cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fault friction, regional stress, and crust‐mantle coupling in southern California from finite element models

To determine the correct fault rheology of the Transverse Ranges area of California, a new finite element to represent faults and a mangle drag element are introduced into a set of 63 simulation models of anelastic crustal strain. It is shown that a slip rate weakening rheology for faults is not valid in California. Assuming that mantle drag effects on the crust's base are minimal, the optimal coefficient of friction in the seismogenic portion of the fault zones is 0.4-0.6 (less than Byerly's law assumed to apply elsewhere). Depending on how the southern California upper mantle seismic velocity anomaly is interpreted, model results are improved or degraded. It is found that the location of the mantle plate boundary is the most important secondary parameter, and that the best model is either a low-stress model (fault friction = 0.3) or a high-stress model (fault friction = 0.85), each of which has strong mantel drag. It is concluded that at least the fastest moving faults in southern California have a low friction coefficient (approximtely 0.3) because they contain low strength hydrated clay gouges throughout the low-temperature seismogenic zone.
Modernity without romance? Masculinity and desire in courtship stories told by young papua new guinean men

Romance has been theoretically associated with the estrangements created by modern individualism. As demonstrated in courtship stories told by young men from the Murik Lakes in Papua New Guinea, the relationship of Murik culture to modernity has not resulted in narratives that privilege a construction of courtship in which the self merges with the beloved. Desire is not defined in terms of romantic love but is set amid events that are scrupulously fixed in the foregrounds of specific times and exact locations. In these tales, representations of personhood are organized by a Homeric chronotope rather than by a romantic one. Although masculinity in Murik culture has undergone important transformations in the 20th century, its sociology has not given way to the discourse of modern individualism.
Light and electron microscopic localization of calcitonin gene‐related peptide immunoreactivity in lamina II of the feline trigeminal pars caudalis/medullary dorsal horn: A qualitative study

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide that is associated with a subset of primary afferent fibers and appears to have a role in nociception. The purpose of the present study was to perform a qualitative light, and especially electron microscopic (LM and EM), examination of CGRP-immunoreactivity (IR) within lamina II (substantia gelatinosa) of the feline pars caudalis/medullary dorsal horn (PC/MDH) of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. The LM investigation revealed massive CGRP-IR within lamina II outer, with fewer fibers that traversed lamina II inner. The EM preparations showed CGRP-IR in small, thinly myelinated and unmyelinated axons, preterminal axons, and in axon terminals that formed asymmetric synaptic contacts onto small dendritic profiles. The terminals with CGRP-IR were often the central element within glomeruli, where the terminal usually formed 2 or more asymmetric synaptic specializations onto 1 or more dendrites. Many of these postsynaptic dendrites contained synaptic vesicles. Other profiles were seen forming presynaptic contacts onto the terminal with CGRP-IR, and these profiles most likely represent presynaptic dendrites and/or other axon terminals of intrinsic origin. The synaptic association of terminals showing CGRP-IR with vesicle-containing dendrites, presynaptic dendrites, and/or other axon terminals suggests that terminals with CGRP-IR are especially susceptible to modulation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
MicroRNAs in malignant progression

A growing body of evidence suggests that certain microRNAs (miRNAs) play causal roles in tumorigenesis by regulating genes that control cellular processes such as cell cycle, apoptosis, and differentiation. Lately, work in our laboratory has revealed that a specific miRNA can cause cancer cells to invade and metastasize. Here we review recent progress made in several laboratories concerning the roles played by miRNAs in cancer pathogenesis and metastatic spread, with the focus on the pro-metastatic microRNA, miR-10b, and discuss the future directions and possibilities for clinical applications.
Layer Rigidity in Lamellar Solids

A number of theoretical models have been put forth to account for the layer rigidity of a variety of intercalated layered solids with fixed host structures as revealed by the composition-dependence of the basal spacing. The main features of each model will be reviewed briefly and their strengths and weaknesses will be assessed. It will be shown that no single model proposed to date is sufficiently universal to explain the available data.
Auditory-Visual Integration and Its Relationship to Reading Achievement: A Meta-Analysis.

A review of research examining the relationship of auditory-visual integration and reading achievement is presented. The techniques of meta-analysis were used to integrate statistically the findings from 31 studies. A total of 146 correlations were collected and aggregated across assessment procedures, reading skills, grade levels, and subject characteristics. Also, partial correlations and a step-wise multiple regression were used to describe the interrelationships among auditory-visual integration, intelligence, reading skills, and other auditory perceptual skills. These analyses indicate that auditory-visual integration is a correlate of reading ability but the magnitude of the relation varies with the combination of descriptive variables considered in relation to reading achievement.
Size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin

Abstract Assessment of the probability for destructive landslide-generated tsunamis depends on the knowledge of the number, size, and frequency of large submarine landslides. This paper investigates the size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic continental slope and rise using the size of the landslide source regions (landslide failure scars). Landslide scars along the margin identified in a detailed bathymetric Digital Elevation Model (DEM) have areas that range between 0.89 km2 and 2410 km2 and volumes between 0.002 km3 and 179 km3. The area to volume relationship of these failure scars is almost linear (inverse power-law exponent close to 1), suggesting a fairly uniform failure thickness of a few 10s of meters in each event, with only rare, deep excavating landslides. The cumulative volume distribution of the failure scars is very well described by a log–normal distribution rather than by an inverse power-law, the most commonly used distribution for both subaerial and submarine landslides. A log–normal distribution centered on a volume of 0.86 km3 may indicate that landslides preferentially mobilize a moderate amount of material (on the order of 1 km3), rather than large landslides or very small ones. Alternatively, the log–normal distribution may reflect an inverse power law distribution modified by a size-dependent probability of observing landslide scars in the bathymetry data. If the latter is the case, an inverse power-law distribution with an exponent of 1.3 ± 0.3, modified by a size-dependent conditional probability of identifying more failure scars with increasing landslide size, fits the observed size distribution. This exponent value is similar to the predicted exponent of 1.2 ± 0.3 for subaerial landslides in unconsolidated material. Both the log–normal and modified inverse power-law distributions of the observed failure scar volumes suggest that large landslides, which have the greatest potential to generate damaging tsunamis, occur infrequently along the margin.
SCALES FOR ASSAYING PSYCHOLOGICAL MODERNIZATION IN AFRICA

It is a pity that systematic surveys of public opinion are not being continuously conducted in sub-Saharan Africa during the current period of apparently rapid social change: the data could be part of the historical record and would be most relevant to the cross-cultural testing of theories. Free from the delusion that one person can possibly gather such information on a grand scale but convinced that some data may be valuable per se and for other research objectives, I have been making a modest number of surveys in eastern Africa since 1964. Toward those ends an interviewing schedule (which can also function as a written questionnaire) has had to be devised to measure, however crudely, opinion and attitudes related to what can perhaps be called "modernization." The emerging scales are based upon items that either have been deliberately borrowed from the existing literature, with or without modification, or have been constructed more or less de novo. I have, in fact, striven to be as unoriginal as possible, so that results from Africa could be measured against a baseline in the West. At this point in time, partially in response to requests for copies of the scales but also to invite others toiling in the African vineyard to use any or all of the items, it seems useful to describe the scale and reproduce the items. Unless we have more or less standardized instruments, we say between tight lips, results from different studies cannot be compared and contrasted. We do not have to invent a new thermometer each time we ascertain temperature; or, to give a slight twist to the observation of a sociologist concerning the reluctance of scholars to use each other's concepts, we ought not to feel as if we were * The research described in this paper is sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. In Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda the surveys were conducted by the professional staff of Marco Surveys Limited, whose director, Gordon M. Wilson, has also been most helpful as a stimulating consultant; in addition, Dr. Wilson generously assumed financial responsibility for three of the urban elite studies. In Somalia, Dorothy L. Gier miraculously found time and energy to administer the schedules under not particularly easy circumstances; and General Mohamed Abshir has sympathetically and understandingly encouraged the research. Many Africans readily, yes eagerly and I think validly, provided the data; I would inadequately express heartfelt appreciation to them. t Leonard W. Doob is a Professor of Psychology and Director of African Studies, Yale University.
A proposal concerning central vowels

The 1989 Kiel Convention made an unprincipled decision to ignore the basis of the Cardinal Vowel system, which specifies four ‘heights’ and three ‘horizontal’ locations for vowels, by ignoring close-mid and open-mid central vowels and proposing only two symbols for non-close central vowels, viz. [ə, ө].
Base substitution mutations induced in the cI gene of lambda phage by neocarzinostatin chromophore: correlation with depyrimidination hotspots at the sequence AGC

Treatment of intact lambda phage with the nonprotein chromophore of neocarzinostatin resulted in efficient phage inactivation and generation of clear-plaque mutants. Both effects required a preincubation at low pH to allow diffusion of chromophore into the phage head. Chromophore activation was then effected by addition of a sulfhydryl cofactor, followed by a shift to neutral pH. Sequence analysis of mutations mapped to the DNA-binding region of the cI gene revealed that nearly all were single base substitutions. Significant numbers of all possible base changes were found, with A:T to G:C transitions being the most frequent events. Of 11 G:C to A:T transitions, 7 were found at C residues in the trinucleotide sequence AGC, which has previously been shown to be a hotspot for chromophore-induced depyrimidination. This result, as well as the SOS dependence of mutagenesis and the overall distribution of various types of base substitutions, is consistent with the hypothesis that apurinic/apyrimidinic sites are important mutagenic lesions.
Polymeric Additives and Their Role in Asphaltic Pavements. Part I: Effect of Additive Type on the Fracture and Fatigue Behavior

The effect of polymer modifier type on the fracture and fatigue be havior of AC-5 asphalt mixture was studied. Three polymer modifiers which belong to the general group of thermoplastic polymers; styrene-butadiene- styrene block copolymer (Kraton), ethylene vinyl acetate (Elvax) and polyeth ylene (Novophalt) were considered. Beams were prepared from AC-5 asphalt binder containing 6% of each polymer modifier by weight and the same grada tion. Flexural static tests were performed to evaluate the three polymer modifiers in comparison with unmodified AC-5 asphalt mixture. It was found that in general all three polymers increase the strength and the modulus of the asphalt pavement. SBS (Kraton) exhibits the highest flexibility and strength at room temperature (70°F). Invoking the modified crack layer model, fatigue crack propagation analysis revealed the superiority of the Kraton modified asphalt mixture to both Elvax and Novophalt mixtures. The modified crack layer model analysis of asphaltic pavements yields...
Open-Face, Epoxy Embedding of Single Cells for Ultrathin Sections

Intact stamens of Tradescantia were fixed, dehydrated, and infiltrated with an epoxy resin. Each stamen was then put into a drop of resin on a microscope slide, which was transferred to the stage of a dissecting microscope so that individual hairs could be detached from the filament with fine tungsten needles. The detached hairs were transferred to drops of resin ca. 2 mm in diameter (6 or 7 in each of two rows) lying on a slide heavily coated with evaporated carbon. Polymerization was carried out in an oven until the resin attained a degree of viscosity that permitted orientation of the isolated hairs (by using a compound microscope) without their subsequent dislocation. When the small drops of resin had hardened after further polymerization, the positions of the hairs were marked by circumscribing the cells with India ink. The block was pried from the slide after rapid cooling with solid CO2, and was then trimmed and sectioned. Cells suspended in culture medium were embedded in much the same way; they w...
Trust the Party Line: Issue Ownership and Presidential Approval From Reagan to Clinton

This study incorporates the issue-ownership concept into the aggregate presidential approval literature. A content analysis of media coverage from the Reagan through Clinton administrations of four party-owned issues—Social Security or Medicare, environmental protection, national defense, and size of government—demonstrates that when the agenda is dominated by issues on which the president’s party enjoys credibility, approval increases, controlling for the typical economic and event variables. Similarly, increased coverage of issues owned by the opposition party leads to decreased approval, all things equal. Thus, when the media primes a party-owned issue, the public responds by evaluating the president consistent with his credibility on the issue. These relationships are robust across the typical functional forms used to model approval.
A linkage study of multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa

Abstract Members of four families segregating for multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa (Sipple's syndrome) were typed for 16 segregating blood group, erythrocyte enzyme, and plasma protein loci. Linkage analysis failed to find evidence favoring linkage between the multiple endocrine neoplasia mutation and any segregating marker. The data from this study were combined with the published data to rule out linkage for the HLA, ABO, Rh, or MNS loci at θ ≦ 0.25, the ADA, PGMI, AcP, GLOI, or GM loci at θ ≦ 0.10, and for GPT, PGD, or HpA at θ ≦ 0.05. The pooled data are inconclusive with respect to the previously suggested linkage to the P blood group locus.
Direct quantitative analysis of peptides using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization.

The protocol and various matrices were examined for quantification of biomolecules in both the low ca. 1200 amu and mid mass 6000–12000 amu ranges using an internal standard. Comparative studies of different matrices of MALDI quantitative analysis showed that the best accuracy and standard curve linearity were obtained for two matrices: (a) 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) combined with a comatrix of fucose and 5-methoxysalicylic acid (MSA) and (b) ferulic acid/fucose. In the low mass range, the quantitative limit was in the 30 fmol range and in the mid mass range the quantitative limit was in the 250 fmol range. Linear response was observed over 2–3 decades of analyte concentration. The relative error of the standard curve slope was 1.3–1.8% with correlation coefficients of 0.996–0.998.The main problem for quantitative measurement was suppression of the signal of the less concentrated component (analyte or internal standard) by the more concentrated component. The effect was identified with saturation of the matrix by the analyte. The threshold of matrix saturation was found to be in the range of 1/(3000–5000) analyte/matrix molar ratio. To avoid matrix saturation the (analyte+internal standard) to matrix molar ratio should be below this threshold. Thus the internal standard concentration should be as low as possible.DHB/MSA/fucose and ferulic acid/fucose matrices demonstrated good accuracy and linearity for standard curves even when the internal standard had chemical properties different from the analyte. However, use of an internal standard with different chemical properties requires highly stable instrumental parameters as well as constant (analyte+internal standard)/matrix molar ratio for all samples.
Receptor tyrosine kinase signaling – a proteomic perspective

The stimulation of various cellular processes through extracellular signals is of paramount importance in biological systems and is a central focus in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The information transfer is accomplished in a variety of ways by the interaction of soluble, matrix-associated and cell bound ligands that either bind specifically to plasma membrane-associated proteins that act as receptors, or penetrate to the cytoplasmic/nuclear compartments to bind and activate receptors located there. The former class of entities generates intracellular signals that are transmitted and amplified by chemical modifications that are manifested as protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). These are both reversible and irreversible and range from phosphorylation of tyrosine, threonine and serine residues to endoproteolytic cleavages. Although the PTMs alter the activity and functions of many of the proteins in these cascades, the major outcomes of most of the signaling pathways are the activation/deactivation of transcriptional regulators with the concomitant changes in gene expression that generally underlie biological responses.
Deadweight Loss: Theoretical Size Relationships and the Precision of Measurement

In this article we examine the size relation of several deadweight loss measures and derive variance calculations for a numerical methods estimator of deadweight loss. Two examples are given to demonstrate the importance of these results.
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: An Update on Biomarkers and Treatment

Although the insulating properties of asbestos have been known for millennia, the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma was not recognized until 1960, when it was first described in South African asbestos miners. The incidence of mesothelioma parallels asbestos usage with a latency of 20 to 40+ years; thus, patient numbers are declining in the United States but rising in the developing world. Radiation, genetics, and possibly simian virus 40 are less common causes. Diagnosis can be challenging, since the results of pleural fluid cytology testing are often negative despite repeated sampling. No staging system adequately predicts prognosis in the unresected patient. Newly described biomarkers, including soluble mesothelin-related peptide, megakaryocyte potentiation factor, and osteopontin, may predict which asbestos-exposed individuals will develop mesothelioma, and may prove useful in assessing response to treatment. Since surgery cannot eradicate all residual microscopic disease, a multimodality approach is encouraged. Metaanalysis suggests that pleurectomy/decortication may achieve outcomes similar to those of extrapleural penumonectomy. The standard first-line chemotherapy for unresectable disease is pemetrexed plus cisplatin. This combination improves response, survival, time to progression, pulmonary function, and disease-related symptoms. Carboplatin is often substituted, with similar results. Other active agents include raltitrexed, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine. Novel agents in clinical trials include inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor, mesothelin, and histone deacetylases. Although disappointing results of early trials did not confirm promising preclinical data, recent studies have suggested that some novel agents may be effective. As we learn more about mesothelioma biology, molecularly targeted agents may become treatment options.
Uncertainty, Baseline, and Noise Analysis for L1 Error-Based Multi-view Triangulation

A comprehensive uncertainty, baseline, and noise analysis in computing 3D points using a recent L1-based triangulation algorithm is presented. This method is shown to be not only faster and more accurate than its main competitor, linear triangulation, but also more stable under noise and baseline changes. A Monte Carlo analysis of covariance and a confidence ellipsoid analysis were performed over a large range of baselines and noise levels for different camera configurations, to compare performance between angular error-based and linear triangulation. Furthermore, the effect of baseline and noise was analyzed for true multi-view triangulation versus pair wise stereo fusion. Results on real and synthetic data show that L1 angular error-based triangulation has a positive effect on confidence ellipsoids, lowers covariance values and results in more-accurate pair wise and multi-view triangulation, for varying numbers of cameras and configurations.
Cooled grating infrared spectrometer for astronomical observations

A liquid helium-cooled infrared spectrometer for the 16 to 50 micron range is described. The instrument has six detectors, three each of Si:Sb and Ge:Ga and two diffraction gratings mounted back-to-back. Cold preoptics are used to match the spectrometer to the telescope. In its nominal configuration the system resolution is 0.03 micron from 16 to 30 microns and 0.07 micron from 28 to 50 microns. A cooled filter wheel is used to change order sorting filters. The gratings are driven by a steel band and gear train operating at 4 K. The detector outputs are amplified by a TIA, employing a matched pair of JFETs operating at 70 K inside the dewar. The external warm electronics include a gain stage for the TIA and dc-coupled gating circuit to remove charged-particle (cosmic-ray secondary)-induced noise spikes. The gating circuit reduces the overall system noise by a factor of two when the spectrometer is used on NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Sample spectra are presented and the deglitcher performance is illustrated.
The Calculation of the Instability Criterion for a Uniform Viscous Flow Past an Oil Boom

An important problem in oil spill containment by booms is the instability of the oil-water interface at the boom. This instability, which represents the conditions under which oil can escape under the boom, is investigated. A viscous flow model for thin slicks in two dimensions is developed. To understand the effect of viscosity on the instability criterion, the full Navier-Stokes equations are solved by the fractional-step method in time-domain to determine the pressure gradients along the boom. The numerically obtained viscous instability criterion is then compared with the potential flow and experimentally determined instability criteria. Analytical instability formulas for potential flows are based on the velocity potentials for attached and detached flows due to uniform current past a flat plate in finite and infinite water depths. The results show that the viscous flow model predicts a larger region of stability. It is numerically determined from the instability criterion that the oil droplets at the boom between the free surface and down to about 40 percent of the boom height can never escape, regardless of the current strength. It is also shown that the instability criterion depends weakly on the high Reynolds number. Reanalysis of the available experimental data confirms thesemore » findings.« less
Creating pediatric trauma systems.

The establishment of a pediatric trauma system is an exercise in regionalization. The first step in program development is the acquisition of data necessary to understand the region. What are its boundaries? How many children are injured each year? How many die? What facilities already exist for the care of these patients? Who controls EMS? Are any referral systems in place? Next, agreement must be reached among the participants regarding which patients will be transferred. Who will make the transfer decision? Will it be made in the field or in the hospital? Will a numerical scoring system be used, or accident descriptors, or both? How and by whom will patients be transported? What method of communication will be used to link the components of the system? The linchpin of effective trauma systems is public involvement, yet in most parts of the United States and Canada the public is unaware of the trauma problem, and the importance of trauma as the number one child health problem remains unrecognized. Since trauma is as much a societal problem as a medical one, the enthusiasm of individuals and public service organizations should be cultivated and a coalition formed to create a regional system. The educational, research, and prevention programs of a pediatric trauma center are not usually self-supporting, making progress in these areas dependent upon outside support. In several cities, grants and endowments have been received from service organizations, foundations, public-spirited companies, and individual philanthropy. Some assurance of a continuing source of funds usually is necessary before hospitals will accept part of the financial risk. The goal for a regional pediatric trauma system is to provide a new and better service for child accident victims. To succeed, the program must be carefully tailored to regional needs, be medically sound, well-organized, and have a solid fiscal base. Planning and commitment are the essential ingredients in pediatric trauma care.
Uptake of radiolabelled triiodothyronine in the brain of steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) during parr-smolt transformation: Implications for the mechanism of thyroid activation of olfactory imprinting

Abstract Two groups of 13-month-old trout — treated with either TSH (induced smolts) or saline (parr) — were examined for in vivo uptake of radiolabelled triiodothyronine ( 125 I-T 3 ) into brain nuclei. This was accomplished by injecting a tracer dose of 125 I-T 3 either alone or with a 1000-fold excess of nonradioactive T 3 and measuring the amount of radioactivity that accumulated in isolated brain nuclei in each case. Uptake of 125 I-T 3 was reduced by 80–90% for both TSH and saline groups receiving nonradioactive T 3 when compared with their counterparts receiving radiolabelled T 3 only. This result is consistent with the suggestion that trout brain contains saturable nuclear receptors for T 3 . Similar experiments indicate gill, integument and olfactory epithelium may also be target cells that contain T 3 receptors. In gut and muscle no difference in uptake of 125 I-T 3 was seen between fish with or without nonradioactive T 3 , suggesting that these tissues do not contain T 3 receptors. All of the putative target tissues contained consistently more radioactivity and all nontarget tissues consistently less radioactivity in the TSH induced smolts than in the saline presmolts. This result is consistent with the conjecture that an ontogenetic change occurs in receptor binding kinetics during smolt transformation; i.e., T 3 receptor concentration and/or binding affinity may have increased in the target tissues of the TSH group so that less T 3 would be available for uptake by nontarget tissues.
An improved synthesis of (20R,22R)-cholest-5-ene-3β,20,22-triol, an intermediate in steroid hormone formation and an activator of nuclear orphan receptor LXRα

Asymmetric dihydroxylation of (20(22)E)-cholesta-5,20(22)-dien-3beta-ol acetate (2a), prepared from pregnenolone, gave a 1:1 mixture (67% yield) of (20R,22R)-cholest-5-ene-3beta,20,22-triol 3-acetate (3a) and its 20S,22S isomer 3b. Highly purified 3a and 3b were obtained by semipreparative silver ion high performance liquid chromatography. Saponification of 3a and 3b gave (20R,22R)-cholest-5-ene-3beta,20,22-triol (4a) and its 20S,22S isomer 4b. This simple approach provided the natural isomer 4a more efficiently than previously described chemical or enzymatic syntheses. Full 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance data were presented for triols 4a and 4b and their synthetic precursors. Side-chain conformations of 2a, its 20(22)Z isomer, 4a, and 4b were studied by molecular mechanics and nuclear Overhauser effect difference spectroscopy.
Laser Angioplasty and Intracoronary Stents: Going Beyond the Balloon

Laser angioplasty and balloon-expandable intracoronary stenting are two valuable clinical devices that are now used in interventional cardiology. The description, rationale, and clinical application of each device are examined to enhance the nurse's understanding of intervention choices. Primary nursing diagnoses are described, and special nursing considerations are discussed to aid the critical-care nurse in assessing patient needs, monitoring therapies, optimizing care, and being a mediator of stress between the patient and new technology.
DARPA February 1992 ATIS benchmark test results

This paper documents the third in a series of Benchmark Tests for the DARPA Air Travel Information System (ATIS) common task domain. The first results in this series were reported at the June 1990 Speech and Natural Language Workshop [1], and the second at the February 1991 Speech and Natural Language Workshop [2]. The February 1992 Benchmark Tests include: (1) ATIS domain spontaneous speech recognition system tests, (2) ATIS natural language understanding tests, and (3) ATIS spoken language understanding tests.
Rare-event, heavy-tailed simulations using hazard function transformations, with applications to value-at-risk

We develop an observation that a simulation method introduced recently for heavy-tailed stochastic simulation, namely hazard-rate twisting, is equivalent to doing exponential twisting on a transformed version of the heavy-tailed random-variable; the transforming function is the hazard function. Using this approach, the paper develops efficient methods for computing portfolio value-at-risk (VAR) when changes in the underlying risk factors have the multivariate Laplace distribution.
Factors Affecting the Loyal Use of Knowledge Management Systems

This paper investigates the factors affecting the Loyal Use of a Knowledge Management System (KMS). Unlike most other types of information systems, the value from using a KMS is temporally disassociated from the instance of use. We developed a model of the factors affecting the Loyal Use of a KMS and used data gathered from 1013 users of a well-established codification-based KMS in a multinational pharmaceutical firm to test the model using LISREL. Perceived Usefulness was found to be the strongest factor influencing Loyal Use. Extrinsic Motivation and perceived Voluntariness were also important but perceived ease of use played only a minor role. The quality of the system and quality of the knowledge were found to be key drivers of Perceived Usefulness.
Soft tissue body composition : familial resemblance and independent influences on bone mineral density

Familial resemblance in fat and lean soft tissue and the influence of these body composition measures on bone mineral density (BMD) were determined in 162 adult members of 42 families. Whole body fat and lean mass and BMD of the spine and femoral neck were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and BMD of the heel and radius by single-photon absorptiometry. Significant correlations of lean tissue were observed between mothers and daughters (r = 0.35, p < 0.05), fathers and sons (r = 0.36, p < 0.05), and daughters and sons (r = 0.42, p < 0.01) after adjustment for age, height, fat mass, physical activity, and parity (among women). Fat tissue was not significantly correlated among any family member pairs. Lean tissue, but not fat, was positively associated with BMD in one or more family member subgroups at all skeletal sites. These findings suggest a hereditary component to muscle mass. Previously documented familial similarities in bone density may be related in part to the influence of lean mass on bone density.
Categorization of Patients With Reflux Symptoms Referred for pH and Impedance Testing While Off Therapy

Background & Aims Patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often are treated empirically with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Patients whose symptoms are not reduced during the PPI trial are referred for further tests. We investigated whether patients referred for the evaluation of reflux symptoms had GERD. We also aimed to categorize patients with a poor response to PPIs into groups with hypersensitive esophagus or functional heartburn. Methods We performed a retrospective study, searching a clinical database of patients referred for GERD testing from 2006 through 2011. We collected data on all patients who underwent upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring, and were off PPIs for at least 1 week. Evidence of GERD was determined by an abnormal upper endoscopy or 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring. Further categorization was determined by impedance results and the symptom association probability index. Results We identified 221 patients (mean age, 47.6 ± 13.3 y; 56% male; 61% Caucasians); 97% previously had been prescribed PPIs, before they were tested. The patients had erosive esophagitis (n = 21; 10%), nonerosive reflux disease with increased pH (n = 61; 27%), nonerosive reflux disease with abnormal impedance (n = 18; 8%), hypersensitive esophagus (n = 30; 14%), functional heartburn (n = 18; 8%), functional disorders other than heartburn (n = 30; 14%), and undetermined disorders (n = 43; 19%). Conclusions In a retrospective analysis of 221 patients, roughly half of the patients referred for testing did not have evidence of GERD. Further categorization of patients can help guide diagnosis and management.
Maximum Common Subgraph: Upper Bound and Lower Bound Results

In bio informatics, the biological structure matching problems can be formulated as the problem of finding the maximum common subgraph. Among the many different variants of the maximum common subgraph problem, the maximum common induced subgraph of two graphs is of special interest. In this paper, first we derive the lower bound result for the exact algorithms of the maximum common induced subgraph of two graphs, based on the current research progress in the area of parameterized computation. Then we investigate the upper bound and design the approaches for addressing this problem. Basically, this problem can be reduced to find a maximum clique in the product graph of the two given graphs. In consideration of the upper bound result, the obtained lower bound result is asymptotically tight. We would like to point out that our lower bound result presented here is currently best-known
Distributive politics, the electoral connection, and the antebellum US Congress: The case of military service pensions

We investigate the rise of federal military pensions in the antebellum US Congress to examine whether key aspects of the contemporary electoral connection were present in earlier historical eras. Overall, the political responses of members of Congress to pressures for military service pensions reveal that the quest for credit-claiming opportunities significantly shaped the adoption and evolution of this type of distributive legislation. Analyzing key legislative activity from 1818 to 1832, we find that members’ electoral interests gave rise to a particularistic and often inefficient system of benefits. Specifically, what began as a relatively simple program to provide for disabled Revolutionary War veterans grew into a broader entitlement-style program based on military service that legislators carefully cultivated in order to maximize their prospects for subsequent political advantage. Our analysis thus reveals that crucial features of the electoral connection were indeed present in the antebellum-era Co...
A framework for automatic, accurate, and fast 2-D+T/3-D registration applied to trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures

Presentation of detailed anatomical structures via 3-D models of the aortic root helps navigation and deployment of the prosthetic valve during TAVI procedures. Accurate 2-D/3-D registration of the 3-D model with one static X-ray image has been achieved using a hybrid method in [1]. In this paper, we extend the above method to register the 3-D model to a sequence of angiographic images that can be used for dynamic 2-D/3-D fusion. The key idea is to iterate the processes of motion-model construction and motion-model-guided 2-D/3-D registration. This iterative process starts from the frames with a good contrast presence, and extends gradually to those frames with less contrast and hence requires the motion-model to boost the registration performance. Image-based automatic motion-phase detection and contrast agent detection are utilized to fully explore the pseudo-cyclic property of the aortic motion and makes our framework fully automatic. Compared to the naive frame-by-frame 2-D/3-D registration approach, the proposed method reduced the registration error and the computational time by a factor of 6 and 12 respectively, and boosted the success rate from ∼50% to ∼100%, on five clinical TAVI data.
Technical note. Water vapour correction of the daily 1 km AVHRR global land dataset: Part I validation and use of the Water Vapour input field

An atmospheric correction algorithm developed for the 1 km Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) global land dataset was modified to include a near real-time total column water vapour data input field to account for the natural variability of atmospheric water vapour. The real-time data input field used for this study is the Television and Infrared Observational Satellite (TIROS) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) Pathfinder A global total column water vapour dataset. It was validated prior to its use in the AVHRR atmospheric correction process using two North American AVHRR scenes, namely 13 June and 28 November 1996. The validation results are consistent with those reported by others and entail a comparison between TOVS, radiosonde, experimental sounding, microwave radiometer, and data from a hand-held sunphotometer. The use of this data layer as input to the AVHRR atmospheric correction process is discussed.
Is the information systems profession gendered?: characterization of IS professionals and IS career

In spite of a more "feminine" nature of the information systems (IS) discipline due to its greater perceived social component, stereotypes and educational prejudices that are prevalent in the computer science discipline are assumed to exist in the information systems field. The objective of this study is to test the validity of this assumption by uncovering the perceptions of college students toward IS professionals and the IS profession. Our study reveals that stereotypes found to be associated with computer science also seem to permeate the IS field. However, after students are exposed to IS careers, they appear to grasp the unique nature of IS. In other words, while describing an IS professional and the IS profession, men and women were cognizant that the IS profession is a blend of technical, systems, social, and managerial components. This study also sheds some light on the question - Is the IS profession perceived to be gendered? Based on the study's results, we conclude that the students' perceptions of IS careers are to some extent gendered with a greater emphasis on masculine than feminine or gender neutral traits and abilities.
Programmed loss of millions of base pairs from a vertebrate genome

In general, the strict preservation of broad-scale structure is thought to be critical for maintaining the precisely tuned functionality of vertebrate genomes, although nearly all vertebrate species undergo a small number of programmed local rearrangements during development (e.g., remodeling of adaptive immune receptor loci). However, a limited number of metazoan species undergo much more extensive reorganizations as a normal feature of their development. Here, we show that the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), a jawless vertebrate, undergoes a dramatic remodeling of its genome, resulting in the elimination of hundreds of millions of base pairs (and at least one transcribed locus) from many somatic cell lineages during embryonic development. These studies reveal the highly dynamic nature of the lamprey genome and provide the first example of broad-scale programmed rearrangement of a definitively vertebrate genome. Understanding the mechanisms by which this vertebrate species regulates such extensive remodeling of its genome will provide invaluable insight into factors that can promote stability and change in vertebrate genomes.
Presupposition and Accommodation: Understanding the Stalnakerian picture *

This paper offers a critical analysis ofStalnaker's work on presupposition (Stalnaker1973, 1974, 1979, 1999, 2002). The paperexamines two definitions of speakerpresupposition offered by Stalnaker – the familiar common ground view, and the earlier,less familiar, dispositional account – and howStalnaker relates this notion to the linguisticphenomenon of presupposition. Special attentionis paid to Stalnaker's view of accommodation. Iargue that given Stalnaker’s views,accommodation is not rightly seen as driven bythe presuppositional requirements ofutterances, but only by the interests ofspeakers in eliminating perceived differencesamong presuppositions. I also consider therevisions which are needed either to thedefinition of speaker presupposition or to thedefinition of sentence presupposition in lightof the possibility of informativepresupposition. In the concluding section, Idiscuss the ways in which some recent accountsof context and speaker presupposition departfrom their Stalnakerian foundations.
Gastrojejunocolic Fistula Following Vagotomy for Marginal Ulcer

Summary Two instances of gastrojejunocolic fistula are reported. In both patients the fistula occurred following vagus nerve resection for marginal ulcer. A careful follow-up study on all cases of marginal ulcer treated by vagotomy is advised since all such ulcers do not heal in spite of symptom free periods.
Cutaneous and mammary apocrine carcinomas have different immunoprofiles

Often the distinction of cutaneous apocrine carcinoma from metastatic mammary apocrine carcinoma to the skin can be a diagnostic dilemma because both tumors share similar histologic features and have overlapping immunohistochemical profile. We compared the expression of adipophilin, cytokeratin 5/6, p63, GATA3, mammaglobin, androgen receptor, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 by immunohistochemistry in 14 cutaneous apocrine carcinomas (11 primary tumors, 3 metastases) and 26 primary apocrine carcinomas of the breast. Whereas focal adipophilin staining was seen in 36% (5/14) of cutaneous apocrine carcinoma, strong and diffuse adipophilin staining was seen in 88% (22/25) of mammary apocrine carcinoma (P = .0013). Differences in estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression were also statistically significant (P = .018 and .043). Androgen receptor was strongly positive in all cutaneous and mammary cases. Although there was no significant difference in the frequency of expression of cytokeratin 5/6, p63, HER2, GATA3, and mammaglobin in cutaneous apocrine carcinoma versus mammary apocrine carcinoma, strong and diffuse cytokeratin 5/6 and/or mammaglobin expression were seen only in cutaneous apocrine carcinoma. In conclusion, cutaneous apocrine carcinoma is likely adipophilin- ER+ PR+/- HER2- and can exhibit strong and diffuse cytokeratin 5/6 and/or mammaglobin expression. On the contrary, a mammary apocrine carcinoma is likely adipophilin+ ER- PR- and often exhibit 3+ HER2 with corresponding HER2 gene amplification. A panel of adipophilin, ER, PR, HER2, cytokeratin 5/6, and mammaglobin may be helpful in distinguishing cutaneous apocrine carcinoma from mammary apocrine carcinoma.
Health literacy in hand surgery patients: A cross-sectional survey

Purpose To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with limited health literacy among outpatients presenting to an urban academic hospital-based hand surgeon. Methods A cohort of 200 English- and Spanish-speaking patients completed the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) health literacy assessment tool, a sociodemographic survey, and 2 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–based computerized adaptive testing questionnaires: Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference and Upper-Extremity Function. The NVS scores were divided into limited (0–3) and adequate (4–6) health literacy. Multivariable regression modeling was used to identify independent predictors of limited health literacy. Results A total of 86 patients (43%) had limited health literacy (English-speaking: 33%; Spanish-speaking: 100%). Factors associated with limited health literacy were advanced age, lower income, and being publicly insured or uninsured. Increasing years of education was a protective factor. Primary language was not included in the logistic regression model because all Spanish-speaking patients had limited health literacy. When evaluating health literacy on a continuum, primary language was the factor that most influenced the NVS scores, accounting for 14% of the variability. Conclusions Limited health literacy was commonplace among patients seeing a hand surgeon, more so in elderly and disadvantaged individuals. We hope our study raises awareness of this issue among hand surgeons and encourages providers to simplify messages and improve communication strategies. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic II.
The heterogeneous equivalent: A method for digital simulation of electrochemical systems with compact reaction layers

Summary Digital simulation of an electrochemical system with homogeneous chemical kinetics and a compact reaction layer ( i.e. the reaction layer thickness is small compared to the diffusion layer thickness) can require impractically long computation times. By invoking steady-state mathematics it is possible to deduce an equivalent system involving only heterogeneous phenomena. This “heterogeneous equivalent” circumvents the need to simulate the details of the reaction layer thereby avoiding excessive computation times.