cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallel and Distributed Computing using Pervasive Web and Object Technologies

Abstract We review the growing power and capability of commodity computing and communication technologies largely driven by commercial distributed information systems. These systems are built from CORBA, Microsoft’s COM, Javabeans, and less sophisticated web and networked approaches. One can abstract these to a three-tier model with largely independent clients connected to a distributed network of servers. The latter host various services including object and relational databases and, of course, parallel and sequential computing. High performance can be obtained by combining concurrency at the middle-server tier with optimized parallel back-end services. The resultant system combines the needed performance for large-scale HPCC applications with the rich functionality of commodity systems. Further, the architecture with distinct interface, server and specialized service implementation layers, naturally allows advances in each area to be easily incorporated. We show that this approach can be applied to both metacomputing and to provide improved parallel programming environments. We describe exploitation issues within a CORBA context and illustrate how performance can be obtained within a commodity architecture. Examples are given from collaborative systems, support of multidisciplinary interactions, proposed visual HPCC ComponentWare, distributed simulation, and the use of Java in high-performance computing.
Legal expenditure as a rent-seeking game

Legal expenditures at a civil trial constitute an interesting type of rent-seeking contest. In civil litigation there is a natural interaction between the objective merits of the case and the outcome of the contest. Institutions such as fee shifting do not generally have a counterpart in other rent-seeking contests. The endogenous decision to participate in the rent-seeking contest corresponds to the decision by the plaintiff to bring a case, and the decision by the defendant to defend it. The desirability of fee shifting is very sensitive to the value of the parameter which describes the legal technology.
Reach-through mechanism in CdS/CdTe solar cells

We describe an alternative junction mechanism in CdS/CdTe solar cells. It occurs through generation of defects in the CdS layer that changes its work function. These defects appear either by Cu doping or by modification of the TCO/CdS interface. This translates the presence of the front-contact through the CdS film and induces a Schottky barrier at the CdS/CdTe interface, similar to an MIS structure. We call this reach-though band bending. It allows high open-circuit voltage cells (above 800 mV) without any intentional copper doping.
Extraction of the hemodynamic response in randomized event-related functional MRI

Signal detection in a noisy data set is a common problem in signal processing. Detection of the hemodynamic response function (HRF) embedded in randomized event-related fMRI (rER-fMRI) time series is an example of this problem. So far, most studies that set out to obtain unbiased HRF use some forms of time-window (TW) averaging method to extract HRF from the rER-fMRI data. In this paper we applied two methods, cepstral analysis and conjugate gradients (CG) for deconvolution to extract HRF. These methods depend only on the knowledge of when events occurred and do not require any a priori information about the HRF. These methods and the popular TW averaging method are tested on simulated data, as well as in vivo data obtained from rER-fMRI experiments. All three methods identified timing of HRF accurately, but only the CG for deconvolution method was robust in reproducing the shape under varying experimental conditions.
[PSI+], SUP35, and chaperones.

Abstract Biochemical characterization of the yeast prions has revealed many similarities with the mammalian amyloidogenic proteins. The ease of generating in vivo mutations in yeast and the developing in vitro models for [PSI+] and [URE3] circumvent many of the difficulties of studying the proteins linked to the mammalian amyloidoses. Future work especially aimed at understanding the molecular role of chaperone proteins in regulating conversion as well as the early steps in de novo formation of the prion state in yeast will likely provide invaluable lessons that may be more broadly applicable to related processes in higher eukaryotes. It is important to remember, however, that there are clear distinctions between disease states associated with amyloidogenesis and the epigenetic modulation of protein function by self-perpetuating conformational conversions. Amyloid formation is detrimental to mammals and is likely selected against, providing a possible explanation for the late onset of these disorders ( Lansbury, 1999 ). In contrast, the known yeast prions are compatible with normal growth and, if beneficial to the organism, may be subject to evolutionary pressures that ultimately maximize transmission. In the prion proteins examined to date, distinct domains are responsible for normal function and for the conformational switches producing a prion conversion of that function. Recent work has demonstrated that the prion domains are both modular and transferable to other proteins on which they can confer a heritable epigenetic alteration of function (Edskes et al. 1999; Li and Lindquist 2000; Patino et al. 1996; Santoso et al. 2000; Sondheimer and Lindquist 2000). That is, prion domains need not coevolve with particular functional domains but might be moved from one protein to another during evolution. Such processes may be widely used in biology. Mechanistic studies of [PSI+] and [URE3] replication are sure to lay a foundation of knowledge for understanding a host of nonconventional genetic elements that currently remain elusive.
Tension infiltrometer enhancements with automated pneumatic control and more durable base plate

[1] Measurement of soil hydraulic retention and conduction parameters using tension infiltrometers has been found to be useful but has suffered from unreliable instrument membranes at the soil interface and the need for manual control, which limits the range of boundary conditions that can feasibly be established. An automated design is presented that is capable of maintaining time-varying pressure and flux using high-speed computer-regulated pneumatic valves. Further, a durable stainless steel supply membrane designed to withstand multiple uses under harsh field conditions with bubbling pressure head <−0.60 m H2O is demonstrated.
Native cysteine residues are dispensable for the structure and function of all five yeast mitotic septins

Budding yeast septins assemble into hetero-octamers and filaments required for cytokinesis. Solvent-exposed cysteine (Cys) residues provide sites for attaching substituents useful in assessing assembly kinetics and protein interactions. To introduce Cys at defined locations, site-directed mutagenesis was used, first, to replace the native Cys residues in Cdc3 (C124 C253 C279), Cdc10 (C266), Cdc11 (C43 C137 C138), Cdc12 (C40 C278), and Shs1 (C29 C148) with Ala, Ser, Val, or Phe. When plasmid-expressed, each Cys-less septin mutant rescued the cytokinesis defects caused by absence of the corresponding chromosomal gene. When integrated and expressed from its endogenous promoter, the same mutants were fully functional, except Cys-less Cdc12 mutants (which were viable, but exhibited slow growth and aberrant morphology) and Cdc3(C124V C253V C279V) (which was inviable). No adverse phenotypes were observed when certain pairs of Cys-less septins were co-expressed as the sole source of these proteins. Cells grew less well when three Cys-less septins were co-expressed, suggesting some reduction in fitness. Nonetheless, cells chromosomally expressing Cys-less Cdc10, Cdc11, and Cdc12, and expressing Cys-less Cdc3 from a plasmid, grew well at 30°C. Moreover, recombinant Cys-less septins--or where one of the Cys-less septins contained a single Cys introduced at a new site--displayed assembly properties in vitro indistinguishable from wild-type.
Excess sediment 230Th: Transport along the sea floor or enhanced water column scavenging?

[1] The sedimentary inventory of 230Th is often employed to distinguish between areas which receive excess sediment as the result of along-bottom transport from those which lose sediment as a result of winnowing. This process is referred to as “focusing.” A case is made here that, at least in the western equatorial Pacific, the excess 230Th in on-equator sediment is more likely scavenged from the overlying water column by the rain of organic matter than retransported along the bottom. If so, lateral variations in biological productivity may well contribute to the excess 230Th inventories elsewhere as well.
Intestinal alkaline phosphatase in patients with chronic renal failure

Because of the suggestion that intestinal alkaline phosphatase was elevated in the serum of patients with chronic renal failure, we studied the serum of 42 patients undergoing hemodialysis with elevated enzyme activity. Using a sensitive and specific electroimmunoassay for the intestinal isoenzyme, 26 of 42 serum samples were positive, compared with 3 of 25 samples obtained from hospitalized patients with elevated phosphatase activity. The fractional amount of this isoenzyme was also higher, ranging from 1.5% to 41% of the total serum phosphatase, compared with 0.1%-1.2% in control sera. Kidneys removed during transplantation or postmortem contained a membranous phosphatase with immunologic activity identical to the intestinal isoenzyme in 5 of 6 patients. This enzyme accounted for 8%-21% of the total kidney phosphatase activity. By morphology the immunoreaction was localized to the apical membranes of the collecting tubules. Thus, the kidney is the likely source of the observed increase in serum intestinal-type phosphatase activity noted in patients with chronic renal failure. An elevation in the intestinal isoenzyme rather than the presence of early metabolic bone disease or hepatic disease should be considered in renal failure patients with mildly elevated (up to 50% over normal) total serum alkaline phosphatase.
The Impact of Risk and Monitoring on CEO Compensation

This paper uses a novel empirical setting to explore the association between a firm’s operational risk, managerial monitoring costs, and how managers are compensated. We investigate a sample of supplier firms that rely on a few large customers for the bulk of their revenues. We predict that supplier firms with higher customer concentration face both higher exogenous idiosyncratic risk and lower monitoring costs and, as a result, will rely less on equity-based managerial incentive compensation contracts. Our empirical results support this prediction.
Unemployment, Labour Policies and Health in Transition : Evidence from Kazakhstan

A sharp rise in unemployment and a sharp rise in mortality have been two recurrent aspects of the process of transition. In response to the unemployment challenge transitional economies have equipped themselves with labour market policies (LMPs) derived f
Formation of pattern in regenerating tissue pieces of Hydra attenuata. IV. Three processes combine to determine the number of tentacles

The tentacles in hydra have characteristics of both spacing patterns and number-regulating patterns in that their number under some circumstances changes with the size of the animal and under others does not. To determine which type of processes could yield these results, an extensive analysis was undertaken of the size parameters pertinent to tentacle formation. To do this pieces of tissue, varying in shape and spanning a 30-fold size range, were excised and allowed to regenerate into complete animals. Three separate mechanisms were found to combine which resulted in the final number of tentacles: (1) the spread of the two-part head pattern to produce a competent band of tissue of a given size where the tentacles could form; (2) initiation of tentacle-forming centres by a spacing mechanism and (3) growth of the tentacles to a size proportional to the size of the animal.
ENTREVISTA A JOHN DIEGO RIASCOS, EL SOLDADO SIN ROSTRO - Interview to John Diego Riascos, the soldier without face

La de John Riascos, el soldado sin rostro, es una historia que pocos en el mundo han vivido, mas que comparte con miles de soldados colombianos: heroes de la patria que se jugaron la vida por nosotros y fueron heridos en combate. Son ellos los que en medio del silencio y oscuridad de la noche han luchado por iluminar nuestro camino; los que nunca hemos visto ni escuchado pero con los que siempre contaremos. Hoy queremos abrir ojos y oidos por ellos, queremos resaltar su compromiso, valor y dedicacion; hoy queremos escuchar a John.
Analysis and design of microwave T-junction circuits for prescribed response characteristics

The T-junction is a fundamental passive component in microwave and millimeter-wave monolithic circuits and the characterization of its transmission and reflection properties is a topic of considerable interest. The full-wave spectral domain analysis of Wu et al. (1990) has been applied to obtain the scattering parameters as a function of frequency for an uncompensated T and a shaped T (used as a broad-band equal-power divider) which show excellent agreement with measured results. We have employed a computer oriented technique which provides optimized design for prescribed transmission and reflection responses. The process is also extended for an unequal-power divider design. >
Erratum to "Cellular mechanisms underlying acquired epilepsy: the calcium hypothesis of the induction and maintenance of epilepsy." [Pharmacol. Ther. 105(3) (2005) 229-266].

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. Although epilepsy can be idiopathic, it is estimated that up to 50% of all epilepsy cases are initiated by neurological insults and are called acquired epilepsy (AE). AE develops in 3 phases: (1) the injury [central nervous system (CNS) insult], (2) epileptogenesis (latency), and (3) the chronic epileptic (spontaneous recurrent seizure) phases. Status epilepticus (SE), stroke, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are 3 major examples of common brain injuries that can lead to the development of AE. It is especially important to understand the molecular mechanisms that cause AE because it may lead to innovative strategies to prevent or cure this common condition. Recent studies have offered new insights into the cause of AE and indicate that injury-induced alterations in intracellular calcium concentration levels ([Ca2+]i) and calcium homeostatic mechanisms play a role in the development and maintenance of AE. The injuries that cause AE are different, but they share a common molecular mechanism for producing brain damage—an increase in extracellular glutamate concentration that causes increased intracellular neuronal calcium, leading to neuronal injury, and/or death. Neurons that survive the injury induced by glutamate and are exposed to increased [Ca2+]i are the cellular substrates to develop epilepsy because dead cells do not seize. The neurons that survive injury sustain permanent long-term plasticity changes in [Ca2+]i and calcium homeostatic mechanisms that are permanent and are a prominent feature of the epileptic phenotype. In the last several years, evidence has accumulated indicating that the prolonged alteration in neuronal calcium dynamics plays an important role in the induction and maintenance of the prolonged neuroplasticity changes underlying the epileptic phenotype. Understanding the role of calcium as a second messenger in the induction and maintenance of epilepsy may provide novel insights into therapeutic advances that will prevent and even cure AE.
The asymmetric, rectifier-like I–V curve of the Na/K pump transient currents in frog skeletal muscle fibers

Abstract The Na/K pump transient currents in skeletal muscle fiber were identified using an improved double Vaseline gap voltage clamp technique. The asymmetric characteristics of the pump current–voltage relationship were studied. The definition of the Na/K pump currents was the ouabain-sensitive currents, where ouabain is a specific Na/K ATPase inhibitor. Membrane potential was held at −90 mV, the membrane resting potential. A series of stimulation pulse-pairs symmetric to the membrane resting potential were applied to the cell membrane. The summation of the currents responding to the two pulses in each pair indicates the asymmetry of the pump currents with respect to the membrane resting potential. The voltage dependence of the Na/K pump transient currents from skeletal muscle is similar to the steady-state I – V curve from either skeletal muscle fibers or cardiac muscles. It is a sigmoidal-shaped, asymmetric curve with respect to the membrane resting potential. This asymmetric, rectifier-like voltage dependence indicates that a symmetric oscillating membrane potential may generate a net, outward pump current. In other words, the Na/K pump molecules may be activated by an oscillating membrane potential.
Contingent Valuation: Is Some Number Better than No Number?

Without market outcomes for comparison, internal consistency tests, particularly adding-up tests, are needed for credibility. When tested, contingent valuation has failed. Proponents find surveys tested poorly done. To the authors' knowledge, no survey has passed these tests. The 'embedding effect' is the similarity of willingness-to-pay responses that theory suggests (and sometimes requires) be different. This problem has long been recognized but not solved. The authors conclude that current methods are not suitable for damage assessment or benefit-cost analysis. They believe the problems come from an absence of preferences, not a flaw in survey methodology, making improvement unlikely.
Rodent model of chronic central pain after spinal cord contusion injury and effects of gabapentin.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in abnormal pain syndromes in patients. We present a recently developed SCI mammalian model of chronic central pain in which the spinal cord is contused at T8 using the NYU impactor device (10-g rod, 2.0-mm diameter, 12.5-mm drop height), an injury which is characterized behaviorally as moderate. Recovery of locomotor function was assessed with an open field test and scored using the open field test scale (BBB scale). Somatosensory tests of paw withdrawal responses accompanied by supraspinal responses to both mechanical punctate (von Frey hairs) and nonpunctate (4 mm diameter blunt probe) as well as thermal (radiant heat) peripheral stimuli were performed. Comparisons at the level of the individual animal between precontusion and postcontusion responses indicated significant increases in reactions to low threshold punctate mechanical stimuli, non-punctate stimuli and thermal stimuli (p < 0.05). To demonstrate the validity of this model as a central pain model, gabapentin, an agent used clinically for central pain, was given i.p. at 10 or 30 mg/kg. Gabapentin treatment significantly and reversibly changed the responses, consistent with the attenuation of the abnormal sensory behavior, and the attenuated responses lasted for the duration of the drug effect (up to 6 h). These results support the use of the spinal contusion model in the study of chronic central pain after SCI.
Z′ mediated flavor changing neutral currents in B meson decays

Abstract We study the effects of an extra U(1)′ gauge boson with flavor changing couplings with fermion mass eigenstates on certain B meson decays that are sensitive to such new physics contributions. In particular, we examine to what extent the current data on Bd→φK and Bd→η′K decays may be explained in such models, concentrating on the example in which the flavor changing couplings are left-chiral. We find that within reasonable ranges of parameters, the Z′ contribution can readily account for the anomaly in SφKS but is not sufficient to explain large branching ratio of Bd→η′K with the same parameter value. SφKS and Sη′KS are seen to be the dominant observables that constrain the extra weak phase in the model.
Scrambling in Japanese, AGRoP, and Economy of derivation☆

In the present work, I will discuss A/A′ aspects of scrambling in Japanese to support the Minimalist approach of Chomsky (1991, 1992) and Chomsky and Lasnik (1991), among others. More specifically, in light of the Case-checking theory and Economy of derivation, I will account for an unsolved problem in the theory of Barriers (Chomsky, 1986; Lasnik and Saito, 1991, among others), namely the distribution of A-scrambling in Japanese.
Statins vs Early Hormone Therapy for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Early initiation of hormone therapy (HT) following the menopause has been advocated by some for the primary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) based on the “timing” hypothesis. However, the net benefit in the face of harmful effects of HT on stroke, as well as other adverse effects has yet to be determined for the various HT regimens. In contrast, statins reduce the risk of CHD, stroke, cardiovascular (CVD) events, and total mortality in women as in men, with an excellent margin of safety when used in individuals at increased risk for CVD.
ANALYZING STARBURSTS USING MAGELLANIC CLOUD STAR CLUSTERS AS SIMPLE STELLAR POPULATIONS

Integrated spectra have been obtained of 31 star clusters in the Magellanic Clouds (MC) and of four Galactic globular clusters. The spectra cover the wavelength range 3500–4700 A at a resolution of 3.2 A FWHM. The MC clusters primarily cover the age range from less than 108 to about 3 Gyr and hence are well-suited to an empirical study of aging poststarburst stellar populations. An age-dating method is presented that relies on two spectral absorption feature indices, Hδ/Fe I λ4045 and Ca II, as well as an index measuring the strength of the Balmer discontinuity. We compare the behavior of the spectral indices in the observed integrated spectra of the MC clusters with that of indices generated from theoretical evolutionary synthesis models of varying age and metal abundance. The synthesis models are based on those of Worthey, when coupled with the combination of an empirical library of stellar spectra by Jones for the cooler stars and synthetic spectra, generated from Kurucz model atmospheres, for the hotter stars. Overall, we find good agreement between the ages of the MC clusters derived from our integrated spectra (and the evolutionary synthesis modelling of the spectral indices) and ages derived from analyses of the cluster color-magnitude diagrams, as found in the literature. Hence, the principal conclusion of this study is that ages of young stellar populations can be reliably measured from modelling of their integrated spectra.
Early actions of prolactin on uridine metabolism in mammary gland explants.

Studies were carried out to demonstrate the time—course for the prolactin stimulation of uridine incorporation into RNA in mammary gland explants obtained from 12– or 13–day pregnant Balb C mice. After preincubating tissues for 1, 2 or 3 days in medium containing insulin and hydrocortisone, it was discovered that a 3–4 hr incubation period with prolactin was required before a stimulation of uridine incorporation into RNA was demonstrable. Several experiments were carried out which indicated that the apparent delayed effect of prolactin on RNA synthesis is not due to the time required for the hormone to become distributed within the tissues. In one experiment explants were preincubated with prolactin for 24 hr at 0 C. This preincubation period was used in order for prolactin to become distributed within the tissues under conditions where metabolism was suppressed. After the 0 C preincubation the time—course for the effect of prolactin on RNA synthesis at 37 C was determined. Since the delayed effect of pro...
Identification and Differentiation of Urban Centers in Phoenix Through a Multi-Criteria Kernel-Density Approach

Research concerning geographical centers of economic activity has sought to explain patterns of development and interaction in cities. This article presents a new method of defining intraurban centers within a spatial economic framework as a combination of both employment and establishment kernel-smoothed patterns. The method is applied in Phoenix, a postmodern metropolis that has grown by more than a factor of thirty between 1950 and 2005 and is one of the largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Centers are found to vary considerably in their sectoral composition and are grouped based on their focus of secondary, retail, or high-order emphasis. A conditional logit model is used to show how each center differentiates with regard to establishment size and sector as well as the importance of center characteristics.
A practical approach for incorporating dependence among fields in probabilistic record linkage

Background Methods for linking real-world healthcare data often use a latent class model, where the latent, or unknown, class is the true match status of candidate record-pairs. This commonly used model assumes that agreement patterns among multiple fields within a latent class are independent. When this assumption is violated, various approaches, including the most commonly proposed loglinear models, have been suggested to account for conditional dependence.
Electromechanical response of (3–0, 3–1) particulate, fibrous, and porous piezoelectric composites with anisotropic constituents: A model based on the homogenization method

Abstract An analytical framework based on the homogenization method has been developed to predict the effective electromechanical properties of periodic, particulate and porous, piezoelectric composites with anisotropic constituents. Expressions are provided for the effective moduli tensors of n-phase composites based on the respective strain and electric field concentration tensors. By taking into account the shape and distribution of the inclusion and by invoking a simple numerical procedure, solutions for the electromechanical properties of a general anisotropic inclusion in an anisotropic matrix are obtained. While analytical forms are provided for predicting the electroelastic moduli of composites with spherical and cylindrical inclusions, numerical evaluation of integrals over the composite microstructure is required in order to obtain the corresponding expressions for a general ellipsoidal particle in a piezoelectric matrix. The electroelastic moduli of piezoelectric composites predicted by the analytical model developed in the present study demonstrate excellent agreement with results obtained from three-dimensional finite-element models for several piezoelectric systems that exhibit varying degrees of elastic anisotropy.
Meaningful Use IT reduces hospital-caused adverse drug events even at challenged hospitals ☆

Abstract Background many Meaningful Use (MU) requirements involve medication management. Little is known about what impact these will have on adverse drug events (ADEs) at challenged hospitals. Methods we use the Florida State Inpatient Database (HCUP, AHRQ), the AHA IT Supplement, and Hospital Compare. Controlling for non-response selection bias, we use multi-level GLLAMM regression analysis to examine the impact of the 5 core MU medication elements on hospital-caused ADEs. Results adopting all 5 core MU elements was associated with a reduction in ADEs. Hospitals reporting costs as the main barrier to MU reduced their ADE rates by 35%; low quality hospitals reduced ADEs by 29%, compared to 27% at high quality hospitals. Among hospitals reporting these medication elements among their top MU challenges, ADEs were reduced by 69%, compared to 45% for hospitals with no drug functions as their top MU challenges. However, ADEs increased by 14% at hospitals with physician resistance to MU, compared to a 52% ADE reduction without physician resistance. Conclusions the bundling all five medication functions in MU is associated with large reductions in ADEs. Implications without physician buy-in at the hospital, MU will have no impact on ADEs.
Fast restoration of atmospherically blurred images

This paper concerns solving deconvolution problems for atmospherically blurred images by the preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm, where a new approximate inverse preconditioner is used to increase the rate of convergence. Removing a linear, shift-invariant blur from a signal or image can be accomplished by inverse or Wiener filtering, or by an iterative least squares deblurring procedure. Because of the ill-posed characteristics of the deconvolution problem, in the presence of noise, filtering methods often yield poor results. On the other hand, iterative methods often suffer from slow convergence at high spatial frequencies. Theoretical results are established to show that fast convergence for our iterative algorithm can be expected, and test results are reported for a ground-based astronomical imaging problem.
Assessing adolescent social competence using the Social Responsiveness Scale: Should we ask both parents or will just one do?

There is a paucity of instruments designed to measure social competence of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. The Social Responsiveness Scale is one of a few that can be used. This study compared differences between mother and father reports of social competence of adolescents. Data were collected from parents of 50 adolescents with and without an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis between the ages of 12 and 17 years. The Social Responsiveness Scale demonstrated high interrater reliability between parents. These results suggest that the Social Responsiveness Scale is an efficient and valuable tool for researchers and clinicians to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's social skills deficits. Additionally, given the extremely high agreement between mothers and fathers on the ratings of their children's social competence, obtaining data from either parent is sufficient to provide an accurate reflection of social competence at home.
In-Hospital Major Bleeding During ST-Elevation and Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Care: Derivation and Validation of a Model from the ACTION Registry®-GWTG™

Bleeding, a common complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treatment, is associated with worse outcomes. A contemporary model for major bleeding associated with AMI treatment can stratify patients at elevated risk for bleeding and is needed to risk-adjust AMI practice and outcomes. Using the Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network Registry–Get With the Guidelines (ACTION Registry–GWTG) database, an in-hospital major bleeding risk model was developed in a population of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The model used only baseline variables and was developed (n = 72,313) and validated (n = 17,960) in patients with AMI (at 251 United States centers from January 2007 to December 2008). The 12 most statistically and clinically significant variables were incorporated into the final regression model. The calibration plots are shown, and the model discrimination is demonstrated in derivation and validation cohorts, as well as across key subgroups. The rate of major bleeding in the overall population was 10.8%. The 12 factors associated with major bleeding in the model were heart rate, baseline hemoglobin, female gender, baseline serum creatinine, age, electrocardiographic changes, heart failure or shock, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, body weight, systolic blood pressure, and home warfarin use. The risk model discriminated well in the derivation (C-statistic = 0.73) and validation (C-statistic = 0.71) cohorts. A risk score for major bleeding corresponded well with observed bleeding: very low risk (3.9%), low risk (7.3%), moderate risk (16.1%), high risk (29.0%), and very high risk (39.8%). In conclusion, the ACTION Registry–GWTG in-hospital major bleeding model stratifies risk for major bleeding using variables at presentation and enables risk-adjusted bleeding outcomes for quality improvement initiatives and clinical decision making.
Pregnancy-specific association of vitamin D deficiency and bacterial vaginosis

Objective Recent data suggest vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy. We hypothesized that VDD is a risk factor for BV in nonpregnant women. Study Design Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses stratified by pregnancy. Results VDD was associated with BV only in pregnant women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–7.28). Among nonpregnant women, douching (AOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.25–2.37), smoking (AOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.23–2.24), and black race (AOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.67–3.47) were associated with BV; oral contraceptive use was inversely associated with BV (AOR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40–0.90). VDD moderated the association between smoking and BV in nonpregnant women. Conclusion Risk factors for BV differ by pregnancy status. VDD was a modifiable risk factor for BV among pregnant women; evaluation of vitamin D supplementation for prevention or adjunct therapy of BV in pregnancy is warranted.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONALITY DISORDERS AND CLINICAL SYMPTOMS IN PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS AS MEASURED BY THE MILLON CLINICAL MULTIAXIAL INVENTORY

The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory is a 175-item psychodiagnostic instrument which is based on Millon's theory of psychopathology, in which Millon suggests clinical symptoms result from an exacerbation of an individual's personality style when under stress. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relations of personality disorders to clinical symptoms as measured by the inventory. The sample of 245 inpatients from a state psychiatric hospital completed the Millon inventory between January, 1987 and April, 1989. Stepwise multiple-regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the relationship between personality disorders and symptoms. The 9 clinical symptom scales served as criterion variables while the personality-disorder scales served as predictor variables. The results were generally consistent with expectation and are discussed in terms of Millon's theory.
Automated segmentation of urinary bladder and detection of bladder lesions in multi-detector row CT urography

We are developing a CAD system for automated bladder segmentation and detection of bladder lesions on MDCT urography, which potentially can assist radiologists in detecting bladder cancer. In the first stage of our CAD system, given a starting point, the bladder is segmented based on 3D region growing and active contours. In the second stage, lesion candidates are detected using histogram and shape analysis to separate the abnormality from the background, which is the bladder partially filled with contrast material. In this pilot study, a limited data set of 15 patients with 29 biopsy-proven lesions (26 malignant, 3 benign) was used. The average size for the 26 malignant lesions was 10 mm (range: 4.2 mm - 30.5mm) with conspicuity in the range of 2 to 5 on a 5-point scale (5=very subtle). The average size for the 3 benign lesions was 14 mm (range: 3.5 mm - 25mm) with conspicuity in the range of 2 to 3. Our segmentation program successfully segmented both the contrast and non-contrast part of the bladder in 87% (13/15) of the patients. The contrast-filled bladder region was successfully segmented for all 15 patients. Our system detected 83% (24/29) of the lesions with 1.4 (21/15) false positives per patient. 85% (22/26) of the bladder cancers were detected. The main cause for missed lesions was that they were in the non-contrast bladder region, which was not included in the detection stage in this pilot study. The results demonstrate the feasibility of developing a CAD system for automated segmentation of the bladder and detection of bladder malignancies.
On Substructure Densities of Hypergraphs

A real number α ∈ [0, 1) is a jump for an integer r ≥ 2 if there exists c > 0 such that for any ∈ > 0 and any integer m ≥ r, there exists an integer n0 such that any r-uniform graph with n > n0 vertices and density ≥ α + ∈ contains a subgraph with m vertices and density ≥ α + c. It follows from a fundamental theorem of Erdos and Stone that every α ∈ [0, 1) is a jump for r = 2. Erdos also showed that every number in [0, r!/rr) is a jump for r ≥ 3 and asked whether every number in [0, 1) is a jump for r ≥ 3 as well. Frankl and Rodl gave a negative answer by showing a sequence of non-jumps for every r ≥ 3. Recently, more non-jumps were found for some r ≥ 3. But there are still a lot of unknowns on determining which numbers are jumps for r ≥ 3. The set of all previous known non-jumps for r = 3 has only an accumulation point at 1. In this paper, we give a sequence of non-jumps having an accumulation point other than 1 for every r ≥ 3. It generalizes the main result in the paper ‘A note on the jumping constant conjecture of Erdos’ by Frankl, Peng, Rodl and Talbot published in the Journal of Combinatorial Theory Ser. B. 97 (2007), 204–216.
Designing and Introducing Ethical Dilemmas into Computer-Based Business Simulations:

This article makes two contributions to the teaching of business ethics literature. First, it describes the steps involved in developing effective ethical dilemmas to incorporate into a computer-based business simulation. Second, it illustrates these steps by presenting two ethical dilemmas that an instructor can incorporate into any business simulation. Instructors who use business simulations in their courses can use the sample dilemmas as presented or modify them as desired or necessary to fit their course design and objectives. Instructors can also use the steps described to develop their own ethical dilemmas.
Periodontal manifestations and treatment in a case of Sturge-Weber syndrome

A case of Sturge-Weber syndrome, uncommon in its intraoral extent, is presented. The pathologic process involved both the soft and osseous tissues of both the maxilla and mandible of the affected side. The first known histopathologic description of alveolar bone involvement is presented. The patients was treated by means of extractions and periodontal flap surgery on both an outpatient and an inpatient basis, with good results and no untoward sequelae. common clinical findings in Sturge-Weber syndrome and specific signs and symptoms manifested by this patient are discussed.
On the Theory of Volume Magnetostriction

Volume magnetostriction is considered on the basis of the molecular field theory. Instead of the assumption of a saturation magnetization independent of volume at absolute zero (${I}_{0}$), made in the original interpretation by Becker and Kornetzki, another procedure is adopted. The dependence of saturation magnetization ($I$) on temperature for coupled ($j=1$) and uncoupled ($j=\frac{1}{2}$) electrons is assumed to be given by a Brillouin function. With the experimental data on the magnetostriction of iron this method allows us to obtain values for (a) the molecular field "constant" $N$, (b) its dependence on the relative change of volume, $(\frac{1}{N})(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}N}{\ensuremath{\partial}\ensuremath{\omega}})$, and (c) the dependence on volume of the saturation magnetization at $T=0$, $(\frac{1}{{I}_{0}})(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}{I}_{0}}{\ensuremath{\partial}\ensuremath{\omega}})$. The value of $N$ and $(\frac{1}{N})(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}N}{\ensuremath{\partial}\ensuremath{\omega}})$ agrees with that obtained from the magneto-caloric measurements. The dependence of ${I}_{0}$ on volume agrees with the value expected from the change of density. Another check on the value of $(\frac{1}{N})(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}N}{\ensuremath{\partial}\ensuremath{\omega}})$ is made by considering the "magnetic" specific heat, a part of which is shown, by thermodynamical considerations, to be proportional to this quantity. All quantitative checks of our theory, including the probable change of the Curie point under pressure are more satisfactory if electrons coupled in pairs ($j=1$) are assumed than if uncoupled ($j=\frac{1}{2}$) electrons are considered.
LISA Data Analysis: Source Identification and Subtraction

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna will operate as an AM-FM receiver for gravitational waves. For binary systems, the source location, orientation and orbital phase are encoded in the amplitude and frequency modulation. The same modulations spread a monochromatic signal over a range of frequencies, making it difficult to identify individual sources. We present a method for detecting and subtracting individual binary signals from a data stream with many overlapping signals.
Longitudinal and circumferential strain assesment of left and right ventricles in acute myocardial infarction superimposed with microemboli

Background Microvascular obstruction is a major problem after reperfusion therapy of AMI. A recent study reported that longitudinal and circumferential strain after reperfusion therapy is an excellent predictor of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with anterior wall AMI [1,2]. In the current MRI investigation, we adapted a method routinely used in echocardiography for measuring LV, RV interventricular walls longitudinal strain [3]. Furthermore, we developed a well-controlled AMI superimposed with microemboli model to study LV and RV strain changes and compared it with animals subjected to LAD microembolization or occlusion/reperfusion.
Foreign aid, taxes, and public investment

Abstract Using time-series data for India, we test the foreign aid-public investment hypothesis. Behavioral equations derived from a maximizing framework are estimated after correcting for econometric and data inadequacies of earlier models. The results confirm earlier findings regarding the negative relationship between taxes and government investment in the presence of aid. However, in contrast to the earlier work, we find that grants and loans generally go into development projects with no leakages into consumption. Moreover, bilateral aid actually pulls resources out of consumption and puts them into development projects.
Enhanced Coronary Vasoconstriction to Endothelin-BReceptor Activation in Experimental Congestive Heart Failure

Background Endothelin (ET), a coronary vasoconstrictor, mediates its activity through the specific receptors ET-A and ET-B, which may demonstrate different activity under pathophysiological conditi...
Tunneling migration of self-trapped holes in AgCl.

We have used electron paramagnetic resonance to study the migration of photoproduced self-trapped holes (STH's) at temperatures below 30 K, where the migration can no longer proceed by classical phonon-assisted hopping, and a tunneling mechanism dominates. We have confirmed that the STH migration rate reaches a minimum near 30 K, and then increases with decreasing temperature down to about 10 K, when shallow trapping of the holes by unidentified, previously unreported, extrinsic centers dominates. The migration rate can be fit to a power law in the temperature range 10\char21{}30 K, with an exponent of about -1.3.
Superconvergence for discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods by L2-projection methods

A general superconvergence of discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element method for the elliptic problem is established by using L^2-projection method. Regularity assumptions for the elliptic problem with regular partitions are required. Numerical experiments are given to verify the theoretical results.
Solid-state mid-infrared laser facilitated coronary angioplasty: clinical and quantitative coronary angiographic results in 112 patients.

Background and Objective Holmium: YAG is a solid-state, investigational coronary laser device. Preliminary reports indicate the clinical potential for this laser; however, its safety and efficacy in a single center experience have not yet been reported and analyzed in detail. Study Design, Patients, and Methods: One hundred and twelve consecutive symptomatic patients underwent percutaneous holmium: YAG laser (2.1 micron wavelength, 250–600 mJ/pulse, 5 Hz) facilitated coronary angioplasty. Sixty-six patients (Gr 1) had 74 thrombotic lesions, and 46 patients (Gr 2) had 55 thrombus-free stenoses. Results Overall laser success was achieved in 120 out of 129 lesions (93%), with 95% subsequent balloon angioplasty success. Laser and clinical successes among the two groups were similar. By quantitative coronary angiography, reduction in the percent diameter stenosis (mean ± SD) was similar (79 ± 16% to 37 ± 14% vs. 73 ± 16% to 37 ± 11.5%; P = NS) in both groups. However, minimal luminal diameter improved significantly more in Gr 1 patients, (0.7 ± 0.5 mm to 2.0 ± 0.5 mm, vs. 0.9 ± 0.4 mm to 1.8 ± 0.4 mm, P = 0.03). Angiographic and clinical complications were similar in patients with thrombus and without thrombus. No death, perforation, or Q-wave infarction occurred in the catheterization laboratory in either group. In-hospital mortality occurred in two patients from cardiac causes unrelated to the laser application. Of the 98 patients who reached the 6 month anniversary, 76 (77%) remained asymptomatic. The restenosis rate among the patients who underwent repeat angiography was 50%. Conclusions Solid-state, mid-infrared laser can be safely and successfully applied to symptomatic patients with thrombotic and nonthrombotic lesions. Similar to other debulking devices, the effectiveness of this laser in yielding long-term patency has not been proved. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of breadth, depth and number responses on computer menu search performance

Abstract Several menu configurations were designed to provide an independent assessment of the influence of breadth, depth and number of responses on computer menu search performance. The menu hierarchy consisted of a binary tree of category descriptor terms with 64 terminal options. Standard menus tested were 2 options on each of 6 sequential frames (26) and 4 options on 3 frames (43). Another menu (Upcoming Selections) was developed with 6 frames in which the binary choice on each frame was shown in the presence of options at the next menu level. Menus developed for separating the effects of number of frames and responses were configured with two menu levels per frame and responses were required to either one or both levels. Number of responses was the most important factor affecting execution time. The highest accuracy was found with the Upcoming Selections menu but that menu also resulted in the slowest execution time. A modified Upcoming Selections menu was developed which allowed participants to respond to each level or to bypass the higher level on each frame. Considering both speed and accuracy, that configuration yielded the best performance of all menus tested.
Emerging roles of glucocorticoid receptor phosphorylation in modulating glucocorticoid hormone action in health and disease.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones naturally released when the body perceives stress and function to return homeostatic balance within various tissues. Synthetic GCs are widely prescribed therapeutics for the treatment of numerous inflammatory disorders and cancers. The effects of GCs are mediated by their binding and activation of the GC receptor (GR), a transcription factor that is subject to hormone-dependent and -independent phosphorylation on several serine and threonine residues. The GR is phosphorylated by kinases such as MAPKs, CDKs, and GSK-3β, and these modifications modulate the transcriptional activity of the GR within cells. Here, we discuss the phosphorylation status of the GR as a mechanism to dictate how cells will ultimately respond to GCs. In doing so, we will review current knowledge about each phosphorylated residue within the GR and their contributions to modulating GC signaling in normal homeostatic physiology and during the progression of disease. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(10): 979–986, 2009