cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diplomacy: Communication and the Origins of International Order

How do adversaries communicate? How do diplomatic encounters shape international orders and determine whether states go to war? Diplomacy, from alliance politics to nuclear brinkmanship, almost always operates through a few forms of signaling: choosing the scope of demands on another state, risking a breach in relations, encouraging a protege, staking one's reputation, or making a diplomatic approach all convey specific sorts of information. Through rich history and analyses of diplomatic network data from the Confidential Print of the British Empire, Trager demonstrates the lasting effects that diplomatic encounters have on international affairs. The Concert of Europe, the perceptions of existential threat that formed before the World Wars, the reduction in Cold War tensions known as detente, and the institutional structure of the current world order were all products of inferences about intentions drawn from the statements of individuals represented as the will of states. Diplomacy explains how closed-door conversations create stable orders and violent wars.
Heterogeneity in Growth Properties of the Rat Swarm Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma remains one of the most difficult clinical conundrums of orthopaedic pathology, with wide variation in clinical course. The natural history of chondrosarcoma ranges from slow indolent growth without metastasis over years to rapid proliferation and lethal metastasis. Molecular regulatory events in the growth of these neoplasms are poorly understood. Of the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma, originating from a single neoplasm in a Sprague-Dawley rat more than thirty-five years ago, two populations were identified with different growth properties. These two Swarm chondrosarcoma lines were characterized for growth properties, histomorphometric and ultrastructural integrity, and the ability for proteoglycans to form aggregates with hyaluronan. After careful comparison, no obvious clues to the variation in growth rate were noted. Further molecular analyses may lead to better understanding of the differential growth properties of these cell lines. Understanding the mechanisms involved in differential growth rates may lead to clinically applicable clues to predict clinical behavior of chondrosarcomas in humans.
Beyond RCTs: Innovations in research design and methods to advance implementation science

Implementation Science (IS) studies the adoption of interventions into clinical practice, taking into account real-world populations and clinical settings. While randomized control trials (RCTs) as...
The Relationship Between Ictal Multi-Unit Activity and the Electrocorticogram.

During neocortical seizures in patients with epilepsy, microelectrode array recordings from the ictal core show a strong correlation between the fast, cellular spiking activities and the low-frequency component of the potential field, reflected in the electrocorticogram (ECoG). Here, we model the relationship between the cellular spike activity and this low-frequency component as the input and output signals of a linear time invariant system. Our approach is based on the observation that this relationship can be characterized by a so-called sinc function, the unit impulse response of an ideal (brick-wall) filter. Accordingly, using a brick-wall filter, we are able to convert ictal cellular spike inputs into an output that significantly correlates with the observed seizure activity in the ECoG (r=0.40-0.56,p<0.01) , while ECoG recordings of subsequent seizures within patients also show significant, but lower, correlations (r=0.10-0.30,p<0.01) . Furthermore, we can produce seizure-like output signals using synthetic spike trains with ictal properties. We propose a possible physiological mechanism to explain the observed properties associated with an ideal filter, and discuss the potential use of our approach for the evaluation of anticonvulsant strategies.
The Commutant Lifting Theorem

In this chapter we will introduce the main theorem of this monograph, namely, the Commutant Lifting Theorem and we will give several different proofs for it. Each proof illuminates different features of this theorem. We also use the second proof to discuss the uniqueness question in the commutant lifting theorem. The third proof establishes the connection to Ando’s dilation theorem for two commuting contractions, while the fourth proof is based on Arocena’s coupling of contractions.
Classical Helium Fluid Mechanics

In many applications of cryogenics, cooling is best achieved by confining the coolant to a tube or duct and circulating it through the system in a closed loop. In this configuration, the fluid that circulates through the system may be a single phase liquid, single phase gas or a two – phase flow of liquid and vapor. The principal variables in a single phase system are the pressure, temperature and mass flow rate. In two phase flows, additional variables are needed to characterize the state and dynamics. From the engineering point of view, the main quantity of interest is the pressure drop caused by the flowing fluid. In Chap. 5, we will consider the heat transfer issues associated with flowing normal helium.
Detection of Immunoglobulin E with a Graphene-Based Field-Effect Transistor Aptasensor

DNA aptamers have the ability to bind to target molecules with high selectivity and therefore have a wide range of clinical applications. Herein, a graphene substrate functionalized with a DNA aptamer is used to sense immunoglobulin E. The graphene serves as the conductive substrate in this field-effect-transistor-like (FET-like) structure. A voltage probe in an electrolyte is used to sense the presence of IgE as a result of the changes in the charge distribution that occur when an IgE molecule binds to the IgE DNA-based aptamer. Because IgE is an antibody associated with allergic reactions and immune deficiency-related diseases, its detection is of utmost importance for biomedical applications.
Made in Taiwan: paratexts of Life of Pi and a dynamic sense of place

ABSTRACTThis article looks into how cultural products produced by Hollywood’s runaway productions re-enter overseas societies that were involved in the productions and how audiences in these societies interact with such products. While global media scholars have examined Hollywood’s relocation of its production sites to overseas locations and its impact on these locations, their examination is limited at the levels of production and representation. This article thus suggests that the interrogation of this impact needs to be extended to the levels of distribution and consumption by using a case study of the film, Life of Pi (2012). Although the film was produced by 20th Century Fox, more than 70 percent of its scenes were filmed in Taiwan. Through analyzing discourses and paratexts surrounding the film produced by both media industries and Taiwanese audiences, I argue that distributors and Taiwanese audiences revealed and reconstructed the sense of Taiwaneseness, which was obliterated in the film. Drawing ...
Enteroinsular axis response to carbohydrates and fasting in healthy newborn foals.

BACKGROUND: The enteroinsular axis (EIA) comprises intestinal factors (incretins) that stimulate insulin release after PO ingestion of nutrients. Glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) are the main incretins. The EIA has not been investigated in healthy neonatal foals but should be important because energy demands are high in healthy foals and dysregulation is frequent in sick foals. OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the EIA response to carbohydrates or fasting in newborn foals. We hypothesized that incretin secretion would be higher after PO versus IV carbohydrate administration or fasting. ANIMALS: Thirty‐six healthy Standardbred foals ≤4 days of age. METHODS: Prospective study. Blood was collected before and after a PO glucose test (OGT; 300, 500, 1000 mg/kg), an IV glucose test (IVGT; 300, 500, 1000 mg/kg), a PO lactose test (OLT; 1000 mg/kg), and fasting. Foals were muzzled for 240 minutes. Blood was collected over 210 minutes glucose, insulin, GIP, and GLP‐1 concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Only PO lactose caused a significant increase in blood glucose concentration (P < .05). All IV glucose doses induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Concentrations of GIP and GLP‐1 decreased until foals nursed (P < .05), at which time rapid increases in glucose, insulin, GIP, and GLP‐1 concentrations occurred (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Healthy newborn foals have a functional EIA that is more responsive to milk and lactose than glucose. Non‐carbohydrate factors in mare's milk may be important for EIA activity. Constant exposure of intestinal cells to nutrients to maintain EIA activity could be relevant to management of sick foals. Foals can be fasted for 4 hours without experiencing hypoglycemia.
Easy capacitated facility location problems, with connections to lot-sizing

Abstract In this note, we consider the capacitated facility location problem when the transportation costs of the instance satisfy the Monge property. We show that a straightforward dynamic program finds the optimal solution when the demands are polynomially bounded. When demands are not polynomially bounded, we give a fully polynomial-time approximation scheme by adapting an algorithm and analysis of Van Hoesel and Wagelmans (2001).
Nano-modified functional composite coatings for metallic structures: Part I-Electrochemical and barrier behavior

Abstract Despite great efforts in polymeric coatings, premature failures of these coatings often cause structural corrosion. High-performance composite coatings by incorporation of nanomaterials are recently emerging multifunctional materials. Along this vein, this study aimed to evaluate the protective properties of nano-modified composite coatings. This work provided new insights into developing new high-performance nanocomposite coatings for strengthening the corrosion resistance of metallic structures. Three nanoparticles: carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and nano-silica (NS), were used as nanofillers for synthesizing epoxy-based nanocomposites. The new nano-modified composite coatings were systematically quantified to understand the link of tribological, mechanical, and electrical properties of the nanocomposites. The first part of this work focused on the electrochemical and barrier behavior of nanocomposites via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques and damage index. Results suggested that the 0.5–1.5 wt% NS and GNP based composites exhibited superior performance in corrosion inhibition, without damage recorded at the fresh stage. The corrosion resistance of 0.5 wt% NS composites still maintained intact after 100-hour accelerated exposure and remained as high as 92% capacity after 500-hour exposure. GNP composites also stayed with high corrosion resistance by 76% corrosion resistance after 500-hour exposure. As compared, CNT based composites exhibited a relatively lower corrosion resistance, with 85% at onset and 60% remaining capacity after long-term exposure. Water absorption results also confirmed a similar observation. The results from scanning electron microscopy revealed the coatings demonstrated good distribution of nanoparticles in the matrix. Integration of high-speed disk and ultrasonication has overcome nanoparticle agglomeration. However, large agglomeration was observed at higher concentrations. The results suggest the 0.5–1.5 wt% of nanofiller led to the most significant improvement in both mechanical and electrochemical properties.
Acute Sexual Assault in the Pediatric and Adolescent Population

Children and adolescents are at high risk for sexual assault. Early medical and mental health evaluation by professionals with advanced training in sexual victimization is imperative to assure appropriate assessment, forensic evidence collection, and follow-up. Moreover, continued research and outreach programs are needed for the development of preventative strategies that focus on this vulnerable population. In this review we highlight key concepts for assessment and include a discussion of risk factors, disclosure, sequelae, follow-up, and prevention.
Assessment and Modeling of COVID-19 Outcomes in a Longitudinal Cohort of Hospitalized Adults

Background: While several demographic and clinical correlates of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcome have been identified, they remain imprecise tools for clinical management of disease. Furthermore, there are limited data on how these factors are associated with virological and immunological parameters over time. Methods and Findings: Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were longitudinally collected from a cohort of 58 hospitalized adults with COVID-19 in Chicago, Illinois between March 27 and June 9, 2020. Samples were assessed for SARS-CoV-2 viral load, viral genotype, viral diversity, and antibody titer. Demographic and clinical information, including patient blood tests and several composite measures of disease severity, were extracted from electronic health records. All parameters were assessed for association with three patient outcome groups: discharge without intensive care unit (ICU) admission (n = 23), discharge with ICU admission (n = 29), and COVID-19 related death (n = 6). Higher age, male sex, and higher body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with ICU admission. At hospital admission, higher 4C Mortality scores and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were likewise associated with ICU admission. Longitudinal trends in Deterioration Index (DI) score, Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), and serum neutrophil count were also associated with ICU admission, though only the retrospectively calculated median DI score was predictive of death. While viral load and genotype were not significantly associated with outcome in this study, viral load did correlate positively with C-reactive protein levels and negatively with D-dimer, lymphocyte count, and antibody titer. Intra-host viral genetic diversity resulted in changes in viral genotype in some participants over time, though intra-host evolution was not associated with outcome. A stepwise-generated multivariable model including BMI, lymphocyte count at admission, and neutrophil count at admission was sufficient to predict outcome with a 0.82 accuracy rate in this cohort. Conclusions: These studies suggest that COVID-19 disease severity and poor outcomes among hospitalized patients are likely driven by dysfunctional host responses to infection and underlying co-morbid conditions rather than SARS-CoV-2 viral loads. Several parameters, including 4C mortality score, LDH levels, and DI score, were ultimately predictive of participant outcome and warrant further exploration in larger cohort studies for use in clinical management and risk assessment. Finally, the prevalence of intra-host diversity and viral evolution in hospitalized patients suggests a mechanism for population-level change, further emphasizing the need for effective antivirals to suppress viral replication and to avoid the emergence of new variants.
Leader Member Exchange Leadership Model in Workplaces: A Theoretical Review

Leadership means different things to different people. The most important dimensions of leadership are influence and goals; though the process through which influence is exerted to achieve pre-determined organizational goals differs from leaders to leaders. However, leadership cannot exist in a vacuum. The author conceptualize leadership as a process that centers on the interaction between leaders and their followers. In this article, the author dissected, analyzed, and synthesized extant literature on leader-member exchange (LMX) theory with the aim of discovering useful insights about LMX leadership practices in today’s workplaces. The author established that future research should begin to view LMX as a relational model of nested relationship. The paper concluded that The LMX is a good leadership model but may not be a good fit for diversity practicing organizations.
Future of automated visual inspection

The objective of this chapter is to look into the future of automated visual inspection, and to see what impact it might have on the development of intelligent manufacturing systems. First, a system will be proposed that is capable of the flexible manufacture of printed circuit boards. The point here is not to design the best possible printed circuit board manufacturing system, but rather to use the PCB manufacturing scenario as a tool to demonstrate the variety of intelligent vision systems that would be required to support the flexible automation of even this relatively simple manufacturing process. The flexible circuit board manufacturing facility is discussed, the roles played by automated vision systems are identified, and the entire system is analyzed as an example of an intelligent system.
Increase in visceral fat per se does not induce insulin resistance in the canine model

Objectives To determine whether a selective increase of visceral adipose tissue content will result in insulin resistance. Methods Sympathetic denervation of the omental fat was performed under general inhalant anesthesia by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine in the omental fat of lean mongrel dogs (n = 11). In the conscious animal, whole-body insulin sensitivity was assessed by the minimal model (SI) and the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (SICLAMP). Changes in abdominal fat were monitored by magnetic resonance. All assessments were determined before (Wk0) and 2 weeks (Wk2) after denervation. Data are medians (upper and lower interquartile). Results Denervation of omental fat resulted in increased percentage (and content) of visceral fat [Wk0: 10.2% (8.5-11.4); Wk2: 12.4% (10.4-13.6); P < 0.01]. Abdominal subcutaneous fat remained unchanged. However, no changes were found in SI [Wk0: 4.7 (mU/l)−1 min−1 (3.1-8.8); Wk2: 5.3 (mU/l)−1 min−1 (4.5-7.2); P = 0.59] or SICLAMP [Wk0: 42.0 × 10−4 dl kg−1 min−1 (mU/l)−1 (41.0-51.0); Wk2: 40.0 × 10−4 dl kg−1 min−1 (mU/l) −1 (34.0-52.0); P = 0.67]. Conclusions Despite a selective increase in visceral adiposity in dogs, insulin sensitivity in vivo did not change, which argues against the concept that accumulation of visceral adipose tissue contributes to insulin resistance.
Cross Sections and Isomer Ratios for the Isomeric Pair Y 9 0 g and Y 9 0 m in the Rb 87 ( α , n ) and Y 89 ( d , p ) Reactions

Excitation functions and cross section ratios for the isomeric pair ${\mathrm{Y}}^{90g}$ and ${\mathrm{Y}}^{90m}$ produced from ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{87}$ by ($\ensuremath{\alpha}, n$) reaction and from ${\mathrm{Y}}^{89}$ by ($d, p$) reaction were measured from 11-18 and 5-12 MeV, respectively. The isomer ratios produced in ($d, p$) reaction are approximately an order of magnitude smaller than those obtained by ($\ensuremath{\alpha}, n$) reaction; the total cross sections for both reactions are comparable. The differences in the isomer ratio curves are accounted for by differences in mechanism. The experimental isomer ratios obtained in the ($\ensuremath{\alpha}, n$) reaction are compared with the predicted values calculated in the manner of Huizenga and Vandenbosch. The results are discussed.
Manipulators and manipulation: public opinion in a representative democracy.

�� Politicians and special interests have attempted to capture and manipulate citizens for as long as recorded history. The question is not whether elites attempt to manipulate citizens but whether and to what degree they succeed. Is public opinion relatively autonomous from the willful strategies of politicians and private interests to manipulate it in specific directions? Or, are citizens willfully manipulated into engaging in a form of mass karaoke in which they mouth “opinions that they would not hold if aware of the best available information” (Zaller 1992: 313)? The relative autonomy of public opinion is an age-old question that cuts to the core of debates over the scope, nature, and feasibility of democratic government — government based on responsiveness to the mass public. Joseph Schumpeter (1950), one of the most influential democratic theorists of the twentieth century, argued for government by technocrats precisely because of his deep skepticism about citizens, a skepticism that has been shared by a string of political observers from Plato to Walter Lippmann. Schumpeter (ibid: 263 ‐2 64) declared that the “popular will” had “little, if any, independent basis” and was captured by the organizationally and financially advantaged. Mass public opinion was simply the manufactured “product” of “salesmen”— self-seeking politicians and special interests with an “axe to grind” who skillfully used the techniques of mass advertising to produce the public attitudes that they desired. Workable democratic government, Schumpeter argued (ibid: 269), required narrowly restricting the role of citizens to selecting “the men
Influence of apolipoprotein E genotype on the transmission of Alzheimer disease in a community-based sample.

Abstract The epsilon 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E locus (APOE) has been found to be an important predictor of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, linkage analysis has not clarified the role of APOE in the transmission of AD. The results of the current study provide evidence that the pattern of transmission of memory disorders differs in nuclear families in which the AD-affected proband did carry an epsilon 4 allele versus those families in which the AD-affected proband did not carry an epsilon allele. Further, risk of AD due to APOE genotype in the probands is modified by family history of memory disorders, suggesting gene-by-gene interactions. Family history remained a significant predictor of AD for affected probands with some, but not all, APOE genotypes in a logistic regression analysis. Though nonadditive in the prediction of AD, APOE genotype and family history acted additively in the prediction of age at AD onset. The results of complex segregation analysis were inconsistent with Mendelian segregation of memory disorders both in families of affected probands who did or did not carry an epsilon 4 allele, yet these two groups had significantly different parameter estimates for their transmission models. These results are consistent with gene-by-gene interactions, but also could result from common elements in the familial environment.
Building a Better Mouse Model to Understand Infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the number one cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants; and there are no vaccines or specific antiviral drugs against RSV. The pathogenesis of RSV remains elusive. This is partly due to the fact that the mouse is semi-permissive for human RSV. The present study sought to determine if a better neonatal mouse model of RSV infection could be obtained using a recombinant virus in which the F protein of standard laboratory strain A2 was replaced with that from the line 19 isolate (rA2-19F). Five-day-old pups were infected with A2 or rA2-19F. rA2-19F caused significantly more lung inflammation and mucus than A2. More type II T helper (Th2) cells and less type I (Th1) cells and effector CD8+ T cells (Tc1) were observed in the rA2-19F infected lungs compared to A2. A cohort of infected neonates were allowed to mature to adulthood and reinfected with the same strain at 4 wks post primary infection. Similarly, secondary infection with rA2-19F caused exaggerated Th2...
Conceptual Modeling for Collaborative E-business Processes

As the Web evolves from providing information access into a platform for e-business, there is a need for modeling and automating inter-business interactions. Today, business-to-business interaction based on XML document exchange has been widely discussed. However, there is only limited technology for defining and automating these interactions at the business process level. In this paper, we introduce Common Business Collaboration (CBC) protocols based on common business objects, as well as Inter-business Collaborative Processes (ICP). An ICP expresses process-level business interaction, while allowing complete autonomy of the internal processes at each participating party. The automation of these inter-business collaborative processes is based on a peer-to-peer implementation paradigm, rather than a single centralized process engine. An XML-based CBC Description Language, CBCDL, is introduced to model inter-business collaborative processes. The feasibility and practical value of this approach have been demonstrated through prototypes implemented at HP Laboratories.
Astrophysics: Glimpse into a primitive stellar nursery.

The first well-resolved images of local-galaxy stellar nurseries that are poor in elements heavier than helium give the best picture yet of the conditions in which stars may have formed in the early Universe. See Letter p.218 The dwarf irregular galaxy Wolf–Lundmark–Melotte (WLM) in the constellation Cetus has a remarkably low metallicity (a low level of elements heavier than helium), just 13% of that of the Sun. That helps to make it a useful model for the study of star formation under conditions close to those of the early Universe. Monica Rubio et al. report interferometric observations of CO clouds in WLM. The clouds are tiny compared to the surrounding atomic and H2 envelopes, but they have typical densities and column densities for CO clouds in the Milky Way. The normal CO density explains why star clusters forming in dwarf irregulars have similar densities to star clusters in giant spiral galaxies. The low cloud masses suggest that these clusters will also be low mass.
Components of the change in regional inequality

Abstract The change in regional inequality can be decomposed in terms of per capita income changes and population changes. Application to U.S. data for states and larger regions shows that the regional inequality decline from 1970 to 1977 is wholly due to per capita income changes.
Ribosomes from Escherichia coli merodiploids heterozygous for resistance to streptomycin and to spectinomycin

Abstract To study ribosome assembly we have constructed a series of isogenic F′-merodiploids of Escherichia coli with different combinations of alleles at two loci that affect the 30 s ribosomal subunit: str (streptomycin resistance) and spc (spectino-mycin resistance). Double heterozygotes ( str r / str s ; spc r / spc s ) with the two resistance alleles cis or trans formed essentially identical sets of ribosomes, as judged by their degree of resistance to either drug or to both together. It can be concluded that (a) the str and spc loci correspond to distinct structural genes, and (b) their products, and presumably other components of the ribosome, are assembled into ribosomes from a common pool, rather than by obligatory or preferential aggregation of products of the same genome. When ribosomes from heterozygotes for either locus were compared with mixtures of ribosomes from sensitive and from resistant homozygotes it was found that a given allele contributed slightly more when located in the episome than when located in the chromosome. More striking than this difference, however, was the consistent excess of sensitivity over resistance (about 2:1), for either drug, in the heterozygotes. Moreover, double heterozygotes exhibited less than 10% double resistance. Possible causes for this unexpected excess of sensitivity are discussed. During genetic analysis of the F′-merodiploids it was found that the recA − mutation, which prevents genetic recombination, did not impair episomal “cure” by an acridine dye.
Simultaneous determination of thiamine and pyrithiamine.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a spectrophotofluorometric assay of a mixture of thiamine and pyrithiamine based upon the difference in excitation and emission characteristics of their respective oxidation products, thiochrome, and pyrichrome. The chapter tabulates the relative molar fluorescence of thiochrome and pyrichrome as determined on the Aminco–Bowman spectrophotofluorometer. The values given are the average for three separate determinations. The inadequacy of measuring the fluorescence of the aqueous phase for quantitative determinations has been reviewed by Mickelsen and Yamamoto. An estimate of the partition coefficient of thiochrome between isoamyl alcohol and the reagent blank may be obtained from the final values presented.
263 HISTOLOGIC ABNORMALITIES IN THE DIABETIC RAT PLACENTA

In previous work with the diabetic (DM) pregnant rat we found placentas to be larger and fetuses smaller than normal. To study cellular differences that might contribute to the disparity in size and function of DM placentas, we analyzed by light and electron microscopy DM and control placentas on days 14, 18, and 22 (term). DM was induced using IV streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). DM placentas (days 18 and 22) were marked by the presence of large numbers of glycogen-distended cells in the junctional zone. The trophoblastic layers in the interhemal membrane were also significantly thicker in the DM group, and large accumulations of lipid droplets were prominent. Since there is normally a striking thinning of the labyrinthine placental barrier by day 22, the thickness of age-matched DM placentas is more impressive, and possibly increases the diffusion distance in the DM placentas. Moreover, 22-day DM placentas contained more glycogen and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the inner trophoblastic layer, a feature similar to 18-day control placentas. Thus, DM placentas have a number of features that are normally seen earlier in gestation. Histologic evidence confirms increased glycogen and lipid in both the junctional zone and in the cellular barrier between maternal and fetal blood. We speculate that the thickening and modifications of the cellular barrier in DM may affect fetal growth and nutrition by increasing the diffusion distance between the maternal and fetal circulations.
Examiner effect in IQ testing of Puerto Rican working-class children.

The WISC scores of school-age Puerto Rican children were markedly affected by differences in examiner style between two examiners who were equivalent as to sex, ethnicity, fluency in Spanish and English, and clinical experience. Higher performance level occurred with examiner behavior that encouraged active participation, verbalization and repeated effort on the child's part.
Mean field attenuation and amplitude attenuation due to wave scattering

Abstract We point out the inadequacy of two widely used approaches of formulating the amplitude attenuation of seismic waves, the formulation of mean-field attenuation and that of scattering coefficient under the single scattering approximation. Using a one-dimensional layered slab, we show that the attenuation of the mean field is merely a statistical effect caused by phase interference among different realizations of the random wave ensemble, and does not represent the amplitude attenuation. We will call the attenuation coefficient of the mean field as the randomization coefficient in order to distinguish it from the amplitude attenuation coefficient. We also show that the scattering coefficient method leads to the same result as the first order approximation to the renormalized perturbation series (or the bilocal approximation to Dyson's equation) of the mean field. Therefore these two approaches are equivalent to a certain degree. This is also shown by using the one-dimensional layered slab model as an example. After pointing out the incorrectness of comparing experiments on amplitude attenuation with the mean field formulation, we suggest and discuss some methods of obtaining the mean field in experiments. For one-dimensional problems, the samples must be taken along the whole propagation path in order to use a spatial average to substitute for ensemble average. For a three-dimensional wave field, measurements over a large seismic array can be used to obtain the mean field. The data from Lasa measured by Aki are used to compare with theory; the agreement between them is good. Finally we compare the mean-field attenuation (randomization) and the amplitude attenuation using the back-halfspace-integration approximation introduced by Wu, and compare them with the measured data by Aki. The comparison shows further the inability of the mean-field formulation in dealing with the problem of amplitude attenuation.
Higher order analysis of spatial coupler curves

Abstract The present paper summarizes developments of numerical matrix methods on the higher order analysis of spatial coupler curves generated by spatial mechanisms. Previously introduced differential displacement matrices and the newly introduced purely geometrical matrices are investigated as “operators” in the matrix operational method. The two methods are compared, and numerical examples for each of the methods are given. Without restriction to any particular spatial mechanism, or any special coupler point, the methods provide a procedure for obtaining the high-order characteristics of coupler curves such as curvature, torsion and spatial center of curvature.
FIELD DEPENDENCE OF THE DIRECT-PROCESS SPIN-LATTICE RELAXATION TIME IN RARE- EARTH SALTS

The field dependence of the direct-process spin-lattice relaxation time for rare-earth salts having ${g}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=0$ is computed taking into account dipolar coupling between the spins. Comparison is made with the corresponding relaxation time calculated in a modified effective-field approximation, and the presence of terms not found in the modified effective-field formula is noted. Conditions that must obtain for the effective-field approximation to be valid are discussed, and a numerical evaluation of the relaxation time for dysprosium ethyl sulfate is given. Extension of the calculation to salts not having ${g}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=0$ is also considered.
A convex formulation for learning shared structures from multiple tasks

Multi-task learning (MTL) aims to improve generalization performance by learning multiple related tasks simultaneously. In this paper, we consider the problem of learning shared structures from multiple related tasks. We present an improved formulation (iASO) for multi-task learning based on the non-convex alternating structure optimization (ASO) algorithm, in which all tasks are related by a shared feature representation. We convert iASO, a non-convex formulation, into a relaxed convex one, which is, however, not scalable to large data sets due to its complex constraints. We propose an alternating optimization (cASO) algorithm which solves the convex relaxation efficiently, and further show that cASO converges to a global optimum. In addition, we present a theoretical condition, under which cASO can find a globally optimal solution to iASO. Experiments on several benchmark data sets confirm our theoretical analysis.
Interleukin-6 after LPS decreases macrophage tumor necrosis factor-alpha production

Introduction. Elevated serum levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) correlate with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and mortality in critically ill patients. Data from animal models of shock and sepsis suggest that exogenous IL-6 protects against inflammation. We hypothesized that IL-6 pretreatment down regulates macrophage cytokine production. Our objective was to investigate the timing of IL-6 administration on TNF-α production from the macrophage. Methods. Differentiated THP-1 macrophages were divided into 10 groups: (1, 2) Control-6 and -24 (controls harvested at 6 and 24 h); (3, 4) LPS-6 and LPS-24 (LPS for 6 and 24 h); (5, 6) IL-6-6 and IL-6-24 (No LPS, IL-6 treatment for 1 h then incubation for 6 and 24 h); (7, 8) LPS + IL-6-6 and LPS + IL-6-24 (LPS for 6 and 24 h then IL-6 treatment for 1 h; (9, 10) IL-6 + LPS-6 and IL-6 + LPS-24 (pretreated with IL-6 for 1 h, then LPS for 6 and 24 h). Concentrations of LPS were 100 ng/ml and IL-6 1000 U/ml. Total RNA was isolated and TNF-α gene expression performed using Q-RT-PCR (Qiagen RNeasy Kit, Valencia, CA, and MX3000P, Stratagene, La Jolla, CA). Supernatants were assayed for TNF-α by ELISA (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). Data were analyzed by ANOVA (Primer vs. 3.0). Results. Compared to controls, IL-6 alone, and IL-6 after LPS, LPS and IL-6 pretreatment + LPS increased TNF-α mRNA levels (P = 0.002). mRNA levels from LPS and IL-6 + LPS were similar at 6 h (552 ± 59 and 441.5 ± 98) and 24 h (84 ± 1 and 88 ± 9) (P = 0.43). Conclusion. IL-6 pretreatment did not alter TNF-alpha levels. Surprisingly, IL-6 administration after LPS decreased TNF-α mRNA and protein. This data suggest that IL-6 does not decrease cytokine production via preconditioning. Further study is needed to elucidate the mechanism by which IL-6 treatment after LPS decreases TNF-α. Download full-size image FIG. 1. Compared to LPS and IL-6 + LPS, LPS + IL-6 decreased TNF-α mRNA at both 6 (117 ± 1; P = 0.002) and 24 h (53 ± 11; P = 0.000). TNF-α protein levels mirrored mRNA data; P = 0.000.
Epidemiology of tumours of the uterine cervix

Resume Le cancer du col uterin a ses caracteristiques propres, distinctes de celles de tout autre cancer: 1. (1) Il est rare chez les mammiferes autres que l'homme. 2. (2) Il est plus frequent dans les pays en voie de developpement que dans les pays evolues, dans les populations urbaines que dans les populations rurales, dans les regions a forte population industrielle que dans celles ou la population est moins dense, ainsi que dans les classes sociales et economiques inferieures. Il est relativement frequent chez les Noirs et assez rare chez les Juifs, a l'exception des Juifs d'Afrique du Nord. 3. (3) Une plus grande proportion de malades atteintes de cancer du col uterin que de patientes souffrant d'autres types de cancer presentent certaines caracteristiques liees au mariage et aux pratiques sexuelles, permettant d'etablir une eventuelle correlation entre ceux-ci et la presence du cancer. Cenpendant, on a demontre que les risques de cancer du col ne sont pas augmentes par la presence des facteurs qui ont eteetudies. Les taux de cancer du col uterin ne sont pas superieurs chez les Juifs ou ces caracteristiques existent que dans d'autres groupes de Juifs. Chez les non-Juifs, la presence d'un facteur extrinseque n'entraine pas de developpement premature de cette forme de cancer. Le cancer du col est tres probablement du a l'influence de facteurs externes, mais nous n'avons pas encore pu determiner ses causes exactes.
An algorithm for polygonal approximation of a digital object

Abstract A fast and simple heuristic algorithm for polygonal approximation is presented. The algorithm is based on a mark and sweep technique. Results of computer implementation with various images are reported.
Surgical technic in en bloc bilateral cadaveric nephrectomy for transplantation

En bloc bilateral cadaveric nephrectomy for transplantation has some advantages over excision of each kidney separately. There is also an advantage of single cannula perfusion through the aorta for two kidneys, especially when multiple renal arteries are present. The anatomic vascular variants are important, as are the incision and the approach to the suprarenal aorta and the lumbar venous drainage of the kidney.
Resting qualitative and quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography to predict cardiac events in patients with acute myocardial infarction and percutaneous revascularization

Successful restoration of patency of the infarct-related artery is important in management of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); however, it does not necessarily translate into the restoration of perfusion at the tissue level. In this study, we evaluate the prognostic role of qualitative and quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in predicting cardiac events (after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors) in STEMI patients undergoing reperfusion. Bedside resting real-time MCE using continuous infusion of diluted contrast agent (Definity) was performed within a median of 21.4 h from revascularization in STEMI. Myocardial perfusion on qualitative MCE was graded 1 = homogenous; 2 = partial/patchy; and 3 = absent. Perfusion score index (PSI) was calculated by adding the perfusion score in all segments divided by the total number of evaluable segments. Quantitative perfusion parameters [A, dB; β, sec−1; and Aβ] were analyzed using a 17-segment model. Patients were followed for cardiac events including death; nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI); hospitalization for cardiac symptoms; coronary revascularization; or heart failure. Thirty-seven reperfused STEMI patients with a mean age of 64 years (range, 40–86 years) were enrolled and followed for a median of 1.4 years. Cardiac events occurred in 22 patients. Patients with cardiac events had a higher perfusion score index (PSI), and lower A, β and Aβ parameters compared to patients without events [1.84 ± 0.36 vs 1.39 ± 0.17 for PSI, P < 0.001; 0.57 ± 0.24 vs 0.85 ± 0.30 for A, P = 0.03; 0.34 ± 0.15 vs. 0.53 ± 0.17 for β, P = 0.002; and 0.21 ± 0.12 vs. 0.49 ± 0.32, for Aβ, P = 0.003; respectively]. A PSI value of 1.58 provided an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.873, while β of 0.423 and Aβ of 0.323 provided an AUC of 0.858 and 0.842, respectively. PSI and Aβ were independent predictors of cardiac events with an adjusted hazard ratio of 3.41 (1.19–12.27); and 4.19 (1.3–19.09), respectively. No contrast-related side effects were reported. Evaluation of perfusion in reperfused STEMI patients by qualitative and quantitative MCE (myocardial blood flow, Aβ) provides independent prediction of cardiac events.
In situ stress-strain response of small metal particles embedded in a ceramic matrix

Abstract The in situ stress-strain response of metal particles embedded in a ceramic matrix was obtained by combining the measurement and the modeling of the crack opening displacement field of a crack in a brittle material bridged by metal particles. The experiments were done on a composite made from platinum particles with a volume fraction of 10% in a magnesium aluminate spinel matrix. The size of the platinum particles was varied from 1 to 12 μm to study the influence of scale on the deformation behavior. Large strain to failure (85%) and ultimate tensile strength of 550 MPa were obtained for the 1 μm particles. But the larger particles failed at a strain of less than 25%; the ultimate tensile strength was also lower. This difference in ductility is explained in terms of debonding at the metal ceramic interface. It is argued that the debonding depends on the length of the dislocation pile up at the interface, and, therefore, on the particle size. The results and the metallographic observations are consistent with a model presented here; in this model the failure condition is given by a combination of the intrinsic yield stress of platinum, and the hydrostatic constraining stress in the metal particle.
Third-party umbilical cord blood–derived regulatory T cells prevent xenogenic graft-versus-host disease

Abstract Background aims Naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Treg) are emerging as a promising approach for prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), which remains an obstacle to the successful outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, Treg only constitute 1–5% of total nucleated cells in cord blood (CB) ( 6 cells), and therefore novel methods of Treg expansion to generate clinically relevant numbers are needed. Methods Several methodologies are currently being used for ex vivo Treg expansion. We report a new approach to expand Treg from CB and demonstrate their efficacy in vitro by blunting allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions and in vivo by preventing GvHD through the use of a xenogenic GvHD mouse model. Results With the use of magnetic cell sorting, naturally occurring Treg were isolated from CB by the positive selection of CD25 + cells. These were expanded to clinically relevant numbers by use of CD3/28 co-expressing Dynabeads and interleukin (IL)-2. Ex vivo –expanded Treg were CD4 + 25 + FOXP3 + 127 lo and expressed a polyclonal T-cell receptor, Vβ repertoire. When compared with conventional T-lymphocytes (CD4 + 25 − cells), Treg consistently showed demethylation of the FOXP3 TSDR promoter region and suppression of allogeneic proliferation responses in vitro . Conclusions In our NOD-SCID IL-2Rγ null xenogeneic model of GvHD, prophylactic injection of third-party, CB-derived, ex vivo –expanded Treg led to the prevention of GvHD that translated into improved GvHD score, decreased circulating inflammatory cytokines and significantly superior overall survival. This model of xenogenic GvHD can be used to study the mechanism of action of CB Treg as well as other therapeutic interventions.
MPTP administration in mice changes the ratio of splice isoforms of fosB and rgs9.

Abstract Most cases of Parkinson's disease (PD) are sporadic, suggesting an environmental influence on individuals affected by this neurodegenerative disorder. Environmental stresses often lead to changes in the regulation of splicing of pre-mRNA transcripts and this may lead to the pathogenesis of the disease. A 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)/probenecid mouse model was used to examine the changes in the splicing of the fosB and rgs9 transcripts. The ratio of ΔfosB/fosB transcript was decreased in the substantia nigra and unchanged in the striatum after acute MPTP treatment. The ΔfosB/fosB transcript ratio decreased initially and then increased in the striatum of chronically MPTP-treated animals due to different degrees of reduction for the splice variants over time, whereas the ratio was unchanged in the substantia nigra. The ratio of rgs9-2/rgs9-1 transcript decreased in the substantia nigra of mice after acute MPTP treatment and increased temporarily in the striatum after chronic MPTP treatment. There was an increase in the ΔFosB/FosB and RGS9-2/RGS9-1 protein ratios 3 weeks and 3 days post-treatment, respectively, in chronically treated mice. The data indicate that the pattern of splice isoforms of fosB and rgs9 reflects the brain's immediate and long-term responses to the physiological stress associated with Parkinsonism.
Properties and distribution of pure GA-sequences of mammalian genomes.

The article describes DNA sequences of mammalian genomes that are longer than 50 bases, but consist exclusively of G's and A's (‘pure GA-sequences’). Although their frequency of incidence should be 10−16 or smaller, the chromosomes of human, chimpanzee, dog, cat, rat, and mouse contained many tens of thousands of them ubiquitously located along the chromosomes with a species-dependent density, reaching sizes of up to 1300 [b]. With the exception of a small number of poly-A-, poly-G-, poly-GA-, and poly-GAAA-sequences (combined <0.5%), all pure GA-sequences of the mammals tested were unique individuals, contained several repeated short GA-containing motifs, and shared a common hexa-nucleotide spectrum. At most 2% of the human GA-sequences were transcribed into mRNAs; all others were not coding for proteins. Although this could have made them less subject to natural selection, they contained 160 times fewer point mutations than one should expect from the genome at large. As to the presence of other sequences with similarly restricted base contents, there were approximately as many pure TC-sequences as pure GA-sequences, but many fewer pure AC-, TA, and TG-sequences. There were practically no pure GC-sequences. The functions of pure GA-sequences are not known. Supported by a number of observations related to heat shock phenomena, the article speculates that they serve as genomic sign posts which may help guide polymerases and transcription factors to their proper targets, and/or as spatial linkers that help generate the 3-dimensional organization of chromatin.