cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 20443: Sex-Specific Coronary Vascular Function Thresholds and Prognosis: A Report From the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE)

Background: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) of <2.5 predicts major adverse outcomes in predominantly male populations, while prior work demonstrates that CFR <2.32 is the best discriminating threshold for cardiovascular (CV) adverse outcomes in women with evidence of ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated whether the prognostic utility of coronary vascular function testing is improved by using gender specific thresholds during longer-term follow-up in the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute-sponsored Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE). Methods: Women (n=200) with signs and symptoms of ischemia and predominately non-obstructive CAD underwent coronary vascular function testing using intra-coronary adenosine, acetylcholine, and nitroglycerin (TNG). CV events defined as CV death, non-fatal MI, heart failure hospitalization or stroke were evaluated over a median follow-up of 6 years. Standard thresholds included CFR<2.5 to adenosine, coronary blood flow response (CBF)...
Assessment of Elbow Torque and Other Parameters During the Pitching Motion: Comparison of Fastball, Curveball, and Change-up.

Purpose To assess the precision of a new wearable device in detecting medial elbow torque during the pitching motion in competitive baseball pitchers and to determine the differences in torque across pitch types and thrower demographic characteristics. Methods High school and collegiate baseball pitchers were recruited from August 1, 2016, to January 31, 2017, through direct request by athletic trainers and coaches. Body dimensions and throwing arm measurements of the participants were collected. The sensor was positioned directly over the medial elbow and pitchers were instructed to throw 8 fastballs, 8 curveballs, and 8 change-ups in a standard, randomized sequence. The sensor reported elbow torque, arm speed, arm slot, and shoulder rotation, whereas a radar gun measured peak ball velocity. Precision was calculated by measuring outlier rate, and mixed model regression analysis was performed to detect differences in throwing biomechanics among pitch types. Results In total, 37 competitive baseball pitchers were included in the study. The device had a precision of 96.9% for fastballs, 96.9% for curveballs, and 97.9% for change-ups. The device was sensitive enough to distinguish pitches according to elbow torque, arm speed, arm slot, and shoulder rotation. Fastballs caused the greatest relative torque across the medial elbow (average = 45.56 N m), compared with change-ups (43.77 N m; P = .006) and curveballs (43.83 N m; P = .01). Ball velocity contributed most to medial elbow torque ( P = .003), followed by elbow circumference ( P = .021), where smaller elbow circumference predicted greater medial elbow torque. Conclusions The sensor is a precise and reproducible device for measuring torque across the medial elbow, as well as additional parameters of arm speed, arm slot, and shoulder rotation. Torque was significantly relatively higher in fastballs than curveballs and change-ups. Level of Evidence Level III, comparative study.
Understanding the impact of sampling and noise on detecting events using twitter

While social media sites can be used to identify events rapidly, many data streams are partial because of rate limiting while others are large, but particularly noisy. This poster investigates the impact of sample size and noise on event detection accuracy. We conduct a sensitivity analysis to understand how robust different methods for event detection on Twitter are, given a noisy, partial data stream. We find that the detection accuracy decreases as the sample fraction decreases and as the SNR decreases; however, the rate of decrease changes at different sample sizes and SNRs for different methods.
The Current-Steering DAC [A Circuit for All Seasons]

Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) find application in many systems, including communication transmitters and consumer electronics. Among various DAC realizations, the current-steering topology offers the highest speed and becomes the de facto solution at gigahertz frequencies, especially if the analog output must be delivered to a resistive load. In this article, we study this DAC's design principles.
Detection Of Corrosion Of Post-Tensioned Strands In Grouted Assemblies

The feasibility and sensitivity of electrochemical noise (EN), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and linear polarization resistance (LPR) for detection of corrosion in post-tensioning (PT) components was investigated. The use of the electrical resistance (ER) technique, as well EIS and LPR, to detect air space corrosion at the grout voids was also explored. The results showed that high sensitivity noise measurements (in the μV range) are feasible for the strand-anchorage systems. The potential and galvanic current trends for the assemblies suggest the presence of activation-passivation cycles linked to each water ingress event. The EN method was adequate to identify only one modality of corrosion, and failed to detect other potentially important forms of corrosion despite the presence of significant macrocell current. In contrast, the EIS and LPR methods more reliably detected ongoing corrosion. The ER method could sensitively detect the deterioration of grouted and bare steel strands exposed to a high humidity environment as in the air space of a grout void. The air space corrosion experiments showed that an aggressive environment may evolve in the grout void, resulting in appreciable corrosion rates.
Energy Aware Deployment Method in Heterogeneous Farmland WSN

Farmland environment has influence on the signal propagation of wireless sensor network (WSN) . The network coverage and connectivity performances largely depend on the deployment method. In order to prolong the network lifespan, renewable energy was introduced to a part of the network nodes due to the cost issue. An improved energy aware deployment method is proposed in this paper. The aim of the paper is to maximize the network lifespan, lower the network cots, increase the energy utilization renewable energy nodes and balance the residual energy of the battery-power nodes. An energy consumption model was established in the consideration of deployment constraints over network coverage, connectivity, and stability. An improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was designed to optimize the performance of the network model. A penalty function was included to resolve the problem which contain both continuous and discrete variables . The number of renewable nodes with the best cost-lifespan ratio was concluded. The simulation results demonstrate that the propose method increase s the renewable energy utilization when the renewable energy source is good. Also the network keeps stab le when the renewable energy source is off. The overall energy consumption of battery nodes were reduce d and balance d. Therefore, the proposed deploy method prolong the network life span.
Frequency-Dependent Nodal Analysis of Boiling Water Reactor Stability

A general spatial kinetics model has been developed for boiling water reactor (BWR) stability analysis utilizing nodal analysis, a commonly used technique for analyzing power distributions in large power reactors. Kinetics parameters for use in the kinetics equations have been derived by utilizing self-consistent nodal data and power distribution. Spatial coupling effects on the stability margin have been analyzed for a typical BWR. Various influences on stability are investigated. Spatial kinetics is found to have substantial effects on the stability margins for density wave oscillations.
Subjective Bayesian Models in Sampling Finite Populations

SUMMARY A general and basic model for inference about characteristics of a finite population of distinguishable elements is presented from a subjectivisticBayesian point of view. A subjectivist analogue to simple random sampling, based on the notion of exchangeable random variables, is discussed and the inputs and assumptions underlying the model are shown to involve nothing more than is required for inference under Bayesian models for infinite populations. The model is illustrated by a number of particular examples including one based on the multinomial distribution which incorporates a prior distribution representing an extreme position of initial ignorance. Inferences under this particular model are shown to agree closely in several respects with usual "classical" results. Finally, an extension of the results is presented involving the use of concomitant measurements, and under this Bayesian model several common ratio and regression estimators are shown to arise as means of posterior distributions. 1. PRELIMINARIES
Dynamic PEG–Peptide Hydrogels via Visible Light and FMN‐Induced Tyrosine Dimerization

Photoresponsive hydrogels have become invaluable 3D culture matrices for mimicking aspects of the extracellular matrix. Recent efforts have focused on using ultraviolet (UV) light exposure and multifunctional macromers to induce secondary hydrogel crosslinking and dynamic matrix stiffening in the presence of cells. This contribution reports the design of a novel yet simple dynamic poly(ethylene glycol)-peptide hydrogel system through flavin mononucleotide (FMN) induced di-tyrosine crosslinking. These di-tyrosine linkages effectively increase hydrogel crosslinking density and elastic modulus. In addition, the degree of stiffening in hydrogels at a fixed PEG macromer content can be readily tuned by controlling FMN concentration or the number of tyrosine residues built-in to the peptide linker. Furthermore, tyrosine-bearing pendant biochemical motifs can be spatial-temporally patterned in the hydrogel network via controlling light exposure through a photomask. The visible light and FMN-induced tyrosine dimerization process produces a cytocompatible and physiologically relevant degree of stiffening, as shown by changes of cell morphology and gene expression in pancreatic cancer and stromal cells. This new dynamic hydrogel scheme should be highly desirable for researchers seeking a photoresponsive hydrogel system without complicated chemical synthesis and secondary UV light irradiation.
Social Science Contributions to BU Focused Health Service Research in West-Africa

Health social science (HSS) research has contributed in significant ways to our understanding of how rural communities in West Africa perceive and respond to Buruli ulcer (BU), and the challenges facing those involved with BU health service delivery. These challenges range from the need to mount more effective community outreach education programs leading to earlier BU detection to the need to identify and then address predisposing, enabling, and service delivery related factors that result in treatment delay, drop out, and non-adherence. In this chapter, we briefly highlight HSS research that has broadened our knowledge of community response to BU and then consider HSS-inspired BU interventions. Most of the sources we draw upon involve research carried out in Benin, Cameroon, and Ghana. To date, few HSS studies have been conducted in other endemic countries such as Cote d’Ivoire, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Uganda. We include in our overview a selection of studies conducted by both social scientists and medical researchers investigating social and cultural factors that influence health care decision-making.
Removal performance of formaldehyde by ceiling tiles as sorptive passive panels

Abstract In this study a ceiling tile (CT) was selected as a sorptive passive panel, and the effect of environmental conditions on its formaldehyde removal efficiency was evaluated. Experiments were performed in a 0.4 m3 chamber with the air flow rate of 0.2 m3 h−1, the air exchange rate of the 0.5 h−1, and the loading ratio of 0.23m2m-3. The range of temperature humidity levels varied between 21 °C ± 2 °C–26 °C ± 2 °C, and 30% ± 5%–75% ± 5%, respectively, to simulate the indoor conditions for Canadian homes during most months of the year. Results demonstrated formaldehyde removal efficiency between 40% and 75% depending on the applied environmental conditions. GC/MS and HPLC trace analyses revealed that only very low concentrations of by-products were formed. The by-product formation increased slightly when exposing the ceiling tile to relatively high relative humidity (RH = 75%) and temperature (T = 26 °C). Given a loading factor of only 0.23 m2 m−3in our test chamber, which in most scenarios underestimates the loading factor in real settings, our findings suggest that ceiling tiles used as passive removal panels have the potential to lower formaldehyde concentrations under the Health Canada's guideline for residential settings under real-life conditions.
Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder with variable clinical presentation and disease course. The estimated prevalence ranges from 20 to 70 per 100,000 persons, with non-Caucasian populations at higher risk. Neuropsychiatric SLE is an all-encompassing term for a variety of complex neurologic and psychiatric manifestations that can be found in SLE patients. The pathophysiology is poorly understood, and diagnosis remains challenging due to heterogeneity in presentation and course. Distinguishing between SLE-related neuropsychiatric manifestation and other causes of neurologic symptoms is often best done through multidisciplinary evaluation by rheumatology, neurology, and psychiatry.
Retinal Vascular Changes During Pregnancy Detected With Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose To evaluate retinal vascular status during pregnancy by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods Women in their third trimester of pregnancy and nonpregnant age-matched women were recruited for this prospective, case-control study. Subjects were imaged with OCTA. Main outcome measures were foveal avascular zone parameters, perfusion density (PD) percentage in the superficial retinal capillary plexus (SCP), PD percentage in the deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP), SCP vessel length density (VLD), DCP-VLD, and choriocapillaris (CC) flow voids (i.e., flow deficits in the CC). Results Nineteen eyes of 10 pregnant subjects and 44 eyes of 27 nonpregnant control women were included. Mean ages were 36 ± 7 and 35 ± 8 years (SD), respectively (P value = 0.78). Mean gestational age of pregnant women was 33 weeks (range = 29-39, SD = 3). There was a significant reduction in the SCP-PD in the entire scan and in the nasal Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study subfield (47.9 vs. 49.7, P = 0.04 and 49.3 vs. 51.6, P = 0.03, respectively) in the pregnant cohort versus controls. There was a significant increase in the DCP-PD in the parafoveal region and in the temporal and inferior Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study subfields (58.0 vs. 55.9, P = 0.03; 57.9 vs. 55.5, P = 0.02; 58.0 vs. 55.9, P = 0.05, respectively) in the pregnant cohort. There was no significant difference in foveal avascular zone parameters, SCP-VLD, DCP-VLD, or CC flow voids between the two populations. Conclusions This study detected retinal vasculature changes in the third trimester of pregnancy. Mean SCP-PD was significantly decreased and mean DCP-PD was significantly increased without a difference in VLD.
Cerebrovascular Accident and Snake Envenomation: A Scoping Study.

Background: Snake envenomation is associated with serious complications including infections, bleeding and, in rare occasions, thrombosis. Previous work by our group examined the association of snakebite and acute myocardial infarction. In this systematic review we aim to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of acute cerebrovascular accidents that are reported to be extremely rare complications of snake envenomation. Methods: We performed a literature search for reports on stroke associated with snake envenomation between Jan 1995 to Oct 2018, and summarized their characteristics. Results: Eighty-three published cases were reviewed. 66.3% of the cases were younger than 50 years of age. The mean time for the onset of the symptoms is 23.8±10.9 hours after exposure. 77.1% of the cases found to have ischemic stroke, 20.5% with intra-cranial hemorrhage and both infarction and hemorrhage in 2.4%. Mortality was reported in 16.9% with mean time between onset of the symptoms and death is 4.2 days. Conclusion: Stroke secondary to snake envenomation is a rare but serious complication. Once stroke is suspected, initiating appropriate management is crucial in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this potentially fatal complication of snake envenomation.
Economic anxieties, fear of crime, and punitive attitudes in Latin America:

Using data from the 2012 AmericasBarometer survey collected in nine Latin American countries (n = 14,705), this study examines two theoretically relevant potential sources of punitiveness: economic...
Associations between prenatal sleep and psychological health: a systematic review.

Study Objectives:This systematic review aimed to examine the: (1) strength of associations between prenatal sleep (ie, duration, quality, and insomnia) and psychological health (ie, depression, anx...
Hydration: Why We Drink, When to Drink, What to Drink, and How Much to Drink, That Is the Question!

Water is the most quintessential nutrient in our body and to our life as it represents 60–70 % of our adult body weight. Water is the fluid in which all life processes occur. Water is essential to maintain the structure of our cells, aids in regulation of our body temperature, maintains our blood volume, aids in body metabolism, assists in all digestion and absorption functions, lubricates mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, assists in excretion of waste from bowel and kidney, the major component to digestive juices. Without it, we are not able to survive. Consuming too much water can result in water intoxication, an event that is very rare.
An Empirical Investigation of Instance-Specific Causal Bayesian Network Learning

Significant progress has been made in developing algorithms for learning graphical causal models from data. Most of these algorithms learn a causal structure that is shared by all the instances (e.g., patients) in the training dataset. However, different instances may not all share the same causal structure. We introduced an instance-specific method called IGES [15] that learns a causal model for each instance $T$ by using the features of $T$ and the instances in the training dataset. In the current paper, we study the empirical performance of the IGES method on several biomedical datasets. The results provide support that instance-specific structure exists and is important to model in these real domains.
Understanding the motivations for using Tinder

Tinder has become one of the most popular apps for online users to launch offline connections. While Tinder is culturally known as a “hook up app,” the true reasons behind users interacting on the ...
Nephron-Specific Disruption of Polycystin-1 Induces Cyclooxygenase-2-Mediated Blood Pressure Reduction Independent of Cystogenesis.

Background Hypertension often occurs before renal function deteriorates in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). It is unknown whether the Pkd1 gene product polycystin-1-the predominant causal factor in ADPKD-itself contributes to ADPKD hypertension independent of cystogenesis. Methods We induced nephron-specific disruption of the Pkd1 gene in 3-month-old mice and examined them at 4-5 months of age. Results Kidneys from the Pkd1 knockout mice showed no apparent renal cysts, tubule dilation, or increased cell proliferation. Compared with control mice, Pkd1 knockout mice exhibited reduced arterial pressure during high salt intake; this associated with an increased natriuretic, diuretic, and kaliuretic response during the first 2-3 days of salt loading. The lower arterial pressure and enhanced natriuresis during high salt loading in Pkd1 knockout mice were associated with lower urinary nitrite/nitrate excretion and markedly increased urinary PGE2 excretion, whereas GFR, plasma renin concentration, and urinary endothelin-1 excretion were similar between knockout and control mice. Kidney cyclooxygenase-2 protein levels were increased in Pkd1 knockout mice during high salt intake; administration of NS-398, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, abolished the arterial pressure difference between the knockout and control mice during high salt intake. Total kidney Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter isoform 2 (NKCC2) levels were greatly reduced in Pkd1 knockout mice fed a high salt diet compared with controls. Conclusions These studies suggest that nephron polycystin-1 deficiency does not itself contribute to ADPKD hypertension and that it may, in fact, exert a relative salt-wasting effect. The work seems to comprise the first in vivo studies to describe a potential physiologic role for nephron polycystin-1 in the absence of cysts, tubule dilation, or enhanced cell proliferation.
The influence of peer beliefs on nurses' use of new health information technology: A social network analysis.

Abstract Implementation of health information technology fails at an alarming rate because intended users often choose not to use it. Implementation theory and frameworks suggest that social networks may influence individuals' use, but empirical study remains limited. Furthermore, neither theory nor research has identified whose beliefs within the network matter most for implementation. We examine the relationship between an individual's system use and the beliefs of his or her peers. We assess the relationship for two peer groups: the entire group of peers and the subset that shares the individual's beliefs about the system. We used data collected from an academic hospital in the United States that had recently implemented a bar code medication administration system, a technology meant to increase medication safety. We administered a survey to nurses (N = 207) in six clinical units approximately 3–5 months (April–June 2013) after the “go-live” of the system to identify peer groups and beliefs about system usefulness. We calculated mean peer belief for the entire peer group and sharedness of belief using a homophily measure. From the hospital's electronic health record system, we obtained nurses' system use during the 3-month data collection period. We used multivariable linear regression to examine relationships. We found no effect of mean peer beliefs on individual system use. However, sharedness of belief about usefulness was positively associated with individual system use. Individuals' own positive belief was only associated with greater system use when shared with peers. Our findings indicate a significant role of social networks in implementation, and specifically that shared beliefs between an individual and his or her peer network may be critical to implementation success, more so than the beliefs across the entire peer group. Reinforcement by the social network appears to dictate whether individuals' own beliefs translate into system use.
Medication Management in Older Adults with Dementia

Medication management in patients with dementia is often difficult. Treatments for concomitant medical problems can worsen cognitive function, affect adherence to prescribed medications, and make transitions from one level of care to another challenging. Avoiding potentially inappropriate medications, such as those mentioned in the American Geriatrics Society’s Beers Criteria and the Screening Tool of Older Person’s Prescriptions, can decrease the likelihood of suboptimal outcomes. Regularly reviewing drug regimens and decreasing the dose or discontinuing agents that are not clearly helping or are causing harm—known as deprescribing—is another useful tool for optimizing medication management. Several interventions to increase medication adherence are available, and customization based on a particular patient’s situation and needs is vital. Finally, transitions in levels of care can be challenging yet also provide opportunities to evaluate and improve patients’ medication regimens. A team-based approach is vital to ensure patients with dementia receive optimal medication management.
Increased S1P expression in osteoclasts enhances bone formation in an animal model of Paget's disease.

Paget's disease (PD) is characterized by increased numbers of abnormal osteoclasts (OCLs) that drive exuberant bone formation, but the mechanisms responsible for the increased bone formation remain unclear. We previously reported that OCLs from 70% of PD patients express measles virus nucleocapsid protein (MVNP), and that transgenic mice with targeted expression of MVNP in OCLs (MVNP mice) develop bone lesions and abnormal OCLs characteristic of PD. In this report, we examined if OCL-derived sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) contributed to the abnormal bone formation in PD, since OCL-derived S1P can act as a coupling factor to increase normal bone formation via binding S1P-receptor-3 (S1PR3) on osteoblasts (OBs). We report that OCLs from MVNP mice and PD patients expressed high levels of sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK-1) compared with wild-type (WT) mouse and normal donor OCLs. SphK-1 production by MVNP-OCLs was interleukin-6 (IL-6)-dependent since OCLs from MVNP/IL-6-/- mice expressed lower levels of SphK-1. Immunohistochemistry of bone biopsies from a normal donor, a PD patient, WT and MVNP mice confirmed increased expression levels of SphK-1 in OCLs and S1PR3 in OBs of the PD patient and MVNP mice compared with normal donor and WT mice. Further, MVNP-OCLs cocultured with OBs from MVNP or WT mice increased OB-S1PR3 expression and enhanced expression of OB differentiation markers in MVNP-OBs precursors compared with WT-OBs, which was mediated by IL-6 and insulin-like growth factor 1 secreted by MVNP-OCLs. Finally, the addition of an S1PR3 antagonist (VPC23019) to WT or MVNP-OBs treated with WT and MVNP-OCL-conditioned media (CM) blocked enhanced OB differentiation of MVNP-OBs treated with MVNP-OCL-CM. In contrast, the addition of the SIPR3 agonist, VPC24191, to the cultures enhanced osterix and Col-1A expression in MVNP-OBs treated with MVNP-OCL-CM compared with WT-OBs treated with WT-OCL-CM. These results suggest that IL-6 produced by PD-OCLs increases S1P in OCLs and S1PR3 on OBs, to increase bone formation in PD.
Complete Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages Apex and Gophee.

ABSTRACT Apex and Gophee are mycobacteriophages directly isolated from soil using the host Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155. Apex has a 71,244-bp double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome encoding 98 putative proteins, and Gophee has a 68,556-bp dsDNA genome encoding 101 putative proteins.
A Multifunction Trade-Off has Contrasting Effects on the Evolution of Form and Function

Trade-offs caused by the use of an anatomical apparatus for more than one function are thought to be an important constraint on evolution. However, whether multifunctionality suppresses diversification of biomechanical systems is challenged by recent literature showing that traits more closely tied to trade-offs evolve more rapidly. We contrast the evolutionary dynamics of feeding mechanics and morphology between fishes that exclusively capture prey with suction and multifunctional species that augment this mechanism with biting behaviors to remove attached benthic prey. Diversification of feeding kinematic traits was, on average, over 13.5 times faster in suction feeders, consistent with constraint on biters due to mechanical trade-offs between biting and suction performance. Surprisingly, we found that the evolution of morphology contrasts directly with these differences in kinematic evolution, with significantly faster rates of evolution of head shape in biters. This system provides clear support for an often postulated, but rarely confirmed prediction that multifunctionality stifles functional diversification, while also illustrating the sometimes weak relationship between form and function. [Form-function evolution; geometric morphometrics; kinematic evolution; macroevolution; Ornstein-Uhlenbeck; RevBayes; suction feeding].
A Property of the Asymptotic Spots of a Meromorphic Function or an Interior Transformation whose Domain is the Open Unit Disk

Let f denote a meromorphic function, or more generally an interior transformation in the sense of Stoilow whose image lies in the extended plane, the domain of f being the open unit disk { |z| < 1}.
Interstellar Polarization and the Position Angle Orientations of Seyfert 1 Galaxies

We comment on recent spectropolarimetric studies that compare the observed polarization position angles (PAs) of Seyfert 1 galaxies near H alpha with the observed orientations of their radio source axes on the sky. For a Seyfert galaxy in which scattering occurs mainly in an equatorial scattering region, one expects the polarization PA to be parallel to the radio axis, while in a case in which light scatters predominantly in the polar regions, the H alpha polarization PA should be perpendicular to the radio axis. In practice, these correlations are difficult to establish because a Galactic interstellar polarization contribution can introduce a significant uncertainty into the polarization PA determination, even when the magnitude of interstellar polarization is small. We show how such uncertainties may affect the analysis of PA alignments and present spectropolarimetric observations of a probe star along the line of sight to the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 871 that allow us to assess the intrinsic H alpha polarization and PA of Mrk 871. These results suggest that spectropolarimetric observations of such probe stars should form an integral part of future Seyfert galaxy polarization studies.
Enumerative Geometry and String Theory

Warming up to enumerative geometry Enumerative geometry in the projective plane Stable maps and enumerative geometry Crash course in topology and manifolds Crash course in $C^\infty$ manifolds and cohomology Cellular decompositions and line bundles Enumerative geometry of lines Excess intersection Rational curves on the quintic threefold Mechanics Introduction to supersymmetry Introduction to string theory Topological quantum field theory Quantum cohomology and enumerative geometry Bibliography Index.
Macroeconomic Policies and the Balance of Payments in Pakistan: 1972-1986

This paper describes developments in the balance of payments of Pakistan during 1972-86, focusing particularly on the factors that gave rise to external payments problems and the macroeconomics policies that were adopted by the authorities. While performance on the growth and inflation fronts compares favorably with other developing countries, the balance of payments remained persistently weak. A combination of favorable external shocks, such as the large increase in workers` remittances and sizable foreign aid inflows, allowed the economy some breathing room, but ultimately did not reduce the need for comprehensive fiscal and trade reforms to ensure medium-term viability of the balance of payments.
Regulation of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in higher plants. II. 3-Deoxy-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate synthetase from cauliflower.

Abstract 3-Deoxy-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate synthetase, which catalyzes the condensation of P-enolpyruvate and erythrose-4-P to yield 3-deoxy-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate has been purified 1000-fold from cauliflower florets. The enzyme exhibited an activity optimum around pH 6.6 and a stability optimum around pH 7.7. Optimum enzyme stability was achieved in a buffer of pH 7.7, containing a reducing agent, MnCl2, and a polyol compound such as glycerol or 1,3-propanediol. Loss of synthetase activity occurred rapidly in preparations with low protein concentration, but could be prevented by addition of bovine serum albumin. The reaction catalyzed by the enzyme was linear both with time and protein concentration. The synthetase exhibited high specificity for the substrates erythrose-4-P and P-enolpyruvate. An activation energy of 17,700 cal per mole was calculated for the enzymatic reaction. Strong inhibition by sulfhydryl reagents indicated that the synthetase contains a —SH group which is essential for activity. Inhibition by 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) was reversed by dithiothreitol. Inhibition of activity by a number of metal chelators indicates that the enzyme contains a metal ion important for activity. Of eight cations tested, Mn2+ was most active in reversing EDTA inhibition; Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ inhibited enzyme activity. Although the addition of Mn2+ was effective in stabilizing the enzyme, its addition was not necessary for demonstrating enzyme activity. Double reciprocal plots of velocity versus concentration of P-enolpyruvate were biphasic. S0.5 values for erythrose-4-P of 0.24 and 0.14 mm were calculated for high and low concentrations of P-enolpyruvate, respectively. The corresponding S0.5 values for P-enolpyruvate were 0.30 and 0.025 mm at high and low concentrations of P-enolpyruvate, respectively. Inhibition by erythrose-4-P occurred at concentrations greater than 1 mm but the inhibition was reversible by P-enolpyruvate. Gel chromatography of partially purified enzyme preparations gave evidence for the existence of several forms of the enzyme with different molecular weights. The enzyme was not inhibited by chorismate, phenylalanine, tyrosine, or tryptophan.
Infrared forbidden lines in H II regions and planetary nebulae.

Emissivity coefficients are calculated as functions of electron density and temperature for the IR forbidden lines between 2 and 300 microns of the elements and ionization stages most abundant in H II regions and planetary nebulae. The effect of self-absorption is investigated, and a method is presented for estimating when self-absorption may be important. The IR line spectrum of the Orion Nebula is predicted using the emissivity coefficients, and ionic abundances are derived for the Ar III, S IV, and Ne II forbidden lines in a number of planetary nebulae. The sulfur abundance and sulfur/oxygen ratio are discussed for H II regions and planetary nebulae. The average sulfur/oxygen ratio is found to be about 0.05 for gaseous nebulae.
Extracorporeal Elimination of Piperacillin/Tazobactam during Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System Therapy.

Use of the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) as a liver support device continues to grow worldwide. Various components of the MARS circuit remove both protein-bound and water-soluble molecules. Little is known about the extent of the enhanced clearance mechanisms used in MARS therapy on drug elimination. Of particular interest to acute care practitioners is the impact of MARS on antibiotic clearance, as suboptimal concentrations of such drugs can negatively impact patient outcomes. The properties of piperacillin/tazobactam suggest that elimination may be enhanced in the setting of MARS therapy. We describe two cases in which this was studied. Piperacillin concentrations were determined at various points within the MARS circuit, and patient serum concentrations were reported throughout the dosing interval while receiving MARS therapy. Piperacillin concentrations in both cases were in excess of the desired goal minimum inhibitory concentrations for treatment of gram-negative infections. Use of an extended-infusion strategy of piperacillin/tazobactam 3.375 or 4.5 g given every 8 hours maintained desired serum levels throughout the dosing interval. To our knowledge, this is the second published report on the use of piperacillin/tazobactam during MARS therapy. These case reports reveal successful dosing strategies for patients requiring piperacillin/tazobactam while receiving MARS therapy, as well as quantify the influence of individual MARS elements on drug extraction.
Recent results in space-time processing

This paper addresses several key issues in performance evaluation for the comparison of existing multichannel space-time processing (STP) approaches, with application to airborne wide-area surveillance (WAS) radars. Included are the selection of appropriate performance measures, the definition of degrees of freedom (DOF), and a performance comparison of the factored approach (FA), the extended factored approach (EFA), and the joint domain localized (JDL) processing approach. As the clutter environment is severely nonhomogeneous, our study shows that a probability based measure for STP evaluation and comparison is more objective than an output signal-to-clutter-plus-noise (SCNR) based measure. We also propose a separation of the system's available DOF and the processor's DOF. The STP comparison shows that the JDL approach outperforms the FA and the EFA, especially in more nonhomogeneous clutter. A discussion of several ongoing and future efforts is also presented. >
Conflict and compromise over tradeoffs in universal health insurance plans.

Despite a consensus across the political spectrum that the problem of the chronically uninsured is in dire need of solution, little progress has heen made. Public spending goes to topping up coverage for the elderly, already heavily subsidized under Medicare, or helping people temporarily without insurance because of international trade dislocations, so that it is clear that something is lacking in the case for significantly reducing the number of uninsured persons. In this paper I suggest that there have been two missing ingredients: a strategy for breaking the political deadlock around this issue, and information about the benefits of coverage sufficient to persuade kindly but skeptical taxpayers that they should be willing to pay to help solve this problem. This article begins with a discussion of these two problems. It then outlines a strategy based on income-related or conditioned refundable tax credits for private and public insurance, coupled with a plan to assemble persuasive information that may move things forward.
Tax shares in developing economies A panel study

Abstract Tax shares, the ratio of tax receipts to GNP or GDP, vary across countries for a number of reasons: stage of development, availability of appropriate tax handles, sources of non-tax income, and differences in tastes for public goods. In this study, a model is developed to explain differences in tax shares for a set of eight African countries. The model is estimated using a panel of data covering the time period 1973–1981. A measure of tax effort for each of the countries is obtained by applying the estimated coefficients to the variables of the country and comparing the actual tax share to the predicted tax share. Further insight is gained into differences in tax shares and tax effort by application of the model to the direct and indirect tax shares of the countries.
Algorithms for enumeration problem of linear congruence modulo m as sum of restricted partition numbers

We consider the congruence x1 + x2 + ... + xr ≡ c (mod m), where m and r are positive integers and c ∈ ℤm:= {0, 1, ...,m−1} (m ⩾ 2). Recently, W. -S. Chou, T. X. He, and Peter J. -S. Shiue considered the enumeration problems of this congruence, namely, the number of solutions with the restriction x1 ⩽ x2 ⩽ ... ⩽ xr, and got some properties and a neat formula of the solutions. Due to the lack of a simple computational method for calculating the number of the solution of the congruence, we provide an algebraic and a recursive algorithms for those numbers. The former one can also give a new and simple approach to derive some properties of solution numbers.
American College of Gastroenterology Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening 2008

This document is the first update of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations since 2000. The CRC screening tests are now grouped into cancer prevention tests and cancer detection tests. Colonoscopy every 10 years, beginning at age 50, remains the preferred CRC screening strategy. It is recognized that colonoscopy is not available in every clinical setting because of economic limitations. It is also realized that not all eligible persons are willing to undergo colonoscopy for screening purposes. In these cases, patients should be offered an alternative CRC prevention test (flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5-10 years, or a computed tomography (CT) colonography every 5 years) or a cancer detection test (fecal immunochemical test for blood, FIT).
Deformation behavior of the Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 bulk metallic glass over a wide range of strain-rates and temperatures

The stress-strain relations for the Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 bulk metallic glass (Vitreloy 1) over a broad range of temperatures (room temperature to its supercooled liquid region) and strain rates (10−5 to 103 s−1) were established in uniaxial compression using both quasi-static and dynamic Kolsky (split Hopkinson) pressure bar loading systems. Relaxation and jump in strain rate experiments were conducted to further understand the time dependent behavior of Vitreloy 1. The material exhibited superplastic flow above its glass transition temperature (623 K) and strain rates of up to 1 s−1. The viscosity in the homogeneous deformation regime was found to decrease dramatically with increasing strain rate. A fictive stress model was used to describe the basic deformation features of Vitreloy 1 under constant strain-rate loading as well as multiple strain-rate loading at high temperatures.
Autoradiographic localization of [3H]-imipramine binding sites: Association with serotonergic neurons

Localization of the binding sites for a radioactive form of the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine has been accomplished using receptor autoradiographic techniques. These studies demonstrated a marked overlap between regions presenting dense concentrations of imipramine binding sites and regions known to receive serotonergic projections. Lesions of the serotonergic neurons were created by intracerebroventricular injections of the potent neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine. The effectiveness of these lesions was ascertained by immunohistochemical localization of serotonin containing neurons in both lesioned and vehicle treated control animals. Animals lesioned in this fashion, showed a dramatic loss of imipramine binding sites in all of the areas which were previously densely labeled. The catecholamine containing neurons were lesioned in another group of animals using 6-hydroxydopamine. The effects of these lesions were ascertained using fluorescence histochemical techniques. In these animals, the imipramine binding sites were unaltered. These results suggest that imipramine binding sites are presynaptic and are located on serotonin containing terminals and not on catecholamine containing neurons.
Privatizing the Russian Economy: The Nizhny Novgorod Experience:

Nizhny Novgorod became the first city in Russia to privatize its small businesses, transportation industry, and collective farms after the collapse of communism and became a model for other cities. The authors review the innovative, unprecedented, and little-known public auctions responsible for successfully privatizing Nizhny's economy. Keys to success were dedicated enlightened public leadership, consensual intergovernmental partnership in a federal system, and effective use of Western privatization experts. High and capricious taxation, over regulation, public corruption and private criminal activity, near hyperinflation, lack of commercial law, politics, and vanishing markets jeopardize privatization gains.
The Search for Novel Malaria Transmission-blocking Targets in the Mosquito Midgut.

The need for new malaria control strategies has led to increased efforts to understand more clearly the mosquito stages of Plasmodium. The absolute requirement of gamete maturation and fertilization, transformation of sedentary zygote to motile ookinete, ookinete interaction and invasion of gut epithelium, and the survival of the mosquito against immune attack suggest that numerous unidentified targets exist, which could be modified to achieve transmission-blocking of malaria. In the search for new transmission-blocking targets in the mosquito gut, Mohammed Shahabuddin, Stephane Cociancich and Helge Zieler here summarize recent studies to identify the cellular and biochemical factors that affect the malaria parasite's development; in particular, factors influencing the early development of Plasmodium, receptor-mediated interactions between the parasite and the mosquito midgut, and the gut-associated immune responses directed against Plasmodium.
Platform Selection Under Performance Bounds in Optimal Design of Product Families

Designing a family of product variants that share some components usually requires a compromise in performance relative to the individually optimized variants due to the commonality constraints. Choosing components for sharing may depend on what performance losses can be tolerated. In this article an optimal design problem is formulated to choose product components to be shared without exceeding user-specified bounds on performance. This enables the designer to control tradeoffs and obtain optimal product family designs for maximizing commonality at different levels of acceptable performance. A family of automotive body side frames is used to demonstrate the approach.
CONSISTENCY OF THE AVERAGED CROSS‐PERIODOGRAM IN LONG MEMORY SERIES

Several aspects of inference with long memory series in a multivariate framework are examined. The main result of this paper is to prove the consistency of the averaged cross- periodogram evaluated in a degenerating neighbourhood of zero frequency. We also illustrate several applications of that result and consider some specification issues.
Solar wind density and velocity control of auroral brightness under normal interplanetary magnetic field conditions

[1] In this study we determine relationships between auroral brightness and each of the solar wind density and velocity under normal interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions using Polar Lyman-Birge-Hopfield long band (∼170.0 nm) images and Interplanetary Monitoring Platform 8 solar wind data. Since IMF and season are parameters that can affect the auroral brightness, the determination of the relationships is performed on the basis of the IMF Bz polarity and season to reduce some contamination from these two parameters. It is found that for southward IMF and the winter case the solar wind density and velocity increase the auroral brightness mainly on the nightside. For southward IMF and the summer case the density and velocity also increase the auroral brightness mainly on the nightside, but the increase is not as large as that for southward IMF and the winter case.
The Strength and Modulus of Imperfectly Bonded Whisker Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites

The whisker reinforced ceramic matrix composites show a significant improvement in room temperature strength and modulus over those of monolithic ceramics. However, at elevated temperatures, these materials do not exhibit any improvement in the above mechanical properties. It is postulated that the degradation in modulus and strength with temperature occurs due to a deterioration of the whisker/matrix interface bond, that is, imperfect bonding. A micromechanics model was developed to explain this behavior and to predict the modulus and ultimate strength of whisker reinforced ceramic matrix composites at elevated temperatures. It was assumed that the interface was purely frictional in nature, and degradation in the mechanical properties was a result of the change in the bond strength and growth of preexisting interface imperfections. A parametric study was done to show the role of various micromechanical parameters on the ultimate strength and modulus of the composite. 15 refs.