cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differences in hip quantitative computed tomography (QCT) measurements of bone mineral density and bone strength between glucocorticoid-treated and glucocorticoid-naive postmenopausal women.

Chronic treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) leads to significant bone loss and increased risk of fractures. In chronically GC-treated patients, hip fracture risk is nearly 50%. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there are differences in the quantities of trabecular and cortical bone and bone strength of the hip between GC-treated osteoporotic patients and controls. Methods: Study subjects were GC-treated osteoporotic postmenopausal women, and controls were postmenopausal women, recruited for separate clinical trials. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip were obtained from all subjects. QCT outcome variables measured included total, cortical, and trabecular BMD of hip subregions (femoral neck and trochanter) and total hip. In addition, finite element modeling (FEM) was performed on a subset of 19 cases and 38 controls, matched on age (± 5 years), weight (± 5 kg), and history of hormone replacement (>1 year use) to assess failure load in stance and fall loading conditions. Generalized linear models were used to adjust the QCT variables for covariates between groups. Multiple regression was performed to identify independent predictors of bone strength from the QCT variables. Results: Compared with controls, GC-treated subjects were significantly (p<0.05) younger, weighed less, and had more years of hormone replacement. QCT of the hip in GC-treated subjects for total femoral integral, cortical, and trabecular BMD averaged 4.9–23.2% (p<0.002) less than controls, and similar results were seen by hip subregion including the trochanter and femoral neck. DXA of the total hip was 17% lower in GC subjects than controls (p<0.05). Compared with controls, FEM failure load in GC subjects was 15% (p<0.05) and 16% (p=0.07) lower for stance and fall loading conditions, respectively. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that a combination of QCT measures was correlated with bone strength as measured by FEM. Conclusions: Chronic GC treatment in postmenopausal women resulted in significantly decreased BMD of the hip, measured by QCT, with loss of both trabecular and cortical bone. In addition, GC treatment decreased bone strength as determined by FEM. The reduced cortical and trabecular bone mass in the hip may contribute to the disproportionately high hip fracture rates observed in GC-treated subjects.
Quasi-Static Analysis of Stiffened Plate under Axial Pressure

Quasi-static analysis is of a simulation of static problem with motion analysis which restricting the load velocity so that the outcome we got can only have a little inertia influence which we can neglect. In order to solving stability problem of stiffened plate under axial pressure, we adopt this quasi-static analysis which applying displacement on structure. In pro-buckling, compared to the static analysis, quasi-static analysis can get the structure responses accurately with less time cost; In post-buckling, quasi-static analysis can get the structure responses which static analysis can’t get. With this we provide a new method in static problem
A Frequency-Domain Approach to Optimal Fractional-Order Damping

In this paper, we will consider the single term optimal fractional-order damper for an otherwise undamped oscillator. First, we will find the single term damper that minimizes the time domain integral of the squared step error (2-norm) and the integral of the time-weighted squared error (Hilbert–Schmidt–Hankel norm). Next we will consider a more intuitive frequency domain approach that insures the maximally flat magnitude response. Time and frequency domain plots are given for comparison with the integer-order solutions. Further improvements in performance are shown to be possible using multiple active fractional-order dampers.
Enzymatic synthesis of trisialoganglioside by particulate fractions of rat liver

Rat liver contains a particulate (membrane-bound) glycosyl transferase, concentrated in Golgi apparatus fractions, which catalyzes the synthesis of a trisialoganglioside from the ganglioside precursor disialohematoside (GD3). Sialic acid was not incorporated into exogenous GD1a from CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid suggesting that GD1a is an endproduct of the monosialoganglioside pathway. Thus, the disialoganglioside pathway may be a primary source of trisialoganglioside and higher ganglioside homologs in adult rat liver.
Controlling the Flow of Light Using the Inhomogeneous Effective Gauge Field that Emerges from Dynamic Modulation

We show that the effective gauge field for photons provides a versatile platform for controlling the flow of light. As an example we consider a photonic resonator lattice where the coupling strength between nearest neighbor resonators are harmonically modulated. By choosing different spatial distributions of the modulation phases, and hence imposing different inhomogeneous effective magnetic field configurations, we numerically demonstrate a wide variety of propagation effects including negative refraction, one-way mirror, and on- and off-axis focusing. Since the effective gauge field is imposed dynamically after a structure is constructed, our work points to the importance of the temporal degree of freedom for controlling the spatial flow of light.
Propagation of endangered birds in US institutions: How much space is there?

Captive breeding is often touted as a way to preserve species disappearing in the wild. Zoos and related institutions have limited space for animals, however, and use of what space exists may be restricted by conflicting demands of entertainment, education, and propagation. Curators of US bird collections sponsored an analysis of space available for long-term captive management. Seventy-three collections responded to a survey, providing data on 3,174 exhibits and holding areas under their control. The most optimistic analysis indicates room for fewer than 141 long-term management programs. To use space resources optimally for conservation, there is a strong need to develop priorities within management groups. New models and strategies for using captive propagation as a short-term tool to bolster wild populations should be created. Immediate attention should be paid to the most effective and efficient ways of improving husbandry and management techniques for birds. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
EAE susceptibility in FVB mice.

The in vivo study of immunologic mechanisms in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) requires, in some instances, the use of transgenic mice. As FVB mice represent a strain whose fertilized ova possess a relatively large pronucleus, this is a preferred strain in which to generate mice that are transgenic for a variety of genes. An important issue, then, is whether the FVB background supports the development of EAE. We report here that relapsing EAE is easily and reproducibly induced in FVB mice with whole myelin basic protein in complete Freund's adjuvant.
Shortcomings of low-cost imaging systems for viewing computed radiographs

Abstract Objective: To assess potential advantages of a new PC-based viewing tool featuring image post-processing for viewing computed radiographs on low-cost hardware (PC) with a common display card and color monitor, and to evaluate the effect of using color versus monochrome monitors. Materials and Methods: Computed radiographs of a statistical phantom were viewed on a PC, with and without post-processing (spatial frequency and contrast processing), employing a monochrome or a color monitor. Findings were compared with the viewing on a radiological Workstation and evaluated with ROC analysis. Results: Image post-processing improved the perception of low-contrast details significantly irrespective of the monitor used. No significant difference in perception was observed between monochrome and color monitors. The review at the radiological Workstation was superior to the review done using the PC with image processing. Conclusion: Lower quality hardware (graphic card and monitor) used in low cost PCs negatively affects perception of low-contrast details in computed radiographs. In this situation, it is highly recommended to use spatial frequency and contrast processing. No significant quality gain has been observed for the high-end monochrome monitor compared to the color display. However, the color monitor was affected stronger by high ambient illumination.
Independent Private Value Auctions: Bidder Behaviour in First-, Second- and Third-Price Auctions with Varying Numbers of Bidders

The symmetric equilibrium of third-price auctions is characterized. It makes a number of contrasting predictions relative to firms and second-price auctions: bids exceed private values, the marginal effects on bids of an increase in private values is greater than one, increasing numbers of bidders reduces bids, and risk aversion requires bidding below the risk neutral Nash equilibrium. In the experiment, bidders do not always satisfy the point predictions of the theory. However, the game theoretic models correctly anticipate, at least directionally, the important effects of the price rule changes. Copyright 1993 by Royal Economic Society.
Comparison of pollution prevention assessments for the facilities with and without energy star certification

The objective of this paper is to determine and compare the energy efficiency, energy savings, and pollution prevention for the two hypothetical facilities in USA, “XY”, and “BC”, with and without Energy Star® certification (Statement of Energy Performance [SEP]), respectively. Three different tools—Energy Assessment Spreadsheet (EAS), Economic Input Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIOLCA), and P2 calculators were used in assessing the energy usage and pollution prevention. The energy assessment survey was conducted using the EAS to determine the reduction in energy use and to perform the cost-benefit analysis (CBA). A change in environmental impacts due to use of energy efficient lighting was assessed by the EIOLCA. The P2 was used in estimating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy savings. Analysis showed a reduction of 58 MTCO2e (metric tons of CO2 equivalents) GHGs with a savings of $6878 for the facility “XY” and 493 MTCO2e GHGs with a savings of $55,089 for facility “BC”. The energy savings calculated with respect to square feet of area were observed to be 0.18 and 20.00 kWh/year, respectively, for XY and BC facilities. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 1366–1372, 2014
Reduced Ciliary Polycystin-2 in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients with PKD1 Mutations

Heterozygous mutations in PKD1 or PKD2, which encode polycystin-1 (PC1) and polycystin-2 (PC2), respectively, cause autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD), whereas mutations in PKHD1, which encodes fibrocystin/polyductin (FPC), cause autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD). However, the relationship between these proteins and the pathogenesis of PKD remains unclear. To model PKD in human cells, we established induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines from fibroblasts of three ADPKD and two ARPKD patients. Genetic sequencing revealed unique heterozygous mutations in PKD1 of the parental ADPKD fibroblasts but no pathogenic mutations in PKD2. Undifferentiated PKD iPS cells, control iPS cells, and embryonic stem cells elaborated primary cilia and expressed PC1, PC2, and FPC at similar levels, and PKD and control iPS cells exhibited comparable rates of proliferation, apoptosis, and ciliogenesis. However, ADPKD iPS cells as well as somatic epithelial cells and hepatoblasts/biliary precursors differentiated from these cells expressed lower levels of PC2 at the cilium. Additional sequencing confirmed the retention of PKD1 heterozygous mutations in iPS cell lines from two patients but identified possible loss of heterozygosity in iPS cell lines from one patient. Furthermore, ectopic expression of wild-type PC1 in ADPKD iPS-derived hepatoblasts rescued ciliary PC2 protein expression levels, and overexpression of PC1 but not a carboxy-terminal truncation mutant increased ciliary PC2 expression levels in mouse kidney cells. Taken together, these results suggest that PC1 regulates ciliary PC2 protein expression levels and support the use of PKD iPS cells for investigating disease pathophysiology.
Guatemala’s current and future globalization Social work’s continuing education role

EnglishGlobalization is affecting Guatemala and tensions are evident between efforts to modernize relative to the traditional lifestyle. The marginalization of rural indigenous people is presented ...
Prevention of emesis after strabismus repair in children: a prospective, double-blinded, randomized comparison of droperidol versus ondansetron.

Abstract Study Objective: To compare the effectiveness of ondansetron with droperidol in preventing postoperative emesis in children after strabismus repair. Design: Randomized, double-blind study. Patients and Setting: 57 ASA physical status I and II children aged 3 to 14 years, undergoing outpatient strabismus repair in two separate study centers. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either 0.15 mg/kg intravenous (IV) ondansetron or 0.075 mg/kg IV droperidol shortly after induction of anesthesia. Measurements and Main Results: Number of episodes of emesis and times to discharge from the recovery room and ambulatory center were assessed. Twenty-nine (94%) of 31 children who received ondansetron and 21 (81%) of 26 children who received droperidol were emesis-free ( p = NS). There were no significant differences in the number of episodes of emesis on the day after surgery or times to discharge. Conclusions: Ondansetron is at least as effective as droperidol in reducing the frequency of emesis in children after strabismus repair, and it did not shorten times to discharge home. The low number of patients in our study may have masked a difference in effect between the two groups. The clinician should decide whether the increased cost of ondansetron justifies its use over other antiemetics.
Influence of Dietary Selenium and Age upon the Metabolism of Selenium-75 by Chicks

Abstract THE depression in growth rate of chicks fed toxic levels of selenium has long been recognized. Seleniferous grains which provided 8 parts per million (p.p.m.) of selenium in the diet were borderline for producing toxic symptoms, whereas diets containing 14 p.p.m. and above produced severe reactions (Poley et al., 1941). Lowered hatchability and embryonic abnormalities have been observed when hens were fed concentrations of selenium in the rations which were too low to cause manifest symptoms in the hens (Moxon, 1937). Poley et al. (1941) reported that chicks hatched from eggs laid by dams receiving 4 p.p.m. dietary selenium grew at a slower rate than chicks hatched from control eggs when no selenium was added to the starter ration. However, the growth rate of chicks fed starting rations containing 5 or 8 p.p.m. selenium was not affected by the level of 4 p.p.m. selenium fed to their dams. No studies…
Multistage infrared target detection

Algorithms are considered for searching wide-area forward-looking infrared imagery for military vehicles. Wide-area search has typically been handled by using a simple detection algorithm with low computational cost to search the entire image or set of images, followed by a clutter rejection algorithm that analyzes only those portions of the image that are marked by the detection algorithm. We start with a feature-based detector and an eigen-neural-based clutter rejecter, and examine a number of architectures for combining these modules to maximize joint performance. The architectures considered include a clutter rejection threshold method and a nonlinear learning-based combination. The performance of the architectures is compared using a set of several thousand real images.
Sex Differences in Schizophrenia: A Commentary*

A critique is offered of Samuels' article suggesting that reported sex differences in concordance rates for schizophrenia are either methodological artifacts or a function of sociological processes. Evidence of sex differences in age of onset, clinical expression, concordance rates among primary relatives, and premorbid competence is cited. Finally, it is concluded that sex differences in schizophrenia offer important clues to the development of the disorder and should be considered in future theories of schizophrenia.
An off-axis circle criterion for stability of feedback systems with a monotonic nonlinearity

An off-axis circle criterion is stated in this paper as a sufficient condition for the stability of a nonlinear feedback system with a single monotonic nonlinearity. The criterion provides a geometric method for determining a sector (K_{1} with in which the nonlinearity may lie for asymptotic stability. The relation between the criterion stated and the well-known Popov criterion and the circle criterion for time-varying systems is also discussed. Two examples are included to clarify various aspects of the criterion and its relation to existing results.
Active warm-water fish gelatin film containing oxygen scavenging system

Abstract An oxygen scavenging system (OSS), composed of oxygen scavenging nanoparticles and iron chloride (II), was incorporated into warm-water fish gelatin film. Surface morphology, cross sectional images, and mechanical, barrier, and optical properties of the oxygen scavenging fish gelatin (OSFG) film were compared to those of the unmodified fish gelatin (UMFG) film. Results indicated that the OSS was well incorporated into the OSFG film structure. The OSFG film had rough film surface, increased water vapor and oxygen permeability, and decreased tensile strength due to the incorporation and agglomerations of the OSS. The incorporation of the OSS also caused color and haze alterations to the OSFG film. In addition, the oxygen scavenging capability of the OSFG film was investigated. The initial oxygen content (%) in the cup headspace, 20.90%, was decreased to 4.56% after 50 days of storage. The OSFG film had good oxygen scavenging capacity, 1969.08 cc O2/m2/mil, and moisture was used as the activator to trigger the oxygen scavenging reaction.
Effectiveness of pupil diameter in a probable-lie comparison question test for deception

Purpose. There were three objectives of this study: (1) To assess the possibility of using pupil diameter as an index of deception in the context of a comparison question polygraph test. (2) To determine if pupil diameter would make a significant contribution to an optimal multivariate classification equation in combination with the traditional predictor variables used in field polygraph practice. (3) We explored the possibility of replacing one or more of the traditional predictor variables with pupil diameter. Methods. We used a laboratory mock crime experiment with 24 participants, half of whom stole $20 (US) from a secretary's purse. Participants were tested with a comparison question test modelled after standard field practice. Physiological measures were taken with laboratory quality instrumentation. Features were extracted from the physiological measures. Those features were subjected to a number of different statistical analyses. Results. Innocent participants showed larger increases in pupil diameter in response to probable-lie questions than to relevant questions. Guilty participants did not show differential responding to the question types. The additional of pupil diameter to a multivariate classification model approached, but did not reach significance. Subsequent analyses suggest that pupil diameter might be used to replace the traditional relative blood pressure measure. Conclusions. Pupil diameter was found to be a significant predictor variable for deception. Pupil diameter may be a possible replacement for the traditional relative blood pressure measure. Additional research to explore that possibility would seem to be warranted.
On global diffusion of electrical and electronics engineering research #x2014; An extensive quantitative analysis of IEEE publications (1980#x2013;2008)

To provide further insight into globalization of research and development (RDelectrical and electronics association of the world.#x201D; The proportion of articles published by authors in North America, Europe, and East Asia has become increasingly balanced, leading to the formation of a tri-polar structure of IEEE technological activities. Within this structure, North America focuses on the field of ICT, Europe focuses on the fields of ICT and E&E, and East Asia focuses on the field of E&E. This comprehensive analysis of IEEE publications over a period of almost 30 years revealed that with the emergence of more active international competition, glocalization is occurring among the publications and research activities of IEEE, and that the nature of E&E and ICT research is under a system in which the U.S. sets an agenda for technical innovation that stimulates research activities in each country.
Increasing the IDDQ test resolution using current prediction

The Variations in IDDQ due to process disturbances for sub-micron ICs is comparable to magnitude of defect induced currents. This is making traditional IDDQ testing ineffective in detecting defects in sub-micron ICs. This paper presents a methodology called current prediction for enhancing the effectiveness of IDDQ testing. In the proposed methodology, a set of IDDQ measurements are performed on the device and the value of each IDDQ current are predicted using regression models. Absolute value of the difference between measured and predicted IDDQ (residuals of current prediction) are used for identifying defective devices. The residuals of current prediction are very sensitive to the defect currents and is insensitive to process variations thus increasing the IDDQ test resolution. This technique is compared with traditional and delta IDDQ testing techniques using the production test data from two different ICs. Results show that considerable improvement in the IDDQ test quality can be achieved with the proposed technique.
Risk-based model for tracking complexity in system vulnerability analysis

We describe a method for tracking model complexity in system vulnerability analysis. The method builds on the collection of risk scenarios describing known vulnerabilities of systems and system components. We introduce the concept of an interaction as a mapping between a risk scenario and one or more system components. An interaction is direct when the mapping is obvious. An interaction is indirect when the mapping can make use of nonobvious relationships among system components. Indirect interactions characterize the rippling effects of a risk scenario and are used to identify the nonobvious interdependencies. With the above foundation, the method extends traditional process control charts to track evolving knowledge of scenarios and systems. The charts signal the emergence of anomalous variation in emerging knowledge of system vulnerability. The method is applied iteratively to avoid situations of surprise in an emerging model (scenarios and systems) of system vulnerability. An application of the method is discussed
Characterization and performance optimization of a cementitious composite for quasi-static and dynamic loads

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center conducted multi-scale material research directed towards enhancing the response of a rapid-set, high-strength geopolymer cement under quasi-static and dynamic loads. Four unique tensile experiments were conducted to characterize and optimize material response of the fiber, matrix, and interface. Single-fiber direct tension and single-fiber pull-out experiments were conducted with quasi-static and dynamic loads. Flexure from third-point loading and direct uniaxial tension of the fiber reinforced composite experiments was conducted with quasi-static loads. Initial results are presented for the ongoing research. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of ICM11
Rotational stability in viscoelastic liquids: Theory

The onset of secondary motions between rotating concentric cylinders is related to the viscometric normal stress functions for a class of viscoelastic liquids which includes dilute polymer solutions. Both increased and decreased stability relative to a corresponding Newtonian liquid are possible for a given material, depending upon the particular relation between the viscometric functions and the geometric constants of the equipment. This predicted behavior is in agreement with experimental observations.
Treatment of Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer and Poor Performance Status

Patients with advanced lung cancer and poor performance status (PS) have been underrepresented in clinical trials. As a consequence, the management of these patients in clinical practice is empirical and inconsistent. Recent data in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) indicate that patients with a PS of 2 tend to benefit from first-line chemotherapy with respect to symptom improvement and perhaps overall survival. Whether single-agent therapy or combination chemotherapy is preferable remains debatable. In previously treated patients with NSCLC, gefitinib produced a substantial rate of clinical benefit, and erlotinib led to an improvement in survival compared with placebo in studies that included a significant percentage of patients with poor PS. In patients with recurrent small-cell lung cancer, who frequently present with a compromised PS, the use of topotecan as a single agent led to an improvement in PS in approximately one third of these patients without excessive toxicities. Patients with advanced lung cancer and a PS of 2 have been the focus of intense clinical investigation in recent years. When more specific data for this special population become available, it will hopefully lead to more consistent management and improved outcomes.
Exploration of the Negative Correlation between Proliferative Hepatocellular Lesions and Lymphoma in Rats and Mice—Establishment and Implications

Abstract Data from 1858 mice at Lilly and eight studies from the literature were used to establish a negative correlation between proliferative hepatic lesions and malignant lymphoma in rodents. This negative correlation implies that the rodent model is flawed in the sense that interpretation of hepatic lesions without consideration of malignant lymphoma can lead to the incorrect conclusion that there is something unique about the compound. In fact it is the rodent model that has a unique feature—the negative correlation.
Safety and efficacy of 2% methylcellulose in cat and monkey cataract-implant surgery

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of 2% methylcellulose as an adjunct for cataract extraction with implantation in cat and monkey models. When used intraoperatively, methylcellulose reduced the iridovitreal bulge during surgery. No significant increase in clinical inflammation occurred nor was there statistically significant intraocular pressure elevation at 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. In the cat model, the central corneal thickness increased at day seven in both control and methylcellulose eyes; this thickness persisted to 90 days. The endothelial cell loss decreased significantly at day 90 in methylcellulose eyes. In the monkey model, no statistically significant increase in corneal thickness occurred in control or methylcellulose eyes at day seven. The endothelial cell loss was greater than in the cat model in both control and methylcellulose eyes; there was no statistically significant difference between the two. Two percent methylcellulose was safe in both the cat and monkey models. It facilitated surgery in both models and reduced the endothelial cell loss in the cat eye. Key M70rds: cataract-implant surgery, methylcellulose, pachometry, specular microscopy, viscoelastic, viscosurgery
Regional crustal thickness and precipitation in young mountain chains.

Crustal thickness is related to climate through precipitation-induced erosion. Along the Andes, the highest mountains and thickest crust (≈70 km) occur at 25° south, a region of low precipitation. Westerly winds warm passing over the Atacama Desert; precipitation is modest in the High Andes and eastward over the Altiplano. Severe aridity, hence low erosion rates, helps to account for the elevated volcanogenic contractional arc and high, internally draining plateau in its rain shadow. Weak erosion along the north-central arc provides scant amounts of sediment to the Chile–Peru Trench, starving the subduction channel. Subcrustal removal might be expected to reduce the crustal thickness, but is not a factor at 25° south. The thickness of the gravitationally compensated continental crust cannot reflect underplating and/or partial fusion of sediments, but must be caused chiefly by volcanism-plutonism and contraction. Contrasting climate typifies the terrane at 45° south where moisture-laden westerly winds encounter a cool margin, bringing abundant precipitation. The alpine landscape is of lower average elevation compared with the north-central Andes and is supported by thinner continental crust (≈35 km). Intense erosion supplies voluminous clastic debris to the offshore trench, and vast quantities are subducted. However, the southern Andean crust is only about half as thick as that at 25° south, suggesting that erosion, not subcrustal sediment accretion or anatexis, is partly responsible for the thickness of the mountain belt. The Himalayas plus Tibetan Plateau, the Sierra Nevada plus Colorado Plateau, and the Japanese Islands exhibit analogous relationships between crustal thickness and climate.
A Social Categorization Explanation for Framing Effects in Nested Social Dilemmas.

This study developed and tested the idea that social categorization processes help to explain framing effects in social dilemmas. Using self-categorization theory, we predicted that members of a collective would cooperate more when they faced homogeneous rather than heterogeneous resource frames. We manipulated the starting point of resources for the members of each of two subgroups making up a larger collective in a nested social dilemma. The resources of the subject's own subgroup started at the individual, subgroup, or collective level, and the resources of the opposing subgroup also started at the individual, subgroup, or collective level. The condition in which both subgroups' resources began at the collective level was similar to a traditional commons dilemma, while the condition in which both subgroups' resources began at the individual level was similar to a traditional public goods problem. The other conditions were new to this research domain. We found higher allocations to the collective account when the initial resource location was the same for both subgroups (versus different for each subgroup), even when this initial location was the subgroup or individual level. Whereas previous explanations for framing effects cannot account for these results, social categorization processes provide a parsimonious explanation for the observed pattern of allocations.
Magnetotransport phenomena related to the chiral anomaly in Weyl semimetals

The authors study the contribution of the chiral anomaly to various magnetotransport coefficients in Weyl semimetals. They do so using quasiclassical transport theory taking into account Berry curvature. In this framework, the authors compute the longitudinal conductivity, thermal conductivity, the spectrum of polaritons, and absorption coefficient for sound waves.
The Paradox of Public Sector Reform: Works Better, Trusted Less?

It is sometimes argued that current public sector reform efforts could restore public confidence in government, by improving the performance of public institutions. But reforms might simultaneously improve performance and corrode public trust. In many countries, reforms have been accompanied by a concentration of power within national governments. New methods of service delivery often abandon institutional arrangements that are widely thought to be essential for preventing abuse of power. And a combination of circumstances are eroding the old idea of a career civil service with a strong “public service ethic.” The public may over-estimate the threat posed by these changes. Nevertheless, the changes may have a corrosive effect on attitudes toward government, even as it learns to “work better and cost less.”
Sensor fusion as an enabling technology for safety-critical driver assistance systems

Driver assistance systems are incorporating more and more advanced safety functions. As these functions have to react quickly and reliably in emergency situations with a false alarm rate close to zero a high integrity of the environmental perception is required. This elevated level of signal integrity can be achieved by data fusion, where the information of several, in general heterogeneous sensors is combined to obtain a better model of the environment in terms of accuracy, object integrity, object identity, etc. As an example, we demonstrate the power of sensor fusion by an automatic emergency brake (AEB) system whose environmental perception is based upon a video camera and a radar sensor. In particular we discuss the improvement of kinematic attributes such as object lateral distance as well as the object’s confidence or probability of existence.
Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners: Seeking the Sweet Truth

Caloric sweetener intake has increased significantly around the world. There has been a shift toward intake of calorically sweetened beverages as a larger proportion of caloric sweeteners. Beverage calories are ingested differently from food calories. We do not reduce food intake when we consume caloric beverages; thus the universal finding that increased caloric beverage intake is linked with growing adiposity and metabolic abnormalities. Non-nutritive sweetener intake has grown greatly; however, the impact of this on long-term health remains to be understood.
Rheumatologic Problems in the Elderly

Pain and limited mobility are common problems resulting from disorders of the musculoskeletal system in the elderly.
I Do and I Understand: Assessing the Utility of Web-Based Management Simulations to Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Our study assesses the utility of web-based simulations for developing critical thinking skills and analyzes the relationship between critical thinking and simulation performance. We also explore t...
Assessing the Role of the University of California in the State’s Biotechnology Economy

The United States is at the forefront of a worldwide transition to a “new economy” of knowledge-driven economic development. Biotechnology, information and communications technologies have revolutionized the way products are developed, spurring the growth of entirely new industrial sectors. One area of particular policy interest is the role of academic research and training in creating S&T-based economic benefits An increasing proportion of S&T research is being conducted at universities,1 but economists are still in the formative stages of developing a complete understanding of how these investments generate economic returns.2 A wide array of models, definitions, and datasets has been developed, but there remain gaps in our understanding of the channels through which benefits are created.3
Earthquake migration in the Fairbanks, Alaska seismic zone

abstract Since a series of moderate earthquakes near Fairbanks, Alaska in 1967, the “Fairbanks seismic zone” has maintained a consistently high level of seismicity interspersed with sporadic earthquake swarms. Five swarms occurring since 1970 demonstrate that tightly compacted centers of activity have tended to migrate away from the epicentral area of the 1967 earthquakes. Comparative b -coefficients of the first four swarms indicate that they occurred under different relative stress conditions than the last episode, which exhibited a higher b -value and was, in fact, a main shock of magnitude 4.6 with a rapidly decaying aftershock sequence. This last recorded sequence in February 1979 was an extension to greater depths along a lineal seismic zone whose first recorded activation occurred during a swarm two years earlier. Focal mechanism solutions indicate a north-south orientation of the greatest principal stress axis, σ 1 , in the area. A dislocation process related to crustal spreading between strands of a right-lateral fault, similar to that which has been inferred for southern California, is suggested.
Performance estimates for a supersonic axisymmetric inlet system

Results of recent tests of a large-scale axisymmetric mixed-compression inlet system designed for Mach number 2.65 indicate that the performance of the supersonic diffuser and required boundary-layer bleed system can be accurately estimated with relatively new analytic methods. Thus, many wind tunnel testing hours can be saved by avoiding much of the usual ?cut and try' wind tunnel development.
Role of the Ni:Fe Ratio in Ethylene Hydrogenation Activity for Silica-Supported Ni–Fe Clusters Prepared by Dendrimer-Templating

Ni–Fe nanoparticles of ∼1 nm in size were synthesized by the dendrimer-templating technique using hydroxyl-terminated fourth-generation poly aminoamide (PAMAM) dendrimers. Spectroscopy and electron microscopy results are consistent with 40 atom clusters, in which all atoms are at the surface, as dictated by the synthesis strategy. Following immobilization of the clusters onto silica, the role of Ni:Fe ratio in the bimetallic was addressed for ethylene hydrogenation. A distinctive enhancement (factor of 10) in the catalytic activity was observed for the Ni-rich (Ni:Fe = 3:1) nanoparticles as compared to pure Ni, which was more active than pure Fe and a physical mixture of the pure parent components. Examination of the rate dependencies upon temperature and ethylene partial pressure indicates ethylene and its intermediates’ strong binding as a key kinetic limitation. Using an available semiempirical model, the d-band center of the Ni–Fe systems correlated to turnover frequencies calculated for increasing st...
Densification of Plasma Polymerized TiO x N y C z Films with Air Exposure

TiOxNyCzthin films plasma polymerized at room temperature experienced significant decreases in film thickness and increases in refractive index with time during air exposure. Correlation of optical and structural changes provided insight into densification mechanisms.
Heparin anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass in an antithrombin-III deficient patient. Implications relative to the etiology of heparin rebound.

A case of antithrombin-III (AT-III) deficiency was diagnosed on the basis of a diminished anticoagulant effect followirig the administration of heparin for cardiopulmonary bypass. The clinical evaluation and interpretation of a diminished response to heparin is discussed, as are considerations relative to the treatment of AT-III deficient persons whose disorder is not manifest until they are already anesthetized for cardiovascular bypass. The implications of AT-III deficiency relative to the mechanism of heparin rebound are also discussed.
Effect of BN/CC Isosterism on the Thermodynamics of Surface and Bulk Binding: 1,2-Dihydro-1,2-azaborine vs Benzene

The chemistry of organoboron compounds has long been dominated by their high reactivity in synthetic organic chemistry. Recently, the incorporation of boron as a structural element in compounds has led to an increased diversity of organic compounds. A promising method of boron incorporation is BN/CC isosterism, where the replacement of a CC unit of the ubiquitous arene, benzene, with the isolectronic BN unit results in azaborine compounds whose properties are intermediate between benzene and borazine. These conjugated boron–nitrogen-containing heteroatom compounds show potential for use as charge transport materials in organic electronic devices in which the molecule–contact interface is a crucial factor of device performance. Therefore, to gain a fundamental understanding of the interaction of azaborines with two common metals, we examined 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine and benzene desorption from Au(111) and Cu(111) by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Scanning tunneling microscopy imaging and theoret...
Studies of Interferons in the Therapy of Melanoma

Melanoma does not respond meaningfully to systemic chemotherapy. No significant improvement in overall survival has been observed with any therapy in the setting of advanced disease, nor in the adjuvant setting. The most active single drugs achieve 14% to 22% response rates in larger phase II series, and drug combinations have not in general improved true response rates by 15% or more. Experience with recombinant interferon alpha-2 (rIFN alpha 2) administered by a variety of schedules and routes has demonstrated tumor response rates of 12% to 22% in advanced melanoma. Administered combined with chemotherapy, rIFN alpha 2 has improved response rates in some, but not all trials to date. On the basis of increased responsiveness noted to be inversely related to tumor size, IFN alpha has been explored over the past 7 years as an adjuvant to definitive surgery for melanoma. The North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) have recently completed trials of 3 and 12 months' duration of maximal dosages of rIFN alpha 2 in subjects with high-risk resected deep primary or lymph node metastatic melanoma. These randomized controlled studies completed accrual in 1990. The ECOG trial EST 1684 has tested the effect of rIFN alpha 2b, given intravenously daily for 5 days per week for 4 weeks at 20 x 10(6) IU/m2/d, then subcutaneously three times a week at 10 x 10(6) IU/m2/d for 11 months. A series of three analyses is planned for the ECOG trial, and the first of these interim analyses was reported to the ECOG in June, 1990, revealing an encouraging divergence of survival curves that does not achieve statistical significance at this early time. A randomized controlled study of 3 months' duration of rIFN alpha 2a at 12 x 10(6) IU/m2/d intramuscularly three times a week performed by the NCCTG is also in too early a stage to allow definitive conclusions yet. The toxicity of IFN alpha administered at maximum tolerated doses has been significant in terms of constitutional symptoms and organ dysfunction. There have been two instances of fatal toxicity observed in the ECOG study (286 subjects). Consideration of lower, more tolerable dosage regimens has been derived from the desire to evaluate longer periods of IFN alpha 2 therapy, and long-term maintenance treatment with IFN alpha 2 in adjuvant melanoma therapy. In addition, immunologic studies suggest that dosages of 3 x 10(6) IU/m2/d may be more immunologically active in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Application of a structural equation model to analysis of causes of military training injuries

Objective To analyze the causes of military training injuries related to common training subjects and to advise on prevention of military training injury.Methods A total of 370 questionnaires were collected.With a structural equation model,the assumed model for military training injury related to common training subjects was constructed on the basis of integration theory about the causes of accident.Results The basic goodness of fit,external quality and internal quality and relevance of the model were acceptable,and the result of model fitting was satisfactory.Conclusion The military training injury related to common training subjects was caused by three potential variables: human factors,material factors and management factors.The structural equation model is highly applicable to analysis of the causes of military training injury concerning the common training subjects.
Can the treatment of sleep apnea syndrome prevent the cardiovascular consequences

He et al. indicated that mortality is reduced in treated patients with OSA but the reasons for this are still speculative. CPAP eliminates the acute elevation of blood pressure (BP) that occurs during a night of obstructive apneas. In longer term studies hypertensive patients showed a fall in mean BP from baseline with CPAP both by day and by night. Noncompliant patients do not achieve this benefit and BP does not change in normotensive patients with OSA on CPAP. On the other hand, left ventricular mass does not seem to change in hypertensive OSA patients despite reduction in blood pressure. Some of the benefit in BP reduction may relate to other interventions such as successful weight loss. Clear answers as to the effects of intervention are difficult because of confounding factors such as antihypertensive medication and length of follow up as well as questions of compliance with treatment. Multicenter trials are being currently undertaken but will need some years to yield answers.
Adolescent Klinefelter syndrome: is there an advantage to testis tissue harvesting or not?

It is currently unclear whether an adolescent with 47,XXY Klinefelter syndrome will be better off having testicular sperm extraction (TESE) performed in an effort to ‘preserve fertility’ for the future or, alternatively, should be advised to simply wait until adulthood when he and his partner are ready to begin a family. This report will provide data suggesting that there is no obvious ‘preservation’ benefit and that recommending TESE to the 47,XXY boy and his parents may not be as helpful as it might appear and may be overly aggressive.
Exact minimization of determinant decision diagrams

Determinant decision diagram (DDD) is a canonical and compact representation of symbolic expressions in the form of circuit matrix determinants and cofactors for symbolic circuit analysis. DDD-based symbolic analysis algorithms have time and space complexities proportional to the number of DDD vertices. In this paper, we first present a theoretical characterization of the worst-case complexity of the minimal DDDs. We then present an exact algorithm to minimize the number of DDD vertices incorporating both a lower bound and upper bound for pruning the search space. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and the validity of theoretical analysis.
Clean, cheap, convenient: promotion of Electronic cigarettes on YouTube.

INTRODUCTION Videos promoting electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) can be easily accessed on YouTube. Marketing claims present in YouTube videos may help shape the public's opinion of e-cigarettes. Thus, it is important to understand the most frequent marketing claims and video sources. METHODS The objectives of this study were to 1) identify marketing claims in YouTube videos that are commonly made on e-cigarette retail websites and 2) compare the frequency of marketing claims in user-generated and professional YouTube videos. Through content analysis, this study evaluated six marketing claims and descriptive information about YouTube videos (n = 50) related to "electronic cigarettes" and "vape". RESULTS Overall, the most frequent marketing claim promoted e-cigarette use as better than traditional tobacco use (52%). Approximately 65% of videos appeared to be user-generated and 35% were professionally-produced. Compared to user-generated videos, significantly more professional videos made claims that e-cigarettes are cleaner (p < 0.001) and cheaper (p = 0.04) than traditional cigarettes. Additionally, more professional videos had claims promoting e-cigarettes as better than traditional cigarettes because of their convenience-the user can smoke anywhere (p < 0.0001) and the products do not produce secondhand smoke (p < 0.001). The most frequent claim in user-generated videos was related to recreation (53%). CONCLUSIONS Videos on YouTube promote e-cigarettes as safer than other tobacco products. Videos appearing to be user-generated contained different marketing claims compared to professional videos. Further research is necessary to assess how the perceived source of the video impacts the ways these marketing claims shape public perception and influence use.