cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Respiration and lactate production in isolated frog skeletal muscle: effects of passive stretch.

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of varying degrees of passive stretch on in vitro oxygen consumption and intracellular lactate efflux have been investigated in paired recti abdomini muscles from small male frogs. 2. 2. Oxygen consumption [mm3 (STP)/mg (dry wt)/hr] was found to be linearly related to load (r = 0.98), increasing from 1.57 ± 0.11 (SE) at 2 g to 2.30 ± 0.18 at 10 g, 2.89 ± 0.16 at 20g and 3.26 ± 0.21 at 30 g. 3. 3. Lactate released into the medium [μM/g (dry wt)/hr] was inversely related to load (r = −0.52), increasing initially from 36.84 ± 3.28 (SE) at 2 g to 108.55 ± 12.9 at 10 g, then abruptly decreasing with additional loading (18.10 ± 2.60 at 20g and 11.71 ± 2.80 at 30 g). 4. 4. Results suggest that as stretch-related oxidative energy metabolism increases, there is a lessening dependence on anaerobic energy-yielding processes.
The total number, time of origin and kinetics of proliferation of neurons comprising the deep cerebellar nuclei in the rhesus monkey

The genesis of the neurons that form the cerebellar nuclei was studied by autoradiographic methods in 30 postnatal rhesus monkeys which were exposed to 3H-thymidine at various embryonic (E) and postnatal (P) ages. As a basis for this quantitative analysis, five 2–3 month old monkeys were used for cell counting and estimation of the total number of neurons in each of the cerebellar nuclei. The results show that the cerebellar nuclei on each side contain 131,000 neurons. There are 68,000 neurons in the dentate nucleus, 25,000 neurons in the posterior interposed nucleus, and 19,000 neurons in both the anterior interposed and fastigial nuclei. All of the neurons comprising the deep nuclei are generated during the first half of the 165 day gestation period in this species. Although neurogenesis lasts from E30 through E70, approximately 81% of the neuron population is generated during a one week period between E36 and E40, with the peak of proliferation occurring at E36. Before E45 both large (maximum diameter greater than 35 μm) and small (maximum diameter 35 μm or less) neurons are produced simultaneously; after this period only small neurons are generated. Although no clearcut spatio-temporal gradients of neurogenesis could be discerned along any of the cardinal axes, each cerebellar nucleus has a somewhat distinctive developmental history in terms of the onset and cessation of neurogenesis and the tempo of cell proliferation. Thus, genesis of neurons destined for the dentate nucleus begins earlier and ends later than proliferation of the neurons that ultimately comprise the fastigial nucleus. Generation of the neurons destined for the anterior and posterior interposed nuclei follows an intermediate time course. The present data on neurogenetic sequences in the deep nuclei could not be correlated with the zonal pattern of reciprocal axonal connections that link the deep nuclei and overlying cerebellar cortex.
ENHANCING EFFECT OF RABBIT ANTI-MOUSE EOSINOPHIUC SERUM (AES) ON GRANULOPOIETIC COLONY FORMING UNITS IN CULTURE (CFU-C)

ENHANCING EFFECT OF RABBIT ANTI-MOUSE EOSINOPHIUC SERUM (AES) ON GRANULOPOIETIC COLONY FORMING UNITS IN CULTURE (CFU-C)
What's your diagnosis? Loss of vulvar pigmentation in a two-year-old girl.

A 2-year-old African-American girl has had loss of her normal vulvar pigmentation over the last several months. She has also had a few spots of pigment loss in the perianal area. The child has not had pain or pruritus and the rest of her skin has been normal. (excerpt)
Perioperative morbidity and mortality after transmyocardial laser revascularization: incidence and risk factors for adverse events.

Abstract OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence and spectrum of perioperative cardiac and noncardiac morbidity and mortality after transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) and to identify predictors of these adverse clinical events. BACKGROUND Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of TMR for relieving angina pectoris, although no study to date has specifically addressed the associated perioperative morbidity and mortality. METHODS Between October 1995 and August 1997, 34 consecutive patients with end-stage coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent isolated TMR. The majority of patients (94%) had class III or IV angina pectoris, and two patients (6%) had unstable symptoms preoperatively. Patient records were reviewed for fatal and nonfatal adverse cardiac and noncardiac events. RESULTS Perioperative death occurred in two patients (5.9%) due to cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction. Perioperative cardiac morbidity occurred in 16 patients (47.1%); noncardiac morbidity was seen in 12 patients (35.3%). Preoperative unstable angina was the only variable predictive of perioperative death (p = 0.005). Cardiac (p = 0.005) and noncardiac (p CONCLUSIONS Perioperative mortality in patients undergoing isolated TMR is low. Transmyocardial laser revascularization patients are at higher risk for adverse perioperative cardiac and noncardiac events, likely reflecting the lack of immediate benefit from the procedure in the setting of severe CAD. These patients merit vigilant surveillance for adverse events and aggressive medical management in the perioperative period.
The thermodynamic properties of carbon in body-centered cubic iron

The temperature dependence of the equilibrium between m ethane-hydrogen gas mixtures of varying composition and carbon dissolved in bcc iron has been investigated. The data obtained have been analyzed to give values of the partial enthalpy and excess entropy of carbon in ferrite. The results have been discussed and compared to other investigations of the thermodynamic properties of the C-bcc-Fe system. From this investigation the partial excess entropy of the carbon is 6.56k, the partial enthalpy with respect to a solute atom at rest in a vacuum is −144.06 kcal per mole and the corresponding relative partial enthalpy is 23.34 kcal per mole at 1000°K.
Phoneme-cluster learning as a function of instructional method and age

Phoneme-cluster learning of 216 first- and second-grade children was studied as a function of instructional method and age. The experimental cluster was /sr/ appearing in the syllable /srob/. The experimental syllable was played from a tape recorder 28 times. Correct responses were reinforced. Subjects were assigned to one of three instructional groups: Group I—pronunciation of a familiar word whose meaning was identified; Group II—pronunciation of a familiar word whose meaning was not identified; Group III—pronunciation of a new word. The findings indicated that the learning of Groups I and II was significantly impaired in comparison to the learning of Group III. No significant difference was found between Groups I and II. The results suggest that sound learning for the new word condition was more effective than for the other two conditions. While boys and girls performed similarly, the older children performed more effectively than the younger in learning the new phoneme cluster combination.
The effect of ageing on mucin contents in mouse submandibular glands.

There may be deleterious effects if there is an age-dependent reduction in mucin composition or content in salivary glands. To assess whether there was an effect of age in submandibular glands from male mice aged 3 months, 10 and 20 months and 27, 29 and 30 months, mucin, protein and sialic acid were quantitated. Changes in wet weight per gland and protein per gland were highly significant (p < 0.001), as tested by analysis of variance, and the means for both were highest in middle aged glands. While sialic acid per gland showed no significant change from middle aged to old glands, mucin per gland showed an age-related decrease (p < 0.01) when comparing either young or middle aged glands with old glands.
Variability of suspended-sediment concentration at tidal to annual time scales in San Francisco Bay, USA

Singular spectrum analysis for time series with missing data (SSAM) was used to reconstruct components of a 6-yr time series of suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) from San Francisco Bay. Data were collected every 15 min and the time series contained missing values that primarily were due to sensor fouling. SSAM was applied in a sequential manner to calculate reconstructed components with time scales of variability that ranged from tidal to annual. Physical processes that controlled SSC and their contribution to the total variance of SSC were (1) diurnal, semidiurnal, and other higher frequency tidal constituents (24%), (2) semimonthly tidal cycles (21%), (3) monthly tidal cycles (19%), (4) semiannual tidal cycles (12%), and (5) annual pulses of sediment caused by freshwater inflow, deposition, and subsequent wind-wave resuspension (13%). Of the total variance 89% was explained and subtidal variability (65%) was greater than tidal variability (24%). Processes at subtidal time scales accounted for more variance of SSC than processes at tidal time scales because sediment accumulated in the water column and the supply of easily erodible bed sediment increased during periods of increased subtidal energy. This large range of time scales that each contained significant variability of SSC and associated contaminants can confound design of sampling programs and interpretation of resulting data. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Finding generalized projected clusters in high dimensional spaces

High dimensional data has always been a challenge for clustering algorithms because of the inherent sparsity of the points. Recent research results indicate that in high dimensional data, even the concept of proximity or clustering may not be meaningful. We discuss very general techniques for projected clustering which are able to construct clusters in arbitrarily aligned subspaces of lower dimensionality. The subspaces are specific to the clusters themselves. This definition is substantially more general and realistic than currently available techniques which limit the method to only projections from the original set of attributes. The generalized projected clustering technique may also be viewed as a way of trying to redefine clustering for high dimensional applications by searching for hidden subspaces with clusters which are created by inter-attribute correlations. We provide a new concept of using extended cluster feature vectors in order to make the algorithm scalable for very large databases. The running time and space requirements of the algorithm are adjustable, and are likely ta tradeoff with better accuracy.
Fundamentals of the switched-capacitor approach to circuit synthesis

This paper is an overview of the switched-capacitor approach to circuit synthesis developed by the author in the early 1960s. The paper presents the switched-capacitor (SC) approach as a whole, as a method of synthesis of various types of circuits, one of which includes filters and A/D converters. It is devoted to fundamental concepts and ideas, basic structures and circuits and their functional capabilities in signal processing of various kinds of analog and digital signals Operating in discrete time of number of pulses and using capacitors for voltage-charge conversion, the method allows direct processing of voltages, charges, numbers of pulses, pulse frequencies, and digital signals providing extremely wide capabilities for signal processing. Besides the analog of a continuous resistor and continuous circuits with resistors, it is possible to create circuits based on resistor control by the number of pulses, by frequency and digital signals, and on negative feedback by those signals. Series connection of a circuit with pulse/ frequency output with one having a pulse/frequency input yields circuits for various nonlinear functions for voltages. Similar circuit structures are possible with the charge as an intermediate intracircuit signal. Sample structures and circuits are given for various types of linear and nonlinear algebraic and dynamic functions, for discontinuous and quasicontinuous operation, and for processing and producing analog, frequency and pulse-number modulated and binary-coded digital signals and combinations thereof.
An energy based security measure for assessing vulnerability to voltage collapse

A security measure is defined to indicate vulnerability to voltage collapse based on an energy function for system models that includes voltage variation and reactive loads. The system dynamic model, the energy function, and the security measure are first illustrated in a simple radial system. Application of the security measure and its computational aspects are then examined in a standard 30-bus example (New England System). The security measure captures nonlinear effects such as VAR limits on generators that can influence the systems vulnerability to collapse. The behavior of the index with respect to network load increases is nearly linear over a wide range of load variation, facilitating prediction of the onset of collapse. >
Disruption-management strategies for short life-cycle products

Supplier diversification, contingent sourcing, and demand switching (whereby a firm shifts customers to a different product if their preferred product is unavailable), are key building blocks of a disruption-management strategy for firms that sell multiple products over a single season. In this article, we evaluate 12 possible disruption-management strategies (combinations of the basic building-block tactics) in the context of a two-product newsvendor. We investigate the influence of nine attributes of the firm, its supplier(s), and its products on the firs preference for the various strategies. These attributes include supplier reliability, supplier failure correlation, payment responsibility in the event of a supply failure, product contribution margin, product substitutability, demand uncertainties and correlation, and the decision makes risk aversion. Our results show that contingent sourcing is preferred to supplier diversification as the supply risk (failure probability) increases, but diversification is preferred to contingent sourcing as the demand risk (demand uncertainty) increases. We find that demand switching is not effective at managing supply risk if the products are sourced from the same set of suppliers. Demand switching is effective at managing demand risk and so can be preferred to the other tactics if supply risk is low. Risk aversion makes contingent sourcing preferable over a wider set of supply and demand-risk combinations. We also find a two-tactic strategy provides almost the same benefit as a three-tactic strategy for most reasonable supply and demand-risk combinations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2009
Prevalence of premature ventricular contractions in a population of African American and white men and women: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Abstract Background The distribution or the causes of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in diverse populations are not fully known. We describe the prevalence of PVCs on a 2-minute electrocardiogram (ECG) in adults to determine whether hypertension has an important association with such PVCs. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of the 15,792 individuals (aged 45-65 years) from the four US communities participating at visit 1 of the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study was performed. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association of PVCs with potential causal predictors of PVCs. Results Based on a 2-minute ECG, PVCs are present in >6% of middle-aged adults. Increasing age, the presence of heart disease, faster sinus rates, African American ethnicity, male sex, lower educational attainment, and lower serum magnesium or potassium levels are directly related to PVC prevalence. Independently of these factors, hypertension is associated with a 23% increase in the prevalence of PVCs. Conclusions The prevalence of PVCs on a 2-minute ECG differs by age, ethnicity, and sex and is associated with hypertension, heart disease, faster sinus rates, electrolyte abnormalities, and lower educational attainment. Hypertension is likely to be a major cause of PVCs in adults. (Am Heart J 2002;143:535-40.)
Jewish, Christian, and Muslim attitudes toward Animals

This article surveys Jewish, Christian and Muslim attitudes toward animals in ancient and medieval sources, and demonstrates how the scriptural heritage and its multi-faceted exegetical traditions are shot through with the notion of the superiority of humans to nonhuman animals. Yet at the same time they are suffused with teachings that chasten human arrogance and exhort humans to show compassion toward all species. The article attempts to provide a corrective to both the contestation that these traditions foster the exploitation of animals and the counterargument that ignores an inherent hierarchy in their textual sources. To support the contention that these religious traditions at once uphold a hierarchy and display concern for other animals, the article examines the fate of the fauna in the Noah flood narrative and the Islamic fable, “The Case of the Animals Versus Man.”
A Research Note KINETIC STUDY OF RETROGRADATION OF CASSAVA STARCH GELS

The kinetics of crystallization of cassava starch during aging were studied at different temperatures using the expression θ= exp(-ktn), where θ is the fraction of uncrystallized material remaining after time t. The values for the rate constant (k) indicated that the firming process for the cassava starch gels was characterized by a negative temperature coefficient. The Avrami exponent (n) was found to be unity over the range of temperatures studied (2-30° C), suggesting that the mechanism of starch crystallization is instantaneous nucleation followed by rod-like growth of ciystals.
X/Ka-band dual frequency horn design

The Deep Space Network has a need for a dual frequency horn for simultaneous dual frequency operation in a beam waveguide antenna. The dual frequency horn will receive X-band (8.4-8.5 GHz), KABLE frequency (33.6-33.8 GHz), and DSN Ka-band downlink (31.8-32.3 GHz) signals simultaneously. The horn is designed to receive circularly polarized waves. Low loss (noise) in the dual frequency horn is a prime consideration since the horn is employed in the reception of signals from deep space. >
From Cues to Signals: Evolution of Interspecific Communication via Aposematism and Mimicry in a Predator-Prey System

Current theory suggests that many signaling systems evolved from preexisting cues. In aposematic systems, prey warning signals benefit both predator and prey. When the signal is highly beneficial, a third species often evolves to mimic the toxic species, exploiting the signaling system for its own protection. We investigated the evolutionary dynamics of predator cue utilization and prey signaling in a digital predator-prey system in which prey could evolve to alter their appearance to mimic poison-free or poisonous prey. In predators, we observed rapid evolution of cue recognition (i.e. active behavioral responses) when presented with sufficiently poisonous prey. In addition, active signaling (i.e. mimicry) evolved in prey under all conditions that led to cue utilization. Thus we show that despite imperfect and dishonest signaling, given a high cost of consuming poisonous prey, complex systems of interspecific communication can evolve via predator cue recognition and prey signal manipulation. This provides evidence supporting hypotheses that cues may serve as stepping-stones in the evolution of more advanced communication and signaling systems that incorporate information about the environment.
Age-related Reduction Of S100A8/A9 In Chronic Rhinosinusitis Is Associated With Increased Production Of Soluble gp130

S A T U R D A Y 163 Mast Cells with a Unique Phenotype Are Highly Elevated in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps T. Takabayashi, A. Kato, A. T. Peter, L. A. Suh, R. Carter, J. Norton, L. C. Grammer, B. K. Tan, R. K. Chandra, D. B. Conley, R. C. Kern, S. Fujieda, R. P. Schleimer; The Division of Allergy and Immunology Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, The Division of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Sensory and Locomotor Medicine, University of Fukui, Fukui, JAPAN, Department of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. RATIONALE: Although chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is characterized by Th2 inflammation, the role of mast cells is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence, localization and phenotype of mast cells in affected tissues from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: We collected nasal tissue and nasal lavage fluid from patients with CRS and control subjects. We analyzed mRNA for the mast cell proteases tryptase, chymase and carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3), using real-time PCR, and assessed the presence of mast cell proteases using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. We also performed immunofluorescence to observe the pattern of colocalization of the mast cell proteases. RESULTS: Tryptase mRNA and protein were significantly increased in nasal polyps frompatientswithCRSwNPcomparedwith uncinate tissue from patients with CRS or healthy subjects. We made the striking observation that therewere abundantmast cells localizedwithinglands of nasalpolyps and that these mast cells expressed all three proteases. We also observed increased numbers of mast cells in epithelium but not elsewhere within the lamina propria in nasal polyps. The mast cells detected in epithelium in nasal polyps were characterized by expression of tryptase and CPA3 but not chymase. CONCLUSIONS: Herein we demonstrate increased mast cells in epithelium and glands of nasal polyp tissue, and show that nasal polyp mast cells have unique phenotypes that vary by tissue location. These diverse subsets of mast cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.
Prognosis of Aortic Intramural Hematoma With and Without Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer. A Clinical and Radiological Analysis

Background— Advances in imaging techniques have increased the recognition of aortic intramural hematomas (IMHs) and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs); however, distinction between IMH and PAU remains unclear. We intended to clarify differences between IMH coexisting with PAU and IMH not associated with PAU by comparisons of clinical features, imaging findings, and patient outcome to derive the optimal therapeutic approach. Methods and Results— We performed a retrospective analysis of 65 symptomatic patients with aortic IMH. There were 34 patients with IMH associated with PAU (group 1) and 31 patients with IMH unaccompanied by PAU (group 2). Involvement of the ascending aorta (type A) was more frequent in group 2 (8 of 31, 26%), whereas most of the patients in group 1 had exclusive involvement of the descending aorta (type B) (31of 34, 91%). Patients were subdivided into 2 categories, those with clinical progression and those with stable disease. Forty-eight percent of patients in group 1 and 8% in...
Effects of Blueberry red ringspot virus on Yield and Fruit Maturation in Southern Highbush Blueberry

Blueberry red ringspot virus (BRRV) has become prevalent in southern highbush blueberry in the southeastern United States but information about the yield effects associated with the disease is limited and conflicting. A 3-year study was conducted on mature, container-grown plants of 'Star' and 'Jewel' blueberry that were either systemically infected or not infected with BRRV to determine the effect of the disease on flower bud numbers and fruit yield and on advances or delays in fruit ripening. On Star, flower bud counts were lower for BRRV-positive plants (P = 0.0137 in one year and P = 0.1085 in another) but no such effect was observed for Jewel. When fruit were harvested over time during the ripening period in the spring, no consistent yield or berry weight reductions were observed due to BRRV infection for either cultivar. On Star, fruit maturity tended to be slightly advanced in BRRV-positive plants in all years. Specifically, the weight of unripe fruit remaining after the last harvest was consistently lower for BRRV-positive plants than for BRRV-negative plants, suggesting that BRRV infection in Star may lead to a shorter fruit ripening period. No such effect on fruit ripening was observed for Jewel. It is concluded that-for the cultivars examined in this study-BRRV causes a relatively benign infection with no negative yield implications.
High Quality, Low Cost Continuous Poly-GaN Film on Si and Glass Substrates Produced by Spin Coating

Polycrystalline GaN layers have been produced on generic substrates via spin coating. Based on X-ray diffraction and SEM analyses, the GaN particles appear to be highly oriented on the surface. Strong luminescence from these layers has been demonstrated by cathodoluminescence. The source material was high purity, high quality GaN powder produced in our laboratory. Methyl cellulose was successfully used to disaggregate GaN particles in the dispersion. The colloidal dispersions were spun onto different substrates: Si, sapphire and glass. The dispersant was removed by annealing the sample at 500oC. The layer thickness was controlled by varying the number of spin coatings. Applications for spin-deposited GaN layers include the fields of light emitting devices and random lasers.
Autoantibodies to Non-myelin Antigens as Contributors to the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis

For years, investigators have sought to prove that myelin antigens are the primary targets of autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent experiments have begun to challenge this assumption, particularly when studying the neurodegenerative phase of MS. T-lymphocyte responses to myelin antigens have been extensively studied, and are likely early contributors to the pathogenesis of MS. Antibodies to myelin antigens have a much more inconstant association with the pathogenesis of MS. Recent studies indicate that antibodies to non-myelin antigens such as neurofilaments, neurofascin, RNA binding proteins and potassium channels may contribute to the pathogenesis of MS. The purpose of this review is to analyze recent studies that examine the role that autoantibodies to non-myelin antigens might play in the pathogenesis of MS.
TRACHEAL HYPERTROPHY IN MEALWORMS: DESIGN AND PLASTICITY IN OXYGEN SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Larval Tenebrio molitor L. (Insecta) were reared in three different levels of oxygen: 21 % (normal), 15 % and 10.5 %, all at 101.3 kPa (=1 atm) total pressure (remainder nitrogen). Some larvae were transferred from one oxygen level to another during development. The main tracheae (branching off from the spiracular tracheae) were of greater cross-sectional area in lower ambient oxygen. Compared to larvae of the same body mass reared in 21 % oxygen, larvae reared in 15 % oxygen had main tracheae 40% larger in cross-sectional area on average, and larvae in 10.5% oxygen had main tracheae 120% larger. This hypertrophy is not consistent with the widely accepted hypothesis that tracheae contribute an insignificant resistance to the net movement of oxygen in insect tracheal systems. The magnitude of the hypertrophy is consistent with predictions from Fick9s law of diffusion and with the hypothesis that diffusion is the primary mechanism for oxygen movement in the larval tracheal system of holometabolous insects.
Teachers' Knowledge about Early Reading: Effects on Students' Gains in Reading Achievement.

This study developed a new survey of teachers' knowledge about early reading and examined the effects of teachers' knowledge on students' reading achievement in Grades 1 to 3 in a large sample of Michigan schools. Using statistical models that controlled for teachers' personal and professional characteristics, students' prior reading achievement, and the clustering of high- knowledge teachers in schools and school districts with particular demographic composition, we found that the effects of teachers' knowledge about early reading on students' reading achievement were small. In 1st grade, students in classrooms headed by higher knowledge teachers performed better on year-end tests of reading comprehension but not word analysis. In 2nd and 3rd grades, the effects of teachers' knowledge on either measure of students' reading achievement were not statistically significant. Although the study suggests new forms of statistical analysis that might produce better estimates of the effects of teachers' knowledge on students' reading achievement, further research is needed to improve the conceptual and psychometric properties of measures of teachers' knowledge of reading and to investigate the relation of their knowledge and their instructional practices.
"A Dive Into Nature's Great Grab-bag": Nature, Gender and Capitalism in the Early Pennsylvania Oil Industry

is now imparting a taste of its quality to everything wearable, eatable, and drinkable, throughout whole sections of the Union, from the eggs and muffins you devour at breakfast, to the sheets in which you lie at night. . . . The whole Atlantic and Great Western Railway smells like a leafy parafine [sic] lamp; and unless some means can be discovered of over coming the miasma, an American and a Canadian will be detected in society by his scent.3
Predictive Models for Min-entropy Estimation

Random numbers are essential for cryptography. In most real-world systems, these values come from a cryptographic pseudorandom number generator (PRNG), which in turn is seeded by an entropy source. The security of the entire cryptographic system then relies on the accuracy of the claimed amount of entropy provided by the source. If the entropy source provides less unpredictability than is expected, the security of the cryptographic mechanisms is undermined, as in [5, 7, 10]. For this reason, correctly estimating the amount of entropy available from a source is critical.
Framing, Political Opportunities, and Civic Mobilization in The Eastern European Revolutions: A Case Study of Poland's Freedom and Peace Movement

Scholarship on the revolutions of 1989 has failed to take into account the role social movements played in civic mobilization in the late communist period. This is in part due to shortcomings in the theory of political opportunities as applied to repressive regimes. Through a case study of the Freedom and Peace movement, prominent in Poland between 1985 and 1989, this article shows how such a movement needed to create its own opportunities. Its emergence and ability to mobilize cannot be explained within the widely accepted model of political opportunity structures. Attention is directed instead to three movement strategies: exploiting opportunities within the underground opposition; reframing state repression as a motivation for activism; and choosing issues, such as resistance to the draft and environmental protest, which exposed weaknesses in the communist regime and thus lowered the perceived risks of participation.
Computer Assisted Displays Enabling Internalization and Reduction of Operator Workload in Higher Order Systems, or, Pushing the Barrier of Human Control beyond Second Order Systems

It has long been known that the control of high order systems (second order and above) is much more difficult than controlling lower order systems. In order to make the higher order system more controllable, research and engineering practice have emphasized removing the operator from the direct control of the vehicle, reducing the order of control of the system (by quickening), and designing displays that predict the path of the vehicle. These methods have been developed to try to compensate for the inability of operators to master higher order control functions. We are proposing a novel type of display indicator which allows subjects to spatially control and conceptualize higher order control systems. Language: en
Effects of two fungicide formulations on microbial and macroinvertebrate leaf decomposition under laboratory conditions.

Aquatic fungi contribute significantly to the decomposition of leaves in streams, a key ecosystem service. Little is known, however, about the effects of fungicides on aquatic fungi and macroinvertebrates involved with leaf decomposition. Red maple (Acer rubrum) leaves were conditioned in a stream to acquire microbes (bacteria and fungi) or leached in tap water (unconditioned) to simulate potential reduction of microbial biomass by fungicides. Conditioned leaves were exposed to fungicide formulations QUILT (azoxystrobin + propiconazole) or PRISTINE (boscalid + pyraclostrobin) in the presence and absence of the leaf shredder, Hyalella azteca (amphipods; 7-d old at start of exposures) for 14 d at 23 °C. The QUILT formulations (∼0.3 μg/L, 1.8 μg/L, and 8 μg/L) tended to increase leaf decomposition by amphipods (not significant) without a concomitant increase in amphipod biomass, indicating potential increased consumption of leaves with reduced nutritional value. The PRISTINE formulation (∼33 μg/L) significantly reduced amphipod growth and biomass (p < 0.05), effects similar to those observed with unconditioned controls. The significant suppressive effects of PRISTINE on amphipod growth and the trend toward increased leaf decomposition with increasing QUILT concentration indicate the potential for altered leaf decay in streams exposed to fungicides. Further work is needed to evaluate fungicide effects on leaf decomposition under conditions relevant to stream ecosystems, including temperature shifts and pulsed exposures to pesticide mixtures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2834-2844. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Preferential Solvation in Binary and Ternary Mixtures

Preferential solvation has become a useful tool to help characterize and understand the properties of liquid mixtures. Here, we provide a new quantitative measure of preferential solvation in binary and ternary mixtures that uses Kirkwood-Buff integrals as input, but differs from traditional measures. The advantages of the new measure are highlighted and compared with established literature approaches. Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to further investigate the nature of binary mixtures, as described by the new and existing measures of preferential solvation. It is shown that the new measure of preferential solvation is rigorous, has a simple physical interpretation, can be easily related to the underlying thermodynamic properties of the mixture, and naturally leads to zero values for ideal mixtures.
Matched asymptotic analysis of atmospheric pressure gas breakdown from nanoscale to microscale

Electronics miniaturization for multiple applications, such as microelectromechanical systems1 and electric micropropulsion2, motivates more accurate predictions of gas breakdown voltage. Traditional breakdown theory described by Paschen's law fails for gap distances smaller than ∼15 μm.3 Multiple studies have obtained expressions for gas breakdown at microscale; however, these equations can only be solved numerically and do not directly predict the behavior for nanoscale gaps.4 We address this challenge by deriving simple analytic expressions to predict breakdown voltage by conducting a matched asymptotic analysis. We obtained excellent agreement between numerical solutions, analytic solutions, and particle-in-cell simulations for gap distances from 1 nm to 35 μm which corresponds to the Meeks criterion for streamer discharge. Moreover, the analytic expression for small gap distance shows that the breakdown voltage continues to decrease with decreasing gap distance rather than increasing as predicted by Paschen's law. Furthermore, the limiting behavior shows regions where the conventional dependence of breakdown voltage as a function of the product of pressure and gap distance fails, motivating further analysis on pressure dependence. The implications of these results on system miniaturization and design at pressures above and below atmospheric pressure will be discussed.
The Cartwright Conjecture: The Deterrent Value and Escalatory Risk of Fearsome Cyber Capabilities

In light of advocates that argue cyber deterrence can result simply from the existence and showboating of cyber capabilities, this paper explores a variety of historical case studies to illustrate that cyber conflict is often more escalatory than not, including relevant cases such as Stuxnet (involving the United States, Iran, and Israel), North Korea, Russia, and China. These analyses demonstrate that U.S. cyber-related actions often lead to misinterpretations and overreactions by adversaries, resulting in those states increasing their own cyber capabilities as a result of fear. Thus, this paper suggests that a policy of deterrence built on the existence, and showcasing, of cyber capabilities is just as likely to lead to inflamed relationships between states as it is to lead to improved deterrence. In terms of policy implications, this paper largely argues that even the simplest of technical changes or advancements in U.S. cyber capabilities can cause a number of unintended consequences, due in large part to political leaders’ tendencies to react illogically and with certain hawkish and optimistic bias, leading to general geopolitical uncertainties. This argument coincides with the Journal of Cybersecurity’s efforts to demonstrate the importance of melding perspectives from both technological and political experts, and argues that foreign policy decisions cannot be isolated from technological ones.
A conceptual framework for understanding behavioral responses to HIREC

Although animals vary substantially in their behavioral responses to human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC), we are only beginning to develop theory to explain this variation. Signal detection theory predicts variation in responses to novel dangerous organisms (exotic predators or toxic prey) or exotic organisms that are safe but might appear dangerous (e.g. ecotourists). Models of dispersal and habitat use explain variation in ability to cope with habitat change (loss, fragmentation). Many models assume that organisms use one main cue axis to evaluate options. New models are needed to account for the use of multiple cues. A general framework that treats genes as cues that set a ‘prior’ that can be updated by experiences predicts genetic versus plastic responses to HIREC.
A Google Earth Grand Tour of the Terrestrial Planets

ABSTRACT Google Earth is a powerful instructional resource for geoscience education. We have extended the virtual globe to include all terrestrial planets. Downloadable Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files (Google Earth's scripting language) associated with this paper include lessons about Mercury, Venus, the Moon, and Mars. We created “grand tours” of these bodies, guiding students to explore atmospheres, magnetospheres, landscapes, and interiors. The tours benefited from a study of 364 students in an introductory astronomy class. We compared learning outcomes for students using Google Earth versus static portable document format (PDF) files. In pre- and immediate posttests, there were small but statistically significant (p-value < 0.05) learning gains from the use of Google Earth; however, these did not persist in a long-term follow-up. There may have been insufficient differences between viewing text and images in Google Earth placemark balloons versus identical text and images in a PDF document. Conseq...
Role of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage with Positive CTA spot sign: An institutional experience at a regional and state designated stroke center

Our objective is to identify the effect of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) in acute intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) by evaluating intraparenchymal hematoma expansion between initial and follow-up head CT at 5–24 h, in those with positive CTA spot sign (CTASS). CTASS is an independent predictor of hematoma growth (1). Acute ICH, regardless of etiology, can present with quick mental status decline often resulting in irreversible brain damage. Hematoma expansion appears to be a modifiable predictor of clinical outcome and an appropriate target for medical therapy. PCC is a procoagulant which is the agent of choice in warfarin-related ICH. We explore utility of PCC in all patients regardless of warfarin status. We retrospectively reviewed patients with ICH at our NY State designated Stroke Center from Nov 2013 to Dec 2015. Twenty-three of the 85 patients with ICH received PCC, of which 8 had positive CTASS (E = 8). Four of the 62 patients without PCC, had a positive CTASS (C = 4). Interval change in ICH volume at 5–24 h was measured using ABC/2 formula, which is an accurate predictor of ICH volume (5). Control group (C) showed increase in mean ICH volume of 46% (SD = 37.3%), whereas experimental group (E) showed a decrease of 13% (SD = 29.9%) (p value = 0.012). We found a strong statistical correlation favoring our hypothesis. Use of PCC in active ICH with positive CTASS resulted in overall decrease in the mean hematoma size at 24 h, whereas the control group showed an overall increase.
Chronic myeloid leukemia: a minimalistic view of post-therapeutic monitoring.

A variety of molecular-based targets are potentially amenable to analysis for the evaluation of minimal residual disease (MRD) following attempts at curative therapies in hematological malignancies. These can be broadly divided into one of three types: pathological rearrangements (translocations), physiological rearrangements (antigen receptor gene rearrangements), and others (for example the overexpression of the Wilm’s tumor gene WT1). This review will focus on one specific and extensively studied example from the first group, namely the t(9;22) of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Any appreciation of MRD testing is contingent on an understanding of the biology of the disease being tested, as well as the therapeutic scenario in which it is being tested. Accordingly, this article will also briefly review both the biology and the therapy of CML. The reader is referred to a number of recent reviews that cover other molecular targets available for MRD testing, 1, 2, 3 as well as to other recent excellent reviews specifically addressing MRD in CML. 4, 5, 6
Context Aware Machine Learning Approaches for Modeling Elastic Localization in Three-Dimensional Composite Microstructures

The response of a composite material is the result of a complex interplay between the prevailing mechanics and the heterogenous structure at disparate spatial and temporal scales. Understanding and capturing the multiscale phenomena is critical for materials modeling and can be pursued both by physical simulation-based modeling as well as data-driven machine learning-based modeling. In this work, we build machine learning-based data models as surrogate models for approximating the microscale elastic response as a function of the material microstructure (also called the elastic localization linkage). In building these surrogate models, we particularly focus on understanding the role of contexts, as a link to the higher scale information that most evidently influences and determines the microscale response. As a result of context modeling, we find that machine learning systems with context awareness not only outperform previous best results, but also extend the parallelism of model training so as to maximize the computational efficiency.
Introduction: “Atrocious Judges” and “Odious” Courts Revisited

Introduction to the symposium "Judicial Independence and Judicial Accountability: Searching for the Right Balance," Cleveland, Ohio.
Menem's Argentina : economic reform and democracy in the late twentieth century

OF THE THESIS MEMEM'S ARGENTINA: ECONOMIC REFORM AND DEMOCRACY IN THE LATE TWENTIETH CENTURY by Mariano J. Beillard Florida International University, 1995 Miami, Florida Professor Dario Moreno, Major Professor A study of the possible correlation between drastic neoliberal economic reform and the undermining of democratic mechanisms in late twentieth century Argentina. The adoption of free market mechanisms, within the Modern Political Economy theoretical perspective, may tend to erode the workings of western style democracy leading to a situation of increased domestic sociopolitical and economic tensions in Argentina. The foregoing is especially applicable as the continues to endeavors to maintain its neo-liberal economic reform program
Hyperphosphatemia, a Cause of High Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND Hyperphosphatemia is a common problem in patients with kidney failure. It is usually mild and rarely severe enough to cause metabolic acidosis on its own. Besides kidney failure, use of phosphate containing enemas, rhabdomyolysis, and tumor lysis syndrome are common causes of severe hyperphosphatemia. CASE REPORT A 74-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus type II, arterial hypertension, and end stage renal disease, who was on hemodialysis and who had undergone hemicolectomy for ischemic bowel disease, and had not eaten for several days, developed severe metabolic acidosis, with an anion gap (AG) of 31 meq/L, -uncorrected for serum albumin. At that time he had a high level of beta-hydroxybutyrate and severe hyperphosphatemia (16.5 mg/dL). Metabolic acidosis and hyperphosphatemia were corrected with hemodialysis, confirming the role of hyperphosphatemia in the development of high AG metabolic acidosis. CONCLUSIONS Although our patient had many reasons to develop high AG metabolic acidosis, hyperphosphatemia played a significant role in his acidosis. Severe hyperphosphatemia is rarely mentioned as a cause of high AG acidosis. It should be added to the long list of causes of this metabolic disorder. Physiological basis of acid base changes are discussed.
Partially Prestressed Concrete Members under Static Loading: American Perspective

A summary of American views on the analysis and design of partially prestressed concrete members is presented. Some provisions of the 1983 ACI Code pertinent to partial prestressing are addressed. A particular effort is made to identify existing approaches and propose related recommendations. Some recent research results on the behavior of partially prestressed beams subjected to static and cyclic loading are also described.
Large-Scale Experimental Assessment of the Effect of Degradation on Shear Strength of Municipal Solid Waste from a Texas Landfill

The degradation process of a municipal solid waste (MSW) sample from a landfill in Texas (TX), USA, was monitored in a large-scale laboratory landfill simulator for 1136 days. Simple shear testing was performed on reconstituted fresh and degraded waste specimens and an “undisturbed” degraded specimen. Shear resistance at 10% shear strain was defined as the shear strength in this study. The shear strength of the degraded waste was found to be 17–35% lower than the shear strength of the fresh waste. The effective friction angles of the fresh and degraded waste were 17–21° and 12–17°, respectively. The relatively low friction angles are due to the low compaction effort and density of the specimens. The shear strength of a specimen removed from the simulator in an “undisturbed” manner was found to be nearly identical to the shear strength of a reconstituted degraded specimen.
Entanglement swapping with two imperfect states

We present a formal description of entanglement swapping of any two, arbitrarily mixed, density matrices. Application of this result reveals bounds on the rank and concurrence of the final state for several classes of input states.