cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Factors for Success After Irrigation and Debridement With Modular Component Exchange for Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Irrigation and debridement with modular component exchange (IDMCE) can treat prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Compared to 2-stage revision, IDMCE is associated with lower morbidity but may carry higher infection recurrence rates. We aimed to identify prognostic factors associated with successful IDMCE in patients with PJI. Methods We identified 99 consecutive patients who underwent IDMCE following TKA PJI at a tertiary academic medical center from November 2009 through January 2016. Examined variables included age, gender, symptom duration, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, total protein, albumin, hemoglobin A1c, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, gram stain results, final cultures, and use of long-term antibiotic suppression. Success was defined as no further operation on the ipsilateral knee. We used t tests and chi-square analyses to determine whether each preoperative factor was associated with IDMCE reoperation. Results At mean follow-up of 2.6 years, 64 patients who underwent IDMCE were defined as successful. Thirty-five patients required one or more additional procedures for recurrent infection; of these, 20 patients underwent 2-stage revision. Patients with symptom duration of less than 2 days avoided additional surgery in 88% of cases. Elevated ESR >47 mm/h was the only variable associated with reoperation (P = .005). There were no associations among the other examined variables. Conclusion Using IDMCE for PJI after TKA required reoperation in 35% of cases. Elevated preoperative ESR laboratory values and duration of symptoms >2 days were associated with reoperation.
Tech Platforms and the Knowledge Problem

Jeffersonians call for a new era of antitrust enforcement to break up giant firms. These populist and localist critics of leading technology platforms, megabanks, and health care behemoths are decentralizers. They believe that, in a just society, power must be widely dispersed. They promote strong local authorities to counterbalance the centripetal accumulation of wealth and power in multinational firms. By contrast, Hamiltonians have promoted gigantism as inevitable or desirable, and argue that we simply need better rules to cabin abuses of corporate power. They argue that massive stores of data are critical to the future of artificial intelligence—and thus to the productive dynamism of the economy. They focus on improving the regulation of leading firms rather than on breaking them up. Jeffersonians and Hamiltonians express very different views on what an optimal economy looks like. In the long run, their visions are probably irreconcilable. In the short run, however, both sets of reformers offer important lessons for policymakers grappling with corporate power.
Fracture Properties of Epoxy Polymer Concrete

Epoxy polymer concrete beams with varying polymer content and notch depth were tested at two temperatures. The results were analysed to examine the applicability of various fracture parameters such as critical stress intensity factor, J-integral and fracture surface energy to characterize the fracture behavior of epoxy polymer and polymer concrete. The notch sensitivity of polymer and polymer concrete are also investigated.
Brokering Trust in Online Privacy: Analysis of Issues and Options

Public opinion surveys and anecdotal reports indicate that the public is both excited about the potential opportunities offered by the Internet and at the same time wary about loss of privacy online. A recent survey (Harris and Westin 1998) revealed that 81 percent of Internet users who buy products and services over the Internet are concerned about threats to their personal privacy while online and 72 percent are concerned about someone tracking what Websites people visit and using this information improperly. Press reports of “identity theft” are increasing as individuals find that their alter-egos are applying for credit with information that likely was obtained by “data-mining” for Social Security numbers and demographic information on the Internet.
Twin Study of Early-Onset Major Depression Finds DNA Methylation Enrichment for Neurodevelopmental Genes

Abstract Major depression (MD) is a debilitating mental health condition with peak prevalence occurring early in life. Genome-wide examination of DNA methylation (DNAm) offers an attractive comple ment to studies of allelic risk given it can reflect the combined influence of genes and environment. The current study used a co-twin control design to identify differentially and variably methylated regions of the genome that distinguish monozygotic (MZ) twins with and without a lifetime history of early-onset MD. The sample included 150 Caucasian monozygotic twins (73% female; Mage=17.52 SD=1.28) assessed during a developmental stage characterized by relatively dis tinct neurophysiological changes. All twins were generally healthy and currently free of medica tions with psychotropic effects. DNAm was measured in peripheral blood cells using the Infinium Human BeadChip 450K Array. MD associations were detected at 760 differentially and variably methylated probes/regions that mapped to 428 genes. Results indicated an association between early-onset MD and many genes and genomic regions involved in neural circuitry formation, pro jection, functioning, and plasticity. Gene enrichment analyses implicated genes related to neuron structures and neurodevelopmental processes including cell-cell adhesion genes (e.g., CDHs, PCDHAs, PCDHA1C/2C). Genes previously implicated in mood and psychiatric disorders as well as chronic stress (e.g., HDAC4, NRG1) also were identified. DNAm regions associated with MD where found to overlap genetic loci observed in the latest Psychiatric Genomics Consortium meta‐ analysis of depression. Understanding the time course of epigenetic influences during emerging adulthood may clarify developmental phases where genes modulate individual differences in MD risk.
Y-Chromosome and Mitochondrial Markers in Macaca fascicularis Indicate Introgression With Indochinese M. mulatta and a Biogeographic Barrier in the Isthmus of Kra

This is the first report of Y-chromosome introgression between primate species. We sequenced 3.1 Kb of Y-chromosome DNA and 1.5 Kb of mtDNA for 27 macaques of Fooden's (Folia Primatol. [1976] 25: 225–236) fascicularis species group and 5 outgroup taxa (Macaca sylvanus, Papio hamadryas, Theropithecus gelada, Allenopithecus nigroviridis, and Cercopithecus mona). Phylogenies constructed separately for the paternal and maternal data sets show a Y-chromosome paraphyly among lineages of Macacafascicularis, but a mitochondrial monophyly for the same individuals. The Y-chromosome topology depicts Indochinese Macaca fascicularis haplotypes joining with those of M. mulatta, followed by M. cyclopis and M. fuscata, before clustering with a clade of lineages of M. fascicularis from peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These contrasting patterns of mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA, evaluated in the context of the evolutionary consequences of macaque sex-biased dispersal, present strong evidence for contemporary hybridization between Macaca fascicularis and M. mulatta in Indochina and a biogeographic barrier in the Isthmus of Kra.
Escher's Combinatorial Patterns

It is a little-known fact that M.C. Escher posed and answered some combinatorial questions about patterns produced in an algorithmic way. We report on his explorations, indicate how close he came to the correct solutions, and pose an analagous problem in 3 dimensions.
Predicting Failure Mechanism of SiC/SiC Composites as a Function of Temperature and Oxygen Concentration

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are being developed to take advantage of the high-temperature properties of ceramics while overcoming the low fracture toughness of monolithic ceramics. Toughening mechanisms, such as matrix cracking, crack deflection, interface debonding, crack-wake bridging and fiber pullout, are being incorporated in CMCs to reduce the tendency for catastrophic failure found in monolithic ceramics. Ceramics reinforced with particulate, whiskers and continuous fibers exhibit varying aspects of these toughening mechanisms; however, reinforcement with continuous fibers offers the greatest improvements in toughness. Composites with carbide, oxide, glass and carbon matrices are being utilized in the development of CMCs. In the case of carbide, oxide and glass matrix CMCs, the matrix exhibits excellent high-temperature corrosion resistance so that a goal of the composite development is to not detract from this pre-existing property. This is not the case for carbon matrix composites which frequently need coatings to provide adequate corrosion protection. The purpose of this chapter is to review the database and understanding of corrosion behavior of CMCs with the intent that this information will be useful in the development of materials with improved performance and reliability.
Ferroptosis resistance mediated by exosomal release of iron

Understanding how cells resist ferroptosis is necessary for exploiting this iron-dependent mode of cell death for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. We discovered that cells resist ferroptosis by enabling a PROMININ2-dependent iron export pathway involving multivesicular body/exosome trafficking of iron out of the cell, diminishing the intracellular iron needed for ferroptosis.
3 – Recursive Models

Publisher Summary This chapter presents four-variable recursive model that is formulated in terms of standardized variables. A model is said to be recursive if all the causal linkages run one way, that is, if no two variables are reciprocally related in such a way that each affects and depends on the other and that no variable “feeds back” upon itself through any indirect concatenation of causal linkages, however circuitous. One can state that all the dependent variables in a recursive model are arrayed in an unambiguous causal ordering. Moreover, all exogenous variables are, as a set, causally prior to all the dependent variables. There is, however, no causal ordering of the exogenous variables with respect to each other. It simplifies matters greatly and results in a more powerful model if one can assume that there is only one exogenous variable. This may not always be a reasonable assumption.
The Efficacy of Intermittent Fasting in Weight Reduction in Non‐obese and Obese Rats

Obesity is a major contributing factor in the development of many chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Intermittent fasting (IF) isa pattern of feeding that cycles between p...
A CLASS OF COLLECTIVE EXCITATIONS OF THE HUBBARD MODEL: η EXCITATION OF THE NEGATIVE-U MODEL

In this series of papers we present a detailed study of the particle-particle collective excitations of the Hubbard model, and their contribution to the density and spin excitation spectrum. In the first paper, we shall investigate the singlet particle-particle pair with momentum (π, π), the η particle, of the negative-U Hubbard model. We review three previously obtained theorems about the η particle and develop a self-consistent linear response theory which takes into account its contribution to the density excitation spectrum in the superconducting state. We show that this self-consistent theory agrees with the exact theorems as well as the results of numerical Monte Carlo simulations.
Genomic landscape of variant urinary tumor histologies.

467Background: The genetics of urothelial carcinoma (UC), the most common histology of urinary tract (UT) tumors, is well characterized; much less is known about the genomic features of rare histol...
Prostate Cancer Targeted X-Ray Fluorescence Imaging via Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized With Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA).

Purpose The gold nanoparticle (GNP) as a promising theranostic probe has been increasingly studied. The tumor-targeting efficiency of GNPs is crucial to increase the therapeutic ratio. In this study, we developed PSMA-targeted GNPs to enhance GNP uptake in prostate cancer and developed an x-ray fluorescence imaging system to noninvasively monitor and assess GNP delivery. Methods and Materials For targeted therapy of prostate cancer, anti–prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) antibodies were conjugated onto PEGylated GNPs through 1-ethyl-3-(-3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) (EDC/NHS) chemistry. In vivo imaging was implemented using an in-house–developed dual-modality computed tomography (CT) and x-ray fluorescence CT (XFCT) system on mice bearing subcutaneous LNCaP prostate tumors. After intravenous administration of GNPs (15 mg/mL, 200 μL), the x-ray fluorescence signals from the tumor were collected at various time points (5 minutes to approximately 30 hours) for GNP pharmacokinetics analysis. At 24 hours after administration, x-ray fluorescence projection (XRFproj) and XFCT imaging were conducted to evaluate the prostate tumor uptake of active- and passive-targeting GNPs. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis was adopted as a benchmark to verify the quantification accuracy of XRFproj/XFCT imaging. Results Fluorescence microscopic imaging confirmed the enhanced (approximately 4 times) targeting efficiency of PSMA-targeted GNPs in vitro. The pharmacokinetics analysis showed enhanced tumor uptake/retention of PSMA-targeted GNPs and revealed that the peak tumor accumulation appeared at approximately 24 hours after intravenous administration. Both XRFproj and XFCT imaging presented their accuracy in quantifying GNPs within tumors noninvasively. Moreover, XFCT imaging verified its unique capabilities to simultaneously determine the heterogeneous spatial distribution and the concentration of GNPs within tumors in vivo. Conclusions In conjunction with PSMA-targeted GNPs, XRFproj/XFCT would be a highly sensitive tool for targeted imaging of prostate cancer, benefiting the elucidation of mechanisms of GNP-assisted prostate-cancer therapy.
Study of 2D Electron Mobility in AlGaN/GaN Quantum well Structure

We study the electron mobility µ of AlGaN/ GaN quantum well (QW) based field effect transistor structure by considering potential profile V(z) taking the effect of polarization (V pol ) and also 2D electron density N s (through Hartree potential) V pol+ns . N s relates to the Fermi energy E F which affects µ. The change in V(z) affects the population of subband electron energy level and wave function. Accordingly, the alloy disorder and interface roughness scattering potentials are influenced. We show that µ(V pol ) > µ(V pol+ns ). Increase in N s increases µ. In case of µ(V pol+ns ) there is a decreasing trend at larger N s due to dominance of alloy scattering effect which matches the experimental results.
Vegetation cover change in the Upper Kings River basin of the Sierra Nevada detected using Landsat satellite image analysis

The Sierra Nevada of California is a region where large forest fires have been suppressed for over a century and future climate warming has the potential to alter vegetation cover and surface water runoff. A detailed geographic record of recent changes in vegetation cover across the Sierra Nevada remains a gap that can be filled with satellite remote sensing data. Results from Landsat image analysis over the past 25 years in the Upper Kings River basin showed that consistent increases in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) have not extended above 2000 m elevation. Moreover, mean increases in NDVI since 1986 at elevations below 2000 m (which cover about half of the total basin area) have not exceeded 9 %, even in the most extreme precipitation yearly comparisons. NDVI has decreased significantly at elevations above 2000 m throughout the basin in relatively wet year comparisons since the mid-1980s. These findings conflict with any assumptions that evapotranspiration fluxes impacting river flows downstream have been altered mainly by vegetation change over most of the Upper Kings River basin in recent decades.
Optimal Federalism: Sorting the Functions of Government within the Fiscal Hierarchy

This chapter presents a discussion on the optimal federalism. Federalism refers to a hierarchical structure of government in which each person is, simultaneously, a citizen of more than one government. A federalist structure adds considerable depth and complexity to normative public sector theory because of its layered jurisdictions. In particular, government intervention is still justified by the breakdown of the technical and market assumptions underlying a well-functioning competitive market system to address problems such as externalities, decreasing cost production, private information, and market power. In addition, the goal of government intervention remains the social welfare maximization, which translates into the pursuit of efficiency and equity. A federalist structure of governments significantly complicates both the theory and the application of public sector decision rules. The complications lie at the heart of a federalist system—that is, more than one government has jurisdiction over any one person. Given the layered structure, it is all too easy to envision potential inconsistencies and incompatibilities arising if each government simply tries to follow the single-government decision rules of public sector theory.
The Impact of a Frailty Education Module on Surgical Resident Estimates of Lobectomy Risk

Background Frailty is a risk factor for adverse events after surgery. Residents' ability to recognize frailty is underdeveloped. We assessed the influence of a frailty education module on surgical residents' estimates of lobectomy risk. Methods Traditional track cardiothoracic surgery residents were randomly allocated to take an online short course on frailty (experimental group) or to receive no training (control group). Residents read a clinical vignette, made an initial risk estimate of major complications for lobectomy, and rated clinical factors on their importance to their estimates. They viewed a video of a standardized patient portraying the patient in the vignette, randomly selected to exhibit either vigorous or frail behavior, and provided a final risk estimate. After rating five vignettes, they completed a test on their frailty knowledge. Results Forty-one residents participated (20 in the experimental group). Initial risk estimates were similar between the groups. The experimental group rated clinical factors as "very important" in their initial risk estimates more often than did the control group (47.6% versus 38.5%; p Conclusions A frailty education module improved resident knowledge of frailty and influenced surgical risk estimates. Training in frailty may help educate residents in frailty recognition and surgical risk assessment.
Effect of particle size distribution on sintering

A sintering model, taking into account the effect of particle size distribution and the effect of grain growth, was developed previously. Experimental data from the sintering of high-purity alumina were used to testify this model. The sintering was carried out at 1500 °C in air for various lengths of time. The results agreed with the prediction of the model. The powders with a narrower starting particle size distribution exhibited a lower sintering rate prior to the occurrence of grain growth, but a higher densification rate after the grain growth took place. The grain size/density trajectory was applied to reveal the effect of particle size distribution on sintering behaviour. It is suggested that powders with a narrower size distribution are preferable.
Comparative Forum Non Conveniens and the Hague Judgments Convention

This article begins with a discussion of the application of the forum non conveniens doctrine in four common law legal systems. It then briefly notes related concepts applied in the courts of two civil law systems. This discussion is followed in Part IV by a brief history of the negotiations at the Hague Conference on Private International Law for a Convention on Jurisdiction and Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters and a review of Articles 21 and 22 of the Interim Text of that Convention created at the June 2001 portion of the Diplomatic Conference. This review allows conclusions dealing with both the role of the forum non conveniens doctrine in contemporary transnational litigation and the effort to bring traditional common law and civil law approaches to parallel litigation closer together.
Relation between incorporation of triglyceride fatty acids and heparin-released lipoprotein lipase from adipose tissue slices

The mechanism of the incorporation of plasma triglyceride fatty acids (TGFA) into adipose tissue was investigated. Slices of adipose tissue from rabbits in different nutritional states were incubated under various conditions with plasma very low-density lipoproteins (d
A Note on Payments Relations between Latin American and EPU Countries

PART OF LATIN AMERICAN TRADE with countries of the European Payments Union is conducted on a dollar basis, part on a sterling basis, and the remainder on the basis of other currencies. The payments, clearing, and compensation arrangements of Latin American countries with Europe differ widely from country to country and are subject to frequent change, making difficult a precise division of Latin America into "dollar area" and "nondollar area" countries. Some Latin American countries which have "Bilateral Accounts" with the sterling area are "dollar countries" insofar as continental European countries are concerned. Other Latin American countries, however, which are classified in the "American Account" group of the sterling area, have bilateral arrangements with some continental countries. Certain bilateral payments agreements between Latin American and European countries provide that freely disposable U.S. dollars shall be used as the means of effecting commercial payments (e.g., the agreement between Uruguay and Italy and that between Peru and Western Germany). Other agreements, in contrast, employ the U.S. dollar as a unit of account ("restricted" dollars); the mechanism of current settlements, however, is designed to avoid payment in freely disposable U.S. dollars, and only final settlement at the termination of the agreement is to be effected in freely disposable U.S. dollars, other agreed currencies, or gold. (See Table 1.) With countries that are classified in the American account group by the U.K. Exchange Control, U.K. trade is in effect conducted on a dollar basis, under a mechanism whereby the United Kingdom makes payments in sterling which is convertible into dollars whenever the recipient country so requests. In this group are the Central American countries, the Caribbean countries, and Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia. The Latin American countries included in the American account group of the sterling area do not coincide exactly with the countries
Important knowledge for parents of children with heart disease: parent, nurse, and physician views.

Objectives Parental understanding of their children’s heart disease is inadequate, which may contribute to poor health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine what parental knowledge is important in the care of children with heart disease from the perspective of parents, nurses, and physicians. Methods Focus groups were formed with parents of children with single ventricle congenital heart disease (CHD), biventricular CHD, and heart transplantation, and with nurses and physicians who provide care for these children. A nominal group technique was used to identify and prioritise important parental knowledge items and themes. The voting data for each theme were reported by participant type – parent, nurse, and physician – and patient diagnosis – single ventricle CHD, biventricular CHD, and heart transplantation. Results The following three themes were identified as important by all groups: recognition of and response to clinical deterioration, medications, and prognosis and plan. Additional themes that were unique to specific groups included the following: medical team members and interactions (parents), tests and labs (parents), neurodevelopmental outcomes and interventions (physicians), lifelong disease requiring lifelong follow-up (physicians and nurses), and diagnosis, physiology, and interventions (single ventricle and biventricular CHD). Conclusions Parents, nurses, and physicians have both common and unique views regarding what parents should know to effectively care for their children with single ventricle CHD, biventricular CHD, or heart transplantation. Specific targeted parental education that incorporates these findings should be provided to each group. Further development of questionnaires regarding parental knowledge with appropriate content validity is warranted.
Online discussions: improving education in CS?

Asynchronous online discussions are considered the cornerstone of online education. Many instructors of face-to-face courses are "web-enabling" their classes to improve learning through critical inquiry using online discussions. In this exploratory study, we collected and analyzed online discussion data from two dissimilar computer science courses (one technical Graphics for Gaming (G4G) course and a writing intensive Science Fiction and Ethics (SF&E) course). Our findings suggest that, overall, making more posts, posting more questions and engaging in Devil's Advocacy have positive effects on learning, while making more informational posts, explaining to others and making longer posts do not. In the SF&E course, all students perceive that posting helped their learning, while in the G4G course students do not, but posting behavior differentiates those who perform well from those who perform poorly.
The branchless loop

I present a clean, attractive expression for looping in APL. It uses no branches, labels, or global variables. It requires no modifications to the interpreter. Its simplicity makes it especially appealing for ad hoc applications in immediate execution.
Preventing Digital Music Piracy: The Carrot or the Stick?

Abstract The goal of this article is to ascertain the factors that govern consumers' willingness to pirate a digital product, such as a digital music track. The authors assess the tendency to pirate with both indirect measures (e.g., willingness to pay for the legal alternative) and direct measures (e.g., piracy preference). Whether measured indirectly or directly, the tendency to pirate depends, to different extents, on three key factors: positive incentives (e.g., improved functionality of the legal Web site), negative incentives (e.g., perceived risk of piracy), and consumer characteristics. Based on three studies, the results suggest that negative incentives are a strong deterrent for certain consumers but can actually increase piracy tendencies for others. Conversely, positive incentives, such as improved functionality, can significantly reduce the tendency to pirate among all the consumer segments studied. The authors conclude by discussing prescriptive recommendations for the recording industry.
The use of DNA typing in forensic science

Controversy has surrounded the use of DNA typing in forensics especially with respect to providing estimates of the frequency of genetically similar individuals in human populations. To address these concerns the National Academy of Sciences has recently produced a report in which specific recommendations are made to alleviate some of this controversy. The reaction of the forensic community to this report is discussed along with many specific concerns about the interaction of the legal and scientific communities.
On the group of automorphisms of an analytic group

Let G be an analytic group and let Aut G denote the group of all topological group automorphisms of G. We investigate when Aut G is almost algebraic. We provide various conditions, some of which are known, under which Aut G is almost algebraic. We also provide examples showing that there does not seem to be a clear and concise way to characterise G so that Aut G is almost algebraic in terms of the maximal central torus in G.
Emergence of non-group A streptococcal necrotizing diabetic foot infections

Recently the authors have noted a disturbing trend toward an increased incidence of necrotizing infections caused by non-group A streptococcal species. This article describes the typical clinical course of such an infection. Prompt surgical intervention, coupled with an antibiotic regimen aimed at mitigating exotoxin release, may be both limb- and life-preserving.
Test-retest reliability of combined sensory index: implications for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.

When compared to single nerve conduction tests, the combined sensory index (CSI) has been shown previously to have superior sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. The CSI is the sum of (1) median-ulnar ring finger antidromic latency difference at 14 cm (ring-diff); (2) median-radial thumb antidromic latency difference at 10 cm (thumb-diff); and (3) median-ulnar midpalmar orthodromic latency difference at 8 cm (palm-diff). To evaluate the reliability of single nerve conduction tests (ring-diff, thumb-diff, and palm-diff) vs. a combined summary variable (CSI), we conducted a prospective study during which the same investigator performed test and retest sessions on one hand of 32 subjects. Results showed that the CSI had the highest test-retest reliability (Spearman rho = 0.95), when compared with ring-diff, thumb-diff, and palm-diff (Spearman rho = 0.67, 0.75, and 0.74, respectively). Therefore, we propose the use of the CSI as not only an accurate but also a reliable method for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Theories vs. Modules: To the Max and Beyond A Reply to Poulin-Dubois and to Stich and Nichols

Les As. argumentent leur position en faveur d'une conception evolutionniste du developpement cognitif chez l'enfant ou la construction des theories abstraites (qui permettent de prevoir les mouvements et les comportements) est consideree comme debutant des la naissance
The level structure of Sc44

Abstract The nuclear level structure of Sc44 has been studied through the decay of Ti44 and Sc44m (2.4d). Transitions have been observed in the decay of Ti44 with energies of 67.85 and 78.44 keV and the measured conversion coefficients indicate that they are both predominantly M1. The half-life of the first excited state has been determined to be 166±5 nsec. Directional correlation measurements indicate that the spin of the first excited state is either 2 or possibly 1 and that the second excited state has spin of 1.
Optimal random number generation from a biased coin

We study the optimal generation of random numbers using a biased coin in two cases: first, when the bias is unknown, and second, when the bias is known. In the first case, we characterize the functions that use a discrete random source of unknown distribution to simulate a target discrete random variable with a given rational distribution. We identify the functions that minimize the ratio of source inputs to target outputs. We show that these optimal functions are efficiently computable. In the second case, we prove that it is impossible to construct an optimal tree algorithm recursively, using a model based on the algebraic decision tree. Our model of computation is sufficiently general to encompass virtually all previously known algorithms for this problem.
Crambe and Rapeseed Oils as Energy Sources for Rats and Chicks and Some Ancillary Data on Organ Weights and Body Cavity Fat Composition

Abstract GENERAL interest in new oil seed crops has increased during the past decade as exemplified by the work of Bruun and Matchett (1963) with Crambe abyssinica. The search has been directed toward finding seeds which contain unique oils suitable for industrial use and which are noncompetitive with crops now in production. The oil obtained from Crambe abyssinica has been found useful as a mold lubricant for the continuous casting of steel. Oxidative cleavage of erucic acid, a major component of this oil, by ozone yields chiefly brassylic acid, which is used as an intermediate in the production of synthetic fibers. Chemically, erucic acid is cis-13-docosenoic acid [CH3(CH2)7 CH = CH(CH2)11 COOH], molecular weight 338.56. Interest has been developing in the possible use of crambe oil as a constituent of feeds and food products. Crambe oil is attractive to potential users in the food industry because of its 90–95% unsaturated fatty acid content.…
Nuées Ardentes of the 1968 Eruption of Mayon Volcano, Philippines

Mayon Volcano, southeastern Luzon, began a series of explosive eruptions at 0900 April 21, 1968, and by May 15 more than 100 explosions had occurred, at least 6 people had been killed, and roughly 100 square km had been covered by more than 5 cm of airfall ash, blocky ash flows, and a lava flow. All material crupted was porphyritic augite-hypersthene andesite.
Electric Field Confinement and Enhancement in a Silver Film Fabry−Pérot Interferometer†

Using the discrete dipole approximation method and exact analytical solutions, we demonstrate that an incident electromagnetic wave can be confined and enhanced between two silver layers due to the Fabry−Perot effect. The enhanced electric field between the two layers depends on the distance between the two layers and each layer’s thickness. An enhanced electric field, |E|2, with an enhancement factor of 50 was obtained at distances 100 nm above the surface. The resonance wavelength increases linearly with the distance between the two layers and varies with their thicknesses. Reduced scattering and enhanced absorption efficiencies of the interferometer at resonance wavelength were observed. The effect demonstrated here could be applied for studying both enhanced fluorescence and nanolasers.
Comparison of Tissue-Disruption Methods for PCR-Based Detection of Plant Pathogens

Polymerase chain reaction-based detection of plant-associated microbes depends on physical disruption of tissues of the host and microorganism in order to liberate nucleic acids during extraction. Using six types of plant tissues as well as an oospore preparation of Phytophthora capsici, we evaluated the use of pressure-cycling technology (PCT) compared with several common techniques for physical tissue disruption. With all tissues tested, bead-beating provided excellent yields of amplifiable nucleic acid, with a few inconsistent exceptions. The use of PCT did not consistently improve nucleic acid yields or "amplifiability". The use of a mortar and pestle to physically disrupt plant tissue also provided good results at low cost, though it was not consistently as effective as the bead-beater. Furthermore, handling of ground tissues in an open mortar may present more challenges in minimizing cross-contamination than working with tissues pulverized in a bead-beater tube.
Learned deformable skeletons for motion capture based animation

This paper presents a novel approach for automatically adding expressive attributes to motion capture based animations by utilizing learned behavior from the natural deformations of the human skeleton. The author envisions this system as part of a larger toolbox that enables animators to quickly modify the emotional qualities of motion capture data.
Orthopaedic specimen preparation: what pathologists should know and do

The purpose of this article is to stress the importance of imaging studies to the surgical pathologist when studying orthopaedic specimens and to emphasize specimen preparation, including sawing and decalcification techniques.
Evolutionary relationships among the permease proteins of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate: Sugar phosphotransferase system. Construction of phylogenetic trees and possible relatedness to proteins of eukaryotic mitochondria

The amino acid sequences of 15 sugar permeases of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvatedependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) were divided into four homologous segments, and these segments were analyzed to give phylogenetic trees. The permease segments fell into four clusters: the lactose-cellobiose cluster, the fructose-mannitol cluster, the glucose-N-acetylglucosamine cluster, and the sucrose-β-glucoside cluster. Sequences of the glucitol and mannose permeases (clusters 5 and 6, respectively) were too dissimilar to establish homology with the other permeases, but short regions of statistically significant sequence similarities were noted. The functional and structural relationships of these permease segments are discussed.
A model of "sense of effort" during maximal and submaximal contractions of the tongue.

Fatigue in the oral motor system may be accompanied by the perception of an increased "sense of effort." Awareness of centrally generated motor commands that result in synaptic inputs to motoneuron pools are thought to be responsible for these perceptions of effort (e.g., Muller, 1840; McCloskey, 1981). Few studies of the perceptual phenomenon of sense of effort exist, particularly of the oral motor system. The present study required 20 normal adults to push on a fluid-filled bulb using their tongue and hand. Subjects repeatedly exerted from 10 to 100% of the maximal effort, in random order, in 10% increments. The pressure produced by pushing on fluid-filled bulbs was compared to the effort level attempted. Subjects produced consistent, reliable pressures related to effort level. The best mathematical model for both the tongue and hand data was third-order polynomial. It is hypothesized that the perception of effort derives from a central source that operates across various motor systems.
Miniaturized multiple Fourier-horn ultrasonic droplet generators for biomedical applications

Here we report micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based miniaturized silicon ultrasonic droplet generators of a new and simple nozzle architecture with multiple Fourier horns in resonance but without a central channel. The centimetre-sized nozzles operate at one to two MHz and a single vibration mode which readily facilitates temporal instability of Faraday waves to produce monodisperse droplets. Droplets with diameter range 2.2–4.6 μm are produced at high throughput of 420 μl min−1 and very low electrical drive power of 80 mW. We also report the first theoretical prediction of the droplet diameter. The resulting MHz ultrasonic devices possess important advantages and demonstrate superior performance over earlier devices with a central channel and thus have high potential for biomedical applications such as efficient and effective delivery of inhaled medications and encapsulated therapy to the lung.
Effect of naturally reduced ovarian function on plasma lipoprotein and 27-hydroxycholesterol levels in baboons (Papio sp.).

Abstract Female baboons over 15 years of age develop irregular menstrual cycles, an indication of declining ovarian function similar to that occurring in perimenopausal women. To determine the effect of declining ovarian function on plasma lipoprotein metabolism and plasma oxysterols, we measured plasma lipoprotein and 27-hydroxycholesterol levels in 86 female baboons from 15–28 years of age with regular ( n =51) and irregular ( n =35) menstrual cycles. We sampled blood and liver while they were consuming a basal diet and after consuming a high cholesterol and high fat diet for 7 weeks. On the basal diet, baboons with irregular cycles had higher VLDL+LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios ( P =0.034). After consuming the HCHF diet for 7 weeks, total plasma ( P P P P =0.009). As a result, HDL cholesterol concentrations ( P =0.006) were lower and VLDL+LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios ( P =0.002) were higher in baboons with irregular cycles on the HCHF diet. Plasma 27-hydroxycholesterol concentrations were higher in baboons with regular cycles than in those with irregular cycles on both basal ( P =0.018) and HCHF ( P =0.037) diets and were positively correlated ( P r = −0.342, P =0.033). These results suggest that declining ovarian function changes the plasma lipoprotein pattern to one that is more atherogenic. Ovarian failure is also associated with decreased concentrations of plasma 27-hydroxycholesterol (the major oxysterol of plasma), and the decrease in plasma 27-hydroxycholesterol concentration was due to the decrease in hepatic sterol 27-hydroxylase activity. The effects of ovarian failure on plasma lipoprotein metabolism and plasma 27-hydroxycholesterol may be mediated by the decreased production of estrogen in perimenopausal baboons. Thus, the perimenopausal baboon is an excellent model for menopause and can be used for studies that cannot be conducted in women.
Recruitment strategies for cervical cancer prevention study.

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to describe recruitment strategies for a single-visit cervical cancer prevention study. Methods. From January through December 1999, low-income, predominantly Latino women were recruited to participate in a single-visit cervical cancer prevention study. For the first 6 months, all women who had ever visited one of two community-based study clinics were invited to participate (clinic registry recruitment). For the remainder of the year, recruitment was modified to be primarily inclusive of advertisements in English- and Spanish-language community newspapers and fliers left in local businesses and organizations (media campaign recruitment). Eligible volunteers were randomized to one of two study arms, usual-care program or single-visit program. All study subjects completed demographic and medical questionnaires delivered by bilingual staff. Women who declined to participate in this study were asked to provide reasons for this preference. Statistical analyses included the use of chi-square, logistic regression, and Student's t test. Results. The proportion of women who agreed to participate was higher in the media recruitment group than in the clinic registry group [51% (535/1041) compared to 26% (405/1542), P 0.001]. The no-show rate among participants solicited from the media strategy was significantly less than that from the clinic registry. There were no significant differences in the median age, number of months since the last Papanicolaou smear, incidence of abnormal Papanicolaou smear, education, or income of the subjects based on the recruitment strategy. Conclusion. A media-based recruitment strategy was effective for this single-visit cervical prevention study. This approach may be effective for recruitment of other low-income groups to clinical trials.
Reducing reliance on inaccurate information

People learn from the texts that they read, but sometimes what they read is wrong. Previous research has demonstrated that individuals encode even obvious inaccuracies, at times relying on the misinformation to complete postreading tasks. In the present study, we investigated whether the influence of inaccurate information might be reduced by encouraging the retrieval of accurate knowledge. Participants read an extended text that contained both accurate and inaccurate assertions, after which they evaluated the validity of statements associated with those assertions. In general, participants made more mistakes in their evaluations of statements after having read inaccurate as compared to accurate assertions, offering evidence of the influence of misinformation. However, when participants were tasked with correcting inaccuracies during reading, their mistakes were substantially reduced. Encouraging the retrieval of accurate knowledge during reading can reduce the influence of misinformation. These findings are discussed with respect to the contributions of episodic traces and prior knowledge on learning, as well as to the conditions that support successful comprehension.
Temperature dependence of nuclear magnetization and relaxation

Abstract The temperature dependences of nuclear magnetization and relaxation rates are reviewed theoretically and experimentally in order to quantify the effects of temperature on NMR signals acquired by common imaging techniques. Using common sequences, the temperature dependences of the equilibrium nuclear magnetization and relaxation times must each be considered to fully understand the effects of temperature on NMR images. The temperature dependence of the equilibrium nuclear magnetization is negative because of Boltzmann’s distribution for all substances at all temperatures, but the combined temperature dependences of the equilibrium magnetization and relaxation can be negative, weak or positive depending on the temperature (T), echo time (TE), repetition time (TR), and the temperature dependences of the relaxation times T1 (T) and T2 (T) in a pulse sequence. As a result, the magnitude of the NMR signal from a given substance can decrease, increase or stay somewhat constant with increasing temperature. Nuclear thermal coefficients are defined and predictions for spin echo and other simple sequences are verified experimentally using a number of substances representing various thermal and NMR properties.
1163 FETAL AND NEONATAL METABOLIC RESPONSE TO EXTENDED MATERNAL CANINE STARVATION(MCS)

Circulating fuels and glucose and lactate turnover rates among fasted newborn pups of 6 control and eight 5-day starved pregnant dogs were studied between 0 and 24 hrs of age. MCS caused a 23% weight loss in pups. Fetal ketone body concentration (3.33 mM)+ paralleled the maternal ketonemia (5.78 mM) in the MCS group. Following birth, there was a rapid decline in the ketone levels. Starvation caused a significant decline in maternal blood glucose (3.22 vs 4.14 mM) while the fetal blood glucose was not significantly different. By 3 hrs of age MCS caused a significant lowering of blood glucose (2.79 vs 5.77 mM), plasma free fatty acids (FFA)(0.505 vs 0.701) and glycerol levels (0.146 vs 0.247). By 6 hrs, glucose and FFA became equivalent to controls, while glycerol values remained depressed at 6 and 9 hrs. Blood alanine concentration was increased at 3,6 and 24 hrs in the MCS pups. Glucose production rate (GPR) was similar in both groups at 3,6 and 9 hrs. However glucose metabolic clearance rate was significantly increased (8.92 vs 5.63 ml/Kg.min) at 3 hrs. GPR and glucose clearance were also elevated at 24 hrs in the MCS group. Lactate turnover and lactate carbon incorporation into glucose were not significantly different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The immediate neonatal adaptive responses to fetal nutrient deprivation as a result of MCS consists of unchanged glucose turnover,gluconeogenesis from lactate and augmented muscle release or decreased hepatic utilization of alanine.*Deceased +Mean
Multi-static, common volume radar observations of meteors at Jicamarca

[1] Multi-static, common volume radar (MSCVR) observations have long been considered necessary for meteor observations, especially for the study of Range Spread Trail Echoes (RSTE). We present preliminary results - in the form of a case study - from the first MSCVR observations that were carried out at the Jicamarca Radar Observatory (JRO) in June 2007. A second antenna array, of similar sensitivity to a single JRO receive module, was constructed and operated at Carapongo, approximately 5 kilometers geomagnetically south of JRO. The JRO main array was used for transmission. Receiving was done using sub-arrays at JRO and with the array at Carapongo. The results provide new insights not only into the aspect sensitivity of RSTEs but also into the physical structure of the plasma giving rise to these echoes. These observations also establish a firmer basis for the modeling of the plasma processes that cause meteor trails to become field-aligned.
Paramagnetic resonance evidence for the opening of a spin gap in YBa2Cu2.7Co0.3O7−x

Abstract The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of Co(2+) doped into YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x for the Cu(2+) ion shows a pronounced decrease in the intensity as the temperature is lowered to 150 K where it almost completely disappears, characteristic of opening of a spin gap. In the same temperature range, there is a marked nonlinear increase in the g yy of the Co(2+) spectrum which is indicative of the onset of antiferromagnetic spin ordering consistent with formation of a ground singlet state. A spin gap for the Co–Cu singlet of 24.0 meV is estimated from the data.