cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Second Language Experience Facilitates Statistical Learning of Novel Linguistic Materials

Recent research has begun to explore individual differences in statistical learning, and how those differences may be related to other cognitive abilities, particularly their effects on language learning. In this research, we explored a different type of relationship between language learning and statistical learning: the possibility that learning a new language may also influence statistical learning by changing the regularities to which learners are sensitive. We tested two groups of participants, Mandarin Learners and Naive Controls, at two time points, 6 months apart. At each time point, participants performed two different statistical learning tasks: an artificial tonal language statistical learning task and a visual statistical learning task. Only the Mandarin-learning group showed significant improvement on the linguistic task, whereas both groups improved equally on the visual task. These results support the view that there are multiple influences on statistical learning. Domain-relevant experiences may affect the regularities that learners can discover when presented with novel stimuli.
Hemilaryngeal Microsomia: An Anatomic Variant.

Summary Objectives This study aims to describe a congenital laryngeal structural variant, hemilaryngeal microsomia (HLM), and to correlate identification on physical examination with computerized tomography scan (CT) and laryngoscopy findings. Methods The study was conducted at a tertiary care center. Six patients presenting with hoarseness were admitted to a tertiary care otolaryngology office. These patients had asymmetrical thyroid cartilage prominence on palpation during physical examination. A diagnosis of HLM was made. All patients underwent laryngostroboscopy and CT scan. Four control patients with normal thyroid cartilage anatomy on physical examination, CT, and stroboscopy results were included for comparison. Results Disparities in thyroid cartilage angles correlated with documented physical examination findings for six out of six HLM patients. On CT scan, the average difference in left and right thyroid laminar angles was 30.2° ± 18.3° in HLM patients vs 4.00° ± 1.63° in control patients ( P = 0.023). Strobosocopic findings also correlated with HLM. The arytenoid cartilage was anteriorly or medially displaced on the microsomic side in all six HLM patients. Three patients had anterior placement of the vocal process resulting in shortening of the vocal fold on the microsomic side of the larynx. Conclusions HLM is a congenital structural anomaly of the larynx that may be palpated on physical examination. HLM found on physical examination can be correlated with asymmetries found on CT scan and endoscopy. There is no evidence that the structural features of HLM were causally related to voice symptoms, but the findings on HLM may lead to misdiagnosis. A larger study is indicated to confirm laryngeal structural differences between patients with HLM on physical examination and the general population. Whether or not HLM affects clinical or surgical outcomes remains to be studied.
Assessment of transport emissions impact and the associated social cost for Chengdu, China

ABSTRACTChengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, is the fourth biggest city in China with over 15 million residents and 3.4 million vehicles. In Chengdu, transport and other mobile sources accounted for over 27% of the city's PM2.5 emissions (CDEPB, 2016), posing negative impacts on public health, local environment, and the climate. This study estimated impacts from transport-related emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O, PM10, PM2.5, NOX, SOX, CO, and HC) and evaluated the associated social cost for Chengdu from 2005 to 2013. The study also assessed the city's transport performance in terms of its eco-efficiency with the socioeconomic and environmental concerns. The activity-based methodology was adopted to produce the emission inventories, while utilizing meta-analysis and localizing the emission social cost factors based on Chengdu's economic and demographic reality to support social cost assessment. The study marks the first attempt in literature to evaluate Chengdu's transport emission social cost. The foll...
Effects of gene penetrance on adherence to breast cancer screening recommendations (BCSR) among high-risk women.

1515Background: Adherence to cancer screening depends on the interplay between risk perception and convenience. For instance, high perceived risk is likely what motivates high-risk mutation carriers (HRMC) to adhere well to rather inconvenient BCSR. While the NCCN offers BCSR for moderate-risk genes, adherence in moderate-risk mutation carriers (MRMC) and non-carriers with negative multigene panels (NC) is unknown. Methods: Screening behavior was examined in 120 women (15 HRMC, 20 MRMC, 85 NC) 20-65 years old (y) without cancer who received genetic testing and counseling. The groups did not differ in age or family history (fhx). Medical records were reviewed pre- and post-testing to determine adherence. Average follow up was 15 months. Data were analyzed by Chi-squared test. Results: Prior to genetic testing, 93% of women were adherent to general population BCSR, and 58% were already screening in accordance with post-test counseled BCSR. Testing altered adherence to counseled BCSR for HRMC (p<0.01), but n...
Chasing Literacies Across Action Texts and Augmented Realities: E-Books, Animated Apps, and Pokémon Go

In this chapter, mediated discourse theory is used to compare how changing models of literacy learning reflect and shape educational expectations for children’s engagement with new technologies. Video analysis of children’s actual iPad interactions with an e-book app, an animation app, and an augmented reality app identifies the literacy practices in each model that interpret, create, and share a range of action texts. An action text is a played text that also supports an imaginary co-constructed context, negotiated among multiple players across digital screens and physical environments. Analysis of action texts created during app play identifies three prevalent models of literacies that circulate notions about who, what, and how children should use iPads: (1) digital literacy, (2) participatory literacies, and (3) socio-material literacies Each model is justified by educational discourse that prepares children to participate in particular ways in different conceptions of learning spaces: digital literacy in the skills mastery discourse of educational standards in school cultures participatory literacies in the social practice discourse of situated and connected learning in digital cultures and global networks. socio-material literacies in post-human discourse of entangled assemblages of actions, bodies, and machines in converging realities.
Probing Questions About Keys: Tonal Distributions Through the DFT

Pitch-class distributions are central to much of the computational and psychological research on musical keys. This paper looks at pitch-class distributions through the DFT on pitch-class sets, drawing upon recent theory that has exploited this technique. Corpus-derived distributions consistently exhibit a prominence of three DFT components, \(f_5\), \(f_3\), and \(f_2\), so that we might simplify tonal relationships by viewing them within two- or three-dimensional phase space utilizing just these components. More generally, this simplification, or filtering, of distributional information may be an essential feature of tonal hearing. The DFTs of probe-tone distributions reveal a subdominant bias imposed by the temporal aspect of the behavioral paradigm (as compared to corpus data). The phases of \(f_5\), \(f_3\), and \(f_2\) also exhibit a special linear dependency in tonal music giving rise to the idea of a tonal index.
Chronic Management of Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) use has continued to increase since the first long-term placement of such a device in 1988. Following this event, the FDA approved implantable LVADs in 1994 as a bridge to transplantation. Due to a perpetual shortage of available organ donors for end-stage congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, durable LVAD implantation is now also used for destination therapy (DT) since 2002 after it received approval from the FDA. These populations of patients require close monitoring and continued management of congestive heart failure.
Design and Implementation of a Visual Analytics Electronic Antibiogram within an Electronic Health Record System at a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital.

Background Hospitals use antibiograms to guide optimal empiric antibiotic therapy, reduce inappropriate antibiotic usage, and identify areas requiring intervention by antimicrobial stewardship programs. Creating a hospital antibiogram is a time-consuming manual process that is typically performed annually. Objective We aimed to apply visual analytics software to electronic health record (EHR) data to build an automated, electronic antibiogram (“e-antibiogram”) that adheres to national guidelines and contains filters for patient characteristics, thereby providing access to detailed, clinically relevant, and up-to-date antibiotic susceptibility data. Methods We used visual analytics software to develop a secure, EHR-linked, condition- and patient-specific e-antibiogram that supplies susceptibility maps for organisms and antibiotics in a comprehensive report that is updated on a monthly basis. Antimicrobial susceptibility data were grouped into nine clinical scenarios according to the specimen source, hospital unit, and infection type. We implemented the e-antibiogram within the EHR system at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, a tertiary pediatric hospital and analyzed e-antibiogram access sessions from March 2016 to March 2017. Results The e-antibiogram was implemented in the EHR with over 6,000 inpatient, 4,500 outpatient, and 3,900 emergency department isolates. The e-antibiogram provides access to rolling 12-month pathogen and susceptibility data that is updated on a monthly basis. E-antibiogram access sessions increased from an average of 261 sessions per month during the first 3 months of the study to 345 sessions per month during the final 3 months. Conclusion An e-antibiogram that was built and is updated using EHR data and adheres to national guidelines is a feasible replacement for an annual, static, manually compiled antibiogram. Future research will examine the impact of the e-antibiogram on antibiotic prescribing patterns.
Tubular Recovery after Acute Kidney Injury.

Background A significant portion of patients who are affected by acute kidney injury (AKI) do not fully recover due to largely unclear reasons. Restoration of tubular function has been proposed to be a prerequisite for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) recovery. Summary Proximal tubular cells dedifferentiate during the tubular injury phase, which is required for subsequent cell proliferation and replacement of lost epithelial cells. Experimental studies indicate that some cells fail to redifferentiate and continue to produce growth factors (e.g., transforming growth factor β) that can induce fibrosis. Preclinical studies provide first evidence for beneficial effects of inhibiting glucose transport in the proximal tubule in models of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Comparing renal RNA sequencing data with kidney function during recovery from varying levels of AKI may provide new cues with regard to the sequence of events and help identify key determinants of recovery from AKI. Key Messages: Tubular recovery after AKI is vital for recovery of kidney function including improvement of GFR, and likely determines which patients fully recover from AKI or progress to chronic kidney disease. There is a need to better understand the sequence of events and the processes of tubular cell proliferation and repair, including safe strategies to intervene. The temporary inhibition of selected tubular transport processes, possibly in selected nephron regions, may provide an opportunity to improve tubular cell energetics and facilitate tubular cell recovery with consequences for kidney outcome.
Governance Through Exit: Default Penalties and Walkaway Options in Venture Capital Partnership Agreements

When investors sign venture capital partnership agreements, they do not immediately turn over the entire committed capital. Instead, they contribute capital in stages, as needed by the fund. Typically, investors have at least three years to decide whether to honor their commitment obligations fully. To discourage investor defaults, venture funds employ a complicated system of financial penalties. Since venture funds could have eliminated the default problem altogether by demanding the contribution of the entire amount upfront, the question arises: why do venture funds engage into this elaborate staging scheme? I suggest that staged contributions are used as a governance tool: the threat of investor walkaway creates additional incentives for venture capitalists to perform well. The walkaway right, however, comes at a cost of undermining a fund's liquidity and threatening its ability to make investments in a timely fashion. Thus, my hypothesis predicts that the strength of investor walkaway right represents a tradeoff between governance concerns and liquidity concerns. I test this hypothesis by studying venture capital partnership agreements. I find that the strength of investor walkaway right is strongly and positively related to several measures of expected agency costs. Venture funds where managerial compensation is riskier and more heavily tilted toward performance-based component make capital withdrawals more difficult. Larger venture funds (typically run by more prominent managers, who generate fewer mismanagement concerns) give investors weaker walkaway rights.
Two-Level Hierarchical Mission-Based Model Predictive Control

A two-level hierarchical model predictive control (MPC) formulation is presented for constrained linear systems operating over a mission. Mission-based MPC is applicable to many control applications where the system operates for a finite time and stability about an equilibrium is not the primary objective. Instead, the primary control objective is to guarantee constraint satisfaction during operation as well as terminal constraints imposed on the final state of the system at the end of the mission. The secondary control objective is reference tracking, where references determine the desired operation for the system. A hierarchical control formulation permits the upper level controller to plan state trajectories over the entire mission, while a lower level controller modifies these trajectories to improve reference tracking. This decomposition of the control problem reduces computational cost, enabling real-time implementation for large systems with long missions. Feasibility proofs guarantee the constraint satisfaction while a numerical example demonstrates the efficacy of the approach.
AVALIAÇÃO DAS QUALIDADES HIGIÊNICOSSANITÁRIAS DAS UNIDADES DE ALIMENTAÇÃO DAS ESCOLAS MUNICIPAIS E CEMEI DO CARMO DO RIO VERDE-GO

Introducao: A alimentacao de qualidade e muito importante na vida do ser humano especialmente por ajudar a manter a saude do individuo, portanto a alimentacao escolar tendo como base o PNAE contribui significativamente nas condicoes nutricionais de criancas e jovens, mas para isso e preciso que os manipuladores dos alimentos e o ambiente estejam capacitados a realizar manipulacao dos alimentos segundo as RDC/ANVISA n° 216/2004 e n°275/2002 que tratam das condicoes higienicossanitarias e Boas Praticas de fabricacao dos alimentos. Objetivos: avaliar a qualidade higienicossanitaria dos manipuladores, utensilios, ambiente e alimentos que sao servidos nas escolas e CEMEI da rede municipal de ensino da cidade de Carmo do Rio Verde-GO e confrontar os dados coletados, com os dados propostos nas normas de vigilância sanitaria. Metodologia: estudo de campo de carater qualitativo e quantitativo que foi realizado em quatro escolas na area urbana de Carmo do Rio Verde-GO, com aplicacao de check-list. Resultados e discussao: Os resultados indicam mais de 60% de conformidades nas unidades avaliadas. As instituicoes se enquadram no grupo 2 conforme padrao estabelecido pela RDC no 275 de 21 de outubro de 2002 da ANVISA/MS na qual se tem de 50 a 75% de atendimento aos itens. Conclusao: De acordo com os resultados obtidos nesse estudo, fica claro que existem falhas na qualidade higienicossanitaria da merenda escolar das instituicoes pesquisadas, sao necessarios medidas corretivas em relacao as instalacoes, manipuladores, equipamentos e utensilios para que se atenda as recomendacoes das RDC 275 E 216.
Familial Childhood Adversity is Associated with Chronic Disease Among Women: Data from the Geographic Research on Wellbeing (GROW) Study

Objectives Few population-based studies on the relationship between childhood adversity and health in adulthood for women exist. Little is known about whether some social groups are more vulnerable to childhood adversity than other groups. Methods Using data from the Geographic Research on Wellbeing survey (GROW) conducted in California during 2012–2013, we examine associations between familial childhood adversities (FCAs) and a set of important chronic diseases and related conditions among women with young children, employing logistic regression models (N = 2409). Specifically, we test two measures of FCAs on the odds of reporting one or more chronic diseases or related-conditions (diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease). We also examine whether the associations between the two measures and the dependent variables vary by social factors (race/ethnicity, marital status, education, income). Results Both FCA measures were associated with reporting one or more chronic diseases after controlling for a set of important sociodemographic factors. Each unit increase in the number of FCAs corresponded to about a 10% increase in the odds of reporting one or more chronic disease(s). Moderating effects were also observed, with greater impacts among more socially vulnerable groups. Furthermore, ancillary analyses demonstrated that diabetes and high cholesterol were the drivers of the relationship between FCAs and chronic disease. Conclusions for Practice The social ecological model framework suggests that childhood adversity can be considered at multiple levels; that is, a sustainable reduction in the adverse health impacts of childhood adversity requires a concerted effort among policymakers and practitioners that includes both “upstream” and “downstream” approaches.
Speed Reading in Braille: An Empirical Study:

This study of the effects of six days of rapid reading training and rapid reading plus recognition training on the reading rates and comprehension of blind braille-reading adults revealed that spee...
Small Aperture Ultrasound Transducers for Intracavitary Tissue Ablation

Catheter directed ultrasound (US) transducer is capable of delivering high, focused acoustic power to the target tissue inside a body. The direct interaction with the tissue enables to minimize the concern of unintended tissue damages. Despite the potential advantages, the current therapeutic application of the intracavitary US device and literature is due to the inefficient delivery of the acoustic power from the small aperture and difficulty in fabrication. Therefore, we aim to develop a miniaturized intracavitary US transducer for tissue ablation. The proposed device is composed of double-layered PZT-5A, a matching layer, and a backing layer. Relatively high acoustic pressure (4.7 MPa) was generated by the small aperture (2 mm) prototypes. The therapeutic efficacy of the proposed method was validated through ex-vivo tests using porcine kidneys. Upon the sonification, the tissue temperature elevated to over 43 °C within 20 sec and the maximum temperature reached up to 53 °C at the five-minute sonification. The lesion volume after the US treatment was about 6.8 mm3. The developed catheter US transducer can be used to ablate a tumor in deep organs of the body by guiding it through an endoscopic device.
A Systematic Review of HIV Interventions for Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) ages (15–24 years old) in Southern and Eastern Africa account for nearly 30% of all new HIV infections. We conducted a systematic review of studies examining the effectiveness of behavioral, structural, and combined (behavioral + structural) interventions on HIV incidence and risky sexual behaviors among AGYW. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health. Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria conducted in Eastern and Southern Africa and comprised behavioral, structural, or combined (behavioral and structural) interventions. All findings are based on 22 studies. HIV incidence was significantly reduced by one structural intervention. All three types of interventions improved condom use among AGYW. Evidence suggests that structural interventions can reduce HIV incidence, while behavioral and combined interventions require further investigation.
Simulation-based estimation of the early spread of COVID-19 in Iran: actual versus confirmed cases

Understanding the state of the COVID-19 pandemic relies on infection and mortality data. Yet official data may underestimate the actual cases due to limited symptoms and testing capacity. We offer a simulation-based approach which combines various sources of data to estimate the magnitude of outbreak. Early in the epidemic we applied the method to Iran's case, an epicenter of the pandemic in winter 2020. Estimates using data up to March 20th, 2020, point to 916,000 (90% UI: 508 K, 1.5 M) cumulative cases and 15,485 (90% UI: 8.4 K, 25.8 K) total deaths, numbers an order of magnitude higher than official statistics. Our projections suggest that absent strong sustaining of contact reductions the epidemic may resurface. We also use data and studies from the succeeding months to reflect on the quality of original estimates. Our proposed approach can be used for similar cases elsewhere to provide a more accurate, early, estimate of outbreak state. © 2020 System Dynamics Society.
Novel Stabilized Peptide Inhibitors of Protein Kinases

Protein kinases are critical components of diverse signaling pathways. While all kinases share a conserved kinase domain, there is considerable diversity among kinases within the additional flanking domains and sequences that may regulate processes such as catalytic function, substrate phosphorylation, or serve as regulatory domains. These other domains are often evolutionarily divergent across the kinase superfamily and provide unique handles for selective targeting of a kinase of interest. As an alternative to small-molecule inhibitors for kinases, this chapter focuses on the development of constrained peptide scaffolds that target allosteric regulatory mechanisms or spatiotemporal kinase regulation. Constrained peptides can have many advantages over nonmodified peptides including increased proteolytic stability and improved permeation into cells. In contrast to small molecules, peptides also provide elongated surfaces that can bind shallow, hydrophobic regions on proteins and can be strategically applied to inhibit protein-protein interactions. Several examples of constrained peptide inhibitors are discussed in this section and their limitations and opportunities within this inhibitor class.
Outcomes of neoadjuvant therapy for cholangiocarcinoma: A review of existing evidence assessing treatment response and R0 resection rate

Adjuvant chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has not been shown to gain significant improvements in survival. Factors contributing to suboptimal treatment response include aggressive disease biology and late clinical presentation. When feasible, surgical resection is the first line of treatment. Yet, recurrence remains high and long-term survival is rare. Neoadjuvant therapy is an appealing approach, with oncologic advantages in allowing the treatment of occult systemic disease and selection of patients most likely to benefit from radical surgery. However, given the surgery-first treatment paradigm for CCA, there is a paucity of data supporting neoadjuvant therapy. This review summarizes the current evidence on treatment response and margin-negative (R0) resection rate associated with neoadjuvant therapy for CCA.
The Impact of Firm Speed Capabilities on the Decision to Partner or Go It Alone

This study empirically examines the role of intrinsic speed capabilities, which refer to the ability to execute investment projects faster than competitors, in shaping corporations’ choice of allia...
An Early-Stage Colon Cancer Develops Intrabiliary Growth Type Metastasis 7 Years After Curative Colectomy.

Although liver metastasis commonly occurs in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), it is infrequent that it presents several years after curative resection for early-stage disease. Even more unusu...
Efficacy of Alpha Interferons in Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL) and Status of the Interferon System of Patients in Remission

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a malignant disease of mononuclear cells which infiltrate predominantly the liver, spleen and the bone marrow, resulting in pancytopenia and immunologic deficiencies.1 The latter two abnormalities result in a high incidence of infections, which has been the main cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. The great majority of patient’s hairy cells express predominantly B-cell markers. Hairy cells can also express monocyte-like characteristicsand the Tac antigen (the putative receptor for interleukin 2) which is predominantly expressed by T-cells, suggesting that hairy cells are in a unique stage of differentiation.2 The T cell variety of HCL is rare. The etiology of the disease or the precise mechanisms(s) responsible for the pancytopenia have not been elucidated. A deficient bone marrow hematopoiesis secondary to infiltration by leukemic cells is partly responsible. However, because hematopoiesis is regulated by cells of the immune system, the immunologic deficits described in HCL may play a role in the defective bone marrow function.3
Peromyscus (deer mice) as developmental models

Deer mice (Peromyscus) are the most common native North American mammals, and exhibit great natural genetic variation. Wild-derived stocks from a number of populations are available from the Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center (PGSC). The PGSC also houses a number of natural variants and mutants (many of which appear to differ from Mus). These include metabolic, coat-color/pattern, neurological, and other morphological variants/mutants. Nearly all these mutants are on a common genetic background, the Peromyscus maniculatus BW stock. Peromyscus are also superior behavior models in areas such as repetitive behavior and pair-bonding effects, as multiple species are monogamous. While Peromyscus development generally resembles that of Mus and Rattus, prenatal stages have not been as thoroughly studied, and there appear to be intriguing differences (e.g., longer time spent at the two-cell stage). Development is greatly perturbed in crosses between P. maniculatus (BW) and Peromyscus polionotus (PO). BW females crossed to PO males produce growth-restricted, but otherwise healthy, fertile offspring which allows for genetic analyses of the many traits that differ between these two species. PO females crossed to BW males produce overgrown but severely dysmorphic conceptuses that rarely survive to late gestation. There are likely many more uses for these animals as developmental models than we have described here. Peromyscus models can now be more fully exploited due to the emerging genetic (full linkage map), genomic (genomes of four stocks have been sequenced) and reproductive resources.
Adoptive transfer of murine chronic-relapsing autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Analysis of basic protein-reactive cells in lymphoid organs and nervous system of donor and recipient animals.

Abstract Frequency analysis of myelin basic protein (MBP)-reactive lymphocytes was performed in the chronic relapsing murine experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) model induced by the adoptive transfer of myelin basic protein (MBP)-primed lymphocytes to naive recipients. During the first attack, MBP-reactive cell frequencies were: 1/41 700 in spleen, 1/328 000 in lymph nodes, 1/64 500 in the peripheral blood. After recovery from a second attack, the frequencies were: 1/11 000 in spleen, 1/46 000 in lymph node, and 1/195 000 in the blood. In addition, lymph node cells obtained from animals following a second attack had increased encephalitogenic properties. CNS-derived lymphocytes analyzed during the first attack were 50% Lyt 1.2 + and 16% Lyt 2.2 + . After recovery from the second attack, phenotypes were 20% Lyt 1.2 + and 49% Lyt 2.2 + . There were only minimal responses to MBP in CNS-derived lymphocytes. Susceptibility to adoptively transferred EAE was in general predicted by whether a proliferative response to MBP occurred following immunization and was not solely H-2 linked. These studies demonstrate an accumulation of autoreactive cells in the spleen and lymph nodes and a shift of the phenotype of cells in the target organ as EAE becomes chronic and suggest there are dynamic immunologic processes, both in the peripheral immune system and target organ associated with relapsing EAE.
Parabiotic Chamber for Organ Cultures: Improved Model

A modified parabiotic chamber for organ cultures is described. It consists of a modified organ culture dish, glass cover slip, a cylinder of semipermeable membrane, and a stainless-steel mesh filter support. Silicone and agar seals were used. Diffusion occurred rapidly and with consistent rates at 37 C when a ratio of 5:2 reservoir to inner chamber volume was used. The device is simple to construct and assemble and allows for continuous observation while maintaining a large surface area available for diffusion. The volumes of the reservoir, inner chamber, and agar base can be varied, and the chamber may be used with a wide variety of cell and organ culture systems.
Synthesis of Decentralized Output/State Regulators

This paper investigates the problem of synthesis of decentralized output/state regulators for large scale systems. The decentralized regulators are synthesized by salving-the extended algebraic Riccati equation (EARE). Three different methods are proposed for the solution of the EARE. One of the methods uses decomposition to solve the EARE. This results in a hierarchical scheme of the coordinator and the subsystem problem. The problem of convergence of the numerical methods has also been investigated.
Why We Don’t Really Know What "Statistical Significance" Means: A Major Educational Failure

The Neyman-Pearson theory of hypothesis testing, with the Type I error rate, α, as the significance level, is widely regarded as statistical testing orthodoxy. Fisher’s model of significance testing, where the evidential p value denotes the level of significance, nevertheless dominates statistical testing practice. This paradox has occurred because these two incompatible theories of classical statistical testing have been anonymously mixed together, creating the false impression of a single, coherent model of statistical inference. We show that this hybrid approach to testing, with its misleading p
Microcrack induced bifurcation of stress-strain relations for sintered materials*

Publisher Summary The presence of cavities and cracks that are inherent in sintered materials are known to have effect on the mechanical properties of materials. Changes in microstructure, such as growth of microcracks from pores, cause changes in the overall compliance of the material. To study these effects, the chapter develops three dimensional constitutive equations for porous, brittle solids based on the damage mechanics of elastic materials containing spherical pores and cracks. For homogeneous deformation modes, the microcrack growth causes nonlinearities in the stress-strain relations. Failure criteria for discontinuous bifurcations, loss of uniqueness, and localizations are examined for the developed nonlinear constitutive relations.
The Humid Temperate Ecoregions

Both tropical and polar air masses govern the climate of the humid temperate domain, located in the mid-latitudes (30°–60°) on all the continents. The mid-latitudes are subject to cyclones; much of the precipitation in this belt comes from rising moist air along fronts within those cyclones. Pronounced seasons are the rule, with strong annual cycles of temperature and precipitation. The seasonal fluctuation of solar energy and temperature is greater than the diurnal (see Fig. 4.2, p. 29). The climates of the mid-latitudes have a distinctive winter season, which tropical climates do not. The lower temperatures of the winter season are due to two factors: reduced solar radiation and the inflow of cold air streams.
Stability of caffeic acid phenethyl amide (CAPA) in rat plasma.

A validated C18 reverse-phase HPLC method with UV detection at 320 nm was developed and used for the stability evaluation of caffeic acid phenethyl amide (CAPA) and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in rat plasma. CAPA is the amide derivative of CAPE, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound that has been found to be active in a variety of biological pathways. CAPA has been shown to protect endothelial cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress to a similar degree to CAPE. CAPE has been reported to be rapidly hydrolyzed in rat plasma via esterase enzymes. CAPA is expected to display a longer half-life than CAPE by avoiding hydrolysis via plasma esterases. The stability of CAPA and CAPE in rat plasma was investigated at three temperatures. The half-lives for CAPA were found to be 41.5, 10 and 0.82 h at 25, 37 and 60 °C, respectively. The half-lives for CAPE were found to be 1.95, 0.35 and 0.13 h at 4, 25 and 37 °C, respectively. The energy of activation was found to be 22.1 kcal/mol for CAPA and 14.1 kcal/mol for CAPE. A more stable compound could potentially extend the beneficial effects of CAPE. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oral exfoliative cytology.

The use of oral exfoliative cytology in a dental practice is discussed. Oral exfoliative cytology can be a powerful tool for early detection of malignant and premalignant lesions as well as for some viral and fungal infections, if the limitations of the method are thoroughly understood and appreciated by the dental clinician. The rationale for oral cytology is developed and documented, and interpretations of the results are explained. Advantages and disadvantages of this technique are given and indications and contraindications for this diagnostic adjunct are discussed. A simple method involving the use of inexpensive equipment in the office is suggested.
Finescale Structure and Dynamics of an Atmospheric Temperature Interface

Abstract Near-ground observations of an atmospheric temperature interface in the stable nocturnal boundary layer are reported. The thermal effect of the interface passage was a 5-K decrease in temperature during a 5-min period in which changes in wind speed and wind direction were also observed. The interface is of unknown origin and horizontal and vertical scale. A 32-Hz time series of temperature measured with a sonic anemometer–thermometer at 1.5 m above ground level revealed a sharp, nonintermittent decrease in temperature (∼1 K s−1) nested within a more gradual, intermittent decrease (∼1 K min−1). A first attempt to extricate this subtle feature with regard to the relevant physics of generalized density currents is presented. It is shown that a very similar feature has been observed in the literature, but not interpreted for its physical significance. The contribution of this paper is its unique interpretation of the high-resolution temperature time series as it corresponds to the finescale physical ...
Genetic Targeting of a Small Fluorescent Zinc Indicator to Cell Surface for Monitoring Zinc Secretion

Numerous mammalian cells contain Zn2+ in their secretory granules. During secretion, Zn2+ is coreleased with granular cargos into extracellular medium so Zn2+ serves as a convenient surrogate marker for tracking the dynamics of secretion. Fluorescent Zn2+ sensors that can be selectively targeted to cells of interest would be invaluable tools for imaging Zn2+ release in multicellular systems including tissues and live animals. Exploiting the HaloTag labeling technology and using an optimized linker, we have engineered a fluorescent Zn2+ indicator that displayed a 15-fold fluorescence enhancement upon Zn2+ binding while reacting efficiently with a HaloTag enzyme in a cellular environment. Two-color imaging of ZIMIR-HaloTag and a red-emitting calcium indicator in pancreatic islet beta cells demonstrated that photoactivation of a channelrhodopsin was able to induce exocytosis of Zn2+/insulin granules and revealed heterogeneity in secretory activity along the cell membrane that was uncoupled from cellular Ca2+...
Electric spin resonances in light nuclei

Abstract Very recent pion inelastic scattering experiments at LAMPF have revealed the existence of strong spin-flip E1 resonances in the vicinity of the GDR in several light nuclei. We present here the results of shell-model calculations of S = 0 and S = 1 E1 strength distributions which offer a broad theoretical context for the discussion of electric spin excitations. Our results for 16 O and 40 Ca corroborate the LAMPF data and indicate that a major fraction of the spin-flip strength still lies above the GDR.
A humanized aldolase antibody for selective chemotherapy and adaptor immunotherapy.

Abstract Mouse monoclonal antibody 38C2 is the prototype of a new class of catalytic antibodies that were generated by reactive immunization. Through a reactive lysine, 38C2 catalyzes aldol and retro -aldol reactions using the enamine mechanism of natural aldolases. In addition to its remarkable versatility and efficacy in synthetic organic chemistry, 38C2 has been used for the selective activation of prodrugs in vitro and in vivo and thereby emerged as a promising tool for selective chemotherapy. Adding another application with relevance for cancer therapy, designated adaptor immunotherapy, we have recently shown that 38C2 can be chemically programmed to target tumors by formation of a covalent bond of defined stoichiometry with a β-diketone derivative of an integrin α v β 3 targeting RGD peptidomimetic. However, a major limitation for the transition from preclinical to clinical evaluation is the human anti-mouse antibody immune response that mouse 38C2 is likely to elicit in a majority of patients after single administration. Here, we report the humanization of mouse 38C2 based on rational design guided by molecular modeling. In essence, the catalytic center of mouse 38C2, which encompasses a deep hydrophobic pocket with a reactive lysine residue at the bottom, was grafted into a human antibody framework. Humanized 38C2 IgG1 was found to bind to β-diketone haptens with conserved affinities and revealed strong catalytic activity with identical k cat and slightly higher K M values compared to the parental mouse antibody. Furthermore, humanized 38C2 IgG1 revealed efficiency in prodrug activation and chemical programming comparable to the parental mouse antibody.
Transcript Map and Comparative Analysis of the 1.5-Mb Commonly Deleted Segment of Human 5q31 in Malignant Myeloid Diseases with a del(5q)

Loss of a whole chromosome 5, or a del(5q), are recurring abnormalities in malignant myeloid diseases. In previous studies, we defined a commonly deleted segment (CDS) of 1.5 Mb between D5S479 and D5S500 in patients with a del(5q), and we established a P1 artificial chromosome-based contig encompassing this interval. To identify candidate tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), we developed a transcript map of the CDS. The map contains 18 genes and 12 expressed sequence tags/UniGenes. Among the 18 genes are 10 genes that were previously cloned and 8 novel genes. The newly identified genes include CDC23, which encodes a component of the anaphase-promoting complex; RAB6KIFL, which encodes a kinesin-like protein involved in organelle transport; and KLHL3, which encodes a human homologue of the Drosophila ring canal protein, kelch. We determined the intron/exon organization of 14 genes and eliminated each gene as a classical TSG by mutation analysis. In addition, we established a single-nucleotide polymorphism map as well as a map of the mouse genome that is syntenic to the CDS of human 5q31. The development of a transcription map will facilitate the molecular cloning of a myeloid leukemia suppressor gene on 5q.
Radome-enclosed antenna's temperature and velocity fields

Abstract Thermal distortion is a critical design consideration for the Haystack Ultrawide-band Satellite Imaging Radar (HUSIR) with respect to its performance at W-band. This design consideration is needed due to the thermal distortion effects on the surface accuracy of a parabolic reflector. For example, a tight surface tolerance of ∼100 microns root-mean-squared is required to obtain 85 percent antenna performance efficiency for the 37 m (120 foot) diameter reflector. An understanding of the temperature and velocity fields aids compensation of these losses. Computational fluid dynamics models (CFD) are too computationally expensive to implement in a control algorithm. This work develops a simplified analytical model to predict the surface temperature of a metal antenna based on external diurnal temperature variations. This work also applies proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to simulated CFD data and creates a reduced order model of the fluid system that characterizes the dominant features of both the temperature and velocity fields.
Role of Nitroglycerin in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Intravenous nitroglycerin lowers left ventricular filling pressure and systemic vascular resistance in patients with acute myocardial infarction. At lower infusion rates (
Bureaucratic Politics: The View from Below

From a broad ethnographic study of political activities among lower participants, the authors formulate a model of politics from below that contrasts with Graham Allison's model of bureaucratic politics among those at the top. They find that, because of their relatively less powerful hierarchical positions, lower participants engage in political activities that are primarily about the pursuit of identity rather than specific organizational outcomes. Because these are by their very nature out-of-bounds activities, they often prove highly improvisational. The authors conclude that these activities are not irrational, but they are embedded in local rationalities that admittedly countervail executives' intentions. These local rationalities reflect the variety of professional and subprofessional norms, conflicting processes, and multiple and conflicting goals that pervade public organizations.
Skin and gland but not urine odours elicit conspicuous investigation by female grey short-tailed opossums, Monodelphis domestica

Chemical communication plays a major role in mammalian behaviour. One mammal with well-developed chemical senses is the grey short-tailed opossum, a small, South American marsupial that has become common in laboratory research. Male and female opossums scent-mark with different body parts, but apparently not with urine, and females enter oestrus following their exposure to male odours. To elucidate the effects of body odours on the behaviour of female opossums, we investigated their ability to discriminate between conspecific odours originating from different body parts. We simultaneously presented female opossums with two cotton balls smeared either with skin and glandular secretions or urine of conspecifics, or with distilled water or blank controls, and we analysed the time females spent investigating each stimulus. Odours of the male suprasternal gland elicited intensive investigation by the test females. Male flank and submandible odours, and female submandible odours, were also attractive to the females. Investigation of male and female urine was comparable to investigation of water and blank controls. We suggest that in this species, which inhabits semiarid areas, urine marking is avoided to reduce dehydration, and consequently urine has lost its biological significance as a chemosignal. On the other hand, glandular and skin secretions, which are more stable than aqueous deposits in dry conditions, allow the opossums to communicate with each other effectively and also to retain body fluids.
Early pubertal development and insulin sensitivity among school-aged girls: mediation via adiposity.

Abstract Study Objective To examine whether the known association between early pubertal breast maturation and insulin sensitivity (SI) is mediated by adiposity. Design Cross-sectional analyses. Setting Observational study examining the roles of environment, diet, and obesity on puberty. Participants 379 girls with a mean age, 7.03 years; 62% were white and 29% black. Main Outcome Measures Pubertal development was assessed via physical examination and adiposity by body mass index Z score (BMI Z) and waist-to-height ratio. Fasting blood samples were obtained for insulin and glucose concentrations. SI was calculated with the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Analysis of variance and Sobel's test was used to assess mediation. Results Fifty-five girls were pubertal (Tanner 2 breast). Breast maturation was inversely associated with SI ( P = .005) and positively associated with BMI Z ( P P P = .41) after adjusting for the effect of BMI Z, which remained significant ( P Conclusions In girls, decreased SI during early puberty is largely mediated by total and visceral adiposity.
Theory of polarized neutron scattering in the loop-ordered phase of cuprates

The collective modes observed in the loop-current ordered state in underdoped cuprates by polarized neutron scattering require that the ground state is a linear combination in each unit cell of the four basis states that are the possible classical magnetic moment configurations in each unit cell. The direction of such moments is in the $c$ axis of the crystals. The basis states are connected by both time reversal as well as spatial rotations about the center of the unit cells. Several new features arise in the theory of polarized neutron scattering cross section in this situation that appear not to have been encountered before. An important consequence of these is that a finite component transverse to the classical magnetic moment directions is detected in the experiments. We show that this transverse component is of purely quantum-mechanical origin and that its direction in the plane normal to the $c$ axis is not detectable, even in principle, in experiments, at least in the quantum-mechanical model we have adopted. We estimate the direction of the ``tilt'' in the moment, i.e., the ratio of the transverse component to the $c$-axis component, using parameters of the ground state obtained by fitting to the observed dispersion of the collective modes in the ordered state. We can obtain reasonable agreement with experiments but only by introducing a parameter for which only an approximate magnitude can be estimated. Approximate calculations of the form factors are also provided.