cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Directive Strategies on Settlement Duration

Are Directive Strategies in international disputes the most effective mediation method for obtaining durable peace? A standard statistical analysis shows no effect of Directive Strategies on settlement durability. This result however, is misleading, failing to take selection and indirect effects into account. In this article, I identify when selection and process effects reinforce or oppose each other. Directive Strategies have opposing negative selection and positive process effects, which can distort inferences about their influence. Strategies’ direct and indirect effects are also examined. Directive Strategies are more likely to lead to Full Settlements – the most comprehensive form of agreement, which improve the settlement durability (an indirect effect). However, Directive Strategies are used in more intractable disputes that result in fragile settlements (a direct effect). A statistical analysis of international disputes that takes these conflicting dynamics into account demonstrates the efficacy of Directive Mediation Strategies in producing durable agreements.
Evapotranspiration intensifies over the conterminous United States

Note: 127(6): 354-362 Reference EFLUM-ARTICLE-2001-002 Record created on 2005-09-08, modified on 2017-02-23
Female sexual dysfunction—from diagnosis to treatment

This paper defines female sexual dysfunction, its classification and incidence, and discusses several available treatments.
Occult occipital condyle fractures presenting as tumors

Occipital condyle fractures can be easily overlooked on plain radiographic examinations of the head and cervical spine. This is especially true if such a fracture is not clinically suspected, since they are very rare fractures. Two patients presented with suspected tumors of the foramen magnum region. Both had old trauma and undiagnosed old fractures of the occipital condyle.
Antenna selection and power combining for transmit beamforming in MIMO systems

We investigate the transmit beamforming with antenna selection and power combining for multiple antenna systems with practical per-antenna power constraint. We consider that more than one power amplifier (PA) outputs can potentially be combined by using power combiners, such as hybrid combiners, and fed into antennas with stronger channel gains in order to achieve better channel coupling efficiency. The SNR gain of the proposed scheme is analyzed for two different power combining scenarios. For a general number of PAs and transmit antennas, we present an efficient algorithm to find the optimal antenna selection and the power combining vector for multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems, and discuss its extension to general multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Numerical results show that the proposed design provides an efficient way to reduce the large SNR loss due to the strong channel imbalance in the MIMO systems.
Attenuated blood pressure responsiveness during post-exercise hypotension.

Objective: To test the hypotheses that acute treadmill exercise would produce post-exercise hypotension (PEH) and that PEH would be associated with reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) responsiveness to the α1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine.Methods: Arterial and venous catheters were implanted into exercise-trained female Dahl-salt sensitive rats (n=9) for measurement of pulsatile blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). The changes in BP following ganglionic blockade (hexamethonium/atropine) and the MAP responses to phenylephrine (PE) injections after ganglionic blockade (GB) were examined on separate days in testing cages (control) and following 40 min of treadmill exercise (post-ex).Results: Thirty minutes following graded treadmill exercise (20-40 m/min, 0% grade, 40 min duration) blood pressure was significantly reduced (-9 ± 1) mmHg compared to control. After exercise, GB produced a 43 ± 3 mmHg decrease in BP which tended (p=0.08) to be less than the reduction observed during control studies (51 ±...
Latency of auditory brain-stem responses and otoacoustic emissions using tone-burst stimuli

A comparison of the latency of auditory brain-stem responses (ABR) and evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE) has led to an interpretation for the travel of transients in the peripheral auditory system that is consistent with both sets of data. The "cochlear echo" theory for the origin of the EOAE indicates that the latency of a particular frequency component back to the ear canal should be twice the forward latency of its characteristic place in the cochlea. The latency of wave V of the ABR to tone-burst stimuli can be described as the sum of two components: (1) a component that varies with intensity and frequency in an orderly and predictable manner and (2) a component that is independent of both intensity and frequency. Because the EOAE data can be predicted by taking twice the value of component (1) of the ABR latency, this component is interpreted to be due to mechanical travel through the cochlea. A consequence of this interpretation is that the remaining neural component of the ABR latency must be relatively independent of frequency and intensity.
An open-channel blocker interacts with adjacent turns of α-helices in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

The binding site for an open-channel blocker, QX-222, at mouse muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors was probed using site-directed mutagenesis, oocyte expression, and elect rophysiologicaI analysis. The proposed cytoplasmic end of the M2 transmembrane helix is termed position 1′. At position 10′ (αS252, βT263, γA261, δA266), Ala residues yield stronger and longer binding of QX-222 than Ser or Thr residues. These effects are opposite and roughly equal (30%–50% per mutation) to previously reported effects at position 6′. The polar end of an anesthetic molecule seems to bind to the position 6′ OH groups, which provide a water-like region; the nonpolar moiety is near position 10′ and binds more strongly in a nonpolar environment. Interactions with adjacent OH-rich turns of an amphiphilic helix may explain the widespread blocking effects of local anesthetics at the conduction pore of ion channels.
DemoCut: generating concise instructional videos for physical demonstrations

Amateur instructional videos often show a single uninterrupted take of a recorded demonstration without any edits. While easy to produce, such videos are often too long as they include unnecessary or repetitive actions as well as mistakes. We introduce DemoCut, a semi-automatic video editing system that improves the quality of amateur instructional videos for physical tasks. DemoCut asks users to mark key moments in a recorded demonstration using a set of marker types derived from our formative study. Based on these markers, the system uses audio and video analysis to automatically organize the video into meaningful segments and apply appropriate video editing effects. To understand the effectiveness of DemoCut, we report a technical evaluation of seven video tutorials created with DemoCut. In a separate user evaluation, all eight participants successfully created a complete tutorial with a variety of video editing effects using our system.
Intérêt de la tomographie par émission de positons au [18F]-fluoro-2-désoxyglucose dans la détermination des volumes cibles de radiothérapie. Application à l'irradiation conformationnelle des cancers bronchiques non à petites cellules

Resume En radiotherapie conformationnelle, l'acquisition des donnees anatomiques necessaires a l'etablissement des plans de traitement est fondee sur le scanner. Avec cet examen morphologique, il est souvent tres difficile de differencier tissu sain et tissu tumoral, ce qui conduit a des incertitudes ou a des erreurs dans l'etablissement des contours du volume tumoral macroscopique (GTV). La tomographie par emission de positons au 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (TEP–FDG) a prouve sa superiorite en termes de specificite et de sensibilite par rapport a la scanographie dans le bilan d'extension locoregional des cancers bronchiques non a petites cellules. L'utilisation conjointe des deux examens est donc logique, permettant au radiotherapeute d'ameliorer la determination du volume cible en ajoutant les donnees fonctionnelles de la TEP aux donnees morphologiques de la scanographie lors de l'etablissement du plan de traitement. Actuellement, il a ete demontre que l'utilisation des images issues de la TEP–FDG pour la radiotherapie conformationnelle des cancers bronchiques non a petites cellules : 1) entrainait une modification de la forme et des volumes d'irradiation dans 22 a 62 % des cas ; 2) reduisait significativement la variabilite inter- et intra-individuelle dans l'etablissement des contours du volume tumoral macroscopique. Cet article passe en revue les resultats publies dans la litterature ainsi que les problemes rencontres et presente l'organisation pratique des examens mise en place a l'institut Claudius-Regaud.
Gβγ and the C terminus of SNAP-25 are necessary for long-term depression of transmitter release.

Background Short-term presynaptic inhibition mediated by G protein-coupled receptors involves a direct interaction between G proteins and the vesicle release machinery. Recent studies implicate the C terminus of the vesicle-associated protein SNAP-25 as a molecular binding target of Gβγ that transiently reduces vesicular release. However, it is not known whether SNAP-25 is a target for molecular modifications expressing long-term changes in transmitter release probability. Methodology/principal findings This study utilized two-photon laser scanning microscopy for real-time imaging of action potential-evoked [Ca(2+)] increases, in single Schaffer collateral presynaptic release sites in in vitro hippocampal slices, plus simultaneous recording of Schaffer collateral-evoked synaptic potentials. We used electroporation to infuse small peptides through CA3 cell bodies into presynaptic Schaffer collateral terminals to selectively study the presynaptic effect of scavenging the G-protein Gβγ. We demonstrate here that the C terminus of SNAP-25 is necessary for expression of LTD, but not long-term potentiation (LTP), of synaptic strength. Using type A botulinum toxin (BoNT/A) to enzymatically cleave the 9 amino acid C-terminus of SNAP-25 eliminated the ability of low frequency synaptic stimulation to induce LTD, but not LTP, even if release probability was restored to pre-BoNT/A levels by elevating extracellular [Ca(2+)]. Presynaptic electroporation infusion of the 14-amino acid C-terminus of SNAP-25 (Ct-SNAP-25), to scavenge Gβγ, reduced both the transient presynaptic inhibition produced by the group II metabotropic glutamate receptor stimulation, and LTD. Furthermore, presynaptic infusion of mSIRK, a second, structurally distinct Gβγ scavenging peptide, also blocked the induction of LTD. While Gβγ binds directly to and inhibit voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels, imaging of presynaptic [Ca(2+)] with Mg-Green revealed that low-frequency stimulation only transiently reduced presynaptic Ca(2+) influx, an effect not altered by infusion of Ct-SNAP-25. Conclusions/significance The C-terminus of SNAP-25, which links synaptotagmin I to the SNARE complex, is a binding target for Gβγ necessary for both transient transmitter-mediated presynaptic inhibition, and the induction of presynaptic LTD.
SENSITIVITY REDUCTION BY STATE DERIVATIVE FEEDBACK.

This paper shows that the sensitivity of state feedback control systems can be re­ duced by additional state derivative feedback, for a fixed closed loop eigenstructure. The price of this sensitivity reduction is in general noise response amplification. Two indices which quantify stability robustness and response sensitivity are given for time invariant continuous time and discrete time systems, together with an index of response to disturbances and noise. Closed form expressions for the gradients of these indices are given. A two step design procedure is proposed which consists of first selecting a closed loop eigenstructure, then minimizing one of the sensitivity in­ dices under a magnitude constraint on the noise response. Examples are given to il­ lustrate this original design procedure.
CHARACTERISTICS AND MOTIVES OF VOLUNTEERS IN WILDLIFE REHABILITATION

Although wildlife rehabilitation relies heavily on volunteers, the characteristics and motivations of such volunteer workers have not been studied. 80 volunteers from three San Francisco Bay Area Rehabilitation Centers, were interviewed about their preferences in working with animals and people, their methods of dealing with grief and failure over animals' deaths, and the onset of their interest in and motives for working in a difficult field. A significant number had owned pets in childhood as well as currently. 40% preferred working only with animals to working with both animals and people. 34% stayed in rehabilitation because they loved and wanted to help animals; 23% enjoyed hands-on nurturing; and the remainder primarily felt they were giving back to Nature a part of what people have taken from it.
Crystallographic image processing for scanning probe and transmission electron microscopy

The common practice of Crystallographic Image Processing (CIP) in both electron crystallography and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of crystals is briefly compared to the crystallographic processing of 2D periodic Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) images.
Understanding the Sexual Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church: Challenges with Prevention Policies

Abstract Child sexual abuse by Catholic priests was recognized as a crisis in 2002, and in response the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) created the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. At the time little was known about clergy abusers, their victims, or the situations regarding their abusive behavior. John Jay College researchers published two reports on the nature and scope of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests that provided descriptive information about this problem (John Jay College, 2004, 2006). This article provides descriptive information about clergy abusers—including demographics, victim choice, grooming behavior, duration of abusive behavior, and issues related to the reporting of offenses by victims. Policy implications are discussed based upon the comparison of clergy to nonclergy abusers. As with child sexual abuse in any population, effective prevention policies are challenging to implement due to the interaction of many variables related to the abuse process.
Leadership, trustworthiness, and the mediating lens

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to propose and empirically test hypotheses concerning the influence of leadership behaviors on interpersonal perceptions of trustworthiness.Design/methodology/approach – Survey research is employed to assess the dimensions of leadership behavior and dimensions of trustworthiness and to determine the relationships among the leadership behavior dimensions and trustworthiness dimensions.Findings – Factor analyses support previous research advocating three dimensions of leadership behavior (relationship development, resource utilization, and image management) and three dimensions of trustworthiness (ability, benevolence, and integrity). A structural model (LISREL), testing the relationship among the three leadership behavior dimensions and the three trustworthiness dimensions, shows that image management influences perceptions of all three dimensions of trustworthiness, and relationship development influences the benevolence dimension of trustworthiness. Using analysi...
Glaucoma clinical trials and what they mean for our patients.

Abstract Purpose To InternetAdvance publication at ajo.com May 15, 2003. provide a perspective on the several randomized clinical trials in glaucoma, to suggest how their results can be used in clinical practice, and to look to the future of glaucoma therapy. Design A search and review of the glaucoma clinical trials literature, the glaucoma observational studies literature, and the evidence–based medicine literature. Methods Analysis of the significance of glaucoma clinical trials data on patient management along with use of patient data to demonstrate how treatment decisions can be used in the practice setting. Results Glaucoma clinical trials and observational studies strongly support the need to reduce intraocular pressures (IOP) substantially and to maintain those pressures in patients with advanced glaucoma. Whether this aggressive therapy occurs by medications or by filtering surgery does not seem as important as that the treatment is effective and sustained. However, there is not the same strength of evidence for aggressive treatment or even any treatment for most patients with ocular hypertension and for some cases of early glaucoma. Because about half of the patients with open-angle glaucoma will have IOPs less than 21 mm Hg, these patients need to be detected through careful optic disk and visual field assessment. Once patients are detected and treated appropriately, blindness from open-angle glaucoma is unlikely. Conclusions The goal of managing ocular hypertension and glaucoma is not to preserve every ganglion cell, but rather to preserve a patient’s visual ability to conduct activities of daily living. Risk factors for damage need to be assessed for individual patients and each patient managed as an individual and not as the “average” patient depicted in the results of clinical trials. In the future, neuroprotective therapy other than IOP reduction will provide another means to control glaucoma damage.
The Formation of Asteroidal Satellites in Catastrophic Collisions

Abstract Numerical simulations of the initial stages of the expanding debris field resulting from the disruption of a parent asteroid show that the formation of co-orbiting fragments and even contact binaries is a natural outcome of catastrophic collisions between asteroids. The formation of contact structures is favored over the formation of true orbiting pairs. A wide range of primary-to-secondary size ratios is produced, from Ida/Dactyl-like pairs to small binaries with equal-sized components. Composite configurations with satellites orbiting around contact structures are also possible.
Posterolateral minimal incision for total hip replacement: technique and early results

Development of a minimal incision posterolateral approach to total hip arthroplasty began in 1996. As experience was gained, incision length was progressively shortened. It became clear that modification of instruments would be required to facilitate arthroplasty through incisions of less than 10cm. This approach involves more than simply a shorter skin incision. It incorporates minimal soft tissue dissection and eliminates portions of surgical exposure unnecessary for accurate and reproducible acetabular and femoral preparation. It is a technique that can be utilized in perhaps 95% of primary total hip arthrop lasties.
Kinetics of soluble chromium removal from contaminated water by zerovalent iron media: corrosion inhibition and passive oxide effects.

Permeable reactive barriers containing zerovalent iron are being increasingly employed for in situ remediation of groundwater contaminated with redox active metals and chlorinated organic compounds. This research investigated the effect of chromate concentration on its removal from solution by zerovalent iron. Removal rates of aqueous Cr(VI) by iron wires were measured in batch experiments for initial chromium concentrations ranging from 100 to 10 000 μg/L. Chromate removal was also measured in columns packed with zerovalent iron filings over this same concentration range. Electrochemical measurements were made to determine the free corrosion potential and corrosion rate of the iron reactants. In both the batch and column reactors, absolute rates of chromium removal declined with increasing chromate concentration. Corrosion current measurements indicated that the rate of iron corrosion decreased with increasing Cr(VI) concentrations between 0 and 5000 μg/L. At a Cr(VI) concentration of 10 000 μg/L, Tafel ...
Self-administered chest thump for cardioversion of recurrent ventricular tachycardia.

For over 13 years a patient with recurrent ventricular tachycardia has repeatedly terminated his arrhythmia by a self-administered thump on his chest. The postulated mechanism of action for conversion of an arrhvthmia via a thump on the chest is reviewed. For patients with known ventricular tachycardia, we recommend instruction in the method of self-administered chest thumping at the first symptom of hypotension or palpitation.
Effects of T-2 Toxin on Reproductive Performance and Health of Laying Hens

Purified T-2 toxin was fed to S.C.W.L. hens at levels of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 p.p.m. of an otherwise balanced diet. Feed consumption, egg production and shell thickness were significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in hens fed 8 p.p.m. as compared with control hens. The fertility and progeny performance were not depressed by feeding T-2 toxin, but the hatchability of fertile eggs of hens fed 2 and 8 p.p.m. was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than that of hens fed the control diet. The weights of liver, heart, gizzard and spleen were not influenced by T-2 toxin. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, LDH and uric acid of hens fed high concentrations of T-2 toxin were greater than those of control hens. SGPT in hens fed 8.0 p.p.m. was lower when compared with control hens. No outward changes in hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte, leukocyte and differential leukocyte counts were noted with feeding T-2 toxin. Most hens fed T-2 toxin developed oral lesions: circumscribed proliferative yellow caseous plaques at the margin of the beak, mucosa of the hard palate and angle of the mouth, and tongue. The incidence and severity of lesions were proportional to the dietary level of T-2 toxin. The only other lesion observed in necropsy examination at the end of the experiment was the small mucosal ulcer in the anterior portion of the gizzard in hens fed high levels of T-2 toxin. Microscostrointestinal tract, etc.) revealed no significant pathological change except the necrotic lesions in the gizzard and crop.
MUSCLE CRAMPS: II

A 29-year-old male frequently misses dialysis treatments. He abuses fluids and gains 5–7 kg between treatments. He demonstrates volume-sensitive hypertension with predialysis seated blood pressures about 180/105 mmHg, occasional intradialytic hypotension, and postdialysis blood pressures of 160/90mmHg. His 3-hr treatments are often complicated by leg cramps during the last hour. He periodically demands to quit dialysis early because of cramps, which may persist intermittently for hours after dialysis.
Trends in Antidepressant Use Among U.S. Cancer Survivors, 1999–2012

One in three patients with cancer experiences some type of mental disorder (1). Antidepressants are effective in treating depressive symptoms among cancer survivors (2). However, little is knownabout the prevalence and trends of antidepressant use in this group. This study tracked trends in antidepressant use from 1999 to 2012 among cancer survivors age $20 by using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Diagnosis was ascertained on the basis of the question, “Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had cancer or a malignancy of any kind?” Cancer survivorship was defined as a cancer diagnosis (most recent, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) three years or more before the survey. Current use of prescription medications was recorded by interviewers on the basis of bottles provided by participants, and they were classified according to Lexicon Plus (www.multum.com/Lexicon. htm). Antidepressants were identified by second-level Multum codes (code 249). To facilitate comparison, sexand age-adjusted rates of antidepressant use were estimated for adults without a cancer history. From 1999 to 2012, the average rate of antidepressant use among cancer survivorswas 18.3% (95%CI516.09%220.62%), compared with 12.3% among adults without a cancer history. Prevalence of use among survivors increased rapidly and nearly doubled (p5.04), from 10.6% (CI56.3%217.3%) in 1999–2000 to 20.8% (CI514.0%229.8%) in 2011–2012 (Figure 1). Over the same period, a smaller increase (7.2 percentage points) was observed among adults without a cancer history. The trend in use showed some nonlinearity. Among survivors, the rate temporarily declined, from 21.2% (CI514.8%229.4%) in 2003–2004 to 18.6% (CI514.4%223.7%) in 2005–2006, but resumed increasing thereafter. Antidepressant use among cancer survivors increased notably over the past decade. Future studies should examine benefits of antidepressants and risks of side effects in treating depression among cancer survivors.
Dynamical Systems Theory and Complicated Economic Behavior

Recent developments in mathematics show that more-or-less random behavior and spontaneously evolving structures can be given analytical and deterministic representations. Empirical simulation and theoretical models have been developed in economics that have similar capacities. This suggests that we are entering a new period when structural change and inherently unpredictable events can be explained or understood in terms of endogenous economic forces. In this paper several important related developments in dynamical systems theory and in mathematical economics are outlined.
Upwelling rebound, ephemeral secondary pycnoclines, and the creation of a near‐bottom wave guide over the Monterey Bay continental shelf

Several sequential upwelling events were observed in fall 2012, using measurements from the outer half of the continental shelf in Monterey Bay, during which the infiltration of dense water onto the shelf created a secondary, near-bottom pycnocline. This deep pycnocline existed in concert with the near-surface pycnocline and enabled the propagation of near-bottom, cold, semidiurnal internal tidal bores, as well as energetic, high-frequency, nonlinear internal waves of elevation (IWOE). The IWOE occurred within 20 m of the bottom, had amplitudes of 8–24 m, periods of 6–45 min, and depth-integrated energy fluxes up to 200 W m−1. Iribarren numbers (<0.03) indicate that these IWOE were nonbreaking in this region of the shelf. These observations further demonstrate how regional upwelling dynamics and the resulting bulk, cross-margin hydrography is a first-order control on the ability of internal waves, at tidal and higher frequencies, to propagate through continental shelf waters.
l-Regular rotations of the countably infinite complete graph

Abstract An l -regular rotation of the infinite complete graph with countable vertex set is one in which every induced circuit is finite of length l . l -regular rotations are exhibited for all l ≥ 3.
Sub-kilometer length scales in coastal waters

Patchiness or spatial variability is ubiquitous in marine systems. With increasing anthropogenic impacts to coastal resources and coastal systems being disproportionately large contributors to ocean productivity, identifying the spatial scales of this patchiness, particularly in coastal waters, is of critical importance to understand coastal ecosystem dynamics. The current work focuses on fine scale structure in three coastal regions. More specifically, we utilize variogram analyses to identify sub-kilometer scales of variability in biological and physical parameters measured by an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, Monterey Bay, and in San Luis Obispo Bay between 2001 and 2004. Critical scales of variability in density, turbidity, fluorescence, and bioluminescence are examined as a function of depth and distance offshore. Furthermore, the effects of undersampling are assessed using predictive error analysis. Results indicate the presence of scales of variability ranging from 10s to 100s of meters and provide valuable insight for sampling design and resource allocation for future studies.
Team-Based Learning in Different Classroom Settings

The perception that special spaces are required is a significant barrier to adopting team-based learning (TBL). Faculty using TBL were polled about their experiences to clarify the importance of the teaching space. The data show that TBL is successful in a wide variety of classroom spaces, mitigating this obstacle to TBL implementation.
Effects of dietary fructose on plasma lipids in healthy subjects

Background: About 9% of average dietary energy intake in the United States comes from fructose. Such a high consumption raises concern about the metabolic effects of this sugar. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary fructose on plasma lipids. Design: The study was conducted in the General Clinical Research Center at Fairview-University of Minnesota Medical Center. The participants were 24 healthy adult volunteers (12 men and 12 women; 6 of each sex were aged <40 y and 6 of each sex were aged ≥ 40 y). All subjects received 2 isoenergetic study diets assigned by using a randomized, balanced crossover design. One diet provided 17% of energy as fructose. The other diet was sweetened with glucose and was nearly devoid of fructose. Each diet was fed for 6 wk. Both diets were composed of common foods and contained nearly identical amounts of carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, cholesterol, and saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. All meals were prepared in the metabolic kitchen of the General Clinical Research Center. Results: The responses to the study diets differed by sex. In men, the fructose diet produced significantly higher fasting, postprandial, and daylong plasma triacylglycerol concentrations than did the glucose diet. The daylong plasma triacylglycerol concentration after 6 wk of the fructose diet was 32% greater in men than the corresponding concentration during the glucose diet (P < 0.001). The fructose diet had no significant effect on fasting or postprandial plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in women. The fructose diet also had no persistent effect on fasting plasma cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol in either men or women. Conclusions: Dietary fructose was associated with increased fasting and postprandial plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in men. Diets high in added fructose may be undesirable, particularly for men. Glucose may be a suitable replacement sugar.
Changes in Snowfall in the Southern Sierra Nevada of California Since 1916

A time series (1916-2009) of annual snowfall totals for Huntington Lake (HL, elev. 2141 m) in the southern Sierra Nevada of California is reconstructed. A reconstruction is (a) necessary because HL data after 1972 are mostly missing and (b) possible because nearby stations reveal high correlations with HL, two above 0.90. The results show mean annual snowfall in HL is 624 cm with an insignificant trend of +0.5 cm (+0.08%) ±13.1 cm decade-1. Similar positive but insignificant trends for spring snowfall were also calculated. Annual stream flow and precipitation trends for the region again were insignificantly positive for the same period. Snow-water-equivalent comparisons, measured on 1 Apr since 1930 at 26 sites and since 1950 at 45, show similar small, mostly positive, and insignificant trends. These results combined with published temperature time series, which also reveal no significant trends, form a consistent picture of no remarkable long-term changes in the snowfall of this area and elevation of the...
Incisional hernia appendicitis: A report of two unique cases and literature review.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency. The presence of an inflamed appendix in an incisional hernia is rare. Incisional hernias complicate both open and laparoscopic surgery. PRESENTATION OF CASE We describe two unique cases of acute appendicitis within incisional hernias following an open cholecystectomy and a diagnostic laparoscopy. Acute appendicitis was diagnosed intraoperatively and a formal appendicectomy was performed with subsequent primary repair of the hernial defect in each case. DISCUSSION The method chosen for primary repair of an incisional hernia containing an acutely inflamed appendix depends on a number of factors including size of hernial defect and degree of contamination. Closure of 5 mm port sites is not routine in current surgical practice. Herniation of intra-abdominal contents through such defects can occur rarely. The repair of an incisional hernia using mesh in a contaminated surgical field is controversial. There may be advantages in the use of biological meshes. CONCLUSION Surgical awareness of potential complications relating to the management of incisional hernia appendicitis is of primary importance in determining intraoperative strategy.
A formalism for critical path analysis of real-time Ada programs

A formalism for critical path analysis of real-time programs is introduced. This formalism is geared towards the analysis of Ada programs, but can be used for other concurrent programming languages, such as concurrent C, PL/1, or even to system specification languages. Ada systems, which are Petri net models of real-time Ada programs, are defined, then an algorithm for computing the critical path is presented. The net models introduced differ from the ones used by T. Murata (1989) because the time required by different activities in a real-time system must be accounted for. The ultimate goal is to reduce a given Ada system to a canonical form which consists of two places and one transition with a cost equal to the cost of the critical-path. >
Topological reasoning between complex regions in databases with frequent updates

Reasoning about space has been a considerable field of study both in Artificial Intelligence and in spatial information theory. Many applications benefit from the inference of new knowledge about the spatial relationships between spatial objects on the basis of already available and explicit spatial relationship knowledge that we call spatial (relationship) facts. Hence, the task is to derive new spatial facts from known spatial facts. A considerable amount of work has focused on reasoning about topological relationships (as a special and important subset of spatial relationships) between simple spatial objects like simple regions. There is a common consensus in the GIS and spatial database communities that simple regions are insufficient to model spatial reality and that complex region objects are needed that allow multiple components and holes. Models for topological relationships between complex regions have already been developed. Hence, as the next logical step, the goal of this paper is to develop a reasoning model for them. Further, no reasoning model considers changes of the spatial fact basis stored in a database between consecutive queries. We show that conventional modeling suffers from performance degradation when the database is frequently changing. Our model does not assume any geometric representation model or data structure for the regions. The model is also backward compatible, i.e., it is also applicable to simple regions.
Teaching Condor Grid Computing to Beginning Programming Students

Grid computing is taught at the University of Arkansas, focusing on the development of grid services, the Globus toolkit, and higher-level grid components. An early course, cluster and grid computing, successfully taught Globus materials to advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. However, the material assumed advanced knowledge of Java programming and covered networking and basic distributed systems concepts, and was therefore too advanced for beginning programming students. When teaching grid computing to beginners, we must focus on creating and submitting a grid job rather than programming grid services. We also teach grid computing to advanced science and engineering students whose programming skills are similar to those of beginning computer science students
Subgroups generated by small classes in finite groups

Let M(G) be the subgroup of G generated by all elements that lie in conjugacy classes of the two smallest sizes. Avinoam Mann showed that if G is nilpotent, then M(G) has nilpotence class at most 3. Using a slight variation on Mann's methods, we obtain results that do not require us to assume that G is nilpotent. We show that if G is supersolvable, then M(G) is nilpotent with class at most 3, and in general, the Fitting subgroup of M(G) has class at most 4.
Differential remodeling of mono- and trimethylated H3K27 during porcine embryo development.

Histone methylation plays an important role in regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. Methylation of the lysine residue 27 of histone H3 (H3K27) is an epigenetic mark that is closely linked with transcriptional repression; global patterns of H3K27 methylation undergo dramatic changes during cleavage development in the mouse. The aim of this study was to characterize the H3K27 methylation pattern in cleavage stage porcine embryos obtained either by in vivo or in vitro fertilization or parthenogenetic activation and to determine the expression patterns of EED, EZH2, and SUZ12 (regulators of H3K27 methylation). We found that monomethylated H3K27 was detectable in the nuclei of oocytes and pronuclear, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, and blastocyst stage embryos. Trimethylated H3K27 was detectable in the nuclei of GV stage oocytes, the chromosome of MII stage oocytes and a single pronucleus of the pronuclear stage embryos produced by fertilization; the signals were faint or absent in nuclei of two-cell through blastocyst stage embryos. In addition, EED transcripts were increased from the four-cell stage (P < 0.05) in embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization, parthenogenetic activation and in vivo fertilization. EZH2 transcript levels were highest in the GV-stage oocyte (P < 0.05). SUZ12 transcripts were transiently increased at the four-cell stage (P < 0.05) in parthenogenetic and in vivo derived embryos. Our results suggest that H3K27 trimethylation is an epigenetic marker of maternally derived chromatin that is globally remodeled during porcine embryogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 1033–1042, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of Myometrial Activity in the Pregnant Rabbit: Evidence for a "New" Factor

When non-pregnant rabbits were linked to 20- or 29-day pregnant rabbits by a cross-circulation technique, the frequency of intra-uterine pressure cycles in the former fell from pre-treatment values of around 8 cycles/b mm to 0.4 cycles/b mm at the end of cross-circulation (P <0.001). Maximum amplitude fell less abruptly from 29 mm Hg to 19 mm Hg (P <0.05). Following the cross-circulation which lasted 1 h, activity recovered so that in approximately 2 h maximum amplitude had returned to pretreatment levels and frequency to 50% of pretreatment levels. Similar experiments using progesterone-treated non-pregnant animals in the place of the pregnant does had no effect on the uterine activity of their partners during 1 h of cross-circulation despite the fact that the blood progesterone level of the treated animals was 93 ng/mI. Intravenous injections of large doses of progesterone were also ineffective within a similar time period. Since the latency of the progesterone effect on the myometrium is 8-12 h, the existence of a second myometrial inhibitory substance which acts in conjunction with progesterone in maintaining pregnancy is postulated. It is well established that in the pregnant rabbit ovarian output and hence peripheral plasma levels of progesterone decline after mid-term reaching low titers at parturition (Mikhail, Noah and Allen, 1961; Hilliard, Spies and Sawyer, 1968; Kendall and Liggins, 1972; Challis, Devies, and Ryan, 1973). It is generally accepted that this fall in progesterone level permits the gradual evolution of myometrial sensitivity to oxytocin during the last few days of pregnancy (Knaus, 1926; Csapo, 1955; Schofield, 1957; Fuchs, 1964). However, there are reasons to believe that a waning progesterone influence on the myometrium cannot adequately account for all the changes occurring in the uterine muscle preparatory to parturition. Fuchs (1964) and Porter and Schofield (1966) reported
Variation in ITGB3 is associated with whole-blood serotonin level and autism susceptibility

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder affecting more males than females. Heritability estimates for autism can rise above 90%, and genes influencing the serotonin system are strong candidates for autism susceptibility genes, as drugs selectively acting on the serotonin system are some of the most effective treatments for maladaptive behaviors seen in autism. ITGB3 was recently identified as a male quantitative trait locus (QTL) for whole-blood serotonin levels in the Hutterites (P = 0.0003). Here, we demonstrate associations between variation in ITGB3 and serotonin levels in two outbred samples (P = 0.010 and 0.015). Lastly, we show that a coding variant of ITGB3 is associated with autism susceptibility in a large multiplex sample (P = 0.00082), and that this variation has different effects in males and females (P = 0.0018).
AWEsim: Asymptotic Waveform Evaluation for Timing Analysis

Most timing analyzers rely upon a linear approximate interconnect model, typically an RC tree, to estimate efficiently the propagation delays for digital MOS integrated circuits. RC tree methods are adequate to analyze a large class of MOS circuits, but are not sufficient in general for high speed, dynamic and precharge MOS circuits. In addition bipolar logic and board level digital systems can have interconnect models which may not be compatible with RC tree topologies. In this paper we describe AWEsim, a variable refinement waveform estimator for generalized linear RLC approximate interconnect models.
Attention and Mental Workload

Mental workload is still a useful concept in human factors because of its links to theories and models of attention. A good theory is the best practical tool. Mental workload is defined as an inter...
The relationship between hepatic immunoglobulin production and CD154 expression in chronic liver diseases.

: Background: CD40–CD154 is a receptor–ligand pair that provides key communication signals between cells of the adaptive immune system in states of inflammation and autoimmunity. The CD40 receptor is expressed constitutively on B lymphocytes, for which it provides important signals regulating clonal expansion and antibody production. CD154 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, which is primarily expressed by activated T cells. Methods: Because many chronic liver diseases are characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the liver and several have increased immunoglobulin (Ig) production, the role of CD40–CD154 in hepatic Ig production was investigated in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), hepatitis C, hepatitis B, alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, as well as normal controls. Results: Soluble CD154 levels in the serum were found to be no different in chronic liver diseases vs normal controls. Likewise, CD154 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not differ. However, mRNA for CD154 was significantly increased in the liver of individuals with PBC and AIH as compared with the other groups. The quantity of CD154 mRNA in the liver correlated positively with the quantity of mRNA for secretory Ig. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CD40–CD154 signals may be involved in Ig production within the liver of autoimmune liver diseases.
Scattering optimization synthesis of compact mode converters for waveguides

Discusses mode converters for overmoded waveguides. Various designs based on periodic PIBU perturbation have previously been demonstrated for conversion from say TE/sub om/ to TE/sub on/ modes in overmoded circular waveguides. These designs demonstrate high conversion efficiencies but their overall length is large compared to the radial dimensions of the waveguide. To resolve the problem of length and also to explore other possibilities, a different approach to the design of mode converters for waveguides is proposed, The method is based on a short forceful perturbation of the field rather than a periodic field disturbance caused by a grating like structure. For designing a mode converter, the problem is formulated as that of finding a scattering surface (formed by varying the transverse dimensions of the waveguide) which can scatter the incoming field in such a way as to convert it from one mode structure to the other. The shape of the required mode converter is found by optimizing the scattered power in the required output mode as a function of the surface profile of the scatterer.
Support for a Unique Theory of Definiteness

The familiarity theory of definite descriptions and the classical theory (often referred to as the 'uniqueness' theory) are well known. On the familiarity view of definiteness, what differentiates the definite article from the indefinite article is whether the NP denotes an existing discourse referent or a novel one. On the classical view the primary difference is a uniqueness/exhaustiveness proposition, which is associated with the definite article but not the indefinite. There is in addition the difference of whether the existence proposition, which is associated with both, is grammatically presupposed or not-presupposed for definites, but not necessarily for indefinites . For the familiarity theory see Christophersen 1939, Heim 1982, 1983, Chafe 1996, among many others . For the uniqueness view see Russell 1905, Lobner 1985, Kadmon 1990, Hawkins 1991, among many others . It has been suggested (e.g. by Birner & Ward 1994, Poesio & Vieira 1998) that neither theory can account for all the data, suggesting that both are needed. That would be an unsatisfactory conclusion. For one thing, it implies an ambiguity where none is felt. For another, since the two theories are on different levels (pragmatic and semantic), one would like to unify them, ideally by explaining one kind of generalization based on the other. In this paper I want to take steps toward resolving this problem. The logical first step is settling on the right theory. At this point I want to acknowledge the fairly decisive evidence already given against the familiarity theory. The bottom line is that there are many examples of definite NPs that denote entities which are not already part of the discourse context and not assumed to be familiar to the addressee. See e.g. Hawkins 1991, Gundel et al. 1993, Birner & Ward 1994, and Poesio & Vieira 1998 for examples and additional references. It is often thought that these examples can be handled via the accommodation principle of Lewis 1979. Abbott 1999 argues (completely convincingly in my opinion) that as a general strategy this won't do. In the next section of this paper I will give three new arguments which add cement to the shoes of the familiarity theory. Following that we will need to look at a couple of kinds of cases which seem to present problems for the classical view. The penultimate section contains an attempt to explain the appeal of the familiarity theory, and is followed by concluding remarks.
A Model of Case Management: Toward Empirically Based Practice.

Case management is highly valued as an intervention method for providing service to clients requiring long-term care. However, it lacks definitional consensus and conceptual clarity. An explicit, empirically based model of case management is presented on the basis of 15 functions and their dynamic interrelationship along a sequential dimension. A series of studies is described by means of which the model was devised, tested, and refined.
Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff relations and unitarity of SU(2) and SU(1,1) squeeze operators.

For squeeze operators, an alternative to the matrix derivations of Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff relations is presented for the groups SU(2) and SU(1,1). The technique involves the solution of a system of nonlinear, first-order differential equations. By this method, criteria for unitarity of the representations are established, and these apply to both infinite- and to finite-dimensional representations of these groups.