cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compressed Recording Technique for Power System Transient Voltage Waveform

A compressing storage technique for wave recording,which can process high-speed sampling data in real-time mode and compress the point-similar data,is proposed.The lower the equivalent frequency of wave segment,the better the effect of data compression.By means of measured data,the effects of data compression and waveform recurrence are demonstrated successfully and it is proved that using the proposed compressing storage technique,the utilization rate of memory capacity in recording equipment can be raised up to thousand times,thus the proposed technique make it possible to record transient voltage waveform with very high frequency components and long time duration.The proposed technique is especially suitable to the condition that the equivalent frequency of the waveform severely varies with time and data processing burden in late stage is lightened considerably,besides,the display effect of measuring instrument is improved obviously.
Treatment of Comorbid Depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Depressive symptoms are often observed in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); however, the presence of comorbid depression can interfere with the typically robust effects of OCD treatment. This chapter presents the clinical case of Jennifer, a 32-year-old married woman who experienced an escalation of both OCD (i.e., unwanted thoughts of being responsible for harm) and depressive symptoms following the birth of her first child. After describing Jennifer’s case history, we present a comprehensive case conceptualization of Jennifer’s obsessions and compulsions, examine the link between her OCD and her depression, and consider her symptoms from a couple’s context. We next describe the empirically informed decisions that Jennifer’s therapist made in determining Jennifer’s course of treatment for these co-occurring problems as well as how the treatment rationale was presented, cognitive therapy for both depression and OCD was implemented, and partner-assisted exposure and response prevention (ERP) was executed in order to involve Jack in the treatment process. Finally, we discuss two complicating factors in Jennifer’s case including Jennifer’s religious scrupulosity and fear of sin as well as Jennifer’s husband’s (Jack) intolerance of his partner’s distress. Key practice points for working with individuals with comorbid OCD and depression based on the lessons learned from Jennifer’s case are also discussed.
MRI of hemorrhagic meningiomas

MRI is an excellent imaging modality for showing hemorrhagic meningiomas. Our high incidence of hemorrhage associated with meningioma (3.7%) is probably secondary to the greater sensitivity of MRI imaging in detection of hemorrhage. Malignant, angioblastic, and fibroblastic meningiomas have a greater “relative bleeding tendency” than other histological types.
Joachim Bumke, Die Wolfram von Eschenbach-Forschung seit 1945 Bericht und Bibliographie: München: Fink, 1970. Pp. 436.

(1972). Joachim Bumke, Die Wolfram von Eschenbach-Forschung seit 1945 Bericht und Bibliographie. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 47, No. 4, pp. 310-311.
Stone Tools in Human Evolution: Behavioral Differences among Technological Primates

In Stone Tools in Human Evolution, John J. Shea argues that over the last three million years hominins' technological strategies shifted from occasional tool use, much like that seen among living non-human primates, to a uniquely human pattern of obligatory tool use. Examining how the lithic archaeological record changed over the course of human evolution, he compares tool use by living humans and non-human primates and predicts how the archaeological stone tool evidence should have changed as distinctively human behaviors evolved. Those behaviors include using cutting tools, logistical mobility (carrying things), language and symbolic artifacts, geographic dispersal and diaspora, and residential sedentism (living in the same place for prolonged periods). Shea then tests those predictions by analyzing the archaeological lithic record from 6,500 years ago to 3.5 million years ago.
Follow Up and Recurrence

This chapter describes the unique challenges of clinical follow up of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), including difficulty of identifying local recurrence in a background of actinically damaged skin. The various presentations of recurrent LM/LMM are described including pigmented, nonpigmented, in situ, and invasive disease. The techniques used to assist in monitoring for recurrence such as dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy are discussed. General guidelines for follow up, given a history of LM/LMM are the same as those for other types of melanoma, including at least a yearly physical/skin examination and a lymph node basin exam, with more frequent examinations for higher risk individuals, for example, those with invasive disease. As there are reports of a long latency to local recurrence (LR) in LM/LMM, greater than 3 years in several studies, long-term follow up of these patients is necessary. While the prognosis for locally recurrent LM/LMM has not been systematically studied, studies suggest that it is favorable to that of other melanoma subtypes. As the incidence of LM/LMM increases, studies of the characteristics of local recurrence are necessary to better define outcomes in this group.
2-D FIR Filters, Linear Prediction and 2-D IIR Filters

The technical field of image processing began during the latter half of the nineteenth century in the early days of chemical photography. Image processing then branched into the evolving fields of radio wave transmission and X-ray technology during the early twentieth century. Based on this evolutionary trend image processing became highly interdisciplinary during the twentieth century and has continued to quickly move forward during the twenty-first century. 2-D FIR filters are widely used image processing because the feasibility of generating zero-phase or linear phase characteristics controls phase distortion because of the importance of phase in image processing.
Comprehensive performance comparison of high-resolution array platforms for genome-wide Copy Number Variation (CNV) analysis in humans

High-resolution microarray technology is routinely used in basic research and clinical practice to efficiently detect copy number variants (CNVs) across the entire human genome. A new generation of arrays combining high probe densities with optimized designs will comprise essential tools for genome analysis in the coming years. We systematically compared the genome-wide CNV detection power of all 17 available array designs from the Affymetrix, Agilent, and Illumina platforms by hybridizing the well-characterized genome of 1000 Genomes Project subject NA12878 to all arrays, and performing data analysis using both manufacturer-recommended and platform-independent software. We benchmarked the resulting CNV call sets from each array using a gold standard set of CNVs for this genome derived from 1000 Genomes Project whole genome sequencing data. The arrays tested comprise both SNP and aCGH platforms with varying designs and contain between ~0.5 to ~4.6 million probes. Across the arrays CNV detection varied widely in number of CNV calls (4–489), CNV size range (~40 bp to ~8 Mbp), and percentage of non-validated CNVs (0–86%). We discovered strikingly strong effects of specific array design principles on performance. For example, some SNP array designs with the largest numbers of probes and extensive exonic coverage produced a considerable number of CNV calls that could not be validated, compared to designs with probe numbers that are sometimes an order of magnitude smaller. This effect was only partially ameliorated using different analysis software and optimizing data analysis parameters. High-resolution microarrays will continue to be used as reliable, cost- and time-efficient tools for CNV analysis. However, different applications tolerate different limitations in CNV detection. Our study quantified how these arrays differ in total number and size range of detected CNVs as well as sensitivity, and determined how each array balances these attributes. This analysis will inform appropriate array selection for future CNV studies, and allow better assessment of the CNV-analytical power of both published and ongoing array-based genomics studies. Furthermore, our findings emphasize the importance of concurrent use of multiple analysis algorithms and independent experimental validation in array-based CNV detection studies.
A Revision of Acanthinus (Coleoptera: Anthicidae). II. The Angusticollis-Group

The group is defined to include Acanthinus angusticollis (LaFerte) (= Anthicus inflatithorax Pic 1900, = A. judithi Buck 1960, n. syn.), A. bicoloripes (Pic), and A . klagesi, new species (from Venezuela and Bolivia). The group is known from tropical and subtropical South America and the West Indies.
Assessment and Treatment of Stealing

What is probably the first chapter ever written on the treatment of stealing was also written for an edited collection but predates this one by some 33 centuries. If a man steal an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. He shall make restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or an ass or a sheep, he shall pay double. (Exodus, Chapter 22, 1–4)
A Functional Data Analysis of Spatiotemporal Trends and Variation in Fine Particulate Matter.

Abstract In this paper we illustrate the application of modern functional data analysis methods to study the spatiotemporal variability of particulate matter components across the United States. The approach models the pollutant annual profiles in a way that describes the dynamic behavior over time and space. This new technique allows us to predict yearly profiles for locations and years at which data are not available and also offers dimension reduction for easier visualization of the data. Additionally it allows us to study changes of pollutant levels annually or for a particular season. We apply our method to daily concentrations of two particular components of PM2.5 measured by two networks of monitoring sites across the United States from 2003 to 2015. Our analysis confirms existing findings and additionally reveals new trends in the change of the pollutants across seasons and years that may not be as easily determined from other common approaches such as Kriging.
Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin after carotid artery stenting.

Background Carotid artery stenting is being used as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy, both within the context of clinical trials and in non-surgical candidates. Though stenting is known to activate platelets, the role of antithrombotic therapy in carotid stenting has not been fully characterized. Methods and results Consecutive patients (n = 162) were followed in a single-center carotid stent registry. The cumulative rate of 30-day death, stroke, transient ischemic attack and myocardial infarction in those patients receiving a thienopyridine was determined, as were rates of stent thrombosis and intracranial hemorrhage. The mean age of the patients was 70.3 years and there was an extremely high prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, including 40% with unstable angina. The carotid lesion was symptomatic in 59% of patients. The average pre-treatment stenosis was 83%. The cumulative 30-day rate of death, stroke, transient ischemic attack and myocardial infarction was 5.6%. Specifically, in the patients who received ticlopidine (n = 23), the rate was 13%, versus 4.3% in the patients who received clopidogrel (n = 139) (p = 0.01). In this series, there were no cases of stent thrombosis and 1 intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusion Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel plus aspirin in patients receiving carotid artery stents is associated with a low rate of ischemic events. Furthermore, clopidogrel appears superior to ticlopidine. Thus, our findings lend support to the dual antiplatelet strategy of clopidogrel plus aspirin for patients undergoing carotid artery stenting.
Targeting mTOR Signaling Pathways in Liver Disease

Over the last 15 years, the Ser/Thr protein kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has emerged as a critical regulator of cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism [1]. The diversity of intracellular responses, in which mTOR is implicated, stems from the fact that it integrates input from distinct signaling effectors (growth factors and nutrients) and acts on specific substrates depending on its ­interaction in multienzyme protein complexes termed mTOR complexes [1]. In addition, mTOR signaling is negatively regulated by several tumor suppressors. In a largely selective manner, the macrolide antibiotic rapamycin inhibits the activity of one of the mTOR complexes, mTOR Complex1 (mTORC1, see below). Rapamycin (sirolimus) and its derivatives (AP23573, CCI-779, and RAD001) are used in the clinic as immunosuppressive agents in organ transplantation and as antiproliferative and antiangiogenic agents to prevent coronary restenosis and treat cancer. Here, we will review the molecular mechanisms known to regulate mTOR signaling pathways, illustrate the role of mTOR signaling in liver disease, and report on the preclinical and clinical studies targeting mTOR to treat liver cancer.
The Extended-Linearization Approach for Nonlinear Systems Problems

A typical approach to nonlinear systems problems is to linearize about a nominal constant operating (equilibrium) point. Then linear design methods are used, yielding a system whose linearization has the desired characteristics. So long as the resulting system is operated in a region sufficiently close to the nominal operating point, the linearization should accurately reflect the behavior of the nonlinear system. Of course, simulation is used to verify the effectiveness of this procedure.
A study of heat transfer for single and double layer inclined synchrotron radiation absorbers

The heat transfer phenomena for single and double layer inclined absorbers which absorb synchrotron radiation has been studied using analytical and numerical methods. Photon penetration through the metal layers has been included and the effects of the spectral variation of the absorption coefficients and variable thermal conductivities have been examined. Different thickness ratios and inclination angles have been studied for double layer absorbers and it has been shown that double layer inclined absorbers significantly reduce the peak temperatures.
Financial statement disclosures and environmental performance by US companies participating in the EU emissions trading system

In this study, we examine US firms that owned plants in the European Union (EU) that were among those required to participate in the EU's cap-and-trade system (EU-ETS) developed to reach emissions goals compliant with the Kyoto Protocol (Kyoto). Based on a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) interpretive release, US participants in the EU-ETS are required to disclose that involvement in their regulatory filings. Since these plants had to meet EU carbon emission standards, the research questions considered here is how successful the firms were in reducing carbon outputs and what was disclosed about their environmental performance. The results indicate that for these plants carbon emissions in 2012 declined relative to 2008 levels. And, in terms of disclosure, these firms disclosed significantly more about climate change and their EU-ETS participation during the later period than they did in 2008.
REVERSE TAKOTSUBO FROM IATROGENIC STRESS INDUCED CARDIOMYOPATHY

Reverse Takotsubo is a version of stress cardiomyopathy in which the base and midventricular segments of the left ventricle are akinetic. This is opposite of the classically described Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in which there is apical ballooning from systolic dysfunction of the apex. A 63 year old
Marginalia, Value and Meaning: A Study

This article looks at the value of marginalia as created by the patrons of the library at Queensborough Community College, City University of New York. The author chose 10 books from different area...
The Politics of Syncretism in Japan's Political Economy

Kushida and Shimizu examine Japan’s financial system, both the conventional financial sectors, such as banking, securities, and insurance, as well as the massive postal savings system. They argue that Japan’s pattern of change is syncretic, whereby new ideas and practices are coexisting with pre-existing organizations and norms. Regulatory reforms allowed new entries, new possibilities for reorganization, and new strategies. Yet, although some financial institutions aggressively pursued new opportunities, others retained traditional organizations and strategies, and still others became hybrids. This has resulted in a syncretic system. The authors go beyond the characterization of these transformations as syncretic to contend that a specific set of political dynamics shaped Japan’s process of change, a process that they refer to as syncretization. This distinctive pattern of regulatory reform consisted of a strong political leader- ship pushing through reforms in the face of traditionally powerful interest groups. Such a pattern of reform left room for the long-standing and powerful interest groups to slow down or even reverse the reforms when the political impetus for reform waned.
VEGAS as a Platform for Facile Directed Evolution in Mammalian Cells

Summary Directed evolution, artificial selection toward designed objectives, is routinely used to develop new molecular tools and therapeutics. Successful directed molecular evolution campaigns repeatedly test diverse sequences with a designed selective pressure. Unicellular organisms and their viral pathogens are exceptional for this purpose and have been used for decades. However, many desirable targets of directed evolution perform poorly or unnaturally in unicellular backgrounds. Here, we present a system for facile directed evolution in mammalian cells. Using the RNA alphavirus Sindbis as a vector for heredity and diversity, we achieved 24-h selection cycles surpassing 10−3 mutations per base. Selection is achieved through genetically actuated sequences internal to the host cell, thus the system’s name: viral evolution of genetically actuating sequences, or “VEGAS.” Using VEGAS, we evolve transcription factors, GPCRs, and allosteric nanobodies toward functional signaling endpoints each in less than 1 weeks’ time.
Collaborating with Strangers: Facilitating Workshops in Libraries, Classes, and Nonprofits.

To many, the prospect of interacting with strangers is a daunting one. Whether due to personality, poor past experiences, or other reasons, most individuals face the prospect of working with strang...
Electromyographic Observations of the Effects of Static Stretching upon Muscular Distress

Abstract Equipment was assembled to record resting muscle action potentials electromyographically at a very high sensitivity level (10 microvolts per cm. of needle deflection). Electromyograms for seven subjects having chronic muscular involvement of the shin splint type were recorded before and after static stretching procedure was administered. In six of the seven subjects muscle action potentials were markedly reduced after the stretching procedure while in one subject an increase was observed. Of the six subjects who showed lowered electromyograms those who had pain symptoms at the time of experimentation also showed some measure of symptomatic relief.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Recipients of Heart Transplant With Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Importance Recipients of heart transplant (HT) may be at increased risk of adverse outcomes attributable to infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because of multiple comorbidities and clinically significant immunosuppression. Objective To describe the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of recipients of HT with COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants This case series from a single large academic heart transplant program in New York, New York, incorporates data from between March 1, 2020, and April 24, 2020. All recipients of HT followed up by this center who were infected with COVID-19 were included. Interventions Heart transplant and a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary measure was vital status at end of study follow-up. Secondary measures included patient characteristics, laboratory analyses, changes to immunosuppression, and treatment administered for COVID-19. Results Twenty-eight patients with HT received a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The median age was 64.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 53.5-70.5) years, 22 (79%) were men, and the median time from HT was 8.6 (IQR, 4.2-14.5) years. Comorbid conditions included hypertension in 20 patients (71%), diabetes in 17 patients (61%), and cardiac allograft vasculopathy in 16 patients (57%). Twenty-two participants (79%) were admitted for treatment, and 7 (25%) required mechanical ventilation. Most (13 of 17 [76%]) had evidence of myocardial injury (median high-sensitivity troponin T, 0.055 [IQR, 0.0205-0.1345] ng/mL) and elevated inflammatory biomarkers (median peak high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, 11.83 [IQR, 7.44-19.26] mg/dL; median peak interleukin 6, 105 [IQR, 38-296] pg/mL). Among patients managed at the study institution, mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued in 16 patients (70%), and 6 (26%) had a reduction in the dose of their calcineurin inhibitor. Treatment of COVID-19 included hydroxychloroquine (18 patients [78%]), high-dose corticosteroids (8 patients [47%]), and interleukin 6 receptor antagonists (6 patients [26%]). Overall, 7 patients (25%) died. Among 22 patients (79%) who were admitted, 11 (50%) were discharged home, 4 (18%) remain hospitalized at the end of the study, and 7 (32%) died during hospitalization. Conclusions and Relevance In this single-center case series, COVID-19 infection was associated with a case fatality rate of 25% in recipients of HT. Immunosuppression was reduced in most of this group of patients. Further study is required to evaluate the optimal approach to management of COVID-19 infection in the HT population.
Promoting Patient Portals: An Application of Social Cognitive Theory to Post-Adoption Patient Portal Use.

Many healthcare clinics encourage the use of online patient portals so that patients can have easier access to their health information, yet some patients are hesitant to interact with these portal...
Effects of postpartum oral calcium supplementation on milk yield, milk composition, and reproduction in multiparous Jersey and Jersey × Holstein crossbreed cows

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of postpartum oral calcium supplementation on milk yield, energy-corrected milk yield, milk fat concentration, milk protein concentration, and somatic cell count linear score across the first 3 monthly tests postpartum, peak milk yield, risk of pregnancy at first service, and hazard of pregnancy by 150 d in milk on 1,129 multiparous Jersey and Jersey × Holstein crossbreed cows from 2 commercial dairies. After calving, cows were systematically assigned to control (no oral calcium supplementation; n = 567) or oral calcium supplementation at 0 and 1 d in milk (oral Ca; 50 to 60 g of calcium as boluses; n = 562). Monthly test milk yield, composition, and somatic cell count information was obtained from the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Herd records were used for reproductive data. Statistical analysis was conducted using generalized multiple linear, Poisson, and Cox's hazard regressions. Treatment effects were evaluated considering cow-level information available at parturition (parity, breed, previous lactation milk yield, previous lactation length, dry period length, gestation length, body condition, and locomotion score at calving, calving ease, and calf sex). In addition, for a subset of cows serum calcium concentration before treatment administration was evaluated (n = 756). Overall, oral calcium supplementation did not affect the evaluated productive and reproductive variables. However, effects conditional to previous lactation length and calving locomotion score were observed. Milk yield and energy-corrected milk yield across the first 3 monthly tests were 1.8 kg/d higher for supplemented cows with a previous lactation length within the fourth quartile, compared with control cows on the same quartile. Energy-corrected milk yield tended to be 1.1 kg/d lower for supplemented cows with a previous lactation length within the first quartile, compared with control counterparts. Peak milk yield tended to be 1.6 kg higher for supplemented cows with a calving locomotion score ≥2, compared with control cows with the same locomotion score. Treatment effects were not conditional to serum calcium concentration before treatment administration. Our results suggest that postpartum oral calcium supplementation effects are conditional to cow-level factors such as previous lactation length and calving locomotion score in multiparous Jersey and Jersey × Holstein crossbreed cows.
Topographic Controls on the Distribution of Summer Monsoon Precipitation over South Asia

We use a high-resolution (9 km) one-way nested regional climate modeling framework to systematically evaluate individual and aggregate roles of various components of topography in the precipitation distribution during South Asian Summer Monsoon (SASM). While it is not the arrival but the north-northwestward extent of summer monsoon precipitation that is regulated by the presence of elevated surfaces in South Asia, both the thermal and mechanical topographic forcing play a role. Topography not only provides mechanical uplifting and prevents dry air entrainment, it also helps regulate the strength of upper level anticyclone and tropical easterly jet, all of which are necessary to sustain a conducive environment for monsoon precipitation in the South Asian summer. In turn, precipitation feedbacks positively by accelerating the tropospheric diabatic warming through atmospheric latent heating and by maintaining the moisture supply through local recycling. Modifications in the topography, particularly the removal of the Tibetan Plateau, substantially modulates the moist flow in the lower troposphere and the anticyclonic circulation in the upper troposphere to an extent that the northern branch of SASM becomes substantially weaker. These changes give way to negative precipitation anomalies and eventually to an environment where the cycle of feedbacks that runs the process of monsoon progression over land becomes inefficient. The design of topographic modification experiments can influence precipitation response; therefore, we advise caution in the interpretation of these and previously reported results.
Microbiota control of maternal behavior regulates early postnatal growth of offspring

Maternal behavior is necessary for optimal development and growth of offspring. The intestinal microbiota has emerged as a critical regulator of growth and development in the early postnatal period life. Here, we describe the identification of an intestinal Escherichia coli strain that is pathogenic to the maternal-offspring system during the early postnatal stage of life and results in growth stunting of the offspring. However, rather than having a direct pathogenic effect on the infant, we found that this particular E. coli strain was pathogenic to the dams by interfering with the maturation of maternal behavior. This resulted in malnourishment of the pups and impaired insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling, leading to the consequential stunted growth. Our work provides a new understanding of how the microbiota regulates postnatal growth and an additional variable that must be considered when studying the regulation of maternal behavior.
Workplace Romance in Dermatology

Once considered unacceptable, workplace romances (WRs) are becoming increasingly commonplace and accepted if managed appropriately. Despite news headlines depicting powerful executives losing their jobs over WR, many scholars and businesses are supportive of WR as long as potential conflicts of interest are managed for the greatest benefit and least harm to the relevant parties. Though many of the conflicts of interest that arise from WR are common to many professions and places of business, there are unique considerations when WR occurs in an academic dermatology department. This chapter will provide a modern context for WR, and then seek to delineate the ethical principles involved in WR. We conclude with a suggested framework for evaluating conflicts of interest in this type of circumstance and apply that framework to case scenarios involving residents, medical students, faculty, and office staff.
27. A Case of Vaginal Yolk Sac Tumor in an 8 Year Old Girl with Didelphys Uterus

Background Vaginal yolk sac tumors are quite rare in children. They usually occur in young girls under the age of 3 and present with vaginal bleeding. We present a case where an initial exam under anesthesia revealed no evidence of a vaginal malignancy. However, due to ongoing symptoms, a re-evaluation revealed vaginal yolk sac tumor which had been concealed by a congenital anomaly. Case An 8 year old girl presented with a 3 month history of pre-pubertal vaginal bleeding. A workup revealed pre-pubertal hormonal levels, no evidence of vaginal infections or foreign objects and no concerns for sexual abuse. Imaging revealed a didelphys uterus with 2 cervixes and a 9mm collection of heterogeneous material which appeared to be within an obstructed left hemi-vagina. On vaginoscopy there was no visible blood, no distension of the left hemi-vagina that could be visualized, and no evidence of malignancy. Due to ongoing symptoms, exam under anesthesia was repeated in one year. On this exam a bulge was noted in the vagina. The vaginal septum was perforated and significant vaginal tumor was discovered within the left hemi-vagina. This was biopsied and found to be an extra-gonadal yolk sac tumor. She was subsequently referred to oncology and diagnosed with Stage III extra-gonadal yolk sac tumor with negative AFP. She received 4 cycles of cisplatin, bleomycin and etoposide (PEB). She underwent interval debulking of vaginal tumor, which was halted due to excessive bleeding from the tumor. She underwent 2 additional cycles of PEB followed by excision of the vaginal septum. At that time there was no further visible tumor and no tumor was identified on histologic evaluation of the septum. Comments This case illustrates difficulty diagnosing a vaginal tumor due to a congenital anomaly. It is critical to continue to follow patients with pre-pubertal bleeding if there is no etiology discovered initially. Though malignancy is a rare cause of pre-pubertal vaginal bleeding, it is important to reconsider this in cases which include congenital anomalies that may delay the diagnosis.
The Impact of a Comprehensive Program on College Success of Academically and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students

Low rates in college graduation and persistence have been a significant and persistent issue among urban high school graduates in the Unites States of America, especially for the academically and socioeconomically disadvantaged student population. In response to a college completion initiative, higher education institutions in one large city have joined forces to battle this issue. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the effects of one such university’s comprehensive support program on public high school graduates’ success in college graduation and persistence, and identifies a set of unique high impact practices that have contributed to the success of the program.
Fournier's gangrene mimicking an acute epididymitis.

Fournier’s gangrene is a urologic emergency secondary to a necrotizing soft tissue infection. Fournier’s gangrene is characterized by severe pain and features of Fournier’s gangrene may include ede...
Boolean Algebras and Circuits

Chapter 3 discusses Boolean algebras. This topic arises from a combination of set theory and logic. After the introduction of the rules of Boolean algebra, Boolean forms are discussed. An important topic is the investigation of minimal disjunctive forms, a standard form of Boolean form.
Reinhold: Letters on the Kantian Philosophy

Reinhold's Letters on the Kantian Philosophy is arguably the most influential book ever written concerning Kant. It provides a helpful introduction to Kant's philosophy and a valuable explanation of how that philosophy can be understood as an appropriate Enlightenment solution to the 'pantheism dispute' which dominated thought in the era of German Idealism. The first edition of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason was slow in gaining a positive reception, but after Reinhold's Letters appeared Kant's Critical Philosophy suddenly attained the central position which it has held to this day. The Letters also brought fame to Reinhold, who developed his own influential 'Elementary Philosophy' and was succeeded by the leading figures of German Idealism: Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel. This English edition of Reinhold's work includes the original 1786–7 version as well as all the major additions and changes from the 1790 edition.
A lossless 2-D image compression technique for synthetic discrete-tone images

A new image compression technique, flexible automatic block decomposition (FABD), losslessly compresses typical discrete-tone pseudo-color images 1.5 to 5.5 times more compactly than GIF, and up to twice as compactly as JBIG. The algorithm is designed to exploit the two-dimensional redundancy in an image by expressing the image in terms of itself. Several optimizations allow the algorithm to complete in a matter of seconds on a 100 MIPS processor. Decompression is fast and simple, as is required in a Web browsing environment. Entropy coding techniques result in a coding rate of typically 0.03 bpp-0.20 bpp.
Lateral inferior pontine syndrome: Clinico-pathologic study and review of literature

Abstract A patient with left-sided deafness, left facial paralysis, sensory loss in the left side of the face and cerebellar signs of acute onset is presented. At necropsy, a circumscribed hemorrhage in the caudal pontine tegmentum and adjacent cerebellum was found. The clinical and pathological findings were those of the lateral inferior pontine syndrome. The pertinent literature is briefly reviewed and the use of topographical nomenclature is emphasized.
Mercury in organic chemistry : XVI. Synthesis of 1,4-dienes via allylation of vinylmercurials

Vinylmercurials react readily with allylic halides, lithium chloride and palladium chloride in tetrahydrofuran to give 1,4-dienes. Some reactions proceed well using only catalytic amounts of palladium chloride while others require stoichiometric amounts. The yields decrease with increasing substitution about the carboncarbon double bond of the allylic halide. The reactions appear to proceed through the addition of vinylpalldium species to the carboncarbon double bond of the allylic halide, and subsequent palladium chloride elimination. The overall result is SN2′ substitution of the allylic halide.
The Chaos of Smith.

Smith v. Van Gorkom led to the death of the duty of care for directors of public corporations in the United States. Nothing in Smith justifies this "drastic" change in American corporate law. On the contrary, once Smith is viewed in accordance with the narrative proffered in this article, it fails to explain the death of the duty of care, since the case did not change the law or the risks facing directors. This suggests that the death of the duty of care following in the wake of Smith was not the product of a highly interventionist court, which required legislative constraint, as many commentators suggest. Moreover, combined with increased laxity in constraints on management of public corporations with respect to other issues of corporate governance, such as the PSLRA, Smith's legacy left us with a most radical outcome: the onset of CEO primacy in the American public corporation.Excessive laxity in legal constraints has now resulted in excessive CEO power. It also resulted in political reaction: the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Unfortunately, the end result of political overreaction may not be beneficial. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act greatly increased the cost of accessing the public capital markets upon all issuers without improving the quality of corporate governance. The system has shifted from wild indulgence to wild over-regulation. This fact suggests that the underlying legal structure of our corporate governance system results in standards and laws that are difficult to predict and are untethered to any policy analysis. The system seems best explained by Chaos Theory.
Exploring Bed & Breakfast Websites: A Balanced Scorecard Approach

SUMMARY This exploratory study was designed to evaluate the Websites of Bed & Breakfast(s) (B&B) belonging to the Indiana B&B Association (IBBA). Using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach, four evaluation perspectives were considered: (1) user friendliness, (2) site attractiveness, (3) marketing effectiveness, and (4) technical aspects. A team of trained evaluators rated a random sample of 20 IBBA property Websites. The study found that the major strength of the B&B Websites evaluated was their attractiveness, but improvements were needed in all four categories. The B&B modified BSC instrument used in this research also showed good inter-rater reliability.
Plato: a compiler for interactive web forms

Modern web forms interact with the user in real-time by detecting errors and filling-in implied values, which in terms of automated reasoning amounts to SAT solving and theorem proving. This paper presents PLATO, a compiler that automatically generates web forms that detect errors and fill-in implied values from declarative web form descriptions. Instead of writing HTML and JavaScript directly, web developers write an ontology in classical logic that describes the relationships between web form fields, and PLATO automatically generates HTML to display the form and browser scripts to implement the requisite SAT solving and theorem proving. We discuss PLATO's design and implementation and evaluate PLATO's performance both analytically and empirically.
Reconstructing historical and contemporary disease dynamics: A case study using the California slender salamander

Abstract The fungal disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been implicated in the extirpation and extinction of amphibian species throughout the world. Recent Bd epizootics (i.e. epidemics in wildlife) have driven hundreds of species to near-extinction. Several species in California have been severely affected by Bd epizootics, but most work has focused on aquatic species. Our study focused on the most abundant and widespread terrestrial amphibian species in California, the California slender salamander, Batrachoseps attenuatus . This species is known to be infected by Bd, but little is known of its disease dynamics. We examined the effect of disease history on contemporary disease dynamics by combining retrospective tests for Bd emergence in museum specimens with contemporary field-collected infection data from the same locations. We found that Bd rapidly emerged in B. attenuatus and exhibited a non-linear pattern of spread throughout Northern California, and that modern-day persistence was negatively correlated with time since first detection of infection. To understand what factors are associated with Bd emergence, we correlated standard environmental variables (e.g. temperature, precipitation) from Bd-positive sites with Bd prevalence. We also compared and contrasted the degree of sociality between B. attenuatus populations that were recently Bd-infected with those that had a longer history of infection. We found that Bd infection in B. attenuatus was positively associated with distance to nearest lentic aquatic habitat, suggesting that aquatic carriers of Bd may be important in prevalence of pathogen within terrestrial B. attenuatus populations. Among our 14 field sites, we also found that recently infected populations had larger group sizes, after standardizing for population density, than populations that had been infected over multiple decades. This result suggests that sociality may facilitate disease spread in terrestrial hosts and that populations with longer exposure to this pathogen may evolve away from the ancestral condition of sociality.
A Discussion of the Linearity between the Measured Voltages of Ion-Selective Electrodes and the Ionic Concentrations in Whole Blood

The ion-sensitive electrodes used to measure Na+, K+, and Cl- in biological fluids have output voltages that are logarithmically related to ionic activity. This measured voltage also is linearly related to ionic concentration for the Na+ and Cl- electrodes. Furthermore, the K+ electrode, which must be corrected for its Na+ sensitivity in whole blood or plasma, exhibits a linear characteristic between measured voltage and K+ concentration in which the constants of the straight-line equation are each a linear function of the Na+ concentration. The linear relationships are discussed and fitted to data for pure electrolyte solutions, plasma, and whole blood.
A Review of: “Exercises and Solutions in Biostatistical Theory, by L. L. Kupper, B. H. Neelon, and S. M. O'Brien”

This book is a collection of a wide variety of problems in statistical theory (with illustrating applications primarily in the biomedical context) and their detailed solutions. Although the title s...
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression in low-income and minority medical outpatients: description of a program and exploratory analyses

This article describes the treatment of depression in low-income and ethnic minority medical outpatients with cognitive-behavioral therapy and also reports on preliminary analyses of effectiveness as well as predictors of treatment outcome and dropout. One hundred and seventy-five patients were treated and showed significant pre- to posttreatment reductions in Beck Depression Inventory scores but not to the same extent as results reported in the treatment outcome literature. Patients with the poorest outcome were those with initially high symptoms of depression and not living with spouses/partners. Dropout was most likely in patients who were younger, minority, and treated with group therapy. Clinic procedures designed to reduce traditional barriers to mental health service utilization encountered by ethnic minorities resulted in 14% of referrals coming to one session of evaluation, 29% starting therapy, and 12% completing treatment, for a total service utilization rate of 55%.
The Mechanics of Equibiaxial Hydrostatic Deformation in Solid State: Isotactic Polypropylene

Equibiaxial, hydrostatic deformation of isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP) of an intermediate weight average molecular weight (2.9×105) has been achieved by uniaxial compression between two axially aligned circular cylinders at the desired draw temperature (TDR). Independent measurements of load (i.e., stress) and displacement (i.e., strain) are made during the course of deformation. A systematic variation in TDR (from 30–130°C) at a ram speed of 0.25 in./min. has been studied. The stress‐strain data corrected for machine compliance has been compared to a theoretical model. This model assumes a rigid‐plastic behavior with a hydrostatic pressure effect. The shear stress at the wall, caused by metal‐polymer contact, is coulombic friction. As the compressive force (and, hence the hydrostatic pressure) is increased, the frictional shear stress (in the central portion of the compressed sample) exceeds the maximum shear stress (also changing with hydrostatic pressure), causing the i‐PP to yield on the surface (refe...
Matrix composition, organization and soluble factors: Modulators of microvascular cell differentiation in vitro

The microvasculature is comprised of vascular beds which exhibit a wide variety of transport, synthetic and metabolic functions as well as several distinct morphological organizations. The two major cell types that populate the microvasculature are the endothelial cell and the vascular smooth muscle cell (pericyte, mesangial cell). These cells types are known to respond to extracellular matrix components and soluble factors as well as to the direct interactions with neighboring cells during development, in response to injury and while maintaining normal structure/functions. The advent of modern cell isolation, characterization and culture techniques have allowed the use of tissue and organ culture models in the study of vascular cell behavior. This paper will focus on the roles of extracellular matrix in modulating the phenotype of microvascular endothelial cell and mesangial cell populations in culture.
Estimating the presence of people from aggregate cell phone network activity

We present a methodology for the analysis of aggregate cell phone network activity that allows estimating the presence of people in geographical areas at the scale of the borough. The methodology is based on hourly counts of GSM network data handled by a major Dutch telecom operator over the metropolitan area of Amsterdam. Our methodology is structured in four steps. First we build an allocation function that indicates how to redistribute the by-antenna statistics to each borough. Second we analyze the trends of the temporal signatures of the boroughs and we select the clusters with minimum inter-cluster variation. Then we analyze the correlation of two demographic measures against data from the network during the selected temporal clusters. Finally we show that location updates are a good proxy for estimating the presence people, and that their variations over time reflect major trends of social dynamics. We also discuss how the analysis of GSM network activity can provide unprecedented insights on how crowds move in the city. We finally discuss our future work, whose outcomes we believe have the potential to solve real-world problems like crowd management, the support for special events, and the analysis of urban dynamics and urban policies.
Rapid CO release from a Mn(I) carbonyl complex derived from azopyridine upon exposure to visible light and its phototoxicity toward malignant cells

Two Mn(I) carbonyl complexes namely [MnBr(azpy)(CO)3] and [Mn(azpy)(CO)3(PPh3)](ClO4) (azpy = 2-phenylazopyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. Both complexes exhibit rapid CO release upon exposure to low power visible light. [MnBr(azpy)(CO)3] shows significant phototoxicity toward two malignant cell lines HeLa and MDA-MB-231.
Nicotine attenuates DOI-induced head-twitch response in mice: implications for Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS), a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder, is characterized by motor and vocal tics. Preliminary clinical studies indicate possible therapeutic benefits of nicotine in the treatment of Tourette's syndrome (TS). It has been proposed that twitches of the head in mice or twitches of head and shoulders in rats following administration of the selective 5HT(2A/C) agonist DOI (1-)2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane, can serve as an animal model of tics in TS. In this study, the effects of acute and chronic administration of nicotine on DOI-induced head twitch response (HTR) in male albino ICR mice were evaluated. Both acute and chronic nicotine (daily injections for 10 days) reduced the DOI-induced HTR. Moreover, chronic administration of DOI (1 mg/kg/day for 10 days) resulted in 65% increase in [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin binding in cerebellum and 41% increase in striatal [3H]cytisine binding. However, the acute inhibitory effects of nicotine were not blocked by pretreatment with the nicotinic antagonist, mecamylamine. Indeed, at higher doses, mecamylamine also reduced the DOI-induced HTR. The data suggest that both nicotine and mecamylamine may be of therapeutic potential in the treatment of some symptoms of TS.