cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scalable clustering of signed networks using balance normalized cut

We consider the general $k$-way clustering problem in signed social networks where relationships between entities can be either positive or negative. Motivated by social balance theory, the clustering problem in signed networks aims to find mutually antagonistic groups such that entities within the same group are friends with each other. A recent method proposed in [13] extended the spectral clustering algorithm to the signed network setting by considering the signed graph Laplacian. This has been shown to be equivalent to finding clusters that minimize the 2-way signed ratio cut. In this paper, we show that there is a fundamental weakness when we directly extend the signed Laplacian to the k-way clustering problem. To overcome this weakness, we formulate new k-way objectives for signed networks. In particular, we propose a criterion that is analogous to the normalized cut, called balance normalized cut, which is not only theoretically sound but also experimentally effective in k-way clustering. In addition, we prove that these objectives are equivalent to weighted kernel k-means objectives by choosing an appropriate kernel matrix. Employing this equivalence, we develop a multilevel clustering framework for signed networks. In this framework, we coarsen the graph level by level and refine the clustering results at each level via a k-means based algorithm so that the signed clustering objectives are optimized. This approach gives good quality clustering results, and is also highly efficient and scalable. In experiments, we see that our multilevel approach is competitive to other state-of-the-art methods, while it is much faster and more scalable. In particular, the largest graph we have considered in our experiments contains 1 million nodes and 100 million edges --- this graph can be clustered in less than four hundred seconds using our algorithm.
Syringomyelia: A Review

Syringomyelia is a pathological entity characterized by spinal cord cavitation that often translates into a progressive clinical syndrome ranging from minimal to significant loss of neurological function. Although syringomyelia is often described in the context of a coexisting Chiari malformation, it can be present in a wide spectrum of disease processes. In this article we present a review of the pathophysiology and treatment strategies in syringomyelia. A classification system for this clinical entity is also outlined.
Capillary condensation, invasion percolation, hysteresis, and discrete memory

A model of the capillary condensation process, i.e., of adsorption-desorption isotherms, having only pore-pore interactions is constructed. The model yields (1) hysteretic isotherms, (2) invasion percolation on desorption, and (3) hysteresis with discrete memory for interior chemical potential loops. All of these features are seen in experiment. The model is compared to a model with no pore-pore interactions (the Preisach model) and to a related model of interacting pore systems (the random field Ising model). The capillary condensation model differs from both. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Liver involvement in neuroblastoma: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Experience supports treatment reduction in young patients.

Background We reviewed clinical and biologic findings in a series of infants with neuroblastoma (NB) in liver. The aim was to gain insights into improving therapy. Patients and Methods Among 19 newly or recently diagnosed infants with NB in liver, 1987–2002, those with stage 4 involving bone received chemotherapy, while those without bone or extensive bone marrow (BM) involvement were observed or received limited treatment if NB caused life-threatening symptoms. We assessed results in the context of NB treatment risk stratification, which is based on age, stage, and selected biologic features (MYCN, ploidy, histology). Results Six of eight infants with bone involvement became long-term event-free survivors including 1/2 with MYCN amplification and four who received only 4–6 cycles of chemotherapy; at the end of treatment, four infants had abnormalities in liver ± the primary site, but these resolved. All 11 infants without bone lesions became long-term survivors with either no cytotoxic therapy or only one cycle of chemotherapy (± radiotherapy to liver), including four who had stage 4 and one stage 4S patient who still had NB in BM at age 15 months. Conclusions Treatment reduction should be considered for subsets of infants with non-MYCN-amplified widespread NB: stage 4 without bone or extensive BM involvement may not require cytotoxic therapy, stage 4S with symptomatic hepatomegaly may not require multiple cycles of chemotherapy, and classic stage 4 may do well with limited chemotherapy. Persistent liver abnormalities post-treatment may not require continued therapy to achieve a radiologic complete remission. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Organizational entry preferences based upon social and personnel policies: An information integration perspective

Abstract A general framework for investigating the effect of organizational policies on constituent responses is outlined. An information-processing model incorporating both integration weights and subjective stimulus values was investigated in two studies in which prospective job candidates rated the attractiveness of hypothetical organizations described by policies on (1) pay, (2) individual development, (3) environmental responsibility, and (4) fair employment practices. Results of Study 1 indicated that a linear averaging model adequately described the data, with the dimension of individual development having the greatest effect. Results of Study 2 showed that the relationship between the objective levels of the policies and the desirability responses was curvilinear and appeared to approach an asymptote. Decision-making studies employing regression or self-reported weights are said not to account for this diminishing-returns effect in motivation. In addition, self-reported weights were significantly correlated with the range of subjective stimuli values and not with the subjective integration weights. Also, a number of individual difference measures were found to be related to the indices of information importance. The need to distinguish between information weights and subjective stimuli values is explained.
Thermal ripples in a resistive and radiative instability

The development of the resistive tearing instability in the case of sheared magnetic fields is considered, taking into account also the occurrence of a radiatively driven thermal instability. It is pointed out that thermal conduction has generally been neglected in theories similar to those discussed. The present investigation is concerned with a consideration of both parallel and perpendicular thermal conduction, in addition to finite resistivity and radiative loss. Attention is given to the equations and the model, the spatial singularity which arises with consideration of only the parallel heat conduction, the removal of this singularity and the formation of temperature oscillations (thermal ripples) by inclusion of the perpendicular heat-flux component, and details regarding the numerical procedure. A brief explanation is provided of the conditions required for the oscillations, and potential implications of the results with respect to the solar flare are discussed.
The Value Creation Proposition Suggests Two Requirements for Assessing Alternative Theories of Capitalism

The recent global financial crisis and worst recession since the Great Depression underscore the theoretical and practical importance of defining requirements for assessing alternative theories of capitalism. The expressed goal of Freeman and his co-authors is to replace value-allocating ‘shareholder capitalism’ with value-creating ‘stakeholder capitalism.’ Each theory combines a different value proposition and principal-agent conception. So interpreted, the value creation proposition suggests two requirements for assessing alternative theories. A proposed better theory of capitalism should demonstrate first practicality of prescriptive guidance for managers and second superiority of its embedded value proposition for sustainable long-term performance. Shareholder and stakeholder conceptions are not the only approaches to developing a theory of capitalism embedding a different value proposition and agency model. Two other conceptions suggest organisational wealth and corporate social responsibility (CSR) theories of capitalism. All four alternatives meet the relatively minimal requirement of practicality. Freeman and his co-authors argue the value creation proposition will outperform the value allocation proposition. But organisational wealth and CSR theories may also outperform shareholder capitalism. Demonstrating that stakeholder capitalism will outperform organisational wealth and CSR theories depends on which principal and value proposition one judges most important in particular conditions.
Performance of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells with Sputter‐Deposited Anode Catalyst Layers

Performance of direct methanol fuel cells with sputter‐deposited anodes was investigated. The thin film catalyst layers were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Different catalyst loadings and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication processes were tested. The maximum power density achieved at was , and almost was attained with a loading of only . The results demonstrate that a catalyst utilization of at least can be achieved at current densities ranging from 260 to . The application of the sputter‐deposition method for MEA fabrication is particularly attractive for commercialization of direct methanol fuel cell technology. ©2000 The Electrochemical Society
Immigrant Youth, hip-hop, and Feminist Pedagogy: Outlines of an Alternative Integration Policy in Vienna, Austria

This article describes a local social work project currently operating in the Viennese suburbs of Austria with second-generation migrant teenagers (who come mostly from working class guestworker families of Turkish and Yugoslav origin). This project which applies feminist pedagogy is successfully providing a platform for underprivileged teens to express themselves through Rap music and hip-hop (by enabling access to the Internet and music studios), thereby offering an alternative to violence and drug use. The project promotes equal access opportunities for young women to articulate their adolescent feelings and angst in creative and often remarkable ways. This study raises the importance of feminist perspectives in applied local politics and the effectiveness of art practices as a powerful tool for transforming integration conflicts. Despite national xenophobic policies, some urban, often small-scale alternative integration programs empower immigrant youth through creative projects and the caring relationships that develop between teenagers and their mentors.
EFFECT OF EDUCATION ON THE ATHEROSCLEROTIC RISK FACTORS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS

Risk factors (R.F.) of atherosclerosis include hypercholesterolemla, hypertension, obesity, lack of physical exercise and smoking. R.F. screening in children is now common, but intervention is rare. This study evaluated the change between results of two control screening sessions and two post education screenings three and six months later. Education was limited to seven hours of group lectures. Subjects were 199 entire families of life underwriters. Participants' ages ranged from one to 70 years, with a large concentration of children (48% of 715 subjects). The following data were found. Weight Increased slightly in young children but fell significantly in older children and adults. Skin fold thickness decreased significantly in all male groups, and increased significantly in all female groups early but later fell significantly. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell significantly in all groups with a mean decrease of 5.5 and 4.3 mm Hg respectively. Serum cholesterol decreased significantly in all age groups with the maximum mean decrease occurring in the teenage female group (26mgm%) and young adult male group (21mgm%). Cholesterol continued to decrease with time. Participants decreased smoking and increased exercise. Results indicate that minor educational efforts can produce significant long term improvement of R.F. in families.
The Warburg effect and its cancer therapeutic implications

Increased aerobic glycolysis in cancer, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect, has been observed in various tumor cells and represents a major biochemical alteration associated with malignant transformation. Although the exact molecular mechanisms underlying this metabolic change remain to be elucidated, the profound biochemical alteration in cancer cell energy metabolism provides exciting opportunities for the development of therapeutic strategies to preferentially kill cancer cells by targeting the glycolytic pathway. Several small molecules capable of inhibiting glycolysis in experimental systems have been shown to have promising anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. This review article provides a brief summary of our current understanding of the Warburg effect, the underlying mechanisms, and its influence on the development of therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Exploring the Structure−Activity Relationships of [1-(4-tert-Butyl-3‘-hydroxy)benzhydryl-4-benzylpiperazine] (SL-3111), A High-Affinity and Selective δ-Opioid Receptor Nonpeptide Agonist Ligand†

SL-3111 [1-(4-tert-butyl-3‘-hydroxy)benzhydryl-4-benzylpiperazine] is a de novo designed, high-affinity and selective nonpeptide peptidomimetic agonist of the δ-opioid receptor. In a previous report we had described the unique biological characteristics of this ligand and also a need for further structural evaluation.6 To pursue this, we have introduced a completely different heterocyclic template (2 and 3), which, based on molecular modeling studies, may present the required structural features to properly orient the pharmacophore groups. We also have made more subtle changes to the original piperazine scaffold (5 and 11). The biological activities of these compounds revealed an important participation of the scaffold in the ligand−receptor interaction. To further explore functional diversity on the scaffold, we have maintained the original piperazine ring and introduced four different functionalities at position 2 of the heterocyclic ring (15a−d; a = CH2−O−CH2−Ph; b = Me; c = CH2Ph; d = CH2OH). The biol...
FA composition of the oil extracted from farmed atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) viscera

The FA composition of visceral oil extracted from farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) viscera was studied. Seventeen FA were identified in the extracted visceral oil, and the major FA were 18∶1n9, 16∶0, 16∶1n7, 20∶5n3 (EPA), 14∶0, and 22∶6n3 (DHA). The percentages of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FA in the total FA were 31.7, 36.0, and 32.2%, respectively. Compared with other fish oils, oil from farmed Atlantic salmon had much higher EPA (1.64 g/100 g) and DHA (1.47 g/100 g) contents. The FA profile of the salmon visceral oil was similar to that of the salmon fillet. Thus, the salmon visceral oil could be a replacement for the oil obtained from edible salmon fillet and used in functional foods or feeds requiring a high level of omega-3 FA. Furthermore, producing visceral oil is also beneficial to salmon fish industry by adding value back to the processing waste.
Heat conduction in a non-uniform composite with spherical inclusions

The process of steady heat conduction in a composite in which equal spherical inclusions are distributed according to a non–uniform probability distribution is studied numerically. While the standard results are recovered in the uniform case, the non–uniformity introduces a non–local correction in the form of a difference between the average temperatures in the two phases. As a consequence, the relation between the mean heat flux and the phase temperatures must be expressed in terms of two effective conductivities rather than only one as in the uniform case. In other words, contrary to the situation encountered with a uniform composite, an effective Fourier law of conduction of the standard form does not hold for a non–uniform composite. In addition to an equation expressing the overall energy balance, closure of the system of averaged equations requires a second relation that reveals the non–local origin of the difference between the phase temperatures. This second equation involves two coefficients dependent on the particle volume fraction. The method used in this paper establishes a relation between the two, but does not determine them individually. The technique developed for the heat conduction problem studied here can be adapted to the modelling of other disperse physical systems such as non–uniform suspensions.
Elastic Interaction of Defects on Crystal Surfaces

Surface defects corresponding to adatoms, vacancies and steps interact, affecting and often dominating kinetic processes associated with thin-film growth. A discrete harmonic model for the evaluation of the interaction energy between surface defects is presented. It is based on the concept of eigenstrains and allows for the accurate evaluation of the elastic field, both at the immediate vicinity of the defects, as well as in the far field. Results for the interaction energy suggest conditions for which a body-centered-cubic crystal surface will grow in a stable, two-dimensional, step-flow mode. In order to verify the accuracy of the discrete elastic model, we present results of atomic simulations that incorporate Embedded Atom Method (EAM) potentials. The discrete elastic model results compare favorably with results from our atomic EAM simulations and agree with the far-field predictions of continuum elastic theory.
Survival and growth of woody plant seedlings in the understorey of floodplain forests in South Carolina

1 Survival and height growth of permanently tagged understorey seedlings in four river floodplain forests in South Carolina were monitored for 8 years. Regression models were used to determine if a common survival pattern emerged and if the pattern varied according to species, spatial location, time, seedling size and seedling growth. 2 For most of the populations, per capita survival was initially poor but increased steadily with age. A few populations, however, had relatively high survival rates for 1–3 years after establishment, or brief periods (1–2 years) with much lower survival. Although the underlying survival function was best described by a negative power curve, a log-logistic model also fit the data and provided more versatility for fitting individual populations. 3 Significant differences in general survival pattern were found among species, sites (forests), years of establishment (cohorts), and all two-way interactions of species, site and cohort. Species differences were large. Spikes in mortality for individual species and cohorts were synchronized within sites and to a lesser degree among sites. In some sites, weak relationships were noted between mortality and peak river discharge during summer (negatively correlated) and winter (positively correlated). 4 Species differed strongly in their initial height, but effects of cohort and site on height were also significant as were all two-way interactions of species, site and cohort. During the 8 years of this study, very few seedlings grew taller than 30 cm. For most species, taller seedlings had greater per capita survival. Height growth, however, was not consistently related to survival. Since mean size of survivors changed little with time, age may be a better variable than size to use in models of survival. 5 Simulation models could probably be developed using a log-logistic function that includes (in order of importance): seedling age, species, intensity of winter floods (some sites) and occurrence of summer droughts (some sites).
Modeling and Controlling Parallel Tasks in Droplet-Based Microfluidic Systems

This paper presents general hardware-independent models and algorithms to automate the operation of droplet-based microfluidic systems. In these systems, discrete liquid volumes of typically less than 1 $muhboxl$ are transported across a planar array by dielectrophoretic or electrowetting effects for biochemical analysis. Unlike in systems based on continuous flow through channels, valves, and pumps, the droplet paths can be reconfigured on demand and even in real time. Algorithms that generate efficient sequences of control signals for moving one or many droplets from start to goal positions, subject to constraints such as specific features and obstacles on the array surface or limitations in the control circuitry, are developed. In addition, an approach toward automatic mapping of a biochemical analysis task onto a DMFS is investigated. Achieving optimality in these algorithms can be prohibitive for large-scale configurations because of the high asymptotic complexity of coordinating multiple moving droplets. Instead, these algorithms achieve a compromise between high runtime efficiency and a more limited nonglobal optimality in the generated control sequences.
Are there topoi in topology

The straight answer is no. Topoi are too set-like to occur as categories of sets with topological structure. However, if A is a category of sets with structure, and if A has enough substructures, then A has a full and dense embedding into a complete quasitopos of sets with structure. There is a minimal embedding of this type; it embeds e.g. topological spaces into the quasitopos of Choquet spaces. Quasitopoy are still very set-like. They are cartesian closed, and all colimits in a quasitopos are preserved by pullbacks. Thus quasitopoi are in a sense ultra-convenient categories for topologists. Quasitopoi inherit many properties from topoi. For example, the theory of geometric morphisms of topoi remains valid, almost without changes, for quasitopoi.
Self-prompted Communication Book Use to Increase Social Interaction Among High School Students

This investigation examined the effects of self prompted communication book training provided by peers on the conversational initiations of four high school students with extensive support needs. The intervention was associated with increases in participants' appropriate initiations and general education conversational partners' corresponding responses. The self -prompting strategy also was associated with increases in conversational topics discussed and decreases in inap propriate initiations by participants. In addition, interviews conducted postintervention generally indicated that participants believed they had (a) met their social goals to increase their interactions with their general education peers and (b) made more friends at school. Implications of findings are discussed and suggestions made for future programmatic efforts.
Adaptation and Evolution in Dynamic Persistent Environments

Optimization (adaptation) of agents interacting with dynamic persistent environments (DPEs) poses a separate class of problems from those of static optimization. Such environments must be incorporated into models of interactive computation. By the No Free Lunch Theorem (NFLT), no general-purpose function-optimization algorithm can exist that is superior to random search. But interactive adaptation in environments with persistent state falls outside the scope of the NFLT, and useful general-purpose interactive optimization protocols for DPEs exist, as we show. Persistence of state supports indirect interaction. Based on the observation that mutual causation is inherent to interactive computation, and on the key role of persistent state in multiagent systems, we establish that indirect interaction is essential to multiagent systems (MASs). This work will be useful to researchers in coordination, evolutionary computation, and design of multiagent and adaptive systems.
FRC Compression Heating Experiment (FRCHX) at AFRL

Summary form only given. Over the past six years, the Air Force Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM has been working in close collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory on their field-reversed configuration (FRC) experiment, FRX-L. Through these joint efforts a second experiment has been designed and is now being assembled and tested at the AFRL. This new experiment, which is referred to as the FRC Heating Experiment (FRCHX), has the goal of not only forming a plasma in a field-reversed configuration but of also translating it into an aluminum flux conserving shell (solid liner), where it will be subsequently heated through rapid compression of the liner. The FRC formation portion of FRCHX has been designed to closely match the electrical properties of FRX-L so that FRCs of similar parameters can be formed. Likewise, the translation portion of FRCHX, which has been designed and fabricated concurrently with the new translation section of FRX-L, also closely matches that of FRX-L. The design approach being taken to compressively heat the FRC in the final portion of FRCHX relies on the experimental setup used during two earlier "deformable-contact" vacuum liner experiments that were performed with the Shiva Star Capacitor Bank. In these experiments the liner electrodes had 8-cm-diameter holes on their axes, and both tests were found to be successful in that the ends of the 10-cm diameter, 30-cm long aluminum liner stretched and maintained contact with the electrodes while the body of the liner glided radially inward to implode uniformly. This presentation focuses on the system design and integration of the first two portions of the FRCHX experiment, the FRC formation and translation sections. The performance characteristics of each, as determined by recent test results, are discussed, along with the various magnetic and plasma diagnostics that are being fielded in both sections. Remaining tasks to be accomplished before a complete FRC formation, translation, and compression experiment can be performed are also outlined at the end.
Pharmacologic inhibition of ATR and ATM offers clinically important distinctions to enhancing platinum or radiation response in ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer cells

Objective Significant reductions in gynecologic (GYN) cancer mortality and morbidity require treatments that prevent and reverse resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. The objective of this study was to determine if pharmacologic inhibition of key DNA damage response kinases in GYN cancers would enhance cell killing by platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation.
Improving red blood cell orders, utilization, and management with point‐of‐care clinical decision support

BACKGROUND The computerized order for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion within our electronic health record was redesigned with integrated clinical decision support (CDS) to reinforce our restrictive transfusion policy. These changes encouraged 1-unit (1U) RBC orders, clarified hemoglobin (Hb) transfusion triggers, and discouraged unnecessary orders. This study assessed whether these changes resulted in durable effects on provider practices. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The study compared three 1-year subperiods from August 2011 to August 2014, with each year corresponding to a historical control period, preintervention and postintervention years. This study analyzed ratios of 1U versus 2-unit (2U) orders and the absolute rate of RBC orders, units charged, Hb transfusion triggers, repeat transfusion orders, and selected clinical indications both institution-wide and across several subpopulations. RESULTS Our institution-wide ratio of 1U versus 2U orders increased from 0.50 to 1.20 (p < 0.0001) in the pre- to postintervention subperiods, respectively. The number of units charged per day decreased from 15.68 to 13.53 (p < 0.001), while rates of initial and repeat orders remained stable. Proportion of clinical indications used and mean Hb triggers demonstrated generally positive results. The changes observed between the pre- and postintervention years were far greater than changes between historical control versus preintervention years, reinforcing attribution of results to computerized physician order entry changes. CONCLUSION Use of computerized orders and CDS encouraged a restrictive transfusion policy, which was highly successful in changing provider practices. We also succeeded in decreasing mean Hb triggers and overall utilization of RBCs. These findings persisted across many subpopulations.
Evaluation of capsular and acapsular strains of S. aureus in an experimental brain abscess model

Brain abscesses are mainly caused by either direct or indirect inoculation of gram positive bacteria including Stapylococcus aureus (S. aureus) or Streptococcus species into the central nervous system. In the present study, we aimed to compare potential changes in brain abscess pathogenesis induced by two different strains of S. aureus, namely the laboratory strain RN6390 and the clinical isolate Reynolds. Although the Reynolds strain was expected to be more resistant to eradication by the host, due to the existence of a polysaccharide capsule, and subsequently to be more virulent, instead we found parenchymal damage and mortality rates to be more prominent following RN6390 infection. In contrast, the Reynolds strain proliferated faster and induced early expression of the chemokine CXCL2, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and complement 3a and C5. Furthermore, there were early and more abundant infiltration of PMNs, T cells and erythrocyte extravasation in brain abscesses induced by the Reynolds strain. However, several immune parameters were not different between the two strains during the later stages of the disease. These results suggest that capsular S. aureus can modulate innate immunity and complement system activation differently than the acapsular strain RN6390, and the early changes induced by Reynolds strain may have an important impact on survival.
Implementing green chemistry. An environmental policy for sustainability

A diverse cocktail of synthetic chemicals is now globally distributed in the envi- ronment, food web, and human tissues, posing significant health risks to humans and wildlife. The current approach to environmental regulation is inherently inadequate to address the scope and complexity of this problem. A fundamental shift in paradigm is required to protect human health and ecological systems from chemically induced damage. The concept of green chemistry represents a critical part of this shift, but it is not sufficient per se. Only if green chemistry is conceived as part of a new policy based upon precaution- ary, democratically guided implementation of sustainable production technologies will it contribute significantly to establishing an ecologically compatible production base.
A Subpopulation of Treponema pallidum Is Resistant to Phagocytosis: Possible Mechanism of Persistence

While untreated syphilis infection is characterized by spontaneous resolution of early lesions, a few organisms evade the host immune response and persist for many years. Macrophages are generally recognized as the effector cell responsible for bacterial clearance, and phagocytosis is enhanced by immune serum. This study examined the susceptibility of Treponema pallidum isolated at various stages of lesion resolution to opsonization and phagocytosis by macrophages in vitro. Findings suggest that the population of organisms remaining after the majority of bacteria have been cleared in vivo is resistant to phagocytosis. This may provide a mechanism for the persistence of T. pallidum in the face of an otherwise active immune response.
A comparison of approaches to account for uncertainty in analysis of imputed genotypes

The availability of extensively genotyped reference samples, such as ‘‘The HapMap’’ and 1,000 Genomes Project reference panels, together with advances in statistical methodology, have allowed for the imputation of genotypes at single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that are untyped in a cohort or case-control study. These imputation procedures facilitate the interpretation and meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies. A natural question when implementing these procedures concerns how best to take into account uncertainty in imputed genotypes. Here we compare the performance of the following three strategies: least-squares regression on the ‘‘best-guess’’ imputed genotype; regression on the expected genotype score or ‘‘dosage’’; and mixture regression models that more fully incorporate posterior probabilities of genotypes at untyped SNPs. Using simulation, we considered a range of sample sizes, minor allele frequencies, and imputation accuracies to compare the performance of the different methods under various genetic models. The mixture models performed the best in the setting of a large genetic effect and low imputation accuracies. However, for most realistic settings, we find that regressing the phenotype on the estimated allelic or genotypic dosage provides an attractive compromise between accuracy and computational tractability. Genet. Epidemiol. 35:102–110, 2011. r 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Very highly toxic effects of endosulfan across nine species of tadpoles: Lag effects and family‐level sensitivity

Pesticides are commonly used for health and economic benefits worldwide, but increased use has led to increased contamination of aquatic habitats. To understand potential impacts on nontarget organisms in these habitats, toxicologists generally use short-term (4-d) toxicity tests on model organisms. For most pesticides, few amphibian tests have been conducted, but there is growing concern about the potential impact of pesticides to amphibian populations. For the insecticide endosulfan, previous studies have found that low concentrations can be very highly toxic to amphibians and have suggested that this mortality may exhibit important lag effects. To estimate the lethal concentration of endosulfan that would cause 50% mortality after 4 d (LC504-d) across a diversity of amphibians and the presence of lag effects, LC504-d experiments were conducted on nine species of tadpoles from three families (Bufonidae: Bufo americanus, B. boreas; Hylidae: Pseudacris crucifer, P. regilla, Hyla versicolor, and Ranidae: Rana pipiens, R. clamitans, R. cascadae, R. catesbeiana) and then held the animals for an additional 4 d in clean water. The LC504-d values for endosulfan ranged from 1.3 to 120 ppb, which classifies endosulfan as highly toxic to very highly toxic. Moreover, holding the animals for an additional 4 d in clean water revealed significant additional mortality in three of the nine species. Leopard frogs, for example, experienced no significant death during the initial 4-d exposure to 60 ppb but 97% death after an additional 4 d in clean water. A phylogenetic pattern also appears to exist among families, with Bufonidae being least susceptible, Hylidae being moderately susceptible, and Ranidae being most susceptible. Results from the present study provide valuable data to assess the impact of endosulfan on a globally declining group of vertebrates.
TIA Management Should TIA Patients be Admitted? Should TIA Patients Get Combination Antiplatelet Therapy?

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) has gained increasing attention over the last 2 decades with the realization that the condition is common, portends potentially serious consequences, and, when identified early, can be evaluated and treated to modify future risk. In this review, we examine the issues of whether all TIA patients need admission and whether such patients should receive short-term dual antiplatelet therapy. Not all patients require admission if evaluation and treatment are done promptly. There may be a role for dual antiplatelet therapy, but the results of further clinical trials will help provide better clarity on which patients are the best candidates for this treatment.
Computational modeling in biohydrodynamics: trends, challenges, and recent advances

Computational modeling is assuming increased significance in the area of biohydrodynamics. This trend has been enabled primarily by the widespread availability of powerful computers, as well as the induction of novel numerical and modeling approaches. However, despite these recent advances, computational modeling of flows in complex biohydrodynamic configurations remains a challenging proposition. This is due to a multitude of factors, including the need to handle a wide range of flow conditions (laminar, transitional, and turbulent), the ubiquity of two-way coupled interaction between the fluid and moving/deformable structures, and, finally, the requirement of accurately resolving unsteady flow features. Recently, as part of an Office of Naval Research sponsored review, the objective of which was to distill the science related to biology-based hydrodynamics for maneuvering and propulsion, an extensive survey of computational biohydrodynamics was undertaken. The key findings of this survey are reported in this paper.
Variability in Reward Responsivity and Obesity: Evidence from Brain Imaging Studies

Advances in neuroimaging techniques have provided insight into the role of the brain in the regulation of food intake and weight. Growing evidence demonstrate that energy dense, palatable foods elicit similar responses in reward-related brain regions that mimic those of addictive substances. Currently, various models of obesity’s relation to reward from food have been theorized. There is evidence to support a theory of hypo-responsivity of reward regions to food, where individuals consume excess amounts to overcome this reward deficit. There is also data to support a theory of hyper-responsivity of reward regions, where individuals who experience greater reward from food intake are at risk for overeating. However, these seemingly discordant theories are static in nature and do not account for the possible effects of repeated overeating on brain responsivity to food and initial vulnerability factors. Here we review data that support these theories and propose a dynamic vulnerability model of obesity that appears to offer a parsimonious theory that accommodates extant findings.
Video OCR for digital news archive

Video OCR is a technique that can greatly help to locate topics of interest in a large digital news video archive via the automatic extraction and reading of captions and annotations. News captions generally provide vital search information about the video being presented, the names of people and places or descriptions of objects. In this paper, two difficult problems of character recognition for videos are addressed: low resolution characters and extremely complex backgrounds. We apply an interpolation filter, multi-frame integration and a combination of four filters to solve these problems. Segmenting characters is done by a recognition-based segmentation method and intermediate character recognition results are used to improve the segmentation. The overall recognition results are good enough for use in news indexing. Performing video OCR on news video and combining its results with other video understanding techniques will improve the overall understanding of the news video content.
A NEW URANYL SILICATE SHEET IN THE STRUCTURE OF HAIWEEITE AND COMPARISON TO OTHER URANYL SILICATES

The structure of haiweeite, Ca[(UO2)2Si5O12(OH)2](H2O)3, Z = 4, orthorhombic, a 7.125(1), b 17.937(2), c 18.342(2) A, V 2344.3(7) A 3 , space group Cmcm, has been solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques to an agreement index (R1) of 4.2% for 1181 unique observed reflections (| Fo| ≤ 4F) collected using MoK X-radiation and a CCDbased area detector. The structure contains two symmetrically distinct U 6+ positions, each of which is occupied by nearly linear (UO2) 2+ uranyl ions (Ur) that are coordinated by five additional O atoms arranged at the equatorial corners of pentagonal bipyramids capped by the OUr anions. There are four Si cations in tetrahedral coordination, three by O atoms only, and one by three O atoms and one (OH) – group. Uranyl polyhedra share edges, forming chains parallel to [100] that are one polyhedron wide. Silicate tetrahedra share edges with the uranyl polyhedra, and are staggered along the chain length. Adjacent chains are linked through additional silicate tetrahedra, forming a sheet parallel to (001). The silicate tetrahedra form a positionally disorder ed crankshaft-like chain parallel to [100] that involves four-member rings. Edge-sharing dimers of partially occupied Ca polyhedra occur in the interlayer and, together with H bonds, provide linkage between adjacent uranyl silicate sheets. The linkages betwe en silicate tetrahedra in hydrous uranyl silicates are related to the U:Si ratio, as is the mode of polymerization between silicat e tetrahedra and uranyl polyhedra. With increasing Si relative to U, there is increasing polymerization of silicate tetrahedra, a nd a decreasing tendency for edge-sharing between uranyl polyhedra and silicate tetrahedra.
Targeted disruption of Hoxd-10 affects mouse hindlimb development

Targeted disruption of the Hoxd-10 gene, a 5′ member of the mouse HoxD linkage group, produces mice with hindlimb-specific defects in gait and adduction. To determine the underlying causes of this locomotor defect, mutant mice were examined for skeletal, muscular and neural abnormalities. Mutant mice exhibit alterations in the vertebral column and in the bones of the hindlimb. Sacral vertebrae beginning at the level of S2 exhibit homeotic transformations to adopt the morphology of the next most anterior vertebra. In the hindlimb, there is an anterior shift in the position of the patella, an occasional production of an anterior sesamoid bone, and an outward rotation of the lower part of the leg, all of which contribute to the defects in locomotion. No major alterations in hindlimb musculature were observed, but defects in the nervous system were evident. There was a decrease in the number of spinal segments projecting nerve fibers through the sacral plexus to innervate the musculature of the hindlimb. Deletion of a hindlimb nerve was seen in some animals, and a shift was evident in the position of the lumbar lateral motor column. These observations suggest a role for the Hoxd-10 gene in establishing regional identity within the spinal cord and imply that patterning of the spinal cord may have intrinsic components and is not completely imposed by the surrounding mesoderm. SUMMARY
An Analysis of Turbo Decoding with Gaussian Densities

We provide an analysis of the turbo decoding algorithm (TDA) in a setting involving Gaussian densities. In this context, we are able to show that the algorithm converges and that - somewhat surprisingly - though the density generated by the TDA may differ significantly from the desired posterior density, the means of these two densities coincide.
The role of external sources of information in children’s evaluative food categories

Evaluative food categories are value-laden assessments which reflect the healthfulness and palatability of foods (e.g., healthy/unhealthy, yummy/yucky). In a series of three studies, this research examines how 3- to 4-year-old children (N = 147) form evaluative food categories based on input from external sources of information. The results indicate that children prefer to ask a mom and teacher over a cartoon and child for information about the evaluative status of foods. However, children are cautious to accept information about healthy foods from all of the external sources compared to unhealthy, yummy, and yucky foods. The results also indicate that providing information about the positive taste of healthy foods helps to encourage children to select healthy foods to eat. Taken together, these results have potential implications for children's health and nutrition education.
Concurrent cisplatin, paclitaxel, and radiotherapy as preoperative treatment for patients with locoregional esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND A Phase II trial was conducted at the University of Michigan to determine the efficacy of a preoperative regimen of concurrent cisplatin, paclitaxel, and radiation for patients with locoregional esophageal carcinoma. METHODS Sixty-nine patients with esophageal carcinoma were treated with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on Day 1, paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 on Days 1, 8, 15, and 22, and radiation 1.5 Gray (Gy) twice per day on Days 1–5, 8–12, and 15–19, for a total dose of 45 Gy. Transhiatal esophagectomy was performed on approximately Day 50. RESULTS The treatment regimen was well tolerated. Only 13% of patients developed Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and 17% of patients required feeding tubes. Ninety percent of all patients had complete tumor resection at the time of surgery. Nineteen percent of patients achieved a complete histologic response in the resected specimen. The median survival period was 24 months. One-, 2-, and 3-year survival probabilities were 75%, 50%, and 34%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This cisplatin-based preoperative regimen, which contained paclitaxel rather than 5-fluorouracil, was well tolerated. The survival data compared favorably with other previously reported combinations. This regimen is a reasonable preoperative approach for patients with localized esophageal carcinoma. Cancer 2003. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Studies of the electric potential between Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba

The mass transport of the Florida Current across the Key West-Havana section has been studied by means of the associated electrical potential due to the geomagnetic field. An analysis of the seasonal, daily, and short-term variations of the transport is presented, as well as a critical discussion of the limitations of the method of measurement employed.
KEEPING CURRENT: Travel Medicine Resources Available on the Internet

As travel medicine practices expand and multiply, practitioners increasingly need to be familiar with constantly changing disease epidemiology and drug resistance patterns in over 220 different countries. Nowadays, keeping current means utilizing the wide array of resources available on the internet. This article contains background information on the most relevant travel medicine-oriented Internet sites and provides their universal resource locators in a convenient table.
Probabilistic design of flapping airfoils in gusty environments

Presented in this paper is a probabilistic strategy to optimize the performance of a flapping airfoil in gusty environments. Frontal gusts are modeled through harmonic functions with random parameters. Adverse effects of unpredictable wind variations on the airfoil performance are mitigated by adopting a Robust Design Optimization strategy which achieves a convenient trade-off between the accuracy and the efficiency of the optimization procedure. This lays a reliable and practical foundation towards accounting for complex operational environments within the design optimization framework. Furthermore, the obtained results give insight into the robustness of Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) wings in response to wind perturbations, and its relationship with the installed power and thrust.
Polyporaceae from Japan

The following interesting collection of Japanese polypores, seventy-one packets in all, was recently received for determination from Professors S. Kusano and S. Nohara, of the Agricultural College, Tokyo Imperial University. The Garden herbarium has formerly contained very little material in this group from Japan, and little has been known of the distribution of the species there, except through the published papers of Professor Hennings, of the Berlin Botanic Garden, who has reported the majority of the fifty or more species known to occur in Japan. These specimens were collected in Tokyo (including Komaba), Iwaki, Shinano, Shimoosa, Konodai, Mt. Takao, Yoyogi, Nikko, Yumoto in Nikko, Oki Province, Formosa and Karafuto. The chief collectors were S. Kusano and S. Nohara, but the following names also appear: K. Miyake, Ch. Tanaka, K. Tanaka, T. Tanaka, Onuma, Yagi and Nakahara. The collector last mentioned obtained most of the specimens sent from Formosa and Karafuto. Professors Kusano and Nohara are now planning to collect fungi in various parts of Japan on a larger scale, which seems highly desirable, as the mycological flora of Japan is apparently largely unknown at the present time.