cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critical review of PET, SPECT and neuroreceptor studies in schizophrenia

Hypotheses having to do with the neurochemical basis for mental disease can be tested by noninvasive measurement of flow, metabolism and neuroreceptor concentrations in various parts of the brain. The capabilities of these technologies for accurate absolute quantitation are limited by the instrument resolution and the limited statistics associated with allowable radiation doses. Nevertheless, very important new information regarding the brain function in normal and diseased states can be gleaned from the techniques of positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT). This chapter presents the critical problems which face the clinical researcher who endeavors to test hypotheses regarding mental illnesses using PET or SPECT. First, the quantitative capabilities of emission tomography will be discussed; then the special requirements of SPECT for attenuation correction will be reviewed. Next, the physiological principles required for inter-institutional comparisons are presented.
Third-Wave Therapies for Insomnia

The development of psychological and behavioral therapies over the past several decades has led to what is termed the third wave of psychotherapy, a collection of treatments that adopt a new approach to maladaptive cognitions and target broad, contextualistic goals. Within the field of behavioral sleep medicine, treatments for insomnia have followed a similar evolution, and several emerging therapies, including mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, have begun to accumulate evidence as effective treatments for this sleep disorder over the past several decades. This paper discusses the historical background of the third wave of psychotherapy, introduces each of the third-wave therapies that have been applied to the treatment of insomnia, and reviews the recent literature to critique the effectiveness of these treatments. Relevant controversies with the third-wave therapies are discussed to inform future directions in insomnia research.
Impact of Theory of Accident Causation on Intervention Strategies

Paper shows how the belief that one has about how accidents happen (Theory of Accident Causation) affects the design of the Accident Report Form, the type of information gathered, the nature of your accident data base, the analysis of the data and, finally, the way in which you intervene in the situation. Two different approaches are examined, one which is typical of most existing systems, the other represents a much improved system that points the way to more effective intervention strategies. Language: en
Caregiver responses and needs. An ambulatory bone marrow transplant model.

Purpose: This longitudinal, descriptive outcomes study was conducted to compare the emotional responses and needs of the caregivers of patients who undergo bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for hematologic malignancies, as observed in an inpatient/outpatient (IPOP) setting with those in an inpatient setting. Description of study: A convenience sample of 43 caregivers for patients undergoing either autologous or allogeneic BMT was selected from both the inpatient unit (n = 26) and the IPOP ambulatory setting (n = 17). Emotional responses were measured by the Profile of Mood States. The importance and satisfaction of informational, patient-care, and psychological needs were assessed with the Caregiver Needs Survey, a modified version of the Home Cancer Caregiver Needs Survey. Data were collected at six points across the BMT trajectory, from before the procedure to 12 months after. Descriptive statistics were used to report sample characteristics, emotional responses, and needs. Nonparametric statistics were used to compare the IPOP and inpatient caregiver groups, and to identify relationships between emotional responses and needs within groups. Results: IPOP caregivers were found to have significantly less mood disturbance at points before discharge. Both groups showed a decrease in mood disturbance 6 and 12 months after BMT. IPOP caregivers had higher levels of satisfaction of their informational and psychological needs at day 21. Significant correlations between total mood disturbance and satisfaction of informational, psychological, and patient-care needs were found for inpatient caregivers across treatment time points. Clinical implications: These findings support the IPOP model of care as being less emotionally distressing for and better meeting the needs of family caregivers. Specific implications for practice include the importance of caregiver education in the area of patient-care information and of assessment and intervention to meet caregiver psychological needs. Continued evaluation of the impact of changes in care delivery on family caregivers is essential for the provision of comprehensive cancer care.
Self-Regulation and the Sanctuary Strategy: Competitive Advantage through Domestic Cooperation by Japanese Firms

In a "sanctuary strategy", a firm uses restraints to competition in its home market to create a profit cushion that allows it to compete forcefully in foreign markets. This paper argues that self-regulation by industry associations is an important domestic prerequisite of a successful sanctuary strategy. Therefore, by studying the situation of self-regulation and cooperation within Japanese industry associations, we can identify predictors of a sanctuary strategy and study one example of the competitive effects of cooperation among companies. The paper builds on a data set containing 1153 Japanese industry associations to, first, test standard notions of cooperation and collusion as suggested by the economics of industrial organization, adapted to the context of industry associations. Next, the paper develops new hypotheses to analyze whether internal features of industry association organization predict the likelihood of self-regulation. The paper suggests specific variables that can be used for analysis, and concludes that as self-regulation increases in Japan, so may the sanctuary strategies employed by Japanese firms.
Is the World Itself Fuzzy? Physical Arguments and Unexpected Computational Consequences of Zadeh’s Vision

Fuzzy methodology has been invented to describe imprecise (“fuzzy”) human statements about the world, statements that use imprecise words from natural language like “small” or “large”. Usual applications of fuzzy techniques assume that the world itself is “crisp”, that there are exact equations describing the world, and fuzziness of our statements is caused by the incompleteness of our knowledge. But what if the world itself is fuzzy? What if there is no perfect system of equations describing the physical world – in the sense that no matter what system of equations we try, there will always be cases when this system leads to wrong predictions? This is not just a speculation: this idea is actually supported by many physicists. At first glance, this is a pessimistic idea: no matter how much we try, we will never be able to find the the Ultimate Theory of Everything. But it turns out that this idea also has its optimistic aspects: namely, in this chapter, we show (somewhat unexpectedly), that if such a no-perfect-theory principle is true, then the use of physical data can drastically enhance computations.
Re-exploring the N-phenylpicolinamide derivatives to develop mGlu4 ligands with improved affinity and in vitro microsomal stability

In recent years, mGlu4 has received great attention and research effort because of the potential benefits of mGlu4 activation in treating numerous brain disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Many positive allosteric modulators of mGlu4 have been developed. To better understand the role of mGlu4 in healthy and disease conditions, we are interested in developing an mGlu4 selective radioligand for in vivo studies. Thus, we had synthesized and studied [(11)C]2 as a PET tracer for mGlu4, which demonstrated some promising features as a PET radioligand as well as the limitation need to be improved. In order to develop an mGlu4 ligand with enhanced affinity and improved metabolic stability, we have modified, synthesized and evaluated a series of new N-phenylpicolinamide derivatives. The SAR study has discovered a number of compounds with low nM affinity to mGlu4. The dideuteriumfluoromethoxy modified compound 24 is identified as a very promising mGlu4 ligand, which has demonstrated enhanced affinity, improved in vitro microsomal stability, good selectivity and good permeability.
The Procyclic Acidic Repetitive Proteins of Trypanosoma brucei: Purification and Post-Translational Modification

Abstract The procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) of Trypanosoma brucei was purified by cell fractionation followed by ion-exchange and concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity chromatography. PARP is membrane-bound and comprises about 1% of the total procyclic trypanosome protein or 6 x 10(6) molecules per parasite. The results of NH2-terminal sequencing and amino acid analysis indicate that PARP is processed by removal of an N-terminal signal sequence and the hydrophobic COOH terminus. Metabolic labeling of PARP with [3H] ethanolamine is consistent with attachment of the protein to the membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. The glycolipid can be removed by base hydrolysis or nitrous acid deamination but is not susceptible to bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.
Gonadotropin releasing hormone treatment of dairy cows with ovarian cysts

Abstract Dairy cows known to have ovarian cysts were assigned to receive either sterile water or 100 μg GnRH (5 cows/group). The ovaries were removed 9 to 13 days post-treatment and prepared for histologic study. The cyst walls of ovaries removed from cows following GnRH treatment were 2 to 15 times thicker than those from cows treated with water due to apparent luteinization of cells of theca interna. Following GnRH treatment, the cells in the outermost portion of the theca interna exhibited the greatest morphologic evidence of secretory activity whereas the innermost zone was hyalinized due to poor blood supply. The luteal cells in ovarian cystic cows treated with GnRH were similar to the small luteal cells in normal corpora lutea. In summary, GnRH treatment of cows with ovarian cysts appeared to induce luteinization of the cells in the outermost portion of the theca interna.
Mechanisms of transmission and control of low-frequency sound in aircraft interiors

A simplified analytical model is used to study the principal mechanisms at work in propeller noise source radiation, fuselage response, and the behavior of the coupled inner acoustic field, in order to control low frequency sound in aircraft interiors. Both active and passive methods of noise control are comparatively evaluated in light of the transmission mechanisms. Fuselage vibrational response is noted to be dominated by only a few lower order circumferential modes.
Control of thermoregulatory sweating during exercise in the heat

The purposes of this study were the following: 1) to determine whether erythrocyte infusion alters the control of thermoregulatory sweating and 2) to demonstrate how increases and decreases of both plasma tonicity and blood volume influence the thermoregulatory control parameters of threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity. Six non-heat-acclimated and five heat-acclimated males attempted heat stress tests (HSTs) both before and shortly after (48-96 h) autologous erythrocyte infusion. The non-heat-acclimated subjects were euhydrated for both HSTs, whereas the heat-acclimated subjects were studied in a euhydrated and a hypohydrated (-5% body wt) condition both pre- and postinfusion (500 ml of solution containing approximately 60% hematocrit of autologous erythrocytes). The HSTs consisted of treadmill exercise (335 W.m-2) in a hot (35 degrees C, 45% relative humidity) environment, and esophageal temperature and local sweating rate were continuously measured during 25 min of exercise. These experiments resulted in a matrix of conditions where both plasma tonicity and blood volume were increased or decreased relative to control conditions (euhydration, preinfusion). The findings concerning thermoregulatory sweating during exercise in the heat were summarized as follows: 1) acute polycythemia decreases the threshold temperature and increases the sweating sensitivity, 2) both threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity are increased or decreased from control levels dependent on the combined influence of plasma tonicity and blood volume, and 3) equations are presented that describe how plasma tonicity and blood volume alter threshold temperature and sweating sensitivity values.
Variation of vertebral number in juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss in relation to upstream distance from the ocean

Vertebral counts in fishes are set early in development by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Recently, R. M. McDowall showed that vertebral counts can differ between diadromous and non-diadromous galaxiids, and suggested similar life history-based variation might also occur in the closely related Salmonidae. We examined variation in vertebral counts of juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, from within a single large basin where anadromous and non-anadromous forms co-occur. Juveniles were collected at 29 sites within the Klamath River basin using a nested sampling design. Mean vertebral counts varied among regions, among complexes within regions, and among sites within complexes. Regression showed that mean vertebral counts decreased with increasing distance from the ocean. This decrease could not be explained by differences in temperature within the basin during early development. However, the decrease is consistent with the expectation that non-anadromous forms have fewer vertebrae and are more common at sites distant from the ocean, and suggests that further study of the relationship between vertebral counts and life history form in O. mykiss is warranted.
Calculations on the helium isoelectronic sequence using Coulomb Green's function variables

Abstract Calculations on the ground states of the helium isoelectronic series are carried out using variational wavefunctions of the form ψ ( x , y ), in which x and y are the combinations r 1 + r 2 ± r 12 occurring in the Coulomb Green's function. The results for helium are the most accurate to date using a two-variable wavefunction accounting for 71.5% of the correlation energy.
Comprehensive Low Vision Care: Part One:

The program of vision rehabilitation at Boston University Medical Center is described. From July 1970, to July 1973, 1,000 patients were seen by a multidisciplinary staff of ophthalmologists, optom...
Block diagram-based modeling of manufacturing systems using

A novel approach to modeling of manufacturing systems is proposed. The model is based on block diagrams. The block can be a single machine, a single part or a factory. The interconnection of blocks in the block diagram correspond to routing of parts and resources through the manufacturing subsystems. The model is hierarchial - a network of blocks can be combined into one block that has the same input/output structure. The model is described using max-plus algebra, which provides means for calculating system's performance characteristics.
Fluctuations in spo0A transcription control rare developmental transitions in Bacillus subtilis.

Phosphorylated Spo0A is a master regulator of stationary phase development in the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis, controlling the formation of spores, biofilms, and cells competent for transformation. We have monitored the rate of transcription of the spo0A gene during growth in sporulation medium using promoter fusions to firefly luciferase. This rate increases sharply during transient diauxie-like pauses in growth rate and then declines as growth resumes. In contrast, the rate of transcription of an rRNA gene decreases and increases in parallel with the growth rate, as expected for stable RNA synthesis. The growth pause-dependent bursts of spo0A transcription, which reflect the activity of the spo0A vegetative promoter, are largely independent of all known regulators of spo0A transcription. Evidence is offered in support of a “passive regulation” model in which RNA polymerase stops transcribing rRNA genes during growth pauses, thus becoming available for the transcription of spo0A. We show that the bursts are followed by the production of phosphorylated Spo0A, and we propose that they represent initial responses to stress that bring the average cell closer to the thresholds for transition to bimodally expressed developmental responses. Measurement of the numbers of cells expressing a competence marker before and after the bursts supports this hypothesis. In the absence of ppGpp, the increase in spo0A transcription that accompanies the entrance to stationary phase is delayed and sporulation is markedly diminished. In spite of this, our data contradicts the hypothesis that sporulation is initiated when a ppGpp-induced depression of the GTP pool relieves repression by CodY. We suggest that, while the programmed induction of sporulation that occurs in stationary phase is apparently provoked by increased flux through the phosphorelay, bet-hedging stochastic transitions to at least competence are induced by bursts in transcription.
Cuban Spanish in the US context: Linguistic and social constraints on the variation of syllable final (r) among Cuban newcomers

Immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries bring their varieties of Spanish to the US and contribute to the ongoing development of those varieties in the new setting. In this paper, the variation of syllable final (r) is investigated in a group of Cuban immigrants in Miami. It reports on the linguistic and social factors that constrain variation of four variants (retention, assimilation, lateralization, and aspiration), particularly their generational and social distributions, with the goal of examining factors that contribute to negative perceptions of the island variety among Cubans in Miami (Alfaraz 2002). The findings indicated that the variants of (r) are constrained by a combination of linguistic and social factors, with following phonetic context having the strongest influence on retention, lateralization, and aspiration, but not on assimilation, on which generation had the strongest influence. For the four variants, generational differences were found: the older generation favored retention and aspiration, whereas the younger one favored assimilation and lateralization. The role of this distribution in shaping evaluations of the island variety is discussed.
Correlation of patient-reported outcomes of sedation and sedation assessment scores in critically ill patients.

Abstract Purpose Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are recommended as indicators of quality in the intensive care unit. We studied the correlation between PROs of sedation quality and a universal sedation assessment scale in critically ill patients. Materials and methods Twenty-nine mechanically ventilated adults admitted to a surgical/trauma or medical intensive care unit requiring continuous infusion sedation for 24 hours or more were prospectively included. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated through sedation questionnaire 24 hours post–continuous infusion sedation. The primary outcome was the correlation of PROs with Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) scores. Results Mean (SD) SAS scores per 12-hour nursing shift for propofol (n = 179), midazolam (n = 42), and dexmedetomidine (n = 8) were 3.78 (77), 3.31 (1.1), and 2.98 (0.76), respectively. The mean score for survey questions addressing perceptions of comfort was 5.3 (1, complete comfort; 10, not comfortable at all). Of the patients, 34%, 7%, and 52% would want more, less, or the same amount of sedation, respectively, if this situation were to arise again. Patient perception of comfort correlated with the percent time at goal SAS score; r = 0.31 ( P Conclusion Patient-reported outcomes of sedation correlate with the percentage of time spent in the goal range of scores for a universal sedation assessment scale. These findings represent initial attempts to appreciate the patient's perspective in the management and monitoring of agitation.
Preoperative vitamin D replacement therapy in primary hyperparathyroidism: safe and beneficial?

Background The significance of vitamin D deficiency with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) remains unclear. The safety and value of preoperative vitamin D (Vit D) replacement is unknown. Methods A prospective surgical database of PHPT patients was queried to identify those who were vitamin D sufficient, deficient, and deficient but repleted. Biochemical parameters were measured preoperatively, after vitamin D replacement, at 1-month follow-up, and at 6-months follow-up. Results Of 301 patients, 118 (39%) had a vitamin D level of 30 ng/mL or more; 71 patients (24%) were deficient, and 112 patients (37%) were vitamin D deficient but underwent repletion. The median duration of replacement was 28 days, and the dose of ergocalciferol was 400,000 U. Among the 112 patients who underwent repletion, the mean serum calcium remained relatively unchanged or decreased in 91 patients (81%). The gland size was smallest in patients with a preoperative sufficiency and largest in those deficient and not repleted. Postoperative PTH values at 1 month and at 6 months in the baseline-normal group were significantly less than in the other 2 groups ( P = .05 and = .009, respectively), with no differences observed between the deficient and the deficient-repleted groups. Conclusion Preoperative Vit D replacement therapy was safe in PHPT patients and did not increase serum calcium levels. Vit D status affects gland size and postoperative PTH elevation. Repletion in this population is not durable.
Protein-Assisted Stretching and Immobilization of DNA Molecules in a Microchannel

We demonstrate a novel technique we call "protein-assisted DNA immobilization" (PADI), to immobilize and stretch, but not overstretch, DNA molecules inside a micro/nanochannel with limited surface interactions while maintaining continuous hydration at physiological pH. The biological activity of the immobilized DNA molecules is confirmed by digesting the DNA with restriction enzymes in the microchannel. Single-molecule transcription, which has stringent requirements on the immobilized DNA with respect to surface interactions and stretched lengths, is also successfully demonstrated on DNA molecules immobilized by PADI. In addition to arraying DNA molecules for study of DNA-protein interactions, the immobilization method could be used to construct DNA-templated nanoelectronic devices.
A hybrid threshold curve model for optimal yield management: neural networks and dynamic programming

Abstract In the industrial engineering and operational research fields there is a class of perishable inventory control problems called yield management. Examples are floating pricing strategies in airlines, hotels, and the car rentals. Due to the complex nature of yield management, there are few easy-to-use models available for practical applications. A typical yield management problem for selling a single category of perishable products is to adjust the price to maximize the profit by selling as many products as possible. This paper presents a hybrid threshold curve model that integrates two approaches, neural networks and dynamic programming, for solving this type of yield management problem. According to the proposed model, threshold curves in the price–time–reservation space are generated by neural networks based on historical data or management expertise. Each point on these threshold curves defines an occurrence of sales. The probability of an occurrence can be estimated from the neural networks. The dynamic programming technique is then applied to find the optimal pricing policy to maximize the expected profit.
Drawing the Boundaries: Mathematical Statistics in 20th-Century America

Statistics in Europe and in the United States acquired the status of a separate field only in the 20th century. Until then, it had provided a quantitative tool for analyzing data in various sciences. In the early 1930s, the founding of theAnnals of Mathematical Statisticsand of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics served to institutionalize the profession of mathematical statistics in the United States, and helped to distinguish it as a discipline independent from the social sciences which had previously supported it. This paper examines the American mathematical statisticians' attempts to delineate the boundaries of their profession, focusing on their association with the social sciences, on the founding of theAnnalsand of the IMS, and on the profession's continuing advancement during World War II. Il n'etait qu'au 20emesiecle que la statistique est devenue une discipline distincte. Anterieurement, elle a servi d'outil quantitatif pour l'analyse des donnees dans les sciences diverses. Dans les 1930s, l'etablissement desAnnals of Mathematical Statisticset de l'Institute of Mathematical Statistics a amene l'institutionalisation d'une profession “statistique mathematique” et a servi a distinguer cette profession des sciences sociales. Ici, j'analyse les tentatives des statisticiens mathematiques americains d'etablir les frontieres de leur discipline en concentrant sur leurs associations avec les sciences sociales, le fondement desAnnalset de l'IMS, et le progres de la profession pendant la deuxieme guerre mondiale. Erst im 20. Jahrhundert bekam Statistik in Europa und in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika die Stellung einer eigenstandigen Wissenschaft. Bis dahin hatte man es als ein quantitatives Hilfsmittel zur Datenanalyse in verschiedenen Wissenschaften verwendet. Die Einfuhrung derAnnals of Mathematical Statisticsund die Grundung des “Institute of Mathematical Statistics” um 1930 verhalf, den Stand der mathematischen Statistik in den Vereinigten Staaten zu institutionalisieren und sich von den Sozialwissenschaften zu unterscheiden, in die es zuvor eingeordnet worden war. Diese Veroffentlichung untersucht den Versuch der mathematischen Statistiker in Amerika ihre Arbeit abzugrenzen, unter besonderer Berucksichtigung ihrer Verbindung zu den Sozialwissenschaften, denAnnals of Mathematical Statistics,des “Institute of Mathematical Statistics” und der Weiterentwicklung ihrer Arbeit wahrend des zweiten Weltkrieges.
Contamination of antigens with traces of other antigens as a cause of false positive reactions in intradermal testing

Abstract 1. 1. Intradermal skin reactions in sensitive persons to control solution handled in syringes, needles, or bottles which had been deliberately contaminated with selected allergens and then rinsed and sterilized were compared with reactions to dilutions of the same allergens to give a roughly quantitative measure of each as a source of contamination. In most cases reactions as large or larger than those with 1:1,000,000 solutions were obtained. 2. 2. Allergic persons capable of reacting to 1:1,000,000 extracts by intradermal test are not rate, and an occasional patient will react to one-thousandth of this strength. 3. 3. Many allergens form stable films on glass or metal equipment which are not removed by rinsing or destroyed by sterilization. 4. 4. Cleansing methods should be proved to be adequate by skin tests on sensitive persons. Adequate, practical methods are described.
X-ray microprobe analysis of iron oxidation states in silicates and oxides using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES)

Abstract Initial results are reported on a new microprobe technique for determining Fe 3+ ∑Fe ratios in Fe-bearing minerals. The technique is based on the energy shift of a pre-edge peak in X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra obtained using the synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microprobe. A linear relationship between pre-edge peak energy and iron oxidation state was observed for oxide and silicate standards. Reasonable iron oxidation state results were obtained for pallasitic olivine, acmite, altered magnetites and synthetic wustite. Direct measurements of Fe 3+ ∑Fe in coexisting phases is feasible using this technique.
Expectations, supply response, and marketing boards: An example from Kenya

Whether farmers form price expectations adaptively or in a forward-looking manner has implications for supply response analysis and for the implementation of agricultural policy reform. This paper examines the formation of price expectations by Kenyan export-crop farmers who market their produce through a monopsonistic parastatal. The analysis allows for relaxation of the small-country assumption within a rational expectations framework. Production behavior is consistent with expectations of future prices based on indicators of aggregate supply and of the marketing board's purchasing capacity. The finding that price forecasts may be formed using information other than previous price levels implies that marketing reforms that raise prices may not raise the relevant price expectations. To elicit a positive supply response, market reforms should be sensitive to farmers' interpretation of institutional signals as well as previous prices.
Qubit Architecture with High Coherence and Fast Tunable Coupling

We introduce a superconducting qubit architecture that combines high-coherence qubits and tunable qubit-qubit coupling. With the ability to set the coupling to zero, we demonstrate that this architecture is protected from the frequency crowding problems that arise from fixed coupling. More importantly, the coupling can be tuned dynamically with nanosecond resolution, making this architecture a versatile platform with applications ranging from quantum logic gates to quantum simulation. We illustrate the advantages of dynamical coupling by implementing a novel adiabatic controlled-z gate, with a speed approaching that of single-qubit gates. Integrating coherence and scalable control, the introduced qubit architecture provides a promising path towards large-scale quantum computation and simulation.
Spin-Orbit Coupling: A Unified Theory of Orbital and Rotational Resonances

The dynamics of the spin-orbit interaction of a sphereM8 and a rotating asymmetrical rigid bodyMa are examined. No restrictions are imposed on the masses, on the orientation of the rotation axis to the orbit plane, or on the orbit eccentricity. The zonal potential harmonics ofMa induce a precession of the spin axis as well as a precession of the orbit plane, the net effect being a uniform precession of the node on an invariant plane normal to the constant total angular momentum of the system. In general, the effect of the tesseral harmonics is to induce short-period perturbations of small amplitude in both the orbital and spin motions. Resonances are shown to exist whenever the orbital and rotational periods are commensurable. In any resonant state a single coordinate is found to represent both orbital and spin perturbations; and the system may be described as trapped in a localized potential well. The resultant spin and orbit librations are in phase with a common period. The relative amplitudes of the spin/orbit modes are determined by the characteristic parameter α=MaMsa2/3(Ma+Ms)C, wherea is the semimajor axis of the orbit, andC is the moment of inertia ofMa about the rotation axis. When ga≪1, the solutions reduce to those for pureorbital resonance, in whichMs librates in an appropriate reference frame while the rotation rate of the asymmetrical body remains constant. In the opposite extreme of α≫1, the solutions are appropriate to purerotational resonance, in which the orbital motion is unperturbed but the spin ofMa librates. In each of these special cases the equations developed herein on the basis of a single theory are in agreement with those previously determined from separate theories of spin and orbital resonances.
A Comparison of the Performance of Hexahedral and Tetrahedral Elements in Finite Element Models of the Foot

Characterization of the contact pressure patterns under the foot provides significant insight into pathological conditions such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy [1]. The finite element method (FEM) is widely used in foot biomechanics for predictive simulations of plantar pressures in barefoot and shod conditions [2–6]. In the analysis of the foot, mesh generation accounts for most of the labor in model development, due to the complex structure of the foot including highly partitioned, embedded, and branching geometries. In FEM, hexahedral elements are preferred over tetrahedral elements because of their superior performance in terms of convergence and accuracy of the solution [7]. This becomes more apparent as the convergence behavior of the simulations are hindered by large deformation, material incompressibility, and contact with friction, mechanical features which are commonly seen in foot biomechanics. Unfortunately, unlike tetrahedral meshing which is highly automated [8], hexahedral mesh generation is a time consuming process requiring considerable operator intervention. Despite their reputed advantages, the relative performance of tetrahedral meshes in foot models has not been well established; to our knowledge, there has not been a comprehensive study comparing the performance of hexahedral and tetrahedral elements when material and geometric nonlinearity are included combined with material incompressibility and shear force loading conditions. Hence, the objective of the present study was to evaluate various types of meshes that can be used to model the interaction of a bone-soft tissue construct and rigid floor complex under compressive and shear loading in a heel-pad analog model.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Data mining challenges in the automotive domain

Automotive companies, such as Ford Motor Company, have no shortage of large databases with abundant opportunities for cost reduction and revenue enhancement. The Data Mining Group at Ford has worked in the areas of Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Warranty Analytics for close to ten years. In this time, we have developed a number of methods for building systems to help the business. One area of particular success has been in warranty analysis. While traditional hazard analysis has been applied at Ford for a number of years, we have used techniques from other industries (e.g. retail), as well as text mining to view warranty analytics in a new way. However, our success has been tempered by serious challenges particularly in the areas of data understanding, computing meaningful aggregations and implementation. Case studies from the automobile industry (warranty, quality, forecasting, etc.) as well as from other industries will be used.
Growth and chemical properties of a silica overlayer derived from Si(OC2H5)4 on ZnO

Abstract A silica overlayer, derived from the vapor deposition of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), Si(OC2H5)4, on the surface of ZnO powder at 300 K was characterized by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of pyridine and CO2, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS), coupled with Ar+ depth profiling. As the silica overlayer grew to saturation (Si/(Si + Zn) = 20% by AES and 90% by ISS) with repeated cycles of dosing and thermal decomposition of TEOS, both the decomposition activity of TEOS and the TPD amounts of pyridine and CO2 decreased quickly to constant minimum values. These results suggest that a uniform and thin silica overlayer forms on ZnO. From ISS and AES results, together with Ar+ depth profiling, we conclude that approximately one monolayer of silica forms. Overlayer growth morphologies on ZnO, ZrO2 and TiO2 surfaces are compared.
Light scattering from a fluid with internal degrees of freedom

Abstract The light-scattering spectrum from a system with internal degrees of freedom is analyzed. It is found that the qualitative nature of the light-scattering spectrum is strongly dependent upon the decay rate of the relaxation of the internal degrees of freedom and the angle of observation of the scattering. Expressions are presented for the dispersion relations as well as for the light- scattering intensity as a function of the wave vector for several conditions upon the relaxation rate of the internal degrees of freedom.
Influence of Microbubble Shell Properties on Ultrasound Signal: Implications For Low-power Perfusion Imaging

Low mechanical index perfusion imaging relies on the detection of signals produced by microbubble oscillation at low acoustic powers that results in minimal microbubble destruction. We hypothesized that the optimal acoustic power for real-time imaging would differ for microbubbles with different shell characteristics. Three microbubble agents with varying shell elastic properties according to their polymer composition were studied. Differences in the elastic properties of these microbubbles was demonstrated by: (1) measurement of their bulk modulus and (2) evaluation of their acoustic lability by microscopic visualization of microbubble destruction during insonification at incremental acoustic powers. The ultrasound signal generated by these microbubbles at various mechanical indexes and the degree of microbubble destruction during continuous imaging was determined both in an in vitro flow system and during in vivo imaging in an open-chest canine model. Both studies indicated that optimal power for achieving maximal signal intensity with minimal microbubble destruction was influenced by the shell elastic properties. We conclude that the acoustic power for maximizing acoustic signal without destroying microbubbles during low mechanical index imaging varies according to shell characteristics. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2002;15:1269-76.)
A model of the polarization position-angle swings in BL Lacertae objects

The polarization position-angle swings that have been measured in a number of BL Lacertae objects and highly variable quasars are interpreted in terms of shock waves which illuminate (by enhanced synchrotron radiation) successive transverse cross sections of a magnetized, relativistic jet. The jet is assumed to have a nonaxisymmetric magnetic field configuration of the type discussed in the companion paper on the equilibria of force-free jets. For a jet that is viewed at a small angle to the axis, the passage of a shock will give rise to an apparent rotation of the polarization position angle whose amplitude can be substantially larger than 180 deg. The effects of freely propagating shocks are compared with those of bow shocks which form in front of dense obstacles in the jet, and specific applications to 0727 - 115 and BL Lacertae are considered. In the case of 0727 - 115, it is pointed out that the nonuniformity of the swing rate and the apparent oscillations of the degree of polarization could be a consequence of relativistic aberration.
Doubt and commitment: Justice and skepticism in Judith Shklar's thought

Commentary on Judith Shklar's skepticism has ranged from the claim that it was not the central characteristic of her thought to the argument that it seriously hobbled her thinking about justice. In...
Mechanisms underlying the additive and redundant Qrr phenotypes in Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio cholerae.

Abstract Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio cholerae regulate their virulence factors according to the local cell-population density in a regulatory system called quorum sensing. Their quorum sensing systems contain a small RNA (sRNA) circuit to regulate expression of a master transcriptional regulator via multiple quorum regulated RNA (Qrr) and a protein chaperon Hfq. Experiments and genetic analysis show that their respective quorum sensing networks are topologically equivalent and have homologous components, yet they respond differently to the same experimental conditions. In particular, V. harveyi Qrr are additive because all of its Qrr are required to maintain wild-type-like repression of its master transcriptional regulator. Conversely, V. cholerae Qrr are redundant because any of its Qrr is sufficient to repress its master transcriptional regulator. Given the striking similarities between their quorum sensing systems, experimentalists have been unable to identify conclusively the mechanisms behind these phenotypic differences. Nevertheless, the current hypothesis in the literature is that dosage compensation is the mechanism underlying redundancy. In this work, we identify the mechanisms underlying Qrr redundancy using a detailed mathematical model of the V. harveyi and V. cholerae sRNA circuits. We show that there are exactly two different cases underlying Qrr redundancy and that dosage compensation is unnecessary and insufficient to explain Qrr redundancy. Although V. harveyi Qrr are additive when the perturbations in Qrr are large, we predict that V. harveyi and V. cholerae Qrr are redundant when the perturbations in Qrr are small. We argue that the additive and redundant Qrr phenotypes can emerge from parametric differences in the sRNA circuit. In particular, we find that the affinity of Qrr and its expression relative to the master transcriptional regulator determine the level of redundancy in V. harveyi and V. cholerae . Furthermore, the additive and redundant Qrr phenotypes reflect differences in the concentration of Hfq-Qrr in V. harveyi and V. cholerae . We use our model to test the dosage compensation hypothesis and show that decreasing the expression of qrr , rather than removing dosage compensation, abolishes Qrr redundancy in V. cholerae . Further experimentation is needed to test our results and both Qrr redundancy hypotheses.
Association of major depression and mortality in Stage 5 diabetic chronic kidney disease.

Abstract Objectives Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We sought to determine the association of major depression with mortality among diabetic patients with late stage CKD. Method The Pathways Study is a longitudinal, prospective cohort study initiated to determine the impact of depression on outcomes among primary care diabetic patients. Subjects were followed from 2001 until 2007 for a mean duration of 4.4 years. Major depression, identified by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, was the primary exposure of interest. Stage 5 CKD was determined by dialysis codes and estimated glomerular filtration rate ( Results Of the 4128 enrolled subjects, 110 were identified with stage 5 CKD at baseline. Of those, 34 (22.1%) had major depression. Over a period of 5 years, major depression was associated with 2.95-fold greater risk of death (95% CI=1.24–7.02) compared to those with no or few depressive symptoms. Conclusion Major depression at baseline was associated with a 2.95-fold greater risk of mortality among stage 5 CKD diabetic patients. Given the high mortality risk, further testing of targeted depression interventions should be considered in this population.
Computed tomographic detection of gas within spontaneously necrotic tissue.

Abstract Computed tomography (CT) is a widely accepted modality for the detection, localization, and potential therapeutic drainage of abdominal abscesses. The CT demonstration of extraluminal gas within the abdomen usually signifies the presence of an abscess. We report two cases of nonpurulent spontaneous tissue necrosis which simulated a gas containing abscess on CT. The significance of a gas-containing mass detected by CT must be: interpreted cautiously since this appearance is not necessarily pathognomonic of a drainable abscess. Confirmation of purulent material within a suspected abscess collection requires documentation by percutaneous aspiration or surgery.
Mechanism of whorl feeding resistance to fall armyworm among converted sorghum accessions

Field studies were conducted in 1989 to evaluate selected converted sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) accessions for resistance to whorl-stage feeding by larvae of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) and to determine the mechanism of resistance. The sorghum was infested in the whorl 26 days after planting (DAP) in experiment 1 and 33 DAP in experiment 2. In experiment 1, the plant accessions ‘IS7273C,’ ‘IS7444C,’ ‘IS12573C,’ ‘IS12678C,’ and ‘IS12679C’ were more resistant (rating < 3) to damage by S. frugiperda larvae than the resistant check CIMMYT (CM) 1821 (rating 6.2) at 14 days after infestation (DAI). These genotypes were also more resistant (ratings ≤ 4 at 7 DAI and < 3 at 14 DAI) than the resistant check CM1821 (ratings 5.6 at 7 DAI and 8 at 14 DAI) in experiment 2. The number of larvae that established/plant on IS7273C, IS7444C, IS12573C, or IS12679C was significantly less compared with establishment on the resistant check CM1821 at 14 DAI in experiment 1 and at 7 and 14 DAI in experiment 2. Resistance in IS7273C, IS7444C, IS12573C, and IS12679C was mainly due to their rapid rate of growth which induced a quick change in the plant morphology from the whorl- to the panicle-stage and did not permit a sustained colonization of larvae. This new type of resistance could be referred to as ‘morphological non-preference’ as apposed to chemical non-preference where non-preference is due to plant chemical factors. These genotypes had a significantly shorter cycle than the other sorghum genotypes. Host evasion, a type of pseudoresistance, was the basis for resistance in ‘IS7794C’ and ‘IS7947C’. Tolerance was the major mechanism of resistance in the resistant check CM 1821.
Hypothalamic EAP1 (Enhanced at Puberty 1) Is Required for Menstrual Cyclicity in Nonhuman Primates

Mammalian reproductive cyclicity requires the periodic discharge of GnRH from hypothalamic neurons into the portal vessels connecting the neuroendocrine brain to the pituitary gland. GnRH secretion is, in turn, controlled by changes in neuronal and glial inputs to GnRH-producing neurons. The transcriptional control of this process is not well understood, but it appears to involve several genes. One of them, termed enhanced at puberty 1 (EAP1), has been postulated to function in the female hypothalamus as an upstream regulator of neuroendocrine reproductive function. RNA interference-mediated inhibition of EAP1 expression, targeted to the preoptic region, delays puberty and disrupts estrous cyclicity in rodents, suggesting that EAP1 is required for the normalcy of these events. Here, we show that knocking down EAP1 expression in a region of the medial basal hypothalamus that includes the arcuate nucleus, via lentiviral-mediated delivery of RNA interference, results in cessation of menstrual cyclicity in female rhesus monkeys undergoing regular menstrual cycles. Neither lentiviruses encoding an unrelated small interfering RNA nor the placement of viral particles carrying EAP1 small interfering RNA outside the medial basal hypothalamus-arcuate nucleus region affected menstrual cycles, indicating that region-specific expression of EAP1 in the hypothalamus is required for menstrual cyclicity in higher primates. The cellular mechanism by which EAP1 exerts this function is unknown, but the recent finding that EAP1 is an integral component of a powerful transcriptional-repressive complex suggests that EAP1 may control reproductive cyclicity by inhibiting downstream repressor genes involved in the neuroendocrine control of reproductive function.
Nucleoside diphosphate kinase from the parasitic nematode Brugia malayi

Abstract Using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) procedure that exploited the presence of a conserved 22-nucleotide spliced leader (SL) sequence that is trans -spliced to the 5′ end of nematode transcripts, a novel Brugia malayi (Bm) infective-stage SL cDNA expression library was constructed and characterized. The library was immunoscreened with rabbit anti-infective-stage antibodies (Ab) and an immunodominant clone, BmG4–7 , was identified and characterized. BmG4–7 contained a full-length cDNA that had significant sequence similarity to nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK)-encoding sequences reported from a number of species, including Drosophila melanogaster and humans. BmNDK was found to be constitutively transcribed during all stages of parasite development. An anti- BmNDK Ab was used to immunostain a Western blot of extracts from adult and larval parasites. The Ab specifically recognized a 17.5-kDa molecule in all of the parasite extracts. Molecular modeling of the BmNDK showed several regions surrounding the conserved catalytic site that may be important in the design of drugs specific for the disruption of NTP synthesis in filarial parasites.