cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new high-speed general purpose I/O with real-time computing capability

Real-time data acquisition and control systems incorporating a general purpose digital computer (GPC) are considered for convenience to be composed of three parts: transducers and transmission paths, an input-output mechanism (I/O), and the GPC. The transducers and transmission paths considered in particular are those resulting in the desired data being phase-modulated on carrier waveforms. This type of phase-encoded information may be received from a variety of sources, among which are shaft-angle resolvers with sine-cosine excitations, and Doppler navigation systems. The primary focus of attention in this paper is a new I/O which can receive the phase-modulated waveforms directly, perform a variety of processing functions on the raw data in its phase-modulated form, and present the processed data in a convenient binary format to the GPC. The new I/O can process data from a number of sources in parallel at relatively high speeds, thereby leaving the GPC time for monitoring, adaptive parameter adjustment, and other sophisticated decision and control functions. Similar techniques utilizing different phases of the computer clock signal permit the GPC to generate digital and/or analog commands to transducers via the I/O.
The Family Support Act and Children: Potential Pathways of Influence.

Abstract The Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS), implemented in response to the Family Support Act of 1988, has the potential to affect children's lives not only through changes in maternal education and family economic self-sufficiency but also through children's experiences in nonmaternal care and changes in maternal subjective well-being. Previous research provides good evidence that each of these potential pathways of influence is important in shaping children's development. Nevertheless, the available evidence provides only limited grounds on which to make predictions specifically regarding children and the Family Support Act. This paper identifies the problems in generalizing from the available data to the possible outcomes for children of a mandatory program like JOBS, summarizes ongoing research focusing on the children of mothers assigned to participate in JOBS, and considers future research steps that will be needed to understand the implications for children of programs to enhance the self-sufficiency of welfare mothers.
Effect of fetal infraorbital nerve transection upon trigeminal primary afferent projections in the rat.

Transganglionic tracing with a combination of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and wheat germ agglutinin–conjugated HRP (WGA-HRP) was employed to compare the trigeminal (V) innervation of the brainstem in adult rats that sustained transection of the infraorbital nerve (ION) on either the day of birth or just prior to the beginning of the 17th embryonic day (E-17). The same methods were also employed to assess the effects of such lesions upon the innervation of the brainstem by the lingual, inferior alveolar, mylohyoid, and auriculotemporal V branches. Previous experiments (Chiaia et al.: Dev. Brain Res. 36:75–88, '87) showed that application of HRPand WGA-HRP to the ION in normal adult rats (N = 3) labelled 12,553 ± 1,455 (mean ± s.d.) V ganglion cells while application of these tracers to the regenerated ION after neonatal transection (N –9) labelled 5,001 ± 1,287 ganglion cells. Application of HRP and WGA-HRP to the regenerated ION in adulthood (N = 6) after fetal transection labelled 5,476 ± 3,056 ganglion cells. Thus, the numbers of ganglion cells giving rise to the regenerated ION after fetal and neonatal transection were equivalent (P >.05). The central projections of the ION after fetal transection were qualitatively different from those observed after neonatal injury. After neonatal transection, the central terminal field of regenerated ION fibers in adulthood is almost completely restricted to layers I and II of subnucleus caudalis (SpC; Jacquin and Rhoades: Brain Res. 269:137–144, '83; Chiaia et al.: Dev. Brain Res. 36:75–88, '87). After fetal transection, regenerated ION axons terminate heavily in all portions of the V brainstem complex. After neonatal ION transection, we (Jacquin and Rhoades: J. Comp. Neurol. 235:129–143, '85) have been unable to detect central sprouting of undamaged V mandibular axons by means of transganglionic tracing with HRP and WGA-HRP. Such sprouting was evident in both V subnucleus interpolaris (SpI) and SpC after fetal ION transection. We carried out one additional experiment to determine whether ION ganglion cells that survived fetal axotomy were more resistant to axonal damage than the population of neurons that normally contribute to this nerve on theday of birth. Rats (N = 9) sustained transection of the ION on E-17 and again on the day of birth. The regenerated ION was then labelled with HRP and WGA-HRP when the animals reached adulthood. Anaverage of 1,798 ± 1,050 ganglion cells were labelled in these rats and the transganglionic labelling was restricted to layers I and II of SpC. Thus, V ganglion cells that sustain axotomy on E-17 respond to damage on the day of birth in the same manneras primary afferent neurons that have not been subjected to previous injury.
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway Regulates Potassium Chloride Cotransporter-1 mRNA Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) express at least two mRNAs for K-Cl cotransporters (KCC): KCC1 and KCC3. cGMP-dependent protein kinase I regulates KCC3 mRNA expression in these cells. Here, we show evidence implicating the nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling pathway in the expression of KCC1 mRNA, considered to be the major cell volume regulator. VSMCs, expressing soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and PKG-I isoforms showed a time- and concentration-dependent increase in KCC1 mRNA levels after treatment with sodium nitroprusside as demonstrated by semiquantitative RT-PCR. sGC-dependent regulation of KCC1 mRNA expression was confirmed using YC-1, a NO-independent sGC stimulator. The sGC inhibitor LY83583 blocked the effects of sodium nitroprusside and YC-1. Moreover, 8-Br-cGMP increased KCC1 mRNA expression in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The 8-Br-cGMP effect was partially blocked by KT5823 but not by actinomycin D. However, actinomycin D and cycloheximide increased basal KCC1 mRNA in an additive manner, suggesting different mechanisms of action for both drugs. These findings suggest that in VSMCs, the NO/cGMP-signaling pathway participates in KCC1 mRNA regulation at the post-transcriptional level.
A classification of mergers and acquisitions by motives: Analysis of market responses*

. This study classifies mergers and acquisitions (M&A) into three target groups: (i) those that choose M&A as an alternative to bankruptcy, (ii) highly liquid target firms, and (iii) the remainder of M&A. Each of these categories yields different market responses: stockholders of bankrupt-predicted target firms have the lowest abnormal returns while stockholders of highly liquid targets have the highest. These results are consistent with the free-cash-flows hypothesis for M&A and are robust to possible confounding effects, such as size, method of payment, and whether the takeover is a merger or a tender offer. Resume. Les auteurs classifient les fusions et les acquisitions selon trois groupes, savoir: i) les entreprises qui choisissent la fusion ou l'acquisition comme solution de rechange a la faillite, ii) le entreprises cibles qui ont un degre eleve de liquidite et iii) les autres cas de fusions et d'acquisitions. Chacun de ces groupes suscite des reactions differentes du marche: les actionnaires d'entreprises cibles dont la faillite est previsible enregistrent les rendements anormaux les plus faibles tandis que les actionnaires des entreprises cibles ayant un degre eleve de liquidite enregistrent les rendements les plus eleves. Ces resultats sont conformes a l'hypothese des flux monetaires libres relative aux fusions et aux acquisitions et resistent aux effets contradictoires possibles, tels que la taille, le mode de paiement et la nature de la prise de participation (fusion ou offre publique d'achat).
Secondary Production Mechanisms of Continental Shelf Communities

A compartmental model of energy flux through a continental shelf ecosystem is presented which examines the potential for significant energy flow through detritus microorganisms, and dissolved material to terminal consumers. A number of assumptions are examined which have bearing on the outcome of the modeling exercise. Evidence is reviewed that primary production may be substantially higher than the usual 14C method indicates. If this were the case there would be great latitude possible for the other assumptions inherent in the models but for the present it is assumed that current estimates of photosynthesis in the sea are approximately correct. Evidence is presented that the input of primary detritus (new plant material) is a significant one, although relatively little of it is present in samples of particulate matter. Secondary detritus, principally fecal material, takes many forms and is involved in both benthic and pelagic food webs. The observations that bacteria mediate the utilization of detritus by metazoans, but that there are very few bacteria on detritus particles, are not necessarily in contradiction. However, little is known about the rate of growth of bacteria on particles and the frequency with which particles pass through the guts of detritivores. Similar information is also lacking about the population of free-living bacteria in the water.
Causes of late mortality after endovascular and open surgical repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms

Introduction Several reports suggest unexpectedly high rates of late abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture occur after endovascular AAA repair (EVAR). However, a population-based study examining causes of late death after EVAR vs open surgical repair has not been performed. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing infrarenal AAA repair using information from the Medicare inpatient hospital discharge records (MedPAR files), physician claim files (Part B files, 20% sample), and Medicare Denominator Files for the years 2001 to 2004. Using the Social Security Death Index, we identified all "late" deaths, defined as deaths occurring >30 days and after hospital discharge. We used the National Death Index to identify cause of death information; in particular, those deaths that were likely caused by late rupture. We compared causes of late death and survival between EVAR and open repair using Wilcoxon log-rank and rank-sum tests. Results Between 2001 and 2004, 13,971 patients underwent AAA repair (6119 EVAR, 7852 open repair). After a mean follow-up of 1.6 years in the EVAR cohort and 1.9 years in the open cohort, mortality rates were similar across repair type (15.4% EVAR, 15.9% open repair), with an adjusted odds ratio for death after open repair of 0.98 (95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.07). Of the 2194 documented deaths, 523 occurred before discharge or ≤30 days, and 1671 occurred >30 days and after hospital discharge. Cause of death information for the 1671 late deaths was available from the National Death Index for 1515 (91%). The 15 most common codes for causes of late death were dominated by cardiac disease (atherosclerotic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction) and pulmonary disease (lung cancer, respiratory failure). Causes of late death with specific mention of aneurysm were identified in 37 patients (2.4% of all deaths), but this event was not more common in EVAR or open repair (15 [0.3%] in the EVAR group, 22 [0.3%], in the open repair group; P = .71). Conclusions Late deaths from aneurysm rupture after EVAR or open repair appear to be relatively infrequent and similarly distributed across procedure type. Our results emphasize that the effectiveness of EVAR is comparable to open AAA repair in preventing aneurysm-related death.
Real-valued parallel clonal selection algorithm for design optimization in electromagnetics

Clonal Selection Algorithm (CLONALG) is one of the many branches of the Artificial Immune System Algorithms that are used to tackle engineering problems [1]. Inspired by the adaptive immune response of living organisms, CLONALG combines the clonal selection principle with the affinity maturation process, where those antibodies that successfully recognize the invading antigens are selected to proliferate [2]. Through evolution-based maturation of high affinity antibodies, the algorithm progresses towards finding a global solution to the optimization problem at hand. CLONALG has been shown to be very effective on multi-pole problems due to its inherent properties, yet it has not become a popular choice among optimization tools in the electromagnetics community. The primary reason for this is the large number of clones generated at each iteration, which increases the computational burden when used in conjunction with a full-wave electromagnetic solver. In this paper, we demonstrate that a successful parallel implementation of CLONALG would decrease the computational burden of multiple calls to the electromagnetic solver by distributing the work load over multiple processors. The optimization of a multi-layered frequency selective surface (FSS) filter for the X-band will be presented and compared with the more traditional parallel genetic algorithm (GA) optimizer in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the parallel CLONALG implementation in the area of electromagnetics design.
Short communication: planning considerations for on-farm dairy processing enterprises.

Abstract Across the world, more dairy producers are considering on-farm dairy processing to add value to the milk produced on their farms. Dairy producers may bottle milk or process their milk into cheese, ice cream, butter, yogurt, or cream. The primary objective of this research was to establish a series of sound factors or indicators of success for those considering on-farm processing. A survey was employed to collect opinions and advice from managers of on-farm processing enterprises. Surveys were distributed online (n = 120), with 31 surveys returned, accounting for a 25.8% response rate. Most (64%) respondents had been involved in on-farm dairy processing for less than 10 yr. Sixty-one percent of respondents attained a positive cash flow in 1 to 3 yr. The primary products manufactured were cheese (69%), milk (59%), ice cream (31%), yogurt (25%), and butter (21%). Factors influencing the decision to start an on-farm dairy processing enterprise included commodity milk prices (61%), desire to work with the public (41%), an opportunity to promote the dairy industry (39%), a desire to maintain or expand a small family operation (29%), and product differentiation (16%). Respondents cited dealing with regulations (26%), product marketing (19%), manufacturing technicalities (19%), and securing funding (17%) as the most difficult parts of starting the business. Open-ended responses provided by the respondents of this survey were also documented to give future dairy producers advice. The most common advice to future on-farm processors was to work on realistic business plans, develop and follow realistic budgets, and observe and use market surveys within the industry. These results provide a useful array of information for future on-farm dairy processing enterprises.
Phylogeny of the higher Libelluloidea (Anisoptera: Odonata): An exploration of the most speciose superfamily of dragonflies

Although libelluloid dragonflies are diverse, numerous, and commonly observed and studied, their phylogenetic history is uncertain. Over 150 years of taxonomic study of Libelluloidea Rambur, 1842, beginning with Hagen (1840), [Rambur, M.P., 1842. Neuropteres. Histoire naturelle des Insectes, Paris, pp. 534; Hagen, H., 1840. Synonymia Libellularum Europaearum. Dissertation inaugularis quam consensu et auctoritate gratiosi medicorum ordinis in academia albertina ad summos in medicina et chirurgia honores.] and Selys (1850), [de Selys Longchamps, E., 1850. Revue des Odonates ou Libellules d'Europe [avec la collaboration de H.A. Hagen]. Muquardt, Bruxelles; Leipzig, 1-408.], has failed to produce a consensus about family and subfamily relationships. The present study provides a well-substantiated phylogeny of the Libelluloidea generated from gene fragments of two independent genes, the 16S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and using models that take into account non-independence of correlated rRNA sites. Ninety-three ingroup taxa and six outgroup taxa were amplified for the 28S fragment; 78 ingroup taxa and five outgroup taxa were amplified for the 16S fragment. Bayesian, likelihood and parsimony analyses of the combined data produce well-resolved phylogenetic hypotheses and several previously suggested monophyletic groups were supported by each analysis. Macromiinae, Corduliidae s. s., and Libellulidae are each monophyletic. The corduliid (s.l.) subfamilies Synthemistinae, Gomphomacromiinae, and Idionychinae form a monophyletic group, separate from the Corduliinae. Libellulidae comprises three previously accepted subfamilies (Urothemistinae, a very restricted Tetrathemistinae, and a modified Libellulinae) and five additional consistently recovered groups. None of the other previously proposed subfamilies are supported. Bayesian analyses run with an additional 71 sequences obtained from GenBank did not alter our conclusions. The evolution of adult and larval morphological characters is discussed here to suggest areas for future focus. This study shows the inherent problems in using poorly defined and sometimes inaccurately scored characters, basing groups on symplesiomorphies, and failure to recognize the widespread effects of character correlation and convergence, especially in aspects of wing venation.
Translating the Standard of Effective Control into a System of Effective Accountability: How Liability Should be Apportioned for Voliations of Human Rights by Member State Troop Contingents Serving as United Nations Peackeepers

The international regime of responsibility for the human rights violations of UN peacekeepers up to the time of this article’s writing was divided and wrongheaded. This article provides a comprehensive critical analysis of that regime. I argue that both the United Nations and troop-contributing states are subject to human rights law, including the fundamental duty to remedy human rights violations for which they are responsible, and that these duties apply extraterritorially in many peacekeeping contexts. Contrary to legal authorities up to the time of writing, I then argue that the determination of whether the troop-contributing state or the United Nations should be held responsible in a given context must be driven by an assessment of which entity held the levers of control most likely to be effective in lawfully preventing the wrong in question. To that end, I propose a five-category framework of responsibility. This framework expands the responsibility of troop-contributing states and advocates the joint responsibility of the state and the United Nations in a significantly greater number of contexts than had been recognized by courts and other authorities up to the time of writing. The proposed regime maximizes the avenues to remedy for victims without prejudice to the fairness and effectiveness of a framework that accurately locates those most responsible. I conclude by addressing several legal and policy objections.
Chain length effects on aqueous alkane solubility near the solvent’s critical point

Free energy of hydration calculations for butane and octane were conducted at several state points. A relatively new method of performing the alkane insertion was used and it was found to perform quite well. Our preliminary simulation results are in good agreement with the recent equation of state (EOS) predictions of Yezdimer et al. [Chem. Geol. 164 (2000) 259] and suggest that at near-critical conditions the isobaric solubility curves for a series of alkane chain molecules may unexpectedly reverse.
Multi-organization Policy-Based Monitoring

The monitoring of modern large scale infrastructure systems often relies on complex event processing (CEP) rules to detect security and performance problems. For example, the continuous monitoring of compliance to regulatory requirements such as PCI-DSS and NERC CIP requires analyzing events to identify if specific conditions over the configurations of devices occur. In multi-organization systems, detecting these problems often requires integrating events generated by different organizations. As events provide information about the infrastructure' internal structure, organizations are interested in reducing the amount of information shared with external entities. This paper analyses the problem of detecting policy violations in network infrastructure systems managed by two organizations (e.g., a cloud user and a cloud provider). We focus on CEP monitoring systems and we introduce two protocols for selecting the events to share between the two organizations to ensure the detection of all possible policy violations. Our experimental evaluation shows that reciprocal information sharing between the two organizations significantly reduces the amount of information to transfer. In our SNMP monitoring test case, we obtain a 80% reduction in the information shared by any single organization.
Responsibility and revision: a Levinasian argument for the abolition of capital punishment

Most readers believe that it is difficult, verging on the impossible, to extract concrete prescriptions from the ethics of Emmanuel Levinas. Although this view is largely correct, Levinas’ philosophy can, with some assistance, generate specific duties on the part of legal actors. In this paper, I argue that the fundamental premises of Levinas’ theory of justice can be used to construct a prohibition against capital punishment. After analyzing Levinas’ concepts of justice, responsibility, and interruption, I turn toward his scattered remarks on legal institutions, arguing that they enable a sense of interruption specific to the legal domain. It is here that we find the conceptual resources most important to my Levinasian abolition. I argue that the interruption of legal justice by responsibility implies what I call the “principle of revisability.” The principle of revisability states a necessary condition of just legal institutions: To be just, legal institutions must ensure the possibility of revising any and all of their rules, principles, and judgments. From this, the argument against capital punishment easily follows. Execution is a legal act, perhaps the only legal act, that cannot be undone. An application of the principle of revisability to this fact leads to the conclusion that legal institutions cannot justly impose capital punishment. After defending these points at length, I conclude with some observations on the consequences of the principle of revisability for law more generally.
Continuous-wave operation of InAsSb/InP quantum-dot lasers near 2 /spl mu/m at room temperature

InAsSb quantum-dot lasers near 2 /spl mu/m were demonstrated in cw operation at room temperature with a threshold current density of below 1 kA/cm/sup 2/, output power of 3 mW/facet and a differential quantum efficiency of 13%.
ULF waves in the solar wind as direct drivers of magnetospheric pulsations

[1] Global magnetospheric ULF pulsations with frequencies in the Pc 5 range (f = 1.7–6.7 mHz) and below have been observed for decades in space and on the Earth. Recent work has shown that in some cases these pulsations appear at discrete frequencies. Global cavity and waveguide modes have been offered as possible sources of such waves. In these models the magnetosphere is presumed to resonate globally at frequencies determined solely by its internal properties such as size, shape, field topology, mass density distribution, etc. We show in this work that upstream solar wind number density and dynamic pressure variations precede and drive compressional magnetic field variations at geosynchronous orbit. Furthermore, spectral analysis shows that wave power spectra in both the solar wind and magnetosphere contain peaks at the same discrete frequencies. Therefore, in contrast to the cavity mode hypothesis, we suggest that discrete ULF pulsations observed within the magnetosphere are at least sometimes directly driven by density oscillations present in the ambient solar wind. Finally, we comment on possible sources for such pulsations observed in the solar wind.
Instilling a software engineering mindset through freshman Seminar

Student retention is a challenge faced by all engineering programs. Our first year software engineering students have schedules filled with computer science, mathematics, science and humanities. The lack of any exposure to engineering meant some students, expressing a dislike for software engineering, left the program before they had any exposure to the discipline. To address this issue, we created a one credit Software Engineering Freshman Seminar, which all entering students take in their first term at RIT. This lets us insure student/faculty contact early in the program, as well as providing an opportunity to introduce engineering concepts and practices early in each student's program of study. This paper discusses the seminar's current incarnation. In particular, we focus on those aspects of the course which help students identify with software engineering as a profession. The challenge we face is achieving this goal with students whose technical knowledge and skills are modest. We have settled on an approach that provides experience with teamwork, requirements elicitation, and the effects of change, and addressing professional ethics. These in-class activities are complemented by an assignment to interview a practicing software engineer and to write an interview summary for discussion. This activity ensemble serves to disabuse students of the notion that software engineering is little more than programming, or that the discipline is identical to computer science. Should a student exit the program at this point, at least he or she knows a bit about what they are leaving behind.
Mortality associated with congenital syphilis in the United States, 1992-1998.

Objective. To summarize national trends in the incidence of congenital syphilis (CS) and associated mortality. Methods. We analyzed CS surveillance data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by 50 states and the District of Columbia from 1992-1998. Results. From 1992-1998, 942 deaths, including 760 stillbirths, were reported among 14 627 cases of CS, yield- ing a case fatality ratio (stillborns and deaths/all cases) of 6.4%. Untreated, inadequately treated, or undocumented treatment of syphilis during pregnancy accounted for 87.4% of reported cases. Among CS cases, there was an inverse relationship between the number of prenatal care visits (0, 1- 4, 5-9, >10) and risk of fatal outcome. Among deaths, 52% of deliveries occurred by 30 weeks' gesta- tion. Among live born infants with CS, death occurred more often in infants for whom no radiograph or cere- brospinal fluid evaluation was reported. Although both cases and deaths from CS declined from 1992-1998, there was no significant change in the case fatality ratio. Conclusion. Mortality associated with CS continues to be an important public health problem that will re- surge if adult syphilis rates increase. Because a large proportion of deaths occur at low gestational age, earlier diagnosis and treatment of maternal syphilis may sub- stantially reduce the case fatality ratio. Pediatrics 2002; 109(5). URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/ 109/5/e79; congenital syphilis, mortality, case fatality ratio, prenatal care, early treatment.
Substrate and Dipole Effects in Metal-Molecule-Semiconductor Heterostructures

Metal/Molecule/Semiconductor (MMS) devices have been fabricated and electrically characterized. Measured current-voltage data has been compared to calculated electrostatic properties of the devices. We present an analysis method that explores how substrate properties and molecular dipoles affect transport in MMS structures.
Role of Maternal Autologous Neutralizing Antibody in Selective Perinatal Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Escape Variants

Perinatal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission is characterized by acquisition of a homogeneous viral quasispecies, yet the selective factors responsible for this genetic bottleneck are unclear. We examined the role of maternal autologous neutralizing antibody (aNAB) in selective transmission of HIV-1 escape variants to infants. Maternal sera from 38 infected mothers at the time of delivery were assayed for autologous neutralizing antibody activity against maternal time-of-delivery HIV-1 isolates in vitro. Maternal sera were also tested for cross-neutralization of infected-infant-first-positive-time-point viral isolates. Heteroduplex and DNA sequence analyses were then performed to identify the initial infecting virus as a neutralization-sensitive or escape HIV-1 variant. In utero transmitters (n = 14) were significantly less likely to have aNAB to their own HIV-1 strains at delivery than nontransmitting mothers (n = 17, 14.3% versus 76.5%, P = 0.003). Cross-neutralization assays of infected-infant-first-positive-time-point HIV-1 isolates indicated that while 14/21 HIV-1-infected infant first positive time point isolates were resistant to their own mother's aNAB, no infant isolate was inherently resistant to antibody neutralization by all sera tested. Furthermore, both heteroduplex (n = 21) and phylogenetic (n = 9) analyses showed that selective perinatal transmission and/or outgrowth of maternal autologous neutralization escape HIV-1 variants occurs in utero and intrapartum. These data indicate that maternal autologous neutralizing antibody can exert powerful protective and selective effects in perinatal HIV-1 transmission and therefore has important implications for vaccine development.
Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and syphilis among men who have sex with men in Brazil

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are frequently asymptomatic and increase the likelihood of transmitting and acquiring HIV. In Brazil, the guidelines for STDs diagnosis and treatment are based on the syndromic approach. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) has been recommended as routine STDs screening in some countries, especially for men who have sex with men (MSM). Limited data are available about how to best define target groups for routine screening by NAATs within this population. We aimed to assess the prevalence of rectal and urethral Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections and syphilis, and the factors associated with having at least one STD among HIV-infected and uninfected MSM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From August 2010 to June 2012, 391 MSM were enrolled into the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases-INI-Fiocruz cohort, and 292 MSM (HIV-infected:211 and HIV-uninfected:81) were included in this study. NAATs were performed on the rectal swabs and urine for CT and NG. The rapid plasma reagin test and microhemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum were performed for syphilis diagnosis. The overall prevalence of STD was 20.0 % (95%CI:15.7-25.1): 10 % anorectal chlamydia; syphilis 9.9 %; anorectal gonorrheae 2.5 %; and urethral chlamydia 2.2 %; no case of urethral gonorrheae was detected. The proportion of HIV-positive MSM who had at least one STD was nearly two times that of HIV-negative MSM (22.6 % vs 13.2 %; P = 0.09). The frequency of each STD, except for anorectal NG (1.5 % vs.5.2 %), was higher among HIV-positive than HIV-negative individuals. Among the 211 asymptomatic participants, 17.5 % (n = 37) were identified as having at least one STD; 10.4 % (n = 22/211) tested positive for anorectal chlamydia. Sixty five percent of HIV-positive MSM were asymptomatic at the time of the STD diagnosis, while 100.0 % of the HIV-negative MSM. Age (APR = 0.78; 95%CI:0.60-1.00 for each additional ten years) and a positive-HIV serostatus (APR = 2.05; 95%CI:1.03-4.08) were significantly associated with STD diagnosis. An overall high STD-prevalence rate was observed, especially among HIV-infected and in younger individuals, and the majority of STDs were asymptomatic. STD screening using NAATs among asymptomatic MSM is a potentially cost-effective intervention for the prevention of HIV infection among MSM.
New taxa and nomenclatural notes on the flora of the Marojejy Massif, Madagascar. IV. Myrtaceae: new species of Eugenia L.

Deux nouvelles especes d'Eugenia, E. randrianasoloi et E. schatzii, du massif de Marojejy au Nord-Est de Madagascar, sont decrites et comparees aux especes avec lesquelles elles sont souvent confondues.
Relation of Internal Elastic Lamellar Layer Disruption to Neointimal Cellular Proliferation and Type III Collagen Deposition in Human Peripheral Artery Restenosis

Smooth muscle cell proliferation and extracellular matrix formation are responsible for disease progression in de novo and restenotic atherosclerosis. Internal elastic lamella (IEL) layer maintains the structural integrity of intima, and disruption of IEL may be associated with alterations in neointima, type III collagen deposition, and lesion progression in restenosis. Nineteen restenotic plaques (12 patients) procured during peripheral interventions were compared with 13 control plaques (12 patients) without restenosis. Hematoxylin & Eosin and elastic trichrome stains were used to measure length and percentage of IEL disruption, cellularity, and inflammation score. Type I and III collagens, smooth muscle cell (smc), fibroblast density, and nuclear proliferation (Ki67) percentage were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. IEL disruption percentage (28 ± 3.6 vs 6.1 ± 2.4; p = 0.0006), type III collagen content (0.33 ± 0.06 vs 0.17 ± 0.07; p = 0.0001), smc density (2014 ± 120 vs 923 ± 150; p = 0.0001), fibroblast density (2,282 ± 297 vs 906 ± 138; p = 0.0001), and Ki67 percentage (21.6 ± 2 vs 8.2 ± 0.65; p = 0.0001) were significantly increased in restenotic plaques compared to de novo plaques. Logistic regression analysis identified significant correlation between IEL disruption and neointimal smc density (r = 0.45; p = 0.01) and with type III collagen deposition (r = 0.61; p = 0.02) in restenosis. Increased IEL disruption may trigger cellular proliferation, altering collagen production, and enhancing restenotic neointima. In conclusion, understanding the pathologic and molecular basis of restenosis and meticulous-guided interventions oriented to minimize IEL damage may aid to reduce neointimal proliferation and the occurrence of restenosis.
A post mortem assessment of a 25-year-old man with ascending aortic dissection and a novel MYLK variant

We report on the process of post mortem evaluation and genetic testing following the death of a 25-year-old man due to ascending aortic dissection leading to aortic rupture. Following the negative clinical testing of a 12- gene thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection panel, research testing revealed a novel c.5732A>T (p.E1911V) variant in exon 34 of the MYLK gene (NM_053025). Two likely pathogenic variants in this gene have been reported previously in individuals with familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. Given the unclear clinical consequence of the variant found in our proband, we have classified this change as a variant of uncertain significance. In addition to discussing the complexity involved in variant interpretation, we recognize the need for additional research for more accurate MYLK interpretation. Finally, we comment on the unique challenges of post mortem genetic testing.
Overpromotion and the Learned Intermediary Doctrine in Advertising of Medicine and Medical Devices in the United States

This paper analyzes the theories of “overpromotion” and the Learned Intermediary Doctrine (the LID) and how the courts apply them to advertisements in the healthcare industry. The courts view “overpromotion” as the practice in which drug companies and manufacturers of medical devices aggressively promote their products to the extent that the “full effect” of warnings on these products are de-emphasized or diluted (see Hill v. Searle Laboratories, 1989). One of the dangerous effects of “overpromotion” is the fact that it leads physicians not to rely on the warnings and package inserts associated with a particular drug or product that they are prescribing.
Improvements in photon number-resolving detection

Visible light photon counters (VLPCs) enable efficient single-photon detection with photon number-resolving capability. In our system, we observe up to 5 simultaneous photons, with a detector signal pulse height distribution that matches theoretical predictions.
Isolation of endohyphal bacteria from foliar Ascomycota and In Vitro establishment of their symbiotic associations

ABSTRACT Endohyphal bacteria (EHB) can influence fungal phenotypes and shape the outcomes of plant-fungal interactions. Previous work has suggested that EHB form facultative associations with many foliar fungi in the Ascomycota. These bacteria can be isolated in culture, and fungi can be cured of EHB using antibiotics. Here, we present methods for successfully introducing EHB into axenic mycelia of strains representing two classes of Ascomycota. We first establish in vitro conditions favoring reintroduction of two strains of EHB (Luteibacter sp.) into axenic cultures of their original fungal hosts, focusing on fungi isolated from healthy plant tissue as endophytes: Microdiplodia sp. (Dothideomycetes) and Pestalotiopsis sp. (Sordariomycetes). We then demonstrate that these EHB can be introduced into a novel fungal host under the same conditions, successfully transferring EHB between fungi representing different classes. Finally, we manipulate conditions to optimize reintroduction in a focal EHB-fungal association. We show that EHB infections were initiated and maintained more often under low-nutrient culture conditions and when EHB and fungal hyphae were washed with MgCl 2 prior to reassociation. Our study provides new methods for experimental assessment of the effects of EHB on fungal phenotypes and shows how the identity of the fungal host and growth conditions can define the establishment of these widespread and important symbioses.
Reconstruction of small-scale galaxy cluster substructure with lensing flexion

We present a reconstructions of galaxy-cluster-scale mass distributions from simulated gravitational lensing data sets including strong lensing, weak lensing shear, and measurements of quadratic image distortions -- flexion. The lensing data is constructed to make a direct comparison between mass reconstructions with and without flexion. We show that in the absence of flexion measurements, significant galaxy-group scale substructure can remain undetected in the reconstructed mass profiles, and that the resulting profiles underestimate the aperture mass in the substructure regions by $\sim25-40\%$. When flexion is included, subhaloes down to a mass of $\sim3\times10^{12}$ M$_\odot$ can be detected at an angular resolution smaller than 10\arcsec. Aperture masses from profiles reconstructed with flexion match the input distribution values to within an error of $\sim13\%$, including both statistical error and scatter. This demonstrates the important constraint that flexion measurements place on substructure in galaxy clusters and its utility for producing high-fidelity mass reconstructions.
Amorphization at the Metal-Ceramic Interface in Nb - Al2O3 Composite Through Extensive Interphase Diffusion

A novel, low temperature and pressureless bonding technique has been developed to fabricate Al2O3 coated Nb composite. The nature of the interface bond has been characterized by extensive electron microscopic investigation, and a phenomenological model has been developed to explain the mechanism of bond formation. In the present technique a suspension (in distilled water) of fine Al2O3 powder (mean particle size of 0.2μm) was applied on polished and cleaned Nb blocks. The coatings were air dried and the coated metals were heat treated at 1100°C to achieve bonding between the ceramic and the metal. The process was carried out in an argon atmosphere. To reduce the oxygen impurity content in argon, the gas was passed over Mg turnings at 300°C before its entry into the bonding apparatus. Control of oxygen impurity in the bonding atmosphere in conjunction with the use of fine ceramic particles led to enhancement of interfacial diffusion. Scanning electron microscopy of the bonded specimens showed a consolidated layer in the ceramic phase close to the metal-ceramic interface. Transmission electron microscopy of the metal-ceramic interfacial region rOevealed a distribution of Al2O3 particles in an amorphous phase containing varying amount of Al, Nb, and 0. Prior treatment with Mg was to reduce the oxygen impurity content below the equlibrium oxygen partial pressure (at 1100°C) of Al2O3. This would result in loss of oxygen from the surface of the ceramic particles. Thus a region, with high concentration of O= vacancy would form along the surfaces of the particles. As a result of excessive oxygen depletion, further continuation of this process would lead to degeneration of the crystal structure of the regions along the surfaces of the Al2O3 particles. These regions along the Al2O3 particle surfaces may then act as easy diffusion paths for Nb. Extensive diffusion of the metal into the ceramic phase along these paths would lead to the formation of an amorphous phase along the ceramic particle surfaces. Eventually, this phase will occupy the voids in between the ceramic particles, that are close to the metal-ceramic interface, and thus bond them together with the metal.
Additional Data on the Os Penis of Megachiroptera

Descriptions of the os penis of representative specimens of 22 species of Megachiroptera are presented. It is clear that differences between bacula from various species of a single genus are chiefly in minor details of outline and gross size, whereas, genera are distinguished by more profound differences in size and morphological characteristics of the baculum. It is recognized that the os penis is but one of several criteria for evaluating relationship and that the samples described are limited in number; therefore variations between individuals and in age are poorly understood. Nevertheless, strong intrageneric similarities exist and representative bacula of various genera differ distinctly. Such observations have been taken to indicate probable degree of relationship between groups but give little insight as to which group is specialized or primitive or representative of a basic evolutionary line. An arrangement of specimens according to similarities of bacular structure agrees favorably with one based on traditional skeletal and external characteristics.
Tranexamic acid: optimal blood loss management in surface replacement arthroplasty.

Aims This study investigated whether the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) decreased blood loss and transfusion related cost following surface replacement arthroplasty (SRA). Methods A retrospective review of patients treated with TXA during a SRA, who did not receive autologous blood (TXA group) was performed. Two comparison groups were established; the first group comprised of patients who donated their own blood pre-operatively (auto group) and the second of patients who did not donate blood pre-operatively (control). Outcomes included transfusions, post-operative haemoglobin (Hgb), complications, and length of post-operative stay. Results Between 2009 and 2013, 150 patients undergoing SRA were identified for inclusion: 51 in the auto, 49 in the control, and 50 in the TXA group. There were no differences in the pre-operative Hgb concentrations between groups. The mean post-operative Hgb was 11.3 g/dL (9.1 to 13.6) in the auto and TXA groups, and 10.6 g/dL (8.1 to 12.1)in the control group (p = 0.001). Accounting for cost of transfusions, administration of TXA, and length of stay, the cost per patient was $1731, $339, and $185 for the auto, control and TXA groups, respectively. Discussion TXA use demonstrated higher post-operative Hgb concentrations when compared with controls and decreased peri-operative costs. Take home message: Tranexamic acid safely limits allogeneic transfusion, maintains post-operative haemoglobin, and decreases direct and indirect transfusion related costs in surface replacement arthroplasty. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:173–8.
Marginal value theorem, patch choice, and human foraging response in varying environments

Abstract The theoretical basis for understanding how human forager mobility should respond to environmental change rests on two models: patch choice and the marginal value theorem. Students of hunter–gatherers have traditionally understood the more widely favored marginal value theorem to predict that use of a given patch will be more intensive, i.e., that a greater fraction of its resources will be used, when overall (environmental) return rate decreases. We show this is true only if that patch is less affected by resource decrease than others in the environment, in the simplest case, where the number of patches available to a forager decreases without affecting the quality of the remaining patches. Then, foraging time within the patch, fraction of patch resources used, and travel time between patches will all increase. Conversely, if resources decrease across all patches uniformly, the fraction of patch resources extracted from any given patch remains constant. Within-patch foraging time may or may not decrease, but will not increase. In this case, foraging time varies independently of fraction of patch resources used and travel time. The extent to which these marginal value predictions account for hunter–gatherer mobility requires disentangling them from predictions independently generated by the patch choice model, in which as environmental quality declines, lower ranking patches are added to the foraging itinerary, decreasing travel time and either increasing or decreasing foraging time, depending on the nature of the lower ranking patches. A sample of 190 mobile hunter–gatherers suggests that a version of the patch choice model in which the patches added to the foraging itinerary are more difficult to search, and contain greater quantities of resources with higher handling times, best accounts for observed variation in foraging and travel time overall.
A Review of CIGRE’ 2006 on High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and Power Electronic (PE) Technologies

Special report for high voltage direct current (HVDC) and power electronic (PE) technologies in 2006 CIGRE are introduced. The issues covered three aspects: new HVDC and power electronic technologies and projects, issues concerning HVDC and power electronic projects, role of HVDC and FACTS to assist system performance, and key technology in the conference.
"Three Buddhist-Sutras-Copying Arhats":A Painting of Hanshan,Shide and Fenggan,the Three Saints in the Zen Culture

"Three Buddhist-Sutras-Copying Arhats"is a famous religious painting.However,as its painter is unknown,reviewers'comments vary from person to person.There is something in common but there are more disputes.An anaysis of the composition of the picture,the images of the figures in it and the specific information and cultural background of the work of art suggests that the painting is not an ordinary"painting of arhats",nor a simple painting of"Buddhist sutras copying",but rather one that embodies an in-depth Zen cultureand a painting depicting Hanshan,Shide and Fenggan,the three legendary Buddhist saints by a literary painter or an enlightened high monk.