cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real and ideal rationality

Formal epistemologists often claim that our credences should be representable by a probability function. Complete probabilistic coherence, however, is only possible for ideal agents, raising the question of how this requirement relates to our everyday judgments concerning rationality. One possible answer is that being rational is a contextual matter, that the standards for rationality change along with the situation. Just like who counts as tall changes depending on whether we are considering toddlers or basketball players, perhaps what counts as rational shifts according to whether we are considering ideal agents or creatures more like ourselves. Even though a number of formal epistemologists have endorsed this type of solution, I will argue that there is no way to spell out this contextual account that can make sense of our everyday judgments about rationality. Those who defend probabilistic coherence requirements will need an alternative account of the relationship between real and ideal rationality.
Moderating Effects of Psychic Distance on the Gaps Model of Service Quality

This research proposal seeks to compare marketing aspects of private primary and secondary education institutions in both the United States and China. The present proposal is a follow up to unpublished research conducted in China in 2009. The previous work involved a 145-question survey completed by 18 member schools of the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS). Part of the survey was a Service Quality Gaps Model Audit (Zeithaml et al. 2008), which measures five different problems in service delivery.
An anthropic solution to the cosmological moduli problem

Light moduli fields, gravitationally coupled scalar fields with no classical potential and which are expected to emerge as remnants from string theory compactification, are dangerous to cosmology in that 1. their late-time decays may disrupt successful Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), 2. they may decay into gravitino pairs which result in violation of BBN constraints or overproduction of lightest SUSY particles (LSPs, assumed to constitute at least a portion of the dark matter in the universe) and 3. they may decay directly into LSPs, resulting in gross DM overproduction. Together, these constitute the cosmological moduli problem (CMP). The combined effects require lightest modulus mass m_\phi >~10^4 TeV, and if the lightest modulus mass m_\phi is correlated with the SUSY breaking scale m_{3/2}, then the underlying SUSY model would be highly unnatural. We present a solution to the CMP wherein the lightest modulus initial field strength \phi_0 is anthropically selected to be \phi_0\sim 10^{-7}m_P by the requirement that the dark matter-to-baryonic matter ratio be not-too-far removed from its present value so that sufficient baryons are present in the universe to create observers. In this case, instead of dark matter overproduction via neutralino reannihilation at the modulus decay temperature, the neutralinos inherit the reduced moduli number density, thereby gaining accord with the measured dark matter relic density.
Phase Transformations and Orientational Ordering in Chemically Disordered Polymers — a Modern Primer

We review recent theoretical and experimental developments in the field of complex polymers that carry a chemical and topological disorder. The polymer classes discussed include chemically disordered crosslinked heteropolymers and liquid crystalline heteropolymers. Field theory and spin glass averaging methods are very useful to study complex disordered polymers. The field theory allows explicit account of chain conformation contributions to thermodynamical quantities and a faithful representation of experimentally observable order parameters. Spin glass averaging methods presented here are instrumental for averaging over chemical and topological disorders. The review centers on theory development, predictions for conformational and orientational ordering, phase diagram analysis and also comparison with experimental results when possible.
Rupture of a subclavian artery aneurysm in a heroin addict

A previously healthy heroin addict died suddenly and unexpectedly of hemothorax due to rupture of a subclavian artery aneurysm. He had been using the neck veins for mainlining. The pathogenesis of the aneurysm is discussed.
Lac repressor-operator interaction. V. Characterization of super- and pseudo-wild-type repressors.

Abstract Procedures are outlined for measuring inducer and operator binding of lac repressor in crude extract. For most experiments, including those measuring repressor-operator association rates, purification beyond ammonium sulfate fractionation is not required. Kinetic measurements have been used to differentiate repressors of three normally inducible strains. Repressor from strain C6000 binds operator more tightly than does repressor from E203, previously considered to be wild type and subjected to extensive analysis in this laboratory. Repressor from an overproducing ( i q ) strain is also different from either C6000 or E203. The repressor from extracts of two new i s mutants, or super-repressors, are characterized by inducer and operator binding and are compared to previously characterized i s mutants. All 11 super-repressors examined so far show a decreased affinity for inducer. Three have an increased affinity for operator and the other eight have normal operator binding. Three of the mutants are allosteric mutants in that the inducer response curves have a shape different from wild type.
Democracy Derailed in Russia: THE INSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM: SUPERPRESIDENTIALISM

In themselves, technical changes in the form of government do not make a nation vigorous or happy or valuable. They can only remove technical obstacles and thus are merely means for a given end. Perhaps it is regrettable that such bourgeois and prosaic matters, which we shall discuss here with deliberate self-limitation and exclusion of all of the great substantive cultural issues facing us, can be important at all. But that is the way things are. – Max Weber, Parliament and Government in a Reconstructed Germany (1917; 1978) It is not because we have made a certain law or because it has been willed by so many votes, that we submit to it; it is because it is a good one – that is, appropriate to the nature of the facts, because it is all it ought to be and because we have confidence in it. And this confidence depends equally on that inspired by the organs that have the task of preparing it. What matters, then, is the way in which the law is made, the competence of those whose function it is to make it and the nature of the particular agency that has to make this particular function work. Respect for the law depends on the quality of the legislators and the quality of the political system. – Emile Durkheim, Professional Ethics and Civic Morals (1890; 1982) One of the potentially most consequential institutions in any polity is the constitution.
IP Multicasting in IPv6 Environments

This chapter contains sections titled: Opportunities Offered by IPv6 Introductory Overview of IPv6 Migration and Coexistence Multicast with IPv6 References
Bacillus subtilis glutamine synthetase. Specific catalytic changes associated with limited sulfhydryl modification.

Abstract Bacillus subtilis glutamine synthetase readily reacts with iodoacetamide, producing very specific changes in the catalytic parameters characteristic of the native enzyme. The alkylation reaction is influenced both by substrates and feedback inhibitors of the enzyme; whereas ammonia and glutamate are without effect, Mg2+-ATP enhances the alkylation reaction, and Mn2+-ATP effectively prevents the catalytic changes that accompany incubation of the enzyme with the alkylating agent. Histidine, tryptophan, and glutamine also potentiate the response of the enzyme to iodoacetamide. With limited alkylation, a marked increase in activity is seen using Mn2+ as divalent cation, a sharp reduction in specific activity is seen in the assay using Mg2+ as divalent cation, and the response of the enzyme to feedback inhibitors is altered. Whereas these changes in B. subtilis catalytic activity are qualitatively similar to changes seen with enzymatic adenylylation of Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase, no role in vivo for sulfhydryl modification of B. subtilis enzyme has been found. When assayed with Mn2+ as divalent cation, alkylated glutamine synthetase has a higher apparent Km for glutamate than does native enzyme; the substrate saturation function with the alkylated enzyme is hyperbolic and has lost the inhibition by high concentrations of glutamate, which is characteristic of the native enzyme. When assayed with Mg2+ as divalent cation, the alkylated enzyme shows loss of apparent affinity for glutamate at high glutamate concentrations. Sulfhydryl titration indicates that 1 cysteine residue is readily alkylated per subunit, with two to three additional groups titrated after dissociation of the enzyme. The alkylation reaction is specific for cysteine residues. These results thus provide by chemical modification of the B. subtilis glutamine synthetase a system that is qualitatively analogous to the enzymatic adenylylation of the E. coli glutamine synthetase; the results also exhibit a clear structural distinction between the two enzymes. Under similar conditions of study, the sulfhydryl groups of the B. subtilis enzyme are readily titrated by iodoacetamide, whereas those of E. coli glutamine synthetase are not accessible to the alkylating agent.
Inapparent viral infection of cells in vitro. III. Manifestations of infection of L mouse cells by Japanese encephalitis virus.

Abstract Dubbs, D. R. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis), and W. F. Scherer. Inapparent viral infection of cells in vitro. III. Manifestations of infection of L mouse cells by Japanese encephalitis virus. J. Bacteriol. 91:2349–2355. 1966.—Nine strains of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus were propagated serially in cultures of L cells reaching titers of 103.5 to 106.3. Although cytopathic effects were not seen in cultures of contiguous L cells after infection with JE virus, cell growth was inhibited. Moreover, cell destruction was readily apparent in infected cultures of sparse, noncontiguous L cells. Differences in the size of cell population of infected and noninfected cultures (i) occurred despite only 0.2 to 3.5% of the cells in infected cultures being associated with infectious virus, (ii) were greater in actively growing cultures than in those kept in maintenance media, and (iii) were probably in part related to an interferon produced in infected cultures.
Data mining integrated circuit fails with fail commonalities

We describe ways to use fail data from many failing integrate circuits (ICs) to determine which ICs failed because of similar causes, rather than to determine the cause of each individual failing IC. The purpose of finding clusters of similarly failing ICs is to focus on systematic defects, and to de-emphasize random ones. Once large groups of similarly failing ICs have been identified, a selection of the ICs in each group can be diagnosed using standard diagnostic routines.
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and its progression to oral carcinoma: a review of the literature

Background: Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a distinct clinical form of oral leukoplakia defined by its progressive clinical course, changing clinical and histopathological features, and potential to develop into cancer. PVL behaves in a more aggressive and relentless manner than the more innocuous white oral lesions that it can resemble clinically. Methods: A PubMed search was conducted which identified studies that examined patients with PVL and reported data meeting inclusion criteria. Results: PVL is seen much more frequently in females and most often diagnosed after the sixth decade of life. Tobacco use is not strongly linked to the presence of PVL (63% of patients did not use tobacco products). Most (74%) of the patients with PVL progressed to oral carcinoma. Conclusion: PVL is a persistent and progressive oral lesion that requires very close follow-up along with early and aggressive treatment to increase the chances of a favorable outcome.
Wild Salmonids in the Urban Environment: Lethal and Sublethal Effects

Pacific Northwest salmonid populations have decreased in watersheds where a large proportion of the land is urbanized. Between the 1940s and 1990s, salmon abundance declines were greater in Puget Sound, Washington basins with higher urbanization rates than in basins with less urbanization (Moscrip and Montgomery 1997). Also in the Puget Sound region, the presence of coho salmon at urbanized sites declined by 75 % between 1986 and 2001 (Bilby and Mollot 2008). Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) abundance also declined on lands converted to urban uses between 1984 and 1998 in the Snohomish River basin (Pess et al. 2002). Productivity was lowest in sub-watersheds with more urban land cover for 22 spring-summer Chinook (O. tshawytscha) salmon populations in eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Idaho (Regetz 2003). Similarly, the percent of fish assemblages composed of salmonids was lower in highly urbanized areas in western Oregon’s Willamette Valley (Waite et al. 2008).
Progress and Developments of Downburst Prediction Applications of GOES

AbstractThe National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) has developed and evaluated a suite of products that assess convective storm–generated downburst potential derived from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-13–15 (GOES-13–15). The existing suite of downburst prediction algorithms employs the GOES sounder to calculate risk based on conceptual models of favorable environmental thermodynamic profiles for downburst occurrence. A diagnostic nowcasting product, the Microburst Windspeed Potential Index (MWPI), is designed to identify attributes of a favorable downburst environment: 1) the presence of large CAPE and 2) the presence of a surface-based or elevated mixed layer with a large temperature lapse rate. This paper provides an updated assessment of the MWPI algorithm, presents case studies demonstrating effective operational use of the MWPI product, and presents validation results for the Great Plains and m...
Liquid phase behaviour in nonstoichiometric calcium-doped lanthanum chromites

The sinterability of (La,Ca)CrO3 is analysed by comparing the liquid phase behaviour in A-site excess and A-site deficient compositions (referring to the ABO3 formula). The analysis shows that a series of A-site excess and deficient compositions form distinct liquid phases belonging to the CaO-Cr2O3 phase system. Although both series experience grain growth and densification due to the presence of a liquid phase, the A-site excess compositions exhibit greater shrinkage and sinter to closed porosity, whereas the A-site deficient compositions remain porous. During the final stages of sintering, surplus liquid from the A-site excess material exudes to the free-surface forming a layer of uniform thickness. By comparison, the liquid in the A-site deficient composition segregates to the free-surface forming islands and leaving porous regions in the bulk matrix. It is concluded that the different liquid phase compositions in the A-site excess and A-site deficient (La,Ca)CrO3 have dissimilar wetting characteristics during the later stages of sintering. The A-site deficient liquid forms a premature solid phase, which accounts for the difference in sintering behaviour.
Advanced bladder cancer : options of therapy

Little progress has been made on the treatment of invasive transitional-cell carcinoma over the last 30-40 years. The lack of accurate staging modalities, which carries approximately 20%-30% understaging and 20% overstaging, makes evaluation of small gains attributed to any forms of therapy questionable. Furthermore, the lack of proper comparative studies among the different options of therapy continues to confuse the issues [21]. In the United States, until recently, the traditional approach to invasive bladder tumor has been radical cystectomy. Although there is an excellent control of local disease with this approach, approximately half of the patients will die of metastatic disease following this procedure. In other countries, radiation therapy has been used as a traditional method of treating invasive disease. Recently, combinations of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery have been tried in an attempt to improve the survival of patients with invasive cancer. Herein I discuss the different approaches to invasive bladder tumors and the recent reported results.
Frobenius fields for Drinfeld modules of rank 2

Let ϕ be a Drinfeld module of rank 2 over the field of rational functions , with . Let K be a fixed imaginary quadratic field over F and d a positive integer. For each prime of good reduction for ϕ, let be a root of the characteristic polynomial of the Frobenius endomorphism of ϕ over the finite field . Let Πϕ(K;d) be the number of primes of degree d such that the field extension is the fixed imaginary quadratic field K. We present upper bounds for Πϕ(K;d) obtained by two different approaches, inspired by similar ones for elliptic curves. The first approach, inspired by the work of Serre, is to consider the image of Frobenius in a mixed Galois representation associated to K and to the Drinfeld module ϕ. The second approach, inspired by the work of Cojocaru, Fouvry and Murty, is based on an application of the square sieve. The bounds obtained with the first method are better, but depend on the fixed quadratic imaginary field K. In our application of the second approach, we improve the results of Cojocaru, Murty and Fouvry by considering projective Galois representations.
Neutron diffraction analysis of a compositionally modulated alloy of nickel-copper

Abstract A compositionally modulated Ni 0.4 Cu 0.6 alloy, made in a thin film of 1.8 μm thickness, was examined by polarized neutron diffraction. The results show that the material is ferromagnetic, with a large enhancement of the magnetic moment (0.3μ B /Ni) with respect to a disordered alloy. The behaviour of the magnetic moments gives strong evidence of chemical clustering.
A flipping cell wall ferry

Most bacteria surround themselves with a tough, highly interconnected polymer called peptidoglycan. To create this wall, bacteria synthesize precursors in the cytoplasm, attach them to a lipid carrier (lipid II), transport (“flip”) this compound across the cytoplasmic membrane, and then polymerize and cross-link the monomers to the existing cell wall ( 1 ). The enzymes responsible for the cytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic steps are well known. However, hydrophilic precursors must cross the hydrophobic membrane, and the protein that conducts this critical transfer has stubbornly resisted identification. On page 220 of this issue, Sham et al. ( 2 ) present evidence that the MurJ protein of Escherichia coli performs this “flippase” function in vivo, thus solving a major puzzle in the basic pathway that synthesizes the bacterial cell wall. The new data are somewhat disconcerting, though, because in vitro experiments identified another candidate, FtsW, as the relevant flippase, with MurJ being inactive ( 3 ). We are left with the tantalizing question of how these results are to be reconciled and which protein fills this fundamental biochemical role.
Isolation and identification of six Pneumocystis carinii genes utilizing codon bias.

Abstract Pneumocystis carmii pneumonia (PCP) is a leading cause of death among AIDS patients in the United States. Our analysis of P. carmii protein-coding genes has revealed a significant A + T codon bias. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was utilized to isolate and identify the genes encoding calmodulin, β-tubulin, DNA polymerase II, and RNA polymerases I, II and III from P. carinii. Primer pairs were designed to incorporate P. carmii codon preference to known conserved protein regions from other organisms. This strategy should be useful for a large variety of P. carmii genes and assist in the comprehensive analysis of the genomic structure of this important pathogen.
Perceived musculoskeletal symptoms among dental students in the clinic work environment

Musculoskeletal symptoms are a major concern among dental practitioners. Dental students perform the same clinical tasks as dentists in private practice, yet only recently has scientific evidence suggested a relationship between the tasks and musculoskeletal symptoms. This study investigates the clinical tasks that place students at physical risk and the relationship between the tasks and musculoskeletal symptoms. Student perceptions of physical symptoms were established with a questionnaire identifying variables on general health, tasks, physical demands, workload and environment. A total of 61% (358/590) reported that during the past year they experienced musculoskeletal symptoms related to work at dental school (second year (n = 212), third year (n = 201) and fourth year (n = 177)). Of those students, the neck represented 48%, shoulder 31%, back 44% and hands 20% (p < 0.001). Third year students reported the highest occurrence of symptoms in every body area (p < 0.001). Third and fourth year students reported significant relationships between the occurrence of symptoms and equipment utilisation, work efficiency and general health. Further studies are recommended to evaluate types and levels of potential risk factors. A total of 75% of dental practitioners are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Results from this study have found that dental students were no exception. Third year dental students reported the highest level of musculoskeletal symptoms with the prevalence of pain in the neck, shoulder and lower back.
CensorSpoofer: asymmetric communication using IP spoofing for censorship-resistant web browsing

A key challenge in censorship-resistant web browsing is being able to direct legitimate users to redirection proxies while preventing censors, posing as insiders, from discovering their addresses and blocking them. We propose a new framework for censorship-resistant web browsing called CensorSpoofer that addresses this challenge by exploiting the asymmetric nature of web browsing traffic and making use of IP spoofing. CensorSpoofer de-couples the upstream and downstream channels, using a low-bandwidth indirect channel for delivering outbound requests (URLs) and a high-bandwidth direct channel for downloading web content. The upstream channel hides the request contents using steganographic encoding within Email or instant messages, whereas the downstream channel uses IP address spoofing so that the real address of the proxies is not revealed either to legitimate users or censors. We built a proof-of-concept prototype that uses encrypted VoIP for this downstream channel and demonstrated the feasibility of using the CensorSpoofer framework in a realistic environment.
Modeling Effects of Climate Change Policies on Small Farmer Households in the Amazon Basin, Brazil

Despite discussions on the effectiveness of carbon trade to reduce deforestation in the tropics, significant deforestation is expected to take place in the Amazon forest. Brazil is the fourth largest carbon emitter in the world, and nearly of 40% of its emission from deforestation come from smallholders. Smallholders can play a fundamental role in the conservation of carbon stocks due to their ability to adopt a highly diverse production system that does not require clearing of forest for production in the same way as soybean barons or cattle ranchers. This study analyzes potential effects of carbon trade policies on a typical 100-ha-smallholder farm located in the Transamazon highway, near Altamira in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Land use change was estimated using an ethnographic linear programming model over a 5-yr period. Carbon trade increased their income by 9% and avoided the emission of 347 t of carbon, demonstrating the potential of climate payments with economic improvement of marginalized popu...
Perception of two-body center of mass

Participants estimated the perceptual center of mass between two horizontally oriented black dots varying in size and distance. Experiment 1 showed that estimates, measured as distance from the larger dot's center, decreased with an increase in size ratio between the dots and a decrease in the distance between them, as predicted by the physical center-of-mass equation. The results were replicated and extended in further experiments with different ratios and distances. In all experiments, the true center was consistently overestimated, either because the stimuli were perceived in a low dimensionality or because of a hesitancy to place estimates near the larger dot's edge. In Experiment 4, the center was deliberately placed near this edge for one- and two-dimensional solutions. Participants still overestimated, indicating an “edge effect” as responsible.
A poisson trials approach to interpopulation comparisons of cause of death data

Abstract If the expected number of deaths from cause i in a given population is small relative to the size of the population, the probability of observing K deaths from cause i is given, approximately, by the Poisson probability distribution with parameter λ equal to the expected number of deaths. The present discussion uses this fact to develop tests of whether or not the observed number of deaths in a given population is large relative to some parametric expected value, or the observed number of deaths in some control population. Power calculations for these tests are given as well as methods for calculating both the necessary sample size for a given power and the power required for meaningful statistical inference.
S-nitrosothiols increases cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator expression and maturation in the cell surface

S-nitrosothiols (SNOs) are endogenous signaling molecules with a broad spectrum of beneficial airway effects. SNOs are normally present in the airway, but levels tend to be low in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We and others have demonstrated that S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) increases the expression, maturation, and function of wild-type and mutant F508del cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in human bronchial airway epithelial (HBAE) cells. We hypothesized that membrane permeable SNOs, such as S-nitrosoglutathione diethyl ester (GNODE) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl cysteine (SNOAC) may be more efficient in increasing the maturation of CFTR. HBAE cells expressing F508del CFTR were exposed to GNODE and SNOAC. The effects of these SNOs on the expression and maturation of F508del CFTR were determined by cell surface biotinylation and Western blot analysis. We also found for the first time that GNODE and SNOAC were effective at increasing CFTR maturation at the cell surface. Furthermore, we found that cells maintained at low temperature increased cell surface stability of F508del CFTR whereas the combination of low temperature and SNO treatment significantly extended the half-life of CFTR. Finally, we showed that SNO decreased the internalization rate of F508del CFTR in HBAE cells. We anticipate identifying the novel mechanisms, optimal SNOs, and lowest effective doses which could benefit cystic fibrosis patients.
PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF 24 HOUR AMBULATORY ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC MONITORING IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

The prevalence and prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmias identified on 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring was prospectively assessed in 99 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In the absence of antiarrhythmic therapy, high grade ventricular arrhythmias (grade 3 and above) were common; that is they were identified in 66 percent of the patients, including 19 percent with episodes of asymptomatic ventricular tachycardia. Clinical outcome was assessed 3 years after the initial 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiogram. Of the 84 patients who did not undergo ventricular septal myotomy-myectomy, 6 died suddenly or experienced cardiac arrest, 1 died of progressive congestive heart failure and the other 77 have survived without a cardiac catastrophe. The prevalence rate of sudden death or cardiac arrest during the follow-up period was the same (3 percent) in patients with high grade arrhythmias other than ventricular tachycardia (1 of 37) as in those with no or low grade arrhythmias (1 of 29). However, the occurrence of a sudden cardiac catastrophe was significantly more common in patients with asymptomatic ventricular tachycardia of brief duration on 24 hour electrocardiography (4 [24 percent] of 17) than in patients without ventricular tachycardia (2 [3 percent] of 66) (p less than 0.02). In summary, (1) high grade ventricular arrhythmias are commonly found on continuous 24 hour electrocardiography monitoring in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; and (2) although sudden death is relatively uncommon in patients with high grade ventricular arrhythmias other than ventricular tachycardia (annual mortality rate 1 percent), the finding of ventricular tachycardia on 24 hour electrocardiography identifies a subgroup of patients at high risk for sudden death (annual mortality rate 8.6 percent). Although no conclusions can be drawn regarding the impact of therapy, our findings suggest that 24 hour electrocardiographic monitoring should be performed in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and that it may be reasonable to initiate antiarrhythmic therapy if ventricular tachycardia is identified.
Electric dipole polarizabilities of copper clusters.

The static electric dipole polarizabilities of Cu9–Cu61 have been measured via a molecular beam deflection method. The clusters display per-atom polarizabilities that decrease monotonically with size, from ∼16 A3 per atom Cu9–10 to ∼5 A3 (Cu45–61). Absent are any discernible discontinuities or odd–even alternations due to electronic shell filling or electron pairing effects. For the smallest clusters, the experimental polarizabilities are ∼3 times larger than those predicted classically for conducting ellipsoids, and approach the classical values only for clusters containing more than ∼45 atoms.
Effect of herbivory on growth and biomass allocation of Brazilian peppertree (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) seedlings in the laboratory

Abstract Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi), native to South America, is invading many ecosystems in south and central Florida. The defoliating tortricid moth Episimus unguiculus Clarke was selected as a potential biocontrol agent of Brazilian peppertree in Florida. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of different levels of herbivore damage on growth and biomass allocation of Brazilian peppertree seedlings in the laboratory. Three treatments were established: (1) no herbivory (control), (2) low herbivory (~4 larvae/plant), and (3) high herbivory (~12 larvae/plant). High levels of herbivory significantly reduced the number of leaflets, plant height, foliar biomass, foliar relative growth rate (RGR) and shoot: root ratio of Brazilian peppertree seedlings. Moreover, plants were not able to recover from herbivory after 2 months. The performance of Brazilian peppertree subjected to low herbivory levels did not differ from the control plants (no herbivory). The potential eff...
Balloon tamponade repair after inadvertent subclavian artery catheterization.

Purpose: The approach to repair inadvertent subclavian artery catheterization has evolved to increasingly less invasive modalities. Most recently, endovascular balloon tamponade has become the preferred initial approach. We report our experience and review the technique. Methods: Eleven patients underwent primary treatment with balloon tamponade from 2001 to 2012. Using either femoral or brachial approach, an appropriately sized balloon was placed directly adjacent to the site of hemorrhage and inflated for 5-25 min on the basis of operator preference and repeated as needed. Primary technical success defined as hemostasis was achieved with balloon tamponade. Results: Technical success was achieved in nine of 11 patients. The mean follow-up time was 10.8 months. Two deaths were reported, both unrelated to catheter placement and removal. Of the successful cases, five achieved hemostasis with one inflation and four required two inflations. One patient developed a small thrombus at the thyrocervical trunk of no clinical significance. No other complications occurred. One of the nine patients had a double wall injury. The two patients with unsuccessful hemostasis underwent two & four inflations, respectively. Both patients had a double wall injury. One of the patients had a complication of distal ischemia and stroke. Conclusions: In patients with inadvertent subclavian artery catheterization, balloon tamponade is an effective first step in management, with primary technical success approaching 100% in cases of single lumen injury. It appears less effective in patients with double lumen injury. However, the ease of transition from balloon tamponade to stent placement supports an initial attempt at hemostasis with tamponade prior to placement of a permanent stent.
Effect of minoxidil on pre- and postconfluent keratinocytes.

Studies in our laboratory have shown that minoxidil prolongs the life of keratinocytes in culture and extends the time after confluence that cells can be subcultured. These data suggest that the drug reduces the rate at which cells are lost from the germinative pool and hence slows senescence. In a dose-response study with minoxidil, the maximal effect of the drug was seen at doses from 6 to 12 µg/ml; however, activity could be detected at doses below 1 µg/ml. Cells subcultured during log growth failed to demonstrate that minoxidil increased the total number of generations attainable under these conditions, although as expected, epidermal growth factor extended the life span of cells. When the experiments were repeated in a keratinocyte cell line that does not require a fibroblast feeder layer, the same results were obtained, indicating that the difference observed between log phase and postconfluence growth cannot be explained by the presence of fibroblasts. Minoxidil's effect on postconfluent cells was blunted by the addition of cholera toxin to the medium, suggesting that elevation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate cannot be a mechanism, although reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate is a possibility. Finally, maintaining keratinocytes at a 20 to 40 mM calcium concentration greatly reduced the ability of postconfluent cells to be subcultured, in comparison with the normal calcium concentration of 2 mM. That minoxidil almost completely reversed this inhibitory effect suggests it may work by preventing cross-linking by transglutaminase, which is activated by elevated calcium concentrations.
The variability of vision loss assessment in federally sponsored surveys: seeking conceptual clarity and comparability.

Purpose To review U.S. national population-based surveys to evaluate comparability and conceptual clarity of vision measures. Design Perspective. Methods The vision questions in 12 surveys were mapped to the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework under the domains of condition, impairment, activity limitation, participation, and environment. Surveys examined include the National Health Interview Survey, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Census, and the Visual Function Questionnaire. Results Nearly 100 vision measures were identified in 12 surveys. These surveys provided no consistent measure of vision or vision impairment. Survey questions asked about differing characteristics of vision-related disease, function, and social roles. A question related to ability to read newspaper print was the most commonly asked question in surveys. Conclusions Limited comparability of data and lack of conceptual clarity in the population-based surveys resulted in an inability to consistently characterize the population of people experiencing vision impairment. Consequently, vision surveillance was limited.
The golden hour of stroke intervention: effect of thrombectomy procedural time in acute ischemic stroke on outcome

Introduction Outcome studies in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have focused on time from symptom onset to treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether time to achieve vessel recanalization from groin puncture affects outcomes. Methods We studied all AIS cases that underwent intra-arterial therapy between May 2008 and October 2012 at a high volume center for anterior circulation occlusions. Candidacy for thrombectomy is determined by CT perfusion imaging, irrespective of time of onset. Patients were then dichotomized into two groups: ‘Early recan’ assigned in which recanalization was achieved in ≤60 min from groin puncture and ‘Delayed recan’ in which procedures extended beyond 60 min. Time to recanalize was also studied as a continuous variable. Results 159 patients (53.5% women, mean age 66.4±15.2 years) were identified. The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was similar between ‘Early recan’ patients (16.8±6.1) compared with ‘Delayed recan’ patients (15.4±5.8, p=0.149). Among the ‘Early recan’ patients, recanalization was achieved in 40.7±13.6 min compared with 101.7±32.5 min in the ‘Delayed recan’ patients (p Conclusions Our findings suggest that extending mechanical thrombectomy procedure times beyond 60 min increases complications and device cost rates while worsening outcomes. These findings can serve as a time frame of when it is prudent to abort a failed thrombectomy case.
High performance and low power electronics on flexible substrate

We propose a design and optimization methodology for high performance and ultra low power digital applications on flexible substrate using low temperature polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor (LTPS TFT). We show that by using ultra-thin bodies and minimizing the mid-gap trap density by hydrogenation, LTPS TFTs (in 200 nm technology) can achieve higher performance than standard TFTs. We also demonstrate that it can be a promising candidate for both sub-threshold and super-threshold operation with performances comparable to contemporary bulk silicon. However, due to grain boundaries (GBs), there can be large intrinsic variations in such devices. Hence, there is a need for GB-tolerant design. Integration of proposed digital electronics in conjunction with conventional display application of LTPS TFTs on flexible substrates (system-on-panel) will open up plethora of new and interesting applications.
Common cryptographic architecture cryptographic application programming interface

Cryptography is considered by many users to be a complicated subject. An architecture for a cryptographic application programming interface simplifies customer use of cryptographic services by helping to ensure compliance with national and international standards and by providing intuitive high-level services that may be implemented on a broad range of operating systems and underlying hardware. This paper gives an overview of the design rationale of the recently announced Common Cryptographic Architecture Cryptographic Application Programming Interface and gives typical application scenarios showing methods of using the services described in the architecture to meet security requirements.
Early bladder outlet obstruction in fetal lambs induces renal dysplasia and the prune-belly syndrome

A model of posterior urethral valves in fetal lambs was developed in order to evaluate the effect of intrauterine urinary obstruction on the developing kidney. Complete urethral obstruction was induced in five fetal lambs at 43 to 45 days of gestation. Two control fetal lambs underwent sham operations. At full term (140 days), two of the five experimental lambs and both control lambs were available for postmortem examination. Results of gross and histological examination of the control lambs were normal. In contrast, the kidneys of the experimental lambs were markedly asymmetrical in size. Histological examination of the kidneys in experimental lambs showed cystic dilatation of the collecting ducts and occasional cystic dilatation of Bowman's spaces, features compatible with obstruction. Also noted were peripheral cortical cysts and primitive tubules lined with cuboidal epithelium and surrounded by fibromuscular collarettes, characteristic of renal dysplasia. One of the infant lambs had many characteristics of the prune-belly syndrome, including a wrinkled, markedly distended abdomen, deficient abdominal wall musculature, flared chest wall, limb deformities, and undescended testes. These results suggest that early in utero urethral obstruction (at the beginning of the second third of gestation) causes renal dysplasia. The results also support the hypothesis that the prune-belly syndrome results from abdominal distention that occurs early in gestation.
Augmented mixture models for lexical disambiguation

This paper investigates several augmented mixture models that are competitive alternatives to standard Bayesian models and prove to be very suitable to word sense disambiguation and related classification tasks. We present a new classification correction technique that successfully addresses the problem of under-estimation of infrequent classes in the training data. We show that the mixture models are boosting-friendly and that both Adaboost and our original correction technique can improve the results of the raw model significantly, achieving state-of-the-art performance on several standard test sets in four languages. With substantially different output to Naive Bayes and other statistical methods, the investigated models are also shown to be effective participants in classifier combination.
Barriers to Adaptive Management: Lessons from the Apalachicola–Chattahoochee–Flint Compact

Adaptive management advocates contend that resource decisions should be made and modified as a function of what scientists and resource managers learn about natural systems. Decisions should be modest in scope, scientifically sound, and reversible. Implementing adaptive practices requires that stakeholders adopt resource management arrangements that permit learning from mistakes, monitoring, mid-course changes, and reaching consensus on future actions. This article examines these challenges in the Apalachicola–Chattahoochee–Flint (ACF) River Basin Compact formed in 1997 to forge a water allocation formula for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Through a literature review and analysis of key events, we find that efforts to agree on an allocation formula have failed because preconditions needed for adaptively managing the ACF basin are impeded by lack of a shared vision and conflicting demands, and separation of water quality and quantity regulations. These problems exist in other water disputes and highlight l...
GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING IN INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is an alarming problem in children. Although many causes of GI bleeding are common to children and adults, the frequency of specific causes differs greatly, and some lesions, such as necrotizing enterocolitis or allergic colitis, are unique to children. This article reviews the spectrum of GI bleeding in infants and children. The causes, diagnostic evaluation, and management are discussed, and differences with adult medicine are highlighted.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and medication use by children during parental military deployments

ABSTRACT Objective: Parental deployment is associated with children's increased mental health needs. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common pediatric mental health diagnosis. We hypothesize children with ADHD will have increased mental health and medication needs during parental deployment. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of children with ADHD aged 4–8 years in the Military Health System. Results: Of 413,665 children aged 4–8 years, 34,205 (8.3%) had ADHD and 19,123 (55.9%) of these were prescribed ADHD medications. During parental deployments, children with ADHD had a 13% increased rate of mental and behavioral health care visits (IRR 1.13 [95% CI 1.12–1.14; p < 0.00001]) and a decreased rate of medication changes (IRR 0.94 [95% CI 0.91–0.96; p < 0.00001]) compared to when parents were at home. Medication changes related to deployment varied by age; school-aged children had decreased medication events (IRR 0.88 [95% CI 0.86–0.91; p < 0.00001]) and preschool-aged children h...
Gaddis, Kennan, and the Cold War: An Assessment of the Biography

Nine experts on Cold War history offer commentaries about John Lewis Gaddis's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of George F. Kennan, the first head of the U.S. State Department's Policy Planning Staff. The commentators come from several countries and offer a wide range of perspectives about Gaddis's George F. Kennan: An American Life, published by Penguin Books in 2011. Although most of the commentators express highly favorable assessments of the book, they also raise numerous points of criticism. Two of the commentators, Barton J. Bernstein and Anders Stephanson, present extended critiques of Gaddis's biography. The forum concludes with a reply by Gaddis to all the commentaries, especially those by Bernstein and Stephanson.
Spontaneous magnetic order in strongly coupled ferrofluids

Using the dipolar hard-sphere fluid as a model, we study the spontaneous magnetization of ferrofluids. Mean field theory suggests magnetic order will occur in a strongly coupled ferrofluid. At fixed low density, the system phase separates at low temperature into a dilute nonmagnetic gas and a dense, magnetically ordered liquid. We focus our study on the effect of positional randomness, which is not included in conventional mean field studies. Our results show that a positionally unstructured ferrofluid exhibits magnetic order at low temperatures, provided its density is high enough. Freezing the solvent inhibits phase separation. In this case, positional randomness prevents magnetic order in a dilute frozen ferrofluid.
Effects of cigarette smoking and abstinence on Stroop task performance.

Rationale Smokers report enhanced concentration after cigarette smoking and difficulty concentrating when abstinent from smoking. These perceived effects may contribute to smoking cessation failures, and if so, clarification of their cognitive bases could inform treatment strategies. Selective attention may be important in this regard, but earlier literature presents inconsistent findings on how smoking abstinence and resumption of smoking influence this cognitive function.
What Is Wrong with External Reasons

In this paper I argue that only a subset of the reason statementsWilliams defines as external must be rejected as false. `A has areason to φ' is necessarily false when the ends and aimsconstitutive of A's good close off the deliberative route from her S to the conclusion she has reason to φ. But when less important ends are at stake, it seems that a person's needs generally provide reasons for action, contrary to Williams's internalist account. I suspect, however, that there may remain inexorable disagreementover these claims because people value things in two distinct ways. Tosupport my suspicion, I explain how people's valuation can take either an agency-prioritizing or an end-prioritizing form. I then argue thatresolving the disagreement over Williams's internalist account ofreasons depends on whether it can be established that the agency-prioritizingform is the rationally superior form of valuation.