cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Balloon-augmented Onyx embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula arising from the neuromeningeal trunk of the ascending pharyngeal artery: technical report

Introduction Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) with perimedullary drainage are an uncommon but well-recognized lesion that can lead to spinal cord edema. The authors present a case of a foramen magnum dAVF with unilateral arterial supply from the ascending pharyngeal artery. Presentation A 49-year-old male presented with a 1-year history of slowly progressive lower extremity weakness and underwent a two-level cervical corpectomy for presumed spondylotic myelopathy. On further workup, he was found to have a dAVF arising from the ascending pharyngeal artery. Intervention Selective angiography revealed the origin of the neuromeningeal trunk, which was proximal to the arteriovenous fistula. The microcatheter was advanced into the neuromeningeal trunk past the origin of the inferior tympanic artery and origin of the hypoglossal artery. A 4×7 mm Hyperform balloon (EV3, Irvine, California, USA) was then delivered past the origin of the vessel supplying the skull base cranial nerves, but proximal to the microcatheter tip. The balloon was inflated and Onyx embolization was employed to obliterate the fistula with controlled penetration. The patient showed immediate postprocedural improvement in motor function. Discussion Embolization of branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery carries risks of inadvertent embolization of branches of the neuromeningeal trunk as well as the risk for extracranial to intracranial anastamoses. An awareness of the highly variable anatomy of the ascending pharyngeal artery is necessary for the safe treatment of lesions supplied by this artery. This is, to the authors9 knowledge, the first report of balloon-augmented embolization of an arteriovenous fistula arising from the neuromeningeal trunk.
Translational control of germ cell-expressed mRNA imposed by alternative splicing: opioid peptide gene expression in rat testis.

Abstract The three genes encoding the opioid peptide precursors (prodynorphin, proenkephalin, and proopiomelanocortin) are expressed in the rat testis. The sizes of the three opioid mRNAs in the testis differ from the sizes of the corresponding mRNAs in other rat tissues in which these genes are expressed. The smaller testicular proopiomelanocortin mRNA has previously been demonstrated to arise from alternative transcriptional initiation. In the present study, we found that the smaller testicular prodynorphin mRNA, expressed in Sertoli cells, results from alternative mRNA processing. Exon 2, which makes up 5' untranslated sequence, is removed from the mature transcript. Polysome analysis of brain and testis RNA indicates that the alteration of the prodynorphin leader sequence in the testis-specific transcript does not affect the efficiency of translation of this mRNA. The larger testicular proenkephalin transcript, expressed in developing germ cells, also results from alternative mRNA processing. Alternative acceptor site usage in the splicing of intron A results in a germ cell-specific proenkephalin transcript with a 491-nucleotide 5' untranslated leader sequence preceding the preproenkephalin-coding sequence. Polysome analysis indicates that this germ cell-specific proenkephalin mRNA is not efficiently translated. Mechanisms by which alternative mRNA splicing may serve to confer translational regulation upon the testicular proenkephalin transcript are discussed.
Wide-field spectral imaging of human ovary autofluorescence and oncologic diagnosis via previously collected probe data

With no sufficient screening test for ovarian cancer, a method to evaluate the ovarian disease state quickly and nondestructively is needed. The authors have applied a wide-field spectral imager to freshly resected ovaries of 30 human patients in a study believed to be the first of its magnitude. Endogenous fluorescence was excited with 365-nm light and imaged in eight emission bands collectively covering the 400- to 640-nm range. Linear discriminant analysis was used to classify all image pixels and generate diagnostic maps of the ovaries. Training the classifier with previously collected single-point autofluorescence measurements of a spectroscopic probe enabled this novel classification. The process by which probe-collected spectra were transformed for comparison with imager spectra is described. Sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 51% were obtained in classifying normal and cancerous ovaries using autofluorescence data alone. Specificity increased to 69% when autofluorescence data were divided by green reflectance data to correct for spatial variation in tissue absorption properties. Benign neoplasm ovaries were also found to classify as nonmalignant using the same algorithm. Although applied ex vivo, the method described here appears useful for quick assessment of cancer presence in the human ovary.
Dependance of critical dimension on learning machines and ranking methods

Feature reduction is a major problem in data mining. Though traditional methods such as feature ranking and subset selection have been widely used, there has been little consideration given to assuring satisfactory performance of a learning machine in relation to the minimum of features required or the “critical dimension”. This critical dimension is unique to a specific dataset, learning machine, and ranking algorithm combination. The empirical methods demonstrate that many datasets show the existence of critical dimension. The dependence of this critical dimension on the learning machines and ranking algorithms could provide newer insights in understanding datasets, machine learning classifiers and ranking algorithms. The preliminary results of analysis show that the critical dimension depends largely on the feature ranking algorithm and that learning machines are less significant in determining the critical dimension.
Medical Home for Adolescents: Low Attainment Rates for Those With Mental Health Problems and Other Vulnerable Groups

Abstract Background The importance of the medical home for children has been demonstrated but has not been examined comprehensively for adolescents. Adolescence is a unique period of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes when many mental disorders first emerge; thus, receiving care within a medical home could improve well-being. This study examines rates of medical home attainment and its components for adolescents and subgroups, including those with mental health conditions. Methods Utilizing the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, we determined the following for adolescents aged 10 to 17 years (n = 45 897): 1) rates of medical home attainment and its 5 components (usual source of care, having a personal doctor, and receiving needed referrals, effective care coordination, and family-centered care); and 2) subgroup differences; gender, race/ethnicity, income, insurance, region, language spoken at home, respondent education, and the presence of mental health conditions. Results Fifty-four percent of adolescents had a past-year medical home. Rates were lower for minority youth compared to whites; lower-income and uninsured youth; those in households that are non–English speaking in which the respondent did not have some college; and those with mental health as opposed to physical health conditions (all P Conclusions Nearly half of adolescents lacked a medical home in the past year. Even lower rates for subgroups highlight the need to increase access to comprehensive quality health care. Efforts to improve effective care coordination and family-centered care could result in higher quality of care for all children and adolescents, and specifically for disadvantaged adolescents and those with mental health conditions.
Adaptive vector quantization .II. Classification and comparison of algorithms

Summary form only given. For pt.I see ibid., p.436, 1997. We review prominent examples of adaptive vector quantization (AVQ) algorithms from prior literature and develop a classification of these algorithms. Well known theorems from rate-distortion theory suggest two approaches to the nonadaptive vector quantization (VQ) of a stationary, ergodic random process. These two nonadaptive VQ approaches have, in turn, inspired two general types of AVQ algorithms for the coding of nonstationary sources. In constrained-distortion AVQ algorithms, the algorithm limits the distortion to some maximum value and then attempts to minimize the rate subject to this distortion constraint. Constrained-rate AVQ algorithms do the opposite, limiting the rate to be less than or equal to some maximum value and attempting to produce a coding with the smallest distortion. A third category of AVQ algorithms, rate-distortion-based algorithms minimize the rate-distortion cost functions. We discuss each of the three categories of AVQ algorithms in detail and mention notable algorithms found in each category. Afterwards, we summarize the discussion with an algorithm taxonomy. Finally, we present experimental results for several prominent AVQ algorithms on an artificial nonstationary random process. Our results suggest that, one, the class of rate-distortion-based algorithms is capable of coding performance superior than that of other algorithms, particularly for low-rate coding, and, two, that complex, batch coding algorithms are not as competitive as simpler, online algorithms.
Evaluation of multivalent Leptospira fluorescent antibody conjugates for general diagnostic use.

Four lots of conjugate were evaluated for optimal dilution and degree of fluorescence produced with reference cultures and bovine and porcine leptospira isolates. One lot that uniformly produced better fluorescence was evaluated for sensitivity and specificity with reference cultures, isolates, culture-positive tissues, and 13 other bacterial species. Further evaluation of the conjugates was done with bovine, porcine, and ovine specimens submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. Leptospires were detected with the fluorescent antibody test (FAT) in 9 of 21 culture-positive bovine kidneys and were detected in diluted cultures when present at con- centrations of 10 2 -1O 3 organisms/ml. With the exception of Treponema hyodysenteriae, FAT's of other bacterial cultures produced minimal fluorescence or were negative. Positives were characterized by moderate to brilliant fluorescence of typical cell forms, and most nonspecific fluorescence was eliminated with a flazo-orange counter- stain. The results indicated that the FAT utilizing multivalent conjugates could be used successfully as an additional method for diagnosis of leptospira infections. Direct fluorescent antibody tests (FAT's) for lepto- spira antigens have been used with varying degrees of success for more than 30 years. Icterohaemorrhagiae infection was demonstrated in human muscle lesions with the FAT in 1953. l7
Nutritional strategies for football: Counteracting heat, cold, high altitude, and jet lag

Environmental factors often influence the physical and mental performance of football players. Heat, cold, high altitude, and travel across time zones (i.e. leading to jet lag) act as stressors that alter normal physiological function, homeostasis, metabolism, and whole-body nutrient balance. Rather than accepting performance decrements as inevitable, well-informed coaches and players should plan strategies for training and competition that offset environmental challenges. Considering the strength of scientific evidence, this paper reviews recommendations regarding nutritional interventions that purportedly counterbalance dehydration, hyperthermia, hypothermia, hypoxia, acute or chronic substrate deficiencies, sleep loss, and desynchronization of internal biological clocks.
Francisella-arthropod vector interaction and its role in patho-adaptation to infect mammals.

Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative, intracellular, zoonotic bacterium, and is the causative agent of tularemia in a broad host range. Arthropods such as ticks, mosquitoes, and flies maintain F. tularensis in nature by transmitting the bacteria among small mammals. While the tick is largely believed to be a biological vector of F. tularensis, transmission by mosquitoes and flies is largely believed to be mechanical on the mouthpart through interrupted feedings. However, the mechanism of infection of the vectors by F. tularensis is not well understood. Since F. tularensis has not been localized in the salivary gland of the primary human biting ticks, it is thought that bacterial transmission by ticks is through mechanical inoculation of tick feces containing F. tularensis into the skin wound. D. melanogaster is an established arthropod-vector model of tularemia, where F. tularensis infects hemocytes, and is found in hemolymph, as seen in ticks. In addition, phagosome biogenesis and robust intracellular proliferation of F. tularensis in arthropod-derived cells are similar to that in mammalian macrophages. Furthermore, bacterial factors required for infectivity of mammals are often required for infectivity of the fly by F. tularensis. Several host factors that contribute to F. tularensis intracellular pathogenesis in D. melanogaster have been identified, and F. tularensis targets some of the evolutionarily conserved eukaryotic processes to enable intracellular survival and proliferation in evolutionarily distant hosts
Simple method for design of monotonic analogue filters

A simple method for the design of monotonic lowpass analogue filters is presented. In this method, the coefficients involved in the design of these filters are obtained as the eigenvector corresponding to the smallest eigenvalue of a symmetric positive-definite matrix.
Fluorophore Conformation in Green Fluorescent Protein: A Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Study

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is a widely used fluorescent marker exhibiting two excitation peaks – a strong peak at 398 nm and a second at 475 nm, with the fluorescence at ca. 510 nm. Its molecular structure consists of a β-barrel composed of 11 β-strands and a central helix containing the fluorophore. Two different forms of the fluorophore – a protonated/neutral fluorophore and a de-protonated/anionic fluorophore – are thought to be responsible for the two distinct spectroscopic states. Notably, the isolated fluorophore in solution is efficiently quenched. Conformational flexibility within the protein cavity is an implicitly important factor that governs the photochemistry of GFP. However, the literature contains accounts of studies that reach conflicting conclusions, claiming that either the fluorophore's barrier to internal rotation is negligibly small or that the protein cavity is not complementary to a planar fluorophore. In this work, we calculate the torsional potential of one of the two exocyclic bonds that connect the two rings in the fluorophore, taking into account its immediate environment by applying a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics method, with the ultimate aim of evaluating the protein-environment effects on the fluorescence.
Electro-Explosive Fuse Optimization for Helical Flux Compression Generator using a Non-Explosive Test Bed

Helical Flux Compression Generators (HFCG) of 50 mm form factor have been shown to produce a maximum energy deposit of 3 kJ into a 3 muH inductor from a seed current. A large dl/dt into a coupled load is possible when an electro-explosive fuse is used. Previous work with a non-optimized fuse has produced ~100 kV into a 15Omega load which leads into a regime relevant for High Power Microwave (HPM) systems. It is expected that ~3()0kV can be achieved with the present 2 stage HFCG driving an inductive storage system with an electro-exploding fuse. In order to optimize the electro-explosive fuse design, a non-explosive test bed, which closely simulates the 45 kA HFCG output, is used. To optimize the tiise, effects of fuse material, fuse length, and fuse shape will be examined as well as the effects of various quenching materials. Our previous work has characterized fuse material but we are also looking into the effects of the processes used to create the fuse wire, such as tempered wire versus fully annealed wire. Additionally, to maximize the output voltage and minimize the fuse recovery time, we are optimizing the length of the fuse wire. For shorter fuse lengths, we are optimizing fuse shape as well as fuse length to find the best fuse recovery time. By optimizing the individual parameters of an electro-explosive fuse, the fuse as a whole will be optimized to produce maximum output voltage when used with an HFCG.
Plasmablasts as a biomarker for IgG4-related disease, independent of serum IgG4 concentrations

Objectives We examined the utility of circulating total and IgG4+ plasmablasts as biomarkers of diagnosis and disease activity in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Materials methods We evaluated patients with active, untreated, biopsy-proven IgG4-RD affecting various organs. Flow cytometry was used to measure total plasmablast and IgG4+ plasmablast counts by gating peripheral blood for CD19lowCD38+CD20−CD27+ cells and CD19lowCD38+CD20−CD27+IgG4+ cells. Serum IgG4 concentrations were measured by nephelometry. We compared 37 IgG4-RD patients to 35 controls, including healthy individuals (n=14) and patients with other inflammatory diseases before treatment (n=21). Results The IgG4-RD patients’ mean age was 59, and 68% were male. Fourteen patients (38%) had three or more organs involved. The IgG4-RD patients had substantially elevated total plasmablast counts (median 4698/mL, range 610–79524/mL) compared to both untreated disease controls (median 592/mL, range 19–4294/mL; p Conclusions Circulating plasmablasts are elevated in active IgG4-RD, even in patients with normal serum IgG4 concentrations. Plasmablast counts are a potentially useful biomarker for diagnosis, assessing response to treatment, and determining the appropriate time for re-treatment.
Turbulent boundary layer to single-stream shear layer: the transition region

point measurements of the velocity field were acquired at the streamwise locations 0 <x /θ0 < 100. This represents the transition region between two of the canonical turbulent shear flows: the zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer and the single-stream shear layer. From the viewpoint of a separating boundary layer, the results describe how the turbulent flow reacts to a sudden change in wall boundary conditions. From the viewpoint of the developed shear layer, the results describe the transition to the self-similar region. The data acquired suggest that the initial shear layer instability occurs in the region very near separation (x ≈ θ0), and that it involves only the vorticity filaments which originate in the near-wall region of the upstream boundary layer. This ‘near-wall region’ roughly defines the origin of an arrow wedge-shaped domain that was identified from the velocity statistics. This domain is termed the ‘sub-shear layer’. The statistics of the velocity field in the region bounded by the sub-shear layer and the free-stream flow were found to represent the normative continuation of the upstream boundary layer. The sub-shear layer has been found to exhibit many of the standard features observed in fully developed shear layers. For example, velocity measurements on the entrainment side of the shear layer indicate that large-scale motions with spanwise coherence were observed. The streamwise dependence of the dominant frequency, convection velocity, and spanwise velocity correlation have been documented in order to characterize the sub-shear layer phenomenon.
Applications of Computer Produced Frequency Distribution Curves I. Quality Control

A method is described for determining the diagnostic significance of test results. It is based upon the relation of a test value to a frequency distribution curve of patients with a particular disease, and to a curve of others without that disease. When the two curves overlap at the test value found, the results are evaluated in terms of the probability of the patient corresponding to either of the two curves. The evaluation of results in terms of probabilities is more descriptive than the classification of all answers as either "normal" or "abnormal" and permits the combination of probabilities obtained from a number of tests into a single, resultant probability. The most probable diagnosis of a given patient, based upon all the tests done, or the most discriminating combination of tests for the diagnosis of any disease can be determined. The method permits compensation for such factors as a patient's age and sex, or the stage of a disease. It is nonparametric, and can be performed automatically with a data-processing system.
Relative Bioavailability of Novel Amino Acid Chelates of Manganese and Copper for Chicks

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to estimate the relative bioavailability of two new organic chelates of Mn or Cu compared with either reagent-grade Mn sulfate monohydrate or reagentgrade Cu sulfate pentahydrate as the standards in chicks fed for 21 d. Based on either bone Mn concentration, regressed on added dietary Mn concentration, or log10 liver Cu concentration, regressed on non-zero added dietary Cu intake, and assuming a value of 100% for either reagentgrade standard, relative bioavailability values were 84 ± 3.5 and 96 ± 14%, for the Mn and Cu chelates, respectively.
A Lewinian Perspective on Taking Conflict Personally: Revision, Refinement, and Validation of the Instrument.

Taking conflict personally (TCP) has been defined as a negative emotional reaction to participating in a conflict. This paper locates the notions of affective climate in general, and TCP in particular, within a Lewinian frame. The theoretical connections among field theory, defensiveness, attributions, and TCP are described. Earlier work has generated a multidimensional scale for measurement of TCP, and has shown the subscales’ associations with argumentativeness, verbal aggressiveness, communication apprehension, own conflict style, superior's conflict style, arguing behaviors, communication competence, and organizational climate. The present investigation responds to some psychometric and conceptual difficulties with the original version of the TCP scales by revising the measurement instrument. This paper proposes items for the measurement of six TCP subscales: direct personalization, persecution feelings, stress reaction, positive relational effects, negative relational effects, and like/dislike valenc...
Economic Conditions, Presidential Popularity, and Voting Behavior in Midterm Congressional Elections

Using data gathered in the CPS 1974, 1978, and 1982 American National Election Studies, this paper examines the effects of economic conditions and presidential popularity on voting in midterm congressional elections. The effect of presidential evaluations varied depending on the salience of national issues in the election campaign: the strongest effect was found in 1982 and the weakest effect in 1978. In both 1974 and 1982 the effect of presidential evaluations was much greater in House races involving an incumbent of the president's party than in other types of contests. Republican losses in the 1974 and 1982 midterm elections appear to be largely attributable to the unpopularity of the Republican incumbent presidents in those elections.
A RISC architecture for high-speed data acquisition

A RISC architecture specifically designed for selective storage of high-speed digital words is presented. A specialized instruction set is created to allow programmable control of trigger conditions and storage memory. A RISC architecture is required to execute the instruction set and maintain a 10-MHz sample rate. The utility of the RISC system is illustrated by implementing both analog and digital data acquisitions. A prototype system was designed and fabricated for evaluation. Features of this design are presented. >
Effects of propyonil-l-carnitine topical irrigation in distal ulcerative colitis: a preliminary report.

Effects of propyonil- l -carnitine topical irrigation in distal ulcerative colitis: a preliminary report
Prediction of Enzyme Catalytic Sites from Sequence Using Neural Networks

The accurate prediction of enzyme catalytic sites remains an open problem in bioinformatics. Recently, several structure-based methods have become popular; however, few robust sequence-only methods have been developed. In this report, we demonstrate that three different feed forward neural networks, trained on a variety of sequence-based properties, can reliably predict enzyme catalytic sites. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second report using neural networks to predict catalytic sites, and is the first relying solely on sequence-derived information. Scaled conjugate gradient is used during training of the models. The simplest of the models uses only sequence conservation, diversity of position and residue identity within the input. Surprisingly, model accuracy is largely unaffected when sequence-based predictions of structural properties (i.e. solvent accessibility and secondary structure) are added to the input. A similar lack of improvement is observed when evolutionary information in the form of phylogenetic motifs is included. These results are noteworthy because they indicate that routine neural network architectures can accurately predict catalytic using only residue identity and conservation inputs. However, applying these methods on a per protein basis still produces a significant number of false positives, which significantly reduces the model's utility to experimentalists.
Broad band patch antennas using a wedge-shaped air dielectric substrate

In this paper, a wedge-shaped air dielectric patch antenna is analyzed using H-P HFSS to determine the impedance and radiation characteristics. The model data are compared with experimental data measured in our laboratory. This antenna provides improved performance that is desirable in a personal communication (cellular and PCS) handsets. The use of the antenna in the handset can reduce the electromagnetic field levels from the antenna to the head since the beam pattern of the antenna is directed away from the head of users when this dielectric shape is used. Another advantage of the antenna is increased bandwidth. The bandwidth is significantly improved compared to normal dielectric microstrip patch antennas.
Design and Fabrication of Microactuators and Sensors for MEMS

This paper reports the results for various microelectromechanical systems, devices and structures fabricated using bulk and surface micromachined processes. These microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are designed and fabricated at the Semiconductor Micro-Fabrication Facility Laboratory at Rochester Institute of Technology. The microactuators and sensors are designed and fabricated for proof-of-concept lab-on-a-chip systems. The experimental results, which include testing, evaluation and characterization of microelectromechanical actuators and sensors, are reported.
Dissection of Arp2/3 Complex Actin Nucleation Mechanism and Distinct Roles for Its Nucleation-Promoting Factors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Actin nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex is under tight control, remaining inactive until stimulation by nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs). Although multiple NPFs are expressed in most cell types, little is known about how they are coordinated and whether they perform similar or distinct functions. We examined genetic relationships among the four S. cerevisiae NPFs. Combining las17Δ with pan1-101 or myo3Δmyo5Δ was lethal at all temperatures, whereas combining pan1-101 with myo3Δmyo5Δ showed no genetic interaction and abp1Δ partially suppressed las17Δ. These data suggest that NPFs have distinct and overlapping functions in vivo. We also tested genetic interactions between each NPF mutant and seven different temperature-sensitive arp2 alleles and purified mutant Arp2/3 complexes to compare their activities. Two arp2 alleles with mutations at the barbed end were severely impaired in nucleation, providing the first experimental evidence that Arp2 nucleates actin at its barbed end in vitro and in vivo. Another arp2 allele caused partially unregulated (“leaky”) nucleation in the absence of NPFs. Combining this mutant with a partially unregulated allele in a different subunit of Arp2/3 complex was lethal, suggesting that cells cannot tolerate high levels of unregulated activity. Genetic interactions between arp2 alleles and NPF mutants point to Abp1 having an antagonistic role with respect to other NPFs, possibly serving to attenuate their stronger activities. In support of this model, Abp1 binds strongly to Arp2/3 complex, yet has notably weak nucleation-promoting activity and inhibits Las17 activity on Arp2/3 complex in a dose-responsive manner.
Optimal Dredge Fleet Scheduling Within Environmental Work Windows

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers oversees dredging in hundreds of navigation projects annually, through its fleet of government equipment and through individual contracts with private industry. The research presented here sought to examine the decision to allocate dredge resources to projects systemwide under necessary constraints. These constraints included environmental restrictions on when dredging could take place in response to the migration patterns of turtles, birds, fish, and other wildlife; dredge equipment resource availability; and varying equipment productivity rates that affected project completion times. The paper discusses problem definition and model formulation of optimal dredge fleet scheduling within environmental work windows. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to provide decision makers with quantitative insights into dredging program efficiency gains that could be realized systemwide if environmental restrictions were relaxed. Opportunities exist to provide decision m...
BRCA mutations: An Appalachian experience

20111 Background: BRCA1 and 2 mutations are rare in general population and women with these mutations confer a significantly increased risk of invasive breast and ovarian cancer (65% to 85%, and 15...
Bidding Markets and Competition Law in the European Union and the United Kingdom - Part 1

The first part of a two part article on EC and UK case law on competition in bidding markets, examines EC case law. Discuss economic considerations, particularly auction types and models, the characteristics of ideal bidding markets (illustrated by a diagram) and the impact of collusion, entry deterrence and predatory behavior. Reviews European Commission and Court of First Instance case law on: (1) bidding procedure; (2) the number and frequency of tenders, and duration and value of contracts; (3) undertakings, competitors and market position; and (4) buyers and supply side substitutability. The second part of a two part article on EC and UK case law on competition in bidding markets, examines Office of Fair Trading and Competition Commission decisions on: (1) the procedure, frequency and value of tenders; (2) undertakings, competitors and market position; and (3) buyers and supply side substitutability. Reflects on the characteristics of EC and UK practice described in the two parts.
Dynamic buckling of imperfection-sensitive structures

Small geometrical imperfections in some structures can be responsible for large reductions in their static buckling strengths. As is well known, a thin shell is often very imperfection-sensitive in this sense, with a perfect specimen sometimes having a “classical” buckling strength several times higher than that of an imperfect one. Many analytical studies have sought to correlate reductions in buckling strength with assumed initial imperfections of various sizes and shapes. Such studies may eventually provide the quantitative information needed for the establishment of a statistical theory of buckling, which would relate the probability of buckling under a given static load to the spectrum of imperfections (see [1]). But at the present time, the design of shells leans heavily on experiment, and analysis has been mainly useful in identifying imperfection-sensitive structures and in establishing, in a qualitative way, the degree of this sensitivity.
Demographic Group Classification of Smart Device Users

Interacting with smart devices is a common experience and is becoming an integral part of daily life for many people. Modern smart devices are equipped with a large variety of environmental and user input sensors. We hypothesize that a fusion of smart device sensor data can provide biometric data that allows for classification of user demographics such as age, gender, and native language. A smart device is instrumented with sensor data collection software and with user demographic classification software. An experiment is devised where data is collected for a sample group of users. The data is analyzed, and two classification algorithms are implemented based on the fusion of the different sensors. The classification methods are based upon decision tree and principle component analysis. The results of the experiment indicate that high accuracy is achieved for user demographic classification. Finally, we further discuss the applications and limitations of the study's approach.
Field experiment of OSNR-aware adaptive optical transmission with pilot-aided bidirectional feedback channel

An OSNR-aware adaptive optical transmission system using time-division-multiplexed pilot sequences is proposed. We successfully demonstrated that the system automatically optimizes signal form by using in-band OSNR estimation and a bidirectional feedback channel in filed-installed fiber.
Internal Organization Development Practitioners Where Do They Belong

Currently, organization development (OD) seems to be languishing. Hardly any new technology has emerged in recent years. It is also puzzling that large consulting firms are doing well but OD as a field is not. One reason may be that OD is less connected with its roots, especially those grounded in academia, namely, theory and research where new ideas often emerge. Another reason may be structural. Most internal OD practitioners today are buried within the human resource (HR) function. Five structural models are considered: traditional (OD within HR), independent (a freestanding unit), decentralized (part of a business or regional unit), integrated (every HR person an OD practitioner and vice versa), and strategy (OD being an integral part of the strategic planning function). Advantages and disadvantages of each of these models are explored. Finally, a position is taken that OD could serve the organization most effectively by being integrated with strategy.
Survival of Group A Erythrocytes Following Bone Marrow Transplantation for Reconstitution of Lymphopenic Hypogammaglobulinemia

The survival of chromium-labeled group A erythrocytes was measured in a patient who had previously received two bone marrow transplants for reconstitution of lymphopenic hypogammaglobulinemia. The patient was of blood group A before transplantation; the donor of blood group O. The patient’s erythrocytes are now virtually 100% group O. Anti-B titers are present; anti-A antibodies are not demonstrable. The cells producing these isohemagglutinins are of donor origin; the donor has anti-A titers of 1:64 in saline and 1:256 by antihuman globulin test as well as anti-B titers. No evidence of immunological destruction of group A erythrocytes was found in this patient suggesting that the immune system of the donor may have become tolerant of the group A substance of the recipient.
Weight misperception among young adults with overweight/obesity associated with disordered eating behaviors

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between weight misperception among young adults with overweight/obesity and disordered eating behaviors. Method In a subsample of young adults with overweight or obesity participating in Wave III (2001–2002) of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 5,184), we examined the cross-sectional association between weight under-perception (i.e., perceiving oneself to be at a healthy body weight or underweight) and disordered eating (fasting/meal skipping for weight control, purging/pills for weight control, overeating/loss of control eating, and use of performance-enhancing products/substances). Results About 20% of young adult females under-perceived their weight compared to 48% of males. Individuals who misperceived their weight as healthy were significantly less likely to report fasting/meal skipping (Females: OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.14–0.43; Males: OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.20–0.48) and vomiting or taking diet pills/laxatives/diuretics (Females: OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04–0.25; Males: OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04–0.25) for weight control. Among females, those who misperceived their weight status as healthy were also less likely to report overeating or loss of control eating (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24–0.71). Greater use of performance-enhancing products/substances was seen among males who under-perceived their weight as healthy (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.57–2.72) and among both females (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.40–20.0) and males (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.13–4.55) who perceived themselves to be underweight. Discussion Weight under-perception among young adults with overweight/obesity may convey some benefit related to disordered eating behaviors, but could be a risk factor for the use of performance-enhancing products/substances. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.(Int J Eat Disord 2016)
Granulosa cell tumor of the adult testis: ultrastructural and ultrasonographic characteristics.

AbstractWe report a case of a granulosa cell tumor of the testis. The ultrastructural characteristics of this rare tumor were compared to its homologue in the ovary and they were similar.
Targeting Select Cellular Stress Pathways to Prevent Hyperglycemia-Related Complications: Shifting the Paradigm

Despite the advances made in preventing complications of diabetes, there is still substantial residual risk. Hence the need for developing new therapeutic agents that target the various facets of the pathogenesis of complications in people with diabetes. Traditionally four general biochemical pathways had been recognized as major contributors to glucotoxicity. These include the polyol pathway, the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway, glycosylation pathway, and oxidative stress. The latter has been proposed as a common impetus of the other pathways of glucotoxicity. More recently, the cross talk between oxidative stress and other recognized cellular stresses such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER), inflammatory, and mitochondrial stresses has emerged as an important additional mechanism of glucotoxicity. The observation that targeting oxidative stress with antioxidants has been associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes and the recognition that in cell cultures antioxidants may aggravate ER stress, suggests that selective targeting of individual cellular stresses may not be sufficient for preventing glucotoxicity. Future efforts should focus on developing therapeutic agents that can ameliorate cellular stress globally by simultaneously targeting the oxidative, ER, mitochondrial, and inflammatory stresses.
Electronic band gaps and exciton binding energies in monolayer M o x W 1 − x S 2 transition metal dichalcogenide alloys probed by scanning tunneling and optical spectroscopy

Using optical absorption and scanning tunneling spectroscopy techniques, the authors investigate band-gap properties of single layers of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) alloyed crystals (Mo${}_{x}$W${}_{1-x}$S${}_{2}$). They observe a significant modulation of the excitonic transitions, quasiparticle band gaps, and exciton binding energies. These findings may hold promise for fundamental studies of intralayer phenomena and for potential applications of TMDC alloys in electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Contusional Kernohan notch phenomenon

A 30-year-old driver was involved in a car accident. Examination revealed left scalp swelling and left hemiparesis including the face. Posttraumatic Kernohan notch phenomenon typically refers to a subdural hematoma resulting in delayed ipsilateral hemiparesis.1 Evolving uncal herniation through the tentorial incisura displaces the cerebral peduncle against the contralateral rigid tentorium, producing this false localizing sign.
A delayed dual risk model

ABSTRACTIn this article, we study a dual risk model with delays in the spirit of Dassios–Zhao. When a new innovation occurs, there is a delay before the innovation turns into a profit. We obtain large initial surplus asymptotics for the ruin probability and ruin time distributions. For some special cases, we get closed-form formulas. Numerical illustrations will also be provided.
Characterization of CD31 expression on murine and human neonatal T lymphocytes during development and activation

BackgroundCD31, expressed by the majority of the neonatal T-cell pool, is involved in modulation of T-cell receptor signaling by increasing the threshold for T-cell activation. Therefore, CD31 could modulate neonatal tolerance and adaptive immune responses.MethodsLymphocytes were harvested from murine neonates at different ages, human late preterm and term cord blood, and adult peripheral blood. Human samples were activated over a 5-day period to simulate acute inflammation. Mice were infected with influenza; lungs and spleens were harvested at days 6 and 9 post infection and analyzed by flow cytometry.ResultsCD31-expressing neonatal murine CD4+ and CD8a+ T cells increase over the first week of life. Upon in vitro stimulation, human infants' CD4+ and CD8a+ T cells shed CD31 faster in comparison with adults. In the context of acute infection, mice infected at 3 days of age have an increased number of naive and activated CD31+ T lymphocytes at the site of infection at days 6 and 9 post infection, as compared with those infected at 7 days of age; however, the opposite is true in the periphery.ConclusionDifferences in trafficking of CD31+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) during acute influenza infection could modulate tolerance and contribute to a dampened adaptive immune response in neonates.
How Goal Specificity Shapes Motivation: A Reference Points Perspective

Consumers often pursue goals that lack specific end states, such as goals to lose as much weight as possible or to pay off as much debt as possible. Yet despite considerable interest in the consequences of setting nonspecific (vs. specific) goals, how goal specificity affects motivation throughout goal pursuit is less well understood. The current research explores the role of reference points in shaping goal specificity’s effects. We propose that goal specificity alters what reference point consumers spontaneously adopt during goal pursuit: for specific goals, the end state tends to be more salient, but for nonspecific goals, the initial state should be more salient. Five studies investigate how this difference in focal reference points shapes (1) the relationship between goal progress and motivation, (2) when (i.e., at what level of goal progress) goal specificity produces the greatest difference in motivation, and (3) the underlying process driving these effects. Our findings advance understanding of the relationship between goal specificity, goal progress, and motivation, and in doing so, underscore the critical role that reference points play in goal-directed behavior. In addition, the findings offer practical insight into how best to set important financial, health, and other consumer goals to enhance motivation.
A methodological approach for the design of sustainability initiatives: in pursuit of sustainable transition in China

The foundation of sustainability science is the effort to understand the fundamental interactions between nature and society, and to guide these interactions along sustainable trajectories (Miller et al. Sustain Sci 9(2):240–246, 2014). More importantly, sustainability science aims at creating knowledge needed to improve relevancy and quality of sustainability decision-making processes through broader representation of knowledge and values. This study contributes to the sustainability science literature in the areas of strategic planning and decision-making. Both the values and the role of decision-making science in promoting sustainability are examined through the design of a strategic framework and application of a graphical multi-agent decision-making model (GMADM). This approach allows for analysis, valuation, and ranking of potential sustainability initiatives according to their projected benefits and gains for organizations and for society. The model is structured on three interrelated pillars: (I) stakeholder views and concerns (government, industry, academic institutions); (II) sustainable development trends and requirements (World Bank data); and (III) valuations of the benefits expected from sustainability efforts. The framework is applied to case studies of Shandong and Guangdong provinces in China. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of data obtained from three groups of stakeholders in each province confirmed the utility of the proposed decision-making approach for promoting sustainable transition in China. Results also demonstrated the convenience and effectiveness of the proposed framework for guiding organizations’ efforts toward optimizing their sustainability initiatives while supporting regional economic growth and sustainable development policies.
Effect of Shigella enterotoxin on electrolyte transport in rabbit ileum.

Shigella dysenteriae I is one of several bacteria which produces an enterotoxin capable of stimulating intestinal water and electrolyte secretion. Unlike cholera and Escherichia coli enterotoxins which have been shown to increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in the small intestine, the mechanism by which shigella enterotoxin causes intestinal secretion is not known. To study shigella enterotoxin-stimulated intestinal secretion, rabbit ileal mucosa exposed in vivo to Shigella dysenteriae I enterotoxin was studied in vitro in a modified Ussing chamber. Fluid and electrolyte accumulation occurred in vivo and net sodium secretion was present in vitro in the enterotoxin-exposed tissue in contrast to net sodium absorption in control mucosa. Short-circuit current (Isc) was similar in shigella enterotoxin-exposed tissue compared with control tissue. The increase in Isc following addition of either theophylline or dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate was similar in enterotoxin-exposed and control mucosa. The addition of glucose resulted in a smaller increment of Isc in shigella enterotoxin-treated tissue. Mucosal cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in enterotoxin-exposed mucosa did not differ from those of control. These results indicate that the characteristics of rabbit ileal mucosa exposed to shigella enterotoxin and cholera enterotoxin markedly differ, although both produce electrolyte secretion both in vivo and in vitro. These studies further suggest that, in contrast to its role in cholera enterotoxin-induced intestinal secretion, cyclic adenosine monophosphate may not be the mediator of shigella enterotoxin stimulation of intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion.
Institutional scientific review of cancer clinical research protocols: Impact of requirement on activation timelines.

e18224Background: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) requirement that clinical trials at NCI-designated cancer centers undergo institutional scientific review in addition to Institutional Review B...
Predicting Task-Induced State Changes in a Multitasking Environment from Personality Factors:

Very often, technologies are developed with more of an understanding about the tasks to be accomplished than of the mental processes associated with performing the task. In multitasking environment...