cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Indications for operative intervention in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism: practice patterns of endocrine surgery.

Background Currently, many patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are diagnosed when they are considered to be "asymptomatic." The need for parathyroidectomy in these patients has been questioned. A consensus statement drafted after the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2002 Workshop on Asymptomatic PHPT provided guidelines for management of such patients but has been criticized for being too conservative. The purpose of this survey was to determine the impact of these guidelines on practice patterns of endocrine surgeons. Methods Members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) were surveyed to determine whether previously published consensus guidelines for management of asymptomatic patients with PHPT are used to base the decision of whether to offer parathyroidectomy and to ascertain what parameters are considered indicators to proceed with operative intervention. AAES members were asked about the management of patients with asymptomatic PHPT, specialty characteristics, and demographics. Results Of 257 AAES members, 96 (37%) responded to the survey. Although the majority of the respondents were aware of and followed the NIH consensus conference guidelines, the majority of surgeons (80%) would operate on a patient with PHPT who did not meet these criteria but had other nonspecific symptoms. Surgeons favored operative intervention when preoperative localization studies were positive, even if the criteria of the NIH guidelines were not fulfilled. Most of the responders who would operate on all patients with PHPT, regardless of objective parameters, were surgeons with a high-volume practice (>30 parathyroidectomies per year). The presence of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes did not alter the decision to operate on asymptomatic patients. Conclusions Endocrine surgeons do not base the decision to intervene operatively in patients with PHPT solely on objective criteria. Most high-volume, experienced endocrine surgeons believe that subjective complaints warrant operative intervention.
Brain acetyl-CoA carboxylase: isozymic identification and studies of its regulation during development and altered nutrition.

Abstract Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid synthesis, exists as an oligodendrocyte-associated enzyme in brain and plays an important role in supplying fatty acid for myelination. Rat brain acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) has been identified as a single isozyme of Mr = 265,000 daltons, indistinguishable immunologically from the isozyme in rat adipose tissue and liver. Total activity of brain ACC declines from birth to 4 weeks of age in the newborn rat. This change in activity can entirely be accounted for by changes in enzyme content, not enzyme specific activity, and is paralleled by decreases in ACC mRNA. In contrast, cardiac, skeletal muscle and liver ACC does not change in content over this developmental period. Unlike ACC in liver and adipose tissue, the enzyme content and specific activity of brain ACC is invariant during various states of nutrition. These data indicate that that brain ACC is subject to unique regulation, as compared to non-neural enzyme. The mechanisms underlying the control of neural ACC activity may be important to understanding the process of myelination during development and to a more general understanding of the factors regulating ACC expression/activity in other tissues.
Local Institutions and the Dynamics of Community Sorting

This paper studies the dynamics by which populations with heterogeneous preferences for public good provision sort themselves into communities. I conduct laboratory experiments to consider which institutions best facilitate efficient self-organization when residents can move freely between locations. I find that institutions requiring all residents of a community to pay equal taxes enable subjects to sort into stable, homogeneous communities. Though sorted, residents often fail to attain the provision level best suited for them. When residents can vote for local tax policies with ballots, along with their feet, each community converges to the most efficient outcome for its population. (JEL C73, D72, H21, H41, H71, H73)
Hepatic amino acid metabolism during hyperinsulinemia and hyperaminoacidemia in conscious rabbit during late pregnancy.

Abstract To test whether pregnancy has any effect on amino acid metabolism, we examined in two experimental conditions (1) the effect of hyperinsulinemia on the blood concentration and net hepatic balance of amino acids, and (2) the effect of hyperaminoacidemia on the hepatic handling of amino acids. Experiments were performed in conscious virgin and pregnant rabbits after an 18-hour fast. In the first protocol (hyperinsulinemia), an increment in the plasma insulin level (∼45 and 20 μU/mL in the portal vein and artery, respectively) with euglycemia maintained causes a similar decrease (∼27% to 34%) in blood amino acid concentrations without any changes in the net hepatic uptake of amino acids in both groups of animals. The hepatic uptake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) was practically negligible, whereas there was a consistent uptake of gluconeogenic amino acids in pregnant and nonpregnant rabbits. In the second protocol, hyperaminoacidemia leads to a significantly lower increase in the net hepatic uptake of glycine and serine in pregnant rabbits as compared with nonpregnant rabbits. The same trend was observed for the uptake of individual BCAA, but it did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that in pregnant rabbits (1) insulin does not modify the hepatic uptake of amino acids, and its ability to suppress the release of amino acids from peripheral tissues does not seem to be affected when compared with that in nonpregnant animals, and (2) when hyperaminoacidemia occurs, a greater amount of gluconeogenic amino acids (glycine and serine) would escape the liver, suggesting a higher availability of these circulating amino acids for the fetus.
Home bias and high turnover

Abstract This paper documents the available evidence on international portfolio investment in five OECD countries. We draw three conclusions from the data. First, there is strong evidence of a home bias in national investment portfolios despite the potential gains from international diversification. Second, the composition of the portfolio of foreign securities seems to reflect factors other than diversification of risk. Third, the high volume of cross-border capital flows and the high turnover rate on foreign equity investments relative to turnover on domestic equity markets suggests that variable transactions costs are an unlikely explanation for home bias.
The Goldilocks Effect: Human Infants Allocate Attention to Visual Sequences That Are Neither Too Simple Nor Too Complex

Human infants, like immature members of any species, must be highly selective in sampling information from their environment to learn efficiently. Failure to be selective would waste precious computational resources on material that is already known (too simple) or unknowable (too complex). In two experiments with 7- and 8-month-olds, we measure infants’ visual attention to sequences of events varying in complexity, as determined by an ideal learner model. Infants’ probability of looking away was greatest on stimulus items whose complexity (negative log probability) according to the model was either very low or very high. These results suggest a principle of infant attention that may have broad applicability: infants implicitly seek to maintain intermediate rates of information absorption and avoid wasting cognitive resources on overly simple or overly complex events.
Relativistic heavy ions at Brookhaven: High energy nuclear beams in the AGS and RHIC

The design and proposed experiments are presented for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven. The plans are to begin with relatively light ions (A approx. = 32amu) and to extend over the mass range to A = 200. With these relativistic beams one will be able to investigate thermodynamic conditions with near-zero baryon number which can be compared with quantum chromodynamics. 14 refs., 10 figs., 3 tabs. (WRF)
Impaired affective prosody in AD: relationship to aphasic deficits and emotional behaviors.

Objective: To assess the ability of patients with AD to produce, repeat, and comprehend affective prosody in relationship to severity of dementia, aphasic deficits, and changes in emotional behaviors. Methods: An Aprosodia Battery was used to assess affective-prosodic performance and to identify patterns of deficits in affective communication. In addition, the presence and severity of aberrant behaviors, depression, and aphasia were assessed using standardized assessment tools. Results: Patients with AD had significant impairments in their ability to repeat, comprehend, and discriminate affective aspects of speech, but maintained normal spontaneous affective-prosodic performances. As dementia severity increased, performance on the comprehension tasks and, to a lesser degree, on the repetition tasks became more impaired; spontaneous affective prosody remained normal. In the current study, affective-prosodic comprehension impairments were present in patients with all stages of AD; comparable aphasic deficits were not observed until patients were severely demented. The majority of aphasic deficits involved anomia without loss of comprehension. Patients with AD with sensory aprosodia had increased frequency and severity of behavioral changes whereas patients with AD with normal affective-prosodic performance were significantly less demented, had normal linguistic ability, and displayed fewer aberrant psychiatric behaviors. Conclusion: Patients with mild AD are at considerable risk for affective-prosodic comprehension deficits. As patients become more demented and develop sensory aprosodia, they are at greater risk for disturbances in behavior and mood.
Predation of Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter on eggs of the green leafhopper and brown planthopper in rice

The functional response ofCyrtorhinus lividipennis feeding on brown planthopper (BPH) and green leafhopper (GLH) eggs was found to be Holling’s Type II. The Random Predator Equation fitted the data satisfactorily. Using Manly’s preference index, α, both the male and femaleC. lividipennis were found to prefer BPH eggs. There was, however, no evidence of switching and the ratio of the respective searching efficiencies could account for the preference.
Stripped corn oil controls scald and maintains volatile production potential in golden supreme and delicious apples.

Effects of stripped (α-tocopherol < 5 mg L-1) corn oil on flesh firmness, skin color, acidity, soluble solids content (SSC), scald, and fruit volatiles during 6 months at 0 °C were studied using Go...
The unbearable lightness of the economics-made-fun genre

Several commentators have argued that the economics-made-fun (‘EMF’) genre contains very little actual economics. As such, it would seem that criticisms of EMF do not apply to economics more broadly. In this paper I take a contrary view, arguing that, in fact, at a deep conceptual level, the engine of EMF analyses is precisely the engine of mainstream economics. Specifically, I argue that both EMF and mainstream economics rest on a conceptual foundation known as the principle of the substitution of similars (‘PSS’). Understanding how PSS leads EMF practitioners to make claims well beyond what is warranted by their analysis also offers insight into how PSS can put economists in danger of overestimating the power and scope of their analyses. I explore the consequences of such problems through examples of economic analysis of the US housing market in the lead-up to the recent financial crisis.
Non-wandering sets of the powers of maps of the interval

We show that, for maps of the interval, the non-wandering set of the map coincides with the non-wandering set of each of its odd powers, while the nonwandering set of any of its even powers can be strictly smaller.
Epitaxial Al and Cu films grown on CaF2/Si(111)

The ability to grow single-crystalline Al and Cu films is of significance for several areas of materials research, such as the resistivity size effect in thin metal films, electromigration failure of interconnects, and magneto-resistance studies. Here, we explore the microstructure and resistivity of thin Al and Cu films grown on CaF2/Si(111). A three-step technique of CaF2 growth is described that permits deposition under imperfect vacuum conditions and promotes smoothness of subsequent thin metal films. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction shows that epitaxial Al(111) is obtained directly on CaF2, while epitaxial Cu(111) is obtained only by growing on a 1 nm thick Al seed layer pre-deposited on CaF2. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that 75 nm thick Al films have 150 nm wide sub-grains misoriented by less than 1 degree. For 75 nm thick Cu, the grains are only 30 nm wide and are misoriented by as much as 10 degrees. Room temperature resistivity measurements of the 10-300 nm thick Al films agree with the Fuchs-Sondheimer model in which conduction electrons scatter totally diffusely at the film interfaces. For 50-1000 nm thick Cu films, the resistivity size effect is substantially greater than the prediction of this model, which may be explained in terms of grain boundary scattering.
Bulk YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/-Ag superconductor via synthesized precursor containing BaCuO/sub 2.5/

An intermediate precursor containing 0.5Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/+2BaCuO/sub 2.5/+CuO+0.325 Ag is synthesized. By attrition milling of metals and barium nitrate and subsequent controlled heat treatment the precursor was obtained. To prepare orthorhombic YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/-0.325 Ag superconductor, the silver tubes packed with the precursor was heat treated for 40 min at 950 degrees C in air and subsequently either quenched or cooled slowly in air at 100 degrees C/h. If the sample was heat treated for 30 min or less at 950 degrees C in air and quenched, tetragonal YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub z/ formed. >
Notochordal conditioned media from tissue increases proteoglycan accumulation and promotes a healthy nucleus pulposus phenotype in human mesenchymal stem cells

Notochordal cells (NCs) are influential in development of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and species that retain NCs do not degenerate. IVD repair using bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is an attractive approach and the harsh microenvironment of the IVD suggests pre-differentiation is a necessary first step. The goal of this study was to use soluble factors from NCs in alginate and NCs in their native tissue to differentiate human MSCs to a young nucleus pulposus (NP) phenotype. Human MSCs (cultured under micromass conditions for 21 days in hypoxia) were differentiated with conditioned medium derived from porcine notochordal cells in native tissue (NCT) or in alginate beads (NCA), and compared with chondrogenic (TGFβ-3) or basal medium. A PCR array of 42 genes was utilized to screen a large number of genes known to be associated with the healthy NP phenotype and pellet cultures were also evaluated for glycosaminoglycan content, histology and viability. Proteomic analysis was used to assess candidate soluble factors in NCA and NCT. Notochordal cell conditioned media had diverse effects on MSC phenotype. NCT resulted in the highest levels of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), as well as up-regulation of SOX9 and Collagen II gene expression. NCA demonstrated effects that were catabolic yet also anti-fibrotic and minimally hypertrophic with down-regulation of Collagens I and III and low levels of Collagen X, respectively. Micromass culture and hypoxic conditions were sufficient to promote chondrogenesis demonstrating that both basal and chondrogenic media produced similar phenotypes. Candidate matricellular proteins, clusterin and tenascin were identified by proteomics in the NCA group. NCs secreted important soluble factors capable of differentiating MSCs to a NP phenotype synthesizing high levels of proteoglycan while also resisting collagen fiber expression and hypertrophy, yet results were sensitive to the conditions in which media was generated (cells in alginate versus cells in their native tissue) so that further mechanistic studies optimizing culture conditions and defining important NC secreted factors are required. Matricellular proteins, such as clusterin and tenascin, are likely to be important to optimize differentiation of MSCs for maximum GAG production and reduced collagen fiber expression.
Quantification of varying adhesion levels in chondrocytes using the cytodetacher.

The potential to promote cell adhesion must be evaluated in the development of tissue-engineered implants and scaffolds. One measure of cell adherence is the force necessary to detach the cell. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytodetacher (Athanasiou, K. A., [et al.] Development of the cytodetachment technique to quantify cellular adhesiveness. Biomaterials 20: 2405–2415, 1999), modified to test cells grown on substrata, as a means of calculating cell adhesion forces. Live and formalin-fixed bovine and rabbit chondrocytes underwent cytodetachment to verify that the cytodetacher provides satisfactory resolution to differentiate between live and fixed cells. Fixed cells had significantly greater mechanical adhesiveness than those prepared live: the values for the fixed rabbit and bovine chondrocytes were 1.01 and 1.56 μN, respectively, versus 0.14 and 0.17 μN for the live cells (p < 0.05). The sensitivity of the cytodetacher was also gauged by detaching live rabbit chondrocytes seeded for varying amounts of time (40, 80, and 120 min). For the 40, 80, and 120 min time points the maximum detachment forces were found to be significantly different: 2.87 X 10-2},6.75 X 10-2, and 14.30 X 10-2}μN respectively. This study validates the use of the modified cytodetacher as an effective means of evaluating the strength of adhesion of cells attached to a substratum. © 2002 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2002: 8780Rb, 8780Fe, 8718La
The Responsibility Paradox: Multinational Firms and Global Corporate Social Responsibility

This paper examines the impact of multinational firms’ increasingly blurred geographical and institutional boundaries on the nature and definition of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It begins with a brief history of CSR, describes changes in the global corporation and the pressures impinging on it over the past 25 years, and analyzes the resulting mismatch between the contemporary corporation and traditional concepts of CSR. It then dissects some of the issues raised by this new concept of CSR, and speculates on future trajectories for CSR in multinational corporations as globalization continues to exert pressure for convergence of national standards into a more universal definition of Global CSR.
Surveillance and tracking of ballistic missile launches

This paper begins with an overview of system requirements and design issues that must be considered in the design of algorithms and software for the surveillance and tracking of ballistic missile launches. Detection and tracking algorithms and approaches are then described for the processing of data from a single satellite and from multiple satellites. We cover track formation, missile detection, track extension, and global arbitration, and indicate how these functions fit together coherently. We include both profile-dependent and profile- free aspects of detection, tracking, and estimation of tactical parameters. In some instances, particularly in the area of track monitoring and in a discussion of how we accommodate intersatellite bias errors in line-of-sight measurements, we describe original work that has not been previously reported in the technical literature.
4D Cities: Analyzing, Visualizing, and Interacting with Historical Urban Photo Collections

Vast collections of historical photographs are being digitally archived and placed online, providing an objective record of the last two centuries that remains largely untapped. In this work, we propose that time-varying 3D models can pull together and index large collections of images while also serving as a tool of historical discovery, revealing new information about the locations, dates, and contents of historical images. In particular, we use computer vision techniques to tie together large sets of historical photographs of a given city into a consistent 4D model of the city: a 3D model with time as an additional dimension.
The book as user interface: lowering the entry cost to email for elders

Substantial stumbling blocks confront computer-illiterate elders. We introduce a novel user interface technology to lower these start up costs: the book as user interface, or BUI. Book pages contain both step-by-step instructions and tangible controls, turning a complex interaction into a walk-up-and-use scenario. The system expands support past the technical artifact to a go-to relationship. ElderMail users designate an internet-savvy trusted friend or relative to help with complex tasks. In this paper, we conduct a preliminary evaluation of a BUI-based email system, and report our findings. While research has augmented paper artifacts to provide alternate access into the digital world, we find that elders use the BUI as a way to circumvent the digital world.
A Statistical Test for Grammar

We propose a statistical test for measuring grammatical productivity. We show that very young children's knowledge is consistent with a systematic grammar that independently combines linguistic units. To a testable extent, the usage-based approach to language and language learning, which emphasizes the role of lexically specific memorization, is inconsistent with the child language data. We also discuss the connection of this research with developments in computational and theoretical linguistics.
Enhanced activation of phospholipase C and insulin secretion from islets incubated in fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin

Incubation in 100 micromol/L fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin (FAF-BSA) significantly amplifies insulin secretion from isolated, perifused rat islets. When compared with the responses of control islets incubated in 100 micromol/L radioimmunoassay-grade BSA, insulin secretion rates were increased 2- to 3-fold when these islets were stimulated with 10 mmol/L glucose alone or with the combination of 10 mmol/L glucose, 15 mmol/L KCl, and 100 micromol/L diazoxide. These amplified secretory responses were paralleled by significant increases in the phospholipase C (PLC) activation monitored by fractional increases in (3)H-inositol efflux from these same islets. Amplified PLC responses were also observed with the cholinergic agonist carbachol (50 micromol/L). No differences in the secretory responses to the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (200 nmol/L) could be detected between control and FAF-BSA-pretreated rat islets. Mouse islets were also immune to the amplifying impact of this treatment protocol. These findings demonstrate that short-term incubation in FAF-BSA significantly augments the activation of PLC in rat islets by a number of agonists. This proximal event provides the impetus for the distal activation of protein kinase C. If applicable to human islets, this manipulation may provide a mechanism to enhance the secretory responses from islets destined for transplantation, thus improving their in vivo secretory capacity.
The Dynamic Assembly of Covalent Organic Polygons: Finding the Optimal Balance of Solubility, Functionality, and Stability

Six variably functionalized phenanthrene-based bis(catechol) derivatives have been synthesized and their ability to undergo dynamic covalent assembly with 1,4-benzenediboronic acid (BDBA) to give discrete, shape-persistent [2+2] assemblies has been investigated. Systematically varying the functionality of the bis(catechol) derivatives is found to influence both the reaction conditions necessary to promote their self-assembly with BDBA as well as the stability of the resulting assemblies in the presence of protic solvents. A model is proposed to describe how solvent choice and starting material functionality must be carefully balanced in order to shift many competing equilibria toward the formation of discrete, soluble covalent organic polygons. The results are expected to provide additional insight into optimizing the synthesis of other boronate ester polygons/polyhedra as well as related, “infinite” covalent organic frameworks (COFs).
Virus-based piezoelectric energy generation

A thin film of M13 bacteriophage generates piezoelectric energy that is used to power a liquid-crystal display.
Enhancement mode GaAs PHEMT LNA with linearity control (IP3) and phased matched mitigated bypass switch and differential active mixer

A new front end IC has been designed using a single supply enhancement mode GaAs PHEMT 0.5 /spl mu/m process for WCDMA and other wireless applications. This front end has a single ended LNA, single ended in and differential out active balanced mixer with integrated LO, active balun, and buffer amplifier. The LNA also has CMOS logic controllable linearity (IP3) control and a phased matched mitigated bypass switch. The LNA draws 8.5 mA current when switched to high linearity mode and has 15 dB gain, 1 dB NF, -6 dBm IP/sub 1dB/ and 7.3 dBm IIP3. In low linearity mode, it draws 3.5 mA current and has 14 dB gain, 1.1 dB NF, -6 dBm IP/sub 1dB/ and 2 dBm IIP3. In LNA bypass mode, the total bypass loss is 10 dB I/O return loss. The mixer, with active balun and buffer amplifier, consumes 8 mA current and has 12 dB gain, 7 dB noise figure, 0 dBm IIP3 and provides a differential IF out with a differential impedance of about 1000 ohms. The above performance is measured at 2.14 GHz for WCDMA applications.
Enhanced insulin secretion and improved glucose tolerance in mice with homozygous inactivation of the Na+K+2Cl− co-transporter 1

The intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl(-)](i)) in β-cells plays an important role in glucose-stimulated plasma membrane depolarisation and insulin secretion. [Cl(-)](i) is maintained above equilibrium in β-cells by the action of Cl(-) co-transporters of the solute carrier family 12 group A (Slc12a). β-Cells express Slc12a1 and Slc12a2, which are known as the bumetanide (BTD)-sensitive Na(+)-dependent K(+)2Cl(-) co-transporters 2 and 1 respectively. We show that mice lacking functional alleles of the Slc12a2 gene exhibit better fasting glycaemia, increased insulin secretion in response to glucose, and improved glucose tolerance when compared with wild-type (WT). This phenomenon correlated with increased sensitivity of β-cells to glucose in vitro and with increased β-cell mass. Further, administration of low doses of BTD to mice deficient in Slc12a2 worsened their glucose tolerance, and low concentrations of BTD directly inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from β-cells deficient in Slc12a2 but expressing intact Slc12a1 genes. Together, our results suggest for the first time that the Slc12a2 gene is not necessary for insulin secretion and that its absence increases β-cell secretory capacity. Further, impairment of insulin secretion with BTD in vivo and in vitro in islets lacking Slc12a2 genes unmasks a potential new role for Slc12a1 in β-cell physiology.
Person/Role Conflict: Holland's Model Extended to Role-Stress Research, Stress Management, and Career Development

Within the considerable volume of research on role-stress antecedents and consequences, the construct of person/role conflict has rarely been studied separately from other forms of role conflict (intersender, intrasender, role overload). An extension of Holland's person/environment congruence-model (from vocational psychology) to research on person/role conflict can help clarify this construct. I propose three types of research to develop better understanding of this type of employee stress: development of a scale to measure perceptions of person/role conflict separately from other types of role conflict; application of the Holland model as a conceptual base as well as an objective measure of one aspect of person/role conflict — namely, person/role incongruence; and empirical tests of the propositions suggested by the Holland model.
Rapid detection and classification of aerosol events based on changes in particle size distribution

ABSTRACT A methodology is presented that allows aerosol particle size data to be used to indicate when an abnormalaerosol event may be occurring. Such data can be collected from an array of commercially available particlecounter-sizers. The methodology employs two main elements: a detection element that recognizes when anaerosol concentration spike event is occurring; and a classification element that classifies aerosol events asnormal (e.g. dust kicked up by wind gust or generated by normal vehicular activity) or abnormal (e.g.mistakenly released non-indigenous aerosol material). The detection element is based on observation ofstatistically significant rises in the aerosol concentration level, during an appropriate time interval. Theclassification element uses a new three dimensional feature space that highlights relevant differences in theaerosol particle size distribution function. The classifier adapts to the local environment by learning theregion of the feature space that is occupied by normal aerosol events. Observations which then fallsignificantly outside this region are classified as abnormal. The methodology was developed using a set ofatmospheric aerosol data containing over 600,000 observed aerosol particle size distributions, under bothnormal conditions, and with intentionally introduced abnormal aerosol. An implementation of themethodology is described. Many abnormal aerosol events in the data set are demonstrated to bedistinguishable from normally occurring aerosol events.Keywords: aerosol detection, feature space, adaptive algorithm, information extraction
Sensitivity of aerosol and cloud effects on radiation to cloud types: comparison between deep convective clouds and warm stratiform clouds over one-day period

Abstract. Cloud and aerosol effects on radiation in two contrasting cloud types, a deep mesoscale convective system (MCS) and warm stratocumulus clouds, are simulated and compared. At the top of the atmosphere, 45–81% of shortwave cloud forcing (SCF) is offset by longwave cloud forcing (LCF) in the MCS, whereas warm stratiform clouds show the offset of less than ~20%. 28% of increased negative SCF is offset by increased LCF with increasing aerosols in the MCS at the top of the atmosphere. However, the stratiform clouds show the offset of just around 2–5%. Ice clouds as well as liquid clouds play an important role in the larger offset in the MCS. Lower cloud-top height and cloud depth, characterizing cloud types, lead to the smaller offset of SCF by LCF and the offset of increased negative SCF by increased LCF at high aerosol in stratocumulus clouds than in the MCS. Supplementary simulations show that this dependence of modulation of LCF on cloud depth and cloud-top height is also simulated among different types of convective clouds.
A behavior-based process for evaluating availability achievement risk using stochastic activity networks

With the increased focus on the availability of complex, multifunction systems, modeling processes and analysis tools are needed that help the availability systems engineer understand the impact of architectural and logistics design choices concerning system availability. Because many fielded systems are required to achieve a specified minimal availability over a short measurement period, a modeling methodology must also support computation of the distribution of operational availability for the specified measurement period. This paper describes a two-part behavior-based availability achievement risk methodology that starts with a description of the system's availability related behavior followed by a stochastic activity network-based simulation to obtain numeric estimate of expected availability and the distribution of availability over a selected time frame. The process shows how the system engineer freed to explore complex behavior not possible with combinatorial estimation methods in wide use today
Efficacy and safety of verapamil in patients with angina pectoris after 1 year of continuous, high-dose therapy

Abstract The long-term efficacy and safety of high-dose verapamil therapy (480 mg/day) was assessed in 26 patients with chronic stable angina pectoris during a 3-phase protocol: Phase 1—an initial, 6-week placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover assessment; Phase 2—an open label, 1-year follow-up; and Phase 3—a final drug withdrawal and rechallenge 10-week study. Three patients withdrew during Phase 2(1 had hepatitis and 2 underwent coronary bypass surgery). Adverse effects during Phase 2 were mild, consisting of constipation (6 patients) and prolongation of the P-R interval (5 patients); however, no patient required alteration of the 480 mg/day dosage. At the end of Phase 2, 10 patients underwent the Phase 3 study, commencing with a 2-week period in which verapamil was either tapered gradually or abruptly discontinued. This was followed by an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover rechallenge study with verapamil. The clinical and exercise responses to verapamil compared with placebo were similar during the Phase 3 protocol and the initial Phase 1 study (treadmill time increased by 55% and anginal attacks per week decreased by 63% during Phase 3, compared with a 28% increase and a 42% decrease, respectively, during Phase 1, p = not significant [NS]). Withdrawal of verapamil produced a similar return of anginal symptoms whether the drug was abruptly discontinued or its administration tapered. No patient had unstable angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction. These investigations demonstrate that verapamil is safe and effective when evaluated after 1 year of continuous therapy using a dosage of 480 mg/day. There is no evidence of drug tachyphylaxis, nor does verapamil appear to cause an abrupt withdrawal syndrome in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris.
TECHNOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF LOW‐FIRED TERRACOTTA STATUES FROM AYIA IRINI, KEA

The island of Kea (ancient Keos), one of the western Cyclades, lies off the coast of Attica opposite Makronisos and Lavrion. Its greatest natural asset is the enormous harbour at the northwest end, a protection for shipping that has afforded the island unique opportunities from very early times and was, no doubt, behind the choice of the little peninsula of Ayia Irini within the harbour as a site for settlement in the Early Bronze Age. Excavations began at Ayia Irini in 1960, continued in 1961, and from 1963 to 1968, with supplementary tests and soundings in the years 1969 to 1976. The work is under the direction of John L. Caskey* for the University of Cincinnati, under the aegis of the American School of Classical Studies. Results have surpassed expectations with the finding of a settlement that persisted from EB I1 well down to LH I11 times. Of great interest is the discovery of a sanctuary, built initially in the Middle Bronze Age, that continued as a place of worship at least into Hellenistic times. Among the finds from the building are large terracotta statues made of local clay. They represented dancing or standing female votaries; they stood in the sanctuary and may have been intended to show a perpetual liturgy in connection with the epiphany of a divinity. How many there were, we cannot say; their fragmentary condition precludes an accurate estimate of their original numbers, but it is safe to say that there were more than fifty-five. They range in size from 60 or 70 cm to a full life-size (Caskey 1982). Fragments of the statues were recovered from all over the temple, from depths of around 60cm below present sea-level up to very near the surface of today. They lay in the debris of the fallen building with pottery datable to LM IB/LH I1 and in accumulations of later times. Some fragments were built into walls and benches of later phases of the temple. But the place of finding is not the determining factor in the condition of the various pieces. The soil in which they lay was much the same throughout, and all were subject throughout the centuries of their burial to the inroads of the salty sea. With the exception of a few pieces, observable differences in quality and in the state of preservation seems attributable rather to initial firing than to anything else. The statues were made of very coarse clay. They were fired generally in an oxidising atmosphere, but the firing was not always consistent throughout. The making of such statues was no small achievement. Clearly a knowledge of the firing characteristics of coarse clays and the working of kilns necessary for a successful firing of large statues was well in hand at least by the opening years of the Late Bronze Age.
Architectural differences in saplings of temperate versus tropical angiosperms; consequences of the deciduous habit?

The architecture of saplings of temperate deciduous species of the southeastern United States was compared with that of tropical evergreen species of Central America, Borneo, and northeastern Austr...
A Simple and Sensitive “Dipstick” Test in Serum Based on Lateral Flow Separation of Aptamer-Linked Nanostructures

Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids that can be selected from a large random library to bind a number of molecules with high affinity and specificity. Therefore, they are considered to be the nucleic acid version of antibodies. Since its first discovery in the early 1990s, the use of aptamers for sensing and diagnostic applications has been extensively explored. Many detection methods developed for antibodies have been successfully adapted to aptamerbased detections. In many cases, aptamers show similar or even better performance when compared with antibodies in the laboratory. However, practical applications of aptamer-based sensing and diagnostics, such as home and
Incoherent MLE of Array Antennas with Inordinate Spacing Using Subband Hopping Approach

Given a certain transmission frequency, Shannon spatial sampling limit defines an upper bound for the antenna element spacing. Beyond this bound, the exceeded ambiguity avoids correct estimation of the signal parameters (i.e. array manifold crossing). In this selective survey, the problem of simultaneous signal and direction of arrival (DOA) estimation of broadband sources is addressed when the element spacing of a uniform array antenna (ULA) is inordinate. It is illustrated that one can resolve the aliasing ambiguity by utilizing the inherent frequency diversity of the broadband sources. A maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) approach has been developed to estimate the transmitted data signal and the DOA of each source. Through confirmatory simulation, it is shown that the performance gain of the proposed setup is potentially significant, in particular under very low SNR and small separation of the sources. This relaxes the stringent maximum element-spacing constraint of ULAs pertinent to the upper-bound frequency of transmission and suggests that the element spacing - which in practical applications result in detrimental element coupling - can be conveniently increased, in particular under wide transmission spectrum and low SNR (e.g. license free communication). A method similar to the frequency hopping approach (i.e. subband hopping), is utilized for the problem of source associations and identification.
A 5.4-mW 4-Gb/s 5-band QPSK transceiver for frequency-division multiplexing memory interface

This paper presents a novel self-equalized and skewless frequency-division multiplexing memory interface. To prove its feasibility, we have realized a 5-band QPSK transceiver in 40 nm CMOS to transmit up to 4 Gb/s through 10 orthogonal communication channels (each with 400 Mb/s) via on-chip TSV emulator with effective loading of 1 pF or 5-cm FR-4 PCB trace. With differential current-mode signaling, the transceiver consumes only 5.4 mW and takes only 80×100 μm2. A real-time flexible BER testing platform is established to prove that the BER of the transceiver is less than 10 12.
THE ETIOLOGY AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF INTRACTABLE PAIN ABOUT THE FOURTH METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOINT (MORTON'S TOE)

Morton's toe is a painful affliction of the foot which is often resistant to conservative treatment. It is caused by a tumor involving the most lateral branch of the medial plantar nerve. Careful palpation will usually reveal the tumor which lies high in the web between the third and fourth toes, and if symptoms justify it, excision of the tumor should be done.
Environmental Economics: An Integrated Approach — Chapter 14: Environmental Valuation: The Hedonic Method

This is chapter 14 of Environmental Economics: An Integrated Approach and continues a series of chapters describing how environmental economists attempt to value environmental improvements in a world of imperfect information. The present chapter describes the hedonic method of valuing environmental quality wherein implicit prices for environmental quality are derived from variations in wages and property values.
The Role of a Primary Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Proximal Tibia Fractures in Orthogeriatric Patients.

The total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the gold standard for patients with an advanced symptomatic gonarthrosis. However, there are very few publications dealing with the primary TKA for patients with a proximal tibia fracture. In our retrospective study we evaluated 30 patients treated with a TKA for a proximal tibia fracture in our institution between 01/2008 and 12/2014. We collected the following statistical data from each patient: age, classification of the fracture (AO-classification), type of prosthesis used, length of the operation and hospitalization, and complications during the follow-up. We used the Knee Society Score (KSS) and the WOMAC score to evaluate the function. The Knee Society Score showed an average “general knee score” (KSS1) of 81.1 points and an average “functional knee score” (KSS2) of 74.5 points. The average WOMAC score was 78.6 points. Immediate postoperative mobilization with the possibility of a full-weight bearing is of crucial importance for the geriatric patients to maintain the mobility they had prior to the operation and reduce medical complications. Because of these advantages, the primary TKA seems to be a promising alternative to the ORIF of a proximal tibia fracture in the orthogeriatric patient.
Power and Influence in Organizations: Weston Nurseries, Inc. Case Analysis

This paper seeks to highlight a case analysis on Weston Nurseries, Inc. (A) (Ward, 2004), using power, influence, ethics, and leadership theories in organizations, to analyze the situation, and the stakeholders' roles in the company. In doing so, this article provides a brief story line, or chronology of events at Weston Nurseries, Inc. (WNI); explains how WNI got themselves into the predicament they are in; applies leadership, power, influence, and ethics theories for WNI stakeholders to consider, to constructively move the company forward to stability.
Socio-economic Determinants of Consumption of Soybean Products in Nigeria: A Case Study of Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined level of consumption of soybean products in Nigeria. The study also found out socioeconomic factors influencing the level of consumption of soybean products in the study area. One hundred and ninety two households were sampled for the study using stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected from the respondents using structured interview schedule. The results of the study showed that marital status of the household heads significantly influenced the level of consumption of soybean products by the households since the F -- calculated value (3.467) exceeds F -- tabulated value (3.10) at 0.05 level. More widowed women consumed soybean products than any other single marital group. The results also showed that there is significant relationship between the household size and level of consumption of soybean products (r = 0.322 p = 0.01). In addition there is a negative and significant relationship between respondents formal educational attainments and their levels of consumption of soybean products (r = -0.282 p = 0.01). It is recommended that governmental and non-governmental organizations working on food security should provide better assistance to the widowed people. (authors)
Extreme ultra-violet burst, particle heating, and whistler wave emission in fast magnetic reconnection induced by kink-driven Rayleigh-Taylor instability

A spatially localized energetic extreme ultra-violet (EUV) burst is imaged at the presumed position of fast magnetic reconnection in a plasma jet produced by a coaxial helicity injection source; this EUV burst indicates strong localized electron heating. A circularly polarized high frequency magnetic field perturbation is simultaneously observed at some distance from the reconnection region indicating that the reconnection emits whistler waves and that Hall dynamics likely governs the reconnection. Spectroscopic measurement shows simultaneous fast ion heating. The electron heating is consistent with Ohmic dissipation, while the ion heating is consistent with ion trajectories becoming stochastic.
Mnemonic benefits of digit-list organization test of the developmental lag hypothesis of reading retardation

Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that poor readers lag behind good readers in their awareness of the mnemonic utility of digit-list organization and in their use of such organization to enhance serial recall. Groups of second-, third-, and fifth-grade good readers and third- and fifth-grade poor readers were employed. Digit lists were chunked, sequenced, or randomly organized. A paired-comparison procedure was used to determine children's awareness of the mnemonic utility of list organization before and after exposure to a series of digit-span estimation trials. Results indicated grade differences among good readers for recall and prediction accuracy measures; only one difference was observed between same-grade good and poor readers. For all children, recall and accuracy of prediction were greater with the organized lists than with the random lists. The developmental lag hypothesis was not supported.
Bonding of Refractory Metals by Plasma Activated Sintering

Plasma activated sintering (PAS) is a kind of hot pressing method. This sintering method is usually for powder sintering. But, it is very effective method for bonding of refractory metals to refractory metals such as tungsten, too. Purpose of this research is to make the ion gun parts (arc chamber) of ion implantation devices by bonding method. Usually, molybdenum is used for the parts. With increasingly high integration in IC memory, the problem of contamination of wafer due to molybdenum arose and therefore the parts made of tungsten are preferred by the industries. However, tungsten is too hard to be formed into the parts by conventional machining process.The bonded joints of tungsten in the different bonding conditions (temperature, pressure, without interlayer, with interlayer of tungsten or tantalum powder) were evaluated by an optical microscope, an ultrasonic imaging and four point bending test. As a result, bending strength of the joints with interlayer of tantalum powder, tungsten powder and without any interlayer was measured to be about 400, 200 and 100MPa, respectively.
Microfluidic device fabrication utilizing virtual masks and photochemical etching

We demonstrate using virtual masks to perform photochemical etching to facilitate microfluidic device fabrication. Applications of this cost-efficient alternative to conventional fabrication methods are expansive in many fields such as medical diagnostics.
Landau's inequality

Landau's inequality ∥y′∥2≦4∥y∥∥y″∥ is extended to ∥y′∥2≦K(a)∥y∥1−a ∥y″ ∣y∣a∥, K(a) = 4/(l−a), 0≦ a<1. The proof is elementary and new even in the case a = 0 considered by Landau.