cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is the inappropriate gonadotropin secretion of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome similar to that of patients with adult-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

Objective To assess gonadotropin alterations in adult-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and to compare these findings with those of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in an effort to better understand the pathophysiology of these abnormalities. Design Prospective study of 9 newly diagnosed patients with CAH, 10 with PCOS, and 10 ovulatory controls. Interventions Baseline measurements of serum androgens, progestins, estradiol (E 2 ), estrone (E 1 ), unbound E 2 , luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Serum LH and FSH were measured after intravenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and in 15-minute blood samples for 6 hours to determine LH pulsatility. Results Serum androgens were elevated but comparable in the two patient groups. Serum LH was also elevated ( P 1 was elevated only in PCOS, but unbound E 2 was elevated to the same degree in both PCOS and CAH ( P P P 2 and unbound E 2 correlated significantly with LH ( P P Conclusions The gonadotropin abnormalities of CAH appear to be intermediate between those of controls and PCOS. Although elevated estrogen may explain these abnormalities in CAH, additional factors may be operative in PCOS.
Determining Interest Expense Incurred by Affiliated Corporations to Earn Tax-Exempt Income

The article first discusses the various approaches the courts and the IRS have used to relate interest expense to tax-exempt interest income. In some instances a tracing of loan proceeds to the purchase of the tax-exempt obligations is required before any of the interest expense is denied. In other instances a formula approach is applied to disallow a portion of the interest. When one entity borrows funds and a related entity earns tax-exempt income, relating the expense and income becomes even more complicated. The Tax Court has provided some guidance in H Enterprises International, Inc. I (105 T.C. 71, 1995) and II (TCM 1998-97). The Service amplified the reasoning in these decisions in Revenue Ruling 2004-47, and in recently proposed regulation 1.265-2(c)(1). The authors note that the tendency is for the Service to apply a single-entity approach. This is especially problematic for banks and other financial institutes are required by section 265(b) to apply a formula to determine the interest expense to purchase or carry the tax-exempt obligations. A combination of market forces that reduce the yield on exempt obligations, and tax rules that cause an automatic disallowance interest expense, effectively eliminates financial institutions from tax-exempt investing. This has implications for state and local government borrowers as well as the Treasury.
Foreign Talent and Singapore

This chapter describes the backdrop of national social engineering against which this Singapore-based study, which explores the language learning experiences of five Grade 9 immigrant students in an English-medium school, is situated. I refer to these students as designer immigrants (Simmons, Economic integration and designer immigrants: Canadian policy in the 1990s. In M. Castro (Ed.), Free markets, open societies, closed borders? Trends in international migration and immigration policy in the Americas (pp. 53–69). Miami: North-South Press, 1999a; Simmons, Immigration policy: Imagined futures. In S. Halli & L. Driedger (Eds.), Immigrant Canada: Demographic, economic and social challenges (pp. 21–50). Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999b) as they were recipients of scholarships funded by the Singapore government. By using a language identity (Norton, Identity and language learning: Extending the conversation. Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2013), language ideological (Blommaert, The sociolinguistics of globalization. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010), and circulating ideological (Wortham, Learning identity: The joint emergence of social identification and academic learning. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006) framework, I explore the struggles and pressures they encountered in learning English in my year-long critical ethnographic case study. The school became not only a site of control where the interests of the state were promoted, but also a site of struggle for these designer immigrant students as they wrestled with a hegemonic language ideology and a cosmopolitan identity that demanded homogeneity by way of English language standardization. For them, language acquisition was not a gradual and neutral process of internalizing the rules, structures and vocabulary of a standard language. Rather, the dynamics of their language acquisition were entangled with deeper social issues that characterize the nexus of language identity, ideology and migration.
Immunomodulation by HDAC inhibition: Results from a phase II study with entinostat and high-dose Interleukin 2 in renal cell carcinoma patients (CTEP#7870).

500 Background: Immunosuppressive factors such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) limit the efficacy of immunotherapies. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. We have previously reported that the class I HDAC inhibitor entinostat has synergistic antitumor effects in combination with high dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) in a renal cell carcinoma model by down-regulating Foxp3 expression and function of Tregs. Thus, we have conducted a Phase I/II clinical study with entinostat and high dose IL-2 in patients (pts) with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Methods: The primary objectives were to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of this combination strategy. The main eligibility criteria were clear cell histology and being fit to receive high dose IL-2. The phase I portion consisted of two dose levels of entinostat (3 and 5 mg, PO every14 days) and a fixed dose of IL-2 (600,000 units/kg every 8 hrs). To te...
Obturator Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Pelvic Hematoma After Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Obturator nerve injury is a known injury after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) and patients often present with motor and sensory deficits in the immediate postoperative period. We describe a 65-year-old male who presented with motor deficits, indicative of obturator neurapraxia after RALP upon waking from anesthesia. Work-up revealed an expansile hematoma possibly compressing the obturator nerve. After evacuation of the hematoma, the patient had immediate improvement of his neurologic deficits. Our patient's clinical vignette illustrates the importance of considering postsurgical hematoma in the differential diagnosis when patients present with signs and symptoms of obturator neurapraxia after RALP.
New central and central discontinuous Galerkin schemes on overlapping cells of unstructured grids for solving ideal magnetohydrodynamic equations with globally divergence-free magnetic field

Abstract New schemes are developed on triangular grids for solving ideal magnetohydrodynamic equations while preserving globally divergence-free magnetic field. These schemes incorporate the constrained transport (CT) scheme of Evans and Hawley [34] with central schemes and central discontinuous Galerkin methods on overlapping cells which have no need for solving Riemann problems across cell edges where there are discontinuities of the numerical solution. These schemes are formally second-order accurate with major development on the reconstruction of globally divergence-free magnetic field on polygonal dual mesh. Moreover, the computational cost is reduced by solving the complete set of governing equations on the primal grid while only solving the magnetic induction equation on the polygonal dual mesh. Various numerical experiments are provided to validate the new schemes.
Radiation and subsequent reirradiation outcomes in the treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma and a systematic review of the reirradiation literature.

Abstract Purpose Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a devastating pediatric disease, with a median survival of Methods and materials We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 26 patients who underwent definitive intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for DIPG at a single institution between 2007 and 2015. Three of these patients underwent reRT for progressive disease. Clinical endpoints, including progression-free survival and overall survival (OS), were assessed. We then performed a thorough PubMed search of the literature discussing reRT for patients with DIPG. Results Twenty-four of the 26 patients (92%) completed the initial course of radiation (54 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions using IMRT). Median age at diagnosis was 6.0 years (range, 2.0-26.5). With respect to systemic therapy, 1 (4.2%) received no systemic therapy, 1 (4.2%) received concurrent systemic therapy alone, 4 (16.7%) received adjuvant therapy alone, and 18 (75%) received a combination of concurrent and adjuvant therapy. Median follow-up time was 11 months from the date of initial diagnosis. Median OS for the cohort was 12 months, with a 1-year OS of 51%. The 3 patients who underwent reRT received 20 Gy in 10 daily fractions using IMRT alone with no treatment toxicity noted. Conclusions Radiation therapy is essential in the definitive management of DIPG. With advances in treatment techniques, it is feasible to reirradiate select patients with progressive disease; however, further research is warranted to optimize dose, delivery, and patient selection in the recurrent/progressive setting. In the future, it may be reasonable to propose more focal delivery of reRT (ie, hypofractionated radiation) in select patients with the goal of reducing treatment time and providing effective palliation.
The Effect of Acculturation on Extreme Response Style: A Mediation Analysis Among a Sample of Arab American Adults

Although the connection between culture and extreme response style (ERS) has received much attention from researchers, the relationship between acculturation and ERS has not been fully explored. This study utilizes the 2003 Detroit Arab American Study to examine the impact of acculturation of Arab Americans on ERS. The results indicate that less acculturated respondents are more prone to ERS than more acculturated respondents, and this is especially true for 5-point rating scales as compared to 3-point rating scales. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that less acculturated respondents identify more strongly with honor-based collectivist cultures that value decisive and assertive answers since this is a way of showing one’s unambiguous attitude and standing, an important quality in such culture. The language of interview (English, Arabic, or a combination of both) primes the relevant cultural norms and therefore mediates the relationship between acculturation and ERS.
Estimation of angular velocity and rate-gyro noise for sensor health monitoring

Based on an exact kinematics model, this paper considers two strategies aimed at diagnosing the health of a 3-axis rate gyro. In the first strategy, noisy attitude measurements are used to estimate angular velocity; comparing these estimates to the actual rate-gyro measurements provides the means for assessing the health of the rate gyro. In the second strategy, noisy attitude and angular velocity measurements are used to estimate the noise corrupting the rate-gyro measurements; analysis of the noise estimate provides an alternative means for assessing the health of the rate gyro. Both strategies are formulated as input and state estimation problems, where extended retrospective cost input estimation provides an estimate of the unknown input and the unscented Kalman filter provides the state estimate.
A Full-Duplex Bidirectional Amplifier With Low DC Power Consumption Using Tunnel Diodes

A low-power, switchless, full-duplex bidirectionalamplifier operating in the 915 MHz (ISM band) is proposed.It is composed of two identical reflection amplifiers and one90◦,−3dB Branch Line Coupler (BLC). The reflection ampli-fiers are designed using low DC power consumption tunnel diodesand provide a measured reflection gain of 13 dB with consumedpower of only 178μW for -30 dBm of incident signal power. Thesereflection amplifiers are integrated with a miniaturized BLC toform a bidirectional amplifier that provides 9 dB of measuredtransmission gain and 22 dB of measured return loss.
A Qualitative Analysis of Challenges and Successes in Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening.

Objective The objective of this study is to identify characteristics of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) practice that influence successful retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. Study Design In this qualitative study, top, improved, and bottom performing NICUs in the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative were identified based on ROP screening rates and invited to participate. NICU personnel were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. Using thematic analysis, key factors that influence ROP screening were identified. Results Themes found in top performing hospitals include a commitment to quality improvement, a committed ophthalmologist, and a system of double checks. Improved NICUs had a common theme of utilizing telemedicine for exams and identification of eligible neonates on admission. The bottom performing hospital struggled with education and identification of eligible neonates and a lack of a dedicated ophthalmologist. Conclusion Structure, culture, education, and commitment all contribute to the success of ROP screening in the NICU.
BETA ADRENERGIC AND DOPAMINE (DA) RECEPTORS IN BRAIN CAPILLARIES

ABSTRACT Adenylate cyclase in capillary fractions from rat cerebrum was activated by isoproterenol, l'norepinephrine (NE)>DA, salbutamol, terbutaline > dobutamine. These beta agonist responses were blocked by selective beta antagonists namely: propranolol (mixed beta-1 & 2)>butoxamine (beta2)>ractolol ( beta1 ). Capillary phosphodiesterase metabolized cyclic AMP over a wide concentration range. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) the capillary adenylate cyclase was less sensitive to the stimulation by beta agonists and DA than was observed in normotensive Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKY).
Differential effects of advanced age on neurologic and cardiac risks of coronary artery operations.

Two thousand patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively studied to compare the influence of age on the incidence of neurologic, cardiac, and other complications. Postoperative neurologic events were found in 56 (2.8%) patients, with an incidence in patients > or = 75 years (8.9%) more than twice that of patients 65 to 74 (3.6%) and nine times larger than in patients or = 75 years compared with those < 65. Patients with postoperative neurologic events had a ninefold increase in mortality--35.7% versus 4.0%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrate the most important predictors of a postoperative neurologic event to be age, preoperative neurologic abnormality, recent myocardial infarction, and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass. The risk of neurologic complications increases disproportionately to the risk of cardiac complications in the elderly undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Despite neurologic improvement (32 of 56 patients), a postoperative neurologic event was second only to low cardiac output state as the postoperative complication most highly associated with in-hospital death. These results are important for decisions regarding selection of candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting and for prediction of surgical outcome.
IRRADIATION OF HAYNES-25 AND INCONEL-X COMPRESSION SPRINGS IN HIGH- TEMPERATURE HIGH-PRESSURE WATER

Irradiation tests were performed on Haynes Stellite Alloy 25 and Inconel- X springs irradiated in the compressed condition in an in-pile high-temperature water loop. The loop was operated at 560 a 600 deg F and the springs of both materials received integrated fluxes of 5.9 x lO/sup 18/ and 4.2 x 10/sup 19/ mvt fast, respectively. Postirradiation testing and examinations revealed no serious deleterious effects resulting from these exposures. It was found the spring constant increased 5 to 8% after exposure and the free length decreased 2 to 3%. (auth)
Current Practice Patterns of Fellowship-Trained Arthroplasty Surgeons: Has the Influence of Fellowship Training Been Undervalued?

Abstract Background As the clinical and financial environments of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) have evolved over the last several decades so has the role of the surgeon in providing this care to patients. Our objective was to examine current practices and influential factors among fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons. Methods An electronic survey was sent to all surgeons who had completed one of the three high-volume adult reconstruction fellowships from the years 2007-2016. The survey consisted of 34 questions regarding current practice characteristics, case volumes for primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), use of advanced technologies, choice of surgical approach and implant design, factors influencing their choices, and their involvement in implant selection and contract negotiations. Results Questionnaires were sent to 53 surgeons; 52 were completed. Sixty percent of respondents performed at least 100 TKAs and 84% performed at least 50 THAs annually. Ninety-four percent use a single company’s implant for more than 90% of primary TKA and THA. Fellowship or residency experience was the most significant influence on TKA and THA implant selection for 62% and 45% of surgeons, respectively, while contracts of their current institution were the primary influence for 17% and 12%, respectively. Fifty-five percent of surgeons used some advanced technology of which 16% said this influenced their implant choice. Eighty-six percent perform the majority of cases at centers performing at least 200 TJAs per year, and 39% participate in implant contract negotiations. Conclusion Despite changes in the economic environment of TJA, this study demonstrates that experience with a specific implant during training, particularly fellowship, is the most influential factor for implant selection among fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons.
Probing Assessment Framework and Evaluation of Antiprobing Solutions

Probing attacks against integrated circuits has become a serious concern, especially for security-critical applications. With the help of modern circuit editing tools, an attacker could remove layers of materials and expose wires carrying sensitive on-chip assets, such as cryptographic keys and proprietary firmware, for probing. Most of the existing protection methods use an active shield that provides tamper-evident covers at the top-most metal layers to the circuitry below. However, they lack formal proofs of their effectiveness as some active shields have already been circumvented by hackers. In this paper, we investigate the problem of protection against front-side probing attacks and propose a framework to assess a design’s vulnerabilities against probing attacks. Metrics are developed to evaluate the resilience of designs to bypass an attack and reroute the attack, the two common techniques used to compromise an antiprobing mechanism. Exemplary assets from a system-on-chip layout are used to evaluate the proposed flow. The results show that long net and high layer wires are vulnerable to a probing attack equipped with high aspect ratio focused ion beam. Meanwhile, nets that occupy small area on the chip are probably compromised through rerouting shield wires. On the other hand, the multilayer internal orthogonal shield performs the best among common shield structures.
Cerebral Resuscitation After Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest (CA) is a sudden loss of heart function due to either a primary cardiac event such as myocardial event or secondary effect on the heart from neurological, respiratory, or metabolic causes. At the epicenter of the high mortality and morbidity from CA, is the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, which includes anoxic brain injury, myocardial dysfunction, and a systemic ischemia and reperfusion syndrome. Of these, perception of injury to the brain is the most common cause of death in two-thirds of patients with OHCA and a quarter of patients with IHCA. This chapter will review the clinical manifestation of brain injury after a cardiac arrest, the pathophysiology of brain injury in this setting, the management post-CA, and neuroprognostication of patients post-CA.
Reframing Immigration as an Issue of Freedom within the U.S. Classroom

Immigraiton is currently one of the most contentious issues in both the United States and in much of the world. In order to confront powerful xenophobic narratives, there have been theoretical arguments for a more open and inclusive immigration system. Most of the arguments for this more inclusive system are based in the ideas of compassion and justice. Though these ideas can be helpful in certain contexts, the contention of this article is that the idea of freedom is the most transformative framework for a more inclusive immigration system, particularly in the United States with its historical focus on individualism and liberty. This idea of immigration as a form of freedom is especially pertinent to introduce into the social studies classroom in the midst of the contentious debate on immigration. This articles both looks at the theoretical basis for reframing immigration as an issue of freedom and suggestions for how teachers can introduce this perspective to their students.
Evaluating unplanned readmission and prolonged length of stay following minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer

Abstract Objective To evaluate risk factors for 30-day unplanned readmission and increased length of stay (LOS) following minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for endometrial cancer. Methods This was a retrospective, case-control study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess perioperative variables associated with readmission and increased LOS after MIS for endometrial cancer. Results The study population included 10,840 patients who met the criteria of having undergone MIS with a resultant endometrial malignancy confirmed on postoperative pathology. Common reasons for readmission included organ/space surgical site infection (65 cases), sepsis/septic shock (19 cases), and venous thromboembolism (20 cases). Notable risk factors for readmission included (Odds Ratio, Confidence Interval, p-value): dialysis dependence (6.77, 2.51–17.80, 5 h (6.93, 5.29–9.25, Conclusions Identification of risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes is necessary to inform and improve standards of care in MIS for endometrial cancer. Using nationally reported data from the ACS NSQIP, this study identifies independent risk factors for unplanned readmission and prolonged LOS, and in doing so, highlights potential avenues for quality improvement.
Adapting Andersen’s expanded behavioral model of health services use to include older adults receiving long-term services and supports

Andersen’s Expanded Behavioral Model of Health Services Use describes factors associated with the use of long-term services and supports (LTSS). This model, however, has only been tested on the intent to use such services among African-American and White older adults and not the actual use. Given the increasing diversity of older adults in the U.S., the ability to conceptualize factors associated with actual use of LTSS across racial/ethnic groups is critical. We applied Andersen’s Expanded model in the analysis of 2006–2010 qualitative data using multiple methods to understand both the relevancy of factors for older adults who currently use LTSS vs. those who intend to use LTSS (as described in Andersen’s original exploration). We additionally explored differences in these factors across racial/ethnic groups and included Hispanic older adults in our analyses. Four additional constructs linked with actual LTSS use emerged: losses and changes, tangible support, capability to provide informal support, and accessibility of informal support. Racial differences were seen in level of participation in decisions to use nursing home services (Not involved: 45% African-Americans vs. 24% Whites). Reports of LTSS use to avoid burdening one’s family were greater among White older adults compared to African-American older adults. Findings around decision-making and burden along with other constructs enhance our understanding of determinants that influence actual LTSS use and require targeted interventions.
Matching Pursuit Based Dynamic Phase-Amplitude Coupling Measure

Long-distance neuronal communication in the brain is enabled by the interactions across various oscillatory frequencies. One interaction that is gaining importance during cognitive brain functions is phase amplitude coupling (PAC), where the phase of a slow oscillation modulates the amplitude of a fast oscillation. Current techniques for calculating PAC provide a numerical index that represents an average value across a pre-determined time window. However, there is growing empirical evidence that PAC is dynamic, varying across time. Current approaches to quantify time-varying PAC relies on computing PAC over sliding short time windows. This approach suffers from the arbitrary selection of the window length and does not adapt to the signal dynamics. In this paper, we introduce a data-driven approach to quantify dynamic PAC. The proposed approach relies on decomposing the signal using matching pursuit (MP) to extract time and frequency localized atoms that best describe the given signal. These atoms are then used to compute PAC across time and frequency. As the atoms are time and frequency localized, we only compute PAC across time and frequency regions determined by the selected atoms rather than the whole time-frequency range. The proposed approach is evaluated on both simulated and real electroencephalogram (EEG) signals.
Enzymic preparation of labeled phosphoryl choline, phosphoryl ethanolamine, cytidine diphosphate choline, deoxycytidine diphosphate choline, cytidine diphosphate ethanolamine, and deoxycytidine diphosphate ethanolamine

Abstract 1. 1. The enzymic synthesis of dCDP-ethanolamine, CDP-ethanolamine, dCDP-choline, CDP-choline, P-choline, and P-ethanolamine was studied in supernatant fractions of rat liver. 2. 2. Under optimum conditions, labeled precursors were converted to the desired products in yields raning from 50 to over 90%, and the compounds were isolated in highly purified form.
The Atrial Fibrillation Health Literacy Information Technology Trial: Pilot Trial of a Mobile Health App for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that adversely affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We conducted a pilot trial of individuals with AF using a smartphone to provide a relational agent as well as rhythm monitoring. We employed our pilot to measure acceptability and adherence and to assess its effectiveness in improving HRQoL and adherence. Objective: This study aims to measure acceptability and adherence and to assess its effectiveness to improve HRQoL and adherence. Methods: Participants were recruited from ambulatory clinics and randomized to a 30-day intervention or usual care. We collected baseline characteristics and conducted baseline and 30-day assessments of HRQoL using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT) measure and self-reported adherence to anticoagulation. The intervention consisted of a smartphone-based relational agent, which simulates face-to-face counseling and delivered content on AF education, adherence, and symptom monitoring with prompted rhythm monitoring. We compared differences in AFEQT and adherence at 30 days, adjusted for baseline values. We quantified participants’ use and acceptability of the intervention. Results: A total of 120 participants were recruited and randomized (59 to control and 61 to intervention) to the pilot trial (mean age 72.1 years, SD 9.10; 62/120, 51.7% women). The control group had a 95% follow-up, and the intervention group had a 93% follow-up. The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher improvement in total AFEQT scores (adjusted mean difference 4.5; 95% CI 0.6-8.3; P=.03) and in daily activity (adjusted mean difference 7.1; 95% CI 1.8-12.4; P=.009) compared with the control between baseline and 30 days. The intervention group showed significantly improved self-reported adherence to anticoagulation therapy at 30 days (intervention 3.5%; control 23.2%; adjusted difference 16.6%; 95% CI 2.8%-30.4%; P<.001). Qualitative assessments of acceptability identified that participants found the relational agent useful, informative, and trustworthy. Conclusions: Individuals randomized to a 30-day smartphone intervention with a relational agent and rhythm monitoring showed significant improvement in HRQoL and adherence. Participants had favorable acceptability of the intervention with both objective use and qualitative assessments of acceptability.
Paraguayan Indigenous Peoples and the Challenge of Citizenship

We consider that citizenship education policies should be a product of a socially informed process where we must question whether it is possible to build a dialogue between cultures that do not share the same world-view. We must therefore reflect critically on what has resulted from the meeting of cultures in Latin America, and understand the fundamental knowledge of Indigenous Peoples which relates to their specific conceptualization of citizen education. This leads us to rethink the meaning of education, participation and the relationships between humans and the environment.
A Modified Energy Statistic for Unsupervised Anomaly Detection

For prognostics in industrial applications, the degree of anomaly of a test point from a baseline cluster is estimated using a statistical distance metric. Among different statistical distance metrics, energy distance is an interesting concept based on Newton’s Law of Gravitation, promising simpler computation than classical distance metrics. In this paper, we review the state of the art formulations of energy distance and point out several reasons why they are not directly applicable to the anomaly-detection problem. Thereby, we propose a new energy-based metric called the P-statistic which addresses these issues, is applicable to anomaly detection and retains the computational simplicity of the energy distance. We also demonstrate its effectiveness on a real-life data-set.
Afterword: Final Thoughts About International Policing and Peacekeeping

This chapter summarises the discussion and findings from the previous chapters and highlights the apparent weaknesses and challenges often observed in the common approaches to international peacekeeping and related rule of law and police reform efforts. A number of significant recommendations for future police peacekeeping and post-conflict reform deployments are outlined.
On the roles of heterochromatin and euchromatin in meiosis in drosophila: mapping chromosomal pairing sites and testing candidate mutations for effects on X-Y nondisjunction and meiotic drive in male meiosis.

Mapping of pairing sites involved in meiotic homolog disjunction in Drosophilahas led to conflicting hypotheses about the nature of such sites and the role of heterochromatin in meiotic pairing. In the female-specific distributive system, pairing regions appear to be exclusively heterochromatic and map to broad regions encompassing many different sequences. In male meiosis, autosomal pairing sites appear to be distributed broadly within euchromatin but to be absent from heterochromatin, whereas the X-pairing site maps in the centric heterochromatin. The X site has been shown to coincide with the intergenic spacer (IGS) repeats within the rDNA arrays shared between the X and Y. It has not been clear whether the heterochromatic location of this pairing site has any significance. A novel assay for genic modifiers of X–Y chromosome pairing was developed based on the intermediate nondisjunction levels observed in males whose X chromosome lacks the native pairing site but contains two transgenic insertions of single rDNA genes. This assay was used to test several mutations in Su(var)(Suppressor of position effect variegation), PcG(Polycomb-Group) recombination defective, and repair-defective genes. No strong effects on disjunction were seen. However, the tests did uncover several mutations that suppress or enhance the meiotic drive (distorted X-Y recovery ratio) that accompanies X–Y pairing failure.
Satisfiability Modulo Theories

Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) refers to the problem of determining whether a first-order formula is satisfiable with respect to some logical theory. Solvers based on SMT are used as back-end engines in model-checking applications such as bounded, interpolation-based, and predicate-abstraction-based model checking. After a brief illustration of these uses, we survey the predominant techniques for solving SMT problems with an emphasis on the lazy approach, in which a propositional satisfiability (SAT) solver is combined with one or more theory solvers. We discuss the architecture of a lazy SMT solver, give examples of theory solvers, show how to combine such solvers modularly, and mention several extensions of the lazy approach. We also briefly describe the eager approach in which the SMT problem is reduced to a SAT problem. Finally, we discuss how the basic framework for determining satisfiability can be extended with additional functionality such as producing models, proofs, unsatisfiable cores, and interpolants.
Hands-on instruction: the iPad self-guided library tour

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how librarians at the State University of New York College at Buffalo used iPads during one class session of a semester-long library instruction course to increase student engagement, energize the traditional library tour, build collaboration and give students experience using tablet technology in an educational setting. Design/methodology/approach – Librarians provided iPads to groups of students and sent them to photograph different areas of the library during one class session of a semester-long course. Students then uploaded the photographs to a common Web site for class discussion. Findings – Formal and informal student feedback was positive. Students connected with the instructors and with each other, enjoyed discovering library spaces and services and became more comfortable with tablet technology. The project also increased student enthusiasm for the class. Originality/value – This paper is the first to systematically describe a simple activity th...
HZE Reactions and Data-Base Development

The primary cosmic rays are dispersed over a large range of linear energy transfer (LET) values and their distribution over LET is a determinant of biological response. This LET distribution is modified by radiation shielding thickness and shield material composition. The current uncertainties in nuclear cross sections will not allow the composition of the shield material to be distinguished in order to minimize biological risk. An overview of the development of quantum mechanical models of heavy ion reactions will be given and computational results compared with experiments. A second approach is the development of phenomenological models from semi-classical considerations. These models provide the current data base in high charge and energy (HZE) shielding studies. They will be compared with available experimental data. The background material for this lecture will be available as a review document of over 30 years of research at Langley but will include new results obtained over the last year.
ATM-mediated phosphorylation activates the tumor-suppressive function of B56γ–PP2A

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a family of heterotrimeric protein phosphatases that has a multitude of functions inside the cell, acting through various substrate targets in cell-signaling pathways. Recent evidence suggests that a subset of PP2A holoenzymes function as tumor suppressors and one particular family of B subunits, B56, are implicated in this function. However, the regulatory mechanisms that govern activation of B56-PP2A tumor-suppressive function have not been elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrate that ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) directly phosphorylates and specifically regulates B56γ3, B56γ2 and B56δ, after DNA damage. We further show that phosphorylation of B56γ3 at Ser510 leads to an increase in B56γ3-PP2A complexes, and direction of PP2A phosphatase activity toward the substrate p53, activating its tumor-suppressive functions. In addition, we found that under cell growth conditions B56γ3 is kept at low levels through the actions of the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2, and, importantly, phosphorylation of B56γ3 by ATM leads to upregulation of the protein by blocking MDM2-mediated B56γ3 ubiquitination. Finally, we show that Ser510 phosphorylation significantly enhances the ability of B56γ3 to inhibit cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. These results provide mechanistic insight into the regulation of PP2A tumor-suppressive function, and suggest a model for parallel regulation of p53 and B56γ3.
Omni-directional dielectric mirrors

An omni-directional dielectric mirror (also known as a one-dimensional photonic bandgap crystal) exhibits 100% reflectivity at all angles of incidence and for all states of incident polarization. Unlike metallic mirrors, which absorb a small fraction of the incident optical power, dielectric reflectors are lossless. These properties make omni-directional dielectric mirrors ideal candidates for applications in which a beam of light in an unknown or unpredictable polarization state is likely to arrive at the mirror from any direction, and in which loss of light at the mirror, no matter how small, is deemed intolerable. A good example is provided by the walls of an optical waveguide. Since there are numerous reflections from the wall as a beam of light travels through, even small losses at each encounter with a wall rapidly deplete the beam's energy. A typical omni-directional reflector is a periodic stack of bilayers, each bilayer consisting of a high-index and a low-index dielectric layer. The larger the refractive indices of the available dielectrics (and also the larger the difference between these indices), the easier it is to design the reflector. For example, if the two materials available for fabricating a stack of bilayers have indices n 1 = 1.5 and n 2 = 2.0, it is impossible to obtain omni-directionality for both p- and s-polarized light. However, with n 1 = 1.5 and n 2 ≥ 2.3, an omni-directional reflector can be designed.
Sodium Excretion Influences Calcium Homeostasis in Elderly Men and Women

This study was conducted to compare associations between urinary sodium and calcium in elderly men and women, overall and by level of calcium intake, and to examine associations between urinary sodium excretion and bone mineral density in the same population. Healthy men (n = 249) and women (n = 665) over age 65 y had measurements of 24-h urinary sodium and calcium and spine, hip, and whole-body bone mineral density. Urinary sodium and calcium excretion were significantly correlated in men (r = 0.42, P = 0.0001) and women (r = 0.26, P = 0.0001), but the regression coefficient was greater in men than in women (beta = 0.017 vs. 0.010, P = 0.007). Within each gender, associations between 24-h urinary sodium and calcium were similar and significant at intermediate and high calcium intakes but were not significant at very low intake levels. Urinary sodium was not correlated with bone mineral density. In conclusion, in healthy elderly men and women, urinary sodium and calcium excretion are linked at moderate and high dietary calcium intakes but not at low calcium intakes. For a given sodium excretion, elderly men excrete more calcium than women.
Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1α Mediates Neural Progenitor Cell Motility after Focal Cerebral Ischemia:

In the adult rodent, stroke induces an increase in endogenous neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and neuroblasts migrate towards the ischemic boundary. We investigated the role of stromal cell-derived factor 1alpha (SDF-1alpha) in mediating NPC migration after stroke. We found that cultured NPCs harvested from the normal adult SVZ, when they were overlaid onto stroke brain slices, exhibited significantly (P<0.01) increased migration (67.2+/-25.2 microm) compared with the migration on normal brain slices (29.5+/-29.5 microm). Immunohistochemistry showed that CXCR 4, a receptor of SDF-1alpha, is expressed in the NPCs and migrating neuroblasts in stroke brain. Blocking SDF-1alpha by a neutralizing antibody against CXCR 4 significantly attenuated stroke-enhanced NPC migration. ELISA analysis revealed that SDF-1alpha levels significantly increased (P<0.01) in the stroke hemisphere (43.6+/-6.5 pg/mg) when compared with the normal brain (25.2+/-1.9 pg/mg). Blind-well chamber assays showed that SDF-1alpha enhanced NPC migration in a dose-dependent manner with maximum migration at a dose of 500 ng/mL. In addition, SDF-1alpha induced directionally selective migration. These findings show that SDF-1alpha generated in the stroke hemisphere may guide NPC migration towards the ischemic boundary via binding to its receptor CXCR 4 in the NPC. Thus, our data indicate that SDF-1alpha/CXCR 4 is important for mediating specific migration of NPCs to the site of ischemic damaged neurons.
Electrophysiological effects of disopyramide phosphate during experimental myocardial ischemia.

Abstract In order to correlate the antiarrhythmic and electrophysiological effects of disopyramide phosphate during acute myocardial ischemia, we performed experiments in 17 mongrel dogs. Refractory periods obtained by the extrastimulus method and conduction times recorded from local electrograms were determined in potentially ischemic and nonischemic areas prior to, after left anterior descending coronary occlusion, and following intravenous administration of disopyramide phosphate 3 mg./Kg. Control refractory periods were similar in both nonischemic and ischemic areas. Following coronary ligation, a disparity of refractoriness of 28 msec. was induced between these two areas. After disopyramide administration, this disparity was reduced from 28 msec. to 5 msec. (p
Asymmetric Synthesis of (−)-Nupharamine and (−)-(5S,8R,9S)-5-(3-Furyl)-8-methyloctahydroindolizidine from β-Amino Ketones and the Intramolecular Mannich Reaction

The asymmetric synthesis of the 2,3,6-trisubstituted piperidine core of the antitumor Nuphar alkaloids was readily achieved by using the intramolecular Mannich reaction and a sulfinimine-derived beta-amino ketone.
Influence of temperature on knockdown, toxicity, and resistance to pyrethroids in the house fly, Musca domestica

Abstract Knockdown (KD), toxicity, and resistance to bioallethrin, permethrin, flucythrinate, and cypermethrin in Musca domestica were examined at 18, 25, and 32°C in a susceptible strain (NAIDM), a resistant strain (KDR) with a known resistance mechanism ( kdr ), and a multiple resistant strain (Learn) with unknown resistance mechanism(s). Penetration and recovery from KD occurred more rapidly at higher temperatures. All four pyrethroids showed greater kill at 18 than at 32°C, although the differences varied with the compounds and, to a lesser extent, with the strains. Two main reasons are implicated for this observed negative temperature coefficient (negative TC): rate of metabolism/excretion/redistribution (MER) and reactivity at the site of action. The negative TC of permethrin and bioallethrin appears due to both MER and target site interactions, while that of flucythrinate and cypermethrin is likely due primarily to increasing MER with increasing temperature. Analysis of KD data in the KDR strain indicates that the kdr mechanism itself probably has no TC. There was a negative TC to resistance based on 24-hr LD 50 s in both the KDR and Learn strains to flucythrinate and cypermethrin while the effect of temperature on resistance to bioallethrin and permethrin varied. The relevance of these findings on the field use of pyrethroids is briefly discussed.
Military Interrogation: What Did We Learn?

This concluding statement reflects on the November 2006 meeting of four senior military interrogators and seven research psychologists. This article discusses (a) the extent to which the psychologists provide analyses that further the interrogators' goal of convincing authorities that abusive interrogation must cease; and (b) a series of implications for the field of psychology as well as its theory, research, and practice.
Re: What is the Clinical Significance of FDG Unexpected Uptake in the Prostate in Patients Undergoing PET/CT for Other Malignancies?

Purpose. To determine the clinical significance of unexpected, abnormal FDG uptake in the prostate in patients undergoing FDGPET/CT for staging of other primary malignancies without a prior history of prostate carcinoma.Methods. Retrospective search of FDG-PET/CT studies to identify patientswith unexpected, abnormal FDGuptake in the prostate gland,whounderwent subsequent biopsy, was performed. 26 patients were identified. Images were reviewed to determine the pattern of uptake within the prostate (focal or diffuse) andmaximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). PSA and Gleason scores were recorded. Results. 15/26 (58%) patients were found to have prostate carcinoma. Gleason scores ranged from 6 to 9.9. There was no statistical difference in the pattern of uptake (focal versus diffuse) or the SUVmax. Serum PSA levels with cancer (range, 2–26.8 ng; mean, 10.2 ng) and those without cancer (range, 2–10.5 ng; mean, 2.2 ng) were statistically significant (P < 0.007, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Conclusions. Patients with abnormal uptake in the prostate have a 58% likelihood of occult prostate cancer. In the setting of elevated serum PSA levels, abnormal prostate uptake should therefore be viewed with suspicion and a urology consult should be obtained; however, it is irrelevant in patients with underlying aggressive malignancies.
Whole-plant physiological and yield responses of maize to plant density

Modern compared with older maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids tolerate more plant density stress, but more information is required on how modern hybrids interact with plant density. Field experiments were established in 1991 (warm-dry) and 1992 (cool-wet) to evaluate whole-plant physiological, dry matter (DM), and grain yield responses of four commercial hybrids at low (4.5 plants m -2 ), medium (6.75), and high (9.0) plant densities. As plant density increased, leaf CO2 exchange rates (CER) declined 10 to 20% under mild and 20 to 30% under warm dry conditions. Compared with the high plant density, the low plant density had a 40% lower leaf area index from midvegetative to early grain filling, which offset higher photosynthetic efficiency, resulting in lower crop growth rates during vegetative development and 25% less DM accumulation at silking. When averaged across hybrids, the low plant density averaged 15% lower DM and grain yields than the high plant density. Hybrid x plant density interactions were observed for DM and grain yields. The more prolific hybrids showed mostly linear DM and grain yield responses to plant density, whereas a single-eared hybrid showed quadratic responses in both years. Another single-eared hybrid, which did not respond to density, had low leaf CER at all densities, a reduction in kernels per plant at the medium density, and increased barrenness at the high plant density in 1991. Apparently, modern hybrids interact with plant density, regardless of growing conditions, and some modern hybrids do not tolerate density stress in dry years.