cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An approach for hip joint center calculation for use in seated postures

Abstract In seated postures, such as those in office or automotive seats, locating the hip joint center (HJC) using three markers on the pelvis has been difficult if not impossible. A two-target approach by Bell et al. (J. Biomech. 23 (1990) 617) has been used, however, this method was shown to have inaccuracies when compared to the three-target method developed by Seidel et al. (J. Biomech. 28 (1995) 995). A new two-target method that is specific to the seated environment, has better accuracy than the Bell et al. approach, and is based on the Seidel et al. approach was developed and tested on 13 seated subjects. This new method used three targets and an initial reference file to estimate the HJC location. Once the HJC was located, assumptions were made that the magnitudes between the HJC and the respective anterior superior iliac spine, and the HJC and the respective lateral epicondyle remained constant. The primary concern when evaluating this new method was the affect of seated posture movement, in particular leg splay and spinal flexion on the assumptions. The results obtained with the new approach were compared to Seidel et al. and provided HJC locations with average differences of 3.8, 1.2 and 2.8 mm for spinal flexion in the anterior/posterior, medial/lateral and superior/inferior directions, respectively, and 2.3, 1.0 and 1.4 mm for knee splay. The proposed method provided better HJC estimation than the Bell et al. approach particularly in the superior/inferior dimensions.
MICROENVIRONMENT OF AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS EMPLOYED AS FLUORESCENT PROBES OF LIPOSOMES

— The enhancement of weakly allowed vibronic transitions in the fluorescence spectra of pyrene, 1,12-benzoperylene and naphthalene, which we previously found to be the result of the reduction of the molecular symmetry caused by ground state complex formation with polar solvents, has been employed in the present work to study the microenvironment of these aromatic hydrocarbons when incorporated as fluorescent probes into egg phosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The probes are found to interact and form ground state molecular complexes with polar groups of the liposomes. For egg phosphatidylcholine the degree of enhancement is matched by that in butanol, methanol and dioxane for the three probes, respectively. For dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine the matching solvents are ethanol, dimethylformamide and dioxane below the phase transition, while they are ether, methanol and dioxane above it. Thus, above the phase transition pyrene and 1,12-benzoperylene penetrate further into the liposomes, while naphthalene retains approximately the same location.
Methodological issues in the estimation of the size distribution of household wealth

Abstract Two issues are addressed. First, in regard to the proper measure of wealth,current marketable wealth, expected lifetime resources, financial wealth, family wealth, per capita wealth, and equivalence-adjusted wealth can all be appropriate for different purposes. Time trends are found to differ considerably among alternative wealth indices. Second, in regard to the construction of a reliable time-series from different sources, estimates of the size distribution of household wealth are found to be quite sensitive to the sampling frame (because of the skewness of the distribution), to the accounting framework, to patterns of response error (because of portfolio variation with wealth class), and to observational unit.
Semiclassical derivation of the tunneling probability in magnetic breakdown

The tunneling probability in magnetic breakdown is derived in analogy with the Zener (electric) breakdown by carrying out the phase integral in the domain of the imaginary propagation vector which corresponds to the energy gap.
Recency-sensitive retrieval processes in long-term free recall☆

Abstract In several experiments, each presentation of a to-be-remembered item in a free-recall list was both preceded and followed by a distracting activity and recall was delayed by an additional period of distracting activity. Pronounced long-term effects of recency were obtained, the standard short-term memory interpretation of recency effects in free recall notwithstanding. The results are interpreted as reflecting retrieval processes that are obscured by procedural characteristics of typical free-recall experiments.
Comparison of Nickel Nanoparticle-Assisted Diffusion Brazing of Stainless Steel to Conventional Diffusion Brazing and Bonding Processes

Transient liquid phase diffusion brazing is used in precision, hermetic joining applications as a replacement for diffusion bonding to reduce cycle times, reduce bonding pressure, and improve yields. In the present study, stainless steel 316L laminae are diffusion brazed with an interlayer of nickel nanoparticles and compared with samples joined by conventional diffusion bonding and electroplated nickel-phosphorous diffusion brazing. Comparison is made with regard to microstructural evolution, diffusional profile, and bond strength. All bonding was carried out in a uni-axial vacuum hot press at 1000°C with a heating rate of 10°C / min, a dwell time of 2 h and a bonding pressure of 10 MPa. Bond strength measurements show that the sample brazed with a nickel nanoparticle interlayer has the lowest void fraction at 4.8 ± 0.9% and highest shear strength at 141.3 ± 7.0 MPa. Wavelength dispersive spectroscopic analysis of sample cross-sections shows substantial diffusion of Ni and Fe across the nickel nanoparticle bond line. Scanning electron micrographs show no secondary phases along the nickel nanoparticle bond line.
On the power from phonon fluorescence in superconductors

Abstract A vibronic sideband spectrometer is used to detect phonons generated from phonon fluorescence in superconductors. Although previously projected phonon powers are just within the minimum detectivity, no sideband signals were observed. An interpretation of this result is given.
Proteomic analysis of human samples of irradiated tissue: Identification of a biosignature of radiation dose response

Purpose/Objective: Currently, there is no scientific consensus on the biologic activity of low dose low LET ionizing radiation (LDIR) in humans. For health and regulatory purposes, a linear no-threshold model of radiation effects is assumed for low dose (1–10 cGy) exposures, but in vitro studies in various models have suggested that this may either under or over estimate risks. Given the potential risks, from environmental exposure, medical imaging and penumbra dose from therapeutic irradiation, especially IMRT, there is a significant need to establish LDIR risk in humans. These studies were therefore undertaken to measure biologic activity of LDIR in primary human fibroblasts.
Synergistic Effects of Prolactin and Estradiol in the Luteotropic Process in the Pregnant Rat: Regulation of Estradiol Receptor by Prolactin

Our findings that the direct luteotropic effect of estrogen was dependent on the presence of prolactin or rat placental lactogen have suggested to us that prolactin may control estrogen receptor content in the corpora lutea of pregnant rats. To test this hypothesis, the cytosolic and nuclear contents of estrogen receptor were measured in the corpora lutea of pregnant rats in which endogenous prolactin was removed by 1) hypophysectomy and hysterectomy on Day 9, or 2) treatment with ergocryptine (1 mg/rat) on Day 6. Within 24 h, nuclear content of estrogen receptor in lutea cells dropped by 70% in hypophysectomized-hysterectomized rats and 75% in ergocryptine treated rats, while cytosol content dropped by 40% and 38%, respectively. Estradiol treatment (100 �g/ day) did not prevent the decrease in cytosolic or nuclear receptor, whereas prolactin (250 �gI day) or serum containing rat placental lactogen did maintain luteal cell cytoplasmic receptor content. Nuclear content of estradiol receptor was maintained in ergocryptine treated rats by administration of prolactin alone. However, estradiol had to be administered with prolactin in hypophysectomized-hysterectomized rats to achieve the same effect, suggesting that after ergocryptine treatment intraluteal concentrations of estrogen were sufficient to affect the translocation of cyrosolic receptor to the nucleus. These studies indicate that the synergistic action of prolactin with estradiol in the luteotropic process in the pregnant rat may involve, in part, prolactin stimulation of luteal receptor for estradiol, a prolactin dependent response not previously reported.
Help-seeking behaviors among a sample of urban adolescents with a history of dating violence and suicide ideations

Using data from the 2011 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey, this study examined professional help-seeking behaviors among an urban sample of adolescent youth with a history of dating violence and suicidal ideations. Adolescents of both genders who reported a history of dating violence (physical and sexual abuse) as well as a history of suicidal ideations (thoughts of and actual suicide attempts) were selected for this study (N = 1923). Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the variables. Results indicated that approximately 17% of the sample reported seeking professional help in the past 12 months, with females being more likely to seek help. Nine percent of the sample reported that they were hit or slapped by boyfriend or girlfriend in the past 12 months, and almost 7% of the sample reported sexual abuse. Implications for future research are also addressed.
A geostatistical framework for categorical spatial data modeling

This paper presents a general geostatistical framework for modeling categorical spatial data, an all important information source in many scientific fields. In the proposed framework, the multi-point class occurrence probability for (target) locations with unknown class labels given observed class labels at sample (source) locations is decomposed into a weighted combination of two-point spatial interactions in two different approaches, while accounting for complex spatial interdependencies. In the first approach, two-point spatial interactions are quantified directly by transiograms, a recently proposed set of spatial continuity measures in categorical fields. The sought-after multi-point class occurrence probability is then approximated based on a general paradigm (Tau model) for integrating knowledge from interdependent diverse information sources while accounting for information redundancy between them. In the second approach, geostatistical modeling of categorical spatial data is set in the framework of generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), where latent spatially correlated Gaussian variables are assumed for the observable non-Gaussian responses to account for spatial correlation. Instead of using Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling to infer the assumed latent variables, an ad-hoc method is proposed to approximate the analytically intractable posterior probability of the latent variables. The advantages of the new proposed framework are analyzed and highlighted through real and synthetic cases studies involving the generation of spatial patterns via sequential indicator simulation and interpolation of categorical spatial data.
Penetrance of Mutations in Plakophilin-2 Among Families With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES The purpose of our study was to characterize the penetrance of PKP2 mutations among family members of people with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) and to examine clinical features and predictors of disease among PKP2 mutation carriers. BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by fatty-fibrous myocardial replacement of the right ventricle, ventricular arrhythmias, and right ventricular dysfunction. Mutations in PKP2, the gene encoding plakophilin-2, are found in 11% to 43% of ARVD/C probands. METHODS The study population was composed of 64 individuals in 9 families with an ARVD/C proband previously shown to carry a pathogenic PKP2 mutation. The diagnosis of ARVD/C was established based on task force criteria (TFC) set by the European Society of Cardiology. RESULTS In addition to the probands, PKP2 mutations were present in 52% of relatives screened. Forty-nine percent of PKP2 mutation carriers met TFC. Among mutation carriers who did not meet full TFC, 50% met at least some TFC criteria besides family history. Pedigrees showed wide intra-familial variability, ranging from severe disease with early death to individuals who were completely asymptomatic late in life. Male PKP2 mutation carriers were more likely to have structural and conduction abnormalities as determined by imaging studies, signal-averaged electrocardiography, and 24-h ambulatory electrocardiography (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS PKP2 mutations in a group of North American families with ARVD/C have both reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. Gender may have an influence on penetrance of PKP2 mutations, with male mutation carriers more likely to develop specific phenotypic manifestations of this disease.
Issues, Policies, and Recommendations for Improving the Education of Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) create significant challenges to educators and the educational system not only based on their ever-increasing numbers but also because of the questions and debates surrounding how best to provide them an appropriate and effective education. These issues include the skills, knowledge, and professional credentials of educators who teach learners with ASD, which settings are best suited for their educational experiences, and what and how children and youth with ASD should be taught. In this article the authors address these three core elements that underpin the education of pupils with ASD and offer recommendations for improving the present system.
Connected word recognizer on a multiprocessor system

Speech recognition algorithms employing a similarity measure between the input speech utterance and the stored reference patterns to determine recognition of a word/sentence are computationally intensive. The instantaneous vocabulary size that can be handled in real-time is relatively small. This limitation can be alleviated by either using multiple programmable processors or by using special purpose hardware to handle the computation-intensive tasks. In a research environment the former approach is preferred, because improvements to the algorithm can rapidly be incorporated and their effects studied in real-time. Texas Instruments has developed a multiple-processor architecture based on the TMS32020 DSP, called Odyssey, that interfaces with Explorer, a symbolic computer. This paper addresses the issues involved in partitioning and allocating tasks in a multiple-processor environment to maximise throughput, and discusses the implementation of a grammar-driven speaker-dependent connected-word recognizer (GDCWR) as an example application that uses the power of multiple processors.
Dynamic features and prediction model for imaging the fingernail to measure fingertip forces

As an extension of our previous work on estimating fingertip forces by imaging the fingernail (Y. Sun, et al., 2006), the dynamic features of the coloration response of different parts of the fingernail and surrounding skin to different force levels are studied. The effect of the cardiovascular state on measurable coloration is also characterized. The accuracy of normal force estimated by generalized least squares is presented. A time compensation method for fast force estimation is presented, based on a knowledge of the time constants from the dynamic response of individual fingernail regions
Health-Related Quality of Life of Future Physicians at a Medical School in the Philippines: A Cross-Sectional Study

Medical students are trained to maintain the health of patients, but such training may have undesirable effects on medical students’ personal health. This study therefore aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of medical students and to determine the factors that are associated with the students’ HRQOL. The target population included all students enrolled at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine in Baguio City, Philippines, during school year 2012-2013. The measurements included the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire for HRQOL, Beck Depression Inventory, abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, and self-report items for other exposure variables. A total of 527 medical students participated in the study. The mean scores in all of the eight domains of HRQOL ranged from 51.36 to 85.83. The highest mean scores were along the areas of physical functioning (85.83) and bodily pain (69.20), whereas the lowest mean scores were in the areas of vitality (51.72) and role limitations due to emotional problems (51.36). Depression, stress, and burnout were associated with lower scores in most of the domains of HRQOL. Medical students in our school are generally in a satisfactory state of functional health and well-being, but have a lower level of mental health as compared with physical health.
Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy without radiation for esophageal cancer

Background: A phase II trial to evaluate neoadjuvant (NAD), surgery and adjuvant (AD) combination chemotherapy without radiation therapy (RT) for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma staged with endoscopic ultrasound and CT as T3N1 was carried out. Methods: Thirty-three eligible patients were enrolled. NAD therapy was administered in two 49-day cycles and included cisplatin, floxuridine, paclitaxel and leucovorin. Esophageal resection was performed followed by AD therapy. Results: Thirty-three patients initiated NAD therapy; 10 experienced grade 3 and 4 toxicities, which included leucopenia, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and stomatitis. Additionally, 16 patients experienced grade 1 and 2 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities. Fifteen patients were down-staged, of whom five were T2, seven were T1, and three had nodal disease with no evidence of residual cancer in the esophageal bed. Fifteen patients remained T3, and two showed progressive disease. Thirty-two patients proceeded to surgery and 30 were resected. Although all resected patients were eligible for AD therapy, 15 did not receive it either because of patient refusal or surgeon recommendation. Fifteen patients received AD therapy: nine who had remained T3 and six who had down-staged. Three patients experienced grade 3 and 4 toxicities similar to those in NAD therapy. Six patients had grade 1 and 2 toxicities. Kaplan‐Meier estimates of overall survival at 1, 3 and 5 years were 73% (95% CI: 58‐88%), 52% (95% CI: 34‐69%) and 29% (95% CI: 13‐45%), respectively. Median survival was 42 months. Conclusion: Deletion of RT may safely allow for more aggressive chemotherapy and increase chances of survival. The results need to be confirmed in a randomized phase II or larger phase III trial.
SURVEY FOR ANTIBODIES TO INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS SEROTYPE 2 IN WILD TURKEYS AND SANDHILL CRANES OF FLORIDA, USA

Captive-reared Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) released into Florida for the resident reintroduction project experienced unusually high mortality and morbidity during the 1997-98 and 2001-02 release seasons. Exposure to infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) serotype 2 as evidenced by seroconversion was suspected to be the factor that precipitated these mortality events. Very little is known about the incidence of IBD in wild bird populations. Before this study, natural exposure had not been documented in wild birds of North America having no contact with captive-reared cranes, and the prevalence and transmission mechanisms of the virus in wild birds were unknown. Sentinel chickens (Gallus gallus) monitored on two Whooping Crane release sites in central Florida, USA, during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 release seasons seroconverted, demonstrating natural exposure to IBDV serotype 2. Blood samples collected from Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) in eight of 21 counties in Florida, USA, and one of two counties in southern Georgia, USA, were antibody-positive for IBDV serotype 2, indicating that exposure from wild birds sharing habitat with Whooping Cranes is possible. The presence of this virus in wild birds in these areas is a concern for the resident flock of Whooping Cranes because they nest and raise their chicks in Florida, USA. However, passively transferred antibodies may protect them at this otherwise vulnerable period in their lives.
The Value of the Autopsy in Congenital Heart Disease

We reviewed autopsies in 50 consecutive cases of congenital heart disease between 1980 and 1988. Autopsy results were compared to premortem clinical diagnosis. The patients ranged in age from two days to 66.5 years with a mean age of 6.42 years; 68% were less than one year of age. The most common diagnoses were hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 16 (32%) and ventricular septal defect in five (10%). Other common diagnoses included coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic right heart syndrome, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great vessels and tricuspid atresia. No patient had a missed diagnosis that would have changed survival (Class 1). Four (8%) of the patients had one missed major diagnosis that did not change their survival because they were already being symptomatically treated or because no clinical treatment was available (Class 2). The majority of autopsy derived data were missed minor diagnoses that were related [14 (28%)-Class 3] or unrelated [12 (24%) - Class 4] to the terminal disease process. However, despite the small percentage of autopsy findings that would have directly affected survival, the autopsy provided important additional clinical information in 30 (60%) patients. This information could be used to correct management errors and to develop protocols for prophylaxis against known complications. The pediatric autopsy can provide useful clinical data that may be a guide to altering clinical therapy and is essential in providing genetic counseling.
Efficient provision of child quality of life in less developed countries: conventional development indexes versus a programming approach to development indexes

Abstract Using a linear programming approach, we establish a child quality of life (CQL) index by evaluating the ability of a less developed country (LDC) to maximize specific child development goals subject to minimizing specific resource availability indicators. This approach — which ranks LDCs from the most robustly efficient to the most robustly in efficient in their ability to maximize goals while minimizing resource utilization — avoids using equal or subjective weights employed in conventional ranking schemes. The ranking of the 38 LDCs yields unexpected results and suggests a very different way of measuring and evaluating development policy.
Higher Mortality Rate Among Infants of US-Born Mothers Compared to Foreign-Born Mothers in New York City

This study is to compare infant mortality rates (IMRs) between US- and foreign-born mothers in New York City. The linked live birth-infant death records from 1995 to 1998 were analyzed. Overall US-born mothers had a higher IMR than foreign-born mothers, though there were great variations in IMRs by country of maternal birth among foreign-born mothers. US-born mothers had higher IMRs compared to foreign-born mothers for several maternal/infant characteristics. Logistic regression analyses indicated that infants of foreign-born mothers were less likely to die from prematurity, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and external causes, but were more likely to die of congenital anomalies than those of US-born mothers. Further analyses on the interactions of maternal race/ethnicity and country of birth showed variations in the IMRs of leading causes of death. Infant mortality reduction strategies should be differentially targeted to minority mothers of different countries of birth, particularly for potentially preventable causes of deaths.
Stability Studies of Twenty-Four Analytes in Human Plasma and Serum

Background: The stability and stoichiometric changes of analytes in plasma and serum after prolonged contact with blood cells in uncentrifuged Vacutainer® tubes were studied. Methods: We simultaneously investigated the stability of 24 analytes ( a ) after prolonged contact of plasma and serum with blood cells and ( b ) after immediate separation of plasma and serum (centrifuged twice at 2000 g for 5 min). We verified biochemical mechanisms of observed analyte change by concomitant measurement of pH, P co2, and P o2. Hemolysis was qualitatively and semiquantitatively assessed. All specimens were maintained at room temperature (25 °C) and analyzed in duplicate 0.5, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, and 56 h after collection. Statistically significant changes from the 0.5 h mean were determined using repeated-measures ANOVA. The significant change limit was applied to determine clinically significant changes in measured analytes. Results: Fifteen of 24 analytes in plasma and serum maintained in contact with cells showed clinically relevant changes, with the degree of change more pronounced in most plasma specimens. All analytes in plasma and serum immediately separated from cells after collection were stable. Conclusion: Storage of uncentrifuged specimens beyond 24 h caused significant changes in most analytes investigated because of ( a ) glucose depletion and Na+,K+-ATPase pump failure; ( b ) the movement of water into cells, causing hemoconcentration; and ( c ) leakage of intracellular constituents and metabolites. Immediate separation of plasma or serum from cells provides optimal analyte stability at room temperature. When prolonged contact of plasma or serum with cells is unavoidable, use of serum is recommended because of the higher instability of plasma analytes.
The Role of Reasons in Moral Education

Most generally, and in a slogan, reasons are considerations that purport to support candidate beliefs, judgments, and actions. That is, p is a reason for q if p is a consideration that, if good, favors or counts in favor of some specific belief, judgment or action q. Let us call the beliefs, judgments and actions that reasons purport to support targets.
Effect of Severity of Early Protein Restriction on Large Turkey Toms.: 2. Carcass Characteristics

The effect of early protein (Pr) nutrition on the carcass characteristics of turkey toms was studied. Four levels of dietary protein [100, 80, 70, or 60% of National Research Council (NRC) recommendations in 1984] were fed as isocaloric diets ad libitum from 1 to 6 wk of age. Subsequently, the four treatment groups were fed according to NRC recommendations in 1984 to 20 wk of age. Toms from all treatment groups were sampled at 6, 12, and 20 wk of age, and New York-dressed carcasses were evaluated for chemical composition and yield of commercial cuts. Fat and DM content in the carcass increased, whereas ash and crude Pr content decreased as the toms aged. Yields of breast and back increased, drumsticks and wings decreased, and thighs did not change as the toms aged. At 6 wk, percentages of carcass Pr and ash were not affected by Pr, but fat increased linearly as the level of Pr decreased (P less than .005). Breast and thigh meat yields decreased, and skin yield increased as the level of Pr decreased. Yields of bone and other carcass parts were not influenced by Pr. At 12 and 20 wk, breast and thigh meat yields and chemical composition were restored to normal proportions, irrespective of early Pr nutrition. At 20 wk of age, only breast yield was significantly reduced by 60% Pr (P less than .05). The amount of dietary Pr consumed per carcass Pr gain decreased at all stages of growth as the level of Pr decreased. Early Pr had minimal effects on relative organ weights. Toms recover from the effects of early Pr restriction on carcass parts, but restriction to the 60% level may reduce breast meat yield.
A comparison of meningococcal carriage by pregnancy status

Neisseria meningitidis is the second leading cause of invasive meningitis. A prerequisite for infection is colonization of the nasopharynx, and asymptomatic carrier rates are widely reported in the range of 10-15%. Recent reports have indicated an increased likelihood that a pediatric admission for Neisseria meningitidis will have a mother who is pregnant in the home. We hypothesized that this association may relate to immunologic changes in pregnancy leading to higher carrier rates. We compared the carrier status by performing nasopharyngeal swabs for Neisseria meningitidis in 100 pregnant and 99 non-pregnant women. Average age of the participants was 28.9 +/- 6.7 years. The average gestational age at specimen collection was 27.5 +/- 9.4 weeks. Non pregnant women were significantly more likely to use tobacco (38% vs 24%, p < 0.0001). In the entire 199 patients, only one pregnant patient tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis (0.5%; 95% CI: 0.01%2.8%). The meningococcal carrier rate in our population is well below what is widely reported in the literature. Assuming a 1% carrier rate in the pregnant group and a 0.5% carrier rate in the non pregnant group, 4,763 patients would be required to detect a difference of this magnitude, given 80% power and an alpha of 0.05.
Identifying and Characterizing Class Clusters to Explain Learning Performance

We stress that the field of machine learning would benefit significantly if more work were focused on explaining learning behavior by attending to the connection between learning strategies and the different types of example distributions. The goal of this paper is to exemplify the benefits of such kind of studies through a simple decomposition of classes into clusters. We show how the decomposition process is instrumental in explaining the behavior of Naive Bayes. We then exploit the same decomposition process to propose a new approach to learning that adapts to the characteristics of the dataset under analysis. Specifically, the idea is to fit models of different complexity over separate regions of the input space.
Quasi-Indexer Ownership and Corporate Tax-Planning

We test the causal effect of quasi-indexers, traditionally viewed as passive institutional owners, on corporate tax planning by employing the discontinuity in quasi-indexer ownership around the Russell 1000/2000 index cutoff. Russell indices are value-weighted, thus firms assigned to the top of Russell 2000 exhibit much higher quasi-indexer holdings than firms assigned to the bottom of Russell 1000 as a result of the large discontinuity in index weights. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that the higher quasi-indexer ownership at the top of Russell 2000 is associated with lower GAAP and cash effective tax rates and higher book-tax differences. Further, the greater tax avoidance comes from better federal and state tax planning, not from aggressive tax sheltering activities. Our results are robust to an instrumental variable approach and to various robustness checks. Our evidence contributes to the literature on the impact of ownership structure on tax avoidance and extends the new literature re-examining the assumption that quasi-indexers are passive owners.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Tube in Coaxial Flow

This note describes such as investigation in a relatively simple case. The structure is treated as a simply supported Euler beam of circular cross section with a fixed distance between the supports. It is found that a deformed equilibrium state exists and that this configuration is approached in the cases computed.
Vitamin A and B Content of Canned Sweet Potatoes

Although sweet potatoes are an important constituent of American dietaries, information regarding their vitamin content is almost entirely lacking. With but the one exception,1 dealing with vitamin C, no reference was found to any work on the vitamin content of this food.The sweet potatoes used in these experiments were a yellow variety which were commercially canned in southern Louisiana, purchased on the open market. The rats used were young, vigorous, normally growing litter-mates of the uniform Wistar Institute strain.The plan of experimentation was to feed the negative control groups the following diets:For the test groups 25 grams of the starch was replaced by an equal weight of the canned sweet potatoes. No attempt was made to differentiate between the 3 components of vitamin B, or to ascertain the influence of the antirachitic factor apart from that of vitamin A. The results of such differentiation will be reported at a later date.As shown by the average growth curves of the various groups, when c...
Gangrenous Herpetic Whitlow in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patient

An unusual case of a gangrenous herpetic whitlow is reported. The patient, a 37-year-old man with a ten-year history of intravenous drug abuse, was antibody positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Progressive, extremely painful paronychia of the left third and fourth fingers gradually developed, which persisted despite a variety of treatment protocols, including antibiotics and radiotherapy, ultimately necessitating amputation of the distal portions of the digits. Characteristic herpes-type intranuclear inclusions within epidermal cells were identified in histologic sections of the specimen. Immunohistochemistry using rabbit antihuman herpes virus antibody confirmed the diagnosis. This apparently represents the first documented case of herpetic gangrene in an immunocompromised patient.
Masha and Bear(s): A Russian Palimpsest

When stories are scraped clean and re-written, how much of the original shines through later tales? This paper offers a palimpsest analysis (palimpsestos, “scratched/scraped again”) of the story Masha and the Bear based on a Russian folktale, Tolstoy’s tale The Three Bears, and the transformed folk world in the contemporary cartoon series Masha and the Bear. A palimpsest analysis of a text reveals different layers of readers’, listeners’, and viewers’ expectations, allowing them to challenge the story. Bringing together different versions of a tale with seemingly very similar characters and plot lines, where each subsequent story is regarded as a palimpsest, adds new features to each story’s interpretation. Considering the tale of Masha and the Bear, told differently in Russian folklore, literary tradition and modern media, demonstrates juxtaposition of textual layers that produces a variety of effects, from tragic to comic.
“Wolf’s Justice”: The Iliadic Doloneia and the Semiotics of Wolves

This article treats representations of the wolf in the Greek archaic and early classical literary and visual sources (with glances forward to later accounts). Using a close reading of the Iliadic Doloneia as a point of departure, it argues that wolves in myth, fable, and other modes of discourse, as well as in the early artistic tradition, regularly serve as a means of signaling the loss of distinctions that occurs when friend turns into foe and an erstwhile philos or “second self” betrays one of his kind. Prominent in the discussion are two further issues: the generic confusion or oscillation that characterizes so many textual and artistic versions of the tale, as well as the loss of distinction between two roles that normative representations more regularly contrast, those of warrior and hunter, martial victim and animal prey. Within the Doloneia, warfare proves indistinguishable from the hunt.
Implications of Sintering Theories with Regard to Process Controls

In sintering, powder compacts are consolidated into strong, dense products by heating at high temperatures. Changes in compact structure take place under force of surface tension with a rate determined by viscosity, volume-diffusion coefficient, vapour pressure, or surface-diffusion coefficient In cases where solid and liquid are present together, solution and reprecipitation may be the predominant process. For these cases, theoretical analyses and experimental data are compared. It is shown that for different systems (pottery and fireclay, pure oxides, basic refractories, cermets) different sintering-mechanisms predominate. For these mechanisms semiquantitative relationships are developed which confirm the proposed mechanisms and allow a rational analysis of the process kinetics. When different processes are predominant, variables such as temperature, sintering-time, atmosphere, composition, temperature uniformity, material preparation, rate of heating, etc., affect results in different ways. Examples illustrate how a theoretical analysis of the problem and an understanding of the kinetics can lead to better control of these process variables; critical variables in processing are indicated for particular applications.
Loss of p16 expression and copy number changes of CDKN2A in a spectrum of spitzoid melanocytic lesions

Spitzoid melanocytic lesions, including Spitz nevi (benign), spitzoid melanoma (malignant), and borderline atypical Spitz tumors (ASTs), frequently present challenges for accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Evaluation for loss of the tumor suppressor p16, encoded by CDKN2A gene on chromosome 9p21.3, has been proposed to be useful for evaluation of spitzoid melanocytic lesions. However, reports on the utility of p16 immunohistochemistry for spitzoid lesions have been conflicting, and few studies have directly compared p16 immunohistochemistry with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for CDKN2A genomic status. We analyzed a spectrum of benign (n=24), borderline (n=27), and malignant (n=19) spitzoid lesions for p16 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and CDKN2A copy number by FISH. Immunohistochemistry was evaluated by 2 scoring methods: H score and 2-tiered score (positive or negative for p16 loss). By immunohistochemistry, loss of p16 expression was not observed in Spitz nevi (0/24) but was seen in ASTs (7/27; 26%) and spitzoid melanomas (3/19; 16%). By H score, p16 expression was significantly higher in Spitz nevi relative to ASTs or spitzoid melanomas. Similarly, copy number aberrations of CDKN2A by FISH were absent in Spitz nevi but were found in 2 (9.5%) of 21 ASTs and 4 (33%) of 12 spitzoid melanomas. Our findings from this large cohort suggest that p16 aberrations are highly specific for borderline and malignant spitzoid neoplasms relative to Spitz nevi. Similar to ASTs, p16 loss in spitzoid melanomas may occur in the presence or absence of genomic CDKN2A loss.
Fourier integrals and quadrature-introduced aliasing

abstract Computation of Fourier transforms of oscillatory signals by refined quadrature rules using uneven weighting schemes leads to spurious spectral estimates. The degree of spectral contamination can be estimated as a function of frequency by an analysis in terms of aliasing. In particular, the extended Simpson9s rule introduces a secondary − 1 3 amplitude aliasing across a folding frequency equal to 1 2 the Nyquist frequency. This secondary folding frequency is clearly related to the pseudo-sampling interval introduced by the quadrature weighting scheme. Quadrature-introduced aliasing results in spectral contamination within the principal band (0 to f N Hz). An example has been given to demonstrate the quadrature-introduced aliasing and discussed in terms of seismic signals.
Juxtaposition of the HPFH2 Enhancer Is Not Sufficient To Reactivate the g-Globin Gene in Adult Erythropoiesis in bYAC Transgenic Mice.

Abstract Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) is characterized by high-level expression of the g globin gene in adult patients. HPFH2 contains a genetic deletion of approximately 83.5 kb from the middle of intron 2 of the yb gene to the region 66 kb 3′ to the b gene. The deletion juxtaposes an enhancer located downstream to the 3′ breakpoint to the vicinity of the g gene. To understand the reactivation mechanism of this fetal stage specific globin, we introduced the deletion into a 213 kb b-YAC. Four transgenic lines bearing 1–3 intact copies of the YAC construct were established. Globin gene expression at different developmental stages was measured by RNase protection assays. In the HPFH2 transgenic mice the e and g genes were expressed at high levels similar to the wild type YAC mice in embryonic and fetal stages. Unexpectedly, the g gene was completely silenced in the adult mice. The failure of g gene reactivation by juxtaposition of the HPFH2 enhancer contradicts the results reported by the Forget lab (Mol. Cell. Biol. 17:2076–2089, 1997) and the Strouboulis lab (Blood 102:3412–3419, 2003). The discrepancy could be due to the differences between the constructs used in the different labs. The construct used in the Forget lab was a cosmid containing the mLCR linked a 13 kb Gg and Ag fragment. The cosmid used by the Strouboulis lab contained the 22 kb LCR and a 5 kb Ag fragment. The bYAC construct we used in this study contains the whole b globin locus and spanned from about 40 kb 5′ to the e gene to 100 kb 3′ to the b gene. The failure of g gene reactivation in the HPFH2 YAC mice suggests that additional elements, which are missing in the 213 kb bYAC construct, are involved in reactivation of the g gene in the HPFH patients. Based on data from literature (Bender et al., Mol. Cell 5:387–393, 2000; Forrester et al., Genes & Dev. 4:1637–1649, 1990) and our own studies (Ping et al., this meeting) we speculate that the 200 kb upstream region is the candidate for harboring this activity.
Do emotion regulation difficulties when upset influence the association between dietary restraint and weight gain among college students

Abstract Obesity is a significant public health concern that affects more than one-fifth of adolescents aged 12–19 in the United States. Theoretical models suggest that prolonged dietary restraint leads to binge-eating behaviors, which in turn increases individuals' risk for weight gain or obesity. Results from the literature indicate a potential role for negative urgency (the tendency to act rashly when distressed) as a mediating variable that explains the link between dietary restraint and binge-eating episodes. The current study tested short-term, prospective longitudinal associations among dietary restraint, binge eating, negative urgency, and weight gain among college students – a population at increased risk for the development of overweight and obesity. We hypothesized that dietary restraint and weight gain would be mediated by negative urgency and binge eating, but only among participants with overweight and obesity. College students ( N = 227) completed the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory, UPPS-P Impulsivity Scale, and self-reported weight and height to calculate body mass index. Results showed that the association between dietary restraint and weight gain was mediated by negative urgency and binge eating, but only among participants with overweight and obesity. Our findings indicated that negative urgency might represent a mechanism that explains why dietary restraint leads to future binge-eating episodes and weight gain among college students with overweight and obesity. Results suggest that future treatment and prevention programs for overweight and obesity may benefit from incorporating strategies to improve emotion regulation as a way to reduce binge eating and to prevent additional weight gain among ‘at-risk’ populations.
Breast Imaging: Understanding How Accuracy Is Measured When Lesions are the Unit of Analysis

: Medical imaging tests of breast cancer patients can be used to detect and provide information on the location of multiple malignant lesions within a patient. Within this context, it is often the case that one needs to evaluate the accuracy of an imaging test for finding the multiple lesions in a patient rather than simply detecting that a patient has disease. A natural way to approach this task is to estimate the accuracy of the test using a lesion-level analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are analytic measures that are frequently used to quantify the accuracy of medical tests. When the test or radiologist must first locate the lesions, however, it is not possible to directly estimate the specificity or an ROC curve keeping the individual lesions as the unit of analysis. The goal of this study is to demonstrate to clinicians conducting or reviewing studies evaluating breast imaging tests what measures of accuracy can and cannot be calculated in different types of studies and to describe in detail the difficulty with calculating specificity and ROC curves in a lesion-level analysis.
Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma Symptoms in African Americans: Negative Affectivity Does Not Explain the Relationship between Microaggressions and Psychopathology

Prior research has demonstrated a clear relationship between experiences of racial microaggressions and various indicators of psychological unwellness. One concern with these findings is that the role of negative affectivity, considered a marker of neuroticism, has not been considered. Negative affectivity has previously been correlated to experiences of racial discrimination and psychological unwellness and has been suggested as a cause of the observed relationship between microaggressions and psychopathology. We examined the relationships between self-reported frequency of experiences of microaggressions and several mental health outcomes (i.e., anxiety [Beck Anxiety Inventory], stress [General Ethnic and Discrimination Scale], and trauma symptoms [Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale]) in 177 African American and European American college students, controlling for negative affectivity (the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) and gender. Results indicated that African Americans experience more racial discrimination than European Americans. Negative affectivity in African Americans appears to be significantly related to some but not all perceptions of the experience of discrimination. A strong relationship between racial mistreatment and symptoms of psychopathology was evident, even after controlling for negative affectivity. In summary, African Americans experience clinically measurable anxiety, stress, and trauma symptoms as a result of racial mistreatment, which cannot be wholly explained by individual differences in negative affectivity. Future work should examine additional factors in these relationships, and targeted interventions should be developed to help those suffering as a result of racial mistreatment and to reduce microaggressions.
The contradictions of neo-extractivism and social policy: the role of raw material exports in the Brazilian political crisis

AbstractThis article explores how contradictory development tendencies within Brazil’s primary sector have contributed to the country’s enduring political crisis. I show that President Rousseff, when dealing with declining royalty payments from natural resource exports and a decrease in tax revenue from imports, financed social policies in ways that her opponents branded as unconstitutional to remove her from power. After documenting the central players within the political crisis, namely those who have been under investigation in Operacao Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash), I illustrate how the ongoing corruption scandals plaguing Brazil have their roots in the country’s raw material export industries.
Social Support and Social Health

For nearly thirty-five years, physicians, psychologists, sociologists, and epidemiologists have been attempting to include social support and social function in the definition of health status. Despite relentless efforts, it has been difficult to meaningfully define social support as a component of health. In this paper, I argue that the effort to define “social health” should be abandoned. Instead, efforts should be directed toward identifying the role of social support as a mediator of health status.