cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance of individual species as indicators for large mammal species richness in Northern Tanzania

Abstract In order to prioritize areas for biodiversity conservation, conservation practitioners frequently employ a single species whose distribution is statistically related to overall species richness. However, the performance of single mammal species in terms of (1) their strength, (2) spatial and (3) temporal variability for predicting large mammal species richness has rarely been assessed. Drawing upon data from multiple vehicle-based surveys in four study sites with varying conservation management approaches in the Tarangire–Manyara ecosystem, we assessed the performance of thirteen candidate indicator species. Overall, we found that the association strength between the distribution of single large mammal species and overall large mammal species richness varied (1) considerably across four management units within the same ecosystem, (2) between seasons and (3) years. In contrast to a study carried out in central Tanzania, elephants performed poorly as an indicator of large mammal species richness. Applying our findings to conservation planning, we suggest that information on zebra and wildebeest distribution should be used for delineating corridors for large mammals between protected areas in this ecosystem. The distribution of these two species had a high correlation with overall large mammal species richness, and these correlations were relatively constant throughout time and space. More generally, our study suggests that the performance of indicator species (1) should be assessed across multiple seasons because snapshot surveys may provide biased estimates of indicator performance, (2), cannot necessarily be extrapolated to other ecosystems and (3) should be supplemented by ecological or functional considerations.
Correction of the effects of source, source strength, and soft-tissue thickness on spine dual-photon absorptiometry measurements.

Dual photon absorptiometry measurements of the spine are subject to drift associated with source, source strength, and truncal thickness. This study was conducted to determine the extent to which this drift in bone mineral density (BMD) measurements can be improved by analysis of scans with a new software version, 08C, and by applying external standard or phantom corrections to scans analyzed with the older version, 08B. A phantom, consisting of human lumbar vertebrae embedded in acrylic, and five clear acrylic plates to simulate a soft-tissue thickness range of 15.2–27.9 cm, was measured on a Lunar Radiation Corp DP3 scanner over the life of a 153-gadolinium (Gd) source and scans analyzed with software versions 08B and 08C. Phantom BMD was lower with 08C at both high [0.012±0.002 (SEM) g/cm2,P<0.001] and low (0.027±0.003 g/cm2,P<0.001) count rates than with 08B. Phantom BMD of scans analyzed with 08B increased with increasing source age and the source strength-related increment increased significantly as acrylic thickness increased (P=0.014). When the same scans were analyzed with 08C, the thickness-related effect was corrected whereas a small (0.011 g/cm2/year) source-strength effect persisted. The effects of source strength and truncal thickness on BMD were also evaluated in 40 humans scanned at two detector collimations to vary count rate. With 08B, mean BMD was 1% greater when measured with 8 than with 13 mm collimation (mean difference 0.011±0.003 g/cm2,P=0.001), whereas the version 08C, mean BMD was the same at the two collimations. Similarly, when phantom corrections were applied to the scans analyzed with 08B, the source strength effect was no longer significant. A truncal thickness effect, apparent in the 40 human scans analyzed with 08B, was not present with 08C. Finally, the phantom was scanned with three different Gd sources. With both 08B and 08C, BMD values were similar with two and significantly lower (by 0.012±0.002 g/cm2,P=0.011) with the third Gd source. Thus, with the new analysis software 08C, multiple thickness calibration is no longer needed, however, calibration with an external standard is still necessary.
A first aid and CPR course for first-year medical students.

Summary A 24-hour course in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been developed for the first-year medical students at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The objective of the course was to train students to handle common emergencies out of a hospital setting and with no special equipment. It was expected that students would become competent to perform CPR at a level equal to or better than that required by the American Red Cross (ARC) for certification. In the past three years approximately 99% of each first-year class has been certified. The majority of the course is taught by medical students who are certified ARC Instructors in Advanced First Aid and Emergency Care and CPR.
Polyphase Pulse Compression Codes with Optimal Peak and Integrated Sidelobes

Nearly optimal or globally optimal integrated sidelobe level (ISL) polyphase codes are found for lengths 46 through 80 by using a stochastic optimization technique. Polyphase Barker codes are found for lengths 64 to 70, and 72, 76, and 77 using constrained optimization starting at optimal-ISL codes.
Harmonic generation in multilayered waveguides: theory, devices, and application (Invited Paper)

Ten years ago Normandin and Stegeman demonstrated a novel surface harmonic generation geometry but the cross sections were too low for applications. Using periodic multilayers in the waveguide, cross sections were increased by over a million. Theory refinements and new results are presented for large angle light deflectors, integrated intracavity doubling visible lasers, and high resolution (< 10 GHz) optical spectrometers. Applications in display, telecommunication, interconnect, and coding are also discussed.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sulfones of Potential Medicinal Value I: Diazonium Coupling Products of Ethyl p-Toluenesulfonylacetate

A coupling of various aryldiazonium salt solutions with ethyl p-toluenesulfonylacetate has been effected at pH 7.5–8.5. Experimental details and physical properties of the products of this reaction are given. In order to establish whether the coupled product exists as an azo or as the isomeric hydrazo, NMR and IR spectroscopic data were obtained. Both sets of data confirm that the azo form is the proper structural assignment.
Rat Intestinal Vitamin D-dependent Calcium-binding Protein: Immunocytochemical Localization in Incisor Ameloblasts

Antiserum raised against the 10,000-Dalton vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein (CaBP10) from rat intestine was used to localize CaBP10 immunocytochemically in histological sections of rat mandible using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. Ameloblasts in the zone of maturation, along the continuously erupting incisor, contained CaBP10 throughout their cytoplasm. It was present in both smooth-ended ameloblasts and ruffle-ended ameloblasts. CaBP10 was not found in earlier developmental stages of ameloblasts or in other cells involved in tooth formation, i.e., odontoblasts, pulpal cells, cells of the stellate reticulum, papillary layer, and outer dental epithelium. The presence of CaBP10 in ameloblasts suggests that the vitamin D-endocrine system may have a direct effect on tooth formation in addition to the indirect effect of maintaining the required levels of serum calcium and phosphorus required for mineralization.
Management of Postburn Recalcitrant Knee Ulcers in Pediatric Patients

The sequelae of severe lower-extremity burn injuries in children include ulcerations and unstable scars of the anterior knee. Although the weight-bearing and ambulatory demands on this joint predispose the ulcers to chronicity, recalcitrance to treatment in the absence of systemic factors may be indicative of the presence of less-than-optimal local factors mitigating against healing. In our experience, excessive skin tightness around the knee joint has played a key role in this respect. This retrospective study on 10 patients with 16 recalcitrant knee ulcers demonstrated the inadequacy of the traditional treatment approach of ulcer excision and grafting. However, incisional release of tight skin above the knee joint and resurfacing the defect with split-thickness skin graft (mean size, 118.26 ′ 35.32 cm 2 ) eliminated excessive tension and allowed the ulcers to heal spontaneously and permanently. We found this approach useful in select patients, and we are favorably disposed to additional releasing incision and grafting if the need arises in the growing child.
Tight-gas seismic monitoring, Rulison Field, Colorado

Time-lapse multicomponent seismic monitoring of pressure depletion in tight-gas development can be used to increase recovery efficiency. Tight-gas plays require technology to enhance the economic viability of resource development. Our study at Rulison Field, Colorado, confirms that time-lapse, multicomponent seismic surveys can monitor tight-gas depletion and be used for well planning and completion design.
Elastic Scattering of Alpha Particles from Helium

The scattering of alpha particles from He4 has been studied for laboratory energies between 3.8 and 12 MeV. Ten angular distributions have been measured over this range of energies as well as excitation curves at the center-of-mass angles 30.6°, 40°, 54.8°, 70.2°, and 90°. A phase-shift analysis of these data has been made and is compared to previously published results.
Diffusion path for an Al adatom on Al(001)

The barrier to self-diffusion on Al(001) by concerted displacement in a {l angle}100{r angle} or {l angle}010{r angle} direction is predicted to be smaller than 1/3 that for ordinary Al-adatom hopping over bridges between fourfold hollows. The transition state for the concerted motion corresponds to an Al ad-dimer symmetrically located above a surface site vacated by one of the dimer atoms. Covalent bonding in this configuration is favorable because each of the (trivalent) Al atoms above the surface bonds to the other, and to two surface atoms.
Intracellular localization of anti-tumor immune RNA.

Abstract Syngeneic spleen cells from normal, non-immune Fischer 344/N rats and allogeneic spleen cells from normal Wistar-Furth rats became cytotoxic, in vitro, to chemically induced Fischer rat sarcoma (MC3-R) target cells following incubation with xenogeneic Immune RNA (I-RNA) extracted from spleens of guinea pigs immunized with MC3-R tumor cells. I-RNA extracted from intact spleen cells or from the cytoplasmic fraction of spleen cells were equally active. RNA extracted from isolated spleen cell nuclei was inactive, as were all RNA fractions from spleen cells of nonspecifically immunized guinea pigs. Syngeneic I-RNA extracted from intact spleen cells or the cytoplasmic fraction of cells from spleens of Fischer rats bearing growing MC3-R transplants mediated cytotoxic reactions against MC3-R target cells when incubated with normal Fischer rat spleen cells. RNA from the nuclei of spleen cells of rats bearing MC3-R tumors was considerably less active. All RNA fractions from spleen cells of normal non-immune Fischer rats were inactive. The immunologically active component of xenogeneic and Syngeneic I-RNA, therefore, were found to be localized in the cytoplasm of specifically sensitized lymphoid cells.
The Dark Current Time in Condensed Discharges in Air at Atmospheric Pressure

The time of current flow prior to the appearance of luminosity in a condensed discharge was measured by means of the high speed rotating mirror developed by Henriot and Hunguenard. The discharge was initiated by ultraviolet light from another spark gap. This light was focussed on the cathode of the gap under investigation. The light from the two gaps after reflection by the mirror was focussed on a photographic plate. The separation of the images on the plate was a measure of the dark current time. This time was found to be a function of the electrode geometry. For symmetrical hemispherical electrodes, 6.5 mm in diameter, 4 mm apart, it was not greater than 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ sec. It increased to 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ sec. for a gap with two spherical electrodes, the anode 25.4 mm and the cathode 1 mm in diameter. As near as this method could determine, in all cases the luminosity appeared at the same time throughout the gap.
Codon usage in selected AT-rich bacteria.

Abstract The relationship between DNA base composition and codon bias in very AT-rich bacteria was analyzed. Five clostridial genes, five mycoplasmal genes and three rickettsial genes constituted the data base. In the genes of these three organisms, the rule for codon bias was very simple : use U or A in the first and third positions of the codon when possible. This was contrasted with the bias found in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The rule for Bacillus subtilis was equally straightforward : use all codons without bias. Only in E. coli, amongst the species examined, did the codon bias appear to be a complicated codon ‘choice’.
Indecision Theory: Quality of Information and Voting Behavior

In this paper we show how to incorporate quality of information into a model of voting behavior. We do so in the context of the turnout decision of instrumentally rational voters who differ in their quality of information, which we refer to as ambiguity. Ambiguity is reflected by the fact that the voter's beliefs are given by a set of probabilities, each of which represents in the voter's mind a different possible scenario. We show that in most elections voters who satisfy the Bayesian model do not strictly prefer abstaining over voting for one of the candidates. In contrast, a voter who is averse to ambiguity considers abstention strictly optimal when the candidates' policy positions are both ambiguous and they are “ambiguity complements". Abstaining is preferred since it is tantamount to mixing the prospects embodied by the two candidates, thus enabling the voter to “hedge" the candidates' ambiguity.
Learning and cognitive fatigue trajectories in multiple sclerosis defined using a burst measurement design.

Background:Compromised learning and cognitive fatigue are critical clinical features in multiple sclerosis.Objectives:This study was designed to determine the effect of repeated exposures within and across study visits on performance measures of learning and cognitive fatigue in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).Methods:Thirty patients with RRMS and 30 controls were recruited. Using a burst measurement design (i.e. repeated assessments within and across study visits) the oral version of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) was administered three times during the baseline and two consecutive monthly follow-up visits for a total of nine test administrations. Learning was assessed within and across study visits whereas cognitive fatigue was assessed during the course of each test administration that was divided into three 30-second intervals.Results:Linear mixed-effect models revealed compromised learning within (95% CI: 2.6355 to 3.9867) and across (95% CI: 1.3250 to 3.1861) visits and worse ...
Cardiovascular Drugs: Implications for Dental Practice Part 2—Antihyperlipidemics and Antithrombotics

Appropriate preoperative assessment of the dental patient should always include an analysis of the patient's medications. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common group of medical disorders that dentists encounter, and the number of drugs prescribed for managing these conditions is staggering. This justifiably raises concern and probable confusion regarding side effects and possible drug interactions with medications the dentist may deem necessary for dental care. This continuing education article is the second in a series that will address essential pharmacology of medications commonly prescribed for chronic medical care. A reasonable understanding of these agents will allow the dentist to better appreciate the medical status of their patients, to appreciate the actual risks associated with antithrombotic medications, and to avoid adverse interactions with drugs the dentist might administer or prescribe.
Adaptive Object Representation with Hierarchically-Distributed Memory Sites

Theories of object recognition often assume that only one representation scheme is used within one visual-processing pathway. Versatility of the visual system comes from having multiple visual-processing pathways, each specialized in a different category of objects. We propose a theoretically simpler alternative, capable of explaining the same set of data and more. A single primary visual-processing pathway, loosely modular, is assumed. Memory modules are attached to sites along this pathway. Object-identity decision is made independently at each site. A site's response time is a monotonic-decreasing function of its confidence regarding its decision. An observer's response is the first-arriving response from any site. The effective representation(s) of such a system, determined empirically, can appear to be specialized for different tasks and stimuli, consistent with recent clinical and functional-imaging findings. This, however, merely reflects a decision being made at its appropriate level of abstraction. The system itself is intrinsically flexible and adaptive.
Making Effective Referrals to Specialty Care

Primary care clinicians play a vital role in the identification and treatment of patients with alcohol use disorders; however, there are times—particularly for patients with alcohol dependence—when a referral to specialty care is appropriate; in these situations, the primary care clinician’s role in helping a patient find the best treatment is no less essential. These types of referrals should be like any other referrals to specialists: Primary care practitioners should be as familiar with what happens to their patients as when they refer them to a cardiologist. Unfortunately, primary care clinicians often have little knowledge of or familiarity with the available resources. This is partly because they have little (if any) exposure to these types of services during their training. It is also because these services are generally provided in locations and by institutions that are separate from mainstream medical care. The development of formal linkages between primary care and addiction treatment, or integrated treatment programs can help overcome these barriers .
Successful green-based initiatives among large corporate entities: a case study from a stakeholder perspective

CSR and green-based strategies have become important concepts in dealing with firms' stakeholders. Two relatively large firms that were selected to study were Pittsburgh-based, namely PNC, a major financial service provider, and CONSOL, the leading diversified fuel producer in the Eastern USA. By pursuing leaner and greener operations, management at these companies has developed a better corporate image and higher profit via promoting triple-line reporting and financial responsibilities. Improved environmental, health, and safety performance can help with plant productivity and also increase sales and market share. It is extremely important to stay in line with regulations, including hazardous waste and pollutants. The present study focuses on these green processes via stakeholder legitimacy and interest detection. Strategic alignment with green initiatives can result in significant and sustainable results in companies studied as they have shown that they are adaptive and align their people and the planet with their profits.
Optimal contract mechanisms for principal-agent problems with moral hazard and adverse selection

We examine the problem of incentive compatibility and mechanism design for incomplete information principal-agent problems. Allowing for risk aversion on the part of the principal and agent, we show the existence of an optimal, incentive compatible contract selection mechanism for the principal under conditions of moral hazard and adverse selection. Since we assume that the contract set is a function space of state contingent contracts, and that the set of agent types is uncountable, the set of contract selection mechanisms becomes infinite dimensional. Hence, novel existence arguments are required. Our existence result extends those of Grossman and Hart [10] and Page [23] to an infinite dimensional setting with incomplete information.
Development of a Bridge Bumper to Protect Bridge Girders from Overheight Vehicle Impacts

Bridges with low clearance are vulnerable to collision with overheight vehicles. Collisions of overheight vehicles can cause fatalities and injuries to drivers and passengers of overheight vehicles, and damage to bridge girders. The repair of damaged bridges can be costly and time consuming. This article investigates the feasibility of developing a bridge bumper that minimizes the physical injuries and the likelihood of fatalities and protects the structural elements of bridges by absorbing the impact energy. This paper presents results of small-scale impact experiments using the proposed bridge bumper with several options of energy-absorbing materials to protect a reinforced concrete beam. Finite element (FE)analyses are conducted to simulate small-scale impact experiments. Optimization of the FE model is carried out for the response quantities of interest with respect to the geometrical parameters and material properties of the proposed bridge bumper. Such analysis can guide the design of an optimal bridge bumper that maximizes the energy dissipation and minimizes the damage to the bridge girder and the likelihood of fatalities and injuries. A possible full-scale implementation of the proposed bridge bumper is also detailed.
Modulation of spermatozoa and zona pellucida properties by the soluble acrosome reaction-inducing factor of the ovulated egg-cumulus complex.

Three sources of hamster periovulatory fluids (± heat inactivation at 56°C), with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as control, were tested for effects on penetration of three classes of eggs by hamster sperm precapacitated in BSA. These fluids were a soluble extract of cumulus oophorus fluid (COF) from the ovulated hamster egg-cumulus complex, serum, and follicular fluid. Egg types were ovulated, salt-stored (ovulated), and follicular. In both COF and serum, there were significant differences among egg types in mean penetration, and significant effects of fluid addition. In contrast, there was no effect of follicular fluid and no differences between follicular and stored eggs. For the follicular eggs (combined data, normalized, ranked), patterns of response to the three factors (± heating) were different: only unheated COF and heated serum increased penetration significantly above BSA control levels (average rank 20.2, 41.4, 38, for BSA, COF (unheated), serum (heated), respectively). This indicated that the active component in COF was heat labile, not present in either serum or follicular fluid, and, therefore, of oviductal origin. Oviduct and/or COF exposure of eggs and sperm was tested for effects as an acrosome reaction inducing factor (ARIF) for acrosome reactions (AR; zonabound and free-swimming sperm) and on sperm:zona binding and penetration. The COF ARIF for free-swimming sperm AR was heat stable. Penetration of follicular eggs increased after incubation in COF prior to sperm addition, but a greater response occurred when COF was added to eggs with sperm. In kinetic experiments, 25 min following sperm attachment, follicular eggs had lost 41% of initially bound sperm, vs. 23% for ovulated eggs, and had only 16 AR sperm/egg, vs. 26 for ovulated. Follicular eggs incubated in COF (then washed three times) had the same number of bound AR sperm as ovulated eggs. Acid solubilized zona pellucida (ASZP) from ovulated eggs was more effective as an ARIF per zona than ASZP from follicular eggs. Zonae of follicular eggs, as eivdenced by dissolution times in β-mercaptoethanol (β-MEOH), were not “harder” than those of ovulated eggs. There were differences in lectin binding antigens on zonae of both fresh and stored, follicular and ovulated, eggs. We conclude that multiple biological factors orchestrate sperm:egg interactions in the ampulla. Our data are consistent with the presence of at least three effective components: (1) the oviductal lectin-binding antigen (ZPO or oviductin), (2) an additional heat-labile component, and (3) the heat-stable ARIF for free-swimming sperm. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Multiple objective probabilistic branch and bound for pareto optimal approximation

We present a multiple objective simulation optimization algorithm called multiple objective probabilistic branch and bound (MOPBnB) with the goal of approximating the efficient frontier and the associated Pareto optimal set in the solution space. MOPBnB is developed for both deterministic and noisy problems with mixed continuous and discrete variables. When the algorithm terminates, it provides a set of non-dominated solutions that approximates the Pareto optimal set and the associated objective function estimates that approximate the efficient frontier. The quality of the solutions is statistically analyzed using a measure of distance between solutions to the true efficient frontier. We also present numerical experiments with benchmark functions to visualize the algorithm and its performance.
An optimal distributed algorithm for failure-driven leader election in bounded-degree networks

The authors consider the leader election problem in point-to-point network where the number of communication links for each node is bounded. Instead of focusing on electing a leader as an initialization step, this paper emphasizes the election of the leader in a fault-tolerant distributed system where the election is triggered by the failure or the abdication of the current leader; it is assumed that the number of initiators that detect the failure or the abdication and start the election algorithm is bounded. A leader election algorithm is presented. The algorithm is based on a new approach that is sharply different from those of previous works: timestamped multiple-sourced flooding. The worst-case time and communication complexities of the algorithm are both optimal; the former is O(D) and the latter is O(E) equivalent to O(N) in the authors network model. >
The mRNA landscape at yeast translation initiation sites

Summary: Although translation initiation has been well studied, many questions remain in elucidating its mechanisms. An ongoing challenge is to understand how ribosomes choose a translation initiation site (TIS). To gain new insights, we analyzed large sets of TISs with the aim of identifying common characteristics that are potentially of functional importance. Nucleotide sequence context has previously been demonstrated to play an important role in the ribosome's selection of a TIS, and mRNA secondary structure is also emerging as a contributing factor. Here, we analyze mRNA secondary structure using the folding predictions of the RNAfold algorithm. We present a method for analyzing these results using a rank-ordering approach to assess the overall degree of predicted secondary structure in a given region of mRNA. In addition, we used a modified version of the algorithm that makes use of only a subset of the standard version's output to incorporate base-pairing polarity constraints suggested by the ribosome scanning process. These methods were employed to study the TISs of 1735 genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Trends in base composition and base-pairing probabilities suggest that efficient translation initiation and high protein expression are aided by reduced secondary structure upstream and downstream of the TIS. However, the downstream reduction is not observed for sets of TISs with nucleotide sequence contexts unfavorable for translation initiation, consistent with previous suggestions that secondary structure downstream of the ribosome can facilitate TIS recognition. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A flexible model for the mean and variance functions, with application to medical cost data

Medical cost data are often skewed to the right and heteroscedastic, having a nonlinear relation with covariates. To tackle these issues, we consider an extension to generalized linear models by assuming nonlinear associations of covariates in the mean function and allowing the variance to be an unknown but smooth function of the mean. We make no further assumption on the distributional form. The unknown functions are described by penalized splines, and the estimation is carried out using nonparametric quasi-likelihood. Simulation studies show the flexibility and advantages of our approach. We apply the model to the annual medical costs of heart failure patients in the clinical data repository at the University of Virginia Hospital System.
Predictive joint motion limiting in robotic applications

Three joint space algorithms slow the Cartesian path motion when it appears that joint motion is approaching a joint, speed, or acceleration limit. All three algorithms use quadratic curve fitting to predict where the joint motion is heading, followed by a prediction as to how much time would elapse until a limit is reached.If a joint motion limit is encountered in the time-to-stop the Cartesian motion, these algorithms reduce the Cartesian speed using pulsed speed settings so that the robot or machine tool will have the necessary time to come to a complete stop. The joint space velocity and acceleration control algorithms set the override Cartesian speed to either full or some reduced speed, several times a second. This allows the joints to reach, but not exceed, their maximum velocity and accelerations limit, while remaining within the physical joint limits.
Working with Families: Expanded Roles for Child Care Practitioners

This paper describes various roles that professional child care practitioners can have in their work with families. The paper reviews changes in child care which increasingly necessitate work with families. Theoretically, the paper emphasizes how the family approach can be integrated with ecological and systems perspectives, how preventive approaches can involve families, and how parents can be involved in a variety of educational and therapeutic programs.
Representing and scheduling looping behavior symbolically

This paper presents a very general, exact technique for scheduling looping data-flow graphs. In contrast to the conventional technique using loop iteration variables and integer linear programming, the new technique uses implicit symbolic automata techniques to represent the problem instance. The new technique has several advantages, such as incremental refinement, efficient variable usage and ability to accommodate practical design constraints. A small case study demonstrates the flexibility and viability of this technique.
Approximating free exercise boundaries for American-style options using simulation and optimization

Monte Carlo simulation can be readily applied to asset pricing problems with multiple state variables and possible path dependencies because convergence of Monte Carlo methods is independent of the number of state variables. This paper applies Monte Carlo simulation to the problem of determining free exercise boundaries for pricing American-style options. We use a simulation-optimization method to identify approximately optimal exercise thresholds that are defined by a minimal number of parameters. We demonstrate that asset prices calculated using this method are comparable to those found using other numerical asset pricing methods.
CD8-deficient SJL mice display enhanced susceptibility to Theiler’s virus infection and increased demyelinating pathology

Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) induces a chronic, progressive demyelinating disease in susceptible mouse strains characterized by inflammatory mononuclear infiltrates and spastic hind limb paralysis. Our lab has previously demonstrated a critical role for TMEV- and myelin-specific CD4+ T cells in initiating and perpetuating this pathology. It has however, also been shown that the MHC class I loci are associated with susceptibility/resistance to TMEV infection and persistence. For this reason, we investigated the contribution of CD8+ T cells to the TMEV-induced demyelinating pathology in the highly susceptible SJL/J mouse strain. Here we show that β2M-deficient SJL mice have similar disease incidence rates to wild-type controls, however β2M-deficient mice demonstrated earlier onset of clinical disease, elevated in vitro responses to TMEV and myelin proteolipid (PLP) epitopes, and significantly higher levels of CNS demyelination and macrophage infiltration at 50 days post-infection. β2M-deficient mice also displayed a significant elevation in persisting viral titers, as well as an increase in macrophage-derived pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in the spinal cord at this same time point. Taken together, these results indicate that CD8+ T cells are not required for clinical or histologic disease initiation or progression in TMEV-infected SJL mice. Rather, these data stress the critical role of CD4+ T cells in this capacity and further emphasize the potential for CD8+ T cells to contribute to protection from TMEV-induced demyelination.
Quadratic Utility and Linear Mean-Variance: A Pedagogic Note

While the claim is frequently made that quadratic utility of wealth gives rise to linear mean variance functions, the claim is in general false. This note discusses quadratic utility and its relationship to mean variance analysis.
RNA-dependent dynamic histone acetylation regulates MCL1 alternative splicing

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) catalyze dynamic histone acetylation at regulatory and coding regions of transcribed genes. Highly phosphorylated HDAC2 is recruited within corepressor complexes to regulatory regions, while the nonphosphorylated form is associated with the gene body. In this study, we characterized the nonphosphorylated HDAC2 complexes recruited to the transcribed gene body and explored the function of HDAC-complex-mediated dynamic histone acetylation. HDAC1 and 2 were coimmunoprecipitated with several splicing factors, including serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) which has roles in alternative splicing. The co-chromatin immunoprecipitation of HDAC1/2 and SRSF1 to the gene body was RNA-dependent. Inhibition of HDAC activity and knockdown of HDAC1, HDAC2 or SRSF1 showed that these proteins were involved in alternative splicing of MCL1. HDAC1/2 and KAT2B were associated with nascent pre-mRNA in general and with MCL1 pre-mRNA specifically. Inhibition of HDAC activity increased the occupancy of KAT2B and acetylation of H3 and H4 of the H3K4 methylated alternative MCL1 exon 2 nucleosome. Thus, nonphosphorylated HDAC1/2 is recruited to pre-mRNA by splicing factors to act at the RNA level with KAT2B and other KATs to catalyze dynamic histone acetylation of the MCL1 alternative exon and alter the splicing of MCL1 pre-mRNA.
The oxidation of SO2 in the stratosphere

Homogeneous oxidation of stratospheric SO2 by oxygen atoms, NO3, or HO2 is probably too slow to produce the observed Junge layer of sulfate aerosol. Homogeneous oxidation by OH or heterogeneous oxidation, possibly by O3 on the sulfate aerosol itself, appears to be sufficiently fast.
Laboratory replication of filtration procedures associated with Serratia marcescens bloodstream infections in patients receiving compounded amino acid solutions

Purpose Specific deviations from United States Pharmacopeia standards were analyzed to investigate the factors allowing an outbreak of Serratia marcescens bloodstream infections in patients receiving compounded amino acid solutions. Methods Filter challenge experiments using the outbreak strain of S. marcescens were compared with those that used the filter challenge organism recommended by ASTM International ( Brevundimonas diminuta ATCC 19162) to determine the frequency and degree of organism breakthrough. Disk and capsule filters (0.22- and 0.2-μm nominal pore size, respectively) were challenged with either the outbreak strain of S. marcescens or B. diminuta ATCC 19162. The following variables were compared: culture conditions in which organisms were grown overnight or cultured in sterile water (starved), solution type (15% amino acid solution or sterile water), and filtration with or without a 0.5-μm prefilter. Results Small-scale, syringe-driven, disk-filtration experiments of starved bacterial cultures indicated that approximately 1 in every 1,000 starved S. marcescens cells (0.12%) was able to pass through a 0.22-μm nominal pore-size filter, and about 1 in every 1,000,000 cells was able to pass through a 0.1-μm nominal pore-size filter. No passage of the B. diminuta ATCC 19162 cells was observed with either filter. In full-scale experiments, breakthrough was observed only when 0.2-μm capsule filters were challenged with starved S. marcescens in 15% amino acid solution without a 0.5-μm prefiltration step. Conclusion Laboratory simulation testing revealed that under certain conditions, bacteria can pass through 0.22- and 0.2-μm filters intended for sterilization of an amino acid solution. Bacteria did not pass through 0.2-μm filters when a 0.5-μm prefilter was used.
Knowledge Is Justifiable True Information

According to an attempted definition of knowledge, knowledge is justified true belief. But a belief is ultimately justified only by its being true. Hence instead of belief we should speak information. Now, for an item of information p to be known to be true, it does not suffice for the knower to be aware that there exists a conclusive method of verification. One has to know some particular method that conclusively verifies p. Since Skolem functions can be thought of as strategies of verification, this is a distinction in the order of the knowledge operators and existence operators over such functions, between knowing that there is some conclusive method of verification and there being a known conclusive method of verification, only the second of which qualifies as knowledge.
Aspirin and gastrointestinal blood loss.

Summary The red blood cells of 15 normal human subjects were labeled with Fell and Cr5l and the blood loss in the gastrointestinal tract was determined by counting each isotope in a homogenized aliquot of feces. Blood loss in each subject was measured during three randomized collection periods of 8 days each: (1) control, (2) tablets of aspirin (2.5 gm. per day), and (3) the equivalent amount of aspirin taken as a buffered solution of sodium acetylsalicylate. It is concluded that aspirin can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be prevented by its administration as a buffered solution. Reabsorption of iron from hemoglobin was not demonstrated under the conditions of this study.
News, Accountability, and Electoral Rules: The Impact of Media Markets on Local Accountability Under Majoritarian and PR Rules

This paper examines the differential impact of media coverage on representatives’ behavior across different electoral systems. Taking advantage of an original data set on newspaper circulation, of exogenous variation in spatial congruence between media markets and constituencies, and of the mixed electoral system in Germany I answer two questions: First, what is the extent to which media coverage influences the roll call voting behavior of politicians? Second, how does this effect differ between systems of majoritarian and proportional representation (PR)? I find that a one unit increase in the level of congruence between media markets and constituencies decreases a direct MP’s propensity to vote in line with his/her party leadership by an average of 4 to 7 percentage points, while it has no effect on list MPs. I do not find an effect of congruence on absenteeism or committee membership. This paper makes two main contributions. First, it uses a new identification strategy to estimate the responsiveness of representatives elected through PR and majoritarian rules to media coverage. Second, it presents an original, highly disaggregated data set on newspaper circulation and MP behavior in Germany.
The Navy's Aerodynamics Laboratory - 100 years of Experimental Aerodynamics from A-1 to DDG-1000

The Navy has continuously operated wind tunnel test facilities longer than any other government organization in the United States. This legacy in experimental aerodynamics spans 100 years, beginning with early tests of the Navy’s first airplane, the A-1, in the Experimental Model Basin at the Washington Navy Yard and opening the world’s largest wind tunnel in 1914. It continues today with the recent testing of the Navy’s newest warship, the DDG 1000, in the Navy’s large wind tunnels at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock. The “Experimental Wind Tunnel” as it was called when it opened in 1914 was the centerpiece of the Navy’s newly established Aerodynamics Laboratory. Within five years of its opening, the technical value of the wind tunnel was highlighted by the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 1919 by the U.S. Navy’s NC-4 Flying Boat designed with extensive testing in the wind tunnel. Together with the Experimental Model Basin adjacent to it, the Experimental Wind Tunnel served as the backbone of the Navy’s experimental fluid mechanics infrastructure for developing the Navy’s ships, submarines, and aircraft. The facilities were expanded and relocated a short distance north to Carderock Maryland during World War II and redesignated the David Taylor Model Basin (DTMB) after RADM David W. Taylor, the visionary behind the Navy’s experimental fluid mechanics facilities. In the years following World War II the Aerodynamics Laboratory was significantly expanded and included two eight-foot by ten-foot subsonic wind tunnels, a seven-foot by ten-foot transonic wind tunnel, as well as several supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels. By the early 1970s the DTMB was renamed the Naval Ship Research and Development Center and the various “Laboratories” that existed were replaced with “Departments.” The wind tunnel facilities within the Aviation and Surface Effects Department represented a fraction of the many wind tunnel facilities that existed at the time but continued to serve an important role in the development of advanced concepts and many types of naval platforms including aircraft, ships, weapons, and surface effects vehicles. Through the 1980s nearly all naval aircraft development programs included aerodynamic and weapons systems evaluations in the wind tunnels at Carderock. In addition to aircraft, many tests on ships, submarines, and underwater vehicles and systems were conducted. A variety of non-naval platforms were also tested including sea-basing platforms, spacecraft, and concepts for the National Aerospace Plane. Today, the wind tunnel facilities at Carderock serve an important role in supporting the current Navy and the Navy of tomorrow, continuing a legacy of 100 years of experimental aerodynamics.
Temperature-dependent ovarian development in Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

A linear relationship was observed between ovarian developmental rate in Coccinella septempunctata L. and five constant temperatures (14-30°C). The estimated lower temperature threshold for follicle development was 13°C. Development of follicles to maturity (egg chorionation) required 833 degree-hours (° H > 13°C). A five-stage rating system to describe ovarian development in C. septempunctata was based on the length of the terminal follicle, number and shape of developing follicles in each ovariole, and presence of yellow color in the terminal oocyte. In 60-70% of females at each temperature, follicle development in relation to female age (time) followed a sigmoidal pattern. This sigmoidal curve had three phases, a previtellogenic or lag phase, a vitellogenic development phase characterized by rapid increase in follicle length, and a postvitellogenic or chorionization phase characterized by a constant follicle length. An equation to predict either the proportion of gravid females on the basis of degree-hour accumulations, or the degree-hour accumulations on the basis of proportion of gravid females, was developed.
Early Onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

The clinical signs and genetic analysis of early-onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) in a 2-year-old boy and members of his family are reported from the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, and Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Effective weight-loss using an e-health delivered physical activity and dietary intervention: A federal credit union pilot study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a distance-based e-health program delivered across multiple rural Federal Credit Union worksites that focused on physical activity and dietary education. Program design and implementation were based on the premises of Social Impact Theory (SIT). METHODS: A sample of fifty-four participants (47 white. 7 black) aged 24 to 58 across different worksite locations completed 10 weeks of e-health delivered physical activity and dietary intervention. Pre to post weight changes were examined as a primary outcome. RESULTS: The findings showed that regardless of worksite location, participants on average reduced their weight by 10.13 lbs if they completed both the exercise and lunch and learn components of the study compared to a decrease of 2.73 lbs for participants who chose not to engage in the exercise related activities. Participant dropout from either group was less than four percent. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show the beneficial influence of physical activity integration using SIT upon distance programs targeting weight loss. In addition, the high adherence and weight loss success show promise and demonstrates the potential for e-health delivered exercise and lifestyle interventions. Further replication of results via additional randomized controlled trials is needed.
Computations for solid rocket moter tail flow under water

The coupling numerical value for SRM tail flow under water was calculated by means of 2D compressible gas-phase flow model and incompressible liquid-phase flow model.Heat conductivity of high temperature gas and water,vapor phenomenon of high temperature water were introduced to simulate distribution rule of pressure,temperature along axial and radial direction.The influence of parameters change on nozzle performance was studied.The obtained distribution rule of pressure and temperature provides good basis for design of underwater SRM.
Pattern of Failure After Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy for Clinically and Pathologically Localized Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate: Influence of Tumor Deoxyribonucleic Acid Ploidy

AbstractFrom 1966 to 1980, 315 patients underwent bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy without adjuvant treatment for clinically and pathologically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Followup was 5 to 21 years, with a median of 8 years. The disease was pathological stage A in 24 patients (8%) and pathological stage B in 291 (92%). A total of 45 patients (14.2%) experienced progression. Over-all, 28 patients (8.9%) suffered local recurrence at a mean of 6.6 years postoperatively (median 5.5 years). Local recurrence was noted as late as 15 years postoperatively. Over-all, systemic progression was observed in 25 patients (8%) after a mean of 4.7 years (median 6 years). Eight patients (2.5%) experienced local and systemic failure. The projected local and systemic failure rates at 15 years were 22% and 15%, respectively. Disease-specific survival at 15 years was 93%, since only 11 patients (3.4%) died of prostate cancer. In an age-matched case control analysis, after all...
The Use of Continuous Epidural Morphine Infusions in Small Children: A Report of Two Cases

The use of continuous epidural morphine infusions for postoperative analgesia in small children has not previously been described. The authors present experience with two such cases.