cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inadvertent discrimination in medical research.

Most institutional decision makers profess commitment to ethical or religious principles that judge discrimination to be repugnant and immoral. They also acknowledge the existence of racism, sexism, and elitism in American society but believe their own decisions are free of such discrimination. The elimination of institutional discrimination will occur only when decision makers can engage in critical analysis of the frames of reference and patterns of thinking out of which their decisions develop. Individuals who are not decision makers but who are committed to the elimination of discrimination must understand and influence the patterns of thinking used by those in power. This case study, initiated by a black woman psychiatrist and a white woman sociologist, illustrates the need for such understanding. The description of this experience with decision making in academic medical research is illustrative of the larger societal issue.
Imposing points of zero displacements and zero slopes along any linear structure during harmonic excitations

Undamped oscillators are often employed as vibration absorbers to minimize excess vibration in structural systems. In this paper, undamped sprung masses and rotational oscillators are used to impose points of zero displacements and zero slopes for an arbitrarily supported linear structure during forced harmonic excitations. For convenience, such points are referred to as fixed nodes. When the sprung mass and rotational oscillator attachment locations and the fixed node locations coincide (or collocated), it is always possible to select the sprung mass and rotational oscillator parameters such that multiple fixed nodes are induced at any desired locations along the structure for any excitation frequency. When the attachment and the fixed node locations are not collocated (or non-collocated), however, it is only possible to induce nodes at certain locations along the elastic structure for a given driving frequency. Moreover, when the desired fixed node locations are closely spaced, it is possible to specify a region of nearly zero amplitudes for a particular driving frequency, thus drastically reducing the vibrational level in that segment of the structure. An iterative scheme is proposed that quickly leads to a set of theoretically feasible oscillator parameters that can be used to induce fixed nodes anywhere along the linear structure. Numerical case studies are performed and they validated the proposed scheme of imposing points of zero displacements and zero slopes.
Scale-Invariant Sparse PCA on High-Dimensional Meta-Elliptical Data

We propose a semiparametric method for conducting scale-invariant sparse principal component analysis (PCA) on high-dimensional non-Gaussian data. Compared with sparse PCA, our method has a weaker modeling assumption and is more robust to possible data contamination. Theoretically, the proposed method achieves a parametric rate of convergence in estimating the parameter of interests under a flexible semiparametric distribution family; computationally, the proposed method exploits a rank-based procedure and is as efficient as sparse PCA; empirically, our method outperforms most competing methods on both synthetic and real-world datasets.
SU‐FF‐T‐240: Fast Efficient Global Fluence Map Optimization Using a Parallelized Objective Function for IMRT Treatment Planning

Purpose: Adaptive intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) with image guidance requires frequent re‐optimization of the dose distribution for treatment plan verification. We present an efficient and robust algorithm that solves fluence map optimizations (FMO) for IMRT and provides good target coverage of homogeneous targets (R95% ⩾ RRx), while at the same time maintaining dose to critical structures within specified tolerances. Method and Materials: An analytic non‐linear convex model was developed that uses a projected gradient algorithm with Armijo line search to solve fluence map optimizations for IMRTtreatment planning. Voxel based penalty functions and a fluence non‐negativity constraint were applied for the iterative minimization of a parallelized convex objective function on a dual node processor. Model parameters were tuned for three treatment sites (H&N, CNS, and prostate) and results assessed in‐terms of algorithm speed, fluence maps and dose volume histograms. All cases were investigated for 5, 7, 9, and 11 equidistant beam angles and a generic set of parameters that provide good results obtained for each site. Improvements in plan quality are achieved on a case‐by‐case basis through dynamic parameter weighting. Results: Our implemented projected gradient algorithm model solved FMO's, on a dual node processor, for the three sites in 0.34–8.55 seconds corresponding to 10–75 iterations. Dynamic weighting produced tighter target coverage, while still maintaining critical organs within acceptable tolerances with only a small increase in FMO calculation times. Conclusion: The FMO optimization algorithm described shows that voxel based fluence map optimizations are feasible down to <10 second time scales while still achieving good target coverage and critical structure sparing for IMRTtreatment verification and planning. A Further 25% improvement in FMO calculation time is expected using up to 6 node parallelization. This work supported in part by NSF grant DMI‐0457394 and the State of Florida DOH Grant 04‐NIR03.
A sensitive measurement of oxygen uptake rate using a optochemical sensor

The measurement of the specific oxygen uptake rate (OUR) of slow growing organisms using a small sample size is often hampered by the consumption of oxygen by the electrode used. Using a optochemical sensor we measured the OUR of carrot embryos with approximately 1000 cell clusters and of hybridoma with approximately 106 cells. An OUR as low as 0.02 μmol/h can be accurately measured.
Valuing diversity and spatial pattern of open space plots in urban neighborhoods

Abstract This study evaluates how urban residents value variety, spatial configuration, and patterns of open space in their neighborhoods. Quantitative matrices that were borrowed from landscape ecology were first used to measure the variety and spatial arrangement of open space plots and landuses around houses. Amenity values of those measures were then evaluated in a hedonic regression that was corrected for identification problem caused by the endogeneity of landuse variables. Empirical estimates from this research reveal that urban residents positively valued the varieties of open space but negatively valued the diversity within developed land uses in their neighborhoods. Similarly, open space plots with square shape and smooth, straight edges were preferred to those with more complex shapes and irregular edges. Further, residents preferred open spaces in few larger plots to many smaller pieces that are scattered throughout the neighborhood. Findings from this study will be useful in enhancing the quality and amenity value of open spaces and conceivably increase local property tax base.
Construction kits or virtual worlds; Management applications of E2E models

Abstract We review briefly the diversity of modeling activity that comes under the rubric of end-to-end (E2E) models, but the focus of this paper – of joint concern to researchers and to managers – is on applications to management and decision making. The models and applications span a range from “construction kits” that identify particular management issues and use comparisons across ecosystems; to “virtual worlds” that immerse managers in the details of strategic evaluations for particular systems. The general conclusion is that “application” is not a straightforward transition from theory to practice but a complex interactive process.
Subset Coefficient Reduction Cuts for 0/1 Mixed-Integer Programming

We describe a method for generating cuts for mixed-integer 0/1 programs. These cuts are designed to tighten an integer program prior to applying linear programming based branch and bound algorithms. The method involves two basic ideas: subset selection and coefficient reduction. Coefficient reduction is a process of reducing the coefficients of the 0/1 variables. Subset selection is combined with coefficient reduction by applying the coefficient reduction process to the coefficients of a subset of variables from the constraints in the problem formulation. The paper exploits these two simple ideas to derive a broad class of cuts for integer programs with both 0/1 and continuous variables. It also reports on the use of this methodology in solving a variety of fixed charge problems.
Clean Cities Annual Metrics Report 2009 (Revised)

Document provides Clean Cities coalition metrics about the use of alternative fuels; the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and idle reduction initiatives; fuel economy activities; and programs to reduce vehicle miles driven.
Mel Gibson’s Passion and the Many Uses of Christ’s Suffering

Many Christians resonated with Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ. The film’s sympathetic portrayal of Pontius Pilate reinforces the sense of victimization Americans have experienced since 9/11, however, and obscures the real meaning of Christ’s suffering.
Sterically crowded manganese-oxo complexes of N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-tert-butylamine with bridged binuclear core types {MnIII2(μ-O)(μ-OAc)2} and {MnIV2(μ-O)2(μ-OAc)}

Abstract Reactions of Mn(O2CCH3)3 · 2H2O with N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl-tert-butylamine (bpta) in ethanol followed by the addition of excess NaClO4 or 70% aqueous HClO4 afforded complexes [Mn2O(O2CCH3)2(bpta)2](ClO4)2 (1) or [Mn2O2(O2CCH3)(bpta)2](ClO4)3 (2), respectively. Both 1 and 2 were characterized by X-ray crystallographic studies. Compound 1 crystallizes with two acetonitriles of solvation in the space group C2/c with a = 37.5526(6) A , b = 10.6000(2) A , c = 24.1931(4) A , β = 91.5190(10)°, V = 9626.9(3) A 3 , and Z = 8 . The two manganese atoms in 1 are bridged by an O2− ligand and two CH3CO2− groups. One facially coordinated tridentate bpta ligand, with the aliphatic nitrogen positioned trans to an acetate oxygen atom, completes a distorted octahedral geometry at each manganese center. Structural parameters for 1 are consistent with both manganese ions being in the + 3 formal oxidation state. The MnMn separation in 1 is 3.1719(5) A. The cyclic voltammogram of a pure sample of 1 in CH3CN shows III,III/III,IV oxidation ( i p a i p c = 1.6 ) and III,III/III,II reduction (irreversible) waves at + 0.88 and −0.28 V, respectively, versus the ferrocene/ferrocenium (Fc/Fc+) couple. UV-Vis and IR spectroscopic properties of 1 are consistent with the presence of a {MnIII2(μ-O)(μ-OAc)2}2+ core. Compound 2 crystallizes as an acetonitrile solvate in the space group P21/n with a = 11.536 80(10) A , b = 10.2865(2) A , c = 36.9831 (4) A , β = 98.835(12)°, V = 4336.96(10) A 3 , and Z = 4. Bond distances and angles for 2 are generally similar to those of other complexes containing a {MnIV2(μ-O)2(μ-OAc)}3+ and polypyridyl ligands. UV-Vis and IR properties of 2 are also reported. Cyclic voltammetry waves for 2 in MeCN, assigned as IV,IV/III,IV and III,IV/III,III reductions, were observed at +0.60( i p a i p c = 1) and −0.55 V (i p c = 1) versus Fc/Fc, respectively. The effects of the steric size of the t-butyl group are manifested in longer Mn-Nalkyl distances for both 1 and 2. This elongation results in markedly more positive first reduction potentials for both 1 (III,III/III,II) and 2 (IV,IV/IV,III) relative to their N-ethyl analogs. Finally, the reactions of 1 and 2 in water are dramatically different as compared to those of the same analogs.
Heat inhibition of reticulocyte protein synthesis. Evidence for a mechanism independent of the hemin-controlled repressor.

Abstract Incubation of rabbit reticulocytes at 45°C results in a prompt but reversible decrease in protein synthesis and a concomitant conversion of polyribosomes to smaller aggregates. These effects occur even in the presence of 100 μM hemin in the incubation medium. There is also inhibition of heme synthesis, but this occurs at a later time than the effect on protein synthesis. The inhibition of heme synthesis results from a decrease in activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase. This decrease of heme synthesis appears to be secondary to the inhibition of protein synthesis with resultant accumulation of intramitochondrial heme (which will decrease δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity). An inhibitor of reticulocyte cell-free protein synthesis formed in the post-ribosomal supernatants of cells incubated at both 45 and 37°C, but not at 0°C. No temporal or quantitative differences in the amount of this inhibitor from cells treated at either 37 or 45°C was apparent. The inhibitor was not found in the fraction where the hemin-controlled repressor is isolated. It is concluded that heat inactivation of intact reticulocyte protein synthesis does not depend upon a decrease in heme synthesis, heme concentration or generation of the hemin-controlled repressor. Furthermore, it appears that the inhibitor formed in the post-ribosomal supernatant cannot be the sole cause of the heat inhibition of protein synthesis.
Toxoplasmosis: Epidemiology and Medical Importance

Developmental stages of T. gondii are described. The recent studies on fecal transmission of T. gondii are reviewed with the suggestion explored that T. gondii is a coccidian parasite which produces an intestinal cyst previously named Isopora bigemina, the intestinal reproductive stages of which are specific for the felines. Human illness associated with this parasite is reviewed and its importance described.
Power Transition, the Two-Good Theory, and Neorealism: A Comparison with Comments on Recent U.S. Foreign Policy

This paper compares the assumptions of three approaches to the study of international relations—neorealism, power transition, and the “two-good theory.” We show that neorealism is an underspecified...
Role of calcium ions in the positive interaction between TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels in bronchopulmonary sensory neurons

Both transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptors are abundantly expressed in bronchopulmonary C-fiber sensory nerves and can be activated by a number of endogen...
Effects of magnesium-deficient diet upon puppies.

Diet-induced magnesium deficiency in male puppies resulted in lowered weight gain, hy perirritability, and convulsions. The histopathological changes consisted of calcification of the elastica and media of the aorta, of coronary and other peripheral arteries, and of the inner portion of the myocardium. Fibrous, virtually fat-free, plaques were seen in the coronary arteries. Magnesium deficiency had no effect on serum cholesterol, sodium, calcium, ortotal protein. Slight lowering of serum magnesium lacked statistical significance. There was a significant decrease in the serum-potassium concentration of these magnesium-deficient dogs. Electrocardiographic changes were noted.
Nonlinear viscoelastic beam bending with piezoelectric control : analytical and computational simulations

Bending of nonlinear viscoelastic beams with small or large deformations is analyzed in the presence of viscoelastic piezoelectric devices placed on the upper and lower outer beam fibers. Probabilities of failure and corresponding ultimate structural survival times for delamination onset are derived and evaluated.
Rational decision processes and sex discrimination: Testing ‘rational’ bias theory

The extent to which sex discrimination is likely to occur as a consequence of manager-client relationships was examined in this test of rational bias theory. Results were gathered by means of a computerized survey technique. Findings indicated that discrimination is more likely to occur in relationships in which the client is relatively important to the manager, but less likely to occur, or be reversed, in the presence of conditions signaling that the client disapproves of discrimination. The findings partly supported the prediction that managers in relatively weaker positions more readily discriminate. The analysis offers theoretical and policy implications for future consideration.
Are patients with acutely recovered cerebral ischemia more unstable

Background and Purpose— Recent studies suggest that the short-term risk of stroke may be greater after transient ischemic attack (TIA) than after stroke. Methods— We compared risks of neurological deterioration in those with and without TIA in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) trial, a randomized trial of intravenous tPA given within 3 hours of onset of cerebral ischemia, after excluding those with cerebral hemorrhage and those dying before 90 days of causes other than new ischemic stroke. TIA was defined as a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of zero at 24 hours. We chose subsequent deterioration as our outcome, defined as a worsening on the NIHSS at 90 days compared with 24 hours, so that episodes of new ischemia that may have been attributed to other causes would be included. Results— Of 498 subjects meeting entry criteria, 40 (8%) had TIA. Subsequent deterioration occurred in 30% of those with TIA and 10% of ot...
CHANGING EMOTION NORMS IN MARRIAGE: Love and Anger in U.S. Women's Magazines Since 1900

Throughout the twentieth century, women's magazines in the United States have socialized their readers to the “proper” expression of love and anger in marriage. Our analysis of a random sample of marital advice articles from 1900 to 1979 examines this cultural convergence of gender, marriage, and emotion. A qualitative analysis identifies techniques for socializing readers to the emotional culture of marriage and shows a historical change toward equating love with self-fulfillment and advocating the expression of anger. A quantitative analysis then specifies the timing of changes in emotion norms and showed an oscillation between modern and traditional norms that is related to waves of political liberation versus oppression. We discuss the relation between emotion norms and behavior and explore the effect of group conflict on the production of emotional culture. Emotion norms have become less rigid and more tolerant of diversity; but gender differences persist, and women are still responsible for maintain...
The Complexity of Monotone Networks for Certain Bilinear Forms, Routing Problems, Sorting, and Merging

In this paper, we consider the size of combinational switching networks required to synthesize monotone Boolean functions using only operations from the functionally incomplete set of primitives {disjunction, conjunction}. A general methodology is developed which is used to derive Q(n log n) lower bounds on the size of monotone switching circuits for certain bilinear forms (including Toeplitz and circulant matrix-vector products, and Boolean convolution), certain routing networks (including cyclic and logical shifting), and sorting and merging. A homomorphic mapping technique is also given whereby the lower bounds derived on the sizes of monotone switching networks for Boolean functions can be extended to a larger class of problem domains.
Augmented reality based preoperative planning for robot assisted tele-neurosurgery

Robot assisted telesurgery allow the surgeon to deliver the neurosurgical expertise to remote sites by remotely controlling medical robot to do minimally invasive surgery. An augmented reality based preoperative planning method is proposed to improve the safety of tele-neurosurgery. The position of four marks, which are attached on the head of patient and are used for surgeon to do preliminary preoperative planning with the support of sophisticated navigation software, is obtained by stereovision. Besides of the establishment of bilateral audio, video and data communications, the virtual simulation environment is calibrated and overlapped with the real live images. Using the augmented reality, the surgeon at remote site can conduct virtual surgery to find and verify the most appropriate and safest planning and then deliver his planning to surgery site. This method has been successfully applied in clinical cases of tele-neurosurgery.
A scalable front-end architecture for fast instruction delivery

In the pursuit of instruction-level parallelism, significant demands are placed on a processor's instruction delivery mechanism. Delivering the performance necessary to meet future processor execution targets requires that the performance of the instruction delivery mechanism scale with the execution core. Attaining these targets is a challenging task due to I-cache misses, branch mispredictions, and taken branches in the instruction stream. To further complicate matters, a VLSI interconnect scaling trend is materializing that further limits the performance of front-end designs in future generation process technologies.To counter these challenges, we present a fetch architecture that permits a faster cycle time than previous designs and scales better with future process technologies. Our design, called the Fetch Target Buffer, is a multi-level fetch block-oriented predictor. We decouple the FTB from the instruction fetch and decode pipelines to afford it the fastest clock possible. Through cycle-based simulation and circuit-level delay analysis, we find that our multi-level FTB design is capable of delivering instructions 25% faster than the best single-level BTB-based pipeline configuration. Moreover, we show that our design scales better to future process technologies than traditional single-level designs.
The Pulse Model: Genesis and Accommodation of Specialization in the Middle Niger*

By the mid-first millennium a.d., Middle Niger cities took the form of many separate mounds clustered together. Many of these mounds may have been settlements of specialists. This distinctive city form may have had its origin in segmented, but articulated, Late Stone Age communities in the southern Sahara. The Pulse Model is an attempt to reconstruct the circumstances of environmental change and interactions among these communities that encouraged occupational specialization. The model predicts the best locations to search for evidence of early specialization, namely the several north–south trending palaeochannels of the southern Sahara. There, groups increasingly concerned with intensification of production within separate microenvironments would nevertheless have been in close contact. Climate shifts over the past several millennia create a ‘pulse’ of population movements, or shifts of ecological adaptations, along these long corridors. However, adaptation to climate change and stress incompletely explains the emergence of specialization. Tradition, myths, legends and material reinforcements of divisions between present-day ethnic and artisan groups in the Middle Niger suggest the ways in which corporate identity may have been constructed and maintained in the very distant past. If corporate identity can emerge in a form that discourages conflict between groups, the result might be increasingly specialized responses to climate change and to the economic and social opportunities of early urbanism. There should be no sharp discontinuity between the emerging specialization of the last millennia b.c. and the earlier clustered urbanism of cities such as Jenne-jeno. Middle Niger urbanism is an intensification of prehistoric social dynamics, not a revolutionary process.
The volatile content of Vesta: Clues from apatite in eucrites

Apatite was analyzed by electron microprobe in 3 cumulate and 10 basaltic eucrites. Eucritic apatite is fluorine-rich with minor chlorine and hydroxyl (calculated by difference). We confirmed the hydroxyl content by measuring hydroxyl directly in apatites from three representative eucrites using secondary ionization mass spectroscopy. Overall, most eucritic apatites resemble fluorine-rich lunar mare apatites, but intriguing OH- and Cl-rich apatites suggest a role for water and/or hydrothermal fluids in the Vestan interior or on other related differentiated asteroids. Most late-stage apatite found in mesostasis has little hydroxyl or chlorine and is thought to have crystallized from a degassed magma; however, several apatites exhibit atypical compositions and/or textural characteristics. For example, the isotopically anomalous basaltic eucrite Pasamonte has apatite in the mesostasis with significant OH. Apatites in Juvinas also have significant OH and occur as veinlets crosscutting silicates. Euhedral apatites in the Moore County cumulate eucrite occur as inclusions in pyroxene and are also hydroxyl-rich (0.62 wt% OH). The OH was confirmed by SIMS analysis and this apatite clearly points to the presence of water, at least locally, in the Vestan interior. Portions of Elephant Moraine (EET) 90020 have large and abundant apatites, which may be the product of apatite accumulation in a zone of melt-rock reaction. Relatively chlorine-rich apatites occur in basaltic eucrite Graves Nunataks (GRA) 98098 (approximately 1 wt% Cl). Particularly striking is the compositional similarity between apatite in GRA 98098 and apatites in lunar KREEP, which may indicate the presence of residual magmas from an asteroid-wide magma ocean on Vesta.
Effect of p38 MAP kinase on cellular events during ischemia and reperfusion: possible therapy

myocardial adaptation to ischemia occurs through the activation of several tyrosine kinases ([3][1]). Phosphorylation of tyrosine kinases has been shown to be linked with the activation of both phospholipase C and phospholipase D, leading to the activation of multiple kinases including PKC and
Effects on survival of BAP1 and PBRM1 mutations in sporadic clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma: A retrospective analysis with independent validation

Summary Background Clear-cell renal-cell carcinomas display divergent clinical behaviours. However, the molecular genetic events driving these behaviours are unknown. We discovered that BAP1 is mutated in about 15% of clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma, and that BAP1 and PBRM1 mutations are largely mutually exclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of these molecular subtypes and to determine whether patients with BAP1 -mutant and PBRM1 -mutant tumours had different overall survival. Methods In this retrospective analysis, we assessed 145 patients with primary clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma and defined PBRM1 and BAP1 mutation status from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), TX, USA, between 1998 and 2011. We classified patients into those with BAP1 -mutant tumours and those with tumours exclusively mutated for PBRM1 ( PBRM1 -mutant). We used a second independent cohort (n=327) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for validation. In both cohorts, more than 80% of patients had localised or locoregional disease at presentation. Overall both cohorts were similar, although the TCGA had more patients with metastatic and higher-grade disease, and more TCGA patients presented before molecularly targeted therapies became available. Findings The median overall survival in the UTSW cohort was significantly shorter for patients with BAP1 -mutant tumours (4·6 years; 95% CI 2·1–7·2), than for patients with PBRM1 -mutant tumours (10·6 years; 9·8–11·5), corresponding to a HR of 2·7 (95% CI 0·99–7·6, p=0·044). Median overall survival in the TCGA cohort was 1·9 years (95% CI 0·6–3·3) for patients with BAP1 -mutant tumours and 5·4 years (4·0–6·8) for those with PBRM1 -mutant tumours. A HR similar to the UTSW cohort was noted in the TCGA cohort (2·8; 95% CI 1·4–5·9; p=0·004). Patients with mutations in both BAP1 and PBRM1 , although a minority (three in UTSW cohort and four in TCGA cohort), had the worst overall survival (median 2·1 years, 95% CI 0·3–3·8, for the UTSW cohort, and 0·2 years, 0·0–1·2, for the TCGA cohort). Interpretation Our findings identify mutation-defined subtypes of clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma with distinct clinical outcomes, a high-risk BAP1 -mutant group and a favourable PBRM1 -mutant group. These data establish the basis for a molecular genetic classification of clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma that could influence treatment decisions in the future. The existence of different molecular subtypes with disparate outcomes should be considered in the design and assessment of clinical studies. Funding Cancer Prevention and Research Institution of Texas and National Cancer Institute.
A Parallel Monolithic Domain Decomposition Method for Blood Flow Simulations in 3D

We develop a parallel scalable domain decomposition method for the simulation of blood flows in compliant arteries in 3D, by using a fully coupled system of linear elasticity equation and incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The system is discretized with a finite element method on unstructured moving meshes and solved by a Newton-Krylov algorithm preconditioned with an overlapping additive Schwarz method. We focus on the accuracy and parallel scalability of the algorithm, and report the parallel performance and robustness of the proposed approach by some numerical experiments carried out on a supercomputer with a large number of processors and for problems with millions of unknowns.
War, diplomacy and informal empire : Britain and the Republics of la Plata, 1836-1853

La Plata and the British before 1836 war and the invasion of Uruguay, 1836-43 the failure of diplomacy, 1843 Britain, France and the policy of intervention, 1844 the beginning of hostilities, 1845 an expedition into the Parana, 1845-6 Hood's mission to la Plata, 1846 Ouseley continues the war, 1846-7 the diplomacy of Howden and Walewski, 1847 Palmerston's search for a peace settlement, 1848 the resumption of relations at Buenos Aires, 1848-9 the liberation of Montevideo and the end of the war.
REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF METHODS FOR COMPUTING CONFIDENCE INTERVALS FOR THE RATIO OF TWO PROPORTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-INFERIORITY CLINICAL TRIALS

This article reviews several methods for forming confidence intervals for a risk ratio of two independent binomial proportions (which are both less than 0.50) and evaluates their statistical performance. These methods include use of a Taylor Series expansion to estimate variance, solutions to a quadratic equation, and maximum likelihood methods. In addition, for improvement of the properties of the methods based on large sample approximations, situations where either binomial count was less than or equal to 3 were managed conservatively by having an exact confidence interval for the odds ratio become the confidence interval for its risk ratio counterpart. Methods were initially evaluated by computing confidence limits for certain cases. Second, simulations were used to identify the better methods for controlling the Type I error rate while maintaining power. Last, relationships between methods were evaluated by calculating the percent of disagreement in the decision made regarding non inferiority. Methods in the group using a Taylor Series expansion in variance estimation perform similarly to the Pearson method preferred in the literature. In addition, the group of methods using a Taylor Series expansion are most easily computed. Applications of these findings are discussed for ratios that arise in randomized clinical trials that are conducted to show noninferiority of a new medical product to a reference control. Consideration is given as well to sample size calculations for noninferiority clinical trials.
Minimizing area/energy for low power memory design using integer linear programming

In this paper we describe a multi-module, multiport memory design procedure that satisfies area and/or energy constraints, in addition to the cycle budget. We show how loop transformations can be used to derive architectures with fewer memory modules and fewer memory ports. We develop ILP-based models (to obtain optimal solutions) to determine the memory configuration for the case when (i) area has to be minimized, given the energy bound, (ii) energy has to be minimized, given the area bound.
On-Chip Inductance in X Architecture Enabled Design

The inductance effects become significant for sub-100nm process designs due to increasing interconnect lengths, lower interconnect resistance values and fast signal transition times. The accurate modeling of inductance behavior is thus essential for high speed VLSI designs. Recently X architecture has been introduced to reduce overall IC interconnect length by using diagonal wirings pervasively, resulting in smaller die sizes and higher performance. Although the resistance and capacitance of diagonal wires and their modeling are well understood, the characterization and modeling studies of diagonal wire inductance remain scarce. In this paper, the authors study the inductance effects of diagonal wiring, specifically inductance with return loop through diagonal (X Architecture) and Manhattan power grids. Both self and mutual inductance of Manhattan and diagonal wirings in the presence of various power grids are obtained using both FastHenry simulations and on-chip measurements. Results show that both self and mutual inductance values of diagonal signal line(s) are invariant with respect to their placement relative to the power grid. We observe that measurements done on an actual test chip agree fairly well with simulation data. This makes inductance modeling in X Architecture designs easier compared to Manhattan design, and X Architecture design has an advantage over Manhattan design from inductance perspective
Thermodynamic strategies for stabilizing intermediate states of proteins

This paper presents three theorems pertaining to thermodynamic properties of the intermediate (e.g., molten globule) state of proteins exhibiting such a conformation in the presence of GuHCl or urea. The theorems are proved for the three-state case using the denaturant binding model and the linear extrapolation model; their utility is illustrated via applications to examples in the literature. Theorem One states that the denaturant activity that maximizes the population of a partly folded conformation is at any temperature independent of the Gibbs free energy difference between the intermediate and native states. This result holds for both models of protein–denaturant interaction. The second theorem claims that the population maximum is independent, of the denaturant association constant for the denaturant binding model. Theorem Three, which also applies to both models considered here, states that at the temperatures corresponding to the extrema in the population of the intermediate, the enthalpy change of the intermediate is equal to the excess enthalpy function, an experimentally accessible quantity. In the absence of denaturant, the enthalpy change of the intermediate state at the population extrema can be written as a function of the thermodynamic parameters of the unfolded state alone. These results, which can be applied to systems of any number of states under certain conditions, should aid in the optimization of conditions employed for experimental studies of partly organized states of proteins. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Basic Concepts of Microarrays and Potential Applications in Clinical Microbiology

The introduction of in vitro nucleic acid amplification techniques, led by real-time PCR, into the clinical microbiology laboratory has transformed the laboratory detection of viruses and select bacterial pathogens. However, the progression of the molecular diagnostic revolution currently relies on the ability to efficiently and accurately offer multiplex detection and characterization for a variety of infectious disease pathogens. Microarray analysis has the capability to offer robust multiplex detection but has just started to enter the diagnostic microbiology laboratory. Multiple microarray platforms exist, including printed double-stranded DNA and oligonucleotide arrays, in situ-synthesized arrays, high-density bead arrays, electronic microarrays, and suspension bead arrays. One aim of this paper is to review microarray technology, highlighting technical differences between them and each platform's advantages and disadvantages. Although the use of microarrays to generate gene expression data has become routine, applications pertinent to clinical microbiology continue to rapidly expand. This review highlights uses of microarray technology that impact diagnostic microbiology, including the detection and identification of pathogens, determination of antimicrobial resistance, epidemiological strain typing, and analysis of microbial infections using host genomic expression and polymorphism profiles.
A test of three alternative pathways for consumer regulation of primary productivity.

The pathways linking consumer effects to primary productivity (PPR) are likely to vary among taxa because of species-specific trophic and functional differences. Thus, it is necessary to understand the dynamics of consumer–PPR interactions so that effects of species loss on ecosystem function can be addressed from a mechanistic approach. In this study, I used three fish taxa (orangethroat darter, Etheostoma spectabile; western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis; and bullhead minnow, Pimephales vigilax) as model consumers with different trophic and functional characteristics to test alternative mechanisms for consumer regulation of PPR (i.e., trophic cascade, terrestrial nutrient translocation, and sedimentary nutrient translocation). Experiments were conducted in stream mesocosms fitted with a combination of fish and terrestrial insect barriers to address relative importance of consumer-driven top-down and bottom-up control of PPR. A predatory invertivore, orangethroat darter, increased PPR through an apparent trophic cascade by localized reduction of benthic grazing invertebrate densities (i.e., top-down). A surface feeding insectivore, western mosquitofish, consumed terrestrial insects on the stream surface, increasing PPR by enhancing allochthonous nutrients in the mesocosms (i.e., bottom-up). A benthic omnivore, bullhead minnow, consumed benthic food items, resulting in increased PPR by enhancing availability of autochthonous nutrients via translocation of sedimentary nutrients (i.e., bottom-up). However, under specific environmental contexts, this species also consumed terrestrial invertebrates, potentially affecting PPR through terrestrial nutrient translocation as well. In this study, the trophic and functional characteristics of different species resulted in alternative pathways that increased PPR, suggesting that in natural ecosystems multiple consumer-driven pathways may be influencing PPR simultaneously and could potentially be important for temporal persistence of ecosystem function in changing environments.
Response and Tolerance of Female and/or Elderly PMHS to Lateral Impact.

Eight whole fresh-frozen cadavers (6 female, 2 male) that were elderly and/or female were laterally impacted using UMTRI's dual-sled side-impact test facility. Cadavers were not excluded on the basis of old age or bone diseases that affect tolerance. A thinly padded, multi-segment impactor was used that independently measured force histories applied to the shoulder, thorax, abdomen, greater trochanter, iliac wing, and femur of each PMHS. Impactor plates were adjusted vertically and laterally toward the subject so that contact with body regions occurred simultaneously and so that each segment contacted the same region on every subject. This configuration minimized the effects of body shape on load sharing between regions. Prior to all tests, cadavers were CT scanned to check for pre-existing skeletal injuries. Cadavers were excluded if they had preexisting rib fractures or had undergone CPR. Cadavers were instrumented with strain gages at the posterolateral, lateral, and anterolateral portions of the struck-side ribs, and chestbands were positioned on the upper and lower thorax. Cadavers were first impacted at 3 m/s. If two or fewer rib fractures occurred, as determined using strain gage data and a post-test CT scan, a second impact was performed at 6 m/s on the contralateral side of the body. Five of the eight 3-m/s tests produced AIS 3+ level injuries. All three of the 6-m/s tests produced AIS 3+ injury. Response corridors were developed for each body region using the Maltese alignment method with impulse-momentum normalization. Corridors describing upper and lower thorax deflection were generated from chestband data. An injury risk curve developed from the deflections associated with AIS 3+ injury associates a 50% probability of AIS 3+ rib fracture with 25.6% half-thorax deflection for the population used in this study. Language: en
Ecomorphic variation in gemmoscleres of Ephydatia fluviatilis Linnaeus (Porifera: Spongillidae) with comments upon its systematics and ecology

An ecological and taxonomic investigation of Ephydatia fluviatilis was conducted. E. fluviatilis was found in alkaline fresh waters and slightly brackish waters. Extreme variation was found in the gemmoscleres of E. fluviatilis from different Louisiana habitats. The variation appeared to be ecomorphic and related to the chemical characteristics of the habitats. Laboratory investigations, based on the formation of gemmules by sponges maintained under different conditions were used to determine the nature and extent of this variation. The experimental studies demonstrated that gemmoscleres of different forms can develop in sponges from the same locality if exposed to different environmental conditions and that Ephydatia robusta (Potts, 1887) as revised by Penney & Racek (1968), is synonymous with Ephydatia fluviatilis. Results of these studies demonstrate the difficulty of using such characteristics for the recognition of species, subspecies and other evolutionary units.
Metal organic frameworks as nitric oxide catalysts.

The use of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for the catalytic production of nitric oxide (NO) is reported. In this account we demonstrate the use of Cu3(BTC)2 as a catalyst for the generation of NO from the biologically occurring substrate, S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO). The MOF catalyst was evaluated as an NO generator by monitoring the evolution of NO in real time via chemiluminescence. The addition of 2, 10, and 15-fold excess CysNO to MOF-CuII sites and cysteine (CysH) resulted in catalytic turnover of the active sites and nearly 100% theoretical yield of the NO product. Control experiments without the MOF present did not yield appreciable NO generation. In separate studies the MOF was found to be reusable over successive iterations of CysNO additions without loss of activity. Subsequently, the MOF catalyst was confirmed to remain structurally intact by pXRD and ATR-IR following reaction with CysNO and CysH.
A Change from Caste to Class in a Peruvian Sierra Town

T HE town of Muquiyauyo, in the Department of Junin, Percu, has frequently been mentioned as an example of "progressivism" among Latin American communities. Between August 1949 and June 1950, the writer studied this community in order to determine the nature of this "progressivism," and to delineate the recent history of the town. It developed that there had occurred a series of related alterations in the culture of the town. These changes were based upon a fundamental change from a caste system to a class system. It is the purpose of this paper to bring to the attention of its readers a case of this kind of change.
Staphylococcal Activation Of EGFR Facilitates Invasion Across The Pulmonary Mucosal Barrier

RATIONALE: Staphylococcus aureus are an important cause of severe pneumonia especially in hospital settings and as a potentially fatal complication of influenza. Nasal colonization with S. aureus increases the likelihood of infection, yet is unclear how mucosal organisms once aspirated, cross an intact epithelial barrier. The staphylococcal surface protein, protein A (SpA), binds EGFR and activates several signaling cascades. EGFR has a central role in cell development and motility and is linked to both actin and E-cadherin. EGFR initiated MAPK activity is linked to activation of Rho/ROCK/ MLC induced actinomyosin contraction and to epithelial proteases.
Dibenamine blockade as a method of distinguishing between inotropic actions of epinephrine and digitalis.

Summary and ConclusionsIn open-chest, vagotomized dogs, Dibenamine has been shown to be effective in producing a substantial blockade of the inotropic effects of epinephrine while leaving the inotropic effects of digitalis relatively unaffected. This inotropic blockade of epinephrine by Dibenamine is not the result of secondary cardiovascular changes.
Review of various approaches for assessing public health risks in regulatory decision making: choosing the right approach for the problem.

Stakeholders in the public health risk analysis community can possess differing opinions about what is meant by “conduct a risk assessment.” In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all risk assessment that can address all public health issues, problems, and regulatory needs. Although several international and national organizations (e.g., Codex Alimentarius Commission, Office International des Epizooties, Food and Agricultural Organization, World Health Organization, National Research Council, and European Food Safety Authority) have addressed this issue, confusion remains. The type and complexity of a risk assessment must reflect the risk management needs to appropriately inform a regulatory or nonregulatory decision, i.e., a risk assessment is ideally “fit for purpose” and directly applicable to risk management issues of concern. Frequently however, there is a lack of understanding by those not completely familiar with risk assessment regarding the specific utility of different approaches for assessing pu...
Month-averaged impacts of urbanization on atmospheric boundary layer structure and precipitation in summer in Beijing area

Usually the studies on the impact of urbanization on boundary layer structure and precipitation are based on one or several synoptic cases.In order to overcome the limitations of case-based study, this paper focuses on the month-averaged impacts of urbanization.Firstly the synoptic analysis of August 2006 is carried out, and the month-averaged distribution characteristics of wind speed at 10 m height, air temperature and humidity at 2 m height and 24- hour precipitation collected in situ are analyzed.Secondly the high-resolution numerical simulations are conducted for 30 cases by using WRF/Noah/UCM modeling system, and the model outputs are evaluated against the observation.Thirdly the sensitivity tests of different urbanization scenarios are carried out.Results show that, the method of month-averaging of high-resolution numerical simulation results can realistically capture the urbanization impacts on atmospheric boundary layer structure and precipitation and the differences of wind-rose between stations.In August, the impact of urbanization in Beijing on air temperature can reach 800 m (200 m) height and more than 1 ℃ (1.4 ℃ ) in daytime (nighttime).In daytime the urbanization slightly decreases wind speed in and downwind urban area, while in nighttime the wind speed below 200 m in and around urban area obviously decreases (the reducing can reach 0.8 m/s). Urbanization decreases specific humidity below 700 m in daytime (the reducing near surface can reach 1.2 g/kg) , while slightly decreases the near surface specific humidity at nighttime.The impact of urbanization on the mean rainfall in urban area varies with the developing stage of urbanization.The numerical simulation shows that current urbanization in Beijing decreases the rainfall upwind urban area and within the third circle, while markedly increases the rainfall in Haidian and Changping.