cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cholecystokinin stimulates and inhibits lordosis behavior in female rats.

Abstract Recently, IP CCK-8 has been shown to inhibit lordosis in sexually experienced, estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P) primed rats. However, receptivity is influenced by prior sexual experience and/or exposure to sex steriods, as well as the steroid dosage administered before testing. Thus, we examined the effect of CCK-8 (3 μg/kg; IP) on lordosis in rats with different degrees of receptivity. Three weeks after ovariectomy, females were treated with EB followed 48 hr later with P, or with EB alone. CCK-8 significantly facilitated lordosis in rats given 5 μg EB. Following a 5 week nonexperimental period, animals were more receptive and CCK-8 significantly inhibited lordorsis in the 5 or 10 μg EB groups. In a separate experiment, rats were ovariectomized, adrenalectomized, and treated with EB alone. As in the first experiment, CCK-8 facilitated and inhibited lordosis. CCK-8's effects were highly dependent on the female's receptivity, facilitating lordosis when receptivity was low and inhibiting lordosis when receptivity was high (but not maximal). In conclusion, IP CCK-8 modulates lordosis behavior independent of P, but its effects depend on the female's degree of receptivity.
13C n.m.r. study of L-alanine peptides.

The di-, tri-, and tetrapeptides of L-alanine have been studied in aqueous solution by 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy at 25 and 50 MHz. By using selectively 13C enriched analogs containing either 90% 13C methyl or carbonyl carbons and measurements as a function of pH, assignment of the chemical shifts of the peptides has been made. T1 and NOE measurements of the peptides in their cationic, anionic, and zwitterionic states have been recorded as a function of concentration. The results show considerable segmental motion along the backbone carbons of the peptides, with only small changes occurring in the dynamic motions of the peptides as their charge states are altered. The lack of concentration dependence of the chemical shift and T1 values, as well as the similarity of T1 values for individual peptides in the three charge states, indicate that the peptides do not self-associate in aqueous solution.
Creep Rupture Forecasting: A Machine Learning Approach to Useful Life Estimation

Creep rupture is becoming increasingly one of the most important problems affecting behavior and performance of power production systems operating in high temperature environments and potentially under irradiation as is the case of nuclear reactors. Creep rupture forecasting and estimation of the useful life is required to avoid unanticipated component failure and cost ineffective operation. Despite the rigorous investigations of creep mechanisms and their effect on component lifetime, experimental data are sparse rendering the time to rupture prediction a rather difficult problem. An approach for performing creep rupture forecasting that exploits the unique characteristics of machine learning algorithms is proposed herein. The approach seeks to introduce a mechanism that will synergistically exploit recent findings in creep rupture with the state-of-the-art computational paradigm of machine learning. In this study, three machine learning algorithms, namely General Regression Neural Networks, Artificial Neural Networks and Gaussian Processes, were employed to capture the underlying trends and provide creep rupture forecasting. The current implementation is demonstrated and evaluated on actual experimental creep rupture data. Results show that the Gaussian process model based on the Matern kernel achieved the best overall prediction performance 56.38%. Significant dependencies exist on the number of training data, neural network size, kernel selection and whether interpolation or extrapolation is performed.
Synthesi, of Interstage Networks of Prescribed Gain Versus Frequency Slopes

Since the achievable gain of transistors typically falls off with increasing frequency, it is necessary to design interstage networks of microwave amplifiers with a complementary characteristic. A method is developed for the direct synthesis of interstage networks of prescribed gain versus frequency slopes. The bandwidth and ripple of these networks can also be precisely specified, and parasitic elements can be incorporated into synthesized networks. Design examples are presented, a complete computer program for the synthesis of interstage matching networks is described, and an octave band microwave amplifier illustrates an application of the interstage design techniques.
Mini-max algorithm for image adaptive vector quantisation

The paper presents a technique which employs the mini-max error criterion for image compression using adaptive vector quantisation. Vector quantisation is a promising method for low bit rate image compression. In vector quantisation (VQ), the image vectors are usually coded using a ‘universal codebook’ generated from a set of training images. The coding performance using this codebook is potentially poor for images outside the training set. A number of inter- and intra-image techniques have been proposed to adapt the codewords to the input image. However, these techniques do not guarantee the closest codewords to be within a prespecified bound of the input vectors. This can result in large errors which give rise to artifacts. We propose an intraimage adaptive technique which employs a criterion that minimises the maximum error. Here, the codebook is generated on the fly from the input vectors to be coded. A primary codebook of size two, four or eight is typically used to store the frequently used codewords. A larger secondary codebook is used to store the less frequently used codewords. Both the transmitter and receiver maintain identical codebooks and hence keep track of any changes without any overhead information. As it is a single-pass technique, real-time implementation is possible.
Nicotine and carbon monoxide: Effects on the isolated rat heart

We studied the combined effects of carbon monoxide (CO) and nicotine on the performance of the isolated rat heart. Hearts were removed from laboratory rats and perfused through the aorta with 95% O2-5% CO2 (oxygenated) Krebs-Henseleit solution (KHs). After 30 min, the perfusate was switched rapidly to one of three solutions: KHs containing 10% CO-85% O2-5% CO2 (CO), 10 micrograms/ml nicotine (Nic), or CO combined with nicotine (CO + Nic). KHs containing CO increased coronary flow by 41% without affecting heart rate or pulse pressure. Coronary flow returned to control values during recovery in oxygenated KHs. KHs containing Nic decreased heart rate by 20% and coronary flow by 28%. Pulse pressure was unaffected. Both heart rate and coronary flow returned towards control values during recovery in oxygenated KHs. KHs containing CO + Nic decreased heart rate 16% but stimulated coronary flow 13%. Heart rate returned towards control values during recovery; however, coronary flow, which declined to control values after 8 min, continued to decrease during recovery. These results indicate that the separate effects of CO and Nic on coronary flow in the isolated rat heart are opposing and reversible, but that the decrease they produce in combination is irreversible.
Computer simulations of protein translocation

Many biological processes, e.g. protein degradation by ATP dependent proteases and mitochondrial protein import, involve protein translocation through nanometer-sized pores. In this paper, we report on computer simulations of two models of protein translocation. In the first model, a protein domain is pulled mechanically through a narrow neutral pore. We compare the free energy cost of squeezing an initially folded protein into the pore with that for a random-coil-like homopolymer and show that the former case involves several partially folded intermediates. The second model involves electrophoretically driven translocation of a β-hairpin forming peptide across the α-hemolysin protein pore. The distribution of the time the peptide spends inside the pore is exponential at low forces, suggesting a single rate limiting barrier crossing step for the translocation process, while at higher forces this distribution tends to be a bell shaped curve. The dependence of the average translocation time (t) on the applied force f is well described by the exponential relationship: In (t) = af + b at low forces, while at high forces the inverse translocation time is a linear function of the force, -1 = Af - B.
A clinical double-blind trial of topical miconazole and clotrimazole against superficial fungal infections and erythrasma.

Summary A clinical double-blind trial of topical miconazole and clotrimazole creams was carried out against superficial fungal infections of the skin. The trial showed both compounds to be very effective against dermatophytes, pityriasis versicolor, Candida and erythrasma infections. Patient acceptability was equally good for both compounds.
Use of extrapolation in computing color look-up tables

Colorimetric reproduction requires calibrated color output devices. One way to characterize a color output device is with a 3D look-up table which maps the tristimulus values, t, to the control values, c of the output device. The functional form of the output device can be written in vector notation as t equals F(c). The purpose of calibration is to define an inverse mapping from tristimulus values to control values. Since the function F((DOT)) has no closed form, it is defined by interpolation from a table of values. Given a set of control values ]ci[ on a regular grid and the corresponding set of tristimulus values ]ti[ obtained from data collection, we wish to find the ]cg[ for different ]tg[ on a grid in the tristimulus space. The grid is obtained from a relatively sparse data set with an appropriately defined interpolation scheme. This interpolation scheme can be complex since it is used only once to compute the grid. The regular finer grid can be used in real time with simple interpolation. While the functions that represent the device are usually well behaved and smoothly varying, the truncation of the data can cause an problem with interpolations near the edge of the gamut. An approach to solving this problem is to extrapolate the data outside the gamut using bandlimited or linear extrapolation methods. The extrapolated points along with the measured data are used in a single interpolation algorithm over the entire gamut of the device. The results of this method are comparable to other interpolation methods but it is simpler to implement. It has the additional advantage of allowing physical constraints, such as bandlimits, to be easily imposed.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Alterations in phospholipid and fatty acid lipid profiles in primary neocortical cells during oxidant-induced cell injury.

Abstract Specific phospholipids and fatty acids altered during oxidant-induced neuronal cell injury were determined using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and ion trapping. The oxidants hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 , 0–1000 μM) and tert -butylhydroperoxide (TBHP, 0–400 μM) induced time- and concentration-dependent increases in reactive oxygen species in primary cultures of mouse neocortical cells as determined by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining and thiobarbituric acid formation. ESI-MS analysis of 26 m / z values, representing 42 different phospholipids, demonstrated that H 2 O 2 and TBHP increased the abundance of phospholipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids, but had minimal affect on those containing mono- or di-unsaturated fatty acids. These increases correlated to time-dependent increase in 16:1-20:4, 16:0-20:4, 18:1-20:4 and 18:0-20:4 phosphatidylcholine. Oxidant exposure also increased mystric (14:0), palmitic (16:0), and stearic (18:0) acid twofold, oleic acid (18:1) two- to threefold, and arachidonic acid (20:4) fourfold, compared to controls. Increases in arachidonic acid levels occurred prior to increases in the phospholipids, but after increases in ROS, and correlated to increases in oxidized arachidonic acid species, specifically [20:4-OOH]–H 2 O–, 20:4-OH–, and Tri–OH-20:4-arachidonic acid. Treatment of cells with methyl arachidonyl flourophosphonate an inhibitor of Group IV and VI PLA 2 , decreased oxidant-induced arachidonic acid release, while bromoenol lactone, an inhibitor of Group VI PLA 2 , did not. Collectively, these data identify phospholipids and fatty acids altered during oxidant treatment of neurons and suggest differential roles for Group IV and VI PLA 2 in oxidant-induced neural cell injury.
Effect of temperature, strain rate and impurity content on the work-hardening characteristics of LiF single crystals

LiF single crystals temperature, strain rate and positive Mg ionic impurity effects on work hardening characteristics
Development and analysis of diffusion bonding techniques for LBE-cooled spallation targets

Abstract Spallation sources incorporating solid targets may be driven to utilize liquid metal coolants by neutronics or temperature concerns. If tungsten is chosen as the target material, it will require cladding given its poor performance under irradiation. One option to meet this need are ferritic/martensitic stainless steel alloys. This study investigates possible diffusion bonding techniques suitable to clad tungsten targets with HT9, a high chromium stainless steel familiar to the nuclear industry. A test bonding matrix was performed to identify bonding conditions and process parameters suitable for the three material systems of interest (HT9/Ta, HT9/W, and HT9/HT9). Temperatures of 900 and 1060 °C were investigated along with bonding pressures of 7 and 70 MPa. A nominal soak time of 3 h was used for all tests. Three interlayers were investigated: pure nickel, Ni–6P, and vanadium. Finally, different surface preparation techniques for the tungsten were explored in order to gage their effect on the bond quality. Following joining, the bonds were characterized using an array of microscopy and micromechanical techniques to determine the resulting interface character. The nickel and NiP coatings were found to stabilize austenite at the HT9 surface during bonding, while the vanadium remained generally inert given good solubility in each of the three systems. Intermetallic formation is also a significant concern at elevated bonding temperatures as FeTa, FeW, NiTa, and NiW each rapidly form during interdiffusion. Multiple failures were observed through crack propagation parallel to the interface along the intermetallic phases. Differing contraction rates among the base materials also resulted in brittle fracture within the tungsten during cooling from bonding temperatures. Bonding performed at 900 °C under 70 MPa for 3 h with the inclusion of a vanadium interlayer was found to be superior of the conditions explored in this work.
From Republic to Democracy: A Comment on Henry Richardson

Henry Richardson's (2002) recent book is a wide-ranging exploration of an ideal of democracy that gives an important place to the republican ideal of freedom as non-domination. I am in deep sympathy with the project (Pettit 1997; 2000; 2001)and I have learned much from studying the way in which he develops it; I think he has written a work of challenge and importance. What I would like to do here is to outline the major steps along the route connecting republican and democratic values, indicating the positions that Richardson adopts and identifying the misgivings, where I have some misgivings, about the choices he makes. The itinerary I map is derived in good part from the way he lays things out himself.
Planetary position-velocity ephemerides obtained by special perturbations

Description of position-velocity ephemerides of venus and the earth-moon system generated by using special perturbation methods
Tracks toward a Postmodern Politics of Evaluation

We are facing a changing socio-political context today. As evaluators, we now recognize what Carol Weiss told us nearly two decades ago: that evaluation is through and through a political activity, carried out in political contexts. Furthermore, evaluation data compete with other information and claims, and for resources, in high-powered political contexts such as state and national legislatures. The evaluator who declines to learn how to present results to various publics, like the scholar who believes that her or his findings will be so persuasive on their own that they will influence policy processes, is doomed to find her or his hard-won “findings” shelved before the battle begins. But evaluators will find that increasingly, learning to negotiate in political contexts is hardly enough. Before the results of an evaluation effort ever get to the funding arena, other stakeholders will have had their chance to influence what is done and how it is accomplished. Recent public exchanges in the formal evaluation community (Fetterman, 1992; Lincoln, 1991; Lincoln & Guba, 1992, 1994; Sechrest, 1992; Sechrest, Babcock, & Smith, 1993) point to much more than a simple disagreement among evaluation models. In my AEA presidential address I tried to suggest that we ought to expand all of our models by incorporating not only more of the “sciences”, but more of the “arts”, in the broadest sense, the purpose of which was to make evaluation more flexible, and to make our practice of it more responsive to the very changing contexts and expanding stakeholders we sense in the real world of programs. One response to that paper (Sechrest, 1992) was an opinion that what I practiced wasn’t evaluation; it was hardly scientific, and certainly not detached enough to warrant its label as evaluation practice. I would like to suggest that when the broader socio-political context is assessed accurately, the past 25 years of social science and its most compelling debates point to a new political world. While my own work has paralleled contemporary
Check That Body! The Effects of Sexually Objectifying Music Videos on College Men's Sexual Beliefs

The present study examined the effects of sexual objectification of female artists in music videos on male undergraduates' sexual beliefs. Findings showed that participants who viewed music videos of highly objectified female artists reported more adversarial sexual beliefs, more acceptance of interpersonal violence, and, at a level of marginal significance, more negative attitudes about sexual harassment than participants assigned to low-sexual objectifying music videos by the same female artists. Path models indicated that adversarial sexual beliefs mediated the relationship between condition, and (1) acceptance of interpersonal violence and (2) negative attitudes regarding sexual harassment.
Participation of small intraportal stem cells in the restitutive response of the liver to periportal necrosis induced by allyl alcohol.

Abstract To determine the involvement of different hepatocyte populations in response to periportal injury, the restitutive response to allyl alcohol (AA) injury was examined. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with 0.62 mmol/kg AA, killed at 6, 9, 12, 33, 57, 81, and 153 hours after injection, and the livers were examined for injury and for restitutive proliferation by histology, autoradiography, and immunohistochemistry to detect alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), glutathione-s-transferase-p (GST-p), desmin, leukocyte common antigen, albumin, and monoclonal antibodies to liver cells: OV-6, H-4, and T-6. AA produces variable periportal liver necrosis predominantly at 6 to 12 hours. Proliferation of hepatocytes throughout the hepatic cord is seen early after injury in nonnecrotic areas: predominantly in zone II, but also in zones I and III, including some cells adjacent to the central vein. Within 2 to 3 days the necrotic zones are filled with small cells and by 1 week the liver architecture is essentially restored. During the active restitutive reaction from the immediate periportal rim the following cell phenotypes are seen: null cells: → (AFP+, OV-6−, GST-p−) cells → (AFP−, OV-6+, GSTp+) cells → large (AFP−, OV-6−, GST-p−, H-4+) liver cells. Albumin staining was negative. We conclude that restitutive proliferation of periportal necrosis induced by AA appears to be accomplished by proliferation of intraportal (?stem) cells whose progeny differentiate and eventually repopulate the necrotic zone.
BACTERIAL VARIATION IN CULTURES OF FRIEDLANDER'S BACILLUS.

1. Under proper conditions mass R cultures of Friedlander's bacillus may give rise to a number of variants which are dissimilar in colony appearance and morphology. Three such forms have been described. In two varieties, differences have been observed not only in colony formation and morphology, but also in cultural and antigenic characters. 2. None of the methods employed were adequate to cause reversion of any of the R variants to the S type. Growth of the R2 variant in its own antiserum, however, induced a change to the R1 form. 3. R forms of Friedlander's bacillus may be derived from S strains by aging or by growth in anti-S serum of the homologous type. 4. R strains may be isolated in culture directly from infection. In the cases where R forms were found, S cells were also present, and the pathological condition was of a chronic nature.
On mutations that uncouple sodium channel activation from inactivation.

Computations on sodium channel gating were conducted using a closed-open-inactivated coupled kinetic scheme. The time constant of inactivation (tauh) derives a voltage dependency from coupling to voltage-dependent activation even when rate constants between inactivated and other states are strictly voltage independent. The derived voltage dependency does not require any physical, molecular link between the structures responsible for inactivation and the charges producing voltage-dependent activation. The only requirement is that the closed to inactivated rate constant (kCI) differs from the open to inactivated (kOI), consistent with experimental results. A number of mutations and other treatments uncouple sodium channel activation and inactivation in that the voltage dependency of tauh is substantially reduced while voltage-dependent activation persists. However, a clear basis for uncoupling has not been described. A variety of experimental results are accounted for just by changes in the difference between kOI and kCI. In wild type channels, kOI > kCI and inactivation develops with a delay whose time constant is just that for channel opening. Mutations that reduce the kOI - kCI difference reduce the amplitude of the delay process and the derived voltage dependency of tauh. If kOI = kCI, inactivation develops as a single exponential (no matter what the number of closed states), activation and inactivation become independent, parallel processes, and any voltage dependency of tauh is then entirely intrinsic to inactivation. If kOI < kCI, inactivation develops as the sum of exponentials, tauh at negative potentials speeds and then slows with more positive potentials. These predicted kOI < kCI effects have all been seen experimentally (O'Leary, M.E., L.-Q. Chen, R.G. Kallen, and R. Horn. 1995. J. Gen. Physiol. 106: 641-658). An open to closed rate constant of zero also removes the derived voltage dependency of tauh, but activation and inactivation are still coupled and the inactivation delay remains.
Potential role of ventricular tumor markers in CNS germ cell tumors.

Background There is increasing reliance on oncoprotein assays such as the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for diagnosis or confirmation of histology of central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors (GCT), but the relative diagnostic sensitivity and reliability of assays from serum (S), lumbar (L), and ventricular (V) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are uncertain. Procedure A total of 86 patients with CNS GCT were identified from our database. Fourteen patients had contemporaneous β-hCG and/or AFP measurements from serum, ventricular, and lumbar CSF at diagnosis (n = 13) or relapse (n = 1), constituting the subjects for this report. Their primary tumor sites were: pineal (n = 8), suprasellar (n = 1), or both (n = 5). Their mean age at diagnosis was 16.0 years (range 9.1–25.9). The male:female sex ratio was 13:1. Results For the germinoma-treated patients (n = 8), the median (range) β-hCG values (S, V, L) were 0 (0–6.9), 7.0 (0–57.4), 8.3 (0–34.0) mIU/ml. For patients managed as mixed malignant GCT (MMGCT) (n = 6), the median (range) β-hCG values (S, V, L) were 3.9 (0–58.0), 3.6 (0–147.0), 61.8 (0–358.0) mIU/ml. The median (range) AFP values were 7.5 (0–27,400.0), 2.0 (0–2,981.0), 3.0 (0–14,015.0) ng/ml. Lumbar CSF β-hCG values were equal or greater than those in ventricular CSF or serum in 12 of 13 cases (92.3%). All patients with MMGCT had lumbar AFP equal or greater than the ventricular CSF values, while serum AFP values remained highest. Conclusions Ventricular CSF values cannot be considered a replacement for lumbar CSF. Lumbar CSF is the most reliable source of tumor markers to establish baseline and follow-up diagnostic endpoints. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:1647–1650. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The number of (equilibrium) steady-state solutions of models of power systems

We use powerful analytical tools and modern techniques from algebraic geometry to infer the number of (equilibrium) steady state solutions of models of power systems. The theorems developed also infer the upper bound on the number of solutions of the full-fledged (equilibrium) steady-state equations for various levels of detailed models of power systems. Sufficient conditions are provided which determine the precise number of complex solutions to the load flow. The sufficient conditions are cast in terms of properties of the admittance matrix of the power grid. Consequently, these sufficient conditions are placed on the topology (configuration) of the given power network. When the sufficient conditions are not satisfied, the determined precise number becomes an upper bound on the number of solutions. >
Costs of Mitigating Climate Change in the United States

We consider the large range of estimated costs of meeting U.S. climate policy targets. Some of this range is due to different studies using different cost measures, and in principle such differences could be eliminated by more careful comparisons and greater transparency in studies that estimate costs. Still another source of differences is how the proposed policy is represented. Here, again, this source of difference could be reduced by more careful comparison and by better definition of implementation details. Even if these sources of difference could be eliminated, there would remain substantial uncertainties because of the difficulties of projecting economic activity over the long horizon of proposed policies. We show the importance of several of these factors, using a consistent modeling framework.
On the quadratic cost functional for linear time delay and two-dimensional systems

It has been established that a Lyapunov approach yields an effective way for evaluation of the Quadratic Cost Functional for certain stable linear systems. The extent to which this approach can be applied to time delay type systems and two-dimensional systems is reported.
Strain Rate Sensitivity of Alloys 800H and 617

The flow stress of many materials is a function of the applied strain rate at elevated temperature. The magnitude of this effect is captured by the strain rate sensitivity parameter “m”. The strain rate sensitivity of two face–center cubic solid solution alloys that are proposed for use in high temperature heat exchanger or steam generator applications, Alloys 800H and 617, has been determined as a function of temperature over that range of temperatures relevant for these applications. In addition to determining the strain rate sensitivity, it is important for nuclear design within Section III of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code to determine temperature below which the flow stress is not affected by the strain rate. This temperature has been determined for both Alloy 800H and Alloy 617. At high temperature the strain rate sensitivity of the two alloys is significant and they have similar m values. For Alloy 617 the temperature limit below which little or no strain rate sensitivity is observed is approximately 700°C. For Alloy 800H this temperature is approximately 650°C.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Using Maximum Drawdowns to Capture Tail Risk

We propose the use of maximum drawdown, the maximum peak to trough loss across a time series of compounded returns, as a simple method to capture an element of risk unnoticed by linear factor models: tail risk. Unlike other tail-risk metrics, maximum drawdown is intuitive and easy-to-calculate. We look at maximum drawdowns to assess tail risks associated with market neutral strategies identified in the academic literature. Our evidence suggests that academic anomalies are not anomalous: all strategies endure large drawdowns at some point in the time series. Many of these losses would trigger margin calls and investor withdrawals, forcing an investor to liquidate.
A Structural Model Analysis of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Framework

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) has become a model for the deployment of quality programmes. While the framework underlying the award has been used extensively by organisations, both for award and self-assessment purposes, little empirical evidence exists regarding its validity as a predictor of organisational performance. This research presents a structural equation model that explicitly tests the relationships between strategic and operational quality planning implied by the framework, and their impact on performance. Results support the theory underlying the Baldrige award. Specifically, the strategic quality planning process, mediated by the effective use of information and analysis, is the driver of operational quality planning. Positive business results are the outcome of this planning process. Results also show that customer and market focus is a crucial input to strategic quality planning, the commitment of senior leadership is critical in securing a customer and market focus, and operational level business processes are driven by a strategic commitment to human resource management.
Fractures of the supracondylar process of the humerus

The supracondylar process of the humerus is a relatively rare but well-known anatomic variant that can be associated with other anomalies. While it usually remains clinically silent, the spur can be responsible for a wide spectrum of symptoms. We present 3 patients with fractures of the supracondylar process and review 12 other cases in the literature. The supracondylar process has potential for fracture and important neurovascular sequelae.
The Distribution of Public-Private Partnerships: Targeting of Voluntary Efforts to Improve Urban Education:

With increasing activity of volunteers in service provision, effectively managing voluntary involvement is a significant issue for local governments. This study examines the distribution of school-business and school-community-based-organization partnerships as voluntary efforts to improve urban education. This study uses multivariate regression analysis to examine the distribution of partnership programs as a function of school-level characteristics. Based on a consideration of the motivations for founding partnerships and the scope and sponsorship of the partnerships, several hypotheses are proposed. The study finds differences in the targeting to schools and students in the most need based on the scope of effort and the sponsorship. The findings have implications for the management and organization of partnerships in public schools. The term public-private partnership describes a wide variety of informal and formal policy-making arrangements that have a positive public image and considerable symbolic value for the public, nonprofit, and business sectors. Public-private partnerships, because they often break down public sector policy monopolies, are considered reforms to traditional modes of public policy service delivery. Partnerships and the voluntary involvement of nongovernmental actors potentially improve urban policy making by adopting decision-making rules that are informed by a market-based logic rather than a political-bureaucratic model of service provision. As a result, strategies such as privatization, contracting out, and co-production of city services have emerged as local government decision makers attempt to lower expenditures and improve the public’s perception of local government. Other motivations for establishing linkages between the nonprofit, forprofit, and the public sector have also been considered (Gronbjerg, 1987). For example, voluntary cooperation between the nonprofit, business, and the public sectors is also motivated by a desire to support and compliment each sector. Intersectoral interaction emerges from an interdependence that is related to, but goes beyond, the use of the nonprofit sector to deliver services
GIS, Cartography, and the “Third Culture”: Geographic Imaginations in the Computer Age*

Geographic information systems (GIS) and cartography have traditionally been regarded as fields for the study of techniques. Yet the past ten years have witnessed geographers' increasing intellectual engagement with GIS and cartography. This essay recaps the recent intellectual discourses on GIS and cartography and speculates on possible development in the near future. Geocomputation, spatially integrated social sciences, social informatics, information ecology, and humanistic GIScience are identified as five areas of intensive new research, and it is argued that creative imaginations under the milieu of the “third culture” are urgently needed to address the challenging issues in this new technological era. Whether geography will become an intellectually more vibrant discipline hinges on the extent to which we can rekindle geographic imaginations in this computer age via GIScience to address issues of great societal concern.
Dimethyl Squarate and its Conversion to 3-Ethenyl-4-Methoxycyclobutene-1,2-Dione and 2-Butyl-6-Ethenyl-5-Methoxy-1,4-Benzoquinone

Dimethyl squarate and its conversion to 3-ethenyl-4-methoxycyclobutene-1,2-dione and 2-butyl-6-ethenyl-5-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone product: Dimethyl squarate. (1) product: 3-Ethenyl-4-methoxycyclobutene-1,2-dione (2) product: 2-Butyl-6-ethenyl-5-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (3) byproduct: methyl formate Keywords: protection, oxygen
Three Distinct Condensin Complexes Control C. elegans Chromosome Dynamics

Summary Background Condensin complexes organize chromosome structure and facilitate chromosome segregation. Higher eukaryotes have two complexes, condensin I and condensin II, each essential for chromosome segregation. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was considered an exception, because it has a mitotic condensin II complex but appeared to lack mitotic condensin I. Instead, its condensin I-like complex (here called condensin I DC ) dampens gene expression along hermaphrodite X chromosomes during dosage compensation. Results Here we report the discovery of a third condensin complex, condensin I, in C. elegans . We identify new condensin subunits and show that each complex has a conserved five-subunit composition. Condensin I differs from condensin I DC by only a single subunit. Yet condensin I binds to autosomes and X chromosomes in both sexes to promote chromosome segregation, whereas condensin I DC binds specifically to X chromosomes in hermaphrodites to regulate transcript levels. Both condensin I and II promote chromosome segregation, but associate with different chromosomal regions during mitosis and meiosis. Unexpectedly, condensin I also localizes to regions of cohesion between meiotic chromosomes before their segregation. Conclusions We demonstrate that condensin subunits in C. elegans form three complexes, one that functions in dosage compensation and two that function in mitosis and meiosis. These results highlight how the duplication and divergence of condensin subunits during evolution may facilitate their adaptation to specialized chromosomal roles and illustrate the versatility of condensins to function in both gene regulation and chromosome segregation.
Boolean matching in logic synthesis

A new formulation for finding the existence of a Boolean match between two functions with 'don't cares' is presented. An algorithm for Boolean matching is developed based on this new foundation and is used within a technology mapper as a substitute for tree matching algorithms. The new algorithm is fast and uses symmetries of the gates in the library to speed up the matching process. Local 'don't cares' are computed for each function being mapped in terms of its inputs. To reduce the frequency in which Boolean matching is used, the gates in the library are grouped into classes such that it is sufficient to try to match a function with the class representative. Experimental results show significant improvement in the final area of the mapped circuits. >
Noncardiac Chest Pain in Children and Adolescents: A Biopsychosocial Conceptualization

Pediatric NCCP may be characterized by recurrent pain accompanied by emotional distress and functional impairment. This paper reviews and critiques literature on pediatric noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) and introduces a theoretical conceptualization to guide future study of NCCP in children and adolescents. A developmentally informed biopsychosocial conceptualization of NCCP etiology is proposed based on a synthesis of empirical evidence and clinical observations of pediatric NCCP within the context of relevant findings from the broader pediatric pain and anxiety literature. Multiple factors from biological, psychological, social, familial, and developmental domains are potentially relevant to the etiology of this ailment. This article concludes with directions for future research and clinical implications.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Topic Model for Political Texts: Measuring Expressed Agendas in Senate Press Releases

Political scientists lack methods to efficiently measure the priorities political actors emphasize in statements. To address this limitation, I introduce a statistical model that attends to the structure of political rhetoric when measuring expressed priorities: statements are naturally organized by author. The expressed agenda model exploits this structure to simultaneously estimate the topics in the texts, as well as the attention political actors allocate to the estimated topics. I apply the method to a collection of over 24,000 press releases from senators from 2007, which I demonstrate is an ideal medium to measure how senators explain their work in Washington to constituents. A set of examples validates the estimated priorities and demonstrates their usefulness for testing theories of how members of Congress communicate with constituents. The statistical model and its extensions will be made available in a forthcoming free software package for the R computing language.
Matrix factorization for transcriptional regulatory network inference

Inference of Transcriptional Regulatory Networks (TRNs) provides insight into the mechanisms driving biological systems, especially mammalian development and disease. Many techniques have been developed for TRN estimation from indirect biochemical measurements. Although successful when initially tested in model organisms, these regulatory models often fail when applied to data from multicellular organisms where multiple regulation and gene reuse increase dramatically. Non-negative matrix factorization techniques were initially introduced to find non-orthogonal patterns in data, making them ideal techniques for inference in cases of multiple regulation. We review these techniques and their application to TRN analysis.
Comparison of Bayesian, classical, and heuristic approaches in identifying acute disease events in lung transplant recipients

This study compares a typical heuristic algorithm with classical and Bayesian regression models in ascertaining the presence of acute bronchopulmonary disease events in lung transplant recipients. These models attempt to predict whether an epoch will end in an event, based on the preceding two weeks of data. The data consist of 150 two-week epochs of daily to biweekly spirometry and symptom covariates for 30 subjects over 60 subject-years. Seventy-five 'event' epochs end on a day when an acute bronchopulmonary disease event is documented in the medical record; 75 randomly selected 'non-event' epochs end on a day when no event is documented. The data are partitioned by randomly assigning 15 subjects for training and the remaining 15 subjects for testing. For cross-validation, a second random partition is generated from the same data set. The statistical models are trained and tested on both partitions. For the heuristic algorithm, its historical event classifications on the same test cases are used. Classification performance on both partitions of all models is compared using receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity and specificity, and a Shannon information score. Data partition did not appreciably affect statistical model performance. All statistical models, unlike the heuristic algorithm, performed significantly different than chance (family significance < 0.05, Pearson independence chi-square, Bonferroni multiple correction), and better than the heuristic algorithm. The best models were Bayesian changepoint models. Through a clinically oriented discussion, a case classified by all of these algorithms is presented, suggesting the clinical usefulness of the Bayesian approach compared with the classical and heuristic approaches.
Audio-visual privacy protection for video conference

Group video-conferencing systems are routinely used in major corporations, hospitals and universities for meetings, tele-medicine and distance learning among participants from very distant locations. As the use of video-conferencing becomes widely prevalent, the privacy concern's raised by this technology becomes an important issue to be addressed. In this paper we propose a real-time privacy preserving video conferencing system which protects the visual and audio privacy of selected individuals. In our proposed system we differentiate between the general participants and private participants (PP) whose privacy needs to be protected. We further divide the private participants into two different categories and provide a varying level of privacy protection based on the requirements. Specifically, among private participants, we have Active Private Participants (APP) who interactively participate in the meeting and Passive Private Participants (PPP) who play a passive observatory role. The video and audio privacy of the APP are protected by obfuscating their visual information by simple black boxing and real-time pitch modification process respectively. For the PPP, we completely protect their privacy by continuously detecting their presence and erasing them with a real-time adaptive background replacement process.
THE ECONOMIC WELL‐BEING OF THE ELDERLY

Estimating the elderly's relative economic well-being is of policy importance, but the procedure poses several technical problems. We propose a methodology for such comparison and present results from its application. Household income of persons is adjusted for household size, underreporting of unearned income, and the annuitized value of assets. By this measure, the elderly are on average 124 percent as well off as the nonelderly. Their households are on average 183 percent as well off as those of children under 6. Inequality is greater than at any other age and increases further for those over 75.
Discovering the obvious, damaging the defenseless.

Dear Editor: In their recent article, Payne et al [1] showed that vitamin D intakes below the current 600 IU/d recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board for the elderly are correlated with brain lesions. They rang the alarm bell by concluding that vitamin D supplementation may cause those lesions, without controlling for place of residence. Although I am aware of no studies that specifically compare vitamin D intakes between free-living and institutionalized elders, the free-living demented are notorious for their eccentric diets. For example, Marshall et al [2] found 83% of communitydwelling elderly had vitamin D intakes below Food and Nutrition Board recommendations. I cannot imagine that community-dwelling elderly demented patients would eat more fatty fish or drink more fortified milk than communitydwelling elderly in general. Certainly, the diet of demented patients must improve with institutionalization, when dieticians usually oversee the menu. Furthermore, as Payne et al point out, the incidence of calcific brain lesions and severity of dementia are highly associated. Certainly those with severe dementia are more likely to be institutionalized than those with mild dementia. Thus, those with severe dementia are more likely to be institutionalized, likelier to have brain lesions, and likelier to have a better diet. Without controlling for place of residence, I suspect all Payne et al discovered was that the elderly with brain lesions are more likely to be both institutionalized and have a better diet. Two recent studies, not discussed by Payne et al, showed that higher 25(OH)D levels were associated with better, not worse, cognitive performance [3,4]. A recent review concluded that vitamin D deficiency even among the institutionalized elderly is the rule, not the exception [5]. One can only imagine how pathetic the situation is in community-dwelling demented individuals. Furthermore, a glut of recent studies indicates low vitamin D levels are associated with a litany of chronic diseases. I worry that all Payne et al did was to imperil efforts to improve vitamin D nutrition among our most vulnerable and vitamin D–deficient population. John J. Cannell The Vitamin D Council and consults for DiaSorin Corporation Atascadero State Hospital, CA, USA E-mail address: jcannell@ash.dmh.ca.gov
Metamaterials with angle selective emissivity in the near-infrared

Metamaterials have been previously studied for their ability to tailor the dispersive IR emissivity of a surface. Here, we investigate two metamaterial structures based on an electromagnetic band-gap surface and a dielectric resonator array for use as near-IR emitters with custom angle selectivity. A genetic algorithm is successfully employed to optimize the metamaterial structures to have minimum emissivity in the normal direction and high emissivity at custom off-normal angles specified by the designer. Two symmetry conditions are utilized to achieve emissivity patterns that are azimuthally stable or distinct in the two orthogonal plane cuts.
Is Motion Needed in Flight Simulators Used for Training

Although flight training curricula demand that pilots learn to disregard bodily sensations of motion, aircraft motion can be an important source of information to pilots, and sometimes can also degrade pilot performance. Considerable evidence is adduced that motion in flight simulators produces significant training benefits, but there is a scarcity of data on the consequences of different degrees or methods of motion simulation. To produce the sensation of miles of aircraft motion with a few feet of simulator motion requires consideration of various aspects of human sensitivity to motion. Some of the complications in obtaining motion-threshold data are discussed, and two illustrations of the utilization of these data in optimizing motion simulation are given.