chapter given that these aspects of V. cholerae biology will be discussed in detail in other chapters. Instead, this chapter will focus on aspects of the organism that relate to its evolution as a pathogen with emphasis on its known and putative virulence factors, the genetic elements that encode them, and how this knowledge has shaped cholera vaccine development efforts.
Congenital LCM Virus Infection in “Germ-Free” Haas Strain Mice

“Germ-free” Haas strain mice are congenitally and persistently infected with LCM virus which is associated with a life-limiting immunoproliferative syndrome. The principal lesions are lymphoid infiltrations of visceral organs, elevated levels of serum globulins, and glomerulonephritis. The germ-free mice tolerate maximum subtoxic doses of cyclophosphamide, from which conventional counterpart mice die of bacterial infections. Cyclophosphamide treatments have prevented the development of and have reversed the lesions in young and old Haas strain mice, respectively. Intermittent cyclophosphamide therapy has elicited new reticulum cell sarcomas in Haas strain mice. Thus far, adoptive immunization procedures have not interrupted the congenital passage of LCM virus, and the results with radiation-induced allogeneic chimeras are incomplete. The protean manifestations of disease in Haas mice provide model experimental systems for congenital and persistent infection, immunoproliferative disease, immune complex disease, immunological tolerance, viral and cancer chemotherapy, and tissue transplantation procedures.
Prognosticating in the Very Elderly.

See Article by Erthal et al One of the major strengths of myocardial perfusion imaging is its ability to provide incremental prognostic benefit to predict future major cardiovascular events and death over patient demographic and clinical risk factors.1,2 The extent of myocardial ischemia detected on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) testing with single photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to be predictive of death or myocardial infarction in most subgroups, including elderly, women, diabetics, and obese patients in numerous studies during the past 3 decades.1,3–6 For patients older than 75 to 80 years, studies with single photon emission computed tomography MPI have consistently shown the prognostic value of MPI-detected myocardial ischemia to predict cardiac events, cardiac, and all-cause death (Table).3,7–9 PET MPI, being preferred in patients who are unable to exercise, is usually performed in a higher risk cohort of patients, has greater diagnostic accuracy, and offers incremental prognostic benefit overall, and in subgroups of sex, diabetes mellitus, and obesity.2 In this issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging , Erthal et al10 report that the prognostic power of PET MPI is robust in patients between age 65 and 84 years but wanes in those over age 85 years. In particular, the percent of left ventricular (LV) …