cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Maximum Entropy Principle in Decision Making Under Uncertainty: Special Cases Applicable to Developing Technologies

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTWe consider situations in decision making which arise in the context of developing technologies. Specifically, we consider decision problems involving a finite number of known alternatives and states of nature and their associated payoffs, but where the probabilities of the states of nature are unknown. We indicate how the maximum entropy principle can be applied to those decision problems. We then prove three results that show a relationship between the preferences of the decision maker and the type of probability distribution that will be developed by the maximum entropy principle. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the results.
Best Practices for the Design and Development of Ethical Learning Video Games

This article builds upon earlier research McDaniel & Fiore, 2010 in which the authors presented case studies focused on the design and development of two original ethical learning video games. Through this case study and a review of relevant literature, the authors explored the content creation of, and theoretical rationale for, the design and development of ethics games. Both games were geared toward an undergraduate student audience as casual learning games to be completed in a few hours of gameplay. To update and expand this original work, the authors reviewed contemporary research on identity, cognition, and self in relation to video game environments as well as literature dealing more specifically with ethics and video games. From this literature base and their applied design experiences, the authors offer ten guidelines as best practices to follow for aspiring ethics game developers.
Relationship of bile salt stimulation of colonic epithelial phospholipid turnover and proliferative activity: Role of activation of protein kinase C☆

Abstract The mechanism by which bile salts stimulate the proliferative activity of colonic epithelium is uncertain. One of the striking cellular actions of certain bile salts that enhance the proliferative activity of colonic epithelium, such as deoxycholate (DOC) and chenodeoxycholate, is the rapid stimulation of membrane phospholipid turnover. Increased membrane phosphoinositol turnover may lead to release of diacylglycerol (DAG). The latter is an endogenous activator of the calcium phospholipid-dependent enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) whose stimulation has been correlated with enhanced proliferation in several cell systems. In the present study, we examined the effects of DOC on PKC of colonic epithelium in vitro and in vivo . When added directly in vitro to partially purified soluble preparations of phospholipid, calcium-dependent PKC from crypts isolated from rat colon, DOC suppressed activity by 20%, presumably due to calcium complex formation. By contrast, the tumor promoter, 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and the DAG derivative, 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), increased soluble PKC in vitro twofold. The nontumor promoters phorbol and 4α-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (4αPDD) were without effect. However, in intact colonic epithelial crypt cells prelabeled with arachidonate, DOC caused rapid release of DAG and markedly increased the fraction of PKC associated with the particulate cell fraction, an index of PKC activation. TPA and OAG caused similar shifts in the subcellular distribution of PKC but did not stimulate DAG release, whereas phorbol and 4αPDD were without effect on any parameter. In vivo intracolonic instillation of DOC, OAG, or TPA each induced a shift of soluble PKC to the particulate fraction of colonic mucosal scrapings. The latter in vivo changes in PKC were associated with increases in colonic mucosal ornithine decarboxylase activity and [ 3 H]dThd incorporation into DNA. Phorbol and 4αPDD failed to alter any of these parameters in vivo . The results support a role for activation of PKC in bile salt stimulation of colonic epithelial proliferative activity.
Deep-water drilling remains a risky business

Donald Boesch argues that the lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill should be enshrined in legislation before they fade from memory.
The history of the SIMD: From small molecules to metabolomics

The Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (SIMD) recently completed its 28th annual meeting and requested that its birth and development be documented. Accordingly, this communication reviews the origins of the SIMD and considers its development over the past three decades. Each decade had growth and differentiation regarding policy making, international connections, highlights and tragedies. Past contributions are defined and future directions for the SIMD are subjected to prophesy.
Measurement of Hexanal Production by Myoglobin-Induced Lipid Peroxidation Using a Miniature Incubator and Cryofocusing Inlet System with Gas Chromatography and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

A miniature incubator was used in combination with a cryofocusing inlet system and GC-TOFMS in order to determine the rate of hexanal production during myoglobin (Mb)-induced lipid peroxidation of phosphatidyl choline containing arachidonic acid. The cryofocusing inlet system allowed for rapid preconcentration of the volatile products of the peroxidation reaction, yielding a total analysis time for hexanal of less than 4 min. Each reaction was sampled repetitively, and the production of hexanal was determined in real time, as the reaction progressed. Myoglobin-induced lipid peroxidation produced hexanal linearly over 40 min, maximizing at an average concentration of 1 ppm after 60 min. In reaction mixtures containing basal levels of hexanal, presumably due to autoxidation occurring during storage, greater amounts of hexanal were formed at a faster rate of production, though the production was not linear for more than 15 min. The rapid preconcentration and nondestructive sampling are advantageous; the sampling time can be adjusted in order to detect and quantitate minor products, and the instrumentation can thus be used for full profiling of the volatile products of lipid peroxidation.
A hybrid finite element of stress analysis of fastener details

Abstract Conventional finite element analysis of plates with fastener holes requires many degrees of freedom in the assembled structure model. The assumed-stress hybrid method is proposed as an alternative. The formulation is presented for a new hybrid element which simulates elastic behavior near a fastener hole, permitting greater efficiency in concentration of mesh refinement in regions where stress gradients are high and resulting in a significant reduction of total degrees of freedom. Performance tests demonstrate that the new element is capable of simulating both open and loaded fastener holes. Some recent example applications are mentioned.
Stereotactic surgery: what is past is prologue.

TWO OLD AND simple concepts, a three-dimensional positioning stage and a coordinate system, were combined in 1906 to create a new one: the stereotactic method. For 25 years, it found little application until it was rediscovered for investigations in small animals. After the first human subcortical s
Helicobacter pylori adhesins: review and perspectives.

It is highly unlikely that chronic infection with H. pylori could occur in the absence of adhesin-host cell interactions. Also, there is no evidence that any of the serious outcomes of H. pylori infection such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric cancer or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma could occur without prior colonization of the gastric epithelium mediated by H. pylori adhesins. H. pylori is highly adaptable, as evidenced by the fact that it can occupy a single host for decades. An important facet of this adaptability is its ability to physically interact with various types of host cells and also with host mucins and extracellular matrix proteins using a number of different adhesins displaying a variety of unique receptor specificities. Thus it is highly unlikely that any one particular H. pylori adhesin will ever be proven responsible for a particular outcome such as duodenal ulcer, MALT lymphoma, or adenocarcinoma. Also, while the search for additional H. pylori adhesins should and certainly will continue, we suggest that the scope of this effort should be expanded to include investigations into the patterns of expression and interaction between individual outer membrane proteins. Which of the numerous H. pylori outer membrane proteins (OMPs) actually function as adhesins (i.e., have receptor-binding sites) and which OMPs are simply necessary for optimal display of the adhesive OMPs? There are many other important questions about H. pylori adhesins waiting to be answered. For example, which adhesins are responsible for loose adherence to host cells and which adhesins are responsible for intimate, or membrane-to-membrane, adherence, and do these adhesins normally work in concert or in a sequential fashion? Also, is a specific type of adhesin necessary for type IV protein translocation into host cells and, if so, is adhesin expression coregulated with the effector protein export?
Targeting the innocent: Active defense and the moral immunity of innocent persons from aggression

Private persons and entities are increasingly adopting aggressive “active defense” measures (i.e., “hack back”) against Internet‐based attacks that can infringe the rights of innocent persons. In this paper, I argue that aggressive active defense cannot be justified by the Necessity Principle, which defines a moral liberty to infringe the right of an innocent person if necessary to achieve a significantly greater moral good. It is a necessary condition for justifiably acting under an ethical principle that we have adequate reason to believe its application‐conditions are satisfied. Since, absent special knowledge, the victim of a hacker attack will not be able to reliably predict the direct or indirect consequences of aggressive countermeasures, she lacks adequate reason to think that those measures will achieve a good that significantly outweighs the evil that is done to innocent parties.
Suppression of urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by medroxyprogesterone acetate.

ABSTRACT The effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on the urinary excretion of LH and FSH has been studied in 5 patients with isosexual precocity and 2 castrate adults, by specific bioassay and radioimmunoassay methods. The drug suppressed urinary LH and FSH excretion in 2 of the children with idiopathic precocious puberty and both adults. The effect was seen with both oral and intramuscular preparations and it occurred in both sexes. Two of the 3 children whose gonadotropin excretion was not suppressed by the drug had been diagnosed as having “idiopathic” precocious puberty. Thus, medroxyprogesterone acetate, in the doses tested, does not suppress gonadotropin excretion in all cases of idiopathic precocious puberty. Failure to respond to medroxyprogesterone acetate with suppression of gonadotropin excretion may indicate an abnormality in responsiveness of the pituitary-gonadal axis in patients with isosexual precocity, and may also serve as a useful guide to the potential efficacy of treatment.
Using camouflaging mobility to protect privacy in mobile ad hoc networks

Summary The open nature of wireless medium has left wireless communications vulnerable to various privacy attacks. Much research work has been proposed to protect the identity anonymity of communicating parties, the anonymity of network routes and the location privacy of the message source and destination. However, with the advent of new radio identification and localization techniques, more advanced privacy attacks are possible. We describe a new privacy attack in which the adversary tries to infer the itineraries of the nodes in the network. To protect itinerary privacy, we design an algorithm, called � -camouflaging mobility algorithm, which changes the original motion segments of a node into � -shaped camouflaging paths. Itinerary privacy, correspondent privacy, and route privacy are closely related so we propose a comprehensive anonymous routing scheme, called MARS, to protect these privacy goals. MARS exploits camouflaging mobility to protect itinerary privacy and uses motion pseudonyms generated from the camouflaging mobility to protect correspondent privacy and route privacy without using cryptography. Our analysis results show that � -camouflaging mobility algorithm is cost-effective, which can significantly reduce the itinerary exposure probability at a small cost of extra travel distance. Moreover, our network simulation results illustrated that MARS anonymous routing scheme and � -camouflaging mobility algorithm did not reduce network layer performance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The accuracy of high resolution winds from QuikSCAT

The accuracy of the high resolution QuikSCAT wind product was quantified using spatially and temporally collocated 10 m equivalent neutral stability winds, calculated from selected NOAA NDBC buoy measurements. Only buoys that had sample correlation higher than 1.5 were used in this validation, a total of 5704 records. The validation followed the Freilich nonlinear statistical analysis approach. This analysis of the collocated buoy-scatterometer data set yielded the following statistics for wind speed: deterministic offset -0.25 m/s; linear gain 1.02; standard deviation of component errors 1.9 m/s; and RMS error 2.2 m/s. Wind direction errors were more pronounced for lighter winds, typically for winds up to 5 m/s. The RMS directional error for buoy-QuikSCAT pairs for which /spl Delta//spl theta/<90/spl deg/ is 20.6/spl deg/.
Synthesizing biological theories

Studies of biological systems are often facilitated by diagram models that summarize the current understanding of underlying mechanisms. The increasing complexity of our understanding of biology necessitates computational models that can extend these representations to include their dynamic behavior. We present here a new tool we call Synthesizing Biological Theories which enables biologists and modelers to construct high-level theories and models of biological systems, capturing biological hypotheses, inferred mechanisms, and experimental results within the same framework. Among the key features of the tool are convenient ways to represent several competing theories and the interactive nature of building and running the models using an intuitive, rigorous scenario-based visual language. The definition of the modeling language is geared towards enabling formal verification and analysis.
Microscale 3-D hydrogel scaffold for biomimetic gastrointestinal (GI) tract model

Here we describe a simple and efficient method for fabricating natural and synthetic hydrogels into 3-D geometries with high aspect ratio and curvature. Fabricating soft hydrogels into such shapes using conventional techniques has been extremely difficult. Combination of laser ablation and sacrificial molding technique using calcium alginate minimizes the stress associated with separating the mold from the hydrogel structure, and therefore allows fabrication of complex structures without damaging them. As a demonstration of this technique, we have fabricated a microscale collagen structure mimicking the actual density and size of human intestinal villi. Colon carcinoma cell line, Caco-2 cells, was seeded onto the structure and cultured for 3 weeks until the whole structure was covered, forming finger-like structures mimicking the intestinal villi covered with epithelial cells. This method will enable construction of in vitro tissue models with physiologically realistic geometries at microscale resolutions.
Thin crust and active upper mantle beneath the Southern Sierra Nevada in the western United States

Abstract Analysis of seismic-refraction/wide-angle reflection travel-time and seismic amplitude data collected during the 1993 Southern Sierra Nevada Continental Dynamics (SSCD) project resolves a small crustal root (40–42 km thick) centered 80 km west of the Sierran topographic crest. The SSCD experiment consisted of a west-east profile across the Sierra Nevada at approximately 36.5°N and a north-south profile extending the length of Owens Valley, located eastward of the Sierran topographic crest. Two-dimensional finite-difference travel-time inversion of P g and P n arrivals resolves upper-crustal velocities of 6.0 to 6.4 km s −1 within the Sierran Batholith and Basin and Range, an upper-crustal west-dipping wedge of higher velocities (6.8–7.2 km s −1 ) consistent with ophiolitic material underlying the Great Valley sedimentary sequence, and higher velocities in the lower crust beneath the Basin and Range (6.8–7.0 km s −1 ) than those beneath the Sierran Batholith (6.6 km s −1 ). Low average P n velocities (7.6–7.9 km s −1 ) and a laminated transitional Moho imaged beneath the Sierran Batholith also differ from the higher P n velocities (7.9–8.0 km s −1 ) and sharp first-order Moho observed beneath the Basin and Range. The crust decreases in thickness both westward of the root to 28–34 km beneath the Great Valley and eastward to 35 km beneath the highest Sierran topography and decreases further to 27–30 km beneath the Basin and Range. Crustal thickness also appears to increase southeast to northwest from 29–30 km beneath the Garlock Fault in the south to 38–40 km beneath the north end of Chalfant Valley. Juxtaposition of the crustal model with previous P-wave tomography models of the south-ernmost Sierra Nevada upper-mantle reveal that the thickest Sierran crust on the west-east profile overlies a pronounced upper-mantle high-velocity anomaly (+5%), whereas the region of laminated Moho overlies a flanking upper-mantle low-velocity region (−3%). The upper-mantle velocity anomalies, relatively low P n , and relatively flat Moho, observed beneath the Sierran crest suggest that the recent uplift of the Sierra Nevada is due to asthenospheric flow and/or lithospheric thinning beneath the southeastern Sierra Nevada and Basin and Range.
A statistical method for calibrating the six-port reflectometer using nonideal standards

An alternative method is presented for calibrating the six-port reflectometer. Through the use of a redundant set of calibration standards, an estimate of the 11 real calibration constants is determined in the minimum-mean-squared-error sense. This technique enables the user to weight the contribution of each standard to the calibration process as a function of confidence in the quality of that standard. The resulting computer algorithm is quite straightforward and provides a direct measure of the tightness of fit between the estimated six-port model and the observed data. >
Virulence Inhibition by Zinc in Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli

Previously, our laboratories reported that zinc inhibited expression of several important virulence factors in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and reduced EPEC-induced intestinal damage in vivo. Since EPEC is genetically related to Shiga-toxigenic E. coli (STEC), we wondered whether the beneficial effects of zinc extended to STEC as well. Treatment options for STEC infection are very limited, since antibiotics tend to exacerbate disease via enhanced toxin production, so a safe intervention for this infection would be welcome. In this study, we report that in STEC strains zinc inhibits adherence to cultured cells as well as expression of EHEC secreted protein A (EspA). In addition, zinc inhibits the expression of Shiga toxin (Stx) at both the protein and the RNA level. Zinc inhibits basal and antibiotic-induced Stx production and inhibits both Stx1 and Stx2 by ≥90% at a concentration of 0.4 mM zinc. Rabbit EPEC strains were selected for acquisition of Stx-encoding bacteriophages, and these rabbit STEC strains (designated RDEC-H19A and E22-stx2) were used to test the effects of zinc in vivo in ligated rabbit intestinal loops. In vivo, zinc reduced fluid secretion into loops, inhibited mucosal adherence, reduced the amount of toxin in the loops, and reduced STEC-induced histological damage (villus blunting). Zinc has beneficial inhibitory effects against STEC strains that parallel those observed in EPEC. In addition, zinc strongly inhibits Stx expression; since Stx is responsible for the extraintestinal effects of STEC infection, such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), zinc might be capable of preventing severe sequelae of STEC infection.
Investigations of the solid-aqueous interface with vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy

Vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) is increasingly being applied to understanding the molecular properties of the solid/ liquid interface. There are many opportunities in the future for understanding important issues in interfacial science. This review provides insight into recent applications and advances of VSFS to the solid/aqueous interface with particular focus on the behavior of water at these interfaces, while highlighting some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Mixed Methods Study of the Relationship between Student Perceptions of Teacher-Student Interactions and Motivation in Middle Level Science

AbstractThis mixed-methods study examined the relationship between middle level science students’ perceptions of teacher-student interactions and students’ science motivation, particulary their efficacy, value, and goal orientation for learning science. In this sequential explanatory design, quantitative and qualitative data were collected in two phases, with quantitative data in the first phase informing the selection of participants for the qualitative phase that followed. Results from phase one indicated that students’ perceptions of teacher interpersonal behaviors were positively correlated with their efficacy for learning science, value for learning science, and mastery orientation. Results from phase two revealed themes related to students’ construction of their perceptions of teacher interpersonal behavior and dimensions of their efficacy and task value for science. Theoretical implications, implications for educational practice, and future research directions are also discussed.
THE MEDIAN FUNCTION ON TREES

A median of a sequence π = (x1, x2, …, xk) of elements of a finite metric space (X, d) is an element x for which is minimum. The function with domain the set of all finite sequences on X and defined by Med(π) = {x | x is a median of π} is called the Median function on X. In this note, an axiomatic characterization of the median function on finite trees is given.
Evaluation of an Absorbable Cyanoacrylate Adhesive as a Suture Line Sealant1

Background Previous formulations of cyanoacrylate, though very effective, proved to have too high a tissue reactivity to be used internally. A novel cyanoacrylate compound with less tissue reactivity was recently developed. The objective of this study was to assess this novel cyanoacrylate compound for the use as vascular suture line sealant. Materials and methods Twelve adult female sheep received a 6 mm PTFE interposition graft in each iliac artery, for a total of 24 grafts. Using oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) as a control, two formulations of a new cyanoacrylate compound (named “compound A” and “compound B”) were assessed during this trial. Hemostatic efficiency was measured at the time of operation by the assessment of bleeding time and amount of blood loss. Long-term graft patency was assessed angiographically at 4, 6, and 18 months. Tissue reaction at 2 weeks, 1, 6, and 18 months was assessed grossly by vascular surgeons and microscopically by a blinded pathologist. Results Average time to hemostasis was 37.6, 50.6, and 219 s in group A, group B, and oxidized cellulose control groups, respectively (P ≤ 0.001 for both compounds versus control). There were no significant differences between groups with regards to graft patency. Histopathology analysis demonstrated mild to moderate tissue reaction at 2 weeks and 1 month in the cyanoacrylate groups compared with controls at 1 month (ANOVA P = 0.004). Mild tissue reaction was seen at 6 months and 18 months, with no significant differences between groups (ANOVA P = 0.08, 0.62, respectively). Conclusions The novel cyanoacrylate compound examined in this study is a highly effective suture line sealant with only mild tissue reactivity and no significant effects on graft patency when studied over an 18 month period.
Exploring computer science through autonomous robotics

Declining student populations in the Computer Science field coupled with a growing demand creates the need for higher attraction rates. We examine new techniques for exposing high school students to the Computer Science field through the use of a Java-based autonomous robotics curriculum. This curriculum, designed by researchers to function as a means for conveying basic concepts during a limited engagement time, raises students with no prior knowledge of Computer Science to a level of comfort with both basic and advanced concepts within five sessions. Emphasis is placed on object-oriented design, behavior based programming, and autonomous operation of robots. The curriculum, structured into knowledge blocks which build on each other, provides students with clear goals and achievements during each session. Students work extensively with controlling robotic motors, sensors, and output devices through their own programs. Ultimately, students are asked to combine all of their learned knowledge by programming their robot to utilize behavior-based techniques to autonomously navigate a maze. Both quantitative and qualitative results have indicated significant knowledge gain, continued interest in the Computer Science field, and a great deal of enthusiasm from students participating in a program which utilized this curriculum.
Epic: An Open Mote Platform for Application-Driven Design

We present Epic, an open mote platform for application-driven design. Sensornet platforms, like most embedded systems, are tightly coupled to their applications. This coupling can make it difficult for general-purpose platforms to address application-specific needs, forcing platform designers to repeatedly reimplement functionality. Inspired by the hierarchical nature of software and integrated circuit design, we propose sensornet platforms be composed hierarchically from a family of modular components. This approach makes platform development accessible to a much wider community; developers do not need to be analog, sensor, or radio frequency experts, and can instead reuse components that encapsulate the needed functionality.
Southern Exposure: Deciphering the South's Influence on Homicide Rates

Studies have consistently shown the South to have the highest homicide rates in the United States. Tzux theories to explain this have been proposed: a regionally based subculture of violence thesis and a structural interpretation emphasizing high rates of poverty in the South. These explanations are not mutually exclusive, but their proponents have engaged in a sometimes rancorous debate. Investigations designed to test the two theories have produced inconsistent findings. The present study attempts to resolve some of the questions by using OLS and ridge regression techniques to analyze state homicide rates for total populations, whites and nonwhites. Our findings show homicides for total populations and whites to be influenced by both poverty and regional differences. Among nonwhites, however, poverty is not related to the homicide rate, and the presumed effect of southern culture depends on the measurement adopted. The results lend support to arguments that the high homicide rates of white southerners and blacks reflect, in part, subcultural differences.
Achalasia: physiology and etiopathogenesis

SUMMARY. Achalasia is a disorder of esophageal motility that has been well documented for over 300 years. Despite this, the initiating factor or factors and the underlying mechanisms leading to the characteristic features of achalasia, the absence of distal esophageal peristalsis and abnormal lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, are still not well understood. Recent work has shed light on changes in neurotransmission and cell signaling in the lower esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter that lead to achalasia. A number of recent reviews have thoroughly discussed diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and the reader is referred to these for in-depth review of these topics. The focus of this review will be on our current understanding of the physiology of esophageal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter function as it relates to achalasia and on available evidence for etiology and proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Determinants of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection among under-fives in Uganda.

Background Diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection (ARI) are leading causes of mortality and morbidity in children under the age of five in developing countries. On the African continent, pneumonia (14%) and diarrhoea (17%) cause more child deaths than Malaria (16%), HIV/AIDS (4%), and measles (1%) combined. This paper set out to investigate the factors associated with the occurrence of diarrhoea and ARI incidence for children under five years in Uganda. Method We used a nationally representative Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) (2006). Sampling was done in two stages. In the first stage 321 clusters were selected from among a list of clusters sampled in the 2005/06 Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS), 17 clusters from the 2002 Census frame from Karamoja, and 30 internally displaced camps (IDPs). In the second stage, households in each cluster were selected as per UNHS listing. In addition 20 households were randomly selected in each cluster. Questionnaires were used during data collection. During the analysis, a maximum likelihood probit model was used in order to ascertain the probability of occurrence of diseases. Results On average, 32% and 48% of children in the survey suffered from diarrhoea and ARI in the two weeks prior to the survey date. The occurrence was concentrated amongst children aged 0–24 months. Mother’s education, especially at postsecondary level, reduced the probability of diarrhoea occurrence but had no effect on ARI occurrence. First hour initiation and exclusive breastfeeding reduced the probability occurrence of both diarrhoea and ARI. Other significant factors associated with the occurrence of both diseases include: regional and location differentials, wealth status, type of dwelling, mother’s occupation, child age, and child nutritional status. Conclusion Policy interventions should target female education, eliminate location and regional disadvantages, and educate the population to adopt breastfeeding practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The government should also ensure proper dwelling places for the population that are associated with favourable health outcomes. Other proper feeding practices together with breastfeeding (after six months), should be made known to the masses so as to reduce the number of children that are malnourished and growth retarded.
Patterns of Cranial Trauma in a Prehistoric Population from Central California

Evidence of cranial trauma was investigated in a skeletal sample from the site CA-Ala-329 located on the eastern side of San Francisco Bay, Central California. The sample included 365 crania, including 134 adult males, 104 adult females, 22 adults of indeterminate sex and 105 subadults. Evidence of cranio-facial fracture was found in eight individuals, one of whom is an adolescent. Thus, the frequency in adult crania of traumatic injury is 7/260 (2.7 per cent). Of the seven individuals of known sex displaying such cranial trauma, all are male. The injuries are generally suggestive of some form of interpersonal aggression, with five healed vault fractures, one lesion with an embedded obsidian fragment (a probable projectile point) and two healed facial fractures. Further clear evidence of interpersonal aggression has been previously determined in this sample and has been reported at even higher levels elsewhere in California. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short-time failure of metal interconnect caused by current pulses

It is pointed out that voltage programmable link (VPL) technologies impose a new criterion on the reliability of metal interconnect. Lines of metallization must support the full programming current, which can be many times larger than the signal level current, for very short periods of time. For a sufficiently short high-current pulse, the wire, encapsulated in oxide, will not reach thermal equilibrium and the current-induced heating can be modeled as being adiabatic. Energy conservation predicts a relationship between maximum current density that can be carried by a wire before it fuses, and the pulse duration time, J/sup 2/t=10/sup 8/ A/sup 2/-s/cm/sup 4/. This relationship is based on a temperature rise in the metal line at failure of theta /sub f/*=300 degrees C. The time required for the metal to reach thermal equilibrium at a given current density is shown to be proportional to the square of the oxide thickness. These predictions are experimentally verified with layered AlSi/Ti metallization on thermal oxide on silicon substrates. >
Antigen-presenting cells from calves persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus, a member of the Flaviviridae, are not compromised in their ability to present viral antigen.

The aim of this study was to assess whether the infection of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in vivo, evident in calves persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), compromised their ability to stimulate virus-specific T cell responses. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule-identical cattle were identified from the inbred family at the Institute for Animal Health. One was PI and immunotolerant to BVDV. Virus was not isolated from the remaining calves, which were classified as BVDV-immune or BVDV-naive depending on the presence or absence of BVDV-specific antibodies in sera. Two-colour flow-cytometric analysis of PBMC from the PI calf showed that 40% of CD14+ monocytes were infected in vivo. Monocytes from the PI calf (PI monocytes) were used as naturally infected ex vivo APC with CD4+ or CD8+ T cells isolated from the BVDV-naive or BVDV-immune animals. PI monocytes stimulated proliferative responses with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from BVDV-immune animals, but not from BVDV-naive calves. This provided evidence for the presence of virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells after acute infection and indicated that ex vivo monocytes from PI, immunotolerant calves stimulated both MHC class I- and MHC class II-restricted T cell responses to BVDV. Additionally, naturally infected ex vivo monocytes cultured in vitro for 3 days stimulated effective T cell responses to the virus with which they were infected.
Tribal Energy Development: Renewables and the Problem of the Current Statutory Structures

Energy development is the economic lifeblood of many Indian tribes, and renewable energy resources are taking on increased importance for tribal economies. Current statutory authority works reasonably well for the development of traditional extractive mineral resources, but the federal statutory authority for renewable energy development is scattered and often problematic. The mineral development statutes offer almost unlimited options for the tribal role, but the uncertainty of whether all energy sources are “minerals” impedes the statutes’ usefulness for renewable energy projects. A variety of other federal laws not originally intended for energy development are available for renewables development – the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act, Section 81, the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act, the American Indian Agricultural Resources Management Act – but none applies to all renewable energy sources and all limit tribes to a largely passive role in the development process. The recent Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act and its TERA process appear to solve the issues posed by the other statutes, but the energy act creates a process complex and expensive enough to discourage most tribes from using it. Recent proposed legislation would tweak the energy statute and propose broader leasing authority, but not addresses the overarching problem of providing tribes with renewable energy resources a way to take an active role in the development of those resources without undue expense or federal oversight. This article discusses the range of current statutes and the problems attendant on using them for renewable energy development: the definitional issue in using the mineral statutes, the passive role assigned to tribes in the other statutes, and why ITEDSA, designed to resolve these issues, has not worked. Recent congressional initiatives to broaden tribal options are then surveyed and critiqued. The article concludes with some suggestions for amendments to the Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982 to ease the process of tribal renewable energy development and allow tribes to take more active roles in that development.
Don't Cheat the Children: Connecting Generations Through Grandfriendships by Helene B. Fields

Don't Cheat the Children: Connecting Generations through Grandfriendships, by Helene Block Fields, is part guidebook and part personal narrative from one of the first educators to recognize the tra...
Structural studies of β-turn-containing peptide catalysts for atroposelective quinazolinone bromination

We describe herein a crystallographic and NMR study of the secondary structural attributes of a β-turn-containing tetra-peptide, Boc-Dmaa-D-Pro-Acpc-Leu-NMe2, which was recently reported as a highly effective catalyst in the atroposelective bromination of 3-arylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones. Inquiries pertaining to the functional consequences of residue substitutions led to the discovery of a more selective catalyst, Boc-Dmaa-D-Pro-Acpc-Leu-OMe, the structure of which was also explored. This new lead catalyst was found to exhibit a type I′ β-turn secondary structure both in the solid state and in solution, a structure that was shown to be an accessible conformation of the previously reported catalyst, as well.
A Possible New Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Mutation in a Patient with a Prototypic Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Presentation

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1 syndrome is an uncommon inherited disorder characterized by the occurrence of tumors involving two or more endocrine glands. These tumors include pheochromocytoma, adrenal cortical and neuroendocrine tumors including (bronchopulmonary, thymic, gastric), lipomas, angiofibromas, collagenomas, and meningiomas. MEN-4 is very rare and has been characterized by the occurrence of parathyroid and anterior pituitary tumors in association with tumors of the adrenals, kidneys, and reproductive organs. Summary: We report the case of a 40-year-old male without significant family history of endocrine disease who was found to have primary hyperparathyroidism, a pituitary tumor causing acromegaly, thyroid cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and pancreatic cysts. We posit that this represents a new version of MEN-4. While renal tumors (angiomyolipoma) have been reported as part of the MEN-4 phenotype, to our knowledge, this is the first case reported of the association of MEN-1 and/or MEN-4 phenotype with this unique constellation of tumors, including renal cell carcinoma. Interestingly, this patient tested negative (DNA sequencing/deletion) for MEN-1 (menin), MEN-4 (CDKN1B) and VHL genes. Key Message: Thus, while this case has clinical characteristics consistent with either MEN-1 or MEN-4, it may represent a unique genetic variant.
Research and Practice on GridFTP Transmission Mechanism

Data transmission was an essential problem in the grid.Data were not effectively attained in the grid without a high speed and effective method.GridFTP is developed to meet the basic needs of the data transmission in the grid by extending the protocol of FTP.This study discusses several transmission modes and importance of parallel transmission.The experiment indicates that transmission efficiency is related to the parallelism,however,the transmission efficiency is not improved infinitely when the parallelism increases.The parallel transmission can obtain optimizing efficiency when it is set on a suitable parallelism.
The protection research of anisodamine on cardiopulmonary bypass induced lung injury

Objective:To study the protective effect and mechanism of anisodamine on cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) induced lung injury. Methods:According to the medicine dose and administer time,twenty four patients with congenital heart defect (CHD) were divided into four groups. Control group, group Ⅰ(anisodamine 2 mg/kg, priming solution),group Ⅱ(anisodamine 2 mg/kg,main pulmonary artery), group Ⅲ(anisodamine 1mg/kg,priming solution + anisodamine 2 mg/kg,main pulmonary artery). Neutrophil,CD11b and TNF-a were measured at five time points of the operation. Little lung tissue was cut out for detecting NF-κB after the operation. Blood gas analysis were also arranged. Results:The level of neutrophil,CD11b and TNF-α was reduced in group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ compared with the control group, especially in group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ. The results of NF-κB was conformity with the former. Certinary blood gas analysis changed better. Conclusion:CPB induced lung injury can be protected with anisodamine, and the gomphosis pathway(administer through priming solution and main pulmonary artery) is better. The protective mechanism may be that anisodamine inhibits the activation of NF-κB.
High-Risk Coronary Intervention in Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

markedly depressed left ventricular function is associated with a poor prognosis.1 C o r o n a r y artery bypass graft surgery has been the mainstay of treatment in such patients in the past but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.2,3 Coronary angioplasty has been offered as an alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery in these patients. The results of PTCA in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction between 3540% have been reported and show a procedural success of >80% and a mortality of 2.7-5%.4 , 5 These reports also suggest that coronary angioplasty is usually well tolerated in patients with moderately depressed ejection fraction but coronary occlusion caused by balloon inflation or abrupt closure in such patients may result in hemodynamic collapse. Additionally, these patients may not survive the delay required to institute emergency bypass surgery. Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support (CPS) provides complete systemic hemodynamic support independent of intrinsic cardiac function (Figure 1) and has been employed prophylactically in high–risk patients prior to angioplasty or emergently following abrupt closure with hemodynamic collapse or cardiac arrest.6-9 A recent report1 0 by the National Registry of Elective Supported Angioplasty indicated patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 20% or lower had significantly less hospital mortality when prophylactic support was employed compared with standby support. Complications are mostly related to the cannula insertion site and can be minimized by use of current techn i q u e s .1 1 The discussion that follows details my experience with the technique, the basic principles and management of patients during percutaneously established CPS in patients with poor left ventricular function undergoing coronary intervention. Emergency institution of CPS also remains an option for patients who are in cardiogenic shock or who have sustained cardiac arrest and do not respond promptly to advanced life support techniques.
“Facts, Not Fear” Negotiating Uncertainty on Social Media During the 2014 Ebola Crisis

Trust in many government organizations is low, creating a challenging environment for communication during outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, like Ebola. In a thematic analysis of 1,010 twe...
Dynamic Complexity Measures for Use in Complexity-Based System Design

Difficulty predicting system behaviors introduces a certain level of complexity to a system design. The INCOSE systems engineering handbook indicates that system complexity is one of the seven key challenges influencing development when engineering a system of systems. The scope of this paper is first to survey systems engineering relevant definitions of complexity for latter application to the complexity evaluation framework. The literature search also includes state-of-the-art works on system complexity measurement. Before proposing new techniques, the current complexity-based system, and interface measurement and design techniques are explored. As the state-of-the-art only includes static/structural complexity quantification, entropy-based measures for dynamic complexity quantification are proposed. A sample system is evaluated using the proposed dynamic complexity measures and the results are discussed. The methods proposed herein provide a first step in the path to an enhanced system/interface complexity evaluation framework using dynamic complexity measures.
Preferred leadership communication styles across cultures

The Implicit Leadership Theory, GLOBE study, and Norton’s Communication Styles frame this study into how employees from different cultures expect leaders to communicate effectively. Survey data col...
Rapid Systematic Review: Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy ("Clot Retrieval") for Selected Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Abstract Background Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. However, precisely defining the optimal treatment for individual patients early after AIS onset remains elusive. There has recently been a surge in published studies documenting the effectiveness of mechanical intra-arterial thrombectomy for treatment of a subset of patients with AIS. This therapy has been proposed and studied for the small ( Methods A PubMed literature search was conducted from January 1996 to June 2016 and limited to human clinical trials written in English with relevant keywords. High-quality randomized controlled studies identified then underwent a structured review. Results In total, 179 papers fulfilling the search criteria were screened and 8 appropriate articles were rigorously reviewed in detail and recommendations given on the effectiveness and indication of mechanical intra-arterial thrombectomy for the treatment of AIS. Conclusions Mechanical intra-arterial thrombectomy reduces long-term disability in a properly selected subset of patients who have an AIS caused by large vessel occlusion. Many of these patients will have failed to improve after intravenous administration of t-PA, and mortality is not increased when combined with t-PA. Careful screening criteria should be in place to identify the limited subset of patients to whom this therapy is delivered to derive optimal treatment benefits.
Extramedullary Relapse of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presenting as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Case Report.

Abstract Background Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy. Relapse of ALL occurs in 15%-20% of patients, with 2%-6% occurring exclusively in extramedullary sites. Relapse of ALL in gynecologic organs is extremely rare. Case We present a case of a 12-year-old girl with a history of ALL who was referred to the pediatric gynecology clinic with abnormal uterine bleeding. She was determined to have an extramedullary uterine relapse of her ALL. Summary and Conclusion Abnormal uterine bleeding in the setting of childhood malignancy is a frequent reason for consultation to pediatric and adolescent gynecology services. This bleeding is commonly attributed to thrombocytopenia due to bone marrow suppressive chemotherapeutic agents. However, as shown in this report, abnormal uterine bleeding might be a manifestation of an extramedullary relapse.