cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Mutation of DSRAD Gene in a Family with Dyschromatosis Symmetrical Hereditaria

Objective To identify the mutation of DSRAD gene in patients with DSH. Methods Blood samples were collected from the patients and healthy members of a DSH family and 100 unrelated controls. All 15 exons of the DSRAD gene were analyzed by PCR-DNA sequencing. Results A frameshift mutation,c.1615delG in the exon 3 of the DSRAD gene,was found in the affected members but not in the healthy individuals of this family and 100 unrelated controls. Conclusion There is a novel frameshift mutation in DSRAD gene in this DSH family.
INTERLABORATORY CALIBRATION FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PETROLEUM LEVELS IN SEDIMENT

Abstract The large number of environmental analyses to be performed in the future necessitates the existence of a common basis for comparing the data. Otherwise data obtained from different laboratories would be of limited usefulness. Furthermore, unless the data can be put on an equivalent basis, environmental standards can neither be set nor enforced. A sample, split between NBS and one other laboratory, was analyzed in order to determine the suitability of Katalla River sediment for a more extensive intercalibration exercise. The results of this limited intercomparison are discussed. The results encouraged us to initiate an enlarged intercalibration exercise which is now in progress. Comparison of the interlaboratory data should provide a measure of the analytical variability among the participating laboratories.
Summary Discussion and Recommendations

Future policy development should incorporate a multifaceted approach to reduce hate crime offending. This includes targeting potential thrill-seeking youths, institutional bias, and prejudice in society. Public service denouncements of hate via the media and social networks may be used to change values that reward intolerance.
Effect of flap design on periodontal healing after impacted third molar extraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The extraction of an impacted third molar violates the surrounding soft and bony tissues. The surgeon's access to the tooth, for which there are various surgical approaches, has an important impact on the periodontium of the adjacent second molar. The aim of this review was to analyze the relationships between the different flap techniques and postoperative periodontal outcomes for the mandibular second molars (LM2) adjacent to the impacted mandibular third molars (LM3). An electronic search of MEDLINE and other databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials fulfilling the eligibility criteria. To assess the impact of flap design on the periodontal condition, the weighted mean difference of the probing depth reduction (WDPDR) and the weighted mean difference of the clinical attachment level gain (WDCAG) at the distal surface of LM2 were used as the primary outcomes. The results showed that, overall, the different flap techniques had no significant impact on the probing depth reduction (WDPDR -0.14mm, 95% confidence interval -0.44 to 0.17), or on the clinical attachment level gain (WDCAG 0.05mm, 95% confidence interval -0.84 to 0.94). However, a subgroup analysis revealed that the Szmyd and paramarginal flap designs may be the most effective in reducing the probing depth in impacted LM3 extraction, and the envelope flap may be the least effective.
Seasonal Water Relations: Long-Term Water Balance

Surely the most informative periods for studying water balance in any organism are either over its lifetime or throughout the year if it is a perennial species. Periods of such magnitude allow the dynamics of water flux within the organism and between it and its microenvironment to be appreciated, and when enough is known about both fluxes it should be possible to predict from measurements of the physical environment the hydration state of a particular species. Unfortunately, achievement of such a comprehensive picture is technically difficult. Obviously, it would be most desirable to monitor water fluxes as they actually occur in nature. This has been attempted using isotopes for a few desert arthropods (Bohm and Hadley, 1977; King and Hadley, 1979), but such an approach is still in its pioneering stages in its application to invertebrates.
Speech perception after right hemispherectomy

We prospectivery studied the speech perception abilities of two right-handed girls, ages 9 and 10 years, who underwent right hemispherectomy for treatment of Rasmussen's Syndrome, a progressive inflammatory disorder associated with intractable, unilateral seizures. Both patients developed normally until 8 years of age, when they began having seizures. Before surgery, their word recognition and syllable discrimination abilities, in quiet and under adverse listening conditions (filtered speech, background noise) were within normal limits for their age Six months after surgery, both patients continued to show excellent speech perception abilities in quiet. Under adverse listening conditions, however, their word recognition abilities were severely impaired. These results suggest that although the left (dominant) hemisphere can independently support speech perception under good listening conditions, the right hemisphere, alone or together with the left hemisphere, appear to play a critical role in processing speech under adverse listening conditions.
TCT-772 High prevalence of pelvic venous compression syndrome among patients with chronic venous insufficiency and effective treatment with venous stenting

May-Thurner Syndrome is the pathologic compression of the L common iliac vein by the R common iliac artery and has an incidence of 22%, in a cadaver study. Venous compression syndrome (VCS) can also occur in the external iliac, common femoral vein and R sided veins as well. VCS prevalence ranges
A possibly universal red chromophore for modeling color variations on Jupiter

Abstract A new laboratory-generated chemical compound made from photodissociated ammonia (NH 3 ) molecules reacting with acetylene (C 2 H 2 ) was suggested as a possible coloring agent for Jupiter’s Great Red Spot (GRS) by Carlson et al. (2016, Icarus 274, 106–115). Baines et al. (2016, Icarus, submitted) showed that the GRS spectrum measured by the visual channels of the Cassini VIMS instrument in 2000 could be accurately fit by a cloud model in which the chromophore appeared as a physically thin layer of small particles immediately above the main cloud layer of the GRS. Here we show that the same chromophore and same layer location can also provide close matches to the short wavelength spectra of many other cloud features on Jupiter, suggesting this material may be a nearly universal chromophore that could explain the various degrees of red coloration on Jupiter. This is a robust conclusion, even for 12% changes in VIMS calibration and large uncertainties in the refractive index of the main cloud layer due to uncertain fractions of NH 4 SH and NH 3 in its cloud particles. The chromophore layer can account for color variations among north and south equatorial belts, equatorial zone, and the Great Red Spot, by varying particle size from 0.12 µm to 0.29 µm and 1-µm optical depth from 0.06 to 0.76. The total mass of the chromophore layer is much less variable, ranging from 18 to 30 µg/cm 2 , except in the equatorial zone, where it is only 10–13 µg/cm 2 . We also found a depression of the ammonia volume mixing ratio in the two belt regions, which averaged 0.4 − 0.5 × 10 − 4 immediately below the ammonia condensation level, while the other regions averaged twice that value.
Beyond Taoism: Comparative Environmental Planning

When I was growing up in Korea, I was heavily influenced by the teachings of Eastern philosophy. In particular, what I learned from Lao-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu — a stream of thought usually called Taoism in the Western world — proved a powerful intellectual element shaping my perspective about man’s relationship with the natural environment. The essence of Taoism lies in the inviolacy of nature and a search for a harmonious relationship between human beings and the natural environment. Nature is at the highest order of all things in the Taoist’s world.
Abstract 563: Quantitative EMT expression score for predicting survival outcome

Tumor aggressiveness and subsequent metastasis still remain as major limitations to curative treatments for cancer patients. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that occurs naturally during embryogenesis and has been linked to metastasis in many cancer types. EMT is characterized by phenotypic changes that allow for tissue extravasation and migration of cancer cells into the bloodstream. These changes may be linked to specific patterns in the gene expression signature of cells undergoing EMT. Recent theoretical efforts have predicted the existence of a stable, hybrid (E/M) phenotype which has also been observed experimentally in single cells. However, the effects of this hybrid phenotype on cancer patient survival have not been well characterized. The ability to quantify a patient’s EMT status via a simple test involving a small collection of prognostic genes would provide an important tool for clinical risk stratification and treatment in the context of many cancer types. Here, we apply iterative statistical methods to generate an EMT score based on gene expression samples. We use this score to characterize the degree of the hybrid phenotype signature present in test samples. Predictions from our model are verified against cell lines with known EMT status. Lastly, we apply our model to clinical samples in order to assess survival differences in various EMT groups. We demonstrate that in many cases, EMT status successfully classifies patients into groups with statistically significant differences in survival, which is of immediate clinical relevance. Citation Format: Jason T. George, Mohit K. Jolly, Herbert Levine. Quantitative EMT expression score for predicting survival outcome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 563. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-563
Relationship Between Performance on Oral Narrative Retells and Vocabulary Assessments for Spanish-English Speaking Children:

This project aimed to describe oral narrative retells of Spanish-English speaking dual language learners (DLLs) and examine relationships with standardized vocabulary assessments. Investigators des...
A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical trials testing anti-toxin therapies for B. anthracis infection: A need for more robust study designs and results.

Background B. anthracis anti-toxin agents are approved and included in the Strategic National Stockpile based primarily on animal infection trials. However, in the only anthrax outbreak an approved anti-toxin agent was administered in, survival did not differ comparing recipients and non-recipients, although recipients appeared sicker. Objective Employ a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate preclinical studies supporting anthrax anti-toxin agents. Data source PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. Study eligibility Compared survival with an anti-toxin agent versus control in B. anthracis challenged, antibiotic treated animals. Study methods Examine model and study design and the effect of anti-toxin agents on relative risk of death(95%CI) (RR). Results From 9 studies, 29 experiments were analyzed which included 4 species (748 animals) and 5 agents; LFI, AIG, AVP-21D9, Raxibacumab, and ETI-204. Only five experiments were blinded and no experiment included the cardiopulmonary support sick B. anthracis patients receive. Only one agent in a single un-blinded experiment reduced RR significantly [0.45(0.22,0.940]. However, in six studies testing an agent in more than one experiment in the same species, agents had consistent survival effects across experiments [I2 = 0, p≥0.55 in five and I2 = 42%, p = 0.16 in one]. Within each species, agents had effects on the side of benefit; in one study testing AVP-21D9 in mice [0.11(0.01,1.82)] or guinea pigs [0.70(0.48,1.03)]; across eight rabbit studies testing LFI, Raxibacumab, AIG or ETI-204 [0.62(0.45,0.87); I2 = 17.4%, p = 0.29]; and across three monkey studies testing Raxibacumab, AIG or ETI-204 [0.66(0.34,1.27); I2 = 25.3%, p = 0.26]. Across all agents and species, agents decreased RR [0.64(0.52,0.79); I2 = 5.3%, p = 0.39]. Limitations Incidence of selective reporting not identifiable. Conclusions Although overall significant, individually anti-toxin agents had weak beneficial effects. Lack of study blinding and relevant clinical therapies further weakened studies. Although difficult, preclinical studies with more robust designs and results are warranted to justify the resources necessary to maintain anti-toxin agents in national stockpiles.
A non-intrusive approach for classifying residential water events using coincident electricity data

Abstract This study evaluated the potential for circuit-level electricity data to improve performance by a water end-use disaggregation tool. Support vector machine classifiers were employed to categorize observed water events from an extensive dataset published in the literature. Additional electricity-related event features were assigned depending on temporal proximity to recent clothes washer or dishwasher events. Classifiers were trained on a portion of the dataset with and without the electricity-related features, then tested on an equally sized portion of the dataset. A classifier also categorized events from the testing dataset where event durations were adjusted to match larger sampling intervals, from 10s up to 120s. Specific electricity-related features significantly improved classifier performance for clothes washer, dishwasher, and shower events. Classifier performance was maintained for longer events as sampling frequency decreased, although performance for short duration events decreased. Overall, these results indicate significant potential benefits from integrating electricity-related features for water disaggregation tools.
Epistemic freedom and education

First of all, I define the concept of epistemic freedom in the light of the changing nature of educational practice that prioritise over-prescriptive conceptions of learning. I defend the ‘reality’ of this freedom against possible determinist-related criticisms. I do this by stressing the concept of agency as characterised by ‘becoming’. I also discuss briefly some of the technical literature on the subject. I then move on to discuss Gramsci’s concept of hegemony and Foucault’s idea of ‘productive power’: I argue for the need of a counter-narrative of freedom that takes the form of a genealogy. Finally I discuss in more detail the nature of epistemic freedom and briefly discuss the ethical implications of the concept.
Chapter 14 – Nonhomogeneous Elasticity

Publisher Summary This chapter investigates the inhomogeneous isotropic case and explores solutions for a few problems that exist in the literature. It focuses on formulation issues that allow the development of tractable boundary value problems and examines the effect of inhomogeneity on the resulting stress and displacement solution fields. By exploring closed-form solutions to a series of example problems, it is observed that in some cases inhomogeneity produces little effect, while in others significant and fundamentally different stress and displacement distributions will occur. Many materials have a spatially varying microstructure that leads to spatial variation in elastic properties and thus requires a nonhomogeneous model. For example, in geomechanics studies, rock and soil material will commonly have depth-dependent properties resulting from the overburden of material lying above a given point. Gradations in microstructure are also commonly found in biological cellular materials such as wood and bone where biological adaptation has distributed the strongest microstructure in regions that experience the highest stress.
Gene Selection Strategies in Microarray Expression Data: Applications to Case-Control Studies

Over the last decade we have witnessed the rise of the gene expression array assay as a new experimental paradigm to study the cellular state at the whole genome scale. This technology has allowed considerable progress in the identification of markers associated with human disease mechanisms, and in the molecular characterization of diseases such as cancer, by careful characterization of genes involved directly or indirectly in the disease. A typical gene expression experiment provides scientists with an enormous amount of data. Analysis of these data, and interpretation of the ensuing results, have attracted the attention of many researchers, who have developed new ways of interrogating the expression data. In this chapter we will review some of these recent efforts, emphasizing the need to make use of batteries of methods rather than one method in particular, as well as the need to properly validate results with independent data sets. The application of DNA array technology for use in disease diagnostics will be exemplified in the case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Small adipose stores in cystic fibrosis mice are characterized by reduced cell volume, not cell number

Adipocytes in cystic fibrosis mice exhibit smaller size due to low triglyceride storage. Adipocyte cell number per fat pad is similar, implying triglyceride storage problem. The absence of CFTR fun...
Integrating Computer Mediated Communication into a Pedagogical Education Course: Increasing Opportunity for Reflection

The inclusion of reflection in preservice education classes has become a priority for teacher educators. Reflection on theories, instructional strategies, and management strategies is vital to the process as students construct their knowledge base, make teaching decisions in clinical settings, and formulate their individual teaching styles. Curricular decisions within teacher education courses are made in view of the spatial and temporal boundaries of the university classroom. Using computer mediated communication (CMC)provides teacher educators with an additional format to engage students in reflection. This article presents findings from integrating CMC into a pedagogical education course. Blackboard was used for CMC. Frequency of use and quality of reflection were analyzed when reflection within the CMC format was required. Integrating this technology into the course was seen as beneficial as students engaged in required reflective activity and provided an opportunity for students to engage in ...
Assessment of general surgery resident study habits and use of the TrueLearn question bank for American Board of Surgery In-Training exam preparation.

Abstract Background Little information exists on the value of online question banks in preparing residents for the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE). Methods We reviewed surgical residents’ use of an online question bank (TrueLearn) and compared it to their ABSITE performance. Results The 2016–2017 records of 44 PGY 2–5 general surgery residents were examined. The total number of TrueLearn questions answered significantly correlated (p Conclusions The use of the TrueLearn question bank is associated with an improved percentage of ABSITE questions answered correctly and improved PGY percentile scores.
TRANEXAMIC ACID IN GYNAECOLOGIC SURGERY – A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Objectives The primary objective is to summarize current evidence for tranexamic acid (TXA) use in gynaecologic surgery. Secondary objectives include reviewing the mechanism of action, dosing, and adverse effects related to TXA use. Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed, Ovid (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, Elsevier, and of cited references pertaining to TXA use in gynaecologic surgery. Additionally, articles discussing TXA pharmacology and complications were included. Current literature was synthesized based on gynaecologic procedure. Results TXA prevents the degradation of fibrin clots by blocking the activation of plasminogen to plasmin, and is typically dosed at 1g intravenously immediately pre-operatively. Although a large body of evidence supports TXA use in other surgical specialties, data on TXA use in gynaecologic surgery is limited. At hysterectomy, TXA has been shown to reduce estimated intraoperative blood loss, incidence of major bleeding, risk of reoperation for hemorrhage and is associated with a lower rate of blood transfusion. At myomectomy, some evidence supports reductions in blood loss and change in hemoglobin following TXA use, while others show no effect. Importantly, no studies report an increased risk of adverse events related to TXA administration in the gynaecologic setting. Limited evidence also exists for TXA use in preventing blood loss in other gynaecologic surgeries including ovarian cancer cytoreduction, cervical conization, and hysteroscopy. Conclusions Although evidence exists to support TXA as a safe and valuable agent for reducing surgical blood loss, more studies are required to validate its benefit in gynaecologic surgery.
The Language of Programming: A Cognitive Perspective

Computer programming is becoming essential across fields. Traditionally grouped with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, programming also bears parallels to natural languages. These parallels may translate into overlapping processing mechanisms. Investigating the cognitive basis of programming is important for understanding the human mind and could transform education practices.
Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Physician-Targeted Inpatient Glycemic Management Curriculum.

Objective:Diabetes is prevalent among hospitalized patients and there are multiple challenges to attaining glycemic control in the hospital setting. We sought to develop an inpatient glycemic manag...
Comparison of Three-Dimensional Surface Imaging Systems Using Landmark Analysis

Numerous 3d imaging systems are now available commercially for the capture of facial shape data via landmarking or surface shape comparisons but it is not known whether these systems produce data of comparable quality. This study investigates the error associated with landmark coordinate data collected on facial surface images taken using three 3d imaging systems: the 3dMDface system (3dMD, Atlanta, GA), the Planmeca ProFace system (Planmeca, Roselle, IL), and the Vectra H1 handheld system (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ). This was a retrospective study involving 3d imaging data that used geometric morphometric analysis to assess overall shape differences as well as landmark-specific differences among the systems. Ten individuals evaluated at the NIDCR dental clinic on various protocols were imaged on all 3 systems. The subject pool consisted of syndromic and unaffected subjects, as disease status was irrelevant to the question of reproducibility and variability. Variation in landmark placement across systems was assessed by ANOVA, covariance matrix, and summary statistics. No overall shape or size differences were found among the systems. However, there was some landmark-specific variation and the 3dMD and Vectra systems were generally more similar to each other than either was to the Planmeca system. The data acquired by these 3 systems are comparable, although landmarks on the eyes and ears are noisy and most different among systems.
ET-Based Irrigation Scheduling for Papaya (Carica papaya) in Florida

Three irrigation scheduling methods (set schedule, ET-based, and tensiometer-based) were tested for papaya production in south Florida. ET-based irrigation scheduling was found to conserve water effectively. This 6-page document primarily focuses on the ET-based irrigation scheduling techniques for papaya under Florida conditions. Written by Haimanote K. Bayabil, Jonathan H. Crane, Kati W. Migliaccio, Yuncong Li, and Fredy Ballen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, March 2020. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae540
Metabolic Changes in Pediatric HIV-Positive Patients and Potential Lifestyle Interventional Strategies.

Metabolic changes in the HIV population have been well-studied, particularly after the advent of antiretroviral therapy. More notably, the emergence of the metabolic syndrome within the HIV population, due to prolonged survival, has led to an increasing rate of cardiovascular occurrence and mortality within the population in adult life. Importance of early intervention in HIV children, particularly lifestyle modifications, is necessary to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality in adulthood. Potential clinical interventions include routine anthropometric measurements as a measure of CVD risk, a low saturated fat and high fiber diet, and vigorous aerobic exercise have been shown to decrease CVD risk in the HIV population. The literature review found multiple knowledge gaps due to minimal studies completed on the HIV population and even less on HIV-positive children. Overall, a standardized protocol was required to better care for HIV-positive children and potential future CVD mortality.
Secure Federated Learning by Power Control for Internet of Drones

Fog-aided internet of drones (IoD), where massive training data are collected by drones and analyzed in the fog node, can leverage machine learning to provision various services. Aggregating all data in the fog node may incur huge network traffic and drone data privacy leakage. Federated learning (FL) is hence proposed to preserve drone data privacy by performing local training in drones and sharing training model parameters in the fog node without uploading drone raw data. However, drone privacy can still be divulged to ground eavesdroppers by wiretapping and analyzing uploaded parameters during the FL training process. In this paper, we investigate the power control of all drones to maximize the FL system security rate constrained by drone battery capacities and the quality of service (QoS) requirement (i.e., FL training time). We formulate this problem as a non-linear programming problem and design an algorithm to obtain the optimum solutions with a low computational complexity. Extensive simulations are conducted to demonstrate the performance of our proposed algorithm.
Slide Tracheoplasty for Repair of Complex Tracheoesophageal Fistulas.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Repair of large, recurrent, and complex tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) is challenging and numerous different surgical approaches exist. These various techniques each carry a set of risks and possible complications such as fistula recurrence, tracheal stenosis or pouches, esophageal stenosis, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Slide tracheoplasty is a reconstructive technique successfully used in many different airway pathologies, including TEF repair. This study examines the success, limits, and complications related to slide tracheoplasty for repair of complex TEFs. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS Patients undergoing TEF repair using a cervical or thoracic approach slide tracheoplasty, at a single institution, between July 2008 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, comorbidities, TEF etiology and surgical history, slide tracheoplasty details and outcomes, and postoperative complication data were examined using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Twenty-six patients underwent 27 slide tracheoplasties for TEF (20 cervical approaches, 7 thoracic approaches) with a mean age of 5.2 years (IQR 0.7-7.6) at time of surgery. The most common TEF etiologies included congenital (n = 13), tracheostomy tube erosion (n = 5), and button battery ingestion (n = 4). Fistulas ranged in size from <0.5 mm to 4 cm and 59% had previous endoscopic or open repairs. There were two TEF recurrences (7.4%), one of which was successfully revised and the other which was treated with stent placement. Postoperative complications included dehiscence (3.7%), unilateral vocal fold paralysis (3.7%), and mild tracheal stenosis (18.5%). CONCLUSIONS Slide tracheoplasty is an effective surgical technique for treating complex congenital and acquired TEFs with lower rates of complications when compared to other techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV Laryngoscope, 2021.
Computability and the game of cops and robbers on graphs

Several results about the game of cops and robbers on infinite graphs are analyzed from the perspective of computability theory. Computable robber-win graphs are constructed with the property that no computable robber strategy is a winning strategy, and such that for an arbitrary computable ordinal $$\alpha $$ , any winning strategy has complexity at least $$0^{(\alpha )}$$ . Symmetrically, computable cop-win graphs are constructed with the property that no computable cop strategy is a winning strategy. Locally finite infinite trees and graphs are explored. The Turing computability of a binary relation used to classify cop-win graphs is studied, and the computational difficulty of determining the winner for locally finite computable graphs is discussed.
Alkaline twin-screw extrusion fractionation of olive-tree pruning biomass

Abstract The present study investigates and optimizes a one-step alkaline–extrusion pretreatment process using olive tree pruning as feedstock. In this work, a range of pretreatment conditions (temperature, screw speed and alkaline catalyst to dry matter ratio) were evaluated according to different parameters: composition of pretreated substrates, glucose and xylose recovery, degradation products generation, enzymatic hydrolysis yield and overall sugars yield. Results show that enzymatic digestibility is remarkably improved by extrusion although not significant variations are found on the chemical compositions of extruded material produced at different conditions. The maximum glucose sugar production value, after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, was close to 21 g/100 g raw material, which corresponds to about 69% of the theoretical production yield.
Development of Water Markets Using Experimental Economics

The large, complex water systems throughout the world, including the Western U.S., have traditionally required a centralized authority both to solve their fundamental coordination problems and to dictate solutions to their allocation issues. These problems are often exacerbated by factors such as the public good nature of water, externalities associated with transporting and consuming water, and the economies of scale in shared production facilities. In our world of rapid technological and environmental change, these centrally-managed systems tend to move too slowly to allow a society to adapt efficiently. One of the problems with proposals for substantial institutional change is that adaptation and irreversibility make the process slow, cautious, and costly to society. In this chapter, we will discuss both the recent development of’ smart’, computer-assisted markets (xcMcCabe et al., 1991) which provide the promise of developing decentralized solutions to these complex allocation problems, and the role that experimental economics can play in evaluating proposed institutional changes to help facilitate a more rapid and smooth adoption of these changes.
Using features and their constraints to aid process planning of sheet metal parts

Process planning is a time-consuming and tedious operation that is necessary to manufacture products. In addition, process plans must be optimized to drive machines most productively. To accomplish this goal, the authors search for plans that satisfy production feasibility requirements and time constraints. Unfortunately, this search operates in an enormous search-space that is usually impossible to navigate. Therefore, the authors use features and their corresponding heuristics to guide the search. To make the search more tractable, the authors convert some features into corresponding constraints as a priori knowledge to prune the space. The applications of these features are presented in this paper. The authors also discuss the feature interaction problems in the process planning. In this paper, the authors focus on the production of bent sheet metal parts and the machine setup. The authors have designed over forty test parts with their "parallel design" system, and the features are automatically generated as the design progresses. After the design is complete, an automatic process planning system uses the features and generates new ones to aid the production of a near-minimum manufacturing cost plan. Finally, these plans are used to produce parts on an automatic bending system.
Political Institutions and Sorting in a Tiebout Model

We construct a computational model of Tiebout competition and show that political institutions differ in their ability to sort citizens effectively. In particular, we find that certain types of institutions-those that become more "politically unstable" as citizen heterogeneity increases-perform relatively poorly given a single jurisdiction, yet these same institutions perform relatively well when there are multiple jurisdictions. We provide an explanation for this phenomenon which draws upon simulated annealing, a discrete nonlinear search algorithm. (JEL
System Identification by the ORSE technique with a Finite Number of Data Samples

This paper discusses application of Observability Range Space Extraction identification technique when only a finite number of data samples are available for identification. This is a suboptimal technique which directly identifies a state space model from time domain data. Due to its high accuracy in system eigenvalue estimation and numerical stability in multiple input, multiple output, and high dimensional system identification, this technique is successfully applied in model identification for active structure control problems. The MIT Middeck Active Control Experiment is used as an application example in this paper. This is an active structure control experiment to be conducted is space shuttle middeck.
The Mid-1990s EITC Expansion: Aggregate Labor Supply Effects and Economic Incidence

A key attraction of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is that it encourages work. But EITC-induced increases in labor supply may drive wages down, permitting employers of low-skill labor to capture some of the intended transfer and negatively impacting workers in the same labor markets who are ineligible for the credit. I exploit variation in tax treatment across family types and skill levels to identify the effect of a large EITC expansion in the mid 1990s on the female labor market, using a semiparametric reweighting strategy to decompose changes in the wage distribution into changes in skill-specific prices and quantities. The EITC expansion induced many low- and mid-skill single mothers to enter the labor force. Contemporaneous technical change led to increases in wages, but these were smaller than they would have been with a stable EITC. Ceteris paribus, low-skill single mothers keep only 70 cents of every dollar they receive through the EITC. Employers of low-skill labor capture 72 cents, 30 cents from single mothers plus 43 cents from ineligible (childless) workers whose after-tax incomes fall when the EITC is expanded. The net transfer to workers is less than a third of the amount spent on the program.
Antibodies to bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses in a barrier island white-tailed deer population.

From 1981 through 1989, serum samples from 855 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Ossabaw Island, Georgia (USA), were tested for antibodies to bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). During this period, prevalence of precipitating antibodies to BTV and EHDV as determined by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) tests decreased from 74% to 3% and from 34% to 1%, respectively. Antibodies were detected in serum samples from 0.5-yr-old deer only during 1981, 1982, and 1983, and with few exceptions, positive serological results after 1983 were restricted to older age classes. A decrease in prevalence of precipitating antibodies to BTV and EHDV in age classes exposed during 1981 indicates that AGID results from white-tailed deer populations underestimate the extent of previous exposure to these viruses. Serum neutralization test results from AGID-positive deer indicated that BTV 11 was the principal serotype responsible for infections during 1981. Since 1983, this serotype ...
Heritability: Uses and Abuses

This paper begins with a brief summary of the history of the development of ideas in the field of quantitative genetics. Next there is discussion of the controversy surrounding the contention that IQ tests validly estimate some highly heritable general intelligence factor. The validity of the reasoning supporting this contention is questioned. The theory of correlation between relatives has been of vast importance in plant and animal breeding because it is possible to design and carry out experiments to estimate variance components in expressions for covariances between relatives. However, data on humans is observational and individuals are not randomly assigned to environments, so that estimation of heritability from such data is not on the same firm foundation as it is in plant and animal breeding contexts.
Is head trauma a risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? An evidence based review

Our objective was to evaluate the epidemiological literature regarding the association between trauma to the head and ALS, in order to determine if trauma to the head is a risk factor for ALS. A Medline literature search was conducted for the period between 1980 and October 2010 using the search terms: (‘head trauma’ OR ‘head injury’) AND (ALS OR ‘amyotrophic lateral sclerosis’ OR MND OR ‘motor neuron disease’). The references of primary articles and reviews were checked to assure completeness of the search. Articles with primary data and reference groups were reviewed. The American Academy of Neurology evidence based method for classification of evidence for inferring causality and assigning level of conclusion was used. Twelve of 14 articles published since 1980 met the inclusion criteria. One class II article and three class III articles showed an association between a single instance of head trauma and ALS that did not exceed what might be seen due to chance alone. Eight class IV evidence articles cou...
Expression of the Iron-Activated nspA and secY Genes in Neisseria meningitidis Group B by Fur-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

Our whole-genome microarray studies of Neisseria meningitidis MC58 previously identified a set of 153 genes whose transcription was activated during growth in iron. In this study, Fur-mediated regulation of the iron-activated nspA gene was confirmed, whereas iron-activated regulation of the secY gene was demonstrated to be Fur independent. Analysis of the Fur binding sequences in the nspA gene and an additional iron-activated and Fur-regulated gene identified a hexameric (G/T)ATAAT unit in the operator regions of these genes similar to that observed in Fur- and iron-repressed genes. These studies indicate that the expression of the iron-activated nspA and secY genes in N. meningitidis occur by Fur-dependent and -independent mechanisms, respectively.
The early graduation gambit of Japanese high-school sojourners in the US: organizing educational paths across borders

While there is a growing presence of trans-Pacific migrant students in the US, relatively little attention has been given to the diversity among them in terms of their everyday experiences and future educational trajectories shaped by different patterns of transnational mobilities and practices. This paper addresses the distinctive educational experiences and needs of transnational Japanese students, temporarily enrolled in US schools accompanying their parents on business appointments from transnational corporations. This institutional ethnographic study examines the strategies that these sojourner students use to negotiate the institutional demands of US high-school life and the way to promote access to tertiary education in Japan. The findings show that, although corporate transnationalism restricts Japanese sojourners' geographical mobility, they still actively construct their futures through the high-stakes strategy of graduating a year early from US high schools. I call this early graduation scheme ...
Neighboring trees affect ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition in a woodland-forest ecotone

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) are frequently species rich and functionally diverse; yet, our knowledge of the environmental factors that influence local EMF diversity and species composition remains poor. In particular, little is known about the influence of neighboring plants on EMF community structure. We tested the hypothesis that the EMF of plants with heterospecific neighbors would differ in species richness and community composition from the EMF of plants with conspecific neighbors. We conducted our study at the ecotone between pinyon (Pinus edulis)-juniper (Juniperus monosperma) woodland and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest in northern Arizona, USA where the dominant trees formed associations with either EMF (P. edulis and P. ponderosa) or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF; J. monosperma). We also compared the EMF communities of pinyon and ponderosa pines where their rhizospheres overlapped. The EMF community composition, but not species richness of pinyon pines was significantly influenced by neighboring AM juniper, but not by neighboring EM ponderosa pine. Ponderosa pine EMF communities were different in species composition when growing in association with pinyon pine than when growing in association with a conspecific. The EMF communities of pinyon and ponderosa pines were similar where their rhizospheres overlapped consisting of primarily the same species in similar relative abundance. Our findings suggest that neighboring tree species identity shaped EMF community structure, but that these effects were specific to host-neighbor combinations. The overlap in community composition between pinyon pine and ponderosa pine suggests that these tree species may serve as reservoirs of EMF inoculum for one another.
An unusually small potassium current that is well-suited to a retinal neuron which is chronically depolarized

Here we describe a sustained outward potassium current (IK) in retinal horizontal cells (HCs). IK is unusually small over the range of membrane potentials normally experienced by these cells, which are chronically depolarized. We hypothesize that this unique IK will reduce the amount of neurotransmitter required to shift the cell's membrane potential over a wide range, and will minimize the redistribution of potassium ions across the post-synaptic memebrane when the cell is depolarized.
Density and Refractive Index Studies of Dental Hard Tissues I. Methods for Separation and Determination of Purity

A rapid, quantitative method for the separation of the enamel, dentin, and cementum of a single tooth to obtain samples of known purity will permit the following investigations: 1) Normal values and ranges of variation in the composition of enamel and dentin. 2) Changes in composition associated with caries (5), pyorrhea or disturbances in nutrition, metabolism or endocrine balance. 3) Proportion of enamel to dentin in normal, hyperand hypoplastic teeth and changes due to attrition, erosion or caries. Methods for obtaining pure dentin or enamel by heating or grinding are unsatisfactory because of the time required and the incomplete recovery. The method described by Brekhus and Armstrong (3), based on the use of heavy liquids with density intermediate between dentin and enamel, offers a distinct improvement over previous methods, but leaves a few things to be desired. For instance, it would be advantageou§ to have (a) a more rapid method, (b) a check on the purity of the enamel and dentin fractions, and (c) an avoidance of filtration. According to the literature, a centrifugal separation method would seem to be desirable, especially when working with fine powders. Bernal and Crowfoot (2) found centrifugation to give a more accurate
Ultrahigh-Energy Cosmic-Ray Propagation in the Galaxy: Clustering versus Isotropy

Recently, the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array Collaboration presented data suggesting a significant clustering of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays coming from the outer Galaxy region. In this paper we calculate expected cosmic-ray arrival distributions for several simple source location scenarios that bracket the more realistic ones and investigate the possibility of clustering and correlation effects. The role of the Galactic magnetic field is discussed in detail.
SENSITIZATION TO STRESS: THE ENDURING EFFECTS OF PRIOR STRESS ON AMPHETAMINE-INDUCED ROTATIONAL BEHAVIOR

In rats with a unilateral 6-OHDA lesion of the substantia nigra exposure to footshock or immobilization stress produced a long-lasting enhancement in the rotational behavior evoked by a subsequent injection of amphetamine. However, the effect was dependent on the environmental context in which stress was applied. It is suggested that stress may induce enduring changes in brain and behavior similar to those produced by psychomotor stimulant drugs.
On the improved properties of injection-molded, carbon nanotube-filled PET/PVDF blends

The mechanisms for improved mechanical and electrical properties of an injection molded, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) filled, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blend have been investigated. It is found that the improved properties are due to the formation of a triple-continuous structure in the CNT-filled polymer blend; CNT segregates in the continuous PET phase, forming a continuous conductive path to provide the composite an electrical short circuit. The continuous PVDF phase free from CNT, on the other hand, offers crack bridging and the interface between the PET and PVDF phases provides crack deflection for the composite. As a result of such a combination, the CNT-filled PET/PVDF has better electrical conductivity, strength and elongation than the CNT-filled PET with the same CNT loading. The segregation of CNT in the PET phase of the CNT-filled PET/PVDF blend is due to the thermodynamic driving force that favors the segregation of CNT in the PET.
Chemical immunosuppression and human cancer.

A significant advance in our understanding of cancer is the realization that states of immunodeficiency are associated with an increased incidence of malignancies. Malignant cells have been inadvertently transplanted with homografts obtained from donors with cancer. In the immunosuppressed host such cells have survived, multiplied, and spread. In addition, organ homograft recipients have shown a 5.6% incidence of de novo malignancies at some time after transplantation. Organ transplant recipients who had pre-existing malignancies removed developed recurrences or metastases of the original neoplasms in 41% of cases. Malignancies have also been observed in nontransplant patients treated for a variety of disorders. Cancer chemotherapeutic agents have immunosuppressive side effects; patients have manifested new malignancies while their original tumors were controlled by the antineoplastic drugs. The danger of malignancy makes it imperative that immunosuppressive therapy should only be used when strongly indicated, as in organ transplantation, or where other forms of therapy have failed to control the patient's disease. The use of the appropriate cancer themotherapeutic agents in patients with advanced malignancies is fully justified, as the risk of development of new tumors is far outweighed by the months or years of control of the original neoplasms. Chemotherapy, as an adjuvant to radiotherapy or surgery in the management of localized cancers, should be used with caution as it has yielded disappointing results in many series.