cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antiatherogenic effects of calcium-channel blockers: Possible mechanisms of action

Calcium-channel blockers (Ca blockers), such as nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, flunarizine, and their respective derivatives, have been reported to suppress the formation of arterial lesions in animals fed atherogenic diets. The fact that structurally unrelated Ca blockers exert similar antiatherogenic effects may suggest that the drugs act by a calcium-channel-dependent mechanism. However, in cell culture experiments in which putative antiatherosclerotic effects were observed only in the presence of a very high drug concentration (greater than 10 microM), calcium-channel-independent mechanisms are likely. It does not appear that Ca blockers act predominantly by altering coronary risk factors such as arterial pressure or hypercholesterolemia. On the other hand, current evidence is accumulating that Ca blockers may act by suppressing chemotaxis and the proliferation of cells involved in lesion formation. Recent reports indicate that relatively low concentrations (less than 1 microM) of nifedipine may promote the release of cholesterol from fat-laden smooth cells and macrophages. Controlled clinical trials are needed to determine whether Ca blockers have utility in the prevention of the progression of atherosclerosis in humans.
Calcium and magnesium content of rodent photoreceptor cells as inferred from studies of retinal degeneration.

Abstract The content of calcium and magnesium was determined in control and degenerative retinas of mice and rats. The level of both cations was reduced in these disorders during the period of photoreceptor cell degeneration. The number of cells lost from these retina was estimated from DNA measurements, and the divalent cation content of an average photoreceptor cell was computed. From these data and the literature, it is suggested that an average photoreceptor cell of a mouse or rat retina contains 2–3 fmol of calcium, 3–4 fmol of magnesium and about 0·1 fmol of rhodopsin.
Temporal dynamics of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) and two species of flea beetles (Aphthona spp.) used as biological control agents

Abstract The goal of this study was to evaluate the biological control program of leafy spurge ( Euphorbia esula ) in a large natural area, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, western North Dakota, USA. Aphthona lacertosa and Aphthona nigriscutis have been released at more than 1800 points in the 18,600-ha South Unit of the park beginning in 1989; most releases have occurred since 1994. We established permanent vegetation plots throughout the infested area of the park and determined stem counts and biomass of leafy spurge and abundance of the two flea beetle species at these plots each year from 1999 to 2001. Both biomass and stem counts declined over the 3 years of the study. Both species of flea beetle are well established within the park and have expanded into areas where they were not released. A. nigriscutis was more abundant than A. lacertosa in the grassland areas we surveyed, but in all other habitats abundances were similar. Using structural equation models, only A. lacertosa could be shown to have a significant effect on counts of mature stems of leafy spurge. A. nigriscutis numbers were positively correlated with stem counts of mature stems. Previous year’s stem counts had the greatest influence on change in stem counts over each 2-year time step examined with structural equation models.
Programming in the MPL-RM programming language

The same relational model of data that provides the theoretical foundation for relational database technology also provides a simple basis for the integration of a number of programming paradigms in a unified multiparadigm programming language. MPL-RM is a multiparadigm programming language based on the relational model of data that supports the procedural, object-oriented, functional, relational, logic, and constraint programming paradigms by synthesizing established and state-of-the-art directions within these paradigms. The realization of these constituent paradigms is illustrated via several examples of programming in MPL-RM.
Seeded germanium nanowire synthesis in solution

Germanium nanowires were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of diphenylgermane (DPG) in the presence of gold nanocrystals in various high boiling solvents, including squalane, squalene, octacosane, dotriacontane, and trioctylamine (TOA). The DPG decomposition chemistry was studied in these solvents. In all of the solvents except dotriacontane, DPG decomposition leads to only amorphous Ge particles unless Au nanocrystals are added to induce solution-liquid-solid (SLS) nanowire growth. In dotriacontane, crystalline nanowires were observed to form spontaneously without the addition of Au. DPG decomposes to Ge by disproportionation and in squalane and squalene the Au nanocrystals significantly increase the DPG decomposition rate. In dotriacontane, DPG decomposition was relatively fast in the absence of Au nanocrystals with the formation of crystalline nanowires, but chemical analysis of the solvent and the tips of the nanowires revealed the presence of copper and alkali and alkaline impurities that are responsible for the apparently unseeded nanowire growth.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the structure of gelation/percolation clusters and random tethered membranes

We study the equilibrium structure of isolated (diluted) three dimensional percolation clusters and site-diluted tethered membranes using a molecular dynamics simulation. We find that the percolation clusters swell upon dilution and the fractal dimension changes from 2.5 to about 2, in agreement with recent Flory-type theories and neutron scattering experiments on gelation clusters. The equilibrium configuration of the site-diluted membranes is found to be rough on small length scales but flat asymptotically. We measure the ratio Φ=λ 3 /λ 3 0 where λ 3 is the largest eigenvalue of the interia matrix at equilibrium and λ 3 0 is its value when the membrane is perfectly flat. We find that Φ decreases linearly with decreasing p, the fraction of sites present in the membrane. The membranes are shown to have anisotropic scattering functions. Only when p→p c + , where p c is the percolation threshold, do the membranes become isotropic, indicating that random site-dilution is not sufficient to produce a crumpling of two-dimensional membranes
Reaction of Wool with Zinc Acetate in Dimethylformamide

Wool gains up to 16% in weight when treated with zinc acetate in hot dimethylformamide and extracted with 2-butanone and ethanol. On the basis of concentration and temperature studies we believe there is internal chemical modification of the wool. Relative uptakes for wool and wool pretreated with succinic anhydride suggest that zinc acetate can react with both amino and carboxyl groups, whereas zinc chloride can react with amino groups only. Treated samples are soft, flexible, and slightly yellowed. The fabric is moderately resistant to attack by carpet beetle larvae.
Temporal Artery Pseudoaneurysm With Temporal Arteritis

We report a case of a temporal artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, hepatitis C infection, cocaine dependence, neurosyphilis, and remote head trauma. The diagnosis was made on gray scale and color Doppler sonography, and subsequent resection was performed. Histologic analysis showed temporal arteritis with no giant cells. Although most reported cases of temporal artery pseudoaneurysms are attributed to prior trauma, we discuss additional potential etiologies for temporal artery pseudoaneurysm in the setting of temporal arteritis.
Kansas from Space: A Century of Viewing the Earth from Above

The Earth has been viewed and photographed from above for more than a century utilizing a variety of platforms such as kites, balloons, airplanes, and now robotic and manned spacecraft. Imagery has been captured both by film and digital cameras from heights of a few hundred feet to hundreds of miles. This imagery has been used to construct topographic maps, identify man-made objects, and map surface features on Earth including the geology. Photographs taken at different altitudes have different resolution, aerial coverage, and levels of detail, and thus serve a number of different purposes. The quality and utility of Earth imagery has continuously improved during the last 100 years, including the photo-documentation of features in Kansas. Of special interest is the development of space-based photo-documentation including an extensive database of some 800,000 photographs maintained by NASA that have been taken by the astronauts since the beginning of human spaceflight. There are many high-quality photograp...
Pseudotorsional OCCO backbone angle as a single descriptor of protein secondary structure

Protein secondary structure is conventionally identified using characteristic ranges of two backbone torsional angles phi and psi. We suggest that the secondary structure can be adequately characterized by a single descriptor, the Oi-1Ci-1CiOi (where i is the residue number) pseudotorsional backbone angle. A set of 102 structurally distinct protein chains from the Protein Data Bank was used to evaluate the adequacy of this descriptor. We find that a specific range of OCCO angles corresponds to each major secondary structure. The complete range of OCCO angles (-180 degrees to 179 degrees) was broken into 18 consecutive subranges of 20 degrees each, and each subrange was assigned a letter. Thus, the OCCO profiles for each protein in the database were "translated" into a sequence of letters. The Needleman-Wunsch primary sequence alignment algorithm was then used for secondary/tertiary structure comparison and alignment. Preliminary results indicate that this new approach has a significant potential for rapid identification of fold families in the Protein Data Bank.
The effect of maternal rate reduction on the stuttering, speech rates and linguistic productions of children who stutter : evidence from individual dyads

The clinical literature in childhood stuttering contains numerous suggestions for parents to use both a reduced speech rate and longer turn-switching pauses when talking with their children who stutter. To date, empirical support for these recommendations has been sparse. In addition, the few studies which have examined the effects of maternal speech rate reduction on the speech and language of stuttering and non-stuttering children have yielded inconsistent results. These equivocal findings are most likely related to the differences among investigations, in both subject characteristics and study design. In this paper we present the results from a preliminary study of maternal speech rate reduction, using young children who stutter and their mothers. Our purpose was to reveal individual patterns of response to a slowed maternal speech rate, through observation of specific speech and language behaviours and behaviour changes in separate dyads. Findings suggest that the relationship between children's stutt...
Mapping of the Genes for Pea Comb, Blue Egg, Barring, Silver, and Blood Groups A, E, H, and P in the Domestic Fowl

Abstract Five chromosomal rearrangements involving chromosome 1 were utilized to test linkage relationships of the blue egg – pea comb – naked neck (O-P-Na) linkage group. An F1 stock was created by crossing rearrangement carriers with individuals carrying the traits being studied. The F1 was then backcrossed to recessive, normal chromosome tester stocks. Chromosomal and phenotypic descriptions were made for each of the segregating progeny. Significant linkage relationships were shown for blue egg and pea comb on the proximal one third of the short (p) arm of chromosome 1. No linkage was found for naked neck. Barring and silver were tested against the two arms of the Z (sex) chromosome, and the linkage values suggest that these loci are on opposite arms. Blood group loci linkages between Ea-H and W+, Ea-P and Na, and Ea-A and Ea-E were confirmed. However, no linkage was observed between these loci and the marker rearrangements on the p arm of chromosome 1.
Accounting for Consciousness: Epistemic and Operational Issues

Within the philosophy of mind, consciousness is currently understood as the expression of one or other cognitive modality, either intentionality (representation per se), transparency (immediacy of cognitive content consequent upon the unawareness of underlying representational processes), subjectivity (first-person perspective) or reflexivity (autonoetic awareness). However, neither intentionality, subjectivity nor transparency adequately distinguishes conscious from nonconscious cognition. Consequently, the only genuine index or defining characteristic of consciousness is reflexivity, the capacity for autonoetic or self-referring, self-monitoring awareness. But the identification of reflexivity as the principal index of consciousness raises a major challenge in relation to the cognitive mechanism responsible for operationalizing such a reflexive state. Current reliance by higher-order and intrinsic self-representational theories on self-representing data structures to achieve reflexive self-awareness is highly problematic, suggesting a solution in terms of a self-referential processing regime.
RF amplitude modulated fiber optic acoustic sensing

A novel acoustic sensor based on combined techniques of optical fiber microbending and radio frequency (RF) modulation techniques is described. The experimental measurements were conducted with the aid of an optical network analyzer developed from an RF network analyzer coupled to a laser/detector system. The device under test consists of the laser, fiber sensor, photodetector, and external acoustic source. The sensor can, in addition, form a closed optical loop coupled to the optical path between the laser and detector. This results in a resonant condition in the loop corresponding to a Fabry-Perot cavity at an RF resonance. The principal source of signal modulation for the sensor is obtained from microbending amplitude modulation, whereas phase modulation is absent. >
Association of Virulence of Neisseria meningitidis with Transparent Colony Type and Low-Molecular-Weight Outer Membrane Proteins

To assess the factors that might be associated with the virulence of Neisseria meningitidis, isolates from the blood or cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningococcal disease and meningococcal isolates from the nasopharynx of asymptomatic carriers were compared with regard to opacity or transparency of colonies. Neisseria meningitidis isolated from patients with meningitis and septicemia grew in predominantly transparent colonies, whereas meningococci isolated from asymptomatic carriers generally formed opaque or a mixture of opaque and transparent colonies. Piliated meningococci from opaque colonies attached to human mucosal cells in significantly greater numbers than did piliated meningococci from transparent colonies of the same isolate. Meningococci from transparent colonies were more resistant to killing by normal human serum than were meningococci from isogenic opaque colonies. Diseaseassociated isolates that formed transparent colonies contained one or more heatmodifiable outer membrane proteins of molecular weight 26,000-32,000 which were not found in some isogenic clones that formed opaque colonies. Transparency of meningococcal colonies may be an important marker for factors that mediate meningococcal virulence.
Clinical Significance of the Infection-Free Interval in the Management of Acute Bacterial Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis*

Rational and appropriate antibiotic use for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB) is a major concern, as approximately half of these patients do not have a bacterial infection. Typically, the result of antimicrobial therapy for patients with acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (ABECB) is not eradication of the pathogen but resolution of the acute symptoms. However, the length of time before the next bacterial exacerbation can be another important variable, as the frequency of exacerbations will affect the overall health of the patient and the rate of lung deterioration over time. Clinical trials comparing antimicrobial therapies commonly measure resolution of symptoms in AECB patients as the primary end point, regardless of whether the exacerbation is documented as bacterial in nature. Ideally, the scientific approach to assessing the efficacy of antibiotic therapy for ABECB should include a measurement of acute bacterial eradication rates in patients with documented bronchial bacterial infection followed by measurement of the infection-free interval (IFI), ie, the time to the next ABECB. The use of these variables can provide a standard for comparing various antimicrobial therapies. As we learn more about how antibiotics can affect the IFI, treatment decisions should be adapted to ensure optimal management of ABECB for the long-term.
Architecture-Driven Variation Analysis for Designing Cloud Applications

Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is one central technical foundation supporting the rapidly emerging Cloud Computing paradigm. To date, however, its application practice is not always successful. One major reason is the lack of a systematic engineering process and tool supported by reusable architectural artifacts. Toward this ultimate goal, this paper proposes a variation oriented analysis method of performing architectural building blocks (ABB)-based SOA solution design for enabling cloud application design. We present the modeling of solution-level architectural artifacts and their relationships, whose formalization enables event-based variation notification and propagation analysis. We report a prototype tool and describe how we extend the Unified Modeling Language (UML) mechanism to implement the system and enable solution-level variation analysis and enforcement in business cloud as an example.
Surgical treatment for unstable low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis in adults: a prospective controlled study of posterior instrumented fusion compared with combined anterior-posterior fusion

Abstract Background context The surgical treatment for low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis in adults with intractable lumbar pain is usually spinal fusion. It has been postulated that anterior column reconstruction may be relatively advantageous in those patients with unstable slips. Purpose To compare the early and medium term treatment efficacy of two common fusion techniques in isthmic spondylolisthesis. Study design/setting Prospective controlled trial comparing single-level posterior-lateral instrumented fusion with combined anterior and posterior-lateral instrumented fusion in sequential matched cohorts of patients with radiographically unstable isthmic spondylolisthesis. Outcome measures Primary outcome measure of success was an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)≤20. Secondary outcome measures included patient determined minimum-acceptable outcome on four questionnaires: pain intensity (visual analog scale), ODI, medication intake, and work status. Radiographic outcome of fusion was determined by radiographic union and motion on flexion/extension X-rays. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for primary outcome of success for combined fusion compared with posterior fusion. Methods The study was conducted over a 6-year period. The first cohort of 50 consecutive patients was treated with a single-level instrumented posterior-lateral fusion; the second sequential cohort was treated with an anterior interbody fusion and the same posterior operation. Observations were made at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Final radiographic assessment was made at 2 years after surgery. Results Baseline demographic and clinical factors were well-matched in the two cohorts. At 2 years, 46 posterior-only fusion subjects and 47 combined fusion subjects completed the full follow-up regimen. Outcomes were better by all measures at 6 months and 12 months in the anterior-posterior cohort. Comparing the primary outcome measure (ODI outcome≤20) in the posterior versus the combined groups, success was achieved at 6 months in 11 versus 30 (RR=2.67, 95% CI 1.53, 4.67; p=.0001); at 1 year, 20 versus 34 (RR=1.66, 95% CI 1.14, 2.42; p Conclusion Outcomes up to 2 years were superior by clinically important differences after a combined anterior-posterior operation compared with posterior-alone surgery for unstable spondylolisthesis; however, between-group differences attenuated appreciably after 6 months. The apparent clinical and occupational benefits of combined fusion should be considered along with possible increases in minor complications and procedure-related costs.
Real-time molecular methods to detect infectious viruses

Waterborne transmitted viruses pose a public health threat due to their stability in aquatic environment and the easy transmission with high morbidity rates at low infectious doses. Two major challenge of virus analysis include a lack of adequate information in infectivity and the inability to cultivate certain epidemiologically important viruses in vitro. The use of fluorescent probes in conjunction with fluorescence microscopy allows us to reveal dynamic interactions of the viruses with different cellular structures in living cells that are impossible to detect by immunological or PCR-based experiments. Real-time viral detection in vivo provides sufficient information regarding multiple steps in infection process at molecular level, which will be valuable for the prevention and control of viral infection.
Ventricular septa in the neonatal age group: diagnosis and considerations of etiology.

In this report, twenty-four patients with ventricular septa are discussed. Seventeen patients had neonatally acquired septa and seven exhibited septations at birth (congenital septa). Among the acquired septa, there were true intraventricular septa and septa which originated outside the ventricles but later become part of the ventricular system (pseudosepta). Pseudosepta originate in necrotic, cavitating periventricular white matter that, in temporal sequence, becomes ventricularized. Serial use of cranial ultrasonography provided important information regarding the pathological mechanisms which governed the development of septa. Intraventricular hemorrhage and infection are the major causes of true intraventricular septa while periventricular leukomalacia serves as primary cause of pseudosepta. Sonography is the diagnostic method of choice. Septa are associated with a high incidence (62%) of shunt failure. (AJNR 7:1065–1071, 1986)
Enabling ubiquitous patient monitoring: Model, decision protocols, opportunities and challenges

Healthcare costs in the US are approximately 15% of GNP and are anticipated to reach 17% of GNP in the near future. Management of chronic diseases via technology based ubiquitous patient monitoring services has been widely proposed as a viable option for economizing healthcare resources, and providing efficient, quality healthcare. The process of ubiquitous patient monitoring is information intensive, the information generated is not only fragmented but also spans multiple processes, artifacts, parameters, and decision criteria. The current study explores the complexities associated with the process of ubiquitous patient monitoring and the enabling technologies. The key contribution is a framework that captures the complex processes, the parameters involved, and the decision criteria for ubiquitous patient monitoring. The decision protocols and enabling technologies supporting the processes are detailed in the study along with the opportunities and challenges of ubiquitous patient monitoring. A conceptual model of ubiquitous patient monitoring is developed by leveraging the proposed framework and is validated by a usage scenario. Finally, the implications of future research and contributions of the current research are discussed.
Lattice-boltzmann water waves

A model for real-time generation of deep-water waves is suggested. It is based on a lattice-Boltzmann (LB) technique. Computation of wave dynamics and (ray-traced) rendering for a lattice of size 10242 can be carried out simultaneously on a single graphics card at 25 frames per second. In addition to the computational speed, the LB technique is seen to offer a simple and physically accurate method for handling both dispersion and wave reflection from obstructing objects.
Changing How Students Process and Comprehend Texts with Computer-based Self-Explanation Training

This study assessed whether and how self-explanation reading training, provided by iSTART (Interactive Strategy Training for Active Reading and Thinking), improves the effectiveness of comprehensio...
Encouraging Small Donor Contributions: A Field Experiment Testing the Effects of Nonpartisan Messages

We report the results of a field experiment conducted in New York City during the 2013 election cycle, examining the impact of nonpartisan messages on donations from small contributors. Using information from voter registration and campaign finance records, we built a forecasting model to identify voters with an above-average probability of donating. A random sample of these voters received one of four messages asking them to donate to a candidate of their choice. Half of these treatments reminded voters that New York City's campaign finance program matches small donations with public funds. Candidates’ financial disclosures to the city's Campaign Finance Board reveal that only the message mentioning policy (in generic terms) increased donations. Surprisingly, reminding voters that matching funds multiplied the value of their contribution had no effect. Our experiment sheds light on the motivations of donors and represents the first attempt to assess nonpartisan appeals to contribute.
Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ contributes to the inhibitory effects of curcumin on rat hepatic stellate cell growth

Hepatic fibrogenesis occurs as a wound-healing process after many forms of chronic liver injury. Hepatic fibrosis ultimately leads to cirrhosis if not treated effectively. During liver injury, quie...
Light localization in silicon nanophotonic waveguides

We report the first observation of Anderson light localization in compact silicon nanophotonic slow-light waveguides consisting of long sequences of coupled resonators fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) chip.
Dismantling mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurrent depression implicates lack of differential efficacy for mindfulness training

Risk of relapse among patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder is high (>50% of those recovering from a first episode of depression, and approximately 80% of those with a history of two or more episodes),1 and this risk increases with each successive depressive episode.2 Several clinical trials have demonstrated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) significantly reduces relapse risk among patients with three or more prior depressive episodes.3 Yet, MBCT contains multiple therapeutic elements, and the specific efficacy of the mindfulness training element in MBCT is unknown.
Statistical analysis of electric power production costs

Electricity cannot be conviently stored. Thus there should be sufficient production at all times to meet the demand for electric power. If a low-cost generating unit fails this will lead to its substitution by a higher cost unit. The cost of producing electric power is a random variable because it depends upon two uncertain quantities, demand and the availability of the generating units. Analytical computation of the mean and the variance of the production costs can become quite cumbersome and time consuming for large systems, and therefore Monte Carlo simulation becomes an attractive alternative. A simulation study based on time series analysis of actual load data is described in which the primary objective was to determine the respective contributions of the demand and the generator availabilities to the variability of the estimates of the production cost. A secondary objective was to find out the extent to which an accurate temperature forecast reduces this variability. The results show that demand is a significant source of variation, and an accurate temperature forecast mitigates the effect of load uncertainty in the forecast of production costs.
Environmental Factors Causing Local Variation Density and Biomass of the Snail Leptoxis carinata,in Fishpond Creek, Virginia

Abstract Snails in the family Pleuroceridae have strong effects on community structure and energy and nutrient pathways in many North American rivers and streams. Identifying factors determining densities and biomass of pleurocerids is, therefore, an important step toward predicting the relative importance of these snails in an ecosystem. We used plot sampling to identify environmental factors causing variation in demographic features of the pleurocerid snail Leptoxis carinata in a 3rd order stream in south central Virginia. Snails were collected from forty 0.22 m2 plots located within a 165 m segment of Fishpond Creek and L. carinata density, mean shell width, mean body mass and total biomass in each plot were measured. Measurements were also taken for several environmental variables. Multiple regression indicated that topographic complexity of substratum was the primary cause of variation in L. carinata density and total biomass among plots. Snail density and total biomass were both greater in topograph...
Prospective Teachers' Procedural and Conceptual Knowledge of Mean Absolute Deviation

The recommendation to study statistical variation has become prevalent in recent curriculum documents. At the same time, research on teachers' knowledge of variation is in its beginning stages. This study investigated prospective teachers' knowledge in regard to a specific measure of statistical variation that is new to many curriculum documents: the mean absolute deviation (MAD). Seventy-six prospective teachers participated in the study. Participants exhibited various procedural and conceptual characteristics in their thinking about the MAD. The majority were able to successfully select and carry out a procedure for computing the MAD. However, some had difficulty dealing with procedures for absolute deviations, and others confused the procedure for the MAD with the procedure for a different descriptive statistic. Conceptually, participants offered a variety of interpretations of the MAD, with some demonstrating deep understanding of the measure and others demonstrating shallower understanding or misconceptions. Those who demonstrated the strongest conceptual knowledge of the MAD also exhibited sound procedural understanding, suggesting that the two types of knowledge are intertwined in the process of fully understanding the measure. Statistical variation has become widely acknowledged as an important object of study for school curricula because of the role it plays in statistical thinking. Cobb and Moore (1997) argued that the discipline of statistics exists because of the "omnipresence of variability" as seen in situations such as variation among individuals and repeated measurements. Wild and
Make Issue Statements Work for You

The introductory statement of issues is the most important part of a written analysis of a legal problem, and often is the most difficult part to write. An issue statement tells the reader what the issues are. In advocacy writing, the issue statement invites the reader to view those issues in a favorable light. In an office memo, the issue statement may be useful in identifying material that may be relevant to future cases. While an issue statement should be phrased in generic terms, it should nonetheless include sufficient factual information to enable a reader who is knowledgeable in the law to form a general impression of how the issue ought to be resolved. Issue statements often begin by identifying the question of law, and then qualify that question by describing the critical factual circumstances.
Exchange Rate Volatility in Emerging Markets: The Chilean Case

The document conducts an empirical investigation on the volatility of the Chilean exchange rate regime, using a model of Objective Zones. Through the use of the ARCH model, the document tests the volatility of the exchange rate in the presence of different levels of international reserves and other macroeconomic shocks. The results show that domestic credit, domestic debt and external debt have the greatest impact on the volatility of the variables studied, especially when compared with other fundamental variables. The variance of the exchange rate is heterosedastic but it is not persistent, which implies that the exchange rate is stable, probably when it oscillates between two bands. The volatility of the exchange rate fluctuates to a greater extent in the face of changes in internal and external debt, than with the other variables used.
Prolonged production of ovarian progesterone in pseudopregnant hamsters bearing deciduomata.

SummaryDecidual tissue in pseudo-pregnant hamsters prolonged ovarian progesterone release by one full day. The terminal decline in circulating progesterone occurred abruptly overnight in experimental and control animals and was synchronous with termination of hyperemia. During the hours immediately preceding luteal regression the mean progesterone level was significantly higher in hamsters with decidual tissue.The author thanks Dr. Prentiss Schilling of the Experimental Statistics Department, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, for aid in the statistical analyses.
The Relationship Between Prior Functioning on Cognitive and Personality Dimensions and Subject Attrition in Longitudinal Research

This study compared the intellectual and personality functioning of continuing participants in a longitudinal study with individuals who were lost from the panel after at least 7 years of involvement. Based on their reason for discontinuation, participants who were lost to the panel were categorized into three attrition groups: deceased, ill, and voluntary dropouts. When the performance of these groups prior to leaving the study was compared with that of the continuing participants, no general differences were found. However, specific differences were revealed, particularly on crystallized-type intellectual abilities and the personality factors. Participants who were lost due to illness or death had functioned at the lowest levels of the four groups prior to attrition. These effects varied by age. In late middle age, ill participants functioned at the lowest levels, whereas in old age, participants who subsequently died scored lowest of the four groups prior to attrition. Individuals who had voluntarily discontinued participation in the study most closely resembled the continuing participants, particularly in late middle age. The results indicate that performance effects associated with continued participation vary by age, the intelligence or personality factor being considered, and the reason for loss of the participant. Furthermore, they suggest that loss of participants from a longitudinal panel does not inevitably bias the validity of developmental findings.
Submicron-Scale Flexible Ribbon Cable Seek-Settling Induced Vibration Reduction in High Capacity Disk Drives

This paper presents a modeling and design methodology to reduce and even to eliminate flexible ribbon cable seek-settling induced vibrations in modern high capacity computer disk drives. Optimization is first conducted in obtaining proper cable profiles when the rotary actuator swings across the disk using classical elastica theory with consideration of compliant boundary at its J-block conjunction point with rotary actuator and fixed boundary conditions at bracket. In addition to modal kinetic coupling factor, the cable’s vibration modes are projected onto actuator voice coil’s excitations to form as a weighted response factor to serve as the cost function in optimization process. It was found through the proposed process that the seek-settling flexible cable vibration can be minimized and even reduced to zero. Additional servo adaptive control format will be also discussed in this paper to totally eliminate the flexible ribbon vibrations in disk drive’s seek-settling operations.© 2007 ASME
Predictable Tuning of Absorption Properties in Modular Aromatic Donor–Acceptor Liquid Crystals

This paper demonstrates a combinatorial design strategy in the generation of columnar liquid crystalline materials with tailored properties based on the molar (1:1) combination of complementary electron-rich and electron-poor aromatic components. Through the iterative study of relationships of individual component structure to combined material properties, a series of aromatic donor–acceptor columnar liquid crystal materials was developed whose charge-transfer absorption completely spans the visible spectrum. The red-onset of absorption in these materials is shown to correlate closely with straightforward orbital energy level calculations (density functional theory) of individual component molecules. This holds equally true regardless of the component or range of absorption characteristics exhibited by the molecules of this study. Charge-transfer band extinction coefficients are substantial in these materials, ranging from 3800–15500 M–1; the magnitude of which is shown to correlate to component identity....
Reliability of Low Glass Transition Temperature COTS PEM’s for Space Applications

Microcircuit manufacturers of Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEM’s) have made changes in epoxy molding compound materials and chemistry, which lower Glass Transition Temperature (Tg). PEM users in harsh environments have concerns if either the part in its application, or in evaluation or assembly, is used close to, or above, the Tg. Various Tg measurement techniques are available and discussed. Test results from one technique is reviewed. The implications of the Tg results on usage of these parts in space applications will be presented. Burn-in/ reliability test results of samples with low Tg PEM’s will be presented. The reliability experiments include testing under different temperatures. The issue being addressed is whether outgassing of molding compounds occurs when the temperature of the molding compound exceeds the Tg. This is a caution noted by many vendors. As an example outgassing of flame retardants can degrade parametric performance and wire bond integrity. This would be the case when PEMS are being qualified for Space applications using burn-in or in storage environments. JPL’s past experience has shown that COTS PEMS parametrics can degrade significantly even when the burn-in temperature is well below the Tg. Two different microcircuits exhibiting low Tg were evaluated. Assessment of final electrical test measurements and yield are shown.© 2003 ASME
Crystal engineering in 3D: converting nanoscale lamellar manganese oxide to cubic spinel while affixed to a carbon architecture

By applying differential pair distribution function (DPDF) analyses to the energy-storage relevant MnOx/carbon system—but in a 3D architectural rather than powder-composite configuration—we can remove contributions of the carbon nanofoam paper scaffold and quantify the multiphasic oxide speciation as the nanoscale, disordered MnOx grafted to the carbon walls (MnOx@CNF) structurally rearranges in situ from disordered birnessite AMnOx (A = Na+; Li+) to tetragonal Mn3O4 to spinel LiMn2O4. The first reaction step involves topotactic exchange of interlayer Na+ by Li+ in solution followed by thermal treatments to crystal engineer the ∼10 nm-thick 2D layered oxide throughout the macroscale nanofoam paper into a cubic phase. The oxide remains affixed to the walls of the nanofoam throughout the phase transformations. The DPDF fits are improved by retention of one plane of birnessite-like oxide after conversion to spinel. We support the DPDF-derived assignments by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, the latter of which tracks how crystal engineering the oxide affects the disorder of the carbon substrate. We further benchmark MnOx@CNF with nonaqueous electrochemical measurements versus lithium as the oxide converts from X-ray-amorphous birnessite to interlayer-registered LiMnOx to spinel. The lamellar AMnOx displays pseudocapacitive electrochemical behavior, with a doubling of specific capacitance for the interlayer-registered LiMnOx, while the spinel LiMn2O4@CNF displays a faradaic electrochemical response characteristic of Li-ion insertion. Our results highlight the need for holistic understanding when crystal engineering an (atomistic) charge-storing phase within the (architectural) structure of practical electrodes.
Ratcheting in cyclic plasticity, part II: Multiaxial behavior

Abstract Part II is concerned with time-independent ratcheting of materials under biaxial, cyclic loading histories. Carbon steel 1026 (heat-treated) tubes were tested under constant internal pressure and two axial loading histories. In the first set of experiments, the tubes were axially cycled in a strain symmetric fashion. For this loading, the material exhibits ratcheting in the circumferential direction. The second set involved stress controlled axial cycling in the presence of internal pressure. This loading results in strain ratcheting in the axial as well as the circumferential directions. Also, even though the material was cyclically stabilized prior to the ratcheting experiments, the biaxial loading was found to induce significant additional changes to the shapes of the hysteresis loops traced. The three cyclic plasticity models discussed in Part I are used to simulate the two sets of experiments using the material parameters selected for the modeling of the uniaxial ratcheting experiments. Prediction of the correct rate of ratcheting in the first set of experiments was found to be very sensitive to the hardening rule incorporated in the models. An explanation of this sensitivity is given. A hardening rule proposed by Armstrong and Frederick, with suitably selected parameters, was found to provide reasonably good predictions of the six experiments conducted. Prediction of the second set of experiments was found to require modeling of the changes induced to the shape of the basic hysteresis loop by this cyclic history.
The Reform Riots and Political Unions as Peacekeepers: October—December 1831

I believe if the Unions had not been formed as a nucleus for the people to gather round, there would have been bloodshed. The men who formed Unions acted with wisdom, with judgment, acted with propriety; they afforded the people an opportunity of giving vent to their feelings.
Developmental Disabilities, Autism, and Schizophrenia at a Single Locus: Complex Gene Regulation and Genomic Instability of 15q11-q13 Cause a Range of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The chromosome 15q11–q13 locus is a highly unstable genomic region prone to recurrent duplications and deletions and governed by complex gene regulation mechanisms that include imprinting, chromatin conformational changes, and antisense regulatory transcripts. As a consequence of this complexity, the genes in the 15q region are frequently subject to dramatic changes in dosage and tissue-specific expression, resulting in a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Angelman syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, autism, and schizophrenia. This chapter provides an overview of the current knowledge of gene function and regulation in this region, describes the primary neurodevelopmental syndromes associated with 15q, and documents animal models that have been generated to elucidate the complex gene functions and regulation that result in these devastating disorders.
Effect of Weakening of Ipsilateral Depressor Anguli Oris on Smile Symmetry in Postparalysis Facial Palsy

ImportanceAberrant depressor anguli oris (DAO) activity may arise after recovery from acute facial paralysis and restrict movement of the oral commissure. ObjectiveTo quantify the degree to which D...
A discriminative unsupervised method for speaker recognition using deep learning

A Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is used in state-of-the-art i-Vector based speaker recognition systems for acoustic space division and prediction. The main purpose of such acoustic space clustering is to constrain the acoustic comparison in small regions where between-speaker differences are the main source of variability. In this study, we investigate two unsupervised discriminative approaches as an alternative to the universal background model (UBM) for feature space clustering and prediction. In our first approach, a deep neural network (DNN) is directly used to estimate the mixture-wise posterior probabilities of the UBM. In this approach, while the UBM is still used for acoustic space division, the prediction is performed using DNN. The motivation for using a DNN for such prediction is the ability to learn invariant higher level features discriminatively. In our second approach, a stacked restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) is used instead of the UBM for both acoustic space clustering and prediction. In this approach, the clustering is performed based on the higher level distributed representations of speech features using a stacked RBM. The stand alone system using our first approach (UBM-DNN) improves overall performance by +14% in minDCFio when evaluated on NIST SRE 2010.
Seasonal Modulations of El Niño–Related Atmospheric Variability: Indo–Western Pacific Ocean Feedback

AbstractThe spatial structure of atmospheric anomalies associated with El Nino–Southern Oscillation varies with season because of the seasonal variations in sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly pattern and in the climatological basic state. The latter effect is demonstrated using an atmospheric model forced with a time-invariant pattern of El Nino warming over the equatorial Pacific. The seasonal modulation is most pronounced over the north Indian Ocean to northwest Pacific where the monsoonal winds vary from northeasterly in winter to southwesterly in summer. Specifically, the constant El Nino run captures the abrupt transition from a summer cyclonic to winter anticyclonic anomalous circulation over the northwest Pacific, in support of the combination mode idea that emphasizes nonlinear interactions of equatorial Pacific SST forcing and the climatological seasonal cycle. In post–El Nino summers when equatorial Pacific warming has dissipated, SST anomalies over the Indo–northwest Pacific Oceans dominate ...
Expanding Kurdish Studies: A Review Essay

The Failure to Implement the 1920 Treaty of Sevres thwarted Kurdish hopes for their own state, but it did not write the Kurds out of history. From Sheikh Said’s rebellion against the Turks in 1925 to the legendary Mulla Mustafa Barzani and his son Massud, Kurds have grabbed the occasional headline and challenged central authorities more or less continually throughout the 20th century. Conversely, and in less chronicled fashion, they have also played powerful roles in consolidating state rule. Only after the Gulf War in 1991, however, did Kurds begin receiving sustained western attention and, in the last three years in particular, a new flood of articles and books by academics and journalists has swelled periodicals and library shelves. The Middle East Studies Association’s annual conferences from 1995 to 1997 all featured panels devoted to Kurds and Kurdish politics; at the MESA conference in San Francisco last December, papers concerning Kurds were also presented on thematic panels dealing with such diverse subjects as nationalism in the Middle East and youth in Turkey.