cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mental kinematics: dynamics and mechanics of neurocognitive systems

Dynamical systems play a central role in explanations in cognitive neuroscience. The grounds for these explanations are hotly debated and generally fall under two approaches: non-mechanistic and mechanistic. In this paper, I first outline a neurodynamical explanatory schema that highlights the role of dynamical systems in cognitive phenomena. I next explore the mechanistic status of such neurodynamical explanations. I argue that these explanations satisfy only some of the constraints on mechanistic explanation and should be considered pseudomechanistic explanations. I defend this argument against three alternative interpretations of the neurodynamical explanatory schema. The independent interpretation holds that neurodynamical explanations and mechanisms are independent. The constitutive interpretation holds that neurodynamical explanations are constitutive but otherwise non-mechanistic. Both the independent and constitutive interpretations fail to account for all the features of neurodynamical explanations. The partial interpretation assumes that the targets of dynamical systems models are mechanisms and so holds that neurodynamical explanations are incomplete because they lack mechanistic details. I contend instead that the targets of those models are dynamical systems distinct from mechanisms and defend this claim against several objections. I conclude with a defense of the pseudomechanistic interpretation and a discussion of the source of their explanatory power in relation to a causal-mechanical description of the world.
Abstract 4608: The Affordable Care Act and rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in the United States

Background/Objectives: The United States has experienced modest increase in HPV vaccination uptake in the last decade, but remain short of the goal of vaccinating 80% of eligible adolescents by the year 2020. One known factor (barrier) associated with vaccine uptake is cost. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) came into full effect in 2014 in the United States, with an overarching aim to increase access to preventive healthcare services, including recommended vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine. This study aimed at evaluating the association between the ACA and known HPV vaccination-enabling factors in the United States. Methods: The National Health Interview Survey was queried for individuals 18-26 years from 2011 to 2017. Changes in vaccination-enabling factors (regular physician visitation [defined as physician9s visit within 12 months], and changes in health insurance status), and HPV vaccination status pre- (2011-2013) to post-ACA (2014-2017) were assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for poverty, education, marital status, comorbidities, sex, and geography. We defined HPV vaccine initiation as receiving a single vaccine dose, and completion as receiving ≥2 doses. Results: A total of 13,494 and 15,722 eligible individuals were identified pre- and post-ACA. There was a 43% increase in HPV vaccine initiation post-ACA (3.9% to 5.5%; OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.24, 1.70; p Conclusions: The ACA is associated with increased HPV vaccination uptake, with significantly greater increases in HPV vaccination completion among ethnic minorities. These gains might be driven by an increase in vaccination-enabling factors such as decreased uninsured rates and increased physician visits. Citation Format: Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters, Justin M. Barnes, Janine Myint, Yusuf Agamawi, Eric Adjei Boakye. The Affordable Care Act and rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4608.
Exploring Overcomplete Representations for Single Image Deraining Using CNNs

Removal of rain streaks from a single image is an extremely challenging problem since the rainy images often contain rain streaks of different size, shape, direction and density. Most recent methods for deraining use a deep network following a generic “encoder-decoder” architecture which captures low-level features across the initial layers and high-level features in the deeper layers. For the task of deraining, the rain streaks which are to be removed are relatively small and focusing much on global features is not an efficient way to solve the problem. To this end, in this article, we propose using an overcomplete convolutional network architecture which gives special attention in learning local structures by restraining the receptive field of filters. We combine it with U-Net so that it does not lose out on the global structures as well while focusing more on low-level features, to compute the derained image. The proposed network called, over-and-under complete deraining network (OUCD), consists of two branches: overcomplete branch which is confined to small receptive field size in order to focus on the local structures and an undercomplete branch that has larger receptive fields to primarily focus on global structures. Extensive experiments on synthetic and real datasets demonstrate that the proposed method achieves significant improvements over the recent state-of-the-art methods. Code is available at https://github.com/jeya-maria-jose/Derain_OUCD_Net
Nonfinancial Stakeholder Orientation and Conditional Accounting Conservatism

This study examines the relation between conditional accounting conservatism and nonfinancial stakeholder orientation. Using the staggered passage of constituency statutes to identify increases in ...
Educators enacting online learning support roles in remote educational experiences.

Schools across the world have been shifting to remote learning options as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. As educators continue to facilitate remote learning, how can they practically think about adapting their instructional practice? Drawing on the work of Nacu et al. (Designing for 21st century learning online: A heuristic method to enable educator learning support roles. Educational Technology Research and Development, 66(4), 1029-1049, 2018), this paper introduces pedagogical roles educators could consider in remote environments and a heuristic evaluation method to focus on how those moves might relate to the technologies they are using. In short, this paper is a response to Nacu et al. (2018) from a practice perspective.
Geoprivacy, Convenience, and the Pursuit of Anonymity in Digital Cities

Cities demand spatial efficiencies that can be achieved only through sharing of information. Current technologies support collection, processing, and dissemination of unprecedented quantities of personal, public, and corporate information. Inherent in this milieu is an inevitable contest among societal efficiency, corporate profits, consumer convenience, personal privacy, and even freedom. The authors examine current trends in technology, data collection, legislation, and public acceptance. They find that without broad specific regulations limiting location data collection and use—including a universal protected right for individuals to pursue anonymity—governments, commercial enterprises, employers, and individuals increasingly will exploit tracking technologies at the expense of geoprivacy.
A case series of intra-articular diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee: Prognosis of complete synovectomy under arthroscopic surgery.

Purpose:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome and prognosis of complete synovectomy performed under arthroscopic surgery in the treatment of diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis ...
Rituals, Runaways and the Haitian Revolution: Collective Action in the African Diaspora

The Haitian Revolution was perhaps the most successful slave rebellion in modern history; it created the first and only free and independent Black nation in the Americas. This book tells the story of how enslaved Africans forcibly brought to colonial Haiti through the trans-Atlantic slave trade used their cultural and religious heritages, social networks, and labor and militaristic skills to survive horrific conditions. They built webs of networks between African and 'creole' runaways, slaves, and a small number of free people of color through rituals and marronnage - key aspects to building the racial solidarity that helped make the revolution successful. Analyzing underexplored archival sources and advertisements for fugitives from slavery, Crystal Eddins finds indications of collective consciousness and solidarity, unearthing patterns of resistance. Considering the importance of the Haitian Revolution and the growing scholarly interest in exploring it, Eddins fills an important gap in the existing literature.
Survey of "Standards of Surgery" in Veterinary Practice

Standards of surgical practice are not well defined in veterinary medicine as a profession. These issues are largely addressed in the course of litigation and often hinge upon the personal opinion of board certified experts working in controlled settings. We expect that the standards of surgical practice in an idealized setting bear little resemblance to that utilized in field settings in bovine practice. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into current "standards of surgery" among veterinarians in private practice.
Nosocomial meningitis

The suspicion of meningitis in a patient hospitalized for another condition remains a vexing clinical problem. The abrupt onset of typical signs and symptoms of acute bacterial meningitis in someone with a previously normal mental status is very unusual, and when it occurs, it does not pose a diagnostic challenge. Concern for the possibility of nosocomial meningitis is much more common in patients who already have altered mental status and then may develop fever, or in whom immunosuppression or concurrent medications may have blunted or suppressed pyrexia.
Molecular layer deposition for the fabrication of desalination membranes with tunable metrics

Abstract The recent advancement of semiconductor devices to the near-atomic scale necessitated the development of atomic layer processing methods, including molecular layer deposition (MLD). This gas-phase deposition technique creates semipermeable polymer films with precise control of composition and thickness. Herein, MLD was used to produce thin-film composite reverse osmosis membranes. Aromatic polyamide films as thin as 0.5 nm were applied to NF270 nanofiltration membranes using m-phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride. Within two molecular layers, desalination performance was affected. As film thickness increased to 15 nm (48 MLD cycles), performance progressed from nanofiltration to reverse osmosis metrics in terms of salt rejection and water permeance. With film thickness > 5 nm, rejection values exceeded a small sampling of commercial membranes. In all cases, a tradeoff between rejection and permeance was observed. Atomic force microscopy measurements indicate that MLD enhancement led to removal of small-scale roughness features and resulted in a root mean square roughness difference of
Law and Piety in Medieval Islam

The Ayyubid and Mamluk periods were two of the most intellectually vibrant in Islamic history. Megan H. Reid's book, which traverses three centuries from 1170 to 1500, recovers the stories of medieval men and women who were renowned not only for their intellectual prowess but also for their devotional piety. Through these stories, the book examines trends in voluntary religious practice that have been largely overlooked in modern scholarship. This type of piety was distinguished by the pursuit of God's favor through additional rituals, which emphasized the body as an instrument of worship, and through the rejection of worldly pleasures, and even society itself. Using an array of sources including manuals of law, fatwa collections, chronicles, and obituaries, the book shows what it meant to be a good Muslim in the medieval period and how Islamic law helped to define holy behavior. In its concentration on personal piety, ritual, and ethics the book offers an intimate perspective on medieval Islamic society.
Introduction and History

The idea that schizophrenia is caused by a contagious agent is rooted in beliefs that are intertwined with the early conceptions of the disease. Long before the various symptoms of schizophrenia were consolidated nosologically into a definable disease entity (first as dementia praecox and later as schizophrenia), madness (insanity) was posited to have an infectious cause. Aristotle noted the contagious nature of madness in dogs, writing in a History of Animals “… that dogs suffer from the madness. This causes them to become very irritable and all animals they bite become diseased” ([Nathanson 1997]). Aristotle was, of course, referring to rabies but he seemed to miss the connection between being bit by a dog and the development of rabies in humans. Even so, statements acknowledging the infectious nature of rabies from dog to human have been traced back as far as the 23rd century BC, where reference is made to rabies in the Eshmuna Code of Babylon ([Kaprowski et al. 1997]). Rabies is one of the most dreaded afflictions of human kind. The fear of an inevitable and agonizing death is heightened by the dramatic changes in behavior that accompany the furious form of the disease. Neuropsychiatry manifestations of rabies include agitation, distorted thinking, and sometimes hallucinations and delusions. Occasionally, a person with rabies will act aggressively or violently. For example, in the 1950’s a California house painter suffering from furious rabies bit 20 people in one night ([Kaprowski & Dietzschold 1997]).
Clinical microbiological case: cardiac tamponade due to hemorrhagic pericarditis in a non‐immunocompromised woman from south‐eastern United States

Four days after the initial pericardiocentesis, the patient underwent localized pericardectomy due to re-accumulation of pericardial fluid. (Figure 1) Full-thickness pericardial biopsy was also performed. Negative serology included: human immunodeficiency virus types I and II, human T-cell leukemia virus types I and II, cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin M (CMV IgM), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), antinuclear antibody, native DNA antibody, Smith (SM) antibody, and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibody. Her complement (CH50, C3, C4) levels were normal. Serum rheumatoid factor and urine Histoplasma capsulatum antigen were nondetectable. Blood cultures for bacteria, mycobacteria and viruses remained sterile for 21 days. Histopathological examination of the pericardial biopsy showed organizing hemorrhage and prominent lymphocytic infiltration of the stroma. (Figure 2a) Intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions within the reactive fibroblasts showed an ‘Owl’s eye’ pattern, characteristic of active CMV infection [1–3] (Figure 2b). CMV-specific IgG serum levels were 102 IU. A 28-day treatment with ganciclovir (5mg/kg body weight every 12 h) was commenced, and a maintenance dose (5mg/kg body weight daily) was given during the last 2 weeks. After discontinuation of antiviral therapy, no clinical relapses were noticed during the 12-month follow-up.
Thailand's corporate financing and governance structures

The authors assess Thailand's policy options for reducing large corporations' vulnerability to economic shocks and improving their corporate governance - and for providing smaller firms a more stable funding structure. Using data for firms listed on Thailand's stock exchange, they empirically assess the relative importance of various factors determining the cost of capital, the availability of financing, and policies and distortions that affect corporate governance in nonfinancial firms. The empirical findings highlight weaknesses in corporate governance and the inherent risks in Thailand's corporate financing structures. They conclude that the most important task in improving the structure of corporate financing and the framework for corporate governance is to change incentives. This will involve: 1) Accelerating legal reform, including reform of bankruptcy and foreclosure laws. 2) Improving bank monitoring of enterprise management and encouraging banks to develop more arm's-length relationships with firms. This will require greater transparency and disclosure of ownership relationships and stricter enforcement of insider and related lending limits, violation of which contributed poor intermediation and the recent crisis. 3) Improving disclosure and accounting practices. Self-regulatory agencies may need to play more of a role, possibly with more legal power to discipline violators. 4) Better enforcement of corporate governance rules. The formal structure for corporate governance is standard but enforcement is weak. 5) Facilitation of equity infusions. Investors - especially minority shareholders - may need to play a more direct role in monitoring and disciplining managers. To attract new infusions of equity, new equity owners may need more-than-proportional representation on the board of directors until other investor protection mechanisms are strengthened. 6) Improving the framework for corporate governance. A broad public discussion of corporate governance, similar to recent discussions in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, may be needed to clarify the distribution of control in the economy's real sector. 7) Strengthening institutions responsible for gathering and analyzing data on firms of all sizes and for monitoring firm performance and behavior.
Giving voice to marketing's intellectual heritage: Dixon's view of marketing as value creation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate Donald F. Dixon's contribution to scholarship in clarifying two parallel streams of thought on marketing's role in value creation: value in use and value in exchange.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a literary analysis of some of Dixon's work that is often overlooked, and a discussion of its relevance to the services, channels and marketing strategy literature.Findings – Dixon's distinction between the two streams of thought (“value in use” and “value in exchange”) clarifies an important aspect of marketing's intellectual heritage that has eluded the literature on services marketing, channels and marketing strategy. The consequences of this oversight are considerable.Originality/value – The paper focuses on an aspect of Dixon's work that is underappreciated and not widely understood.
Heat Transfer to Liquid Metals Flowing Turbulently in Eccentric Annuli*—I

An analytical study was carried out to determine the effects of the degree of eccentricity of the two circles of an annulus on both local and average heat-transfer coefficients for turbulent flow o...
Book Review: The Legal Landscape -- A Review of John Copeland Nagle, Law's Environment: How the Law Shapes the Places We Live

In "Law's Environment: How the Law Shapes the Places We Live," Hone Copeland Nagle reflects on unremarkarkable geographical lands impacted by major environmental legislation and considers the values implicit in environmental legislation. Nagle's thesis is that multiple environmental laws typically weave together to shape a region. IN this text, the consequences of environmental legislation are examined by looking at the impact of the laws on the natural environment of five distinct places.
Gut epithelial apoptosis after severe burn: effects of gut hypoperfusion.

Abstract Background: Severe cutaneous burn causes transient mesenteric vasoconstriction and altered gut mucosal integrity. We recently showed that burn also increases gut epithelial cell death by apoptosis. The goal of this study was to determine whether changes in gut perfusion after burn contribute to burn-associated gut apoptosis. Study Design: We first correlated superior mesenteric artery blood flow with measurement of gut perfusion at the tissue level by laser doppler in four nonburned rats before, during, and after arterial clamping to validate our measurements of gut perfusion. We then characterized gut perfusion sequentially over time after burn; gut perfusion was measured 3 cm from the ligament of Treitz before burn and hourly for 6 hours. A group of control rats underwent the exact same protocol without the burn to exclude effects of anesthesia and laparotomy on tissue perfusion (n = 4). We studied a third group of rats with hypoperfusion of the same duration and magnitude induced mechanically without burn (n = 7). Sections of the proximal gut from all three groups (control without burn, burn, and hypoperfusion without burn) were examined for epithelial apoptosis. Results: Linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between superior mesenteric artery blood flow and intestinal tissue perfusion measured by laser doppler under both low and high flow conditions (r = 0.85). Laser doppler measurements of gut perfusion after burn showed deceased gut perfusion that was maximal at 2 hours postburn (p Conclusions: We conclude that burn-induced gut hypoperfusion is insufficient to cause burn-related increased gut epithelial apoptosis. We speculate that the signal for increased gut epithelial apoptosis is primarily related to proinflammatory mediators induced by the burn wound.
A New Method for Reporting the Sources of Abnormal Activities of Lactate Dehydrogenase in Serum

We have developed and tested a new method to increase the diagnostic usefulness of measurements of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzymes. The method estimates the separate contributions from enzymatically distinct organ clusters (e.g., heart/kidney/erythrocyte, liver/muscle, lung) to the total activity of LDH in serum. To test this method, we monitored serum LDH isoenzymes over the entire hospital course of 73 patients admitted to the intensive-care unit with chest pain, myocardial infarction, or serious hemodynamic disturbances. The organ-specific estimates provided useful information beyond measurements of the original isoenzymes. The sensitivity and specificity of this new method in detecting acute myocardial infarction, as well as concomitant disorders involving the liver or lung, are significantly greater than those of other diagnostic indices or pathologists' judgments. Serial plots of the organ-specific estimates may provide additional insight into evolving pathophysiological processes.
The effect of thermal history on the rheology and texture of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers

This paper is concerned with the effect of thermal history on the rheology of three liquid crystal copolymers. The polymers were heated to temperatures above their melting points and then cooled down. During the cooling cycle, the dynamic mechanical properties were monitored. It was found that these properties remained unchanged at temperatures as low as 30°C below the normal melting points for two copolyesters of 60 mole percent p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB) and 40 mole percent poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) (60-40 PHB/PET) and 80 mole percent PHB and 20 mole percent PET (80-20 PHB/PET). For a copolymer of PHB and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthaic acid, there was a gradual increase in the properties with decreasing temperature. However, at a critical temperature all three systems exhibit a sudden increase In dynamic mechanical properties. The kinetics of solidification were also monitored, and it was found that at temperatures well below the melting point, it took 4 to 6 min before the solidification process impeded flow. Extrusion studies on these materials were also carried out, and it was observed that in this supercooled state, the polymers exhibited significant die swell. The samples also exhibited a fibrous texture and were more oriented than when extruded isothermally above the melting point.
Intrinsic Resistance of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines to Methotrexate (MTX) as a Result of Decreased Accumulation of Intracellular MTX Polyglutamates

Abstract The causes of intrinsic of intrinsic MTX resistance in four human cervical squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (SiHa, C-33A, ME-180, C-41) with different sensitivities to methotrexate (MTX) were determined. The in situ or whole-cell assay for thymidylate synthase (TS) was used to screen for known causes of MTX resistance, including increased dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), altered DHFR, impaired MTX uptake, and decreased formation of MTX polyglutamates. While all four cell lines displayed initial sensitivity to MTX as demonstrated by a TS activity of M [ 3 H]MTX revealed that a higher total intracellular level of MTX polyglutamates was achieved in the sensitive cell line (SiHa), with 54% occurring as long-chain tri-, tetra-, or pentaglutamates. The three resistant cell lines were found to contain less total MTX polyglutamates, with only 38, 14, and 13% occurring as long-chain MTX polyglutamates. Intrinsic MTX resistance in some cervical squamous cell carcinoma cell lines appears to be associated with a diminished accumulation of long-chain MTX polyglutamates, which are preferentially retained intracellularly.
An evaluation of the support provided by common internal orbital reconstruction materials

Abstract Purpose: The objectives of this investigation were to assess the weight of the combined internal orbital contents, to evaluate the ability of common internal orbital reconstruction materials to resist loads, and to determine whether these materials provide enough load resistance to support the orbital contents. Materials and Methods: The combined exonerated internal orbital contents (globe, fat, extraocular musculature, neurovascular structures, lacrimal apparatus, and musculocutaneous lids) from 16 human orbits were weighed. Five each of 13 different internal orbital reconstruction materials (titanium mesh, bioresorbables, Marlex [CR Bard, Cranston, RI], Medpore [Porex Medical, College Park, GA], Silastic [Dow Corning, Midland, MI], dried calvarium) were evaluated for their ability to resist loads applied by Instron 85.11 mechanical testing device (Canton, MA) when used to reconstruct uniform orbital floor defects in synthetic skulls (Sawbones, Vashon Island, WA). Yield load, yield displacement, maximum load, and displacement at maximum load were measured. A comparison was then made between orbital content weight and the load-resisting capabilities of the various materials. Results: The weight of the combined internal orbital contents was 42.97 ± 4.05 g (range, 37.80 to 51.03 g). All of the materials tested except Marlex mesh met or exceeded the requirements for support of the combined internal orbital contents. Conclusion: Except in the instance of complete loss of the orbital floor, all of the materials tested should provide adequate orbital support.
Falx "calcification"--does this exist?

In discussing mineralization of the falx cerebri many radiology textbooks use the term calcification and make no mention of ossification. A retrospective study of 18 consecutive autopsy cases, in which skull radiographs had revealed mineralization of the falx, was undertaken. These areas of mineralization were excised and submitted for histological evaluation. The density seen on the skull radiograph consisted of membranous bone complete with bone marrow elements in all cases. Two cases had metastatic deposits in the ossified falx and one case showed leukemic infiltration. Some aspects of the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in calcification of the falx are discussed.
Diagnosis in congenital heart disease.

In spite of thd fact that a large volume of literature on congenital heart disease has appeared during the past several years the field to many physicians, among them some cardiologists, remains somewhat mysterious. This is most unfortunate because every practitioner who might see a child with a congenital cardiac abnormality should be able, through the use of readily available means, to arrive at a reasonably close anatomic diagnosis. Many things contribute data to be used for identification of a particular lesion: the history, the physical examination, roentgenography, the electrocardiogram. Confirmation of the diagnosis may require contrast study of the heart and great vessels and/or cardiac catheterization. Basic In the use of all these implements is a knowledge of circulatory physiology and an acquaintance, at least, with the embryology of the heart and with some of the possible aberrations in its development. Congenital cardiac lesions are numerous in type and offer many difficulties in classification. The time-honored grouping of lesions under cyanotic, acyanotlc and cyanosis tardive is informative only to a limited degree. More satisfactory is one which expresses not only direction of shunt but also the chamber most affected by the abnormality and the effect on the pulmonary circulation. Such a schema is, of course, more elaborate but is also more helpful in narrowing to a reasonable number the diagnostic possibilities (Table I). In general, congenital lesions of the heart affect circulatory dynamics in one or more of three ways: by obstructing blood flow from a chamber or vessel, by increasing blood flow to a chamber or vessel or by interfering with oxygen supply to the heart. The end result of each mechanism is an extra work load on one or more chambers. Flow to a chamber or vessel is increased by shunting of blood from one circulation-pulmonic or systemicto the other. This occurs as a result of defects in the septa between chambers, the conjoint walls of vessels or through an abnormal connecting vessel such as the ductus arterlosus. Such shunts occur in the majority of congenital cardiac lesions. The direction of flow may be from left-to-right (arterio-venous), right-to-left (venous-arterial), or bidirectional. In the case of Intracardiac shunts there is probably in most cases a bidirectional shunt although that In one direction is predominant. The direction of the shunt depends upon the pressure differential between the donor and recipient chamber or vessel. A higher pressure in the left, or arterial side will cause it to be toward the lower pressure right side, and vice versa. The direction of dominance determines
Extraction of digital elevation map from parallel-perspective stereo mosaics

In this paper we present an algorithm to extract the Digital Elevation Map or Model (DEM) of a scene from a pair of parallel-perspective stereo mosaics. Stereo mosaics are built from an aerial video of a scene using parallel ray interpolation technique. In addition to the left and right stereo pair, we also build a mosaic along the nadir view to distinguish between the apparent visible and occluded surfaces. This distinction helps us in fitting vertical planes to the occluded surfaces (in nadir view) and developing a complete CAD model of each object (especially buildings in an urban scene). Buildings and trees are two important classes of objects observed in urban scenes. So, the nadir mosaic is segmented and building/tree regions (segments) are identified and separated from terrain. The edges and corners of different surfaces of a building are identified. We match the control points along these edges to their corresponding points in left and right mosaic. Using the disparity between the corresponding points in the mosaics, an elevation map is developed at these points. Optimal surfaces are fit to each of the segments through the edge points. Parts of a DEM of a scene like buildings extracted from a real airborne video are presented in this paper.
Multi-source energy harvester power management

ABSTRACT Much of the work on improving energy harvesting systems currently focuses on tasks beyond geometric optimiza-tion and has shifted to using complex feedback control cir cuitry. While the specic technique and eectivenessof the circuits have varied, an important goal is still out of reach for many desired applications: to producesucient and sustained power. This is due in part to the power requirements of the control circuits themselves.One method for increasing the robustness and versatility of energy harvesting systems which has started toreceive some attention would be to utilize multiple energy sources simultaneously. If some or all of the presentenergy sources were harvested, the amount of constant p ower which could be provided to the system electronicswould increase dramatically. This work examines two passive circuit topologies, parallel and series, for combin-ing multiple piezoelectric energy har vesters onto a single storage capacitor using an LTspice simulation. Theissue of the relative phase between the two piezoelectric s ignals is explored to show that the advantages of bothcongurations are signicantly aected by increased relative phase values.Keywords: Energy Harvesting, Multi -Source, Piezoelectric
Patient Expectations From Implantable Defibrillators to Prevent Death in Heart Failure

Background Indications for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in heart failure (HF) are expanding and may include more than 1 million patients. This study examined patient expectations from ICDs for primary prevention of sudden death in HF.
Can new technology firms succeed in coordinated market economies? A response to Herrmann and Lange

The performance of the therapeutics segment of the German biotechnology industry has become a focal case for debate over the usefulness of the varieties of capitalism (henceforth VOC) perspective in helping to explain cross-national variation in the organization and strategy of companies (Hall and Soskice, 2001). Articles in a recent and the current volume of SER by Herrmann (2008) and Lange (2009) draw on the existence of numerous German biotechnology firms focused on therapeutics discovery to contest the saliency of one of the VOC approach’s core claims: that patterns of comparative institutional advantage structure patterns of national specialization across different types of innovation focused industries. Both authors present evidence that German firms in recent years have come close to matching the performance of those in the United Kingdom, once Europe’s clear leader in biotechnology and an ideal-typical liberal market economy, in inventing new drug therapies. Lange also demonstrates that between 2001 and 2007, German biotechnology firms have narrowed a once large gap between the two countries in the drug development pipeline. The apparent success of German firms in a radically innovative industry such as biotechnology clearly runs counter to the key claim made by VOC proponents, including myself, that coordinated market economies should perform poorly in radically innovative industries.
The effects of methallibure on conspecific visual reinforcement, social display frequency, and spawning in the Paradise Fish, Macropodus opercularis (L.) Belontiidae ☆

Abstract Pretrial intramuscular administration of the antigonadotropin, methallibure suppressed operant responding for conspecific visual stimulation. Four administrations of the drug during an 11 day period did not noticeably impair gametogenesis. Oral administration of methallibure for 5 weeks resulted in a decrease in frequency of lateral display, but not frontal display, in a 10 min trial with a live stimulus male, and a decrease in the gonadosomatic index and fertility but not spawning readiness. The possibility that methallibure disrupts catecholamine synthesis is discussed.
Performance of direct-contact heat and mass exchangers with steam-gas mixtures at subatmospheric pressures

Abstract Tests were conducted to determine the performance of direct-contact heat and mass exchangers containing structured packings in field applications. The exchangers tested serve as intercoolers-condensers between the various stages of a vacuum compression train that discharges the exhaust gases from a low-temperature power plant. The gases, which consist of low-pressure steam and a mixture of noncondensible gases, are contacted with seawater as the coolant. The structured packing is more commonly used as fill in evaporative cooling towers, which operate at atmospheric pressure. These tests were conducted at absolute pressures between 1.6 and 16 kPa, and noncondensible mass fractions between 0.1 and 0.9, significantly extending the existing data base on condensers. The new data show the effect of high noncondensible mass fractions and superheat on the heat and mass transfer process. The results indicate that these exchangers can be designed to condense the steam to within a few percent of the theoretical limits, while attaining small temperature approaches, and incurring low pressure drops. Useful approximations to estimate their performance are discussed. The data were also used to validate detailed computer models, which accurately predict the heat and mass transfer over the entire range tested. These models can now be used with confidence for engineering design of condensers in geothermal and conventional power plants.
Piezoelectric micropump with three valves working peristaltically

Abstract A silicon micropump, provided with piezoelectric valves, which can be manufactured by established integrated circuit techniques is the subject of this report. The micropump can be used to pump liquids or gases to a higher pressure, which can be relieved through a check valve. The body of the pump and the valves are made in silicon and contain piezoelectric material which allows opening and closing of the valves electrically.
Zn(II)-induced cooperativity of Escherichia coli ornithine transcarbamoylase

Abstract Ornithine transcarbamoylase (OTCase) catalyses the transfer of the carbamoyl from carbamoyl phosphate to L-ornithine for the synthesis of L-citrulline in the urea cycle. The enzyme shares a common source of the carbamoyl group with aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase), which catalyzes a similar reaction in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. Unlike the hexameric ATCase, anabolic OTCase is a trimeric molecule of 105,000 daltons and does not display sigmoidal substrate saturation curves. The steady state reaction of OTCase purified from E. coli K-12 (argR, argF) [1] exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics for both substrate. Carbamoyl phosphate is the first substrate bound. However, when the competitive inhibitor Zn(II) is present, this anabolic OTCase expresses positive cooperativity towards its second substrate. The extent of cooperativity is a function of Zn(II) concentration. Steady state kinetic data yield a limiting Hill coefficient of 2.7 for L-ornithine at 0.3 m M Zn(II). The allosteric effect of Zn(II) on the enzyme is reversible and is not altered by the level of carbamoyl phosphate. At fixed substrate concentrations, initial velocity data obtained at 0–0.3 m M Zn(II) indicate cooperative binding of the metal ion to OTCase; a Hill coefficient of 1.7 ± 0.1 is found. there results suggest that conformational changes are only induced in the subunits of the enzyme by the metal ligand. Consequently, the positive cooperativity observed for L-ornithine is a manifestation of the allosteric effect of Zn(II). This phenomenon arises as a result of displacement of the metal ion from the enzyme by the substrate. The interpretation is further supported by a theoretical treatment based on equations derived for the two-state MWC model under the condition of competition between a substrate (non-cooperative) and an inhibitor (cooperative). Our study reveals that substrate cooperativity mediated indirectly via a competitive metal inhibitor is a special case previously unrecognized in enzyme allosteric control. Because of the unique cooperative behavior of OTCase and its uncommon quaternary structure, it is of special interest to understand the mechanism through which subunit interactions are transmitted. For ATCase, the protein is composed of two trimeric catalytic subunits and three dimeric regulatory subunits; the catalytic trimer is devoid of cooperative action in the absence of the regulatory dimers [2]. In comparison and at least in vitro , Zn(II) appears to substitute functionally in lieu of a regulatory subunit in OTCase.
Infantile Acropustulosis and Granuloma Gluteale Infantum

INFANTILE ACROPUSTULOSIS In 1979, two reports, published simultaneously in the Archives of Dermatology, described a new cutaneous disorder, infantile acropustulosis.1,2 The authors of these papers indicated that patients with this eruption had been discussed at national dermatology meetings as early as 1976, although no studies had previously been documented in the literature. Both the presentations at meetings and the written descriptions evoked instant recognition of this entity by pediatric dermatologists, many of whom recalled the frustration of caring for such an infant whose eruption defied diagnosis and effective management. Clinical Findings Infantile acropustulosis is truly a disorder of infancy with onset usually between 2 and 10 months of age. However, both Kahn and Rywlin1 and Lucky and McGuire3 described infants purported to have lesions at birth. Despite the paucity of reported cases of infantile acropustulosis, the collected experience has suggested that black males have a predisposition for this eruption, although affected infants of both sexes and all races have been identified. The lesions of this disorder are quite characteristic, demonstrating a rapid sequence of morphologic changes as they evolve. Early lesions are discrete, 1- to 2-mm erythematous papules, which became vesiculopustular within 24 hours (Fig 1, top left) and subsequently crust prior to healing.
A function for the mitochondrial chaperonin Hsp60 in the structure and transmission of mitochondrial DNA nucleoids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast mitochondrial chaperonin Hsp60 has previously been implicated in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transactions: it is found in mtDNA nucleoids associated with single-stranded DNA; it binds preferentially to the template strand of active mtDNA ori sequences in vitro; and wild-type (ρ+) mtDNA is unstable in hsp60 temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants grown at the permissive temperature. Here we show that the mtDNA instability is caused by a defect in mtDNA transmission to daughter cells. Using high resolution, fluorescence deconvolution microscopy, we observe a striking alteration in the morphology of mtDNA nucleoids in ρ+ cells of an hsp60-ts mutant that suggests a defect in nucleoid division. We show that ρ− petite mtDNA consisting of active ori repeats is uniquely unstable in the hsp60-ts mutant. This instability of ori ρ− mtDNA requires transcription from the canonical promoter within the ori element. Our data suggest that the nucleoid dynamics underlying mtDNA transmission are regulated by the interaction between Hsp60 and mtDNA ori sequences.
Is ignorance bliss? Depression, antidepressants, and the diagnosis of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Objective To examine the association between clinically identified and undiagnosed prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes with depression and antidepressant medication use.
Consistency in compensatory eating responses following acute exercise in inactive, overweight and obese women

It is often assumed that some individuals reliably increase energy intake (EI) post-exercise ('compensators') and some do not ('non-compensators'), leading researchers to examine the characteristics that distinguish these two groups. However, it is unclear whether EI post-exercise is stable over time. The present study examined whether compensatory eating responses to a single exercise bout are consistent within individuals across three pairs of trials. Physically inactive, overweight/obese women (n 28, BMI 30·3 (SD 2·9) kg/m²) participated in three pairs of testing sessions, with each pair consisting of an exercise (30 min of moderate-intensity walking) and resting testing day. EI was measured using a buffet meal 1 h post-exercise/rest. For each pair, the difference in EI (EIdiff = EIex - EIrest) was calculated, where EIex is the EI of the exercise session and EIrest is the EI of the resting session, and women were classified as a 'compensator' (EIex > EIrest) or 'non-compensator' (EIex ≤ EIrest). The average EI on exercise days (3328·0 (SD 1686·2) kJ) was similar to those on resting days (3269·4 (SD 1582·4) kJ) (P= 0·67). Although EI was reliable within individuals across the three resting days (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0·75, 95 % CI 0·60, 0·87; P< 0·001) and three exercise days (ICC 0·83, 95 % CI 0·70, 0·91; P< 0·001), the ICC for EIdiff across the three pairs of trials was low (ICC 0·20, 95 % CI -0·02, 0·45; P= 0·04), suggesting that compensatory eating post-exercise is not a stable construct. Moreover, the classification of 'compensators'/'non-compensators' was not reliable (κ = -0·048; P= 0·66). The results were unaltered when 'relative' EI was used, which considers the energy expenditure of the exercise/resting sessions. Acute compensatory EI following an exercise bout is not reliable in overweight women. Seeking to understand what distinguishes 'compensators' from 'non-compensators' based on a single eating episode post-exercise is not justified.
The possible roles of food-derived bioactive peptides in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease

Vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke or myocardial infarction are a significant public health problem worldwide. Attempts to prevent vascular diseases often imply modifications and improvement of causative risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, an unfavorable profile of blood lipids or insulin resistance. In addition to numerous preventive and therapeutic drug regimens, there has been increased focus on identifying dietary compounds that may contribute to cardiovascular health in recent years. Food-derived bioactive peptides represent one such source of health-enhancing components. They can be released during gastrointestinal digestion or food processing from a multitude of plant and animal proteins, especially milk, soy or fish proteins. Biologically active peptides are considered to promote diverse activities, including opiate-like, mineral binding, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antithrombotic, hypocholesterolemic and antihypertensive actions. By modulating and improving physiological functions, bioactive peptides may provide new therapeutic applications for the prevention or treatment of chronic diseases. As components of functional foods or nutraceuticals with certain health claims, bioactive peptides are of commercial interest as well. The current review centers on bioactive peptides with properties relevant to cardiovascular health.
Prospects for conventional long-baseline oscillation experiments and comparison with a neutrino factory

The field of neutrino oscillation physics is changing dramatically from one of exploration of an unexpected phenomenon to real measurements of the leptonic mixing and mass matrices. As the purposes of oscillation experiments change the detector and beamline requirements also change, such that future experiments are not simple extensions of the current round of experiments. This report discusses what the challenges in the next step are, what beamline techniques have been suggested to meet these challenges, and finally, what the detector possibilities are for precision measurments.
Collective effects of multiple chiral selectors on enantioselective adsorption.

Molecular simulations were performed to predict the adsorption of racemic mixtures of (R,S)-1,3-dimethylallene (DMA) in three homochiral metal-organic frameworks (HMOFs). All three HMOFs include the same chiral linker, (R)-6,6′-dichloro-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-bipyridine (L), but have different topologies. While a single linker L shows very little enantioselectivity between the DMA enantiomers, the three HMOFs with closely packed linkers L have enantiomeric excesses of 6%, 28%, and 45%, showing that closely situated chiral selectors function synergistically to enhance the enantioselectivity. Both the confinement created by the linkers and the number of chiral linkers that form the confinement are important in enhancing the enantioselectivity. In addition, the simulations show that the enantioselectivity of the three HMOFs may be further enhanced by modifying the composition of the linker L.
Evidence-Based Practices Are Not Reformulated Best Practices A Response to Martindale's “Children With Significant Hearing Loss: Learning to Listen, Talk, and Read—Evidence-Based Best Practices”

Communication Disorders Quarterly's special series on evidence-based practices and, specifically, Martindale's article on evidence-based practices in learning to listen, talk, and read among childr...