cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of early and late mortality following open extent IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a large contemporary single-center experience.

Objective The primary purpose of this study was to examine outcomes following open repair of extent IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) at a single university hospital. As a secondary aim, comparison was made to patients who underwent open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with supraceliac clamping but without left renal artery bypass to assess the effect of left renal artery bypass on outcomes. Methods Patients undergoing open extent IV TAAA repair from 1998 to 2008 were identified (n = 108). Primary outcomes were 30-day and long-term survival. Secondary outcomes were major complication, renal failure, and postoperative change in renal function. A second analysis was performed, comparing patients undergoing extent IV TAAA repair with patients undergoing AAA repair with supraceliac clamping but without left renal artery bypass (n = 50). Results Eighty-three men (76.9%) and 25 women (23.1%), with a mean age of 72.9 years, underwent open extent IV TAAA repair. Nine patients (8.3%) were ruptured. Mean aneurysm maximal diameter was 6.5 ± 1.3 cm. Supraceliac and left renal ischemic times were 22.9 ± 9.3 and 40.6 ± 16.2 minutes, respectively. Six patients (5.6%) died at 30 days. The only predictor of 30-day mortality was decreased preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P = .044 by multivariate analysis; and P = .011 by univariate analysis). One-year and 5-year survival rates were 87% and 50%, respectively. Patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease (P = .001) and postoperative renal insufficiency (P = .034) had increased long-term mortality by log-rank test. Twenty-five (25.3%) patients sustained a postoperative decrease in renal function, while 19 (19.2%) patients had an improvement in renal function. There was no difference in 30-day mortality (5.6% vs 6.0%; P = 1.000), 5-year survival (50% vs 48%; P = .886), major complications (37.0% vs 38.0%; P = 1.000), renal failure (6.1% vs 0%; P = .215), or postoperative change in renal function, in patients undergoing extent IV TAAA repair vs AAA repair with supraceliac clamping but without left renal artery bypass. Conclusions Open extent IV TAAA repair can be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates. The performance of left renal artery bypass does not appear to contribute to the morbidity and mortality of extent IV TAAA repair. While decreased preoperative eGFR appears to increase the risk of 30-day mortality, a history of cerebrovascular disease and postoperative renal insufficiency appear to increase the risk of long-term mortality. Finally, open extent IV TAAA repair not uncommonly improves renal function.
Loss of hypothalamic nuclear-bound progestin receptors: factors involved and the relationship to heat termination in female guinea pigs.

Abstract The hypothesis that the termination of sexual receptivity (heat) in female guinea pigs results from loss of progestin receptors from hypothalamic cell nuclei was tested. First, we attempted to find an optimal dose of progesterone that would result in a prolonged period of sexual receptivity. Ovariectomized guinea pigs were implanted with 10% estradiol capsules. Forty hours later, each received one of several sized progesterone capsules before being tested hourly for lordosis. Surprisingly, none of the progesterone doses resulted in delayed heat termination. In order to determine whether elevated levels of estradiol and progesterone maintain elevated levels of nuclear progestin receptors despite the lack of effect on heat duration, animals were treated as described above except that only one size progesterone capsule (3.0 cm) or an empty capsule was implanted. Despite elevated serum progesterone concentrations, nuclear progestin receptor levels decreased gradually and approached control levels at about the same time as heat termination had occured in similarly-treated animals. Cytosol progestin receptor levels decreased following progesterone treatment and remained lowered at all times measured. In order to further investigate the relationship between blood progesterone concentrations and retention of nuclear progestin receptors we decreased blood progesterone concentrations by removing progesterone capsules 2 h following insertion. Nuclear progestin receptor levels declined gradually concurrent with a decline in serum progesterone levels in animals exposed to progesterone capsules for only 2 h. In animals exposed to capsules continuously, nuclearprogestin receptor levels again decreased but at a slightly slower rate. In order to test the effect of progesterone capsule removal on female sexual behavior, ovariectomized guinea pigs were treated as described and tested hourly for lordosis. Fewer animals in the group exposed to progesterone capsules for 2 h became sexually receptive as compared to animals continuously-exposed to progesterone capsules. Of those animals that did respond, heat termination had occured by the same time that nuclear progestin receptor levels had returned to control levels in similarly-treated animals. These experiments support the hypothesis that heat termination results from the loss of progestin receptors from hypothalamic cell nuclei. In addition, they demonstrate that circulating progesterone levels play a role in regulating nuclear progestin receptor retention.
A 64 kd nuclear protein binds to RNA segments that include the AAUAAA polyadenylation motif.

Abstract A 64 kd protein was shown to bind to RNAs that contain functional polyadenylation signals by a UV crosslinking procedure in which label was transferred from RNA substrate to protein in cell-free polyadenylation extracts. The 64 kd nuclear protein bound specifically to three different substrates (adenovirus type 5 L3, SV40 early, and SV40 late polyadenylation domains), as determined by competition experiments and partial protease analysis. Deleted derivatives of the SV40 late substrate that retained the sequence 5′-CUGCAAUAA-ACAAGUU-3′ were able to bind the 64 kd polypeptide. This sequence contains the canonical AAUAAA element that has been shown to be indispensable for polyadenylation. A single nucleotide change, converting AAUAAA to AAUAAA, prevented binding of the 64 kd moiety. The 64 kd protein was shown to be distinct from poly(A) polymerase by biochemical fractionation.
On Bullshit and Bullying: Taking Seriously Those We Educate.

School bullying continues to plague students around the globe. Bullying research to date has largely employed empirical methodologies, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Using a philosophical lens, this paper seeks to better understand the intentionality of bullying by considering the satisfaction derived in the tears of another. Specifically, current bullying research takes seriously the notion that bullying is primarily a problem between a bully and a victim (i.e. that the bully does not like the victim). In this paper I suggest that the bully is bullshitting us and her/his project is far bigger than the victim s/he targets. In the final analysis bullying prevention, as well as education itself, requires us to take seriously not only the activities of students, but the desires (i.e. the ‘I likes’) that help us understand when we are being bullshitted and when we are not.
From Linear Inorganic Chains to Helices: Chirality in the M(pyz)(H2O)2MoO2F4 (M = Zn, Cd) Compounds

Cd(C(4)H(4)N(2))(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) (C(4)H(4)N(2) = pyrazine, pyz) was synthesized via hydro(solvato)thermal methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods (P3(2)()21, no. 154, Z = 3, a = 7.4328(7) A, c = 16.376(2) A). Both of the known M(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) (M = Zn, Cd) compounds are comprised of trans-M(pyz)(2)(OH(2))(2)F(2) and cis-MoO(2)F(4) octahedra that share fluoride vertices to form helical chains along the 3-fold screw axes. Individual chains are bridged to six symmetry-equivalent helices through metal-pyrazine and OH(2)...F and OH(2)...O hydrogen bonds. Structural comparisons of similar oxyfluoride chains demonstrate that they can be varied from linear to helical through (1) the replacement of pyridine or pyrazine by H(2)O molecules and (2) the substitution of cis-directing MoO(2)F(4)(2-) anions in place of trans-directing WO(2)F(4)(2-) or TiF(6)(2-) anions. Infrared absorption (IR) measurements for M = Cd show two distinct O-H stretches corresponding to hydrogen-bonded O-H...F and O-H...O groups. Contrastingly for M = Zn, IR measurements exhibit O-H stretches for averaged hydrogen-bonded O-H...(O/F) groups, free (unbound) O-H groups, and higher energy Mo-F stretches. The IR data suggest a small fraction of the O-H...F hydrogen bonds are broken in the M = Zn analogue as a result of the racemic twinning. Both compounds exhibit nonlinear optical behavior, with second harmonic generation (SHG) intensities, relative to SiO(2), of approximately 0.25 ( = 0.28 pm/V) for the racemically twinned Zn(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) and approximately 1.0 ( = 0.55 pm/V) for the enantiopure Cd(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4).
IFN-γ signals a changing of the guards.

After acute inflammation or infection, tissue-resident macrophages are replaced by inflammatory DCs and effector macrophages that arise from circulating monocytes. In this issue of Immunity, Goldszmid et al. (2012) demonstrate a central role for NK cell-derived IFN-γ in signaling and facilitating this transition.
The influence of pathologic factors on breast cancer management

The pathologist routinely provides to the therapist data which are used in the management of breast cancer patients. Clinical as well as gross and microscopic examination provides information used for staging and treatment selection. Biologic neoplasia precedes the usual morphologic and cytologic changes that characterize precancer and in situ carcinoma to the pathologist. Minimal breast cancer, including in situ carcinoma and small (0.5 cm) infiltrating cancers, is now a recognized entity separable from clinical cancer, although therapy is not yet uniform. The pathologist can routinely report the gross size and contour of the cancer; microscopic evaluation of the primary cancer adds information on the histologic type, differentiation (histologic or cytologic grade), and such other data as blood vessel invasion and cellular infiltration. One of the most useful bits of information is the status of axillary lymph nodes: whether or not there are metastases, the number of nodes with metastases, and whether they are micrometastases or macrometastases, that extend through the capsule and involve pericapsular vessels. All of these data can be recorded routinely and are useful in developing management criteria. The pathologist, as any other consultant, reports to the attending physician who then uses these data with all other pertinent facts to formulate an individualized therapeutic program.
Pretreatment of lignocellulosic municipal solid waste by ammonia fiber explosion (AFEX)

The Ammonia Fiber Explosion (AFEX) process treats lignocellulose with high-pressure liquid ammonia and then explosively releases the pressure. The combined chemical effect (cellulose decrystallization) and physical effect (increased accessible surface area) dramatically increase lignocellulose susceptibility to enzymatic attack. For example, bagasse digestibility is increased 5.5 times and that of kenaf core is increased 11 times using extracellular cellulases fromTrichoderma reesei. In this study, we applied the AFEX process to mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) and individual components (e.g., softwood newspaper, kenaf newspaper, copy paper, paper towels, cereal boxes, paper bags, corrugated boxes, magazines, and waxed paper). Softwood newspaper proved to be the most difficult component to digest because of its high lignin content. A combination of oxidative lignin cleavage and AFEX was required to increase softwood newspaper digestibility substantially, whereas AFEX alone was able to make kenaf newspaper digestible. Because most MSW components have been substantially delignified in the paper-making process, AFEX only marginally increased their digestibility.
Assessing recall and understanding of informed consent in a contraceptive clinical trial.

Recall and understanding of information provided to contraceptive study participants in four sites were assessed. Analysis was completed of data for 70 women who were asked about their recollection of information and understanding of participation. Most women understood the purpose of the study. Their reasons for agreeing to participate varied by site and included wanting to try a new method wanting to help others and wishing to avoid pregnancy. Most women recalled correctly the burden of participation—number and frequency of visits tests and examinations. Most understood that they could withdraw from the study without jeopardizing their care. The women were also asked to recall the risks and benefits of the contraceptive they were testing. Only 23% recalled the pregnancy risk correctly; 40% underestimated and 19% overestimated it. Few women interpreted rates of risk correctly; some perceived high rates as low ones and the rates of the spermicide being studied as better than those of other contraceptives. This study confirms that risk is better recalled than understood. The participants surveyed remembered the information they were questioned about better than did participants in some other studies a finding that supports earlier research results showing that younger healthier patients (such as contraceptive users) recall better than older less healthy ones. (authors)
Interaction of Carrageenan and Other Hydrocolloids with Alkaloids I: Precipitation Studies

Carrageenan, other natural plant hydrocolloids, and the synthetic products carboxy-methylcellulose and Kelcoloid O are precipitated by alkaloids of the quinoline, isoquinoline, and tropane classes and by tubocurarine, a double tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid. The interaction, as exemplified by the carrageenan-cinchonine sulfate reaction, is highly temperature-sensitive, is suppressed by salts when they are present above a certain “tolerance level,” and is diminished at low pH values. Generally, the sulfated plant hydrocolloids are more readily precipitated than the uronic acid type hydrocolloids. Comparative precipitabilities based on a “coined” standard which has been dubbed the “alkaloid-hydrocolloid precipitability index” reflect the practical and fundamental significance of such interactions in pharmaceutical or other formulations.
Aggressive Legalism: The Rules of the WTO and Japan’s Emerging Trade Strategy

Over the course of the last decade there has been a significant change in Japan’s trade strategy, one that has remained seriously unappreciated for both its contents and its policy implications. The heart of this unfolding strategy is the active use of the legal rules in the treaties and agreements overseen by the WTO to counter what the Japanese government deems to be the unreasonable acts, requests, and practices of its major trade partners. To wit, the Japanese government is deliberately using both the procedural and substantive rules of the WTO to matter to the results and outcomes of major trade disputes involving Japan. And in a relatively short time, it has shown how these rules can be made to serve as both ‘shield’ and ‘sword’ in high-profile trade disputes. This is the strategy that Japan has embraced as the principal means of dealing with its major trade partners, and it reveals much about both a new Japan and the power of international law.
Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for the treatment of canine lymphoma: a randomized, placebo-controlled study†

Median survival times (STs) for doxorubicin-treated canine lymphoma range from 5.7 to 9 months. Because dogs treated with multi-agent protocols have longer STs, we sought to evaluate whether adding cyclophosphamide would improve outcome in canine lymphoma patients while maintaining an acceptable level of toxicity. Thirty-two dogs with stage III–V multicentric lymphoma were treated with doxorubicin every 3 weeks for five total cycles and prednisone at a tapering dose for the first 4 weeks. Dogs were randomized to receive either cyclophosphamide or placebo concurrently. Seventeen dogs received doxorubicin and placebo, while 15 dogs received doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Response, toxicity, progression-free interval (PFI) and ST were evaluated. The combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide was well tolerated, causing no increase in adverse events over doxorubicin alone. Despite a numeric improvement in outcome in cyclophosphamide treated dogs, the addition of cyclophosphamide did not result in statistically improved response rate, PFI or ST.
Discovery of an obesity susceptibility gene, KSR2, provides new insight into energy homeostasis pathways.

Obesity is a heterogeneous condition with considerable heritability. Multiple adiposity genes have now been identified through genome-wide association studies and studies of rare forms obesity caused by single-gene mutations. Several of these monogenic forms of obesity seem to replicate mouse obesity phenotypes, with notable examples including obesity caused by inactivating mutations in leptin, the leptin receptor, and the melanocortin-4 receptor. A large-scale screen for additional obese phenotypes in mice found that targeted deletion of Ksr2 leads to obesity,1 suggesting a role for Ksr2 in energy homeostasis. Ksr2 encodes the scaffolding protein kinase suppressor of ras 2 (KSR2), which may regulate multiple signaling pathways by binding kinases, such as Raf and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In this article, Pearce et al2 hypothesize that genetic variants in KSR2 may contribute to the development of severe, early onset obesity in humans. Using a combination of Sanger and whole-exome sequencing, the authors sequenced the coding region and intron/exon boundaries of KSR2 to identify rare variants (minor allele frequency, <0.5%) in 2101 individuals of mixed European ancestry who developed severe obesity before 10 years and in 1536 controls from a UK population-based study. They also performed a small replication study (238 cases and 1117 controls) and sequenced KSR2 in family members of severely obese probands to determine whether KSR2 variants cosegregated with overweight/obesity …
590 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF KAWASAKI SYNDROME (KS) IN AN AREA WITH A SMALL ASIAN POPULATION

Cases of KS in the Chicago area during 1979-83 were identified retrospectively from pediatric echocardiographic facilities in metropolitan Chicago and from a random sample of community hospitals. We identified 190 children with KS who underwent echocardiography. Male:female ratio was 1.58:1 (p 2 yrs (13/122-12%) (p~0.07). Whites <2 yrs are a subgroup with a high incidence of aneurysms (17/55-31%), significantly greater than all others (13/135--10%) (p<0.005) and non-whites <2 yrs (1/23-4%) (p<0.01). Thus, in the Chicago area, where Asians comprise a small fraction of the population, KS was diagnosed most often in white children, and white children <2 yrs had the highest incidence of coronary aneurysms diagnosed by echocardiography.
Anti-swing control of a suspended load with a robotic crane

This paper presents a feedback control algorithm for a robotic crane carrying a suspended load. The proposed controller suppresses the swing motion of the load while the crane carries the load to a desired position. The analysis includes the nonlinear dynamics of the crane and 2D swing motion of the load, but the controller does not require the exact model of the crane nor payload. Using joint acceleration and one sampled delay torque, the crane system is decoupled and then a linear controller is designed for both the crane motion and the load swing independently. Stability of the controller is proved and a simulation study is performed to show its effectiveness.
William Diaper: A biographical sketch

Though thousands of European beachcombers have lived among the Pacific Islanders from the time of Magellan'to the present day the vast majority have been illiterate; and of the few who could write (or found an amanuensis) only a mere handful have left any record of their experiences. Of 20 beachcomber narratives of varying quality known to have survived probably none gives us a more vivid insight into life in the islands during the early stages of European contact than the writings of William Diaper, or Cannibal Jack. It was generally supposed that all that still remained of the work of this inveterate scribbler was the contents of three notebooks published in 1928. In the following article, however, Christopher Legge, a former District Commissioner in Fiji and now with the Anthropology Department of the Field Museum of Natural History, demonstrates the common authorship of this work and the narrative of John Jackson, and gives us a biographical sketch of Diaper's life based on a variety of contemporary sources in addition to his own two works.
Physical properties of thin particleboard made from saline eucalyptus

Eucalyptus tree, Eucalyptus cinerea, has the potential to be used as a biomass crop to help manage saline subsurface drainage water in arid land where irrigated agriculture is practiced. In this research, saline eucalyptus was used to manufacture mediumdensity particleboard in an attempt to develop value-added application for the saline wood. This study investigated the effects of wood species (non-saline and saline), particle size, adhesive, bark content (BC), resin content (RC), and hot water treatment on the mechanical and water resistant properties of the medium-density particleboards made with eucalyptus woods. The measured mechanical properties included tensile strength (TS), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and internal bond strength (IB) of the finished particleboards. Water absorption and thickness swelling were tested to evaluate the water resistance properties. The particleboard made with 4% polymeric methane diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI) resin had better qualities except for MOR than the particleboard made with 7% urea formaldehyde (UF). The particles of medium size (20–40 mesh) gave higher particleboard qualities, except for TS, than the smaller size (40–60 mesh) and larger size (10–20 mesh) particles. The qualities of particleboard were improved as the content of UF resin increased from 7% to 16%. The mechanical properties deteriorated as BC increased from 0% to 15.4%, but the water resistance was improved. The particleboard made from hot water treated wood particles had better qualities than the particleboard made from untreated particles. The particleboard made from saline wood had much better qualities than the particleboard made from non-saline wood. Saline eucalyptus is an appropriate material for manufacturing particleboards.
Arabidopsis thaliana resistance to insects, mediated by an earthworm‐produced organic soil amendment

BACKGROUND: Vermicompost is an organic soil amendment produced by earthworm digestion of organic waste. Studies show that plants grown in soil amended with vermicompost grow faster, are more productive and are less susceptible to a number of arthropod pests. In light of these studies, the present study was designed to determine the type of insect resistance (antixenosis or antibiosis) present in plants grown in vermicompost-amended potting soil. Additionally, the potential role of microarthropods, entomopathogenic organisms and non-pathogenic microbial flora found in vermicompost on insect resistance induction was investigated. RESULTS: Findings show that vermicompost from two different sources (Raleigh, North Carolina, and Portland, Oregon) were both effective in causing Arabidopsis plants to be resistant to the generalist herbivore Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). However, while the Raleigh (Ral) vermicompost plant resistance was expressed as both non-preference (antixenosis) and milder (lower weight and slower development) toxic effect (antibiosis) resistance, Oregon (OSC) vermicompost plant resistance was expressed as acute antibiosis, resulting in lower weights and higher mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Vermicompost causes plants to have non-preference (antixenosis) and toxic (antibiosis) effects on insects. This resistance affects insect development and survival on plants grown in vermicompost-amended soil. Microarthropods and entomopathogens do not appear to have a role in the resistance, but it is likely that resistance is due to interactions between the microbial communities in vermicompost with plant roots, as is evident from vermicompost sterilization assays conducted in this study. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Concurrent plant uptake of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants from soil.

The extent of anthropogenic environmental pollution—in the United States (Black, 1999; Glass, 1999), in the European Union (Chaudhry et al., 2002), and in the third world is well documented. For example, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has estimated that at a minimum 10 t of unwanted pesticides are in ‘‘storage’’ in undeveloped countries, with at least 2 10 t in African countries (Chaudhry et al., 2002). The potential for negative impacts of these stocks on humans and the environment is of major concern. In situ remediation techniques, such as phytoremediation— the attenuation of pollution through the use of plants—which impose minimal environmental disturbance, offer economic, agronomic, and societal benefits to all countries. Up to the present time phytoremediation of soilborne heavy metals and of organic contaminants has been pursued as two distinct disciplines. This compartmentalized approach applies to fundamental studies of the mechanisms of action, as well as to the development of remediation technologies. Based on data from the authors’ laboratories over the preceding several years we propose that far more convergence as opposed to divergence in the underlying plant physiology and soil science impacts the soil/vegetation microcosm to attenuate both soil-borne heavy metals and organic pollutants. For example, our published research has established that zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) bioaccumulate soil-bound persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (Mattina et al., 2002). Other published reports have shown that spinach bioaccumulates heavy metals from soil (Romer and Keller, 2001). The data which are presented here demonstrate that these two plants simultaneously bioconcentrate and translocate both categories of weathered, soil-bound pollutant. Such simultaneous uptake and translocation of heavy metal and organic pollutants, if confirmed and optimized, could have enormous implications for plant/soil interaction mechanisms, and impact on practical remediation approaches, and ultimately on risk to human health.
Turkey Backbones and Chicken Gizzards: Women's Food Roles in Post-Socialist Hungary

This article looks at soup-making as a lens to view the impact of societal change for Hungarian pensioner women. Food as a practice illustrates agency: strategies and tactics used in time and space to communicate meaning for people in everyday life. During the socialist period, women endured frustrations of long lines and scarce resources. In the post-socialist era, their heroic clout as food providers is diminished by the introduction of a market economy. Nevertheless, the survival skills learned in the socialist era allow them to adapt to the new era of high inflation and high unemployment. I use descriptions of one woman to connect personal experience to historical and political change. This article makes two main points—first, to look at food practices developed during state socialism that carry over and adapt to the post-socialist condition; and second, to illustrate how this impacts gender and agency of elderly Hungarian women. 1
AMP-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE AS REGULATOR OF P2Y6 RECEPTOR-INDUCED INSULIN SECRETION IN MOUSE PANCREATIC β-CELLS

5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its pharmacological modulators have been targeted for treating type 2 diabetes. Extracellular uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP) activates P2Y6 receptors (P2Y6Rs) in pancreatic β-cells to release insulin and reduce apoptosis, which would benefit diabetes. Here, we studied the role of P2Y6R in activation of AMPK in MIN6 mouse pancreatic β-cells and insulin secretion. Treatment with a potent P2Y6R dinucleotide agonist MRS2957 (500nM) activated AMPK, which was blocked by P2Y6R-selective antagonist MRS2578. Also, MRS2957 induced phosphorylation of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), a marker of AMPK activity. Calcium chelator BAPTA-AM, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) inhibitor STO-069 and IP3 receptor antagonist 2-APB attenuated P2Y6R-mediated AMPK phosphorylation revealing involvement of intracellular Ca(2+) pathways. P2Y6R agonist induced insulin secretion at high glucose, which was reduced by AMPK siRNA. Thus, P2Y6R has a crucial role in β-cell function, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in diabetes.
History-dependent control of unstable periodic orbits.

We present a method of stabilizing unstable periodic orbits in systems whose natural time scales are on the order of or faster than the time it would take for the experimental implementation of the Ott-Grebogi-Yorke (OGY) controlling method [Phys. Rev. Lett. 64, 1196 (1990)]. We determine the controlling perturbation one or more cycles ahead of when it needs to be applied, thereby gaining the additional time necessary to measure a signal, determine the perturbation, and then implement it. Formulas for this method of prior iterate control are derived and their utility is demonstrated numerically on the H\'enon map for controlling the unstable orbits of period one and two. The effects of noise on this control method are examined and the results are compared with a similar application of the OGY scheme in the presence of noise.
A possible neural mechanism for computing shape from shading

A simple neural mechanism that recovers surface shape from image shading is derived from a simplified model of the physics of image formation. The mechanism's performance is surprisingly good even when applied to complex natural images, and is even able to extract significant shape information from some line drawings.
Response to comments on "Degradability of an acrylate-linked, fluorotelomer polymer in soil".

Our study supports half-lives of years for fluorotelomer polymers, and discrepancies with earlier work likely are partly due to limitations in the earlier work.
Adoption of Policy Incentives and Land Use: Lessons From Frontier Agriculture in Southeastern Peru

Literature on environmental change often highlights the importance of public policies as a key driver of land use and land cover change. However, demonstration of policy impacts in agricultural settings has been hampered by the lack of systematic analysis across landholders, who may not universally adopt government policy incentives, or time periods, which may be associated with differing policy regimes. This paper evaluates the importance of voluntary adoption of policy incentives offered by Peruvian government administrations over two decades for land-use among small farmers in the Peruvian Amazon. The analysis focuses on whether farmers adopted one or more policy incentives in order to observe the effects on land uses including mature forest, agricultural crops, cattle pasture, and secondary growth. We employ multivariate statistical models to estimate the effects of policy adoption while controlling for other factors. The findings show that distinct policies are associated with particular land-uses and largely follow expectations. Specifying policy incentives promulgated by governments and differentiating among adopters and non-adopters advances understanding of the impacts of public policies on land use.
Microwave Omnidirectional Antennas

This paper describes briefly a number of radiating elements which have proved useful in the design of high- and low-gain omnidirectional antennas at wavelengths of 3 and 10 centimeters.
Effects of ionizing radiation on linear aromatic polyesters

The influence of chemical structure on the response of aromatic polyesters to high-energy ionizing radiation was studied. Systematic variations of polymers related to poly(ethylene terephthalate) were subjected to γ radiation, and the competitive chain scission and crosslinking reactions were determined by measuring changes in intrinsic viscosity and molecular weights. It was found that an increase in the paraffinic glycol segment of polyterephthalates facilitated crosslinking, while the protective nature of aromatic groups was demonstrated by modifying the dibasic acid segments. The influence of substituents on the terephthalate moiety was mixed: electronegative groups led to chain scission (as evidenced by decreased viscosities), but electropositive substituents exerted a stabilizing effect on polymer viscosity. In almost all cases, number-average molecular weights were decreased by exposure to γ radiation, regardless of viscosity behavior. Crystalline melting temperatures of the polymers generally were decreased by the combined radiation effects of chain scission and crosslinking.
The Adult Self Expression Scale: Validation by the multitrait-multimethod procedure.

The present studies were designed to provide further validation of the Adult Self Expression Scale as a measure of assertive behavior for adults in general. Validation was approached by the Campbell and Fiske multitrait-multimethod procedure and was concerned with the convergent relationship of assertion as measured by the Scale with measures of dominance and abasement as well as the discriminant capability of the instrument in terms of its relationship to various types of aggression, both verbal and physical. A variety of self-report, peer-rating, and unobtrusive measures were obtained from four distinct samples: participants in avocational interest classes at a technical institute, adults enrolled in an evening course in counseling theories at a state university, psychiatric inpatients, and convicted male felons. The results indicated that the Adult Self Expression Scale exhibits moderately strong convergent validity and moderate discriminant validity. The utility of the scale as a measure of assertive behavior for use with adults in general was supported.
Vanishing points and 3D lines from omnidirectional video

The paper describes a system for structure-from-motion using vanishing points and three-dimensional lines extracted from omnidirectional video sequences. Two novel aspects of this work are its deferred initialization of features using noisy observations from multiple, uncertain vantage points, and its use of dynamic programming for efficient 3D line tracking. We show preliminary results from the system for both indoor and outdoor sequences.
Base line performance measurements of access controls for libraries and modules

Having reliable security in systems is of the utmost importance. However, the existing framework of writing, distributing and linking against code in the form of libraries and/or modules does a very poor job of keeping track of who has access to what code and who can call what function. The status-quo is insufficient for a variety of reasons. As the amount of code written that represents some kind of a rights-protected entity increases, we need a systematic, easily adopted framework for designating who has access to what code, and under which conditions. While adding access controls to libraries and modules (as well as functions held securely within them), we also give regard to the performance characteristics and ease-of use considerations. In this vein, we discuss the design and implementation of a framework (called SecModule) used for generating (and using) libraries under access controls, as well as performance measurements of invoking functions that are held inside the protected library.
Hybrid control: a paradigm for implementing control to nonlinear systems with guaranteed stability regions

A hybrid control structure that unites bounded control with model predictive control (MPC) is proposed for the constrained stabilization of nonlinear systems. The structure consists of: 1) a finite-horizon model predictive controller, which can be linear or nonlinear, and with or without stability constraints, 2) a family of bounded nonlinear controllers for which the regions of constrained closed-loop stability are explicitly characterized, and 3) a high-level supervisor that orchestrates switching between MPC and the bounded controllers. The central idea is to embed MPC implementation within the bounded controllers' stability regions and employ these controllers as fall-back in the event that MPC is unable to achieve closed-loop stability. Switching laws, that monitor the closed-loop state evolution under MPC, are derived to orchestrate the transitions in a way that guarantees asymptotic closed-loop stability for all initial conditions within the union of the stability regions. The proposed hybrid scheme is shown to provide a paradigm for the safe implementation of predictive control algorithms to nonlinear systems, with guaranteed stability regions. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated through a chemical reactor example.
HCG Stimulation in Children With Cryptorchidism

Fifty-eight children with cryptorchidism have been given hCG stimulation testing, 31 with bilateral cryptorchidism, 22 with unilateral, and 5 with prior unsuccessful orchiopexy. Hormonal studies were carried out prior to and following stimulation. In bilateral cryptorchidism, bilateral descent was observed in 32 percent of cases and in unilateral, the success rate was 55 percent. From their data, the authors concluded that hCG is not indicated if patients present elevated LH and FSH levels or if the basal T levels are in the pubertal range. In the other subjects, the hCG test will permit the determination of the presence or absence of testosterone production and in some cases it results in testicular descent. Finally, in cases of failure that require surgery, the hCG will stimulate tissue growth enhancing the success of orchiopexy.
AFM and STM Studies of Large Scale Unstable Growth Formed During GaAs (001) Homoepitaxy

Atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopy studies have been performed on GaAs(001) films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Multilayered mounds are seen to evolve when the growth conditions favor island nucleation. As the epilayer thickness is increased, these features grow in all dimensions but the angle of inclination remains approximately constant at 1°. The mounding does not occur on surfaces grown in stepflow. We propose that the multi-layered features are due to an unstable growth mode which relies on island nucleation and the presence of a step edge barrier.
Transfer of learning for complex task domains: a demonstration using multiple robots

This paper demonstrates a learning mechanism for complex tasks. Such tasks may be inherently expensive to learn in terms of training time and/or cost of obtaining each training pattern. Learning simple, safe tasks and extending them to more complex tasks can cause faster convergence to the solution. This method has been formalized and demonstrated on a simulated multiple robot (multi-robot) scenario. The objective is to effectively search out and destroy stationary hostile agents present in an unknown urban terrain map. Using the presented method, the robots learn how to effectively map the area, and then improve their learning modules for the complex task. The robots are simple behavioral agents with minimal communication
Effect of CO2 on the processing of Y–Ba–Cu–O superconductors

The superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O6+x reacted with various known ratios of O2/CO2 gas mixtures during sintering at different temperatures were studied. Jc was found to decrease drastically upon reaction with CO2, becoming zero at certain CO2 activities. The stability region for the 123 superconductor, as a function of CO2 activity and temperature, was empirically formulated as follows: log pCO2 < (−45,000)/T + 33.4. The grain boundaries in sintered samples with Jc = 0 were investigated with HRTEM in conjunction with EDS. Two distinct types of grain boundaries were observed. Approximately 10% of the grain boundaries were wet by a thin layer of a second phase, deduced to be BaCuO2. The remaining boundaries were sharp grain boundaries. The grain structure near the sharp grain boundaries was tetragonal. These two types of grain boundaries are thought to be responsible for Jc being zero.
Heuristic method for heartbeat detection in fetal phonocardiographic signals

This paper presents a heuristics-based, successive approximation method for heartbeat detection in fetal phonocardiographic signals, which takes advantage on some a priori biological knowledge. The algorithm reaches above 90% in terms of accuracy of heart rate identification. It is computationally effective and easily parallelizable. A method for signal qualification is also presented.
Pathological Mobilization and Activities of Dendritic Cells in Tumor-Bearing Hosts: Challenges and Opportunities for Immunotherapy of Cancer

A common characteristic of solid tumors is the pathological recruitment of immunosuppressive myeloid cells, which in certain tumors includes dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are of particular interest in the field of cancer immunotherapy because they induce potent and highly specific anti-tumor immune responses, particularly in the early phase of tumorigenesis. However, as tumors progress, these cells can be transformed into regulatory cells that contribute to an immunosuppressive microenvironment favoring tumor growth. Therefore, controlling DC phenotype has the potential to elicit effective anti-tumor responses while simultaneously weakening the tumor’s ability to protect itself from immune attack. This review focuses on the dual nature of DCs in the tumor microenvironment, the regulation of DC phenotype, and the prospect of modifying DCs in situ as a novel immunotherapeutic approach.
Nursing Diagnosis in the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP)

TOPIC. International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) Classification of Nursing Phenomena. PURPOSE. Provide a historical review of nursing diagnosis in the developing ICNP. SOURCES. Literature, meeting notes, and experience CONCLUSION. The development of the ICNP has benefited from contributions of many. Continued refinement depends on participation of nurses globally
Functional programming with the FC++ library

We describe the FC++ library, a rich library supporting functional programming in C++. Prior approaches to encoding higher order functions in C++ have suffered with respect to polymorphic functions from either lack of expressiveness or high complexity. In contrast, FC++ offers full and concise support for higher-order polymorphic functions through a novel use of C++ type inference. The FC++ library has a number of useful features, including a generalized mechanism to implement currying in C++, a “lazy list” class which enables the creation of “infinite data structures”, a subtype polymorphism facility, and an extensive library of useful functions, including a large part of the Haskell Standard Prelude. The FC++ library has an efficient implementation. We show the results of a number of experiments which demonstrate the value of optimizations we have implemented. These optimizations have improved the run-time performance by about an order of magnitude for some benchmark programs that make heavy use of FC++ lazy lists. We also make an informal performance comparison with similar programs written in Haskell.
Unusual connective tissue manifestations of hemochromatosis

Presented are 7 cases of idiopathic hemochromatosis with arthritis. Two of the patients had connective tissue manifestations, which have not been reported previously. All patients received extensive phlebotomy therapy but only 1 has noted improvement of the arthropathy.
Tax and Expenditure Limitations and State Credit Ratings

The impact of state tax and expenditure limitations (TELs) on bond credit ratings is estimated using an incomplete (or unbalanced) panel from the US states from 1973 to 2005. Three indices of the restrictiveness of TELs are used. Both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s bond credit ratings are used and the outcomes compared. The results are consistent with previous work; more restrictive revenue TELs are associated with lower credit ratings while expenditure TELs are generally associated with higher credit ratings. TELs restricting both revenues and expenditures are negatively associated with Moody’ ratings, but not with those of Standard and Poor’s. Contrary to previous studies, the authors find limited differences in the fiscal and economic variables that influence the ratings of the two agencies.
Ethanol Lock Therapy A Pilot Infusion Study in Infants

Background: Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) has emerged as an effective method for the prevention and treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), but the safety of ELT in infants has not been established. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and evidence of hepatic injury in infants after infusing a small one-time dose of ethanol, equivalent to the volume that would be flushed through the central venous catheter (CVC) after ELT is completed. Methods: This was a prospective pilot study in infants weighing ≤6 kg with and without liver dysfunction who had a CVC. The primary end points were 5-minute and 1-hour BACs after a 0.4-mL dose of 70% ethanol was flushed through the CVC. Acceptable BACs were defined as <0.025% at 5 minutes and <0.01% at 1 hour. The secondary end point was evidence of hepatic injury, defined as a change of greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal of any component in the hepatic panel in patients with a norm...
Morphological traits of Pacific Flyway Canada Geese as an aid to subspecies identification and management

Abstract Subspecies of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) exhibit wide variation in body size across their range. To monitor harvest levels in the Pacific Flyway, biologists commonly use culmen length and plumage color to differentiate among subspecies on sympatric wintering grounds. Among the four large-bodied Pacific subspecies (B. c. parvipes, B. c. occidentalis, B. c. fulva, and B. c. moffitti), overlap in culmen length and subjectivity of visually assessing color results in misclassification and inaccurate harvest estimates. We examined the morphology of Pacific large-bodied Canada Geese to characterize body size variation among subspecies and provide more discriminatory measures for harvest assessments. We found that culmen length, one of the most commonly used field measures, overlapped widely among subspecies, and it had little support for inclusion in discriminatory models. Morphological measures with greater explanatory power included bill width at nail, bill width at base, head length, and mid wi...
Membrane and tissue distribution of folate binding protein in pig

Folate binding protein may participate in folate homeostasis by regulating monoglutamyl folate transport across relevant cell membranes. We compared the activity, immunoreactivity, and transcripts of folate binding protein in pig liver, kidney, and jejunal mucosa and their relevant cell membranes. Binding of [3H]folic acid was sixfold greater to pig liver plasma membranes than to kidney brush-border membranes, whereas there was no binding to jejunal brush-border membranes. The IgG fraction of rabbit antibody detected pig recombinant folate binding protein at 30 kDa and stained pig liver plasma membranes and kidney brush-border membranes but did not react with jejunal brush-border membranes. Folate binding protein transcripts were present in threefold greater abundance in pig liver than in kidney. Species comparisons showed folate binding protein transcripts in rat and human kidney but not in liver. Thus folate binding protein participates in folate homeostasis by regulating uptake by renal tubular membranes and uniquely by pig liver plasma membranes, but it is not involved in jejunal folate absorption.