cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nicardipine Associated Risk of Short-Term Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Abstract Background: Hypertensive emergency is commonly associated with acute ischemic stroke and can be a predictor of poor outcome in these patients. Nicardipine and labetalol are commonly administered for the treatment of acute hypertension following stroke. Yet, data are lacking on the safety of these agents in this setting. Objective: This study aimed to determine all-cause in-hospital mortality, medication-related hypotensive episodes, development of hospital acquired infections and hospital length of stay between nicardipine and labetalol use for the management of hypertension after acute ischemic stroke. Methods: This retrospective study used a prospective database of individuals admitted to the neurointensive care unit at a university-based hospital over 39 months. Patients with confirmed ischemic strokes were included in this analysis. Data were recorded for administration of nicardipine and labetalol following acute stroke. Results: A total of 244 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in this analysis (mean age, 64.3 ± 15 years; 52.2% males). Nicardipine use after acute ischemic stroke was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-15.7; P = .02). A single episode of hypotension in the first 72hours of admission was also significantly associated with mortality (OR 4.35 [95% CI 1.2-14.9]; P = .02). Conclusions: Nicardipine was associated with an increased risk of short-term mortality after acute ischemic stroke. This may have been due to hypotension, tachycardia, or pulmonary edema which were not apparent in our study. Further studies are required to elucidate the cause of this association.
One-Dimensional Metal Nanostructures: From Colloidal Syntheses to Applications

This Review offers a comprehensive review of the colloidal synthesis, mechanistic understanding, physicochemical properties, and applications of one-dimensional (1D) metal nanostructures. After a brief introduction to the different types of 1D nanostructures, we discuss major concepts and methods typically involved in a colloidal synthesis of 1D metal nanostructures, as well as the current mechanistic understanding of how the nanostructures are formed. We then highlight how experimental studies and computational simulations have expanded our knowledge of how and why 1D metal nanostructures grow. Following specific examples of syntheses for monometallic, multimetallic, and heterostructured systems, we showcase how the unique structure-property relationships of 1D metal nanostructures have enabled a broad spectrum of applications, including sensing, imaging, plasmonics, photonics, display, thermal management, and catalysis. Throughout our discussion, we also offer perspectives with regard to the future directions of development for this class of nanomaterials.
Liberalism Under Attack

The title of this article is much broader than its subject matter, which discusses political liberalism only and only a selection of the attacks that have been made upon it and some of the responses they have elicited. More specifically, certain large and important topics are almost wholly excluded: to wit, the Marxist attacks, the concept of liberty, and rights and justice.It will appear as we proceed that the arguments develop on various levels: philosophical (especially epistemological) foundations, practical ethics, and theories of governmental operation. However, these will not be used as the basis of organization in what follows.Liberalism may be considered as a kind of individualism, a fact that is relied upon by both its proponents and its opponents. Individualism comes in many varieties (see Lukes 1973). Oversimplifying, I shall reduce them to three. The first of these (with which many critics of liberalism identify it) may be called “atomistic” individualism. It represents the extreme view of the priority (both chronologically and in terms of value) of the individual as opposed to society. The works of Thomas Hobbes, F. A. Hayek, and Robert Nozick are representative of this type of theory. They tend to think of the individual as having a fixed nature dominated by rational self-interest, emphasizing the satisfaction of preferences. In the words of Christopher J. Berry, individuals “are depicted variously as alienated, selfish, competitive, possessive, apathetic, and so on” (Berry 1989, 2).
Concentration and Market Structure in Local Real Estate Markets

The persistence of the standard six percent real estate sales commission across markets and over time calls into question the competitiveness of the residential real estate brokerage industry. While there is anecdotal evidence that some local real estate markets are fairly concentrated, no systematic study of market structures has been conducted. We have collected primary data on the number and market shares of real estate brokers in a variety of small, medium, and large real estate markets across the U.S. for 2007 and 2009. In addition to these cross sectional data, we have also collected longitudinal data on the size distribution of firms for Louisville, KY for a nine-year period. In our cross-sectional analysis of medium and large markets, we find no evidence that market concentration might create problems for competition. We do find that small markets on average have higher HHI’s than medium and large markets. The longitudinal analysis reveals that many small brokers are in and out of the market, selling a house or two one year and selling zero houses the next year.
Chapter 10 – Nonapeptides

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses nonapeptides synthesis. When plasma globulin is treated with trypsin or a snake venom protease, the biologically active nonapeptide bradykinin is released. This substance has served as a useful model compound for various peptide synthetic methods, including the original Merrifield solid-phase procedure. In a study described in the chapter, the N-isobornyloxycarbonyl (IBOC) protecting group was employed with ONP and DCCI-HBT coupling procedures. The IBOC group was removed at each stage by means of trifluoroacetic acid over 30 min, and the NG-nitro protecting group of arginine was removed by hydrogenolysis to yield pure bradykinin with all its usual biological activity.
Caregiver Influences on Resilience Development Among Children with Maltreatment Experience: Practitioner Perspectives

Although prior research indicates a link between caregiver characteristics and resilience in maltreated children, the specific ways in which caregivers influence resilience development remain unclear. This study explored practitioner perspectives about the influence of caregivers in the development of resilience among children with maltreatment experience. Individual interviews with 27 practitioners were recorded, transcribed, and analysed. Interview questions included items about practitioner perspectives related to resilience development. Data were analysed using team-based coding. The team developed a codebook, coded all transcripts, and identified salient themes. Three primary themes emerged from the data, including (a) caregiver influence, (b) intervention with caregivers (to promote resilience in maltreated children), and (c) caregiver-related barriers to child resilience. Each theme had two subthemes. Practitioners perceived caregivers to be highly influential on resilience development among maltreated children. Study outcomes can inform future intervention, prevention, and policy development aimed at fostering resilience.
A Comparison Between Reaching Distance and Work Area for Measuring the Impact of Flexion Synergy on Reaching Function in Chronic Moderate to Severe Hemiparetic Stroke

Two primary mechatronic protocols have been deployed across several studies for measuring the impact of flexion synergy (loss of independent joint control) on reaching function. The measurement of reaching work area and reaching distance were both conducted as part of a previous clinical trial with the latter being the study’s primary outcome. While evidence exists supporting the reliability and validity of reaching work area, it may be time-inefficient and/or too fatiguing to be viable in clinical practice. Reaching distance was therefore employed in the clinical trial as the primary outcome as a shortened method despite established validity. In this retrospective study, pre- and post-intervention data of both metrics from the clinical trial are used to evaluate concurrent validity of the reaching distance metric and to compare its responsiveness to change with that of reaching work area.
Das Integrierte Finanzanalysesystem IFAS

IFAS ist eine prototypisch realisierte, integrierte Entwicklungs- und Anwendungsumgebung fur Finanzanalysesysteme. IFAS befreit den Entwickler eines Finanzanalysesystems weitgehend von den nicht betriebswirtschaftlichen Aspekten der Anwendungsentwicklung, z.B. dem Entwurf der Benutzungsoberflache und der Datenmodellierung, ohne den Anwender zu zwingen, auf eine einheitlich zu bedienende, intuitive grafische Benutzungsoberflache und das Sicherheitsniveau, das erreichbar ist, wenn die Datenbankzugriffe durch ein leistungsfahiges Datenbankmanagementsystem gesteuert werden, zu verzichten.
The Impact of the Singapore Convention on the Development of Non-adjudicative Forms of International Dispute Resolution

The impact of the Singapore Convention might affect both state and companies’ behaviors even more than encouraging mediation. We have had for a long time the phrase “bargaining in the shadow of the law,” and then more recently, in particular when we look at international investment, it is bargaining in the shadow of international arbitration. We know that a dispute could end up in arbitration and therefore impact behaviors before that. I want us to think about what bargaining might look like in the shadow of mediation.
“The teeth which are together are the ones which bite the most”: Sensemaking, interpersonal ranger relations, and organisational identification in Ugandan protected areas

While wildlife law enforcement has received considerable research interest in recent years, little attention has been given to interpersonal relationships between junior rangers and their superviso...
Design, Simulation and Comparison of two 15mm × 15mm UWB Antennas with Modified Ground Patch for High Data-rate Wireless Electrophysiological Recording Application

For the diagnosis and treatment of various chronic neurological diseases such as Epilepsy, Seizure and, chronic pain, a long-term electrophysiological recording and stimulation are required for the patients. This type of study can be done through implantable neuromodulation devices. One of the key challenges in designing such implantable medical devices is the size restriction. Even the antennas transmitting the recorded signals must be small, miniaturized, and light-weight in order for the small animals used in the clinical studies to carry it easily. In this paper, two 15mm×15mm antennas are designed which have ultra-wide bandwidths making them suitable for the high data rate electrophysiological recording applications. The proposed antennas are bidirectional and small in size making them suitable to be added to the headstage based electrophysiological recording devices. Both antennas have a similar radiating patches with each ground patch modified by creating two different slots. A comparison of the proposed antenna is presented in the paper where both antennas operate within 4.7 GHz to 8.3 GHz and having average gain above 4.35 dBi. Though the proposed antennas are 40% smaller in size, they have 6% higher gain compared to the state of the arts.
Factors affecting Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gusA expression and opine synthesis in Gladiolus

Five tumorigenic strains of Agrobacterium tu- mefaciens were used to inoculate corms, cormels, plants grown in vitro, and seed-derived seedlings of several cul- tivars of Gladiolus. Tumors formed on 12% of the plant tissues inoculated, and 1% of these tumors synthesized ei- ther octopine or nopaline. A. tumefaciens-mediated )3-glu- curonidase (GUS) expression showed 0.5% and 3.5% GUS expression for plants grown in vitro and regenerable cal- lus, respectively. GUS expression ranged from 40% to 61% whenA, tumefaciens was incubated with leaves from seed- lings grown in the dark, whereas leaves from seedlings grown under a 16-h light photoperiod showed no GUS, in- dicating the significant effect of etiolation on transient GUS expression mediated by A. tumefaciens.
BACE1 Inhibition Increases Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress by Promoting Mitochondrial Damage

BACE1 is a key enzyme facilitating the generation of neurotoxic β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide. However, given that BACE1 has multiple substrates we explored the importance of BACE1 in the maintenance of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell homeostasis under oxidative stress. Inhibition of BACE1 reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased mitochondrial fragmentation, and increased cleaved caspase-3 expression in cells under oxidative stress. BACE1 inhibition also resulted in significantly lower levels of mitochondrial fusion proteins OPA1 and MFN1 suggesting a higher rate of mitochondrial fission while increasing the levels of mitophagic proteins Parkin and PINK1 and autophagosome numbers. In contrast, BACE2 had minimal effect on cellular response to oxidative stress. In summary, our results emphasize the importance of BACE1 in augmenting cellular defense against oxidative stress by protecting mitochondrial dynamics.
Long-Term Health Utilization and Outcomes in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media.

ObjectiveTo report health utilization patterns and outcomes of medical and surgical management in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM).Study DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingAcade...
Ineffective Esophageal Motility: Need for Improvement in Diagnostic Criteria:

Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is a hypomotility disorder with decreased contraction vigor and normally relaxing lower esophageal sphincter. Although IEM has been associated with poor esopha...
Estimation of Age Structure of Fish Populations from Length-Frequency Data

ABSTRACT A probability model is presented to determine the age structure of a fish population from length-frequency data. It is shown that when the age-length key is available, maximum-likelihood estimates of the age structure can be obtained. When the key is not available, approximate estimates of the age structure can be obtained. The model is used for determination of the age structure of populations of channel catfish and white crappie. Practical applications of the model to impact assessment are discussed.
Forward, tangent linear, and adjoint runge-kutta methods in KPP–2.2

This paper presents the new stiff solvers of the new version 2.2 of the Kinetic PreProcessor (KPP). Taking a set of chemical reactions and their rate coefficients as input, KPP generates Fortran90, Fortran77, Matlab, or C code for the temporal integration of the kinetic system. Efficiency is obtained by carefully exploiting the sparsity structures of the Jacobian and of the Hessian. A set of integration methods was added to the comprehensive suite of stiff numerical integrators. Moreover, KPP is now ready do be used to generate the tangent linear model, as well as the continuous and discrete adjoint models of the chemical system to do sensitivity analysis.
The Economics of Relational (Social) Capital: Exploring the Value of Exchange Relationships in Industrial Procurement

Organization scholars have highlighted the value of relationships in fostering effective exchange, yet the empirical evidence supporting such claims remains largely indirect. We directly measure the value of ongoing relationships between suppliers and a large buyer, using the buyer’s choices in internet-enabled reverse auctions to estimate the degree to which stronger relationships with suppliers increase its willingness to pay for standardized commodity parts. This setting permits us to focus more sharply on the anticipated benefits generated by pre-existing relationships, while minimizing the confounding influence on partner selection that social attachments associated with these relationships may generate. Our empirical analysis suggests that repeated interaction between firms leads to the formation of relational assets that share a number of properties with physical capital. We thus label these assets “relational capital.” We find evidence that suggests that both social attachments and incentive considerations underpin the value of relational capital. Further, we find that relational capital exhibits more value in some settings than in others and that it exhibits diminishing marginal returns.
Maximizing Legal Education: The International Component

American law schools can learn a great deal from how lawyers are educated in the continental civil law system in other countries. This article reviews legal education abroad and what can and should be considered for adoption and adaptation to improve legal education in the United States.
Gonadotropin response by postpartum mares to gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

We hypothesized that the LH response to GnRH would be greater as the interval from foaling increases, whereas the FSH response would decrease, and that corpus luteum function after the first ovulation would be similar to that after the second ovulation. At parturition, mares were assigned to receive GnRH (2 micrograms/kg) intravenously on 1) d 3 postpartum (n = 6); 2) d 6 postpartum (n = 6); 3) d 1 of first postpartum estrus (foal estrus) and again on d 1 of second postpartum estrus (n = 8). Blood was collected through an indwelling cannula at -2, -1 and 0 h relative to GnRH stimulation (basal concentrations) and at .25, .5, .75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 h post-GnRH. Samples were assayed for concentrations of LH and FSH. Basal concentrations of LH were lower (P less than .05) for mares given GnRH on d 3 postpartum than for mares on d 1 of foal estrus. A rise in concentrations of LH was noted within 30 min in all groups, but the response to GnRH on d 1 of the first estrus was less (P less than .05) than on d 1 of second postpartum estrus. As the interval from parturition increased, the amount of LH secreted in response to GnRH increased. The maximum response to GnRH was greater (P less than .05) during d 1 of the first estrus than on d 3 or 6 postpartum and was greater on d 1 of cycle 2 than on d 1 of cycle 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Older adult who falls: A case study

PURPOSE. The purpose of this case study is to illustrate the nursing process by incorporating the standardized nursing languages of NANDA International, the Nursing Interventions Classification, and the Nursing Outcomes Classification to assist an older adult with a history of falls. DATA SOURCES. The data sources were the author's clinical nursing practice and research-based evidence related to falls of older adults. DATA SYNTHESIS. The data were synthesized by using clinical reasoning to select the best possible nursing diagnoses, interventions, and patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS. To provide a framework for nurses to achieve positive patient outcomes, standardized nursing languages should be incorporated into patients' clinical nursing databases. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING. In determining factors that relate to falls, nurses need to obtain baseline data, set goals with patients, and identify milestones, while encouraging patients to be active participants in plans of care. Language: en
Analysis of Clasts in Thin Sections of Rocks by Micro-Coring INAA

High-sensitivity micro-INAA (Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis) techniques are used to obtain high quality analyses for a variety of geochemically interesting elements on samples weighing only a few tens of micrograms. In particular, small (∼100–500 µm) core samples from specially selected regions of petrographic thin sections can be obtained using a micro-coring device and analyzed by micro-INAA. Uncertainties in weighing (or in normalizing the INAA data to results from other techniques in order to obtain weights) limit the accuracy of elemental concentrations to perhaps ±5% relative for medium-grained samples.
(Re)Examining the role of family and community in college access and choice: A metasynthesis

Using meta-synthesis, this study analyzes higher education literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of nonparent family and community (NPFC) members such as siblings, extended family, fictive kin, and peers in college access and choice. Findings revealed the diverse familial and community networks of today’s college going students as well as NPFC members’ multifaceted forms of support to both students and parents. Students who received support from NPFC members developed a sense of responsibility to be an educational role model and source of college knowledge in their families and communities.
Accumulation of zinc, copper, or cerium in carrot (Daucus carota) exposed to metal oxide nanoparticles and metal ions

The release of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) into the environment has raised concerns about the potential risks to food safety and human health. There is a particular need to determine the extent of ENP uptake into plant foods. Belowground vegetables growing in direct contact with the growth substrate are likely to accumulate the highest concentration of ENPs. Carrot (Daucus carota) was grown in sand amended with ZnO, CuO, or CeO2 NPs or the same concentrations of Zn2+, Cu2+, or Ce4+. Treatment with ZnO or Zn2+ produced a concentration-dependent decrease in root and total biomass. Ionic Cu2+ and Ce4+ caused a greater reduction in shoot biomass as compared to the corresponding ENP treatments. Accumulation of Zn, Cu, or Ce in the taproot was restricted to the taproot periderm. Metal concentrations in the taproot periderm were higher for the ionic treatments than for the ENP treatments. Radial penetration of the metals into the taproot and subsequent translocation to shoots were also generally greater for plants receiving the ionic treatment than those receiving the ENP treatment. The distribution of the metals from the ENP treatments across the periderm, taproot, and shoots differed from that observed for the ionic treatments. Overall, the ENPs were no more toxic than the ionic treatments and showed reduced accumulation in the edible tissues of carrot. The results demonstrate that the understanding of ionic metal transport in plants may not accurately predict ENP transport and that an additional comparative study is needed for this and other crop plants.
Similarity and dissimilarity measures for comparison of propagation patterns

This study examines several different similarity and dissimilarity measures for comparing propagation patterns. Typically used in image registration problems, we evaluate their utility here using propagation patterns simulated using a parabolic equation simulation. High correspondence between certain pairings of measures may indicate structural similarity or the absence of noise, and strong correspondence among all measures reduces ambiguity in the best-matching pattern. Incorporating multiple evaluation measures thereby improves the fidelity of the pattern comparison.
Photoluminescence study of confined donors in GaAs/Al x Ga 1-x As quantum wells

The photoluminescence from doped GaAs quantum wells in $\frac{\mathrm{GaAs}}{{\mathrm{Al}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}}$ multiple-quantum-well structures has been studied at very low laser excitation intensity. Under these conditions, new impurity-associated features appear at energies both below and above that of the impurity-related transition reported in earlier work. The new feature at lower energy is attributed to transitions between electrons on neutral Si donors at the centers of the wells and confined heavy holes, while the feature reported in earlier work is attributed to confined ionized donor bound excitons and the new high-energy feature to confined neutral donor bound excitons. With this assignment, binding energies for Si donors at the centers of the wells agree with values deduced from far-infrared experiments.
Further ozone‐measures and their connection with the sunspot‐cycle

A fourth report on atmospheric ozone follows. The amount of the Sun's zenith-radiation absorbed in the Chappuis yellow ozone-band (roughly 0.45 to 0.65μ) in the passage of that radiation to the ground is taken as an indicator of the amount of ozone present in the atmosphere. The unit used for measuring this absorption is 10−3cal/cm2/min.
Local and regional variation in hemlock seedling establishment in forests of the upper Great Lakes region, USA

Abstract Successful tree regeneration requires both successful seedling establishment and subsequent survival and growth sufficient to ensure recruitment. We examined patterns of initial seedling establishment in randomly selected stands of eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ) distributed across northern Wisconsin and eastern Upper Michigan. In 1990, we counted all hemlock seedlings (defined as 4–29 cm tall) and sampled substrate conditions in two 7×7 m quadrats of 142 hemlock and hemlock–hardwood stands. In 1996, we resampled 109 of these stands more intensively using six 7×7 m quadrats. In 1997, we also intensively surveyed which substrate-supported hemlock seedlings in three 50 m 2 replicate areas from each of five stands. In 1990, we found no hemlock seedlings at 64 of the 142 stands sampled, and 46% of the stands had more than 100 hemlock seedlings ha −1 (mean density=480±90 ha −1 ). In contrast, only 14 (13%) of the 109 stands resampled in 1996 had no seedlings and 66% had over 100 seedlings ha −1 (mean density=840±200 ha −1 ). These results suggest that seedling establishment is patchy, causing the estimated frequency of successful establishment to depend strongly on the area sampled. Seedling abundance within sites was correlated between years, suggesting that site history may in part account for the abundance of seedlings. Analysis of variance to mean ratios reveals that seedlings are indeed strongly clumped at the 7×7 m scale or smaller. Such clumping probably results from the tendency for hemlock seedlings to occur most frequently on particular substrates (i.e. decaying wood). Hemlock seedlings occur less frequently in stands with high basal area of sugar maple but do not decline in stands with greater hemlock basal area, suggesting that maple litter may restrict local opportunities for seedling establishment. Seedling densities do not vary among habitat-types, and no other stand or regional variable significantly affected hemlock seedling density. These results suggest that ground surveys are needed to assess hemlock seedling abundance, and that such surveys should be based on quadrats of at least 100 m 2 . Successful hemlock regeneration should capitalize on local patches of existing hemlock seedlings where interference by hardwoods is minimal. Even high initial seedling establishment, however, may not guarantee regeneration in areas where high deer densities preclude recruitment into larger size classes.
Demyelination produced by experimental allergic neuritis serum and anti-galactocerebroside antiserum in CNS cultures. An ultrastructural study.

Cultures of mouse cerebellum were exposed to sera from rabbits with experimental allergic neuritis induced by whole peripheral nerve immunization (WN-EAN) and to rabbit anti-galactocerebroside (GC) antisera, and were studied by electron microscopy. Both antisera produced almost identical demyelinative patterns. These consisted of large intramyelinic splittings, “smudged” changes of myelin, degeneration of oligodendrocytes, and phagocytosis of myelin by astrocytes, changes similar to those described after application of whole spinal cord-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (WM-EAE) sera. In addition, patterns which have been considered more characteristic of in vivo demyelinative lesions have been found, such as vesicular disruption of myelin lamellae and peeling off and phagocytosis of myelin by phagocytic mononuclear cells with electron dense cytoplasm. The morphologic similarities between demyelinative patterns in central nervous system (CNS) cultures induced by anti-GC antiserum and WN-EAN serum and WM-EAE serum, and the fact that elevated antibody titers to GC are found in sera from rabbits with WN-EAN and WM-EAE (Saida, et al., 1977), support the concept that anti-GC antibody is the major factor in the production of CNS demyclination in vitro by sera from rabbits with WN-EAN and WM-EAE.
Laminar burning velocities of methanol, ethanol and isooctane-air mixtures

Variation of the laminar burning velocities of methanol, ethanol and isooctane with equivalenceratio, pressure and temperature were determined using a constant volume bomb. Measurements were conducted during the prepressure period of combustion and a density correction scheme was employed for calculation of burning velocities from measured data. The maximum burning velocities of methanol, ethanol and isooctane occur at an equivalence ratio of 1.075, as 0.50, 0.47, and 0.455 m/s, respectively. Laminar burning velocity for the three fuels showed a pressure and temperature dependence in the following form, in the range of 0.1–0.8 MPa, and 300–500 K, Ul=Ulr (P/Pr)m(T/Tr)n where m is −0.2, −0.17 and −0.22 for methanol, ethanol and isooctane, respectively, for stoichiometric mixtures. The exponent n was found to be 1.75 for methanol and ethanol and 1.56 for isooctane. Obtained results agree, to a certain extent, with the limited experimental results of previous investigators.
Analysis of the Chicken GPAT/AIRC Bidirectional Promoter for de Novo Purine Nucleotide Synthesis

GPAT and AIRC encode two enzymes that catalyze steps 1 and 6 plus 7, respectively, of the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway. The chicken genes are closely linked and divergently transcribed from an approximately 230-base pair intergenic region. The promoter was scanned by deletion mutagenesis in a bireporter vector that allowed assay of transcriptional activity in both directions in transfected HepG2 and chicken LMH cells. Three classes of deletions were obtained: those affecting bidirectional transcription, those predominantly affecting GPAT transcription, and those predominantly affecting AIRC transcription. Defects in bidirectional transcription resulted from removal of an initiator-like element overlapping the AIRC transcription start site, as well as deletions removing a series of GC and CCAAT boxes from the AIRC proximal half of the promoter and a CCAAT-containing segment from the GPAT side. Several regions in the GPAT proximal half of the promoter, including an octamer-like motif downstream from the transcription start site, were required predominantly for GPAT expression. Evidence for interaction of HeLa nuclear proteins with some of these sites was obtained by gel retardation, DNase I, and methylation interference assays. Overall, the results showed that the intergenic region is an integrated bidirectional promoter and that a novel initiator-like element plays a central role in coordinating expression of the divergently transcribed AIRC and GPAT genes.
Tracking body and hands for gesture recognition: NATOPS aircraft handling signals database

We present a unified framework for body and hand tracking, the output of which can be used for understanding simultaneously performed body-and-hand gestures. The framework uses a stereo camera to collect 3D images, and tracks body and hand together, combining various existing techniques to make tracking tasks efficient. In addition, we introduce a multi-signal gesture database: the NATOPS aircraft handling signals. Unlike previous gesture databases, this data requires knowledge about both body and hand in order to distinguish gestures. It is also focused on a clearly defined gesture vocabulary from a real-world scenario that has been refined over many years. The database includes 24 body-and-hand gestures, and provides both gesture video clips and the body and hand features we extracted.
Electrical modeling and simulation challenges in chip-package codesign

High-performance, multifunctional systems demand novel, often revolutionary, practices in functional-block integration and packaging. Independent chip, package, and board design will have to give way to a holistic approach.
Learning cue phrase patterns from radiology reports using a genetic algorithm

Various computer-assisted technologies have been developed to assist radiologists in detecting cancer; however, the algorithms still lack high degrees of sensitivity and specificity, and must undergo machine learning against a training set with known pathologies in order to further refine the algorithms with higher validity of truth. This work describes an approach to learning cue phrase patterns in radiology reports that utilizes a genetic algorithm (GA) as the learning method. The approach described here successfully learned cue phrase patterns for two distinct classes of radiology reports. These patterns can then be used as a basis for automatically categorizing, clustering, or retrieving relevant data for the user.
On finite-zone solutions of relativistic Toda lattices

The finite-zone solutions of relativistic Toda lattices are investigated using the recurrence relations method. As a result, a nonlinear bundle of relativistic Toda lattices is with corresponding stationary and dynamical systems. New Poisson and Hamiltonian structures are introduced. Then the problem of integrating the obtained canonical systems are reduced to the Jacobi problem of inversion.
TAOS: Testing with Analysis and Oracle Support

Few would question that software testing is a necessary activity for assuring software quality, yet the typical testing process is a human intensive activity and as such, it is unproductive, error-prone, and often inadequately done. Moreover, testing is seldom given a prominent place in software development or maintenance processes, nor is it an integral part of them. Major productivity and quality enhancements can be achieved by automating the testing process through tool development and use and effectively incorporating it with development and maintenance processes.The TAOS toolkit, Testing with Analysis and Oracle Support, provides support for the testing process. It includes tools that automate many tasks in the testing process, including management and persistence of test artifacts and the relationships between those artifacts, test development, test execution, and test measurement. A unique aspect of TAOS is its support for test oracles and their use to verify behavioral correctness of test executions. TAOS also supports structural/dependence coverage, by measuring the adequacy of test criteria coverage, and regression testing, by identifying tests associated or dependent upon modified software artifacts. This is accomplished by integrating the ProDAG toolset, Program Dependence Analysis Graph, with TAOS, which supports the use of program dependence analysis in testing, debugging, and maintenance.This paper describes the TAOS toolkit and its capabilities as well as testing, debugging and maintenance processes based on program dependence analysis. We also describe our experience with the toolkit and discuss our future plans.
Determination of All Stabilizing PID Controllers for Time Delay Systems With Smith Predictors

Time delays in the control loop complicate the analysis and design of controllers. The use of a Smith predictor is a well-known technique for dealing with delays in stable systems. This paper presents a method for finding all stabilizing Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers when the Smith predictor is used. This paper introduces a general method to determine all achievable PID controllers even when there is a mismatch between the plant and Smith predictor model. A key advantage of this approach is that it requires only the frequency response of the plant.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Semiclassical electrodynamics of alien atoms in interacting media. II: Two-level systems

Abstract The previously developed self-consistent mean field theory of atoms entering an interacting medium is specialized to two-level alien atoms. It is shown that the medium may invert or split the original two levels, and that there is an intimate connection between the dressed atom spectrum and the statistical nature of the ensemble of alien atoms in the self-consistent mean field approximation. The optical susceptibility of alien atoms while inside the medium is calculated, and the lineshape and position of the optical resonance are shown to depend on the intensity of the optical field applied. There may be more than one phase possible for the atomic ensemble as a result of optical excitation.
Transnationalism and Its Discontents during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War

In recent years, scholars have become increasingly interested in the concept of “transnationalism.” Thanks to the progressive globalization of political and economic structures and communication ne...
Hypercoagulability in sickle cell disease: a curious paradox

There is evidence of activation of both blood coagulation and platelets in sickle cell disease. For example, plasma samples obtained in the steady state and during painful crisis demonstrate high levels of thrombin generation, depletion of anticoagulant proteins, and abnormal activation of the fibrinolytic system. Similarly, exposure of surface markers such as CD62P and CD40L, along with increased circulating levels of thrombospondin, signal platelet activation. In addition to its effects on the cleavage of fibrinogen and its ability to activate platelets, the increase in circulating thrombin levels, with its wide-ranging effects on endothelial cells and blood vessels, may be important in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease. Therefore, treatments that could decrease thrombin generation or platelet activation may be beneficial in both the treatment of sickle cell disease and the prevention of complications that characterize this genetic disorder. This review discusses hypercoagulability in the various forms of sickle cell disease, including homozygous sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin SC disease, hemoglobin SD disease, and sickle cell-beta-thalassemia.
Ore catalysts in two-stage coal liquefaction

Abstract There are potential advantages to two-stage coal liquefaction over the direct liquefaction of coal in a single stage in terms of product selectivity and quality, and reduced catalyst ageing. In this study different mixtures of disposable ores and ore concentrates were added to the first stage and their effect on the yield and quality of the product oil from the first and second stages was investigated. A sequence of molybdenum oxide concentrate-limonite-bauxite (MLB) mixture in the first stage followed by NiMo Al 2 O 3 in the second stage was found to be effective in producing high liquid yields and better product distribution. The use of this MLB catalyst increased the first stage liquid yield by 16% and decreased the product viscosity by 43.5%. Viscosity of stage II product oil also decreased by 35.2%. Liquefaction yield and product oil viscosity using this disposable catalyst were found to be of about the same magnitude as obtained using a commercial CoMo catalyst. Both stages were maintained at 425 °C.
The nature of plant species

Many botanists doubt the existence of plant species, viewing them as arbitrary constructs of the human mind, as opposed to discrete, objective entities that represent reproductively independent lineages or 'units of evolution'. However, the discreteness of plant species and their correspondence with reproductive communities have not been tested quantitatively, allowing zoologists to argue that botanists have been overly influenced by a few 'botanical horror stories', such as dandelions, blackberries and oaks. Here we analyse phenetic and/or crossing relationships in over 400 genera of plants and animals. We show that although discrete phenotypic clusters exist in most genera (> 80%), the correspondence of taxonomic species to these clusters is poor (< 60%) and no different between plants and animals. Lack of congruence is caused by polyploidy, asexual reproduction and over-differentiation by taxonomists, but not by contemporary hybridization. Nonetheless, crossability data indicate that 70% of taxonomic species and 75% of phenotypic clusters in plants correspond to reproductively independent lineages (as measured by postmating isolation), and thus represent biologically real entities. Contrary to conventional wisdom, plant species are more likely than animal species to represent reproductively independent lineages.
Effects of work-hardening and rate sensitivity on the sheet tensile test

The importance of strain hardening and strain-rate hardening in sheet tensile tests has been investigated using finite-element modeling (FEM). A Hollomon-type material law was examined with n-values (logarithmic work hardening rate) between 0.0 and 0.5 andm- values (logarithmic strainrate sensitivity) between -0.002 and 0.3. A von Mises yield condition with isotropic hardening rule completed the material model. The results of these simulations showed that, as expected, the uniform elongation(eu) depends mainly onn, with a small dependence onm. The post-uniform elongation (ef—eu;ef = total elongation) depends on bothn andm, and is highly nonlinear in either variable for large parametric values. That is, combined increases ofn andm extend ductility more than the additive increase expected from separate effects. Earlier presumptions thatn is unimportant in the post-uniform region appear incorrect. Approximate relations between (ef,eu) and (n,m) were developed quantitatively. These relations have been compared with superplastic data in the literature and appear to agree well, given uncertainties in specimen geometry and test procedure.
A minimal expression of non-reductionism in the epistemology of testimony

What is required in order for a hearer to acquire knowledge from either the spoken or written word of a speaker? Otherwise put, what are the requisite conditions for testimonial knowledge? This question is at the center of the epistemology of testimony, and it is nearly received wisdom in the current philosophical literature that there is only one tenable option for answering it; namely, a non-reductionist view of testimonial knowledge.' Non-reductionists maintain that testimony is just as basic a source of knowledge as sense perception, memory, inductive inference, and the like and, moreover, that hearers can acquire knowledge from the reports of speakers, albeit defeasibly, merely on the basis of a speaker's testimony.2 For instance, Robert Audi claims that "...gaining testimonially grounded knowledge normally requires only having no reason for doubt about the credibility of the attester."3 In a similar spirit, Tyler Burge maintains that "[a] person is entitled to accept as true something that is presented as true and that is intelligible to him, unless there are stronger reasons not to do so."4 The thought underlying non-reductionism, therefore, is that acquiring testimonial knowledge is an extremely simple epistemic process that functions well between speakers and hearers unless it is interrupted by the presence of a defeater. In this paper, however, I shall argue that non-reductionism, as it stands, is a wholly inadequate view of testimonial knowledge. Specifically, I shall argue that, in addition to the absence of defeaters, there are at least three further conditions that need to be added to this view to render it plausible. Thus, I intend to show that acquiring knowledge from the word of others is a process that is far more complicated and easily interrupted than proponents of non-reductionism maintain.
Adult with papular eruption on the central aspect of the face

An otherwise healthy 38-year-old man presented with a 5-week history of multiple slightly erythematous to brown papules that began on the right upper eyelid and progressed over 5 weeks to encompass both periocular and perioral distribution. Despite 1 month of treatment with oral erythromycin and topical metronidazole, his condition progressed (Fig 5). Microscopic examination of a representative lesion on the left infraorbital rim revealed palisaded granulomata with prominent central caseation (Fig 6). Gomori methenamine silver and acid-fast bacilli stains were negative for microorganisms.
Enantioselective measurement of the Candida metabolite d-arabinitol in human serum using multi-dimensional gas chromatography and a new chiral phase

Abstract A multi-dimensional gas chromatographic method was developed to measure the Candida metabolite d -arabinitol enantioselectively in human serum. The heptafluorobutyrate derivatives of d -arabinitol, l -arabinitol and ribitol (internal standard) were separated from other serum constituents with a 60 m × 0.32 mm fused-silica SPB-5 precolumn, and (after intermediate cold trapping) they were separated from each other with a 25 m × 0.25 mm fused-silica column coated with a new bonded chiral phase. Replicate analyses of spiked human sera showed that d -arabinitol could be quantified accurately and precisely. The d - and l -arabinitol concentrations in 24 normal adult sera were 0.20 ± 0.053 and 0.11 ± 0.040 μ/ml, respectively, and the d - and l -arabinitol/creatinine ratios were 0.023 ± 0.011 and 0.012 ± 0.0051, respectively (mean ± S.D.). In a patient with Candida albicans fungemia, the d -arabinitol/creatinine ratios rose early during infection and fell with successful treatment, whereas l -arabinitol/creatinine ratios did not change significantly. This enantioselective analytical method is more practical than earlier ones; it should facilitate further investigation of d -arabinitol as a diagnostic marker for candidiasis.
Dynamics of the CR equations modeling a constant flow stirred tank reactor

concentration of species A [mol I-‘] concentration of species B [mol I-‘] dimensionless heat transfer coefficient concentration of species C [mol I-‘] specific heat [cal g-’ K-‘1 concentration of species D [mol 1-i) concentration of species E [mol l-l] activation energy of species I [cal mol-‘1 concentration of species F [mol I-‘] volumetric flow rate [1 s-l] concentration of species G [mol l-i] heat transfer coefficient [cal mm2 s-l K-l] concentration of species H [mol i-i] heat of reaction for reacting species I [cal mol-‘1 concentration of species I [mol I-‘] concentration of species J [mol I-‘] concentration of species K [mol I-‘] frequency factor for reacting species I [s-r] concentration of species L Imol I-‘] concentration of species M [mol I-‘] dimensionless feed concentration ratio for species i concentration of species N [mol l-i] concentration of species 0 [mol I-‘] universal gas constant [cal mall’ K-‘1 heat transfer area [m*] time [s] dimensionless time temperature [K] reactor volume [I] dimensionless concentration of species i dimensionless temperature dimensionless frequency factor for reacting species i dimensionless heat of reaction for reacting species i dimensionless activation energy for reacting species i density [g m-‘1 residence time in the reactor [s]
Comparing top k lists

Motivated by several applications, we introduce various distance measures between "top k lists." Some of these distance measures are metrics, while others are not. For each of these latter distance measures: we show that it is "almost" a metric in the following two seemingly unrelated aspects:step-(i) it satisfies a relaxed version of the polygonal (hence, triangle) inequality, andstep-(ii) there is a metric with positive constant multiples that bounds our measure above and below.This is not a coincidence---we show that these two notions of almost being a metric are the same. Based on the second notion, we define two distance measures to be equivalent if they are bounded above and below by constant multiples of each other. We thereby identify a large and robust equivalence class of distance measures.Besides the applications to the task of identifying good notions of (dis-)similarity between two top k lists, our results imply polynomial-time constant-factor approximation algorithms for the rank aggregation problem with respect to a large class of distance measures.