cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The neutron electric dipole moment in the cloudy bag model

Abstract An evaluation of the neutron electric dipole moment (NEDM), using the cloudy bag model (CBM) shows that two CP -violating effects (a quark mass term and a pion-quark interaction) have contributions that are about equal in magnitude, but opposite in sign. This cancellation allows the upper limit on the θ parameter to increase by about an order of magnitude.
COMPARISON OF SYNCHRONOUS AND SYNCHRONIZED CELL DIVISION.

Summary The evaluation of division synchrony by means of a synchronization index (SI) allows a comparison of various systems under constant or changing conditions. Such a comparison can be used in the evaluation of the controversial “normality” of a system and aid in the search for the effect of environmental changes on the life cycle of cells in mass cultures.
An analytical investigation of policy effects on transit system performance measurement

Abstract In recent years, the significant public expenditures for transportation systems have been of great concern to both industry and the general population. This paper will focus on the evaluation of the effects of operating policies on transit performance indicators. Mathematical expressions depicting both supply and demand side transit operations are formulated and then optimized in terms of various policy objectives. The effects of these policies on transit performance are thus identified.
Controlled/“Living” Radical Polymerization. Kinetics of the Homogeneous Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Styrene

The homogeneous atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene using solubilizing 4,4‘-dialkyl substituted 2,2‘-bipyridines yielded well-defined polymers with Mw/Mn ≤ 1.10. The polymerizations exhibited an increase in molecular weight in direct proportion to the ratio of the monomer consumed to the initial initiator concentration and also exhibited internal first-order kinetics with respect to monomer concentration. The optimum ratio of ligand-to-copper(I) halide for these polymerizations was found to be 2:1, which tentatively indicates that the coordination sphere of the active copper(I) center contains two bipyridine ligands. The exclusive role for this copper(I) complex in ATRP is atom transfer, since at typical concentrations that occur for these polymerizations (≈10-7−10-8 M), polymeric radicals were found not to react with the copper(I) center in any manner that enhanced or detracted from the observed control. ATRP also exhibited first-order kinetics with respect to both initiator and copper...
Towards a Formal Understanding of Bateson's Rule: Chromatic Symmetry in Cyclic Boolean Networks and its Relationship to Organism Growth and Cell Differentiation

There has been considerable prior research on the biological processes of morphogenesis and cellular differentiation, and the manner by which these processes give rise to symmetries in biological structures. Here we extend our previous work on thermal robustness and attractor density in cyclic formal Boolean dynamical systems, introducing a new form of spectral analysis on digital organisms at the cellular level. We interpret the phenomena of radial and bilateral symmetry in terms of spatial periodicities in the color sequences, as manifested by an organism while it orbits in its attractors. We provide new results on the influence of various organism properties on its emergent color symmetries—providing initial insights toward an eventual formal understanding of metamerism and Bateson's Rule.
The Internationalization of U.S. Criminal Law Enforcement

T his is a path-breaking work. A decade ago, the author began to "examine the evolution of U.S. international drug control policies. ''1 Essentially, he saw this as a study of diplomatic history and current practice, with an emphasis on the role played by the State Department. Some attention would be paid, of necessity, to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), "with its global operations and more than two hundred agents stationed abroad. ''2 As Nadelmann examined the role of the DEA abroad, however, he discovered that the "more interesting questions . . concerned not how diplomats and other political authorities dealt with the international aspects of drug control
Multiobjective Collaborative Optimization

This investigation focuses on the development of modifications to the Collaborative Optimization (CO) approach to multidisciplinary systems design, that will provide solution capabilities for multiobjective problems. The primary goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview and development of mathematically rigorous optimization strategies for Multiobjective Collaborative Optimization (MOCO). Collaborative Optimization strategies provide design optimization capabilities to discipline designers within a multidisciplinary design environment. To date these CO strategies have primarily been applied to system design problems which have a single objective function. Recent investigations involving multidisciplinary design simulators have reported success in applying CO to multiobjective system design problems. In this research three MultiObjective Collaborative Optimization (MOCO) strategies are developed, reviewed and implemented in a comparative study. The goal of this effort is to provide an in depth comparison of different MOCO strategies available to system designers. Each of the three strategies makes use of parameter sensitivities within multilevel solution strategies. In implementation studies, each of the three MOCO strategies is effective in solving a multiobjective multidisciplinary systems design problem. Results indicate that these MOCO strategies require an accurate estimation of parameter sensitivities for successful implementation. In each of the three MOCO strategies these parameter sensitivities are obtained using post-optimality analysis techniques.
On the measurement of streaming potentials with silver-silver chloride electrodes

Abstract Pressure corrections for silver-silver chloride electrodes employed for the measurement of streaming potentials in hyperfiltration processes are discussed and the relevant expression is derived from elementary thermodynamic considerations. It is found that these corrections are small, but in general not negligible.
Extracting movie scenes based on multimodal information

ABSTRACT This research addresses the problem of automatically extracting semantic video scenes from daily movies using multimodal information. A 3-stage scene detection scheme is proposed. In the first stage, we use pure visual information to extract a coarse-level scene structure based on generated shot sinks. In the second stage, the audiocue is integrated to further refine scene detection results by considering various kinds of audio scenarios. Finally, inthe third stage, we allow users to directly interact with the system so as to fine-tune the detection results to theirown satisfaction. The generated scene structure can provide a compact yet meaningful abstraction of the video data,which will apparently facilitate the content access. Preliminary experiments on integrating multiple media cues formovie scene extraction have yielded encouraging results.Keywords: video content analysis, scene detection, adaptive silence detection, audio content analysis. 1. INTRODUCTION The amount of multimedia information generated in today's society is growing exponentially, which poses a serioustechnological challenge in terms of how the information can be integrated, processed, organized, summarized andindexed in a semantically meaningful manner. Of all existing media types, video is the most challenging one due toits rich content. Recently, research on efficient indexing, browsing and retrieval of video databases has attracted alot of attention, yet more promising results are still to come. When the amount of data is small, a user can retrievethe desired content in a linear fashion by simply browsing the data sequentially. However, with a huge amount ofdata, a linear search is no longer feasible. What is needed is the capability of automatically abstracting the essentialcontent of multimedia data and then forming an extremely compact yet meaningful representation of the data as aroad map for effective information browsing and retrieval.To accomplish this goal, a hierarchy with multiple layers of abstraction is desired as shown in Figure 1. Mostof earlier work on video abstraction is centered around shot-based video representation, where a video program isrepresented in the form of cascaded shots [1] ,
Fusion of normal primate cells: A common biological property of the D-type retroviruses

Abstract Three different D-type oncoviruses, Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), squirrel monkey retrovirus (SMRV), and langur virus (PO-1-Lu), have been shown to induce cell fusion in different nontransformed human and nonhuman primate cell lines. This therefore represents the first report that cell fusion is a common property of all three D-type retroviruses. In contrast, primate and feline C-type retroviruses (baboon endogenous virus, woolly monkey leukemia virus, and RD-114) fail to induce syncytia in parallel experiments. Inhibitor studies indicate that the three D-type oncoviruses induce multinucleate cell formation by a common mechanism, different from that of either the paramyxoviruses or the syncytia-forming foamy viruses. Increasing doses of ultraviolet irradiation reduce the syncytia-forming ability of these viruses with single-hit kinetics. However, proviral DNA synthesis is not required for cell fusion since the addition of cytosine arabinoside has no significant effect on multinucleate cell formation at concentrations which inhibit virus replication. This result indicates that virus replication is not required for multinucleate cell formation and that the two are independent events of virus infection. The addition of cycloheximide during the first 12 hr of infection, on the other hand, significantly reduces cell fusion, indicating that de novo protein synthesis is required. The possibility that cell fusion involves translation of input viral RNA is discussed. Pre-infection of target cells with the replicating component of M-PMV blocks fusion by all three D-type viruses. The degree of interference observed correlates with the molecular relatedness of the three viruses.
A Linear Complexity Direct Volume Integral Equation Solver for Full-Wave 3-D Circuit Extraction in Inhomogeneous Materials

An ${\cal H}^{2}$ -matrix based linear complexity direct matrix solution is developed for the volume integral equation (VIE) based broadband full-wave extraction of general 3-D circuits. Such circuits are in general electrically small or moderate, but contain arbitrarily shaped lossy conductors immersed in inhomogeneous dielectrics with ports located anywhere in the physical layout of the circuit. In the proposed direct solver, we first develop a well-conditioned VIE formulation without sacrificing the rigor and the advantages of the prevailing formulations. This formulation facilitates a robust direct solution of good accuracy even with a rank-1 representation. We then overcome the numerical challenge of solving the resultant highly unstructured system matrix mixed with both square and rectangular dense and sparse matrices by developing a fast linear complexity direct solution. This direct solution is capable of inverting dense matrices involving over 2 million unknowns in less than 1 h on a single CPU core running at 3 GHz. Numerical simulations of large-scale 3-D circuits and comparisons with state-of-the-art linear complexity iterative VIE solvers have demonstrated the accuracy, efficiency, and linear complexity of the proposed direct VIE solver.
Reconstruction of the Shapes of Gold Nanocrystals Using Coherent X-Ray Diffraction

Inverse problems arise frequently in physics: The magnitude of the Fourier transform of some function is measurable, but not its phase. The "phase problem" in crystallography arises because the number of discrete measurements (Bragg peak intensities) is only half the number of unknowns (electron density points in space). Sayre first proposed that oversampling of diffraction data should allow a solution, and this has recently been demonstrated. Here we report the successful phasing of an oversampled hard x-ray diffraction pattern measured from a single nanocrystal of gold.
An experimental analysis of shoulder and lateral body wall development in the chick embryo

Development of the shoulder and a change in the axis of outgrowth of the wing in the chick embryo have been shown to be accompanied by morphogenetic movements in the lateral body wall adjacent to the base of the wing. The manner in which the cells moved was studied by grafting labeled mesoderm into unlabeled hosts and by periodic photographs of carbon particles placed in live embryos. Histological techniques were used to determine the final location of the markers, and maps were constructed of the cell movements. It was observed that cells in the lateral body wall cranial to the wing and overlying the pleural coelom moved caudally to form the base of the shoulder. This movement occurred between stage 23 and stage 27. Starting at stage 25, the cells in the lateral body wall caudal to the wing moved ventrally and then cranially to form the sternum and connective tissue of the ventro-medial thoracic body wall; this movement was complete by stage 31. As a result of these two morphogenetic movements, cells in the proximal portion of the wing were also displaced. The net effect is formation of the shoulder, while the base of the wing rotates ventrally with respect to the somites.
Proactive interference in a T maze brightness-discrimination task

The influence of proactive interference (PI) on forgetting of a brightness discrimination was tested in 70 rats. The design was a 2 by 2 factorial combination of presence or absence of a source of PI with two retention intervals (one or five days). Forgetting was greater with a source of PL Consideration was given to both “task recency” and “spontaneous recovery” in interpreting these and other data.
Computational Modeling and Simulation of Atherosclerotic Plaque Growth

Research has been conducted by the authors with the objective to produce a computational model that will clearly display the coupled nature of the hemodynamics/fluid mechanics of blood flow and atherosclerotic plaque growth in the human carotid artery. The motivation for this investigation is the serious nature of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, which occurs in medium and large size arteries. Among the many effects stemming from the disease are heart attack, stroke, ischemia, and peripheral vascular disease. In healthy arteries, the collagen and elastin allow the artery to expand and contract with blood flow. This function enables the artery to maintain constant wall shear stress [1]. Plaque existence in the arterial wall results in decreased ductility of the wall, which inhibits the wall from maintaining constant shear stress. Plaque formations along the arterial wall then protrude into the artery, disturbing the blood flow. Characteristics of the fluid flow in the artery are also altered due to the presence of a plaque. Areas of low shear stress and recirculation move downstream from the plaque. These disturbances act not only to further the plaque formation at the site, but also to make the wall around the plaque formation more prone to lesions that could lead to new plaque initiation. Complex characteristics of the blood flow give areas of an artery such as bends and bifurcations a predisposition for the disease, whereas plaques affect blood flow, creating flow patterns that promote new plaque initiation. This interdependency makes atherosclerosis a very serious disease and one which is of great importance in research.© 2002 ASME
Acute Respiratory Failure Due to Extramedullary Hematopoiesis

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) associated with myelofibrosis uncommonly occurs within the thorax. We describe the first reported case of acute and rapidly fatal respiratory failure due to pulmonary interstitial EMH associated with myelofibrosis. Interstitial EMH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with interstitial pulmonary infiltrates and respiratory failure accompanying a disease process known to predispose to the development of EMH.
Brillouin scattering of oriented films of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) ‐poly( methyl methacrylate) blends

Temperature dependent Brillouin scattering studies of PVF2 films stretched to various stretch ratios have been carried out. Elastic constants for unstretched and stretched films have been obtained as functions of temperature. The elastic constant C33 of the stretched films has a greater temperature dependence than that of unstretched films. To elucidate the effect of the surrounding amorphous matrix on the Brillouin spectrum of semicrystalline PVF2 film, we carried out Brillouin scattering studies of films made from blends of PVF2 and PMMA.
An Investigation of Warm-Season Spatial Rainfall Variability in Oklahoma City: Possible Linkages to Urbanization and Prevailing Wind

Abstract This study used 9 yr (1998–2006) of warm-season (June–September) mean daily cumulative rainfall data from both the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis and rain gauge stations to examine spatial variability in warm-season rainfall events around Oklahoma City (OKC). It was hypothesized that with warm-season rainfall variability, under weakly forced conditions, a rainfall anomaly would be present in climatological downwind areas of OKC. Results from both satellite and gauge-based analyses revealed that the north-northeastern (NNE) regions of the metropolitan OKC area were statistically wetter than other regions. Climatological sounding and reanalysis data revealed that, on average, the NNE area of OKC was the climatologically downwind region, confirming that precipitation modification by the urban environment may be more dominant than agricultural/topographic influences on weakly forced days. The study also established that satellite precipitation estimat...
Butorphanol agonist effects and acute physical dependence in opioid abusers: comparison with morphine

This study compared the direct effects and acute physical dependence of butorphanol and morphine, opioids with differing actions at mu versus kappa receptors. Six non-dependent heroin-using volunteers were exposed to six conditions in a within-subject, Latin square design using double-blind procedures. In each session, agonist effects of single i.m. injections of butorphanol (3 and 6 mg/70 kg), morphine (15 and 30 mg/70 kg), lorazepam (4 mg/70 kg) or saline were evaluated. Butorphanol and morphine produced effects of comparable magnitude on miosis and reports of 'any drug effect'. Volunteers reported dysphoria, confusion and sedation after butorphanol, subjective effects that overlapped with those of lorazepam, whereas morphine produced euphoria and stimulation. Acute physical dependence (i.e. precipitated withdrawal responses to naloxone 10 mg/70 kg i.m. administered 6 h after each treatment) significantly increased after 30 mg/70 kg morphine but not after butorphanol treatments. These differences in naloxone sensitivity are likely due to differences in opioid receptor (mu versus kappa) activity, affinity and efficacy of these compounds. Pharmacological ramifications of these results are discussed.
Effect of hypoxia on expiratory muscle activity in fetal sheep.

Abstract The fetal respiratory response to acute hypoxia is characterized by depression, often to apnea. This study examined the effect of hypoxia on the electromyogram (EMG) of the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle. Under anesthesia catheters were placed in the fetal sheep carotid artery, fourth cerebral ventricle, trachea and amniotic fluid and wires sewn into the diaphragm and TA muscle. During normoxic episodes of slow fetal breathing (
Ultrasonic absorption and relaxation spectra in aqueous bovine hemoglobin

Measurements of the frequency and pH dependence of acoustic absorption at 0°C in aqueous solutions of freshly prepared bovine oxyhemoglobin are reported. The role of ionization and possible direct proton-transfer between proximal pairs in determining the characteristic times for the relaxation of the internal charge distribution is discussed. It is concluded that treatments which consider various classes of residues as ionizing independently will not give approximately correct relaxation spectra. A model which takes into account the coupling between the degrees of ionization of the various residues is found to give rough agreement with the observed acoustic absorption in the pH range in which the native conformation is stable.
Intra-Task Dynamic Cache Reconfiguration

Optimization techniques are widely used in embedded systems design to improve overall area, performance and energy requirements. Dynamic cache reconfiguration (DCR) is very effective to reduce energy consumption of cache subsystems. Finding the right reconfiguration points in a task and selecting appropriate cache configurations for each phase are the primary challenges in phase-based DCR. In this paper, we present a novel intra-task dynamic cache reconfiguration technique using a detailed cache model, and tune a highly-configurable cache on a per-phase basis compared to tuning once per application. Experimental results demonstrate that our intra-task DCR can achieve up to 27% (12% on average) and 19% (7% on average) energy savings for instruction and data caches, respectively, without introducing any performance penalty.
Antecedents of workplace emotional labor dimensions and moderators of their effects on physical symptoms

The present study distinguished between two modal emotional display rules, demands to express positive efference and demands to suppress negative efference, that partially constitute the work roles of many employees. Perceived demands to express positive emotion were positively related to health symptoms primarily among those reporting: (1) lower identification with the organization; (2) lower job involvement; and (3) lower emotional adaptability. The effects of various personality traits and situational variables on perceived emotional labor differed depending on the nature of the emotional labor. The findings are discussed in terms of implications of emotional labor for health and practices through which organizations might intervene to minimize its unhealthful consequences among employees. We also attempt to reconcile the findings with some of the related research in psychology suggesting that some forms of required efference may have salutary physiological consequences. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Teaching NeuroImages: "Penguin" or "hummingbird" sign and midbrain atrophy in progressive supranuclear palsy.

An 82-year-old man presented to us with a 2-year history of progressive difficulty walking. On examination, he had bradykinesia, bradyphrenia, …
Multi-field spacetime discontinuous Galerkin methods for linearized elastodynamics

We extend the single-field spacetime discontinuous Galerkin (SDG) method for linearized elastodynamics of Abedi et al. [1] to multi-field versions. A three-field method, in displacement, velocity and strain, is derived by invoking a Bubnov–Galerkin weighted residuals procedure on the system of spacetime field equations and the corresponding jump conditions. A two-field formulation, in displacement and velocity, and the one-field displacement formulation of [1] are obtained from the three-field model through strong enforcement of kinematic compatibility relations. All of these formulations balance linear and angular momentum at the element level, and we prove that they are energy-dissipative and unconditionally stable. As in [1], we implement the SDG models using a causal, advancing-front meshing procedure that enables a patch-by-patch solution procedure with linear complexity in the number of spacetime elements. Numerical results show that the three-field formulation is most efficient, wherein all interpolated fields converge at the optimal, O(hp+1), rate. For a given mesh size, the three-field model delivers error values that are more than an order of magnitude smaller than those of the one- and two-field models. The three-field formulation’s efficiency is also superior, independent of whether the comparison is based on matching polynomial orders or matching convergence rates.
Architecture of the Chinese hamster metaphase chromosome.

The development of procedures for the isolation of unfixed metaphase chromosomes has made feasible a direct analysis of their morphology. Wholemount stereo electron microscopy was used to examine intact and partially disrupted chromosomes produced by physical shearing and extraction with salt and urea solutions. A model of chromosome architecture was developed to accommodate evidence from studies using both light and electron microscopy. In the proposed model the chromatid (anaphase chromosome) consists of two half-chromatids; each half-chromatid contains two deoxyribonucleoprotein ribbons wound into a single fiber (termed the core), with many loops of chromatin (termed epichromatin) attached along its length. The core ribbons are each about 50 A thick by 4000 A wide and are composed of many parallel deoxyribonucleoprotein strands. The epichromatin loops appear to be 250 A supercoiled fibers containing about 75 per cent of the chromosomal DNA. The epichromatin can be selectively removed from the core fibers by extraction with 2.0 M NaCl or 6.0 M urea solutions.
Tracking of Metallic Objects Using a Retro-Reflective Array at 26 GHz

The detection and tracking of targets in highly cluttered environments often poses a difficult engineering challenge as the strong clutter backscatter contained in the scene makes it difficult to distinguish the target of interest. A design concept to aide in standoff detection and tracking of large metallic objects in a warehouse setting is presented. This includes the design and implementation of an active retro-reflective array system that is able to determine the precise location and identification of an object. To accomplish this, a unique series fed grounded coplanar waveguide patch antenna is designed and implemented with minimal cross coupling among elements. This compact array has a relatively large radar cross-section (RCS) while maintaining the desired retro-reflectivity. Additionally, a tilted beam is incorporated in the linear series-fed array to isolate the large RCS of the planar array structure at boresight from the desired modulated, retro-reflective RCS. This method for enhanced detection is implemented at 26 GHz. The incorporation of the high-speed PIN switches into the array structure provide the tag with a unique identification. Measurement results for the modulated RCS from such an array in a cluttered environment are presented.
STRATEGIES TO INCREASE EXERCISE‐REPORT CORRESPONDENCE BY BOYS WITH MODERATE MENTAL RETARDATION: COLLATERAL CHANGES IN INTENTION‐EXERCISE CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence between verbal and nonverbal behavior in an exercise room was taught to 4 13-year-old boys diagnosed with moderate mental retardation. Participants were asked prior to each exercise session which exercise machine(s) they intended to use. No contingencies on stating intentions (promising) were applied. Following the exercise session, participants were asked to say (report) which machine(s) they had used. Following the baseline condition, do-report correspondence training was introduced sequentially across participants. During do-report correspondence training, accurate reporting was reinforced. High rates of both do-report and promise-do correspondence were observed. Data were analyzed via a multiple baseline across subjects design and contingency-space analysis. Results are discussed with regard to observed changes in promise-do correspondence subsequent to observed changes in do-report correspondence.
Geospatial Technology: Curricular Keystone of Applied Geography

Research into the nature and function of curricular matters in applied geography has provided an opportunity to assess the penetration and relative importance of geospatial technology to the discipline of geography. Departments of Geography with degree programs in applied geography were surveyed to find out how important geospatial technology was in the preparation of students for meaningful jobs and careers. The Applied Geography Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) was also surveyed about the value of geospatial technology, as was the 95 academic programs that listed applied geography as a â€œprogram specialtyâ€ in the AAG Guide to Geography Programs in the Americas. There was a uniform agreement across these various groups that geospatial technology occupied an extremely important position in their overall course offerings, and if you are watching the workplace, such courses are not only sensible but offer critical employable skills for students upon graduation. It is widely known that geospatial technology education and training require a large commitment of departmental resources, including faculty lines, equipment expenditures, space, and technical support. A geography department and its universityâ€™s administration have to understand these unique requirements and allocate resources, more akin to a computer science department than a traditional academic unit. This reality is of immediate importance to geography departments because almost one quarter of all academic jobs advertised in geography over the last six years have been in the broad area of geospatial technology. A final conclusion to this research is a policy matter that suggests geography departments take a strong proprietorial position toward providing education in geospatial technology because other disciplines and training programs see opportunities in a rapidly expanding workplace skill and they are aggressively pursuing a niche of their own.
THE ROUTE OF ABSORPTION OF THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLES OF THE POSTERIOR HYPOPHYSIAL LOBE

In 1910 Cushing and Goetsch (12) showed that human hydrocephalic cerehrospinal fluid, when concentrated twentyfold on a waterhath and injected intravenously into an anaesthetized rabbit or dog, gave pressor and other responses not dissimilar to those of aqueous extracts of the fresh posterior hypopliysial lobe. They therefore postulated on a physiological basis a route of absorption for the principle which had earlier been advanced by Herring (25) on histological grounds, i.e., the principle elaborated by the pars intermedia passes into, and is possibly activated by, the posterior lobe, whence it streams as particulate hyaline matter up through the infundibular stalk into the eerebrospinal fluid of the third ventricle, and is thence absorbed by the blood stream into the body; this may be designated an indirect or transneural route. The validity of the specific physiological responses upon which this postulation was based was questioned by Carlson and Martin (9), and subsequently Jacobson (28) showed that ...
Explicit solutions for constrained maximum likelihood estimators in survival/sacrifice experiments

SUMMARY Regulatory agencies routinely base conclusions regarding carcinogenicity of compounds tested in long-term animal studies on tests which are known to be biased under conditions of treatment lethality and tumour lethality. The recognition of these biases has led to a variety of proposed approaches which rely on survival and sacrifice data. Williams & Portier (1992) derived analytic expressions for maximum likelihood estimators of the tumour incidence rate and discrete death rates based on a discrete multistate model. A disadvantage of the proposed estimators was that they sometimes resulted in negative estimates of the tumour incidence rate. In this paper, explicit solutions for constrained estimators are derived under the imposition of boundary conditions for a study design with one or two interim sacrifices and a terminal sacrifice. For study designs with more than two interim sacrifices, alternative estimators of the tumour incidence rate and discrete death rates are developed heuristically by pooling data together from adjacent
Current methods of finish-line exposure by practicing prosthodontists.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to survey members of The American College of Prosthodontists to evaluate current methods of finish-line exposure. In addition, frequency of use of epinephrine compounds and observed side effects were assessed. Materials and Methods A questionnaire was mailed to the 2,436 members of The American College of Prosthodontists. Group differences were evaluated using x2 analysis. Results Completed questionnaires were returned by 1,246 prosthodontists, which is a return rate of 51%. Ninety-eight percent of respondent prosthodontists use retraction cord, and 48% use a double-cord technique. Plain cord is the most commonly used cord (44%), followed by aluminum chloride-impregnated cord (18%), and epinephrine-impregnated cord (14%). Nine hundred one respondents (81%) soak the cord before placing it in the gingival sulcus. The most common medicament for soaking the cords is buffered aluminum chloride (55%). Side effects to epinephrine were reported by 387 respondents (33%), with the most common side effect reported being increased pulse rate, followed by anxiety. Approximately one quarter (24%) of the prosthodontists surveyed had observed side effects to chemical agents other than epinephrine. Conclusions Prosthodontists throughout the country use many different techniques and agents to expose finish lines. No statistically significant differences (p > .05) were found between year of specialty training completion groups with respect to retraction cord use. Copper bands are used significantly more frequently (p < .05) in the northwest region of the United States than elsewhere.
Individualized Medicine from Prewomb to Tomb

That each of us is truly biologically unique, extending to even monozygotic, "identical" twins, is not fully appreciated. Now that it is possible to perform a comprehensive "omic" assessment of an individual, including one's DNA and RNA sequence and at least some characterization of one's proteome, metabolome, microbiome, autoantibodies, and epigenome, it has become abundantly clear that each of us has truly one-of-a-kind biological content. Well beyond the allure of the matchless fingerprint or snowflake concept, these singular, individual data and information set up a remarkable and unprecedented opportunity to improve medical treatment and develop preventive strategies to preserve health.
Multirate Input Sampling for Real-Time Runge-Kutta Simulation

This paper contains a discussion of Runge-Kutta methods for real-time simulation. It is shown that without multirate input sampling (MIS), the accuracy of real-time Runge-Kutta simulations is greatly reduced. It is also shown that with multiple blocks in the system, Runge-Kutta methods may not even be applicable for real-time applications. After a theoretical development, several examples are given which demonstrate the need for multirate input sampling.
Modulation of neocortical interneurons: extrinsic influences and exercises in self-control

Neocortical GABAergic interneurons are a highly heterogeneous cell population that forms complex functional networks and has key roles in information processing within the cerebral cortex. Mechanisms that control the output of these cells are therefore crucial in regulating excitability within the neocortex during normal and pathophysiological activities. In addition to subtype-specific modulation of GABAergic cells by neurotransmitters released by afferents from subcortical nuclei, interneurons belonging to different classes are controlled by distinct self-modulatory mechanisms, each unique and powerful. In this article, we review the diverse responses of neocortical interneurons to extrinsic and intrinsic neuromodulators. We discuss how specificity of responses might differentially influence inhibition in somatodendritic compartments of pyramidal neurons and affect the balance of activities in neocortical circuits.
Predicting grain protein content of winter wheat using remote sensing data based on nitrogen status and water stress

Abstract Advanced site-specific knowledge of grain protein content of winter wheat from remote sensing data would provide opportunities to manage grain harvest differently, and to maximize output by adjusting input in fields. In this study, remote sensing data were utilized to predict grain protein content. Firstly, the leaf nitrogen content at winter wheat anthesis stage was proved to be significantly correlated with grain protein content (R2 = 0.36), and spectral indices significantly correlated to leaf nitrogen content at anthesis stage were potential indicators for grain protein content. The vegetation index, VIgreen, derived from the canopy spectral reflectance at green and red bands, was significantly correlated to the leaf nitrogen content at anthesis stage, and also highly significantly correlated to the final grain protein content (R2 = 0.46). Secondly, the external conditions, such as irrigation, fertilization and temperature, had important influence on grain quality. Water stress at grain filling stage can increase grain protein content, and leaf water content is closely related to irrigation levels, therefore, the spectral indices correlated to leaf water content can be potential indicators for grain protein content. The spectral reflectance of TM channel 5 derived from canopy spectra or image data at grain filling stage was all significantly correlated to grain protein content (R2 = 0.31 and 0.37, respectively). Finally, not only this study proved the feasibility of using remote sensing data to predict grain protein content, but it also provided a tentative prediction of the grain protein content in Beijing area using the reflectance image of TM channel 5.
The interpretation of zinc protoporphyrin changes in lead intoxication: a case report and review of the literature.

Background Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) has been used both as a screening and diagnostic test for overexposure to lead for nearly 30 years, although limitations for both purposes are recognized. Methods We present longitudinal findings for ZPP and whole-blood lead in a man with two episodes of acute lead intoxication and review the literature on the use of ZPP. Results and conclusions ZPP elevations in both chronic and acute exposure settings lag behind elevations in whole-blood lead by ~8–12 weeks. Therefore, ZPP measurement, in conjunction with whole-blood lead determination, has clinical utility in cases of substantial overexposure by providing information on how long an individual may have been overexposed to lead. A guide to the interpretation of various combinations of whole-blood lead and ZPP results is provided. However, while ZPP levels do correlate with whole-blood lead measurements in aggregate, the considerable individual variability of ZPP measurements, poor sensitivity at lower ranges of lead exposure, poor specificity and delayed changes in unstable exposure conditions indicate that this test contributes little to screening programs. Finally, our results confirm that basophilic stippling is seen in acute as well as chronic lead intoxication, and may provide the first indication of lead intoxication.
Salvation and female heroics in the parodos of Aristophanes' Lysistrata

The separate entrances of the male and female semi-choruses in Aristophanes' Lysistrata are marked by an unusual bit of stagecraft whose importance to a general theme of the play the salvation of Athens–has never been fully appreciated. The old men enter the stage at v. 254 each carrying a pair of olive-wood logs, a vine torch and a small pot of live embers. Having heard that Lysistrata and her comrades have taken control of the Acropolis, they come intent on burning down the gates of the citadel and removing the women, whom they liken to the Spartan general Cleomenes who occupied the citadel in 510. The men pile their logs before the closed gate, ignite their torches in the hot coals and then try to set fire to the logs (vv. 307-11). But after a few minutes of hilarious bumbling their plans are foiled for good by the sudden appearance of a semi-chorus of old women who rush in with water-jars on their shoulders or in their hands; these women threaten the men and then finally–with an invocation of the river-god Achelous douse them and their fire (vv. 381-82), thus effectively ending the threat of incineration. In the past, this entire choral routine has been explained in one of two ways: either it is a standard bit of slapstick humour with no importance whatsoever to the development of the comic plot, or it is part of an elaborate sexual pun of Freudian proportions in which the closed entranceway to the Acropolis assaulted by men symbolically prefigures the battle of the sexes that is about to ensue. Of course given the wonderful richness and polyvalence of Aristophanic comedy, it is extremely difficult to deny either of these interpretations. I shall argue here, however, that the staging of the parodos also reflects a very popular type of Greek salvation myth, known to the Athenians from the tragic stage, from the visual arts and from rituals associated with local mystery cults. In light of these parallels drawn from the theatrical and religious life of the city, I shall argue that when the audience saw the women rush onto the stage with their hydriai, they would have undoubtedly seen them in a very positive light as saviours of the city–precisely the role they claim for themselves later in the play.
The Relationship of Atherosclerosis to the 10-Year Cumulative Incidence of Age-related Macular Degeneration: The Beaver Dam Studies

Objective To describe the relationships of intima–media thickness (IMT), plaque in the carotid artery, angina, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke to the 10-year cumulative incidence of early and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and progression of AMD. Design Cohort study. Participants A total of 1700 persons aged 53 to 96 years who participated in both the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study and the Beaver Dam Eye Study in 1998–2000, with photographs gradable for AMD at 5-year (2003–2005) and 10-year (2008–2010) follow-up examinations. Methods The IMT and presence of plaque were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography of the carotid artery. Presence of angina, MI, and stroke were defined on the basis of a self-reported history of physician diagnosis. The presence and severity of AMD were determined by systematic grading of stereoscopic color fundus photographs. Main Outcome Measures Age-related macular degeneration. Results The 10-year cumulative incidence of early AMD was 15.7%, and the 10-year cumulative incidence of late AMD was 4.0%. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) and complement factor H (CFH) genotypes, and other factors, mean IMT was associated with the 10-year incidence of early AMD (odds ratio [OR] per 0.1 mm IMT, 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.21; P = 0.03) and late AMD (OR per 0.1 mm IMT, 1.27; CI, 1.10–1.47; P = 0.001). Mean IMT was associated with the 10-year incidence of pure geographic atrophy (OR per 0.1 mm IMT, 1.31; CI, 1.05–1.64; P = 0.02) but not exudative AMD (OR per 0.1 mm IMT, 1.14; CI, 0.97–1.34; P = 0.11). Similar associations were found for maximum IMT. The number of sites with plaque was related to the incidence of late AMD (OR per 0.1 mm IMT, 2.79 for 4–6 sites vs. none; CI, 1.06–7.37; P = 0.04) but not to early AMD. A history of angina, MI, or stroke was not related to any incident AMD outcome. Conclusions In these population-based data, carotid artery IMT and carotid plaques had a weak relationship to the incidence of late AMD that was independent of systemic and genetic risk factors. Angina, MI, and stroke were not related to AMD. It is unclear whether the carotid IMT is a risk indicator of processes affecting Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium, or a measure of atherosclerosis affecting susceptibility to AMD. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
The effect of corneal grafting on vision in bilateral amblyopia

Two children with bilateral congenital corneal opacities (sclerocornea) received unilateral corneal transplants at the ages of 4 1/2 and 16 years, respectively. Both developed reading vision and reduced nystagmus excursions.
Molecular diagnostics on lymphoid malignancies.

Abstract Context.—Molecular diagnostics for lymphoid malignancies traditionally has focused on helping to provide a diagnosis on a tissue sample. The field has undergone substantial technical and c...
Linearized and truncated microcystin analogues as inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A

A series of acyclic, truncated microcystin analogues, comprised of the dienic β-amino acid (Adda) and up to four additional amino acids characteristic of the parent toxin, was synthesized and screened for activity as inhibitors of PP1 and PP2A. Despite a recent report to the contrary for a microcystin-derived tetrapeptide degradation product, none approaches the potency of microcystin itself.
Genuine Representation in Artificial Systems

The greatest challenge to a model of the emergence of representation is that of the normativity of representations: the possibility of being true or false. The strongest version of that challenge is to be able to account for system detectable representational error, as is used in error guided behavior or error guided learning. No model in the standard literature, and, arguably, no spectator model of any kind, can account for it. Genuine representation, however, with content and truth value—system detectable truth value—emerges in the selection of actions and interactions in autonomous agents, whether natural or artificial, organisms or robots. Representation is most fundamentally of future potentialities for interaction, rather than of past encounters as standard approaches would have it. Representation is intrinsic to agents, not to passive spectators. The fundamental aspirations of Artificial Intelligence to create genuine artificial minds will be met in robotics.
Indirect Allorecognition of Mismatched Donor HLA Class II Peptides in Lung Transplant Recipients with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome

A correlation between indirect allorecognition of mismatched donor HLA class I peptides and development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after lung transplantation has been previously observed. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a correlation between indirect allorecognition of mismatched donor HLA class II peptides and development of BOS after lung transplantation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from nine BOS+ and nine BOS-lung transplant recipients were cultured with synthetic peptides corresponding to the beta-chain hypervariable region of a mismatched donor HLA-DR molecule. Then, proliferative alloreactivity as well as frequency of alloreactive T cells were determined. In addition, the immunodominant epitopes from the donor HLA-DR molecules were identified in selected patients. T cells from BOS+ patients showed a dose-dependent proliferative alloreactivity against donor HLA-DR peptides that was significantly higher than that observed in BOS- patients (p=0.001). Similarly, the frequency of HLA-DR alloreactive T cells was significantly higher in BOS+ patients than in BOS- patients (p=0.001). This T-cell alloreactivity was directed against a single immunodominant HLA-DR peptide. These results suggest that indirect alloreactivity to donor HLA class II molecules may play a role in the pathogenesis of BOS after lung transplantation.