cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of rigid and non-rigid facial motion using anatomical face model

We present a model-based approach to recover the rigid and non-rigid facial motion parameters in video sequences. Our face model is based on anatomically motivated muscle actuator controls to model the articulated non-rigid motion of a human face. The model is capable of generating a variety of facial expressions by using a small number of muscle actuator controls. We estimate rigid and non-rigid parameters in two steps. First, we use a multi-resolution scheme to recover the global 3D rotation and translation by linear least square minimization. Then, we estimate the muscle actuator controls using the Levenberg-Marquardt minimization technique applied to a Junction, which is constrained by both optical flow and the dynamics of the deformable model. We present the results of our system on both real and synthetic images.
Sex differences in retention of verbal and spatial characteristics of stimuli

Abstract Males and females from Grades 3, 6, and college viewed sets of five or seven letters in a 4 × 4 matrix, and remembered either (a) names of the letters, (b) positions of the letters within the matrix, or (c) both letters and positions. At all grade levels females remembered letters more accurately than positions, while males remembered letters and positions equally well. However, there was also evidence that verbal and spatial information was processed independently by both males and females. Results are discussed in terms of neurological development and sex differences in specific abilities.
Bhakti and Tantra intertwined: the explorations of the Tamil Poetess Kāraikkāl Ammaiyār

Towards contributing to historical understanding and theorizing of the relationships between bhakti and Tantra, this article analyzes their intersection in the poetry of the Tamil Śaiva saint, Kāraikkāl Ammaiyār. This poet-saint is dated by scholars to 550 CE and is understood by Tamil Śiva-bhakti tradition to have been the earliest bhakti devotee to Śiva in a group that includes dozens of named others. However, her bhakti vision is distinctive in that she foregrounds the cremation ground in her poetry. Investigating the cultural literary context for her choice, this paper argues that she intertwines bhakti and Tantra in her formulations. While Tamil literature established a contrast between nāṭu (town) and kāṭu (cremation ground) and included Buddhist exploration of the religious significance of kāṭu, Kāraikkāl Ammaiyār’s nearest of kin is the Śaiva Tantrikas. Historically, she stands at the juncture between the established Atimārga and the developing Mantramārga Tantric groups, whose ritual practices represented the cremation ground as a potent place to access Śiva. Kāraikkāl Ammaiyār’s poetry concords with that view, but her emphasis is on an exploratory, unscripted encounter with the divine. Her poetry suggests a period of fluidity between the paths of bhakti and Tantra prior to their overlapping yet contested developments in the medieval period.
The bacteriology of peridental tissues radiographically suggesting infection

oustanding feature, namely, that no single report is based on a uniform and reliable bacteriologic technic. This applies especially to the method of obtaining cultures. Moreover, the reports indicate a lack of standardized operative technic and some form of statement which would prove that carefully conceived series of controls have been cnrred out. It is not unlikely that the cultures obtained and described at some length in certain publications were merely contaminations from the oral flora.
The Type b Capsular Polysaccharide as a Virulence Determinant of Haemophilus influenzae: Studies Using Clinical Isolates and Laboratory Transformants

Haemophilus influenzae organisms elaborating one of six capsular polysaccharides (types a-f) colonize the respiratory tract of humans, but only type b strains commonly cause systemic infections. To investigate the role of capsular polysaccharides as virulence determinants, rats were inoculated with capsulated (types a-f) or noncapsulated clinical isolates or with laboratory-derived type b and type d transformants of a noncapsulated strain. After intraperitoneal inoculation, all capsulated strains possessed the potential for systemic infection, but type b strains were more virulent; noncapsulated strains were noninvasive. After intranasal inoculation, only type b strains were invasive. There was no difference in efficiency of nasopharyngeal colonization between type b and type d transformants. After intravenous inoculation, only type b strains resulted in persistent bacteremia. Thus, type b strains--clinical isolates or transformants--display unique virulence characteristics. These data suggest that elaboration of type b capsule is necessary and sufficient for this virulence of H. influenzae type b in the rat.
A Systems Approach for Improved Accuracy of Thermophysical Properties in the DIPPR 801 Database: 1,n-Alkanediols as a Case Study

The effectiveness of chemical process designs and the reliability of mixture models are no better than the accuracy of the pure-chemical thermophysical properties used. A systems-analysis approach can be used in evaluating data from all available sources to triangulate on the best values which can be of higher accuracy than the individual values. This approach includes applied constraints on property values from interproperty relationships, expected smooth trends of properties between related chemicals, and the impact of chemical similarities and differences. These constraints are simultaneously included in the evaluation of the raw experimental data to provide recommended values of constant properties and correlations for temperature-dependent properties. This paper will illustrate how this systems approach has been used to provide recommended property values in the DIPPR 801 evaluated database. In particular, a recent re-evaluation of the properties of the 1,n-alkanediol compounds in the DIPPR database,...
Study on preparing self-leveling material from desulphurization gypsum and phosphogypsum

Study on utilizing desulphurization gypsum and phosphogypsum to produce self-leveling material was carried out.The effects of treatment temperature and additives on the property of gypsum were studied.At the same time,the effects of gypsum,cement,redispersionable glue-powder(RGP),deformer and lignin cellulose on the property of self-leveling material were also studied.2*6 factorial design experiment method was adopted and the results of experiment were analyzed by variance analysis.Moreover,the influence of the treatment of chemical gypsum by different additives on self-leveling material was studied.
Radioactive Decay of Lu 170

Ytterbium oxide enriched to 81.4% in the 170 mass number was irradiated with 6-Mev protons. An activity decaying by electron capture with a half-life of (2.05\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05) days was produced and assigned to ${\mathrm{Lu}}^{170}$ by the identification of the ytterbium $K$ x ray and by comparison with the activities produced by similar proton irradiations of each of the other enriched isotopes of ytterbium. The observed activity consists of the ytterbium $K$ x ray, gamma rays with energies of 84, 193, 245, 1010, 1030, 1165, 1275, 1415, 2035, 2365, 2665, 2890, and 3085 kev, and a small amount of annihilation radiation. Because no particle radiation exists, the mode of decay of ${\mathrm{Lu}}^{170}$ is solely by electron capture to ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{170}$. Gamma-gamma coincidence measurements have led to the postulation of levels in ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{170}$ at 2120 (0), 2365 (1 or 2), 3170 (3), and 3395 (1 or 2) kev in addition to the previously assigned 84 (2+), and 278 (4+) levels. A partial energy level scheme with approximate electron capture branching ratios is proposed.
Feeding Behavior and Nutritional Requirements of Some Acari

Progress has been deliberate in the development of a chemically defined for the plant-feeding mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. The complexity of this problem stems with the highly specialized mode of feeding and the precise feeding requirements that characterize this mite. There are other complications. For example, we have recently discovered that this species and T. turkestani Ugarov and Nikolski reacted, favorably or unfavorably, to nonnutritive chemicals (Dabrowski and Rodriguez, 1971). These species were tested for their reaction to essential oils of strawberry foliage from a cultivar relatively susceptible to injury from these phytophagous mites. Generally the essential oils showed a repellent action; however, 0.01%and 0.1% trans—2—hexen—l—ol, mixtures of 0.1% and 1.0% octyl alcohol + fufural, and 0.1% solution of ∝ -terpineol + methyl salicylate attracted T. urticae. Six oils at low concentrations were also significantly attractive to T. turkestani.
Base Catalysis Enables Access to α,α-Difluoroalkylthioethers

A nucleophilic addition reaction of aryl thiols to readily available β,β-difluorostyrenes provides α,α-difluoroalkylthioethers. The reaction proceeds through an unstable anionic intermediate, prone to eliminate fluoride and generate α-fluorovinylthioethers. However, the use of base catalysis overcomes the facile β-fluoride elimination, generating α,α-difluoroalkylthioethers in excellent yields and selectivities.
Origins of 3D Metal Printing

3D printing and additive manufacturing brings together and continues to draw from advances within a wide range of technologies such as information, computing, robotics, and materials. Developments in all of these highly visible, high impact, and highly publicized sectors will undoubtedly be modified, adopted, and integrated into the evolution of advanced manufacturing. Advancements within technologies smaller in scope, such as 3D printing plastics, or less visible sectors such as powder metallurgy, laser and weld cladding will also continue to play an important role in the continued evolution of AM metal. It is useful to understand the origins of AM metal processing as derived from these technologies as they will continue to play an important role.
Thermal investigation of silicon and glass interposer-based microelectronic systems

Interposer-based systems or 2.5 D ICs have attracted attention over the past few years. An interposer-based system is a large silicon substrate that carries several chips on the surface. Glass is also considered as an option as a substrate instead of silicon because of several advantages. In this paper, temperature distributions within the interposer-based system with silicon and glass substrates have been studied numerically and the effect of different design parameters, such as the distance between chips and the distance of every chip from the substrate edges, on temperature field have been investigated. The results from the numerical simulation show that temperature rise in an interposer-based system with glass substrate is higher than the temperature rise in the interposer-based system with silicon substrate. The distance between chips is an important parameter on the temperature distribution with silicon substrate, however, it does not have a significant effect on the temperature rise in a system with glass substrate. Also, the minimum distance between silicon chips to maintain thermal insulation between chips in a glass interposer-based system for different amounts of dissipating chip power has been found. In addition, the influence of inter-die thermal resistance between chips and substrate has been investigated and the results show that temperature rise in the substrate increases as the inter-die thermal resistance increases for both silicon and glass substrates. The results from this study can be helpful for the thermal design of interposer-based systems with silicon and glass substrates.
The US Health Care Sector's Carbon Footprint: Stomping or Treading Lightly?

Climate change is a well-recognized and urgent threat to health.1 The specific risks vary from place to place, and although nobody is exempt, vulnerable populations—the young, the old, the poor, the disenfranchised—are particularly threatened. Health professionals need to work both to limit climate change and to protect people from its impacts—strategies known as mitigation and adaptation, respectively. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 26, 2017: e1–e2. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304160)
Developmental effects of childhood household adversity, transitions, and relationship quality on adult outcomes of socioeconomic status: Effects of substantiated child maltreatment.

The degree to which child maltreatment interacts with other household adversities to exacerbate risk for poor adult socioeconomic outcomes is uncertain. Moreover, the effects of residential, school, and caregiver transitions during childhood on adult outcomes are not well understood. This study examined the relation between household adversity and transitions in childhood with adult income problems, education, and unemployment in individuals with or without a childhood maltreatment history. The potential protective role of positive relationship quality in buffering these risk relationships was also tested. Data were from the Lehigh Longitudinal Study (n = 457), where subjects were assessed at preschool, elementary, adolescent, and adult ages. Multiple group path analysis tested the relationships between childhood household adversity; residential, school, and caregiver transitions; and adult socioeconomic outcomes for each group. Caregiver relationship quality was included as a moderator, and gender as a covariate. Household adversity was negatively associated with education level and positively associated with income problems for non-maltreated children only. For both groups, residential transitions was negatively associated with education level and caregiver transitions was positively associated with unemployment problems. Relationship quality was positively associated with education level only for non-maltreated children. For children who did not experience maltreatment, reducing exposure to household adversity is an important goal for prevention. Reducing exposure to child maltreatment for all children remains an important public health priority. Results underscore the need for programs and policies that promote stable relationships and environments.
Technology-Structure Fit and Performance in Small Businesses: An Examination of the Moderating Effects of Organizational States:

This study explores the effects of the fit between technological innovation and organization structure on small business financial performance. Support was found for technology-structure fit as a p...
The molecular genetics of human hemoglobin.

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the current knowledge about the structure–function relationships of the globin gene system as derived from studies at the level of DNA and RNA. It discusses some of the sequence comparisons that relate to the evolution of this gene system and reviews the status of the applications of this molecular genetic knowledge to the understanding of the human hemoglobinopathies. The bulk of literatureon globin precludes anything approaching exhaustive coverage. Hemoglobin is a metalloprotein tetramer consisting of two α-like globin polypeptides and two β-like globin chains. The striking achievements of the past five years has been the rapid definition at the DNA level of the heterogeneous collection of mutations that lead to α- and β-thalassemia, which have themselves provided crucial information about the control of gene expression in vivo. The recognition of linked polymorphisms, the development of mutation-specific oligonucleotide probes, and the possibility of first-trimester chrionic villus biopsy have made the prenatal diagnosis of sickle-cell anemia and β-thalassemias of immediate applicability, and appropriate resources must be marshaled to offer this technology to the areas of the world where it is most needed.
Issue Constraint in Political Science

Empirical and theoretical research on politics has focused on the extent to which opinions, beliefs, or preferences on one issue constrain or predict opinions on other issues. This is the concept of issue constraint. This article examines how well this notion of issue constraint applies to individuals and to aggregates, such as political parties. Issue constraint is a central assumption of ideological models of politics, especially spatial models.
Adaptive Memory: Survival Processing and Social Isolation.

Social isolation was examined to assess its potential influence on the survival processing effect, which shows that individuals are more likely to remember something when it is processed with regar...
The Battle for Value, 2016: FedEx Corp. versus United Parcel Service, Inc.

This case invites students to assess the financial performance of FedEx Corp. and United Parcel Service, Inc., two firms that have long competed for dominance in the overnight delivery industry. The case is designed to introduce students to corporate value creation and its sources. It requires no numerical computations; instead, it asks the student to interpret the results and to reflect upon their implications. Excerpt UVA-F-1773 Rev. Jan. 26, 2018 The Battle for Value, 2016: FedEx Corp. versus United Parcel Service, Inc. 2015 was a transformative year for FedEx with outstanding financial results, more powerful customer solutions, and actions to generate increased long-term value for shareowners. We believe FedEx is on a dynamic trajectory that will make 2016 very successful. Our company has never been better positioned to build shareowner value. —FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith, Annual Report 2015 . . .
GranDroid: Graph-Based Detection of Malicious Network Behaviors in Android Applications

As Android malware increasingly relies on network interfaces to perform malicious behaviors, detecting such malicious network behaviors becomes a critical challenge. Traditionally, static analysis provides soundness for Android malware detection, but it also leads to high false positives. It is also challenging to guarantee the completion of static analysis within a given time constraint, which is an important requirement for real-world security analysis. Dynamic analysis is often used to precisely detect malware within a specific time budget. However, dynamic analysis is inherently unsound as it only reports analysis results of the executed paths. In this paper, we introduce GranDroid, a graph-based hybrid malware detection system that combines dynamic analysis, incremental and partial static analysis, and machine learning to provide time-sensitive malicious network behavior detection with high accuracy. Our evaluation using 1,500 malware samples and 1,500 benign apps shows that our approach achieves 93% accuracy while spending only eight minutes to dynamically execute each app and determine its maliciousness. GranDroid can be used to provide rich and precise detection results while incurring similar analysis time as a typical malware detector based on pure dynamic analysis.
Electrical and Multiple Physics Simulation for Analog and Power WLCSP

The electrical performance (such as electrical resistance, inductance, and capacitance) is a key factor for a WLCSP product. Many studies, such as the electrical performance of different devices, effect of assembly reflow process on electrical properties, and the resistance of a solder joint, have been done to improve a product’s electrical performance [1–3]. In recent years, the investigation for the electrical performance of a WLCSP has been paid more attention due to the wide applications of the WLCSP. The parasitic resistance, inductance, and capacitance (RLC) will impact the efficiency and switch speed of the WLCSP circuit. The electromigration issue of WLCSP, which is a multi-physics problem, becomes more critical due to the high current density in analog and power electronics. This chapter will introduce the electrical parasitic RLC simulation and electromigration simulation methods for WLCSP and wafer level interconnects.
Creating and testing a GCP game in an asynchronous course environment: The game and future plans.

Introduction The National Institute of Health has mandated good clinical practice (GCP) training for all clinical research investigators and professionals. We developed a GCP game using the Kaizen-Education platform. The GCP Kaizen game was designed to help clinical research professionals immerse themselves into applying International Conference on Harmonization GCP (R2) guidelines in the clinical research setting through case-based questions. Methods Students were invited to participate in the GCP Kaizen game as part of their 100% online academic Masters during the Spring 2019 semester. The structure of the game consisted of 75 original multiple choice and 25 repeated questions stemming from fictitious vignettes that were distributed across 10 weeks. Each question presented a teachable rationale after the answers were submitted. At the end of the game, a satisfaction survey was issued to collect player satisfaction data on the game platform, content, experience as well as perceptions of GCP learning and future GCP concept application. Results There were 71 total players who participated and answered at least one question. Of those, 53 (75%) answered all 100 questions. The game had a high Cronbach's alpha, and item analyses provided information on question quality, thus assisting us in future quality edits before re-testing and wider dissemination. Conclusions The GCP Kaizen game provides an alternative method for mandated GCP training using principles of gamification. It proved to be a reliable and an effective educational method with high player satisfaction.
“Country Boys Spit and Dip”: Masculinity and Rural Adolescent Smokeless Tobacco Use:

While tobacco use nationwide is declining, smokeless tobacco (SLT) use remains steady, particularly among men in rural areas. Despite the harms of SLT, researchers know little about what initiates ...
Antiseizure drug efficacy and tolerability in established and novel drug discovery seizure models in outbred vs inbred mice.

Objective Initial identification of new investigational drugs for the treatment of epilepsy is commonly conducted in well-established mouse acute and chronic seizure models: for example, maximal electroshock (MES), 6 Hz, and corneal kindling. Comparison of the median effective dose (ED50) of approved antiseizure drugs (ASDs) vs investigational agents in these models provides evidence of their potential for clinical efficacy. Inbred and outbred mouse strains exhibit differential seizure susceptibility. However, few comparisons exist of the ED50 or median behaviorally impairing dose (TD50) of prototype ASDs in these models in inbred C57Bl/6 vs outbred CF-1 mice, both of which are often used for ASD discovery. Methods We defined the strain-related ED50s and TD50s of several mechanistically distinct ASDs across established acute seizure models (MES, 6 Hz, and corneal-kindled mouse). We further quantified the strain-related effect of the MES ED50 of each ASD on gross behavior in a locomotor activity assay. Finally, we describe a novel pharmacoresistant corneal-kindling protocol that is suitable for moderate-throughput ASD screening and demonstrates highly differentiated ASD sensitivity. Results We report significant strain-related differences in the MES ED50 of valproic acid (CF-1 ED50: 90 mg/kg [95% confidence interval (CI) 165-214] vs C57Bl/6: 276 mg/kg [226-366]), as well as significant differences in the ED50 of levetiracetam in the pharmacoresistant 6 Hz test (CF-1: 22.5 mg/kg [14.7-30.2] vs C57Bl/6: >500 mg/kg [CI not defined]). There were no differences in the calculated TD50 of these ASDs between strains. Furthermore, the MES ED50 of phenobarbital significantly enhanced locomotor activity of outbred CF-1, but not C57Bl/6, mice. Significance Altogether, this study provides strain-related information to differentiate investigational agents from ASD standards-of-care in commonly employed preclinical discovery models and describes a novel kindled seizure model to further explore the mechanisms of drug-resistant epilepsy.
Nutritional influence on miRNA epigenetic regulation: Effect of maternal diet and miRNAs on the fetal metabolic programming

Abstract The fetal epigenome is highly susceptible to the outside environment, especially to the maternal diet. Fetus experiences a critical period of plasticity where the maternal nutrients and hormones impact the offspring's growth and health which is known as the fetal programming. Fetal programming has been shown to be regulated by epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNAs. Maternal nutrition can greatly influence the fetal miRNAs that can target the key developmental proteins leading to diseases including obesity and diabetes later in life. In several animal models of maternal high fat or low protein diets during pregnancy, miRNAs are differentially regulated in the offspring in multiple tissues like liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. This chapter focuses on the animal studies which demonstrate the effect of maternal diet and its impact on the miRNA expression in the fetus and how they interfere with the signaling pathways involved in the fetal development.
Optimal Cut of Quartz Crystal/FeGaB RF Magnetic Sensors

The heterostructures made of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric layers have been recently investigated for the application of magnetic sensors and antenna. In this paper we investigate the possibility of FeGaB thin film on quartz crystal substrate with different orientations of quartz layer. Response of magnetic FeGaB/AlN nanoplate resonator under RF magnetic excitation was simulated by finite element program COMSOL. The results were compared with available experiment and confirmed the validity of available material properties of FeGaB thin film and current simulation method. Quartz/FeGaB composite resonator structures based on different modes of vibration were studied. Quartz/FeGaB resonator based on in-plane extensional modes was found to have a large magnetoelectric coupling effect. These findings can be used to design RF magnetic sensors based on Quartz/FeGaB bilayer plate.
Comparison of Surge Impedance Model and Electromagnetic Field Model of Transmission Tower

Since the tower surge impedance model plays a very important role in the lightning protection calculation of transmission lines, scholars at home and abroad have given a large number of tower surge impedance models, but the differences are very large. In this paper, the electromagnetic field model of a typical tower is established. Through electromagnetic field calculation, the tower surge impedance is obtained and compared with the calculation results of the existing formula. The calculation result shows that when the rise time of the injected current becomes shorter, the refraction and reflection signal are easier to distinguish. Therefore, the impulse impedance of the tower calculated by the electromagnetic field method will tend to the actual surge impedance. The surge impedance calculation result obtained by the formula proposed by Visacro is the closest to the electromagnetic field simulation result, which can truly show the true transient characteristics of the tower.
Does the length of the plate affect the failure rate of hallux MTP joint arthrodesis for severe hallux valgus

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the length of the dorsal locking plate on the failure rate of first MTP joint arthrodesis for severe hallux valgus deformities. Methods A retrospective review was conducted for all patients who underwent first MTP joint arthrodesis using solely a specific locked plating system (Depuy-Synthes, Raynham, MA) for severe hallux valgus deformities between January 2014 to June 2017. Patients were divided into subgroups according to the length of the plate and the failure rate was investigated. Furthermore, radiographic parameters including intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and hallux valgus angle (HVA) were evaluated in weightbearing AP foot radiographs. Results A total of 25 patients were included in this study. There were 16 (64%) patients in the medium-sized plate cohort and 9 (36%) patients in the small-sized plate cohort. We found a significant difference in the failure rate between the two groups; only 1 (6.25%) failure case occurred in the medium-sized plate cohort while 4 (44.44%) failure cases occurred in the small-sized plate cohort (P = .040, Odds ratio (OR) = 12.000, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.074, 134.110). The mean postoperative IMA and HVA were significantly improved in both cohorts. However, significant differences were found between the two cohorts in final follow-up IMA and HVA (P = .002 and P Conclusions For severe hallux valgus deformities, the use of longer plates to gain additional purchase in the diaphyseal bone may help mitigate the increased stresses placed on the fixation constructs for first MTP joint arthrodesis and decrease failure rate. Level of Evidence Level III, case control study.
Remote Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has been a poignant reminder of the value of telehealth services to deliver care, especially as a means of reducing the risk of infectious disease transmission caused by close personal contact, decreasing unnecessary travel for medical consultations, and limiting the number of individuals in waiting rooms. The role of telehealth in ophthalmology has historically been limited to store-and-forwarding of images, much like what is used in radiology. Patients and methods Remote evaluation using two-way audio-video communications over the initial 10-week period of clinic shutdowns. Visual acuity (VA) measurement was attempted using a printed single surrounded HOTV or Snellen chart. The VA measurement of fellow eyes was compared to the prior in person clinical visit. External and strabismus examinations were also conducted. Results Fifty-eight patients were evaluated with a mean age 12.5 years (range 5 months to 82 years). Twenty of 58 (34%) were younger than 5 years of age. Reasons for evaluation were strabismus in 26 patients (45%), refractive error in 25 (43%), and amblyopia in 10 patients (19%). Recognition visual acuity was obtained in 69% (40 of 58), including every patient older than 5 years of age. Nine children from 2 to 5 years of age (mean 3 years) were unable to perform HOTV VA testing. Of nine children unable to do complete VA testing, five had been premature and seven had developmental delay. There was a mean bias of -0.12 logMAR in favor of the prior in office test in the right eyes of 21 non-amblyopic patients. The 95% limits of agreement between the in-person visit and the subsequent telehealth video visit logMAR VA were +0.20 logMAR upper limit, -0.44 logMAR lower limit. Conclusions Telehealth video visits provided basic ophthalmic information in patients who are physically incapable to come to the office, leading to improved triage. Vision could be tested remotely in young children, but we found substantial variability in the measurement of clinically normal eyes. Improvements in the reliability of at-home visual acuity testing are needed.
Horizontal gene transfer and adaptive evolution in bacteria

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is arguably the most conspicuous feature of bacterial evolution. Evidence for HGT is found in most bacterial genomes. Although HGT can considerably alter bacterial genomes, not all transfer events may be biologically significant and may instead represent the outcome of an incessant evolutionary process that only occasionally has a beneficial purpose. When adaptive transfers occur, HGT and positive selection may result in specific, detectable signatures in genomes, such as gene-specific sweeps or increased transfer rates for genes that are ecologically relevant. In this Review, we first discuss the various mechanisms whereby HGT occurs, how the genetic signatures shape patterns of genomic variation and the distinct bioinformatic algorithms developed to detect these patterns. We then discuss the evolutionary theory behind HGT and positive selection in bacteria, and discuss the approaches developed over the past decade to detect transferred DNA that may be involved in adaptation to new environments.
Mechanism of the Inotropic Action of Endothelin on the Ferret and Human Heart

Endothelin increases cardiac contractility by enhancing Ca2+ responsiveness with little or no increase in intracellular Ca2+. The increased Ca2+ responsiveness caused by endothelin is due to cytoplasmic or membrane alterations mediated by the endothelin receptor-second messenger system. Presently, there are no clinically available drugs that increase inotropy by enhancing myocardial responsiveness to Ca2+. Further delineation of the mechanisms by which endothelin enhances myocardial responsiveness to Ca2+ could lead to new pharmacological therapies for the acute and chronic treatment of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
A Knowledge-Based Approach for Manufacturability of Printed Wiring Boards

Cooperative or concurrent product development is gaining popularity and will become norms of the Industry of the Future. To avoid problem created by designs not amenable to manufacturing, the designer should be aware of manufacturing constraints. Electronics manufacturing is one of the fastest growing segment of manufacturing domain today. The rapid change in printed wiring board manufacturing with the induction of surface mounted components and robotic assembly makes the system design more complex. A knowledge base is developed in an expert system environment to capture the manufacturability constraints of the PWB manufacturing. Rules and guidelines pertaining to manufacturability are formulated and incorporated into the knowledge base which is developed on an object-oriented paradigm. The system is capable of advising whether to go for manufacturing or not with a particular design and suggests design modification to the designer at the early stage of design to eliminate the manufacturing problems in the later phase of board production.
Biology of Budding Bacteria III. Fine Structure of Rhodomicrobium and Hyphomicrobium spp

Conti, S. F. (Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H.), and Peter Hirsch. Biology of budding bacteria. III. Fine structure of Rhodomicrobium and Hyphomicrobium spp. J. Bacteriol. 89: 503–512. 1965.—The ultrastructure of 14 strains of hyphomicrobia, and of Rhodomicrobium vannielii , was investigated by means of electron microscopy of thin sections. The majority of the strains of hyphomicrobia possessed a well-developed internal membrane system, which appeared to be derived by invagination from the cytoplasmic membrane. The subcellular organization of the hyphomicrobia and R. vannielii was investigated. Images
Ultrastructure and Maturational Changes in Spermatozoa in the Epididymis of the Pigtailed Monkey, Macaca nemestrina

Ultrastructural characteristics of the acrosome, postacrosomal region, plasma membrane, and cytoplasmic droplet in spermatozoa taken from the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymidis of the pigtailed macaque are described. The subdivision of the postacrosomal region into an anterior and a posterior segment is demonstrated. Maturational changes manifest in the caudal shift of the cytoplasmic droplet and swelling of the plasma membrane are observed during epididymal transit in this species and are similar to those reported for other monkeys. However, the changes in the rostral segment of the acrosome are more striking than any in other Old World monkeys studied to date. In the caput epididymidis, the acrosome is asymmetric because its apical segment extends well beyond the rostral edge of the nucleus and folds under it, giving the acrosome a small but distinct hook shape In sagittal section. In the corpus and cauda, the acrosome contracts down over the nucleus, resulting in the loss of the asymmetry of the contours of the sperm head, and the distinctive hook-shaped apical segment of the acrosome is no longer seen in sagittal section. On the basis of these findings, the pigtailed macaque appears to be a suitable primate model for morphologic analysis of structural variables during epididymal sperm maturation.
Urban Security: Game-Theoretic Resource Allocation in Networked Domains

Law enforcement agencies frequently must allocate limited resources to protect targets embedded in a network, such as important buildings in a city road network. Since intelligent attackers may observe and exploit patterns in the allocation, it is crucial that the allocations be randomized. We cast this problem as an attacker-defender Stackelberg game: the defender’s goal is to obtain an optimal mixed strategy for allocating resources. The defender’s strategy space is exponential in the number of resources, and the attacker’s exponential in the network size. Existing algorithms are therefore useless for all but the smallest networks. We present a solution approach based on two key ideas: (i) A polynomial-sized game model obtained via an approximation of the strategy space, solved efficiently using a linear program; (ii) Two efficient techniques that map solutions from the approximate game to the original, with proofs of correctness under certain assumptions. We present in-depth experimental results, including an evaluation on part of the Mumbai road network.
Variability in One Population and in Two Populations

The expression, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” may be construed as an admonition to consider the variability of the links as well as their average strength. In comparing distributions, averages alone are not always adequate. Figures 3.5 and 3.6 show two telephone waiting-time distributions with equal means (1.1 seconds) but very different shapes. In Section 4.3 we pointed out that their Standard deviations, 0.41 second and 0.69 second, were quite different. If the pupils in each of two school classes have mean IQs of 100, but Class A has a Standard deviation of 10, while Class B has a Standard deviation of 20, teaching the relatively homogeneous Class A may be very different from teaching the relatively heterogeneous Class B.
Orthopedic infections in equine long bone fractures and arthrodeses treated by internal fixation: 192 cases (1990-2006).

Objective: To determine the rate of postoperative infection (POI) for internal fixation repaired equine long bone fractures and arthrodeses and identify associated risk factors. Study Design: Case series. Animals: Horses (n=192) with fracture repair of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones, radius, ulna, humerus, tibia, and femur, or arthrodesis with internal fixation. Methods: Medical records (1990-2006) were reviewed for signalment, anatomic location, fracture classification and method of repair, technique and surgical duration, bacterial species isolated, postoperative care, onset of POI, and outcome. Results: Of 192 horses (171 [89%] closed, 21 [11%] open fractures), 157 (82%) were discharged from the hospital. Infection occurred in 53 (28% horses), of which 31 (59%) were discharged. Repairs without POI were 7.25 times more likely to be discharged from the hospital. Closed fractures were 4.23 times more likely to remain uninfected and 4.59 times more likely to be discharged from the hospital compared with open fractures. Closed reduction and internal fixation was associated with a 2.5-fold reduction in rate of POI and a 5.9 times greater chance for discharge from the hospital compared with open reduction and internal fixation. Females had a strong trend for increased POI when compared with colts and stallion but not geldings. Conclusions: Overall rate of POI was 28%. Fracture classification, method of repair, gender, and surgical duration were significant risk factors.
Acyl Carrier Protein XVII. PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF β-HYDROXYACYL ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN DEHYDRASE

Abstract β-Hydroxyacyl acyl carrier protein (ACP) dehydrase has been purified 2900-fold from extracts of Escherichia coli. The enzyme catalyzes the reversible dehydration of β-hydroxyacyl-ACP thioesters to yield specifically trans-2-enoyl-ACP products. It is active with trans-2-enoyl-ACP thioesters of chain lengths from 4 through 16 carbon atoms. The enzyme catalyzes the hydration of cis-5-trans-2-dodecadienoyl-ACP, an intermediate in unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, as well as the trans-2-enoyl-ACP substrates that are intermediates in saturated fatty acid synthesis. Thus this enzyme can function in the synthesis of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The lowest enzyme activity was noted with trans-2-decenoyl-ACP. The relevance of this finding with respect to the activity of β-hydroxydecanoyl thioester dehydrase, which specifically catalyzes the conversion of β-hydroxydecanoyl-ACP to cis-3-decenoyl-ACP is discussed as a possible factor in control of saturated versus unsaturated fatty acid synthesis. Attempts to separate or to show distinguishing characteristics of β-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydrase activities with short, medium, or long chain substrates were unsuccessful, and these activities are therefore attributed to a single enzyme.
The free amino acids of amniotic fluid during pregnancy of the rhesus monkey.

Abstract The free amino acids of amniotic fluid were analyzed during pregnancy of the rhesus monkey. Samples of amniotic fluid and of fetal and maternal blood were obtained at cesarean section delivery at exactly 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 days of gestational age. The total value of 19 amino acids in amniotic fluid decreased sequentially with advancing gestational age; the same trend was seen for most of the individual amino acids. Taurine was unique in showing the opposite trend, and demonstrated increasing levels at each subsequent stage of pregnancy. The free amino acids of amniotic fluid did not reflect the levels in the serum of either fetal or maternal blood.
A Learning Approach to 3D Object Representation for Classification

In this paper we describe our 3D object signature for 3D object classification. The signature is based on a learning approach that finds salient points on a 3D object and represent these points in a 2D spatial map based on a longitude-latitude transformation. Experimental results show high classification rates on both pose-normalized and rotated objects and include a study on classification accuracy as a function of number of rotations in the training set.
The Phenomenology of Non-Aggressive Antisocial Behavior During Childhood.

Although the phenomenology of overt or aggressive antisocial behavior during childhood is well-documented, far less is known about covert or non-aggressive, rule-breaking (RB) antisocial behavior. Gaps in knowledge include issues as basic as RB's typical symptom presentation during childhood and which symptoms differ across sex. The current study sought to fill these gaps in the literature by establishing the prevalence and psychometric properties of specific RB behaviors in a sample of 1022 twin boys and 1010 twin girls between the ages of 6 and 10 years. Legal RB behaviors (e.g., breaking rules, swears, lying or cheating) were present to varying degrees in most children, regardless of whether or not they passed the clinical threshold for RB. They were also more common in boys than in girls regardless of their clinical status. In sharp contrast, illegal RB behaviors (e.g., stealing, vandalism, setting fires) were rarely observed in typically-developing children, but were seen at moderate levels in boys and girls with clinically-significant levels of RB. Moreover, sex differences in illegal RB behaviors were observed only for those youth with clinically meaningful levels of RB. Such findings collectively imply that while legal RB behaviors can be found (albeit at different frequencies) in children with and without clinically meaningful levels of RB, illegal RB behaviors may function as relatively 'unambiguous' indicator of clinically-significant levels of RB.
The reporting of IRB review in journal articles presenting HIV research conducted in the developing world.

Objectives: We investigated how often journal articles reporting on human HIV research in four developing world countries mention any institutional review boards (IRBs) or research ethics committees (RECs) and what factors are involved. Methods: We examined all such articles published in 2007 from India Nigeria Thailand and Uganda and coded these for several ethical and other characteristics. Results: Of 221 articles meeting inclusion criteria 32.1% did not mention IRB approval. Mention of IRB approval was associated with: biomedical (versus psychosocial) research (P=0.001) more sponsor-country authors (P=0.003) sponsor-country corresponding author (P=0.047) mention of funding (P<0.001) particular host-country involved (P=0.002) journals having sponsor-country editors (P<0.001) and journal stated compliance with International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines (P=0.003). Logistic regression identified 3 significant factors: mention of funding journal having sponsor-country editors and research being biomedical. Conclusions: One-third of articles still do not mention IRB approval. Mention varied by country and was associated with biomedical research and more sponsor country involvement. Recently some journals have required mention of IRB approval but allow authors to do so in cover letters to editors not in the article itself. Instead these data suggest journals should require that articles document adherence to ethical standards.
Material characterization of a high‐dielectric‐constant polymer–ceramic composite for embedded capacitor for RF applications

Embedded capacitor technology can improve electrical performance and reduce assembly cost compared with traditional discrete capacitor technology. Polymer–ceramic composites have been of great interest as embedded capacitor materials because they combine the processability of polymers with the desired electrical properties of ceramics. We have developed a novel nanostructure polymer–ceramic composite with a very high dielectric constant (er ≈ 150, a new record for the highest reported er value of a nanocomposite) in a previous work. RF applications of embedded capacitors require that the insulating material have a high er at a high frequency (in the gigahertz range), low leakage current, high breakdown voltage, and high reliability. A set of electrical tests were conducted in this study to characterize the electrical properties of the novel high-er polymer–ceramic nanocomposite developed in- house. The results show that this material had a fairly high er in the RF range, low electrical leakage, and high breakdown voltage. An 85°C/85% thermal humidity aging test was been performed, and it showed that this novel high-K material had good reliability. An embedded capacitor prototype with a capacitance density of 35 nF/cm2 was manufactured with this nanocomposite with spin-coating technology. This novel nanocomposite can be used for the integral capacitors for RF applications. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2228–2231, 2004