cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer simulations of atomic force microscopy : crystalline polymers and the effects of surface contaminants

The atomistic dynamics of the interaction of an atomic force microscopic (AFM) probe with a crystalline polyethylene surface was examined by using the molecular dynamics method. The results show that the internal dynamics of the polymer crystal is such that rapid relaxation occurs, providing for a large amount of structural reversibility and making it possible to perform nondestructive AFM experiments. However, surface and/or AFM tip defects or contaminants (such as those which can be induced by polar molecules adsorbed on the surface), can result in significant perturbations in the AFM images produced, causing large and sharp structures to appear on the surface topology. A rationale of the mechanisms responsible for the image distortions is presented, and a relationship to defects observed in AFM and STM experiments is given.
When benefits are difficult to measure

Benefit cost analysis is seldom applied to programs which aim directly at improving human well-being; the problems in quantifying such benefits, particularly in dollar form, are simply too great. This paper explains “threshold benefit analysis, ” the derivation of the minimum dollar value which the benefits must attain in order for the value of the benefits to equal the cost of the intervention. As an example, the method is applied to a mobility training program. The threshold benefit of such training is approximately two dollars per commute. The empirical results include a sensitivity analysis which allows considerable flexibility on the part of potential users. The methodology is applicable to analyzing any intervention where costs are incurred early, initial “successes” can be counted in natural numbers, and duration of success can be modelled simply.
Interaction of Oligodeoxyribonucleotides Through Formation of Chimeric Duplex/Triplex Complexes

Abstract An intramolecular duplex/triplex chimera is formed between d-CTTCCT-(T)4-TCCTTCAGCACA and target d-GTT TGTGCTGAAGGA CACAC. The high Tm and hypochromicity of the triplex part of the chimera may be due to additional interactions outside the underlined binding site of the 20-mer.
Headquarters Research and Implications for Local Development

Drawing from both the professional literature and from a conference held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2004, the author summarizes findings and draws implications concerning the locational tendencies of stand-alone headquarters operations. In the United States, the geography of large company headquarters is becoming more dispersed toward medium-sized metropolitan areas even as the headquarters needs for urban infrastructure and amenities continue to sharpen. The location of the firm’s branch plant locations will be critical for many headquarters, so developing a strategy focused on a region’s own industry specializations should be considered. So too, as the organizational structure of firms becomes more complex and globally dispersed, many specialized establishments can be found under the same umbrella, making it imperative for local development practitioners to determine their region’s functional niche.
Lifetime of the 279-kev State of Tl 203

The lifetime of the first excited state of ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{203}$ at 279 kev has been measured using the delayed coincidence technique. From analysis of the exponential decay observed with an electronic time-to-pulse-height converter, the mean life was determined to be (4.05\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ sec. The decay of this state was observed using sources of ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{203}$ and ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{203}$, both sources yielding the same mean life within statistical errors. This value of the lifetime agrees very well with the recent determination by Deutsch and Metzger utilizing the resonance fluorescence method.
Current management of cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary hepatobiliary malignancy after hepatocellular carcinoma and remains among the most difficult management problems faced by surgeons. Curative surgery is achieved in only 25% to 30% of patients. Local tumor extent, such as portal vein invasion and hepatic lobar atrophy, does not preclude resection. Long-term survival has been seen only in patients who underwent extensive liver resections, suggesting that bile-duct excision alone is less effective. The majority of patients have unresectable disease, with 20% to 30% incidence of distant metastasis at presentation. Unresectable patients should be referred for nonsurgical biliary decompression, and in potential curative resection candidates the use of biliary stents should be reduced. Liver transplantation provides the option of wide resection margins, expanding the indication of surgical intervention for selected patients who otherwise are not surgical candidates due to lack of functional hepatic reserve. Mt Sinai J Med 79:232–245, 2012.© 2012 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Sarcoidosis of the vulva: a rare cutaneous manifestation.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown cause affecting the lungs, mediastinal and peripheral lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and skin, with less frequent involvement of the skeletal, cardiac, upper respiratory, and central nervous systems. Intrathoracic involvement has been reported in 83% to 99%1 of patients worldwide with a 3% to 6% mortality rate caused by cardiac, pulmonary, or central nervous system disease.2 The incidence of sarcoidosis is highest in blacks and Northern European whites with the age at onset typically in the third or fourth decade. Specific cutaneous manifestations characterized histopathologically by noncaseating granulomas occur in 9% to 37%,1,3-10 with disease limited to the skin in 27% to 39% of patients.11,12 These manifestations include lupus pernio, infiltrated plaques, maculopapular lesions, subcutaneous nodules, and infiltration of old scars. We describe a case of sarcoidosis of the vulva, which has only been reported twice before.
Epithelial genes in chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND Genetic studies on chronic inflammatory diseases have resulted in an emphasis on the epithelial interface with the environment and the genes that influence this interaction. This study examines the expression of key epithelial genes implicated in the pathogenesis of other inflammatory disorders for their role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS Epithelial cells were collected from the inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and/or uncinate from 62 subjects undergoing sinonasal surgery. Patient groups included 21 CRS patients with nasal polyposis, 23 CRS patients without nasal polyposis, and 18 controls. Samples were analyzed for S100A7, S100A8, S100A9, SLC9A3R1, G-protein-coupled receptor for asthma, and serine protease inhibitor kazal type 5 (SPINK5) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to analyze expression of SPINK5 lympho epithelial kazal-type inhibitor (LEKTI) in sinonasal samples. RESULTS Expression of S100A7 and S100A8 was significantly decreased in CRS with and without nasal polyps when compared with controls. S100A9 expression was significantly decreased in CRS without nasal polyps, and SPINK5 expression was significantly decreased in CRS with nasal polyps. SPINK5 (LEKTI) protein was detected in sinonasal tissue and was significantly decreased in polyp samples using IHC. CONCLUSION This study shows marked reductions in the level of expression of several genes involved in epithelial barrier maintenance and repair in the inflammatory state of CRS.
Plateau properties in pain pathways.

A new paper shows that excitatory and inhibitory neuromodulators can change the firing properties of spinal cord neurons, with implications for pain processing.
Epsilon–delta surgery over {\mathbb{Z}}

The purpose of this paper is to prove a controlled surgery exact sequence, including a stability theorem, as used in the construction of exotic homology manifolds. The approach is to show that this result is a formal consequence of the Chapman–Ferry Alpha-approximation theorem.
Black Hole Criticality in the Brans-Dicke Model.

We study the collapse of a free scalar field in the Brans-Dicke model of gravity. At the critical point of black hole formation, the model admits two distinctive solutions dependent on the value of the coupling parameter. We find one solution to be discretely self-similar and the other to exhibit continuous self-similarity.
Nuclear data for accelerator-driven systems

Abstract We review recent evaluations of neutron and proton reaction cross sections up to 150 MeV in the LA150 Library, for use in computer code simulations of accelerator-driven systems. An overview is provided of the nuclear theory together with measured cross section data used in the evaluations. The possible use of bismuth activation foils for high-energy neutron spectrometry is also discussed. We describe recent developments to the MCNPX radiation transport code, which merges MCNP and LAHET in one code and uses the LA150 evaluated data. A number of benchmark comparisons against integral experiments are described, for thick-target neutron production, neutron transmission through macroscopic slabs, and neutron kerma coefficients. The benchmarks help validate the transport code and the evaluated data for use in ADS simulations of neutron production in a spallation target (n/p), radiation shielding, heating, and damage. A brief summary is also given of future data needs for subcritical transmuters and spallation targets, in accelerator transmutation of waste technologies.
Second-order strain accumulation in workhardening media

Second-order or cross effects are the result of quadratic tensor terms in the constitutive equations of isotropic elastic, viscous and visco-elastic media, which are required by the condition of tensor invariance of those relations. These effects are most pronounced when they are clearly separable from the first-order deformation, as in the case of second-order elongation and volume change of an elastic cylinder subject to a twisting moment (Poynting effect, dilatancy) or of second-order normal stress in the case of shear flow of polymeric liquids (Weissenberg effect).
Penetration into low-strength (23MPa) concrete: target characterization and simulations

A combined experimental, analytical, and computational research and development program investigates the penetration of steel projectiles into low-strength concrete. Laboratory-scale material property tests conducted at the US Army Waterways Experiment Station on the concrete provide the data used in parameter estimation for a geomaterial constitutive model. The experiments and the model are described as well as the procedure used to fit the material model to the experimental data. The model accurately reproduces the data and predicts experimental results not used in the evaluation of model constants. The model, used in conjunction with an explicit transient dynamic finite element code, accurately predicts deceleration and depth of penetration of 3 CRH ogive-nosed 4340 steel penetrators.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood among adults with major depression

Abstract The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with childhood onset and its relationship to course and treatment outcome of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults was studied in 116 patients (ages 18–65) consecutively enrolled for treatment of MDD. Sixteen percent of the patients were found to meet full or subthreshold criteria for the DSM-III-R diagnosis of childhood ADHD. Twelve percent endorsed persistence of ADHD symptoms into adulthood. Depressed adults meeting criteria for childhood ADHD did not differ significantly from other depressed adults on any measures related to the chronicity or severity of the mood disorder, Axis I comorbidity, or response to acute antidepressant treatment. Our results are clinically important as they suggest that clinicians need to be aware of the possibility that a substantial proportion of patients with MDD may suffer from comorbid ADHD and that treatments need to include the targeting of possible residual ADHD symptoms in addition to those of depression.
Optimization for precision in speed and phase measurement using a microcontroller

Describes an algorithm that allows high-precision measurement using microcontrollers. The precision of measurements using any digital computer is limited by the finite clock frequencies present in the system. The proposed algorithm overcomes this limitation by dynamically adjusting the measurement time as a function of the required precision and the clock frequency present in the system. Speed and phase measurements are described to illustrate the algorithm. The examples considered have been implemented in electricity generating equipment. >
Bias and causal associations in observational research

Summary Readers of medical literature need to consider two types of validity, internal and external. Internal validity means that the study measured what it set out to; external validity is the ability to generalise from the study to the reader's patients. With respect to internal validity, selection bias, information bias, and confounding are present to some degree in all observational research. Selection bias stems from an absence of comparability between groups being studied. Information bias results from incorrect determination of exposure, outcome, or both. The effect of information bias depends on its type. If information is gathered differently for one group than for another, bias results. By contrast, non-differential misclassification tends to obscure real differences. Confounding is a mixing or blurring of effects: a researcher attempts to relate an exposure to an outcome but actually measures the effect of a third factor (the confounding variable). Confounding can be controlled in several ways: restriction, matching, stratification, and more sophisticated multivariate techniques. If a reader cannot explain away study results on the basis of selection, information, or confounding bias, then chance might be another explanation. Chance should be examined last, however, since these biases can account for highly significant, though bogus results. Differentiation between spurious, indirect, and causal associations can be difficult. Criteria such as temporal sequence, strength and consistency of an association, and evidence of a dose-response effect lend support to a causal link.
Enhanced protein synthesis at the liver microsomal level in emetine-pretreated rats.

Abstract Emetine has different effects on l -(14C)-amino acid incorporation into protein at the liver microsomal level in the rat, depending on whether the experiments are performed in vitro or in vivo. Pretreatment with emetine in vivo, stimulates the in vitro amino acid incorporating activity of liver microsomal fractions subsequently prepared from treated rats. This stimulating effect which is most pronounced at 24 hr after injection of the drug at a dose level of 10 mg/kg is not dependent on sex or other hormonal factors, and is not additive with the increase of amino acid incorporating activity brought about by simultaneous pretreatment with cycloheximide or with acetoxycycloheximide. The stimulation, which is associated predominantly with the microsomal fraction appears to be related to an emetine-dependent stabilization of the activity of the in vitro incubation system overall, and of the endogenous mRNA-activity in particular. When emetine is added directly to the in vitro amino acid incorporating system containing liver microsomal preparations from control or emetine-pretreated rats, incorporation by both preparations can be inhibited completely. The same amount of emetine causing complete inhibition of labeled amino acid uptake when added to the system, does not however inhibit the release of labeled nascent polypeptide from liver microsomal preparations obtained from rats pre-labeled with l -(14C)-leucine in vivo, and then incubated in the in vitro system. The incorporation of labeled amino acid into rat liver protein in vivo is inhibited by pretreatment of rats with emetine. Many of these effects with emetine can be compared with those brought about in corresponding experiments with cycloheximide and other glutarimide antibiotics.
Mutual interference is common and mostly intermediate in magnitude

Interference competition occurs when access to resources is negatively affected by the presence of other individuals. Within a species or population, this is known as mutual interference, and it is often modelled with a scaling exponent, m, on the number of predators. Originally, mutual interference was thought to vary along a continuum from prey dependence (no interference; m = 0) to ratio dependence (m = -1), but a debate in the 1990's and early 2000's focused on whether prey or ratio dependence was the better simplification. Some have argued more recently that mutual interference is likely to be mostly intermediate (that is, between prey and ratio dependence), but this possibility has not been evaluated empirically. We gathered estimates of mutual interference from the literature, analyzed additional data, and created the largest compilation of unbiased estimates of mutual interference yet produced. In this data set, both the alternatives of prey dependence and ratio dependence were observed, but only one data set was consistent with prey dependence. There was a tendency toward ratio dependence reflected by a median m of -0.7 and a mean m of -0.8. Overall, the data support the hypothesis that interference is mostly intermediate in magnitude. The data also indicate that interference competition is common, at least in the systems studied to date. Significant questions remain regarding how different factors influence interference, and whether interference can be viewed as a characteristic of a particular population or whether it generally shifts from low to high levels as populations increase in density.
The Costs of Disease

Background: To date there have been no studies identifying and comparing the component costs to treat a large number of diseases for hospitalized inpatients. Methods: Hospital costs were analyzed for 486 diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) relating to >1.3 million patient discharges from 60 University Hospital members of the University HealthSystems Consortium. For each DRG, length of stay, total cost, and key cost components were analyzed, including accommodation, intensive care, and surgery. Results: In general, total costs of diseases classified as surgical exceeded those classified as medical. Diseases involving organ transplantation typically cost more than other diseases. However, within the studied population, the two DRGs accounting for most total healthcare dollars were percutaneous cardiovascular procedures and management of neonates with immaturity or respiratory failure. Conclusions: Considering six key cost components, as well as disease complexity and length of stay, the best predictors of total costs for medical conditions were the length of stay and accommodation (housing, meals, nursing services) costs, whereas for surgical conditions, the best predictor of total costs was laboratory costs. This analysis may be used within an individual institution to identify surgical or medical diagnoses with total or component costs at variance with the group mean. A hospital may focus its cost reduction efforts to make decisions to expand, alter, or eliminate particular clinical programs based on comparison of its own total and component costs with those from other hospitals in the database.
Influence of process and device design on ESD sensitivity of a Silicon Germanium heterojunction bipolar transistor

Emitter-base design has a significant influence on both the device performance and ESD sensitivity of silicon germanium heterojunction bipolar transistors. HBM and TLP emitter-base measurements of a ldquoself-alignedrdquo and ldquonon-self alignedrdquo SiGe HBT device is shown for the first time. The evaluation of process variations and device design spacings on ESD robustness is evaluated for both positive and negative stress conditions as a function of the salicide location, emitter-base spacing, and collector opening.
Implementing and evaluating multithreaded triad census algorithms on the Cray XMT

Commonly represented as directed graphs, social networks depict relationships and behaviors among social entities such as people, groups, and organizations. Social network analysis denotes a class of mathematical and statistical methods designed to study and measure social networks. Beyond sociology, social network analysis methods are being applied to other types of data in other domains such as bioinformatics, computer networks, national security, and economics. For particular problems, the size of a social network can grow to millions of nodes and tens of millions of edges or more. In such cases, researchers could benefit from the application of social network analysis algorithms on high-performance architectures and systems.
Effective separation of sparse and non-sparse image features for denoising

Over-complete representations of images such as undecimated wavelets have enjoyed immense popularity in recent years. Though they are efficient for modeling singularities and edges, natural images also consist of textures that are difficult to capture with any canonical transformation. In this work, we develop a new modeling strategy with a rigorous treatment of textured regions. Using principal components analysis as an approximate classifier for edges and textures, we partition an image into compressible and incompressible regions-with corresponding models matching their behaviors. A posterior median-based denoising method using these models is described with preliminary results that demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Reduced-order controllers for continuous and discrete-time singular H ∞ control problems based on LMI

This paper describes a method for constructing a Petri net controller for a discrete event system modeled by a Petri net. The controller consists only of places and arcs, and is computed based on the concept of Petri net place invariants. The size of the controller is proportional to the number of constraints that must be satisfied. This method is computationally efficient, and can accommodate constraints written as Boolean logic formulas in the conjunctive normal form or algebraic inequalities that contain elements of the marking and/or the firing vectors.
Cryptic genes for cellobiose utilization in natural isolates of Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT The ECOR collection of natural Escherichia coli isolates was screened to determine the proportion of strains that carried functional, cryptic and nonfunctional genes for utilization of the three β-glucoside sugars, arbutin, salicin and cellobiose. None of the 71 natural isolates utilized any of the β-glucosides. Each strain was subjected to selection for utilization of each of the sugars. Only five of the isolates were incapable of yielding spontaneous β-glucoside-utilizing mutants. Forty-five strains yielded cellobiose + mutants, 62 yielded arbutin + mutants, and 58 strains yielded salicin + mutants. A subset of the mutants was screen by mRNA hybridization to determine whether they were expressing either the cel or the bgl β-glucoside utilization operons of E. coli K12. Two cellobiose + and two arbutin + -salicin + strains failed to express either of these known operons. It is concluded that there are at least four gene clusters specifying β-glucoside utilization functions in E. coli populations, and that all of these are normally cryptic. It is estimated that in any random isolate the probability of any particular cluster having been irreversibly inactivated by the accumulation of random mutations is about 0.5.
Clustering and classification of large document bases in a parallel environment

Development of cluster-based search systems has been hampered by prohibitive times involved in clustering large document sets. Once completed, maintaining cluster organizations is difficult in dynamic file environments. We propose the use of parallel computing systems to overcome the computationally intense clustering process. Two operations are examined. The first is clustering a document set and the second is classifying the document set. A subset of the TIPSTER corpus, specifically, articles from the Wall Street Journal, is used. Document set classification was performed without the large storage requirement (potentially as high as 522M) for ancillary data matrices. In all cases, the time performance of the parallel system was an improvement over sequential system times, and produced the same clustering and classification scheme. Some results show near linear speed up in higher threshold clustering applications.
Topology Optimization of Coupled Multi-Physics Problems

Topology optimization provides a promising approach to systematically design multi-physics problems, such as thermo-mechanical, electro-static, and fluid-structure interaction problems. This class of design problems is often dominated by nonlinear phenomena and is not well suited for intuitive design strategies. In this lecture we will discuss applications of topology optimization methods to coupled multi-physics problems, emphasizing the differences between volumetric and interface coupling in the context of topology optimization. Focusing on density methods, topology optimization of piezo-electric devices and fluid-structure interaction problems will be studied.
Hypercalcemia in the Intensive Care Unit: A Review of Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Modern Therapy

Hypercalcemia may be seen in a variety of clinical settings and often requires intensive management when serum calcium levels are dramatically elevated. All of the many etiologies of mild hypercalcemia can lead to severe hypercalcemia. Knowledge of the physiologic mechanisms involved in maintaining normocalcemia and basic pathophysiology is essential for making a timely diagnosis and hence prompt institution of etiology-specific therapy. The development of new medications and critical reviews of traditional therapies have changed the treatment paradigm for severe hypercalcemia, calling for a more limited role for aggressive isotonic fluid administration and furosemide and an expanded role for calcitonin and the bisphosphonates. Experimental therapies such as denosumab show promise.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Different Treatments, Similar Mechanisms?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) researchers and scholars carry assumptions about the characteristics of these therapies, and the extent to which they differ from one another. This article examines proposed differences between CBT and ACT for anxiety disorders, including aspects of treatment components, processes, and outcomes. The general conclusion is that the treatments are more similar than distinct. Potential treatment mediators and issues related to the identification of mediators are considered in depth, and directions for future research are explored.
Proneness to hypomania predicts EEG coherence between left motor cortex and left prefrontal cortex

Previous research has demonstrated that hypomania is associated with approach motivation and activity in the left prefrontal cortex (PFC). Other research has linked left motor cortex excitability to approach motivation, suggesting the existence of connections between the motor cortex and PFC. The present research extends this work using unilateral hand contractions to manipulate contralateral cortical activity, and examining the relationship between motor cortex and PFC inter-electrode EEG coherence and hypomania. Within the right-hand contraction condition, hypomania related to greater connectivity between the left motor cortex and left PFC, relative to connectivity between the left motor cortex and right PFC. No relationships were found within the left-hand condition. The present research provides additional support for the role of the left PFC in bipolar disorder, as well as an important extension of research linking motor cortex excitability to emotion and approach motivation.
Cybernetics, Information, and Control

Cybernetics is the science of communication and control. The publication of Norbert Wiener’s book Cybernetics in 1948 is widely accepted as marking the formal beginning of the field, although most of its central ideas had been anticipated, and some of them well elaborated, much earlier. In the years that followed Wiener’s statement, interest in cybernetics and control theory grew rapidly among practitioners of a variety of disciplines. A large segment of the field of applied mathematics, for example, is devoted to the intricacies of this approach to regulatory systems (see, e.g., Berkovitz, 1974; Davis, 1977; Hestenes, 1966; Straus, 1968); concepts of control play a major role in the engineering profession (e.g., Anand, 1974; Dransfield, 1968; Ogata, 1970); and cybernetic ideas have become increasingly influential among economists (cf. Balakrishnan, 1973; Pindyck, 1973).
Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Athletic Training Students in the Clinical Education Setting: A Pilot Study

Context: Help-seeking is an important self-regulating and proactive strategy that prepares students to be successful learners. It is particularly important in the clinical education setting, in whi...
Proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in rat uterine cervix throughout gestation and the effect of the antiprogesterone onapristone

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative percentages of apoptosis and proliferation in fibroblasts and cervical smooth muscles throughout gestation and the effect of an antiprogesterone on these processes. STUDY DESIGN: Rats were studied at days 5, 15, 18, and 21 and immediately postpartum (day 22). Apoptosis and proliferation as detected by specific immunohistochemistry quantitative morphometric analysis was performed. Onapristone, an antiprogesterone, was used to study effects of hormonal change on these processes in 16- and 19-day timed-pregnant rats. RESULTS: Proliferation of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells was highest in early pregnancy and decreased progressively, whereas apoptosis increased progressively in later pregnancy. Onapristone inhibited apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Changes in cervical cellular turnover are initiated early in gestation and are under hormonal influence. Antiprogesterone inhibits cell death at days 16 and 19 of gestation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;178:713-25.)
Improving ethics education during residency training

Background: Trainees struggle with the evaluation and management of inpatient clinical ethical dilemmas.Aim: To meet their needs for both conceptual clarification and practical management, we designed a program to teach medical residents a systematic approach to resolving clinical ethical dilemmas.Methods: We instituted monthly resident ethics educational case conferences to clarify residents' understanding of key concepts of medical ethics and to teach an 8-step systematic approach to resolving ethical dilemmas. We surveyed learners on the appropriateness, immediate utility, and potential for future usefulness of the approach.Results: The vast majority of residents found the approach to be applicable and helpful with clinical decisions and interactions with patients and their family members.Conclusions: Teaching residents to use a systematic approach in understanding and resolving ethical dilemmas can facilitate their management of the ethical dilemmas that arise in clinical practice. Providing trainees ...
Strategic Voting in Post-Communist Democracy?

The absence of strategic voting in new democracies represents a potential threat to democratic consolidation because it could inhibit the development of a stable party system. Yet can we expect that citizens in new democracies have developed the skills associated with strategic voting in democratic elections? Based on evidence from Hungary, a post-communist democracy, this article suggests that citizens in new democracies respond to strategic voting situations in a fashion consistent with conventional theories of strategic voting. Analysis of Hungarian voting statistics over the past three national elections indicates that voters, consistent with strategic voting theories, vigorously penalized smaller parties thereby contributing to the rapid decline in the number of effective parties competing in Hungarian elections. We argue that strategic voting occurs in two stages: (1) recognition of a ‘wasted-vote’ situation and (2) strategic response to that situation.
Timing Is Everything in Life: Conditional Transgene Expression in the Cardiovascular System

Manipulation of the mouse genome by traditional transgenic approaches has facilitated studies of gene function within the context of the intact organism and allowed for the creation of useful animal models of human disease. However, the timing of gene activation or repression is a critical determinant of phenotype, and the ability to regulate the temporal profile of transgene expression remains an important experimental goal. In this Mini Review, we describe the current status of systems to tightly regulate target gene expression in vivo, focusing on binary systems using chimeric transcription factors. Although experimental difficulties persist, regulated expression systems are beginning to produce conditional phenotypes with exciting experimental implications. We review the experience to date and examine the potential utility of these approaches within the context of cardiovascular medicine.
The Conundrum of WTO Accession Protocols: In Search of Legality and Legitimacy

Accession to the World Trade Organization differs from that of other international organizations in one major aspect: the WTO may prescribe more stringent rules for acceded members, depending on the result of individual accession negotiations. These country-specific rules are set out in the protocols of accession and now form a significant part of WTO law. However, questions concerning the legality and legitimacy of such rules remain to be answered. The accession protocols effectively modify the provisions of the WTO multilateral trade agreements, but the legal basis for so doing has never been properly explained and the relationship between the accession protocols and the WTO agreements remains unclear. Normatively, differential treatment of acceded members derogates from the WTO principle of nondiscrimination, but does so without proper justification. Confusion over the legal nature of accession protocols and the lack of clear rationale for the country-specific rules have led to problematic jurisprudence, creating uncertainty in the rights and obligations of acceded members vis-a-vis other members of the WTO. This article aims to resolve the conundrum of WTO accession protocols. Building upon existing literature, the author takes a broad comparative and historical approach to examining WTO accession practice. On the question of legality, the article proposes that WTO accession protocols should be characterized as subsequent agreements modifying the WTO agreements, or more precisely as subsequent practice of an international organization modifying its underlying treaties, and that their relationship with the WTO agreements should be defined accordingly. In light of this understanding, the article examines and critiques the Appellate Body’s assessment of the relationship between accession protocols and the WTO agreements in the recent case of China-Rare Earths. On the question of legitimacy, the article identifies the lack of reason and transparency in the accession rules as the main issues, and critiques the “entry fee” theory offered by a WTO panel as the justification for any accession rules. The article then makes suggestions on what should and can be done to mitigate the legitimacy deficits created by WTO accession practice.
Sufficient condition for finite-time singularity and tendency towards self-similarity in a high-symmetry flow

A highly symmetric Euler flow, first proposed by Kida (1985), and recently simulated by Boratav and Pelz (1994) is considered. It is found that the fourth order spatial derivative of the pressure (p xxxx) at the origin is most probably positive. It is demonstrated that if p xxxx grows fast enough, there must be a finite-time singularity (FTS). For a random energy spectrum E(k) ∞ k −v , a FTS can occur if the spectral index v<3. Furthermore, a positive p xxxx has the dynamical consequence of reducing the third derivative of the velocity u xxx at the origin. Since the expectation value of uxxx is zero for a random distribution of energy, an ever decreasing uxxx means that the Kida flow has an intrinsic tendency to deviate from a random state. By assuming that u xxx reaches the minimum value for a given spectral profile, the velocity and pressure are found to have locally self-similar forms similar in shape to what are found in numerical simulations. Such a quasi self-similar solution relaxes the requirement for FTS to v<6. A special self-similar solution that satisfies Kelvin’s circulation theorem and exhibits a FTS is found for v=2.
Insights into the Introduction History and Population Genetic Dynamics of the Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus) in Florida

Invasive species are widely recognized as important drivers of the ongoing biodiversity crisis. The US state of Florida is especially susceptible to the proliferation of invasive reptiles, and nonnative lizards currently outnumber native lizard species. At present, there are 3 documented breeding populations of the Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) in different regions of Southern Florida, and these populations are considered potential dangers to threatened, fossorial endemics, such as burrowing owls, American crocodiles, and gopher tortoises. Nevertheless, at present, both the introduction histories of these populations and the degree to which they are connected by gene flow are not known. To address these issues, we genotyped V. niloticus from Cape Coral, Homestead Air Reserve Base, and West Palm Beach at 17 microsatellite loci and conducted a variety of analyses to assess both intrapopulation genetic diversity, the degree of gene flow between populations, and the most likely introduction scenario. The results of our analyses demonstrate that all 3 populations have limited genetic diversity (mean number of effective alleles across loci in all 3 populations ~ 2.00) and are highly differentiated from one another (G ST = 0.268; G″ST = 0.628). Our results also suggest that these populations resulted from independent introduction events that occurred within the past few decades. Consequently, we advise that wildlife managers focus management efforts on containment of existing populations and intensification of monitoring efforts on potential migration corridors.
Clinical utility of subcutaneous hirudins

The clinical utility of subcutaneous hirudins is discussed. The term "hirudins" refers to a class of antithrombotic agents structurally derived from the medicinal leech salivary protein hirudin. Breakthroughs in biotechnology over the past 20 years have resulted in the development of recombinant versions of hirudin (r-hirudin). Lepirudin is one such r-hirudin that is identical to natural hirudin except for the substitution of leucine for isoleucine at the N-terminus and the elimination of a sulfate group on the tyrosine at position 63. Another r-hirudin, desirudin, is identical to hirudin except for a valine-valine in the N-terminus and the absence of the sulfate group on tyrosine at position 63. Both r-hirudins are bivalent and tightly bind to both the catalytic site and the exposite of thrombin to exert their inhibitory effects on thrombin. Unfractionated heparin (UF) and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) are widely used in medical and surgical patients to prevent and treat arterial and venous thrombotic events. Besides bleeding, the major adverse effect of heparins is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT is associated with a paradoxical hypercoagulable state and marked risk of clinical thrombosis. Management of HIT requires the immediate cessation of all heparin exposure, and the initiation of an alternative anticoagulant. Because r-hirudins are effective agents and do not cross-react with HIT-associated antibodies, they are excellent anticoagulants in patients with past or current HIT. Clinical trials have also demonstrated the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (s.c.) r-hirudins compared to heparins in non-HIT settings. Results of these trials support the use of r-hirudin therapy in patients with HIT or at risk of developing HIT. Additionally, case reports have described safe and effective use of s.c. r-hirudin therapy in the outpatient setting in both HIT and non-HIT patients.
Cultural Morphology and Sexuality of Inonotus Arizonicus

Inonotus arizonicus (Aphyllophorales: Hymenochaetaceae) causes a white heartrot of Arizona and California sycamores and is known only from the Southwest in these hosts. Inonotus arizonicus fruits r...
Phase contrast microscope study of oral epithelium of normal and vitamin A-deficient rats.

SummaryBiostructures of oral epithelium such as tonofibrils and basement membrane were ascertained in normal rats with the help of phase contrast microscopy. Vit. A deficiency effected in oral rat epithelium 1) aplasia of the basement membrane, 2) precocious disintegration of the tonofibrils in the stratum spinosum, and 3) parakeratosis of the surface layer.
The Tree Planting Problem on a Sphere

The tree planting problem has been a popular recreational pastime for many years. It has the following simple statement: How can n points in the plane be arranged in rows, each containing exactly k points, to produce a maximum number of rows? In the latter half of the 19th century, the famous mathematician J. J. Sylvester occupied much of his time with this question and related problems. Although this puzzle has been around for many years, only in some particular cases has limited progress been made, with virtually no progress toward a general solution. Even for small values of k such as three and four, only a handful of results is known [1]. Here we consider the tree planting question on a sphere, where a line is defined to be a great circle and trees are in a row if they lie on a single line. Thus, in general, two points determine a unique line. However, if the two points are the endpoints of a diameter of the sphere, henceforth called antipodal points, then there exists an infinite number of lines through the two points. Clearly, any two distinct lines intersect at exactly two antipodal points. We offer no complete solution but we do present some plausible conjectures. Let us represent the points of a plane by a (gnomonic) projection to the center of a sphere tangent to the plane. Since any line in the plane will produce half a great circle on the sphere, the patterns of lines which are the solutions for the problem in the plane may be projected onto the sphere to help form the pattern of great circles which are' the solutions there. Obviously, for the spherical problem the case k = 2 is trivial. Then k = 3 and n = 3 or 4, the values of r, the maximum number of rows, are one and two, respectively. To find the value of r for n = 5, we will begin by projecting a single line containing three points, A, B and C, onto the sphere. Now by adding two antipodal points to the sphere, say D' and E', which are not in the great circle determined by A', B' and C', three new rows are introduced (see Figure 1). These antipodal points form great circles with each point projected on the sphere. Hence, five points produce four rows. This example illustrates certain important aspects of this projection procedure. First, the straight line containing three points is the solution to the problem in the plane. Second, the addition of antipodal points on the sphere is the best way to include these points in the pattern since they form a new row of three with every point already there. Consequently, there can be
Entertaining audiences, ensuring inclusivity, and considering media influence: Sixth graders’ understanding of media producers’ responsibility

ABSTRACTQualitatively analyzing 35 responses from a letter-writing homework in a media literacy education program, this study examines sixth graders’ understandings of producers’ responsibility in creating media content. Responses suggest their understandings about producers’ responsibility are bounded within the context of their media use as consumers, rather than as citizens. Findings focus on the importance of introducing contextual factors of media production as well as the challenges that researchers and educators might face.
Policy Analysis and Advising Decisionmakers: Don’t Forget the Decisionmaker/Client

AbstractThe field of policy analysis rarely emphasizes the role and importance of the relationship between the policy analyst and those whom they are advising. It is a topic that almost never shows up in the policy journals or in panels at policy conferences. The focus of the field has been on the assumptions, tools, roles and reality of the analyst and little acknowledgement that the analyst is an advisor to the decisionmaker – not actually making the decisions. The current experience involving policy advising has moved the field from one that had been found largely in the US to include experience within other countries focusing on the advising function. As such it illustrates similarities and differences that emerge from diverse political, cultural and organizational settings. This range of policy settings indicates both positive and negative experiences with the advising function. The paper uses the comparative approach to contrast the changes over time and to begin to compare the experiences of parlia...
Some Reflections on the Political Economy of Unemployment

Unemployment is both a cyclical and structured phenomenon. On the one hand, the level of unemployment fluctuates with the business cycle; on the other hand, several countries (in Europe in particular) have, in the last twenty years, experienced long periods of unemployment in excess of what is commonly thought of the natural level of unemployment1. Graph 1 displays the rate of unemployment for the last 20 years in several European countries2.
Does Shareholder Voting Matter? Evidence from the Takeover Market

We examine the initial implementation of a shareholder voting rule to identify the associated costs and benefits of shareholder approval in particular acquisitions. We find firms alter the structure of their acquisitions to avoid shareholder voting. Additional analysis suggests firms use seasoned equity offerings as a mechanism to avoid shareholder voting. We examine the performance of acquisitions following the enactment of the shareholder voting rule and find no evidence of higher short- or long-run market returns for acquisitions requiring a stockholder vote. This suggests shareholder voting adds additional costs, but no discernable benefits, to acquiring firm shareholders.
The Application of the Conjugate Gradient Method for the Solution of Operator Equations in Electromagnetics

The objective of this paper is to survey many of the popular methods utilized in solving numerical problems arising in electromagnetics. Historically, the matrix methods have been quite popular. One of the primary objectives of this paper is to introduce a new class of iterative methods, which have advantages over the classical matrix methods in the sense that a given problem may be solved to a prespecified degree of accuracy. Also, these iterative methods (particularly conjugate gradient methods) converge to the solution in a finite number of steps irrespective of the initial starting guess. Numerical examples have been presented to illustrate the principles. The conjugate gradient method solves a Toplitz system in θ(N) steps when applied in conjunction with Fast Fourier Transform. The conjugate gradient method essentially performs a singular value decomposition for ill-conditioned systems. This is illustrated by the solution of the deconvolution problem.