cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-temperature tensile properties of Cu-Ag composites prepared by solution-precipitation of electroformed multilayered alloys

Appropriate heat treatments have been shown to convert Cu-Ag multilayered structures, obtained by a new electrochemical periodic displacement process, into homogeneous alloys or dispersed particle composites. The high-temperature tensile properties of the latter are comparable to those obtained for similar materials prepared by conventional metallurgical techniques. Preliminary data also indicate that the as-deposited material may exhibit superplastic behaviour under stress applied immediately at high temperature.
Michael Jubien, Ontology, Modality, and the Fallacy of Reference

Presentation de l'ouvrage de M. Jubien intitule «Ontology, modality, and the fallacy of reference» (1998), qui developpe une ontologie quinienne des objets et defend un platonisme des proprietes, d'une part, et souleve le probleme du paralogisme de la reference dans le cadre d'un essentialisme mereologique de type chisholmien, d'autre part. Examinant la diagnostic de paralogisme de la reference etabli par Jubien a partir de la croyance que les propositions nominales et les descriptions definies expriment des propositions singulieres, l'A. souleve la question de la reconciliation de la croyance modale avec la theorie modale, et repere une asymetrie dans la traitement des predicats et de la nature des proprietes chez Jubien
Vivekānanda and Rāmakṛṣṇa face to face: An essay on the alterity of a saint

It is well known that Ramakrsna, a nineteenth-century Bengali saint (1836-86), was enamored of his disciple Narendranath Datta (later Sv?m? Vivekananda, 1863-1902), organizer of the international Ved?nta movement, from the first that the saint of Dakshineshwar heard the young man sing devotional songs. Ramakrsna became upset when Vivekananda did not visit him for a period of time, and the Master would ask about his student's whereabouts and welfare. During this early period, Vivekananda was uncomfortable with the attention given to him by the saint, but he kept returning to visit the Master. Vivekananda told his brother-disciple and R?makrsna's biographer Sv?m? S?rad?nanda that after he had finished singing one evening the Master took him to a veranda covered by mat screens. After entering the veranda and closing the door, the two men were isolated and hidden from the view of others. Expecting some kind of private instruction, Vivekananda was surprised when Ramakrsna took hold of his hand, began to cry profusely tears of joy, and told him how he had been waiting for the young man for such a long time. Ramakrsna, continuing to weep and rave, stood before Vivekananda with folded hands in a respectful attitude, and he told the latter that he was an incarnation of the ancient rsi Nara, an aspect of N?r?yana (Visnu) himself, who had descended to earth in order to remove the misery and suffering of humankind. Vivek?nanda's response to the behavior and message of Ramakrsna was utter perplexity, and he related that he thought that the Master was completely insane. This strange encounter for Vivekananda concluded with Ramakrsna feeding him sweets, and the former promising to return alone to the madman soon (S?rad?nanda 1978-79, 2: 825). A month passed after this embarrassing incident for Narendra, and then he returned once more to visit Ramakrsna at Dakshineshwar on December 27 and 28,1881. While sitting on R?makrsna's small bed to which he had been asked to rest, the Master
Spectra of Very Highly Charged Cu- and Zn-Like Ions

The $4s\ensuremath{-}4p$, $4p\ensuremath{-}4d$, and $4d\ensuremath{-}4f$ transitions of ten copperlike and zinclike ions from ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{26+}$ to ${\mathrm{W}}^{45+}$ have been observed by means of a laser-produced plasma and a 2.2-m grazing-incidence spectrograph. The spectra are accompanied by a prominent continuum lying just below the $4p^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{-}4d^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}}$ transitions in the copperlike ions. The results support the identification of the resonance lines of ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{24+}$ and ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{25+}$ in the Princeton University ST tokamak by Hinnov.
Quasiderivatives and Interior Smoothness of Harmonic Functions Associated with Degenerate Diffusion Processes

Proofs and two applications of two general results are given concerning the problem of establishing interior smoothness of probabilistic solutions of elliptic degenerate equations.
Signs, Symbols, Games, and Play

This article justifies the study of video games with reference to the importance of the study of representations and the study of play.
SOME ASPECTS OF RUBBER COMPOSITE FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Abstract Structures made of rubber composites normally consist of several plies. Each ply consists of a thin layer of rubber matrix, reinforced with unidirectional cords. Any two adjacent plies, symmetrically located with respect to any global axis, are often treated as a single bias ply. The unidirectional ply and the bias ply may therefore be considered as main elements of these structures. In this paper the mechanical properties of single ply and bias plies are discussed and their kinematics are highlighted. The discussion includes both extensible and inextensible cords. Furthermore, the three-dimensional constitutive equations for rubber composites, suitable for finite element analysis, are also presented. Finally, the status and some of the needs for further research are discussed.
Atomic Force Microscopy of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells: A Predictive Value of Mechanical Phenotype

We applied Quantitative Nanomechanical Atomic Force Microscopy (QNM-AFM) to test a response of physical phenotype of triple negative breast cancer cells to treatment with proteasome inhibitors. Genetic screens identified TNBCs as addicted to the activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, the major intracellular venue of regulated protein degradation, served by the essential protease, the proteasome. We investigated two types of proteasome inhibitors: the drug bortezomib (Velcade®) targeting active sites of the enzyme and a novel allosteric inhibitor B1 interfering with stability of the 26S proteasome.
In vivo finite element model-based image analysis of pacemaker lead mechanics

Abstract Background: Fractures of implanted pacemaker leads are currently identified by inspecting radiographic images without making full use of a priori known material and structural information. Moreover, lead designers are unable to incorporate clinical image data into analyses of lead mechanics. Methods: A novel finite element/active contour method was developed to quantify the in vivo mechanics of implanted leads by estimating the distributions of stress, strain, and traction using biplane videoradiographic images. The nonlinear equilibrium equations governing a thin elastic beam undergoing 3-D large rotation were solved using one-dimensional isoparametric finite elements. External forces based on local image greyscale values were computed from each pair of images using a perspective transformation governing the relationship between the image planes. Results: Cantilever beam forward solution results were within 0.2% of the analytic solution for a wide range of applied loads. The finite element/active contour model was able to reproduce the principal curvatures of a synthetic helix within 3% of the analytic solution and estimates of the helix’s geometric torsion were within 20% of the analytic solution. Applying the method to biplane videoradiographic images of a lead acutely implanted in an anesthetized dog resulted in expected variations in curvature and bending stress between compliant and rigid segments of the lead. Conclusions: By incorporating knowledge about lead geometric and material properties, the 3-D finite element/active contour method regularizes the image reconstruction problem and allows for more quantitative and automatic assessment of implanted lead mechanics.
HEURISTIC LOT‐SIZING APPROACHES FOR DEALING WITH MRP SYSTEM NERVOUSNESS

We develop and test ways for modifying the Silver-Meal and part-period-balancing lot-sizing procedures to include the costs of schedule changes in response to changes in demand estimates. These modifications tend to reduce MRP system nervousness. We compare the performance of these approaches with the modified Wagner-Whitin algorithm, which we have shown is optimal for static conditions. We find that the modified SilverMeal approach is only slightly more costly than the modified Wagner-Whitin technique and that the modified part-period-balancing approach performs both poorly and erratically.
Light reflectance spectroscopy and auto-fluorescence lifetime: potential tools for intra-operative breast cancer margin detection

This paper reports the use of light reflectance spectroscopy and auto-fluorescence lifetime for detecting breast cancer in human ex vivo samples. Preliminary results show significant differences using both techniques.
T cells facilitate recovery from Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-induced encephalomyelitis in the absence of antibody.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a mosquito-borne RNA virus of the genus Alphavirus that is responsible for a significant disease burden in Central and South America through sporadic outbreaks into human and equid populations. For humans, 2 to 4% of cases are associated with encephalitis, and there is an overall case mortality rate of approximately 1%. In mice, replication of the virus within neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) leads to paralyzing, invariably lethal encephalomyelitis. However, mice infected with certain attenuated mutants of the virus are able to control the infection within the CNS and recover. To better define what role T cell responses might be playing in this process, we infected B cell-deficient μMT mice with a VEEV mutant that induces mild, sublethal illness in immune competent mice. Infected μMT mice rapidly developed the clinical signs of severe paralyzing encephalomyelitis but were eventually able to control the infection and recover fully from clinical illness. Recovery in this system was T cell dependent and associated with a dramatic reduction in viral titers within the CNS, followed by viral persistence in the brain. Further comparison of the relative roles of T cell subpopulations within this system revealed that CD4+ T cells were better producers of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) than CD8+ T cells and were more effective at controlling VEEV within the CNS. Overall, these results suggest that T cells, especially CD4+ T cells, can successfully control VEEV infection within the CNS and facilitate recovery from a severe viral encephalomyelitis.
Suggestiveness in photospread line‐ups: Similarity induces distinctiveness

The present research examined whether line-ups based on target ('suspect') face similarity are biased or suggestive. Four experiments are described in which subjects constructed photographic line-ups by selecting foils similar in appearance to a target. Later, another group of subjects who had not seen the faces before (mock witnesses) were asked to pick out the targets from the line-ups. All four experiments showed that mock witnesses selected the target significantly more often than expected by chance, thereby demonstrating suggestiveness. Three alternative line-up construction methods were also evaluated. In these methods, foil selection was based not only on target similarity but also on similarity with one or more of the other line-up faces. Results showed that alternative line-up targets were not selected significantly more often than chance, suggesting that bias was reduced. An overall analysis showed that the alternative line-ups were significantly less suggestive than target-based line-ups. The results indicate that foil selection procedures that incorporate foil-to-foil similarity produce fairer line-ups than those exclusively based on target similarity. Language: en
Improving design and fault detection in linear and nonlinear high frequency circuits by performing a sensivitiy based analysis

The rapid growth of wireless communication has led to an increasing demand for reliable and high performance RF products. One way of achieving high reliability and performances is having an efficient test procedure. Considering the complexity of analog testing and the high frequency constraints, testing RF circuits introduces a new challenge to the test community. In this paper, a test method for RF circuits is presented. This test method divides RF circuits between linear and nonlinear circuits. It helps perform a quick and efficient test with a limited number of test vectors. By using this method the design engineer can determine parameters influencing the circuit performances and the best topology that can be used to improve these performances. On the other hand, it helps a test engineer to plan his test strategy and to predict which elements can be isolated by a given test set.
Scaling properties of the measure of constant topological entropy

The topological entropy for some families of one-dimensional unimodal maps is studied. By arranging the windows of constant topological entropy in a binary tree, we have obtained the total measure of these windows. The scaling properties of this measure are studied.
More Than a Culture Capsule: Teaching Switzerland and Austria in the German Curriculum

This essay offers some direction for greater integration of Austria and Switzerland into every level of the German language and culture curriculum. By excavating a number of now nearly forgotten intercultural connections between these alpine countries and the U.S., it is possible to present a more complete and complex picture of German-speaking Europe and to activate students’ interests for the relevance of German/Swiss/Austrian Studies in a much broader interdisciplinary context. This intent is achieved by presenting Switzerland and Austria as part of a global curriculum. Not only does it correct for the troubling trend toward an over-simplified Germanization of Austrian and Swiss cultural figures, but this approach helps students forge connections and draw comparisons that illuminate these countries’ continuing significance in the new Europe, and on the global stage of international affairs.
Formation of a Crack-Free and Debonding-Resistant Boron-Doped Diamond Thin Film on Titanium Using a Dual-Coating Strategy

Producing continuous, conductive diamond film on titanium is critical to using this metal for electrochemical electrodes, bipolar current collector plates in fuel cells, and prosthetic implants. A common problem with coating polycrystalline diamond on titanium is the stress-cracking that results from the difference of a factor of 10 in the thermal expansion coefficient for the two materials. A dual coating strategy was evaluated for its effectiveness at forming stress-free thin films of boron-doped diamond on titanium. Using microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, a layer of boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond was first deposited on titanium, followed by deposition of a layer of boron-doped microcrystalline diamond.
Managing retailer profitability - one customer at a time!

This study examines how customer lifetime value (CLV) can be computed at individual customer level in a retail setting to maximize profitability. The study finds that maximum positive impact to CLV occurs when the customer cross-purchases, shows multi-channel shopping behavior, stays longer with the firm, buys specific product categories and purchases more frequently with the firm. Interestingly, the CLV follows an inverted U relationship with increase in return of prior purchases. Other interesting findings include a surprisingly low correlation between customer loyalty and future profitability and low correlation between stores’ historic revenues and future profitability. Several implications are suggested for retailers to manage and maximize customer profitability as well as store profitability.
Productivity dimensions in the management of information

Abstract The impact of new development in information technologies and the effective management and implementation of the systems are discussed with reference to productivity enhancement in market-driven human systems. Basic productivity measures for the emerging information economy are developed as are the specific contributions of decision support systems, emergent technologies, and the new managerial roles for the measurement of productivity among managers and information support staff.
Relationship between incidence of gastric dilatation-volvulus and biometeorologic events in a population of military working dogs.

Objective—To calculate the monthly incidence of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in a population of military working dogs during a 5-year period and determine whether there was an association with synoptic climatologic indices. Sample Population—Medical records of all military working dogs housed at Lackland Air Force Base,Tex, from Jan 1, 1993 to Dec 31, 1997. Procedure—Confirmed cases of GDV were identified from evaluation of medical records and used to calculate incidence of GDV. Factor analysis of local climatologic data was used to classify each day into 1 of 8 meteorologically homogeneous types of days for this location. Occurrence of GDV was compared with frequency of occurrence of synoptic climatologic days. Results—48 cases of GDV were identified from January 1993 through December 1997. Mean monthly incidence was 2.5 cases/1,000 dogs at risk (range, 0 to 18.5 cases/1,000 dogs; median, 2.5 cases/1,000 dogs). A seasonal increase in incidence of GDV was detected, because half of the episodes were d...
Increased adipose tissue in male and female estrogen receptor-α knockout mice

Estrogen regulates the amount of white adipose tissue (WAT) in females, but its role in males and whether WAT effects involve estrogen receptor-α (ERα) or ERβ were unclear. We analyzed the role of ERα in WAT and brown adipose tissue by comparing these tissues in wild-type (WT) and ERα-knockout (αERKO) male and female mice. Brown adipose tissue weight was similar in αERKO and WT males at all ages. Progressive increases in WAT were seen in αERKO males with advancing age. Epididymal, perirenal, and inguinal WAT weighed 139–185% more in αERKO than in WT males by 270–360 days of age. Epididymal and perirenal adipocyte size was increased 20% in αERKO males. Adipocyte number was 82–168% greater in fat pads of αERKO vs. WT males. Compared with WT, 90-day-old αERKO females had increases in fat pad weights (54–103%), adipocyte size, and number. Both αERKO males and females had insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, similar to humans lacking ERα or aromatase. Energy intake was equal in WT and αERKO males, indicating that obesity was not induced by hyperphagia. In contrast, energy expenditure was reduced by 11% in αERKO compared with WT males, indicating that altered energy expenditure may be important for the observed obesity. In summary, ERα absence causes adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance in both sexes. These results are evidence that estrogen/ERα signaling is critical in female and male WAT; obesity in αERKO males involves a mechanism of reduced energy expenditure rather than increased energy intake.
Given Time It Worked Positive Outcomes From a SSDI Benefit Offset Pilot After the Initial Evaluation Period

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Employment Pilot in Wisconsin was one of four Social Security Administration authorized pilots to test a cash benefit offset feature for the SSDI pro...
ATLAS: a chip-multiprocessor with transactional memory support

Chip-multiprocessors are quickly becoming popular in embedded systems. However, the practical success of CMPs strongly depends on addressing the difficulty of multithreaded application development for such systems. Transactional memory (TM) promises to simplify concurrency management in multithreaded applications by allowing programmers to specify coarse-grain parallel tasks, while achieving performance comparable to fine-grain lock-based applications. This paper presents ATLAS, the first prototype of a CMP with hardware support for transactional memory. ATLAS includes 8 embedded PowerPC cores that access coherent shared memory in a transactional manner. The data cache for each core is modified to support the speculative buffering and conflict detection necessary for transactional execution. The authors have mapped ATLAS to the BEE2 multi-FPGA board to create a full-system prototype that operates at 100MHz, boots Linux, and provides significant performance and ease-of-use benefits for a range of parallel applications. Overall, the ATLAS prototype provides an excellent framework for further research on the software and hardware techniques necessary to deliver on the potential of transactional memory
Students' Understanding of Cells & Heredity: Patterns of Understanding in the Context of a Curriculum Implementation in Fifth & Seventh Grades

This study explores upper-elementary and early-middle-school students’ ideas about cells and inheritance and describes patterns of understanding for these topics. Data came from students’ responses to embedded assessments included in a technology-enhanced curriculum designed to help students learn about cells and heredity. Our findings suggest that the instruction aided students in progressing to more sophisticated levels of understanding, especially by reviewing non-normative ideas and integrating new content into their previous understandings. Students, however, tended to struggle in distinguishing genes, chromosomes, and DNA and had some difficulties connecting the cell division process with the inheritance of genetic material.
A Dual Role for the S-Locus Receptor Kinase in Self-Incompatibility and Pistil Development Revealed by an Arabidopsis rdr6 Mutation

The coordinate evolution of self-incompatibility (SI) and stigma-anther separation, two mechanisms that promote cross-pollination in plants, has been a long-standing puzzle in evolution and development. Using a transgenic self-incompatible Arabidopsis thaliana model, we performed screens for mutants exhibiting a modified SI response. A mutation in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase RDR6, which functions in trans-acting short interfering RNA (ta-siRNA) production, was found that simultaneously enhances SI and causes stigma exsertion, without associated increases in SRK transcript levels. While rdr6 mutants had been previously shown to exhibit stochastic stigma exsertion, our results demonstrate that the S-locus receptor kinase (SRK) gene further enhances pistil elongation and stigma exsertion in this mutant background, a process that requires SRK catalytic activity and correlates with SRK transcript levels. These results suggest that positive regulators or effectors of SI and pistil development are regulated by ta-siRNA(s). By establishing complex connections between SI and stigma exsertion through the sharing of a ta-siRNA-mediated regulatory pathway and the dual role of SRK in SI and pistil development, our study provides a molecular explanation for the coordinate evolution of these processes.
Distributed Balancing of AAVs for Uniform Surveillance Coverage

This paper addresses the problem of enabling a group of autonomous air vehicles to provide surveillance coverage for an area significantly larger than their communication radius. Our formulation spatially decomposes the overall surveillance mission into subtasks and we develop a distributed cooperative control algorithm that continuously reassigns AAVs to these subtasks based on only local information in order to achieve the most balanced distribution of AAVs possible within a finite time interval of known bound. Various applications are discussed and simulations are included to illustrate convergence dynamics as well as to measure practical performance as a function of problem parameters.
Inverting measurements of surface slip on the Superstition Hills fault

We derive and test a set of inversions of surface-slip measurements based on the empirical relation u(t) = uf /(1 + T/t ) c proposed by Sharp and Saxton (1989) to estimate the final slip uf , the power-law exponent c , and the power-law duration T . At short times, Sharp's relation behaves like the simple power law, u(t) ∼ u 1 tc , where u 1 is the initial slip, that is, the slip at 1 day after the earthquake. At long times, the slip approaches the final slip asymptotically. The inversions are designed in part to exploit the accuracy of measurements of differential slip; that is, measurements of surface slip which are made relative to a set of nails or stakes emplaced after the earthquake. We apply the inversions to slip measurements made at 53 sites along the Superstition Hills fault for the 11 months following the M = 6.2 and 6.6 earthquakes of 24 November 1987. In general, estimates of the initial slip and the power law exponent are well resolved, while estimates of the power-law durations and the final slip are less well resolved because the durations of the surface slip measurements are often less than the derived power-law durations. The slip on the three fault strands is a relatively smooth function of position; the initial slip and final slip are well correlated. The time dependence of surface slip at the 53 sites is roughly similar along the entire fault, where the power-law exponents are distributed as c = 0.14 ± 0.04 and the power-law durations range from 100 < T < 1000 days.
Scientists on the Set: Science Consultants and the Communication of Science in Visual Fiction:

By exploring the relationship between the scientific community and the entertainment industry in the construction of fictional films, this paper investigates the impact that fictional representations, created with the assistance of scientists, have on the construction of scientific knowledge and the public understanding of science. I discuss the nature of science consulting on fictional films, including compensation, consultants’ role in the filmmaking process, and the scientific elements consultants can impact in the films. By questioning the nature of fictional “accuracy, ” I demonstrate that the scientific community’s focus on “scientific accuracy” in fiction is flawed. Fictional film naturalizes both “accurate” and “inaccurate” science by presenting both as “natural” via a perceptually realistic framework.
The problem of medical misadventures: a review of E. Haavi Morreim's Holding Health Care Accountable.

Health-care provider liability has again taken center stage in American political debate, but with an ironic twist. In the seventies, physicians wanted tort reform, but they measured such reform solely by a reduction in both the risk of being sued and the size of any judgment a plaintiff could win. Malpractice reforms in many states in the seventies therefore capped damages, reduced contingency awards to lawyers, and restricted other tort rules to limit plaintiff success. Today physicians are conflicted. They want an increase in liability exposure — not for themselves, but for managed care plans. We have therefore ended up with a series of overlapping debates, with the same debaters taking contradictory positions. Should managed care organizations—until now protected by ERISA preemption from liability—be liable? Physicians say yes. But should physicians be protected from the threat of suit, which they argue acts as an in terrorem device that drives disclosure of medical errors into hiding?
The NTD Nanoscope: potential applications and implementations

Nanopore transduction detection (NTD) offers prospects for a number of highly sensitive and discriminative applications, including: (i) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection; (ii) targeted DNA re-sequencing; (iii) protein isoform assaying; and (iv) biosensing via antibody or aptamer coupled molecules. Nanopore event transduction involves single-molecule biophysics, engineered information flows, and nanopore cheminformatics. The NTD Nanoscope has seen limited use in the scientific community, however, due to lack of information about potential applications, and lack of availability for the device itself. Meta Logos Inc. is developing both pre-packaged device platforms and component-level (unassembled) kit platforms (the latter described here). In both cases a lipid bi-layer workstation is first established, then augmentations and operational protocols are provided to have a nanopore transduction detector. In this paper we provide an overview of the NTD Nanoscope applications and implementations. The NTD Nanoscope Kit, in particular, is a component-level reproduction of the standard NTD device used in previous research papers. The NTD Nanoscope method is shown to functionalize a single nanopore with a channel current modulator that is designed to transduce events, such as binding to a specific target. To expedite set-up in new lab settings, the calibration and troubleshooting for the NTD Nanoscope kit components and signal processing software, the NTD Nanoscope Kit, is designed to include a set of test buffers and control molecules based on experiments described in previous NTD papers (the model systems briefly described in what follows). The description of the Server-interfacing for advanced signal processing support is also briefly mentioned. SNP assaying, SNP discovery, DNA sequencing and RNA-seq methods are typically limited by the accuracy of the error rate of the enzymes involved, such as methods involving the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enzyme. The NTD Nanoscope offers a means to obtain higher accuracy as it is a single-molecule method that does not inherently involve use of enzymes, using a functionalized nanopore instead.
Bioequivalence and Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs

Every prescription written for a generic drug requires an act of faith by the prescriber that any one of the several available products will be therapeutically equivalent to the innovator (brand name) products. Concerns about this act of faith have been expressed for many years, particularly in the wake of the generic scandals that occurred in 1989-1990, and especially relative to the drugs with a narrow therapeutic range. We contend that these drugs are actually the least likely to pose problems in ensuring therapeutic equivalence, but that new criteria must be established for bioequivalence because the present system is wasteful and is stifling innovation in the industry. We propose four suggestions to the scientific and regulatory communities that we believe could assist in modifying the process such that innovation is encouraged and practitioners are reassured relative to the appropriateness of using generic drugs.
Peer-to-peer reputations

Summary form only given. Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are designed with an assumption that the nodes in a P2P network will cooperate each other. In the absence of any common goals shared by the nodes of a P2P network, external motivation to cooperate and be trustworthy is required. Digital reputations can be used to inject trust among the autonomous nodes of a network and motivate the nodes to contribute resources. We summarize a self-certification scheme for the identification of peers using digital certificates similar to SDSI certificates, techniques to mitigate the problem of 'a consortium of liars' and an elicitation-storage protocol for procuring and storing recommendations.
Effects of delayed surgical resection on short-term and long-term outcomes in clinical stage i non-small cell lung cancer

Background Conflicting evidence currently exists regarding the causes and effects of delay of care in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We hypothesized that delayed surgery in early-stage NSCLC is associated with worse short-term and long-term outcomes. Methods Treatment data of clinical stage I NSCLC patients undergoing surgical resection were obtained from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). Treatment delay was defined as resection 8 weeks or more after diagnosis. Propensity score matching for patient and tumor characteristics was performed to create comparable groups of patients receiving early (less than 8 weeks from diagnosis) and delayed surgery. Multivariable regression models were fitted to evaluate variables influencing delay of surgery. Results From 1998 to 2010, 39,995 patients with clinical stage I NSCLC received early surgery, while 15,658 patients received delayed surgery. Of these, 27,022 propensity-matched patients were identified. Those with a delay in care were more likely to be pathologically upstaged (18.3% stage 2 or higher versus 16.6%, p p = 0.01), and have decreased median survival (57.7 ± 1.0 months versus 69.2 ± 1.3 months, p p p Conclusions Patients receiving delayed resection for clinical stage I NSCLC have higher comorbidity scores that may affect ability to perform lobectomy and result in higher perioperative mortality. However, delay in resection is independently associated with increased rates of upstaging and decreased median survival. Strategies to minimize delay while medically optimizing higher risk patients are needed.
Estonia: The Start‐Up Country

Here is a country in which a new business can be registered online in five minutes; in which an “e-Cabinet” makes legislation decisions without need of wasted paperwork and time; and yet, social services still need improving. In this way, Estonia has an enormous opportunity for the use of design in social innovation. Estonia is a country with one foot in the future and the other in the past. Can design help to bridge the gap?
THE CONCEPT OF ALLOSTASIS: COPING WITH A CAPRICIOUS ENVIRONMENT

Vertebrates have regular patterns and routines that involve obtaining food and carrying out life-history stages such as breeding, migrating, molting, and hibernating. These are generally regulated by predictable changes in the environment, for example, seasons. Superimposed on these are unpredictable challenges, for example, storms and natural disasters, which have great potential for stress. The concept of allostasis, maintaining stability through change, has been introduced as a fundamental process through which organisms actively adjust to both predictable and unpredictable events. This process considers the predictable and unpredictable components of the environment as a continuum and includes the effects of body condition (parasites and injuries), experience, and habitat configuration. It combines classical homeostasis with anticipatory responses, stress, and social status. By using the balance between energy input and expenditure as the basis for applying the concept of allostasis, 2 types of allostatic overload have been proposed. Type 1 allostatic overload occurs when energy demand exceeds supply, resulting in activation of the emergency life-history stage. This serves to direct the animal away from normal life-history stages into a survival mode that decreases allostatic load and regains positive energy balance. The normal life cycle can be resumed when the perturbation passes. Type 2 allostatic overload begins when there is sufficient or even excess energy consumption accompanied by social conflict and other types of social dysfunction. The latter is the case in human society, and in some situations affecting animals in captivity and possibly in natural conditions as well. In all cases, secretion of glucocorticoids increases with allostatic load, but if it is chronically high, then pathologies develop. Curiously, type 2 allostatic overload does not trigger an escape response, and can only be counteracted through learning or changes in social structure.
A Murine Model of Candida glabrata Vaginitis Shows No Evidence of an Inflammatory Immunopathogenic Response

Candida glabrata is the second most common organism isolated from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), particularly in women with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. However, mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of C. glabrata-associated VVC are unknown and have not been studied at any depth in animal models. The objective of this study was to evaluate host responses to infection following efforts to optimize a murine model of C. glabrata VVC. For this, various designs were evaluated for consistent experimental vaginal colonization (i.e., type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice, exogenous estrogen, varying inocula, and co-infection with C. albicans). Upon model optimization, vaginal fungal burden and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) recruitment were assessed longitudinally over 21 days post-inoculation, together with vaginal concentrations of IL-1β, S100A8 alarmin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and in vivo biofilm formation. Consistent and sustained vaginal colonization with C. glabrata was achieved in estrogenized streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice. Vaginal PMN infiltration was consistently low, with IL-1β, S100A8, and LDH concentrations similar to uninoculated mice. Biofilm formation was not detected in vivo, and co-infection with C. albicans did not induce synergistic immunopathogenic effects. This data suggests that experimental vaginal colonization of C. glabrata is not associated with an inflammatory immunopathogenic response or biofilm formation.
Public administration and health care: estimating latent causal influences: TETRAD III variable selection and Bayesian parameter estimation

The statistical evidence for the detrimental effect of exposure to low levels of lead on the cognitive capacities of children has been debated for several decades. This paper describes how two techniques from artificial intelligence and statistics help make the statistical evidence for the accepted epidemiological conclusion seem decisive. The first is a variable selection routine in TETRAD III for finding causes, and the second a Bayesian estimation of the parameter reflecting the causal influence of actual lead exposure, a latent variable, on the measured IQ score of middle-class suburban children.
Analytical study of a new seismic sensor, gyro-seismometer

Abstract A new seismic wave detector incorporating a gyroscope is described and analyzed. The instrument can attain separation of linear and angular movements of seismic piers. High sensitivity is obtained by virtue of the gryroscopic characteristics. A further advantage lies in the facility with which the natural frequency of a gyro-seismometer can be varied by changing its spin velocity. The instrument probably is very valuable for distant seismic detections, for which the periods are large. The ability to isolate and measure angular movements may be of particular interest in applications to nuclear test monitoring. A simple, mathematical treatment of the instrument is presented in this paper.
Predictors of patient’s intentions to participate in pragmatic clinical trials: An initial exploration

The Veterans Health Administration is implementing a pragmatic trial research program, called Point of Care Research (POC-R). The purpose of this telephone survey in which respondents were randomized to different framing conditions of the purpose of POC-R was to determine the impact of differing frames of the purpose of POC-R on attitudes towards the program and intentions to participate; and the relative importance of different beliefs and attitudes in discriminating low vs. high intenders to participate in POC-R. The survey addressed veterans' perceptions and attitudes towards POC-R, and their willingness to participate in a pragmatic trial. Overall, respondents felt positively towards POC-R and intended to participate. Differing frames of the purpose of POC-R were not associated with either attitudes (towards the program) or intentions to participate. However, specific beliefs and attitudes toward POC-R program were predictive of intentions to participate.
Role of Vitamin G in Addison's Disease.

Summary and ConclusionsThe blood plasma values for ascorbic acid in the 6 patients who had Addison's disease that were studied were within normal range. The urinary excretion of ascorbic acid during a 24-hour period was low. On the basis of the results obtained, it would seem that the urinary excretion of ascorbic acid alone cannot be used as an index of vitamin C deficiency in instances of Addison's disease.
Can Retributivists Support Legal Punishment

In the first half of this century, Anglo-American moral philosophers concerned themselves with the vexing question of whether legal officials could deliberately "punish" the innocent and whether a utilitarian justification for such a practice is possible. Interest in this topic waned after Rawls drew a crucial distinction in his article, "Two Concepts of Rules," between two kinds of systems for dealing with wrongdoing.1 One was legal punishment, as we understand it; the other was the practice of 'telishment', in which the of ficials, as Rawls said, "have authority to arrange a trial for the condemnation of an innocent man whenever they are of the opinion that doing so would be in the best interests of society."2 A utilitarian justification for such an ar rangement is most unlikely, Rawls claimed, because of the very great risks that such an institution might misfire.3 Perhaps because it is obvious that retributivists must condemn such a practice, not much attention has been devoted to the question of what, if any, problems are raised for retributivists when this distinction is drawn. In this essay, I intend to show that the retributivist cannot coherently and consistent ly condemn telishment as unjust without also condemning all systems of legal punishment as unjust. Due to the fact that retributivists have failed to note that legal punishment is really the moral equivalent of telishment, their premises justify punishment only as it might take place in certain narrowly defined, non-legal contexts. (Unless I indicate otherwise, however, the term, 'punishment', should be construed as being synonymous with 'legal punish ment'.) Let us first review the criticisms that retributivists seem entitled to make against the utilitarian condemnation of telishment. Then, we will focus on certain consequences of the retributive position that retributivists have not yet faced. We will define a system of telishment as one in which the legal officials, without the knowledge of the public, fabricate evidence against selected in dividuals, who are generally believed to be guilty of a serious crime. We shall suppose that the authorities are successful in convicting the individuals and inflicting on them the suffering prescribed by law for the crime.4 Rawls argues that a utilitarian justification for such an institution is most unlikely for roughly the following reasons. Any additional deterrent ef fect such a system might have if the authorities were successful in deceiving the public would not be outweighed by the very high risk that they might not be successful, i.e., that they might not prevent the public from discovering the
Multiconfiguration calculation of the oxygen P 3 ground-state fine structure

The fine structure of the oxygen $^{3}P$ ground state is computed using a rather simple multiconfiguration wave function. The approach is similar to that used in previously reported fine-structure calculations for the lowest nitrogen $^{2}D$ and $^{2}P$ states, and similar results are obtained, accounting for about 80% of the difference between the Hartree-Fock result for the spin-orbit coupling parameter and the value indicated by experiment. The contribution due to spin-spin coupling is also considered.
Epidemiological Analysis of Bacillary Dysentery city from 1995 to 2004 in Hefei

Objective To Understand epidemiological status of bacillary dysentery in Hefei city so as to provide scientific basis for making countermeasures of the disease. Methods Epidemiological data collected from 1995 to 2004 were analyzed statistically. Results A total number of 29364 bacillary dysentery cases was reported from 1995 to 2004, with a annual average incidence of 68.67/100000 and 3 cases died with a mortality of 0.007/100000. A number of 4146 bacillary dysentery cases were reported in 1995. The incidence was the highest, with the incidence of 101.56/100000. 2249 bacillary dysentery cases were reported in 2004. The incidence was the lowest, with the incidence of 51.87/100000. There are three counties and four districts in the city. Yaohai district and Luyang district had the highest incidence of the disease, with the incidence of 158.32/100000 and 157.76/100000 respectively. Feidong county、feixi county and changfeng county had lower incidence of the disease, the incidence ranged from 36.40/100000 to 41.61 /100000. Most cases were children. Children under 10 years old had the highest incidence of the disease. Conclusions Incidence of bacillary dysentery showed downward trend in the period from 1995 to 2004 in Hefei. Strengthening epidemic situation management, conducting health education and improving sanitary condition were the most effective way to reduce bacillary dysentery incidence.
Resistance of Culex pipiens pallens to four kinds of insecticides

Objective To investigate the resistance of Culex pipiens pollens to four common insecticides and provide evidence for scientific application of insecticides. Methods Selecting 4 insecticides to test the larvae resistance of Culex pipiens pallens according to the method provided by WHO, and compare with the test result of susceptible strain cultured in laboratory. Results The strains from Nanjing and Kunshan had developed different resistance to tested insecticides except that the Kunshan race was much susceptive to deltamethrin(R/S=1.29). Conclusion It was necessary to apply integrated control and use insecticides scientifically in controlling mosquitoes.
A Potential Role for Nitric Oxide in Myocardial Stunning

Nitric oxide (NO) production by the human heart has been demonstrated in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Similar to what has been described in other species, a basal production of NO by the human heart is seen (126 +/- 42 pmol/min per gram). Following reperfusion, at the end of the procedure, the level of NO production increases significantly reaching concentrations of 1430 +/- 330 pmol/min per gram. Increased activity for the enzyme NO synthase (NOS) (8.0 +/- 1.2 pmol/mg prebypass vs 26.4 +/- 4.8 pmol/mg postbypass) coincides with changes in NO production and occurs at a time when myocardial stunning is clinically detectable. The significance of these findings is discussed and suggest a role for NO in the pathophysiology of myocardial stunning.
Anthracycline- and trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity: a retrospective study

Some chemotherapeutic agents cause cardiotoxic effects including reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and occasionally congestive heart failure. Anthracyclines and HER2 monoclonal antibodies are common offenders, but clinical practice data on LVEF changes, risk factors and acute recovery is lacking. We retrospectively examined the electronic medical record at an academic medical center for receipt of anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab from 2000 to 2013 in cancer patients. Patient characteristics and serial LVEF assessments were collected. Patients with and without LVEF decline were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 549 patients were identified with anthracycline/trastuzumab use and 216 had multiple LVEF assessments. Only 27 of the 216 patients who had multiple LVEF assessments at multiple occasions suffered a clinically significant LVEF fall (12.5 %), and symptomatic CHF was rare (0.5 %). Compared to unaffected patients, those with a fall in LVEF were more likely to have hypertension, hyperlipidemia or coronary artery disease (CAD). Concomitant trastuzumab and anthracycline use was a risk factor (36 vs 9.5 % for anthracycline alone, p < 0.001). The median time from start of chemotherapy to reduced LVEF was 202 days (5-3008). On multivariate analysis, hypertension and use of trastuzumab remained independent predictors of LVEF fall. Acute recovery in LVEF was observed in 44 % of patients. LVEF changes from cancer therapies are frequent and hard to predict. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and CAD are associated with LVEF decline. Acute recovery of LVEF is observed in those experiencing treatment-related cardiotoxicity. Attention to timely interruption of cardiotoxic chemo is recommended.