cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation of perioperative risk scores with hospital costs in neurosurgical patients.

OBJECTIVE The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) online surgical risk calculator uses inherent patient characteristics to provide predictive risk scores for adverse postoperative events. The purpose of this study was to determine if predicted perioperative risk scores correlate with actual hospital costs. METHODS A single-center retrospective review of 1005 neurosurgical patients treated between September 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014, was performed. Individual patient characteristics were entered into the NSQIP calculator. Predicted risk scores were compared with actual in-hospital costs obtained from a billing database. Correlational statistics were used to determine if patients with higher risk scores were associated with increased in-hospital costs. RESULTS The Pearson correlation coefficient (R) was used to assess the correlation between 11 types of predicted complication risk scores and 5 types of encounter costs from 1005 health encounters involving neurosurgical procedures. Risk scores in categories such as any complication, serious complication, pneumonia, cardiac complication, surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, venous thromboembolism, renal failure, return to operating room, death, and discharge to nursing home or rehabilitation facility were obtained. Patients with higher predicted risk scores in all measures except surgical site infection were found to have a statistically significant association with increased actual in-hospital costs (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS Previous work has demonstrated that the ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator can accurately predict mortality after neurosurgery but is poorly predictive of other potential adverse events and clinical outcomes. However, this study demonstrates that predicted high-risk patients identified by the ACS NSQIP surgical risk calculator have a statistically significant moderate correlation to increased actual in-hospital costs. The NSQIP calculator may not accurately predict the occurrence of surgical complications (as demonstrated previously), but future iterations of the ACS universal risk calculator may be effective in predicting actual in-hospital costs, which could be advantageous in the current value-based healthcare environment.
Freshman physical activity constraints are related to the current health behaviors and outcomes of college upperclassmen.

Objective: Examine differences in physical activity (PA) constraints experienced as freshmen among college upperclassmen based on sex, race/ethnicity, adiposity, and fitness. Participants and metho...
Abraham Lincoln’s evolving appreciation of the declaration of independence

A scholarly consensus has emerged in recent years that the Declaration of Independence was the “apple of gold” in Abraham Lincoln’s anti-slavery political thought and moral grounding. Prior to Cong...
Monitoring internal corrosion in steel pipelines: a two-step helical guided wave approach for localization and quantification:

This article presents a two-step approach for the assessment of internal corrosion in cylindrical structures using helical guided ultrasonic waves. The approach consists of two steps such as (1) lo...
Non-endemic skeletal fluorosis: Causes and associated secondary hyperparathyroidism (case report and literature review).

Abstract Skeletal fluorosis (SF) is endemic primarily in regions with fluoride (F)-contaminated well water, but can reflect other types of chronic F exposure. Calcium (Ca) and vitamin D (D) deficiency can exacerbate SF. A 51-year-old man with years of musculoskeletal pain and opiate use was hypocalcemic with secondary hyperparathyroidism upon manifesting recurrent long bone fractures. He smoked cigarettes, drank large amounts of cola beverage, and consumed little dietary Ca. Then, after 5 months of Ca and D3 supplementation, serum 25(OH)D was 21 ng/mL (Nl, 30–100), corrected serum Ca had normalized from 7.8 to 9.4 mg/dL (Nl, 8.5–10.1), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) had decreased from 1080 to 539 U/L (Nl, 46–116), yet parathyroid hormone (PTH) had increased from 133 to 327 pg/mL (Nl, 8.7–77.1). Radiographs revealed generalized osteosclerosis and a cystic lesion in a proximal femur. DXA BMD Z-scores were +7.4 and +0.4 at the lumbar spine and “1/3” radius, respectively. Bone scintigraphy showed increased uptake in two ribs, periarticular areas, and proximal left femur at the site of a subsequent atraumatic fracture. Elevated serum collagen type I C-telopeptide 2513 pg/mL (Nl, 87–345) and osteocalcin >300 ng/mL (Nl, 9–38) indicated rapid bone turnover. Negative studies included hepatitis C Ab, prostate-specific antigen, serum and urine electrophoresis, and Ion Torrent mutation analysis for dense or high-turnover skeletal diseases. After discovering markedly elevated F concentrations in his plasma [4.84 mg/L (Nl, 0.02–0.08)] and spot urine [42.6 mg/L (Nl, 0.2–3.2)], a two-year history emerged of “huffing” computer cleaner containing difluoroethane. Non-decalcified histology of a subsequent right femur fracture showed increased osteoblasts and osteoclasts and excessive osteoid. A 24-hour urine collection contained 27 mg/L F (Nl, 0.2–3.2) and
Seeking Information: A Survey of Rural Spinal Patients' Internet Use and Pain Catastrophizing.

Objective Clinicians are beginning to evaluate the effects that Internet use has on patients. The aim of this study is to provide descriptive information on patients’ use of the Internet in regard to their spinal pain. Additionally, this study aims to examine the patient’s type of Internet usage (information vs. support) and its relationship to pain-related distress. Materials and Methods This quantitative-descriptive, survey-based, correlational, cross-sectional design surveyed 143 spinal surgery patients from the Appalachian region. Participants were administered a demographic questionnaire, the pain catastrophizing scale, and an Internet Use and Spine Patients Questionnaire. Descriptive information on patient Internet use was collected through a retrospective recall of the participants’ Internet use and was analyzed utilizing a frequency distribution. A Pearson ( r ) correlation was conducted to determine the relationship between Internet use and the severity of pain catastrophizing. Results Spinal surgery patients more frequently use the Internet for information than for support. For the individuals who do utilize the Internet for information, most are finding this tool to be somewhat helpful. For spinal patients who do use the Internet for support, there was a positively correlated relationship with magnification, helplessness, and overall pain catastrophizing. Conclusion Patients who present for spinal surgery are generally using the Internet to gain information on their diagnoses. Pain catastrophizing was elevated in relation to Internet use for support. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Association of HLA class I homozygosity with unfavorable clinical outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line therapy

Abstract Background Homozygosity at HLA-I locus has been reported to be an unfavorable predictive biomarker of second-line or beyond immunotherapy in patients with different types of cancer. The linkage between HLA-I zygosity and survival in NSCLC patients treated with first-line immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy has not been reported. Methods Next generation sequencing with HLA genotyping was performed for patients with advanced NSCLC treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors with or without chemotherapy as first-line (N = 29). Progression free survival was compared between HLA-I homozygous (defined as homozygosity in at least one locus A, B, or C) and heterozygous patients. Kaplan-Meier curves were built, and log-rank test was used. Results Among 29 enrollees, 25 patients (86.2%) were HLA-I heterozygous and four patients (13.8%) were HLA-I homozygous. Treatment response was not available in five patients with HLA-I heterozygosity. Among 20 patients with HLA-I heterozygosity, five patients (20.0%) had partial response, 10 patients (50.0%) had stable disease, two patients (8.0%) had non-complete response/non-progressive disease, and three patients (12.0%) had progressive disease. Among four patients with HLA-I heterozygosity, one patient (25.0%) had partial response, one patient (25.0%) had stable disease, and two patients (50.0%) had progressive disease. The median progression free survival was not reached in heterozygous group and was 2.97 months in homozygous group (log-rank p = 0.68). Conclusions We observed a trend toward an inverse association between HLA-I homozygosity and survival outcomes in patients with NSCLC treated with first-line therapy containing immunotherapy. Further prospective studies to validate such a relationship are warranted.
Epigenetic down-regulation of microRNA-126 in scleroderma endothelial cells is associated with impaired responses to VEGF and defective angiogenesis.

Impaired angiogenesis in scleroderma (SSc) is a critical component of SSc pathology. MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) is expressed in endothelial cells (MVECs) where it regulates VEGF responses by repressing the negative regulators of VEGF, including the sprouty-related protein-1 (SPRED1), and phosphoinositide-3 kinase regulatory subunit 2 (PIK3R2). MVECs were isolated from SSc skin and matched subjects (n = 6). MiR-126 expression was measured by qPCR and in situ hybridization. Matrigel-based tube assembly was used to test angiogenesis. MiR-126 expression was inhibited by hsa-miR-126 inhibitor and enhanced by hsa-miR-126 Mimic. Epigenetic regulation of miR-126 expression was examined by the addition of epigenetic inhibitors (Aza and TSA) to MVECs and by bisulphite genomic sequencing of DNA methylation of the miR-126 promoter region. MiR-126 expression, as well as EGFL7 (miR-126 host gene), in SSc-MVECs and skin, was significantly down-regulated in association with increased expression of SPRED1 and PIK3R2 and diminished response to VEGF. Inhibition of miR-126 in NL-MVECs resulted in reduced angiogenic capacity, whereas overexpression of miR-126 in SSc-MVECs resulted in enhanced tube assembly. Addition of Aza and TSA normalized miR-126 and EGFL7 expression levels in SSc-MVECs. Heavy methylation in miR-126/EGFL7 gene was noted. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the down-regulation of miR-126 results in impaired VEGF responses.
Gluconate metabolism and gas production by Paucilactobacillus wasatchensis WDC04.

ABSTRACT Paucilactobacillus wasatchensis, a nonstarter lactic acid bacteria, can cause late gas production and splits and cracks in aging cheese when it metabolizes 6-carbon substrates, particularly galactose, to a 5-carbon sugar, resulting in the release of CO2. Previous studies have not explained late gas production in aging cheese when no galactose is present. Based on the genome sequence of Pa. wasatchensis WDC04, genes for potential metabolic pathways were mapped using knowledgebase predictive biology software. This metabolic modeling predicted Pa. wasatchensis WDC04 could metabolize gluconate. Gluconate contains 6 carbons, and Pa. wasatchensis WDC04 contains genes to convert it to 6-P-gluconate and then to ribulose-5-P by using 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in a decarboxylating step, producing CO2 during its metabolism. The goal of this study was to determine if sodium gluconate, often added to cheese to reduce calcium lactate crystal formation, could be metabolized by Pa. wasatchensis WDC04, resulting in gas production. Carbohydrate-restricted DeMan, Rogosa, and Sharpe broth was mixed with varying ratios of ribose, sodium gluconate, or d -galactose (total added substrate content of 1% wt/vol). Oxyrase (Oxyrase Inc.; 1.8% vol/vol) was also used to mimic the anaerobic environment of cheese aging in selected tubes. Tubes were inoculated with a 4-d culture of Pa. wasatchensis WDCO4, and results were recorded over 8 d. When inoculated into carbohydrate-restricted DeMan, Rogosa, and Sharpe broth containing only sodium gluconate as the added substrate, Pa. wasatchensis WDC04 grew, confirming gluconate utilization. Of the 10 ratios used, Pa. wasatchensis WDC04 produced gas in 6 scenarios, with the most gas production resulting from the ratio of 100% sodium gluconate with no added ribose or galactose. It was confirmed that obligately heterofermentative nonstarter lactobacilli such as Pa. wasatchensis WDC04 can utilize sodium gluconate to produce CO2 gas. Addition of sodium gluconate to cheese thus becomes another risk factor for unwanted gas production and formation of slits and cracks.
Molecular imaging of plant-microbe interactions on the Brachypodium seed surface.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play a crucial role in biological control and pathogenic defense on and within plant tissues, however the mechanisms by which plants associate with PGPR to elicit such beneficial effects need further study. Here, we present time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging of Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) seeds with and without exposure to two model PGPR, i.e., Gram-negative Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 (P.) and Gram-positive Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6 (A.). Delayed image extraction was used to image PGPR-treated seed sections to reveal morphological changes. ToF-SIMS spectral comparison, principal component analysis (PCA), and two-dimensional (2D) imaging show that the selected PGPR have different effects on the host seed surface, resulting in changes in chemical composition and morphology. Metabolite products and biomarkers, such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), were identified on the PGPR-treated seed surfaces. These compounds have different distributions on the Brachypodium seed surface for the two PGPR, indicating that the different bacteria elicit distinct responses from the host. Our results illustrate that ToF-SIMS is an effective tool to study plant–microbe interactions and to provide insightful information with submicrometer lateral resolution of the chemical distributions associated with morphological features, potentially offering a new way to study the mechanisms underlying beneficial roles of PGPR.
Abstract 04: Growth Arrest Specific 6 And Axl Signaling Coordinate Endothelial Cell And Immune Cell Activation To Promote Inflammation And Hypertension.

Endothelial cells (ECs) activated by hypertensive (10%) cyclical stretch releases factors including IL-6 and hydrogen peroxide that stimulate the conversion of human monocytes to an intermediate in...
Artificial light at night alters the seasonal responses of biting mosquitoes.

Abstract Urban light pollution caused by artificial light at night (ALAN) profoundly affects the ecology, behavior, and physiology of plants and animals. Further, this widespread environmental pollutant has the potential to negatively impact human and animal health by changing the seasonal dynamics of disease-transmitting insects. In response to short days, females of the Northern house mosquito enter an overwintering dormancy, or diapause. While in diapause, female mosquitoes divert energy away from reproduction, cease blood-feeding, and no longer transmit disease. We demonstrate that exposure to dim ALAN (~4 lx) causes female mosquitoes to avert diapause and become reproductively active, as these females acquired less fat content, developed larger egg follicles, imbibed vertebrate blood, and produced viable eggs and larvae. Our findings suggest that mosquitoes in highly light-polluted areas such as cities may be actively reproducing and biting later in the season, thereby extending the period of disease risk for urban residents. Our results suggest that ALAN should be considered when modeling mosquito abundance, disease risk, and when deciding how long mosquito surveillance and control should persist in temperate regions.
The Disappearance of Domestic Servants and the Underground Economy

Several papers have reported a sharp rise in the relative size of the underground economy in the U.S. beginning in the late 1960s. This paper examines this issue for one particular segment of the economy, the employment of domestic servants. There was a sharp decline in both the relative level and the absolute level of employment of household workers, starting in 1964. Moreover, on prima facie grounds, household employment seems an obvious candidate for underreporting, since it is very easy not to report earned income. A model is developed to relate household worker employment to traditional consumer demand variables. The outcome of the study is that the decline in the employment of household workers can be well explained by these traditional variables.
Morphology of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: historical perspectives.

About 2/3 of gastrointestinal stromal tumors occur in the stomach and about 1/5 in the small intestine with few in the rectum, colon, and esophagus. Their cells are related to the interstitial cells of Cajal. They differ by site in terms of cell type and growth pattern. Benign and malignant tumors are separated based on their light microscopic appearances, size as measured by innumerable pathologists and assistants and mitotic counts. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;104:874–881. 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deleterious Effect of CTLA4‐Ig on a Treg‐Dependent Transplant Model

Blockade of the B7:CD28 costimulatory pathway has emerged as a promising therapy to prevent allograft rejection. However, results from the belatacept phase III clinical trial demonstrated a higher rejection rate when compared to cyclosporine, raising concern about potential deleterious effects of this agent. In this study, we investigated the consequences of B7:CD28 blockade by hCTLA4Ig on regulator T cell (Treg) generation in different major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatch transplant models. Administration of hCTLA4Ig significantly decreased the amount of Tregs in B6 WT animals and this effect was predominant in thymus-induced Tregs (Helios(+) ). Although hCTLA4Ig prevented rejection in a fully allogeneic mismatch model, it accelerated rejection in a MHC class-II mismatch model (MST = 26, p < 0.0001), in which long-term allograft survival is dependent on Tregs. This accelerated rejection was associated with a marked reduction in thymus-induced Tregs and led to a higher effector/regulatory T-cell ratio in secondary lymphoid organs and in the allograft. This study confirms the importance of the B7:CD28 pathway in Treg homeostasis in an in vivo transplant model and suggests that hCTLA4Ig therapy may be deleterious in circumstances where engraftment is dependent on Tregs.
On Their Best Behaviour: Foreign Plaintiffs in Chinese Administrative Litigation

Supporters of the rights hypothesis argue that rule of law is a prerequisite for development while others cite East Asian examples to argue that appropriate institutions have allowed for growth without a strong legal system. Empirical studies have found evidence for both theories, but tend to be narrowly focused on the initial decision of when, where, and how much to invest. Based on 178 interviews and newly analyzed official data, this paper examines how foreign investors actually interact with the legal system of the world’s largest developing country, the People’s Republic of China. It finds that the presence of foreign investors and legal professionals has facilitated the creation of an impartial intellectual property tribunal in Beijing. Outside this tribunal, multinationals fail to make use of administrative courts, preferring extralegal special treatment that sometimes allows them to skirt inconvenient laws and limits their potential contribution to China’s rule of law.
Comparison of the Catalytic and Immunological Properties of β-Glucosidases from Three Strains of Saccharomyces lactis

β-Glucosidase from Saccharomyces lactis strains Y-123 (Bh), Y-14 (Bm), and Y-1057A (B1) was partially purified. The pH optima, Michaelis constants, and activation energies were determined for the hydrolysis of p-nitro-phenyl-β-d-glucoside by each of the enzymes. Differences among these constants were not enough to account for the low specific activity of β-glucosidase in strains Y-14 and Y-1057A. Enzyme-inhibitor constants were measured for a series of alkyl and aryl glucosides. In general, the three enzymes are arylglucosidases. Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane inhibited all three enzymes in an uncompetitive fashion. The inhibition was antagonized by Mg++. An antiserum was prepared to the highly purified (200-fold) β-glucosidase from strain Y-123. The nature and degree of cross-reaction between the three β-glucosidases was investigated by double diffusion in agar and neutralization tests. Spur formation in the immunodiffusion tests and similar equivalence points in the neutralization tests indicated a strong degree of cross-reaction between the three enzymes. The ratio of enzyme activity to antigenicity was used to compare the relative molecular activity of β-glucosidase in the three strains. Each strain produced the same amount of β-glucosidase per milligram of cell protein. The results are consistent either with a lower turnover number for the β-glucosidase in strains Y-14 and Y-1057A or with the production of β-glucosidase with a “normal” turnover number and enough cross-reacting material to effectively reduce the specific activity to the observed levels.
Evening the Playing Field: Tailoring the Allocation of the Burden of Proof at IDEA Due Process Hearings to Balance Chldren's Rights and Schools' Needs

The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (the "IDEA") is a broad federal mandate intended to make a "free appropriate public education" available to all disabled students. More importantly, however, the IDEA encourages schools to enable parents to collaborate with their child's educators. In the event that parents and educators disagree about a child's educational plan, the IDEA channels this conflict through an administrative appeals process. But despite the fact that the IDEA's due process hearing is one of its most prominent procedural safeguards, the IDEA fails to specify which party bears the burden of proof during the proceedings. The existing conflict of authority regarding the allocation of the burden of proof at due process hearings must be resolved in order achieve the IDEA's mandate. A modified burden-shifting scheme would best mirror the IDEA's delicate balancing of the rights of disabled children and the need to impose a realistic mandate on school districts.
Brine film thicknesses on mica surfaces under geologic CO2 sequestration conditions and controlled capillary pressures

[1] Brine films remaining on mineral surfaces in deep reservoirs during CO2 sequestration are expected to influence multiphase flow, diffusion, and reactions, but little is known about their behavior. Using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF), we measured thicknesses of KCsI2 brine films on two difference roughness mica surfaces under conditions representative of geological CO2 sequestration (7.8 MPa and 40°C) to understand the influences of mineral surface roughness and capillary potential. Brine thicknesses measured on the Mica 1 (smooth) and Mica 2 (rough) mica surfaces ranged from 23 to 8 nm and 491 to 412 nm, respectively, over the small range of tested capillary potentials (0.18–3.7 kPa). Within these potentials, brine film thicknesses on mica were governed by surface roughness and only weakly influenced by capillary potentials. In comparing drainage and rewetting isotherms, some film thickness hysteresis was observed, possibly indicative of changes in mica wettability.
Runaway accretion of metals from compact debris disks onto white dwarfs

It was recently proposed that metal-rich white dwarfs (WDs) accrete their metals from compact debris disks found to exist around more than a dozen of them. At the same time, elemental abundances measured in atmospheres of some WDs imply vigorous metal accretion at rates up to $10^{11}$ g/s, far in excess of what can be supplied solely by Poynting-Robertson drag acting on such debris disks. To explain this observation we propose a model, in which rapid transport of metals from the disk onto the WD naturally results from interaction between this particulate disk and spatially coexisting disk of metallic gas. The latter is fed by evaporation of debris particles at the sublimation radius located at several tens of WD radii. Because of pressure support gaseous disk orbits WD slower than particulate disk. Resultant azimuthal drift between them at speed ~1 m/s causes aerodynamic drag on the disk of solids and drives inward migration of its constituent particles. Upon reaching the sublimation radius particles evaporate, enhancing the density of metallic gaseous disk and leading to positive feedback. Under favorable circumstances (low viscosity in the disk of metallic gas and efficient aerodynamic coupling between the disks) system evolves in a runaway fashion, destroying debris disk on time scale of $\sim 10^5$ yr, and giving rise to high metal accretion rates up to $10^{10}-10^{11}$ g/s, in agreement with observations.
Influence of the Thiol Structure on the Kinetics of Thiol-ene Photopolymerization with Time-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy

Photopolymerization kinetics of difunctional thiols with alkenes were studied. Two of the thiols, trans-1,4-bis(mercaptomethyl)cyclohexane (CHDMT) and 1,4-bis(mercaptomethyl)benzene (BDMT) were synthesized. The CHDMT was synthesized via a two step process using potassium thioacetate and hydrochloric acid as reagents. The BDMT was synthesized by a one step process using 1,4-benzenedimethanebromine with thiourea and potassium hydroxide as reagents. Three types of alkenes (divinyl ether, diallyl ether, and dimethacrylate) were reacted with CHDMT, BDMT or 1,8-octanedithiol (ODT). The photopolymerization was investigated with and without a photoinitiator. The kinetics of the thiol-ene photopolymerization was investigated by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy. It was proposed that the steric hindrance of the cyclohexane (CHDMT) resulted in a lower rate of photopolymerization compared to BDMT and ODT. The vinyl ether (alkene) exhibited the highest activity compared to allyl ether and acrylate which was attributed to a high electron density of the alkene. Incorporation of photoinitiator increased the reaction rate and final conversion of the system, particularly in the ODT system.
Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) subtype-specific ligands increase transcription, p44/p42 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and growth in human non-small cell lung cancer cells

In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, 17beta-estradiol increases transcription, activates MAPK, and stimulates proliferation. We hypothesize that estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) mediates these responses because it, but not ERalpha, is detected in our NSCLC cell lines. To test this, we determined the effects of the ERbeta-selective agonists genistein (GEN) and 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionitrile (DPN) and the ERalpha-selective agonist 4,4',4''-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol (PPT) in 201T cells. The cells were transfected with either an ERalpha or an ERbeta expression vector and an estrogen response element (ERE)-tk-luciferase reporter construct. PPT increased luciferase activity in cells expressing ERalpha but not ERbeta. GEN and DPN selectively increased luciferase activity in ERbeta-transfected cells at concentrations < or =10 nM. Fulvestrant blocked the GEN- and DPN-mediated increases, indicating that transcription was ER-dependent. GEN but not PPT mediated a significant 1.5-fold increase in reporter activity upon transfection with ERE-tk-luciferase alone, demonstrating that endogenous ERbeta activates transcription. PPT and DPN increased MAPK phosphorylation (2.5-fold and 3.7-fold, respectively). However, only DPN stimulated 201T growth in vitro (p=0.008) and in vivo (p=0.05). We conclude that ERbeta mediates genomic and non-genomic responses to estrogen in 201T cells and that activation of both pathways may be necessary for increased proliferation of these cells.
Measurement of the minimum effect of environment, using two-egg twins.

(1946). Measurement of the Minimum Effect of Environment, Using Two-Egg Twins. The Pedagogical Seminary and Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 68, No. 1, pp. 127-130.
Churchman's inquirers as design templates for knowledge management systems

Introduction A number of years ago, Peter Keen implored information systems researchers to develop theory they could call their own, which would build a cumulative tradition in the area, while maintaining close ties to practice; as it is central to the field, not peripheral. Even before that, Herbert Simon called for the development of a rigorous science of design that would also be relevant to the practice of computer science, information systems, business and engineering.Relating to design, C. West Churchman's work on the design of inquiring systems1 has had a profound influence on research in management information systems over the years. Mason and Mitroff8 introduced this work into the MIS literature early on effectively making it endogenous to the field. Working both together and independently they went on to publish a host of articles based on inquiring systems and other books and papers by Churchman. They have inspired other IS researchers to follow in their footsteps. Ulrich has a website dedicated to Churchman and his work (http://www.geocities.com/csh_home/cwc_appreciation.html). His inquiring systems have been used as the basis for learning organizations, for knowledge management systems11 and proposed as kernel theories for knowledge management systems in general.Despite all the work following on Churchman's original inquiring systems, Mason and Mitroff wrote recently: "To say that Singerian and Churchmanian systems are underrepresented is putting it kindly. They are virtually nonexistent." We believe that there are several reasons for this. First, the book is out of print and inaccessible. In addition, it is admittedly a difficult read, especially the passages on the Singerian inquirer. Even in lieu of the work that has been done on inquiring systems, perhaps many IS researchers believe the concepts are passe. After all, it's over 35 years old now! On the contrary, we believe that continued development of inquiring systems theory can provide continuity in IS research, serve as a theory that IS researchers can call their own, and contribute to the practice of information systems design.The objective of this article is, first and foremost, to gain additional recognition for inquiring systems theories themselves, and to suggest ways in which they can provide the basis for contemporary design research. Essentially we argue that the inquirers can serve as logical design templates for various forms of information systems. We use an object oriented approach to describe the inquirers themselves, and then indicate how the inquirers can be viewed as logical design templates for instantiations or physical designs.
Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of a Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Using Differential Evolution

The purpose of this study is to introduce and demonstrate a fully automated process for optimizing the airfoil cross-section of a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT). The objective is to maximize the torque while enforcing typical wind turbine design constraints such as tip speed ratio, solidity, and blade profile. By fixing the tip speed ratio of the wind turbine, there exists an airfoil cross-section and solidity for which the torque can be maximized, requiring the development of an iterative design system. The design system required to maximize torque incorporates rapid geometry generation and automated hybrid mesh generation tools with viscous, unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software. The flexibility and automation of the modular design and simulation system allows for it to easily be coupled with a parallel differential evolution algorithm used to obtain an optimized blade design that maximizes the efficiency of the wind turbine.
Megacolon in teen-aged and adult patients.

Megacolon may be classified as primary or aganglionic, secondary or acquired, and functional or psychogenic. In addition, there are other mechanisms, currently poorly understood, that cause megacolon. Diagnostic studies of the patient with megacolon should include a detailed history, physical examination, rectal and sigmoidoscopic examinations, a rectal biopsy, and (for functional megacolon) psychiatric evaluation. Age of onset, encopresis, and dilatation and elongation of the colon with a narrow rectal or rectosigmoid segment are import details to consider in the differential diagnosis. Biopsy of the rectum will prove the presence or absence of ganglion cells. Careful attention should be given to patients with constipation, lest some of them be unnecessarily relegated to lifetimes of avoidable embarrassment and suffering. We have described the cases of four patients with megacolon who had reached their teens or even young adulthood before being treated. The Swenson pull-through procedure produced excellent results in each case.
Growth of medial forebrain bundle axons into peripheral nerve grafts in the rat

In rats, we intercepted medial forebrain bundle axons just lateral to the hypothalamus with peripheral nerve grafts which terminated extracranially. The neurons which grew into the nerve grafts were labeled with retrogradely transported fluorescent dyes. Catecholamines were labeled with glyoxylic acid histofluorescence. Most nuclei, particularly the raphe complex and locus coeruleus, which project rostrally into the medial forebrain bundle were labeled. Many catecholamine fibers were observed in the graft even after removal of the superior cervical ganglions. Thus, monoaminergic neurons which were located relatively remotely from the implant site exhibited rather selective regrowth into the nerve grafts.
Interrelationships of thyroxine, citrate, and renal calcificiation in the magnesium-deficient rat.

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted with young male albino rats to investigate the interrelationships between thyroxine, citrate metabolism, and renal calcification in magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency decreased urinary citrate markedly, increased kidney calcification, had no effect on serum citrate, and raised kidney citrate. Thyroxine administration did not materially affect citrate excretion but did offset accumulation of calcium and citrate in the kidney tissue of magnesium-deficient animals. It is concluded that urinary citrate does not play a role in prevention of kidney calcification.
Duplicate video system using alternate temporal subsampling

In this paper, we propose a new method to improve the performance of a duplicate video transmission system. The proposed method is based on an alternate temporal sub-sampling approach, which is to transmit the encoded even-numbered and odd-numbered pictures through separate channels. At the receiver, the decoded pictures from both channels are combined by alternately choosing one from each channel. The proposed method uses the full capacity of both regular and backup channels for failure-free video transmission. Experimental results show that the proposed alternate temporal sub-sampling method gives about 1.0 to approximately 4.0 dB improvements in PSNR over the conventional simulcast one at the bit rates of 2 to approximately 15 Mbps/channel for failure-free video transmission.
The genomes of Onchocerca volvulus

Abstract Onchocerca volvulus , the filarial parasite that causes onchocerciasis or river blindness, contains three distinct genomes. These include the nuclear genome, the mitochondrial genome and the genome of an intracellular endosymbiont of the genus Wolbachia . The nuclear genome is roughly 1.5×10 8 bp in size, and is arranged on four chromosome pairs. Analysis of expressed sequence tags from different life-cycle stages has resulted in the identification of transcripts from roughly 4000 O. volvulus genes. Several of these transcripts are highly abundant, including those encoding collagen and cuticular proteins. Analysis of several gene sequences from O. volvulus suggests that the nuclear genes of O. volvulus are relatively compact and are interrupted relatively frequently by small introns. The intron–exon boundaries of these genes generally follow the GU–AG rule characteristic of the splice donor and acceptors of other vertebrate organisms. The nuclear genome also contains at least one repeated sequence family of a 150 bp repeat which is arranged in tandem arrays and appears subject to concerted evolution. The mitochondrial genome of O. volvulus is remarkably compact, only 13 747 bp in size. Consistent with the small size of the genome, four gene pairs overlap, eight contain no intergenic regions and the remaining gene pairs are separated by small intergenic domains ranging from 1 to 46 bp. The protein-coding genes of the O. volvulus mitochondrial genome exhibit a striking codon bias, with 15/20 amino acids having a single codon preference greater than 70%. Intraspecific variation in both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes appears to be quite limited, consistent with the hypothesis that O. volvulus has suffered a genetic bottleneck in the recent past.
Optimizing VMIN of ROM Arrays Without Loss of Noise Margin

The minimum voltage of operation (Vmin) for memory arrays often limits the lowest system operating voltage. This paper introduces a novel read assist topology for a domino-based evaluation architecture in a read only memory (ROM). The implementation incorporates an assist pull-down (PD) device, which activates during the evaluation phase in order to increase the effective pull-down strength of the bit cells. This implementation maintains Vmin without increasing the size of pull down devices inside the bit cells. The assist topology improves read delay by 11-30% and increases noise margin. Area overhead can be limited to 27% in a typical ROM.
A virescent plastid mutation in tobacco decreases peroxisome enzyme activities in seedlings

Summary Chloroplasts engage in a number of activities, such as photorespiration, which closely involve other organelles in the cell. How these activities are regulated and coordinated is poorly understood, although numerous studies have shown that chloroplasts exert some control over the expression of proteins that function in other organelles. We asked if intra-organellar interactions of this type could be involved in the phenotype of the Vir-c chloroplast mutation in tobacco. This maternally-inherited mutation retards seedling development, including both heterotrophic and photosynthetic stages. Since glyoxysomes are critical while seedlings are still heterotrophic, and peroxisomes are critical once they become photoautotrophic, we reasoned that the Vir-c mutation might act in part by influencing enzymes that function in these organelles. We analyzed glyoxysome and peroxisome-specific functions and enzyme activities in Vir-c mutant seedlings and compared them to wildtype tobacco. We found that glyoxysome functions in Vir-c seedlings are normal. The peroxisome-specific enzymes catalase and glycolate oxidase, however, showed much lower levels of activity in Vir-c seedlings.
Military "Culture" and the Fall of France in 1940: A Review Essay

Elizabeth Kier, Imagining War: French and British Military Doctrine between the Wars Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1997 On May 10, 1940, Germany’s panzers launched their westward assault on France. Attacking through the thick forests of the Ardennes, German forces rapidly breached French defenses near Sedan, then swept west to envelop the main French and British armies that had advanced to meet what French Commander in Chief Maurice Gamelin had expected to be the main German attack in Belgium. Adolf Hitler’s legions marched into Paris on June 12, 1940. A shattered French government, overwhelmed by the magnitude of its defeat, sued for peace and signed an armistice at Compiegne on June 22, 1940. The British Expeditionary Force oed across the English Channel, abandoning its equipment on the beaches of Dunkirk. Few defeats in military history have been as rapid, decisive, and unexpected. Sixty years later, the sudden collapse of France in May–June 1940, and the French foreign and military policy of the 1930s that contributed to that debâcle, remain a focus of security studies. The era appears to present a cautionary tale of a nation, and an army, that made just about every unfortunate choice possible. The ink was barely dry on the armistice of June 1940 when contemporaries advanced competing versions of the argument that France’s fate had been a sort of divine judgment invited by the inconsistencies and contradictions of its political culture. The most powerful indictment that the Third Republic exhibited all the symptoms of terminal decadence prior to its debâcle was made by Marc Bloch, whose posthumously published Strange Defeat offered a vision of a fearful, selash, and unpatriotic nation psychologically primed for calamity.1 The view that France’s collapse was the product of an
Advances in the Characterization and Modeling of Civil Engineering Materials Using Imaging Techniques

Digital-image processing and analysis is concerned with the transformation and analysis of pictures by a computer. The process starts with the capture of a digital image ~usually referred to as imaging! followed by its storage, transmission, processing, and analysis of the image by a computer to extract information or features of interest. Examples of the type of transformations and extracted features include statistical moments, Fourier coefficients, distance measure, wavelet coefficients, and statistical model parameters. Because of the large size of image data, the history of image processing is closely tied to the advances in digital computing technology in terms of processors, memory, storage, transmission, display, and printing. Modern digital-image processing can be considered to have begun in the 1960s with the arrival of the first computers powerful enough to perform meaningful image processing tasks. Early applications of image processing were in the fields of medical imaging, astronomy, and remote sensing. Invention of the computerized axial tomography ~CAT or CT for short! in the 1970s was a major development in the application of image processing to medical diagnosis. CT provides the ability to image a particular cross section of an object and is used extensively in medical diagnosis and nondestructive testing of materials. Development of different imaging modalities has also helped the advancement of digital-image processing and analysis techniques and has broadened the field of applications. Applications of visible-light imaging include industrial inspection, automatic character recognition, fingerprint analysis, mail sorting, and license plate reading. Besides imaging using visible light, gammaray imaging in medicine, X-ray imaging in industrial applications, ultraviolet imaging in microscopy, infrared imaging in remote sensing, magnetic-resonance imaging ~MRI! in medicine, and ultrasound imaging in medicine are some of the other imaging modalities. The advent of computer technology has created an unprecedented opportunity for the growth of digital-image processing
Mode Interaction in Thin-Walled Structural Members∗

ABSTRACT Thin-walled structural members are susceptible to failure by interaction of local and overall modes of buckling. A comprehensive analytical approach that employs finite strips and the theory of mode interaction is outlined for study of the problem. Theoretical predictions of collapse loads agree well with the experimental results, despite the uncertainty caused by the lack of data on local imperfections of experimental specimens. Illustrative examples explore to some extent the following specific questions: optimality of design for simultaneous buckling, imperfection-sensitivity of compression members having unstiffened plate elements, and the nature of interaction of local and lateral-torsional buckling.
Error-resilient video coding for wireless video telephony applications

In this paper, we present an error resilient video coding scheme for wireless video telephony applications that uses feedback to limit error propagation. In conventional feedback-based error resilient schemes, error propagation can significantly degrade visual quality when feedback delay is in the order of a few seconds. We propose a coding structure based on multiple description coding that mitigates error propagation during feedback delay, and uses feedback to adapt its coding structure to effectively limit error propagation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach at different error rates when compared to conventional coding schemes that use feedback.
Testing Mixed-Signal Devices

Testing ISDN devices, which mix analog voice information and digital data, puts special demands on the test system. The ISDN has multiple interfaces with devices that perform a variety of functions. What was usually performed by many individual ICs is now performed by a single ISDN device. Particularly challenging are network interface and device feature tests because the test system must generate and detect the specialized frame structures in the network communication links-structures that change not only between transmit and receive but also between interfaces. Techniques to conduct these tests are described in detail. The benefits of these techniques can be increased with the use of the proper hardware and interactive, graphics-based software tools.
E-journal Management Systems

AbstractElectronic journals are being added to library collections at exponential rates. Recent developments in e-journal management systems offer libraries a variety of solutions for enhancing the visibility and flexibility of their electronic journals. This article examines and compares Serials Solutions, JournalWebCite, TDNet, and Serials Cybrarian, four current e-journal management programs that create and integrate multiple lists of journal titles, regardless of format, into a single list. These systems can reduce or even eliminate common serials control problems for librarians. Readers will gain insights that will enable them to better understand and consider the value of an e-journal management system. Serials Review 2002; 28:176–194.
A layerwise boundary integral equation model for layers and layered media

A hybrid method is presented for the analysis of layers, plates, and multilayered systems consisting of isotropic and linear elastic materials. The problem is formulated for the general case of a multilayered system using a total potential energy formulation. The layerwise laminate theory of Reddy is employed to develop a layerwise, two-dimensional, displacement-based, hybrid boundary element model that assumes piecewise continuous distribution of the displacement components through the system's thickness. A one-dimensional finite element model is used for the analysis of the multilayered system through its thickness, and integral Fourier transforms are used to obtain the exact solution for the in-plane problem. Explicit expressions are obtained for the fundamental solution of a typical infinite layer (element) assuming linear displacement distribution through its thickness. This fundamental solution is given in a closed form in the cartesian space, and it can be applied in the two-dimensional boundary integral equation model to analyze layered structures with finite dimensions. The proposed method provides a simple, efficient, and versatile model for a three-dimensional analysis of thick plates or multilayered systems.
Our Brave New World Today

Aldous Huxley is perhaps the only author to have written a work of science fiction and a work of nonfiction to ascertain whether fiction had become reality. Both Brave New World (fiction) and Brave...