cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peer and Adult Socialization

Impairments in social interaction are a hallmark feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Deficits in social behaviors are often present by the end of the first year of life (Ingersoll 2011), and are one of the first recognizable signs of the disorder (e.g. Zwaigenbaum et al. 2005). In addition, studies examining the course of ASD symptoms over the lifespan suggest that most individuals with ASD continue to show significant social difficulties in adolescence and adulthood, and these symptoms are closely related to community inclusion (Orsmond et al. 2004) and other quality of life indicators (Howlin et al. 2004). Social symptoms appear to show less improvement over time (see Seltzer et al. 2004 for review) and may be less responsive to traditional treatments than symptoms in the other core ASD domains, such as language skills (Strain und Schwartz 2001). For these reasons, a variety of interventions have been developed that are specifically focused on increasing socialization in children with ASD.
Effects of intonational phrase boundaries on pitch-accented syllables in american English.

Recent studies of the acoustic correlates of various prosodic elements in American English, such as prominence (in the form of phrase-level pitch accents and word-level lexical stress) and boundaries (in the form of boundary-marking tones), have begun to clarify the nature of the acoustic cues to different types and levels of these prosodic markers. This study focuses on the importance of controlling for context in such investigations, illustrating the effects of adjacent context by examining the cues to H* and L* pitch accent in early and late position in the Intonational Phrase, and how these cues vary when the accented syllable is followed immediately by boundary tones. Results show that F0 peaks for H* accents occur significantly earlier in words that also carry boundary tones, and that energy patterns are also affected; some effects on voice quality measures were also noted. Such findings highlight the caveat that the context of a particular prosodic target may significantly influence its acoustic correlates.
Research on the modeling method of UAV swarm operation in cyberspace

As a kind of game-changing combat style, the operation of the UAV swarm in cyberspace is characterized by high effective cost and high concealment, which make it play an important role in the future competition of cyberspace. Due to the lack of actual combat experience and high confidentiality of the cyberspace operation and the UAV swarm operation, the modeling and simulation (M and S) of the operation of the UAV swarm in cyberspace is the vital method for planning the UAV swarm system architecture and designing the tactical methods of the UAV swarm. At present, the research on the M and S of the operation of the UAV swarm in cyberspace is just starting from home and abroad, and there is no corresponding modeling method and concrete model. Taken the Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) as the operational object, the guiding ideology of the M and S of the operation of the UAV swarm in cyberspace was researched from the height of the joint operations, which includes the characteristics of the individual autonomy, the group cooperation, the offensive and defensive antagonism and the electromagnetic-cyber the operation. Then, the model characteristic and elements was analyzed, such as the model system architecture, the operational rule and the intelligent algorithm. On this basis, the "action model pool", "operational rule pool" and "intelligent algorithm pool" would be constructed. Afterwards, the modeling method of the operation of the UAV swarm in cyberspace which based the “Rule+ Respond+ Algorithm” (RRA) is proposed, including the modeling framework and main process method of the RRA. The main process included the military concept modeling stage, the operational rules refining stage, the operational rules judgment stage, the action model response stage and the intelligent algorithm solution stage, that the five stages were in sequence, also the main work in each stage was analyzed. At the level of system of system M and S, the modeling focused of the abstraction, extraction and description of the operational rules of the UAV swarm in cyberspace. The description and construction methods of the operational rule are researched, such as the BNF format, the process format, and the operational rules tree graph. Finally, based on the future joint operations, an example of the operation of the UAV swarm in cyberspace is given, then the operational effectiveness is analyzed. The example showed that using nine UAV Swarms to attack IADS in cyberspace would reduce the normal power range of the sensor network by 90% and the warning time by 80.3%.
Elucidation of Titanium Dioxide Nucleation and Growth on a Polydopamine-Modified Nanoporous Polyvinylidene Fluoride Substrate via Low-Temperature Atomic Layer Deposition.

Interfaces combining polydopamine (PDA) and nanoparticles have been widely utilized for fabricating hybrid colloidal particles, thin films, and membranes for applications spanning biosensing, drug ...
Geopolíticas de la traducción en la Cuba soviética: de la estética marxista al boom literario socialista

In Cuba, literature from socialist countries played a transcendental role in the formation of the literary system from the sixties to the nineties. Thousands of books written in socialist countries, in Spanish translation, circulated in the island. This literature put the Cuban reader in contact with an exceptional cultural archive, provided literary models, and informed about what could be published in a socialist society. Access to this type of literature followed cultural/editorial policies from both countries: the issuer and the receiver. Editorial decisions responded in many cases to geopolitics positions and led to a socialist literary boom supported and funded by the State.
Antibiofilm Efficacy of Nitric Oxide-Releasing Alginates against Cystic Fibrosis Bacterial Pathogens.

Colonization of the lungs by biofilm-forming pathogens is a major cause of mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). In CF patients, these pathogens are difficult to treat due to the additional protection provided by both the biofilm exopolysaccharide matrix and thick, viscous mucus. The antibiofilm efficacy of nitric oxide (NO)-releasing alginates was evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus biofilms in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Varying the amine precursor grafted onto alginate oligosaccharides imparted tunable NO storage (∼0.1-0.3 μmol/mg) and release kinetics (∼4-40 min half-lives) in the artificial sputum media used for biofilm testing. The NO-releasing alginates were highly antibacterial against the four CF-relevant pathogens, achieving a 5-log reduction in biofilm viability after 24 h of treatment, with biocidal efficacy dependent on NO-release kinetics. Aerobic biofilms required greater starting NO doses to achieve killing relative to the anaerobic biofilms. Relative to tobramycin (the minimum concentration of antibacterial agent required to achieve a 5-log reduction in viability after 24 h, MBEC24h, of ≥2000 μg/mL) and vancomycin (MBEC24h ≥ 1000 μg/mL), the NO-releasing alginates proved to be more effective (NO dose ≤ 520 μg/mL) regardless of growth conditions.
An IoT and Analytics Platform for Characterizing Adolescent Dogs' Suitability for Guide Work

Evaluating potential guide dogs is crucial for guide dog schools as raising and training is an expensive process. During adolescence, volunteers raise dogs in training away from guide dog schools and expose them to a variety of stimuli and teach them obedience skills. However, no objective data exists about the dog's behavior and environment during this period, usually lasting several months to a year. We developed an Internet of Things sensor-equipped collar to quantify dogs' behaviors and environments during this stage. Raisers collect data from the collar using a smartphone app which in turn uploads data to a central processing pipeline. We present an overview of the system and an evaluation showing how we can learn meaningful information about a dog's environment and physical activities while away from the school for months on end, ideally to help predict which dogs will be successful in training.
The Nature and Causes of the Increase in Direct Mail Volume in the Last Half of the Twentieth Century

This paper examines the reasons for the large and apparently permanent jump in volume of direct mail in the period 1950 to 1996, especially in the period 1975 to 1988, when the number of pieces sent rose 133% per capita. Based on available statistical and anecdotal evidence, the long run causes are determined to be mostly the growth in demand for all advertising by firms, and the increased information firms have obtained about consumers. Falling direct mail costs, changes in demographic factors, and increased consumers' trust in purchasing from mail order firms, are argued to have had a smaller impact.
More on Impossibility of Virtual Black-Box Obfuscation in Idealized Models.

The celebrated work of Barak et al. (Crypto’01) ruled out the possibility of virtual blackbox (VBB) obfuscation for general circuits. The recent work of Canetti, Kalai, and Paneth (TCC’15) extended this impossibility to the random oracle model as well assuming the existence of trapdoor permutations (TDPs). On the other hand, the works of Barak et al. (Crypto’14) and Brakerski-Rothblum (TCC’14) showed that general VBB obfuscation is indeed possible in idealized graded encoding models. The recent work of Pass and Shelat (Cryptology ePrint 2015/383) complemented this result by ruling out general VBB obfuscation in idealized graded encoding models that enable evaluation of constant-degree polynomials in finite fields. In this work, we extend the above two impossibility results for general VBB obfuscation in idealized models. In particular we prove the following two results both assuming the existence of trapdoor permutations: • There is no general VBB obfuscation in the generic group model of Shoup (Eurocrypt’97) for any abelian group. By applying our techniques to the setting of Pass and Shelat we extend their result to any (even non-commutative) finite ring. • There is no general VBB obfuscation in the random trapdoor permutation oracle model. Note that as opposed to the random oracle which is an idealized primitive for symmetric primitives, random trapdoor permutation is an idealized public-key primitive.
Statistical efficiency of patient data in randomized clinical trials of epilepsy treatments.

Objective Previous research suggests that natural fluctuations in seizure rates within individuals have a quantifiable impact on therapeutic clinical trial outcomes. Methods A trial simulator estimated the statistical power of clinical trials with a typical trial design with and without patients included who exhibited a range of means (1-15 seizures/mo) and standard deviations (1-15 seizures/mo) in their baseline seizure rates. Trial outcomes were evaluated using 50% responder rates, median percentage change, and time to prerandomization. Results Patients with higher seizure frequencies and lower standard deviations during their baseline contribute more to the statistical power regardless of the method used to evaluate the trial. Power varied from -20% to 30% depending on baseline seizure characteristics. Significance Patient-specific characteristics can predict the contributions to the statistical power of clinical trials for epilepsy treatments. It may be possible to characterize this contribution with baseline data, leading to more efficient clinical trials.
Case Report of Familial COVID-19 Cluster Associated with High Prevalence of Anosmia, Ageusia, and Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Abstract Background Patients with COVID-19 most commonly report respiratory symptoms, with a minority reporting gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in currently available reports. Additionally, little is known about the symptoms of anosmia/hyposmia, ageusia, and dysgeusia anecdotally seen in COVID-19 patients, which may potentially be considered both GI and sensory/neurological manifestations of infection. We hope to clarify the prevalence of these symptoms and patterns of transmission within a family cluster. Case presentation We interviewed 7 patients via oral inquiries and a questionnaire, collecting data on subject symptoms and their durations. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to confirm 2 of these cases. We report a familial cluster of 5 presumed and 2 confirmed COVID-19 cases, all of whom reported one or more GI symptoms and 5 of whom reported sensory symptoms of anosmia/hyposmia, ageusia/hypogeusia, and/or dysgeusia. Conclusions This frequency of GI symptoms is high relative to currently available epidemiological reports, which also infrequently report on sensory symptoms. COVID-19 exhibits wide variation in duration, severity, and progression of symptoms, even within a familial cluster.
The Structure and Properties of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase from Escherichia Coli Suggest How Folate Ameliorates Human Hyperhomocysteinemia

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and neural tube defects in humans. Folate treatment decreases homocysteine levels and dramatically reduces the incidence of neural tube defects. The flavoprotein methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a likely target for these actions of folate. The most common genetic cause of mildly elevated plasma homocysteine in humans is the MTHFR polymorphism A222V (base change C677-->T). The X-ray analysis of E. coli MTHFR, reported here, provides a model for the catalytic domain that is shared by all MTHFRs. This domain is a beta8alpha8 barrel that binds FAD in a novel fashion. Ala 177, corresponding to Ala 222 in human MTHFR, is near the bottom of the barrel and distant from the FAD. The mutation A177V does not affect Km or k(cat) but instead increases the propensity for bacterial MTHFR to lose its essential flavin cofactor. Folate derivatives protect wild-type and mutant E. coli enzymes against flavin loss, and protect human MTHFR and the A222V mutant against thermal inactivation, suggesting a mechanism by which folate treatment reduces homocysteine levels.
Point of view and grammar

This book proposes that subjective expression shapes grammatical and lexical patterning in American English conversation. Analyses of structural and functional properties of English conversational utterances indicate that the most frequent combinations of subject, tense, and verb type are those that are used by speakers to personalize their contributions, not to present unmediated descriptions of the world. These findings are informed by current research and practices in linguistics which argue that the emergence, or conventionalization, of linguistic structure is related to the frequency with which speakers use expressions in discourse. The use of conversational data in grammatical analysis illustrates the local and contingent nature of grammar in use and also raises theoretical questions concerning the coherence of linguistic categories, the viability of maintaining a distinction between semantic and pragmatic meaning in analytical practice, and the structural and social interplay of speaker point of view and participant interaction in discourse.
Optimal Stream-Aquifer Development

A mathematical programming model is presented for a conjunctive development problem of surface and ground water resources. The surface water is to be used for power generation, irrigation, and aquifer recharge purposes, while meeting the mandatory downstream requirements. A confined aquifer is to be used for irrigation purpose only. Design and operation decisions are considered simultaneously. Design of the system includes determination of the sizes of dam, powerplant, canal, and ground water pumps. Operation of the system determines the release policy for each purpose from each source. The resulting model is a large scale nonconvex problem.
China’s Financial Reform and Its Impact on International Financial Centers

It is accurate to say that before 1976 there were no financial institutions or markets in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as we understand them in the West. There was only one gigantic bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBC), and numerous small rural credit cooperatives. The PBC served as both a bank for the government and a “commercial bank” for the country. The PBC was established on December 1, 1948, eleven months before the Communist Party came to power. It is, in fact, a ministry-level organization (see Byrd 1983, p. 13). By 1953, all private banks were nationalized, and the PBC became the only bank which had offices throughout the country. Because of government policy, the bank had little to do with the financial markets of the non-communist world. Since 1976, under the program of financial reform which was stimulated by the “four-modernization” policy, a variety of financial institutions and instruments have been gradually developed. However, the PRC’s financial system, to date, still can be characterized as primitive according to western standards.
Elementary Belief, Causally-Produced Belief and the Natural Relation of Causality

In the course of explaining the relation of cause and effect and the notion of belief, Hume is often forced to appeal to “objects.” In fact, in just 1.3.6 he uses the word ‘object,’ or ‘objects’ or alternatively, ‘bodies’ at least 38 times. As a result, his account of cause and effect and belief cannot be exhaustively explained until we carefully develop Hume’s thoughts on objects. However, to even begin our discussion of objects, we need to have at least a general grasp of Hume’s notion of causality and belief at our disposal. In particular, we need to have a firm grasp on the natural relation of causality.
On the moments of the scaling function psi /sub 0/

The authors derive relationships between the moments of the scaling function psi /sub 0/(t) associated with multiplicity M, K-regular, compactly supported, orthonormal wavelet bases, which are extensions of the multiplicity 2, K-regular orthonormal wavelet bases constructed by I. Daubechies (1988). One such relationship is that the square of the first moment of the scaling function ( psi /sub 0/(t)) is equal to its second moment. This relationship is used to show that uniform sample values of a function provide a third order approximation of its scaling function expansion coefficients. >
Etiologic Studies of Adolescent Drug Use: A Compendium of Data Resources and Their Implications for Prevention.

Etiological studies canvassing five major domains of risk are reviewed. The five domains reflect unique facets of risk that are central to many current prevention approaches and include: peer social influences, family (parenting) processes, expectancies (cognitive motivations), social skills and personal self-management strategies, and personality factors. Each domain is discussed with regard to major theoretical issues, important studies that help to clarify risk mechanisms, and major findings. A sixth area covering studies of multi-ethnic youth and ethnic-specific risk mechanisms also is reviewed in the context of augmenting previous empirical findings. A final section addresses two important concerns: (1) the need for a comprehensive model of developmental vulnerability; and (2) utilization of information stemming from a long tradition of developmental etiology to enhance the efficacy of drug abuse prevention.
Comparison of Virus Culturing and Immunofluorescence for Rapid Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Nasopharyngeal Secretions: Sensitivity and Specificity

I compared the fluorescent antibody test for respiratory syncytial virus in nasal secretions to virus cultures (N = 310). The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value (+) were 95.1%, 86.5%, and 88.5%, respectively.
Strain engineered Ge photodetectors on Si platform for broad band optical communications

This paper presents a strain engineering of Ge photodetectors on Si to cover both C-band and L-band. This high responsivity, Si-CMOS compatible device has promising applications in the next generation of broad band optical communications.
Biosensing with plasmonic nanoparticles

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several formats of biosensors comprising plasmonic nanoparticles, including Raman biosensors. It describes several sensor formats. Heterogeneuos sensors that use sheer presence or absence of plasmonic nanoparticles as the sensor signal and sensors that rely on a change of the scattering or extinction spectra of plasmonic nanoparticles upon analyte binding. The potential of nanoparticle clusters for SERS sensors has also been described. However, the given list of formats is not complete. Other physical phenomena related with plasmonic nanoparticles are capable to be exploited in biosensor. The chapter shows that that the large quenching efficiency of gold nanoparticles is not only due to their strong absorption band associated with the plasmonic resonance, but it is also because the gold nanoparticles affect the radiative lifetime of adjacent dye molecules. The variety of biosensing applications that the chapter explains in detail, and also the additional applications that it briefly outlines, together with the exponentially growing number of publications, clearly point out that even more biologically and medically relevant applications can be expected in the near future..
The Efficacy of Third-Party Consultation in Preventing Managerial Escalation of Commitment: The Role of Mental Representations

Avoiding continued investment in poorly performing projects is an important function of management control systems. However, prior research suggests that managers fail to use accounting information indicating that a project is performing poorly to discontinue it; that is, they escalate commitment to the project. We perform two experiments to investigate the efficacy of a potential control mechanism, third-party consultation, in preventing managerial escalation of commitment. We hypothesize that the information-processing objective (i.e., purpose) assigned to consultants influences the mental representations they construct to process and store information, which ultimately influences their recommendations regarding the continuation of a poorly performing project. Results suggest that consultants will not construct mental representations amenable to making high-quality project-continuation recommendations unless they are assigned that specific purpose. Results further suggest that applying additional effort likely will not overcome the adverse effects of having inappropriate mental representations when making project-continuation recommendations. An implication of our study is that third-party consultants likely will not prevent managerial escalation of commitment unless consultants have a specific mandate of making a project-continuation recommendation in mind when they encounter relevant accounting information.
From Molecular Dynamics to Navier-Stokes and Beyond

In this paper we outline numerical techniques for the ‘derivation’ of macroscopic equations from microscopic models. The main tool is regression analysis applied to certain coloring schemes whose role is to track the propagation of certain quantities, such as mass momentum and energy. We give a few illustrative examples including a derivation of a continuity equation for dilute gases, which deviate from the usual continuity equation by a nonlinear diffusive term which diminishes as the density increases.
Particle dynamics in a large-amplitude wave packet.

A new adiabatic theory permits the understanding of one-dimensional dynamics of particles interacting with a large-amplitude wave packet for bounce time short compared with the transit time. This theory differs from previous ones in that the Hamiltonian varies slowly not with the time, but with the coordinate. The resulting adiabatic invariant is not equal, even in lowest order, to the usual action. This theory predicts the basic features of the interaction observed in previous numerical studies.
Progress toward an orthotopic cardiac prosthesis.

This is a report emanating from a 31-member interdisciplinary group, some with 10 years experience in artificial heart research. The development of an implantable, biventicular orthotopic cardiac prosthesis is described, and the result of 24 calf experiments are summarized. Rather than pursuing solely long-term survival, the team has sought an understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms which have limited the duration of such experiments to date.
Ultrastructural changes during development of gap junctions in rabbit left ventricular myocardial cells.

Developmental changes in gap junctional structure were studied in freeze-fractured embryonic and neonatal rabbit ventricles preserved either by perfusion fixation with glutaraldehyde or by quick-freezing on a liquid helium cooled copper block. Preliminary morphometry of thin sections disclosed a nearly threefold increase in junctional area per unit cell volume between the first and third days after birth. Measurements on freeze-fractured hearts showed that mean area of individual junctions doubled between the ninth and fifth day before birth, and doubled again between the first and third days after birth. Increase in junctional area was associated with transient appearance of “aisle” configurations in large junctions, whose particle-free rows subsequently filled with particles. Aisle configurations were present in both glutaraldehyde-fixed and -unfixed, quick frozen hearts. Measurements of interparticle spacing support the conclusion that large junctions develop by growth of small junctions, not by fusion of small junctions.
The Efficacy of Optic Nerve Sheath Decompression for Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and Other Optic Neuropathies

First proposed by De Wecker! in 1872 as a treatment for neuroretinitis, optic nerve sheath decompression (or fenestration) is an operation that has caused much controversy. This surgical therapy was not seriously considered until Davidson" and Smith, Hoyt, and Newton" reintroduced it in 1969 as an alternative therapy for chronic disk edema. Over the next 19 years, however, only about 60 cases of optic nerve sheath decompression were described in the literature.v" This operation was not widely accepted until 1988, when Brourrnan, Spoor, and Ramocki.? Sergott, Savino, and Bosley." and Corbett and associates" simultaneously published their series of cases for which they used optic nerve sheath decompression as a treatment for pseudotumor cerebri. Keltner" stated the operation had merit and recommended that it be performed soon after failure of medical therapy for pseudotumor cerebri. Now, as optic nerve sheath decompression has finally become accepted as an effective and safe surgical treatment to limit visual loss in pseudotumor cerebri. great controversy surrounds its use as a treatment for anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. In 1989, Sergott and associates" suggested that optic nerve sheath decompression might improve the visual course in the progressive form of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, a variant of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy that is characterized by progressive deterioration of visual function over several weeks." The relatively prolonged cadence of progressive anterior ischemic optic neuropathy suggested that surgical intervention might be of benefit. Sergott and associates'" used optic nerve sheath decompression in 14 eyes of 14 patients with progressive anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. They described visual improvement in 12 of these 14 eyes, compared with no improvement in 12 untreated eyes that were similarly afflicted. Other investi-
Service engineering for core optical networks

This article represents a network engineering primer for the next-generation Internet. The authors consider the impact of optical networks in conjunction with Quality of Service (QoS) parameters currently proposed and in use within the public Internet. A primary ingrediant in the successful provisioning of QoS sessions requires traffic engineering techniques and methodologies by automated agents or network engineers. Given the scalability of next-generation routers, as well as the reduced complexity of switching MPLS Protocol Data Units (PDUs), it becomes possible to utilize core optical routers in exciting new ways. The author's aim is not only to outline optical network engineering options, but also to suggest advanced traffic engineering considerations when designing the next generation Internet.
Liquidity Models in Open Economies: Theory and Empirical Evidence

This paper presents an overview of recent theoretical and empirical research on 'liquidity models' in open economies; this is a class of optimizing models where money has effects on real asset prices and economic activity without relying on the 'ad-hoc' assumption of price/wage stickiness. The non-neutrality of money derives from a temporary segmentation between goods and asset markets. After surveying the theoretical literature on liquidity models, we present empirical evidence based on VAR econometric techniques for the seven major industrial countries. Such evidence is shown to be consistent with the main implications of the liquidity models.
False aneurysm of ascending aorta after aortocoronary bypass grafting

From the Pathology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; the Department of Pathology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois; and the Department of Pathology, Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida. Manuscript received and accepted April 21, 1983. aneurysm, the wall of which was adventitial fibrous tissue with or without adjacent adherent parietal pericardium. In Patients 1 and 3, the aneurysm involved the right side of the ascending aorta and compressed the right atrium and superior vena cava (Fig. 1 and 3); in Patient 2, the aneurysm involved the left side of the aorta and compressed the left atrium and pulmonary trunk (Fig. 2). In none of these 3 patients was an aneurysm of the ascending aorta suspected clinically. Patient 1 developed substernal chest pain 3 days before death (37days after CABG) and a pericardial friction rub was recorded. This man died with features of the low cardiac output syndrome. Patients 2 and 3 died from progressive worsening of chronic congestive heart failure and in each, 11 aortocoronary conduit was totally occluded. In Patient 3, Dressier’s syndrome developed early after CABG. During the next 40 months she received prednisone almost daily. Patient 4 had pseudoxanthoma elasticum. After CABG, she developed mediastinitis and died from consequences of a generalized infection. At necropsy, the metallic rings that had been placed to mark the aortic anastomosis of each of the 2 conduits had eroded through the wall of aorta to be visible from its interior. The proximal portions of the conduits were surrounded by thrombus and both conduits were occluded (Fig. 4). The rupture of the wall of aorta in this patient appears to have been the result of both mediastinitis and the underlying weakened aorta from pseudoxanthoma elasticum.
Shape parameter deletion for Pólya curves

We present a simple change of basis technique for transforming one type of Polya curve to another closely related Polya curve form. Repeated use of this method yields algorithms for transforming one arbitrary Polya form to another, as well as algorithms for evaluating, subdividing, and differentiating Polya curves. These procedures can be applied to almost all Polya curves, including Bezier curves and Lagrange interpolating polynomials.
The fine structure of developing locomotor muscles of the pelagic tunicate, Cyclosalpa affinis (Thaliacea:Salpidae)

Abstract Salps are free-swimming tunicates whose peculiar life history renders them ideal for developmental studies. The solitary salp reproduces asexually by budding a stolon containing the complete developmental sequence of the aggregate generation. The ultrastructure of developing locomotor muscle of the aggregate generation of Cyclosalpa affinis was studied. The early muscle contains essentially non-striated myofibrils. However, in transverse sections, areas indicating early I-bands and A-bands can be recognized. As development continues, the number of fibrils increases, the Z-lines appear, and the fibrils contain more recognizable striations. The fully developed muscle has the characteristic structure of striated muscle. Longitudinal sections show sarcomeres with irregular and discontinuous (perforated) Z-lines; H-zones are not apparent. No M-lines are seen. Throughout development, the ratio of thin to thick myofilaments is always 2:1, the ratio found in all vertebrate striated muscle. Other findings in C. affinis suggest that: (1) multinucleated muscle cells are formed by the fusion of mononucleated cells, (2) membranes of adjacent mononucleated cells destined to fuse form myelin figures, and (3) these myelin figures become closely associated with mitochondria.
Evaluation of statistical methods of image reconstruction through ROC analysis (emission tomography)

Several statistical methods of image reconstruction are described and objectively compared through the use of receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis based on a specified detection task performed by a human observer. The simulated imaging system is a multiple-pinhole coded-aperture system for dynamic cardiac imaging, and the objects represent cross sections of the left ventricle at end systole. The task is detection of a profusion representing an akinetic wall segment. Thirteen different reconstruction algorithms are considered. Human observers perform the specified task on this set of reconstructions, and the results are analyzed through the use of ROC analysis. The results show that the methods that utilize the largest amount of (accurate) prior information tend to perform the best. >
The university and business incubation: Technology transfer through entrepreneurial development

This paper reviews university programs that seek to promote technology transfer through entrepreneurial development. It describes fourkey factors (talent, technology, capital, and know-how) that must be linked for successful transfer, and focuses on the new-business incubator as an important mechanism for synergizing these factors in the university. The paper also shows how the incubator supports the development of new technology companies by helping them build credibility, shorten the learning curve, and solve problems faster, and by providing access to entrepreneurial networks. Empirical data on selected university incubators are presented.
Jacobson's Lemma revisited

Jacobson’s lemma asserts that if A and B are matrices over a field of characteristic 0 and A commutes with AB BA then AB BA is nilpotent. It first appeared as Lemma 2 of [l, p. 8771. There are three proofs available. All three are useful, leading as they do to different generalizations. The original proof, nominally generalized, runs as follows. Let ’ be a derivation of an algebra over a field of characteristic 0. Suppose that a commutes with a’ and that f(u) = 0, f a polynomial of degree n. Then (u’)~+~ = 0. For on differentiating f(u) = 0, one gets f’(u) a’ = 0. This is the case k = 1 off(k)(u)(a’)2k-1 = 0. By differentiating and multiplying by a’ one gets the same equation with k replaced by k + 1. For k -:= n this yields (u’)~+~ = 0 since f(“)(u) is a nonzero scalar. The second proof is that of Kleinicke [3] (the nearly simultaneous paper of Shirokov [4] is similar but differs in that it uses exponentials). This time it is b that is assumed to satisfy an equation of degree 71 and the conclusion improves to the vanishing of the nth power instead of the (2~ 1)st. In terms of an abstract derivation ’ one assumes b” = 0. By Leibnitz’ rule (bm)cm) = m!(V)“” for all m and (b nl (7) ) = 0 for r > m. Since b” is a linear combination of lower powers of b, (b n cn) = 0 follows. Hence (b’)” = 0. This proof generalizes ) agreeably to Banach algebras. The third proof [2, Lemma 4, p. 441 replaces a and b by sets {a,}, (bJ and the assumption is that each a, commutes with c = C (u,b, b,uJ. A trace argument proves that every power of c has trace 0, whence c is nilpotent. This version fits the application to Lie algebras; it can be generalized to infinitedimensional contexts where there is a suitable trace. In this paper I shall study further what can be said of a and b when a commutes with ub bu and a is algebraic. Now for many questions it is acceptable to assume further that a is nilpotent, for one easily sees that the semisimple part of a commutes with b. So let us assume that a” = 0. In recent work of Herstein the following question arose: Does it then follow that ub is nilpotent ?
INFECTION SUCCESS IN NOVEL HOSTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL AND PHYLOGENETIC STUDY OF DROSOPHILA-PARASITIC NEMATODES

Surprisingly little is known about what determines a parasite's host range, which is essential in enabling us to predict the fate of novel infections. In this study, we evaluate the importance of both host and parasite phylogeny in determining the ability of parasites to infect novel host species. Using experimental lab assays, we infected 24 taxonomically diverse species of Drosophila flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae) with five different nematode species (Ty- lenchida: Allantonematidae: Howardula, Parasitylenchus), and measured parasite infection success, growth, and effects on female host fecundity (i.e., virulence). These nematodes are obligate parasites of mushroom-feeding Drosophila, particularly quinaria and testacea group species, often with severe fitness consequences on their hosts. We show that the potential host ranges of the nematodes are much larger than their actual ranges, even for parasites with only one known host species in nature. Novel hosts that are distantly related from the native host are much less likely to be infected, but among more closely related hosts, there is much variation in susceptibility. Potential host ranges differ greatly between the related parasite species. All nematode species that successfully infected novel hosts produced infective juveniles in these hosts. Most novel infections did not result in significant reductions in the fecundity of female hosts, with one exception: the host specialist Parasitylenchus nearcticus sterilized all quinaria group hosts, only one of which is a host in nature. The large potential host ranges of these parasites, in combination with the high potential for host colonization due to shared mushroom breeding sites, explain the widespread host switching observed in comparisons of nematode and Drosophila phylogenies.
Thickness-dependent optical properties of metals and alloys applicable to TPF coronagraph image masks

Some common metals and alloys have been identified as potential candidates with optical properties applicable to image plane masks for terrestrial planet finder (TPF) coronagraph especially for broad band performance in the visible spectrum. Thin films of these materials exhibit thickness dependence of refractive index and extinction coefficient which vary with wavelength and consequently the intensity and phase of transmitted light. We report on the fabrication and measurement of thickness-dependent optical properties of thin films of Ni, Pt and Inconel alloys to enable optimum design of image plane masks for Lyot coronagraphs to operate in the 500 to 800 nm band. We discuss the potential and limitations of practical masks with such materials.
Liquid chromatography/electrochemical detection of hydroxylamines by oxidation at a cobalt phthalocyanine chemically modified electrode

Chemically modified electrodes (CMEs) containing a polymeric cosating of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPC) were shown to catalyze the electrooxidation of hydroxylamine (NH2OH) and its N-mono-, N,N-di-, and O-substituted derivatives. All of these compounds were oxidized at unmodified glassy carbon electrodes only at potentials higher than +1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) but gave substantial anodic currents between +0.25 and +0.55 V at the CoPC-coniaining surface. On the basis of exhaustive electrolysis experiments, the number of electrons transferred for the oxidations was found to vary between 1.2 and 1.6 depending on the particular hydroxylamine compound and the specific condition, of the electrolysis; and the products included oximes, azoxy compounds, and dimeric species. These observations were consistent with an electrocatalytic mechanism involving oxidation of the hydroxylamine by electrogenerated Co(III)PC and subsequent reaction of the initially formed oxidatior products by several pathways. When the CoPC CME was used as the sensor in amperometric detection following liquid chromatography, the detection limits obtained at +0.55 V ranged from 0.4 pmol for hydroxylamine itself up to 40 pmol for N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine. By maintaining the applied potential at +0.20 V, the detection could be made selective for hydroxylamine and N-mono-substituted hydroxylamine compounds only.
Detection of drug residues on the hands of subjects by surface sampling and ion mobility spectrometry

This paper deals with the detection of drug residues on the hands of human subjects. The results demonstrate that detectable amounts of particulate matter are transferred to the hands by brief contact with drug tablets. A sampling and analysis method has been developed, and is based on the aspirating and trapping of drug microparticles on a filter plug, to be followed by thermal desorption directly into an ion mobility spectrometer. The technique is suited for initial field screening in clinical and forensic applications. The major drugs detected were diazepam, amitriptyline, codeine, acetaminophen, nitroglycerin, and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC).
Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Early Detection of Melanoma

The incidence of melanoma has increased over the past several decades. Despite improved case mortality, overall deaths from melanoma have increased because of the large increase in incidence. Although we have a better understanding of the pathogenesis of melanoma and improved early diagnostic capabilities, the burden of disease and societal costs remain high. This article provides an update on the epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma worldwide and the common risk factors including heritable and modifiable risks, emphasizing the importance of education, early detection, and prevention in reducing the disease burden.
Critical role of Th17 responses in a murine model of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital infection.

Critical role of Th17 responses in a murine model of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital infection
Poynting vector distribution within the magnetic boundary layers of magneto-fluid interactions

Behavioral indentifications have been established for the electric field intensity, induced magnetic current and poynting vector distribution within the magnetic boundary layer of the magneto-fluid interactions in a two parallel plate MHD channel. Major impulsive changes in distributions are detected in close proximity of the applied magnetic field source, both in the up-stream and down-stream regions.
Alterations in the sarcoplasmic reticulum: a possible link to exercise-induced muscle damage.

ABSTRACT Major alterations in the structure and function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) occur following strenuous exercise. Gross focal dilation of the SR is accompanied by a depression in the rate of calcium (Ca2+) uptake, a diminished Ca2+ release, and an increase in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]f). This failure in Ca2+ regulation by the SR may result in activation of Ca2+-sensitive compounds that are involved in muscle autolysis. These compounds include proteases and phospholipases known to act on fibrillar membranes and proteins. The mechanisms responsible for the alterations in SR structure and function are unknown; however, changes in muscle pH, high energy phosphates, ionic balance, or temperature are known to have detrimental effects on SR function.
Models for local Ohmic quantum dissipation.

We propose a family of master equations for local quantum dissipation. The master equations are constructed in the form of Lindblad generators, with the constraints that the dissipation be strictly linear (i.e., Ohmic), isotropic, and translationally invariant. The resulting master equations are given in both the Schr\"odinger and Heisenberg forms. We obtain fluctuation-dissipation relations, and discuss the relaxation of average kinetic energy to effective thermal equilibrium values. We compare our results for one dimension to the Dekker master equation [H. Dekker, Phys. Rep. 80, 1 (1981)], which can be interpreted as a low-length-scale approximation of our model, as well as the Caldeira-Leggett master equation [A.O. Caldeira and A. J. Leggett, Physica (Utrecht) A 121, 587 (1983)].
A model for drug release from fast phase inverting injectable solutions.

Abstract A model is developed to describe protein release kinetics from injectable, polymer solution depots which undergo rapid phase inversion on injection. The model consists of a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase, consistent with experimentally observed phase inversion morphology. Equations in the polymer-rich phase are based on diffusion–reaction mass balances for solvent, water and dissolved drug, and the rate of dissolution of dispersed drug particles. Equations in the water-rich phase are also of the diffusion–reaction type. Transport parameters in the polymer-rich phase are coupled to the ternary thermodynamics through friction formalism, and remaining parameters are estimated from literature data, leaving two free parameters: volume fraction of water-rich phase ( ɛ ) and k , the mass-transfer coefficient for bath-side transfer of the protein. Variations of these parameters lead to predictions of release profiles that vary from a rapid, burst-like behavior followed by a locking-in of the polymer-rich phase, to a uniform, zero-order profile. Comparisons are made to lysozyme release data for three systems: PLGA solutions in N -methlypyrollidinone (NMP), PLA solutions in NMP, and the latter with added Pluronic. Good agreement between model predictions and data is shown; in particular, the transition from rapid release to zero-order kinetics that occurs on addition of Pluronic is illustrated.
Mechanism of starch gelatinization and polymer leaching during microwave heating

The objective of this study was to investigate the process of gelatinization, granule swelling, and polymer leaching following microwave heating of wheat starch suspensions. Polymer leaching was investigated as a function of heating rate, final temperature and starch concentration. Different heating rates were achieved by changing the mass of the starch slurry heated in the microwave oven and the temperature study was conducted on samples of same weight heated to different final temperatures. The total soluble carbohydrate and amylose content in the supernatant was measured. Granule swelling and leaching of polymers occurred only after complete loss of granule birefringence presenting evidence of an asynchronous process of gelatinization compared to conduction modes of heating. The amount of soluble carbohydrate and amylose in the supernatant increased with the increase in temperature and the amylose leached into supernatant decreased with increasing heating rates.