cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strategic Thinking: The French Case in 1914 (& 1940)

A common military history examination question at West Point is ‚Discuss the proposition that good strategy always beats good tactics.‛ I tell my cadets that if they cannot answer an examination question, they should modify it they can. Behind our eight stimulating ‚Workshop Questions‛ lies a world view which I would summarize as follows. Strategy is literally crucial—the crux of war. Military failures, failures of what my friend Wick Murray calls ‚military effectiveness,‛ usually being at the strategic level—or stem from a failure to integrate strategy with sound policy. Strategic effectiveness requires not only clear and achievable goals but good policy, sound institutions, and political will.
Computational Investigations of the Octameric Enolase Enzyme

ABSTRACT Each step of glycolysis is characterized by a specific enzyme that acts to catalyze a given reaction. Unique amongst these reactions is the enolase-catalyzed transformation of 2-phosphoglycerate into phosphoenolpyruvate by dehydration. Studies have shown enolase to have a dimeric structure in all eukaryotes whereas the enzyme has been observed to possess an octameric structure in some extreme thermophile prokaryotes. Though a definitive determination of molecular architecture has not been made, anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that a tetrameric association of dimers is the most likely native form. This study has produced computational models for three mutation/deletion variants of the enzyme HL–S1 loop, which has been proposed as a contact point between the dimer subunits. Examination of these models with a dielectric constant of 40 has indicated a rapid deterioration of protein conformation; however, dielectric constants of 0 and 80 maintained overall structure. The study also showed that th...
Job shop scheduling with modified due dates

Abstract This paper introduces a new dispatching rule to job shop scheduling, extending earlier results to a multi-machine environment. This new rule, which uses modified due dates is compared to other popular dispatching methods over a range of due date tightnesses at two utilization levels. The results for mean tardiness indicate that the modified operation due date (MOD) rule compares very favorably with other prominent dispatching methods. The modified due date is a job's original due date or its early finish time, whichever is larger. For an individual operation, it is the operation's original due date or the operation's early finish time, whichever is larger. A comparison of the job-based version with the operation-based version indicated that the operation-based version tended to be more effective at meeting due dates. The main performance measure was mean job tardiness, although the proportion of tardy jobs was also reported, and the two measures together imply the conditional mean tardiness. The MOD rule was compared to several well-known tardiness-oriented priority rules, such as minimum slack-per-operation (S/OPN), smallest critical ratio (SCR), and COVERT. The MOD rule tended to achieve lower levels of mean tardiness than the other rules, except under conditions where due dates were quite loose. In this situation, very little tardiness occurs for any of the rules. The MOD rule appeared to be more robust than the other rules to changes in the tightness of due dates, and similar results occurred at both high and low utilizations.
A non-canonical base pair within the human immunodeficiency virus Rev-responsive element is involved in both Rev and small molecule recognition

Abstract Background : Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication depends on the interaction of an HIV regulatory protein, Rev, with a viral RNA element (the Rev-responsive element, RRE). The high affinity RRE core region contains a non-canonical base pair (G48:G71) that is important for Rev recognition. Aminoglycoside antibiotics, specifically neomycin B, bind to the RRE and selectively block Rev-RRE interactions in vivo and in vitro . We attempted to generate an in vitro model for the establishment of HIV-1 resistance to neomycin B. Results : We have used in vitro genetic selection to evolve RRE variants that bind to Rev in the presence of neomycin B. Most of the RRE variants selected in the presence of 10 μM neomycin B contain a G48:G71 to A48:A71 substitution. Those selected in 100 μM neomycin B contain either C:A or A:A substitutions at this position. Binding constants for the interaction of neomycin B with the wild-type RRE and a subset of the selected RRE variants were determined using a novel ultrafiltration procedure. Conclusions : A purine~purine base pair within the bulge region of the RRE core element is critical for neomycin B binding as well as Rev binding. RRE variants that survive in high concentrations of neomycin do so either by binding Rev better than wild-type (this correlates with the sequence A48:A71) or by binding neomycin poorly (correlating with the sequence C48:A71). Other sequences must also influence both Rev and neomycin B binding.
Intratumoral color Doppler analysis in endometrial carcinoma: is it clinically useful?

Abstract Objective The aim was to study the effectiveness of subjective color Doppler evaluation and spectral Doppler parameters in preoperative characterization of endometrial carcinomas. Methods Seventy-six patients with endometrial carcinoma were preoperatively analyzed by color Doppler ultrasound in order to subjectively evaluate the amount of intratumoral blood flow (color score) and to analyze the lowest resistance index (RI), the highest peak systolic velocity (PV), and the highest time averaged maximum velocity (TAMVX). These parameters were analyzed according to clinico-pathological characteristics. Results In 13 patients no intratumoral arterial vessels were detected by color Doppler examination. No lymph node metastases were found in this group of patients. Positive nodes were found in 24% of patients with detectable arterial vessels, although the difference did not reach the statistical significance. No differences were found in spectral Doppler parameters (RI, PV, TAMVX) according to tumor characteristics or nodal involvement. A higher percentage of cases with a color score of 3 was found in stage >I than in stage I patients (69 vs 42%, P P = 0.05). Conclusion Nodal metastases were found in 24% of patients with detectable vessels at color Doppler examination. Subjective analysis of vessel density correlated >50%, myometrial invasion, but spectral Doppler analysis was not predictive of surgical stage, tumor grade, myometrial invasion, or lymph node metastases. These results do not support the use of preoperative intratumoral blood flow analysis as a clinical test in evaluating tumor characteristics or in predicting lymph node metastases.
Computerized Longitudinal Tomography (CLT) with a Bilateral Collimator

A nuclear Medicine imaging system which yields Longitudinal tomographic slices through an object is presented. The system consists of a dual view parallel hole (Bilateral) collimator, a gamma camera and a minicomputer. The bilateral collimator enables one to acquire two projections of the object simultaneously. After one position, the collimator is rotated with respect to the camera face to obtain another pair of projections of the object at the new angle. After a sufficient number of projections are taken, longitudinal slices through the object at any depth are reconstructed using the minicomputer interfaced to the camera. Phantom and patient data are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the system.
POWERS OF THE ETA-FUNCTION AND HECKE OPERATORS

Half-integer weight Hecke operators and their distinct properties play a major role in the theory surrounding partition numbers and Dedekind's eta-function. Generalizing the work of Ono in [K. Ono, The partition function and Hecke operators, Adv. Math.228 (2011) 527–534], here we obtain closed formulas for the Hecke images of all negative powers of the eta-function. These formulas are generated through the use of Faber polynomials. In addition, congruences for a large class of powers of Ramanujan's Delta-function are obtained in a corollary. We further exhibit a fast calculation for many large values of vector partition functions.
Effects of sex hormones on rat lipoproteins.

Sex hormones (and/or gender) have marked effects on the production and catabolism of plasma lipoproteins in several species. The aim of this work was to characterize the composition and density distribution of the plasma lipoproteins of male and female rats in some detail and to ascertain whether some of the changes seen in plasma were due to hormone action on the liver. Young adult male and female rats of the same age fed a high carbohydrate diet were studied. Experimental animals were castrated. Some animals of each sex were treated with injections of estradiol cypionate (E2, 2.5 μg/day) or testosterone propionate (Tp; 200 μg/day). These injections restored plasma hormone levels of castrated rats to physiological ranges. Controls, sham operated or castrated, were injected with sesame oil. Levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, apoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), ApoB, ApoC-III3, and lipoproteins with densities less than 1,065 in plasma were similar in all groups, but high density lipoproteins (HDL) levels were high...
About MathCAD Modeling of Power Transfer in Buck-Boost AC PWM Converter

This paper is focused on predicting the power transfer in buck PWM AC regulators. The circuit simulation and results prediction were carried out using specific computational tools such MathCAD. The commutation process is studied and the article presents a method to establish the mathematically model of the power transfer. With this model it is possible to determine the load power without the classical steps. Comparative evaluation with experimentally determination is presented.
Matrix-Isolation FT-IR Studies and ab Initio Calculations of Hydrogen-Bonded Complexes of Molecules Modeling Cytosine or Isocytosine Tautomers. 6. Experimental Observation of a Water-Induced Tautomeric Shift for 2-Hydroxypyrimidine and 5-Bromo-2-hydroxypyrimidine

The H-bond interaction of the cytosine model compound 2-hydroxypyrimidine and its 5-bromo derivative with water is investigated using the combined matrix-isolation FT-IR and theoretical ab initio method. As predicted by the ab initio calculations, both compounds occur dominantly in the hydroxy tautomeric forms. The estimated KT(h/o) values are 60 and 184, respectively. When water is added to the Ar matrix, a noticeable shift of the tautomeric equilibrium towards the oxo form is observed. The theoretical results indicate that the closed N···H−O(H)···H−O and CO···H−O(H)···H−N H-bonded water complexes are the most stable systems for the hydroxy and the oxo tautomers, respectively. The experimental spectra are consistent with this prediction, but additional structures, such as an open N···H−OH complex of the hydroxy tautomer, are also identified. The frequency shift of the stretching mode of doubly H-bonded water in the two closed complexes is larger, and the ratio between the calculated and measured frequenc...
An experimental investigation of wave measurements using a dual‐beam interferometer: Gulf Stream as a surface wave guide

[1] A dual-beam interferometric synthetic aperture radar measures remotely two radial components of the ocean surface current from a single flight pass. Combining two passes over the same area, all three orthogonal components of the surface velocity can be retrieved. An experiment is conducted near the Gulf Stream (GS) boundary. A sharp change of the surface velocity of about 1 m/s over a 500 m lateral distance is measured. The wind and wave condition is dominated by a 14-s swell system and low wind velocity. The wave variance inside GS is about twice the wave variance outside the GS in the present data set. The difference in the wave variance is considerably higher than that can be expected from wave-current interaction. An ocean current system with strong shears such as the GS is a wave guide and can trap waves with the right combinations of wavelengths and propagation directions. Numerical calculations suggest that the wave properties of the data set may satisfy the conditions of wave trapping by the GS. The standing wave pattern on the GS side of the sharp velocity front, indicative of the long swell bouncing off the current front, also offers support for the wave guide hypothesis. In this respect, the Gulf Stream can be considered the nature's hydraulic breakwater that can attenuate about 50% of the incident wave energy generated by storms. Its role in protecting the U.S. coastlines in the Atlantic Ocean cannot be overstated.
The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction Among Wives and Financial Preparedness of Households in Japan

The wealth gap between the rich and poor is widening and contributing to Japan’s shrinking middle class. This study examined concerns about the future and life satisfaction and their association with household financial preparedness (e.g., savings, investments, life insurance) among married women in Japan. Double-hurdle models assessed the probability of having savings and the amount of these savings, using the sample from the 2006 Japanese Panel Survey of Consumers (n = 1,206). Supporting earlier works from several other countries, concerns about the future were positively associated with the probability of having supplemental life insurance. Moreover, life satisfaction levels were positively associated with the probabilities of having savings, investments, and supplemental life insurance and with the amount of the investments. The findings suggest economic inequalities among women could widen in the future, as those who have and are expecting to have more financial resources are more likely to be prepared for future financial needs than those who do not.
Development of Hypertensive Manifestations after the Disappearance of Hypertension

The accelerated ("malignant") phase of hypertensive vascular disease is more common in men; sympathectomy may modify some of its signs and symptoms even in those cases in which hypertension is not modified. Six instances are reported herewith in which patients in the accelerated phase have developed retinopathy and papilledema during a sustained period of normal blood pressure brought on by a vascular accident or sympathectomy. Therefore factors other than the intensity of the hypertension may be involved in the pathogenesis of this phase.
Preparing the neonate for transport

Evaluation and stabilization of a neonate while arranging for neonatal transport are often stressful undertakings marked by urgency. Available resources may be limited, which further exacerbates anxiety of parents, staff, and physician. Even with limited resources, however, staff should be trained to evaluate and assess newborn babies and notify a physician quickly of any concerns. A preplanned transport algorithm gives a physician time to stabilize and manage the newborn while arranging for transport. Conditions that require neonatal transport are outlined, with a brief description of the subsequent hospital course, as anticipatory information for the parents.
Peer Leadership in School and Community Alcohol Use Prevention Activities

Abstract This article describes two major peer leadership components of the first phase of Project Northland, a prevention trial using multilevel community-wide strategies to prevent alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among youth. The intervention programs target Class of 1998 students, and began when they were in sixth grade. Described are (1) two peer leadership interventions implemented when the cohort was in seventh and eighth grades, (2) the students involved with the peer leadership activities, and (3) the association between involvement in peer leadership activities and tendency toward alcohol use following involvement, at the end of seventh and eighth grades. Students were elected by their classmates to lead the seventh grade alcohol use prevention curriculum. In addition, students had the opportunity to volunteer as peer leaders to plan alcohol-free activities during their seventh- and eighth-grade years. At baseline both types of peer leaders generally were lower on measures of problem beh...
Real-Time Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in Valve Disease: Comparison With Surgical Findings and Evaluation of Prosthetic Valves

Background Recently, a novel real-time 3-dimensional (3D) matrix-array transesophageal echocardiographic (3D-MTEE) probe was found to be highly effective in the evaluation of native mitral valves (MVs) and other intracardiac structures, including the interatrial septum and left atrial appendage. However, the ability to visualize prosthetic valves using this transducer has not been evaluated. Moreover, the diagnostic accuracy of this new technology has never been validated against surgical findings. This study was designed to (1) assess the quality of 3D-MTEE images of prosthetic valves and (2) determine the potential value of 3D-MTEE imaging in the preoperative assessment of valvular pathology by comparing images with surgical findings. Methods Eighty-seven patients undergoing clinically indicated transesophageal echocardiography were studied. In 40 patients, 3D-MTEE images of prosthetic MVs, aortic valves (AVs), and tricuspid valves (TVs) were scored for the quality of visualization. For both MVs and AVs, mechanical and bioprosthetic valves, the rings and leaflets were scored individually. In 47 additional patients, intraoperative 3D-MTEE diagnoses of MV pathology obtained before initiating cardiopulmonary bypass were compared with surgical findings. Results For the visualization of prosthetic MVs and annuloplasty rings, quality was superior compared with AV and TV prostheses. In addition, 3D-MTEE imaging had 96% agreement with surgical findings. Conclusions Three-dimensional matrix-array transesophageal echocardiographic imaging provides superb imaging and accurate presurgical evaluation of native MV pathology and prostheses. However, the current technology is less accurate for the clinical assessment of AVs and TVs. Fast acquisition and immediate online display will make this the modality of choice for MV surgical planning and postsurgical follow-up.
GENERATION OF COHERENT SOFT X RAYS AT 2.7 NM USING HIGH HARMONICS

Ultrafast laser pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser centered at 800nm, with 26fs pulse duration, were used to generate coherent soft-x-ray harmonics, at wavelengths down to 2.7nm (460eV) in He, and 5.2nm (239eV) in Ne. In He, discrete harmonic peaks are observed up to order221, and unresolved harmonic emission is observed up to order297. These wavelengths are well within the {open_quotes}water window{close_quotes} region of x-ray transmission. Our work represents the shortest wavelength coherent light generated to date. The harmonic cutoff from all the noble gases is consistent with analytic theory. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Measures of Ethnicity-Related Stress: Psychometric Properties, Ethnic Group Differences, and Associations With Well-Being1

This study introduces new measures of ethnicity-related stress and a newly adapted measure of ethnic identity. Ethnicity-related stressors assessed in this study were perceived discrimination, stereotype confirmation concern, and own-group conformity pressure. Ethnic identity refers to the subjective sense of ethnic group membership and, following Luhtanen and Crocker (1992), was assessed as public regard, identity centrality, and private feelings. Data for 333 undergraduates from diverse ethnic groups indicated that the measures are psychometrically sound. Ethnic group differences for mean scores demonstrated the measures’ known-groups validity. Cross-sectional analyses indicated that ethnicity-related stress and identity constructs captured by the instruments are related to measures of psychological and physical well-being. The new measures may be useful in the investigation of psychological aspects of ethnicity and their adaptive consequences.
Explicating the Face Perception Network with White Matter Connectivity

A network of multiple brain regions is recruited in face perception. Our understanding of the functional properties of this network can be facilitated by explicating the structural white matter connections that exist between its functional nodes. We accomplished this using functional MRI (fMRI) in combination with fiber tractography on high angular resolution diffusion weighted imaging data. We identified the three nodes of the core face network: the “occipital face area” (OFA), the “fusiform face area” (mid-fusiform gyrus or mFus), and the superior temporal sulcus (STS). Additionally, a region of the anterior temporal lobe (aIT), implicated as being important for face perception was identified. Our data suggest that we can further divide the OFA into multiple anatomically distinct clusters – a partitioning consistent with several recent neuroimaging results. More generally, structural white matter connectivity within this network revealed: 1) Connectivity between aIT and mFus, and between aIT and occipital regions, consistent with studies implicating this posterior to anterior pathway as critical to normal face processing; 2) Strong connectivity between mFus and each of the occipital face-selective regions, suggesting that these three areas may subserve different functional roles; 3) Almost no connectivity between STS and mFus, or between STS and the other face-selective regions. Overall, our findings suggest a re-evaluation of the “core” face network with respect to what functional areas are or are not included in this network.
Bisexuality: Some social psychological issues.

This paper presents an overview of our interview study with 156 men and women having a history of more than incidental sexual experience with both men and women. Data from other studies that point to the existence of bisexuality are reviewed and suggestions are made about why bisexuality has not been incorporated into scientific thinking about sexuality. Our study is described and some of the findings are presented to address the following questions: How does bisexuality fit into the erotic careers of respondents? What factors contribute to the adoption of bisexual self-identification? What circumstances are conducive to the development of bisexuality in individuals? What are the differences between the processes of becoming a bisexual female and becoming a bisexual male?
Reversible CO2 Capture by Unexpected Plastic-, Resin-, and Gel-like Ionic Soft Materials Discovered during the Combi-Click Generation of a TSIL Library

An extensive library of reversibly CO2-binding ionic soft materials is rapidly and economically prepared from commodity chemicals, using only ‘click' reactions for their assembly. While the majority are task-specific ionic liquids, a number of others are remarkable, CO2-reactive resin-, gel-, or plastic-like phases.
Chronic Estrogen Treatment in Female Transgenic (mRen2)27 Hypertensive Rats Augments Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide Release

Postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events in women, but the mechanisms for this protection are unclear, especially in hypertensive subjects. In this study we investigated the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) treatment on blood pressure and endothelial function of transgenic [(mRen2)27] hypertensive and normotensive rats. Thirty female transgenic negative [Tg(-)] and hypertensive positive [Tg(+)] rats were ovariectomized and received either E2 (1.5 mg/rat, subcutaneously, for 3 weeks) or placebo. Chronic 17beta-estradiol treatment lowered mean blood pressure in both Tg hypertensive (159 +/- 4 v 145 +/- 4 mm Hg, P < .05, placebo v E2) and normotensive rats (119 +/- 4 v 108 +/- 2 mm Hg, P < .05, placebo v E2). Pressor responses to intravenous injection of phenylephrine were augmented in the Tg(+) as compared with Tg(-) rats. With chronic E2 treatment the pressor responses to phenylephrine were attenuated in both groups. Isometric tension of aortic rings was measured in vitro in organ chambers. The acetylcholine (Ach)-induced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation was less potent in Tg(+) versus Tg(-) rats. E2 treatment significantly enhanced the Ach-induced relaxation of both Tg(+) and Tg(-) groups (ED50: 55.5 +/- 11.7 v 10.3 +/- 2.6; 23.8 +/- 6.5 v 5.1 +/- 1.2 nmol/L, placebo v E2 in Tg(+) and Tg(-), respectively). After E2 treatment the ED50 response in Tg(+) rats was no different from Tg(-) rats. However, the maximum vasodilation elicited by Ach was attenuated in Tg(+) as compared with Tg(-) rats. The calcium ionophore (A23187)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was less potent in Tg(+) as compared to Tg(-) rats and was enhanced by E2 treatment only in Tg(+) animals. There were no differences in the vasodilator responses elicited by sodium nitroprusside. Removal of endothelium and blockade of NO production abolished the endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The selective NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (LMMNA), was used to evaluate indirectly the basal contribution of NO in vascular rings. The response to LMMNA was attenuated in untreated Tg(+) as compared to Tg(-) rats. E2 treatment augmented the contraction response to NOS inhibition in both Tg(+) and Tg(-) rats, resulting in a response in Tg(+) rats that was no different from Tg(-) rats. These results indicate that untreated, surgically ovariectomized hypertensive rats show deficiencies in endothelial function, which can be improved by estrogen replacement.
Analysis of the Conserved N-Terminal Domains in Major Ampullate Spider Silk Proteins

Major ampullate silk, also known as dragline silk, is one of the strongest biomaterials known. This silk is composed of two proteins, major ampullate spidroin 1 (MaSp1) and major ampullate spidroin 2 (MaSp2). Only partial cDNA sequences have been obtained for these proteins, and these sequences are toward the C-terminus. Thus, the N-terminal domains have never been characterized for either protein. Here we report the sequence of the N-terminal region of major ampullate silk proteins from three spider species: Argiope trifasciata, Latrodectus geometricus, and Nephila inaurata madagascariensis. The amino acid sequences are inferred from genomic DNA clones. Northern blotting experiments suggest that the predicted 5' end of the transcripts are present in fibroin mRNA. The presence of more than one Met codon in the N-terminal region indicates the possibility of translation of both a long and a short isoform. The size of the short isoform is consistent with the published, cDNA based, N-terminal sequence found in flagelliform silk. Analyses comparing the level of identity of all known spider silk N-termini show that the N-terminus is the most conserved part of silk proteins. Two DNA sequence motifs identified upstream of the putative transcription start site are potential silk fibroin promoter elements.
A Mutation of the RNA Polymerase β′ Subunit (rpoC) Confers Cephalosporin Resistance in Bacillus subtilis

In bacteria, mutations affecting the major catalytic subunits of RNA polymerase (encoded by rpoB and rpoC) emerge in response to a variety of selective pressures. Here we isolated a Bacillus subtilis strain with high-level resistance to cefuroxime (CEF). Whole-genome resequencing revealed only one missense mutation affecting an invariant residue in close proximity to the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of RpoC (G1122D). Genetic reconstruction experiments demonstrate that this substitution is sufficient to confer CEF resistance. The G1122D mutation leads to elevated expression of stress-responsive regulons, including those of extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors (σM, σW, and σX) and the general stress σ factor (σB). The increased CEF resistance of the rpoCG1122D strain is lost in the sigM rpoCG1122D double mutant, consistent with a major role for σM in CEF resistance. However, a sigM mutant is very sensitive to CEF, and this sensitivity is still reduced by the G1122D mutation, suggesting that other regulatory effects are also important. Indeed, the ability of the G1122D mutation to increase CEF resistance is further reduced in a triple mutant strain lacking three ECF σ factors (σM, σW, and σX), which are known from prior studies to control overlapping sets of genes. Collectively, our findings highlight the ability of mutations in RNA polymerase to confer antibiotic resistance by affecting the activity of alternative σ factors that control cell envelope stress-responsive regulons.
Do the risks of emergent colectomy justify nonoperative management strategies for recurrent diverticulitis

Abstract Background The nonoperative approach to recurrent and even multiple recurrent diverticulitis has recently been advocated. This approach, however, may result in more frequent acute attacks requiring emergent colectomy. Our aim was to compare the colectomy outcomes for diverticulitis in the elective and acute settings. Methods All patients with diverticulitis undergoing elective (EL) and emergent (EM) colectomy selected from the 2001 to 2002 Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database were analyzed and compared. Results Five thousand ninety-seven (27.1% emergent) colectomy cases were analyzed. EL patients had a significantly reduced length of stay (7.5 vs 13.3 days) and total hospital charges ($25,420 vs $51,170). Postsurgical morbidity and mortality were significantly higher in the EM group (29.0% vs 14.9% and 7.4% vs .8%, respectively). Colostomy was needed in 5.7% of EL and in 48.9% of EM patients ( P = .001). Conclusions Emergent colectomy in the setting of diverticulitis is associated with significantly higher morbidity, longer hospitalization, greater hospital charges, and a 9-fold increase in mortality. Prophylactic resection in the setting of recurrent diverticulitis should continue to be an acceptable and possibly more “conservative” approach.
Natures, Human Nature, Genes and Souls: Reclaiming Theological Anthropology Through Biological Structuralism

: Within the field of Theology and Science, discussions regarding the relationship between biology and theological anthropology have tended to focus on the themes of ‘human uniqueness’ and ‘human nature’. These ideas have continued among theologians and anthropologists despite the widespread agreement among neo-Darwinian evolutionary biologists that such general or universal accounts of ‘natures’ in general, or ‘human nature’ in particular, have no proper place within the neo-Darwinian evolutionary framework. In view of this neo-Darwinian rejection of universal human nature and the subsequent undermining of theological anthropologies based on such, Biological Structuralism is proposed as an alternative theoretical framework through which to construct a theological anthropology in light of evolution. Within the Structuralist framework scientific resources are provided which facilitate fresh perspectives on ancient theological discussions regarding the nature of the soul and the place of nonhuman animals within theological anthropology.
The Prevalence of Childhood Trauma Among Those Seeking Buprenorphine Treatment

In this study, the authors examined the prevalence of five types of childhood trauma among a sample of adult patients who were addicted to opioids and seeking treatment with buprenorphine. Using a survey methodology, the authors examined a consecutive sample of 113 participants and found that 20.4% reported having experienced sexual abuse, 39.8% reported having experienced physical abuse, 60.2% reported having experienced emotional abuse, 23.0% reported having experienced physical neglect, and 65.5% reported having witnessed violence. Only 19.5% of the sample denied having experienced any of the five forms of childhood trauma. Most respondents (60.2%) reported having experienced one, two, or three different forms of childhood trauma. A minority reported having experienced four (13.3%) or all five (7.1%) forms of childhood trauma. These data indicate that among individuals with opioid dependence who are seeking treatment with buprenorphine, the prevalence rates of various types of childhood trauma are quite high.
Describing three-class task performance: three-class linear discriminant analysis and three-class ROC analysis

Binary ROC analysis has solid decision-theoretic foundations and a close relationship to linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In particular, for the case of Gaussian equal covariance input data, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value has a direct relationship to the Hotelling trace. Many attempts have been made to extend binary classification methods to multi-class. For example, Fukunaga extended binary LDA to obtain multi-class LDA, which uses the multi-class Hotelling trace as a figure-of-merit, and we have previously developed a three-class ROC analysis method. This work explores the relationship between conventional multi-class LDA and three-class ROC analysis. First, we developed a linear observer, the three-class Hotelling observer (3-HO). For Gaussian equal covariance data, the 3- HO provides equivalent performance to the three-class ideal observer and, under less strict conditions, maximizes the signal to noise ratio for classification of all pairs of the three classes simultaneously. The 3-HO templates are not the eigenvectors obtained from multi-class LDA. Second, we show that the three-class Hotelling trace, which is the figureof- merit in the conventional three-class extension of LDA, has significant limitations. Third, we demonstrate that, under certain conditions, there is a linear relationship between the eigenvectors obtained from multi-class LDA and 3-HO templates. We conclude that the 3-HO based on decision theory has advantages both in its decision theoretic background and in the usefulness of its figure-of-merit. Additionally, there exists the possibility of interpreting the two linear features extracted by the conventional extension of LDA from a decision theoretic point of view.
Pax6a and Pax6b are required at different points in neuronal progenitor cell proliferation during zebrafish photoreceptor regeneration

The light-damaged zebrafish retina results in the death of photoreceptor cells and the subsequent regeneration of the missing rod and cone cells. Photoreceptor regeneration initiates with asymmetric Muller glial cell division to produce neuronal progenitor cells, which amplify, migrate to the outer nuclear layer (ONL), and differentiate into both classes of photoreceptor cells. In this study, we examined the role of the Pax6 protein in regeneration. In zebrafish, there are two Pax6 proteins, one encoded by the pax6a gene and the other encoded by the pax6b gene. We intravitreally injected and electroporated morpholinos that were complementary to either the pax6a or pax6b mRNA to knockdown the translation of the corresponding protein. Loss of Pax6b expression did not affect Muller glial cell division, but blocked the subsequent first cell division of the neuronal progenitors. In contrast, the paralogous Pax6a protein was required for later neuronal progenitor cell divisions, which maximized the number of neuronal progenitors. Without neuronal progenitor cell amplification, proliferation of resident ONL rod precursor cells, which can only regenerate rods, increased inversely proportional to the number of INL neuronal progenitor cells. This confirmed that Muller glial-derived neuronal progenitor cells are necessary to regenerate cones and that distinct mechanisms selectively regenerate rod and cone photoreceptors. This work also defines distinct roles for Pax6a and Pax6b in regulating neuronal progenitor cell proliferation in the adult zebrafish retina and increases our understanding of the molecular pathways required for photoreceptor cell regeneration.
X-Rays Associated with U 234

Abstract : The observation of L and M X-rays from U(234) unaccompanied by appreciable K - X radiation is reported. The suggestion is made that these arise from recoil atoms following alpha emission.
Sterol metabolism. XII. 26-Hydroxycholesterol in commercial cholesterol.

Commercial cholesterol of bovine brain and spinal cord origin has been care-fully examined for its 24- and 26-hydroxycholesterol content. By alternate adsorption chromatography and chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 26-hydroxycholesterol was isolated from this course in 15 μg/g amounts, whereas 24-hydroxycholesterol was not observed.
Diffusion times of spermicidal compounds.

Summary and Conclusions1. To estimate comparative contraceptive effectiveness of chemical compounds, under conditions approximating those of clinical contraception, each was incorporated in rice flour or tragacanth jelly. Time to immobilize all sperm in a column of human semen in contact with jelly was then observed. 2. The time of various compounds in commercial contraceptive mixtures, and of others, was compared in this way. both in concentrations used in commercial preparations and in concentrations 10 or more times as great. 3. XaCl had the shortest time observed, probably due in part to convection currents it creates in semen. Time of saturated sodium tartrate was also short. 4. Only a small proporation of compounds in concentrations used in contraceptive mixtures showed times shorter than the median of a series of commercial preparations. 5. Addition of compounds used in contraceptive mixtures to 10% X^aCl jellies did not result in times much shorter than that of XTaCl alone. From these results it i...
Explaining home education: Parents' accounts of their decisions to teach their own children

This paper analyzes the reasons that parents choose to teach their children at home. From data collected over 18 months of qualitative research in a state in the southeast, three broad explanations for choosing home schooling emerged. First, the parents believe that home education will strengthen their families. Second, many home-schooling parents (particularly those who are fundamentalist Christians) believe that schools teach values and beliefs that directly contradict those they want their children to learn. Third, many of the parents believe that only they, as parents, understand their children's unique educational needs well enough to effectively teach them. The failure of educational policy makers to consider the extraeducational issues raised by home-schooling parents is then discussed.
Estimation of Variance Components in Large Herd-by-Sire Designs with Interaction

Abstract Methods 1 and 3 of Henderson, also known as methods of analysis of variance and fitting constants, respectively, are compared for estimating components of variance in the two-way random herd-by-sire design with interaction on data from a milk recording program. Appropriate blocking facilitated use of Method 3 when there were large numbers of sires and herds and permitted empirical approximation of sampling variances of estimates. Method 3 consistently yielded smaller estimates of sire and herd variance and more positive or less negative estimates of interaction variance than Method 1. This would be expected if better sires tended to occur in better herds rather than at random. Empirical estimates of sampling variances and covariances were smaller for Method 3 than Method 1. However, variance from sire-by-herd interaction was more highly correlated with error variance in Method 3 than Method 1. Method 3 is practical for large two-way designs with appropriate blocking. It is recommended when a large number of possible subclasses are empty not at random. Empirical estimates of sampling variances and covariances favor Method 3, provide a guideline to precision and association of estimates, and are recommended when direct calculation is impractical computationally.
Pharmacogenomics, Evidence, and the Role of Payers

Initial enthusiasm for the potential of pharmacogenomics (PGx) to transform medical practice has been tempered by the reality that the process of biomarker discovery, validation, and clinical qualification has been disappointingly slow, with a limited number of PGx tests entering the marketplace since the initial publication of the human genome sequence. Reasons for the delays include the complexity of the underlying science as well as clinical, economic, and organizational barriers to the effective delivery of personalized health care. Nevertheless, payers are interested in using PGx services to ensure that drug use is safer and more effective, particularly in the settings of medications that are widely used, have significant risks of serious adverse events, have poor or highly variable drug response, or are very expensive. However, public and private payers have specific evidence requirements for new health care technologies that must be met prior to obtaining favorable coverage and reimbursement status. These evaluation criteria are frequently more rigorous than the current level of evidence required for regulatory approval of new PGx tests or PGx-related drug labeling. To support payer decision-making, researchers will need to measure the impact of PGx testing on clinical and economic outcomes and demonstrate the net benefit of PGx testing as compared to usual care. By linking payer information needs with the current PGx research agenda, there is the opportunity to develop the data required for informed decision-making. This strategy will increase the likelihood that PGx services will be both reimbursed and used appropriately in clinical practice.
Teaching Statistical Experimental Design Using a Laboratory Experiment

An experimental project introduces the concepts of statistical experimental design to undergraduates in a laboratory setting. A safe, inexpensive and easily operable experiment uses a gas chromatograph to give quantitative results and to allow students to concentrate on applying statistical skills without being impeded by complex equipment or experimental methods. One of the unique aspects of the experiment is a trade-off between the two most significant variables, forcing students to compromise in the selection of optimum conditions. Such compromises are typical in many real-world industrial situations. The experiment has been used for several years in the undergraduate chemical engineering laboratories at the University of North Dakota. Keywords: Statistics, Experimental Design, Laboratory.
Use of the Gibbs sampler in expert systems

Abstract The use of the Gibbs sampler as an alternative to other methods of performing calculations on a (Bayesian) belief network is surveyed, with reference to similar work in statistical analysis of genetic pedigrees. This Monte Carlo technique is one of many such methods which generate a Markov chain with a specified stationary distribution. If the distribution of the belief network is strictly positive, then convergence of the Gibbs sampler follows; however, the weaker condition of irreducibility is all that is necessary for convergence. Practical implications of these requirements are discussed, with illustrations. Methods for assessing the variability of estimates produced by the Gibbs sampler are described.
High electric field enhancement near electron-doped semiconductor nanoribbons

Adopting random phase approximation and considering radiation damping, we investigate the dynamic electric field enhancement in the vicinity of electron-doped semiconductor nanoribbons. We find that the field enhancement can reach 104 in the infrared and visible range of electromagnetic spectrum due to plasmon excitation, when radiation dominates among the damping mechanisms. In the long wavelength limit of plasmon with a specific frequency, the resonant enhancement at the optimal geometry increases with the increasing effective mass of the conducting electrons and decreases with the increasing background dielectric constant. For a fixed system, the enhancement decreases with an increasing plasmon wavenumber.
Network stability of cognitive radio networks in the presence of heavy tailed traffic

The heavy tailed nature in dynamic spectrum networks challenges the applicability of conventional network stability criterions. To encounter this, a new stability criterion, namely moment stability, is introduced, which requires that the queue length of each secondary user has finite moments for every achievable order. Then, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a resource allocation policy to achieve moment stability are derived. Moreover, the network stability region yielded from these conditions is shown to be directly related to the statistics of secondary user traffics, primary user activities, the number of secondary users contending the spectrum, and the total number of primary user channels available to secondary users. In addition, a throughput-optimal policy, which stabilizes the network for any arrival rates in the stability region, is also introduced. In the end, the impact of the heavy tailed primary user traffic on the network stability is investigated, which shows that the tail heaviness of the primary user traffics determines what types of the network stability are achievable for a dynamic spectrum networks.
Recurrence of Early Stage Colon Cancer Predicted by Expression Pattern of Circulating microRNAs

Systemic treatment of patients with early-stage cancers attempts to eradicate occult metastatic disease to prevent recurrence and increased morbidity. However, prediction of recurrence from an analysis of the primary tumor is limited because disseminated cancer cells only represent a small subset of the primary lesion. Here we analyze the expression of circulating microRNAs (miRs) in serum obtained pre-surgically from patients with early stage colorectal cancers. Groups of five patients with and without disease recurrence were used to identify an informative panel of circulating miRs using quantitative PCR of genome-wide miR expression as well as a set of published candidate miRs. A panel of six informative miRs (miR-15a, mir-103, miR-148a, miR-320a, miR-451, miR-596) was derived from this analysis and evaluated in a separate validation set of thirty patients. Hierarchical clustering of the expression levels of these six circulating miRs and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the risk of disease recurrence of early stage colon cancer can be predicted by this panel of miRs that are measurable in the circulation at the time of diagnosis (P = 0.0026; Hazard Ratio 5.4; 95% CI of 1.9 to 15).
Succinate dependence of in vitro incorporation of 32P-orthophosphate into human platelet phosphatide.

Abstract The incorporation of 32P-orthophosphate into phosphatide by isolated human plate lets has been found to be dependent upon succinate with a 4- to 5-fold increase over controls. Malate and citrate can be substituted for succinate, but not pyruvate. Malonate significantly inhibited the incorporation. The reaction sequence is thus demonstrated to be dependent upon Krebs cycle intermediates, and therefore upon oxidative rather than glycolytic metabolism.
Consumer culture and participatory democracy: The story of coca‐cola during World War II

(1996). Consumer culture and participatory democracy: The story of coca‐cola during World War II. Food and Foodways: Vol. 6, American Foodways and World War II, pp. 109-129.
Letter to the Editor-Computational Results of an Integer Programming Algorithm

This note reports on a method for solving the general integer linear programming problem that is called the Bounded Variable Algorithm. It first describes the basic algorithm and then makes a comparison of limited scope between the Bounded Variable Algorithm and other published algorithms on a set of common problems.