cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of thrombocytopenia on wound healing. A study in the rat.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that platelets stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts in healing wounds. Rats were made thrombocytopenic with rabbit anti-rat platelet antiserum (APS); 18 hr later 2 × 2-cm square wounds were made, and the rats were killed 72 hr later. The platelet count dropped as low as 0.5% of normal and was maintained during the experimental period to an average 3–5% of normal. The experimental period was not extended further in order to minimize the complications inherent to the use of APS. In two of the anatomic structures affected by the wound (fascia and subcutaneous septa) fibroblastic proliferation was slightly but not significantly reduced; in the third (margins) it was slightly and significantly reduced. This mild inhibition is attributed to side effects of immune thrombocytopenia, which was found to be far more injurious than generally reported in the literature. It is emphasized that the fibroblastic response remained substantial despite the severe thrombocytopenia. Thus no evidence was found that a fibroblast-stimulating platelet factor was active in vivo .
Pathogenesis of human parainfluenza virus 3 infection in two species of cotton rats: Sigmodon hispidus develops bronchiolitis, while Sigmodon fulviventer develops interstitial pneumonia.

Abstract Human parainfluenza virus 3 replicates well in the noses and lungs of two species of cotton rats, Sigmodon hispidus and Sigmodon fulviventer. Peak viral titers of nearly 10(6) PFU/g are reached 2 days after infection in both tissues, are maintained through day 5, and are equivalent in the two species. Infectious virus is eliminated by day 8 after infection. Both species produce a strong neutralizing antibody response with titers of 1:10,000 4 weeks after infection. Viral replication in the nasal epithelium results in only minor histological changes, and viral antigen is found only in the apical portion of epithelial cells. Infection of S. hispidus causes a bronchiolitis with a peribronchiolar lymphoid cell infiltration that reaches a peak 6 days after infection, and there is only a minor component of interstitial pneumonia. In contrast, infection of S. fulviventer causes an interstitial pneumonia, and this lesion reaches its maximal extent by 6 days after infection. There is minimal peribronchiolar lymphoid cell infiltration in infected S. fulviventer. Lung lesions in both species of cotton rats are largely healed 9 days after infection, and the lungs are indistinguishable from those of uninfected controls 16 days after infection. These species of cotton rats offer separate models for the two major pulmonary manifestations of human parainfluenza virus 3 infection. The models may be useful for basic studies of the pathogenesis of this infection and for initial evaluation of candidate vaccines.
Abstract 16717: My Unlimited Health Potential: 12 Month Effect of Participation in a Worksite Lifestyle Intervention Program on Significant Weight Loss and Eligibility Criteria for Bariatric Surgery Among High Risk Individuals

Background: Current recommendations support bariatric surgery among the morbidly obese as an option to mitigate future risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension. To date, there is little evidence on the effect of extensive lifestyle interventions among those high-risk individuals in reducing the need for such procedures. Methods: The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of an intensive lifestyle workplace intervention on significant body weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors across the spectrum of obesity. Changes in BMI were measured from baseline to 12 week follow up, along with corresponding improvements in cardio-metabolic risk. In addition, the decrease in participants meeting criteria for bariatric surgery over the study period was examined. Bariatric surgery criteria were defined as BMI≥40 or BMI between 35 and 40 and at least one of the following co-morbidities: diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol. Results: The study population consisted of 169 ...
An investigation of invariant properties of unstable equilibrium points on the stability boundary for simple power system models

In recent developments of direct methods for power system transient stability analysis, the task of finding the controlling unstable equilibrium point (u.e.p.) of the original system is performed on an artificial, dimension-reduction system for easily computing the controlling u.e.p. It has been shown that if the stable and unstable manifolds of a family of parametrized systems, which relates the original power system and an artificial, dimension-reduction system, satisfy the transversality condition as the parameter varies, then the artificial, dimension-reduction system contains the same set of u.e.p.'s on the stability boundary. In this paper, instead of direct verification of the transversality conditions, we show that under small mechanical power injections, the original power system model and the artificial, dimension-reduction system contain the same unstable equilibrium points on the stability boundary for one machine and two machine power system models.
Phylogenetic Inference from Mitochondrial Genome Arrangement Data

A fundamental problem in evolutionary biology is determining evolutionary relationships among different taxa. Genome arrangement data is potentially more informative than DNA sequence data in cases where alignment of DNA sequences is highly uncertain. We describe a Bayesian framework for phylogenetic inference from mitochondrial genome arrangement data that uses Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) as the computational engine for inference. Our approach is to model mitochondrial data as a circular signed permutation which is subject to reversals. We calculate the likelihood of one arrangement mutating into another along a single branch by counting the number of possible sequences of reversals which transform the first to the second. We calculate the likelihood of the entire tree by augmenting the state space with the arrangements at the branching points of the tree. We use MCMC to update both the tree and the arrangement data at the branching points.
GUT-inspired supersymmetric model for h →γ γ and the muon g -2

We study a grand unified theories inspired supersymmetric model with nonuniversal gaugino masses that can explain the observed muon $g\ensuremath{-}2$ anomaly while simultaneously accommodating an enhancement or suppression in the $h\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay channel. In order to accommodate these observations and ${m}_{h}\ensuremath{\simeq}125$ to 126 GeV, the model requires a spectrum consisting of relatively light sleptons whereas the colored sparticles are heavy. The predicted stau mass range corresponding to ${R}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\ge}1.1$ is $100\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}\ensuremath{\lesssim}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}{m}_{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\tau}}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}200\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$. The constraint on the slepton masses, particularly on the smuons, arising from considerations of muon $g\ensuremath{-}2$ is somewhat milder. The slepton masses in this case are predicted to lie in the few hundred GeV range. The colored sparticles turn out to be considerably heavier with ${m}_{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{g}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}4.5\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$ and ${m}_{{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{t}}_{1}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}3.5\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$, which makes it challenging for these to be observed at the 14 TeV LHC.
A forward-only recursion based HMM for modeling burst errors in digital channels

This paper presents a last and efficient algorithm to model error the burst patterns that occur in many communication channels. As an application, we characterise the indoor wireless channel using our algorithm. Our proposed modeling algorithm is a modified hidden Markov modeling (HMM) technique that uses the forward-only algorithm proposed by Tan et al. Our algorithm is better than the existing standard HMM algorithms in four ways. Firstly it does not perform any computation during the length of any burst of observation symbols. Secondly unlike the existing algorithms, our method provides uniquely identifiable models. The third advantage is that the use of the forward-only recursion allows us to avoid the backward recursion variable and thus save on memory. Last of all, our method also distributes the computation evenly over each observation sequence burst. The indoor wireless channel model that we develop is based on Rappaport's (1991) line-of-sight (LOS) multipath model. The channel exhibits statistically complex fading characteristics for which our method yields easy-to-use models that are derived from more general concepts.
Victims’ Rights, Victims’ Expectations, and Law Enforcement Workers’ Constraints in Cases of Murder

Research on crime victims and their experiences with the criminal justice system suggests that victims’ rights (e.g., victim impact statements) and victims’ services (e.g., crime victims’ compensation, counseling) have not significantly improved victims’ satisfaction with the criminal justice system or their recovery from the crime. Thus, we appear to know little about how to satisfy and assist victims of crime. This study uses the symbolic interactionist perspective to examine victims’ experiences with law enforcement workers (e.g., detectives, counselors) with a focus on people who have lost a loved one to murder (“bereaved victims”). The data come from in-depth interviews with thirty-two bereaved victims, seven law enforcement workers, and three crime victims’ advocates in Union County (pseudonym). Bereaved victims define the victim role differently from law enforcement workers, creating two main points of conflict with workers: (1) a conflict over their deceased loved one's body, and (2) a conflict over the flow of information in the case. Bereaved victims’ frustrations over these conflicts created problems for their recovery. Bereaved victims’ efforts to see their deceased loved one's body, guide detectives’ investigation, and learn information about the murder and the investigation took a back seat to detectives’ interests in protecting the integrity of the investigation and building a strong case for the prosecution. Policy implications are discussed.
Stiffness of Retinal and Choroidal Tissue: A Surface Wrinkling Analysis of Epiretinal Membranes and Choroidal Folds

Purpose To measure the wrinkling periodicity (peak-to-peak or trough-to-trough distance) for epiretinal membranes and contraction-induced choroidal folds, and use this data to infer differences in the elastic properties of the retina and choroid, respectively. Design Retrospective case review. Methods Forty eyes were identified with epiretinal membranes (33 eyes) or contraction-induced choroidal folds (seven eyes). Digital red-free photographs were used to determine the average peak-to-peak distance between adjacent folds of retina or choroid using commercially available software. Results The average peak-to-peak spacing was considerably larger for contraction-induced choroidal folds vs retinal folds caused by epiretinal membranes (278.2 ± 62.2 vs 82.2 ± 7.66 μm, respectively; P = .0001). There was no statistically significant correlation between the peak-to-peak distance and patient age for the epiretinal membrane group ( P = .25) or the choroidal folds group, although the age range of patients within the later group was narrow. Conclusions Epiretinal membranes and contraction-induced choroidal folds are two examples of wrinkling of biologic tissue under tangential stress. The larger peak-to-peak spacing for choroidal folds vs retinal folds demonstrates that the choroid is considerably stiffer than the retina under mechanical deformations.
Releasing Penile Foreskin Trapped in a Zipper

Zipper injuries to the penis are not uncommon and generally occur when an uncircumcised male zips up his pants too quickly and entraps the foreskin of the penis in the zipper.1-3 The male is usually between 3 and 6 years of age and may not have been wearing underpants. When the patient presents to the office or emergency department, he is usually in a great deal of pain and may be very anxious.
A Schema for Effective Osteoporosis Management

A disconnection exists between our understanding of osteoporosis diagnosis/treatment and our ability to provide optimal bone healthcare in an organized fashion. This disconnection results, in part, from problems in inertia (moving forward with the attitude that osteoporosis is a disease worthy of management), direction (focusing on the ultimate goal of osteoporosis diagnosis and management, i.e. reduction in fracture), and flow (making it easy to do the right thing, i.e. taking the best available science, mixing it with expert opinion, and developing a program that allows all of the participants [physicians, allied healthcare providers, patients, insurers] to play a role).
Individuality and Contextual Influences on Drug Dependence: A 15-Year Prospective Longitudinal Study of Adolescents from Harlem.

ABSTRACT In this 15-year longitudinal study the authors investigated individual and contextual factors that predispose adolescents from a disadvantaged urban area to drug dependence in adulthood. Adolescents were recruited from schools serving East Harlem in New York City. Of the 838 participants followed to adulthood, 59% were women, 55% were African American, and 45% were Puerto Rican. Self-report data were obtained on externalizing and internalizing problems, substance use, and contextual influences across adolescence and young adulthood. Drug dependence was assessed in adulthood. Multivariate logistic regressions of drug dependence were performed on the whole sample and separately by gender. Each of the domains was associated with adult drug dependence. Although mean gender differences were found, most associations of risk factors with drug dependence did not vary significantly by gender. Treating externalizing and internalizing problems, reducing substance use, and providing coping skills for adverse...
Detecting extrasolar planets

Abstract The detection of extrasolar planets presents a good case in which to clarify the distinction between observation and inference from evidence. By asking whether these planets have been observed or inferred from evidence, and by using the scientific details to answer the question, we will get a clearer understanding of the epistemic difference between these two forms of information. The issue of scientific realism pivots on this distinction, and the results of this case will help to articulate the epistemically important factors in assessing theoretical claims.
DNR perspective on mathematics curriculum and instruction, Part I: focus on proving

This is the first in a series of two papers whose goal is to contribute to the debate on a pair of questions: (1) What is the mathematics that we should teach in school? (2) How should we teach it? This paper addresses the first question, and the second paper, to appear in the next issue of ZDM, addresses the second question. The two questions are addressed from a particular theoretical framework, called DNR-based instruction in mathematics. The discussions in the current paper are instantiated mainly in proof-related contexts. The paper offers a definition of mathematics as a union of two categories of knowledge: ways of understanding and ways of thinking. The latter are generalizations of the notions, proof and proof scheme, respectively. The paper also discusses cognitive-epistemological and curricular implications of this definition, focusing mainly on the inevitable production of narrow or faulty mathematical knowledge and the asymmetry in educators’ attention to ways of understanding and ways of thinking.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-like Symptoms 1 Week to 3 Months After Myocardial Infarction

In DSM-IV, the revised criteria for PTSD allow for “being exposed to a life-threatening illness,” to now meet the criterion of exposure to an extreme stressor. The present study examined psychosocial adjustment, particularly PTSD symptoms, in 45 cardiac patients 1 week to 3 months after they experienced their first MI. Identification of potential participants proceeded via review of records of patients on the coronary care unit at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The results indicated that most patients reported low levels of distress. Using Foa and co-workers’ (1993) PTSD Symptom Scale, 9% of the patients met DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD.
Control of new energy sources in an electric utility system

The addition of generators based on renewable resources to the electric power system brings new problems of control and communication if the generators are to be controlled as an integrated part of the power system. Since many of these generators are small, it will require a large number of them, connected to the distribution system, to represent an appreciable fraction of the total generation. This situation contrasts with present day generation control which typically involves only the control of a small number of large generators. This paper examines the system requirements for integrated control, and proposes a control arrangement in which the incremental cost of power is an important parameter.
Latina voices in childhood obesity: a pilot study using Photovoice in South Carolina.

Background South Carolina has one of the highest rates of obesity in the nation and, proportionately, more Latino children aged 2–5 years are obese compared to black and white children in the state. Purpose Latina mothers will identify the barriers and opportunities for physical activity for Latino children in West Columbia SC and propose policy recommendations. Methods This is a qualitative pilot study with 12 Latina mothers using Photovoice to identify barriers and opportunities for physical activity for their children. Community stakeholder and school staff interviews (eight) also were conducted. Latinas discussed the data collected and developed potential solutions to the problems. Data collection and analysis took place in the city of West Columbia during 2010–2011. Content analysis of focus groups and interview transcripts were conducted using descriptive qualitative coding techniques. Results Latina mothers positively described their neighborhoods as their homes but also identified several environmental barriers to physical activity including lack of transportation, not being able to speak English, lack of knowledge of their children's opportunities at school, and feelings of discrimination due to anti-immigration sentiments in the state. Mothers also proposed to improve their family diets, advocate for better equipment in public parks, building of community sidewalks, and increasing neighborhood police presence. Conclusions Latina mothers demonstrated knowledge about factors related to childhood obesity and proposed solutions to the problems and worked to organize their communities to present alternatives to policymakers. This study underscores the importance of including community input when planning programs addressing childhood obesity.
Shell middens and other anthropogenic soils as global stratigraphic signatures of the Anthropocene

Abstract Evidence for aquatic foraging, fishing, and scavenging by hominins dates back at least two million years, but aquatic resource use intensified with the appearance of Homo sapiens . The development of new fishing and seafaring technologies contributed to population growth and the spread of humans around the world. By the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, fishing peoples lived along coastlines, rivers, and lakes in Africa, Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas, creating shell midden soils marked by accumulations of mollusk shells, animal bones, artifacts, and other cultural debris. After global sea level rise slowed ∼8000 years ago, a proliferation of shell middens formed an increasingly prominent stratigraphic signature for identifying and defining an Anthropocene Epoch. The formation of these distinctive cultural soils, often marked by unique soil chemistry and biotic communities, is essentially contemporaneous with the development of agricultural economies and the widespread soil and landscape changes associated with them. Defined by these global and highly visible anthropogenic soil signatures, I propose that the Anthropocene began about 10,000 years ago and should replace or be merged with the Holocene.
Analysis of the Kω spectrum

Abstract We present results of a spin-parity analysis of the Kω system from threshold to 1.52 MeV based on 12 500 events of the type K − p→ K − π + π − π o p at 7.3 GeV/ c . We also present evidence for a possible resonant state decaying into Kω at a mass 1710 ± 15 MeV and width 110 ± 50 MeV.
Advances in imaging

Imaging has facilitated aggressive skull base surgery by allowing precise preoperative delineation of the extent of lesions. Continued advances providing even better resolution on imaging studies may in turn facilitate the development of new surgical approaches to the skull base.
Adhesion, Friction, Wear and Lubrication in Vacuum

Adhesion, friction, wear and lubrication studies conducted in a vacuum environment have provided insight into the influence of the basic properties of materials on the aforementioned characteristics. With metals, crystal structure, orientation, order-disorder reactions, ductile to brittle transitions, texturing and segregation of alloy constituents to surfaces have all been found to affect adhesion, friction and wear. Strong chemical interactions at the interface have been observed with clean metal surface in contact with polymers and ceramics. These interactions result in strong adhesive bonding. Nearly any material when adsorbed on or reacted chemically with a clean surface in vacuum will reduce adhesion, friction and wear. Even fractions of monolayers will accomplish a reduction in adhesion, friction and wear from that observed for materials in the atomically clean state.
The Effects of Differing Insulin Levels on the Hormonal and Metabolic Response to Equivalent Hypoglycemia in Normal Humans

The aim off this study was to determine if differing concentrations of insulin can modify the counterregulatory response to equivalent hypoglycemia in normal humans. Experiments were conducted in 9 normal, lean men, who had fasted overnight. Insulin was infused in two separate, randomized protocols so that steady-state levels of 486 ± 33 (low) and 3056 ± 236 pM (high) were obtained. Glucose was infused during both protocols to ensure that the rate of fall of plasma glucose (0.07 mM/min) and hypoglycemic plateau (2.8 ± 0.1 mM) were similar. Despite similar plasma glucose levels, EPI (8.7 ± 0.7 vs. 5.5 ± 0.7 nM), NE (3.3 ± 0.3 vs. 2.3 ± 0.2 nM), and cortisol (811 ± 36 vs. 611 ± 72 nM) significantly increased during high compared with low insulin infusion, respectively ( P < 0.05). Glucagon, growth hormone, and pancreatic polypeptide levels increased briskly and significantly but were not different during the two insulin infusions. HGP rose significantly from 12.1 ± 0.3 to 18.1 ± 1.1 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 in response to the high insulin level ( P < 0.05) but remained unchanged (12.1 ± 0.4 and 11.7 ± 1.4 μmol · kg−1 · min−1) in the presence of the low insulin level. GRa increased significantly during high insulin levels (3.4 ± 0.3 to 4.8 ± 0.7 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 P < 0.05) but remained at a basal rate (3.0 ± 0.3 to 2.7 ± 0.6 μmol · kg−1 · min−1) in the presence of low insulin levels. sBP and heart rate increased more during high insulin infusion (18 ± 5 vs. 6 ± 5 mmHg and 18 ± 4 vs. 7 ± 2 beats/min, respectively, P < 0.05). In summary, the 6-fold higher insulin level resulted in significantly greater increases in catecholamine and cortisol secretion, HGP, lipolysis, heart rate, and sBP despite equivalent hypoglycemia. We conclude that at moderate hypoglycemia, high doses of insulin can augment certain aspects of the counterregulatory response in normal humans.
Reducing Postmortem Aging Time of Beef with Electrical Stimulation

Two studies (Study 1 = 23 forage-fed steers; Study 2 = 20 grain-fed steers and heifers) were conducted to determine relationships of electrical stimulation (ES) and/or postmortem aging (PA) to tenderness of beef. For Study 1, steaks from ES sides had lower (P < 0.05) Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values than steaks from not-ES sides for each PA period. In addition, the percentage reduction in WBS values was greater for the steaks from the ES-Day 2 group (–29.5%) than for steaks from even the longest PA period (14 days) from the not-ES group (–25.8%). For Study 2, during the fist three PA periods (1, 2 and 5 days), ES resulted in more desirable (P < 0.05) flavor ratings (Day l), higher (P < 0.05) tenderness ratings and lower (P < 0.05) WBS values (Day 1, 2, 5) and more desirable (P < 0.05) overall palatability ratings (Day 1, 2). During the last three PA periods (8, 11 and 14 days), ES resulted in higher (P < 0.05) tenderness ratings (Day 8), lower (P < 0.05) juiciness ratings (Day 11, 14) and lower (P < 0.05) WBS values (Day 8). Based on these results, ES had the greatest impact on beef palatability if the period of aging was 8 days or less; with additional aging time, ES effects on palatability were negated. When each treatment (ES, not-ES) was divided into two groups based on median tenderness ratings for the not-ES group, ES had the greatest impact on those carcasses in the “tough” group while ES had little impact on those carcasses in the “tender” group. ES will accelerate the postmortem aging of beef but the aging time reduction and extent of ultimate tenderization appears to be affected by the inherent tenderness of the beef.
If Winning Isn't Everything, Why Do They Keep Score? Consequences of Electoral Performance for Party Leaders

The premise that parties are fundamentally motivated by office-seeking is common, but surprisingly little attention has been paid to its empirical validity. We approach this issue by analysing how parties respond to their electoral performance. Casting party leaders as the embodiment of their parties, we then examine the degree to which the length of time party leaders retain their position hinges on their party's electoral success, defined with reference both to the party's share of legislative seats and to its presence or absence in government. Our analyses centre on six parliamentary democracies in which the government is always formed by one of the two major parties either alone or in coalition with a minor party (Australia, Britain, Canada, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand) in the years from 1945 through 2000. Results indicate that party leaders' risk of removal hinges substantially on their party's seat share and/or their party's presence in government. More specifically, we find that as the seat share of both major and minor parties increases, the chance that the party leader will be removed decreases. Likewise, if a major party loses its role in government, the chance that the party leader will be removed increases dramatically. Although presence in government has no significant impact on the tenure in office of party leaders of minor parties, the magnitude of the effect is indistinguishable from that for major parties. Beyond providing strong evidence that parties are at their core motivated by electoral performance, we also estimate the magnitude of the electoral imperative, at least as it pertains to party leaders.
Elevation of atrial natriuretic peptide levels in aqueous humor of the rabbit by kappa opioid receptor agonists

Abstract Following the topical administration of three kappa agonists (bremazocine, spiradoline and ICI 204448) to rabbit eyes, aqueous humor samples were analyzed for levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Bremazocine (BRE) and spiradoline (SPR) elevated aqueous ANP levels in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, ICI had no significant effect on ANP levels in aqueous humor. Nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist, was used to assess kappa opioid receptor involvement and glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K + channel blocker, was used to test for the role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in ANP release. Pretreatment with nor-BNI antagonized the increases in ANP levels observed with both BRE and SPR. Likewise, glibenclamide suppressed the stimulation of ANP secretion by bremazocine. In summary, BRE and SPR increased ANP levels in aqueous humor of rabbits, in part, via activation of K + ATP channels that are assumed to be associated with kappa opioid receptors.
Sorting in Parallel

Although more than a century passed before Menabrea's vision became a reality, today parallel computers with hundreds and even thousands of processors are used in a broad range of applications. One of the great challenges of parallel computing is the design of algorithms that make efficient use of the large number of processors in the machine. In this paper we explore parallel algorithms for one of the most fundamental problems in computer science: the problem of sorting a list of numbers. Specifically, given a list a1, a2, ... , an of integers, the sorting problem is that of finding a permutation of this list, 7T, such that a.(l) < a.(2) < ...< a(n) Before considering parallel sorting algorithms, we examine a sequential sorting algorithm; an algorithm for a computer with a single processor. One sequential algorithm for sorting is known as selection sort. The selection sort algorithm first examines each of the n integers a1, ... , an to find an integer ai with minimum value. Elements a1 and ai are then exchanged so that the element with minimum value is now in the first position in the list. Next, the algorithm examines each of the n 1 integers a2, ... ., an to find an integer with minimum value in this portion of the list. This integer is exchanged with a2 so that now the second smallest integer is in the second position in the list. In general, in the k th iteration the algorithm examines integers ak, .. , an, finds a minimum element in this list, and exchanges it with ak. At the end of nth iteration, the list is sorted. Observe that the first iteration of the algorithm requires n steps to find an element with minimum value and then some constant additional number of steps, c, to exchange this minimum value with a1. The next iteration requires n 1 steps to locate a minimum value in the remaining list and c steps to perform the exchange. In general, the kth iteration requires n k + 1 steps to locate a minimum value in the remaining list and c steps to perform the exchange. Since there are n iterations, the total number of steps or running time of the algorithm is
Multi-purpose Planning for Practical Web Service Composition Problems

Many real-world applications are too complex to be specified by single goals. In this paper, we investigate the issues on how to compose such systems from existing services. First, we develop a multi-purpose model to specify the multiple goals of the system. Second, we develop planning techniques to achieve automated service composition and derive the workflow for the system which can deal with multiple goals. Most existing AI planers can only solve problems with single fixed goals. They cannot directly handle multi-purpose problems. Our approach is to prioritize the goals and perform planning to derive the partial plan (workflow) for each goal one at a time. For each new goal, the planner should start from any of the states in the current plan derived so far and try to reach the new goal. This allows the new sub plan to be naturally merged into the existing one to facilitate multi-purpose workflow construction. It also lets the original plan be reused as much as possible without duplicating the planning effort. We develop the Forward Multi-Purpose Planning (FMPP) algorithm to efficiently obtain multi-purpose plans. Case study systems is developed to illustrate the multi-purpose problem and the corresponding planning process.
Cortés and the Downfall of the Aztec Empire

Cortes and the Downfall of the Aztec Empire. Jon Manchip White. New York: Carroll and Graf Publishers, Inc., 1989 (orig. 1971). 352 pp. $10.95 paper). ISBN 0-88184-461-6.
Stimulus control in a simple instrumental task: The role of internal and external stimuli

Abstract Two experiments using rats in a straight alley runway task tested the hypothesis that standard stimuli such as tones and lights (“external” stimuli) and schedule-generated aftereffect stimuli (“internal” stimuli) operate similarly and are similarly subject to the compounding rules specified by R. A. Rescorla and A. R. Wagner (In A. Black & W. Prokasy (Eds.), Classical conditioning II: Current theory and research . New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1972) . The experimental task was an instrumental analog of the classic blocking experiment (L. J. Kamin, In M. R. Jones (Ed.), Miami symposium on the prediction of behavior: Aversive stimulation . Miami: Univ. of Miami Press, 1968) . In Experiment 1, blocking of an external discriminative stimulus by a different asymptotic discrimination was accomplished. In Experiment 2, blocking of an internal stimulus discrimination by an asymptotic external stimulus discrimination was obtained. The present results support the view that internal and external stimuli are indeed similar and function in the same manner with regard to blocking of stimulus control.
Axitinib in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Targeted agents have revolutionized the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Axitinib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), has been an important addition to currently available therapies for advanced RCC. Its ability to inhibit VEGFRs at nanomolar concentrations distinguishes it as a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with increased selectivity for VEGFR-1, 2, and 3 at clinically applicable concentrations. The phase 3 AXIS trial has established its superiority in prolonging progression-free survival (PFS) in previously treated RCC patients (median PFS 6.7 months for axitinib vs. 4.7 months for sorafenib). Common toxicities of axitinib include hypertension, diarrhea, nausea, hand-foot syndrome, fatigue, and hypothyroidism. Axitinib-induced diastolic blood pressure elevation may be associated with improved clinical outcome, likely reflecting the “on-target” effect of axitinib. Dose escalation to achieve therapeutic plasma drug levels is of considerable clinical interest. Although axitinib has established efficacy in patients treated with one previous agent, its use in the frontline setting is currently the subject of ongoing research.
Needed: Critical Thinking About Psychiatric Medications

SUMMARY It is now well recognized that because of pharmaceutical companies concealment of unfavorable clinical trial data from publication, published trial findings are not credible. Drug marketing budgets and practices allow the drug industry to exercise an inordinate influence on the mental health system, one that serves neither consumers nor professionals. This latest systemic crisis calls into question contradictory stances in social work in mental health: professing nonexpertise in psychopharmacology yet usually collaborating with the medication-compliance agenda of biomedical psychiatry. To avoid losing scientific and practical relevance in a mental health system rife with conflicts of interest, social workers should strive to contribute basic knowledge about psychotropic drugs. They might begin to accomplish this by asking fundamental questions about medications and their uses and offering responses that resonate with core values of the profession and with the principles of scientific inquiry untar...
PLANKTONIC MARINE DIATOM RECORD OF THE PAST 18 M.Y.: APPEARANCES AND EXTINCTIONS IN THE PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN OCEANS

Recently published diatom biochronologies provide accurate (to 0.1 m.y.) determination of the ages of appearances and disappearances of planktonic diatoms during the past 18 m.y. in the equatorial Pacific, North Pacific, and Southern Ocean. Comparisons of these records reveal the age of evolutionary appearance and extinction of species and their region of origin. Extinct planktonic diatom species have a mean longevity of 3.4 ± 2.8 m.y. (SD, n = 53) in the equatorial Pacific, 2.5 ± 2.1 m.y. (n = 52) in the North Pacific, and 2.9 ± 2.3 m.y. (n = 38) in the Southern Ocean. The relatively large standard deviations are likely due to the inclusion of taxa that probably could be subdivided into two or more species. In the equatorial Pacific, evolutionary turnover of diatom species was relatively high between 18.0 and 6.0 Ma compared with the period after 6.0 Ma, presumably reflecting changing oceanic circulation and evolving water masses. In the North Pacific, evolutionary turnover speaked between 10.0 and 4.5 M...
Innovations in job analysis: Development and application of metrics to analyze job data

Abstract Job analysis is an integral part of any human resource function. Recent advancements in technology and changing worker environments have drastically altered the means by which job analysis data are collected and stored. These changes have led to an increase in the amount of data that is collected and the potential for the data to inform complex decision making. However, due to a lack of tools available for configuring and analyzing data, human resource professionals are often unable to keep themselves abreast of changes in their workforce, make complex decisions using job data, and facilitate communication across jobs, job families or departments in their organization. As a result, advanced methods for analysis of job data are needed. Metrics are quantitative algorithms applied to job data that aid in decision making in areas such as recruitment, selection, transferability, promotion, training, and development. Metrics are a sophisticated, user-friendly approach to analyzing job data that have the potential to meet the needs of human resource professionals in today's dynamic workplace. The development of metrics, their application and benefit to human resource professionals, and their use of O⁎NET are discussed.
Globalization, Transnationalism and Trade

Investigating the relationship between immigration, middleman minority status, transnationalism and US foreign trade, the author assembled a census-based data file that contains aggregate-level var...
Concern for appropriateness, religiosity, and gender as predictors of alcohol and marijuana use

The validity of the Concern for Appropriateness Scale (CAS) as a direct or indirect predictor of alcohol and marijuana use in college students was investigated in this study. Specifically, the study examined whether the CAS, by itself, predicted self-reported alcohol and marijuana use and whether it interacted with gender and/or religiosity to predict alcohol and marijuana use. The S s were 143 undergraduate students, and it was found that the CAS directly predicted marijuana use and also interacted with religiosity in the prediction of marijuana use. The results also indicated that the CAS did not directly predict alcohol use, but the CAS interacted with gender and religiosity in the prediction of alcohol use. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for validity of the CAS as an index of social anxiety.
The Role of Brain Peptides in Neuroimmunomodulation

Since neuroimmunomodulation is brought about in part, at least, by secretion of pituitary hormones involved in stress and immune responses, we review briefly the hypothalamic control of the release of ACTH, growth hormone, and prolactin. The release of ACTH is controlled particularly by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), but vasopressin has intrinsic releasing activity and potentiates the action of CRF at both hypothalamic and pituitary levels. Oxytocin may even potentiate the action of CRF, but has little, if any, ACTH-releasing activity by itself. In addition, epinephrine may augment responses to the CRFs. In contrast, growth hormone is under dual control by growth-hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and somatostatin, and prolactin is under multifactorial control by a series of inhibitors and stimulators. Dopamine is accepted as a physiological prolactin-inhibiting factor (PIF), but probably GABA and possibly acetylcholine as well are PIFs. There is good evidence for a peptide PIF as well. There are a number of prolactin-releasing factors (PRFs) which include oxytocin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, PHI and TRH. Several other peptides can also release prolactin, including angiotensin II. In response to stress there is a complex interaction of peptides intrahypothalamically. CRF augments its own release by an ultra short-loop positive feedback, and there is negative ultra short-loop feedback of GRF and somatostatin. Vasopressin appears to augment CRF release as well as to act directly on the pituitary, and there are complex interactions of various peptides to influence prolactin and GH release.
Electron Spin Resonance of F Centers in Magnesium Oxide; Confirmation of the Spin of Magnesium-25

An electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum induced in magnesium oxide crystals by pile irradiation has been interpreted as arising from $F$ centers. After an oxide ion is displaced from its normal position by neutrons, an electron donated by ever-present divalent impurities may become trapped at the vacancy. Those centers having only ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{24}$ and ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{26}$ neighbors give a single ESR line with $g=2.0023$, while those with one or more ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{25}$ neighbors give hyperfine patterns corresponding to the nuclear spin value of $\frac{5}{2}$. The magnitudes of the isotropic and anisotropic parts of the hyperfine interaction show strong localization of the electron in the vacancy.
Dispositional Theories of the Colours of Things

Dispositional theories of the colours of objects identify an object’s having a certain colour with its being such that it would produce perceptions of certain kinds in perceivers of certain kinds under certain specified conditions. Without doubting that objects have dispositions to produce perceptions of certain kinds, this paper questions whether the relevant kinds of perceptions, perceivers, and conditions can be specified in a way that (i) does not rely on acceptance of any objects as being coloured in a non-dispositional sense and (ii) secures the necessity of the identity between an object’s having the disposition so specified and its having the colour in question. Accepting any theory that looked as if it succeeded on both these counts would require an explanation of why a parallel identity does not hold for an object’s disposition to produce, e.g., perceptions of shape.
ROTATION VECTORS FOR TORAL MAPS AND FLOWS: A TUTORIAL

This paper is an introduction to the concept of rotation vector defined for maps and flows on the m-torus. The rotation vector plays an important role in understanding mode locking and chaos in dissipative dynamical systems, and in understanding the transition from quasiperiodic motion on attracting invariant tori in phase space to chaotic behavior on strange attractors. Throughout this article the connection between the rotation vector and the dynamics of the map or flow is emphasized. We begin with a brief introduction to the dimension one setting, in which case the rotation vector reduces to the well known rotation number of H. Poincare. A survey of the main results concerning the rotation number and bifurcations of circle maps is presented. The various definitions of rotation vector in the higher dimensional setting are then introduced with emphasis again placed on how certain properties of the rotation set relate to the dynamics of the map or flow. The dramatic differences between results in dimension two and results in higher dimensions are also presented. The tutorial concludes with a brief introduction to extensions of the concept of rotation vector to the setting of dynamical systems defined on surfaces of higher genus.
Fabry Disease: Preclinical Studies Demonstrate the Effectiveness of α-Galactosidase A Replacement in Enzyme-Deficient Mice

Preclinical studies of enzyme-replacement therapy for Fabry disease (deficient α-galactosidase A [α-Gal A] activity) were performed in α-Gal A–deficient mice. The pharmacokinetics and biodistributions were determined for four recombinant human α-Gal A glycoforms, which differed in sialic acid and mannose-6-phosphate content. The plasma half-lives of the glycoforms were ∼2–5 min, with the more sialylated glycoforms circulating longer. After intravenous doses of 1 or 10 mg/kg body weight were administered, each glycoform was primarily recovered in the liver, with detectable activity in other tissues but not in the brain. Normal or greater activity levels were reconstituted in various tissues after repeated doses (10 mg/kg every other day for eight doses) of the highly sialylated AGA-1 glycoform; 4 d later, enzyme activity was retained in the liver and spleen at levels that were, respectively, 30% and 10% of that recovered 1 h postinjection. Importantly, the globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) substrate was depleted in various tissues and plasma in a dose-dependent manner. A single or repeated doses (every 48 h for eight doses) of AGA-1 at 0.3–10.0 mg/kg cleared hepatic GL-3, whereas higher doses were required for depletion of GL-3 in other tissues. After a single dose of 3 mg/kg, hepatic GL-3 was cleared for ⩾4 wk, whereas cardiac and splenic GL-3 reaccumulated at 3 wk to ∼30% and ∼10% of pretreatment levels, respectively. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated reduced GL-3 storage posttreatment. These preclinical animal studies demonstrate the dose-dependent clearance of tissue and plasma GL-3 by administered α-Gal A, thereby providing the in vivo rationale—and the critical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data—for the design of enzyme-replacement trials in patients with Fabry disease.
A four-element phased array coil for high resolution and parallel MR imaging of the knee

A four-element phased array coil for MR imaging of the knee was designed, built and tested for clinical use at 1.5 Tesla. In routine imaging, it provides over twofold increase in signal-to-noise (SNR) compared to two commercially available knee coils, and supports higher spatial image resolution. The phased array knee coil was also tested for its compatibility with parallel MR imaging that reduces imaging time by several folds over conventional MR technique. Results obtained using SiMultaneous Acquisition of Spatial Harmonics (SMASH) technique shows that our phased array knee coil can be used with parallel MR imaging. These improvements may enhance knee diagnosis with higher image quality and reduced scan time.
Severity of prenatal cocaine exposure and child language functioning through age seven years: a longitudinal latent growth curve analysis.

The current study estimates the longitudinal effects of severity of prenatal cocaine exposure on language functioning in an urban sample of full-term African-American children (200 cocaine-exposed, 176 noncocaine-exposed) through age 7 years. The Miami Prenatal Cocaine Study sample was enrolled prospectively at birth, with documentation of prenatal drug exposure status through maternal interview and toxicology assays of maternal and infant urine and infant meconium. Language functioning was measured at ages 3 and 5 years using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Preschool (CELF-P) and at age 7 years using the Core Language Domain of the NEPSY: A Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment. Longitudinal latent growth curve analyses were used to examine two components of language functioning, a more stable aptitude for language performance and a time-varying trajectory of language development, across the three time points and their relationship to varying levels of prenatal cocaine exposure. Se...