cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mesencephalic fifth nucleus cell responses to thyroid hormone: One population or two?

Hypophysectomized Rana pipiens tadpoles 3-6 months old were placed in dl-thyroxine (T4) solutions of 4 to 200 micrograms/l for 1-18 days and fixed 1 day after removal from the hormone solution. Exposure times varied inversely with T4 concentration. Mesencephalic fifth nucleus (M-V) cells were counted on both sides, and cell and nuclear sizes were drawn and measured for each tadpole. Changes in M-V cell characteristics correlated well with T4 exposure times and concentrations, as did changes in external tadpole morphology. All T4 concentrations were effective. Cells and nuclei were distinctly larger in all T4-treated groups. The changes were greatest for cell sizes, less for nuclear dimensions, and still less for nucleo-cytoplasmic ratios. Significant changes were seen for minimum and maximum sizes as well as for the mean values. The greatest mean changes were seen at dosages of 50 micrograms/l for 7-9 days. Mean M-V cell numbers are significantly smaller in hypophysectomized tadpoles than in controls (about 420 vs. 650). Thyroid hormone treatment of the hypophysectomized animals abolishes much of the deficit, though M-V cell deaths at the higher concentrations and longer treatment times reduce the apparent increase in numbers. Are the additional cells obtained through cell division, or do they represent a preexisting subpopulation of prospective M-V cells that require stimulation by thyroid hormone for their full differentiation?
Induced flocculation in sterically stabilized ceramic powder dispersions

Abstract Stabilization of dispersions of silicon in benzene and trichloroethylene by adsorption of polystyrene [PS], poly (methyl methacrylate) [PMMA] and co-poly (styrene, methyl methacrylate) [co-PS-PMMA] was investigated. Isotherms for the adsorption of these polymers onto silicon were measured. Dispersions of silicon with adsorbed PMMA or co-PS-PMMA were found to be effectively stabilized. The degree of steric stabilization was found to depend on the polymer-medium interactions, the chemical structure of the polymers and the surface chemistry of the silicon powder. Flocculation was induced in the stabilized suspensions by the addition of n-hexane as a non-solvent. The amount of n-hexane needed to achieve theta conditions in the solvent was determined by carrying out cloud point titrations. This was compared to the critical volume of n-hexane needed to induce flocculation in the sterically stabilized silicon dispersions. The effects of polymer—medium interactions and temperature on these phenomena were observed. The present study is of direct relevance to the processing of ceramic powder dispersions used in the manufacture of ceramic monoliths and composites.
Periportal halo: A CT sign of liver disease

Periportal halos are defined as circumferential zones of decreased attenuation identified around the peripheral or subsegmental portal venous branches on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). These halos probably represent fluid or dilated lymphatics in the loose areolar zone around the portal triad structures. While this CT finding is nonspecific, it is abnormal and should prompt close scrutiny of the liver in search of an underlying etiology. Periportal halos which may be due to blood are commonly seen in patients with liver trauma. Periportal edema may cause this sign in patients with congestive heart failure and secondary liver congesion, hepatitis, or enlarged lymph nodes and tumors in the porta hepatis which obstruct lymphatic drainage. This CT sign has also been observed in liver transplants (probably secondary to disruption and engorgement of lymphatic channels) and in recipients of bone marrow transplants who might develop liver edema from microvenous occlusive disease. While the precise pathophysiologic basis of periportal tracking has not been proven, it represents a potentially important CT sign of occult liver disease.
Encoding protein structure with functions on graphs

The application of machine learning and datamining to the analysis and prediction of protein structure is a research area with potentially high impact in both computer science and biology. Proteins structures are inherently complicated objects with a mixture of crisp and fuzzy properties. Therefore developing effective representations for them is a research problem in itself, while quantifying and predicting properties and structure is of immediate importance in structural biology. This paper focuses on developing a compact, effective, efficient and accurate representation of protein structure that is compatible with widely used machine learning tools like the SVM. Graphs based on Delaunay triangulation are used to represent the structure, and then functions are constructed from these graphs to develop constant-size representations of protein structure that are tightly bound to the amino acid sequence. The representations preserve sufficient information to be valuable for model vs. experimental structure classification and regression analysis of model quality.
Relationship between education and delay discounting in smokers

Smokers are less educated and are more likely to discount future rewards than nonsmokers. We assessed the relationship between delay discounting and education level in 77 smokers entering smoking cessation treatment. There was an effect of education on computer task and the questionnaire measures of discounting, with participants having no college discounting delayed rewards significantly (P<.01) more than those attending college. Subjects discounted small rewards more than large rewards for both tasks (P<.001). Results show that education level is inversely associated with discounting in smokers.
ANHARMONIC CORRELATED EINSTEIN-MODEL DEBYE-WALLER FACTORS

An anharmonic correlated Einstein model is derived for local vibrational amplitudes in x-ray-absorption fine structure ~XAFS! that takes into account all near neighbors of absorber and backscattering atoms. The model is based on quantum thermodynamic perturbation theory and includes anharmonic effects based on empirical potentials. Calculations are presented for the second and third cumulants in XAFS as well as the net thermal expansion and thermal expansion coefficient. This model avoids full lattice dynamical calculations yet provides reasonable agreement with experiment. The generalization to displacement-displacement correlation functions and multiple-scattering Debye-Waller factors is also discussed. @S0163-1829~97!03125-1#
Actual length of diastasis for regurgitation through normal mitral valve; cinefluorographic demonstration.

SummaryDiastolic regurgitation of opaque contrast material can occur through normal mitral valve when the period of diastasis exceeds a specific time interval. This period of diastasis in dogs varies from 0.22 to 0.60 second, average of 0.39 second. When diastasis is shorter than this interval no regurgitation occurs, but it always occurs when prolonged beyond the critical period.
Static critical behavior of three-dimensional classical Heisenberg models: A high-resolution Monte Carlo study.

Using both recently developed cluster-algorithm and histogram methods, we have carried out a high-resolution Monte Carlo study of static critical properties of classical ferromagnetic Heisenberg models. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations were performed at several temperatures in the critical region, using an improved cluster-updating scheme, on L\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}L\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}L simple-cubic and body-centered-cubic systems with L\ensuremath{\le}40. Thermodynamic quantities as a function of temperature in the vicinity of the critical point were obtained by an optimized multiple-histogram method, and the critical temperature and static critical exponents were extracted using finite-size scaling. Our best estimates for the inverse critical temperatures are 0.693 035(37) for the simple-cubic system and 0.486 798(12) for the body-centered-cubic system. Estimated static critical exponents for both systems agree with each other within their respective error bars, and the mean estimates \ensuremath{\nu}=0.7048(30) and \ensuremath{\gamma}=1.3873(85) are also in excellent agreement with field-theoretic predictions 0.705(3) and 1.386(4).
Nanometer-scale metal dispersions in polymeric matrices

Rutherford backscattering spectrometry was used to measure the depth distribution of gold nanoparticles within thin layers of poly(t-butyl acrylate)(PTBA). The gold nanoparticles were created by evaporation of a discontinuous gold layer onto a thin film of PTBA. A second PTBA film was placed onto these samples to create ``sandwiches`` in which the gold existed between two PTBA films. Gold particle diffusion coefficients were measured from gold particle depth distributions in annealed samples for which the molecular weights of the two PTBA layers were identical. The experiments revealed that particle mobility was decreased by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude compared with predictions of the Stokes-Einstein model of particle diffusion. This is attributed to bridging interactions between particles arising from slow exchange kinetics of polymer segments at the polymer/metal interface. Experiments for which the molecular weights of the two polymer films are different, are sensitive to the ability of polymer molecules to pass through the gold particle layer. Experiments done with thermally evaporated particles are consistent with a picture in which polymer molecules are able to freely pass through the gold particle layer. Results with gold deposited by electron-beam evaporation are different: the gold is not able to diffuse and polymer molecules not able to penetrate the gold layer. These results, combined with optical absorption experiments, indicate that much smaller particles are obtained by electron-beam evaporation than by thermal evaporation.
Game-Based Simulation for Cross-Cultural Decision Making Training

Increasing globalization has had a major impact on manufacturing and service industries as well as on coalition operations conducted by the military. What is common to both the commercial and military sectors is the recent surge in interest in cross-cultural decision making CCDM training. Existing CCDM training approaches tend to employ either some form of multi-agent simulation or some variant of classical game theory. Despite their manifest benefits, these approaches have specific limitations that need to be overcome to create an effective cross-cultural training system. Multi-agent simulations typically lack theoretical underpinnings while classical game theory-based approaches take a limited view of strategic decision making. Specifically, by adopting a Western view of rationality, game-theoretic approaches fail to accommodate considerations such as fairness, altruism and reciprocity. Empirical research in strategic economic games has shown that humans respond to more than merely monetary incentives. In particular, research has shown that cultural norms play a central role in human decision making behavior, especially in non-Western cultures. This paper presents an innovative approach to game-based simulation that combines findings from behavioral game theory with classical game theory and multi-agent simulation to exploit the strengths of each approach while making learning enjoyable, memorable, and fun. An illustrative game-based simulation for CCDM training is also presented. The simulation framework is equally applicable to teaching other soft skills as well as skills that are too hazardous or too expensive to teach in the realworld through live exercises. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social valuation of pest management strategies

Abstract Most economic analyses of pest management strategies view the subject from the point of view of the individual farmer attempting to maximize profits while ignoring the overall social context in which the farmer operates. This paper discusses the type of analysis required to create a method of social valuation of pest management strategies by considering the effects of insect resistance, learning-by-doing, risk and valuation over time.
Semiclassical limits in quantum-transport theory

Semiclassical limits for the dynamics of the Wigner function, and for the dynamics of the low-order moments of physical interest, are discussed in fluid-dynamical terms. The harmonic-oscillator solution yields local Maxwellian (ideal) fluid-dynamical behavior, and this is extended to locally quadratic problems in a straightforward manner. Coherent states are shown to have a particularly simple fluid-dynamical interpretation, and coherence may be easily demonstrated for mixed states having an arbitrary degree of uncertainty in the field variables. The semiclassical behavior of pure and mixed states is conveniently discussed in terms of coherent and incoherent limits, and the origin of quantum-mechanical behavior in the simple low-order approximations proposed is simply explained. The relation to the pure-state theory of Madelung is made explicit. A recently proposed method for the solution of a certain hierarchy of quantum-fluid-dynamical equations is analyzed in detail, and is demonstrated to be inconsistent with these semiclassical limits.
Optical intersubband transitions in conduction-band quantum wells.

In this work, theoretical formulation for optical intersubband transitions has been developed within the framework of a simple one-band model by including the spatial variation of effective mass in quantum-well heterostructures. It has been shown how the in-plane polarized optical inter-conduction-subband transitions could be made large in direct-band-gap semiconductor quantum wells. However, calculations have confirmed that the normal-to-plane polarized optical intersubband transition is still dominant. The dependence of optical intersubband transitions on quantum-well structure geometry and parameters has been investigated, which provides insights to the underlying physics, and suggests a way how experiments could be carried out to examine these physical phenomena related to optical intersubband transitions.
Assessment of heterogeneity of metal composition of fine particulate matter collected from eight U.S. counties using principal component analysis.

The main objectives of this study are to (1) characterize chemical constituents of particulate matter (PM) and (2) compare overall differences in PM collected from eight U.S. counties. This project was undertaken as a part of a larger research program conducted by the Johns Hopkins Particulate Matter Research Center (JHPMRC). The goal of the JHPMRC is to explore the relationship between health effects and exposure to ambient PM of differing composition. The JHPMRC collected weekly filter-based ambient fine particle samples from eight U.S. counties between January 2008 and January 2010. Each sampling effort consisted of a 5–6-week sampling period. Filters were analyzed for 25 metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Overall compositional differences were ranked by principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that weekly concentrations of each element varied 3–40 times between the eight counties. PCA showed that the first five principal components explained 85% of the to...
Abridgment of the calculation of the armature reactance of synchronous machines

This paper presents new and simplified formulas for the armature leakage reactance of synchronous machines, and compares the results obtained with tests on 100 machines of varied types. The new formulas are characterized by novel expressions for the end leakage and for the “air-gap” or “differential leakage” reactances. Formulas for zero phase-sequence reactances also are given. The definitions of armature leakage and armature reaction reactances used are those proposed by Doherty and Nickle in 1926, and as a result, the leakage reactance has a much smaller value than has been assigned to it heretofore, thus requiring a rather fundamental revision of the ordinary conceptions of the flux densities existing in the various parts of a loaded synchronous machine.
A LEARNING MODEL FOR FORCED-CHOICE DETECTION EXPERIMENTS1

Several signal detection experiments employing a forced-choice procedure are analysed in terms of a model that incorporates two distinct processes: a sensory process and a decision process. The sensory process specifies the relation between external signal events and hypothesized sensory states of the subject. The decision process specifies the relation between the sensory states and the observable responses of the subject. The sensory process is assumed to be fixed throughout an experiment, whereas the decision process is viewed as varying from trial to trial as a function of the particular sequence of preceding events. The changes in the decision process are assumed to be governed by a simple stochastic learning model. There are several ways of formulating the learning model and the experiments reported here were designed to select among these alternative approaches. The empirical results favour a linear-operator process with trial-to-trial changes in response probabilities that are a function not only of the signal and information events, but also of the particular sequence of sensory states activated.
Algorithmic transformations in the implementation of K- means clustering on reconfigurable hardware

In mapping the k-means algorithm to FPGA hardware, we examined algorithm level transforms that dramatically increased the achievable parallelism. We apply the k-means algorithm to multi-spectral and hyper-spectral images, which have tens to hundreds of channels per pixel of data. K-means is an iterative algorithm that assigns assigns to each pixel a label indicating which of K clusters the pixel belongs to.K-means is a common solution to the segmentation of multi-dimensional data. The standard software implementation of k-means uses floating-point arithmetic and Euclidean distances. Floating point arithmetic and the multiplication-heavy Euclidean distance calculation are fine on a general purpose processor, but they have large area and speed penalties when implemented on an FPGA. In order to get the best performance of k-means on an FPGA, the algorithm needs to be transformed to eliminate these operations. We examined the effects of using two other distance measures, Manhattan and Max, that do not require multipliers. We also examined the effects of using fixed precision and truncated bit widths in the algorithm.It is important to explore algorithmic level transforms and tradeoffs when mapping an algorithm to reconfigurable hardware. A direct translation of the standard software implementation of k-means would result in a very inefficient use of FPGA hardware resources. Analysis of the algorithm and data is necessary for a more efficient implementation. Our resulting implementation exhibits approximately a 200 times speed up over a software implementation.
Survey of computational methods for solving large scale systems

The last few years have seen great improvements in computational methods for solving large scale systems. In this paper we outline some of these new methods, particularly those involving improvements in the simplex method, generalized upper bounds, branch and bound methods, special ordered sets and the method of approximation programming.
Nonsurgical management of ureterovaginal fistula.

Abstract The nonsurgical treatment of ureterovaginal fistula following pelvic surgery is discussed, emphasizing the clinical and radiologic features important in selection and management. Three cases are presented which illustrate the success of this course of management.
What drives credit dollarization in transition economies

Abstract This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the use of foreign currencies in the lending activities of banks in transition economies. The impact of bank and firm variables on credit dollarization is studied in an optimal portfolio allocation model and estimated using new aggregate data for 21 transition economies for the period 1990–2003. Empirical results provide evidence that credit dollarization is the combined outcome of domestic deposit dollarization and banks’ desire for currency-matched portfolios beyond regulatory requirements. The effects of international financial factors and natural hedges are less robust across alternative specifications. The paper further discusses the role of regulations in affecting the impact of these factors on credit dollarization and calls for more developed domestic forward foreign exchange markets.
Long-term follow-up by exercise radionuclide angiography of patients after valve replacement for aortic regurgitation

The long-term effects of valve replacement for chronic isolated aortic regurgitation as assessed by first-pass exercise radionuclide angiography have never been reported. We studied 20 males and 5 females before, 15 months postoperatively, and from 29 to 109 (mean 62 +/- 21) months following valve replacement with exercise radionuclide angiography. Mean peak heart rate did not change for the three studies. Peak systolic blood pressure decreased from 201 +/- 42 mmHg to 185 +/- 24 mmHg at 15 months and further declined to 177 +/- 32 mmHg by the long-term study (p less than 0.03). The mean resting left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 44 +/- 15% preoperatively to 57 +/- 18% at 15 months (p less than 0.002) with no further improvement by the long-term evaluation. The postexercise ejection fraction improved from 42 +/- 13% preoperatively to 61 +/- 21% at 15 months (p less than 0.002) also with no change by the long-term study. The duration of exercise improved from 9.7 +/- 4.6 min to 11.9 +/- 3.4 min (p less than 0.03) at 15 months with no additional improvement long term. Improvement in resting and postexercise ejection fraction and in exercise duration is maximal at 15 months. Accuracy and cost containment suggest that assessment of the maximal change in ejection fraction by exercise radionuclide angiography after aortic valve replacement in asymptomatic patients be limited to the 15-month interval.
Chemical modification of M13 bacteriophage and its application in cancer cell imaging.

The M13 bacteriophage has been demonstrated to be a robust scaffold for bionanomaterial development. In this paper, we report on the chemical modifications of three kinds of reactive groups, i.e., the amino groups of lysine residues or N-terminal, the carboxylic acid groups of aspartic acid or glutamic acid residues, and the phenol group of tyrosine residues, on M13 surface. The reactivity of each group was identified through conjugation with small fluorescent molecules. Furthermore, the regioselectivity of each reaction was investigated by HPLC-MS-MS. By optimizing the reaction condition, hundreds of fluorescent moieties could be attached to create a highly fluorescent M13 bacteriophage. In addition, cancer cell targeting motifs such as folic acid could also be conjugated onto the M13 surface. Therefore, dual-modified M13 particles with folic acid and fluorescent molecules were synthesized via the selective modification of two kinds of reactive groups. Such dual-modified M13 particles showed very good bi...
Behavior in chimeric mice combining differently behaving strains.

A/J and C57BL/6J mice behave differently in tests for alcohol preference, open-field activity, defecation in the open field, cricket attacking, and rope climbing. Chimeric mice, i.e., mice containing both A/J cells and C57BL/6J cells, were constructed and tested for these behaviors. Patterns of behavior among A/J↔C57BL/6J chimeras are such as to suggest that none of these behavior differences is controlled by a single cell or clone and that the same cell population that gives rise to the strain difference in alcohol preference also gives rise to the differences in open-field activity and defecation, while separate cell populations control cricket killing and rope climbing.
Listeria Bacteremia with Acute Pericarditis

Abstract We report the case of a patient admitted with fever, chest pain, and electrocardiographic changes. The patient developed a persisting pericardial friction rub, and two blood cultures grew Listeria monocytogenes. Therapy was instituted with intravenous penicillin with subsidence of all signs and symptoms. We believe this to be the first case report of Listeria bacteremia with pericarditis.
Middle meningeal artery trauma

We present the case of a patient who had the symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage but was subsequently found to have an unusual combination of a separate traumatic pseudoaneurysm and a traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the middle meningeal artery. A review of the literature revealed a difference in the clinical course of patients with traumatic pseudoaneurysms compared to that of patients with arteriovenous fistulas. Patients who were found to have traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the middle meningeal artery frequently manifested signs of delayed hemorrhage. This mechanism may account for the prolonged lucid intervals exhibited in some patients subsequently found to have epidural hematomas.
Endoleaks following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: The predictive value of preoperative anatomic factors—a review of 100 cases

Abstract Objective: The failure to maintain a secure exclusion of aortic aneurysms with intraluminally placed grafts has been termed endoleak . We performed a retrospective review of our first 100 transluminally repaired abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in an effort to identify preoperative factors that could predict which patients would have endoleaks. Methods: Between February 1993 and September 1998, 100 infrarenal aneurysms were treated with tube (39), bifurcated (45), and aortoiliac grafts (16). Endoleaks (early and late) developed in 34 patients. Preoperative computed tomography scans and angiograms for all patients were individually inspected by a single reviewer. Aortic characteristics analyzed included number of patent lumbar arteries, presence of a patent inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), calcification and thrombus at proximal and distal attachment sites, proximal aortic angulation, and graft-vessel size discrepancy at proximal and distal attachment sites. The prevalence of the preoperative factors was compared among patients with and without endoleaks. Results: Endoleaks developed in 44% of tube, 33% of bifurcated, and 47% of aortoiliac grafts ( P =.51). Correlation between total number of patent lumbar arteries, presence of a patent IMA, and endoleaks was not significant ( P =.44,.95). Calcification at either proximal or distal attachment site did not increase the risk of endoleaks ( P =.50,.62). The presence of thrombus at the attachment site (proximally or distally) also failed to increase endoleak rates ( P =.12,.78). Degree of proximal aortic angulation did not differ between groups ( P =.39). Size discrepancies between graft and aorta or iliac vessels at proximal or distal sites did not significantly differ ( P >.54, >.13). Subgroup analysis of endoleaks with different tube types also failed to demonstrate significant differences among the three graft types ( P >.05). Conclusion: Endoleaks develop in a significant number of endovascularly repaired AAAs. We were unable to demonstrate a statistically significant association with anatomic characteristics thought to predispose to the development of endoleaks. We find no predictive value associated with these anatomic factors. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:739-44.)
Biopsy coupled to quantitative immunofluorescence: a new method to study the human vascular endothelium

Limited availability of endothelial tissue is a major constraint when investigating the cellular mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in patients with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. We propose a novel approach that combines collection of 200-1,000 endothelial cells from a superficial forearm vein or the radial artery, with reliable measurements of protein expression by quantitative immunofluorescence analysis. This method was validated against immunoblot analysis in cultured endothelial cells. Levels of vascular endothelial cell activation, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide synthase expression were measured and compared in five patients with severe chronic heart failure and in four healthy age-matched subjects. In summary, vascular endothelial biopsy coupled with measurement of protein expression by quantitative immunofluorescence analysis provides a novel approach to the study of the vascular endothelium in humans.
CYP2D6 genotype and tamoxifen: considerations for proper nonprospective studies.

The International Tamoxifen Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ITPC) was formed to assess the relationship between CYP2D6 genotype and tamoxifen therapy outcomes because of discordant findings in the published literature. The ITPC analyses provided clear insights into the importance of quality control in considering the essential factors that are necessary to answer this pharmacogenetic question and, by extension, the precautions that must be considered for proper retrospective and “prospective– retrospective” studies.
Aerosol indirect forcing in a global model with particle nucleation

Abstract. The number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) formed as a result of anthropogenic emissions is a key uncertainty in the study of aerosol indirect forcing and global climate change. Here, we use a global aerosol model that includes an empirical boundary layer nucleation mechanism, the use of primary-emitted sulfate particles to represent sub-grid scale nucleation, as well as binary homogeneous nucleation to explore how nucleation affects the CCN concentration and the first aerosol indirect effect (AIE). The inclusion of the boundary layer nucleation scheme increases the global average CCN concentrations in the boundary layer by 31.4% when no primary-emitted sulfate particles are included and by 5.3% when they are included. Particle formation with the boundary layer nucleation scheme decreases the first indirect forcing over ocean, and increases the first indirect forcing over land when primary sulfate particles are included. This suggests that whether particle formation from aerosol nucleation increases or decreases aerosol indirect effects largely depends on the relative change of primary particles and SO2 emissions from the preindustrial to the present day atmosphere. Including primary-emitted sulfate particle significantly increases both the anthropogenic fraction of CCN concentrations and the first aerosol indirect forcing. The forcing from various treatments of aerosol nucleation ranges from −1.22 to −2.03 w/m2. This large variation shows the importance of better quantifying aerosol nucleation mechanisms for the prediction of CCN concentrations and aerosol indirect effects.
Recurrence of preeclampsia: effects of paternity, birth interval, and choice of methodology.

TO THE EDITORS: I read with interest the study by Mostello et al 1 regarding risk factors for the recurrence of preeclampsia. Mostello et al entered paternity, birth interval, chronic hypertension, diabetes, and other variables into their regression model. The authors are to be commended for controlling for maternal comorbidities when examining the association between paternity (partner change) and the risk of preeclampsia in the second pregnancy. A spurious association between partner change and the risk of preeclampsia may occur if birth interval is also entered in the regression model, but maternal underlying conditions are not entered. 2 This phenomenon is known as collider-stratification bias. 2,3 To clarify, birth interval may not be a confounder in the causal pathway between partner change/paternity and preeclampsia but rather a collider. 2 A collider is a variable that is affected by 2 or more other variables in a causal diagram. 3 Birth interval is affected by partner change (changing partners may increase the birth interval). Certain underlying maternal conditions such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome may also affect the birth interval by reducing the woman’s fertility. 2 The reader is referred to a detailed explanation, 2 but, in brief, controlling for birth interval (which can be accomplished by stratifying on this variable or entering it into any regression model) may create a relationship between partner change and maternal underlying conditions that did not previously exist. If these underlying maternal conditions affect the risk of preeclampsia, then they become confounders of the association between partner change and preeclampsia risk. If clinicians and perinatal epidemiologists desire to control for birth interval while studying the impact of paternity on preeclampsia risk, then it is advisable to also control for the underlying maternal conditions to prevent collider-stratification bias. 2 I have one final methodologic comment. Mostello et al 1 state that the risk of recurrent preeclampsia did not vary according to paternity status. This conclusion is most likely untenable, given the fact that a significant proportion of the records (2627%) in both of their data sets had missing values for paternity. The authors created an “unknown” category for their paternity variable. The use of an unknown or missing category for an exposure variable may lead to biased results. 4 Did the authors attempt to address the situation of unknown values by using imputation? The reporting of results from a sample that was restricted to records with complete data on paternity would also be of interest. f
Women, Medicine and Life in the Middle Ages (500-1500 AD)

The status of women in the Middle Ages was ambiguous, because although they had great responsibility and expertise in practical affairs they were viewed as chattel and inferior to men. They were skill
Mechanisms for the acquisition of situation awareness in situated agents

Situation awareness (SA) is the understanding required to operate a complex system in a highly dynamic environment. We evaluate theories of individual SA and the processes by which individuals maintain their understanding of a situation. We support a situated approach, which holds that individual operators make use of limited internal representation, and rely extensively on interactions with external props and tools to achieve and maintain SA. We also propose a synthesis of Durso et al. (2007) [Durso, F., Rawson, K., and Girotto, S., 2007. Comprehension and situation awareness. In: F. Durso, et al., eds. Handbook of applied cognition. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 163–194.] Construction-Integration model of scene analysis with Sperber and Wilson's (1995) [Sperber, D. and Wilson, D., 1995. Relevance: communication and cognition. 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell.] Relevance Theory of comprehension. We show that the combination of the two theories can provide a more complete account of the mechanisms and processes un...
Growth, morphometry and biochemical composition of the wood boring molluscs Teredo navalis L., Bankia gouldi (Bartsch), and Nototeredo knoxi (Bartsch) (Bivalvia: Teredinidae)☆

Abstract Growth, morphometry and biochemical composition of the wood boring molluscs Teredo navalis L., Bankia gouldi (Bartsch) and Nototeredo knoxi (Bartsch) was examined. Animals were maintained in fir dowels for up to 232 days post settlement in a constant flow of filtered sea water at 18–23°C and 30–32%. salinity in either the absence ( Teredo navalis and Bankia gouldi only) or presence (all species) of a supplement of the phytoplankton food Isochrysis aff. galbana (clone T-ISO). The presence of the phytoplankton supplement did not increase the growth rate of Teredo navalis but increased the growth rate of Bankia gouldi . Growth in Teredo navalis and Nototeredo knoxi was comparable and characterized by gradual increase in length with time. Growth in Bankia gouldi , however, was characterized by an initial period of slower growth than either Teredo navalis or Nototeredo knoxi followed by a period of much faster growth than either of the other species. At 60 days post settlement a subsample of 41 Bankia gouldi from the filtered sea water regime all showed gonadal development with a male : female ratio of 2.33:1. Females were significantly longer than males. At 55 days post settlement only one Nototeredo knoxi from a subsample of 22 individuals exhibited gonadal development. With increasing length the shape of the tube bored by Teredo navalis and Bankia gouldi was characterized as a truncated cone progressing towards a cylinder: the relationship of calculated tube volume, V ( mm 3 ), and tube length, L (mm), being described by the equation V = aL b with b values in the range 1.26–1.43. In Nototeredo knoxi , by contrast, the calculated b value was 2.09. The relationship of tube volume to dry tissue weight ( W , mg) of the individual was more variable and probably influenced by spawning activity. In the absence of the phytoplankton supplement both Teredo navalis and Bankia gouldi exhibited consistently higher carbohydrate (generally > 16.5% of ash-free dry weight) than lipid content (generally Teredo navalis and Bankia gouldi , with the lipid content generally exceeding that of carbohydrates. Nototeredo knoxi exhibited a biochemical composition similar to that of Teredo navalis and Bankia gouldi maintained in the phytoplankton supplemented regime.
The relationship of ethnic identity, career decision-making self-efficacy and outcome expectations among Latino/a high school students ☆

Abstract This study explored the relation of ethnic identity to two determinants of career interests identified by social-cognitive career theory (SCCT): self-efficacy and outcome expectations. For a sample of 128 Latino/a ninth graders, the results indicated that ethnic identity had a direct and positive relationship to career decision-making self-efficacy, while its association with career planning outcome expectations was mediated by self-efficacy. These results offer support for consideration of the role of ethnic identity in self-exploration and vocational guidance with Latino/a adolescents. Limitations, implications for counseling, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Prediction of crack initiation in unidirectional composite beams subject to four-point bending

Abstract The local stress field near a support is analyzed as a contact stress problem in an infinite half plane. The results are utilized to explain the influence of local stresses on crack initiation in a four-point bending test on unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite beams. Also, numerical simulations are carried out using the finite element method. Crack-initiation phenomena at the bottom surface of the beam are explained with the aid of the stress distribution and strain-energy release rates. The initiation location for various fiber angles is predicted and compared with the experimental results reported in the literature. The existence of two distinct ranges of fiber angles for which the cracking phenomena is different is verified.
Remote monitoring of shifting sands and vegetation cover in arid regions

A significant factor in the degradation of arid and semi-arid lands is the removal of sand and soil through wind action. Mobilized sand can destroy downwind vegetation through sand blasting and burial. Since vegetation cover is an important factor in determining the erodibility of an area, there is a potential positive feedback that can lead ultimately to the mobilization of larger areas of sand. Mobilized areas of sand in irrigated arid regions can be detected in the visible and near-infrared because of increased albedo and the decreased plant cover, in the thermal infrared due to emissivity differences between the very loose sheet of active material and the relatively consolidated stable soils, and in the radar wavelengths because of the unusual, but theoretically predicted, polarization effects caused in radar reflection from wind-rippled surfaces. This paper focuses on the application of these techniques to the Manix Basin area of the Mojave Desert in Southern California. The Manix Basin area has been the site of extensive cultivation using center-pivot irrigation systems. Progressive abandonment of many fields since 1972 has mobilized some areas of sand. The authors have used sizable body of remote sensing data from airborne and satellite platforms to study this area along with in-situ investigations. These investigations have shown that even though arid region vegetation presents special problems for the quantitative use of remote sensing instruments, indices such as IPVI can be used to make qualitative determinations of arid region plant cover. Lower levels of Infrared Percentage Vegetation Index indicate either lower plant cover, or a shift from the stable climax community vegetation (creosote bush) to communities more typical of disturbed areas. A temporal study of this area has revealed that the sand mobilization is episodic and tending to increase in areal extent with each episode. >
Frequency phenomenon and algorithms for arc detection

Successful detection of power line arcing requires various algorithms from frequency domain to time domain analysis. This paper explores frequency phenomenon that when analysed with a defined set of algorithms can distinguish between arcing noise and typical power line noise associated with distribution hardware and various noise-generating loads. These techniques may be applied to measuring conducted and radiated emissions in the electromagnetic environment. They may also be applied to H and E fields resulting from the spreading of distribution lines within a secondary power-distribution system down inside a manhole. The promising quick detection and identification from laboratory and actual field measurements is necessary and critical to ensure life-safety for manhole workers during maintenance activities.
Princess Elizabeth and Descartes: The union of soul and body and the practice of philosophy

(1999). Princess Elizabeth and Descartes: The union of soul and body and the practice of philosophy. British Journal for the History of Philosophy: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 503-520.
Reassessing Germany's Ostpolitik . Part 1: From Détente to Refreeze

I thank William A. Green for commenting on an earlier draft of this essay. "Part 2: From Refreeze to Reunification," in the next issue of Central European History, considers additional recent litera? ture. In each installment, except when annotated, page references to the principal cited books are given in the text. For literature specifically on reunification, see also Cary," 'Farewell without Tears': Diplomats, Dissidents, and the Demise of East Germany," Journal of Modern History, forthcoming.
Nonlinear Compensation of a Second-and Third-Order System with Dry Friction

Systems having dry friction nonlinearity can be stabilized by introducing intentional nonlinear passive compesation. For small ramp inputs it is necessary to increase the damping by a derivative control which becomes saturated for high ramp rates. To decrease the steady-state error at high ramp rates and achieve stability, a dead zone before the integrator is used. A scheme for an input adaptive system is also presented in this paper.
Determinants of placental vascularity.

Problem: Vascular growth during implantation and placentation is critical for successful gestation and it is thought that vascular insufficiencies during placentation contribute to a number of obstetrical complications. However, relatively little is known regarding the regulation of angiogenesis in the placenta. Method of study: We review literature concerning the potential significance of inadequate placental vascularity as a contributor to the obstetrical complications of spontaneous abortion, fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. Gene expression assays were used to compare fluctuations of placenta growth factor (PlGF) and PlGF receptor expression in normal and preeclamptic trophoblast in vitro. Results: Studies have shown that common obstetrical complications manifest altered placental vascularity. Both intrinsic defects (gene knockouts) and extrinsic factors (O2 tension, cytokines, etc) may be responsible for the defects. Some of these factors have been shown to influence trophoblast vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/PlGF expression suggesting this particular family of angiogenic proteins play an important role in placental angiogenesis. Conclusion: Placental vascularization reflects a complex interaction of regulatory factors. Understanding the regulation of vascular growth in the placenta will provide much needed insight into placenta-related vascular insufficiencies.
Guest Editorial: Optical Fiber Sensor Based Smart Materials and Structures

This PDF file contains the editorial “Guest Editorial: Optical Fiber Sensor Based Smart Materials and Structures” for OE Vol. 31 Issue 01
Distributed prefetch-buffer/cache design for high performance memory systems

Microprocessor execution speeds are improving at a rate of 50%-80% per year while DRAM access times are improving at a much lower rate of 5%-10% per year. Computer systems are rapidly approaching the point at which overall system performance is determined not by the speed of the CPU but by the memory system speed. We present a high performance memory system architecture that overcomes the growing speed disparity between high performance microprocessors and current generation DRAMs. A novel prediction and prefetching technique is combined with a distributed cache architecture to build a high performance memory system. We use a table based prediction scheme with a prediction cache to prefetch data from the on-chip DRAM array to an on-chip SRAM prefetch buffer. By prefetching data we are able to hide the large latency associated with DRAM access and cycle times. Our experiments show that with a small (32 KB) prediction cache we can get an effective main memory access time that is close to the access time of larger secondary caches.
Effect of Mandrel Rotation on the Accuracy of Computed Temperature Profile during Near Net Shape Forming by Plasma Spraying

Near net shape processing by the plasma spray forming (PSF) is a rapid prototyping technique that involves deposition of ceramic coating on the mandrel and its removal as a free-standing structure. This process requires a precise control of the temperature attained by the mandrel during spraying. This article describes the improvement in the accuracy of the temperature prediction of the mandrel by considering the effect of solid rotation inside the fluid during conjugate heat transfer. The computation model was modified by incorporating a no-slip interface boundary condition instead of a tangential slip condition. The transient temperature profiles of the mandrel computed with tangential slip and no-slip interface conditions were validated by experimentally measured temperature profiles. The accuracy of the computed temperature results increased to 95% for the no-slip condition compared to 79% for the tangential slip condition.
The Health Justice Project: A Collaborative Commitment to Solving Real World Problems

This piece describes how interdisciplinary teams of law, social work and medical students can address the social determinants of health and improve health outcomes for low-income individuals and families in the community. Part II describes the health disparities in Chicago and how the Health Justice Project is designed to respond to them. Part III describes the mission and learning objects of Health Justice Project and examples of how student goals are met. Part IV describes positive health outcomes as a result of student intervention in the medical setting.