cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical turbulence model for laser propagation and imaging applications

We evaluate a simple model for predicting and understanding the structural behavior of Cn2 for a specific location, date, time, and given environmental parameters. This model is compared with Cn2 data taken at the Chesapeake Bay Detachment of the Naval Research Laboratory in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. This simplified model predicts and explains the fluctuation in Cn2 reasonably well, and also shows that Cn2 is a strong function of solar irradiation.
Intramuscular EMG after targeted muscle reinnervation for pattern recognition control of myoelectric prostheses

This study provides a description of the properties of the intramuscular electromyogram (imEMG) after targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) surgery, and a preliminary comparison of pattern recognition myoelectric prosthesis control between surface EMG (sEMG) and imEMG in TMR muscle. Fine wire imEMG and sEMG were simultaneously recorded from reinnervated sites in 5 subjects who had TMR surgery. Subjects trained a 7-motion-class linear discriminant classifier, and provided visually-guided ramped contractions to evaluate mean absolute value (MAV) as a measure for proportional velocity control. Characteristics of imEMG in TMR muscle varied with reinnervation site and the contractions' motion class. Signals with large, sparse motor units and signals resembling normal muscle were both observed. For each subject evaluated, use of imEMG provided no substantial change in classification error than when using sEMG signals. However, at TMR sites with large, sparse motor unit action potentials, the recruitment of such motor units may limit the controllability of mid-range speeds using MAV.
Comparative observations on the morphology of the mammalian periovarial sac

The interspecific variation in the positional and mesenteric relationship of the mammalian oviduct to the ovary observed among 41 species is summarized by distinguishing eight morphological types of relationship. The recognition of types is based on wide species differences in: the position of the oviduct with reference to the mesosalpinxal fold and ovary; the extent to which oviducal mesenteries enclose the ovary in a periovarial sac; the degree of closure and method of formation of the peritoneal opening to the periovarial sac; and the morphology of the oviduct.
Azidophosphazenes as Functionalized Intermediates.

The synthesis of phosphazene cyclic trimers with azido side groups and aryloxy, alkoxy, or dialkylamino cosubstituent groups was accomplished. The compounds have the basic structure N3P3(R)x(N3)6-x, where R represents phenoxy, trifluoroethoxy, dimethylamino, or diethylamino groups and x = 3−5. Experiments were also conducted to determine the ability of these materials to undergo a reaction unique to azido compounds known as nitrene insertion. The aryloxy derivative, N3P3(OC6H5)5(N3), yielded a nitrene insertion product when heated with 1-phenylnonane at 280 °C. The alkoxy derivative, N3P3(OCH2CF3)5(N3), produced a nitrene insertion product when ultraviolet irradiated in an aliphatic solvent. The dialkylamino derivative, N3P3(N(CH3)2)4(N3)2, did not undergo nitrene insertion. The aryloxy and alkoxy azido trimers reacted with various phosphorus(III) compounds to form phosphinimines via the Staudinger reaction. Finally, sodium phenoxide displaced azides from both the alkoxy- and aryloxyphosphazene trimers wh...
Reproduction in Australian elapid snakes II. Female reproductive cycles

Female reproductive cycles were studied in seven species of Australian elapid snakes, and the results compared with published information on snake faunas of other continents. Of the species studied, five are live-bearing (Austrelaps superbus, Hemiaspis signata, Notechis scutatus, Pseudechis porphyriacus and Unechis gouldii) and two egg-laying (Pseudonaja nuchalis and P. textilis). The live-bearing species usually produce one clutch per year, a higher reproductive frequency than has been found in most previously studied venomous snakes. All live-bearing species show similar seasonal timing of ovulation and parturition. Gestation occupies about 14 weeks. The egg-laying species ovulate at about the same time as sympatric live-bearers, but oviposit shortly thereafter and may produce a second clutch of eggs in late summer. P. porphyriacus shows true 'viviparity', including placental transfer of nutrients (ash content of oocytes increases during gestation, energy content decreases only slightly). The live (wet) weight of the oocytes increases up to fourfold during gestation in live-bearing species, but dry weights change very little. Extra-uterine transfer of oocytes is common. Infertility is rare in A. superbus and P. porphyriacus, but frequent in N. scutatus. Clutch size is correlated with maternal body size in all species. The ratio of clutch weight to body weight decreased slightly with increasing maternal size in N. scutatus and P. porphyriacus. Published data on reptilian 'reproductive effort' are reviewed.
Coagulation efficiency, organic-matter glues and the dynamics of particles during a phytoplankton bloom in a mesocosm study

Abstract The combination of phytoplankton aggregate formation and subsequent sedimentation has been proposed as a mechanism for termination of phytoplankton blooms. To test this hypothesis, the evolution of a phytoplankton bloom was studied in a mesocosm. During a seven-day period, the concentration and size of small particles (
Simple, individually unique, and context-dependent learning methods for models of human category learning

The gradient descent optimization method has been a de facto standard learning algorithm in computational models of category learning. However, it can be considered as a normative (vs. descriptive) model of human learning processes. In particular, there are three concerns associated with the learning algorithm& #x2014;namely, complexity, regularity, and context independency. In response to these limitations, the present study introduces an alternative, hypothesis-testing& #x2014;like learning algorithm on the basis of a stochastic optimization method. The new learning model, termed SCODEL, provides qualitatively simple interpretations for its implied category-learning processes. Moreover, SCODEL is the first modeling attempt to depict individually unique and context-dependent learning processes. Four simulation studies were conducted and showed that the present model has the competence to operate as several different types of learners in various plausibly real-life situations.
Mining a charged black hole and the third law of black hole thermodynamics

We consider the rate at which energy can be extracted from a charged black hole using the “mining” process developed by Unruh and Wald. It is shown that for a Reissner-Nordstrom black hole the mining rate depends on the mass of the hole (unlike in the Schwarzschild case) and goes to zero asT BH → 0. We also argue that it is impossible to achieveT BH=0 in a finite time by mining.
TGFβ Receptor Signaling Is Essential for Inflammation-Induced but Not β-Cell Workload–Induced β-Cell Proliferation

Protection and restoration of a functional β-cell mass are fundamental strategies for prevention and treatment of diabetes. Consequently, knowledge of signals that determine the functional β-cell mass is of immense clinical relevance. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily signaling pathways play a critical role in development and tissue specification. Nevertheless, the role of these pathways in adult β-cell homeostasis is not well defined. Here, we ablated TGFβ receptor I and II genes in mice undergoing two surgical β-cell replication models (partial pancreatectomy or partial duct ligation), representing two triggers for β-cell proliferation, increased β-cell workload and local inflammation, respectively. Our data suggest that TGFβ receptor signaling is necessary for baseline β-cell proliferation. By either provision of excess glucose or treatment with exogenous insulin, we further demonstrated that inflammation and increased β-cell workload are both stimulants for β-cell proliferation but are TGFβ receptor signaling dependent and independent, respectively. Collectively, by using a pancreas-specific TGFβ receptor–deleted mouse model, we have identified two distinct pathways that regulate adult β-cell proliferation. Our study thus provides important information for understanding β-cell proliferation during normal growth and in pancreatic diseases.
Molecular analysis of transplant rejection: marching onward

Transcriptional profiling of organ transplants is increasingly defining the biological pathways responsible for graft rejection at the molecular level and identifying gene transcripts that diagnose or predict rejection. These advances hold significant promise for the treatment of organ rejection and for improving clinical outcomes after transplantation, but hurdles remain.
Single-electron oxidation of N-heterocyclic carbene-supported nickel amides yielding benzylic C–H activation

The dimeric Ni(I)–Ni(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complex {(IPr)Ni(μ-Cl)}2 (3; IPr = 1,3-(2,6-iPr2C6H3)2imidazolin-2-ylidene)) reacts with the lithium terphenylamides LiNHdmp and LiNHdippp (dmp = 2,6-di(mesityl)phenyl; dippp = 2,6-bis(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)phenyl) to give the monomeric Ni(I) amides (IPr)Ni(NHdmp) (4) and (IPr)Ni(NHdippp) (5), respectively. These nickel amides are 1-electron paramagnets, and crystallographic characterization indicates both are stabilized by Ni–C(ipso) interactions with a flanking aryl group of the terphenyl fragment. This results in significant deviation from the linear CNHC–Ni–N geometry typical for a two-coordinate transition-metal complex (112.17(9)° in 4, 116.41(9)° in 5). One-electron oxidation of 4 by ferrocenium results in intramolecular deprotonation at a terphenyl benzylic position by the amide, giving the diamagnetic Ni(II) complex [(IPr)Ni(κ2-C,N:NH2C6H3(Mes)C10H9)][B(ArF)4] (7). DFT calculations on oxidized 4 (i.e., 4+) indicate short amide N⋯CH3 interactions. One-electron oxidation of 5 by ferrocenium gives a new high-spin Ni(II) amide complex salt, [(IPr)Ni(NHdippp)][B(ArF)4] (9). The solid-state structure of 9 indicates it maintains the bent CNHC–Ni–N core. Unlike three-coordinate cationic Ni(II) amides, 9 has not been observed to undergo smooth deprotonation (at N) to afford a two-coordinate imido complex.
Independent and dependent scattering in packed-sphere systems

The present work predicts radiative extinction characteristics of packed-sphere systems; both independent and dependent scattering are considered. This pertains to many radiation and heat transfer applications including packed and fluidized beds, microsphere insulations, and soot or paint layers. Mie scattering theory is used to calculate the independent scattering and absorption coefficients of a packed-sphere system. Radiative transfer predictions based on these coefficients and a simple two-flux model provide much better agreement with reliable experimental data than published ray-tracing and Monte Carlo models. The dependent scattering efficiency is calculated via the form factor technique of X-ray scattering theory, which uses a pair distribution function to correlate the relative positions of the constituent particles in the system. Predictions using two-pair distribution functions, a "modified-liquid" model, and the hard-sphere Percus-Yevick model show excellent agreement with published experimental data. a a
Serum Androgens in Normal Prepubertal and Pubertal Children and in Children with Precocious Adrenarche

Serum androgens testosterone (T), testosterone-like-substances (TLS), delta4-androstenedione (delta4), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were measured in 85 normal girls and 101 normal boys grouped according to pubic hair development in Tanner stages I to IV/V. The pattern of change with puberty differed for each androgen. In boys T and TLS rose with the onset of puberty but showed a more abrupt rise later in puberty. DHT also was higher in boys in late puberty but did not demonstrate a steep rise. The other androgens did not show a sex difference at any stage of puberty. While delta4 steroids did not show an increase in the years before onset of puberty, DHEA was significantly higher in prepubertal children over 7 years than in those under 7 years (mean +/- SD 166 +/- 110 vs. 31 +/- 25, P less than 0.005). The most rapid increase of DHEA concentrations was observed with the appearance of pubic hair (Stage II) in boys and girls. This contrasted with the more gradual rise of delta4 in both sexes. The oldest boys and girls (Tanner stages IV/V) had mean concentrations of all androgens in the adult range except for DHT. Twenty-two girls with precocious adrenarche (PA) aged 3-8 years had mean concentrations of T, DHT, delta4 and DHEA that were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than in prepubertal children, but similar to those of girls in stage II and significantly lower (P less than 0.02) than in late pubertal girls (stage IV/V). Longitudinal studies in 12 of the girls indicated fluctuation of androgen concentrations, especially DHEA, but in general no increase during the years of followup. Precocious adrenarche appears to be a non-progressive disorder associated with an advanced maturation of adrenal androgen to an early pubertal stage. A rise in all androgens measured was correlated with the development of sexual hair.
Perfect difference networks and related interconnection structures for parallel and distributed systems

In view of their applicability to parallel and distributed computer systems, interconnection networks have been studied intensively by mathematicians, computer scientists, and computer designers. In this paper, we propose an asymptotically optimal method for connecting a set of nodes into a perfect difference network (PDN) with diameter 2, so that any node is reachable from any other node in one or two hops. The PDN interconnection scheme, which is based on the mathematical notion of perfect difference sets, is optimal in the sense that it can accommodate an asymptotically maximal number of nodes with smallest possible node degree under the constraint of the network diameter being 2. We present the network architecture in its basic and bipartite forms and show how the related multidimensional PDNs can be derived. We derive the exact average internode distance and tight upper and lower bounds for the bisection width of a PDN. We conclude that PDNs and their derivatives constitute worthy additions to the repertoire of network designers and may offer additional design points that can be exploited by current and emerging technologies, including wireless and optical interconnects. Performance, algorithmic, and robustness attributes of PDNs are analyzed in a companion paper.
A Novel Loglinear Model for Freeway Travel Time Prediction

As traffic congestion continues to grow worldwide, freeway travel time prediction is becoming increasingly important. During the past decade, numerous research projects have been carried out in travel time estimation. A variety of algorithms and techniques have been developed, primarily for predicting short-term travel time (less than 30 minutes ahead). However, these travel time prediction methods cannot be applied for long-term travel planning. In this paper, a loglinear travel time prediction model is proposed to estimate the travel time that begins at a long-term future moment of departure. Instantaneous and historical traffic data from loop sensors on difference freeways are collected and analyzed. Coefficients in the model are obtained using these training data. By using the proposed loglinear algorithm, the travel time for each segment of the freeways is predicted. The travel time prediction is performed in real-time based on the travel time of each segment. This model is scalable to freeway networks with arbitrary travel routes. It is unique in that it considers various traffic patterns during different days in one week. It is also simple, stable, and computationally efficiency, with low storage cost requirements. Real world data are used to evaluate the proposed loglinear predictor. The performance of our model is compared with the results of the commonly used predictors.
Effect of on-farm use of antimicrobial drugs on resistance in fecal Escherichia coli of preweaned dairy calves.

Respiratory disease and diarrhea are the 2 most common diseases that result in the use of antimicrobial drugs in preweaned calves. Because the use of drugs in food animals, including dairy calves, has the potential for generating cross-resistance to drugs used in human medicine, it is vital to propose farm practices that foster the judicious use of antimicrobials while assuring animal health and productivity. The objective of this study was to use dairy farm calf treatment records to identify antimicrobial drug treatments in calves and to evaluate their effects on the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli from rectal swabs of preweaned dairy calves. Eight farms from central New York participated in the study, 3 farms using individual pen housing management and 5 farms using group pen housing management. Eligible study farms could not add antimicrobial drugs to the milk fed to preweaned calves and were required to have farm records documenting antimicrobial drug treatment of calves from birth to weaning. Three fecal E. coli isolates per calf were tested for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial drugs using a Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay. A total of 473 calves were sampled, from which 1,423 commensal E. coli isolates were tested. Of the 9 antimicrobial drugs used on study farms, only enrofloxacin was significantly associated with reduced antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli isolates, although treatment with ceftiofur was associated with reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone. The median numbers of days from treatment with ceftiofur and enrofloxacin to rectal swab sampling of calves were 16 d (range: 1–39) and 12 d (range: 6–44), respectively. At the isolate level, treatment with enrofloxacin resulted in odds ratios of 2 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1–4] and 3 (95% CI: 2–6), respectively, for isolation of nonsusceptible E. coli to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin compared with calves not treated with enrofloxacin. Treatment with ceftiofur resulted in an odds ratio of 3 (95% CI: 0.9–12) for isolation of nonsusceptible E. coli to ceftriaxone compared with calves not treated with ceftiofur. Treatment with enrofloxacin resulted in selection of isolates that presented phenotypic resistance to both ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Treatment with ceftiofur resulted in a higher prevalence of isolates resistant to ≥3 antimicrobial drugs (97%) compared with no treatment with ceftiofur (73%). These findings reinforce the necessity for continued implementation of practices at the dairy farm that support the sustainable and judicious use of antimicrobial drugs in dairy calves.
Flip Sides of the Same Coin or Marching to the Beat of Different Drummers? A Response to Pyryt

Pyryt has raised important questions about the results reported in Plucker, Callahan, and Tomchin (1996). Although Pyryt's comments focus directly on statistical issues (issues upon. which we gener...
The C-Terminal 42 Residues of the Tula Virus Gn Protein Regulate Interferon Induction

Hantaviruses primarily infect the endothelial cell lining of capillaries and cause two vascular permeability-based diseases. The ability of pathogenic hantaviruses to regulate the early induction of interferon determines whether hantaviruses replicate in endothelial cells. Tula virus (TULV) and Prospect Hill virus (PHV) are hantaviruses which infect human endothelial cells but fail to cause human disease. PHV is unable to inhibit early interferon (IFN) responses and fails to replicate within human endothelial cells. However, TULV replicates successfully in human endothelial cells, suggesting that TULV is capable of regulating cellular IFN responses. We observed a >300-fold reduction in the IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) MxA and ISG56 following TULV versus PHV infection of endothelial cells 1 day postinfection. Similar to results with pathogenic hantaviruses, expressing the TULV Gn protein cytoplasmic tail (Gn-T) blocked RIG-I- and TBK1-directed transcription from IFN-stimulated response elements (ISREs) and IFN-β promoters (>90%) but not transcription directed by constitutively active IFN regulatory factor-3 (IRF3). In contrast, expressing the PHV Gn-T had no effect on TBK1-induced transcriptional responses. Analysis of Gn-T truncations demonstrated that the C-terminal 42 residues of the Gn-T (Gn-T-C42) from TULV, but not PHV, inhibited IFN induction >70%. These findings demonstrate that the TULV Gn-T inhibits IFN- and ISRE-directed responses upstream of IRF3 at the level of the TBK1 complex and further define a 42-residue domain of the TULV Gn-T that inhibits IFN induction. In contrast to pathogenic hantavirus Gn-Ts, the TULV Gn-T lacks a C-terminal degron domain and failed to bind tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3), a TBK1 complex component required for IRF3 activation. These findings indicate that the nonpathogenic TULV Gn-T regulates IFN induction but accomplishes this via unique interactions with cellular TBK1 complexes. These findings fundamentally distinguish nonpathogenic hantaviruses, PHV and TULV, and demonstrate that IFN regulation alone is insufficient for hantaviruses to cause disease. Yet regulating the early IFN response is necessary for hantaviruses to replicate within human endothelial cells and to be pathogenic. Thus, in addition to IFN regulation, hantaviruses contain discrete virulence determinants which permit them to be human pathogens.
Quasi-linear theory of electron density and temperature fluctuations with application to MHD generators and MPD arc thrusters.

Fluctuations in electron density and temperature coupled through Ohm's law are studied for an ionizable medium. The nonlinear effects are considered in the limit of a third order quasi-linear treatment. Equations are derived for the amplitude of the fluctuation. Conditions under which a steady state can exist in the presence of the fluctuation are examined and effective transport properties are determined. A comparison is made to previously considered second order theory. The effect of third order terms indicates the possibility of fluctuations existing in regions predicted stable by previous analysis.
Inventory Policy in the Presence of Market Disruptions

This paper presents a dynamic model concerning optimal inventory policies in the presence of market disruptions, which are often characterized by events with uncertain arrival time, severity and duration. The model is based on the framework of a continuous-time Markov decision process with a finite state space. We develop a general characterization of the optimal inventory policy, interpret it in economic terms, and then apply it to two special cases, yielding explicit analytic results.
Statistical Analysis of Discrete Dynamical System Models for Biological Networks

Very few data-driven methods for dynamic biological networks reconstruction from gene expression data evaluate the statistical significance of a model. A hypothesis testing procedure examining the goodness of fit of trajectory-based modeling is designed, in contrast to transition-based model fitting. The former has substantially reduced the modeling error. Simulation studies on the residual between noisy observations and true system dynamics suggest the use of the statistical hypothesis testing, so that one can evaluate how significantly a model is supported by the observed data under certain noise distribution. This method can also evaluate the dynamic model for each individual gene. Through a biochemical reaction model in the yeast pheromone pathway the effectiveness of the proposed evaluation procedure is demonstrated.
Certification by analysis and simulation validation

Modelling and simulation is increasingly being used to represent occupant behaviour of human subjects and anthropomorphic test devices. Future trends are towards the application of certification by analysis whereby a product, such as an aircraft seat, can be partially certified through analytical means. A robust and objective method to discriminate different features of the model comparison is needed to determine model validity so that the certification authority can objectively determine the model acceptability. Expert opinion could introduce bias and lead to inconsistent results. In any testing, there is some inherent uncertainty and variation in the measured responses that affects the baseline comparison data. Each individual response should be treated as a separate case. A method derived from Sprague and Geers was developed and applied to occupant models of seat simulations. Using test data, acceptable error levels were calculated that represent the uncertainty and provide consistent and objective results.
Ion Implantation in Polymers.

Abstract An introductory overview will be given of the effects of ion implantation on polymers, and certain areas will be examined in more detail. Radiation effects in general and ion implantation in particular, in the field of polymers, present a number of contrasts with those in ionic crystals, the most obvious difference being that the chemical effects of both the implanted species and the energy transfer to the host may profoundly change the nature of the target material. Common effects include crosslinking and scission of polymer chains, gas evolution, double bond formation and the formation of additional free radicals. Research has spanned the chemical processes involved, including polymerization reactions achievable only with the use of radiation, to applied research dealing both with the effects of radiation on polymers already in commercial use and the tailoring of new materials to specific applications. Polymers are commonly divided into two groups, in describing their behavior under irradiation. Group I includes materials which form crosslinks between molecules, whereas Group II materials tend to degrade. In basic research, interest has centered on Group I materials and of these polyethylene has been studied most intensively. Applied materials research has investigated a variety of polymers, particularly those used in cable insulation, and those utilized in ion beam lithography of etch masks. Currently there is also great interest in enhancing the conducting properties of polymers, and these uses would tend to involve the doping capabilities of ion implantation, rather than the energy deposition.
Growth Inhibition in Thiobacillus neapolitanus by Histidine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, and Threonine.

Thiobacillus neapolitanus, a strict chemoautotroph, is sensitive to the addition of 10−4m methionine, histidine, threonine, or phenylalanine to the thiosulfate medium on which it grows. When histidine, threonine, or phenylalanine are added at the time of inoculation, spontaneous mutants tolerant to the three amino acids are selected. These mutants appear to result from a single genetic change; of 18 independently isolated histidine-tolerant mutants, all are also tolerant to phenylalanine and threonine. The uptake of 14C-phenylalanine into exponentially growing cells of one such mutant is negligible in contrast with the uptake observed in the phenylalanine-sensitive parent. The addition of methionine to the medium slows growth, but spontaneous mutants are not selected. Inhibition of growth by these amino acids is observed only under conditions of amino acid imbalance; the addition of an equimolar mixture of 16 amino acids, in which each component is present at a concentration of 10−3m, causes no inhibition. Histidine and threonine inhibition may be released by equimolar amounts of any one of seven amino acids: serine, alanine, glycine, leucine, valine, tryptophan, or tyrosine; histidine inhibition is also released by isoleucine, and threonine inhibition by methionine. None of the inhibiting amino acids inhibits oxidation of thiosulfate in cell suspensions. A group of hexoses, pentoses, and Krebs cycle intermediates were tested for inhibition of growth or release of inhibition by histidine, phenylalanine, or threonine, but no effects, either inhibition or relief of inhibition, were found.
Hypertension in children

Early identification of children at risk for hypertension, proper evaluation, and appropriate management is important to prevent the serious long-term complications associated with the condition. This article defines primary and secondary hypertension in children, describes accurate blood pressure measurement techniques in children, presents the evaluation of a child with hypertension, and discusses therapy and prevention.
Effects of superconducting losses in pulse propagation on microstrip lines

An analysis of the effect of losses in the propagation of pulses on superconducting microstrip lines is presented. It is based on the phenomenological equivalence method (PEM) and the two-fluid model of superconductivity to calculate the propagation characteristics of the superconducting line. For most practical situations, it is shown that these losses do not introduce phase distortion, and the attenuation constant can be approximated by a quadratic expression of the frequency. Therefore, the effect of attenuation can be easily evaluated through a simple equivalent filter. >
Periodicity of Cell Attachment Patterns during Escherichia coli Biofilm Development

The complex architecture of bacterial biofilms inevitably raises the question of their design. Microstructure of developing Escherichia coli biofilms was analyzed under static and laminar flow conditions. Cell attachment during early biofilm formation exhibited periodic density patterns that persisted during development. Several models for the origination of biofilm microstructure are considered, including an activator-inhibitor or Turing model.
Concomitant thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and ANCA-associated vasculitis in an adolescent

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) rarely occurs with systemic vasculitis. A 17-year-old girl presented with non-bloody diarrhea, menorrhagia, and syncope. She had severe anemia (hemoglobin = 3.8 g/dl), thrombocytopenia (platelet = 7,000/mm3), and acute kidney injury (serum creatinine, Cr = 2.3 mg%). Peripheral smear examination confirmed the presence of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Additionally, she had a positive anti-nuclear antibody (1:1600) and normal complement levels. We considered the diagnosis of TTP, possibly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, and promptly initiated pulse methylprednisolone and daily 3–4 l of plasma exchange therapy. Following resolution of her thrombocytopenia in 48 h, we performed a kidney biopsy that revealed diffuse proliferative, focal crescentic, and necrotizing glomerulonephritis with mild IgG immunofluorescence staining. Concomitantly, autoimmune work-up was significant for positive perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA = 1:640) and decreased von Willebrand factor cleaving protease activity (<5%). A final diagnosis of TTP with microscopic polyangiitis (p-ANCA-mediated) was made and treatment with daily oral cyclophosphamide and prednisone resolved her renal injury over 2 months (follow-up Cr = 1.0 mg%). Our case highlights the importance of identifying systemic disorders such as ANCA-associated vasculitis with TTP.
Intramarket Optimization for Express Package Carriers

The flow of packages and documents in collective groups, called splits, of an express package carrier consists of picking up the packages by a courier at customers' locations and bringing them to a station for sorting. Next the splits are transported, either in bulk or containerized conveyances, to a major regional sorting facility called the ramp. In this work we focus on the afternoon and evening operations concerned with stations and the ramp. We deal with the sorting decisions at the stations and the ramp, as well as the transportation decisions among these locations. We model these processes by means of a dynamic program where time periods represent time slices in the afternoon and evening. The resulting myopic problem is a linear mixed-integer program. The overall model is solved by approximate dynamic programming where the value function is approximated by a linear function. Further strategies are developed to speed up the algorithm and decrease the time needed to find feasible solutions. The methodology is tested on several instances from an international express package carrier. Our solutions are substantially better than the current best practice.
Talking Circles for Adolescent Girls in an Urban High School: A Restorative Practices Program for Building Friendships and Developing Emotional Literacy Skills

Restorative Practices (RP) in schools is a new and emerging field. Meeting in Circles to build friendships, develop emotional literacy skills, resolve conflict, or learn interactively are some of t...
Does the church in Scotland still need theology

In this paper, which was highly commended by the Fraser Prize 2013 Reading Panel, Jason Radcliff argues that the church should be theologically conditioned as the Body and Bride of Christ. Following Athanasius, Dr Radcliff argues that theology is the work of the Spirit who enables human understanding of God, allowing us, as Calvin maintained, to be ourselves. He concludes by emphasizing the necessity of theology in preaching and in discussions regarding the nature of ministry.
Treatment of Carcinoma of the Penis: The Case for Primary Lymphadenectomy

There were 65 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis followed for a minimum of 5 years. Patients with stage I disease uniformly survived with local treatment only. Of the patients with stages II and III carcinoma of the penis 88 and 66 per cent, respectively, were free of disease if lymphadenectomy was performed shortly following treatment of the primary lesion, compared to only 38 and 0 per cent, respectively, if the primary lesion was treated locally and no lymphadenectomy was performed. These data support the concept that lymphadenectomy should be an integral part of the primary treatment in patients with stages II and III penile cancer.
Two Applications in Analysis

One of the unifying themes of this book is its systematic applications of martingales and, in particular, maximal inequalities. While most of our intended applications are in probability theory, in this chapter we sidetrack slightly and show probabilistic/martingale proofs of two fundamental analytic theorems.
Mulloy, D. J. The World of the John Birch Society: Conspiracy, Conservatism, and the Cold War Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press 286 pp., $35.00, ISBN 978-0-8265-1981-8 Publication Date: June 2014

In the years since Alan Brinkley called out American historians for ignoring the development of American conservatism, we have seen an outpouring of scholarship on the American right. However, one ...
Love and sex after 50

As people in the United States live longer, attitudes toward love, sex, and aging are changing dramatically. This entry discusses how the meaning of love and sexuality changes over the lifespan. Theorists have detailed a variety of common myths about aging, love, and sexuality: older people are not attractive, they do not desire romantic love or sex, and are physically incapable of sexual activity. Studies have shown that with increasing age, many adults—in their 70s and into their 80s—continue to be interested in sex as well as love and intimacy. They are sexually active and are satisfied with their intimate relations. With age come a number of physical changes that require people to be creative in managing their sexual activities, however. Many of those changes and techniques that have been found to be useful in dealing with these changes are described. Keywords: aging; love; sex; sexual myths; sexuality
Sudden, Laser-Induced Heating through Silicon Nanopatterning

We introduce a nanoheater structure based on laser illumination of a nanopatterned silicon membrane. We develop a model to predict the time-dependent temperature rise. Simulations show a temperature rise that is much larger and more sudden than in an unpatterned membrane. This effect is attributed to resonantly enhanced heating. We fabricate a prototype device and observe the signature of sudden heating in the optical transmission response.
Observing assembly of complex inorganic materials from polyoxometalate building blocks.

Understanding the aqueous state of discrete metal-oxo clusters, prenucleation clusters, and even simple ions is valuable for controlling the growth of metal-oxide materials from water. Niobium poly...
Structural resolution of 4-substituted proline diastereomers with ion mobility spectrometry via alkali metal ion cationization.

The chirality of substituents on an amino acid can significantly change its mode of binding to a metal ion, as shown here experimentally by traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (TWIMS-MS) of different proline isomeric molecules complexed with alkali metal ions. Baseline separation of the cis- and trans- forms of both hydroxyproline and fluoroproline was achieved using TWIMS-MS via metal ion cationization (Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+). Density functional theory calculations indicate that differentiation of these diastereomers is a result of the stabilization of differing metal-complexed forms adopted by the diastereomers when cationized by an alkali metal cation, [M + X]+ where X = Li, Na, K, and Cs, versus the topologically similar structures of the protonated molecules, [M + H]+. Metal-cationized trans-proline variants exist in a linear salt-bridge form where the metal ion interacts with a deprotonated carboxylic acid and the proton is displaced onto the nitrogen atom of the pyrrolidine r...
Review on the Development of Traditional Waterless Lithographic Printing Plate

The technology of waterless lithographic printing has been widely used in various printing fields,because of its well performance on printing effect,high print efficiency and environmental protection.A waterless lithographic printing plate comprises a substrate,an undercoat layer,a photo-sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer,laminated in that order.In this paper,the development of traditionary waterless lithographic printing plates in recent years was summarized for its configuration and its development.Now,the technology of waterless lithographic printing in domestic lags far behind Japan and western countries.Additionally,the plates and excipient depend on importation.This paper is expected to be helpful to domestic researchers.
Effect of Polyether Ether Ketone on Therapeutic Radiation to the Spine: A Pilot Study.

Study design Cadaveric model. Objectives To compare the effect of PEEK versus conventional implants on scatter radiation to a simulated tumor bed in the spine SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Given the highly vasculature nature of the spine, it is the most common place for bony metastases. After surgical treatment of a spinal metastasis, adjuvant radiation therapy is typically administered. Radiation dosing is primarily limited by toxicity to the spinal cord. The scatter effect caused by metallic implants decreases the accuracy of dosing and can unintentionally increase the effective dose seen by the spinal cord. This represents a dose-limiting factor for therapeutic radiation postoperatively. Methods A cadaveric thorax specimen was utilized as a metastatic tumor model with two separate three-level spine constructs (one upper thoracic and one lower thoracic). Each construct was examined independently. All four groups compared included identical posterior instrumentation. The anterior constructs consisted of either: an anterior polyether ether ketone (PEEK) cage, an anterior titanium cage, an anterior bone cement cage (polymethyl methacrylate), or a control group with posterior instrumentation alone. Each construct had six thermoluminescent detectors to measure the radiation dose. Results The mean dose was similar across all constructs and locations. There was more variability in the upper thoracic spine irrespective of the construct type. The PEEK construct had a more uniform dose distribution with a standard deviation of 9.76. The standard deviation of the others constructs was 14.26 for the control group, 19.31 for the titanium cage, and 21.57 for the cement (polymethyl methacrylate) construct. Conclusion The PEEK inter-body cage resulted in a significantly more uniform distribution of therapeutic radiation in the spine when compared with the other constructs. This may allow for the application of higher effective dosing to the tumor bed for spinal metastases without increasing spinal cord toxicity with either fractionated or hypofractionated radiotherapy. Level of evidence N/A.
Abstract 280: Cardiac Disease Status Dictates Functional mRNA Targeting Profiles of Individual microRNAs

Background: Gain- and loss-of-function experiments have demonstrated that microRNAs are key players in cardiac stress responses, but the mRNAs whose abundance and/or translational potential are primarily affected by changes in cardiac microRNAs are not well characterized. Stimulus-induced, large-scale alterations in the cardiac transcriptome, together with consideration of the law of mass action, further suggest that the mRNAs most substantively targeted by individual microRNAs vary between unstressed and stressed conditions. To test the hypothesis that microRNA target profiles differ in health and disease, we traced the fate of miR-133a and miR-378 targets in mouse hearts undergoing pressure-overload hypertrophy. Methods and Results: Ago2 immunoprecipitation with RNA-sequencing (RISC-sequencing) was used for unbiased definition of microRNA-dependent and -independent alterations occurring amongst ~13,000 mRNAs in response to transverse aortic constriction (TAC), in response to the microRNA overexpression needed to define miR-133a and miR-378 targets and to track their fate, and in response to the combined stimuli. Of 51 direct targets of miR-133a defined in unstressed hearts (fold-change ≥25%, FDR<0.02), only 8 (16%) continued to be targeted by miR-133a during TAC, while for miR-378 direct targets, 17 of 28 (61%) targets were maintained during TAC. Similarly, only 9% (for miR-133a) and 58% (for miR-378) of hundreds of indirectly affected mRNAs underwent comparable regulation, demonstrating that the significant effect of TAC on microRNA direct target selection resulted in wider alterations of signaling function. Numerous microRNA-mediated regulatory events occurring exclusively during pressure overload revealed signaling networks likely responsive to the endogenous decreases in miR-133a and miR-378 during TAC. Conclusions: Pressure overload-mediated changes in overall cardiac RNA content alter microRNA targeting profiles, reinforcing the need to define microRNA targets in tissue-, cell- and status-specific contexts. Such considerations need to be taken into account for tailoring of therapeutic manipulation of microRNAs toward the most appropriate microRNAs active under defined stimuli.
Computational Entropy and Information Leakage.

We investigate how information leakage reduces computational entropy of a random variable X. Recall that HILL and metric computational entropy are parameterized by quality (how distinguishable is X from a variable Z that has true entropy) and quantity (how much true entropy is there in Z). We prove an intuitively natural result: conditioning on an event of probability p reduces the quality of metric entropy by a factor of p and the quantity of metric entropy by log2 1/p (note that this means that the reduction in quantity and quality is the same, because the quantity of entropy is measured on logarithmic scale). Our result improves previous bounds of Dziembowski and Pietrzak (FOCS 2008), where the loss in the quantity of entropy was related to its original quality. The use of metric entropy simplifies the analogous the result of Reingold et. al. (FOCS 2008) for HILL entropy. Further, we simplify dealing with information leakage by investigating conditional metric entropy. We show that, conditioned on leakage of λ bits, metric entropy gets reduced by a factor 2 in quality and λ in quantity. ∗Most of the results of this paper have been incorporated into [FOR12a] (conference version in [FOR12b]), where they are applied to the problem of building deterministic encryption. This paper contains a more focused exposition of the results on computational entropy, including some results that do not appear in [FOR12a]: namely, Theorem 3.6, Theorem 3.10, proof of Theorem 3.2, and results in Appendix A.
High-Temperature Characteristics of an InAsSb/AlAsSb n+Bn Detector

The high-temperature characteristics of a mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) detector based on the Maimon-Wicks InAsSb/AlAsSb nBn architecture was analyzed. The dark current characteristics are examined in reference to recent minority carrier lifetime results. The difference between the responsivity and absorption quantum efficiency (QE) at shorter wavelengths is clarified in terms of preferential absorption of higher-energy photons in the top contact layer, which cannot provide reverse-bias photo-response due to the AlAsSb electron blocking layer and strong recombination. Although the QE does not degrade when the operating temperature increases to 325 K, the turn-on bias becomes larger at higher temperatures. This behavior was originally attributed to the change in the valence band alignment between the absorber and top contact layers caused by the shift in Fermi level with temperature. In this work, we demonstrated the inadequacy of the original description, and offer a more likely explanation based on temperature-dependent band-bending effects.
Participation in Adult Education for Community Development: A Critical Discourse Analysis of "Training for Transformation".

AbstractParticipation has become so central to adult education for community development that even the World Bank supports participatory programming. This article analyses how participation is conceptualised in Training for Transformation (TfT), a Freirean-inspired curriculum used in international community development settings. TfT seeks to equip learners ‘to understand and take action in their world’, partly by shaping the curriculum itself. Using critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the TfT curriculum, three interviews, and published TfT case studies, the study explores what kinds of involvement and control educators and curriculum developers intend in TfT. CDA elucidates who is included in the training and how practitioners position themselves vis-a-vis learners and other audiences. TfT implementation highlights the dialectic between idealised community participation and decision making in educational programming, and educators’ need and desire to develop curricular content. Specifically, within Freir...