cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spinal pial (type IV) arteriovenous fistulae: a systematic pooled analysis of demographics, hemorrhage risk, and treatment results.

Background Demographics, hemorrhage risk, and results of surgical and endovascular treatment of spinal pial (type IV) arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) across a large patient group have not been previously reported. Objective To report demographics, hemorrhage rates, and treatment results for these AVFs. Methods We performed a pooled analysis via the PubMed and Embase databases through November 2012. Individualized patient data were extracted and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression to obtain hazard ratios for hemorrhage risk factors and pooled for baseline demographics and treatment results. Results We extracted information on 213 patients from 28 studies. Only 1% of lesions were incidental; 93% of patients presented with neurologic deficits and 36% with hemorrhage. Patients with type IVa lesions were significantly older (mean age, 46.9 years) and demonstrated a male sex predilection (68% male). Patients with type IVc lesions were significantly younger (mean age, 18.7 years), had no sex predilection, and had the highest prevalence of syndromic conditions (29% of cases). The annual hemorrhage rate was 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4%-4.7%), increasing to 5.6% for hemorrhagic fistulae (95% CI: 3.0%-10.7%; hazard ratio: 6.31; 95% CI: 0.69-57.4; P = .10). Patient sex, fistula location, and fistula subclass were not significant risk factors for hemorrhage. The surgical obliteration rate was 88%; 68% of patients improved, 26% were the same, and 6% were worse. The endovascular obliteration rate was 74%; 75% of patients improved, 14% were the same, and 11% were worse. Conclusion We demonstrate the utility of the Anson-Spetzler a-c subclassification and underscore the efficacy of surgical and endovascular spinal AVF treatment.
A Behavior Based Approach to Cellular Self-Organizing Systems Design

Multi-agent systems (MAS) have been considered a potential solution for developing adaptive systems. The design of MAS however is difficult because the global effect emerges from local actions and interactions that can be hard to specify and control. In order to achieve high level resilience and robustness of MAS and retain the capability of specifying desired global effects, we propose a cellular self-organizing (CSO) system framework and a biologically inspired behavior based design approach (BDA) and a field based regulative control mechanism (FBR). The BDA approach links global functional requirements with the local behavior design of a CSO system. FBR is a real-time, dynamical, distributed mechanism that regulates the emergence process for CSOs to self-organize and self-reconfigure in complex operation environments. BDA and FBR together extend the system adaptability without imposing global control over local agents. This paper describes the models of CSO, BDA and FBR and demonstrates their effectiveness by presenting simulation based case studies in which CSO agents explore an unknown environment and move an object to designated locations.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Teachers as Readers and Writers and as Teachers of Reading and Writing

Scholars such as L. Calkins (1993), D. H. Graves (1978, 1984, 1990, 1994), and R. Routman (1991, 1996) hypothesized that teachers must be confident, avid readers and writers to be effective reading and writing teachers. Three questions guided a case study that examined this hypothesis among 4 fourth-grade teachers nominated as exemplary reading and writing instructors. How did they describe themselves as readers and writers? What factors were most influential in their reading and writing teaching? How did they describe any relationships, or lack thereof, between their reading and writing and their reading and writing teaching? Interviews served as the primary data source. Findings indicate that although the teachers considered themselves to be competent readers and writers, their individual reading and writing experiences played little or no role in their effectiveness in teaching reading and writing.
Differential phase of photothermal emission analysis for thermal property measurement of thermal barrier coatings

Abstract The utility of phase of photothermal emission analysis (PopTea) for thermal property measurements of coatings is extended by the use of differential measurements. In PopTea, the phase of thermal emission from a periodically heated coating is measured to determine thermal properties of the coating. Measurements become differential when characteristics of heat transfer into the substrate system are measured in addition to the coating properties. For typical thermal barrier coating systems, the need for differential measurements arises when the coating thickness approaches or exceeds roughly one third of the underlying metal thickness. In such a situation, heat transfer into the subsystem becomes poorly defined and can adversely affect measurements of coating thermal properties. In this paper, a model for a substrate system is explored in the context of mitigating the effects of poorly understood heat transfer conditions beyond a certain thickness of the substrate material. The substrate system model is used in differential PopTea (dPopTea) measurements and is shown to be an effective way of addressing measurement conditions when engine hardware has relatively thin structural walls.
Influence of ethanol on calcium, inositol phospholipids and intracellular signalling mechanisms.

Studies have implicated Ca++ in the actions of ethanol at many biochemical levels. Calcium as a major intracellular messenger in the central nervous system is involved in many processes, including protein phosphorylation enzyme activation and secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters. The control of intracellular calcium, therefore, represents a major step by which neuronal cells regulate their activities. The present review focuses on three primary areas which influence intracellular calcium levels; voltage-dependent Ca++ channels, receptor-mediated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis, and Ca++/Mg++-ATPase, the high affinity membrane Ca++ pump.
Software fault localization using feature selection

Manually locating and fixing faults can be tedious and hard. Recent years have seen much progress in automated techniques for fault localization. A particularly promising approach is to analyze passing and failing runs to compute how likely each statement is to be faulty. Techniques based on this approach have so far largely focused on either using statistical analysis or similarity based algorithms, which have a natural application in evaluating such runs. We present a novel approach to fault localization using feature selection techniques from machine learning. Our insight is that each additional failing or passing run can provide significantly diverse amount of information, which can help localize faults in code -- the statements with maximum feature diversity information can point to most suspicious lines of code. Experimental results show that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art approaches for localizing faults in most subject programs of the Siemens suite, which have previously been used to evaluate several fault localization techniques.
Effects of Varied Temporal Visual Overlapping in Multi‐Image Tape‐Slide Presentations

Despite the proliferation of descriptive and technical literature advocating the use of the technique, there is limited empirical support advancing the superiority of multi‐image vs single image presentations. A possible reason for the dearth of significant discrimination has been the projection strategy employed. This study compares three multi‐stage versions of a tape‐slide presentation with a parallel single image format. Multi‐image treatments differed in the amount of time two images were simultaneously in view: three seconds, six seconds or a complete visual overlap. A post‐test‐only control group factorial design incorporating two moderator variables, sex and scholastic ability, was employed for testing 215 grade eight subjects. The data analysis produced no significant differences between single and multi‐image treatments for transmission of pictorial information. Multi‐image formats were significantly more effective for transmitting factual auditory information with the six‐second visual overlap being the more powerful strategy. Regardless of visual format, males achieved significantly higher results than females and high scholastic ability subjects scored significantly better than those of low scholastic ability. The results accrued to scholastic ability are consistent across varied media/presentation studies, while the sex variance is attributed primarily to differential subject matter appeal. The superiority of multi‐image presentations for communicating factual information is discussed in terms of a theory of visual bridging.
Allozymes and the hybrid origin of the parthenogenetic lizardCnemidophorus exsanguis

Allozyme electrophoresis was used to determine the hybrid parentage of the triploid parthenogenetic speciesCnemidophorus exsanguis. 19 of 33 loci were polymorphic inC. exsanguis and/or the 7 potential bisexual progenitors. It was determined from allele distributions thatC. exsanguis containes genomes form 3 different species, probablyC. costatus, C. inornatus andC. septemvittatus.
Sums of Evenly Spaced Binomial Coefficients

We provide a combinatorial proof of a formula for the sum of evenly spaced binomial coefficients, . This identity, along with a generalization, are proved by counting weighted walks on a graph.
ROLE AND TIMING OF HEMATOPOIETIC CELL TRANSPLANTATION FOR MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only curative treatment for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Most patients with MDS are older than 60 years and age-associated morbidities limit the patients’ options for curative transplant therapy. Since the development of conditioning regimens with reduced toxicity, the age limitations for HCT have waned for those patients with good performance status. This review will discuss the role of HCT for MDS based on prognostic features, the optimal timing of HCT, and outcomes based on patient age.
Survival of COPD patients using inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists.

Summary We conducted a historical cohort study to examine the relationship between survival and use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and/or long-acting beta agonists (LABA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). All COPD patients aged ⩾40 years who were enrolled in one of two regional managed care organizations during 1995–2000, and who had ⩾90 days use of an ICS and/or LABA ( N = 1288 ) or of a short-acting bronchodilator ( N = 397 ), were identified. Of patients treated with ICS and/or LABA, 14.4% died during the follow-up period, as compared to 28.2% of comparison patients ( P 0.01 ). In a Cox proportional hazards model that controlled for age, sex, comorbidities, COPD severity, and asthma status, a reduced risk of death was found for ICS treatment (HR 0.59 [95% CI 0.46–0.78]), LABA (HR 0.55 [0.34–0.89]), and ICS plus LABA treatment (HR 0.34 [0.21–0.56]). A second model that excluded any patient who also had an ICD-9 code for asthma ( N = 840 ) still found improved survival among those using the combination of ICS plus LABA (HR 0.35 [CI 0.17–0.71]). Additional analyses that varied the exposure criteria also found a consistent treatment benefit. Inclusion of ICS or bronchodilator treatment during the follow-up period as a time-dependent function appears to negate the survival benefit; however, the underlying assumptions for valid time-dependent modeling are clearly violated in this situation. In conclusion, we found that COPD patients who used ICS alone or in combination with LABA had substantially improved survival even after adjustment for asthma and other confounding factors.
John Henderson, A Roman Life: Rutilius Gallicus on Paper and in Stone (Exeter Studies in History). Exeter: University of Exeter Press, 1998. Pp. xii + 155, 7 pls, 3 maps. ISBN 0-85989-565-3. £12.99.

The words in the stone Co-ordinates for a cv Playing a second fiddle Sand-bagging the Danube Thank heaven for that - vv 1-8 Dancing in the street - vv 9-14 Saecular fun and games - vv 15-18 You sing it, I'll play it - vv 19-37 You had us all worried there - vv 38-49 At death's door - vv 50-57 Translation of Statius "siluae "1.4 he's in God's hands now - vv 58-62,106 The VIP treatment - vv 61-8, 94-7 "A Roman life", on paper - vv 68-93 Apollo's pharmacy - vv 98-105 Take up thy bed, and walk - vv 106-14 It takes a worried man to sing a worried song - vv 115-22 Many happy returns - vv 123-31 It's the thought that counts - "Siluae" 1.4 and the preface The sacred wood - Statius' book of etiquette ("Siluae I")
Differential regulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae phospholipase D in sporulation and Sec14-independent secretion.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Spo14, a phosphatidylcholine-specific, phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate-activated phospholipase D (PLD), is essential for meiosis and spore formation. Spo14 is also required for secretion in the absence of the phosphatidylinositol/phosphatidylcholine transfer protein Sec14 (i.e., Sec14-independent secretion). In sporulating cells Spo14 is phosphorylated and relocalized within the cell. In contrast, Spo14 does not relocalize and is not phosphorylated in Sec14-independent secretion. Analysis of a partially phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate-activated Spo14 mutant, spo14R894G, revealed that Spo14 function in Sec14-independent secretion, unlike the situation in meiosis, requires fully stimulated PLD activity. Consistent with the differential regulation of Spo14 function during sporulation and secretion, we isolated a mutant allele, spo14-S251P, the product of which is improperly phosphorylated and fails to relocalize and rescue the sporulation phenotype of homozygous spo14 diploids, but supports Sec14-independent secretion. Furthermore, we show that the N-terminal domain of Spo14 is both phosphorylated and sufficient for prospore membrane localization during sporulation. These data indicate that Spo14 phosphorylation and relocalization are essential for the process of sporulation, but dispensable for Sec14-independent secretion. Finally, we demonstrate that Spo14 phosphorylation and relocalization are initiated by nitrogen and glucose limitation and occur independently of the process of meiosis.
Electrooptical processor module.

Realisation de dispositifs compacts utilisant des imageurs a dispositifs a couplage de charges pour processeurs electrooptiques
The role of fire on soil mounds and surface roughness in the Mojave Desert

A fundamental question in arid land management centers on understanding the long-term effects of fire on desert ecosystems. To assess the effects of fire on surface topography, soil roughness, and vegetation, we used terrestrial (ground-based) LiDAR to quantify the differences between burned and unburned surfaces by creating a series of high-resolution vegetation structure and bare-earth surface models for six sample plots in the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona. We find that 11 years following prescribed burns, mound volumes, plant heights, and soil-surface roughness were significantly lower on burned relative to unburned plots. Results also suggest a linkage between vegetation and soil mounds, either through accretion or erosion mechanisms such as wind and/or water erosion. The biogeomorphic implications of fire-induced changes are significant. Reduced plant cover and altered soil surfaces from fire likely influence seed residence times, inhibit seed germination and plant establishment, and affect other ecohydrological processes. Published in 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Scour‐control and scour‐resistant design for hydraulic structures

There now exists in theoretical analyses, in laboratory findings, and in conventional engineering-design practice, a skeleton of facts on which a rational scour-control procedure can be based. The writer has assembled these facts and stated them in as straightforward a manner as he believes, in consistent with current knowledge. Examples of the manner in which the analysis is taken into account in ordinary engineering design are given in support, thereof.
Programmed Electrical Stimulation of the Ventricle: An Efficient, Sensitive, and Specific Protocol

A relatively simple and efficient ventricular programmed electrical stimulation (PES) protocol was developed, capable of achieving high degrees of sensitivity and specificity. In a series of 481 subjects, 1, 2, and 3 extrastimuli (ES) were used successively during sinus rhythm and ventricular pacing at two drive cycle lengths, at one or more ventricular sites, together with rapid ventricular pacing, and other maneuvers such as isoproterenol infusion. Three ES were used immediately after two ES at each drive rate, rather than returning after completion of the protocol with two ES. Using the protocol, appropriate arrhythmias could be induced in 88% of all patients with ventricular fibrillation, 84% of all patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia (91% with underlying coronary disease), and 58% of patients with severe nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. There were significant differences in inducibility between patients whose ventricular arrhythmias were due to coronary artery disease and other causes. In contrast, sustained ventricular arrhythmias (all ventricular fibrillation) could be induced in only 5% of a control group of control patients, for a specificity of 95%. The protocol described is simpler and more efficient than those that use exhaustive testing of two ES before going to three ES. Three ES during sinus rhythm proved to be the most productive step, with a higher yield ratio (true: false-positives) than two ES or three ES during pacing, especially at faster rates. Greater efficiency is also achieved by leaving the timing of an extrastimulus just beyond its effective refractory period when an additional extrastimulus is to be added, compared to protocols in which the extrastimulus is moved later in the cycle and then decremented in tandem with the additional extrastimulus. Coupling intervals less than 200 msec produced some false-positives, but fewer overall than intervals greater than or equal to 200 msec, and with yield ratios comparable to other protocol steps. The protocol described meets NASPE standards for ventricular programmed stimulation protocols, and with its demonstrated specificity and relative simplicity and efficiency may be useful as a model for groups not yet committed to an alternative protocol.
Cocaine-induced relaxation of isolated rat aortic rings and mechanisms of action: possible relation to cocaine-induced aortic dissection and hypotension.

Abstract Cocaine HCl is well known for its toxic effects on the cardiovascular system, but little is known about its effects on different regional blood vessels. We designed experiments to determine if cocaine HCl could influence the tension of isolated aortic rings, i.e., induce contraction or relaxation. Surprisingly, cocaine HCl (1×10 −5 to 6×10 −3 M) relaxed isolated aortic rings precontracted by phenylephrine in a concentration-dependent manner. No significant differences were found between intact or denuded isolated aortic rings ( P >0.05). The maximal % relaxations of intact vs. denuded isolated aortic rings were 108.9±24.3% vs. 99.5±8.3% ( P >0.05). Cocaine HCl, 2×10 −3 M, was found to inhibit contractions by phenylephrine; EC 50 s were increased ( P max 's were decreased (51.3±16.4% vs. 89.8±10.6%, P P >0.05). The cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor, indomethacin, also failed to inhibit relaxations induced by cocaine HCl ( P >0.05). Neither l -arginine, N(G)-monomethyl- l -arginine ( l -NMMA), nor methylene blue could inhibit the relaxations induced by cocaine HCl ( P >0.05), suggesting cocaine HCl does not relax isolated aortic rings by inducing the synthesis or release of nitric oxide (NO) or prostanoids from either endothelial or vascular muscle cells. Inhibitors of cAMP, cGMP and protein kinase G (PKG) also failed to inhibit cocaine-induced relaxations. Cocaine HCl (1×10 −5 to 6×10 −3 M) could also relax isolated aortic rings precontracted by phenylephrine in high K + depolarizing buffer. Surprisingly, calyculin A, an inhibitor of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphatase, inhibited cocaine-induced relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting the probable importance of cocaine-induced MLC phosphatase activation in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. It was also found that cocaine HCl could dose-dependently inhibit Ca 2+ -induced contractions of isolated aortic rings in high K + –Ca 2+ -free buffer, suggesting that cocaine HCl may inhibit Ca 2+ influx and/or intracellular release.
Treatment of recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with topical interferon alfa 2b

Abstract Objective To evaluate topical interferon alfa 2b (IFNα2b) as a single therapeutic agent in the treatment of presumed recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia. Design Noncomparative, retrospective case series. Participants Seven consecutive patients with recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed at the University of Minnesota from July 2000 to November 2003 were studied retrospectively. All patients had a history of histologically proven primary corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia and were treated by surgery, cryotherapy, radiation, and/or topical mitomycin C before recurrence. Intervention Patients with a clinical diagnosis of recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia were treated with recombinant topical IFNα2b drops (1 million IU/ml) 4 times daily until lesion resolution was noted. Main outcome measures A review of medical records was performed to assess the duration of and response to treatment with topical IFNα2b, defined by clinical resolution of corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia. Results The average age of the 7 patients at the initiation of topical IFNα2b treatment for presumed recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia was 68.7 years (range, 54–88). Six of 7 patients had successful treatment of recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia lesions with topical IFNα2b treatment. The average length of IFNα2b treatment to resolution of recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia was 14.5 weeks (range, 5–24). After treatment with topical IFNα2b for recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia, 2 patients had another recurrence of corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia, noted at 1 year and 2 months, respectively. The average post-treatment follow-up was 11.7 months (range, 8–17) after the resolution of recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia. No side effects of treatment were noted in any patient. Conclusions Topical IFNα2b as a single therapeutic agent is an effective treatment of presumed recurrent corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia. It offers the benefits of topical therapy and avoids the risks of surgical or other interventions—specifically, ocular surface toxicity, cicatricial conjunctival changes, and limbal stem cell deficiency. Larger controlled studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of this topical treatment.
Neural adaptation of epidural electrocorticographic (EECoG) signals during closed-loop brain computer interface (BCI) tasks

Invasive BCI studies have classically relied on actual or imagined movements to train their neural decoding algorithms. In this study, non-human primates were required to perform a 2D BCI task using epidural microECoG recordings. The decoding weights and cortical locations of the electrodes used for control were randomly chosen and fixed for a series of daily recording sessions for five days. Over a period of one week, the subjects learned to accurately control a 2D computer cursor through neural adaptation of microECoG signals over “cortical control columns” having diameters on a the order of a few mm. These results suggest that the spatial resolution of microECoG recordings can be increased via neural plasticity.
The utility of routine postoperative radiographs after cervical spine fusion.

Abstract Background context The senior author (JAG) recently published an article questioning the utility of routine postoperative radiographs after lumbar spine fusion. That study concluded that routine postoperative radiographs in the presence of a normal physical examination rarely change the clinician's management of these patients. Our aim was to repeat this protocol in patients after cervical spine fusion. We hypothesized that routine postoperative radiographs are unnecessary in most cases after cervical spine fusion. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of routine postoperative cervical spine radiographs after cervical spine fusion as to whether they help to guide clinical decision making within the first postoperative year. Study design This is a retrospective chart review of 383 patients who underwent a cervical spine fusion over a 5-year period. Seven different surgeons performed the cervical spine fusions. Our review assessed a total of 1,155 postoperative clinic visits. Methods Each clinical postoperative visit was reviewed. The history and exam were graded as either normal or abnormal, and any plain radiographs obtained were graded similarly as either normal or abnormal. Each patient's notes were followed up to 1 year postoperatively. Each patient had to have at least two postoperative visits with X-rays to be included in the study. We then noted any further action taken by the clinician based on the appearance of the radiograph in conjunction with the history and exam. Results In patients with normal history and exam presentations, further action was taken only 5/879 (0.57%) of the time, sometimes even in the presence of abnormal radiographs. The actions included two surgical revisions, two prolongations of cervical collar immobilization, and one patient who underwent a flexion/extension radiographic evaluation and subsequent prolonged cervical collar immobilization. There were 276 visits with abnormal history and exam; of these, 34/276 (12.3%) had abnormal X-rays. Of the clinic visits with abnormal history and exam and abnormal X-rays, 15/34 (44%) went on to revision. Conclusions Routine postoperative radiographs after cervical spine fusion rarely appear to be of value when patients present with a normal history and exam and may expose patients to unnecessary diagnostic studies and expenses. Patients exhibiting a normal postoperative history and exam are likely to have no further additional action taken in the presence of either normal or abnormal radiographs.
The Legacy of the Technology Acceptance Model and a Proposal for a Paradigm Shift

This article presents a critique of a number of shortcomings with the technology acceptance model (TAM) and points to specific remedies in each case. In addition, I present a model for the purposes of providing a foundation for a paradigm shift. The model consists first of a decision making core (goal desire → goal intention → action desire → action intention) that is grounded in basic decision making variables/processes of a universal nature. The decision core also contains a mechanism for self-regulation that moderates the effects of desires on intentions. Second, added to the decision making core are a number of causes and effects of decisions and self-regulatory reasoning, with the aim of introducing potential contingent, contextual nuances for understanding decision making. Many of the causal variables here are contained within TAM or its extensions; also considered are new variables grounded in emotional, group/social/cultural, and goal-directed behavior research.
Global Static Indexing for Real-Time Exploration of Very Large Regular Grids

In this paper we introduce a new indexing scheme for progressive traversal and visualization of large regular grids. We demonstrate the potential of our approach by providing a tool that displays at interactive rates planar slices of scalar field data with very modest computing resources. We obtain unprecedented results both in terms of absolute performance and, more importantly, in terms of scalability. On a lap-top computer we provide real time interaction with a 20483 grid (8 Giga-nodes) using only 20MB of memory. On an SGI Onyx we slice interactively an 81923 grid (½ tera-nodes) using only 60MB of memory. The scheme relies simply on the determination of an appropriate reordering of the rectilinear grid data and a progressive construction of the output slice. The reordering minimizes the amount of I/O performed during the out-of-core computation. The progressive and asynchronous computation of the output provides flexible quality/speed tradeoffs and a time-critical and interruptible user interface.
Genetics in Oculoplastics

With advancing technology, ocular genetics is a constantly evolving and expanding field. Human DNA is comprised of approximately 30,000 genes. Genetic etiology is implicated in nearly half of all childhood blindness [1]. Ocular genetics allows ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat patients, identify surveillance strategies for associated findings, clarify prognosis, and provide families with genetic counseling and disease-specific support.
Failure Detection with Uncertain Models

The issues of robust failure detection is considered. The problem of robust failure detection is concerned with generating signals which are maximally sensitive to some effects (failures) and minimally sensitive to others (model errors). An alternative measure of reliability for a redundancy relation is discussed.
Illegal Drugs in Colombia: From Illegal Economic Boom to Social Crisis

During the past thirty years, the illegal drug industry has marked Colombia's development. In no other country has the illegal drug industry had such dramatic social, political, and economic effects. This short article provides a synthesis of the development of the marijuana, coca-cocaine, and poppy-opium-heroin illegal industries. It studies the development of the drug cartels and marketing networks and the participation of guerrillas and paramilitary forces in the industry. The size of the illegal industry and its economic effects are also surveyed and its effects on the political system analyzed. The article ends with a discussion of the evolution of government policies and social attitudes toward the industry. The article shows that in the early years, the illegal industry was perceived by many as positive, how it evolved so that today it provides substantial funding for the country's ambiguous war, and that it is one of the main obstacles to peace.
Random early detection gateways for congestion avoidance

The authors present random early detection (RED) gateways for congestion avoidance in packet-switched networks. The gateway detects incipient congestion by computing the average queue size. The gateway could notify connections of congestion either by dropping packets arriving at the gateway or by setting a bit in packet headers. When the average queue size exceeds a present threshold, the gateway drops or marks each arriving packet with a certain probability, where the exact probability is a function of the average queue size. RED gateways keep the average queue size low while allowing occasional bursts of packets in the queue. During congestion, the probability that the gateway notifies a particular connection to reduce its window is roughly proportional to that connection's share of the bandwidth through the gateway. RED gateways are designed to accompany a transport-layer congestion control protocol such as TCP. The RED gateway has no bias against bursty traffic and avoids the global synchronization of many connections decreasing their window at the same time. Simulations of a TCP/IP network are used to illustrate the performance of RED gateways. >
Monolayer growth and differentiated function of porcine and rat granulosa cells following cryopreservation.

Isolated granulosa cells from several species are routinely utilized in cell culture systems as a means to study the regulation of ovarian cell differentiation in vitro. To minimize trauma, the cells are generally utilized within a short time of ovarian excision. In this report we establish that freshly harvested porcine and rat granulosa cells can be preserved at sub-zero temperatures and express elements of endocrine-dependent growth and differentiated function in subsequent monolayer culture. Frozen/thawed porcine cells from 1-3 mm follicles of mature and immature animals exhibited follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-mediated iuteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptor induction and FSH-stimulated progesterone secretion during a 9-day culture period. The extent of growth and functional responsiveness was critically dependent upon the serum concentration of the culture medium. A minimum of 5% serum was necessary for optimal growth, LH/hCG receptor induction, and steroidogenesis in porcine cells. Frozen/thawed granulosa cells from diethylstilbestrol (DES)-pnmed immature rats maintained in serum-free medium demonstrated significantly increased (P<O.001) LH/hCG receptor content and 200f-dihydroprogesterone secretion in the presence of FSH. These responses were inhibited by 3% serum. Platelet-derived growth factor, however, facilitated FSH-dependent LH/hCG receptor induction and progestin secretion in the presence of serum. The differentiated responses observed in frozen/thawed porcine and rat granulosa cells were remarkably similar to those of freshly harvested cells, indicating that cryopreservation maintained a significant degree of functional integrity. Granulosa cells can be stored for 6-7 weeks at -90#{176}C without loss of viability or responsiveness. Longer term storage at this temperature, however, results in significantly decreased viability (P<0.O01) and severely impaired endocrine responsiveness. Cells preserved at -196#{176}C consistently retained both cell viability (50%) and FSH responsiveness throughout 20-21 weeks, the maximum storage period tested. Cells initially frozen and stored at -90#{176} C could be transferred to -196#{176}C for extended storage provided the transfer was made during the useful period of -90#{176}C storage. Cells stored at -90#{176}C exhibited an apparent increase in I �‘#{176} 11 iodo-hCG binding upon thawing. This was not observed in cells stored at -196#{176}C for up to 5 weeks but may occur during longer term storage. The mechanism(s) involved is unknown but may be related to membrane perturbations secondary to freezing-induced changes in cell shape. This phenomenon did not appear to alter cellular responsiveness to gonadotropin during subsequent culture. These technical advances should benefit the fields of reproductive biology and cellular endocrinology by making more cell systems available to more laboratories.
Medical Imaging of the Diabetic Foot

Medical imaging of the diabetic foot entails a variety of imaging modalities. The diagnostic evaluation often includes a gamut of studies that include conventional radiography, CT, nuclear medicine scintigraphy, MRI, ultrasonography, and a newcomer, positron emission tomography combined with CT and leukocyte labeling. There is not yet "one best test" for sorting out the diagnostic dilemmas that are commonly encountered. Confirmation or exclusion of the frequent diagnosis of osteomyelitis often requires multiple studies, which are complementary to one another.
Models for Liquid–Liquid Partition in the System Ethylene Glycol–Organic Solvent and Their Use for Estimating Descriptors for Organic Compounds

Partition coefficients for varied compounds were determined for the ethylene glycol–organic solvent biphasic partition system where the organic solvent is n-heptane, 1,2-dichloroethane or isopentyl ether. These partition coefficient databases are analyzed using the solvation parameter model facilitating a quantitative comparison of the ethylene glycol-based partition systems with other totally organic partition systems. Ethylene glycol is a cohesive solvent, reasonably dipolar/polarizable, strongly hydrogen-bond basic, and moderately hydrogen-bond acidic. Ethylene glycol–organic solvent systems offer a complementary approach to other totally organic biphasic partition systems for sample preparation and descriptor measurements of compounds virtually insoluble in water.
Sea Surface Mixed Layer during the 10–11 June 1994 California Coastally Trapped Event

Abstract A midlevel, coastally trapped atmospheric event occurred along the California coast 10–11 June 1994. This feature reversed the surface wind field along the coast in a northerly phase progression. Along the central California coast, the winds at the coastal stations reverse before the corresponding coastal buoy offshore, then followed hours later by passage of the leading edge of an overcast stratus cloud. The sea surface temperature was much colder in the narrow strip along the coast. The cloud characteristics may be accounted for by a sea surface mixed layer (SSML) model beginning with the wind reversal and growing with the square root of time. Heat is lost from the SSML to the sea surface. A cloud forms when the air temperature at the top of the SSML is equal to the dewpoint. It is suggested that a bore develops on the top of the SSML, increasing the thickness of the SSML and the progression speed of the cloud to 8 m s−1. There is evidence that an undular bore with a leading cloud develops in t...
Sociality, Expression, and This Thing called Language

AbstractDavidson’s well-known language skepticism—the claim that there is no such a thing as a language—has recognizably Gricean underpinnings, some of which also underlie his continuity skepticism—the claim that there can be no philosophically illuminating account of the emergence of language and thought. My first aim in this paper is to highlight aspects of the complicated relationship between central Davidsonian and Gricean ideas concerning language. After a brief review of Davidson’s two skeptical claims and their Gricean underpinnings, I provide my own take on how Davidson’s continuity skepticism can be resisted consistently with his rejection of the Gricean priority claim, yet without giving up some of Grice’s own insights regarding the origins of meaning.
Recovery from Acute Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) Characterized by Endothelial Cell Unresponsiveness to Cytokines and Pericyte Activation

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an antigen-driven T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease in animals that closely resembles the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). In rats, EAE is characterized by an acute clinical phase followed by recovery (1). The mechanism by which animals recover from the paralytic disease is unknown. It is thought that cytokine-mediated regulation by T-suppressor cells plays an important role (2–4). Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ-1), is a naturally occurring immunoregulatory protein (5) which has emerged as a leading candidate in immunoregulation of EAE (6–14). The mechanisms by which TGFβ1 ameliorates the incidence and severity of EAE is not well understood, but a primary effect on macrophage and/or T-cell-mediated immune function or on the blood brain barrier (BBB) has been suggested (6,9,13–18) In a previous study, we have reported that TGF131 inhibits interferon gamma (IFNγ)-mediated activation of rat central nervous system (CNS) microvessel endothelial cells (EC) and that TGFβ1 pretreated EC are unresponsive to subsequent stimulation (19). In the present study, we examine in culture, CNS microvessels from Lewis rats through induction, clinically apparent disease, and in the recovery phase of EAE for the expression of EC activation antigens and for sensitivity to further activation with IFNγ. Expression of activation antigens is sequential and precedes appearance of clinical symptoms. Results further indicate that recovery from EAE is, in part, characterized by EC unresponsiveness to IFNγ, and vascular pericyte reactivity.
Reinforced (un)predictability and the voluntary operant

ABSTRACTThe operant is comprised of a class of responses. Each member of the class (or each response instance) has a probability of emergence (or emission). Reinforcers control response types (e.g., topographies) and attributes (e.g., forces, latencies), including the individual probabilities of class members. Control by reinforcers over response types and probabilities implies that responses will be (a) functional (because they produce reinforcers) and (b) more-or-less predictable (depending upon the conditions and contingencies). Control by reinforcers over levels of predictability helps to explain why operant responses are correctly described as voluntary and at the same time provides an alternative to hypothesizing that each operant instance is wholly determined by environmental variables. Operant response emissions are probabilistic and therefore at least somewhat unpredictable.
Longitudinal study of mental health and pain-related functioning following a motor vehicle collision

OBJECTIVE: Relations between mental and physical health symptoms are well-established in the literature on recovery following motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). To understand the temporal sequencing and evolution of these relations, we examined the bidirectional association between mental and physical health symptoms at 4 and 16 weeks following a MVC. METHODS: The sample consisted of 103 participants recruited through public MVC police reports. The study included self-report assessments for posttraumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, bodily pain, and role limitations attributable to physical health. A series of multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between these mental and physical health outcomes. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that mental health symptoms at 4 weeks post-MVC were associated with higher bodily pain at 16 weeks post-MVC (PTSD symptoms: β = -0.74, 95% CI: -1.06, -0.42; depressive symptoms: β = -1.34, 95% CI: -1.90, -0.78), but not higher health-related role limitations. Physical health symptoms at 4 weeks post-MVC were not associated with PTSD or depressive symptoms at 16 weeks post-MVC. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the predictive strength of mental health symptoms at 4 weeks post-MVC in identifying individuals at risk for bodily pain at 16 weeks and shed light on the temporal sequencing of how relations between physical and mental health symptoms emerge over time. This suggests that early assessment of mental health symptoms may have significant implications for the treatment of these patients. (PsycINFO Database Record(c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
The effect of food deprivation and imprinting on the behavior of young domestic chicks

The effect of food deprivation on runway performance was studied in two experiments using young domestic chicks as Ss. Considering both experiments, about 80% of the deprived chicks emitted pecking-feeding responses and ran vigorously in a runway for food, while none of the ad lib controls did. This finding was taken as evidence of a well-developed food incentive system in chicks in their second week of ontogeny.
Oviposition and Maternal Investment in Mole Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae): Effects of Season, Size, and Senescence

Lifetime oviposition by caged, individual female southern and tawny mole crickets, Scapteriscus acletus Rehn & Hebard and S. vicinus Scudder, was monitored outdoors; oviposition was highly seasonal. Females that matured in the fall did not oviposit until the following spring along with females that matured in the spring. Most eggs were laid in May and June and percent hatch of clutches decreased later in the season. Dry weight of eggs, number of eggs per clutch, and percent hatch decreased with successive clutches from individual females. Average investment in eggs per clutch ranged from 10 to 24% of female body weight for S. acletus and from 5 to 16% for S. vicinus females. Lifetime investment was >100% of female body weight for 6 of 12 S. acletus females, but only 1 of 8 S. vicinus females had a lifetime investment in eggs equaling its body weight. In S. acletus, but not S. vicinus, large females produced more offspring and average size of their egg clutches was larger than those of smaller females.
Abstract PR-07: Skin cancer concerns and genetic risk information seeking in primary care

Skin cancers are among the most rapidly increasing cancers in the United States. The most serious form, melanoma, is relatively common in younger adults and has a high mortality rate if it becomes metastatic. Growing evidence from genome‐wide association studies is identifying genetic variants associated with skin cancer risk. Accordingly, it is being suggested that genomic testing for these variants could enable personalized feedback of susceptibility to skin cancer as an innovative approach to motivate adoption of preventive behaviors. Little is known about the receptivity of healthy adults to genetic risk information for common diseases such as cancer. We investigated whether cognitive factors (worry and perceived skin cancer risk), family factors (family health history awareness, family or personal cancer history, family constellation and social influences on health), behavioral factors (sunburn and sunscreen use history), and level of general health information‐seeking relate to perceived importance of learning about how genes affect personal health risks. These research questions were examined using baseline assessment data from the Multiplex Initiative, a primary‐care based study examining interest and uptake of genetic susceptibility testing for eight common diseases in a large Midwestern health maintenance organization. The sample included 1959 members, ages 25–40, who had not been diagnosed with any of the eight conditions on the genetic test. About 53% of participants were female; 37% were white and 53% black. Most (75%) had at least some college education. Average level of perceived importance of learning about genes was high (X=5.55; 1–7 scale). To highlight interactions between covariates, we used recursive partitioning classification and regression trees (RPART) to identify predictors of perceived importance of learning about genes among white and black respondents. In whites, the tree correctly classified 79% of the participants, such that those participants who perceived that others close to them wanted them to learn more about keeping healthy, were highly worried about skin cancer, and reported lower perceived skin cancer risk were most likely to endorse high levels of perceived importance of learning about genes; other variables did not substantially improve model accuracy. Findings were similar for blacks. This study indicates that the perceived investment of family and friends regarding health‐focused information seeking may be a primary motivator for learning about how genes affect health, and that investigation of actual and perceived social support and social influences may improve our understanding of how cognitive and information seeking processes relate to interest and uptake of genetic information in primary care settings. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):PR-07.